Andrew Bird’s Noble Beast due in Jan, stream “Oh No” now
“Oh No” is the first track off Bird’s Noble Beast, which is due out January 29th on Fat Possum. Each record of his seems to have very strong production ties which separate his great-but-occasionally-similar albums from ever sounding repetitive. Looks like this new one is going to carry on that trend; “Oh No” sounds terrific. Stream “Oh No” over at Pitchfork “Oh No” is also the song Andrew focused on in his portion of the New York Times songwriting bl

Andrew Bird plays new song “Section 8 City” for Nigel Godrich’s From the Basement series
La Blogotheque pointed me to this great video of Andrew Bird performing his new song “Section 8 City” solo in Godrich’s basement. It’s moving, beautiful and everything I’ve come to expect from Andrew Bird. Watch Andrew Bird play “Section 8 City” for Godrich | Tags: Uncategorized Previously on Picasso... Search YANP MP3s on this site are for sampling purposes o

New Andrew Bird - "Oh No"
If you recall, Owen Pallett told us Andrew Bird handled the whistling in the St. Kitts Orchestra on his forthcoming Plays To Please EP. "Oh No" offers some whistling, too, but this time Andrew's front and center. Not too long ago we heard some live Bird songs, where we mentioned "Oh No," but this is the first Noble Beat studio work we've captured. The song mixes classy violin, whistling, guitar accents, and harmonies with lyrics about calculated blows to the head and harmless sociopaths. (Via P4K)

Premature Evaluation: Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Andrew Bird hasn't been shy about previewing tracks from his fifth album during his various live sets. That, and the fact that Noble Beasts opens with "Oh No" and then the previously heard "Masterswarm" and "Fitz And The Dizzyspells" along with "Natural Disaster," "Effigy," and "Anonanimal" later in the track list, gives the collection a familiar air even on first listen. Of course, Bird takes the songs to a different place in their studio renderings. It's a light and airy set, which fi

Andrew Bird: Andrew Bird brings in New Year on Noble Beast
On Jan. 27 Fat Possum will uncage Noble Beast, the follow up to Andrew Bird's fairly successful 2007 release Armchair Apocrypha. I think from the titles of tracks like "Tenuousness" and "Not a Robot, But a Ghost," we can expect some of the same invovled wordplay that Mr. Bird has delivered on previous releases.  To celebrate, Bird will be playing some small shows where attendees will get the chance to hear some tracks from his new record. Bird will also be playing at Obama fundraise

Four New Andrew Bird Songs!
Rejoice! Here are lots of videos of new Andrew Bird songs! If you’ve got any that I haven’t included here, please leave a link in the comments. Included below are “Master Swarm,” “Anonanimal,” “Section 8 City” and “Oh No!.” “Master Swarm” at the Outside Lands Festival “Oh No!” at Cincinnati’s MusicNOW! Festival “Anonanimal” at Cincinnati’s MusicNOW! Festival “Section 8 City” at

Andrew Bird Planning Tour in Early 2009
Andrew Bird will be whistling his way through the US beginning in late January with Lonely, Dear (except for Carnegie Hall, which will feature Bird and Dosh). In case anyone was wondering, there is a “Sean’s birthday” angle to all of this. It’s here. Thursday is the big day, after all. Andrew Bird - Scythian Empires Lonely, Dear - I Am John Jan 28 - Carnegie Hall New York, New York Jan 30 - Orpheum Theatre Boston, Massachusetts Jan 30 - Orpheum Theatre Boston, Massachusetts

Chris Rock Likens ‘Good Hair’ Doc To ‘Good U2 Record’
When we chatted with Chris Rock at Sundance this week he was pretty pumped about George W. Bush’s recent exit from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue . But truth be told besides talking politics, the actor/comedian had a documentary to promote. “Good Hair” premiered this week to strong reviews. Its positive reception had the former Oscars host likening it to, of all things, a U2 album?

M.I.A. Responds to Oscar Nod: “I Can Afford to Book Dave Chappelle at the Baby Shower Now”
Yesterday’s Oscar-nomination news brought disappointment to legions of Bruce Springsteen fans expecting the Jersey legend to score a nod for “The Wrestler.” But it made one pregnant Sri Lankan MC who resides in Brooklyn pretty damn happy: “This is a great honor. Thank you to all the people who are supporting us and the making of [...]

U2’s New Single “Get On Your Boots” Hits iTunes Early
After a 30-second leak of U2’s first No Line on the Horizon single “Get On Your Boots” emerged early this weekend, the band decided just to stream the whole track in its entirety on their Website. From the opening drums and fuzzed out riff, it’s clear the band went the “Vertigo” route for their comeback single.

Springsteen rocks Obama rally in Philly (AP)
AP - Bruce Springsteen called the Bush presidency "a disaster" and said many Americans have "justifiably lost faith" in the American dream.

Pezzettino: “Sweet Descent”
Justin from Fishboy pointed me towards Pezzettino’s cute pop music. It’s strangely non-traditional and familiar at the same time. And though this photo and song don’t showcase it, she spends a lot of songs with an accordion — it’s like someone gave the Arcade Fire’s Regine her own solo project when she was a young girl, but minus the shouting. MP3: Pezzettino - Sweet Descent Pezzettino sounds like she’d be a great opener for lots of my favorite classically-minded

Obama Fund-raiser Brings ‘Limeys’ Franz Ferdinand to Tiny Venue
Andrew Bird and — wow! — Franz Ferdinand.Photo: Ehren Gresehover Though the election is a month away, the mood at Barack Rock — a comedy, rock, and, yes, comedy-rock benefit at the Music Hall of Williamsburg for "that one" — was more relaxed and celebratory than the tenor of the hard-fought campaign would lead anyone (or at least any Democrat with at least a four-year memory) to believe. The pupu platter of indie-rock bands —

Tour Tracker: Lil Wayne, Andrew Bird and Where’s The Band?
Lil Wayne actually leaves the recording studio for some year-end shows, Andrew Bird flies around the U.S. in 2009 and Where’s The Band? Tour features the frontmen of Thrice, Saves the Day, Get Up Kids and Bayside. Follow the jump for the complete set of dates. Lil Wayne December 6 - Rochester, NY @ Blue Cross Arena December 14 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena December 18 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center December 19 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center December 21 - Universal City, CA @ Gib

Randi’s Best (and Worst) of 2008
This year has been pretty great. I started it off in Costa Rica for 10 days, and I finished it with 5 in Florida. The music wasn’t too bad either… we were introduced to great new bands, but lost legends like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Bo Diddly, Isaac Hayes, Richard Wright, Odetta, Eartha Kitt, and George Carlin (who I know shouldn’t count under music legends but I adored him). I must say I’m really looking forward to next year’s selections (Animal Collective, Andrew Bird, Chris Cornell, L

Will.I.Am Premieres 'America's Song' on 'Oprah Winfrey Show'
Rapper/producer Will.I.Am has been cranking out songs in support of President Barack Obama since the Illinois senator began his road to the White House. In celebration of the 44th president's historic win, Will created 'America's Song' which features vocals from some of music's biggest names. Singer and philanthropist Bono of U2, Mary J. Blige , Faith Hill and Seal have all lent their voices to the song. Will collaborated with famous producer David Foster on the song, which premiered on t

The Listening Room: Springsteen performs the Obama rally in Philadelphia…
Videos below. Enjoy Springsteen fans. Kev       

'The Boss' on to Michigan to do more rocking for Obama
For the second straight day, Bruce Springsteen sang a few songs and urged thousands of potential voters in a battleground state ...

SMASHING PUMPKINS: Second 'If All Goes Wrong' Video Postcard Available
The second in a series of video postcards featuring segments of the upcoming "If All Goes Wrong" double DVD commemorative package celebrating the recent reunion and extraordinary 20-year career of The Smashing Pumpkins can be viewed below. Due on November 11 via Coming Home Media, the two-DVD set was directed and produced by Jack Gulick (Bruce Springsteen, METALLICA, Steve Miller Band, GODSMACK) and Daniel E Catullo III (Steve Miller Band, GODSMACK, RUSH, Dave Matthews Band) and contains the 105-minute docu

A Closer Look at the Academy Award Nominations [Beautiful Awards]
The Gay Superbowl nominations have been announced. Let's go category by category (well, only for the big ones) and take a look at the surprises and, if we can make such predictions, the likely winners.Best PictureThe Reader was a very surprising inclusion, but I guess it teaches us never to underestimate the power of Harvey Wigglesworth Weinstein. Also, it's about the Holocaust. So, you know. The film has a Lost red shirt's (flaming arrow!) chance of winning, though. The glittery trophy will go, we're certa

The Biggest Oscar Snubs Of The Morning [Snubs]
Look what you've done to this poor little robot, Academy! Of course, it's nothing compared to the massive burns incurred by Revolutionary Road and a certain well-armored vigilante. Here are today's huge snubs:No Dark Knight love: Aside from Heath Ledger's inevitable nomination, The Dark Knight got thrashed around like a faux crime-fighter pointlessly revealed to be Cillian Murphy. Despite its guild noms, Knight got shut out in Screenplay, Director, and Best Picture.Kate & Leo sunk: The biggest doozy of the

Arcade Fire Cover "Born In The U.S.A." At Obama Staff Ball
Last night Arcade Fire played the Obama Staff Ball , the final official inaugural event and a celebration of the thousands of folks who campaigned tirelessly for the President. One year ago, Win Butler blogged , "Barack is the first candidate in my lifetime to strip some of the bullshit away." In that spirit, last night's setlist include a mandolin-led cover of Bruce Springsteen's no bullshit "Born In The U.S.A.," the anti-Vietnam anthem once clumsily co-opted by Ronald Reagan (CAMPAIGN SONG F

Mariah Carey Thinks She’s Good Enough To Sit With Obama
Mariah Carey was left "furious" after being told she wouldn't be sitting with US President Barack Obama's family during his inauguration. The 'Touch My Body' singer - who performed at a ball to celebrate Obama being sworn in - was left aghast when she discovered she had to sit with other celebrities during Tuesday's ceremony. A source said: "Mariah was in the VIP area, where every celebrity, like Jon Bon Jovi, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and Bruce Springsteen, was seated. But somehow she thought she'd be u

Morning Buzz: Oprah Winfrey and wil.I.Am Introduce 'America's Song'
, was an attempt to create a new anthem for the United States. "The meaning of this song is being proud of America," he said to Winfrey. "I wanted to write the new American anthem for this day and age -- for this generation." Us reports that the song also features the voices of Faith Hill, Seal, Mary J. Blige , and Bono of U2 . Vice-President elect Joe Biden 's wife Jill had a verbal slip yesterday on Oprah Winfrey's show when she unwittingly revealed that her husband had the choic

Chris Cornel is slumping …again?
2009 will definitely be an interesting year for music - a lot more inspiring and pleasant than 2008, that’s for sure. The latest issue of Billboard tries to do a rundown of this year’s upcoming releases, although mainly mainstream-only acts, mentioning artists like Kelly Clarkson, 50 Cent, Eminem, Franz Ferdinand, U2 and a few more. Among them was also Chris Cornell , a man I’ve always admired and looked up to, because of his extraordinary talent and vocal range. His time with