Music Under Fire

One of the top five albums of the year came out this week. We aren't talking about Weezer's Red Album either. Perhaps not anticipated by many, Fleet Foxes released their self-titled album off of Sub Pop Records today.

After hearing the album multiple times over after obtaining a copy in early May, we at MusicUnderFire see something great here. Following up their Sun Giant EP from earlier this year, Fleet Foxes shines with their sultry version of folk rock. Why so good? Every instrument fits well and any possible gap is filled with multiple refreshing interludes. This album sings to the soul and we hope you give it a listen to.

Also besides Weezer, Ladytron dropped Velocifero, which has created quite a niche for those waiting on an electric album to follow-up Cut Copy. Although not as 90s dance, the new wave beats and Helen Marnia's ardent vocals justify a few listens.

MP3: Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal (buy)
MP3: Ladytron - Ghosts (buy)
MP3: Weezer - Dreamin' (partial) (buy)

Brendan James - The Day is Brave (MySpace)
Common - The Greatest Story Ever Told (Official) (MySpace)
Disturbed - Indestructible (Official) (MySpace)
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (Official) (MySpace)
From Bubblegum To Sky - A Soft Kill (Official) (MySpace)
Jewel - Perfectly Clear (Official) (MySpace)
Journey - Revelation (Official)
Ladytron - Velocifero (Official) (MySpace)
Opeth - Watershed (Official) (MySpace)
Sam Phillips - Don't Do Anything (Official) (MySpace)
Robert Pollard - Robert Pollard is Off to Business (Official) (MySpace)
Radiohead - The Best Of Best of Radiohead (Unofficial) (MySpace)
Gavin Rossdale - Wanderlust (Official) (MySpace)
Shearwater - Rook (Official) (MySpace)
Spiritualized - Songs in A & E (Official) (MySpace)
Weezer - Weezer (Red Album) (Official) (MySpace)


Sorry about missing a few albums this week. If you would like your album to be up here on its release date, please email us a week before it releases. Thanks.

With the premier of "Pork and Beans" (which was free to download not more than a month ago), faithful fans heralded this song sounding like the 'old Weezer' we all wish we could experience for the first time again. Now that we've all heard the 'Pork and Beans" song itself, the complimenting video is now released as of yesterday (May 23rd).

On our first glimpse, it has everything a loyal YouTuber and Weezer fan would love. That dramatic look, light sabres, cartoons, Nintendo, 155 shirts, computer nerds, lab coats, Miss South Carolina, K-fed ridiculous 'Popzao' studio peek, some crafty hand movements, kung-fu, men in wigs, red shoes, Peanut Butter Jelly Time, rainbow socks and more light sabres. Could this be the greatest music YouTube video of the year? We're thinking... yes?

MP3: Weezer - Surf Wax America (buy)

If you're still waiting it out to listen to the full Weezer 'Red Album', they've been doing a weekly video on their iMeem page. You can see one of their episodes below.

First off, we at MusicUnderFire would like to thank all of the military men and women who gave their lives while in the line of duty. We salute you.

I think this weekend means more to working adults than it does to kids. Sure, the pool opens with its 55 degree water and a little bit colder Italian ice, but for the rest of us, it is all about heading to the beach/lake and dusting off our Jimmy Buffett albums while concocting some heathen brew of utmost delight. We did not forget the all-important grilling out as well.

If any of you do recall, it is this weekend when the roads also start jamming up with our unfaithful 4:00 p.m. departing work comrades, so even when you do leave a few minutes before 5, you won't be heading anywhere fast.

Lastly, for guys and girls alike, we all get to see who has lost their winter coat and chiseled up for the season ahead. Enjoy the list and if you have any suggestions I would like to hear them. Sorry, I know Sublime and Bruce Springsteen are favorites, but they just didn't work for this mix. For a chuckle and old time's sake, I placed Andrew W.K. at the top of this list...

MP3: Andrew W.K. - Party Hard (buy)
MP3: Dirty on Purpose - Girls and Sunshine (buy)
MP3: The Dodos - The Season (buy)
"We do this for the season."
MP3: MGMT - Weekend Wars (buy)
"And you might have to plan for the weekend wars."
MP3: The Submarines - Swimming Pool (buy)
MP3: Architects - Jersey Shore (buy)
These guys play "Jersey Shore" the way it should be played.
MP3: Modest Mouse - March into the Sea (buy)
MP3: Weezer - Island in the Sun (buy)
And it makes me feel so fine I can’t control my brain
MP3: Brand New - Jaws Theme Swimming (buy)
It's time to bring the banana boats out.
MP3: Self Against City - Tequila Moonlight (buy)
It could have been "Tequila Sunrise", but SAC got the nod.
MP3: Number One Gun - This Holiday (buy)
MP3: Ween - Ocean Man (buy)
Probably the best song for any age heading to the beach.

The Red Album, as it has justifiably been named, will now be released three weeks earlier, from the original date of June 24th to June 3rd. That's right, the quasi Village Peoplesque covered album will arrive much sooner than you think!

Why? Its simple, practically everything has leaked. And thanks to leaked albums, everyone knows what "Pork and Beans" is all about along with seven other leaked tracks from the much beloved (and hated) quatro.

So what's the verdict on this craziness that's tethered their fans in a love/hate relationship since the release of the Black Album (Make Believe) and their Green Album? Both were shot down by critics and the rebirth of Pinkerton or their ominous Blue Album have been all the talk since "Pork and Beans" arrived not more than a month ago. Now new tracks are listenable, downloadable and streamable all over the net, including Stereogum, which seems to have more avid haters than likers.

Have it how you will, but its time we all stop dwelling in the past and move on to something new. Even if you dislike their latest, one thing you have to love about Weezer is how they've still kept themselves grounded unlike other rock stars we know.

If you feel like throwing some playful banter around (we all do), then go to Album Six, the unofficial website all about the Red Album, where people are endlessly chatting about this Red cover you see above. If that is too much of a forum atmosphere for you, then just go to Weezer's website, where you'll find that Weezer just finished mastering their album yesterday (5/14/08). That's right, you've been listening to crappy, unmastered (and illegal) songs all along!

Don't be picky, order the album if you're a true Weezer fan who respects all of the creativity that went into this new album. Weezer will always be genius to me - there's always a few good tracks off of every album. I'll give my run-down of a few that may be overlooked on their last three albums:

"Keep Fishin" - from Maladroit
"Burndt Jamb" - from Maladroit
"Freak Me Out" - from Make Believe
"Perfect Situation" - from Make Believe
"Smile" - from Weezer (Green Album)

MP3: Weezer - Blast Off (buy)


What's your favorite Weezer song of all time?

Its true that Rivers Cuomo, the shy, yet always busy Weezer frontman is having fans help him write a new song by use of his own YouTube page, RiversCuomoAlone. This is a first for me, something never done by anyone; and believe it or not, it actually sounds like its going to be good.

I found the below videos quite odd, but fun to watch. Rivers seems to have the 'My Name Is Earl' look going on at the moment. The song being worked on is tentatively called "80s Radio" although in part 7, Rivers disbanded from this name and leaves the floor open. Have a look below.

Here's one of my favorite tracks from Maladroit:

MP3: Weezer - Burndt Jamb (buy)

Video: Rivers Cuomo - Let's Write a Sawng (Step 1 and Step 2)


Video: Rivers Cuomo - Let's Write a Sawng (Step 3: Chords)


Video: Rivers Cuomo - Let's Write a Sawng (Step 3b))


Video: Rivers Cuomo - Let's Write a Sawng (Step 4)


Video: Rivers Cuomo - Let's Write a Sawng (Step 5 and 6?)


Video: Rivers Cuomo - Let's Write a Sawng (Step 7. Lyrics.)

You could say Weezer has been busy lately. Rivers Cuomo's solo release came out in January, Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo, which didn't bog down the band jumping on the opportunity to keep working on new material. If you missed this album, its a matter of life or death you check out "Lover In The Snow". As for the rest of the album, I can't rave - as far as home recordings go, what you think you're getting, is what you're getting: home recordings.

Perhaps Cuomo's home recordings album was the perfect transition, since Rivers' seems to always be working on new music - he has a backcatalogue of reportedly over 800 demos he recorded which he has yet to release. The band has been busy the last couple months recording and now working on the final mixes for their new album, which fans have been calling "Album Six". Creative, huh?

The new album will feature some non-traditional Weezer additives, such as drum machines, synthesizers and Southern Rap (listen to "This Is The Way" from Cuomo's Home Recordings), and will even feature vocals from band members other than Cuomo. We'll add this to the long running list of albums we just can't wait for this summer. Album Six will be Weezers' first release since Make Believe in 2005. From their Official Website:

Hey Weezer punks. We have one song left to mix and then it’s on to mastering. We should be all done very soon. Then we chill for a minute.

The album will be out in June so with any luck you will hear a new Weezer song on the radio soon. I think I know which song is the first single but I’m not sure so I can’t tell you. I’ll give you some hints, though. It’s one word, starts with a T, ends with an R and contains twelve letters. You should be able to figure it out because you’re smart li’l Weezer fans.

The album is meaty, crunchy and melodic like a good Weezer album should
be.

Peace out,

Rivera