Skip to content
News

SPIN’s Week in Review, July 21-25

080722_k-swift.jpg

Setting a somber tone for the week, a local Baltimore hero fell unexpectedly, but DJ K-Swift’s influence lives on. 50 Cent, on the other lighter hand, has no interest in influencing your late-night munchies, as rap’s big bully sued Taco Bell for essentially having a sense of humor. We poked a bit of fun at Curtis in one of this week’s features, and put together some other pop-culture commentary calling out everyone from Shaq to Enrique Iglesias. Elsewhere, both the Eagles of Death Metal and Cold War Kids returned to the scene. Remember when:

What we learned from DJ K-Swift: Baltimore and hip-hop have lost a unique talent.. SPIN.com remembered the Baltimore radio personality and DJ who brought the B-more club scene national and reminded us to Dance Pain Away.

What we learned from Damon Albarn: There is life after Blur; it’s just hard to keep track of it.. With the announcement that Albarn would formally release his opera score for Monkey: Journey to the West, we dissected the tangled web of Damon’s post-Britpop demon days.

More highlights from this week…

AUDIO/VIDEO:
New Kings of Leon MP3 to Premiere Monday on SPIN.com
“With the release of Kings of Leon’s fourth LP, Only By the Night, due Sept. 23 via RCA, SPIN.com is happy to unveil “Crawl,” the first track (though not the first proper single) anyone has heard from the record.”
New Cold War Kids MP3: “Something Is Not Right With Me”
“Tambourine-loving blog darlings come back swinging on the first taste from their forthcoming Loyalty to Loyalty with a punchy thump and infectious yelp.”
New MP3 from Rilo Kiley Bassist Pierre de Reeder
“On the pop-folk ditty, de Reeder pairs acoustic plucks with a bright lead and lush harmonies on a timeless pop melody.”
Behind the Scenes at Download 2008 San Francisco: Gang of Four
“VIDEO! Watch SPIN.com’s Peter Gaston chat with Gang of Four’s Jon King and Andy Gill about the legendary post-punk band’s forthcoming new material.”
Exclusive: Backstage Video with Hawthorne Heights
“Check out this behind-the-scenes clip from the Ohio natives, filmed by the band themselves, as they hit the road last week with Linkin Park’s Projekt Revolution tour.”
Festival Faves: Bonnaroo ’08
“Bonnaroo may have to take a cue from across the pond and rename its host city Madchester for a weekend, as there was plenty of crazy time to be had. Watch video of particularly potent acoustic performances, special for SPIN, by Broken Social Scene, Gogol Bordello, and others.”

NEWS:
50 Cent Sues Taco Bell, Sense of Humor Makes Run for the Border
“Seemingly not getting the intent behind Taco Bell’s recent open letter, 50 sues the fast-food chain; SPIN.com explores other areas ripe for his legal lacerating.”
New Devendra Banhart Video Stars Natalie Portman; SPIN.com Remembers Other Music-Clip Couples
“Raven-haired indie ‘It’ couple hone their Indian influence; watch the clip for ‘Carmensita’ and enjoy our rundown of similar instances of video nepotism.”
Dr. Dre’s ‘Detox’ Given Another Tentative Release Date “Legendary hip-hop producer/MC hints release for the heavily anticipated follow-up to 2001 by the end of the year; SPIN.com takes a look at some, uh, less heavily anticipated records.”
New Eagles of Death Metal Video and Interview; Exclusive Album and Tour Info
“Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme finally unleash their Heart-On and plan tour dates, and stop by Denny’s for a hilariously random cross-promotion, which you can watch here.”
New TV on the Radio Album Due September 23
“The Brooklyn art rockers title their much-anticipated third full-length, Dear Science, — and SPIN.com explores what exactly the quintet wants to tell the age-old systematic study. ”

IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT:
Chicago Headbangs With Helmet
“Page Hamilton and his thinking men of metal muscle through material from the early ’90s glory days.”
‘Guitar Hero’ Tour Heats Up Atlanta
“Video-game guitarists left the living room last night (July 23) and competed to meet the real rock heroes of Aerosmith.”
Martha Wainwright Storms Through New York
The thunder and rain outside proved perfect complement to the Wainwright clan’s prodigal daughter’s emotive set.”
Earlimart Lifts the Seattle Clouds at Chop Suey
“With a little help from their friends, the sunshiney outfit brought smiles to their Pac Northwest fans.”

REVIEWS:
Broken Social Scene Presents: Brendan Canning, Something for All of Us… (Arts&Crafts)
Cansei De Ser Sexy, Donkey (Sub Pop)
Dr. Dog, Fate (Park The Van)
¡Forward, Russia!, Life Processes (Mute)
Pas/Cal, I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura (Le Grand Magistery)
Windmill, Puddle City Racing Lights (Friendly Fire)