Possibly the oddest music news of the week

Songs on Pope Benedict XVI's MySpace playlist:

Muse - "Uprising"
Fleet Foxes - "He Doesn't Know Why"

And, wait for it...

2Pac - "Changes" (Explicit version)

Fleet Foxes release video for "Mykonos"

Everyone's posting on this today, but why should I let that stop me? As you surely gathered from the headline, Fleet Foxes put out a video for "Mykonos." I like the origami angle, which comes courtesy of artist Sean Pecknold, brother of the Foxes' leading man, Robin (Sean is name-checked in "Blue Ridge Mountains"). He's done work on past Foxes videos, and this one falls pretty much in line with those.

Also, Robin Pecknold recently put out a fantastic take on the old English ballad "The Fause Knight Upon the Road" under the name White Antelope, which is well worth a listen. Stream it here or download it here.


Mykonos from Grandchildren on Vimeo.


Mykonos making of from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

Fleet Foxes Quietly Rock Studio 8H

Too often, the saccharine sounds of harmony-heavy bands disappoint live. As anyone who watched SNL this past weekend can testify, such was not the case when Fleet Foxes took the stage in Rockefeller Center. Robin Pecknold, at the foreground on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, led the Seattle-based quintet through a stirring performance of “Mykonos,” which peaked when the band hit the a cappella halfway mark of the song. As the instruments rejoined, drummer Joshua Tillman built up the intensity, showing off great restraint on the kit and a great voice of his own to fade seamlessly into a captivating vocal ending. The Foxes’ second song of the night, “Blue Ridge Mountains,” offered a fine sample of the band’s eponymous full-length release. It also offered Pecknold the opportunity to display a modest range by setting aside his usual reverb-drenched Jim James intonations in favor of a soft, crisp delivery that recalled a young Graham Nash. All in all, Fleet Foxes demonstrated that not only can they write one a hell of a pleasing modern rock song, but they can kick ass live—while carrying a flawless harmony.

Download: Mykonos (Live on SNL 1-17-09)
Download: Blue Ridge Mountains (Live on SNL 1-17-09)

Leo Kottke Comes to the Carnegie

Photo: Michael Wilson, P-G

This weekend, Pittsburgh’s folk music society Calliope brings guitar virtuoso Leo Kottke to the Carnegie Lecture Hall. The show is sold out, but those with the good fortune to have tickets can expect a display of Kottke’s wide influences, with a focus on the instrument. The PG’s Scott Mervis did a good piece on Kottke yesterday.

Before the show, warm up with the caribbean-tinged "Twice" from Kottke’s 2005 collaboration with Phish bassist Mike Gordon.

After the show, set the DVR or tune in to catch Fleet Foxes on SNL. For now, download "White Winter Himnal,” a great song for the cold, snow-covered weekend.