Popped a rib

Iggy Pop has dropped a new video for his interpretation of the Dylan Thomas poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” It’s featured on Pop’s 2019 album, Free . In the Simon Taylor-directed video, Pop delivers a dramatic reading of the classic poem, buoyed by guitarist Noveller and trumpeter Leron Thomas’ soundscape. Pop focuses a steadfast stare directly into the camera with the closeup shot style enhancing his deep timbre and expressiveness. In December, Pop released “ Dirty Little Virus ,” a song about Covid-19. He also recorded a French-language version of Elvis Costello’s “No Flag” from Costello’s recent album, Hey Clockface . The two friends appeared in Rolling Stone ‘s Musicians on Musicians issue , where they shared early memories of their longstanding friendship and their careers. “When I heard your music, I felt like you were the only thing coming out of the U.K. that wasn’t going along with the I’m-a-monster-with a-guitar-riff thing,” Pop told … [Read more...] about Watch Iggy Pop’s New ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night’ Video

After Got7 announced their departure from longtime management company JYP Entertainment in January , rumors began to swirl that the seven-piece K-pop act were disbanding. But the septet officially put those rumors to rest this week with the release of the surprise single “Encore.” Written and co-produced by Got7 member Jinyoung, the tender, R&B-tinged ballad reads like a love letter to their fans (affectionately referred to as “Ahgase”). “When everything was new to us/Everything about you was a gift to us,” Jinyoung croons in his falsetto, as the lo-fi verses give way to a sweeping chorus and rollicking beat. The earnest melody climaxes in a pleading final chorus that’s as much about asking Ahgase to stand by the group, as it is about the group reassuring fans that Got7 are here to stay: “What we’ve had for a long time/No need a reason, it’s because of you/After time passes by, please be right here/Be right here with me.” Got7 has always been known for their … [Read more...] about Song You Need to Know: Got7’s ‘Encore’ Shows the K-pop Powerhouses Aren’t Done Just Yet

When the pandemic hit, Robert Pollard of Guided by Voices decided to go spelunking into his archives of unfinished songs and discarded demos from the last five to 10 years. “I was blown away that I had discarded them,” he tells Rolling Stone . “Anyway, I combined some of them and created new arrangements. Others I just left the way they were.” The result is Earth Man Blues , which Pollard calls “a collage of rejected songs” set for release on April 30th. Despite Pollard’s humble tone, however, it’s one of GBV’s most eclectic, adventurous records to date, careening between heavy-rockers reminiscent of Black Sabbath, guitar lines cribbed from early 2000s pop-punk, near-rock operas worthy of the Who, and sweet little swingers that sound like the Monkees melting in the sun. There’s even a sample from an old stenographer instruction album. “I tied the songs together loosely with characters and stage productions notes to make it seem almost autobiographical,” Pollard says. “After … [Read more...] about Guided By Voices Announce ‘Collage of Rejected Songs’ ‘Earth Man Blues’

Since Broadway theaters went dark last March due to coronavirus precautions, fans of plays and musicals have been eager to experience their favorite shows and new works live onstage and in person. That still hasn’t become a reality — but many people are trying to keep the dream alive. Last year, Tony Award nominations were announced for the protracted season and some hoped there would be a virtual ceremony as well. That plan was also scrapped and voting for the 74th Annual Tony Awards will take place between March 1st and March 15th, 2021.  The presentation of the 74th Annual Tony Awards — which were originally scheduled to take place in 2020 — will be in coordination with the re-opening of Broadway in Fall 2021 , according to the Broadway League and American Theatre Wing. In anticipation, the team behind Moulin Rouge! The Musical — which includes a whiplash-inducing 70 pop songs — has released a new video that shares some of the complexity of the “four distinctive … [Read more...] about What It Took to Orchestrate ‘Bad Romance’ for ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’

The Offspring return to their signature mix of guileless pop-punk and forked-tongue irony on “Let the Bad Times Roll,” the title track off their upcoming record, which will be their first in nearly a decade. Although the title puns off the Cars, the track starts off sounding a bit more like the Police, as Dexter Holland mewls the song title over acoustic guitar before the band settles into a hard rock groove and he sings to his lover, “Let me know what you decide, apathy or suicide,” as he sardonically tries to make the relationship work. The full album is due out on April 16th. “I feel like we’re in a unique period in history where instead of our world leaders saying ‘we’re doing our best’ it’s more like they’re saying ‘fuck it’ and it’s really scary,” Holland said of the song in a statement. “Folks are saying, if it’s all going to hell, we might as well make the most out of it, or at least go out swinging,” guitarist Noodles added. “‘Let the Bad Times Roll!'” As with the … [Read more...] about Hear Offspring’s ‘Let the Bad Times Roll,’ From First Album in Nine Years