Somebody Give Billy Corgan a Trophy (For Real)

I am only a little more than halfway through this interview with Billy Corgan, but already I can unequivocally say that he deserves a trophy for telling it like it is. We've shunned so many people in favor of codified "cool" that it no longer pays for an artist to create new work any longer. Or, as Corgan puts it:

But isn’t it funny how alternative culture likes to turn its back on those they don’t consider attractive. There is a narcissistic subtext to alternative culture that runs through its veins. Why do most people turn to alternative culture? Because they grow up in a family system or community system that doesn’t recognize their specialness or sensitivity or uniqueness, and they find that there are voices in the alternative community that represent them — whether they’re gay or lesbian or the pretty, overweight goth girl, or the outcast or whatever. They look at alternative culture and they say, “That’s the land of lost toys, there’s the place for me.” And we’ve seen this thing happen over the last 25 years — afforded by the Internet — where that narcissistic streak has become a business model.

Go read the rest at Stereogum at this link. Props all around for a great interview. 

Oh, and Oceania is really fucking good, too.

(Update: Just finished reading the rest of it. It did not disappoint. Especially when Corgan takes Stephen Malkmus to task for going on a "money run.")

ABBA Is Everyone's Favorite Band

Eager to beat the dead horse that is the music industry down some more, The Raconteurs have decided to announced the release of their new album, Consolers of the Lonely, one full week before it comes out in a multitude of formats for all types of listeners (including vinyl). Their reasoning and the official press release is here via Stereogum. Nice idea, hopefully the music will live up to the hype. The last record was only just okay--and by okay I mean very derivative with a few nice tracks.

I have been posting a lot about Matt Pond PA...I mean The Dark Leaves. Yep. Apparently that will be MPPA's new moniker.

Sun Kil Moon is streaming their new album, April, at their MySpace page. Fantastic, so far. While you're biding your time waiting for the official release date of April on ummm...April 1, you should get The Retribution Gospel Choir.

Part 2 of the Wilco show at the Riveria is up for download at Sixeyes via this link. Have I mentioned just how much I love this blog? Well, I do. Subscribe to it here. You won't be sorry.

Here's interesting and (gasp!) well-written article from Medialoper. It's about The Clash. And music. That's cool, I guess. If you're into that sort of thing.

And finally, in reference to this post's title, this is just sad. Via con dios, Ola Brunkert. Via con dios, sir.

Some mp3 links:
Rilo Kiley--Let My Love Open the Door (Pete Townsend cover)
Thanks, You Ain't No Picasso.

Matador Intended Play sampler, 2008
Thanks, Matador Records.

Music for Video Games Vol. 1
Haven't heard this, yet. But Sufjan Steven's is on it, so what the hell.
Thanks, Asthmatic Kitty.

Man Man pics and a show review on Friday. Some pics from a Richard Buckner show from this past July at the Village Tavern are up on my Flickr site now. They're not very good but they get the job done. Here's one:

Mobius Band is for Lovers

One of my new discoveries in late 07 (thanks to Stereogum and their OK Computer Tribute album, OKX) was Brooklyn's own Mobius Band. I was fortunate enough to see them down the street at The Map Room in December on a Monday night (the place was near deserted).

Check them out for free: they're offering a free Valentine's Day download EP of six cover songs (big props for covering Neil Young and Daft Punk). And get their new album Heaven on the always-classy Misra Records.

And, just as with Band of Horses and so many other bands, I have photos of the concert that have yet to be posted on Flickr. One day I'll catch up...

Happy V-Day, folks.