BuzzSugar

Free Download From The Decemberists: "The Rake's Song"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:30:28 -0800

In anticipation of their next album coming out March 24, the Decemberists are making one of the album's songs available for free download today. "The Rake's Song" is a drums-heavy, dramatic tune from the album, The Hazards of Love which will weave a tale with the songs, each track telling another part of the dark but lively story. An email I received about the album today describes the album like this:

The Hazards of Love tells the tale of a woman named Margaret who is ravaged by a shape-shifting animal; her lover, William; a forest queen; and a cold-blooded, lascivious rake, who recounts with spine-tingling ease how he came "to be living so easy and free" in the aforementioned "The Rake’s Song."

I'm liking "The Rake's Song" well enough but I can imagine tiring of it as it's a little on the repetitive side. You can nab a free download for yourself by clicking here, or to take a listen now, just read more.

Link Time! 10/23

BuzzSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:30:44 -0700

Apparently, Dr Pepper intends to make good on the promise to hand out free cans of soda when the Guns 'n' Roses album Chinese Democracy is released in November. - Popwatch
The best and worst of TV voiceovers. - Clique Clack TV
Charlie Kaufman talks about Synecdoche, New York. - Vulture
Check out the new Decemberists' song, "O, New England." - Stereogum
Will Clint Eastwood rule the Oscars once again? - Cinematical
A second, more positive look at Sons of Anarchy. - TV Squad
Want to look truly outrageous this Halloween? Get Jem's beauty look and watch out for Misfits. - BellaSugar
Celebrating Jason Dohring's return to TV. - Give Me My Remote

Source and source

Best of the Best Lists: Albums of the Year

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:05:28 -0800

Starting Dec. 26, the day after Christmas, I'll be posting my picks for BuzzSugar's Top Albums of 2006. But until then, there are plenty of other best of lists to keep you occupied, so I'm posting a few of my favorites for your reading/arguing enjoyment. It has been a rather strange year for music, and the diversity of these lists reflects that.

Pitchfork Top 50 Albums of 2006

Top 5:

The Knife, Silent Shout
TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
Joanna Newsom, Ys (Read my review.)
Ghostface Killah, Fishscale
The Hold Steady, Boys and Girls in America (Read my review.)

Most puzzling selection:
Band of Horses Everything All the Time at No. 12. I like that album too, but only because it reminds me of about 10 other indie-rock bands.

Two more, so read more

Rolling Stone Top 50 Albums of 2006

Top 5:

Bob Dylan, Modern Times
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stadium Arcadium
Sonic Youth, Rather Ripped
TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
Ghostface Killah, Fishscale

Most puzzling selection: I understand wanting to give a nod to the Chili Peppers, but No. 2? No way.

NPR Listeners Best of 2006

Top 5:

The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Bob Dylan, Modern Times
M. Ward, Post War
TV On the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain

Most puzzling selection:
Regina Spektor's Begin to Hope at No. 10. I like a little Regina too, but just a little.

Link Time! Watch George Clooney Voicing Fantastic Mr. Fox

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:25 -0800

So cool - see how the voice acting was done on The Fantastic Mr. Fox - Cinematical
Comedy Central is teaming up with The Onion for a TV show - The Hollywood Reporter
No Doubt is suing Activision for using their likenesses inappropriately in Band Hero - GeekSugar
2012 already has a TV series sequel, 2013 - MTV Movies Blog
Fox Searchlight has halted the national release of Gentlemen Broncos - Vulture
Sufjan Stevens admits his 50 states album concept was a joke - Stereogum
Amazing video mash-up of scenes with characters saying the movie's title - Videogum
Anthony Hopkins and Annette Bening will play Ernest Hemingway and wife in Hemingway and Fuentes - Variety
The Decemberists' Colin Meloy and wife Carson Ellis are writing a children's book - Pitchfork
10 scary Christmas movies to bridge Halloween and Christmas - Rotten Tomatoes

Highlights From the 2009 Treasure Island Music Festival

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:30:05 -0700

As expected, this year's Treasure Island Music Festival was a well-rounded weekend of awesome live music, dancing, and pretty views of San Francisco. The gorgeous and warm weather on Saturday fit the bill for the lineup that had a heavier concentration of electronic music and DJs (like MGMT and Girl Talk), while on Sunday I bundled up and chilled out to The Decemberists and Grizzly Bear. All in all it was an awesome weekend that ended with a bang as The Flaming Lips closed down the party. Check out some photos of my favorite acts from the weekend.

View Slideshow ›

Weekend Tunes: A Treasure Island Music Festival Playlist

BuzzSugar — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:30:09 -0700

For the third year in a row, I'm off to the Treasure Island Music Festival! Now that I'm a seasoned veteran, I can't wait to settle in for two days and listen to some tunes. The other day I highlighted Thao With the Get Down Stay Down, but there lots of other acts I'm psyched about. From MGMT and Girl Talk tonight to The Decemberists and The Flaming Lists shutting things down tomorrow, I'm predicting the perfect balance between fun beats I can dance to and slower jams that I can quietly enjoy. For those of you who can't make it out to the Bay Area, I've put together a playlist of some of my favorite songs from the weekend's artists.

Oh, and be sure to check out the Music Review Group in the Buzz Community! To check out the playlist just read more.

Video of the Day: Summer Lives on Thanks to Thao With the Get Down Stay Down

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:15:16 -0700

This weekend I'll be heading to the Treasure Island Music Festival for two days of music just outside of San Francisco. The awesome lineup includes MGMT, The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, and Yo La Tengo just to name a few. I'm also excited to see Thao With the Get Down Stay Down, whose front-runner rocks out on her guitar to catchy, upbeat tunes that always make for a fun live show. In a new video for "When We Swarm," the band dances happily lakeside with a bunch of friends, making it the perfect pick-me-up if you're still in denial that Summer is long gone and Fall is here. Check it out below.

For more on the latest music, check out the Music Review group in the Buzz Community - and be sure to check back for updates on my Treasure Island weekend!