Weezer's Rivers Cuomo Releases Japanese Language Album

Rivers has been interested in Japanese culture (and Oriental culture in general--I mean, have you listened to Pinkerton?  And he did marry a Japanese woman in 2006...) for decades so it comes as no surprise whatsoever that he's released a Japanese language album.

What is surprising--and shame on me--is that I hadn't heard about this record at all even though it's been out in Japan since March.  Then again, it was a Japan-only release--and it was released under the name Scott & Rivers, the "Scott" being Scott Murphy of the band Allister.

The album is finally available domestically through iTunes.  Exclaim has the story of the record here.  A full tracklising follows this video for the first single, "Homely Girl."

Click to read more ...

New Reissue of REM's Green Coming Next Week

Like many bands, REM is slowly making their way through their catalogue and issuing special commemorative versions of every album.  Next up is the 25th anniversary edition of Green.

Due next Tuesday, the new Green will come in a two-disc set featuring the original album (remastered, of course) on the first and a performance from Greensboro NC on the 130-date tour that followed.  

Interesting: I Speak Machine Covers Ultravox's "My Sex"

This version was posted on Friday by I Speak Machine, which features John Foxx (the original Ultravox guy) and Billy Currie (still in Ultravox).  The original from 1977 follows.  (This interesting study in contrasts provided by Larry.)

I Like This: Vampire Weekend

A new lyric video for "Ya Hey," which will appear on Modern Vampires of the City when it comes out next week.

Canadian-Directed Music Video About Bullying Getting Banned. But Should It Be?

Xavier Dolan, the Quebec filmmaker, helped creat this music video for "College Boy" by the French band, Indochine.  It features Antoine Pilon, a Montreal actor, in the role of a teenaged boy who is brutally bullied. While the climax is rather gruesome, the metaphoric message about bullying and gun violence is very clear.

The clip has already been censored by MusiquePlus and in France and may fan bans elsewhere.  Take a look and offer up your opinion.