If you liked Crazy In Love...

So, those of you who know me are aware I'm partial to the odd bit of R&B, especially the sucker punch 'damn, what was that?' kind that you want to spin again once the needle leaves the groove. Well, Amerie's '1 Thing' is one such tune. Produced by Rich Harrison (of 'Crazy In Love' fame) it's an Apache-style drum fiesta with an ace vocal. Her first album was slept on, so here's hoping working with producers like Harrison and Lil' Jon (who contributes the title track to her new album, 'Touch') gets her the recognition she deserves. Plus, there's always the video if you're not convinced.....

Oh, last Thursday was also Major Leaguer celebrity spotting day.
*Spaced's Simon Pegg looking lost (in Carnaby Street)
*The welsh presenter from Channel 4's T4 (not Vernon) who apparently had 'relations' with Pamela Anderson (at the White Stripes album playback at the Cabinet War Rooms)
*The actor who played Burnside on The Bill walking towards Oxford Street. Burnside! He looked quiet scary really. Probably on the way to nicking some geezer. Probably. Burnside!

'Who wants celery?'

Highlights of the past 7 days...

*Willie Mason at ULU. The lad's a genius, and was backed by his 15 yr old brother on drums (who was wasted after two beers and a cigarette. Bless). Never been to a gig where the main act throws celery and kiwi fruit at the audience!

*Brendan Benson at Waterfront, Norwich. Power pop.....swoon.

*Meeting deadlines for DIS, Ditched, and by sunday Subter.com (honest Brad....it's on it's way!)

*Securing the club night at The Pool in Shoreditch. More details shortly...just keep May 11 free ok? Although if yr going to see The Real at Notting Hill Arts Club then I'll let you off, but just this once...

The definition of Indie, according to Vice

"I feel like there has been created, in the past two to three years, an indie-yuppie establishment. Bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Iron and Wine, the Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, they are great bands, really great bands, with great albums, great songs, high quality. And to me, it’s just so fucking boring. It’s like fancy-coffee-drinking, Volvo-riding music for kids. And kids should be listening to music that shakes them up more, makes them uncomfortable. … I don’t think we’re ever going to sign an indie rock band. … I want to sign stuff that is more immediate and shakes you up a bit."

So sayeth Adam Shore, general manager of Vice Recordings (y'know, the Atlantic backed record label offshoot of Vice Magazine), speaking to the Columbia Spectator. Funny, because weren't these guys one of Vice's first signings? In fact, according to Trend Central, they signed waaaaay back in May of '03. Oh, and that lil' band Vice also signed called Bloc Party? Hate to break it to you Adam, but despite the art-punk leanings, they're indie too. Don't want to diss the fine folks at Vice (especially the eternally dope Eric Lavoie) but c'mon, who are you trying to fool?

Thanks to Brooklyn Vegan and Stereogum for the heads up on Vice's slightly odd guide to indie rawknroll....

High rotation on the Major Leaguer stereo this week...

Hot Hot Heat - Middle of Nowhere (from Elevator, April 25)
Nine Inch Nails - The Hand That Feeds (from With Teeth, May 2)
Autechre - Untilted (Untilted, April 18)
Aimee Mann - That's How I Knew This Story Would Break My Heart (from The Forgotten Arm, May 2)
Maximo Park - Apply Some Pressure (from A Certain Trigger, May 16)

Pitchfork and Fluxblog - Indie heaven?

Here's an interesting article from the Chicago Tribune about the impact that websites such as Fluxblog and Pitchfork have on the music industry. About three years too late, but still worth reading (Credit goes to largeheartedboy for finding this piece).

Have just realised that I've missed T-Model Ford playing at The Spitz tonight. Not only was it the chance to see one of the last Fat Possum ol' boys in action, but Alan Sparhawk (Low) and his dirty side project Black Eyed Snakes were supporting as well. Dag nabit!

The Frog Brothers!

Weekdays are the new weekend (well for me anyway). Two days off for laundry, haircuts, writing, cleaning and hopefully checking out my Lost Boys special edition DVD. Corey overload....

Record of the week - Tom Vek 'We Have Sound'

The one man wonder who was in the middle of a frantic bidding war at last year's In The City gathering in Manchester finally gets around to releasing his debut. Packed full of stacatto drum loops, punk funk basslines, Talking Heads vocals and crazed yelps, it's mightily impressive stuff (although If I Had Changed My Mind does sound eerily like Two States by Pavement. Which isn't a bad thing really).

Subter III

Issue Three of Subter is online from today. Check out the interviews with Anna Nalick and The Real, then listen to streamed tracks from both artists. Go on. You know you want to.

Listened to the new Roisin Murphy (singer from Moloko) album today, and it's quite tasty indeed. Y'know why? Cause' it's got Matthew Herbert's clinky, whirry, jazzy production all over it. Yum.

New Gorillaz single and video here!

Y'know what? A year ago I was apprehensive about a second Gorillaz album, but Damon...sorry, the fab four (Murdoc, Noodle, 2-D and Russel) look like they've done it again with ace first single, 'Feel Good, Inc.' (out May 9) assisted by Dave from De La Soul. The album 'Dark Days' follows a fortnight afterwards, and features spots from the likes of ....gasp....MF Doom, Roots Manuva, Shaun Ryder, Martina Topley-Bird, and (my personal favourite) Dennis Hopper!. Check out the Miyazaki inspired clip for 'Feel Good, Inc.' here. Now where was I? Oh, yeah. Dennis Hopper! Damn!

Right, where were we?

Howdy kids. Major Leaguer is back up and running on a regular basis thanks to the kind peeps at Telewest Broadband (I spent half an hour watching Italian television after my cable had been set up. Superb!). My apologies to friends and family who didn't have a clue as to my whereabouts, and to various editors who were kind enough to entertain my pleas for extended deadlines. Scouts honour I'll make all deadlines from now on....*

Record of the week - The Kills - 'No Wow'

The Kills' debut Keep On Your Mean Side was a minor classic, but with No Wow the duo up the stakes, channelling the likes of PJ Harvey and The White Stripes to fuel 11 tracks of raw rock. It's a rough, dirty, and downright sexy album, and with Rodeo Town they've got a tearjerker for indie kids everywhere. Oh, thank fuck they dropped those silly monikers (Hotel? VV?) and concentrated purely on the music. Hotel?

*I was never in the scouts....suckers...

The need for speed...processing speed that is...

Ah....broadband is just hours away. No more blogging once a fortnight, and e-mail boxes full of junk. Checked out The Real at Parker Place in Holborn last week. Label interest in this band is slowly simmering. Keep an eye on Subter.com next month as I talk to Kyle and Paul from the band and find out how they're going about making a name for themselves in such a competitive industry.

Record of the week - Brendan Benson 'The Alternative to Love'

Third album from the Detroit songster and it's an absolute gem. Produced by Tchad Blake (Neil Finn, Pearl Jam, Soul Coughing), this is a record packed full of sparkling pop songs, stellar hooks and heartfelt lyrics. Sure to be one of 2005's best.

Sleep? Who needs sleep?

Hey hey people....have been away from the ol' interweb for a while, but it looks like normal Major Leaguer transmissions will start again shortly. Found a new flat which means no more dragging my suitcase and laptop around North London. Made a few new friends, said goodbye to a few for a while (Wish I was going to Spain!), saw a few choice gigs (Slint.....wowwwwwwww) and got as little sleep possible. Heck, I even made my debut on the wheels of steel on Monday night at The Pool in Shoreditch (ta muchly Lina, Laura and Marie). Oh, and the new issue of Subter.com has just been born. I may or may not have a new column there, and it may or may not be about Indie clubs in Londinium. Maybe.

Record of the week - Arcade Fire 'Funeral'

Beautiful music from the Montreal collective on every record store employee and music critics lips. Imagine The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev and David Thomas getting jamming in a church and you're on the way to what these guys sound like. Stunning. 'Twas also Pitchfork's album of 2004, which is a good enough reason to check it out.

Cut Copy UK release / The Real

Well, well, well.....update to the Cut Copy post from a week or so ago. Just seen an ad for a March UK release of 'Neon Bright Lights' in Vice magazine (it's very sick this month, esp the gross jar). Pester your local music store to get it in, and to pass the time why not go looking for a nice pair of pink leg warmers to go with it?

One band in a similar style as Cut Copy are The Real. Check out their website to get the latest gig listings, sounds and all The Real news that's fit to print. They've recently played Death Disco (they'll be back there again in May) and other ace places that young kids like to frequent these days. Keeps 'em off the streets I guess.

STOP PRESS: The Real's dashing lead singer Kyle has informed me that they're changing their name but is keeping it under wraps till the time is right. The moment I find out I'll let you know.

Nope, not the Beach Boy

A great music blog from Canadian critic Carl Wilson, who has scooped the artwork to the new Beck album 'Guero' (which is going to bring back all the Odelay fans in droves). Also has a touching tribute to old-school blogger, and KIN records man, Nick Kilroy who died earlier this week.

Tickets sorted to Slint, LCD/Soulwax/Go-Team and Willie Mason. Star Green loved me yesterday...

Slack blogging, huh?

I confess, I have been a bit tardy recently with coming back from Australia, and searching for a new abode. However, in a fortnight it should all be fine and with the power of broadband Major Leaguer will be resume normal transmission.

Here's a few things that made me prick up my ears this week...

* My favourite Beatle playing at the Superbowl (which sadly was won by New England...dammit!)

* A cool documentary about the LA rock mover and shaker Rodney Bingenheimer opens here on Friday (UK)

* Pete Doherty spends the weekend in the slammer (were you surprised?)

* and I'm going to get my A into G and get my ticket to Slint at the Astoria

Album of the week - John Legend 'Get Lifted'

Very sweet, souful offering from a man who's worked with some memorable soul and hip hop artists over the past decade, and now has his own chance to shine thanks to Kanye West. Some tracks are a bit slight, but on the whole it's a smooth and enjoyable first album. Worth admission just for the West-produced 'Used To Luv U' and the gorgeous title track.

Subter.com - Issue One

Well, Subter.com is up and running so why don't y'all check it out? Sure, I may have a column on the site but don't let that put you off....everyone involved has done a fantastic job, the columns and articles are well written, and it looks classy too. Well done Brad...

Returning to London yesterday, I was greeted by the lovely site of Pete Doherty looking wasted on the front page of the Evening Standard. It's good to see that some things don't change in two months. As for his new best friend Ms Moss, well, the less said the better.

Album of the week - Cut Copy 'Neon Bright Lights'

The pop hooks of New Order mixed with the glimmering dance sensibilities of Royksopp. Production work on the album is from Cassius's Phillippe Zdar. Lovely, just lovely. No UK release yet, but you should be able to order it on Australian import from your local record store. Over and out.

Hey Hey Hey Superstar! I love Japan...

Apologies for recent tardiness - I'm making up for it in a hotel in Tokyo on the way back to London. Just finished watching J-Pop show called Hey Hey Hey Superstar...it was bliss even though I didn't understand a single word of it. However, I now have glorious colours running through my head and probably won't be able to sleep at all tonight (every Japanese TV show seems to be both loud and colourful).

Big Day Out last week was the usual sunburnt festivas of music. Highlights were Le Tigre, Cut Copy and Kid Koala. 'Twas fun to see the Beasties, and I also caught a glimpse of a few choice Australian bands (although missed the two next big Aussie bands, Wolfmother and The Cops).

Album of the week? Cut Copy - mix 'tween Royksopp and New Order...yummy...

Subter.com Issue 1 this week as well, as if I hadn't mentioned it already.

More Majorleaguer in a few days time. Time to sleep 'n' fly...

Barney's back...

The lads from New Order broke their silence this week about their new album 'Waiting For The Sirens To Call' which is out on March 28. I say lads as keyboardist Gillian Gilbert has taken a longer sabbatical than previously planned, and her place has been taken by touring guitarist Phil Cunningham.

Initial reports of 'Waiting...' are promising indeed, with tradmark hooks (no pun intended), silly lyrics and fantastic pogoing rock/dance songs aplenty. Looking forward to March already...

Band Weblogs

This site is still in it's infancy, but looks good so far, and is full of links to heaps of music-related blogs (both from musicians and writers). It also has a link to Dave Navarro's blog as well, reason enough to check Band Weblogs out.

Subter.com is starting to look good, and having just finished my first column (or at least the inital draft) for the site, I'm looking forward to seeing Issue One in all it's glory on Feb 2 (which is also Graham Nash's birthday!)

Splitsville: Ikara Colt have broken up after their set five-year period of existence, which was frankly five years too long, but I'm more sad about these guys. Oh, and these guys too. All together now, "We live in the Year 3000..."

Albums to look forward to in 2005 - January

It looks like being a good start to the music year with a few tasty treats coming this month. Here's what Major Leaguer is looking forward to hearing...

January

Mercury Rev - Secret Migration
Trail of Dead - Worlds Apart
Low - Great Destroyer
LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsytem (James Murphy can do no wrong)Bright Eyes - Digital Ash/I'm Awake...
Roots Manuva - Awfully Deep
Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous (finally getting a UK release)

Not bad for what's traditionally a quiet month for music releases. Plus, the new Chemical Brothers album sounds promising. The tracks I've heard so far aren't too shabby, and Believe, featuring Kele from Bloc Party, is a sure fire club banger. So go spend some dough on at least one of these beauties, or in the case of Bright Eyes both of them, so you can stop listening to the crap records you were given by your folks for Christmas. I'll never listen to that Neil Diamond boxset if you paid me (except for Crunchy Granola - good lord!)

Q-Tip jumps ship (again)

So it looks like another Q-Tip album could be dead and buried. Kamaal the Abstract has just inked a contract with Mowtown, leaving Dreamworks only two years after he left Arista, the label who wouldn't release his self-titled album because it was 'not commercial enough' (or maybe because it was a bit too self indulgent and jazz-noodly). Q-Tip had finished his Dreamworks debut way back in late 2003, and there was even a February 2004 photo-shoot for the album's cover, but with his move to Mowtown it's unclear whether 'Open' will now be released. Oh, and still no word on a possible new album from the Tribe, which means Phife might have to finally get a 9-5 job. Kinda reminds me of that 'Adopt a Rapper' skit on Doggy Fizzle Televizzle....

Prefuse 73 and Ghostface!

Stacks of good news today from Pitchfork . New Prefuse 73 album should be interesting, especially with Ghostface and Broadcast lending a hand (Major Leaguer is always down with Pretty Toney, especially if he's spitting verbs with El-P....dyn-o-mite!).

Also for London readers, get your tickets now for the Secret Machines gig at Brixton Academy. The brown underpants are already on in anticipation. Hang on, these weren't brown when....crap. Excuse me for a moment...