[HOT]
Rockin’ the Crayon Set
We never thought we’d hear the words “Indie Rock” and “coloring book” in the same sentence (then again, we never thought we’d hear the words “Chris Cornell” and “Timbaland” together either, so nothing should really surprise us). But through the mail slot at MiniGauge headquarters recently came The Indie Rock Coloring Book, and we had to bust out our Indie Rock crayons (mostly dull shades of brown and grey) and get to work.
The book was put together by the Yellow Bird Project, a Canadian philanthropic venture that brings together art, music and charity (proceeds from the book will go to the various charities chosen by the artists featured in the book). The to-be-colored art and puzzles are all based on different Indie bands and artists, from a maze based on Broken Social Scene (“Help Feist dodge the million-dollar solo contracts so they can reunite” for a new record, the instructions read) to a page that allows the color-er the chance to recreate The New Pornographers’ Twin Cinema album cover.
We assume coloring outside the lines is not only permitted but encouraged. Or you could just go all Metal Machine Music and color every page completely black. It’s up to you! Cincinnatian Matt Berninger of The National has a great quote on the back of the book: “This is the greatest coloring book since coloring was invented. I’ve decided to have kids just so I’ll have somebody to give this book to.”
[WARM]
Rush vs. Jay-Z
We never hope for the death of anyone (well, maybe that guy from the FreeCreditReport.com commercials), but if there is one Hip Hop feud we wouldn’t mind seeing end in at least tears, it’s the recent “beef” between rapper Jay-Z and Rush “Leader of the Republican Party” Limbaugh. Jay-Z ripped on Limbaugh and his boyfriend Bill O’Reilly (whom Rush called a “moderate”), rapping “Tell Rush Limbaugh to get off my balls/It’s 2010 not 1864” on his song, “Off That.”
Rush responded on his radio show by saying, “Mr. Z, it is President Obama who wants to mandate circumcision. We had that story yesterday; and that means if we need to save our penises from anybody, it’s Obama.” Which is actually kinda funny. We’re sure Rush’s volley has crushed Jay-Z to the core and he’s probably sulking about it as you read this in the bosom of Beyonce while wiping his tears with $1,000 bills.
[COLD]
Scream-ing to Get Off the Plane, Now!
As mentioned above, former Soundgarden (and whatever that awful supergroup he was in later) singer Chris Cornell made a flop of an album with Hip Hop/Pop producer Timbaland and pretty much became the laughing stock of the Rock world. Now it looks like Virgin Airlines is employing the album as some sort of torture device.
It's being reported that Cornell and the airline have inked a deal to have the album, Scream, added to the music heard as passengers board. It will also showcase Cornell music videos and other recordings later this fall throughout the entire flight. As if flying was a pain in the ass enough …
