December 17, 2008

When we first heard that Peter Gabriel teamed up with electropop aces Hot Chip to record Vampire Weekend’s Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, we wondered how the track would turn out. Turns out they actually did a fine job of it. I’m sure Petey got a big kick out of singing his own name. [via Abeano]

Here’s a look at what else is happenin’ this week…

• Animal Collective calls for fans to leak their new album
• Stephen Malkmus would be open to a Pavement reunion
• JasonK created this fantastic Caribbean Holidaze montage
• The Who’s Kids Are Alright is getting the reissue treatment
• Warren’s Christmas Jam benefits Ronald McDonald House
• Brooklyn Vegan shares pics from Of Montreal in Williamsburg

Finally, Neil Young absolutely kicked ass at the Garden on Monday night and his voice and guitar are still as powerful today as they were in his peak. Speaking of Neil Young’s peak, the trailer for the long-awaited Archives Volume 1 project came out yesterday. Check it out after the jump…

Every year around this time our partners at Glide poll your favorite artists on their tops shows, albums and experiences of 2008 along with predictions for the coming year. This year’s list of participants contains more outstanding acts than most major festival announcements including Mike Gordon of Phish, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Reed Mathis of Tea Leaf Green/Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Hardy of Dead Confederate and so many others.

[Photo by Adam Kaufman]

Keep your eyes on Glide tomorrow for all of the entries. To whet your appetite, here’s Ryan Stasik of Umphrey’s McGee’s picks for the Glide Magazine Best of 2008…

Best Album(s) of 2008

Skeletal Lamping – Of Montreal, Chinese Democracy – Guns n Fuckin’ Roses, Robotique Majestique – Ghostland Observatory

Favorite Song(s) of 2008

My favorite song of 2008 is from 1968. Just pick one!

Your Personal Favorite On-stage Moment/Show of 2008

Omega Moo’s show in Boulder CO, with Brendan, Jamie, and Darren…12-4-2008

Classic Album or Artist You Discovered This Year

Sparks, Lalo Schifrin, NKOTB (im sure I’d like it if I heard it)

Best Film You Saw This Year

Rediscovered Russ Meyer and all his works

READ ON for the rest of UM bassist Ryan Stasik’s Best of 2008…

Year after year, it is tough to top KINK.FM’s holiday benefit concert. Proving their station’s motto, “True To the Music”, the KINK staff outdid themselves once again. Christmas spirit, a kick ass silent auction and four headliners on the same bill, this yearly extravaganza is truly the show to see in Portland.

Start with the silent auction. Hundreds of items that run the gamut from a hand picked, 20 CD pack of KINK.FM artists to an electric guitar signed by John Mellencamp. Not your cup of tea? Spa treatments, autographed and framed concert posters, drum sticks, symphony tickets, hotel and resort stays. You get the picture. All done with great class and benefiting the Oregon Food Bank. This year’s take: over $23,000.00!!!

First up on the stage, the Bay Area’s Matt Nathanson. My first time seeing him, I was taken by his stage presence. Nathanson has an easy stage presence, relaxed and in control. Tossing one liners to the crowd while checking his tuning, he set up songs with phrases like, “This one is NOT about sex, it’s about ice cream”. He related a story about ‘Poop knocking at the Atlanta airport’ to introduce his wonderfully romantic song (up till I heard his explanation) song, Still.

READ ON for more from KINK-FM’s Holiday Benefit Concert…