EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audiostreams
BEN FOLDS FIVE
Do It Anyway ImaVeePee Records ***
The Fraggles! Ben Folds Five! Former Daily Show comedian Rob Corddry! A mean-spirited reviewer might suggest that this video unites escapees from three “Where Are They Now?” files, respectively marked ’80s, ’90s and ’00s. But then said reviewer would end up watching the damn thing – a charming call to arms against cynicism – and feeling duly ashamed. BFF’s first new album in 13 years, The Sound of the Life of the Mind, is out now.
THE KILLERS
Flesh and Bone (live) Island **
If you saw Into the Abyss last year, you’ll already know that Werner Herzog is not averse to consorting with killers. But the great director bit off less than he could chew when he agreed to direct this live concert performance.
Herzog does the best he can with the raw materials. (In the accompanying short film, the drummer describes some boring ranch he owns as “filled with natural springs and other wonderment”.)
YAMANTAKA/ SONIC TITAN
John, I’m Only Dancing Paper Bag ****
Montreal prog-synth duo do something truly bonkers with the Bowie classic on this closing track from the Paper Bag Records vs The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars tribute album.
MICHAEL JACKSON
Al Capone Epic **
“Nobody ever should talk about this,” the late King of Pop sings (presciently) on Al Capone. The track is among a deluge of out-takes released to mark the 25th anniversary of his Bad album. The follow- up to Thriller certainly had its moments. But when a record has room for something as goddawful as I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, how badly do we really need to hear the stuff they left out?
