Happy New Year from The Sky Report!

The world is slowly ringing in 2008. Here in Hawaii, there are still over 12 hours left in 2007, so here are some last minute favorite videos from the past year.

Deerhunter - Strange Lights


M.I.A. - Boyz


LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends


Justice - D.A.N.C.E.


Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler


Of Montreal - Gronlandic Edit


Beirut - Elephant Gun


Radiohead - Unravel


See you in 2008!

Merry Christmas from The Sky Report

-photo cred

Although is doesn't at all feel like Christmas where I am, Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Here's to a bigger and better 2008!

The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)

LA GRÈVE GÉNÉRALE - Blog House is Dead mix

That amazing UK DJ duo la grève générale are back with another mindbending mix, perfect for your New Years Eve party. Featuring tracks from an eclectic array of artists like The Knife, Phil Collins, Bangers & Cash, David Bowie, Radiohead, Grizzly Bear, and Trick Daddy, this mix is sure to get any party started. The boys of la grève générale recommend turning up the bass when playing this mix, so let the shit rattle!

DOWNLOAD (Link) La Greve Generale - Blog House is Dead

Blog House is Dead - tracklist:

Intro
Fuck Buttons – Sweet love for planet Earth
Spank Rock and Benny Blanco are Bangers & Cash – Loose
The Knife – Heartbeats
Pharoahe Monch – Simon says
Radiohead – No surprises
Missy Elliot ft Mike Jones – Joy
Enduser – Red meth
Grizzly Bear – Shift
Dead Prez – I have a dream too (LGG's blam-blam edit)
DJ Unk – Walk it out (Remix ft Andre 3000)
Adam Tensta - My cool
Sinden and the Count of Monte Cristal – Beeper
Tepr - Minuit Jacuzzi (DatA remix)
Dizzee Rascal – Flex
Booka Shade – The bird and the beats at the win
The Killers – Somebody told me
Dizzee Rascal – Fix up look sharp
Anavan – Notoriety
Envelopes – Party (Sportsday Megaphone remix)
Lil Mama – Lip gloss (Krazyfiesta remix)
Porcupine Tree – Pure narcotic
Pase rock ft Amanda Blank – Sexy motherfucker
Trick Daddy ft Chamillionaire – Bet that
Ghosts on Tape - Mogadishu Night Life
Modeselektor – Hasir
Cadence Weapon – In search of the youth crew
Teenage BadGirl – Tales from the pigs
Phil Collins – Sussudio
Rex the Dog – Circulate (JBag Radio Edit)
Faltermeyer – Axel F
Grafton Primary – I can cook (Miami Horror remix)
Chromeo – Needy Girl
TTC and Modeselektor – 2000007
High Powered Boys – Hoes Get Down
Partyshank – Penis Vs Vagina (Lies in Disguise remix)
Europe – The Final Countdown (Them Jeans remix LGG "Made A Yacht Disappear" edit)
Like Woah – Oh I Like (Whitenoise remix)
Spank Rock and Benny Blanco are Bangers & Cash – BOOTAY
David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust
Sneaky Sound System – UFO (SebastiAn vs Blaze Tee rerub)
Bloc Party – Hunting for Witches (Villians Electro-Banger Remix)
Kissy Sell Out – Her
LFO – Freak
Dr Dre ft Snoop Dogg – The next episode
Daft Punk – Short Circuit
Ying Yang Twins – The Whisper Song
65Daysofstatic – I swallowed hard, like I understood
Juelz Santana – Dipset (Ghislain Poirier remix)
Stars - Elevator love letter
DJ Khaled – Holla at me
More Fire Crew – Still The Same
Wale – Freaks (Bird Peterson remix)
Daft Punk – Aerodynamic
Shy Child – Summer (South Central remix)

The Sky Report in Hawaii!

In five hours I step onto a flight all the way from bitter cold Brooklyn to the warm beaches of Waikiki. Actually, I'll be staying in Kailua for the most part, with brief stops in Maui, Kona and Hilo.

If anyone reading this lives in Hawaii, please let me know if there is any music to check out. I would love to write something about music in Hawaii while I'm there. At the moment, all I know of is Cyndi Lauper's brief Hawaiian tour, which seems utterly perfect. Big fan. I'll be at the Kona show on January 5th.

In the spirit of the trip, check out Thieves of Kailua (who are actually from Seattle). Their Hawaiian fused sound will help you escape the Christmas chill. They've even got a few great Christmas songs to download here.

I will be blogging lightly from Hawaii until January 7.

DOWNLOAD - Thieves of Kailua - Thieves of Kailua
(via Millpond Records)

DOWNLOAD - Thieves of Kailua - On the Waikiki
(via Millpond Records)

Best of 2007 - Album of the Year

50. Sally Shapiro - Disco Romance (N. American edition)
49. White Williams - Smoke
48. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
47. Dan Deacon - Spiderman of the Rings
46. Port-Royal - Afraid to Dance
45. Caribou - Andorra
44. Bat For Lashes - Fur and Gold
43. Simian Mobile Disco - Attack Decay Sustain Release
42. Yoko Ono - Yes, I'm A Witch
41. The Fiery Furnaces - Widow City

40. Maps - We Can Create
39. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
38. Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature
37. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
36. !!! - Myth Takes
35. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
34. Menomena - Friend and Foe
33. White Rabbits - Fort Nightly
32. St. Vincent - Marry Me
31. Justice - †

30. Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
29. Black Lips - Good Bad Not Evil
28. Marissa Nadler - Songs III: Bird on the Water
27. Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future
26. Kanye West - Graduation
25. Mark Ronson - Version
24. The Besnard Lakes - ...Are the Dark Horse
23. Glass Candy - Beatbox
22. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
21. Bjork - Volta

20. Blonde Redhead - 23
19. The Field - From Here We Go Sublime
18. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
17. Liars - Liars
16. The National - Boxer
15. Battles - Mirrored
14. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
13. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
12. Black Lips - Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuevo
11. Burial - Untrue

10. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup



9. PJ Harvey - White Chalk



8. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black



7. Feist - The Reminder



6. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?



5. Radiohead - In Rainbows



4. M.I.A. - Kala



3. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights



2. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver



1. Deerhunter - Cryptograms

BEST OF 2007 - EP of the Year

5. Black Kids - Wizard of Ahhhs



4. Deerhunter - Fluorescent Grey



3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Isis



2. Beirut - Lon Gisland



1. White Denim - Let's Talk About It

New M.I.A. Video - 'Paper Planes'

The Sky Report's 'Best of Lists' are almost done and 'Paper Planes' will definitely be among the top songs of the year. The brilliant use of The Clash's 'Straight to Hell' and the memorable shotgun beats made this the poignant dance track of the year.

Check out the new video now.

IKE TURNER (R.I.P.) 1931-2007

"Rocket 88" is a rhythm and blues song that was first recorded at Sam Phillips' recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee, on 3 or 5 March (accounts differ) 1951. It is claimed by some, including Phillips — later to become owner of Sun Records, and pioneer rock and roll record producer — to be the "first rock and roll song". - Wikipedia

"The original version of the 12-bar blues song was credited to "Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats," but that band did not actually exist. The song was put together by Ike Turner and his band in rehearsals at the Riverside Hotel in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and recorded by Turner's Kings of Rhythm. Jackie Brenston (1930-1979) was a saxophonist with Turner who also sang the vocal on "Rocket 88," a hymn of praise to the joys of the Oldsmobile "Rocket 88" automobile (see: Oldsmobile 88), which had just been introduced in 1949. Although Brenston was given author credit rather than Turner, it is now agreed that Brenston's contribution was overstated for financial reasons." - Wikipedia

Ike Turner (retrospective) - Rocket 88


Ike & Tina Turner - Medley

JOSE GONZALEZ Played Webster Hall

Jose Gonzalez turned in a gorgeous performance at Webster Hall on Sunday night. The packed house was thoroughly engaged. When Jose took the stage and played a quiet instrumental intro, the crowd hushed itself, bringing total silence to the hall. The entire performance was deeply stirring, sounding as good, if not better than the records. It was a magical show.

The performance clocked in at just over an hour, but he filled it nicely. Jose touched heavily on his latest album "In Our Nature" with stirring versions of the title track as well as 'Killing For Love' and 'Down the Line'. Definite highlights from the set included his stellar covers of The Knife's 'Heartbeats', Massive Attack's 'Tear Drop', and my personal favorite, Kylie Minogue's 'Hand on My Heart'. Amazingly though, he boldly avoided 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' despite the hungry requests of the crowd.


Jose didn't talk much, but he did manage to sneak in a funny story while tuning his guitar. It went something to the effect of this:

"I was walking down the street and I found a bullet. I put it in my [shirt] pocket. Then later I saw an evangelical and he threw his Bible at me. It almost hit my heart. But the bullet was in the way."




-All photos by Scot Bowman, Tatiana Devere

Reader's Choice - Breakthrough Artist of 2007 - GRIZZLY BEAR / THE TEENAGERS

It's a tie!

A few of you spoke, and the consensus is that Brooklyn-based Grizzly Bear tied with the Parisian hipster band The Teenagers for The Sky Report's Reader's Choice poll for Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Other artists ranking high in the poll were Panda Bear, Deerhunter, Glass Candy, and Battles.

New Video - THE KILLS - 'URA Fever'

The Kills' third LP is due on Domino Records, March 2008. Here is the new video for the first single 'URA Fever'.

MADONNA (Doesn't) Name New Album "Licorice"

I have to confess...I am a huge Madonna fan. There, I said it. You know me a little better now. That said, it was announced today that the queen of pop has titled her new album "Licorice". The disc is expected to be released in April and will feature collaborations with Kanye West and Pharrell. No word yet on whether or not previously reported collaborators Justin Timberlake, Mika, and Timbaland will make the cut.

Tracks to be included on the new album are 'The Beat Goes On', 'Candy Shop', and 'The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You'.

[EDIT: Today NME reports that "in an email to Reuters today, Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg said "Sirius does not know what they are talking about, "Wrong title. Release date wrong etc.""

Oh well, the new album will be called something and will be released someday, most likely in 2008. I guess we don't really know much yet at all.]

BJORK - 'Declare Independence'

The anticipation for this video has been intense. This marks the seventh Bjork video to be helmed by acclaimed director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep). All I can really say is that it stays true to Bjork's nature of being the queen of all things bizarre.

'Declare Independence' is the third single from Bjork's "Volta" album.

Bjork - Declare Independence (music video)


Watch Michel Gondry talk about his collaborative relationship with Bjork:

The Making of 'Declare Independence'

THE PRESETS - 'My People' Music Video

The music video has arrived for the new single from The Presets, 'My People'. I'm not sure why, but the video really lifts the song for me. It's very simple, yet quite effective. The new album is expected early 2008.

The Presets - My People (music video)

THE BREEDERS Confirm Coachella; New Album in April

The Breeders, known by most for their 90's hit 'Cannonball', have announced that they will be releasing "Mountain Battles" on April 8, 2008. The album is their first since 2002 and the enormously successful Pixies reunion that followed shortly after. For those not in the know, The Breeders are Kelley Deal, Kim Deal, Jose Medeles and Mando Lopez.

In a recent press release it was stated that "The Breeders will be playing live all over the world in 2008. Their schedule includes performances at Canadian Music Week and SxSW and Coachella, plus full tours in the USA and in Europe."

STREAM - The Breeders - We're Gonna Rise

The Breeders - Cannonball (music video)


"Mountain Battles" tracklisting:

1. Overglazed
2. Bang On
3. Night Of Joy
4. We're Gonna Rise
5. German Studies
6. Spark
7. Istanbul
8. Walk It Off
9. Regalame Esta Noche
10. Here No More
11. No Way
12. It's The Love
13. Mountain Battles

THE PIPETTES - 'Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling)'

The Pipettes finally saw the U.S. release of their super fun debut "We Are The Pipettes" back in October. Now they have an equally fun new video for the single 'Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling)'. Exploding with color, the video showcases The Pipettes' playful dance moves that they taught us all how to do not long ago. Try it for yourself here. Don't be shy, I'm sure there is an inner Pipette in you somewhere.

The Pipettes - Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling) (music video)

HOT CHIP - 'Ready for the Floor'

'Ready for the Floor' is the first single from Hot Chip's forthcoming album "Made in the Dark", due February 5 from DFA/Astralwerks. The video has arrived for the bouncy synth jam, featuring singer Alexis Taylor dancing around as The Joker, as well as many other silly activities involving color. It's total nonsense, but a fun video nonetheless.

As far as the track goes, it really grows on you after a couple listens. The single drops on January 29th.

Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor (music video)

MGMT - 'Electric Feel'

MGMT have a new video for the track 'Electric Feel' from their impressive new album "Oracular Spectacular". The disc comes out January 22, but it is available on iTunes now. MGMT also have some dates with The Fiery Furnaces starting this weekend in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. See ya there.

SKELETONS & THE KINGS OF ALL CITIES

Skeletons & the Kings of All Cities are an overlooked highlight of 2007. Based in Queens, New York, Skeletons are a revolving musical collective fearlessly captained by a man named Matt Mehlan. The album, simply titled "Lucas", is a wildly experimental journey through haunting sounds and atmospherics. The video below is amazing, albeit creepy and altogether unsettling. Not for those who are sensitive to depictions of violence. View at your own risk.

DOWNLOAD - Skeletons & the Kings of All Cities - What They Said

Skeletons & the Kings of All Cities - Sickness (music video)

NEW VIDEO FRIDAY

My Robot Friend - Robot High School


DOWNLOAD - My Robot Friend - Robot High School from the forthcoming album "Robot High School", due early 2008.

The Raveonettes - Dead Sound


"Lust Lust Lust", the new album from The Raveonettes is very, very good. The disc will be released early 2008 on Vice Records.

We Are Wolves - Magique


"Total Magique" is available now on Dare To Care Records.

The White Stripes - Conquest

LOVE IS ALL - "...Mixed Up"

My favorite new band of 2006, Love Is All, are on the verge of releasing their sophomore LP, due spring 2008. In the meantime we get a special remix album, perfectly titled "Love Is All...Mixed-Up". A collection comprised of remixes from their phenomenal debut "Nine Times That Same Song", the disc will include reworkings from an amazing group of artists, including Hot Chip, Optimo, Maps, Metronomy, The Bees, and Studio. The set will be released in the UK both physically and digitally, but the U.S. release is still up in the air.

GORILLAZ - "D-Sides" 63%

Reviewing a b-sides compilation album is not an easy task. First you have to take into consideration that the material was not recorded with the intention of being formed into a cohesive album. Secondly, you have to consider the recording as a companion piece to the album of which it was spawned from, in this case the 2005 blockbuster release “Demon Days”. And thirdly, you have to decipher whether the collection is at all necessary.

Damon Albarn is without a doubt one of the most prolific figures in modern music today. With word of a new Blur album on the way and the possibility of new material from The Good The Bad and The Queen in the near future, Albarn somehow still finds the time to release “D-Sides”, a splattering of Gorillaz outtakes, demos, sketches and b-sides (with an extra disc of remixes by DFA, Hot Chip and Soulwax, among others). And that is exactly what you have here. A few gems surrounded by some strange and experimental dabblings that don’t always add up.

Among the highlights are the opening track ‘68 State’, an atmospheric piece of ambient electronica that plays out like the score to a science fiction road trip through outer space. ‘People’, an early demo of ‘Dare’, succeeds by ultimately sounding very little like the huge hit that it evolved into. Another diamond in the rough here is the gorgeous ‘Hong Kong’, where Albarn croons woefully:

“The radio station disappeared
Music turned into thin air
The DJ was the last to leave
She had well-conditioned hair
Was beautiful but nothing really was there”

Not faring as well are the ill-fated ‘We Are Happy Landfill’, an agonizing track plagued by an overwrought vocal, and ‘Murdoc is God’, a left field noise-rock experiment gone awry. A few tracks are nice, but easily forgettable. ‘Hongkongaton’ and ‘Spitting Out Demons’ come off like unfinished sketches, resulting in something not unlike filler.

Despite the low points, the collection is not at all bad. These cartoon alter egos have fun at times, like on the silly new single ‘Rock It’, where Albarn sings “Stick it in your nose, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…” Things stay playful on the relatively bizarre and reggae-tinged ‘Bill Murray’ and on ‘The Swagga’, an experimental disco-rock stomp complete with jubilant Whoo!’s.

But certainly the most solid effort here is the gorgeous closing track ‘Stop the Dam’. Originally included on the ‘El Manana/Kids With Guns’ single, the song features the kooky stylings of Einar Örn (of The Sugarcubes). On the bittersweet outro, Albarn repeats, “The sun will shine again, the sun will shine again”, which hopefully refers to another glorious incarnation of Gorillaz in the future.

-by Scot Bowman
Originally published on Kevchino.com.

In Pop Diva News - Sally Shapiro, Robyn, Roisin Murphy

A new remix of Sally Shapiro's adorable 'Anorak Christmas' has arrived just in time for the holiday season. The 'Piano Mix' of 'Christmas' is starker than the sugar-sweet original, finding a stripped-down romanticism that almost makes the track a bit more personal and real. The original is still better, but this new take on a great song is still worth checking out. The album "Disco Romance" is available now.

DOWNLOAD - Sally Shapiro - Anorak Christmas (piano mix)

***********


Robyn has a new video for 'Be Mine', the fourth British single from the re-release of her self-titled album. The song had an earlier video for the Swedish release of the album back in 2005. It's actually far better and you can check it out here. The album will finally see its US release early next year.

Robyn - Be Mine (music video)


**********

Roisin Murphy is releasing the third single from her excellent new album "Overpowered". The Andy Cato (Groove Armada) remix of 'You Know Me Better' is available in limited edition format here. Roisin also recently performed on 'Later with Jools Holland'. The pre/post-accident??? appearance featured performances of 'Primitive' and 'You Know Me Better'. Check out the performance of the new single on Jools Holland below.

Roisin Murphy - You Know Me Better (live on Later with Jools Holland)

Save The Silent Barn!

-Bradford Cox & Karen O at Silent Barn

It was reported by Brooklyn Vegan today that The Silent Barn could be on the verge of shutting down as a result of a Con Edison bill. The Silent Barn is a house that serves as a DIY venue in Ridgewood, Queens, closely bordering my neighborhood of Bushwick, Brooklyn. Many great shows have occured there in the past year or so, including Black Lips, Deerhunter (the one where Karen O got onstage), Dan Deacon, and Casiotone for the Painfully Alone.

If you live in Brooklyn (or Queens) it is crucial that you read the article over at Brooklyn Vegan.

In Shoegazer News - JESUS & MARY CHAIN, MY BLOODY VALENTINE

According to Billboard.com, Jesus & Mary Chain "...are now whittling down dozens of new songs to 12 or so for the new album." That 'new album', their first since 1998's "Munki", is tentatively set for a late spring 2008 release. Some tracks that could make the cut are 'All Things Must Pass', which they performed earlier this year on 'Late Night with David Letterman', and 'Dead End Kids', a track that was played live on their 2007 reunion tour. A label has yet to be selected to release the new album.

A new Jesus & Mary Chain 4-disc box set is expected to be released though Rhino Records in March. Kevin Oberlin, the manager of JAMC says of the collection, "There are some great finds -- demos of a couple songs, alternate takes and rare acoustic versions."


As previously reported, My Bloody Valentine are readying their first album in 16 years. It has just been announced that the set will be released digitally (ala Radiohead-style, though a price will be set) in 2008. A vinyl release is also being discussed.

**UPDATE** - The MBV album will not be released digitally and will be completely unlike the Radiohead approach with its release. Read more about this here.

SHOCKING PINKS - "self-titled" 76%

Nick Harte is no stranger to isolation. He grew up in New Zealand, a nation where it is said that the human population is outnumbered by sheep. But being the child of artists who went to school with post-punk band The Gordons, Harte was exposed to a wide variety of eclectic musical genres. And when his mother bought him the “Loveless” cassette by My Bloody Valentine, a whole new world had been opened up.

Shocking Pinks is the culmination of Harte’s deep love of post-punk and eighties teen nostalgia. In fact the name is apparently an ode to the film ‘Pretty in Pink’. After drumming for The Brunettes, Harte began recording on his own, turning out three modest albums. With the new self-titled album, he has essentially combined songs from his previous two records - “Mathematical Warfare” and “Infinity Land” (both released in 2005) - to create this impressive DFA Records debut. Written, performed and produced by Harte himself, this is an introspective post-modern record, full of raw angst and gentle vulnerability. And whereas the first Shocking Pinks album “Dance the Dance Electric” embodied more of a dance-punk sensibility, the latest has a decidedly intimate, fuzzed-out dream-pop tone about it.

The strength of the album lies heavily upon the stripped-down production style. On the tinny rocker ‘Blonde Haired Girl’, Harte croons in a distorted and ultra close-up monotone vox that sounds like he recorded it onto a cassette recorder, but somehow it’s as if he’s inside your head. On the instrumental track ‘Cutout’ a Peter Hook bass line dances around a driving beat and a gentle guitar refrain to create a gorgeous road song. The upfront single ‘End of the World’, without question one of the standout tracks here, relies on a simple new wave synth-pad that dangerously recalls heights previously reached by The Cure.

But more important than Harte’s eighties persuasion is the dark romanticism in his voice, which does a fine job of keeping a relatively sporadic album cohesive and real.

by Scot Bowman
Originally published on kevchino.com.

THE KILLS - 'URA Fever'

Alison Mosshart and James Hince, aka The Kills, are prepping their third album for release in March. The first track to emerge is the slow burner 'URA Fever'. The new album, which as far as I can tell doesn't have a title yet, will be released through Domino Records.

If The Kills have anything to say about it, 2008 is gonna be dirty, hot and sexy...

STREAM - The Kills - URA Fever

THE PRESETS - 'My People'

The Presets are back with a brand new single!! 'My People' will be released as a digital single and on vinyl December 18th via Modular. No word as to whether this is the precursor to a new album yet or not, but a video for the track is expected to be released soon. The Presets will be touring Australia with Daft Punk throughout December, though most dates are already sold out.

STREAM - The Presets - My People

Coachella Rumors...

As tipped by ProductShopNYC, you can now add Radiohead, The Verve and Spiritualized to the growing list of bands being heavily rumored to appear at Coachella 2008 April 25-27. Check out the post at PSNYC, which also includes their list of the 50 best albums of 1997.

Here are the strongest of the rumored acts so far:

Radiohead
My Bloody Valentine
The Verve
Portishead
Spiritualized

VAN SHE - 'Cat & the Eye'

After an immensely popular EP, Australian synth-rock sensations Van She have spent the last year hard at work on their full-fledged debut LP. And now the first glimpse of the forthcoming album has been let loose.

The new single 'Cat & the Eye' attempts to recapture the dizzying contagiousness of their previous hit 'Kelly'. Though milder than its predecessor, the track grows on you in that sort-of perfect pop kind of way. Judge for yourself. Check out the new video here.

The debut album should see a release via Modular early next year.

Van She - Cat & the Eye (music video)

SHIRLEY MANSON - Details of Solo Album Emerge

Shirley Manson's much anticipated debut solo album has been shrouded in secrecy for quite some time now. At one point, it was reported that Manson was working with both Jack White and Billy Corgan on the new record for a spring 2007 release, but nothing surfaced. Then "Tell Me Where It Hurts", a fairly bad new Garbage song was released over the summer, taken from the inevitable hits compilation "Absolute Garbage".

And just when I was about to close the door on Manson's future endeavors, new details have emerged about that solo album again! Well, actually it's just a tracklist. With new titles like ' Hot Shit' and 'Pissholes', maybe Manson is ready to rock. I really hope so. The album currently has no title or release date (Spring 2008 most likely) and the tracklist below is not in sequential order.

'Don't Want Anyone Hurt'
'Don't Want To Pretend'
'Gone Upside'
'Hot Shit'
'Kid Ourselves'
'Lighten Up'
'Little Dough'
'No Regrets'
'Pissholes'
'Pure Genius'
'So Shines A Good Deed'
'Spooky'
'Stop'
'Sweet Old World'
'The Desert'
'To Be King'

THE FIERY FURNACES - 'Navy Nurse'

The Fiery Furnaces have made a video for the excellent track 'Navy Nurse', from their latest album "Widow City". The song is a meandering rock epic that perfectly highlights the Furnaces' unique style. The video is like going on vacation with singer Eleanor Friedberger, a nice contrast to the chilly weather here in New York this weekend.

If you haven't yet listened to "Widow City", it is one of the band's better albums. It is available now on Thrill Jockey.

The Fiery Furnaces - Navy Nurse (music video)

Burial - "Untrue" 96%

If ever I have recommended an album, this is the one to listen in on...Burial's second album "Untrue" has just leapfrogged over the masses to find itself securely etched in my list of the best albums of the year. A throwback to early trip-hop and drum'n'bass, yet eerily dark, beautiful and haunting, "Untrue" gets it right on so many levels it's astonishing. The album embodies dirty scratches, passionate old soul vocals, and menacing synth-pads to enhance the overall tone, playing out like a homemade mix-tape to a scorned, unforgettable lover.

"Untrue" is available now on Hyperdub Records.

-Scot Bowman

The Sky Report Turns 1

A week ago today, The Sky Report had it's one year anniversary...and I forgot! But we got a great gift just in time for the occasion...a nomination for Best Music Blog at the Hey Nielson/Billboard.com Best Music Blog contest. The competition is incredibly stiff, so if you have a minute, please click the link and vote for The Sky Report.

Thanks to everyone who reads this blog. It has been very motivating to see that people actually read what I have to say about music.

Also, I'll be DJing on my laptop Thursdays in Bushwick (current or former stomping ground of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, White Rabbits, Amy Winehouse, Santogold) at the new Northeast Kingdom downstairs lounge. Every Thursday from 11-2...L Train to Jefferson...18 Wyckoff @ Troutman...if you live in NYC, come by and say hi.

And please take part in the Best Album of 2007 poll at the bottom of the scroll.

Thanks
Scot

Tuesday Throwback - MY BLOODY VALENTINE

In light of the news that My Bloody Valentine are reforming and will soon be releasing the follow-up to their classic 1991 LP "Loveless", let's take a look back at why the band are regarded on an almost Godlike level.

After a series of EP's in the eighties, MBV released the 'You Made Me Realise' EP in 1988, considered to be the band's breakthrough release. The title track was released as a single, garnering a heapload of acclaim for the shoegazer band from Ireland.

You Made Me Realise (1988)


A new single quickly followed. 'Feed Me With Your Kiss' was taken from the official debut LP "Isn't Anything", an album that solidified MBV as a strong force in the post-modern rock world of the late 80's.

Feed Me With Your Kiss (1988)


In 1991 My Bloody Valentine released "Loveless", an album that is now considered one of the best albums of the 90's and the greatest shoegazer set ever recorded. Endless bands and artists note "Loveless" as a major inspiration.

Only Shallow (1991)


To Here Knows When (1991)


Soon (1991)


Following the staggering critical success of "Loveless", the band's record deal dissolved and they went into near obscurity. Kevin Shields went on to join Primal Scream for the albums "XTRMNTR" and "Evil Heat" and Colm O'Ciosoig eventually joined Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions.

In 2003, Shields contributed new solo songs to Sofia Coppola's beloved film 'Lost in Translation', a move that brought My Bloody Valentine's music back into the spotlight.

Kevin Shields - City Girl (from Lost in Translation) (2003)


A new MBV album is expected in the next few months. The recording will be a combination of new stuff and collected unreleased material from the "Loveless" era.

New LADYTRON Album On the Way

Pitchfork reports that Ladytron have signed to Nettwerk Records and are currently in Paris, prepping their fourth LP, due for release in May 2008. Even more exciting, the article states that Ed Banger alumni Vicarious Bliss is producing the album. I'm all over that.

DOWNLOAD - Ladytron - All the Way (from The Witching Hour LP)

PJ HARVEY 'The Piano'

Here's the new DIY style video for 'The Piano', PJ Harvey's second single from the "White Chalk" album. The video is strange and doesn't feature Polly Jean at all, but it is kind of interesting...especially the shadows hovering at the edges of the frame.

Coachella Rumors...

Taking it all with a grain of salt of course, rumors surrounding the 2008 Coachella Music & Arts Festival have officially begun, with seminal shoegazer band My Bloody Valentine and groundbreaking 90's trip-hop act Portishead already widely speculated as having confirmed. It was recently announced that the festival will be held April 25-27 in Indio, California.

According to a recent article in Entertainment Weekly, My Bloody Valentine are definitely going to reunite at Coachella. And another recent article on thedailyswarm.com states that Portishead have indeed already confirmed. There is still a long way to go and the official line-up won't even be revealed until January or February, but other bands also currently being mentioned as rumored to appear are R.E.M., Death Cab For Cutie, The Screaming Trees, The White Stripes and Radiohead.

CSS Poised for a US Hit?

CSS may be on track to repeat Feist's recent success, which was propelled by lending her track '1,2,3,4' to a wildly popular Apple commercial. After her song appeared in the ad she hit the top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.

Now 'Music is My Hot, Hot Sex', a track from CSS' 2005 debut album, appears in the new iPod Touch commercial, currently in heavy rotation on US television. Last week the track debuted on Billboard's Pop 100 chart and is currently #24 on iTunes. It is not unlikely that the band may have a big hit on their hands, which would undoubtedly shoot them to a new level here in the States.

CSS are currently in Brazil, working on new songs for their forthcoming sophomore album before heading back out on the road in December for a special UK Christmas tour with Justice and Metronomy.

DEBORAH HARRY Kicks Off Solo Tour in NY

Deborah Harry, looking radiant as ever, took the stage at The Fillmore New York last night, beaming with charisma, as she launched into opening number 'I Can See Clearly'. The crowd of die-hard Debbie fans were great, singing along to many of the songs, including new tracks from her latest album "Necessary Evil". The setlist had many highlights, I only wish it didn't get loaded down with so many new songs in the second half. Highlights for me were definitely the opening number, as well as old gems like 'Rush Rush', 'The Jam Was Moving' and 'French Kissing'. Amazingly, Debbie touched on every one of her five solo albums and did sing-a-long acoustic versions of Blondie hits 'The Tide is High' and 'Heart of Glass'.

Unfortunately, the venue took my camera away, so no pics, but you can see some photos from the show here.

Fillmore New York setlist:

I Can See Clearly
Necessary Evil
Jam Was Moving
Two Times Blue
If I Had You
French Kissing
Rain
The Tide Is High
Heart of Glass
Lovelight
School for Scandal
Rush Rush
Love With a Vengeance
In the Heat of the Moment (w/ Nomi))
What Is Love
White Out
You're Too Hot
-encore:
Charm Alarm (w/ Miss Guy)

CAT POWER - "Jukebox" (Updated Again!)

Things change. That's life. But sometimes it's for the better. Matador has just re-released the tracklist for Cat Power's forthcoming covers record "Jukebox". No more 'Fortunate Son', but we do get a bonus CD, with covers of Patsy Cline, Roberta Flack, and Nick Cave. As well, the reassembled original disc will now close out with a cover of Joni Mitchell's 'Blue'. The album will be released January 22, 2008.

The times they are a changin', but for the better.

Jukebox tracklist (updated):

01 New York (Frank Sinatra)
02 Ramblin' (Wo)man (Hank Williams)
03 Metal Heart (Cat Power)
04 Silver Stallion (The Highwaymen)
05 Aretha, Sing One For Me (George Jackson)
06 Lost Someone (James Brown)
07 Lord, Help the Poor and Needy (Jessie Mae Hemphill)
08 I Believe in You (Bob Dylan)
09 Song to Bobby (Cat Power)
10 Don't Explain (Billie Holiday)
11 Woman Left Lonely (Janis Joplin)
12 Blue (Joni Mitchell)

Bonus:

01 I Feel (Hot Boys)
02 Naked If I Want To (Moby Grape)
03 Breathless (Nick Cave)
04 Angelitos Negros (Roberta Flack)
05 She's Got You (Patsy Cline)

-Scot Bowman

LOU RHODES - 'The Rain'

Lou Rhodes, the lead singer of Lamb, recently released her second solo album "Bloom". Her first solo effort, "Beloved One" was nominated for the Mercrury Music Prize last year, and her latest effort is possbly even better. I may be biased, as Lamb is one of my favorite trip-hop acts of all time. Lou solo is a slightly different affair, but her unique, honest voice remains. The first single, 'The Rain', comes accompanied with a stellar video, check it out here.

STREAM - Lou Rhodes - The Rain

Lou Rhodes - The Rain (music video)


-Scot Bowman

SHOCKING PINKS - 'End of the World'

Shocking Pinks is essentially New Zealand bred Nick Harte and his debut DFA release, simply titled Shocking Pinks, is well worth checking out. Aching vocals reminiscent of Elliott Smith, accompanied by a raw synth-rock sound, slowly draw you in. Repeated listens are essential, but the rewards are worth it. The album is basically two earlier albums compiled into one long disc, with the rougher stuff (good rough) saved for the second half. The current single, and standout track 'End of the World' utilizes a very simple, yet effective synth-pad. Check out the video...

DFA can do no wrong.

Shocking Pinks - End of the World (music video)