Freedom Rock

J. Freedom du Lac
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 6, 2007 2:00 PM

Washington Post music critic J. Freedom du Lac is online every Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET to talk about the latest on the music scene: alternative, country, alt-country, pop, hyphy, harp-rock, reggae, reggaeton, R and B and whatever it is that Ris Paul Ric does.

The transcript follows.

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washingtonpost.com: Lord of the Ring Tone, And More; With a High, Warm Voice and Hit CDs, Akon Is Heeding the Call of Fans Who Can't Get Enough

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J. Freedom du Lac: Greetings, chatters. Now accepting songs to add to Scooter Libby's prison* playlist. (* Pending appeals, etc.) First up, "Lies" and "More Lies" from that Alan Lomax prison tunes collection.

Let's roll.

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Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.: Thanks for the fantastic review of Mary Chapin Carpenter's new CD. I've been a fan since she was playing DC clubs back in the '80s and it's wonderful to see that she's still producing such amazing new music.

J. Freedom du Lac: You can thank the great Bill Friskics-Warren for that review. He went deep. And yes, it's a marvelous album.

Looking forward to hearing some of the new material live. No area dates are listed yet on MCC's itinerary; but given her recent touring history, she'll probably show up at Wolf Trap at some point this summer. I sure would love to see her at the Birchmere at some point sooner than later, too. Maybe if she tours again in the fall she'll do a string of dates there. Doesn't hurt to hope, right?

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The Who: So I'm very excited that I'm going to see the Who this Thursday. Quick question, do you suppose that they'll be doing a lot of stuff from the new album? I bought it over the weekend and I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about it.

Thanks!

J. Freedom du Lac: Not sure what they've been playing on tour lately, but when the band blew through Baltimore last year for that Virgin Festival hootenanny, the set was heavy on the oldies. And it was a fantastic performance. Best one I saw all day, even if Pete was in fine, super-cranky form. The drummer is the key to that machine.

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Washington, D.C.: No Arcade Fire review?

J. Freedom du Lac: Same reaction I had when I learned that we weren't reviewing it today. Won't go into the gory details (what happens on TWP's 4th Floor stays on TWP's 4th floor, etc), but the review will be published on Sunday.

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Washington, D.C.: Did you go to the Scissor Sisters show on Sunday night? What did you make of the opening act Wigs on Sticks? Were they a joke? Did the Scissor Sisters original opening act drop out, so they made this up?

J. Freedom du Lac: Wasn't there. Anybody know what's up with Wigs on Sticks? Anyone?

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Bethesda, Md.: Loved the Akon article (artikle?). Love Akon. Is it just me, though, or does "Don't Matter" have a little bit of an "Ignition" vibe?

J. Freedom du Lac: Thanks. Akon is an interesting guy. He had a moment back in 2004-2005, but nothing that suggested to me that he'd be THIS big the second time through. The new album arrived without a whole lot of hype but has turned into the music-industry gift that keeps on giving. Who knew that he'd outsell Jay-Z, The Game, Fergie, et al? They all seemed to get a lot more hype and attention but Akon's the one with the big hit album. No wonder Vibe's playing catchup with the April cover. Akon's label chief said, rather hyperbolically, that "Konvicted" is the deepest album since "Thriller." Which is pretty funny. But it's true that the thing is loaded with hits. Dude sure has the touch. It'll be interesting to see/hear what he's able to do with Michael Jackson. Rumors flying that he's going to work with Whitney, too.

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Baltimore, Md.: I just wanted to say thanks for the Josh Ritter recommendation. "The Animal Years" is fantastic.

What are your thoughts on the new Arcade Fire?

J. Freedom du Lac: De nada. Was interested to see that the album only rated 97th in the latest Village Voice Pazz and Jop poll. It was listed on nine ballots out of a couple-few hundred.

The new Arcade Fire is good. Very good. What beautiful noise -- so urgent, so apocalyptic, so ambitious and audacious. I love the sweep of the music. This, my friends, is how you do rock 'n' roll bombast. (Take notes, Brandon Flowers.) The lyrics can be kind of obtuse, but what fun would it be if it all made sense straight away? Like, who wants Win Butler to sing lyrics by Scott Storch? Great reference points, too, from Springsteen and U2 to "Subterranean Homesick Blues," Bowie and even Wagner.

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Bright Eyes: Were you at the show last night? If so, what did you think? I thought it was really good. I especially enjoyed M.Ward being there. I only wished he would have opened. Once he showed up, I kept hoping they would do his songs... At least they did one.

J. Freedom du Lac: I was. Thought it was good -- although at times it sure felt like we were watching a band rehearsal. Also, I wish C Oberst would spend a little less time tuning his guitars. It's funny that he said from the stage that he wanted the music to sound perfect when the performances themselves tended to fall on the, um, ramshackle-y side of the spectrum.

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.com: Akon: real music

Etch-A-Sketch: art

J. Freedom du Lac: Thanks, grandpa.

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Washington, D.C.: I swear I read on your chat that Elvis Costello was coming to 9:30, but I can't find it anywhere.

Is this true, or am I crazy?

J. Freedom du Lac: You might well be crazy (please consult a trained professional), but it's also true that the artist formerly known as Declan Patrick MacManus is scheduled to play the 9:30 for the very first time. He'll be there May 18. Not sure yet when tickets go on sale, but you can probably expect them to go off sale about 3 minutes later.

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Peterast: Wasn't Pete Townsend arrested for child pornography a few years ago?

J. Freedom du Lac: He was never charged. Said he was doing research for an anti-child pornography book and the Scotland Yard let him off the hook after an investigation. Rock on.

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Falls Church, Va.: Are we going to see you out here this evening at the Of Montreal show at the State Theatre?

J. Freedom du Lac: Are you my parole officer?

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Union Station, Washington, D.C.: Have you heard ANYTHING about a Police date in DC? I'm dying over here. Thanks.

J. Freedom du Lac: Sure, I've heard lots. So far, it's all rumor, speculation and so forth. Not that we're above trading in that sort of pseudo-information or anything. The date that keeps coming up is Aug. 4. If you're really dying to see them, don't book a vacation for that weekend.

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New albums?: Will be be seeing any new albums from K's Choice, The Verve Pipe, Third Eye Blind, Kula Shaker, Soul Coughing, the Prodigy, Echo and the Bunnymen, or Semisonic any time soon?

J. Freedom du Lac: When did Freedom Rock become the new Ice magazine, and why didn't I get that memo? This might come as a complete surprise to you, but I don't keep a complete release-date schedule in my head -- or elsewhere, for that matter. I know, it's sort of strange to think that I haven't memorized the street-date info for the 30,000+ titles that will come out this year. But hey. The best source these days for confirmed release dates is pauseandplay.com.

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Averagetown, USA: Just a comment, not a question....while I was lounging around today on the couch with ESPN in the background, this commercial came on with KURT COBAIN's voice screaming over "TERRITORIAL PI$$ING$." It was a COMMERCIAL FOR SOME BASEBALL VIDEO GAME....what has happened to the VOICE OF MY GENERATION??? Okay, maybe it was a question after all......

J. Freedom du Lac: Oh, nice. I haven't seen the commercial, but you can thank Courtney Love who cut a publishing deal last year for the rights to her late, great husband's catalogue. How long before "Smells Like Teen" spirit shows up in a deodorant ad? Gack.

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Arizona Bay, Ariz.: Now that Tool's tour had been delayed I need some sort of a concert fix. Help me out. Other than Mastodon a few weeks ago and Isis this Sunday, what else is there? EPMD @ the 930? Maybe. Nas up at Rams Head? Maybe. Any other ideas? Also, you don't happen to know the average recovery time for a torn bicep do you? Maybe Tool could hire Def Leopards drummer to help out so they wouldn't have to delay their upcoming tour. You think that's a good idea for the band to look into?

J. Freedom du Lac: My friend, it's time for you to break outside of that little box you're always standing in. There is more to life than hip-hop and hard rock. Go see Explosions in the Sky at the 9:30 on the 17th. Rodrigo y Gabriela at National Geographic's Grosvenor Auditorium on the 20th. Marva Wright and Allen Touissaint at Blues Alley the weekend of the 23rd. Nellie McKay at the Birch on the 27th. Toumani Diabate on the 31st at Lisner. Branch out. Everybody's doing it!

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Libby's Lyric: All day long I hear him crying so loud

Just calling out that he was framed

J. Freedom du Lac: Thank you.

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Atlanta, Ga.: Pete Townshend should have a talk show. He wouldn't even need guests. The man can talk at length about ANYTHING.

J. Freedom du Lac: Though it would be fun to hear him argue with people. He can be kinda, you know ... cantankerous. Not that there's a shortage of vinegar in the talk-show realm.

Speaking of Pete Townshend, a very good Friend of Freedom Rock was at the infamous Who concert in Cinci where all those people got trampled. He re-told the story over the weekend, complete with visuals and sound effects. So frightening. Though he didn't know anybody had died until he got home from the concert.

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Newport News, Va.: hey "New albums?" the 90s called, they want their music back.

J. Freedom du Lac: Thank you. Also coming soon: A Blind Melon B-sides set!

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Funkytown, U.S.A.: You haven't changed your "whatever it is that ______ does" line in a while.

That is all.

J. Freedom du Lac: That's because I still haven't figured out what it is that Ris Paul Ric does. Neither could Wammie voters, who didn't give him any best-newcomer love at the recent awards show. But you're absolutely right -- it's time to change things up. Now accepting nominations. We'll unveil the winner next week.

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Woodbridge, Va.: I got a subscription to Paste Magazine as a Christmas and have been really liking it. Do you have any opinion on that fine publication?

J. Freedom du Lac: Yes, it's one of the better printed music magazines going. That and No Depression.

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On Scooter's playlist: Incubus: Pardon Me

Fort Minor: Believe Me Pt. 1

Elephant's Memory: self-titled

J. Freedom du Lac: Scooter doesn't strike me as a metal/rap kinda guy. But hey, it's our playlist not his. Let's add System of a Down's "Prison Song" to the list, too.

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Washington, D.C.: August 4th for a Police show would be great, it's a Saturday. Although their schedule is NYC on the 3rd and the Meadowlands on the 5th - think they'd really pack up all their stuff to head down here and then turn around and go back up there again?

What's up with Live Earth? Aren't the Police supposed to play that? Is it coming to DC, last I heard it was up in the air as to location.

J. Freedom du Lac: Have trucks, will travel. When you're getting that many millions of dollars, you can hire people to move your stuff from one city to another overnight. Or, you can play on somebody else's stage and just bring your gear. Regarding Live Earth, I checked with Gore's folks after the Oscars and they said they were still working on the East Coast location. Ah, logistics.

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Anonymous: Looking for something similar to Lily Allen. Any suggestions?

J. Freedom du Lac: Over her already, are you? I rather like Amy Winehouse, whose "Back to Black" album comes out next week in the US. She's more soul-singery than Lily with a sweet Motown/Phil Spector sound. But they both throw off serious attitude in their songs -- and in real life, too.

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Duh-cider: JF:Scooter Song, olde Pet Shop Boys: What Have I done To Deserve This??? duh

J. Freedom du Lac: Very good. A clever post, just like mom used to make.

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Arlington, Va.: So, Shins tix: Keep 'em or Craigslist 'em?

J. Freedom du Lac: Trade 'em for some Arcade Fire tickets and don't look back. Course, you'll probably have to do, like, a three-for-one -- and then throw in that snowboard we talked about previously. Or maybe you can trade the tickets, the snowboard and two mortage payments for a Dismemberment Plan reunion-show ticket. The Pitchfork faves are getting back together for two Black Cat shows in April to raise money for J. Robbins (of Jawbox, etc), whose son was born with spinal muscular atrophy. The first show sold out in, like, 2 minutes. Or was it two seconds? Whatever. Producer David reported on the Going Out Gurus blog that a second show is going on sale shortly. The shows are being put together by City Paper.

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Re: New Albums?: Hey, we're all friends here, but...

VERVE PIPE?

Are you trying to kill me?

I guess death by laughter would make the sweetest obit, though.

J. Freedom du Lac: Hey, at least he/she didn't try to argue that Sublime deserves a place in the pantheon. Or, like, Seven Mary Three.

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Whatever it is that _______ does: Britney Spears is now a candidate, since nobody knows what she's gonna do next.

Runner-up: Bono. Is he a musician? Politician? Salesman of sunglasses? All of the above?

J. Freedom du Lac: On the advice of Craig Ferguson, we're leaving Britney alone. Bono gets no such free pass, but we're rather see somebody random in that space -- like Flipper.

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Washington, D.C.: How many secret dramas do you have going on today during the chat? Lines of questions you refuse to answer, reviews that are mysteriously unpublished, public/private spats with Arizona Bay? What's happening behind the scenes?

J. Freedom du Lac: Welcome to inside baseball. I'm Mel Allen, Lily's daddy.

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i. scoo's list: i'd say to put creed's "my own prison" on there... if it weren't a sucky song of the butt rock variety.

i'm gonna opt for clinic's "visitations" instead.

J. Freedom du Lac: Wow, the first and last time we'll ever see Creed and Clinic referenced in the same post. Neat trick. Thanks.

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Kurt Cobain died for our sins: Tell the doofus complaining about the Nirvana/MLB thing that the song is "Breed", not "Territorial Pissings."

And he calls himself a Nirvana fan...

J. Freedom du Lac: Why don't you tell him? Oh, wait - you just did.

(Can we say "pissings" in this chat? I think we just did. Twice.)

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Annapolis, Md.: Now you are just taunting me. If you have time to snark about Blind Melon, you have time to discuss the loveliness of Guster, and their awesome drummer. Don't be such a hater.

And if you say that you aren't discussing it because no one on the 4th floor could be bothered to go to the show, my head will explode all over my ugly cubicle, and you'll be sorry when you read about it in the Metro section.

J. Freedom du Lac: Sympathy post. This person has asked about Guster three times in today's chat, and each post sounds more desperate than the last.

Sorry to say that I didn't catch either of the shows.

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what?: wait, is this an anti-shins locale?

J. Freedom du Lac: We At The Washington Post do not love the new album. But we do like the Shins. But not as much as Arcade Fire, which managed to impress on "Saturday Night Live," whereas the Shins were kind of snoozy. But we're still going to the Shins show, and we hope to be impressed. (Best bet for impressing us: Play more old songs than new ones.)

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Philly, Pa.: Was the Verve Pie the one who had their one hit taken away from them because they sampled the Stones without permission?

J. Freedom du Lac: No, neither Pie nor Pipe -- that was simply The Verve, once described rather breathlessly by Noel Gallagher as "one of the most important bands in history." Their big hit, "Bittersweet Symphony," sampled an instrumental version of "The Last Time."

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Nirvana/MLB: I feel the pain, but after Bob Dylan popped up in a Victoria's Secret ad, there is no shock value left. None. Unless Dick Cheney pops up in a Pepsi ad shaking his money-maker with Shakira...

J. Freedom du Lac: Another first/last: Shakira and Cheney together in a post. I'm surprised nobody's commented on the Shakira-Beyonce video for "Beautiful Liar." The song is sort of lousy, but the video is, um ... strangely compelling. Please watch and report back next week.

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Downtown, District: Tunes for Scooter:

"What Jail is Like" Afghan Whigs

"Way Down in the Hole" Tom Waits

"Rotting on Remand" Billy Bragg

J. Freedom du Lac: Excellent call on Billy Bragg. I can't hear "Way Down in the Hole" anymore without thinking of "The Wire." (Not to get all Noel Gallagher on you, but "The Wire" is one of the greatest series in the history of television.)

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Wheeling, W.Va.:"Sucky song of the butt rock variety?"

Are we allowed to say such things?

J. Freedom du Lac: Oh, come on -- You People say much worse things in the comments section of This Very Web Site all the time. Such inspired and civil dialogue.

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Boss's Office: Great suggestions for shows. How do you convince friends to go to these shows with you, when all they listen to is: AFI (ehh), The Fray (ugh) and Young Jeezy (ouch).

J. Freedom du Lac: Hey, at this very moment, I'm sitting across from a guy whose band has opened for AFI -- and near another colleague who actually wanted to go to the Fray concert a while back. And it's no secret that Chris Richards geeks out over Young Jeezy. You sure you don't work here? But my friends have range, baby.

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Vienna, Va.: Yo, Freedom: Whatcha think of those Academy of Country Music Award nominations? Josh Turner's "Me and God" is up for Vocal Event of the Year.

J. Freedom du Lac: Didn't the ACM Awards already pass us by? Oh, wait -- those were the Country Music Association Awards. What's the difference between the two of 'em besides one using the not-very-funny Reba McEntire as a host and taking place in Las Vegas? I guess the awards themselves look different. But...

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Scooter's Prison Song: I see my light come shinin'/From the west to the east/Any day now, any day now/I shall be released

J. Freedom du Lac: Very nice choice. I prefer The Band's version myself.

And on that work-furloughy note, let's release ourselves from this chat room, shall we? Thanks for stopping by, sorry I couldn't get to all of your posts. Be back next week. Hope you will be, too, if only to see who we've picked to replace Ris Paul.

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