R.I.P. Lou Reed.
R.I.P. NYC Roseland Ballroom.
- - -
Music bloggers often fall into the trap of labeling artists or jamming them into a genre they have no business being in. In the end, the game of band word association proves pointless and rings false. Readers (and music lovers) are more sophisticated than given credit for. I pride myself in not going there, but for those that do, rockers Placebo make it nearly impossible to do so. Since they debuted, the stellar UK band have switched up their sound but keep it rocking throughout the journey with their signature sound and sharp-as-a-machete lyrics. Last month, the trio dropped their seventh album entitled Loud Like Love. It's their first new album in four years, and it's another ear murderer. Hours before they took the stage at Terminal 5 in NYC on Oct. 15, Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal, and Steve Forrest performed a track off the album (with Jesca Hoop) and sat down for a brief interview on A-Sides. During the course of the chat, the band chatted about their new record, a recent YouTube "LOUD LIKE LOVE TV" show they put on, and thanks to this guy (points to self), Miley Cyrus. Catch the band on the road next year, and watch the videos below filmed for A-Sides by Shoot Me Peter - Peter Roessler Photography. (A-Sides theme performed by Blondfire.)
"Too Many Friends"
A-Sides "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve"based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and listened to and liked (phew), posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls, and - most importantly - the songs my 1 1/2+ year-old son gravitates toward. Yeah, you read that right. This weeks follows below (LW= last week's rank):
12. "Sugar" - The Horrible Crowes
11. "Get Me Golden" (LW-11) - Terraplane Sun (Watch them on A-Sides soon!)
10. "Temple" - Kings of Leon
9. "Bad Blood" (LW-10) - Bastille
8. "Getaway" (LW-3) - Pearl Jam
7. "Creep in a T-Shirt" (LW-6) - Portugal. The Man
6. "Methuselah" (LW-7)- San Fermin (Watch them perform it here on A-Sides!)
5. "Chain My Name" (LW-4) - Polica
4."Bitter Rivals" (LW-2) - Sleigh Bells
3. "Afterlife" - Arcade Fire
2. "Don't Save Me" (LW-5) - Haim
1. "Reflektor"(LW-4) - Arcade Fire
About A-Sides Music
Jon Chattman's "A-Sides Music" series was established in August 2011 and usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing.