In the early ’90s, when I first heard UK’s My Bloody Valentine, fronted by the enigmatic, retiring Kevin Shields, I was captivated by the band’s use of rolling waves of feedback, and how they paired sheets of white noise with spine-tingling, ethereal melody. After 16 years of near silence and zero live appearances, MBV is touring Europe and the States once again (with just one stop in Toronto — sorry, Canada). This past weekend, they blew away 3,000 awestruck fans (including one EW.com editor) at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in Monticello, New York, with their full-body-pummeling noise. Their publicist later told me that one of the band’s conditions for playing the festival was no sound limitations — and thus the show (purportedly) registered 128 decibels on the venue’s soundboard, which is not unlike being in the wake of a jet plane as it is taking off. (Concerned parents, please note that free earplugs come with the price of admission.)
For those who missed their two other New York City shows this week, My Bloody Valentine will be playing Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in the coming weeks. Or, be sure to check out/revisit their seminal document of the shoegaze movement, 1991’s Loveless — which ranked 86th on EW’s best indie albums of the past 15 years — and the video for my favorite song "Soon" (below), then keep your ears peeled for news on Shields’ upcoming album and new mixes of old MBV material, due to drop…well, let’s just say we hope it’s not another 16 years.
Either way, My Bloody Valentine is at the top of my (bloody) Must List this week. Check out a recent selection of EW.com’s Must List galleries here, here, and here, then take your turn: Which music, movies, TV shows, books, websites, or games are on your Must List? Vote early and vote often; pick up to three. Please include your e-mail address, in case we elect to use your suggestion in the magazine. Deadline is Thursday, September 25, at 10 a.m. ET.
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The new Mogwai cd, The Hawk is Howling. I didn’t think they could top their last release, Mr. Beast, but I was wrong.
“Light On,” the new single from David Cook (premiered yesterday on AOL: http://www.popeater.com/music/article/exclusive-david-cook-turns-the-light-on/185647). Co-written by Chris Cornell and produced by Rob Cavallo (American Idiot and My Black Parade), the track is a radio-friendly rock ballad featuring a searing vocal by Cook and just enough of a throwback to ’80s arena-rock vibe to keep things interesting.
Um, yeah. Correction. That would be ‘The Black Parade’ by MY Chemical Romance. Need morning coffee before posting….
The new Jenny Lewis album “Acid Tongue”. Its a little bit of everything rolled into one, including awesome.
“Swagga Like Us”, sampling MIA’s “Paper Planes”. With verses from Kanye, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne & T.I., it’s hard to pick a favourite but you can’t lose when Jigga schools you skinny jeans.
1) The return of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia–Hey-O!
2) The return of The Office this week!
3) Sex and the City: The Movie on DVD.
The new album from the saviours of UK hip-hop, Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, ‘Angles’. First heard about them from you guys when “Thou Shalt Always Kill” was featured in Popwatch – but where’s the love for the album? So sharp & smart with le Sac’s killer beats backing Pip’s fierce delivery. Check them out while they’re still over here on tour – http://www.myspace.com/lesacvspip
Clay Aiken’s gay revelation is on my Must List! Check out this quote from his cover story in this week’s People:
“Aiken says he expects the news may overwhelm some of his fans.” Even after being honest with himself regarding his sexuality, he’s still delusional about how very clear it was to everyone else.
The return of Heroes. Within 2hrs it’s pulled me right back in!
I was at the MBV show last night. I’ve been to all sorts of loud shows, and have been parked right next to speakers at least a hundred times in my life. I’ve never been at a louder show than last night. It was insane and brilliant and fantastic and surreal.
[title of show] on Broadway!!! The funniest, most charming show on Broadway right now that is all about heart and daring to dream. It’s scheduled to close October 12. Save [title of show]!!!!!
everyone must, must see [title of show] on Broadway! http://www.titleofshow.com/
I’m a huge fan of the iTunes App Store although there’s a lot of repetition (I really don’t need 7 grocery list apps but I can see how some people might). My favorite new App is the strikingly compassionate art and inspiration app called NAKED FACES which has 20 distinctively emotive and nakedly compassionate modern expressionist paintings of female faces and 20 cool 3-word affirmation (that are not insulting to one’s intelligence) written and recorded by the artist herself (who according to her website used to write pop songs). One of the faces (Onisha) has an original musing and another contains a message for all those who persevere and keep going despite obstacles. To me Naked Faces is like “frozen” music, in that it lingers in the memory like a good pop song and contains unspoken chords of melody.
Heroes!
The Office!
Final season of ER!
[title of show] at the Lyceum theatre is a must!!
See [title of show] on Broadway! One of the funniest, more inspirational shows EVER! For anyone who’s ever had a dream. Save [title of show]. Save Broadway.
I’m with those who said [title of show]. (That’s the actual name of the show – [title of show].) I saw it last month and had a wonderful time. It’s such a fun, hilarious ninety-minute musical rocked by four very talented individuals. Check it out!
[title of show] on Broadway at the Ltceum is a MUST MUST MUST!!!
Totally must see, [title of show] on Broadway! http://www.titleofshow.com/
TITLE OF SHOW!!!!
[title of show] at the Lyceum Theater!
Save [title of show], save broadway : )
[title of show] on Broadway needs to be on your Must List, EW. Get with the program already.
everyone should go see [title of show] at the lyceum theatre on broadway! it’s closing october 12th and it’s definitely a MUST SEE! no show has inspired me more. GO! NOW!
Title of Show.
goes (almost) without saying…
G.
[title of show], hands down. It’s one of the smartest, if not the smartest, show on Broadway right now and unfortunatley the powers that be have decided to kill it far too soon (October 12) and leave things like 13 running…really? Save [title of show], Save Broadway!
[title of show] on Broadway is the most original, heartfelt, and hilarious show on Broadway. I went into it not know what to expect, and left with a huge smile on my face. I’ve seen it four times, and can’t wait to see it again. October 12th will be a sad day. Save [title of show]. Save Broadway.
[title of show] on Broadway is a definite must!!!
[title of show] is worthy of my must list, and that is quite hard to be on
broadway and [tos] are a dream combination!
[TITLE OF SHOW]
word.
I agree with [title of show] It is absolutely amazing!
[title of show] has been on my Must List for 6 months now. I saw it in July and it was both hilarious and heart-warming.