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The 25 Best Album Covers of the Decade (2000-2009)
A great album cover captures the imagination and sears itself into the brain, forever fusing its iconic imagery with the music it comes to signify... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DayPeter Gabriel Orchestral Covers Album On the Way
Peter Gabriel first LP in seven years will be something of a group project, an orchestral covers album that hosts an eclectic bunch of music hot shots performing each others’ songs. The title, Scratch My Back, plays along with the record’s tit-for-tat song swaps among artists like Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Radiohead, Randy Newman and The Kinks, according to The Guardian.... read more
Found in: Music, NewsThe Best Albums of the Decade (Readers' Picks)
We spent a lot of time brainstorming, voting, arguing and refining our list of The 50 Best Albums of the Decade. But, of course, we got it wrong. Here’s what our readers chose as the 10 Best Albums of the Decade:... read more
Found in: Music, FeaturesFeist+Arcade Fire+Beck+David Cross Halloween Video (Awesome of the Day)
Back in October 2005, Vice Records released a song called “Do They Know It’s Hallowe’en?” to benefit UNICEF (and to poke fun at the patronizing attitude of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”). The band that recorded it was called the “North American Hallowe’en Prevention Initiative,” and its list of members from the U.S. and Canada included:... read more
Found in: Blogs, High GravityTwenty Ridiculously Literal Album Covers
Dear Slayer... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DayFive Songs With Deceptive French Titles
To make a sweeping generalization, certain Americans have never been huge fans of the French. Things worsened after 9/11, and faster than you could say "freedom fries," many people were boycotting anything that even seemed even slightly related to the country. But this didn't deter some bands—from France, Montreal or the U.S.—from showing a little (deserved) francophone pride in their music. Below are five songs with French titles and English lyrics to help you support anglo-franco friendliness:... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DayIf You're Happy and You Know It: The 13 Best Songs with Handclaps
Despite the wide variety of musicians at Bonnaroo this year, there was a commonality I observed at nearly every set, from Snoop Dogg to TV on the Radio to Bon Iver: the prevalence of the handclap. The crowd went wild each time the band gave them a beat they could clap along to, and the musicians seemed to appreciate the response. Why are handclaps so appealing? Maybe it's the sing-alongs we're taught as children, like "B-I-N-G-O" and of course, "If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands." Maybe it's the interactive nature of making percussion along with the... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DaySeven Great Websites for Out-Of-Context Concerts
There's nothing quite like the classic live music experience of standing elbow-to-ribcage with dozens or hundreds or thousands of strangers, basking in the glow of some sweaty collective of musicians working their magic onstage at a dark, smoky venue. But there's also nothing quite like that sweaty collective of musicians working their magic in the backseat of a car, or in a crowded elevator, or tucked between bookshelves in someone's office. It seems that the same easily-accessible digital cameras that've flooded YouTube with screechy, grainy concert footage have also made way for a whole slew of carefully-filmed live music performances... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DayOur Noise: The Story of Merge Records Coming in Sept.
Over the years, Merge Records has brought us Neutral Milk Hotel, Arcade Fire, Spoon, She & Him, and many other excellent bands that hold a permanent places on our playlists. What enabled this humble North Carolina indie imprint to become one of the best of the best? A forthcoming biography might just have the answers.... read more
Found in: Books, NewsMerge Records Wears a Tutu
Late yesterday afternoon, Paste HQ received an email with exciting news: Merge Records’ awesome 20th anniversary celebration in the Chapel Hill, N.C. area will kick off July 18 with Merge In Motion, a recital where local dancers will perform to music from the Merge roster. While we might ordinarily joke that nothing says “ballet, rhythm tap, and modern dance” quite like indie rock, we support artistic collisions like this one. In fact, we think Merge In Motion may be the coolest, unlikeliest fusion of pop music and dance since this. We know The Rosebuds will provide live accompaniment, but just... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the Day
Top 10 Best Debut Novels of the…
The 17 Best Romantic Comedies This Decade
The 50 Best Movies of the Decade…
Blind Pilot - The Story I Heard
B.O.B. - Put Me On
Punch Brothers - Punch Brothers at CMJ
