No Really

Someday soon, I'll blog more frequently again, and choose a topic other than Radiohead, but for now, check out Pitchfork's review of In Rainbows, paying particular attention to the rating.

Radiohead Shocker

LONDON -- As Radiohead celebrated the news that In Rainbows went platinum in just three days, the oft-proclaimed "world's greatest band" was today rocked when its reclusive and little-used sixth member, singer-guitarist Lee Greenwood, announced that he would leave the band.

Holding an impromptu press conference just outside the security barriers at Heathrow, where he was catching a flight back to the “U.S. of A.,” Greenwood read from a prepared statement. "I love my brothers Jonny and Colin, but I was getting sick of their constant promises to put ‘God Bless the U.S.A.’ on the next album, and then never delivering. I even remixed the song with some of the e-lec-tronic stuff that Thom likes so much, but they still refused to put it on the Over the Rainbows [sic]. Something about 10 tracks on 10/10 or something. I wish Thom, Colin, Jonny, Ed, and Phil all the best, but frankly I am happy to finally strike out on my own and look forward to playing for audiences around the world.”

Folding the statement and picking up his guitar case, Greenwood added, “I hope this doesn't surprise too many fans, but it's been a long time comin'. I mean, you have to listen to OK Computer pretty hard to hear my vocals or strummin’. It's there, especially on ‘Lucky,’ but pretty deep in the mix, and I think it’s time for my voice to be up front and center. Plus, I have a line on a good tour of casinos in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. When is Radiohead going to tour?”

The members of Radiohead could not be reached for comment.

Bob: A brief recap

Well, I'm confident I made the right choice in shows tonight. Got there early, sat in the front row and enjoyed the Q&A (first topic was the Radiohead release and Bob thought that only Radiohead or U2 could pull that off) and the solo set. Bob autographed a poster and we discussed the merits of my iPhone case vs. his. Never thought I'd talk to him in my life, let alone about a mobile phone.

Bob Mould & Radiohead (and Wilco ran away with the Spoon)

There’s a strange and wonderful convergence of pop culture for me today. To celebrate, I’m posting a double dose of lyrics. As I type this early on Tuesday night (like a kid waiting for his Christmas gifts -- if I go to bed now, when I wake up it will be tomorrow), I’m eagerly awaiting my download instructions for Radiohead’s new album In Rainbows. The industry is a buzz regarding Radiohead’s approach to selling the new album. It’s the 10th in the UK already – let’s get some download codes. So, that’s why I’m including Radiohead on today’s post.

Convergence Exhibit A: Bob Mould talking about the Radiohead release on his blog.
Convergence Exhibit B: Radiohead releases new album on October 10, the same day that Bob Mould will be at the Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis.
Convergence Exhibit C: Besides Bob, Wilco (at the Northrop) and Spoon (at First Ave) are in town for shows. Too much. Too much I tell you!!!

Husker Du was one of my favorite bands in high school and college. The first song I ever played on my college radio show was Husker Du’s “59 Times the Pain.” Along with Soul Asylum and The Replacements, Husker Du are a large reason Minneapolis was ever on my radar and some how beat out the Windy City as place to call home. In college (and shortly after) my other favorite bands were Uncle Tupelo/Wilco and Radiohead. Ah favorites, where would we be without lists and a spirit of hierarchy? Without Billboard and half of VH1's programming, that's where!! Perhaps that's why I find this shirt so funny.

Back to Bob at the BLB. He’s doing a solo acoustic set along with a screening of his concert DVD. The BLB holds about 100 people in its theatre (and to add to the convergence, the BLB is about 6 blocks from home). I can’t wait. OK...OK (computer?) enough babble about convergence… What’s that Jesus Christ, George Harrison, Hendrix and Col. Sanders are giving a lecture at the Walker?

So the songs/lyrics I’ve selected for today are Husker Du’s “Chartered Trips” from Zen Arcade and Radiohead’s “Karma Police” From OK Computer. "Chartered Trips," as it’s on the DVD that will be screened and it has one of my favorite post-punk, molar-shaking guitar riff openings. "Karma Police" because it’s one of my favorite songs, the piano riffs evoke elements of The Beatles’ "Sexy Sadie" and OK Computer was released ten years ago.

Chartered Trips
Performed by Husker Du
Lyrics by Bob Mould

I picked up my belongings in a nylon carry-all
I hear the porter call
Said "The sky's the limit on this chartered trip away,"
I guess I'd better stay

Out there on the desert, I see trees on every wall
Nothing's ever solved
Said "The sky's the limit on this chartered trip away,"
Guess I'd better stay away

I thought I owed myself a trip away
I wanted to go to places I have never been away
I looked at the pictures, imagine where they lay
Away on a beach by the sand, where their clothes all lay away

Horizon is oblivious, chartered trip away
Said "There's no returning from this chartered trip away

Karma Police
Performed by Radiohead
Lyrics by Thom Yorke

Karma police, arrest this man
He talks in maths
He buzzes like a fridge
He's like a detuned radio

Karma police, arrest this girl
Her Hitler hairdo is
Making me feel ill
And we have crashed her party

This is what you get
This is what you get
This is what you get when you mess with us

Karma Police
I've given all I can
It's not enough
I've given all I can
But we're still on the payroll

This is what you get
This is what you get
This is what you get when you mess with us

And for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself
And for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself

For for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself
For for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself
Phew, for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself

Radiohead In Rainbows

Holy crap: out of nowhere, Radiohead announces that they're releasing a download-only new album - In Rainbows - on October 10, with a physical release of the same album coming in December and also including a bonus disc. I can hear the ticks, whirrs, and moans already. Huh. My hearing-aid batteries must need changing.

Anyhow, I just pre-ordered my download - which seems a bit meta, frankly - and those crazy wankers asked ME - the lowly listener/customer/fan! - to set the price! Are you serious? What a great scheme.

I can't wait to hear the album.

The Bad Plus Two

The semi-Minneapolitan jazz trio the Bad Plus played the Guthrie the other night. I know it was a big show. TBP recently used their Do The math blog for a great post on the irony and legitimacy of playing covers. As a serious jazz trio known for playing tunes by Nirvana, Blondie, the Pixies, and David Bowie (among others), they have some interesting things to say about authenticity and pleasure in music - and make me want to listen to their fantastic take of Vangelis' "Chariots of Fire" theme for about a week straight.

Elsewhere, Dave King, TBP's killer drummer, comments on irony, cover songs, musical styles, and about a million other topics in a great interview in All About Jazz - well worth reading if you're into the Minneapolis music scene or eclectic music in general.

(Cross-posted to Blowing & Drifting.)