We need some downtime…

As Consequence of Sound prepares for the big surprise to come, we will unfortunately be experiencing some downtime. This means no posts or updates over the next few hours; however, be sure not to drift too far away, as we’ll be unveiling something quite extraordinary.

In the meantime, please feel free to continue any discussions on the Talk Back boards.

Thanks and see you after the break.

-Michael Roffman

Editor in Chief

Weezer’s seeing red

Hot on the rumor mill today is word that Weezer might be pulling out a new color for its discography. The upcoming sixth album is reportedly titled, Weezer, much like the previous releases beforehand, only this time, instead of green or blue, Cuomo and the boys will be sporting red.

They’re referring to this third Weezer as their “Red Album” (you know, following the “Blue Album” and the “Green Album”), according to a RollingStone.com report.

However, a publicist from Interscope says that the title has not been confirmed yet. So it might be an April Fool’s joke? If it’s not, they have some pretty stiff competition for best Red Album.

The Rolling Stone-reported release date of June 17 has been confirmed, however.

[Pitchfork]

Rancid announce summer tour dates

Rancid have revealed the dates for their upcoming summer tour. The two+ month tour will be in support of the band’s upcoming, currently untitled seventh album, which is currently in the mixing phase.

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This will mark their first full tour for the band in over two years as well as the first ever for new drummer Branden Steineckert, formerly of The Used.

Full list of dates after the jump. Rancid will also be headlining this year’s Punkspring Festival in Japan.

Listen: The Lone Rangers

There are bands that come and go and sadly this happens. We’re happy to see them play, but sad to see them go. For Los Angeles’ own classic and legendary heavy metal band, The Lone Rangers, every day is an adventure. The Lone Rangers first were discovered back in 1994 when Chazz Darby, the band’s lead guitarist and singer tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a contract deal with Palatine Records executive Jimmy Wing. This led to his quenching desire to make it in the rock world without any phony strings attached. Later that evening, following a forced kicking out by his girlfriend Kayla, Chazz and his bandmates, bassist Rex and his drummer brother Pip, attended the Whiskey A Go-Go to watch the Galactic Cowboys’ alter-ego band the Sons Of Thunder. After seeing how lame they appeared in their “pantaloons,” Chazz saw how local radio station Rebel Radio KPPX played their single “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Beautiful” and got the band signed.

Virgin Festival reveals headliners

The U.S. version of the Virgin Mobile Festival has revealed the headliners for its 2008 lineup. No real surprises, that is aside from Mr. Kanye West…

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Virgin Mobile Festival (Baltimore) takes between August 9 and 10 at the Pimlico Race Track in Maryland.  The full lineup is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Interview: Yip Yip (4/1)

Forget everything you know about the expansive collection of experimental music available today. There are things out of this world that live among us. Things that dare not be explained. These apparitions, if we can call them that, are sudden and daring. They are pinch hitters to our minds, ogling us listeners with instrumentation that bears no human touch. Who would ever think all this mystery and madness would come out of Winter Park, FL? This past weekend I had a chance to stir up a little Q&A with the ever challenging, Yip Yip.

Album Review: Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings

I’m one of the millions-yes, a Counting Crows fan, but more importantly, a poor college student. When I lay the cash down for a new album, I’m not looking to gamble. And Adam Duritz and Co. have never betrayed the sacred trust between infallible band and impoverished music junkie-that is until their recent release Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings.

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Being a Counting Crows fan has never been easy. (Remember that episode of Full House where DJ and Stephanie dig the Crows? That killed our credibility.) I’m always asked why I enjoy listening to a middle-aged man with dreadlocks mope and whine. Well, because he mopes and whines so brilliantly, and for the most part, we’re all heading in that direction anyway, save the dreadlocks.

The Racontuers, Black Lips prep U.S. tour

The Raconteurs have revealed dates and details for their upcoming summer tour. In support of the recent release of Consolers of the Lonely, Jack White and company will be taking along the Black Lips along for the ride, and will also be hitting up several summer music festivals, including the recently released Reading and Leeds Festivals.

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Tour dates after the jump…

Album Review: Last Night

It’s hard to be a fan of techno when there’s so much of it. Everyone with a computer and Frooty Loops aims to one day be the next Paul Oakenfold. Yet among the clutter, there is some greatness. There’s the old (Prodigy, Crystal Method), the current (LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk), and then there’s Moby. That might sound a bit optimistic for a guy whose last release, 2005’s Hotel, pretty much was swept under the floor mat, but I’ve yet to see a single composer revitalize the sound as the New York, bald, boy wonder has.

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Much like 2005’s Hotel, Moby’s new effort, Last Night, came out of left field. It seems fitting to have an album, considering its been three years, but it was just a bit of a surprise. I found out through a review, several of them. Each one raved of a return to “true” form, gone are the lush atmospheric tunes and in place, a throw back to the fun, grooving days of the musician’s early career. Upon reading that information, my heart stopped. After listening to the album, my heart shattered.

Watch: Kanye West – “Homecoming”

Kanye West has debuted a new music video for the song “Homecoming,” the fifth single of his 2007 album Graduation. The song and video features Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

Hat tip to The Tape is Not Sticky…

In other Kanye news, the hip-hop mogul recently launched an online travel service.  He also will be appearing on Madonna’s upcoming new album and has a series of tour dates scheduled for the summer.