BY ANDY VIHSTADT
Rainbow Connection
After months of cryptic come-ons, Radiohead threw us all a huge bone last night. In Rainbows, the band’s long awaited seventh LP, will be available to download on October 10 here. From the looks of it, you won’t be able to get it anywhere else until December. Craziest of all, you get to name your own price. (More info at A to Z.)
Double Threat
Robert Pollard has kept himself busy since Guided By Voices disbanded, and he's got two new LPs coming out next week. You can stream both Coast to Coast Carpet of Love (the pop album) and Standard Gargoyle Decisions (the rocker) courtesy of Merge Records. Or go portable with these.
Robert Pollard, “Rud Fins” MP3 from Coast to Coast Carpet of Love
Robert Pollard, “The Killers” MP3 from Standard Gargoyle Decisions
Vaginamite
Looks like lead Tool man Maynard James Keenan is going for comedy on his latest side project, Puscifer. V is for Vagina comes out October 30 and the video for “Cuntry Boner” might be the funniest and most unsettling thing I’ve seen in a long time.
Gallagher Too
If you’re planning on checking out the Black Lips at the Grand Emporium Wednesday night, you might want to check out “Five Things About the Black Lips” on this week’s episode of the Interface, particularly the one about spitting urine on to the audience. Grab a few live songs from Good Bad Not Evil while you’re there.
Black Lips, “Cold Hands” MP3
Game Theory
Following in the footsteps of Dan the Automator and Z-Trip, Stones Throw co-founder Peanut Butter Wolf is teaming up with the gamers at 2K Sports for 2K8: B-Ball Zombie War. The soundtrack to the NBA 2K8 video game hits stores this week and is chock full of hip-hop’s finest, including J. Dilla, Q-Tip and Talib Kweli on “Lightworking.” Download it (via zShare) at Nahright.com, or check out the free sampler podcast at Stones Throw.
Z-Trip feat. Clutch, “Doin’ It Like This” MP3 from the All-Pro Football 2K8 soundtrack
For Rent
The Rentals stopped by the Daytrotter studios last week for a live recreation of The Last Little Life EP. Enjoy it here. With nothing new in the mix, it looks like we might have to wait a while for LP3.
Digital Short
Kanye West filled the musical guest slot for Saturday Night Live’s season opener, but Andy Samberg stole the show with “Iran So Far,” an ode to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The List
10/2
Aceyalone, Lightning Strikes (Decon)
Cake, B-Sides and Rarities (Upbeat)
The Cult, Born Into This (Roadrunner)
Dashboard Confessional, The Shade of Poison Trees (Vagrant)
Fatboy Slim, Late Night Tales: Fatboy Slim (Thrive)
PJ Harvey, White Chalk (Island)
Mobius Band, Heaven (Absolutely Kosher)
Most Serence Republic, Population (Arts & Crafts)
Peanut Butter Wolf, 2K8 (Stones Throw)
Pipettes, We Are the Pipettes (Cherry Tree)
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Magic (Columbia)
10/9
Band of Horses, Cease to Begin (Sub Pop)
Beirut, The Flying Club Cup (Ba Da Bing). Available now on Emusic.com
Electric Six, I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me… (Metropolis)
Enon, Grass Geysers…Carbon Clouds (Touch and Go)
Fiery Furnaces, Widow City (Thrill Jockey)
9th Wonder, Dream Merchant Vol. 2 (Ryko)
Scout Niblett, This Fool Can Die Now (Too Pure)
Ohmega Watts, Watts Happening (Ubiquity)
Robert Pollard, Coast to Coast Carpet of Love (Merge)
Robert Pollard, Standard Gargoyle Decisions (Merge)
10/16
R.E.M., R.E.M. Live (Warner)
Underworld, Oblivion with Bells (ATO/Red Ink)
10/23
Babyshambles, Shotter’s Nation (Astralwerks)
The Besnard Lakes, Vol. 1 (Jagjaguar)
Black Dice, Load Blown EP (Paw Tracks)
Dave Gahan, Hourglass (Virgin)
Hangar 18, Sweep the Leg (Def Jux)
Prefuse 73, Preparations (Warp)
Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Follow the Lights EP (Lost Highway)
Sole & the Skyrider Band, S/T (Anticon)
The Warlocks, Heavy Deavy Skull Lover (Tee Pee)
Ween, La Cucaracha (Rounder)
Yeasayer, All Hour Cymbals (We Are Free)
