I have not fallen off the face of the Earth.

So I have basically been living at work thanks to the Toronto International Film Festival. Super long days and the consequential exhaustion that followed caused my poor little blog to take a back seat while I tried so very hard to take advantage of the little time I had at home to sleep. Thankfully, TIFF is over and I can have my life back. Not to mention, I can get back to posting.

This passed weekend, Radiohead was featured as the musical guest on the season premiere of SNL. It was their first time appearing on the show since 2000, and did a great job performing the King Of Limbs single “Lotus Flower” and the unreleased “Staircase.” I always feel like it is such a challenge for artists on the SNL stage; the sound is always off-kilter just a tad, no matter how amazing the performer may be. No excuses for Ashlee Simpson though, that was just a mess. Unfortunately, Radiohead didn't appear in any sketches—it would have been funny to see them collaborate with The Lonely Island. But I guess no one really expected them to in the first place. Watch the clips of their performances below....before NBC finds out and removes them.

Jeff Buckley On Screen + New Radiohead Track!

Remember months ago when rumours were swirling that scruffy-haired Robert Pattinson was begging to play the role of Jeff Buckley in a biopic of the late singer's life? Well unfortunately for him, it's been announced that Gossip Girl star Penn Badgley has been given the role in Greetings from Tim Buckley. It's not exactly a biopic, but rather a film about the events leading up to the 1991 tribute concert for his late father Tim Buckley. I can see why they chose him; he's got the look and the angsty attitude. I wonder if he can sing, or would that even matter?

However, there's word that a second film based on Buckley is also in the works. The as-yet untitled film directed by Orian Williams and Michelle Sy seems to be a biopic and seems to have everything set, except for a star. Maybe Pattinson will have better luck with this one...

In other news, Radiohead have posted a new song to their YouTube channel. “Staircase” is a five-minute electronic jam that sounds like it fell right off their most recent release, The King of Limbs. It carries the same groovy vibe throughout. The accompanying video performance will be featured on From the Basement, their BBC broadcast premiering July 1. Watch the clip below!

In the News: Juno Highlights, Radiohead's Free Paper + What to Expect on Record Store Day

The 2011 Juno Awards took place in Toronto last night and surprisingly, it wasn't a total disaster. A jam-packed Air Canada Centre, full of fans and artists alike, were entertained by a number of great performances and the slick hosting ability of Toronto's own rap superstar, Drake. While the Juno's are often regarded as a total snoozefest, with hosts that tell jokes that are barely laughable, this year's event was actually presented very well and didn't feel like a complete waste of time. I feel like I'm being really harsh here, but I know that's what everyone thinks! I swear I'm not a horrible person.

Arcade Fire cleaned up house having won four awards; Best Album of the Year, Group Of The Year, Best Alternative Album Of The Year, and Songwriter Of The Year. Rock legend Niel Young took home a Juno for Artist of the Year while the Biebz received awards for Pop Album of the Year and the Juno Fan Choice Award. It was definitely surprising to see Drake, who was nominated in six different categories leave empty handed. He did however leave a smile on peoples' faces having done a couple of pretty funny sketches such as the one below. Who needs Young Money when you got Old Money?!



There were a number of great performances from the likes of Tokyo Police Club (“Bambi”), Chromeo (“Hot Mess”), Hedley (“Perfect”) and Arcade Fire (“Rococo”). There was also a great tribute to Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot and The Band performed by several artists including Dallas Green, Sarah Harmer and Jim Cuddy. All in all, it was probably the best Juno Awards I've seen.

In other news, Radiohead published their very own newspaper entitled The Universal Sigh. The free paper began being distributed today in various locations worldwide to celebrate the release of their latest album The King of Limbs in its physical format. The paper features lyrics, stories, poems and artwork from the band. Visit the paper's website to find out if you can still grab yourself a copy. For those of you in North America, The Universal Sigh will be available starting tomorrow while supplies last. However, if you're like me and will be stuck at work, you can checkout the .pdf version right here. Below see frontman Thom Yorke distributing copies of The Universal Sigh in London this morning.

Record Store Day will be taking place on April 16 and to commemorate the event, a number of different artists will be releasing 7-inch vinyl singles. The Beastie Boys will drop their track “Make Some Noise,” off their upcoming album, as well as singles from Tinie Tempah, Gorillaz, Danger Mouse and Jack White. The Twilight collabo featuring Beck and Bat For Lashes will also be released, with a Bat For Lashes b-side demo track titled “Dark Time.”

In the News: Radiohead's Universal Sigh + The Strokes: Then and Now

Radiohead unveiled details last night about a newspaper the band will be releasing worldwide on March 28/29. The Universal Sigh is what I'm assuming is a promotional piece to coincide with the release of The King of Limbs in it's physical format and to prepare fans for the intricately packaged “newspaper album” they will make available on May 9. One was already sold on ebay for $60!

According to the website that was created for the newspaper, the band is encouraging fans to get a hold of the free tabloid and are inviting them “to post pictures of themselves and their friends reading the newspaper in locations diverse and unusual.” They have also posted a map where people can find out where to grab a copy nearest them.

For whatever reason, Canada is the only country, with the exception of some cities in the U.S, that will not have the paper available in record stores. Bahhumbug! For those of you who live in Toronto, you can pick up The Universal Sigh at Yonge and Dundas Square on March 29 starting at 1pm. Unfortunately, I'll be at work, but kudos to you if you can get one!

The Strokes were featured on The Late Show with David Letterman on Wednesday night. An energetic Julian Casablancas and co. performed “Taken for a Fool” and brought a giant smile to my face while doing so. I can't get over how well they did live and proved that despite their inner band feuding and the 5-year-hiatus, they still got it! While watching it again on YouTube, I came across an older performance they had done on Letterman years ago. It's funny to see how much they have changed, or really how little they have changed.

The Strokes - "Taken for a Fool" 

The Strokes - "Someday"

Album Review: Radiohead - The King of Limbs

Radiohead: The King of Limbs
8/10

Just a week ago, Radiohead unleashed their eighth album, The King of Limbs, out into the world a day ahead of schedule. A huge surprise for fans who had learned about the new release only four days prior. Excited, like many others, I was quick to download the record. I wasn't sure what to expect, only having heard “Lotus Flower” while watching the quirky video of a spastic dancing Thom Yorke. I sat quietly in my room, just listening, as the experimental album opener “Bloom” echoed around me. I soon learned that this record had taken a more electronic, yet less emotional route then its predecessor, In Rainbows. It's groovy electronic vibe tightly binds the album together, moving from one solid dubstep track to another. With more of an emphasis on percussion and less on glitchy guitars, it's the shortest Radiohead LP to date, but don't let that fool you into thinking they didn't perfectly craft it. It's impeccable layers show you that there was much effort made in creating it. Tracks “Little By Little,” “Lotus Flower,” “Codex,” “Giving Up the Ghost” and “Separator” are clear standouts. That's basically the whole album....

If you're hoping to hear the Radiohead from days of old, then you are not going to find it on The King of Limbs. However, that is no reason not to give it a chance. Many are quick to dismiss it, disliking their diverse change in musical style. Yet, how incredibly boring would it be to hear the same thing after 17 years? That is why Radiohead are so artistically interesting; they continue to evolve, incorporating different sounds, styles, political statements and what have you on each of their records. After giving the album a few listens, allowing myself to properly digest their latest work of art, I realized how much I loved it. The same way I loved In Rainbows before it and Hail to the Thief before that. I understand that I'm being completely biased because I am a huge fan, but whatever. 

Radiohead: "Separator"

There's also been tons of speculation that The King of Limbs is actually part one of a double album. Having “Separator” as the closing song on the record has lead everyone to believe there will be a second part. And according to DIY Records, the order number for the LP is “TKOL1.” Perhaps that is the reason why their “newspaper release” of the album is only available in May. Also, Thom played a song entitled “The Daily Mail” on his solo tour last year along with a couple tracks that found themselves on this album. Hmmmm.... I think Radiohead have something up their sleeve. Yet even if they don't, it's not the last we've heard of them.

Friday Surprise: Radiohead Release New Album A Day Early

Radiohead, the English alternative legends, digitally released their eighth album, The King of Limbs, this morning. An announcement on Monday had everyone in a panic, anxiously waiting for Saturday to come, seeing as that was the day which was promised for the release of the record. But with a slight twist, Radiohead decided since having everything set, why not unveil their new body of work a day ahead of schedule.

Along with the surprise release of their new album, they also posted a video for one of their new songs, “Lotus Flower.” The video solely consists of frontman Thom Yorke, spastically dancing about as if on a sugar-high. Well maybe not a sugar-high...Watch the video below.

The King of Limbs is rather short, with only eight tracks. It is said that the record has the band moving a little further away from the guitar-based, classic sound we are accustomed to and is instead full of electronic rhythms and different song structures. You can purchase the physical format of the album on March 29; however, you can grab the digital version here.

A review of the album will be posted soon. In the meantime, watch Thom dance!

In the News: Radiohead To Release New Album, Arcade Fire Celebrate Win + Gaga Talks With A-Coop & Seacrest

Radiohead announced via their website yesterday that they will be releasing their eighth LP this Saturday. The King of Limbs will be available through a digital download this weekend, while a physical format, which the band has deemed “the world's first newspaper album,” will be released on May 9. Unlike “In Rainbows,” there will no longer be a “pay-what-you-want” type of deal. The digital release will be priced at $9 for an MP3 version and $14 for the WAV files. The physical “newspaper album” which includes two clear 10-inch vinyl records, a CD and a detailed package with many large and colourful sheets of artwork, 625 smaller pieces of artwork and a plastic sleeve will cost you $48. In terms of a traditional release, the CD and 12” vinyl will be available starting March 29. Nothing can ever be simple with Radiohead, but then again, I guess it just adds to their epicness. The band has been tight-lipped about the contents of the album. All we know is that The King of Limbs was produced by Nigel Godrich.

Post-Grammys, The Arcade Fire were interviewed about their surprising Album of the Year win. Check out the video below to see their genuinelly happy and cute respose to the award and how incredibly down-to-earth they are.  

Grammy Sidenote: Sunday night's presentation of the 53^rd Annual Grammy Awards had the largest audience the ceremony has seen in 11 years; 26.66 million viewers.

In other news, Lady Gaga was interviewed by CNN's Anderson Cooper. It's a pretty interesting segment that sheds some light on why she feels the need to wear the most outrageous things and say the things she does. If you're a fan of her it's worth the watch. And even if you're not. Click here to watch Lady Gaga and the Art of Fame.

Gaga was also interviewed by the renowned American Idol host during On-Air With Ryan Seacrest earlier today. She revealed some deatils about her upcoming album, Born This Way, out May 23. She mentioned that her next single, "Judas," will be released a few weeks before the unveiling of the record. She told Seacrest that not only did she write all the songs herself, she also co-produced them with RedOne. Song titles the eccentric pop star mentioned were "Hair," "Marry the Night," and "Government Hooker." The latter song apparently has a hip hop beat and "really filthy" lyrics. You can listen to the interview here.