Fall 2010 Review Roundup
Jim and Greg give Buy It, Burn It, Trash It ratings to big new releases including the Jeff Tweedy-produced album by Mavis Staples and the latest by "Golden God" Robert Plant.

Music News
When it comes to the recording industry, it's easy to think of it as the big bad guy. But, as relayed in John Bowe's recent New York Times Sunday Magazine piece, "The Man," is actually a number of little, ordinary guys. Irving Azoff himself doesn't go from town to town collecting royalty riches. That task is left to copyright collectors who work for performing rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI. Jim and Greg talk to Bowe about the day he spent with one such collector who received a less than warm welcome from most of the bars, clubs and shops she visited.
00:11:21 Review: Mavis Staples

During this show Jim and Greg review some of this season's big new releases. First up is the latest from Mavis Staples. The iconic Chicago
00:21:46 Review: Katy Perry

Katy Perry has the number one album this week called Teenage Dream. But, unfortunately her dreaminess may be all she has going for her. The pop singer first made a splash with her hit "I Kissed a Girl." Now for her follow-up, she's paired up with a number of the industry's biggest producers. Jim appreciates bubblegum pop as much as the next person, but only when there's some twist. There's not an ounce of originality on Teenage Dream, so Jim tells people to Trash It. Greg feels like this record was written by a dirty old man rather than a modern woman. And the vocals sound completely digitally edited together. A robot could be singing these tunes, so he agrees: Trash It.
Interpol Interpol

Interpol's 2001 debut Turn on the Bright Lights is still considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of that decade. But, they've been unable to reclaim that success with subsequent releases. Bassist
00:34:23 Review: of Montreal

Also coming out is False Priest, the 10th album by Athens, GA band of Montreal. Frontman Kevin Barnes records at an ambitious pace, one that's matched by his theatrical performances. On this record he works with producer
00:43:32 Review: Robert Plant

This episode's final review is of Robert Plant's new solo record Band of Joy. The album shares the name of Plant's pre-Led Zeppelin band, but Jim can't figure out the connection. He doesn't see what roots Americana music has to do with the north country of England. He applauds Plant for trying new things, but misses more of his Celtic, "dark lord" sound. He gives Band of Joy a Burn It. Greg was a fan of Plant's last rootsy effort, Raising Sand. He heard the "Golden God" doing something completely new. But now, it's less innovative, and at times downright slow and creepy. Greg also gives this hit and miss affair a Burn It.
Jim
One release Jim is excited about this fall is a reissue of the debut album by Ride called Nowhere. So he chooses a track from it, "Vapour Trail" to add to the Desert Island Jukebox. Along with My Bloody Valentine, Ride established the groundbreaking shoegaze sound, proving that it is possible to do something new with guitar, bass and drums. And Jim puts Nowhere up there with Nevermind, even if it never received the same kind of acclaim.
Featured Songs
- Nine Inch Nails, "The Collector," With Teeth, Interscope, 2005
- Giraffes? Giraffes!, "When The Catholic Girls Go Camping, The Nicotine Vampires Rule Supreme," More Skin With Milk-Mouth, Loves In Heat, 2007
- Mavis Staples, "You Are Not Alone," You Are Not Alone, Anti-, 2010
- Mavis Staples, "Only The Lord Knows," You Are Not Alone, Anti-, 2010
- Guizado, "A Emanacão dos Sonhos," Calavera, Trama, 2010
- Katy Perry, "California Gurls," Teenage Dream, Capitol, 2010
- Katy Perry, "Teenage Dream," Teenage Dream, Capitol, 2010
- Interpol, "Success," Interpol, Matador, 2010
- Interpol, "Lights," Interpol, Matador, 2010
- Of Montreal, "Coquet Coquette," False Priest, Polyvinyl, 2010
- Of Montreal, "Our Riotous Defects," False Priest, Polyvinyl, 2010
- Of Montreal, "Around The Way," False Priest, Polyvinyl, 2010
- Robert Plant, "Angel Dance," Band of Joy, Rounder, 2010
- Robert Plant, "Monkey," Band of Joy, Rounder, 2010
- Ride, "Vapour Trail," Nowhere, Creation, 1990
- Squeeze, "853-5937," Babylon and On, A&M, 1987
- T. Rex, "20th Century Boy," The Essential Collection, Polygram, 2000
- The Who, "The Kids Are Alright," The Who Sings My Generation, Decca, 1965
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