Tuesday shorts
SFGate has an amusing conversation with Liam Howlett, the Prodigy's mastermind. There's a new Prodigy album out, called Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned, and it's pulling some pretty poor reviews. I'll withhold judgement till I hear it, but I have a feeling the old school "Outer Space" will continue to be my Prodigy anthem of choice. Thanks to Coolfer for the link, and for pointing out Howlett's best quote:
I always speak my mind. I think I've still got a little bit of an issue with the time the Beastie Boys called me up at home before the Reading Festival and said, "You can't play 'Smack My Bitch Up.' You can't do this, you can't do that." I hate their new record. It's weak and dated. But, I mean, I don't ring them up and tell them their album's crap, do I?
I really need to hear this new Arcade Fire album Funeral. It seems like everyone is talking about it, and it earned a 9.7 rating at Pitchfork, a 5 out of 5 at Tiny Mix Tapes, and a 9 out of 10 at Stylus. Serious hype.
Speaking of Stylus, they take on the Pixies' Doolittle as part of their always entertaining Playing God feature. I agree that Doolittle's sequencing is top-heavy, but I can't see how anyone could even consider dropping "Mr. Grieves" - that song should be far from the cutting room floor.
Yo La Tengo has posted the schedule for their Swing State Tour. Some cool guest musicians will be joining the band, including Doug McCombs of Tortoise and Damon and Naomi, with some good comedians thrown in the mix too. YLT had been quiet for a while but things seem to be stirring. Hopefully they'll bring back the Maxwell's Hanukkah shows this year.