Neil Young to Release Another Live Album

Neil Young just announced that he will release another compilation album (following this year’s Archives Vol. 1) on November 2. Dreamin’ Man features live —and some acoustic—performances of 1992’s Harvest Moon.

Dreamin’ Man is labeled as number 12 in the “Neil Young Archive Performance Series,” for reasons that no one seems to quite understand. This disc marks only the third archival release from Young after 2007's Live at Massey Hall 1971 and 2009’s Archives Vol.1. Whether it’s properly numbered or not, it's going to be good.

In addition to this next release, Young has a few other upcoming projects. On September 12th he'll play a show for the Sarah McLachlin foundation, and he 's also slated to perform at Farm Aid on October 4th in St. Louis. The Farm Aid line-up features other big-name acts such as Willie Nelson, Wilco and Dave Matthews. “Neil Young Trunk Show,” a documentary of a 2007 performance by Young, debuts at the Toronto Film Festival September 14th.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Jay-Z’s Blueprint3 Release Moved Up

Blueprint3’s release date has been moved up to today! Originally set to release on September 11—an unconventional Friday release date and the anniversary of the original Blueprint album release—the album is now available as of today. The early release is being attributed to the album’s leak about a week ago. Though Jay-Z didn’t show his understandable resentment at the leak, he decided an early release would no doubt secure him a top spot on Billboard. Good thinking Jay-Z.

Not only are we getting BP3 a few days early, Jay-Z also announced his tour to coincide with his latest album.

Tour Schedule:
Sept. 8 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues

Sept. 11 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden

Oct. 9 - University Park, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center

Oct. 10 - Highland Heights, KY @ The Bank of Kentucky Center

Oct. 13 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place

Oct. 14 - Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Saddledome

Oct. 15 - Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
Oct. 16 - Vancouver, BC @ General Motors Place

Oct. 17 - Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
Oct. 24 - Providence, RI @ Dunkin Donuts Center

Oct. 25 - Amherst, MA @ Mullins Center

Oct. 27 - Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena

Oct. 28 - Columbus, OH @ Value City Arena Ohio State

Oct. 29 - London, ON @ John Labatt Centre
Oct. 30 - Montreal, QUE @ Centre Bell Centre

Oct. 31 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre

Nov. 1 - Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place

Nov. 12 - Champaign, IL @ University of Illinois, Assembly Hall

Nov. 19 - Albuquerque, NM @ Tingley Coliseum

Nov. 20 - El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center

Nov. 22 - Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center Arena

Check out the leaks of, the now available, Blueprint3 on YouTube.

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to "Bull Black Nova" by Wilco

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Wycliffe Johnson Dies at 47

The Associated Press reported Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson died last Tuesday in New York at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital at 47 years of age.

Weeks prior to his death, Johnson had surgery for a blood clot in his brain. He lived in Kingston, Jamaica but moved to Brooklyn this past summer to treat kidney problems due to hypertension and diabetes, according to an interview with Johnson’s sister for the New York Times.

Johnson was known as a ground-breaking and innovative producer, part of “Steely & Clevie”. Along with producer Cleveland "Clevie"Browne, the pair led music production in Jamaica for years. In the 1980s, Steely & Clevie transformed the sound of reggae, implementing digital technology with the roots of reggae. Johnson worked with an array or artists, including Sean Paul, No Doubt and Billy Ocean. He was also known as a remarkable keyboardist and worked with Bob Marley when he was just 18 years old.

-Ashley Thompson
Currently listening to “Love Songs” by Michael Sparrow.

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

John Lydon Reforms PiL

Reuters reported John Lydon, better known as “Johnny Rotten” of the Sex Pistols, is reforming his band Public Image Ltd, and doing a five-date tour beinning in December.

The band originally formed in 1978, not long after the collapse of the Sex Pistols. Known for their pioneering approach during the post-punk era, the band incorporated reggae and diverse styles into much of their music. The band performed their last concert on 1992 and has been on a hiatus ever since.

The tour will commence in Birmingham on Dec. 15 and the band is also starting a new website, www.pilofficial.com Lydon, now 53 years old, told Britain’s Guardian newspaper the revised PiL will feature guitarist Lu Edmonds, drummer Bruce Smith and multi-instrumentalists Scott Firth. Former members, Jah Wobble and Keith Levene are not in the line-up for the reworked band.

-Ashley Thompson

Currently listening to “Martini” by Incubus

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

RIP, MJ

Seventy days after the shocking death of the King of Pop, and the flurry of media coverage that followed, Michael Jackson was finally laid to rest on September 3. As is the case in many high-profile celebrity deaths, the controversy that followed Jackson's death — Where will he be buried? Who will take custody of his three children? Who will be responsible for his estate? — left the deceased forgotten in all the confusion.

The private burial ceremony took place at California's Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale. Jackon is now entombed in the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn. His three children, who have received much media attention since their father's death, placed a crown on the King's casket before it was placed in the mausoleum. Many celebrity friends of Jackson's were in attendance, and Gladys Knight sang at the ceremony.

Hopefully Jackson's burial will end the relentless press coverage of his life and controversial death, and allow the family to move on in peace.

-Kristen Callihan

currently listening to "Phantom Limb" by The Shins

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Alice in Chains: Back With New Lead Vocalist, William DuVall

Alice in Chains, a rock band formed in Seattle, Wash., began their first major headlining tour last week since the death of Layne Staley, the band’s original front man.

The rock band was formed in 1987 by guitarist Jerry Cantrell and vocalist Staley. They rose to popularity in the early 90’s alongside bands such as Soundgarden and Nirvana and sold over 14 million albums in the U.S. alone.

The band experienced enormous success, achieving six Grammy nominations and two No.1 Billboard 200 albums, Jar of Films and Alice in Chains. However, with increased substance abuse by Staley that eventually led to his death in 2002, the band remained out of the limelight until now.

The reunited band consists of guitarist/co-vocalist Jerry Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Inez and new-fangled vocalist William DuVall.

In a review of the band’s opening performance in D.C, Spin reported Duvall’s, “high notes complemented Cantrell’s trebly guitar, and the two sang together like they have been friends since elementary school, smoothly trading off on the mic.”

DuVall appears to be the perfect fit to the bands’ distinguished style. During the show, he even injected a heartfelt sentiment, stating his tour-opening show was “a very meaningful first night for him.”

Alice in Chains’ latest album, Black Gives Way to Blue (Virgin/EMI) is set for release Sept. 29. Check their website for tour dates and to pre-order the album.

-Ashley Thompson
Currently listening to “Shine” by Collective Soul.

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Live Show Review: Bambara

Have you ever experienced the feeling of your ear drums turning to mush? Have you ever experienced this feeling, been fully aware of the imminent liquification of your ear drums, continued on doing what you were doing and liked it?

This may have been the general sentiment of the crowd at the Caledonia Lounge in Athens on Thursday night when Bambara (w/ Marriage and N.C. band Hammer No More the Fingers) played. The Athens group played their brand of noisy psych-rock hard, fast and loud. The term "face-melting" comes to mind.

The trio, composed of twin brothers Blaze and Reid Bateh along with their friend William Brookshire, have been playing together since 2001 when they were in seventh grade. And it shows. The band  played songs from its 2008 self-titled debut album along with some new offerings.

Although on the first few tracks Reid's voice was drowned out by the instrumentals, when the trio started in on "Shake," everything worked - Reid's powerful lyrics and vocals with layered guitars, bass and Blaze pounding away on the drums.

Let's hope there are many more shows to come from these Athens up-and-comers. And that our ear drums are tough enough to take what Bambara can dish out.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "Black River Killer" by Blitzen Trapper


This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Death Cab for Cutie Lands Lead Single for 'New Moon' Soundtrack

Death Cab for Cutie, an indie-rock from Bellingham, Wash., was awarded the lead single on the soundtrack for “New Moon”. In case you’ve been making camp under a rock lately, “New Moon” is the second component to the “Twilight Saga”.

According to Billboard.com, the band’s song, “Meet Me on the Equinox” was created exclusively for the soundtrack and will be revealed on MTV’s Video Music Awards Sept. 13.

It’s been my understanding the phenomena that is “Twilight” is gradually taking over the world- by “world” I mean hormonal teenage girls everywhere and one indie rock guitarist, Chris Walla.

In an interview with MTV News, Walla said he “loved” Jacob and said Edward was an “a-hole” for not being around when Bella needed him. (He’s totally team Jacob) He also wanted to remind fans he plans on completing the saga and not to telling him the ending anytime soon. Either this guy is trying to score points with chicks or he’s actually a “Twilight” fan. Either way, it’s pretty amusing.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, the first soundtrack for “Twilight” debuted at No.1 and has sold over 2 million copies. So, having the lead single for “New Moon” is not a bad business move and will no doubt bode well for the Grammy nominated rock band. The “New Moon” soundtrack is scheduled for release Oct. 20.

-Ashley Thompson
Currently listening to “Fool In The Rain” by Led Zeppelin

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Former Echo and the Bunnymen Member Killed in Wreck

BBC reported that Echo and Bunnymen's former keyboardist Jake Brockman died Tuesday night after colliding with a converted ambulance on the Isle of Man, a self governing Crown dependency located in the center of the British Isles.

Brockman, also known as the “Fifth Bunnyman” became an official, full-time member of the band in 1989.

In a statement made by Brockman’s wife, Sally Mundy, explained that “Music was central to Jake’s life.”

Brockman was taken to the Isle’s Noble’s Hospital where he later passed away from injuries.

In 1989, the band's first drummer, Peter De Freitas also died after a motorcycle accident. Kind of an eerie example of history repeating itself.

Echo and the Bunnymen have dedicated their Website to their former band member, and the homepage simply reads, “Our thoughts are with his wife, family & friends.”

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: The beautiful greenery and traffic outside of the Blur office.

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Susan Boyle Sings Better Than Whitney Houston

SuBo is back and she’s better than ever. The recent runner-up on Britain’s Got Talent was an instant sensation after her premiere song, “I Dreamed A Dream,” and has returned from her crazy stint after her over exposure in the limelight. The quirky, sheltered Scot was a tad overwhelmed by her instant fame, and needed to take a step back for a while. However, Boyle’s debut single has hit top seller status on Amazon.com; and the SuBo song isn’t even available until November 24th of this year.

Yikes, that’s over-popularity at its finest. She didn’t even win Britain’s Got Talent and she doesn’t actually have that crazy good of a voice, but she is topping charts and beating out fames like Whitney Houston. At this point, pre-orders for “I Dreamed A Dream” have topped Houston’s much-anticipated comeback album, “I Look To You.” Proof that the media can turn heads however they wish, and make gullible audiences love the sweet grandmother look and personality of SuBo.

Okay, I’ll admit it, I teared up when I saw her first performance on YouTube and showed it to everyone I know. I guess that makes me one of the gullible masses. Nonetheless, I will not be purchasing her album. She makes for a good, heart-warming story but that is about as far as I’m willing to take SuBo.

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to “Manhattan” by Kings of Leon

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

High School Grad, ‘Contemporary –Bluegrass Prodigy’ Sarah Jarosz

Sarah Jarosz just finished high school, but don’t let that fool you. She’s shared the stage with bluegrass superstars like Ricky Scaggs and David Grisman, just to name a few. With her debut album, Song Up in Her Head (Sugar Hill Records), Jarosz is showing everyone that age is, in fact, just a number.

She began singing at age two and by the time she was 10 she learned the banjo and mandolin. Jarosz then learned the guitar and added clawhammer banjo, octave mandolin and piano to the list-impressive, right?

Song Up in Her Head was released this past June and has since been reviewed by Rolling Stone, calling Jarosz the “ latest contemporary- bluegrass prodigy”. She has been featured on NPR music and her album was the No. 1 selling title recently at Waterloo Records in Austin, Texas.

-Ashley Thompson
Currently listening to “Tell Me True” by Sarah Jarosz

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Jay-Z to Release 'Most Experimental" To Date

Jay-Z’s latest album, Blueprint 3 (Live Nation) is due out September 11th , but he’s already busy on his next “most experimental” album yet.

In an interview with MTV news, Jay said, “My next album, which I'm working on now...is not gonna be a #1 album. That's where I'm at right now. I wanna make the most experimental album I ever made."

Jay-Z is no stranger to merging genres in music. In 2008 he was the first major hip-hop artist to headline the Glastonbury Festival- a British festival that in past years showcased bands such as Oasis, The Killers and Radiohead.

Until the release of this experimental album, Blueprint 3, can be found streaming FREE on MTV.com. What was first a leak is now a “preview” for fans until its official release date.

-Ashley Thompson

Currently listening to “Librarian” by My Morning Jacket

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Ben Lee Reunites with Former Bandmates

Aussie singer/songwriter Ben Lee is getting his old band back together. This music vet has already released seven solo albums at the ripe old age of 30, but his latest musical venture is a team effort. Noise Addict, the group Lee formed in Australia when he was 13 years old, has recorded a new album.

Lee went solo in 1996, leaving his band Noise Addict to do so. It's been 14 years since Lee and Noise Addict released an album, but the band reunited to record It Was Never About the Audience, released this week. The album is available to download for free on the band's web site.

Lee is not the only notable member of Noise Addict. The band also includes Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr./Sebadoh and Lara Meyerratken of El May.

The 15-track About the Audience opens with "That's How it Goes," which includes this self-fulfilling prophecy: "Bands make music / writers write about it / sometimes people like it / sometimes they don't." Hmm. The theme of this album is lighthearted and up-tempo with songs like "Lasagne," a track Lee co-wrote with his seven-year-old step daughter. It's only appropriate to have an elementary-school-aged kid writing songs for a band that played together before they were old enough to drive.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "Coda (Lemon Tree)" by The Inner Banks

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Keith Richards Just Won't Quit

Every time there's news of Keith Richards or his fellow Rolling Stones member Mick Jagger, there's a general sense of amazement that they're still kicking. They're the Energizer Bunnies of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. Richards, rock legend, decades-long party animal and inspiration for Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow, has to be the biggest badass over the age of 60. And he's still going strong.

Richards recently teamed up with rock enigma Jack White to record a few tracks. White is a founding member of the White Stripes, the Raconteurs and his latest project The Dead Weather. Will the tracks he recorded with Richards lead to a White/Stones collaboration in the future? Let's hope so. But according to Rolling Stone magazine, Richards has only said that the two are "in touch."

In addition to his efforts to get the Stones together to record a new album, Richards is working on an autobiography. The book is slated to come out some time in 2010. He and Jagger are also working on a deluxe edition of 1972's Exile on Main Street.

What is Mr. White up to, you ask? He's touring with The Dead Weather, the band he formed with The Kills' Alison Mosshart earlier this year. They released their first album, Horehound, in July. They'll play the Tabernacle in ATL on October 2.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "Come Back Margaret" by Camera Obscura

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Them Crooked Vultures Announce Tour

Them Crooked Vultures has just been added to the Austin City Limits line up and announced dates for their upcoming tour. The newest supergroup on the block is composed of the Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme and Led Zepelin's John Paul Jones.

TCV will play the Austin City Limits festival on Friday evening, October 2. Since their debut at Lollapalooza, the group's been touring Europe and playing festivals in the U.K.

They also recently announced nine U.S. tour dates. Starting in October they'll play Stubb's in Austin, then the ACL festival and end up in Washington D.C. on October 14.

A 14-second clip of TCV's music is available on YouTube.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "Grey Gardens" the documentary on DVD

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

New Album Collaboration: Bright Eyes, She & Him and My Morning Jacket

What happens when you combine four indie-rock band boys from three separate totally happening bands into one album? The answer, my friends, is Monsters of Folk. Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, M. Ward of She & Him and Jim James of My Morning Jacket have created a self-titled album that literally makes me shake in my little hipster booties.

The collaboration is the love child of a successful tour between the men’s respective bands a while back. According to Ward on the Monsters of Folks’ website, “It was never a question of where or how – it was just when…we knew we wanted to record an album after seeing that we had good chemistry on tour.”

Okay, I’ve only heard 3 songs from the band’s website, but there is definitely promise for their first album when you consider these guys “previous experience.” This seems like the indie rock album we’ve been waiting for; one that goes back to the roots of garage jams with a few friends after school.

Unfortunately, you will have to wait a little while to hear the new tunes. Monsters of Folk will release their self-titled debut album on Shangri-La Music at the end of September. Until the release, check out a few songs on the band’s media page.

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to “Living in the Sky With Diamonds” by Cobra Starship

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

From Cardinal to Columnist

Ryan Adams: Singer, songwriter, producer, Mandy Moore boy toy… video game blogger? Sure.

Adams announced his departure from his band, The Cardinals, at the beginning of this year and in his blog, Cardinal Cave, he talked about taking a “step back from all of this”, “this” apparently meaning music and his personal blogs. But, he’s back- sort of.

D.R. Adams (David Ryan) is now a contributor to The Awl, a site that touches on anything from town hall meetings to the “pipi”-filled streets of France. Adams’ specialty, among others, is video games. His column, aptly named Long Player, begins with his first (and only so far) post entitled,“Gorf, The End of the World, And The Legacy of Danzig.” Here, Danzig is God and Gorf ,“is one of the coolest classic Golden Age games out there.” The post even includes a tutorial video where Adams showcases the merit of Gorf’s majesty. Honestly, would you expect any less?

He promises his readers there will be more of his long-winded, spastic (NOT bi-polar) columns to come. In the mean time I guess we can all “keeping surfing the web and stuff.”
-Ashley Thompson
Currently listening to "Afterparty at Jimmy's" by Anya Marina

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

A 'Happy Little Hippie Song' Breaks Records

Jason Mraz has spent the last two years promoting his recent, platinum -selling CD , We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. He’s spent the past five playing his “happy little hippie song” to crowds across the country.

As a fan of Jason Mraz, I’ve always admired his ability to mesh a light-hearted melody with profound, introspective lyrics- and it seems I’m not the only one.

“I’m Yours” has hung out on the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive (and record-breaking) 71 weeks. The song first charted in May 2008 and reached No. 6 in September 2008. Mraz’s 71- week success now puts LeAnn Rimes’ hit, “How Do I Live” in mere second place.

According to Reuters, his song is the only track to reach No.1 on Adult Contemporary, Mainstream and Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) radio-based charts. It’s also up for “Song of the Year” at this year’s Grammy Awards-no small feat.
However, Mr. A-Z has never been one to take all the credit.

“I don’t feel like I’ve crossed a finish line. I don’t feel like I’ve sweated it out for the past 70 weeks,” Mraz told the Associated Press, “I feel like the song is just doing its thing and it was a real gift.”

As for the fans, we’ll just continue to enjoy this “gift” for a while to come- singing along in our cars, humming the ever-so –catchy melody in the shower, and cross our fingers for a Grammy.

Jason’s album, which includes his record-breaking song, along with tour dates can be found on his website.

-Ashley Thompson
currently listening to "Under My Voodoo" by Sublime

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

New Yo La Tengo Album on NPR

Twenty five year rock veterans Yo La Tengo will release its new album, Popular Songs, on September 8. Can’t wait a week for the new record? No fear, you can stream the entire album for free on good old NPR.

Fans of Yo La Tengo won’t be disappointed in the band’s latest effort. As with previous albums, YLT spans many genres, incorporating shoegaze, soul, pop and psych rock sounds.

The opening track, “Here to Fall,” exhibits more of a psychedelic sound with keyboards, strings and singer/guitarist Ira Kaplan’s synth-y vocals. On “By Two’s,” they slow the tempo down and singer/drummer Georgia Hubley showcases her soothing soulful voice. Right after the close of that track comes the guitar-driven poppy tune “Nothing to Hide.” In summary, if you like music, you’ll probably like this album.

YLT is currently touring the U.S. in support of Popular Songs. Their tour hits ATL on Saturday, September 12 at the Variety Playhouse.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to “Nothing to Hide” by Yo La Tengo

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Re: Your Top 20 of 2009!

Dear Readers,

Well, we've flipped the calendar to September - which means, in the publishing world, we've essentially flipped the calendar to December. That's right...it's already time to think about our end of the year issue!

Our last issue of '09 hits on December 1st, and in it will be a comprehensive 2009 in Review spread. And now you've got a chance to become a part of it! Starting today, and running through November 1, we'll be collecting reader data on your Top 20 albums of 2009.

So...get started! And don't worry, you'll be getting plenty more annoying emails and messages from us reminding you of the deadline. And hey - if you already have your 20, feel free to send them on as early as you want!

The requirements:
1) obviously, the record has to have a 2009 release date.
2) you MUST rank them from worst to first, 20 to 1. We'll be calculating everyone's answer on a point system - so if they're not ranked, we can't count them.
3) Include a one sentence reason as to WHY your #1 is your number 1.

That's it! Get reviewing and send your 2009 Top 20 to editorial@athensblur.com before November 1!

New Evidence Surfaces in Death of Brian Jones

A real life cold case investigation is underway in the death of Brian Jones, the Rolling Stones’ multi-instrumentalist who was found at the bottom of his swimming pool in in July 1969.

Reuters reported on August 31 that British police were re-opening the case after gaining new evidence from an investigative journalist.

Jones, according to Keith Richards, came up with the band’s name after being asked by a venue owner what to call the group of British rockers. At that moment a Muddy Waters album was lying on the floor with the first track title reading, “The Rollin’ Stone Blues.” The rest is history.

If only everything was as cut-and-dry.

The official cause of Jones’ death was labeled as a “death by misadventure” but Anne Wohlin, Jones’ girlfriend who was present at his home in East Sussex when he was discovered, tells a different side of the story, saying she believed he was alive when he was lifted from the pool and that foul play may have been involved.

The new information and its source have not been revealed but Reuters quoted a spokesman for the Sussex Police who said, “These papers will be examined by Sussex Police but it is too early to comment at this time on what the outcome will be.”

Uncovering old wounds is never a happy time, especially for Jones’ family, friends or fans, but if this new information leads us closer to the truth then maybe this Rolling Stone can finally find his resting place.

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

'Behind the Music' Resurrected

There was a time, and it wasn’t a very long time ago, when network’s like VH1 and MTV cared more about the music than what washed up celebrity is currently going through detox, or which spoiled rotten rich girl is having her sweet 16, but those days have come and gone--but not without a silver lining.

VH1, the network that used to take pride in their slogan “Music First,” have taken a giant leap forward as they are bringing the popular program Behind the Music back.

The re-vamped artist biography show will kick-off on Thursday, Sept. 10 with Cash Money rapper Lil Wayne and will follow with profiles on T.I., Bobby Brown and 50 Cent.

Behind the Music first aired in 1997 and had a nine-year run, until 2006. In between the time of the show’s hiatus, one episode aired in 2008 which looked at the career of 80s boy band New Kid’s on the Block.

So, hurray for VH1 and their attempt to bring a show back from the grave that actually showcases a musician and their struggles, rather than broadcasting their mistakes in the form of reality television.

One step at a time. One step at a time . . .

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: "Stay" by Lisa Loeb

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Strokes Front Man’s Solo Album

Julian Casablancas is finally catching up with the rest of his band mates by releasing an independent-of-the-Strokes album. Casablancas solo debut, Phrazes for the Young, is due out October 20.

A preview of Phrazes and the album’s cover art can be seen on Casblancas’ web site. Jules’ music is not like that of the Strokes; it’s more electro-pop than retro rock and roll.

Casablancas's debuted his new material live in Tokyo last night. According to Spin magazine, “Monday's gig wasn't exactly an explosive beginning to his solo performing career,” noting that Casablancas’ voice was at times almost too quiet to be heard and that he lacked a great amount of energy on stage. Let’s hope he was just jet-lagged.

Other Strokes side projects include guitarist Albert Hammond Jr.’s albums Yours to Keep and Como te Llama?, drummer Fabrizio Moretti’s band Little Joy and bassist Nikolai Fraiture’s band Nickel Eye.

There is a fall tour of the U.S. in support of the new album, with dates to be posted soon according to Casablancas’ site.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to “Shangri-La” by M. Ward

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Next 48 Hours…Get Madonna For Free!

Madonna released her newest video “Celebration,” where—previously blogged—her boyfriend, Jesus and her daughter, Lourdes help her celebrate the release of her upcoming greatest hits album. The video is available for viewing via iTunes. Get a free download of the video for the next 48 hours before it goes up for purchase this Thursday.

Don’t waste your iBucks! Get the video now! Who doesn’t want access to a Madonna celebration on their own computer whenever they want one? Plus, it is a perfect way to judge the onscreen chemistry between cougar-mama-Madonna and baby-Jesus Luz. Also, we might catch a glimpse of a rising child-star mess waiting to happen in Madonna's daughter Lourdes.

Okay, I’m being supercritical. Madonna is a musical genius and I am looking forward to some 80s flashbacks on the new/old album. "Celebration” is sure NOT to be a sensational hit, but it does it is a promotion job well done.

There is one remaining new single that will no doubt be released prior to her greatest hits album to gain more hype and sales—who wants to see an 80s song that goes good with lace gloves and a rocker tutu? I do, I do. Come on Madonna, go back to your roots.

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to "Like A Virgin" by Madonna

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Sublime Reunites for Smokeout

California reggae punk group Sublime announced that they will reunite – 13 years after they split – to play the Smokeout festival. Nothing like a little cannabis to bring people together.

The trio broke up in 1996 at the height of their popularity when lead singer Bradley Nowell died of a heroin overdose. Some of their most popular tracks include “Date Rape,” “What I Got” and “Summer Time.” The reunited Sublime will feature a new singer, Rome, who played with original members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson earlier this year.

Other acts at Smokeout include Cypress Hill, Deftones and Slipknot among others. The festival will take place October 23-24 in San Bernandino, CA., and will be hosted by the smoke-loving duo Cheech and Chong.

The festival’s web site describes Smokeout as “the all day mind opening music festival.” Other activities available for festival goers include a 420 movie night, glass art showcase, grow tips and the Smokeout cannabis cup and medical expo. Quite the educational weekend.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to “Gettysburg” by Ratatat

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com