I hope that Carl Newman's feelings are not seriously hurt right now. In support of their best album yet, the New Pornographers have been rather shorthanded, with Dan Bejar's tenure with the group over, and Neko Case busy promoting her own record. Adding insult to injury, Bejar has gone and joined up with a new supergroup, Swan Lake, alongside Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes) and Spencer Krug (Sunset Rubdown, Wolf Parade). Mercer tells Pitchfork, "I proposed that we each bring in four songs and put them together to make a record. It worked!" He adds, "we wanted to formally have a chance to contribute/collaborate on each other's songs; I have never actually sung with Spencer, and Dan and Krug have never recorded together. These songs were all written with the other two members specifically in mind. . . . If not surprised, then [fans will] hopefully [be] impressed. It is kind of trippy." Expect a release later this year.Meanwhile, Destroyer's Rubies (review) is tearing up the college radio charts, and I cannot wait to see Mr. Bejar at Cafe du Nord in May. (Click (here for all the dates).
::MP3::
"You Are a Runner," Wolf Parade
Of course, the supergroup on everybody's mind these days is the Raconteurs. Often referred to as "Jack White's new band," White is quick to point out this is a collaborative effort. His buddy and V2 labelmate Brendan Benson is co-songwriting and singing, while Greenhornes' Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler, who also played on Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose fill out the rhythm section. Last week, the quartet played their first-ever live shows, to pretty stellar reviews, including a secret gig at London record store Phonica. White assures fans that the White Stripes are in no way done, while noting that his favorite band of the moment is Arctic Monkeys. The Raconteurs' debut Broken Boy Soldiers hits shelves on May 15, while on April 7, they will play their first US show at New York City's Irving Plaza. Check out their first video, "Steady as She Goes" ......and, because it just feels right, enjoy this picture of the Superfriends:
::Previously::
1 Review: "Steady, as She Goes" b/w "Store Bought Bones" / The Raconteurs
2 Raconteurs Website: Awesome, and a little similar to Jonah's
9 comments:
Thank you, yes, I did enjoy the picture of the Superfriends. One of the theatre companies I work with did a parody of it LIVE on stage a couple years ago. We paired it with a live production of Speed Racer. Much fun was had.
Superfriends: The Musical - that sounds SO AWESOME. Sorry to have missed it. See, something for everybody here at N&UR.
I thought I wasn't going to like the single, but I think it's great. You can't take the White Stripes out of Jack White, but it is different.
Yeah, I like it a lot too.
I'm going to see Neko Case in Dallas in a few weeks, and I'm fairly salivating!!! I purchased Fox Confessor last week - my first foray into her music, and I am utterly smitten. Brilliant.
I'm a trained classical vocalist, btw, and I think she's one of my top 10 female vocalists of all time - brilliant, womanly vocal production, extraordinary musicality. I'm going to be bouncing off the walls the day of the show. I wish I could clone myself and get a double dose of the show!
We are so jealous that you're going to see her live. Yeah, her voice is amazing. Let us know how the show goes, please.
Poor Carl - he is my favourite ginger-haired rock star who looks like an accountant. But I think he's going to be okay. That's what happens to collectives sometimes.
I didn't see Buddha in the Super Friends, oh wait, that was Super Best Friends, my mistake.
I love the Super Friends, although Superman looks a little gay.
Barbara - I think you're right; Carl will be ok. At the very least he can make stellar solo records. You describe his physical appearance very well.
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