Nick Mason on Pink Floyd and Opinions on Drake
Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason has been the only constant member of the band throughout its entire history. He speaks with Jim and Greg about his half-century with the pioneering psychedelic rock band and their highly anticipated reunion. Later, a review of the surprise new mixtape from Drake.
Music News
No matter what you thought of this year's Oscars, Grammys or Superbowl, one thing is certain: TV sells. After Common and John Legend's emotional performance at the Academy Awards, industry forecasters predict a big sales bump for the winning tune "Glory." Just a few hours after the ceremony ended, the song was projected to post a 70% gain. Jim and Greg predict similar success for Lady Gaga, who wowed skeptics with her "Sound of Music" belting. Music from the Grammys is also going like gangbusters. Album of the Year winner Beck has enjoyed a 483% sales increase. And, Nostalgia, the new album by Grammy performer Annie Lennox, shot up 335%. But perhaps most curious of them all is the musical effect of the Superbowl. Albums and songs by halftime performer Katy Perry experienced a 92% sales boost.
In other news, happy 50th birthday Dr. Dre! The rapper and entrepreneur celebrated with an appearance on the front page of AARP. That's right...the magazine for the American Association of Retired Persons. But, while that is certain to make a lot of music fans feel old, no one is in a better position to retire than the hip hop O.G. He again topped Forbes' list for the highest paid musicians of the year with a whopping $620 million earned.
Nick Mason
In the annals of rock ‘n’ roll there are few bands cited for both their critical acclaim and commerical sales. One is Pink Floyd. Its drummer, Nick Mason, joins Jim and Greg to talk about the U.K. band's history and recent decision to reunite to release what many believe will be its final album, The Endless River. Mason is the only member of the band to survive all of its squabbles and play on each studio album. He explains how The Endless River is a tribute to the Pink Floyd's iconic keyboardist Rick Wright. He also recalls the early dynamics between David Gilmour and Roger Waters and how he feels about the band's legacy with its 15th (and final?) release.
Love Pink Floyd? Check out this dissection of The Wall
If You're Reading This It's Too Late Drake
Drake's release of his latest opus If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late was a complete surprise, à la Beyoncé -- though there's debate whether to classify it as a mixtape or a proper album. The Canadian superstar is once again working with producer Noah "40" Shebib. Greg credits Drake and Shebib for creating a uniquely atmospheric aesthetic for his introspective rap. But the minimalist beats make this feel half-finished: there are no hooks or pop hits, and the record never picks up steam until the end. Jim won't even concede any originality in the production. He says, Drake has been ripping off Kanye West's
808s & Heartbreak his entire career. To Jim, Drake is incredibly hard to like, as he continues to whine about his petty personal problems. If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late gets a double Trash It.
Greg
Lately Greg has been binging on the music of Australian songwriter Richard Davies. Davies has worked as a solo artist and also released an album with Eric Matthews under the moniker Cardinal. But this week Greg is especially drawn to Davies' first band, The Moles, which merged baroque pop and psychedelia with a skewed sense of melody. The Moles' 1992 single "What’s the New Mary Jane" lifts its title from a famous Beatles outtake, but it's much more substantive than what the Fab Four actually recorded. It's a twisted, druggy slice of pop music unlike anything else coming out during the grunge era, so it earns its place in the Desert Island Jukebox.
Featured Songs
- John Legend and Common, "Glory (Live at the 87th Academy Awards)," Glory (Single), Columbia, 2014
- Lady Gaga, "Sound of Music Medley (Live at the 87th Academy Awards)"
- Dr. Dre, "Ride With Me," The Chronic, Death Row, 1992
- Pink Floyd, "It's What We Do," The Endless River, Columbia, 2014
- Pink Floyd, "What Do You Want From Me," The Division Bell, EMI, 1994
- Pink Floyd, "Astronomy Domine," The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, EMI Columbia, 1967
- Pink Floyd, "Remember a Day," A Saucerful of Secrets, EMI Columbia, 1968
- Pink Floyd, "Any Colour You Like," Dark Side of the Moon, Harvest, 1973
- Pink Floyd, "The Controls For the Heart of the Sun," A Saucerful of Secrets, EMI Columbia, 1968
- Pink Floyd, "The Great Gig in the Sky," The Dark Side of the Moon, Harvest, 1973
- Pink Floyd, "Us and Them," The Dark Side of the Moon, Harvest, 1973
- Pink Floyd, "Welcome to the Machine," Wish You Were Here, Harvest, 1975
- Pink Floyd, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond Pt. 1-5," The Dark Side of the Moon, Harvest, 1973
- Pink Floyd, "Time," The Dark Side of the Moon, Harvest, 1973
- Drake, "10 Bands," If You're Reading This It's Too Late, Cash Money, 2015
- Drake, "Energy," If You're Reading This It's Too Late, Cash Money, 2015
- The Moles, "What's the New Mary Jane," Untune the Sky, Flydaddy, 1992
- Ariel Pink, "Put Your Number in My Phone," pom pom, 4AD, 2014
- Father John Misty, "I Love You, Honeybear," I Love You, Honeybear, Sub Pop, 2015
- Father John Misty, "The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apartment," I Love You, Honeybear, Sub Pop, 2015
- Irakere, "Bacalao Con Pan," Grupo Irakere, Areito, 1974
- Celia Cruz, "Bemba Colora," Son Con Guaguancó, Tico, 1966
- Bo Diddley, "Mona," Mona (Single), Checker, 1957
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