VLMTV: New Clips from Radiohead, Buckcherry

I generally avoid music videos simply because they don't interest me all that much. But two came out in the last week worth talking about, so here we go:

Since simply putting a camera on images that might have been relevant to the vision for the song would be far too pedestrian, Thom Yorke decided that the video for Radiohead's "House of Cards" should be shot using lasers (or "lasers", for those who are still Mike Myers fans). The quote from the press release has far too much techno-babble in it, but Radiohead more or less looks like one part screensaver, one part test Visual FX from White Noise. The video itself is below, and here is a link to the making-of featurette.




Radiohead - House of Cards [iTunes]

On the polar opposite end of the musical spectrum, Buckcherry put out information about the release of its new album, the follow up to 2006's 15. The new album, entitled Black Butterfly, drops September 23rd, and the lead single, "Too Drunk To Fuck", will go to radio stations in the not-too-distant future, and is available for download both on their MySpace, and at the end of this entry. The song (NOT a cover of the Dead Kennedys song) is pretty much what we've come to expect from Buckcherry; raunchy, yet fun-as-hell sleaze rock with lyrics that should make you cringe, but ultimately don't. The "viral" video (not sure what makes this a viral vid) features Buckcherry straddling the line between Aerosmith and Alice Cooper at a house party, and in addition to serving as the promotional video for Black Butterfly, also works as a backhanded Public Service Announcement advising Buckcherry fans to enjoy both alcohol and the band itself responsibly.



Buckcherry - Too Drunk To Fuck

==TJ==

Top 40 Breakdown: FINALLY Someone Knocks Off "Apologize"

Every Friday from now until whenever I decide to stop, I'm going to provide a breakdown/commentary on the week's Top 40 radio charts (If someone from Pretty Much Amazing wants to throw things at me for snagging an idea they had for awhile, now would be the time). So let's look at this weeks hits:

After 8 seemingly endless weeks atop the list, Timbaland/OneRepublic's "Apologize" saw its reign come to an end this week, slipping to #2. Before you feel bad for either band though, OneRepublic has "Stop and Stare" at #25 and climbing, and Timbaland's name appears a staggering 3 times with "Apologize" (#2), "The Way I Are" (#14), and 50 Cent's "Ayo Technology" (#29) all charting this week.

Replacing "Apologize" is the new Alicia Keys track "No One". Quite frankly I would have rathered another week of "Apologizing" boning the radio, but clearly I'm in the minority here. The rest of the top 10 is pretty lackluster, as Fergie's "Clumsy", Rihanna and Ne-Yo's "Hate That I Love You" and Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly" are still holding strong, as is the intolerable "Low" by Flo Rida. The only bright spots in the top 10 are Finger Eleven at #9 (down from #7 last week) and Jordin Sparks' "Tattoo" rising to #6.

Once out of the top 10, things get good. "Misery Business" by Paramore rose to #13 this week, but with a gain of only 5 plays nationwide, I don't think that'll get much higher. Daughtry's newest pop/rock crossover "Over You" is holding at #12, and rounding out the top half is Linkin Park's "Shadow of the Day", up one spot from last week. Also in there are a bunch of songs left over from the summer, with the aforementioned "The Way I Are" and Kanye West's "Stronger" (#17) just refusing to lay down and die. At 29 weeks, "The Way I Are" is the longest charting song on the Top 40 right now.

Once out of the top 20, the rest of the list is made up of songs either on their way in or on their way out. After "Everything" failed to make a dent on the radio, Buckcherry's "Sorry" is making a run for the top, currently sitting at #22. The positively generic "Never Too Late" by Three Days Grace follows close behind, while Boys Like Girls and Chris Brown's "With You" also saw chart increases this week. On the way out is the indefensibly bad Soulja Boy, who starting next week will most likely enter the recurrent chart, along with Maroon 5 and 50 Cent. At the tail end of the list is "Calling You" by Blue October, released on the re-issue of 2006's Foiled (the original version was released in 2003). The song has bottomed out the chart for the last two weeks, but I'm personally hoping for a boost in the coming weeks.

My expectations for next week: With no song immediately poised to take down "No One", expect it to remain for another week or two, unless "Tattoo" can make a huge jump quickly. A bunch of songs will probably fall off the charts next week into the recurrent section, which might pave the way for "Calling You" to rise, and Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" to crack into the crossover list. That's the best I can offer this week, perhaps as I keep looking we'll see something more.

The Highlight Reel
Timbaland feat. OneRepublic - Apologize
Finger Eleven - Paralyzer
Paramore - Misery Business
Linkin Park - Shadow of the Day
Buckcherry - Sorry
Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine
Blue October - Calling You

Source: http://www.radioandrecords.com/Formats/Charts/CHR_Top40_Chart.asp

Current Music: Our Lady Peace - Made of Steel (DRMed...sorry guys)

==TJ==

Buckcherry Lead Singer: Dennis Leary's Illegitimate Child?

Some quick mini-reviews before I let them sit in my head and die of loneliness:

• Buckcherry's third album 15 is probably one of the best, most enjoyable albums I've listened to in quite some time. I have it on Ruckus, and it's now moved up to the top of my Wanted List. **** 1/2
  
• I haven't quite finished listening to all of It Won't Be Soon Before Long, Maroon 5's new album, but at the rate its going its on pace for a solid ****. Here's hoping "Wake Up Call" is the next single.
• In a follow-up to the Second Spin entry from yesterday, Year Zero is just as trippy as vintage NIN, and it's good enough to warrant a *** 1/2. rating
  
• I just downloaded Chris Cornell's solo album Carry On and I haven't gotten all the way through it yet, but on the strength of just "She'll Never Be Your Man", "Arms Around Your Love", and the angsty "Billie Jean" cover, it's already proven itself to be just as good as Audioslave, and WAY better than Euphoria Morning. ****

Meanwhile, Rage Against the Machine have a countdown clock counting down to August 24th. RATM has been silent on what is going to happen that day, but speculation suggests either a live album from their Coachella performance or perhaps a DVD. [Source: Billboard]

Furthermore, in a recent interview The Who's Pete Townshend declared that the current tour in support of October's Endless Wire will not be the last from The Who. Townshend has said that he has ideas for another album, and is just waiting to find a full band for he and Roger Daltrey to record with.

That's it for now. I'll be back with some housekeeping stuff and some Goo Goo Dolls action later tonight.

==TJ==

PS: In regards to the title. Look at this pic of Buckcherry's singer Josh Todd, then look at this pic of comedian Dennis Leary and decide for yourself.