Music Weekly

Josh Homme from the Queens of the Stone Age. Photograph: Sarah Lee/Guardian
Hi everybody and welcome to the blog post that relates to our podcast!
This week the podcast (which relates to this blog post) plays host to two of the biggest names in rock: Josh Homme and Joey Castillo of the Queens of the Stone Age (or QotSA for short).

In an alternately insightful, amusing and incoherent interview, we discuss death, drugs and the weather, while the Queens also tell us why they've decided to go dancier with their new album, Era Vulgaris, out next month. Have a listen for yourselves - there's a taste of the album in the shape of forthcoming single Sick Sick Sick for your delectation at the end of the show. Oh yeah, none of the Music Weekly crew took Latin GCSE, so can you help translate the album title for us, please?

In the dongles reviews, we ask: has Dizzee ditched his edginess for greater commercial success? Are the Dears a bunch of bedwetters? And just what is the point of Good Charlotte?

With Rosie Swash on her hols, joining the pod is Guardian music journo, Laura Barton. And as Bruce Forsyth says, didn't she do well. So well in fact that you may be hearing more from her very soon indeed.

..
Next week, it could be Klashnekoff, or it could be Hot Chip on the big, big show.

We haven't quite made up our minds. Until then, we're looking for your opinions on the following burning topics:
QotSA: Do you approve of their new direction towards dance? Are they the loudest mainstream band on the planet?

Re: the Dears/Feist/Ben's obsession with Stars - who's the best Canadian band/artist out there? Is there enough enthusiasm from you in podland for us to do a Canadian special?
Good Charlotte: a bad Blink 182 or a substandard Green Day?

Did you ever audition to be in a boy band?
Alright then, you desperate sadsacks, I'll post a comment, and it won't even be negative.
Hot Chip/Klashnekoff: Can't you do one of them this week and the other the week after?

Or will that conflict with their egos.
Best Canadian: I'm between Feist and Arcade Fire. or Alani.

..Oh.

In any case can I shoot a moose in a chalet and say that Celine Dion is the worst.
Dizzee Rascal, let him attract the boring types with his "commercial" sound, while I revel in Pussyhole, it's all good, a little something for everyone.
Sam Crowley: After climbing up from the beach at the Cotes des Basques in Biarritz, I was rewarded with this wonderful light show.

Got a picture that would be perfect for the arts blog? with images and the best will be posted here and in our .
are cooler than you.

They've come out of nowhere (probably Shoreditch) bursting with catchy fake pop rudeness, of which is a perfect example.
Should Antony Gormley's outdoor figures on the Thames be left in place after the exhibition? .

What I'm up to...

I’ll be scouting the bookshop for a real page-turner this weekend as a reward for just having finished book one of Proust’s In Search of Lost Time. I’m drawn in now, and I’ll definitely be back for the other five; but first I need a break - preferably something with a plot. On Saturday I’m checking out the new Wembley – it’s not often you get to see Shrewsbury Town playing there – but after that I’ll be leaving the singing to others: to the glorious Karita Mattila in Covent Garden’s new Fidelio, and to Philip Langridge in Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius at the Barbican.

I’d like to get to the South Bank on Friday to hear Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto play the Mendelssohn concerto. Last time he performed it over here, I’m told that half the audience loved his interpretation and half loathed it – and anyone who can manage actively to annoy people with such a Classic FM stalwart gets my vote. My tip of the week: Give in to the Elgar anniversary.

If you’re not yet convinced that he’s a truly great composer, give something you’ve never heard before a chance. Bypass anything with Pomp or Circumstance in the title and instead try the introspective late chamber music – the String Quartet, Piano Quintet or Violin Sonata.