Top 5 Music Things This Week: Indie Rock Credit Card, Best Coast, Stoners on the Road and More

#1 The Indie Rock Credit Card

I spent the weekend off the grid — and by “off the grid” I mean an hour or more outside of New York. It was peaceful, it was quiet and it just so happens I was gone the night that Spiritualized played Radio City Music Hall, performing Jason Pierce’s classic 1997 album Ladies and Gentleman We are Floating in Space.

It was a bummer that I couldn’t make the event, but the Internet told me I could watch it live over at Spin.com at no cost, but I’d have to give up my personal information to American Express.

All I had to do was “Like” the Zync card from American Express, and by liking it, I gave American Express access to all the personal information stored within my Facebook account.

Data mining on social networking websites is an old story; Mark Zuckerberg is the new Big Brother, so I shouldn’t be surprised that a media outlet like Spin would team up with a credit card company.

But wait! It isn’t only Spin! Did you watch The National, The Black Keys, or The Flaming Lips from the comfort of your Macbook? Thank American Express. Also, plan to watch the Terry Gilliam produced webcast of The Arcade Fire at Madison Square Garden? Guess who wants you to “Like” them? Also, want to submit a link to Boing Boing? Guess who you get to go through?

Yuppers! Give up your soul to American Express Zync if you want Boing Boing to pimp your shit.

So, what’s the deal? Why is there suddenly an indie rock credit card, and what does it do? Does it buy me limited edition records? Does it make me vegan scones? I looked at the website, no big news there. Instead, for now, I chalk it up to a few overpaid marketing “gurus” who all figured that if you have enough money to see bands mentioned above, you are probably willing to ruin your credit score paying for the tickets.

#2

Okay, I’m a sucker for Best Coast. It’s simple and catchy and reminds me of the music that girls in high school who wouldn’t talk to me used to listen to (Helium, Teenbeat Records stuff, etc.). Do I see myself caring beyond this first album? Not so sure, but I’ve been surprised before.

#3 Speaking of Best Coast…

Last month I became obsessed with the remixes of Woodsist bands like Woods and The Fresh & Onlys with hip hop, done by the California based Al Lover. This month, Lover returns, this time mixing East Bay emcee Alexander Spit with the sweet sounds of Bethany Cosentino.

#4
Here is the deal on Prince Rama: dude is raised on a Hare Krishna commune—>listens obsessively to Werner Herzog films scored by Popol Vuh—>decides he wants to mix that sound it with a dose of God’s Money era Gang Gang Dance—>becomes friends with folks from Animal Collective—>records album in Kurt Vonnegut’s grandson’s cabin—>sets up Fall tour with Deakin of Animal Collective.

Listen: Prince Rama – “Lightening Fossil”

#5 Black Mountain/Black Angels to tour

I called this tour four years ago, when I was equally obsessed with the debut albums by both, and they were all part of the “Year of Bands With Black in Their Name,” and also it was the summer I smoked a lot of pot.

The Dropout Boogie Tour with The Black Angels and Black Mountain
10/28/10 Chicago, IL – Metro
10/30/10 Buffalo, NY – Tralf Music Hall
10/31/10 Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
11/01/10 Montreal, QC – La Tulipe
11/02/10 Boston, MA – Paradise
11/03/10 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
11/06/10 Philadelphia, NY – Theatre of Living Arts
11/07/10 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
11/09/10 Louisville, KY – Headliners
11/10/10 Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle
11/11/10 Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
11/12/10 Atlanta, GA – The Earl
11/13/10 Orlando, FL – The Social
11/15/10 Birmingham, AL – The Bottletree
11/16/10 New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s
11/17/10 Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
11/19/10 Austin, TX – La Zona Rosa
11/20/10 Dallas, TX – Kessler Theater
11/24/10 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
11/26/10 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
11/28/10 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
11/29/10 Seattle, WA – The Showbox

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