No Age, “Glitter”

Song: No Age, “Glitter” Context: Very excited to hear the next full-length from this kick-ass LA band. No Age – Glitter by subpop…

Long Live Weird Al

“Oh, that ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic,” they said. “He’s just a novelty, a gimmick, poking fun at the superstars with those silly parody songs of his. He and his accordion will never last!” Yeah, well, they were saying that close to 30 years ago, and now 50-year-old Alfred Matthew Yankovic is…

John Mayer May Be the Douchiest Douche of All Time

“I’ve got a Benetton heart, and a fuckin’ David Duke cock,” John Mayer told Playboy magazine earlier this year. The 32-year-old singer-songwriter was attempting to justify his sexual preferences in a way that didn’t make him sound like a bigot. Later, he unleashed the “n” word and described ex-girlfriend Jessica…

Snake! Snake! Snakes!: Snake! Snake! Snakes! EP

Artist: Snake! Snake! Snakes!Title: Snake! Snake! Snakes! EPRelease date: August 10Label: Common Wall Media/Modern ArtA friend e-mailed me a few days ago, hinting that I should write about more local bands in Nothing Not New. Though I’ve written about Authority Zero and Eyes Set to Kill (and I will be…

The Walkmen Stream Live Versions of New Songs from Lisbon

It’s still over a month until The Walkmen join Japandroids at Clubhouse for what will probably be one of autumn’s best club shows. Likewise, the band’s new album, Lisbon, isn’t due until September 14, a three days before the show in Tempe.Want a sneak peak so you know some of…

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 8/12 Issue

This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts. What did Trace Adkins have to say about SB 1070 while opening for Toby Keith at…

Arcade Fire Outduels Eminem, Lands Top Spot on Billboard Charts

Big news from last night/this morning — The Suburbs, the third album from Montreal indie rockers Arcade Fire, landed on the top of the Billboard 200 this week.The Suburbs sold 156,000 copies in its initial week, edging out Eminem’s Recovery by 4,000 units. Thanks to a lofty $3.99 pricetag at…

Michael Bublé, “I Wanna Go Home”

Song: Michael Bublé, “I Wanna Go Home” Context: I have to admit I never actually bothered to listen to Bublé until reading about his man-gagement ring. ‘Bout what I expected. This song doesn’t take much to sing but at least he doesn’t mess it up by going over-the-top, Idol-style. Michael…

The Budos Band: The Budos Band III

Artist: The Budos BandTitle: The Budos Band IIIRelease date: August 10Label: DaptoneIf you’re one of those folks who’s gotta hear singers — who needs words in their pop music — you’re forgiven if you don’t have much use for The Budos Band. The rest of you? Tune in to this…

Hyetal, “Phoenix”

Song: Hyetal, “Phoenix”Context: Drawn to Hyetal’s latest single because of the name. Pitchfork says this is car music. I’m not sure what they drive. Hyetal – Phoenix…

PVT: Church With No Magic

What happens when a previously instrumental band decides to add some vocals to the mix? The jury is still out on that — just ask RJD2 — although the reception is never quite as positive as it could be. Australia’s PVT (formerly Pivot) are going through these exact same vocal…

Marilyn Manson Gives Lady Gaga’s ‘The Remix’ a Boost

As if Lady Gaga hasn’t saturated the music business enough already, last week, she released her latest album, The Remix, in the U.S. It’s a whole lotta Gaga (two albums and an EP) for less than 2 years, but she may as well milk her schtick while she’s hot, right?It’s…

The National, “Bloodbuzz Ohio”

Song: The National, “Bloodbuzz Ohio”Context: Reading Dan Gibson’s dispatches from Lollapalooza, The National’s set seems to have been one of the highlights of the weekend. 06 Bloodbuzz Ohio…

Justin Bieber and Marky Mark Wahlberg to Rap Together?

Is it possible that the rapping career of New Kids on the Block member/Funky Bunch leader-turned-actor Marky Mark Wahlberg could be resurrected? Perhaps. But only at the invitation of Justin Bieber. In a recent Q & A with Time magazine Wahlberg was asked, “Would you be willing to drop a…

Sufjan Stevens Announces Mesa Concert

Michigan-bred singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens will bring his banjo to Mesa Arts Center on October 22.”Sufjan himself scheduled the trek, which takes him to some of the continent’s most notable venues, like New York’s Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre,” says Stateside Presents, which is promoting the show. “A pretty big…

Trace Adkins Shows His Love for SB 1070 at Toby Keith Show

Well, it looks like Lady Gaga’s not the only one who can’t keep her mouth shut about political issues during concerts. At last night’s Toby Keith show at Cricket Wireless Pavilion in Phoenix, Trace Adkins decided to let the Valley know just how he weighed in on the whole SB…