Several of these (the War On Drugs, Breathe Owl Breathe and Woods) are recent discoveries from last weekend's first annual Hopscotch music festival in Raleigh. Plans for next year's festival are already in the works. CD Vinyl

Curtis Loew wasn't released as a single post-crash, I'm just saying that over time it got requested at radio a lot as a fan favorite and now receives a good bit of airplay. Not as much as Freebird or Sweet Home Alabama but more than your average deep album track. As far as the growing up in the South thing is concerned, I'm not sure if it's still the case but at one time the most popular radio station in the country was a Country music station based out of New York City. When the Drive-By Truckers first released Southern Rock Opera (their paen to arena rock, what it was like to grow up in the South in the 70s and tragic story arc of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd), lead singer and songwriter Patterson Hood said the album was better received up North than it was in the South. This fits the thematic aspects of that album very well, one of which is how you have to leave where you came from to fully appreciate it. This is also addressed in Mark Kemp's book, Dixie Lullaby, which tackles many of the same issues that are so prevalent on Southern Rock Opera. Strangely enough, author Mark Kemp met Patterson Hood (and heard Southern Rock Opera) by the time he was almost finished with the book but thankfully it wasn't too late to include it in Dixie Lullaby.

I'm not sure if it was ever released as a single but The Ballad of Curtis Loew definitely got a lot of airplay in these parts. That was post-crash so I'm thinking it was being played more as a deep album cut and probably because it's a very heavily requested fan favorite. I don't think living in the South exposed one to more of their music. They received airplay and toured extensively, neither was confined just to one region. In one interview I heard with Gary Rossington, he said Confederate flags were more prominent in the audience north of the Mason-Dixon line than they were down South.

Am I Losin' would have to be right up there. Others would be Don't Ask Me No Questions, All I Can Do Is Write About It, Was I Right Or Wrong?, Four Walls of Raiford, Made In the Shade and Every Mother's Son. There's plenty of others but I'll stop there.

No, I didn't. I made the show they were playing (that included John Howie, Jr. & the Rosewood Bluff, American Aquarium and Lucero) but missed Max Indian. It was their last concert for a while as one of the members (Jeff Crawford) is moving to California. Most of the other members are going on as Nudehues. They played their debut show during Hopscotch as well but I didn't get there in time to see them. On the broader subject of Hopscotch, check it: Public Enemy, Broken Social Scene Lead Hopscotch Fest

New Neil: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid88099121001?bctid=608837617001 Edited to add: Is there any way to embed videos besides those hosted on YouTube such as Vimeo or this one (which comes from Gawker)?

Max Indian "Heaven Help Us"

What's your take on the early stuff like the Chronic Town EP, Murmur, Reckoning and Fables of the Reconstruction? I ask because so many people that came onboard with Losing My Religion are totally unaware of the stuff that came before and believe that Out of Time is their first record.

Well said. I figured it's just because Jethro Tull doesn't really fit into the overall theme of his show. I'm not even a big fan of Petty's music (nor do I hate it) but I enjoy his program on XM. Some of the celebrity DJ shows that dominate the XM/Sirius lineup just aren't all that great but you can tell that Petty puts a lot of time and effort into his, making it an even more enjoyable listening experience.

Looks like Alice is doing the exact same setlist he did for his Theatre of Death tour (not that there's anything the matter with that).

One of several clips recently posted to R.E.M.'s website from their recording sessions in Nashville. There's also this news about the official release of their 2008 performance on Austin City Limits which is due out on October 26th.

Thanks for the head's up. It's gonna be a busy week with Earl Scruggs, the Black Crowes, Drivin' n' Cryin', Megafaun and the Drive-By Truckers all playing in the area. Got turned onto a Swedish band during Hopscotch called Dungen. Have you heard of them?

Looking forward to seeing this band, the Strange Boys and Gentleman Jesse in Chapel Hill tomorrow night.

In addition to his new album, Le Noise, which is due to drop on the 28th of this month (Sept.), Neil will also be reforming Buffalo Springfield for this year's Bridge School Benefit in October. More info here, the lineup is listed below. Saturday Buffalo Springfield Pearl Jam Elvis Costello Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson Lucinda Williams Billy Idol Jackson Browne and David Lindley Modest Mouse Grizzly Bear Sunday Buffalo Springfield Pearl Jam T-Bone Burnett’s Speaking Clock Revue featuring Elton John, Leon Russell, Elvis Costello, Ralph Stanley, Neko Case and Jeff Bridges Elvis Costello Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson Modest Mouse Grizzly Bear

During a recent episode of Tom Petty's Buried Treasure show on XM, he made a comment about playing all the best in Rock, Rhythm & Blues but promised no Jethro Tull tunes. What's Tom have against the Tull?

Megafaun performing at the Friend Island day party yesterday at the Pour House in Raleigh, NC as part of the Hopscotch festival.

Just saw these guys (and gal) at Hopscotch, fixin' to head out for more.

If you don't know what the original poster meant by "current" here is the first post in this thread. if you can't figure it out by reading his post then I suggest sending a PM to Matthew for his explanation of what he meant by "Current Music Recommendations". The rest of us that have participated in this thread seem to have a thorough understanding of what he meant, it's really not that complicated.

This is a thread for current music. The board is top heavy with old music. It definitely has it's place but not in this thread.

If you liked that, try this one on for size. Please let me know what you think, and be honest.

Try this. Fucked Up are one of the most talked about bands playing Hopscotch next weekend. Punk rock really isn't my thing but I'd still like to check out their set.

This Athens, GA band opened for R.E.M. on their last tour. I didn't catch any of those particular shows but I was tuned in the night they opened for R.E.M. at Stubb's in Austin for SXSW 2008.

The War On Drugs are playing the Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh next weekend. I can't wait to see them as well as tons of other bands like The Rosebuds, Ryan Gustafson, Max Indian, Fucked Up, Megafaun, Best Coast and Lucero just to name a few. It's just going to be all kinds of kick ass.

I've heard the EP this comes from described thusly: "(it) sounds like Roger McGuinn & Tom Petty met up with Unicorn and Fleetwood Mac at some Hollywood mansion for a beautiful 1980 sunset". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcMIOz6Xb5A

This particular virus will manifest itself on your screen as a skinny, pierced, tattooed, punk who bares more than a striking resemblance to our own silvermedalist.