Since 1985, Neil Young has hosted his annual Bridge School Benefit, bringing together an assortment of artists for a two-day festival that supports the Hillsborough, CA-based school, which assists children with severe speech and physical impairments. This year’s inclusion, set to take place this weekend at The Shoreline Amphitheatre on October 22-23rd, marks the event’s 25th anniversary, and to celebrate Young has tagged the likes of Beck, Foo Fighters, Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Eddie Vedder, and many more. However, unlike previous years, the organizers are ensuring millions witness the event.

To start, Saturday’s festivities will be webcast online for the first-time ever. Thanks to Facebook and YouTube, fans will be able to watch the surefire spectacle from the comfort of their own home. A special landing page has been designed by Facebook that allows users to interact while experiencing the event. In fact, those actually in attendance at the show will be able to upload content and messages to share amongst those watching from home. Visit the respective pages at Facebook or YouTube for more information, and peep the trailer for the event below. An exact webcast schedule is still to be announced.

Then, on October 24th, there’s the CD/DVD release of The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition. This collection digs deep into the benefit’s history, featuring appearances from Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, The Who, Band of Horses, Thom Yorke,  Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, and many, many more musical elite. You can pre-order the DVD set here and the CD set here. NPR Music is streaming the two-disc album portion in its entirety until next Tuesday.

And while your puny 32″ flat-screen and sub-par sound system may be enough to enjoy the all-star footage, the organizers are offering one better: on the day of the CD/DVD release (once again, 10/24), movie theaters across the nation will air the effort’s concert  film. Check out the entire listing of cities and locations below; all showings kick off at 7 p.m. For more information on tickets, head here. The trailer for the release is also available below.

The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition Theater Locations:
Atlanta, GA @ Midtown
Austin, TX @ Alamo Drafthouse Lakecreek
Boston, MA @ Kendall
Chicago, IL @ Century
Dallas, TX @ TBC
Denver, CO @ Mayan
Los Angeles, CA @ The Laemmle Santa Monica
Madison, WI @ Sundance
Milwaukee, WI @ Oriental
Minneapolis, MN @ Edina
New York City, NY @ Sunshine
Philadelphia, PA @ Ritz Bourse
Pleasantville, NY @ Jacob Burns
Portland, ME @ Nickelodeon
Portland, OR @ Hollywood Theatre
San Diego, CA @ Hillcrest
San Francisco, CA @ Embarcadero
Santa Cruz, CA @ Nickelodeon
Santa Rosa, CA @ Summerfield
Seattle, WA @ Harvard Exit
Silver Spring, MD @ AFI Silver Theatre
Washington, DC @ E Street

Each year, Neil Young opens up his Rolodex (and it’s a mighty impressive one) and calls on all his rock star friends to play his charity concert, the Bridge School Benefit. With the shindig celebrating its 25th anniversary this October, Young and the folks behind the event have compiled the concert’s best moments in three-DVD and two-CD sets aptly titled The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition. 

The DVD release includes performances from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Fleet Foxes, James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel, Devendra Banhart, and a plethora of other big-name acts. The third disc also includes documentaries on the concert’s history along with a bonus feature on the Bridge School.

The two-CD set features even more classic performances from the concert’s past 25 years. Artists include Willie Nelson, Pearl Jam, Thom Yorke, Metallica, Band of Horses, R.E.M. featuring Young, and much, much more.

The two releases, which also benefit the Bridge School, are in stores on October 24th. Check out a video trailer for both sets below and pre-order the DVD set here and the CD set here.

This year’s Bridge School concert goes down October 22-23rd at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. Acts scheduled to appear include Beck, Foo Fighters, Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Eddie Vedder, and many more. Tickets are available via LiveNation right now.

The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition DVD Tracklsit:

DVD 1
Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA
Patti Smith – People Have the Power
Pearl Jam – Better Man
David Bowie – Heroes
Ben Harper – There Will Be a Light
Bob Dylan – Girl From the North Country
R.E.M – Country Feedback
Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller – Love Hurts
Fleet Foxes – Blue Ridge Mountains
Devendra Banhart – At the Hope
Bonnie Raitt – The Road Is My Middle Name
Billy Idol – Rebel Yell

DVD 2
Brian Wilson – Surfin’ USA
Gillian Welch – The Way It Will Be
The Pretenders – Sense of Purpose
James Taylor – Fire and Rain
Simon and Garfunkel – America
Tom Petty – Shadow of a Doubt
Dave Matthews – Too Much
Neil Young – Crime in the City
Tom Waits – 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six
Elton John & Leon Russell – A Dream Come True
Paul McCartney – Get Back
Metallica – Disposable Heroes
The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again

DVD 3
Backstage at the Bridge School Benefit Concert
The Bridge School Story

The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition CD Tracklist:

CD 1
Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA
Dave Matthews – Too Much
No Doubt – Magic’s in the Makeup
Jack Johnson – Gone
Fleet Foxes – Blue Ridge Mountains
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Love and Only Love
Sonic Youth – Rain on Tin
Pearl Jam – Better Man
Gillian Welch – The Way It Will Be
R.E.M & Neil Young – Country Feedback
Willie Nelson – The Great Divide
Nils Lofgrin – Cry Just a Little

CD 2
Sarah McLachlan – Elsewhere
Paul McCartney – Get Back
Elton John & Leon Russell – A Dream Come True
Band of Horses – Marry Song
Metallica – Disposable Heroes
Thom Yorke – After the Gold Rush
Sheryl Crow – The Difficult Kind
Tony Bennett – Maybe This Time
CSNY – Deja Vu
Norah Jones – Jesus – Etc.
Jonathan Richman – I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar
Brian Wilson – Surfin’ USA.
The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again

What I wouldn’t give for another summer break…

As always though, there’s music for this moment. No matter how you spend your summer, there’s a universal feeling that comes along with it. It’s a liberating time and the possibilities for anything seem to be everywhere. You take advantage of life more, as if all those things that held you back all winter no longer matter. Musicians know this feeling well and have been writing about it since words have been put to music. They’re songs that don’t just sound good, they feel good. There’s nothing complicated, no underscoring social agenda, or need to blow minds with genre bending hubris. These songs are about the best times of your life and what it feels like to let go of the world, and isn’t that what summer is all about?

10. Apollo Sunshine –  “Today is the Day”

It’s a newer track, but its words make it absolutely perfect for random acts of summer. It caries an adolescent carefree quality that tells you to quit stressing, relax, and be yourself. No suits, ties, or meetings allowed. Just sprinklers, front lawns and smiles, and yes, now would be a good time to call in those sick days.

9. Dr. Dog – “The Breeze”

The song speaks for itself. It’s terrible to feel stuck, like there’s no way out of your circumstance. But you can’t let that beat you, not when you’re the maker of your own destiny. “Put that needle to the groove, and sing” they tell us. A little naive yes, but sometimes it takes a bit of that to get out from under the rock that pins us. Everything is temporary, and don’t let life pass you by, right? If only it was as easy as Dr. Dog makes it out to be.

8. The Avett Brothers – “At the Beach”

Some of the best times happen when we just let go and get caught up in the moment. The Avett Brothers let you know just how good it can get with a song about “leaving it all behind” and getting back to the ones you love the most. It’s when you’re back in touch that you feel a sense of release, like everything’s going to be all right.

7. Grateful Dead –  “Scarlet Begonias”

A song about finding that perfect hippy queen, the island blues goes perfectly to describe the love and endless party that can be summer. “Once in a while you get shown in the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” The funky harpsichord is perfect for barefoot dancing in a field with “trees swayin’ in the wind playing tea for two.” It’s hard to beat the feel good vibes, and even if the love is fleeting, just like summer, she’ll be back around soon enough.

6. Simon and Garfunkel – “The 59^th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)”

Remember that time in your life when you had no real responsibilities, and it was so easy to just live in the moment? The duo captured this moment perfectly in this song about having no expectations and really nothing important to do but hang out and enjoy life. The song is short and sweet in that lighthearted folk style that’s irresistible and comforting. I wish I had more days to talk to a lamp post and watch the flowers, but at least I can sing about it.

5. The Beach Boys – “All Summer Long”

This list would be crap without The Beach Boys somewhere on it. Their music is as synonymous with summer as shorts and heat. Naturally, you couldn’t go wrong with any of their songs, but for this list, another melody of summer love from the band fits perfectly. Even if the idea of finding that magical three-month romance is more of a fairytale than a reality, The Beach Boys made all of us believe in it.

4. George Gershwin/DuBose Heyward -  “Summertime”

I’m guessing the first time you heard it Bradley Nowell was at the mic, and it was called “Doin’ Time”. This song’s actually older than some of your grandparents, but with countless renditions (over 100), you can take your pick. Personally I’ll take Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s version over Sublime’s any day, but Janis Joplin blows it up big herself. It’s deceivingly relaxing as you sink into its words like a hammock swaying in a warm breeze, but it’s a darker song in reality. That feeling of overcoming life’s negative forces, though, is what makes the song. Just keep your chin up and it will be all right.

3. The Lovin’ Spoonful – “Summer in the City”

Yes, this is a track about the tough times faced in New York in the late sixties, but even more important is the message to not let the negativity control you. Simply, it’s a song about looking hot, partying, and shaking off the crap. Even better than the hot sweaty days are the amazing summer nights. There really is nothing better than a summer night wandering around a city doing everything, yet nothing at all. It’s a different world when the sun goes down, and with this track it’s the summer of ’66 all over again.

2.  Nina Simone – “Feelin’ Good”

A song of self-renewal, Simone’s classic is absolutely stunning. It’s another that’s been covered countless times, and rightfully so. Its attitude is calm, cool, and confident like a person learning from the other side of a rough patch. Over and over, she tells you that no matter what happened she’s still “feelin’ good,” and no matter what, nothing will stop her from staying that way. Its name says it all, and that’s exactly what it will do to you as the summer heat rolls on. It just feels good.

1. The Beatles – “Here Comes The Sun”

Could there be a better song for this list? It’s almost too obvious, but even so, there’s no other place for it. Every time the clouds break or I watch a sunrise, it plays in my head, that bright and sunny guitar intro. They sing over and over to the sun that saves us from the “long and lonely winter.” Like coming out of hibernation, it’s a song for letting go, being yourself, and how it really doesn’t take much to make us smile. The mood is pure happiness and relief, or in other words, summer in three minutes. No, it doesn’t get much better.

“I do feel bad about disrupting so many people’s plans,” Garfunkel, 68, told ABCNews.com, “but as I continue to mend, I can’t yet bring my ‘A’ game to a tour.”Who can blame him, though? No one wants to hear anyone say his performance was “a little pitchy dawg.”

Fans who bought tickets can receive refunds at the point of purchase or call the venue where the show was scheduled to happen.  If you’re still upset, then just grab a copy of the newest live disc – Live 1969 – which captured the boys at the height of their powers during their November tour stops almost four decades ago.

Image via ContactMusic.com

Simon & Garfunkel 2010 Tour Dates:
07/03 – Vancouver, BC @ General Motors Place
07/05 – Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Seaddledome
07/06 – Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
07/08 – Winnepeg, SB @ MTS Centre
07/09 – Saskatoon, SK @ Credit Union Centre
07/11 – Fargo, ND @ Fargodome
07/12 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
07/14 – Madison, WI @ Kohl Center Arena
07/17 – Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
07/19 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
07/21 – Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place
07/22 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
07/24 – Halifax, NS @ Halifax Metro Centre
07/25 – Halifax, NS @ Halifax Metro Centre
07/29 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
07/31 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Trump Taj Mahal Etss Arena

The situation isn’t getting any better, and now fans will have to put their nostalgia on hold until July. According to their official website, the duo has postponed its upcoming spring tour “to allow for an adequate period of rest and rehabilitation” for the 68-year-old Garfunkel, who is expected to make a full recovery from the vocal strain.

So, hippes hold tight. The tour restarts on July 3rd when S&G hit Vancouver’s General Motors Place.  he rescheduled dates take the pair across Canada and include six U.S. stops.

Theres no telling how long Garfunkel’s pipes will hold up, so you better catch them early.  Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com.

Simon & Garfunkel Rescheduled 2010 Tour Dates:
07/03 – Vancouver, BC @ General Motors Place
07/05 – Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Seaddledome
07/06 – Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
07/08 – Winnepeg, SB @ MTS Centre
07/09 – Saskatoon, SK @ Credit Union Centre
07/11 – Fargo, ND @ Fargodome
07/12 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
07/14 – Madison, WI @ Kohl Center Arena
07/17 – Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
07/19 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
07/21 – Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place
07/22 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
07/24 – Halifax, NS @ Halifax Metro Centre
07/25 – Halifax, NS @ Halifax Metro Centre
07/29 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
07/31 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Trump Taj Mahal Etss Arena

What started with an oddball lineup addition to New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (arguably the spiciest lineup this year yet), the influential duo continue to pencil in date after date, and in random places too. Last week, the Winnipeg Free Press reported that Simon & Garfunkel would be playing in Winnipeg come May 5th, while  The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead announced they’re slated shortly after in Fargo on May 7th. That’s not out of left field, right?

Now comes news that the two will stop in both St. Paul, MN and Madison, WI, on the 8th and 9th, respectively. But don’t get too excited just yet. Madison.com reports that the two will “[bypass] nearby cities like Milwaukee and Chicago”, as local promoter, Fred Frank, tells them, “They are only doing a few dates in the States.”

Oh well.

Simon & Garfunkel 2010 Tour Dates
04/24 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
05/05 – Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
05/07 – Fargo, MN @ Fargodome
05/08 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
05/09 – Madison, WI @ Kohl Center

As previously mentioned, the lineup announcement will work something like this. Unlike previous announcements, the 2010 bill will not be unveiled all at once, but rather throughout the day, with the goal being to “generate conversations about the lineup a few acts at a time.” Starting at 10 AM EST (barring any early leaks), bands will begin announcing their participation via various social media outlets and bonnaroo.com. It’s basically like one giant, procrastinating-inducing puzzle. Fortunately, just in case we don’t figure it out by then, Bonnaroo will end our agony by announcing the full lineup later tomorrow night.

Given all this, it only makes sense that we start an open thread, where you guys can chat, complain, and post any discoveries you find. We’ll of course keep track as well!

7:30 pm Update: 90 minutes left! LCD Soundsystem, Les Claypool, Lucero, Kris Kristofferson, Martin Sexton, and Deadmau5 among the newest additions.

5:30 pm Update: Add The Dodos, Tori Amos, Tenacious D, Damian Marley & Nas, Lotus, Blitzen Trapper, Calexico, Mumford & Sons, Aterciopelados, and John Butler Trio to the mix. Still waiting for Neil, Pavement, and Roger Waters…

3:30 pm Update: A few more worthwhile confirmations: The Dead Weather, They Might Be Giants, The Melvins, Dave Rawlings Machine, John Prine, Mew, Dr. Dog, Clutch, and The Bakerton Group. Also, a few more expected: Alicia Keys, Pavement, and Spoon.

2:00 pm Update: So far, we’ve been going at this for a good five hours and we still only know about a 1/4 of the acts. Of those however, there are certainly a fair share of early highlights, including Jay-Z, The Flaming Lips, Regina Spektor, The National, Disco Biscuits, Jeff Beck, Norah Jones, Weezer, She & Him, and Phoenix.

We can also confirm the participation of Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews Band, Stevie Wonder, Dropkick Murphys, and Zac Brown band. As for what we can expect to see in the hours ahead? Neil Young, Spoon, Broken Social Scene, and Deadmau5. Also don’t be shocked if Roger Waters (performing The Wall), Pavement, and My Morning Jacket make an appearance.

Update: Here is the initial lineup…

Against Me!, Aeroplane, The Avett Brothers, B.o.B., Baaba Maal, The Black Keys Bassnectar, Baroness, Blitzen Trapper, Blues Traveler, Brandi Carlile, Calexico, Chromeo w/ Darryl Hall, Clutch, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Damian Marley & Nas, Dan Deacon Ensemble, Dave Matthews Band, Dave Rawlings Machine, The Dead Weather, Deadmau5, Diane Birch, Disco Biscuits, The Dodos, Dr. Dog, Dropkick Murphys, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Entrance Band, The Flaming Lips (w/ Stardeath and White Dwarfs) performing Dark Side of the Moon, The Gaslight Anthem, GWAR, Here We Go Magic, Hot Rize, Jamey Johnson, Japandroids, Jay-Z, Jeff Beck, John Prine, Kid Cudi, Kings of Leon, Kris Kristofferson, Ingrid Michaelson, Isis, John Fogerty, Julia Nunes, LCD Soundsystem, Les Claypool, Local Natives, Lotus, Lucero, Manchester Orchestra, Martin Sexton, Mayer Hawthrone & the County, Medeski Martin & Wood, Melvins, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Miike Snow, Miranda Lambert, Monte Montgomery, Mumford & Sons, The National, Needtobreathre, Neon Indian, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Norah Jones, OK Go, Phoenix, The Postelles, Punch Brothers, Rebelution, Regina Spektor, Rise Against, She & Him, Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Stevie Wonder, The Temper Trap, Tenacious D, They Might Be Giants, Thievery Corporation, Tinariwen, Tori Amos, Tokyo Police Club, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Wale, Weezer, The xx, Zac Brown Band

Here are other expected and rumored acts.

Now, buckle up kids! It’s going to be a long and wild ride!

Feature image courtesy of Ryan Mastro…

As previously reported, Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Widespread Panic, Jeff Beck, The Dead Weather, and Elvis Costello & the Sugarcanes will perform the second weekend of the festival, set to take place from April 29-May 2nd.

Single day and weekend passes are currently available for purchase via Ticketmaster.com.

As for 2009? Well, the Dirty Projectors became a household name, as did Twitter, Girl Talk turned into a gimmick, Kanye continued to be an asshole, online music streaming got big (and bought), and the sales of digital and vinyl releases continued to increase, while the Virgin Megastores and Sam Goody’s of the world went bye bye.

And that’s not even scratching the surface. Before we turn the page on the 2000s, we wanted to take one more look at the year that was the last 365 days. Music, here was your 2009…

Top Albums of 2009

As selected by the CoS Staff…

01. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion

02. Passion Pit – Manners

03. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

04. The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love

05. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

06. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!

07. Kittens Ablaze – The Monstrous Vanguard

08. Wale – Attention Deficit

09. The Antlers – Hospice

10. The Dead Weather – Horehound

Click here for #11 – #100

Top Songs of 2009

As selected by the CoS Staff…

01. Phoenix – “1901″

02. Animal Collective – “Summertime Clothes”

03. Passion Pit – “Sleepyhead”

04. Grizzly Bear – “Two Weeks”

05. Phoenix – “Lisztomania”

06. Wale – “Triumph”

07. Jay-Z – “Run This Town” (feat. Kanye West and Rihanna)

08. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Heads Will Roll”

09. Girls – “Lust for Life”

10. Animal Collective – “My Girls”

Click here for #11 – #50

Headline Grabbers

There is always a few particular artists who seem to appear in the headlines more than others. Take these three for example:

Lil Wayne appeared on ESPN, began work on a rock ‘n’ roll album, talked gangsta with Katie Couric, won some Grammys, released the worst song ever, pushed back the release of his rock ‘n’ roll album, pushed back the release of his rock ‘n’ roll album again, told kids to stay in school, teamed up with Madonna, collaborated with Kanye, Eminem, and Drake, promised two albums before the year was out, plead guilty to weapon possession, released a stellar mixtape, watched his mom get a TV show, had his rock ‘n’ roll album mistakenly leaked, and got arrested again, all while actually failing to release any studio albums at all before the year was out. And to cap it all off, he’s going to prison in February!

For a band that didn’t release an album in 2009, Radiohead sure managed to grab quite a few headlines. Capitol Records reissued their discography, Thom Yorke debuted a new song, as well as contributed to the New Moon soundtrack, Ed O’Brien and Phil Selway collaborated with Neil Finn and Wilco, the entire band got together to release a tribute song for Harry Patch, the last surviving World War I combat soldier, Thom Yorke covered Mark Mulcahy’s “All for the Best”, the entire band got together again to release a track titled “These Are My Twisted Words”, Thom Yorke offered a secret 12″, Thom Yorke formed a new band and played some shows, the entire band got together for a third time to begin work on a new studio album, and Thom Yorke became really pissed about climate change.

You either loved or hated the amount of U2 present in 2009. Bono and crew got on their boots, played the Grammys, resided on Letterman, released a new album, teamed up with Brandon Flowers and Chris Martin, started talking another new album, took to Fordham University for a secret show, embarked on the first leg of their claw-featuring global 360 tour, tapped Muse as an opener, wrote a Broadway musical about Spider-Man, pissed off David Byrne, got reviewed in Chicago, reissued The Unforgettable Fire, apparently made no money, played the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall-of-Fame anniversary, titled their next album, wanted to be like The Beatles, plotted more tour dates for 2010, played a free Berlin Wall concert behind the backdrop of a different wall constructed by MTV to prevent those without tickets from watching U2 play a free Berlin Wall concert, teamed up with Jay-Z, got tapped for Glastonbury 2010, and announced a remix album.

Music Festivals

Despite a recession which saw a number of mid-tier summer music festivals call it quits, the big boys were as grand as ever. Coachella rounded up McCartney, Bonnaroo brought The Boss and Phish, and Lollapalooza finally saw Perry using his festival to his advantage. What’s more, Outside Lands proved once again that its a festival to be reckon with, while Sasquatch! demonstrated that Washington state can also rock hard. Hova was able to save All Points West from a mud filled weekend, Pitchfork continued to serve as a hipster’s wet dream, and the Virgin Mobile Festival reminded us that some good things can be free. Finally, Consequence of Sound hit South by Southwest for the first time, celebrating with events featuring the likes of Astronautalis, Gringo Star, Shad, 13ghosts, Kittens Ablaze, Catfish Haven, and Blueblood. Oh, and did we mention we have already begun planning for next year?

Supergroups

By the time December rolled around, there were as many supergroups in existence as there were non-supergroups…

Dave Grohl + John Paul Jones + Josh Homme = Them Crooked Vultures, Conor Oberst + M. Ward + Jim James = Monsters of Folk, Jack White + Alison Mosshart + Jack Lawrence + Dean Fertita = The Dead Weather, Thom Yorke + Flea + Nigel Godrich + Joey Waronker + Mauro Refosco = ???, Phil Lesh + Bob Weir = Furthur, Coldplay + Mew + a-ha = Apparatjik, Supergrass + Radiohead = The Hot Rats, Joe Budden + Joell Ortiz + Royce da 5’9″ + Crooked I = Slaughterhouse, King Khan + Black Lips = The Almighty Defenders, New Order + Blur = Bad Lieutenant, Sammy Hagar + Michael Anthony + Joe Satriani + Chad Smith = Chickenfoot

Reunions, Hiatuses, and Nothing at All!

Two 2009′s biggest themes were bands reuniting and bands calling it quits (or announcing extended hiatuses). And then there were those that couldn’t make up their mind at all.

Blur began its reunion, The Stooges revived Raw Power, Pixies gave it another go, Creed came back!, No Doubt did too, Faith No More hit Europe, Phish returned, The Murder City Devils reunited for Coachella, Sunny Day Real Estate returned for some grunge, Deadheads got the best Christmas present ever, Blink-182 got back together for the kids, Spinal Tap released a new album for the first time in 17 years, Sublime played a show and then got sued, Eminem reunited with D12, Simon and Garfunkel became friends, Limp Bizkit dusted off the red cap, Three members of the Velvet Underground got together for a discussion, Orbital celebrated its 20th anniversary with a reunion, Jawbox made its first live performance since 1997 on J-Fal, Faces reunited without Rod Stewart, while Take That did reunite with Robbie Williams, John Lydon moved on to Public Image Ltd., Cee-Lo got back together with Goodie Mob, The Jayhawks reunited, as did The Gories, and Ben Lee resurrected Noise Addict. Oh yeah, and some band named Pavement announced plans for a busy 2010.

On the other hand, Blur also ended its reunion, The Verve broke up again, Oasis had a fight, Flight of the Conchords called it quits, Music journalism died, Nine Inch Nails said goodbye, as did Harlem Shakes, The Broken West, and Pela, and Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, Blitzen Trapper, Bon Iver, Lily Allen, Deerhunter, and TV on the Radio all announced lengthy hiatuses.

Plus, we learned an At The Drive-In reunion apparently wasn’t a possibility, nor was the rumored Stone Roses comeback, Spacemen 3 got an offer, but declined, The Kinks kept thinking about it but still didn’t do anything, contrary to Courtney Love’s comments, Hole didn’t reunite, Pulp teased and then unteased, and Swans thought about it and didn’t. And not surprisingly, The Libertines, The Smiths, and Neutral Milk Hotel all continued to tease to no fruition, while Led Zeppelin continued the suspense.

Soundtracks with benefits

There’s nothing like a nice movie soundtrack or benefit album featuring some of our favorite musicians. 2009 exemplified this fact to the max…

Grizzly Bear, LCD Soundsystem, Badly Drawn Boy, Arcade Fire, Karen O and friends, Daft Punk, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, Beck, Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard, British Sea Power, Dengue Fever all provided sounds for the silver screen, as did the inane number of musicians appearing on the New Moon soundtrack.

Ben Gibbard, Fleet Foxes, and The Cave singers contributed to the Give Seattle charity album, while Tom Waits, Pete Seeger, and Jim James lent their talents to Preservation, an Album Benefiting Preservation Hall and Its Music Outreach Program. Our friends at Ear Farm rounded up Tom Tom Club, Sean Bones, tUnE-yArDs for their pro-Xmas Do you EAR what I EAR?. Peter Bjorn & John, Juliette Lewis, and White Rabbits helped fight malaria. The Climate change benefiting Rhythms Del Mundo Classics saw contributions from The Killers, The Rolling Stones, and Amy Winehouse. Stars (like Yorke and The National) collided for Mark Mulcahy. Hot Chip, The Hold Steady, and Lily Allen shared reinterpretations on War Child Heroes. And let’s not forget about Dark Was The Night, the tantalizing 31-track effort featuring the Dirty Projectors with David Byrne, Feist with Ben Gibbard, Sufjan Stevens, My Morning Jacket, and more, all in benefit of The Red Hot Organization and AIDS awareness.

Our Most Memorable Features

In addition to everything else that went down, 2009 also saw Consequence of Sound further expanded our feature stories. The following are some of our favorites/most memorable:

We brought you interviews with Pavement, Ms. Consequence of Sound herself, Regina Spektor, Tom Jones, Passion Pit, Slayer, Ben Kweller, The Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly, Anti-Flag, Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, Hot Water Music, The Von Bondies, The Screaming Blue Messiahs, The Antlers, Boots Riley, Cymbals Eat Guitars, and Fleet Foxes’ J. Tillman. Oh and we talked with Los Campesinos! not once, but twice.

Our Editor-in-Chief Michael Roffman gave us the entire story of The Thermals, contributing writer Alyssa Spiel spoke with 311 about its 20th anniversary, and the one and only Cap Blackard spent the day with Astronautalis.

We listed everything from the Top 11 Influential Minds of Industrial Metal and Top 10 Grunge Albums to the  Top 10 Fake Bands and Top 10 Sleepiest Albums. We did some Audio Archaeology, dusted off some ol’ classics, shared our guilty pleasures, introduced you to some great new bands, and continued teaching Rock History 101.

As for the most commented posts of the year? That honor goes to Laina Dawes’ review of 311′s Uplifter.

The Year’s Most “Unique” Moments

We thought we’d close on a light note, as in this year’s stories and moments that, well, left us scratching our heads the most…

Bill Corgan wrote a song for the Super Bowl, Bruce Springsteen apologized for selling music through Walmart, Live Nation and Ticketmaster merged, Mandy Moore married Ryan Adams, Lil Wayne released “Prom Queen”, we wrote a post about the Jonas Brothers, Crystal Castles had a meltdown, Santogold had to change her name to Santigold, Manu Chao pissed off Mexico, Chickenfoot was actually real, Prince released a $2,100 iPod, Billy Corgan made a wrestling promo, Tupac revealed he might still be alive, Creed released a new album, Billy Corgan hired a 19-year-old drummer, Kanye West helped kids stay in school, Ron Artest paid homage to Michael Jackson, Reading Music Festival banned flags, Kidz Bop covered Kanye West, Ryan Adams became a video game reviewer, R. Kelly forgot to title his new album, Oasis broke up, Liam Gallagher formed Oasis 2.0, 30 Seconds to Mars and Kanye West released a song together, 7-Eleven reissued The Beatles, Snoop Dogg got himself a new name, Rivers Cuomo was interviewed by a dog, Diddy appeared on the Home Shopping Network, Morrissey and Johnny Marr emailed, Marilyn Manson got swine flu, Radiohead didn’t break up, Elvis Presley’s grandson scored a record deal, Starfucker changed its name, Fall Out Boy formed a metal band, and Pete Doherty sang a Nazi song.

Thank you!

Before we end our 2009 recap, we would just like to take one last moment to thank the individuals who have helped Consequence of Sound become what it is today. Thank you to the publicists who work hand-in-hand with us each and everyday, thank you to the festival promoters who continue to work with us despite the fact we ruin your lineup announcements, thank you to the message boards which provide such a bevy of information, thank you to those who email us news tips and music submissions, thank you to our fellow bloggers, thank you to our amazing and tireless staff, and thank you to our readers who have put trust in us and our the reason we keep at this 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

2009 was an amazing year for Consequence of Sound, but 2010 will be even better. Stay tuned for a number of brand new features, including that much needed change we’ve all been eagerly awaiting.

As much a notion as it is a physical entity, America is often believed to be a place where anyone can succeed. For more than a decade after World War II, that notion seemed correct. Levit and Sons, Inc. erected the first mass-produced community outside New York, NY. Levittown, as it was named, became America’s first suburb. At the same time, veterans were receiving Federal Housing Administration loans. The veterans hoped to begin families in a safe environment, and with FHA loans in tow they populated Levittown and other suburbs that had been modeled after the prototype. Between roughly 1945 and 1957 these families grew notably, as America experienced a surge in births. Those born during this surge became defined as the “baby boomer” generation.

This was the first generation to grow up with numerous shared experiences, thanks in a large part to transistor radios, the presence of televisions at home, and the growing importance placed on public education. By 1968, the first batch of baby boomers were in their early 20s, opposed to the Vietnam War, and heavily associated with a more relaxed style of living and redefinition of traditional values. They were eager to carve out America in a way different than their parents had, but with as much, if not more, of an impact.

Goading the baby boomers along was the music, which included the efforts of Simon and Garfunkel. With the help of Simon’s lyrics, the folk-rock duo beautifully harmonizes their American journey on Bookends, while referencing some of their favorites, like Mrs. Wagner Pies. Similar to Ne-Mo’s hand wrapped cake squares of today, the pies were home made, single serving convenience store staples, though Ne-Mo’s prefers plastic wrap to Wagner’s wax paper. Mrs. Wagner’s Home Made Pies, originally located in Ocean Grove, New Jersey and later Brooklyn, went out of business on July 11, 1968 despite the free plug received from Simon and Garfunkel just a year prior.

Another favorite mentioned is that of Simon’s. The lines, “’Kathy,’ I said as we boarded the Greyhound in Pittsburgh …” and “’Kathy, I’m lost,’ I said, though I knew she was sleeping …” refer to Kathleen Mary Chitty. While Simon lived in England, between 1964 and 1965, the two dated. After Simon and Garfunkel recorded the debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 AM, in 1964, Simon, sans Garfunkel, moved to England, which had a blossoming folk scene. The first English folk club Simon played at was the Railway Inn Folk Club. Located in Brentwood, Essex., the Railway employed Chitty as a part-time ticket seller. A 22-year-old Simon met the 17-year-old Chitty and the two immediately fell in love, touring the U.S. for a short time. Once back in England, Simon recorded The Paul Simon Songbook. Chitty is featured on the album cover, as well as immortalized in “Kathy’s Song”.

Meanwhile, producer Tom Wilson overdubbed the original, acoustic version of “The Sound of Silence”, which appeared on Simon and Garfunkel’s aforementioned debut. Without the duo’s knowledge, Wilson added electric guitar, bass, and drums. The new sound skyrocketed the song to No. 1 in the U.S. pop charts. After hearing of its success, Simon felt the need to move back to America to continue his career. At this point, his romantic relationship with Chitty ended.

Also mentioned in “America” is another American staple — Greyhound. Greyhound Lines, Inc. was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota close to 100 years ago, in 1914, and serves over 3,700 destinations. It is thought that while Simon and Chitty were touring America, Greyhound played a large part. At the time, Greyhound was often considered a way for Europeans to get to know America because of the unlimited mileage offer of 99 days for $99. This offer allowed you to go anywhere at anytime for a dollar a day. So, as “America” weaves through Saginaw Michigan, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the New Jersey Turnpike, so does Greyhound, and perhaps, so did Simon and Chitty.

As the journey continues eastward, it is possible the search for America ends in New York. However, as Cameron Crowe conveys in Almost Famous the search for America is different for everyone. Whether it be an homage-like experience to immigrants arriving on Ellis Island, or becoming a stewardess, everyone is entitled to discover their America.

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From its opening, Garden State uses music to tell the story of Andrew “Large” Largeman’s (Braff) return to his unnamed New Jersey hometown, after a short-lived film career in Los Angeles. On hearing about his mother’s sudden death, Large prepares to head home for the funeral by opening his pill-filled bathroom cabinet to the strains of Coldplay’s “Don’t Panic”. The scene makes a less than subtle point about the character’s state of mind; he’s over-medicated, anxious, and swimming in a sea of his own malaise.

A similar effect is achieved in a later scene where Large takes his motorcycle out for a late-night ride as the eerie whistles of The Shins’ “Caring is Creepy” play in the background. Here, it’s worth noting the significance of The Shins’ music in Garden State. When Large meets Sam (Natalie Portman) in a doctor’s waiting room, they hit it off when she introduces him to the band’s song “New Slang”. “You gotta hear this one song,” Sam tells Large. “It’ll change your life I promise you.” Once she places headphones around his ears, Large and the audience are treated to the sound of the sublime tune (“New slang and a curse for this town/were all in my mouth”). On the strength of this endorsement, the band’s profile was raised considerably.

Elsewhere, Colin Hay’s grizzled vocal on the acoustic “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” evokes the tentativeness of Large’s own self-discovery and his budding romance with Sam. In addition, Iron and Wine’s gentle “Such Great Heights” channels the film’s subdued angst.

But indie rock isn’t the only genre represented on this album. Down-tempo duo Zero 7′s lilting “In the Waiting Line” hovers over a drug-induced game of spin the bottle among Large, his friends, and some of his friends’ friends. Meanwhile, “Lebanese Blonde”, by Thievery Corporation, punctuates the pivotal scene near the film’s denouement in which Large, Sam, and his friend Mark (Peter Sarsgaard) charge into a Target-style store for a bizarre caper.

Braff’s college friend, Cary Brothers, chimes in with a loping country-folk tune called “Blue Eyes”. It’s a fine song, but I’m not sure what it’s doing on this soundtrack. On the flip side, Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy in New York” accompanies one of the film’s most whimsical moments. As Large gives Sam a ride home on his motorcycle, the godfathers of folk croon, “Half of the time were gone but we don’t know where/And we don’t know here.”

Braff chooses one of the soundtrack’s standout songs, Frou Frou’s “Let Go” to accent the film’s final scene. It’s fitting that this mid-tempo charmer closes the film. When singer Imogene Heap intones, “there’s beauty in the breakdown,” you’re left with both a feeling of closure and one of limitless possibility.

Throughout the film, Braff maneuvers these 13 songs to provide the perfect accompaniment to the emotional discovery and catharsis at the heart of his directorial debut. As you listen to it long after watching the film, Garden State: Music from the Motion Picture does what the best soundtracks should — it evokes not only specific scenes, it also evokes the overall feel of the film.

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Ultimately, the surprise appearance proved to be just the beginning of what will be a reunion of Simon and Garfunkel, which as the latter recently raveled to BBC, will be built around a tour. “Our plan to work together is coming together but it doesn’t go through England this time,” Garfunkel told BBC News. What entirely this means still remains uncertain, but many are speculating a tour of North America is indeed in the fold.

Simon and Garfunkel have had an on and off again relationship in recent years. Since reuniting at the 2003 Grammys for their first public appearance in over 10 years and a subsequent world tour that followed, the legendary duo has remained out of the limelight, appearing together most recently at the Gershwin Awards in 2007.