Wilco Streams Again

wilco sky blue sky album coverNever averse to leaking their music (we all remember the WB/Reprise debacle of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) Wilco is streaming (via Flash player), the upcoming Sky Blue Sky in its entirety until 7PT.

Better than last time they did this, you’re in total control and can listen to whatever songs you want, however many times using the QT-embedded Flash Player.

I’m still digging this record — this is a bit of consolation today as I’m being bombarded by the typical I can’t believe I’m not at SXSW feelings that are normally associated with not being in Austin when the conference takes place while being unable to keep the killer reviews and feedback from hitting the inbox. Anyway, here’s another gem from Sky Blue Sky.

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AP to Protest U.S. Military Censorship in Afghanistan

American military in Afghanistan provided the Associated Press with an unfortunate, yet easy-to-cover subplot in the aftermath of a battle that led to the death of 16 Afghan civilians.

Amir Shah writes from Kabul:

A freelance photographer working for The Associated Press and a cameraman working for AP Television News said a U.S. soldier deleted their photos and video showing a four-wheel drive vehicle in which three people were shot to death about 100 yards from the suicide bombing. The AP plans to lodge a protest with the American military.

The U.S. military blamed its troops’ unfortunate reaction, in which Afghan civilians were killed, on a “complex ambush” by Taliban militants. The deaths of the 16 civilians will undoubtedly hamper the U.S.’s efforts to redouble their forces while making nice and contributing positively to the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

Carlotta Gall has been delivering the straight gravy from Afghanistan for years for the New York Times:

The shooting sparked demonstrations, with local people blocking the highway, the main road east from the town of Jalalabad to the border with Pakistan. And there were differences in some of the accounts of the incident, with the Americans saying that the civilians were caught in cross-fire between the troops and militants, and Afghan witnesses and some authorities blaming the Americans for indiscriminately shooting at civilian vehicles in anger after the explosion.

No matter whose account you believe, the Taliban’s expected “spring offensive” is on. Two British troops were reported killed in southern Afghanistan yesterday.

troops in Afghanistan 2007 international by country

Graphic of active multinational military force in Afghanistan, 7 feb, 2007, via NATO’s International Security Assistance Force.

Tim Fite’s ‘Over the Counter Culture’

One of the best records of the year cannot be found in stores. It’s not available on iTunes. Last Tuesday, Tim Fite released “Over the Counter Culture” exclusively on his Web site. For free.

Fife is signed to Anti-, the record label currently responsible for releases from such stalwarts as Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Neko Case, and Mavis Staples. But “OTCC” is just too anti-establishment and anti-commercial to NOT be given away for free. Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune wrote an in-depth profile:

“This record is a soundtrack for war, and in many ways it’s a soundtrack for a war that’s waging within everyone,” Fite says. “There’s the war outside, but then there’s the war inside ourselves about how much we acquiesce to market culture. That’s what the record was about for me, finding out what I’m fighting against and being truthful with myself about what I allow myself to fall victim to.”

Interview w/ Fite on “Sound Opinions — why he was inclined to go the DIY route with this particular content (press play):

VIDEO: “Camouflage”