Another free summer music sampler is available to you Triple M fans and listeners!  Vanguard Records has released a free .mp3 sampler that includes some great tracks from an eclectic assortment of artists.  Fans can head over to Amazon and download the entire Sounds of Summer mix free of charge.

Sounds of Summer includes:

1. Blue Giant – Blue Sunshine

2. Jesca Hoop – Feast Of the Heart

3. Isobel Campbell – Come Undone

4. Stacy Clark – Don’t Take What’s Mine

5. Trevor Hall – The Lime Tree

6. Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers – 4th of July (Live)

7. Indigo Girls – Shame On You

8. The Robert Cray Band – Chicken In The Kitchen

New Albums For July 27, 2010

	Robert Cray Band
	Cookin’ In Mobile
	Mark Olson
	Many Colored Kite
	Loudon Wainwright III
	10 Songs For The New Depression
	Delaney & Bonnie
	Delaney & Bonnie & Friends On Tour With Eric Clapton
	Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band
	Live At The Greek
	George Thorogood & The Destroyers
	Live In Boston 1982
	Stevie Ray Vaughn
	Couldn’t Stand The Weather

Top 5 Movies From Last Week

1. Inception, $42.7 Million

2. Salt, $36 Million

3. Despicable Me, $23.6 Million

4. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, $9.6 Million

5. Toy Story 3, $8.9 Million

Kings of Leon Bassist Hit With Pigeon Excrement, Finish Show Early

St. Louis Kings of Leon fans were let down this past Friday evening when the band left the Verizon Amphitheater stage after only 3 songs.  What caused this concert to abruptly end?  Believe it or not… pigeon poop.  A flock of pigeons living in the rafters of the Verizon Amphitheater bombarded the bands on stage with excrement.  Opening for Kings of Leon, The Postelles and The Stills both finished their sets covered in pigeon excrement from the unruly birds above.  Kings of Leon took the stage despite the openers experience.  This did not turn out well when after only three songs Kings of Leon bassist Jared Followill was hit in the mouth by pigeon poop.  The band left the stage and did not return.  Concert attendees can receive a full refund from Live Nation due to the shortened show.  more info

19 Killed, 100+ injured Following Germany’s “Love Parade” Festival Stampede

At the Love Parade Music Festival tragedy struck when the lone entrance for the festival was packed with people.  An old railway tunnel served as the festival’s single entrance and exit.  This clearly was a serious problem due to the festival expecting over one million music fans.  The crammed tunnel soon turned to a stampede as 19 people were killed and 100+ were injured.  Medical help had difficulty getting to the injured people due to the crowd and entrance setup.  Despite the tragic events, the music festival still occurred.  more info

Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger Team Up For HBO “Rock ‘n’ Roll” Drama

If you are a Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger, HBO or all the above fan, listen up.  Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger are working together to create a “rock ‘n’ roll drama” for HBO.  The project is to be titled “A History of Music” and will follow two friends and their 40 years in the music industry.  “Sopranos” writer Terence Winter is on board and Scorsese would direct if the series is to be picked up.  If all this information is accurate, another great HBO show is on the way.  more info

Elton John Working on “Animal Farm” Inspired Musical

Piano rocker Elton John has reportedly begun working on an Animal Farm inspired musical.  Elton John and screenwriter Lee Hall previously worked together to create the stage version of “Billy Elliott.”  The two will take on the George Orwell novel Animal Farm in musical form.  Only time will tell if this is true and how interesting of an outcome will result.  more info

Dixie Chicks to Record with Steve Martin on His New Album

The Dixie Chicks have been very quiet since their 2006 Grammy award winning album Taking the Long Way.  The “Chicks” will reportedly be working on a track with Steve Martin on his latest bluegrass album.  Steve Martin wrote the song and is asking the Dixie Chicks to harmonize on the tune with his band.  Be sure to check out Steve Martin’s later to be released bluegrass album.  more info

Wyclef Jean Seeking A Run At the Haitian Presidency?

All-around music maker and former Fugees member Wyclef Jean is mulling the idea of running for President of his home nation Haiti.  Wyclef Jean was appointed as “Ambassador-at-Large” in 2007 for the small island nation by President Rene Preval who is unable to seek re-election.  Jean, who is 37, was born in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince but spent much is his growing up years in New York City.  The Haitian election has major implications for the nation as the new President will have the task of rebuilding the country after the horrific January 12 earthquake.  more info

Beach Boys to Reunite for 50th Anniversary Show

Beach Boys fans…your dreams may have come true.  The Beach Boys will be reuniting for a 50th Anniversary show in the near future.  No date, time or location have been released yet.  Guitarist Al Jardine told Rolling Stone that the band, including Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and possibly early guitarist David Marks, will be getting together for “likely a free show” in the future.  Location has yet to be determined, but Jardine said that Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, The National Mall in Washington, DC and Lakeside in Chicago have all been discussed.  Jardine went on to say that as long as the band had to get together to rehearse for one show, they may as well take the show on the road.  We will just have to wait and see… more info

Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins Collapses Onstage

The Smashing Pumpkins performed an intimate set this past Wednesday night at Ritz Ybor in Tampa, Florida.  Lead singer Billy Corgan collapsed to the ground shortly after the playing of “Bullets With Butterfly Wings.”  Corgan seemed dizzy before he stumbled and fell onto the drum riser.  Corgan later tweeted to explain that the fall was not stage antics but rather “blacking out and wiping out.”  Despite the fall, the band is scheduled to continue its intimate tour with a show in Knoxville, TN tonight (July 23.)  more info

Gaslight Anthem Expand Tour, Madison Date Added

New Jersey rockers, The Gaslight Anthem, are riding the success of their third studio album American Slang by expanding their Fall 2010 tour, including a Madison date.  The Gaslight Anthem will be at Madison’s Majestic Theatre on September 19 (tickets) as well as a handful of other midwest shows throughout the fall.  Check out this band’s latest release and check them out live when they arrive in Mad-Town.  more info including additional dates

Vampire Weekend Sued by Contra Cover Model

Vampire Weekend’s second studio album, Contra, was released earlier this year and included the image of a young blond woman as the cover art.  The model used for the cover is suing the band for $2 million dollars for allegedly using the photo without permission.  Depending on who you talk to, the photo was originally taken as a Polaroid in 1983 by photographer Tod Brody who then later sold the photo’s rights to Vampire Weekend to use on the Contra cover.  Or perhaps, the photo was taken by the model’s mother as a family picture and later sold at a garage sale in a bundle.  The model, Kristen Kennis, only recently saw the image after her daughter brought home the album and noticed the cover.  Details of the case are still to come and Vampire Weekend have not spoken on the matter due to legal obligations.  more info

Jack White Performs “Mother Nature’s Son” at McCartney’s Gershwin Prize Ceremony

Jack White was invited to the White House to perform at the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song Ceremony honoring Paul McCartney this past June.  The ceremony took place last month and some video of the event has slowly trickled out.  PBS will be airing the ceremony in full on July 28, but before the airing, check out Jack White playing The Beatle’s “Mother Nature’s Son” for Sir Paul and President Obama!  more info

(embedding seems to have problems, for better quality video experience, click here)

Carlos Santana To Release Classic Guitar Cover Album September 21

Carlos Santana recorded a cover album titled Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time with much noteworthy help.  The album covers some of the greatest guitar rock songs of all time with help from some of Santana’s rock friends.  Some tracks on the album include “Little Wing” performed with Joe Cocker, “Whole Lotta Love” with Soundgarden/Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell, “Sunshine of Your Life” featuring Rob Thomas and many more.  The album is set for a September 21 release.  more info

David Byrne and Brian Eno Soundtrack Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street”

In 2008 David Byrne and Brian Eno joined together to produce an album titled Everything That Happens Will Happen Today.  The album is a fantastic album and will now have tracks featured on the soundtrack to Oliver Stone’s forthcoming sequal Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.  The soundtrack will include music off the Byrne and Eno album, selections by David Byrne, songs by Craig Armstrong, and Byrne’s Talking Heads track “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody).”  more info

SPIN Magazine has released a sampler of tracks and artists discussed in their August 2010 issue.  The sampler contains fifteen tracks of new artists for your music discovering desires.  SPIN has provided a download coupon for iTunes to grab your free copy of the sampler at their site here.

Here is the tracklist for the free August Sampler!

1.  Buckcherry – “All Night Long”

2. Department of Eagles – “Brightest Minds”

3. First Aid Kit – “Hard Believer”

4. Francis and the Lights – “For Days”

5. Henry Clay People – “Slow Burn”

6. Jaill – “The Stroller”

7. Maximum Balloon – “Tiger (feat. Aku)”

8. Menomena -”Five Little Rooms”

9. MNDR – “Fade to Black”

10. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band – “Leaving Trails”

11. Sun Kil Moon – “Australian Winter”

12. Tame Impala – “Solitude Is Bliss”

13. The Love Language – “Heart To Tell”

14. The Sword – “Tres Brujas”

15. Villagers – “Becoming a Jackal”

Check out the August sampler and comment any favorites or suggestions!

New Jersey natives, The Gaslight Anthem released their third studio album, American Slang, on June 15.  Despite the buzz throughout the “blogosphere,” I was reluctant to climb on board the bandwagon.  I had no experience with their previous music and was only familiar with the band through a couple of magazine and blog articles.  Through this early research, my understanding of the band was they are considered “punk” and that there were Bruce Springsteen comparisons.  I was slightly confused and struggled to connect the dots of a fairly new and young “punk” band and The Boss.  But, finally after a month, I got my hands on a copy and gave the record a listen.

What I surprisingly found was a connection of the dots that was partnered with a refreshing sound.  Somehow, throughout American Slang sound elements of both “punk” and Springsteen are present and working.  I don’t know if a self fulfilling prophecy based on my prior reading, but lead singer Brian Fallon’s voice sounds as if Bruce Springsteen took a punk route.  Maybe it is just a New Jersey thing.  But, to clarify, the sound of The Gaslight Anthem floats somewhere between Bruce and Punk creating a great alternative rock sound.

The Gaslight Anthem have released two studio albums prior to American Slang: Sink or Swim in 2007 and The ‘59 Sound in 2008.  American Slang has been greeted with great critical and sales acclaim, moving 27,000 copies in its first week while charting number one among independent releases and 16 on the Billboard 200.

Despite the album being only ten tracks and 34 minutes in length, it packs a catchy punch.  On multiple occasions, I found myself listening to the entire album before I even realized it had finished.  A good sign due to the lack of change track moments, but sad that the record finishes so quickly.  Overall, the album is well done.  A fun listen and recommended to anyone looking for a new alternative band to follow.

Check out and download The Gaslight Anthem’s track “The Diamond Church Street Choir” off American Slang.

The Diamond Church Street Choir (click to download)

In other Gaslight Anthem news, it was recently announced that they will be in Madison on September 19 playing a show at the Majestic Theatre.  Head over to the Majestic to grab yourself tickets starting July 23.

Lastly, here is a video of The Gaslight Anthem and Bruce Springsteen jamming together last sumemr at Hyde Park in London.

-Sam Ryan

New Albums For July 20, 2010

	Asleep At The Wheel & Leon Rusell
	It’s a Good Day
	Big Head Todd & The Monsters
	Rocksteady
	Marc Cohn
	Listening Booth…1970
	Sheryl Crow
	100 Miles From Memphis
	Emerson Lake and Palmer
	A Time and a Place (Box Set)
	Brian Setzer Orchestra
	Don’t Mess With a Big Band Live

Top 5 Movies From Last Week

1. Inception, $60.4 Million

2. Despicable Me, $32.7 Million

3. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, $17.3 Million

4. Twilight: Eclipse, $13.5 Million

5. Toy Story 3, $11.7 Million

Nothing quite like a free mix of new music to make your day a bit brighter.  Paste Magazine has compiled 23 tracks for your streaming and downloading desires.  Artists on the most recent July Paste New Music Sampler include Broken Social Scene, The Gaslight Anthem, Stars, Andrew Bird, Alejandro Escovedo, Indigo Girls, The Robert Cray Band, Trevor Hall and many more!

Lots of great tracks on this free sampler.  You will surely find something that sparks your musical interest.  Stream and download the tracks below or head to Paste.

Side Note, don’t be confused, it seems that Paste has accidentally switched the Trevor Hall track and The Robert Cray Band track.  This will likely be resolved by Paste in the near future.

Bono Recovered and Ready to Rock

U2 frontman Bono has fully recovered from back surgery that kept U2 from their North American tour.  Bono released a video for fans saying he is feeling better while apologizing to ticket buying fans who have to wait a year to see the band.  Glad to hear Bono is doing well, check out the video below!  more info

Arcade Fire Pledge Haiti Aid

Canadian indie rockers Arcade Fire will be releasing a new album titled The Suburbs August 3rd.  Before the album is released, the band has pledged one million dollars to help rebuild Haiti after the devastating hurricane that took place sixth months ago.  Reports have surfaced that not all the pledged money for Haiti is getting to relief efforts due to a handful of reasons.  This issue is very important to band member Regine Chassagne because her parents are both Haitian.  Arcade Fire will match public donations up to one million dollars to go to the relief charity Kanpe.  more info

R.E.M. Finish Recording New Album

R.E.M. have officially wrapped up recording a new album in Berlin, Germany with the help of producer Jacknife Lee.  The album has a tentative projected release of Spring 2011.  Very few details have been released due to the recent news of the wrapped up recording.  As more details emerge, Triple M will surely keep you up to date!  more info

New Weezer Album Due in September

Weezer has a new record on the way but details are few and far between.  The album will reportedly be on an independent record label and is set for a September 13 release.  The actual record label that will be releasing the album is still unknown as well as the album title.  more info

David Gilmour to Join Waters at Lone “Wall” Date

A Pink Floyd semi-reunion may be in the near future…David Gilmour may be joining Roger Waters on stage for the second time since the early 1980s breakup.  Word is that a hand shake deal was struck between these two musicians, being “If Waters would agree to perform “To Know Him Is To Love Him” at the Hoping Foundation Benefit, Gilmour would guest on “Comfortably Numb” at a to-be-determined show on Waters’ upcoming tour featuring Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” being performed in its entirety.”  Let’s hope this reunion happens!  more info

Ben Folds and Nick Hornby album Set To Be Released

The previously reported rumors of a Ben Folds/Nick Hornby collaboration have come true.  The album will be titled Lonely Avenue and is scheduled for a September 28 release.  Ben Folds recorded the music while Hornby, known for his writing of “About a Boy” and “High Fidelity,” wrote the lyrics for the album.  This should be an interesting collaboration, and I am looking forward to its release.  more info

The Avett Brothers have released a brand new video for the track “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” from their most recent album I and Love and You.  The track discusses the temporary nature of our buildings and the inevitable decay that comes with a temporary state of mind.

The new video for the song is a spectacular piece of work.  Artist Jason Ryan Mitcham is behind the gorgeous painting animation.  The video was created through the gradual alteration of one painting 2600 times over the course of the 4 minute and 20 second video.  Ten painting alterations occur every second throughout the video.

The video not only looks amazing, but visually corresponds to the meaning of the song wonderfully. Watch this brand new exclusive video below!

The Avett Brothers have sold over 200,000 copies of their album I and Love and You since its late September release.  The album has a cleaner sound than the rougher blue grassy sound of their earlier work.  This is likely due to all-star producer Rick Rubin getting his fingerprints on the record.  The Avett Brothers are planning to release a Live CD/DVD October 5 while they are still on the road promoting I and Love and You this summer.