• Speaking of new music, I downloaded Built to Spill’s new one last night, “There is no Enemy.” I can’t say the music is bowling me over thus far, but I guess you have to give a record a few listens before you really know how how you feel.

• In the humongous pop star category, WSJ reports that Tim McGraw is now managed by the same outfit that manages Phish. Six degrees.

• Speaking of Phish, the band appears to be pulling out all the stops for its forthcoming festival out in Indio, CA.

Right at the entrance to the concert field is an elevated area partially covered by spectacular Olympic Peak Tents that looks out onto the lush concert field. Here at the Overlook you’ll get the chance to enjoy a particularly bloody mary at the Bloody Mary Bar, a movie area showing vintage Halloween classics, archival Phish video, (not to mention The World Series and NFL games), a massive 100 foot Ferris Wheel and an internet cafe (though wi-fi will be provided throughout the site).

Sometimes, I wish I lived in Southern California.

This band drifts into serious pop fluff territory now and then, but I’m a fan. In the video, I found his comments on his vision for the band pretty interesting. How do you create a really uplifting experience for people while keeping some edge?

However difficult that might be, I think DeLonge is succeeding. A few years ago, Angels & Airwaves played a date at 930. I could have bought some tickets but hesitated. I missed the boat – that action sold out.

Their new record, which Billboard hangs a “prog” label on, will apparently be out by the end of the year.

I downloaded “Joy” this evening, and I’m excited to give it a listen. Dude, I may even have to buy my children “Joy” t-shirts.

It seems like reception to the album has been very positive, including this Associated Press review from today.

I have to do a little calling out on the first paragraph of that story, though.

The finicky fans of Phish have never been much satisfied with the Vermont jamband’s studio offerings — if they were, they wouldn’t go to such extremes to catch the band live.

Hmmmm. That’s bullshit.

Here’s a sort of related thought from the Washington Post’s recent write up.

No band’s success is less related to the popularity of its albums than Phish’s.

Well, that’s less bullshit, I suppose, but not entirely accurate either. A friend of mine worked at Elektra Records back in the day. I think I remember him telling me that one reason Elektra liked Phish was that their records consistently sold a decent amount (can’t remember what). Not gigantor, but consistent. I also remember friends of mine who worked in the record biz telling me that one key to getting signed was the proven ability to sell tens of thousands of records. Phish had that ability. So in that sense, the popularity of the band’s albums has indeed been related to its success.

“Really? Aw thanks bud! Well if it wasn’t for guys like you we would probably be over on the side of the road dying from eating roadkill.”

Nice! I might have to check out the new Megadeth record, which drops on September 15.

That was my triple play this evening. While downloading Beardfish’s new one, “Destined Solitaire,” from the iTunes store, I took the opportunity to upload my CD of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” into my iTunes library.

As all that was going on, I cranked up Phish’s “46 Days,” recorded live at Merriweather on 8/15 and conveniently embedded at Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts.

So that’s something old, something new, something borrowed, and even, as the picture shows, something blue.

Always something nice to have something to look forward to: Built to Spill has a new record, their seventh, coming out on October 6 (h/t Pitchfork).

I first heard Built to Spill while waiting for a movie to begin at the Angelika Film Center in NYC. The song was “Kicked it in the Sun,” an astounding number. I had no idea who the band was. I wrote down a fragment of the lyrics and googled it later.

Nice work, Amazon.  That was FAST.  And, while I haven’t purchased too many CD is the past two years, this is a nice digi-pack with all kinds of psychedelic artwork (that cover is just the beginning) and a glossy booklet.

Now let’s see if the music delivers as well as Amazon and the USPS did…

The new record is Destined Solitaire, and, despite the disappointing bail out of ProgNation09, I’d almost rather have the new album.  This band is going places.  They are young, they are energized.  They are international, they are beloved.  They’ve already been to the States, as the above picture comes from Nearfest, last month.  I haven’t heard the new reocrod yet, but, considering that it’s already 10pm, I’m serious considering staying up til midnight to see if I can make the download from iTunes.  The sample on their MySpace page sounds pretty heavy, but I’m up for anything – I’m a believer.  I drank the Kool-ade!  Besides – there’s a picture of Bob Dylan and an exploding head on the cover – how can the record be bad?!?