Fuzzy Bits: January 18, 2006

Let me start off by saying that the reason for the sparse updates on the blog has been because of the limited recent releases in both film and music. So no worries for those of you thinking that the site is winding down, as that couldn't be farther from the truth. That being said, this edition of Fuzzy Bits will begin with an answer to a reader's question. Remember, you can always make comments to any post, so feel free to do so!

Fuzzy Responses
I heard a rumor that Dave is planning another " & friends" tour. You seem to have an ear to the drums - any truth? Did you hear anything about Coldplay's last stint here - I heard it was so/so. I want to get a friend a cd by them - what's the best one - any suggestions?
Havannah Moon

Thanks for the message! You ask some very good questions here, and I'll do my best to answer them all. First, with the Dave & Friends tour. There is some truth to this as they are a part of a three-day and three-night cruise tour during Feb 3-6. Along with other acts including G. Love & Special Sauce, Ozomatli, North Mississippi Allstars, Soulive, DJ Logic and Mike Doughty's Band, there will be lots of food and fun to be had as the cruise boats sail to the Bahamas. As far as definitive dates, this is all we know about right now. What can be said however, is that with Dave Matthews Band currently working in studio for their second album which should come out later on this year, I would be very surprised if there's a D&F tour this spring. Instead, there might be another short college campus Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds tour before the DMB tour kicks off this summer.

On a semi-related note, the band is currently asking Warehouse members to send in their top five choices for opening acts this summer. My personal votes (in this order) were: The Roots, My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, and finally Josh Rouse. While many are picking more traditional opening acts (Mike Doughty, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones) some are going as far as picking Pearl Jam, so if you have the ability to vote, go for it and see what happens!

Going back to your original post, let me move on to answering your questions about Coldplay. I'm not sure whether or not you were talking about the Alpine Valley concert or the concert they had at the Metro. From what I heard though, the majority of people loved their performance at Alpine Valley, and I'd have a hard time believing that they wouldn't pull out one of their better shows considering the importance and hype going into it. As far as best CD to get for someone that's just starting out, I'd have to say hands down you have to start out with A Rush of Blood to the Head or Parachutes. I think the former offers a lot more in terms of singles with such memorable tracks as "Clocks," "The Scientist," "Green Eyes," and I could really go on forever, while Parachutes was a very well thought out and complete front to back album in every sense. X&Y has a much darker tinge and isn't nearly as strong as their previous albums, and it'd be hard for me to recommend unless they're already a serious or established fan.

Smashing Pumpkins reunion rumored to be at Coachella
Well as most of you already know, at least if you follow Billy Corgan and the Pumpkins, Billy Corgan's been spending the past year and a half making amends with his bandmates after his disastrous solo release. It seems as if all of his efforts (if you want to call it that) will be paying off as the Smashing Pumpkins are rumored to make appearances at several summer festivals, most notably this April's Coachella. Personally, my dream would be for them to reunite at this summer's Lollapalooza, since it's going to be in Chicago again. What better way to start fresh than reunite in your hometown?

Flaming Lips release new single for upcoming album
Due out April 4, the much-anticipated album entitled At War with the Mystics, seems promising if the singles are any indication. The recently released single called "The Wand" is a great near-four minute experimental piece, pushing the envelope much in the same way that Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots did. The song is very sparse rhythmically, and revolves around a great guitar riff. The best thing the song has going for it is that it manages to sound familiar while strangely different and even a bit unsettling in it's delivery. The song "Mr. Ambulance Driver" as heard on both the Wedding Crashers soundtrack as well as the Flaming Lips' Greatest Hits CD/DVD VOID is also going to be featured in the upcoming album. The entire tracklisting is given below:

"The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song"
"Free Radicals"
"The Sound of Failure/It's Dark...Is it Always This Dark??"
"My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion"
"Vein of Stars"
"The Wizard Turns On..."
"It Overtakes Me/The Stars Are So Big, I Am So Small...Do I Stand a Chance?"
"Mr. Ambulance Driver"
"Haven't Got a Clue"
"The W.A.N.D."
"Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung"
"Goin' On"