Thursday, September 29, 2005

Hand + ball = What do you think?

No goals, no penalties. Jipped, I tells ya!

*You've got only 3 more days to check out ?uestlove's fine selection of tunes on last weekend's Worldwide show on Radio 1 (filling in for Gilles Peterson).

*A sequel to No Direction Home? C'mon Bob, you know it makes sense.

*Kicking more dirt on Johnny Cash's grave - yes, it's the totally unecessary musical of his life, 'Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Story'. Oh. Dear. Surely not another lemon, sorry, Lennon.

*Pharrell's solo joint is dropping on November 15, entitled 'In My Mind'. Here's the first single, Can I Have it Like That featuring Gwen 'Never mind Gavin, I still love you even though Institute are shit' Stefani. If you listen to ?uestlove's Worldwide show above, you'll find the Timbaland-helmed track Spaceship (feat. Magoo) around the 35 minute mark, and it's even hotter.

*New stuff too from The Strokes, Juicebox, but be quick! Thanks to Badminton Stamps. First impressions?

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

'Arr, squiddy, I got nothin' against ya. I just heard there was gold in yer belly'


Thar's the culprit! Posted by Picasa

Giant Squid! Suddenly I don't feel like swimming in the ocean for quite some time. Bet Steve Zissou never saw one of those. However, I'm sure he doesn't care since he's too busy admiring his nifty kicks. I don't care what Gawker says, I gotsta get me some!

Shoes, shoes, shoes...

*For those wondering, Can't Mix Won't Mix is in hibernation, but may surface in a new venue (and possibly under a new name) in the next few months. I'll keep y'all posted.

*Ding Ding! Here we go again.

*Oh dear. Looks like Steve Jobs has a problem on his hands. But why do people need more than one iPod?

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Roots / Breakin' with Mr T / R.I.P. Maxwell Smart

Howdy pardners. Anybody catch part one of Scorsese's Dylan documentary last night on BBC2? Fascinating stuff, and the footage from the Newport Folk Festival with Dylan and Joan Baez was just lovely (even if he did then treat her like most other women in his life. Poor form Bob!). Part 2 is on tonight, and the DVD comes out on Monday for those who've missed their fix of Zimmerman action.

News news news...

* Illadelphers The Roots have found a new home after leaving Geffen. Yup, they're now rockin it with Hova down at Def Jam. Does this mean a reunion of the killer combo from Jigga's unplugged set?

*Gold. Yes, it's Mr T learning how to break and body pop in the campest way possible. Hey, don't mock him fool!

*Sad day for spies all over the globe as news filtered through that Agent 86 passed away last weekend. Sniff!

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Stax of slacks / 72 years is a loooong wait (Well done Swans)

In the aftermath of seeing Blues Explosion rip up Koko this week as part of the Don't Look Back series, here's Major Leaguer's top five songs about slacks, pants, trousers...

5. Dirty Jeans - Magic Dirt
4. Baggy Trousers - Madness
3. Bellbottoms - JSBX
2. Hot Pants - James Brown
1. Short Shorts - The Royal Teens (yes, this wins by a country mile!)

Oh, musn't go without quickly mentioning the good work of Mr Leo Barry from Sydney. Well done Sydney. I'm sure some regular Major Leaguer vistors woke up with sore heads this morning ;)

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Been a while, I shouldna left you....

Yeah, yeah. Blogging doesn't necessarily maketh the man, or summin' like that. I've got to stop reading those classy liberal newspapers, what with their big words and lack of Page 3 models. Shame on me! Although the new format for the guardian is lovely indeed (yes, it's in lower case because that's how the title appears on the front page. You can download free PDF versions of the new Berliner format until September 26).

So kids, what's news? Spent the week having various drinks of the alchoholic and non-alcoholic kind with friends old and new (Conal - have fun in South America! I'll see you next time I'm in Melbourne), writing some things for Ditched and Subter, spending an hour last night gazing at a lush full moon before falling asleep, buying records I can't afford (but that's not really news since it's the same ol' story every damn week), and seeing bands of varying degrees in Camden. Such as...

* Pedro The Lion (last Sunday at The Underworld), who avoided the sound problems that befell their support acts, and provided this indie-rock geek with two hours of warm mushy emo, filled with the occasional chopping guitar riff. I'd write more, but I'll save it for another day (or more importantly the next issue of Nature Loves Courage ...available at all good London record stores from mid-October, issue launch party coming soon) . But if they're playing in your neck of the woods then check them out.

If I had a little money...I'd snap up some of these records out this week.

* Nada Surf - 'The Weight Is A Gift' (CD, Barsuk/V2)
* Papa M / Unhome - 'Mama You've Been On My Mind / Pine Tree'("7 re-issue, Awkward Silence)
* Broadcast - 'Tender Buttons' (CD/LP, Warp)
* Jackson and his Computer Band - 'Smash' (CD/LP, Warp)...this album's just a wee bit special, and fans of quality electro up for something new in the vein of Isolee need look no further...

Oh, and even though Lil Kim's jail term starts today, at least The Source sees fit to provide us all with some laughs to ease the pain, as pointed out by the fine peeps at Spine. Yup, 5 mike review for 'Naked Truth' (I mean, I know The Source's standards have slipped in recent years but...what? 5? Does that means she's as good as Eric B and Rakim or Nas?.......what? 5?!?!)

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Put the needle on the record....

....and the drum beat goes like this!

Had a blast spinning tunes on Sunday for the Cancer Research '12 Bands in 10 Hours' gig at The Duke in Chiswick. Money raised, bands played (Eddie and Paul - you lads will go far one day!), drinks drunk, and a good time was had by all. Thanks to Chris, Lucas, and Eddie for inviting me to participate in a lovely day out...

* The September issue of Subter.com is up and out there. Check it out peeps.

* If you're up for a dance this Thursday night, pop along to Bethnal Green Workingmen's Club for the new night from those elegant deckwreckers The Record Players. Cheap pints, live music from Sam the Balladeer amongst others, and surprises galore.

* If you only buy one record this week, make it Little Brother's The Minstrel Show, ok? Over and out.

Major Leaguer stereo selections (or 'party stuff what I played on Sunday, y'hear?')

VHS Or Beta - Night On Fire (Cut Copy Mix)
Nada Surf - Blankest Year
Bob Dylan - Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Chronicles is out in paperback this week!)
AC/DC - Back In Black
The Roots - I Don't Care
ODB feat Kelis - Got Your Money
The Clash - Hateful
Gang 90 - Jack Kerouac (from this year's best compilation of Brazilian punk-funk, The Sexual Life of Savages...yes, there's been several of them!)

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Diss this, diss that - Common vs Rising Son, Yungun & Doc Brown

Oops...looks like Common's in a spot of bother, due to comments made on the subject of inter-racial relationships during an interview in the June issue of Touch, as well as lyrics from the track 'Real People' from his latest album, Be. In response, UK rappers Rising Son, Doc Brown & Yungun have joined together, and created 'Dear Common (The Corner Dub)', where Rising Son calls one of Chi-town's favourite son's a 'racist bitch'. Ow.

* Hear the trio's response track (thanks to HipHopGameUK)

* Read Elle J Small's original article in Touch which kicked off the whole shebang (one of the best pieces of music journalism for quite some time)

* The Okay Player boards have some interesting, if sometimes irrelevant, views about the issue.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

All I got is Nada....oh, and Antony


Ricky from the Kaisers never looked this good... Posted by Picasa

First things first, it looks like the 'juggling ball' Mercury music prize got it right for the second year in a row. Who'da thunk it? Well done Antony.

News, news, news!

* Saw the power pop stylings of Nada Surf at The Spitz last night (which is the cosiest venue I've been to in quite some time. Gets a bit hot though!)

So....no, they didn't play 'Popular'. Yes, they played heaps of tracks from Let Go, and a few from Proximity Effect. And, yes, they played half the new album, highlights being 'Do It Again' and 'What Is Your Secret' which are prime candidates for future singles. Here's what the fans thought...

*Phew! Alex Chilton is safe and well after being rescued from the murky New Orleans waters. Unfortunately, thousands of other Big Easy residents haven't been so lucky. Here's a list of charities and organisations that you can contact to pledge your support.

* On a related note, here's Kanye's outburst during last week's New Orleans beneift telethon (and whether you agree with Kanye or not, the bemused look on Mike Myers face is priceless)

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Sleater-Kinney @ Koko - 2/9/05


If you go down to the woods today... Posted by Picasa

...you'll see Sleater-Kinney rockin' their socks off. Last night's SK gig at Koko in Camden was one of the best gigs I've seen in a long time. Plenty of tracks from The Woods , a few choice oldies (finishing their final encore with 'Dig Me Out'), and some stellar jams between the three of them near the end of the main set. The segue from 'Let's Call It Love' to 'Entertain' was a nice surprise, especially since I expected them to go into 'Night Light' like they do on the album.

Janet Weiss is one of the best drummers I've ever had the chance to see live, Carrie was extremely energetic with Townsend-style high kicks all over the stage, and although Corin's vocals sounded a bit rough at the start (quite possibly due to the length of the European festival tour they've been on), she soon kicked into gear with an brilliant turn on 'Jumpers' (song of the night).

They're touring the UK again in November so if you haven't had the chance to check SK live yet I strongly recommend it.

Let Sleater-Kinney 'Entertain' you.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Kate Bush! Hooray!


She's back! Posted by Hello

Click the link and go running up that hill again with Ms Bush! We missed you....