Spirit in the skyWe lost another one: Robert “Throb” Young, the former guitarist for Scottish rock group Primal Scream, died on Tuesday, Sept. 9. He was 49 years old, and no cause of death has been listed. If you’ve ever listened to the band’s album Screamadelica, then you know what a loss this is. Safe journey, Throb. Here’s a little sendoff.We really got somethingCan you believe The Kinks have been around for 50 years? Not a lot of people can, or do, considering the band hasn’t released a full-length record since 1993, and they’ve been hinting at a possible reunion tour for years to no avail. Regardless, their record label sees a reason to celebrate, as they’ve taken the initiative to release a “career-spanning anthology” of The Kinks’ greatest hits, including songs like “You Really Got Me,” “Lola” and “Waterloo Sunset.” That hits stores and online markets on Oct. 14. And that’s just for starters. They’re also going to release a deluxe version of their 1971 record Muswell Hillbillies on Nov. 10. To read more about these upcoming auspicious endeavors, head over to Consequence of Sound.The color pinkWith Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” video making splashes all over the interwebz (the big booty kind), people have been wondering when her next full-length effort will be released. The wait is over, y’all. Well, the wait for the release date, which is Nov. 24. That record (The Pinkprint) will feature the aforementioned “Anaconda,” as well as another track she released some time back: “Pills N Potions.” So if you’re ready to hear Ms. Minaj spew some rhymes, mark those calendars. At least you’ll have the “Anaconda” video to tide you over. View that below.Meester’s got heartLike most people who’ve heard the name Leighton Meester, my only real knowledge of her prowess as an actress is embedded within the no-longer-with-us “Gossip Girl.” Besides that, not a whole lot I know. And in regard to her singer-songwriter abilities? She’s got ’em? Apparently so, as Meester is gearing up to release her debut full-length record Heartstrings on Oct. 28. She’s released the title track exclusively on Billboard, and if the tune is anything to go by, she’s actually got some nice pipes. And the fact that she wrote all of the songs herself is pretty impressive. Head to Billboard to give that a listen.Oh, the tyrannyIt’s finally here, y’all: a full-length track and video from Julian Casablancas’ new solo project, Julian Casablancas + The Voidz. Though my enthusiasm over the Strokes’ latest works has somewhat waned, I’m happy to hear Casablancas return to a more sinister, garage sound. The song (“Where No Eagles Fly”) comes off his upcoming record Tyranny, out Sept. 23, which is right around the corner. Have a looksie at the video below.U2? What about me?What people are excited about U2’s surprise record? Not me, but I’m sure they’re out there … wandering through dark alleyways, guitar picks between thumb and index, waiting for Bono’s voice to hail from the gutters. The band has released Songs of Innocence, which is available for anyone who is on iTunes, iTunes Radio and Beats Music. You can hear the record exclusively on those sites before it gets a physical release on Oct. 13. Oh, did we mention it’s free? So have at it!Plant’s roarSure, most people are upset with Robert Plant over his refusal to reunite with former bandmates Led Zeppelin. But I say if the guy’s got a good thing going by his lonesome, leave him be. Have you not heard his collaboration with Alison Krauss (Raising Sand)? It’s flawless. Now Plant has just released his latest solo effort lullaby And… The Ceaseless Roar. To add to that, he’s also come out with a video for the album’s lead single “Rainbow,” which you can take a gander at below. Enjoy!Here with KeysThis past week, Alicia Keys posted a video for her new song “We Are Here,” which turned the microphone away from that godawful “Girl on Fire.” And though her new ditty has a hefty amount of inspirational cheese, it’s definitely a step in the right direction. The song is meant to inspire a dialogue between people of various cultures and nations, so unity is the theme here. Not sure if the song will get a proper release, though Keys did say she’s working on new material in an interview with AP. To watch the video, head to Billboard.Perfume on the gridSinger-songwriter Mike Hadreas, who performs under the guise of Perfume Genius, never really caught my attention until I heard the first single from his upcoming record Too Bright. That song (“Queen”) didn’t leave my head for days, maybe weeks. Touted as a gay rights anthem, the song just hits. But I’m sure for most internet aficionados, that’s old news! Now Hadreas has come out with another single from the same record: “Grid.” And the video can be watched below. PS: The album drops on Sept. 22. Blige in LondonIt’s the opposite of a British invasion! It’s an American invasion! Wait … is that the opposite? Either way, diva Mary J. Blige has announced a new record (The London Sessions), and she’s enlisted the help of a few Brits (Disclosure, Sam Smith, Jimmy Napes, etc.) to provide some collaborative magic on the proceedings. That record’ll see the light of sound on Nov. 24, and Ms. Blige has released a trailer for said release, which you can watch over at Pitchfork.
Rooster Roundabout: This Week’s Music Highlights
5 min read
