When you write these little blurbs week after week, patterns begin to emerge. There are generally healthy doses of both pleasant surprises and shocking turns. In the end, this helps you realize that no week is entirely good or bad but a composite of many things. This applies not just to the music industry but to life itself. And it really makes you think (at least it makes me think).
This essentially means that I have to find creative ways to articulate the same message come Friday. It’s an enjoyable albeit challenging task.
Well, at the risk of sounding utterly illiterate, here’s my latest attempt: this week didn’t suck, but it also kind of did.
Read the following round-up of major events and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
— Guess what? Hip Hop beefs are still going strong.
— Will Jay-Z release an album next year? We’re not sure, but we can definitely tell you that he’s writing a book. He’s also got some big NYE plans involving Coldplay.
— Will Muse play Lollapalooza next year (again)? Decide for yourself.
— We got a heaping dose of 90s nostalgia this week, what with the return of Olivia Tremor Control and the emergence of a new supergroup called Wild Flag (featuring members of Sleater Kinney).
— Lil Wayne detailed I Am Not A Human Being. Weezy also found time to collaborate with Drake. (And did I mention the Diddy– Timberlake single?)
— Lupe Fiasco‘s new album Lasers still isn’t out yet, so his fans are now retaliating.
— Ben Kweller dished on his new LP.
— Dr. Dre can now add “created personal brand of cognac” to his list of accomplishments.
— The “lost” M.I.A. single surfaced courtesy of Diplo.
— Stone Temple Pilots postponed the remainder of their U.S. tour.
– Charlatans UK cancelled their stateside performances so their drummer can undergo treatment for a brain tumor.
— Atoms For Peace killed at this year’s Fuji Rock Fest.
— There are also two new LCD Soundsystem clips to watch. Check out an awesome performance of “Dance Yrself Clean” and the unofficial video for “Home.”
— Pavement jammed with a fan on Fallon.
— Jonny Greenwood and the BBC Concert Orchestra will come together for a one-off live performance. (And Jarvis Cocker’s presenting. What more could you possibly want?)
— CMJ Music Marathon announced another round of adds to its already impressive lineup.
— Suffering from the post-festival season blues? Consult our Fall Concert Preview.
— We’re also pleased to announce our partnership with SeatGeek.
— Want to go to MoogFest for free? Find out more here.
— Michael Roffman reviewed a rowdy, indie-heavy show at Chicago’s Metro featuring Titus Andronicus, among others. He also found time to catch Roger Waters perform The Wall in its entirety.
— Jeremy Larson had an “incredible night” at a recent Tallest Man On Earth show. You can also read our review of the Swedish singer-songwriter’s new EP if you’re interested.
— Philip Cosores shared his thoughts No Age‘s latest offering.
— Chris Coplan did likewise for Wake Up, featuring The Roots and John Legend.
— And as if we don’t post lots of reviews already, read what Ryan Burleson had to say about Deerhunter‘s Halcyon Digest.
— E.N. May interviewed the Ice Cream Man. If you have no clue what I’m talking about, click here.
— Oh yeah, and Kanye West is “So Appalled”.
