We’ve trawled our offices for exclusive, signed and money-can’t-buy items to be auctioned off and raise money for the devastating Queensland Flood Relief and come up with some real treasures.
This is a rare and great opportunity to bid for that valuable signed album from your favourite artists including limited edition vinyl, CDs, posters and other exclusive items which have unearthed in the search for this much needed cause.
If you’re not across US politics right now, Arizona’s state legislature and Governor Jan Brewer have recently signed bill SB 1070, which amongst many other provisions, “requires a reasonable attempt to be made to determine the immigration status of a person… if reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the U.S.”.
i.e., anyone can be stopped on the streets and forced to prove their citizenship on greater further basis than “reasonable suspicion” formed from completely predisposed stereotypes… and if not carrying the appropriate papers at that very moment (a driver’s license won’t suffice, and who carries their passport or birth-certificate on them!?), they can be immediately arrested without a warrant.
In Zack’s words this “legalises and sanctions racial profiling. Straight up.”
Understandably there has been an incredible backlash against SB1070 (which goes far beyond U.S. Federal Law) across the US and around the world. The Sound Strike, a group of musicians who are boycotting Arizona, are joining dozens of other groups boycotting the state and denouncing the new law.
The Sound Strike is calling for other musicians to join the movement and stand up for what they believe in… what we ALL need to believe in: basic human rights. Artists already involved include Cypress Hill, Conor Oberst, Massive Attack, Sonic Youth, Rage Against the Machine, Kanye West, Rise Against… the list goes on.
Nationwide, bands have cancelled Arizona tour dates, sports teams have pulled out of Arizona matches, companies have pulled out of or relocated conferences in Arizona, university exchange programs have been canceled, and the entire cities of L.A., Boston, Austin, San Fran, and Seattle have approved boycotts of the state (read the full list of organisations and cities here). In other words, this is huge.
For the cynics, you’re right: it will take more than an online petition (though you should still sign it). It will take more than a protest song. These are tools that inspire us to stand up for what’s important. And what’s more inspirational than the idea of “Power to The People”!?
So whilst we’re knackering on about influential and inspiring artists who never shy away real-world issues… Massive Attack have a new short film from their Heligoland album series. The film for the track Psyche was directed by John Downer. Other short films from Heligoland include Paradise Circus (Toby Dye) and Flat of the Blade (Ewan Spencer).
Click past the fold to watch Psyche (it’ll take a few moments to load).
As the year starts, I debate new music with my peers as I’ve done many years before:
“HOW ON EARTH IS THERE GOING TO BE A NEW SOUND THIS YEAR?” one voice says.
“I WONDER WHAT IT’LL LOOK LIKE?” another voice replies.
“AND PLEASE GOD DON’T LET IT START WITH GA GA ANYTHING.”
I laugh and agree, but never fear… There is something special coming. Not a new band but a new SOUND… and at the end of the day that’s what we are really looking for. Think 3 piece, think England, and think DARK!!!
The latest album Heligoland by the one and only MASSIVE ATTACK take me deep in the tundra that is ‘the dramatic’…. SO dark, so subtle, and what’s that I hear… orchestral? Like fashion, to move forward we must first take one small step back… and I have no doubt it’s landed them right smack dab on the moon!!! This album actually gives me chills – not “ooo, that’s a scary movie” chills or “OMG she’s sitting on my lap” chills. I’m talking about the type of chills that get you standing up, calling your friends and grabbing your guitar all at the same time – with elements of Mezzanine but so much more patient. And the clarity of this album leaves me speechless, I can almost see through these songs, and just when you think you have a track wrapped up in your mind, they drop a little sequence patter that will make you melt. Beats in 4/4 but start the pattern on the third phrase just to make your curious for the next section.
It’s these little subtle movements that make these songs flow in and around you. I now remember why these guys are the god fathers of trip-hop.
This short film directed by Toby Dye is soundtracked by Massive Attack’s brand new track Paradise Circus, featuring Hope Sandival of Mazzy Star. You can view the film in full tomorrow at massiveattack.com, but why bother when it’s ready for you right here today!?
Don’t be fooled by the sweet little nanna however – these clips are not for the faint of heart or the workplace (unless you work in the adult industry)… Here’s what you’re in for:
In unblinking close-up a frail little old lady looks straight down the lens of the camera as she describes the fuck of her life from nearly forty years ago. Inter-cut with her frank confession is actual footage of the intimate moments she describes; for this senior citizen is none other than the star of one of the most infamous pornographic films ever made, 1973’s The Devil In Miss Jones.
Paradise Circus is the lead track from the Massively (hardi-har) anticipated new Massive Attack album Heliogoland, out on Feb 5, 2010. It’s been a long wait, but by the sounds of this ethereal minimalist track – it’ll have been worth it!
The ‘09 Ivor Novello Outstanding Contributor to British Music (and the band that provides the best soundtrack to a hangover) Massive Attack, are finally providing new tunes – their first in three years. The EP of four tracks, Splitting The Atom, has already been deemed Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record of the Week. It’s out digitally on Oct 2, but you can stream the EP in full from theinsoundfromwayout.com. No need to say thankyou.
After the Splitting The Atom EP, Massive Attack will release their fifth studio album in Feb 2010. The album will cram in collaborations with Damon Albarn, Hope Sandoval, Martina Topley-Bird, Guy Garvey and Tunde Adebimpe. Long time cohort Horace Andy is coming back to the fold with the band’s founding members Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall.
Click on the links below to listen (stream via Windows Media Player) or download from iTunes. Happy listening!
Splitting The Atom
The lead track, featuring Robert Del Naja, Grant Marshall and Horace Andy.
Pray For Rain
Features TV On The Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe.
Bulletproof Love (Van Rivers and The Subliminal Kid Remix)
Fronted by Guy Garvey. The stripped back, minimalist Christoff Berg reworking of Bulletproof Love. Bergoff (alongside Van Rivers & The Subliminal Kid) produced the Fever Ray eponymous album.
Psyche (Flash Treatment) Psyche features Martina Topley-Bird and was given the re-rub by Van Rivers & The Subliminal Kid, who recently remixed Bat For Lashes and The Big Pink.
I like it (6 people like this)
