Today's Moment of Zen: The softer side of 'GTA IV'

And this is why Conan is the king of late-night!

This Week's (Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Atmosphere, Jamestown Story, Jill Hall/Semblesque, the Bong Bridge's grad photos, Truckstop Souvenir and ... another attempt at getting you to look at my Homegrown pictures!

"Semblesque: 'Somewhere Between Carnival and Theater'" :: Jill Hall’s Semblesque Performance Company is back with a new home (The Venue at Mohaupt) and a fund-raiser this Saturday in preparation for its fourth major production, "The Night that Robin Died."

"Discover Duluth: Bong Bridge" :: A relatively young age is just one advantage the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge has over its older counterpart, the John A. Blatnik Bridge (aka the “High Bridge”). My five-mile "jaunt" across the bridge and back yielded a fair share of images I'd like to share with you -- unless you have to walk across the bridge and back each day for work, then they won't seem so fun....

"CD Reviews: Atmosphere and Jamestown Story Make Minnesota Proud" :: Reviewed this week: Atmosphere's "When Life Gives You Lemons," Jamestown Story's "The Prologue" and, in brief, Thru the Static's self-titled sophomore effort and Truckstop Souvenir's "Leave Nothing Behind."

And, in case you missed it last week, I took some photos of Homegrown '08 for a DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive.

A&E FYI: Beck to release new album this summer

Beck has recorded a new album, produced with Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton, to be released this summer. The as-yet-untitled album contains 10 new songs.

Having met a few years ago, Beck and Danger Mouse had planned to work together at some point, finally convening last December to do a few songs. Encouraged by the results, they decided to make an entire record and over the next few months recorded extensively, with the goal of using only 10 pieces in the end.

The result is a tightly assembled group of songs that range in lyrical tone from introspection and social commentary to off the cuff wordplay and lighthearted humor. Musically, the album’s 10 tracks vacillate between economy and experimentation, hybrid and pop classicism, while consistently manifesting Beck and Danger Mouse’s shared interest in psych-rock, folk, electronic minimalism and orchestration.

The album’s diversity of tone is belied by an emphasis on songwriting and musical concision, with the album clocking in at a little over 30 minutes.

The album represents the first new Beck music since last year’s Grammy-nominated digital single “Timebomb.” The new songs also mark the first new material Beck has written since the prolific stretch that produced 2005’s platinum “Guero” and 2006’s universally acclaimed “The Information.”

On the live front, Beck will play his biggest hometown headline show to date Sept. 20 at the Hollywood Bowl. The bill will also feature special guests Spoon and MGMT and is the first headline date announced on a U.S. itinerary that so far includes the Austin City Limits, Outside Lands and Bumbershoot festivals.

~Information courtesy of Nasty Little Man

This Week's (Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug + FREE NIN ALBUM!

Homegrown '08 pictures, Brian Matuszak's Rubber Chicken Enterprises, a soul-baring column (about video games), Dane Schmidt from Jamestown Story/Sing It Loud and ... Amnicon Falls again (I guess). Couple these stories with my appearance with the Duluth News Tribune's Ann Klefstad on KUWS's "Final Edition" Friday evening and it was a busy week indeed!

"Matuszak Bounces Back with Rubber Chicken" :: Renegade Comedy Theatre’s ousted executive and artistic director (and founder) is already back with a new venture: Rubber Chicken Enterprises. The well-known funnyman answers our questions.

"Unleash Your Inner Video Game Dork" :: The monumental release of "Grand Theft Auto IV" last Tuesday has this Xbox 360 fanboy looking back at his formative years (of playing video games...).

"Share Your Homegrown '08 Memories!" :: Whether it's a picture of your favorite band or your pick for the festival's best set, we'd like to hear how you spent the 10th anniversary of Duluth's largest music festival. -> Or, if you're shy, just check out my pictures of Cars & Trucks, Giljunko, Number One Common, the Surfactants and Greg Cougar Conley.

"Success Won't Change Dane Schmidt" :: While one of his groups, Sing It Loud, recently signed to punk powerhouse Epitaph Records, Duluth native Dane Schmidt still plugs away at his first recording project, Jamestown Story. This Q-and-A is exclusive to DuluthBudgeteer.com. (p.s. Look for a review of Jamestown Story's new EP, "The Prologue," in this weekend's Budgeteer!)

"Discover Duluth: Amnicon Falls, Vol. II" :: Like the majority of its Northland counterparts, Amnicon State Park outside Superior is alive with the sound of raging rapids. For this online exclusive, my photo essay series returns to one of my favorite area parks for a special "spring thaw" edition. (Includes one shot, "Play Misty for Me, or: Get Your Spring Thaw On," that landed on the cover of last weekend's Budge!)

And, as promised, information on Nine Inch Nails' new studio album, "The Slip," which is available as a free download at NIN.com (information courtesy of the band):

Trent Reznor to Fans: "Thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years. This one's on me."

As of 12:01 a.m. PST May 5, Nine Inch Nails' brand new full length album The Slip is available as free download at NIN.com.

Unlike NIN's recently released Ghosts I-IV, there are NO paid options available for The Slip, nor are there any retail partners. At present, The Slip is available exclusively as a free download at NIN.com. A physical configuration on CD and vinyl is in the works for a July release.

The Slip marks the first time Nine Inch Nails--or any artist of NIN's stature--has made its new album available completely and exclusively for free as a DRM-free digital download. The Slip is available as a high-quality MP3 or in a variety of lossless formats including, for the first time, a higher-than-CD quality 24 bit 96k version. All downloads include a PDF with credits and artwork.

Like the free single "Discipline" released last week to terrestrial radio stations and their websites and the track "Echoplex" appearing on iLike, The Slip is a classic straightforward NIN album, featuring Trent Reznor on vocals and various instruments as well as Josh Freese, Robin Finck and Alessandro Cortini. The record was produced by Reznor, Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder. Art direction by Rob Sheridan.

As with previous Nine Inch Nails releases Year Zero and Ghosts I-IV, the complete multi-track files to The Slip will be available free at launch, allowing anyone who wants to create his or her own remixes and reinterpretations of the songs. As always, the Remix.NIN.com community will provide a sire and infrastructure for fans to upload, share, stream and download these various remixes as well as the original masters, all free of charge or restrictions.

The Slip, like Ghosts I-IV, is being released under a Creative Commons license, allowing fans to distribute the songs and files freely and without fear of copyright infringement. More details regarding this license can be found at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

Video Game News of the Weird: PETA rips off 'Mario' and MADD hates 'GTA IV'

First things first: No one expected "Grand Theft Auto IV" -- of which I attended a midnight sale for and took a day off of work to play -- to win over the hearts of the nation, but this sequel's scandal is starting early (well, in addition to the pre-release controversy...): MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, wants a stricter rating on the game, The Associated Press reports, because of the ability to make your in-game character, Niko Bellic, drive drunk.

I support both sides (kind of).

In defense of "GTA" creators Rockstar Games, after your character becomes inebriated, an info box pops up onscreen and urges you to hail a cab. If you ask me, that's pretty responsible; MADD getting, well, mad about this is like blaming Budweiser for you driving yourself home drunk.

On the other hand, as someone who is subject to spells of dizziness (almost to the point of "horking") when it comes to unsteady cams, I don't like this new feature of one of my favorite video game series.

So, to MADD's credit, this inebriation device in the game really isn't welcome anyway.

In other news, check out PETA's anti-Kentucky Fried Chicken "Super Mario Bros." ripoff, "Super Chick Sisters" -- it's actually kind of fun:

This Week's BONUS Shameless Budgeteer Plug

It's only Monday, but the online exclusives are already starting to pile up:

"Discover Duluth: Amnicon Falls, Vol. II" :: Like the majority of its Northland counterparts, Amnicon State Park outside Superior is alive with the sound of raging rapids. For this online exclusive, my photo essay series returns to one of my favorite area parks for a special "spring thaw" edition.

"Success Won't Change Dane Schmidt" :: While one of his groups, Sing It Loud, recently signed to punk powerhouse Epitaph Records, Duluth native Dane Schmidt still plugs away at his first recording project, Jamestown Story. A brief Q-and-A with the prolific musician. (UPDATE: Since I conducted my e-mail "interview" with Schmidt, his good buddy Kieren Smith has left Jamestown Story to concentrate on the continued success of Sing It Loud. A plain shame for Schmidt, who is now that first group's sole remaining member.)

Finally, two I neglected to mention in previous shameless plugs: Two issues ago I contributed a photo to Tom Kasper's column "Every Day is Earth Day" and the current issue, which sports a April 27 publication date, features a photo from yours truly on its cover. A variation of that image is above. (In case you can't read it, the bicyclist's "humble little billboards" read KEEP EARTH ALIVE, DON'T DRIVE. As you can tell from the image, that concept hasn't really caught on in the Twin Ports as much as he'd probably like.)

SYS3: If you love Cars & Trucks, you'll REALLY love Riddle of Steel

Only two days away from the release of "Grand Theft Auto IV." These tracks are helping me get through this very difficult time. (Like Petty sang, "The waiting....")

Either way, enjoy this latest awesome mix tape:

1. The High Speed Scene - "In the Know"
One of the most frenetic pop songs ever recorded. I can't get enough.

2. XTC - "No Thugs in Our House" (BBC Peel Session vers.)
Recorded in 1982, the year I was born!

3. She & Him - "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"
Forget every preconceived notion you've ever had about attractive actresses cutting records: Backed up by the immortal M. Ward, cute-as-a-button Zooey Deschanel ("Almost Famous," "The Good Girl") is America's answer to Neko Case. One of the most exciting songs I've heard in some time.

4. The Kinks - "Lola"
The definition of "classic."

5. Supergrass - "What Went Wrong (In Your Head)"
And a modern-day successor to that title.

6. Atmosphere - "Flesh"
One of Ant's darkest hours production-wise. Slug and fellow MPLS MC I Self Devine work terrifically together on this one.

7. Del the Funky Homosapien - "Bubble Pop"
More fun than his contributions to the first Gorillaz album.

8. The Beta Band - "Space"
An 11th-hour masterpiece for the late "High Fidelity"-famed space cadets.

9. Apollo 440 - "Crazee Horse"
Like the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" reinvisioned as a rave masterpiece -- get your glow sticks on!

10. The Submarines - "You, Me and the Bourgeoisie"
Charming boy/girl pop.

11. Air - "Radio #1 (Senor Coconut Remix)"
Seeing as it is easily the strangest remix I've ever heard in my life, I just had to include it on one of these here mix tapes. Would've worked well in the 2001 sizzler "Y Tu Mama Tambien."

12. Aesop Rock - "Citronella"
I have no idea how his masterworks translate live, but I am super-excited to see his Soundset '08 set May 25 in Minneapolis.

13. British Sea Power - "Waving Flags"
This year's "Intervention"?

14. Hey Mercedes - "Everybody's Working for the Weak"
Sometimes even the most well-rounded musical diets need a little nameless, faceless emo rock.

15. Dead Milkmen - "Takin' Retards to the Zoo"
Umm ... is there anything you can say about this song without sounding like a complete [EXPLETIVE DELETED]?

16. Yellow Press - "Rubber and Wood"
Recommended if you like older Baboon, select artists on Turn Records.

17. Black Francis - "She Took All the Money"
Pure joy -- despite the song's title!

18. Bill Mallonee - "Life on Other Planets"
This could easily make a dent in the Top 40. Why is it on here, then? I find it enjoyable ... fair enough?

19. Vampire Weekend - "I Stand Corrected"
A harmless, semi-quirky, Strokes-esque midtempo rocker. (Got it?)

20. Turin Brakes - "Underdog (Save Me)"
Man, I'm so sick of this ... these guys should be HUGE!

21. Riddle of Steel - "One Inch Deep"
The St. Louis equivalent of Duluth's Cars & Trucks -- a [EXPLETIVE DELETED]-ing blast if I ever did hear one!

Thus concludes your third dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.
(Original image for show "poster" by Roger Wendell.)