“Oh teardrop you know you make me so sad/This heartbeat could be my last,” sings Gavin Rossdale on his first solo album. The former Bush frontman may share a house with the world’s most manically upbeat pop singer, wife Gwen Stefani, but denominationally, he’s still grunge: a dour rock dude, scowling and growling as he bears down on another B minor chord. With the help of Bob Rock (Metallica), Rossdale gives Wanderlust a slick sheen, swabbing power ballads like “Beauty in the Beast” in a Roxy Music-like keyboard gloss, and experimenting with vocoder effects on the album-ending “This Place Is on Fire.” (Call him G-Pain.) But Rossdale’s heart is in the grim, grandiose stuff, bellowing his pain in Vedderian rumble, and forever striving to be deep and meaningful, a goal that exceeds his gifts as a songwriter. Case in point: “Frontline,” a dirge about a soldier at war that finds Rossdale intoning “poetry” like “In the arms of friendly fire/Everyone has the same desire.” Get this party pooper a copy of “Hollaback Girl. Share Email AIM Del.icio.us DiggThis Fark It! rolling_stone126:http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/20881081/review/20947151/wanderlust

Yes, you read that headline correct! After annihilating Australian audiences late last year on the NeverEverLand tour, everybody’s favourite French robots are finally settling down to record more music. ITM got the scoop from someone who would know – their manager for the past 12 years Busy P! Otherwise known as Pedro Winter – the owner of the notorious Ed Banger Records – he was chatting to inthemix about his label’s brand new compilation Ed Rec Vol III when he dropped the bomb on Daft Punk’s studio plans. “The boys are in a studio in Paris at the moment,” he revealed to ITM. “And I can’t wait to listen to their new stuff! The good thing is that they are making music at the moment.” While those creative juices are flowing again, it’s not known at this stage when the new album might see the light of day. “They are slow, you know,” Busy P laughed when asked. “They are taking their time, and they have a right.” Busy P also revealed that he recently decided to step down from the massive task of managing Daft Punk in order to allow him to focus all his energies on the Ed Banger record label. “I’ve stopped working with them really recently, because I want to focus and concentrate on Ed Banger and my artists, and my own career as Busy P.” But after managing Daft Punk for 12 years, it’s a safe bet that the relationship will continue to be a tight one. So what sort of sound will we be hearing from Daft Punk? Their last studio release was 2005’s Human After All, for which the duo received something of a critical flogging. It led many to declare them as ‘done and dusted’, but before long they smashed back with their world-beating live show, debuted at Coachella in 2006. Who knows: maybe we’ll be treated to something as massive and influential as their debut Homework and its flawless follow-up Discovery? The possibilities are endless. Stay tuned for ITM’s feature interview with Busy P in the coming weeks! Ed Rec Vol III is out now through Filter Music/Shock Records. Relive the magic of Daft Punk’s NeverEverLand tour of Australia last year with the ITM photo galleries: > Sydney > Melbourne > Brisbane > Perth RSS del.ici.ous Digg Facebook

The lyrics made it sound like T.I.’s pen was actually a match. The King of the South was igniting each track with a viciousness that could well have fans and critics calling his forthcoming Paper Trail LP (due August 12) his best since Urban Legend. Clearly, Tip’s half-year-plus under house arrest wasn’t just spent building a huge replica of the Eiffel Tower out of Legos (”It took me two straight days,” he said of his work). The MC — who recently said he’s not angry that he only came in at #10 on MTV News’ “Hottest MCs in the Game” — found escapism in his music and, as he played a handful of tracks from his forthcoming album, at times he sounded better than we’ve ever heard him. There are boasts such as “Without the braids, I’m the closest thing to O-Dog” and admonishment of peers like, “What the game need with you? They got me.” Yes, Tip is “back on top like a toupee.” “Turn My Beat Down” feels like a 2008 version of LL Cool J’s “Boomin’ System.” The bass is turned all the way up and the synths inject a futuristic feel to it. Meanwhile, Tip experiments with his voice, but his message is clear: His sounds shake up the city. “People see me in the street now/ And they wave and tell me to turn my beat down,” he raps on the chorus. “You’re a– in trouble if you pull up next to me/ Beat so loud, you can’t hear yourself think,” he adds in a verse. “On Top of the World” is one of the strongest contenders for the album’s first single. It stars the newest member of the Grand Hustle fam, B.O.B., on the hook and Kanye West on a guest verse. “It’s just a track of reflection,” Tip said of the song. “Looking back to my humble beginnings, just reveling on how far I’ve come. It’s definitely a record that people like Kanye and I … and even B.O.B. [can relate to]: when you’re on the outside looking in and you know you’re good. You know you’re worthy of being in the game. You know you can compete on a professional level. And once you prove that, it’s a level of self-assurance. I can’t even describe that.” Tip dances with self-doubt on “My Life, Your Entertainment.” “Kids, you don’t wanna be like me/ It’s safer to watch me on TV,” he says in one line. Later, he threatens to return to a darker space. “Stayed in trouble just to show these suckers I ain’t lost it/ I’ll probably do it again/ That’s the funny thing about it.” However, he said “not at all” when asked if he’d do some of the things that caused him to face serious trouble before — something he’ll also address in his forthcoming reality series with MTV. “It’s back there [in my mind]. It’s a piece of my mind that I have to be honest with you and share with you. It’s a thought. If that thought is not there, I’d never be able to check myself. I’d never be able to say, ‘Be careful: You know what could happen.’ If I totally discredited the idea, I could never check myself.” “My life, your entertainment,” he chants on the hook. “My sorrow, your amusement/ Laugh at my pain and anguish/ So famous I could lose it.” “For a long time, people came home and got they TVs on, looked at the news, just to see how my situation developed and entertain themselves,” he explained of the record. “In the meantime, it’s my life. People on the computer saying, ‘T.I. this, T.I. that. They just said T.I. couldn’t do that.’ They comment. They don’t know nothing about T.I.” The message of “Collect Call” is clear: “Everybody loves you when you ballin’/ Don’t nobody want you when you fallin’.” “That song is about when you’re on top, everybody wants to ball with you, but when you’re not, you probably wouldn’t know who to call” explained Tip, who raps on the song, “Everybody talking about me like a n—a just died.” “I’m Illie” is an A-Town anthem that resonates with T.I.’s boasts about being the man in charge. “Never been f—ed in the game, I’m celibate,” he declares. The song’s chorus goes, “N—as talk sh–, that’s silly/ I run this city, clearly … Tell that little n—a I’m busy: I’m illaaayy!” “That’s just cats saying they want that old Trap Muzik flow back,” he said. “That nonstop, consistent punch-line-and-metaphor wordplay. I gave them that.” T.I. hasn’t picked out a first single for the LP yet: He’s still recording.

New Kids on the Block fans, alternately known as either Blockheads or Thirty-something Female Masochists, formally declared vindication today regarding ticket prices for the boy band’s upcoming reunion tour. Ever since it was revealed that the band (best known for such classic songs as…uh…uh…never mind that, there’s more to a band that the songs they record) would be reuniting, critics, music fans, those with functioning temporal lobes, and cultural observers with a modicum of good taste have questioned the band’s motives in reuniting after a blissful nearly 20-year layoff. Yet the band’s fans are now having the last laugh, as the reasonable ticket prices for the tour have confounded skeptics and silenced critics who leveled the age-old charge that the Kids “are just in it for the money” and that a reunion tour “would be more pointless than a surf board in Siberia.” For the NKOTB tour starting in September, ticket prices range anywhere from $35 for a view near the rafters to upwards of $80 for the best floor seats. Prices which, the vast majority of Blockheads agree, are more than appropriate for a band of NKOTB’s stature. “Of all the bands that could described as a footnote on the epic ass of music, NKOTB was the biggest of all!” exclaimed user Iluvjordan in a recent internet posting. “Only between $35 to $80 to see my favorite childhood band at a coldly impersonal, enormous, cavernous arena? Sign me up!” Although the band was rehearsing 20 hours a day to perfect their instrument-less song and dance craft, an announcement via the band’s website explained the band’s decision to offer such cheap, inexpensive, music-superstar-level prices: “In continuing the NKOTB tradition of honoring its dedicated fans, tickets for this tour have been priced in keeping with rates for other artists of NKOTB’s caliber. We used equivalent artists like Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, as well as other reunited bands such as The Stooges, to gauge our market value. The best tickets only cost about $16 per Kid, though Danny might of course get less.” Kathy McMontgomery, an avid 35 year-old Blockhead from Wheeling, West Virginia who still boasts about her NKOTB ankle tattoo, took a quick break from her work-at-home telemarketing job to express a view shared by many of the band’s fans: “All we’ve heard since the reunion was announced was that the band was doing it just for the money. Let’s be clear: the ticket prices for this tour clearly answer that accusation.” Husband John McMontgomery, a rare male NKOTB fan who didn’t request that his identity be withheld for this report, echoed his wife’s sentiments: “An NKOTB reunion comes along, if you’re really, really, really lucky, only once in a lifetime. Although you can’t really put on a price on that, I think it’s fair to say that the prices speak for themselves.” The Blockheads also feel that the going rates for the upcoming tour confirm their belief that the band’s primary motives in touring are strictly fan-based. “No question these low, low, bargain basement liquidation ticket costs clearly show the Kids are doing the tour for the fans,” stated Annie Franzen-Crosby of Kansas City, MO. “With these ridiculously low ticket prices, it’s clear the Kids aren’t interested in making any profit. This is truly a tour for the fans, just like we also thought.” Franzen-Crosby added, a bit less diplomatically, “All those critics who thought the reunion was simply a way for the band to cash in on some people’s love of irrelevant, nostalgic, mediocre, disposable kitsch can shove it. We’re rough.”

Artist: Panic at the DiscoSong: ‘That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)’ Why You Should Watch: Picture it: the emo-pop band as young boys, along with a couple of magic tricks.

After Frank Sinatra's successful run with Capitol Records he decided to strike out on his own and start his own label. So, in the late 60's he founded Reprise. Nothing But the Best is a greatest hits collection from Frank's Reprise years. While Sinatra's Capitol songs are the type of songs you hear in musicals and movie soundtracks, his Reprise works are more the type you hear over your spaghetti dinner. Sinatra still sang swingy, vocal pop but now the strings sounded more classical and the songs were more reflective. The album gets off to a bit of a rocky start. On "Come Fly With Me", "Luck Be a Lady", and "Bewitched" Sinatra and his producers sound like they are trying to replace the classic versions of the songs. The orchestra is top notch of course, but Sinatra tries to improvise on the vocals to give the songs a looser feel. This cause his voice and the music to clash a bit, his vocal notes seem to stretch longer than the musical melodies. This is especially troublesome on "Luck Be a Lady" and "Bewitched" because they sound awkward unless everything about them is perfect. After the first few songs the meat of the album starts. "Fly Me to the Moon", "Strangers in The Night", "Call Me Irresponsible", and "Something Stupid" are all album highlights. They are some of Sinatra's finest later work. Like most of his later work, they are sentimental, string-laden, and mid-tempo. Unlike most it, they are not bogged down in those characteristics. Not only that, they are now intrinsically linked with Sinatra because of his performance of them. Towards the later part of the album, the energy begins to lag with too many ballads in a row. The proper album closes with Frank's two greatest acts of defiance, "My Way" and "Theme from New York, New York". These two songs sound very much like Frank's response to his critics and an explanation of his way of life. The very last song on the album is a bonus track of "Body and Soul". This slow bluesy ballad effectively kills the mood the previous two songs set. This is yet another collection of fine songs from Sinatra. One problem I have with it is that it is sometimes too pretty. Sinatra has great control of his voice at this point and the music charts are very well done. A few of the songs are so perfect they are a little boring. They lack the personality of some of his other work. If you are looking for a collection of Sinatra's later work, definitely pick this up. If you just want one Sinatra greatest hits CD, you would have to decide between this, Sinatra at the Movies, and Classic Sinatra: His Greatest Performances 1953-1960. It comes down more to personal preference; each contains essential Sinatra.  

Limp Bizkit is the nu metal band from Jacksonville, Florida that was formed in 1994 with Fred Durst on vocals, Sam Rivers on bass, and John Otto on drums. Soon after guitarist Wes Borland joined the band. They were discovered by the nu metal band Korn when Durst, also a tattooist, gave Korn bassist Reginald Arvizu several tattoos. DJ Lethal, the turntablist/sampler joined the Bizkit in 1996 when the band he was in, House of Pain, disbanded. Limp Bizkit: Rock im Park 2001 catches Limp Bizkit during the prime of their career at the Rock im Park in Nuremburg, Germany on June 1, 2001. There are two versions of the concert on this DVD. One is the original version, also called the TV Edit which runs 86 minutes and is how it was filmed. The second is called the remixed version and it is 74 minutes long and has been remixed by DJ Lethal; it contains more keyboards and loops. I personally like the remix better. The remix video is 16:9 anamorphic widescreen and the original is 4:3. Audio is a choice of both 5.1 Surround Sound and 2.0 Stereo soundtracks. The DVD contains no subtitles, but since a lot of the words are of the simple four letter variety, they are pretty easy to understand. The set starts off with "Hot Dog" and blasts into "Show Me What You Got" pretty fast. After doing "Break Stuff," Durst brings up a girl on stage while doing "The One." By that point, the band is rocking in full force. All of the songs are done as would be expected — large and loud. The audience is well into it. At one point Durst has to tell the crowd to look out for each other. This happened after what looked like a person was thrown about 20 feet in the air and then caught. I tried to see if it was a person, but it was just too blurry to see clearly — but it sure looked like a person. Overall the concert was filmed well and the band is very tight. Occasionally Durst's vocals get drowned out, but not often enough to present a problem. The video is clear and the sound is good. If you like the nu metal sound and you like Limp Bizkit, then I think that you will really like Limp Bizkit: Rock im Park 2001. Track Listing: IntroHot DogShow Me What You GotBreak Stuff, The OneLivin' It UpMy GenerationRe-ArrangedFaithFull NelsonMy WayNookieI Would For YouTake A Look AroundRollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)

The experiment continues. Hopefully you enjoyed last week's debut and have a thirst for more. This week continues my compiling of videos and various musical related tid-bits for your viewing pleasure. I cannot promise they will all or always be new. Some will be brand spanking new, while others will just be things that I like. You will likely notice that the majority fall with the metal realm. This is a trend that will likely continue for the foreseeable future. Now, my tastes definitely extend beyond metal, but as I read on a forum: "My tastes may have broadened as I have gotten older, but metal will always be my first love." In any case, read on and enjoy! Testament on MTV's 52/52 MTV is beginning a new promotion called 52/52. I have not been able to find all that much in the way of solid details, but it appears that each week the net will spotlight a band, airing live, video and interview footage during commercial breaks throughout the week. I am not sure what they plan to accomplish. Actually, if you have any information regarding this program, please let me know. Anyway, Bay Area thrashers Testament have been chosen as one of the featured bands. The group is enjoying a resurgence as most of the original lineup have gotten back together. They recently released their first album since 1999, The Formation of Damnation, and are sounding really good. Below are a pair of promos for their involvement: Warren Zevon - "My Shit's Fucked Up" This is the first appearance by Warren Zevon in the Music Media series, and it will be far from the last. Zevon is one of my all-time favorite artists and many of the clips I come across will likely find their way here. This one is a live recording from an appearance on Jools Holland (not that I know what that is). The song is moving, and quite humourous. I remember the first time I heard this song was the only time I saw the great Zevon in concert, back in 1999. page 1 | 2 | 3

Photos by Eirik Lande Roxy Music legend Bryan Ferry– looking quite dapper, we must say– helped kick off the Nattjazz Festival in Bergen, Norway yesterday. Joined by backing vocalists and a tight band that did anything but dial it in, Ferry stuck to the hits and served up a performance that kept the gathered enrapt. This gig marked the end of a brief European jaunt for the celebrated showman. Other Nattjazz acts on Wednesday included feisty electro-popper Sissy Wish and noted up-and-comers Casiokids, also pictured below. Nattjazz continues through the end of the month and will welcome Tinariwen, Susanna (of the Magical Orchestra fame), and all kinds of jazz in the days to come. Bryan Ferry Sissy Wish Casiokids

Diminutively named London producer the Bug, aka Kevin Martin, has revealed the details surrounding his latest album. It’s called London Zoo, and the Bug has filled it with a menagerie of guest stars: Warrior Queen, Ricky Ranking, Spaceape, Flowdan, Killa P, Tippa Irie, Aya, and Roger Robinson. Ninja Tune will release London Zoo on July 29 in the U.S. and July 7 everywhere else. The label will precede it with the "Angry" single, due June 24 in the U.S. and June 16 elsewhere. The Bug will also fly about Europe this spring and summer playing shows. His next one is tonight (May 22) in Belgrade, Serbia. London Zoo: 01 Angry [ft. Tippa Irie] 02 Murder We [ft. Ricky Ranking] 03 Skeng [ft. Killa P & Flowdan] 04 Too Much Pain [ft. Ricky Ranking & Aya] 05 Insane [ft. Warrior Queen] 06 Jah War [ft. Flowdan] 07 Fuckaz [ft. Spaceape] 08 You & Me [ft. Roger Robinson] 09 Freak Freak 10 Warning [ft. Flowdan] 11 Poison Dart [ft. Warrior Queen] 12 Judgement [ft. Ricky Ranking] The Bug: 05-22 Belgrade, Serbia - Lagoom 05-23 Berlin, Germany - Icon * 05-24 Graz, Austria - TBA * 05-29 Nancy, France - TBA * 05-30 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino * 05-31 Besançon, France - TBA * 06-06 Marseille, France - Sonarcotic Festival * 06-07 Toulouse, France - ElectroAlternativ Festival * 06-14 Gothenburg, Sweden - Clandestino Festival * 06-28 Namur, Belgium - Verdur Rock *# 07-18 Dour, Belgium - Dour Festival *#^ 07-19 Aldermaston, England - Glade Festival % 08-16 Berlin, Germany - Strøm Festival ^ * featuring Warrior Queen # featuring Ricky Ranking ^ featuring Flowdan % featuring Daddy Freddy