Diverting from the model presented by Ghosts I-IV released in March, that being listen to a sample for free - but pay if you’d like an expansive version of the set, The Slip was offered last week as a free-only release online; no upgraded versions of the release, no signed collector’s editions, no physical copies. In his attempt to question the recording industry’s historic business model Trent Reznor has set precedent by not only giving the consumer the option to listen to pay for the music, but more importantly, presenting the larger question of whether or not one can set a suitable price on art. Here are four reactions, four impressions, four takes on Nine Inch Nails’ The Slip. (more)
The Varsity Theater & Culture Bully are giving away a couple of pairs of tickets to an upcoming show featuring The Von Bondies and Gospel Gossip! Interested? Two winners will receive the following: (more)
A friend admonished his suggestion to listen to Evil Urges, hinting that My Morning Jacket was set to release something twisted and absolutely uncharacteristic, “It’s almost like MMJ thinks they can do whatever they want now;” my response, “they can’t?” I thought it fitting that the gravity of a sound that has nestled the band so close to a jam-centric culture now seems plausible ammunition for revolt. The band’s latest pulls from sounds so wide in comparison to what has become expected of them that it’d be hard for any historic fan not to wince…if only momentarily however, as it shifts and casts different shades suggesting to be not only the band’s most creative outing to date, but a fitting compliment to 2005’s Z. (more)
In preparation for the band’s forthcoming sophomore release, Animal!, Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s will be taking the stage at St. Paul’s Turf Club as apart of the band’s West of the Mississippi Tour. Continuing the tour through the end of the month each of the band’s eight members, notably mentioned recently as one of Spin’s Who’s Next in 2008, will also be playing this summer’s Lollapalooza in Chicago. - Chris DeLine
If the time-stopping device that I am currently working on in my lab was fully operational, I would pause the Clinic show at the 7th Street Entry while I ran over to the Orpheum to see my guys. Simply put, Jemaine and Bret from Flight of the Conchords are my big time crushes right now. Their “Comedy Rock” forces a perma-smile onto my face long after the song ends. The combination of their voices, subsequent harmonies and chameleon-like music styles are straight-up awesome. Add that to: funny, clever, off-the-wall songwriting, and I’ll admit – major eye candy…I couldn’t ask for more. Then again, some help in the field of short-distance time travel would be nice. - Jen Paulson
This is a sleeper pick, since the biggest hip hop show in town this night is the El-P/Dizzee Rascal show at the Triple Rock, but for those who prefer soulful honesty to apocalyptic dissonance (it’s really a toss-up for me), this could be the show for you. Kentucky’s Nappy Roots had two underrated albums in the early ’00s that mixed southern-fried deliveries, working-class subject matter and rootsy, dirty production; the end result brings to mind a more down-to-earth Outkast or Goodie Mob. Come early to catch Minneapolis’ own Black Blondie, whose trip hop soul is one of the Twin Cities’ most engaging sounds. - Kyle “El Guante” Myhre
The annual Art-A-Whirl in Nordeastern Minneapolis presents a lot of opportunities for great music. On May 17th I plan to make my place at Grumpy’s to enjoy a stellar lineup of local bands. I will probably be sober enough to fully appreciate Black Audience’s early afternoon gospel and soul (always a treat) though with any luck I’ll have a good buzz going though for the evening set. Highlights: The Blind Shake’s face melting punk/psychedelic riffs. The Awesome Snakes’ snappy snake-centric punk. Chooglin’s let the good times roll attitude. Should be more fun than summer camp. - Jon Behm
Mark Vidler and his Go Home Productions has returned, combining the sounds of a generation with his latest Spliced Krispies compilation. Through combining the likes of R.E.M. with the street funk of Luther Vandross’ 1981’s “Never Too Much,” or tying the sickeningly sweet Burt Bacharach with The Commodores Vidler expands on standard after standard, challenging how we remember such timeless music. Visit Vidler’s site to experience each song from the compilation, each accompanied by a brand new video. (GHP) (via Mashuptown)
