Click Track - May 9, 2010

Coda: Plenty of Pearl Jam, terrible songs on great albums, talking to Dr. Dre's son

Here's looking at you, Eddie. (Kyle Gustafson/FTWP) We got our fill of Pearl Jam this week. First a preview, focusing on the band's latter-day output. Then a review of Thursday's show, which featured a comments thread debate about the...

By David Malitz | May 14, 2010; 5:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Coda
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In concert: Corinne Bailey Rae at 9:30 club

Corrine Bailey Rae's performance at 9:30 club was more professional than cathartic. (All photos by Evy Mages/TWP) By Mark Jenkins Unlike most neo-soul divas, Corinne Bailey Rae writes her own material, plays electric guitar and seems fully in control of...

By David Malitz | May 14, 2010; 2:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: In concert | Tags: Corrine Bailey Rae
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In concert: John Hiatt at Rams Head Tavern

John Hiatt played for an elated crowd Thursday at Rams Head Tavern. (All photos by Brandon Wu/FTWP) By Dave McKenna John Hiatt is more than merely a songwriters' songwriter and critics' darling after all these years. Either that, or the...

By David Malitz | May 14, 2010; 1:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: In concert | Tags: John Hiatt
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Joanna Newsom vs. Lady Gaga: Round One

Joanna Newsom is the latest to join in on the Lady Gaga bashing. (From Left to Right: Brandon Wu/FTWP; Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) By Allison Stewart First Andy Rooney, now this. Lady Gaga has weathered the slings and arrows of peers...

By Allison Stewart | May 14, 2010; 12:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Polls | Tags: Joanna Newsom, Lady Gaga
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In concert: Pearl Jam at Jiffy Lube Live

Pearl Jam turned in another reliably excellent show at Jiffy Lube Live Thursday night. (All photos by Kyle Gustafson/FTWP) By Chris Richards A Pearl Jam concert is made up of two kinds of moments: Eddie Vedder breathing in, and Eddie...

By David Malitz | May 14, 2010; 7:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: In concert | Tags: Pearl Jam
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Ke$ha's weird new video; T.I. talks to Larry King; Sleigh Bells tickets on sale

By David Malitz - So Ke$ha's new video (above) for "Your Love Is My Drug" is very ... Ke$ha-y. You have to give her credit - she's already at the point where you can simply add an "-y" to...

By David Malitz | May 14, 2010; 6:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Morning click | Tags: Ke$ha, Sleigh Bells, T.I.
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Clicky shuffle: Random songs for Friday morning

By Chris Richards I prefer the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Give it Away" to George Strait's -- but only a little bit. Also: Is "Me Myself and I" secretly the best song in the Beyonce catalogue? - Paul Wall, "Sittin...

By Chris Richards | May 14, 2010; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Clicky shuffle
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Taking sides: Can one horrible song ruin a near-perfect album?

James Murphy has made another great album - with one glaring exception. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images) LCD Soundsystem's fine new album "This is Happening" isn't due out until Tuesday, but it began circulating around the Internet a few weeks back....

By Chris Richards | May 13, 2010; 1:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Taking sides | Tags: Bob Dylan, Jay-Z, Kanye West, LCD Soundsystem, R.E.M., The Clash
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Lists: Pearl Jam's post-"Vitalogy" highlights

By David Malitz and Chris Richards The great grunge survivors, Pearl Jam, visit Jiffy Lube Live tonight. But is it really fair to call them "survivors"? It's hard to argue that the band's peak came in those halcyon days...

By David Malitz | May 13, 2010; 12:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Lists | Tags: Pearl Jam
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Eminem hits No. 1, schedules shows with Jay-Z; New "Twilight" soundtrack is indie-tastic; Roots and John Legend team for covers album

Eminem tops the charts and will play at Yankee Stadium. (Gary Malerba/Associated Press) By David Malitz - Eminem will debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with his latest single, "Not Afraid." It is just the...

By David Malitz | May 13, 2010; 9:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Morning click | Tags: Band of Horses, Bat For Lashes, Beck, Eminem, Jay-Z, John Legend, The Roots, Vampire Weekend
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Clicky shuffle: Random songs for Thursday morning

By David Malitz At just under five minutes, "Motorbike" is easily one of the shortest songs by motorik rockers Wooden Shijps. "Emma Blowgun's Last Stand" remains one of my very favorite indie-pop songs. Wooden Shijps, "Motorbike" The Pixies, "Brick Is...

By David Malitz | May 13, 2010; 8:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Clicky shuffle
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New M.I.A. singles! (And nearly a dozen old ones you probably haven't heard.)

By Chris Richards M.I.A. has embarked on a trash-talking PR campaign for her forthcoming album and no one in the Billboard top ten is safe. A few weeks after launching barbs at Lady Gaga, the Brit-rapper has dissed mop-topped...

By Chris Richards | May 12, 2010; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Lists | Tags: Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, M.I.A.
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Be Specific: Dr. Dre's son Curtis Young on being a product of his DNA

Like father like son -- Curtis Young hopes to redefine the West Coast sound. (Courtesy of the artist.) By Sarah Godfrey You may not have heard of rapper Curtis Young just yet, but you're probably familiar with his father, Andre...

By Sarah Godfrey | May 12, 2010; 1:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Be specific | Tags: Curtis Young, Dr. Dre, N.W.A.
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In concert: Shelby Lynne at the Birchmere

Shelby Lynne made misery sound appealing at the Birchmere on Tuesday. (All photos by Kyle Gustafson/FTWP) By Juli Thanki Misery never sounded as good as it did coming from Shelby Lynne Tuesday night. The country-soul singer charmed the Birchmere crowd...

By David Malitz | May 12, 2010; 12:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: In concert | Tags: Shelby Lynne
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Gucci Mane released from jail; summer concerts at the Lube

Gucci Mane reads from a prepared statement after being released from jail early this morning. (Moses Robinson/Getty Images) By Ally Schweitzer - Gucci Mane was released from prison today after serving six months for violating his probation. The Atlanta rapper...

By Ally Schweitzer | May 12, 2010; 8:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Morning click | Tags: Gucci Mane, Ice Cube, Limp Bizkit, Maroon 5, Owl City, V.V. Brown
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Clicky shuffle: Random songs for Wednesday morning

By Joe Heim I don't know much about Doug Keith other than that his CD "The Lucky Ones" is one of my favorite albums of the year so far. So, I'm happy the mix leads off with a song from...

By Ally Schweitzer | May 12, 2010; 8:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Clicky shuffle
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Male Bonding steps cautiously into the spotlight with Sub Pop debut

Robin Christian, Kevin Hendrick and John Webb do it together in Male Bonding. (By Steve Gullick) By David Malitz "I apologize in advance," says John Webb, singer/guitarist for scruffy U.K. indie-punk band Male Bonding. He's apologizing for being not so...

By David Malitz | May 11, 2010; 2:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Interview | Tags: Male Bonding
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In concert: Toro y Moi at the Rock and Roll Hotel

Toro y Moi fleshed out his bedroom electropop to great effect at the Rock & Roll Hotel Monday night. (All photos by Kyle Gustafson/FTWP) By Patrick Foster "Obsessed with ideas" sang Chaz Bundick early in his set at the Rock...

By Ally Schweitzer | May 11, 2010; 12:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: In concert | Tags: Toro y Moi
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Singles file: Nicki Minaj, Villagers, Stat Quo f. Lauryn Hill

Conor O'Brien of Villagers makes some fantastic folk-pop. (Courtesy Fp Music) By Allison Stewart A weekly playlist for the listener with a one-track mind... Nicki Minaj: "Your Love" (Official Mix) Not only does this Annie Lennox-sampling slow jam provide...

By David Malitz | May 11, 2010; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Singles file | Tags: Lauryn Hill, Nicki Minaj, Nirvana, Robyn, Savage Skulls, Stat Quo, Villagers
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Album review: The Dead Weather, "Sea of Cowards"

By Allison Stewart One of the more interesting things about "Horehound," the 2009 debut from the ersatz supergroup the Dead Weather, was its introduction of the combustible pairing of White Stripes frontman Jack White and the Kills' Alison Mosshart,...

By David Malitz | May 11, 2010; 10:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Quick spins | Tags: Jack White, The Dead Weather
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Album review: Elizabeth Cook, "Welder"

By Bill Friskics-Warren The title of Elizabeth Cook's fifth album is both a nod to her moonshiner father, who learned to weld while doing time in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, and a clue as to her musical modus operandi....

By David Malitz | May 11, 2010; 9:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Quick spins | Tags: Elizabeth Cook
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Album review: The National, "High Violet"

By Allison Stewart Brooklyn band the National has been overpraised and under-famous since the release of 2007's "Boxer," which did well enough to suggest a move from underground stardom to the actual kind was there for the asking. If...

By David Malitz | May 11, 2010; 9:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Quick spins | Tags: The National
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Cesaria Evoria hospitalized; Carlos D leaves Interpol

Cesaria Evora - "the barefoot diva" - has been hospitalized and has canceled her summer tour. By Chris Richards - Cape Verdean pop icon Cesaria Evora has been hospitalized. "Due to a coronary problem this weekend, [Evora] was urgently...

By Chris Richards | May 11, 2010; 9:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Morning click | Tags: Cesaria Evora, Interpol
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Clicky shuffle: Random songs for Tuesday morning

By Chris Richards If you'll allow me to recycle a tweet from last night (follow me on Twitter, plug, plug, plug): Babies conceived to Enigma's "Sadeness" are now old enough to vote. - Enigma, "Sadeness" - DJ Screw, "June 27"...

By Chris Richards | May 11, 2010; 8:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Clicky shuffle
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Week ahead: Pearl Jam hits the Lube, Tom Petty closes out "SNL"

Eddie Vedder at Jiffy Lube Live - one, two, three, four, five hours in traffic. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images) In concert: It's throwback week, but then again, when isn't it throwback week these days? The Buzzcocks visit the Black Cat on...

By David Malitz | May 10, 2010; 4:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Future days | Tags: B.o.B., Buzzcocks, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty
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In concert: Simon Shaheen at the Atlas Performing Arts Center

Palestinian multi-instrumentalist Simon Shaheen moved freely between east and west on Saturday night. (All photos by Kyle Gustafson/FTWP) By Mark Jenkins New York-based Palestinian performer Simon Shaheen’s work is generally categorized as “world music,” despite his Western classical training. Saturday...

By Ally Schweitzer | May 10, 2010; 12:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: In concert | Tags: Simon Shaheen
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Click Track: May 9, 2010 - May 15, 2010