Rhymesayers, Freeway and Jake One one-up George W.

I don't care much for Freeway's rhymes, but this is pretty cool:

In anticipation of the February 16, 2010 release of FREEWAY & JAKE ONE "The Stimulus Package", Rhymesayers' flagship store, Fifth Element is following suit in Freeway's efforts to stimulate the Hip-Hop industry. Everyone who pre-orders "The Stimulus Package" at www.fifthelementonline.com will receive a stimulus check courtesy of the Fifth Element. Each will ship to recipients separate from the album and bonus mixtapes. The Fifth Element stimulus checks will be good for 15% off any purchase at Fifth Element. Upping the value, Freeway and Jake One will personally sign each check which will be individually printed with the name of the recipient directly on the 'pay to the order of' line. Checks will be mailed separate from the album and bonus mixtapes. Envelopes will be adorned with limited edition Freeway & Jake One Stimulus Package postage stamps.

-> Read my review of Jake One's "White Van Music" here. <-

All who pre-order will automatically be entered to win $100.00. This is a straight cash prize, a crisp Benjamin gifted as part of Freeway's Stimulus Package. Fifth Element would like to increase the chances of those who pre-order by drawing not one, but five winners! Giving away a total of $500.00 in the Hip-Hop Recovery and Reinvestment Act initiative. Winners may use prize money as they wish, towards Fifth Element, Rhymesayers, or to support Hip-Hop in any way they see fit. The theme of this release is to appreciate and pay it forward. Freeway and Fifth Element would like to thank their fans and customers for their continued support, and what better way than giving away cold hard cash.

Fifth Element has decided to do their part in The Stimulus Package by adding two more bonus items for those who pre-order. In addition to receiving the Freeway & Jake One "The Stimulus Package", personalized FE stimulus check, and entry into a cash prize drawing, each pre-order will get Freeway's most recent mixtapes (while supplies last). The first, The Beat Made Me Do It [Freeway over Jake One beats]. The second, Freelapse [Freeway over Eminem beats]. Freeway, Jake One, album featured artists: Birdman, Raekwon, Beanie Sigel, Young Chris, Bun B, Latoiya Williams, Mr. Porter, Omilio Sparks and mixtapes with production from Jake One and Eminem. Freeway has brought a posse along for the ride. This Fifth Element pre-order package is a don't miss opportunity. Visit www.fifthelementonline.com to pre-order Freeway & Jake One "The Stimulus Package".

~Information courtesy RSE

She & Him reveal 'Volume Two' details

She & Him will release their sophomore album, Volume Two, on March 23rd. Written by Zooey Deschanel (She) and produced by M. Ward (Him), Volume Two is the follow up to the duo's critically acclaimed debut, Volume One. The album includes eleven original tracks and two covers: "Ridin' in My Car" by NRBQ and Skeeter Davis' "Gonna Get Along Without You Now."

Described by Zooey as a "feel-good album," Volume Two is bolstered by rich harmonies, sweet-as-sugar melodies, and Brill Building choruses. From sweeping opener "Thieves" and first single "In the Sun" (featuring guest vocals by Tilly and the Wall), to the tempo and mood shifts of "Home" and the vocals-only, hymn-like closer "If You Can't Sleep," Volume Two shimmers from start to finish.

Visit the newly redesigned She & Him website for updates as the release date approaches.

Volume Two track listing:
1. Thieves
2. In the Sun
3. Don't Look Back
4. Ridin' in My Car (NRBQ cover)
5. Lingering Still
6. Me and You
7. Gonna Get Along Without You Now (Skeeter Davis cover)
8. Home
9. I'm Gonna Make It Better
10. Sing
11. Over It Over Again
12. Brand New Shoes
13. If You Can't Sleep

~Information courtesy Merge Records

Black Lips, Box Elders coming to Minnesota April 3!

BLACK LIPS ANNOUNCE MORE TOUR DATES THIS SPRING WEST COAST DATES TO START JANUARY 20th IN COSTA MESA, FULL TOUR CONTINUES IN MARCH No strangers to the road, Atlanta's road ragers Black Lips today announce plans for more touring in 2010. In addition to their previously announced five date West Coast run this month the band will be setting out on a four week tour of the Eastern half of North America with Omaha's show stopping Box Elders beginning March 17th in Charlotte, NC. Read my review of "Good Bad Not Evil." More than just rockers of course, the Black Lips are known for occasional unruly behavior on the road. This was clearly the impetus for the band being featured on Alabama Public Television's celebrated live music program "We Have Signal" on January 7th, as well as joining up with Current TV's "Tour Stop" for more hijinks in Southern California. Tour Dates: (March & April dates w/ Box Elders) 1/20/10 The Detroit Bar Costa Mesa, CA 1/21/10 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA 1/22/10 The Glass House Pomona, CA 1/23/10 El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, CA 1/24/10 The Casbah San Diego, CA 3/17/10 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, NC 3/18/10 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC 3/19/10 Black Cat Washington, DC 3/20/10 Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, PA 3/21/10 Maxwell's Hoboken, NJ 3/23/10 Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY 3/24/10 Bowery Ballroom New York, NY 3/25/10 The Middle East Downstairs Cambridge, MA 3/26/10 Le Studio Juste Pour Rire Montreal, QC 3/27/10 The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON 3/28/10 The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON 3/30/10 Magic Stick Detroit, MI 3/31/10 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH 4/01/10 Logan Square Auditorium Chicago, IL 4/02/10 The High Noon Saloon Madison, WI 4/03/10 Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN 4/05/10 Slowdown, Jr. Omaha, NE 4/06/10 Mojo's Columbia, MO 4/07/10 The Firebird St. Louis, MO 4/08/10 Headliner's Music Hall Louisville, KY 4/09/10 Hi-Tone Café Memphis, TN 4/10/10 40 Watt Club Athens, GA For more info: http://www.vicerecords.com http://www.black-lips.com http://www.myspace.com/theblacklips ~Information courtesy Biz 3

Spoon returns with new album, two-night stand at First Avenue

On the eve of the January 19 release of its eagerly anticipated Transference, Spoon has announced the itinerary of its 2010 North American tour. The dates kick off with a March 17 headlining appearance at Stubb's in Austin as part of the annual South by Southwest conference, and include the band's first ever headline engagement at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

Transference, the seventh Spoon album and the first produced by the band itself, already has the media salivating in advance notices from THE NEW YORKER to MAXIM and all points in between. The record's release is preceded by first single "Written In Reverse," released earlier this month both digitally and to independent retail as a vinyl 7" featuring non-album B-side "Mean Red Spider." The album, which also includes Spoon neo-classics "Who Makes Your Money," "Is Love Forever?" and "The Mystery Zone," began streaming in its entirety today as an NPR First Listen athttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122279793

Spoon will commemorate Transference's release with a January 19 appearance on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.

For a full itinerary, see below and check back at Spoontheband.com for updates.

SPOON North America 2010

17-Mar Stubbs Austin, TX
18-Mar Republic New Orleans, LA
19-Mar Workplay Soundstage Birmingham, AL
20-Mar Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
22-Mar 9:30 Club Washington, DC
23-Mar 9:30 Club Washington, DC
24-Mar The National Richmond, VA
26-Mar Radio City Music Hall New York, NY
27-Mar House of Blues Boston, MA, USA
29-Mar Sound Academy Toronto, ON
30-Mar Royal Oak Music TheatreRoyal Oak, MI
1-Apr Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL
2-Apr First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
3-Apr First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
5-Apr Ogden Theatre Denver, CO
6-Apr Ogden Theatre Denver, CO
7-Apr In the Venue Salt Lake City, UT
9-Apr Moore Theatre Seattle, WA
10-Apr Moore Theatre Seattle, WA
11-Apr Orpheum Theatre Vancouver, BC
13-Apr Fox Theater Oakland, CA

*Deerhunter direct support on all dates.
*New Orleans - Royal Oak w/ The Strange Boys
*Chicago - Oakland w/ Micachu & the Shapes

~Information courtesy Nasty Little Man

Awesome Mix Tape #62 (in the shake*your*shores series)

Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I humbly present "Angels Live in My Town."

1. Everclear - "White Noise"
The hidden track on "Slow Motion Daydream" and, coincidentally, the best thing about that release besides its cover.

2. The Pink Spiders - "Back to the Middle"
For those of us who fell head over heels in love with Handsome Devil (there's 12 of us), this is a nice reminder of how a little sugary power pop can brighten one's day.

3. The Killers - "Sweet Talk"
Some more dreamy goodness from the love-'em-or-hate-'em Vegas boys.

4. The Watson Twins - "Savin' You"
Majestic sentimental rock. Fit for royalty and/or the princess in your life.

5. Islands - "Vapours"
What I said then: "This grooves like old-school Elvis Costello and the Attractions, and then there’s that brazen brass section … I’m starting to subscribe to Diamonds’ assertion that “Islands are forever.” These tracks will surely be pumping on my stereo for years to come.

Another chance accolade: This is the best title track in some time.."

What I'm sayin' now: "Ditto, kiddo."

6. Boys Noize - "Jeffer"
Likewise, I've said my words about this group (and how I couldn't imagine listening to this outside of a rave-type situation) and ... while my thoughts haven't changed, I just want to reiterate that I appreciate what they're doing. Even if I wouldn't put it on if the queen came over....

7. Ash - "Return of White Rabbit" [Free MP3]
This song was written by Mark Hamilton. How random is that?

8. Colourmusic - "You Can Call Me By My Name"
Note to self: When you're giving a girl ride home for the first time -- and you want to see said girl again -- maybe this song, aka the quirkiest slice of heaven I ever did hear, isn't the one you want to put on after saying, "Oh yeah, I have 'normal' tastes when it comes to movies, music and beer." Not that I've ever been in that situation or anything....

9. The Phenomenal Handclap Band - "15 to 20 (Den Haan Remix)"
Nor is this one. It's funky enough, but it's kind of trance-inducing. She might think you're into purple pills or something.

10. Zack Martin - "The Trapper" [FREE MP3]
I was just about to write about this song's magical cinematic quality. But then I remembered it was used in "The Way We Get By."

Can I retire yet? I'm certainly already at that losing-my-mind stage....

11. Weezer - "In the Mall"
Anyway, back to the platter at hand. -> This little doozy, written by drummer Patrick Wilson, is exactly what you would expect from the genius behind the Special Goodness: Pure bliss. That's right; write off Weezer's "Raditude" all you want, but then you'd miss out on this *ahem* special goodness. Fool.

12. The Mother Hips - "White Falcon Fuzz"
Why aren't these guys huge rock stars yet? Selling out stadiums left and right, yeah? If you know anyone who can't get beyond classic rock, let this be the first "new" band you play for them. Chances are they won't hate life so much anymore.

13. Built to Spill - "Hindsight"
Doug Martsch can do no wrong. He's not quite at "golden god" status in my mind, but "can do no wrong" fits him pretty well, don't you think?

14. Atmosphere - "Mattress"
Funny, sexy and ... actually kind of sleazy. Ha!

15. Bob Dylan - "To Ramona"
This selection tracks back to my interview with Iron Range artist Nancy Miller. She's a huge Dylan fan now, sure, but it took this vintage composition to win her over: "I felt that the song really spoke to me of the heartache and loss I felt leaving Minneapolis, the friends and the dreams that I thought I had when I was living there. I truly gained respect for his work right then and there, and I really have adored his writing from that point on," she told me during a recent Budgeteer interview.

16. Breathe Owl Breathe - "Linda"
Kind of sleepy. Getting sleepy....

17. The Pixies - "Manta Ray"
But not for long, because I have this spaz-tacular Pixies B-side to help pick up my dance party's mood, pace and overall vibage.

18. Cars & Trucks - "Too Bad So Sad"
The most exciting to happen to rock 'n' roll since "New Jersey." ha ha ha (Anyway, for the Budgeteer's "Behind the Music" special on this song and accompanying album, visit this here linkeroo.)

19. Beulah - "Silver Lining"
Unlike Doug Martsch, Beulah's outspoken ringleader, Miles Kurosky, attained golden god status long ago. How? By uttering the words "Fuck Bob Dylan" (in the opening scenes of the band's documentary DVD, "A Good Band is Easy to Kill," no less). I'm a huge Bob fan, but, man, even I have to admit that takes guts.

20. Sloan - "Last Time in Love"
So true. And, surprisingly, it's a wonderful feeling!

21. Marching Band - "For Your Love"
If Rogue Wave were an '80s band, they probably would've sounded exactly like this. Makes me want to go back in time and attend North Dakota State University before Facebook was around to remove any sense of mystery.

22. Dressy Bessy - "Princess"
I thought I missed Denver. That was until I spun this hearty little fuzzbox. Now I just wanna get in my car and drive, drive, drive. Way out west is where my heart is.

23. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs - "Contrabando de Amor"
Haven't heard from these guys in a while. Starting to think that was a major oversight.

24. Gogol Bordello - "Wonderlust King" [Live at the BBC]
Another big thanks to Sir Walt Dizzo for introducing me to this rambunctious-as-f--- number. Cheers!

Thus concludes your sixty-second dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." Hope you enjoyed it!

Is there hope for KQ after all?

KQ MORNING SHOW HOST AND O.M. BILL JONES LEAVING DULUTH

Management Changes Take Place at Red Rock Radio with New Morning Show to Debut in January Bill Jones, co-host of the popular KQ Morning Show and Operations Manager for Red Rock Radio Duluth’s 8 radio properties has announced he is leaving the market.

“As of December 15th, I will no longer be a part of the KQ Morning Show. It is with mixed feelings that I make this announcement as I will be sad to leave KQ and Duluth, but excited at the opportunity to do new things outside of broadcasting,” said Bill Jones.

Jones has been with KQDS-FM since the mid-1990’s and has been Operation’s Manager for the past 11 years. He has been co-host of the popular KQ Morning Show with Bill Jones and Jason Manning during that time. The KQ Morning Show has been the No. 1 morning radio program in Duluth/Superior with Adults and Men 25-54 since 1999.

“We will miss Bill and the energy he brought to the morning show over these many years,”said Red Rock Radio Vice President and General Manager Shawn Skramstad. “We are excited about the new morning show that will debut in January, and think that the very best of what the KQ Morning Show is all about will provide for an almost seamless transition.”

Morning show co-host Jason Manning will become KQDS-FM Program Director, while Tom Roubik takes over as Red Rock Radio Operations Manager.

The new version of the KQ Morning Show will debut on January 4, 2010 with more details to be

announced soon.

~Information courtesy Red Rock Radio

Just bought 'Starry Night'? Way to be original! (I'm a Picasso fan, if you can't already tell....)

Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night World’s Most Popular Oil Painting in 2009

overstockArt.com Releases Annual Top 10 List of Most Popular Oil Paintings

Wichita, Kan., Dec. 2, 2009 – The popular online art gallery, overstockArt.com, revealed today the annual Top 10 Oil Paintings rankings for 2009. Topping the list is Vincent van Gogh’s irrefutable magnum opus, Starry Night.

Van Gogh’s Starry Night reclaims its title as the world’s most popular oil painting a year after Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss snatched the title away. According to overstockArt.com’s statistics, van Gogh has the top two most popular oil paintings in the world, with Starry Night in first place and Café Terrace at Night in second. “Van Gogh consistently remains the most popular artist in the world, his total sales numbers have left everyone well behind,” said David Sasson, CEO of overstockArt.com. The top oil paintings sold online according to overstockArt.com are:

1. Starry Night – Vincent van Gogh
2. Café Terrace at Night – Vincent van Gogh
3. The Kiss – Gustav Klimt
4. Poppy Field at Argenteuil – Claude Monet
5. Luncheon of the Boating Party – Pierre Auguste Renoir
6. Garden Path at Giverny – Claude Monet
7. The Rest – Pablo Picasso
8. Red Cannas – Georgia O’Keeffe
9. Farbstudie Quadrate (Color Study of Squares) – Wassily Kandinsky
10. The Dream – Pablo Picasso

According to Sasson, the Top 10 list is released annually due to popular demand. “A lot of people want to know what’s selling best because it helps them stay up to speed with the latest trends and allows them to know which paintings are the hippest and most desirable on the market.”

“In the business world especially, where image is everything, many companies strive to keep up with the latest interior décor trends to maintain a modern appeal that will impress customers and clients,” said Sasson.

Van Gogh’s masterpiece, Starry Night, was created in 1889. To celebrate the 120^th anniversary of the creation, overstockArt.com developed a special rendition of the masterpiece in deep oil paint. This special version of Starry Night was created by overstockArt.com over the course of a year, it took seven months to dry and weighs over 18 pounds. This distinctive one-of-a-kind 36” X 48” reproduction of Starry Night is available to purchase for $2,458. The conventional 20” X 24” reproduction is $119.

In 2009 overstockArt.com sold more than 45,000 oil paintings. They are one of the Web’s most successful distributors of wall décor items with over 10,000 daily visitors and 100,000 loyal customers.

~Information courtesy Overstock.com