Wayback Time Machine Presents "Grammy Coolness"!

Sure, The Grammys are a bit of a dung pile these days. Even back in the 70's, they were still holding on to something that had never been cool...like Andy Williams, who briefly blemishes Paul Simon and John Lennon presenting a Grammy to none other than Olivia Newton-Garfunkel.

You gotta watch the whole thing to truly see the pay-off. Worth every second, though.

Weasel Fest Canceled! Did We Tell You or Did We Tell You?

[The two gals Ben introduced his knuckles to at SXSW? Probably not.]

In a story that we broke here on The Shit A WEEK AGO, Weasel Fest 2011 has finally been officially canceled. We're saddened by the news, of course, as a lot of great bands were to be featured over the course of three nights at one of the cooler rock rooms in town. But, from a fan's POV, we're also a little upset that it took this long to be announced when our reliable source within the Reggie's camp told us they were set to cancel the festival back on March 23rd.

Music News: Week of March 29, 2011

As if The King Of Limbs wasn't already proof positive of a band high on their own fumes, the ambitiously self-important blokes in Radiohead have taken it upon themselves to release their own newspaper. Entitled The Universal Sigh, the papoer will share stories, poetry and other verbal meanderings with their sheep-like following. Print copies of the newspaper hit select retail locations on Monday, March 28.

In other Radiohead news, fans around the world shivered with glee when the band announced they'd be releasing a new 12" single on Record Store Day (April 16). The single will contain two new songs, "The Butcher" and "Supercollider" (wonder if it's the Fountains of Wayne tune...probably not). Now it seems only fans in the UK get to shiver with glee, as the single (released in a limited pressing of 2,000 copies) will only be available in Great Britain.

Hot on the heels of Brandon Flowers' Daniel Lanois-produced solo album, Killers drummer Ronnie Vannucci is hard at work on his own solo album. Normally, the words "drummer" and "solo album" should never be used in the same sentence, but when we heard that Ronnie's working with ex-Weezer bassist Matt Sharp, we figured we'd at least give it a listen. More details to come.

The Lost Beatles Photographs by Bob Bonis is available in bookstores now. Check HERE for a preview of 15 of the photos featured in the book.



"Killing Bono" opens April 1. The film (dubbed a comedy in the press release) centers around two brothers growing up in Ireland who aspire to become rock stars, but who must settle for watching U2 rise to glory instead. We must admit, the trailer does have us intrigued.

Weasel Fest Update, Part 3

It seems that even Reggie's Rock Club, unenviable host of the 25th Anniversary Weasel Fest weekend, has added fuel to speculation that the event might be scrapped altogether in light of Ben Weasel's recent lady-fightin' ways.

The above screen shot is taken from Reggie's website and would seem to indicate that things are not going well, to say the least.

Initially, only a few bands - namely Teenage Bottlerocket, Chinese Telephones, the Soviettes - dropped off the bill. While this was horrible news for fans of the bands, it seemed to be a somewhat manageable exodus. Then, of course, Chixdiggit dropped out, followed by Khepi Ghoulie, Zatopeks and Banner Pilot.

Ruh roh, Raggy!

We have spoken recently with our contact at Reggies, who indicates that the club is working furiously to ensure no further acts drop out of the festival, going so far as to promise preferential treatment in booking future shows at Reggie's. Does that mean that bands who do drop out will be black-balled by the venue. Not in so many words, says our contact.

Ooooh, the plot thickens.

Screeching Weasel Quit Ben Foster

Wow, we didn't see this one coming. Seems everyone in the band Screeching Weasel NOT named Ben has quit. A statement (courtesy of punknews.org) released on Wednesday, March 23 by ex-members Dan Schafer, Adam Cargin, Justin Perkins, and Drew Fredrichsen states:

"The un-calculated act put forth by Ben "Weasel" Foster leading up to and including the violence that erupted on stage is seen by the band as shameful and embarrassing. The sentiments and actions expressed were completely out of our control and in no way represent the band members' view points or moral compasses. As a result, the band has discussed at length and has come to the conclusion that as a group we will not likely be able to muster the dignity to attempt a live performance as 'Screeching Weasel' in the foreseeable future. We each look forward to re-evaluating our involvement in the band as we move forward if we are given the opportunity."

While nobody has officially stepped forward to confirm rumors that Weasel Fest 2011 has been canceled, we at The Shit stand by our sources, who all tell us that the Fest is about to be taken off of life support.

Has Ben Weasel's Fist TKO'ed Weasel Fest??

After Screeching Weasel's recent SXSW gig was marred by an altercation between Ben Weasel and a female fan who hit Weasel in the eye with an ice cube, it seems the number of bands dropping out of the three-day Weasel Fest is growing by the hour.

The first to drop out were the Soviettes, with Teenage Bottlerocket and Chinese Telephones following suit. It has led many to speculate that the entire festival may be scrapped. An insider at Reggie's, the venue scheduled to hold the event, goes even further, opining that the venue may, in fact, pull out of the event.

Guess Ben Weasel's heartfelt apology has fallen on deaf ears.

We at The Shit were bummed to see Ben lose his cool at the show, but, from all reports, the guy seemed to be under the mistaken assumption that he was SXSW's keynote speaker, delivering one long-winded diatribe after another. When the band did finally break into song, it came as quite a welcome relief from the verbal tongue-lashing. Sort of a musical version of "I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out."

That is, until the fight broke out.



Ben was 100% in the wrong, as was the female fan who chucked the ice cube. She, of course, felt immediate repercussions as a result of her thoughtless actions and might refrain from doing something like this ever again. Ben, on the other hand, was whisked out of the venue before authorities arrived, but he too is feeling the repercussions of his actions, canceling the next night's show for obvious reasons (not wanting to be arrested) and beating a hasty exit out of the great state of Texas.

While it remains to be seen if charges will be filed, further repercussions of Weasel's actions continue to arrive in the form of one band after another dropping out of Weasel Fest.

While we at The Shit do not find this the least bit surprising, we do question the motivation behind each band dropping out. Are they doing so in protest of Weasel's actions - if so, none have yet to say so publicly, beyond cancelling "for obvious reasons" - or are they too scared to play the fest, fearing further violence?

In the case of Chinese Telephones, their cancellation means that younger Chicago fans won't be able to see the band, as Weasel Fest is an all-ages gig. The band's 21-and-over Chicago show the next night will take place as planned.

Whatever repercussions Ben Weasel may be feeling as a result of a momentary lapse of reason, it always seems the fans ultimately pay the price as well.

Happy Birthday, Ric Ocasek (The Cars)!

Cars founder/guitarist/singer/songwriter/producer Ric Ocasek turns 62 today. Best known for such hits as "My Best Friend's Girl", "Good Times Roll", and "Shake It Up", the Boston quintet went on to sell over 60 million albums worldwide. After the band's break-up in 1989, Ocasek went on to produce albums for the likes of Weezer, Nada Surf, Johnny Bravo and others.

Most recently, Ocasek reunited with the surviving members of The Cars (bassist Benjamin Orr passed away in 2000) to record their first album in 24 years, Move Like This, which will hit stores on May 10. First single, "Sad Song", was issued earlier this month, as well as a video for the song "Blue Tip".

Take a "Magical Virtual Tour" Of Superior St. And Knox Avenue!

We at Superior St. and Knox Avenue are proud to give you a brief glimpse into the rock & roll heaven that is Superior St. and Knox Avenue, two premiere Chicago rehearsal facilities created with the musician in mind. Filmed in High-Def, baby, so feel free to go FULL-SCREEN on these bad boys!

Superior St. clip:


Knox Avenue clip:

Death Cab For Cutie Metro Tix Go On Sale This Saturday! ONLINE ONLY!

Death Cab For Cutie have just announced a slew of tour dates that will see them playing intimate venues rather than the larger halls they've been filling for the past couple tours. Of course, we lucky Chicago fans will be able to catch Death Cab at the Metro on the second date of the tour, May 20.

The tour dates are as follows:

5/18, Toronto, ON (Phoenix Concert Theatre)
5/20, Chicago IL (Metro)
5/21, Minneapolis MN (First Avenue)
5/24, Edmonton, AB (Shaw Conference Center)
5/25, Calgary, AB (Stampede Corral)
5/27, Bend, OR (Les Schwab Amphitheatre)
5/28, George, WA (Sasquatch!)
6/1, New York, NY (Bowery)
6/3, Washington, DC (9:30 Club)
6/4, Philadelphia (Trocadero)
6/5, Boston (The Paradise)
6/7, Los Angeles (El Rey Theatre)
6/9, San Francisco (Fillmore)

Tickets for the Metro show will go on sale this Saturday, March 26 at NOON (Chicago time). Initially, tix were to be made available via the Metro box office, but a recent tweet from the venue tells us that tix are being sold ONLINE ONLY.

Fan club members, of course, will get first dibs at tix on March 24. You might wanna join the band's fan club if you haven't already.


Death Cab will also be releasing their new album, Codes and Keys, in May. Check out this page for cover art and track listing.

Here's an acoustic version of the album's title cut, performed by Ben Gibbard:

Codes And Keys (Gibbard Solo, Live in SF) by TwentyFourBit.com

Today In Music, March 22: Pink Floyd "Another Brick In The Wall, Pt 2" Hits #1

On this day in 1980, Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2" hits #1 on the US singles chart, where it would stay for four weeks. The song, taken from the concept album "The Wall", is the second of three parts. Originally just a verse and a chorus, the band initially refused to expand upon the original idea, but producer Bob Ezrin, through clever tape editing, was able to extend the song himself. In a Guitar World interview, he describes the process.

"The most important thing I did for the song was to insist that it be more than just one verse and one chorus long, which it was when Roger wrote it. When we played it with the disco drumbeat I said: ‘Man, this is a hit! But it’s one minute 20. We need two verses and two choruses.’ And they said, ‘Well you’re not bloody getting them. We don’t do singles, so fuck you.’ So I said, ‘Okay, fine,’ and they left. And because of our two [tape recorder] set up, while they weren’t around we were able to copy the first verse and chorus, take one of the drum fills, put them in between and extend the chorus. Then the question is what do you with the second verse, which is the same? And having been the guy who made Alice Cooper’s School’s Out, I’ve got this thing about kids on record, and it is about kids after all.

"So while we were in America, we sent [recording engineer] Nick Griffiths to a school near the Floyd studios [in Islington, North London]. I said, ‘Give me 24 tracks of kids singing this thing. I want Cockney, I want posh, fill ’em up,’ and I put them on the song. I called Roger into the room, and when the kids came in on the second verse there was a total softening of his face, and you just knew that he knew it was going to be an important record."

Ezrin also convinced an initially skeptical David Gilmour to consider adding a disco beat to the song. Gilmour reluctantly attended a disco that night and, despite his own reservations, recorded the track in disco fashion, later saying, "And it doesn’t, in the end, not sound like Pink Floyd."

If the unprecedented chart success of "Dark Side Of The Moon" had left any doubt that Pink Floyd were a monumental success, "Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2" rendered them obsolete and broke the band to an entirely new audience, going on to hit #1 in eleven countries.

The Shit List: Top 5 Lamest Greatest Hits Albums EVER!

By the very definition of the title, a "greatest hits" album is a collection of bonafied chart hits by a single artist. More times than not, such compilations are released by the artist's label, either as a holiday cash-in or contractual obligation. One thing is for sure, though...not every "greatest hits" album is a winner. Here is our list of the top five albums who give the term "greatest hits" a bad name.


Goo Goo Dolls "Greatest Hits, Volume II"
When the band released "Greatest Hits, Volume One" in 2007, we thought the inclusion of the words "Volume One", we honestly thought the Goo Goos were just yanking our chain, especially since "Vol. 1" was padded with songs that weren't exactly hits. Thus, it was a real eye-roller when the band released "Greatest Hits Volume II" a year later. For one thing, the audio portion of the album contained no actual chart hits save for a demo of "Iris". It does, however, contain a bunch of oddball covers, songs the band obviously felt should have been hits, and a DVD of videos of songs that were on "Greatest Hits, Volume One". The band could have easily included this DVD with "Volume One". Lame.


Pavarotti's Greatest Hits
Now, we fully acknowledge Pavarotti's vocal talents. But, fuck dude, that is one fucked-up outfit, dude. Whoever came up with the idea to dress one of the greatest tenors of all time in a combination sailor/clown outfit should be pushed out of a moving car.


Steve Perry "Greatest Hits"
The fact that Perry himself is hiding his face on the cover to this completely unnecessary 2006 "hits" collection seems to say it all. Perry, who released only two solo albums, and had only two solo chart hits, could have released one hell of a two-track "greatest hits" cassingle, but an 18-song greatest hits package? Not on your life.


Sublime "Greatest Hits"
Never have I seen a label so ruthlessly cash-in on a musician's death as MCA Records did upon the passing of Brad Nowell. Granted, they did the right thing by not just scrapping the album altogether, as there was no longer a band to promote it, but we have since been treated to no less than eight posthumous compilations. For a band who packed their debut album with no less than twenty songs, and put another 17 on their self-titled major label debut, this ten-song "Greatest Hits" collection is both lazy and sacrilegious.


INXS "Greatest Hits"
Okay, it isn't so much what is included on this hits compilation as what isn't that got our goat. The band found it in their hearts to include total filler like "The Strangest Party (These Are The Times)", but could not find the room to include "Don't Change" - a song that single-handedly put them on the map here in the US. Unbelievable.

New Release Round-Up

The Strokes "Angles" (March 22)

The long-awaited return of the Silver Spoon Gang has many oozing with anticipation of a return-to-form. Of course, if these people also raved about the last album, then how can this one be a "return-to-form" unless the last one actually kinda sucked? Regardless, we are hopeful that these NYC hipster renegades will bring the goods this time.


Radiohead "The King Of Limbs" (March 29)

This one's been available as a download for some time now, enough for most of us to know whether we dig it or not. Suppose the diehard fans who didn't like the download version of the album will still buy this so they can brag about it on their Facebook and Twitter pages. "Just got the new Radiohead CD. The digipack design is SOOOO AMAZING!!" Sheep.


Britney Spears "Femme Fatale" (March 29)

I find it hard to believe she was even there for the recording of this album, much less had anything to do with the direction of the music. Which is why I find her recent interviews, where she talks about how she wanted this to be completely different from her last records, so entertaining. It just means she hired someone else for one song (Will.I.Am on "Big Fat Bass), while the rest of the album is just the usual Dr. Luke/Max Martin money grab.


Rush "Moving Pictures" (April 5)

Rush gets the Deluxe Reissue treatment long after much less worthy artists (I'm looking at you, Crystal Method) got theirs. Ah well, just glad to see the one truly essential Rush album finally get it's due. While the Bonus Disc is merely a 5.1 and stereo mix of the album, with a few videos tossed in for good measure, we are hopeful that the remastering will blow our hair back and make it worth the somewhat hefty "deluxe" price.


Paul Simon "So Beautiful Or So What?" (April 12)

Despite the somewhat head-scratching title, this is supposed to be a real comeback for Simon. Some have called it his best work since "Graceland", which they seem to say every time he releases a new album, but he hasn't releases at all that manby as of late, so we'll let it slide. Elvis Costello writes the album's liner notes and the bonus edition of the album comes with a DVD featuring a "making og" video as well as the music video for "Getting ready For Christmas Day".


k.d. lang "k.d. land and The Siss Boom Bang: Sing It Loud" (April 12)

This new one's being touted as the first album lang has recorded with a band of her own choosing since her early records with The Reclines. Makes it sound like she's been forced to make records against her will and, we suppose, cash the checks against her will as well. It comes out on Nonesuch.


The Feelies "Here Before" (April 12)

Founding members Glenn Mercer and Bill Million return after a 19-year absence and awaken this seminal alt rock band from its slumber. Let's face it, the old records were better, but the world is just a little better with The Feelies in it. If you can't bring yourself to pick this one up, at least see them live, where they truly soar.


Fleet Foxes "Helplessness Blues" (May 2)

It seems like forever since their last full-length (in 2008), but the Foxes return is eagerly anticipated. Can't wait until May 2? You can stream three new songs on the band's Amazon page.

Today In Music, March 18

On this day in music, 1977, The Clash released their debut single, "White Riot". While it peaked at the #38 position on the UK singles chart, it set in motion a juggernaut that would forever shape rock music. Granted, certain respect must be paid to the Sex Pistols, but they were the clown princes of punk to The Clash's driven manifesto of disciplined, militant subversion.

To this day, some 34 years later, there has yet to come a band that can touch them.

Odd that four complete opposites could unite under the same banner, delivering a sound so unique unto itself, arriving fully formed and set to detonate like an atom bomb.

Enjoy.

Charlie Sheen: Comedy Isn't Pretty...Or Funny, For That Matter

When Charlie Sheen announced that he'd be bringing his, uh, "show" to Detroit and Chicago, our first response was "What the fuck's he gonna do, performance-wise?". Our second was the realization that both shows would sell out. Fast.

One thing the Charlie Sheen meltdown has taught us is that we humans sure do enjoy our public meltdowns. Hell, we not only slow down to take a look, we buy tickets at upwards of $85 a pop.

Considering his recent online broadcasts were free and left a whole lot to be desired, we can't for the life of us imagine this guy pulling it together enough to present a decent show in the little time he has between when the dates were announced and when the first shows go down in early April.

Of course, we've got April 1 in the office death pool, so there is the very real possibility that these shows won't even take place and that those who bought tickets will be left with a collector's item, of sorts. Kinda like someone left holding a Led Zep ticket after Bonham punched his own ticket.

If Sheen does somehow manage to live long enough to see that these shows actually take place, what if he ends up putting on a better show than Conan O'Brien did? It's obvious the guy is using Conan's template to garner public sympathy and support after getting canned from his network TV gig. Twitter account, check. National tour, check. The only thing left to do now is dye his hair red and grow a beard.

Ah, who we kidding? This thing's gonna be a total trainwreck.

Those who bought tickets will, more than likely, be left feeling like the many fame-seeking bimbos that get invited back to his place, but who ultimately leave in tears. Their dreams of being made to feel a part of the excitement will quickly give way to the screaming realization that Charlie Sheen's world is an empty one, lorded over by a drug-addled psychopath who is hell-bent on seeing just how far he can push it before it breaks. He doesn't want to rock their world. He just wants someone around to call 911 when he crashes and burns.

Beastie Boys Reveal New Album Details

Whether you are a big Beastie Boys fan or not, one must admit that it's always nice to have them around, especially when the rest of the music industry seems to take themselves WAY too seriously (looking at you, Gaga). That's why word of their new album, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2, comes as such welcome news.

Considering that this album has been finished for almost two years and that it was indefinitely delayed by Adam Yauch's cancer treatment, the fact that there is now a release date would seem to signify good news on the health front for Yauch.

In addition to announcing a May 3 release date via their website, the Beasties also unveiled the cover art.

Track listing:

01 Tadlock's Glasses
02 B-Boys in the Cut
03 Make Some Noise
04 Nonstop Disco Powerpack
05 OK
06 Too Many Rappers [ft. Nas]
07 Say It
08 The Bill Harper Collection
09 Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win [ft. Santigold]
10 Long Burn The Fire
11 Funky Donkey
12 Lee Majors Come Again
13 Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament
14 Pop Your Balloon
15 Crazy Ass Shit
16 Here's a Little Something For Ya

You can preview the album's first single, "Too Many Rappers", HERE.

Ice Cube Tix 50% Off? Pinch Us!!

Was just checking our in-box and noticed that the latest Reader Deal is 50% off tickets to go see rapper Ice Cube at the Mid (306 N. Halsted). Seeing as how the show is this Sunday, deals like this always scream "Help, we haven't actually sold that many tickets and we're losing our ass on this show!"

Of course, when we see such deals, we always feel sorry for those die-hard fans who ran right out and bought tickets at regular price. Way to kick your fans in the 'nads, unintentionally or no.

Perhaps what this says about Ice Cube is that maybe, just maybe, all those crappy "family-oriented" projects like the "Are We There Yet?" film trilogy and TV show have diminished his street cred as a gangsta rapper - maybe even more so than Ice T playing a cop on TV.

Still, the "pants on the ground" quotient" at this show is bound to be high and I imagine that 306 N. Halsted just might be as good a place as any to catch a stray bullet come Sunday.

Enjoy!

Today In Music, March 7

On this day in 1970, Simon & Garfunkel began a triumphant 10-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Sadly, the duo were no longer around to enjoy the success, having officially broken up earlier in the year. It was not their first break-up, though. The duo had called it quits shortly after the commercial failure of their debut album, Wednesday Morning 3 A.M., in 1965. Months later, "The Sound Of Silence" began getting radio play in Florida, leading the duo's producer to employ Dylan's backing band to add drums and full-band instrumentation to the track in order to make it "contemporary". Weeks later, the new version of the song became a huge national hit, leading the duo to reform. Sadly, the success of "Bridge" could not bring Simon & Garfunkel back together this time.

In 1987, on the strength of the hit single "(You gotta Fight) For Your Right (To Party)", the Beastie Boys' debut album, Licensed To Ill, rocketed to #1. They were the first rap act of all time to hit the top spot on the US Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.

BORN ON THIS DAY

1945, Arthur Lee, Love and Chris White, The Zombies

1945, Peter Wolf, J. Geils Band

Superior Client Makes National Headlines For Sex Act!

We at The Shit are simply orgasmic over the national press coverage longtime Superior St. client Jim Markus and fiance Faith Kroll have been receiving in light of their recent "extra-curricular activities" following a class on Human Sexuality at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL witnessed by no less than 100 students.

Markus and Kroll were there to prove that the female orgasm is, in fact, real after a film exploring the female orgasm was felt by many students to be unrealistic in its portrayal.

While we at The Shit stand firmly behind our belief that the female orgasm is a wonderful thing to behold, we wholeheartedly applaud Jim and Faith for go above and beyond the call of duty in the name of the almighty O!

The "Collapse" Of R.E.M.

While the esteemed Athens, GA band's new album, Collapse Into Now, doesn't hit streets until March 8, NPR is currently streaming the album in its entirety.

While longtime fans greet each new R.E.M. album with warm anticipation, the sad truth is that each new lap around the track, so to speak, sees this legendary band's once-rabid fan base noticeably dwindle. Is it a case of life (marriage, kids, jobs, mortgages, etc.) simply overtaking the more carefree pursuits of youth (keeping up with our favorite band's every move), or is it, in fact, a case of a great band simply overstaying its welcome?

Granted, there are older - and lesser - bands still making a darn good living on the nostalgia circuit, but R.E.M. is a band still bent on creating a new musical landscape, not simply reliving old ones, no matter how much money might be in it.

This, of course, is because the members of R.E.M. are, themselves, quite comfortable as far as bank accounts and retirement funds go. They have absolutely no need, or desire, to partake in 80's/90's nostalgia. They are artists and, like any good artist, they live to create!

We, on the other hand, are a world-famous blog extraordinaire whose ears have been trained to spot bullshit and/or beauty wherever it may lurk and to immediately alert our readers so that they may avoid stepping in anything stinky. Let's face it, the world can always use another great rock & roll album. However, it doesn't need yet another crap piece of plastic.

"Discoverer" kicks off the new R.E.M. platter in elegiac fashion, as if Peter Buck might have been listening to U2's War for three straight days, save for trips to the restroom where he made sure to blast a little Grand Funk, before tracking this tune. Stipe soon enters the musical equation with all the subtlety of a man shouting into a megaphone and, while such a move is meant to convey the intended urgency, by the time the track subsides, we listeners are left wondering why.

"All The Best" quickly follows, adding a little gasoline to the fire. In it, Stipe wholeheartedly addresses the idea of "sticking around too long" and "showing the kids how to do it" - as if to beat rock critics to the punch. Stipe is singing with the same urgency as on the previous cut, but, on this one, it feels like he means it. A nerve has been touched. You can question his choice of fashion accessories, but if you choose to question his ability to rock as a man on the verge of turning 50, you will quickly discover that this kitten has claws. "It's just like me to overstay my welcome," he declares with equal parts pride and venom.

What makes "All The Best" such a revelation is that it's the first true all-out rock cut R.E.M. has done where it didn't seem like their hand was being forced to do so.

"Überlin" follows, slowing the pace considerably and heading into "introspective" territory. The song itself is melodically similar to "Drive" (from 1992's Automatic For The People), but I'm not gonna lose any sleep over a band stealing from themselves. The song still manages to stand on its own, highlighted by yet another heartfelt Stipe vocal performance augmented by Mike Mills' perfectly understated backing vocals. Whatever songs may first catch your ear on first listen, this is a song that you will find yourself coming back to, mark my words.

"Oh My Heart" continues the introspection, with Stipe singing in a lower register, creating a mood that is full of both sadness and celebration. This is a song created by a band well aware of its own mortality, seeing those who came before them, fall, as all things eventually do, whether they be trees or empires.

"It Happened Today", while ambitious, shows the band revisiting "Out Of Time"-era themes and instrumentation (Hey Pete, do you still have that mandolin?) and, while it may initially seem like a throwaway cut after a couple stone-cold stunners, this song will sneak up on you when you least expect it. My guess is right around the third listen or so, you'll glance at your iPod with amazement. "Where was that song the last time I listened to this album?!"

"Every Day Is Yours To Win" would surely make for a great title to the next Tony Robbins self-help book, but, in R.E.M.'s hands, it becomes a rallying cry for the jaded, performed with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Not a joke song, mind you, but one that proves you just can't take your eye off this band.

By now, it should be dawning on you that, while every new album by such a revered band is automatically heralded as "their best album since insert-name-of-last-platinum-record-here", in the case of R.E.M., this really is their best album in quite some time. While others heralded 2008's Accelerate as a rocking return to form, I never bought into that belief, hearing only a band forced to right a sinking ship by making a rock album they weren't truly ready to make.

Hearing this new album, though, I can see the purpose that Accelerate served its purpose by waking this giant from its slumber and bringing them back in touch with each weapon within their immense musical arsenal.

Now, if you're anything like me, when you lay your hands on a new album by a beloved band, the first thing you so is scan the song titles. You don't know why you do it, you just do. Thus, your curiosity is instantly raised by a title like "Mine Smell Like Honey". Maybe not enough to make it the first song you listen to, but one that makes you listen to the song with a little more attention wondering what of Mr. Stipe's might smell of honey. I've spun the song numerous times and I still have no idea what he's going on about.

That, of course, is an awesome thing when you think about it. Remember when we had no idea what Stipe was singing about? Hell, we could barely make out the words and, when we could, we were still just as lost, if not more. Those were the days, my friend, knowing you could always count on Berry, Buck, Mills and Stipe to leave you joyously confused, but never more sure of yourself and your band.

Those were the damn days!

"Walk It Back" is a wistful missive of a song, heartbreaking in its piano-laced simplicity, hauntingly ethereal production, and its brevity. It sweeps in softly, steals your breath, then exits before you can get it back.

"Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter" is a total throwaway of a tune - a B-side from a band who used to specialize in such things, if ever there was one - but damn if it won't have you treating your steering wheel like a set of Keith Moon's drums. Be careful not to use your gas and brake pedals as double-bass drum pedals.

"That Someone Is You" follows, indicating that, for this final stretch of the album, R.E.M. seem to have shifted into a new gear. When's the last time R.E.M. sounded this damn fun?! I honestly can't remember, myself.

"Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I" sees Mr. Stipe shift his focus from Andy Kaufman to yet another flawed hero for the sake of exploring a magical world that exists only in the mind's eye, where anything and everything is possible. It just wouldn't be a latter-day R.E.M. album without such a detour.

Of course, none of this prepares the listener for the album closer, "Blue", which features a great vocal performance by Patti Smith before reprising the album's opening track.

As a longtime R.E.M. fan who grew disenchanted by the band's concessions to the big time right around the time Monster was released, I can tell you that Collapse Into Now is the musical equivalent of reconnecting with an old friend, one you were once so close to, have seen around over the years, but are finally able to spend some quality time catching up, and enjoying every beautiful second of it.

Roxette To Headline Pitchfork Music Festival?? Tix Go On Sale Friday!

As the only Chicago hipster mag with their own music festival, Pitchfork continues to be a guiding force in the "we know what you like more than you do" sweepstakes. Thus, when it was announced that tickets for the 2011 Pitchfork Music Festival, to be held July 13, 14, and 15 in Union Park, go on sale this Friday, we at The Shit did enjoy a bit of a chuckle over the fact that the fine folks at Pitchfork could be so bold as to sell tickets to a three-day music event without actually announcing the line-up.

I mean, that's pretty ballsy, right?

Naturally, demand for tickets will be high. After all, every hipster within a three-state radius, if not farther, will be compelled to attend, if for no other reason than to not have to explain to his co-workers at the organic food store why he is unable to attend "the" event of the summer. Let's face it, saying you're too cool for the room just ain't gonna cut it.

But, seriously, who buys tickets to a music festival without knowing what bands will be playing? Pitchfork could sell every last remaining ticket on Friday, then, on Saturday, announce that the festival line-up will consist entirely of Roxette tribute bands from all around the world, with a performance on the festival's final night by Roxette themselves!

Naturally, the hipster brigade would merely take this in stride, reflexively adopting Roxette as the latest legacy band whose recorded output is suddenly heralded as sheer genius on par with Lou Reed, Radiohead, and Jeff Tweedy. Vintage hot pink Roxette tour shirts from the band's 1988 "Look Sharp" tour would flood into Union Park to the sounds of a Bulgarian tribute band Chickidjya butchering "It Must Have Been Love".

Man, I hope Union Park has a bike rack.

Wanna Have Your Mind Blown For $3.99?

Today sees the release of the new album by Devotchka, called 100 Lovers and, as if that weren't cool enough, you can grab the entire album in mp3 format from Amazon for a measly $3.99.

If you haven't already hipped your own head to the sounds of DeVotchKa, you owe it to yourself to do so. Once you do, you will be reminded of so many things; all of them good, and find new musical nuances unfold before your very ears with repeated listens.

To the unconverted, DeVotchKa are a British band that has the uncanny ability to recall Echo & The Bunnymen, Coldplay (first two albums), Muse, and Talking Heads. Sounds cool, huh?

Well, guess what...we lied about them being British. They sound like they should be from Britain, but this talented four-piece is actually from Denver, CO. That's right, they hail from the good ol' US of A.

Now, don't let that keep you from losing yourself in the ethereal, yet flamboyant arrangements or the vocals that seem to subtly draw you in only to take off like a hot-air balloon, soaring effortlessly to and fro.

What's most amazing is how the band can cover so much ground, stylistically - from acoustic folk-tinged ballads to bombastic orchestral rave-ups to haunting exorcisms - and have it all come together to create a cohesive album that all makes sense in the end.

CHECK IT OUT