I am generally pretty trusting of Jen and her sources, but I had to double check to make sure I saw that right. Metallica. At Bonnaroo. I still associate the ‘Roo quite a bit with its jam band roots and it’s location in Tennessee, it’s kind of hard to fathom. For those of you who didn’t see that Behind the Music (I watched a lot of Vh1 in the late ’90’s), Metallica have allegedly calmed down and stopped drinking & breaking stuff all the time, but they will still, I assume, be playing Metallica songs. There have been pretty heavy acts gracing the Bonnaroo stages in the past, Pearl Jam this year, Tool last year for example, but there’s something about them that still “fits” y’know? PJ are politically active, Tool are notorious stoners. Metallica’s bound to harsh someone’s mellow, but if metal’s your thing, this is the ‘Roo for you, as indie kids’ favourite makers of modern metal, Mastodon, will also be killin’ buzz at this year’s festival.

For those unfamiliar with either band, I’ve included some examples of what will be sharing stages with Ozomatli, Béla Fleck, and freaking Iron & Wine. I don’t think I need to remind you how far beyond mellow Iron & Wine are. Playing the same festival as Metallica & Mastodon.

Also, interesting is that Lez Zeppelin will be playing, and possibly confusing people into thinking that Led Zeppelin will be playing, but Zep frontman Robert Plant will be there performing with Alison Krauss.

Bonnaroo Official Site | Metallica Official | Metallica Myspace | Mastodon Official | Mastodon MySpace

 Metallica - Master of Puppets [8:31m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Mastodon - Blood and Thunder [3:48m]: Play in Popup | Download (2813)

Well, I finally have all the pictures together. I took a crapload of pictures at Bonnaroo on my camera, and I also stole my mates’ cameras to take pictures for them when they were otherwise “occupied” and/or I felt like snatching their camera anyway. So, all these pictures are owned by myself, and my friends Sean and Eric. Please don’t snatch them.

Also, I have a Picasa Web Album up and running so everyone can access them at their leisure. Be nice, please.

Here a few to sample, and since there’s over 300 pictures, you’ll have to look at the rest over at the web album.

http://picasaweb.google.com/do.you.lovethemusic

Since having the experience of The White Stripes rocking my socks on the last night at Bonnaroo, I've been on a total White Stripes kick. I've fallen in love with Icky Thump, and am working on the rest of their albums. The White Stripes is a band who I always thought seemed pretty interesting, but never got around to making the effort to listen to them. Which is understandable in my case, I think, as I have a stack of music backed up. Yes, I know. I'm horrible. 

The album is totally fun, and so easy to dance to, as well as jump around like an idiot. I do that quite well. My significant other has told me it has some serious British-blues going on, and I think I agree. A little reminiscent of some Zeppelin I've heard. You can definitely hear some Nashville stylin's going on there, too. I'm afraid I'm horribly inarticulate when it comes to bands I'm grooving to and in love with. You'll have to excuse me. 

Some favorite tracks are: Catch Hell Blues, I'm Slowly Turning Into You, A Martyr For My Love For You, Icky Thump, and 300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues. I'm sure that will change over time, but for now, I'm really digging those.

Basically, it's fun, noisy, bluesy and rocky at the same time, and has a pizzazz that makes it special and different. 

So, here are some select MP3s for you to rock out to. Enjoy.

Catch Hell Blues (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/12-the_white_stripes-catch_hell_blues.mp3]

300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03-the_white_stripes-300_m_p_h_torrential_outpour_blues.mp3]

A Martyr For My Love For You (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/11-the_white_stripes-a_martyr_for_my_love_for_you.mp3]

The White Stripes Official Website // MySpace // Do yourself a favor and buy Icky Thump 

The Decemberists

Regina Spektor

Ben Harper

The Police

BORAT!

Hullo all, 

Couple of things to get out of the way.

1. Downloaded the beta PC version of Safari, and I'm happy to say that the site looks and functions well in it. Always good stuff there, browser-compatibility and the like.

2. I'm leaving for Bonnaroo tomorrow. I'm going to post a couple more times today, and then new material will be back in action after I get back, crash for about 16 hours, and find where I left my head. Expect lots of pictures.

Damon can be reached at damon [at] lovethemusicreviews [dot] com. He'll take care of you while I'm gone, which will be about 6 days.

I'll be checking email until tomorrow morning, and that's it. I'm not going to Bonnaroo to get on the computer in an internet cafe, I'm going to check out the music, and not work.

Wish me the best o' the luck. Have the fun.

Love yourself,

Jen 

Kings of Leon. Came in threes, I swear. Played on Conan, Leno, and then I heard them the other day while shopping.

They're also playing at Bonnaroo, which could be considered a fourth sign, but as I have artistic license, I'm going to say thats not a fourth sign.

I really, really dig this song. I haven't quite figured out why. It could be considered annoyingly repetitive, but I like the voice of the lead singer, Caleb Followill. 

Check it out. Purtiness shall follow. And consider the album, Because of the Times.

Kings of Leon - On Call

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/KingsOfLeon_On_Call.mp3]

Kings of Leon Official Website // MySpace // Buy CD