Music's 3R's 01.18.10: Dre Delays Detox Again, Blink's New Album, Billy Corgan Recording WIth Jessica SImpson, More

Posted by Aaron Titan on 01.18.2010

From Dr. Dre's further Detox delays, Blink-182's new Blinkumentary and album, and Rockstar Mayhem Tour lineup news to Beyonce's New Years performance in a seedy basement, Billy Corgan recording with Jessica Simpson, and more, 411's Aaron Titan brings you all the Right, wRong, and Ridiculous from the music world in this week’s Music 3R’s!



Greetings

Welcome back and Happy MLK, Jr. Day everybody! This is Aaron Titan and you're standing smack dab in the middle of a puddle of Music 3R's. Don't go wiping your feet off yet, OK? Just stick around and check out what's happening in the music world as of late.

Before we get started, I thought I'd class up the column starting today. I usually take some time to banter with you all about whatever happens to cross my train of thought. Most of the time, I usually start talking about what artist really rocked my world over the course of the last week, so instead of making that a random thing every now and then, I'm making it more of a permanent fixture here. That said, here's Aaron Titan's Opus of the Week.

Opus of the Week: The Clash - London Calling



To be perfectly honest, I got both this album and The Clash's Combat Rock very cheaply on sale at a record store when I was in middle school or high school and didn't give either too proper of a listen.

Now, lately when I'm doing some paperwork at night in my home office, I've been busting out my CD player boombox and picking out a CD from my library of about 500+ albums to just listen to music like I did when I was a kid. For some reason on last Wednesday, I decided it'd be prudent to listen to London Calling all the way through, and I'm glad I did.

This album is really fun because it works as a journey from the beginning title track all the way to "Train in Vain," the final track. I love the poppy, good times guitar sound they've got going on set against the punk rock, ‘tude in your face vocals, almost a juxtaposition in a way that just fuckin' works. I'm a big fan of this album and felt in a better mood having listened to it. To me, that's the sign of a good album right there: feeling better about life and enjoying the album as a whole from start to finish.

Titan's Key Tracks: "London Calling," "Spanish Bombs," "Death or Glory"

The Column

For those unfamiliar with the 3R's concept, here's the breakdown. I will be reporting and commenting on happenings in the music world and categorizing all the hoopla into three sections: the Right, the wRong, and the Ridiculous. The Right will feature news, albums, and announcements music-related that I'm personally stoked about. The wRong will be the bad versions of all three of the aforementioned. The Ridiculous is the worst of it all, that which makes good ol' Mr. Titan shake his head in perplexing amazement.

The Right



The Blinkumentary: Blink-182 is entering the studio to record their first album since 2003, the first since their "indefinite hiatus." In that time, a lot's happened. Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus recorded and toured in a new band, +44. Travis also did a lot of hip-hop remixes and recorded some cool shit with the late Adam "DJ A.M." Goldstein as TRV$DJAM. Tom DeLonge, meanwhile, recorded two albums and toured with his "epic" project, Angels & Airwaves.

To capture the studio rebirth of Blink-182 – a band I've always dug for fun-ness, catchy songwriting, and a great live show – they're bringing some documentarians along to film the process for a film, aptly titled The Blinkumentary. Here's a teaser trailer:





This is pretty righteous news on two levels. The first, and more obvious for me as a fan, is that Blink is making some new music. I always wondered if they could take the serious musicality they exhibited on 2003's self-titled album, their most well-rounded and adventurous effort to date, and build upon it. I look for the result of their next recording sessions to be fairly kickass.

Besides that, as I've mentioned before, I'm a sucker for rock docs. I love seeing what goes on behind the scenes when bands record and tour. One of my favorite bands of all time, Lamb of God, does a tremendous job of filming shit like this. If you're a LOG fan, check out The Making of Sacrament, Walk With Me in Hell, and the raucous Killadelphia.

Do I expect this Blink doc to be as good of those. Maybe, but not in the same way. The Lamb of God shit is extremely funny, unfiltered, and are more about the "good times" feel (well, maybe not so much Killadelphia, but you get my point). I would say this will be more along the lines of Metallica's Some Kind of Monster documentary, especially if these guys are dealing with the issues of their pseudo-breakup, though it doesn't necessarily appear that way, since they went out on tour already and lost a close friend during that time (the aforementioned DJ AM), both experiences that could've brought them closer together. Regardless, this should be fun and worth a watch. I'll be looking forward to it.



We All Live in a 3D Submarine…: It appears that director Robert Zemeckis' 3D CGI remake of The Beatles' film Yellow Submarine is going to be moving forward, complete with authorized Beatles tunes. They've cast the voice actors for the Beatles characters already too. Cary Elwes is going to be George Harrison, Dean Lennox Kelly will voice John Lennon, Peter Serafinowicz will be Paul McCartney, and Adam Campbell will be Richard "Ringo Starr" Starkey. The film will be released through Disney reportedly.

Now I've not been the biggest Disney fan over the past several years, though I'm always up for a Pixar movie. Basically, watch South Park's Jonas Brothers episode and you'll see why Disney kind of sucks anymore. However, kudos to them for bringing this movie to life, as I've no doubt George and John would've dropped acid before viewing this movie which will no doubt be a colorful mindfuck of beautiful proportions. If Disney World creates a Yellow Submarine ride, I may have to go back to Florida sooner than later, that's all I'm sayin' man!

As far as the performance sections of the film, Zemeckis has recruited the pentultimate Beatles tribute band, The Fab Four. There's no word yet on whether the real Paul and Ringo will play any role in the film, but you gotta' think that if they came up with some sort of cameo, they'd probably oblige.

Zemeckis is eyeing to premiere the film in coordination with the timing of the 2012 Olympics Summer Games in London.







Rockstar Announcement Coming: The initial lineup for the 2010 edition of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival will be coming out this Wednesday. There's already rumors on what metal/hard rock acts will be included. What I've heard so far is that KoRn – who will have new music out this summer most likely – are going to be the top headliner on the bill, going on last. There's also rumors of Lamb of God, Rob Zombie, Hatebreed, Chimaira, Five Finger Death Punch, and Winds of Plague rounding out a good chunk of the bill. As a fan of heavy music, I don't think having KoRn, Lamb of God, Rob Zombie, and Hatebreed headline the festival would be too shabby. In fact, I think it'd be really good! Really though, Hatebreed would probably headline the second stage instead of appear on the amphitheater main stage and play to a field of seats and a lawn of people in the back. That's just kind of more how a Hatebreed show works, if you've never seen them before.

Really though, this gets me excited as it's finally time for the U.S. festivals to start announcing lineups pretty soon. We usually get the Bonnaroo lineup and the Lollapalooza lineups in the early-to-mid spring range, and I feel like Coachella and All Points West come out around then too. What's cool is that if there's one you usually look forward to, seeing what bands are already set to appear at other festivals can give you a general idea of who you may be seeing come to your local festival of choice.



Dixie Chicks No More?: It's not often that I report on country-related acts on the column, but I felt this news was substantial enough to include. Also, I became a Dixie Chicks fan to some degree when I saw their documentary film Shut Up & Sing. Hey, I told you I was a rock doc fan. If you've never seen this one by the way, it's pretty fun. It follows the Dixie Chicks in the events after Natalie Maines comments against George Bush in 2003 while performing a concert in London ("Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.").

There was a ton of backlash against the group and it all led to the recording of a really good album: 2006's Taking the Long Way. I love watching the recording process in general, so it was cool to see them in the studio with Rick Rubin producing and Red Hot Chili Peppers/Chickenfoot drummer Chad Smith on the skins.





Anyways, the news beat is this [Credit: Rolling Stone]:

Dixie Chicks Emily Robison and Martie Maguire are using the band name Court Yard Hounds for their new album, which will not include third Chick Natalie Maines. "Emily and I had the itch," Maguire says, "and every time we'd call Natalie and say ‘are you ready?' she wasn't ready. She wanted a clear-cut break."

The new album was recorded at Maguire's home and inspired by Robison's recent divorce from Charlie Robison. "When Natalie's singing a song it has to strike a chord with her," Robison says. "These songs are very personal."

Jakob Dylan appears on one track. Court Yard Hounds will make their stage debut at this year's SXSW.

Both girls say that the Dixie Chicks have not broken up, but admit they rarely see Maines. "I'm hoping she'll come out to one of our shows," Maguire says. "Maybe it'll inspire her to want to do music again."

Honestly, good for these two sisters getting back out there as the Court Yard Hounds. It's about time, as I was beginning to wonder what was going on with the Dixie Chicks. These two are the real musicality behind the group anyways – in my opinion – and were the reason I liked Taking the Long Way so much to begin with. Natalie Maines just comes off like kind of a diva, and that's some of the shit that makes country music these days suck to begin with. I thought country music was about bringing it all back to the good ol' times and the good ol' places, but hey, that's just my interpretation I guess as a mostly non-country fan.

Then again, I can see her point in wanting to take a break. The Dixie Chicks machine was a fucking beast for a while there back in the early 2000s, and getting away from the big-ness and fame and not quite wanting to dive back into all that craziness, especially after the backlash she was facing in the post 9/11 world for her comments against then-President Bush, makes sense. However, I get pretty sympathetic for bands who are plagued by unproductivity because of their frontman/woman's shit and end up playing the waiting game more often than not. Therefore, I say, good for Emily and Martie in getting back out there! Rock on ladies!

The wRong

Jay Reatard Murdered?: Garage-punk rocker Jay Reatard (born Jay Lindsay) was found dead in his Tennessee home two Sundays ago at 3:30 am. There was no foul play or OD reported, and the word now from police is that they are treating it as a murder. Pretty crazy stuff man!

Honestly, if he was murdered, I hope they catch whoever did it, because there have been a lot of celebrities passing away in their homes from strange or inexplicable circumstances. Just recently, Reatard, Brittany Murphy, and The Rev from Avenged Sevenfold have all passed in the comfort of their own homes. It's just kind of crazy, you know? I'm not making light of the death of anybody, it's just an observation. Lots of sudden deaths happened in the celeb world last year too. That week or so span where we lost both Michael Jackson and TV infomercial god Billy Mays was pretty crazy.

Just thought I'd acknowledge Reatard's death, as I hadn't yet in the column. 411's thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.

The Ridiculous



Billy Corgan Dating (and Recording With) Jessica Simpson: Yeah, I know what you're thinking man. Me too! Doesn't Billy Corgan get enough shit already for recording as The Smashing Pumpkins, being the only original member left in the fold? Now this?

To be fair, Jessica Simpson is still what many would consider attractive, and I guess you can't blame Billy for "tapping that," and that's fine. However, if the two birth some music together, I…I just don't know man. Two words come to mind in the end: NOT COOL.

I'm not sure what else to say about it than that, so I'm just going to move on with the R's. Perhaps the guy just wants some new exposure on her new, upcoming reality show. Who knows! Why Billy, why?!



Yeah, OK… That's why…





Beyonce's Basement NYE Bash: I'm just going to copy the story 411's Mitch Michaels posted on the site this past Friday, as my summary won't do it justice:

Rumors were going around that Beyonce scored a $2 million paycheck for playing a private party on New Year's Eve. Beyonce's reps were keeping the St. Bart's show, paid for by Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi's son Mutasim-Billah, on the down-lo, but now pics have come out showing Beyonce performing in what looks like someone's basement.

The small audience for the show included Jay-Z, Jon Bon Jovi, Usher, Lindsay Lohan and a few young female, along with Mutasim-Billah - a national security adviser for Libya.

Beyonce performed five songs, including her hit "Single Ladies".

Hey, more power to you if you can score two mill for performing fuckin' 5 songs, however, don't expect me to believe any "I'm an artist" talk from Beyonce in the future, not that's she's really gone there yet, but all people in the music biz say that shit in the end. I get that she's in business to make money. I mean, I love my career but in the end, want monetary compensation for my hard work. That said, I wouldn't go work in a weird ass basement on New Years if I was financially set for life like she is, being as successful as she's been in addition to being married to the biggest, most successful MC in the game. She's in this shit for the money brother.

Again, not knockin' anybody for taking that kind of payday! That's pretty rad that this Libyan leader can afford to provide that kind of entertainment to his guests. Who knew that Bon Jovi hung out with foreign dignitaries?!



Comtonese Democracy Delayed Again: Dr. Dre's highly-anticipated and long-delayed Detox album will not be seeing the light of day during the 2010 calendar year, according to the man himself. He stated last week that he's anticipating the album won't be ready until at least 2011. We'll get some Dre beats through production stuff he does for people, including some tracks on Eminem's Relpase 2 (as far as I know), but really, it's been over a decade now. Dre's not getting any younger, so realistically, Detox could be his swan song. I just hope it's good enough to be worth this long-ass wait.

Then again, it probably will be, right? It's fuckin' Dr. Dre!





Hasta Luego: Well folks, that's it for me this week. Three cheers to MLK and may we all take a second or two to remember his message and dream today.

I'm gonna go eat some leftover Christmas candy or something. Tune in next week for some more music news commentary here at the Music 3R's station. Cheers!

Soundtrack to the 3R's this week was played by the following artists…
blink-182 – "Feeling This"
Flyleaf – "I'm So Sick (live)"
Green Day – "Welcome to Paradise"
Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band – "Hollywood Nights"
Puff Daddy featuring The Notorious B.I.G. & Busta Rhymes – "Victory"
Girl Talk – "Once Again"
Kid Cudi – "Up, Up & Away"
The Lonely Island featuring Justin Timberlake – "Dick in a Box"
The Raconteurs – "Rich Kid Blues"
Ween – "Zoloft"
The Clash – "Rudie Can't Fail"
Daft Punk – "Harder Better Faster Stronger"
Brian Wilson – "Heroes and Villains"
Kiss- "Plaster Caster"
Onyx – "Here"
Disturbed – "Prayer"
Foreigner – "Juke Box Hero"
MGMT – "Time to Pretend"
Les Claypool – "Iowan Gal"
Common – "Real People"
Rush – "Subdivisions"
The Dixie Chicks – "Taking the Long Way"
Beastie Boys – "Pass the Mic"
Eminem – "Stay Wide Awake"
Weezer – "Keep Fishin'"
Mudvayne – "Prod"
Naughty By Nature – "O.P.P."
Pantera – "Goddamn Electric"
Chickenfoot - "Get It Up"