Articles Tagged 'Column'
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Mystique. You can't fake it. You just have it. But in 2010, mystique is a lost art, when it comes to bands and the music business.
It's the instant information age, where everyone has a MySpace page, a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Social media, coupled with that oh-so-outdated mode of communication, known as text messaging, allows for people to reveal their whereabouts, at all times. I use all the aforementioned modes of communicating and my thumbs ache because of them. I check my social networking sites 10 times a day. I tweet constantly. I text more than I dial out and make calls. I email more than I answer my phone at work. I write better than I talk; that's my excuse. But in all seriousness, while addicted to the fact that I am constantly connected and plugged in, I do sometimes yearn for less accessibility. Jesus Christ, I use UberTwitter to send tweets from my Blackberry and the program can show your exact geographical location via satellite if you don't disable the function! You can update people on your location, your thoughts, your scandalous activities at any time. I often ask myself, "Does anyone need to know what I am doing, 24/7?" Is it too much? Are we all too available? Isn't there something sexy about a little mystery? About having to find somethin Read More ...
It's the instant information age, where everyone has a MySpace page, a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Social media, coupled with that oh-so-outdated mode of communication, known as text messaging, allows for people to reveal their whereabouts, at all times. I use all the aforementioned modes of communicating and my thumbs ache because of them. I check my social networking sites 10 times a day. I tweet constantly. I text more than I dial out and make calls. I email more than I answer my phone at work. I write better than I talk; that's my excuse. But in all seriousness, while addicted to the fact that I am constantly connected and plugged in, I do sometimes yearn for less accessibility. Jesus Christ, I use UberTwitter to send tweets from my Blackberry and the program can show your exact geographical location via satellite if you don't disable the function! You can update people on your location, your thoughts, your scandalous activities at any time. I often ask myself, "Does anyone need to know what I am doing, 24/7?" Is it too much? Are we all too available? Isn't there something sexy about a little mystery? About having to find somethin Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from a quarterback's ex making it to the Super Bowl, to someone associated with New Zealand's biggest band working with the Muppets, to the Jersey Shore cast going far, far away from the boardwalk, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Former American Idol and current country superstar Carrie Underwood will be singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl this Sunday. Underwood is a fantastic choice for the job, but I wonder how the Cowboys feel about the fact that people their quarterback used to date are getting to the Super Bowl before he is. Ah, well, at least it's not Jessica Simpson, right Tony?
* The Grammys happened this weekend and I didn't watch. I am not a fan of award shows, much less award shows that are run by people who don't seem to know very much about music. Eminem and Jay-Z taking home multiple Grammys proves how little their voters know about good hip-hop, but the bigge Read More ...
* Former American Idol and current country superstar Carrie Underwood will be singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl this Sunday. Underwood is a fantastic choice for the job, but I wonder how the Cowboys feel about the fact that people their quarterback used to date are getting to the Super Bowl before he is. Ah, well, at least it's not Jessica Simpson, right Tony?* The Grammys happened this weekend and I didn't watch. I am not a fan of award shows, much less award shows that are run by people who don't seem to know very much about music. Eminem and Jay-Z taking home multiple Grammys proves how little their voters know about good hip-hop, but the bigge Read More ...
The country music industry has often 'followed' trends in other industries. When following these trends, sometimes they are months, often years, behind on the pop trends. And as such, the trends have often failed to find country much labels and artists following these trends much success. So, then what am I to make of a new band called Fast Ryde that is not only cribbing a pop music trend, that is blantly using 'autotune' or pitch-correction on their songs, but is releasing it to a music genre that still values a good singer and a well-written song?
The simple answer is that while talented and worthy of their record deal due to the fact that Fast Ryde's members James Harrison and Jody Stevens can actually sing, I have to disapprove of the whole "autotune" trend. Not because songs like their upcoming single "Top Down" use the technique but because I don't think it has a place in ANY music genre. It takes the parts I like best about a song, vocal ability, and has the ability to make an bad singer sound melodic when the world knows that not everyone can carry a tune. I'm a Read More ...
The simple answer is that while talented and worthy of their record deal due to the fact that Fast Ryde's members James Harrison and Jody Stevens can actually sing, I have to disapprove of the whole "autotune" trend. Not because songs like their upcoming single "Top Down" use the technique but because I don't think it has a place in ANY music genre. It takes the parts I like best about a song, vocal ability, and has the ability to make an bad singer sound melodic when the world knows that not everyone can carry a tune. I'm a Read More ... I'm in reminiscence mode again this week, folks. I went on a day-long road trip with a good friend/fellow writer/music nerd this weekend. One band that popped up into our music-heavy discussions was the late, great, not-popular-enough-when-they-were-current-and-active post-hardcore band Into Another. Yes, that's a lot of adjectives and descriptors right there. But it encapsulates the New York-based band effectively.
Into Another featured ex-members of many definitive NYHC bands. Go ahead, Wikipedia them. I'll wait. If you ain't got the time for that, allow me to break it down. Vocalist Richie Birkenhead sang for Underdog and played guitar for Youth of Today, so his scene cred and points skyrocketed for those who care about such things! Drummer Drew Thomas cut his teeth in Bold, nailed to the "X" as they were. Late bassist Tony Bono, who passed away in '02, was in thrash outfit Whiplash. So Into Another's individual members had impressive and interesting p Read More ...
Into Another featured ex-members of many definitive NYHC bands. Go ahead, Wikipedia them. I'll wait. If you ain't got the time for that, allow me to break it down. Vocalist Richie Birkenhead sang for Underdog and played guitar for Youth of Today, so his scene cred and points skyrocketed for those who care about such things! Drummer Drew Thomas cut his teeth in Bold, nailed to the "X" as they were. Late bassist Tony Bono, who passed away in '02, was in thrash outfit Whiplash. So Into Another's individual members had impressive and interesting p Read More ... Last week, I had a conversation with a fellow hip-hop scribe of mine. You know, the type of conversation that begins with playful wordplay and escalates to full on, "When were you born, yesterday?!" kind of banter. We debated about whether rap music should be taken seriously or is it best consumed and promoted as entertainment that inspires. And we didn't limit ourselves to today's music. We covered the entire timeline.
After I hit up a local 'happy hour,' I thought about my opposition. I thought about those that still take rap seriously and came to a conclusion. First, it seems that each individual who loves rap has his or her own definition of what's 'real.' An emcee arises from nowhere with precise delivery, a solid cadence, efficient story telling with occasional religious references, and immediately receives the weight of the industry on his back before his debut album is released. People may not realize why they love Jay Electronica so much in such a short time. But to me, it's obvious that he fits the mold of the tools I just described. He has been given the 'real hip-hop' Read More ...
After I hit up a local 'happy hour,' I thought about my opposition. I thought about those that still take rap seriously and came to a conclusion. First, it seems that each individual who loves rap has his or her own definition of what's 'real.' An emcee arises from nowhere with precise delivery, a solid cadence, efficient story telling with occasional religious references, and immediately receives the weight of the industry on his back before his debut album is released. People may not realize why they love Jay Electronica so much in such a short time. But to me, it's obvious that he fits the mold of the tools I just described. He has been given the 'real hip-hop' Read More ... 
American Idol is back and last week the biggest star the show has ever produced, music industry mogul Simon Cowell, has announced that this year will be his last with America's #1 show. This shouldn't come as news to anyone who knows of Cowell's career in the UK, where he left Idol after 2 years to produce his own show called The X-Factor. Idol ended when Simon left it in the UK and while that's somewhat likely to be true in the USA (the show will continue for at least a few more seasons), The X-Factor has an interesting thing going for it. In addition to a set-up like Idol, The X-Factor doesn't limit participants to solo acts or stop people over 30 from auditioning. It allows anyone 14-older to try out for the show and not only that, the program will have four judges who 'mentor' a certain amount of contestants, which will make the judges more than just talking heads without any real interest in the contestants succeeding. They have more invested and it allows for more 'fun' and 'gamesmanship.'
The set-up w Read More ...
I'm not going to stroll down memory lane this week. Don't worry, I will next week. Or the week after, since Bear is loving each week's column. (And if you, I'd love to hear from you, so please, by all means, email me at the address below!)
But as the freezing rain pours down outside my windows and am surrounded by boxes of CDs, I am going to put into storage (while I decide my future), and pare and whittle down while I transfer them to a hard drive and computer that I am buying solely to store my music on, I realize I am pretty much saying goodbye to the CD medium/format as I know it. I witnessed and experienced the death of vinyl and the cassette tape, but not the eight-track, but I can imagine, music geeks, who have lived through the slow death of all four of those forms of recorded music, are feeling as wistful as I am.
As a music fan (and a music writer) for more than half my life, I have amassed quite the collection. I am proud of it. In addition to music I cannot live without, I have a lot of collectible, valuable stuff, such as demos, rare, self-released first recordings and things like the Powerman 5000 album that was yanked from DreamWorks' release schedule after the label publicity department sent out advances. I have a cardboard sleeve Read More ...
But as the freezing rain pours down outside my windows and am surrounded by boxes of CDs, I am going to put into storage (while I decide my future), and pare and whittle down while I transfer them to a hard drive and computer that I am buying solely to store my music on, I realize I am pretty much saying goodbye to the CD medium/format as I know it. I witnessed and experienced the death of vinyl and the cassette tape, but not the eight-track, but I can imagine, music geeks, who have lived through the slow death of all four of those forms of recorded music, are feeling as wistful as I am.
As a music fan (and a music writer) for more than half my life, I have amassed quite the collection. I am proud of it. In addition to music I cannot live without, I have a lot of collectible, valuable stuff, such as demos, rare, self-released first recordings and things like the Powerman 5000 album that was yanked from DreamWorks' release schedule after the label publicity department sent out advances. I have a cardboard sleeve Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Beyonce fighting with common sense, to record labels fighting with reason, to Jimmy Kimmel jumping into the fight between Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Wonder where Beyonce was on New Year's Eve? Singing and dancing for the son of a mass murdering dictator, of course! Yes, that's right, while the rest of us were ringing in 2010 with some lighthearted revelry, Jay-Z's wifey was taking home a cool two mil for a performance for Muatsim Gaddafi, who is the third son of the Libyan leader Muammar-al Gaddafi. For those who need a primer, the elder Gaddafi is the dictator is Libya who has financed and run terrorist attacks that have killed thousands over the years. Hearing the news of Beyonce performing for the son of such a tyrant has prompted numerous old high school classmates of hers to say "man, had I known back then she'd say yes to anyo Read More ...
* Wonder where Beyonce was on New Year's Eve? Singing and dancing for the son of a mass murdering dictator, of course! Yes, that's right, while the rest of us were ringing in 2010 with some lighthearted revelry, Jay-Z's wifey was taking home a cool two mil for a performance for Muatsim Gaddafi, who is the third son of the Libyan leader Muammar-al Gaddafi. For those who need a primer, the elder Gaddafi is the dictator is Libya who has financed and run terrorist attacks that have killed thousands over the years. Hearing the news of Beyonce performing for the son of such a tyrant has prompted numerous old high school classmates of hers to say "man, had I known back then she'd say yes to anyo Read More ... My name is Deshair, and I love Rap music. Tell me that I will be stranded on an island, that somehow has electricity for me to recharge a MP3 player, and I would fill up my device with Rap, no lie. I am a lifer of the craft, and similar to life itself, Rap music has a timeline of its own.
What I'd like to do is give you a rundown of who I am as a fan of Rap music, so that as you follow my work, you'll be familiar with my foundation. In the late 80's, I was too young to change the radio dial or dare to take the needle off a vinyl. On the weekends, I spent time with my teenaged cousins that came home from their jobs with a bag of vinyl's. Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Special Ed, MC Lyte, NWA, Eric B. and Rakim, KRS-One, the records just kept spinning and I loved it. MC Lyte was my first crush, and to this day, whenever I cross paths with her, my mouth goes numb on me. Special Ed's ‘I Got It Made' was the first song I memorized, as well as the first instrumental I freestyle'd on. Chuck D and KRS-One were my favorite emcee's and are still in my Top 5 to this day. Because to me, Ra Read More ... It's another year and another stable of new artists are ramping up to release their debut singles and albums to the masses. Last year brought us Justin Moore, Gloriana, Chris Young and Love and Theft and this year promises to offer us a few more new artists as Easton Corbin and Josh Thompson both release their debut albums in late February/early March.
Another artist who is releasing their debut album on February 23 is Sarah Buxton, a compelling vocalist who has been trying since 2008 to get singles to stick at radio. Running up against the 'anti-female' bias that I talked about in a previous column, Buxton finally hit with the perpetually optimistic "Outside My Window." The singer, who also wrote Keith Urban's "Stupid Boy," is happy to finally have a record coming out, particularly since she's already been inside the Top 30 once before.
Other artists to keep an eye on this coming year are former Idol contestant Danny Gokey, The Band Perry, Matt Kennon, Coldwater Jane, Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy and Teen Nick star Jennette McCurdy. Gokey, who placed third on the 2009 se Read More ...
Another artist who is releasing their debut album on February 23 is Sarah Buxton, a compelling vocalist who has been trying since 2008 to get singles to stick at radio. Running up against the 'anti-female' bias that I talked about in a previous column, Buxton finally hit with the perpetually optimistic "Outside My Window." The singer, who also wrote Keith Urban's "Stupid Boy," is happy to finally have a record coming out, particularly since she's already been inside the Top 30 once before. Other artists to keep an eye on this coming year are former Idol contestant Danny Gokey, The Band Perry, Matt Kennon, Coldwater Jane, Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy and Teen Nick star Jennette McCurdy. Gokey, who placed third on the 2009 se Read More ...
Been nostalgic with my iPod lately, since lately, new music hasn't defined my life like MAC Smolder Eye Kohl defines the inner bottom rim of my eyes. Because the way I/the world listens to music has changed. Because the way music is delivered to the world has changed. Because radio has changed. So I've been going to the iPod, which ironically is one of the key reasons the way we hear and connect with our music has changed, and listening to songs that have defined times in my life, which transport to the time that the songs were the soundtrack and background music to events in my life.
One of those songs is Stone Temple Pilots' "The Big Empty," from the Crow soundtrack. That's arguably one of the best soundtracks of all time, but that song always stood out to me because it was a moody, dank ballad with sucker punch lyrics. If you're not familiar or have not heard the song in some time, it goes a little something like this: "Time to take her home / her dizzy head is conscience laden / Time to take a ride / It leaves today / No conversation / Tim Read More ...
One of those songs is Stone Temple Pilots' "The Big Empty," from the Crow soundtrack. That's arguably one of the best soundtracks of all time, but that song always stood out to me because it was a moody, dank ballad with sucker punch lyrics. If you're not familiar or have not heard the song in some time, it goes a little something like this: "Time to take her home / her dizzy head is conscience laden / Time to take a ride / It leaves today / No conversation / Tim Read More ... Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Miley moving on, to Katy Perry becoming marriage minded, to Ashley Greene and Amanda Bynes' magnificent modeling moments, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Brace yourselves. Are you sitting down? If not, why are you at the computer standing up? Regardless... Hannah Montana will soon be coming to an end. Yes, it has been announced that the upcoming fourth season (has it really only been around for four seasons?) will be the show's last. Something tells me Miley will still be able to get along OK, but the race is on for which of Disney's teen stars will break out next. Demi Lovato? Selena Gomez? Someone I'm totally unaware of because I only tune in to Disney when I sit on the remote control and it changes the channel?
* In news about big breasted women that disappoints me greatly, it is being reported that Katy Perry is now engaged to not even passably funny British comedian Read More ...
* Brace yourselves. Are you sitting down? If not, why are you at the computer standing up? Regardless... Hannah Montana will soon be coming to an end. Yes, it has been announced that the upcoming fourth season (has it really only been around for four seasons?) will be the show's last. Something tells me Miley will still be able to get along OK, but the race is on for which of Disney's teen stars will break out next. Demi Lovato? Selena Gomez? Someone I'm totally unaware of because I only tune in to Disney when I sit on the remote control and it changes the channel?* In news about big breasted women that disappoints me greatly, it is being reported that Katy Perry is now engaged to not even passably funny British comedian Read More ...
The record industry is changing, but don't buy into what many of those record labels are telling you. Yes, they're having income problems as they struggle to show to their stockholders why their model of doing business is still worthy of investing in. It is if they'd prove to these shareholders that the old model of signing an artist, getting a 10-15 track album (CD) to the market and reaping the rewards is gone. The last 40-50 years were the album 'era' and now we've reverted to the 'hit parade' way of thinking as albums sales dwindle as single sales have risen. It's a single's market, plain and simple and to try to continue in the old model will reap nothing but failure.
How this relates to country music is simple. While the genre still benefits greatly from a stable of fans who purchase physical albums over digital ones, it needs to be aware that the singles and EPs aren't going away and that fans are voting on who they like now more so than ever. Artists like Craig Morgan are radio stars without hugely successful albums. He's had one of his six albums sell over 500,000 copies and that album (My Kind of Livin') featured two huge hits ("That's What I Love About Sunday" and "Redneck Yacht Club"). The rest of his albums have struggled to meet the sales Read More ...
How this relates to country music is simple. While the genre still benefits greatly from a stable of fans who purchase physical albums over digital ones, it needs to be aware that the singles and EPs aren't going away and that fans are voting on who they like now more so than ever. Artists like Craig Morgan are radio stars without hugely successful albums. He's had one of his six albums sell over 500,000 copies and that album (My Kind of Livin') featured two huge hits ("That's What I Love About Sunday" and "Redneck Yacht Club"). The rest of his albums have struggled to meet the sales Read More ...
Let's skip the New Year salutations, shall we? I've never been one to think that because the calendar turns and we toss off some Hallmark-created resolutions that things will change and life will suddenly be goddamn awesome! People make resolutions to break them and simply since they are too freakin' lazy to do something sooner than later. I've only ever known one person who made a resolution and kept to it and built on it three years in a row and he is a gentleman and a scholar!
I travelled the entire two weeks I was off from my job as a publicist. That meant a lot of iPod listening and I wanted to share some heavy - not metal, not brutal, not aggressive, not loud - music that I re-discovered. I mean heavy in a "speaks to you on that level" type of heavy. For me, it's usually metal music that does that, nine times out of 10. But I cranked 16 Horsepower's aching rendition of Bob Dylan's "Nobody ‘Cept You." I may be a blasphemer for saying this, but I think 16's twanged out version is much more yearning and gorgeous than the original author's version. It's a musically laid back song, but that's because the words have heft in the tonnage. I could listen to it on repeat nonstop and never tire of it.
You can't seek out ‘heavy' music without clicking o Read More ...
I travelled the entire two weeks I was off from my job as a publicist. That meant a lot of iPod listening and I wanted to share some heavy - not metal, not brutal, not aggressive, not loud - music that I re-discovered. I mean heavy in a "speaks to you on that level" type of heavy. For me, it's usually metal music that does that, nine times out of 10. But I cranked 16 Horsepower's aching rendition of Bob Dylan's "Nobody ‘Cept You." I may be a blasphemer for saying this, but I think 16's twanged out version is much more yearning and gorgeous than the original author's version. It's a musically laid back song, but that's because the words have heft in the tonnage. I could listen to it on repeat nonstop and never tire of it.
You can't seek out ‘heavy' music without clicking o Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this first full week of 2010 Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Ke$ha's impressive sales numbers, to Taylor Swift's impressive staying power, to an impressive posthumous honor for Michael Jackson, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* If you live anywhere near a radio, a nightclub, or basically any English speaking human life, you're probably familiar with Ke$ha's breakout hit "TiK ToK." No matter how you feel about the song, get used to it. For the week ending Dec 27th Ke$ha set a sales record moving 610,000 units of the song digitally, which is the highest one week total ever for a female artist, and second highest one week total overall. "TiK ToK's" lyrics may be the definition of vapid, but when discussing the song with a prominent DJ (whaddup Halo) we both noted that despite its content "TiK ToK's" verses and hooks are put together really well musically and the song is a DJs best friend when it comes to getting people on a dance floor. Ke$ha actually ha Read More ...
* If you live anywhere near a radio, a nightclub, or basically any English speaking human life, you're probably familiar with Ke$ha's breakout hit "TiK ToK." No matter how you feel about the song, get used to it. For the week ending Dec 27th Ke$ha set a sales record moving 610,000 units of the song digitally, which is the highest one week total ever for a female artist, and second highest one week total overall. "TiK ToK's" lyrics may be the definition of vapid, but when discussing the song with a prominent DJ (whaddup Halo) we both noted that despite its content "TiK ToK's" verses and hooks are put together really well musically and the song is a DJs best friend when it comes to getting people on a dance floor. Ke$ha actually ha Read More ... After last week's first half of Pop Shots' Top 10 Pop Songs of the Decade I know how much you've been eagerly awaiting the next installment, which is why this week's Pop Shots is coming to you a day early. So without further adieu, here are Pop Shots' picks as the top five pop songs of the decade.
5) Justin Timberlake - Cry Me a River (2002)
"Sexyback" may have launched Timberlake to new heights as an adult artist, but it was "Cry Me a River" that set him up for such a launch. The tale of betrayal, complete with a creepy operatic sample that helped to make the beat one of Timbaland's best, wasn't subtle when it came to who it was about, and the personal nature of it made it that much more hard hitting. "Cry Me a River" was also that rare song that took advantage of Timberlake's full range as a singer. This was his most mature work up to that point, and, in my opinion, is still his best song. The video was also fantast Read More ...
5) Justin Timberlake - Cry Me a River (2002)"Sexyback" may have launched Timberlake to new heights as an adult artist, but it was "Cry Me a River" that set him up for such a launch. The tale of betrayal, complete with a creepy operatic sample that helped to make the beat one of Timbaland's best, wasn't subtle when it came to who it was about, and the personal nature of it made it that much more hard hitting. "Cry Me a River" was also that rare song that took advantage of Timberlake's full range as a singer. This was his most mature work up to that point, and, in my opinion, is still his best song. The video was also fantast Read More ...
Why aren't there more than two or three female artists allowed inside the top tier of country music? While artists like Faith Hill and Martina McBride are allowed to score a periodic chart topping hit, 2008 only found Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Heidi Newfield scoring Top 10 hits as solo artists while Sugarland took a firm grasp of a star slot on the charts and Lady Antebellum scored themselves a hit as well (with a song that featured duet-like vocals).
2009 found Swift, Underwood, Sugarland and Lady Antebellum joined by longtime star Reba McEntire and Kellie Pickler. That's it. Lambert and McBride also managed to get to #11 on the charts but the fact that they couldn't crack the Top 10 is revealing. It's even more revealing when you consider that Swift and Underwood are two of the music world's biggest-selling artists. Lambert has multiple platinum albums to her credit and Sugarland and Lady Antebellum have scored at retail as well.
So, why do female artists have such a hard time scoring radio hits? It could be simple preferences from radio programmers, but in reality it's due to more than that. It's partially radio testing out songs and if one person doesn't like the song, they will not play it. Or the bigger problem, that the Read More ...
2009 found Swift, Underwood, Sugarland and Lady Antebellum joined by longtime star Reba McEntire and Kellie Pickler. That's it. Lambert and McBride also managed to get to #11 on the charts but the fact that they couldn't crack the Top 10 is revealing. It's even more revealing when you consider that Swift and Underwood are two of the music world's biggest-selling artists. Lambert has multiple platinum albums to her credit and Sugarland and Lady Antebellum have scored at retail as well.
So, why do female artists have such a hard time scoring radio hits? It could be simple preferences from radio programmers, but in reality it's due to more than that. It's partially radio testing out songs and if one person doesn't like the song, they will not play it. Or the bigger problem, that the Read More ...
One of the last times I saw my good friend, the lovely and talented Trae, I was in Worcester, Mass. It was February and I was covering a Killswitch Engage and DragonForce show in Worcester on Friday and then heading off to Boston for an early evening show featuring the same bands at a club across the street from Fenway Park, the name of which I can't recall. Yes, it was so close to Fenway I could touch the storied ballpark! It was freezing New England weather and after Trae and I spilled out into the parking lot from the backstage door after the show, she offered to give me a ride to my hotel down the block. Granted, it was a short, three-block walk, but it was late and did I mention, freezing effing cold? It also provided us with more time to chat, since we didn't see each other and have quality face time as often as I'd have liked! We sat in her vehicle, as she warmed it up. We talked, as she was getting ready to move to California. I knew I'd miss her, since I made about three to four trips to the Worcester area each year for work and we always got to hang when I did, but was happy to see her make this move. Little did I know, the great Golden State would become a huge part of my life, via a long distance relationship that I would embark on i Read More ...
As people go about making their holiday plans this early week of December, it's time to reflect a little bit about the newcomers to country music this year. It seems to me that this year rivals that of the vaunted "class of 1989" that contained Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Clint Black, among some others. And while the big acts 20 years ago were solo artists, country music's biggest newcomers for 2009 were groups. Lady Antebellum and Zac Brown Band may have started out in 2008 but both acts exploded in 2009 with two chart-toppers this year while their fantastic debut albums scored platinum statuses and were handed a boatload of industry awards, along with garnering recent Grammy nominees.
The Zac Brown Band are so good live that they blew the roof off of the Sommet Center in Nashville during the CMA Awards broadcast ripping the Charlie Daniels Band's "Devil Went Down To Georgia" like it was a brand-new track. That performance, quite frankly, is the performance that cemented the band as the band that can finally take the 'biggest band in Read More ...
The Zac Brown Band are so good live that they blew the roof off of the Sommet Center in Nashville during the CMA Awards broadcast ripping the Charlie Daniels Band's "Devil Went Down To Georgia" like it was a brand-new track. That performance, quite frankly, is the performance that cemented the band as the band that can finally take the 'biggest band in Read More ... Ok, I said I wouldn't do it, but I did elsewhere, somewhere many of you dear readers may not be reading. So I decided to repurpose my Top-Not-Really-10 of the '00s here, since I put a lot of time, thought and memory into these. No, I couldn't help myself and couldn't stick to a strict list of only 10 albums. So many albums, especially in the earlier part of the decade, impacted me like an Atom bomb. So without further adieu, let's stroll down memory lane! And please know, these are in absolutely no particular order. Enjoy. Hope they've brought you some joy or that you'll discover them based on this list! ~ Amy Sciarretto
Deftones
The White Pony
"Easily their best work, mixing the tension of Stephen Carpenter's love for metal with vocalist Chino Moreno's adoration of the dark and nu wave styles. If Morrissey, Slayer and PJ Harvey had a threesome, their spawn would be 'The White Pony.' When I got this, I brought it home, shut out all the lights in my room and put in on my stereo and let it totally filter through me. Since this was one of my fave bands, I had to absorb it that way. It was a religious experience. I still love "Feticiera' and 'Passenger,' b/c how the hell do you not lov Read More ...
Deftones
The White Pony
"Easily their best work, mixing the tension of Stephen Carpenter's love for metal with vocalist Chino Moreno's adoration of the dark and nu wave styles. If Morrissey, Slayer and PJ Harvey had a threesome, their spawn would be 'The White Pony.' When I got this, I brought it home, shut out all the lights in my room and put in on my stereo and let it totally filter through me. Since this was one of my fave bands, I had to absorb it that way. It was a religious experience. I still love "Feticiera' and 'Passenger,' b/c how the hell do you not lov Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from the makeover the Grammy's have given themselves, to Selena Gomez and Usher helping out on Extreme Home Makeover, to Carrie Underwood's hopes of making over a TV network's lineup, and since it's Pop Shots, you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Good news Grammy watchers, there should be no more heavy metal awards going to Jethro Tull. The Grammy nominations committee finally seems to have figured out what people are actually listening to, giving plenty of 2010 nominations to Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Lady Gaga and Jay-Z. The only minor surprise was that Maxwell's comeback earned him six nods, but that's a welcome surprise (some of us still utilize Urban Hang Suite on dates. Thanks Maxwell!). Ten bucks says Kanye stays in line this time when Taylor Swift takes home damn near every award. I hear they're going to serve him fish sticks... because he likes them.
* If you ever wanted to see a Disney star and Read More ... It's hard to believe that it'll be five years since the tragic, senseless, and "it still hurts" death of Pantera and Damageplan guitarist, metal legend and all around nice guy, Dimebag Darrell. The anniversary – I don't even like using that word, simply because annivs are usually something you celebrate and this is not an event I enjoy- is next week, December 8.
My eyes are welling up with tears as I type this, because Dime's loss is such a senseless one, and even though I had interviewed him three or four times and met him twice, the second of which he put his arm around me in a secure, warm hug as we posed for a photo…he always seemed so reachable and so real. That's because he was. He had to be. You don't fake that kind of positive energy. Maybe it's the Texas thing. Maybe it's the artist that was within him. Maybe he was just a real nice fucking guy. Maybe it was just a combo of all of those things. I am inclined to believe it was.
Dime affected my life in so many ways – still does- in the legacy he left behind. I know you can' Read More ...
My eyes are welling up with tears as I type this, because Dime's loss is such a senseless one, and even though I had interviewed him three or four times and met him twice, the second of which he put his arm around me in a secure, warm hug as we posed for a photo…he always seemed so reachable and so real. That's because he was. He had to be. You don't fake that kind of positive energy. Maybe it's the Texas thing. Maybe it's the artist that was within him. Maybe he was just a real nice fucking guy. Maybe it was just a combo of all of those things. I am inclined to believe it was.
Dime affected my life in so many ways – still does- in the legacy he left behind. I know you can' Read More ... Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Adam Lambert's genius gay kiss, to Toni Braxton's moronic heterosexual kiss, to the kiss Jason Segal was looking to plant on quite a few Swell Season fans, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Adam Lambert, and the person who booked him for the American Music Awards, are geniuses. The AMA people had to have known Lambert was going to do something shocking, which would make the AMAs a talking point for days after it aired, and at the same time, Lambert had to know the AMAs would be the perfect venue to officially shed his "American Idol contestant" tag and become a star on his own. Why mention Idol when you can now mention Lambert's gay kiss and fully-clothed simulated oral sex? Some foolish commentators are calling the decrying of Lambert's gay kiss a double standard as there was little offense taken when Madonna, Britney and Christina locked lips on TV a handful of years ago. Those criti Read More ...
* Adam Lambert, and the person who booked him for the American Music Awards, are geniuses. The AMA people had to have known Lambert was going to do something shocking, which would make the AMAs a talking point for days after it aired, and at the same time, Lambert had to know the AMAs would be the perfect venue to officially shed his "American Idol contestant" tag and become a star on his own. Why mention Idol when you can now mention Lambert's gay kiss and fully-clothed simulated oral sex? Some foolish commentators are calling the decrying of Lambert's gay kiss a double standard as there was little offense taken when Madonna, Britney and Christina locked lips on TV a handful of years ago. Those criti Read More ... I always get told in the Journalism school that blogging is the ‘future of journalism’. Bloggers have started making headlines and breaking news faster than most major sources. Does that necessarily mean that it’s accurate and trusted info? No. Does it mean that a blogger’s post may cross into the truth and jeporadize a journalist? Yeshh.
Blogs are much like tabloid magazines. They are mostly ridiculous and occasionally report accurate obscure stories before they hit major headlines.
It’s like in “Men in Black” when Tommy Lee Jones tells Will Smith to read tabloids for research. Part of the plot in “Men in Black” rests on the idea that tabloid newspapers provide actual evidence that helps the government track down and capture troublesome aliens. Despite the interference comedy, this raises the question as to whether “Men in Black” was bankrolled by the National Enquirer or some other related outfit. The implication that tabloids and trash television may contain even a seed of truth is a possibility too dangerous to even fathom. Do we not already have enough crazies running around saying they have found Aquaman??
Or maybe we don’t have enough…
Blogs are much like tabloid magazines. They are mostly ridiculous and occasionally report accurate obscure stories before they hit major headlines.
It’s like in “Men in Black” when Tommy Lee Jones tells Will Smith to read tabloids for research. Part of the plot in “Men in Black” rests on the idea that tabloid newspapers provide actual evidence that helps the government track down and capture troublesome aliens. Despite the interference comedy, this raises the question as to whether “Men in Black” was bankrolled by the National Enquirer or some other related outfit. The implication that tabloids and trash television may contain even a seed of truth is a possibility too dangerous to even fathom. Do we not already have enough crazies running around saying they have found Aquaman??
Or maybe we don’t have enough…
[Tags] Column
We're at Thanksgiving already. So I'm going to sum up what musical events I am thankful for right now, at this point in time.
Thank you Slayer, Megadeth and Testament for agreeing to appear on the American Carnage tour in the good ole US of A in 2010. Winter is a miserable time of year, with the cold, gray skies, so knowing that the three of you will be bringing the metal up our asses in January and February gives us a reason to actually look forward to Old Man Winter. I'll be even more thankful if you guys decide to perform with one another... for a song? A solo? A chorus? Something? Wishful thinking, I am sure. But what's life without hopes and dreams? Remember what Tim Robbins' character said in The Shawshank Redemption. The one thing his captors couldn't take away was...hope.
Thank you Far, one of my fave bands ever, for deciding to get back together and make a new album that will be out on Vagrant in 2010. I flew out to their first reunion show in 2008, watched them with my boyfriend Read More ...
Thank you Slayer, Megadeth and Testament for agreeing to appear on the American Carnage tour in the good ole US of A in 2010. Winter is a miserable time of year, with the cold, gray skies, so knowing that the three of you will be bringing the metal up our asses in January and February gives us a reason to actually look forward to Old Man Winter. I'll be even more thankful if you guys decide to perform with one another... for a song? A solo? A chorus? Something? Wishful thinking, I am sure. But what's life without hopes and dreams? Remember what Tim Robbins' character said in The Shawshank Redemption. The one thing his captors couldn't take away was...hope.Thank you Far, one of my fave bands ever, for deciding to get back together and make a new album that will be out on Vagrant in 2010. I flew out to their first reunion show in 2008, watched them with my boyfriend Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from New Moon and Susan Boyle crushing records, to Justin Bieber's fans crushing each other, to Lady Gaga crushing the idea to that all pop stars need computerized vocal assistance, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* New Moon owns the universe. Everyone knew the film would do well, but I don't think anyone could have predicted its $72.7 million dollar opening day. $72.7 million is a nice chunk of change for an opening day. Actually, it's the nicest chunk of change ever for an opening day. I don't know where Harry Potter is right now, but someone needs to let him know that his time is up. The vamps from Twilight have a stranglehold on pop culture until further notice... or until someone gives Buffy Summers a call. That's one girl Edward Cullen does not want to see!
* Justin Bieber is the 15 year old singer that has all the tween girls going crazy. Unfortunately, Read More ...
* New Moon owns the universe. Everyone knew the film would do well, but I don't think anyone could have predicted its $72.7 million dollar opening day. $72.7 million is a nice chunk of change for an opening day. Actually, it's the nicest chunk of change ever for an opening day. I don't know where Harry Potter is right now, but someone needs to let him know that his time is up. The vamps from Twilight have a stranglehold on pop culture until further notice... or until someone gives Buffy Summers a call. That's one girl Edward Cullen does not want to see!* Justin Bieber is the 15 year old singer that has all the tween girls going crazy. Unfortunately, Read More ...
During last week's Country Music Association (CMA) Awards program, Taylor Swift took home every award she was nominated for; Video of the Year, Album of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. The first two awards were pretty much hers to lose as she makes good videos with strong production values while Album of the Year seemed like the perfect category to reward Taylor Swift for a 'job well done' in promoting country music so much that the album was the best-selling release of 2008-2009. Those other two awards, though, found Miss Swift winning in categories against established artists (Kenny Chesney in the Entertainer category, Carrie Underwood in the Female Vocalist) who both had won the categories for three years straight and looked to continue their streaks with strong years.
There were arguments about Taylor Swift even being nominated let alone win the category for Female Vocalist. So imagine these same folks surprise when country music's teen queen took home the award. Carrie Underwood's massive and extremely loyal fans immediately Read More ...
There were arguments about Taylor Swift even being nominated let alone win the category for Female Vocalist. So imagine these same folks surprise when country music's teen queen took home the award. Carrie Underwood's massive and extremely loyal fans immediately Read More ... I am rocking a serious case of writer's block this week. That's no good, especially when I am sitting atop a deadline for this particular column! So I am going to muse on something that is irritating me. The end of the decade ... and with that demarcation of time comes what I feel are those dreaded "Top 10 of the Decade" lists. Sure, it is fun to look back and reminisce on albums that came out over the past 10 years and place them in a current context, while having them remind you of a specific time and place in your life and in culture. But what becomes so problematic about it is that it's November and these lists are often due for printing and publication ASAP. That just doesn't give me enough time to remember ALL of the albums that came out and made an impact. And then it becomes a question of how you measure the impact?
In my mind, I immediately think of albums I love – Deftones The White Pony, Iron Maiden Brave New World, At the Drive-In Relationship of Command, Glassjaw Everything Read More ...
In my mind, I immediately think of albums I love – Deftones The White Pony, Iron Maiden Brave New World, At the Drive-In Relationship of Command, Glassjaw Everything Read More ... Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Britney Spears giving herself to Satan, to New Kid on the Block Joey McIntyre giving a solo career another try, to Bruce Springsteen giving some geographically incorrect shout outs, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* It looks as though Britney Spears is finally being open about her close affiliation with Satan. It really makes sense; I mean, how else could her career have lasted this long? Is there any other way she could have gone through all the train wreck situations she's gone through and still be in the position she's in? This is why the following tweets from her came as no surprise to me:
I hope that the new world order will arrive as soon as possible! -Britney
I give myself to Lucifer every day for it to arrive as quickly as possible. Glory to Satan!
OK, so MAYBE her Twitter account was hacked (in fact, it was), but I would still love to do a sit down Read More ...
* It looks as though Britney Spears is finally being open about her close affiliation with Satan. It really makes sense; I mean, how else could her career have lasted this long? Is there any other way she could have gone through all the train wreck situations she's gone through and still be in the position she's in? This is why the following tweets from her came as no surprise to me:
I hope that the new world order will arrive as soon as possible! -Britney
I give myself to Lucifer every day for it to arrive as quickly as possible. Glory to Satan!
OK, so MAYBE her Twitter account was hacked (in fact, it was), but I would still love to do a sit down Read More ...
I’m from Las Vegas. While it’s true that I was born in Southern California and grew up in various locations across the United States, I spent a solid ten years in Sin City, clocking in my junior high and high school years.
Any Vegas native could tell you they feel at home when hear the repetitive slot machines spit out “Wheel! Of! Fortune!” the minute they step off the plane at McCarran Airport. Nine times of out ten, the flight they just endured included on average three drunk people, one of them attempting to persuade the stewardess to serve them more Bloody Marys.
Growing up in a 24-hour town, I’ve learned obscure facts about the entertainment industry. Las Vegas is where entertainment was born, home to Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. In modern day, Vegas has become as much an accomplishment as a feared death trap to performers.
Veteran acts typically dread their Vegas tour stop for the possibility that they may become the next Carrot Top or Wayne Newton. While there’s nothing wrong with Wayne Newton (don’t get me started on Carrot Top, the goon.) these entertainers are at a relative standstill with their retirement in clear view on the horizon.
Vegas has become where acts go to die, the gobs of money offered by hotel owners can be hard to tur Read More ...
Any Vegas native could tell you they feel at home when hear the repetitive slot machines spit out “Wheel! Of! Fortune!” the minute they step off the plane at McCarran Airport. Nine times of out ten, the flight they just endured included on average three drunk people, one of them attempting to persuade the stewardess to serve them more Bloody Marys.
Growing up in a 24-hour town, I’ve learned obscure facts about the entertainment industry. Las Vegas is where entertainment was born, home to Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. In modern day, Vegas has become as much an accomplishment as a feared death trap to performers.
Veteran acts typically dread their Vegas tour stop for the possibility that they may become the next Carrot Top or Wayne Newton. While there’s nothing wrong with Wayne Newton (don’t get me started on Carrot Top, the goon.) these entertainers are at a relative standstill with their retirement in clear view on the horizon.
Vegas has become where acts go to die, the gobs of money offered by hotel owners can be hard to tur Read More ...
I can't believe that 2009 is rounding third and ending soon and I haven't even begun to think about a top 10 list for the year. I used to always look forward to compiling my fave ear treats for the year but for the past two years, I have had increasing difficulty in assembling such a list. Maybe because I keep retreating to past albums and previous music that I loved in the past. It's not like there is a dearth of good music out there. The one record I have rocked from the beginning of the year through now is Lamb of God's Wrath. Another slab of pure and uncompromising metal that makes me want to throw Molotov Cocktails out windows.
However, a very good friend of mine, who has been supporting me while I've been nursing my very broken, very damaged, will-take-very-long-to-heal heart, sent me a song over IM the other day that really clicked with me on multiple levels. And it dawned on me, had she and I not been chatting, I might never have discovered the song! I was glad she and I were communicating about what's going on in my life and she was able to send Read More ...
However, a very good friend of mine, who has been supporting me while I've been nursing my very broken, very damaged, will-take-very-long-to-heal heart, sent me a song over IM the other day that really clicked with me on multiple levels. And it dawned on me, had she and I not been chatting, I might never have discovered the song! I was glad she and I were communicating about what's going on in my life and she was able to send Read More ... Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from No Doubt losing control of their image, to Sublime losing their name, to MAE losing all their stuff, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Video game creator Activision is finding themselves in hot water again for the way they're using musicians' likenesses in their "Hero" games. First they were called out by the surviving members of Nirvana and Courtney Love for making Kurt Cobain a playable character in Guitar Hero 5 for ANY song, and now No Doubt is suing the video game company for the same issue, this time with Band Hero making Gwen Stefani available for ANY song. According to an interview with the LA Times, No Doubt's manager Jim Guerinot said the band "agreed to play three No Doubt songs as a band. Activision then went and put them in 62 other songs and broke the band up (and) never even asked." I'm sorry, I like No Doubt a lot, but if you're THAT concerned about your image, don't sign away you Read More ...
* Video game creator Activision is finding themselves in hot water again for the way they're using musicians' likenesses in their "Hero" games. First they were called out by the surviving members of Nirvana and Courtney Love for making Kurt Cobain a playable character in Guitar Hero 5 for ANY song, and now No Doubt is suing the video game company for the same issue, this time with Band Hero making Gwen Stefani available for ANY song. According to an interview with the LA Times, No Doubt's manager Jim Guerinot said the band "agreed to play three No Doubt songs as a band. Activision then went and put them in 62 other songs and broke the band up (and) never even asked." I'm sorry, I like No Doubt a lot, but if you're THAT concerned about your image, don't sign away you Read More ... 
Next Wednesday is the 43rd CMA Awards telecast and while it is guaranteed to be a star-studded affair, there are a couple of things to look for when the awards are handed out. While contests for single, song, male vocalist, group and duo are pretty much easy to call, the awards for "Entertainer of the Year" and Female Vocalist of the Year and "Album of the Year" are harder to call because the music industry's biggest star, Taylor Swift is in contention. Of the three awards, the only one that critics of Miss Swift will begrudgingly give her is "Album of the Year" because it was country music's most popular album, even if it was more popular with pop fans than ‘true country fans.' That being said, there are rumors of a revolt waiting to happen if Miss Swift takes the Female Vocalist award away from people like Carrie Underwood or Martina McBride. Quite simply, Swift winning anything over Underwood is enough to make Carrie's fans go insane; as they already love to compare Underwood to anything Swift does, as if it's some sort of contest for best and prettiest and all the rest Read More ... As I sit here nursing my broken heart, watching Game 4 of the World Series – not liking how my beloved Phillies have started things out, but still remaining positive, optimistic, and glass half-full about the situation- and enjoying how the Eagles routed our division rival Giants this afternoon, I started cleaning out my SPAM folder of my inbox, all the while listening to and absorbing World Painted Blood, the thrashtastic new Slayer opus. I have been staying off social networking sites lately, taking a big of a chosen, self-imposed hiatus so I don't try and use context clues to piece together information that I don't have. It lead me to remember when I was a wee lass, loving music, watching awards shows like The American Music Awards and the Grammys, and my favorite, The VMAs, and dying to know what was going on behind the scenes and backstage. That not knowing and not seeing all the private, not-for-public-consumption moments…fueled my curiosity and eventually lead me to my career as a rock journalist and a publicist. The velvet rope was open, the curtain lifted and I was not only peeking inside the world I was so interested in and intrigued by, but I was welcomed in, embraced by it and became a part of the inner workings and mechanisms.
What's the poi Read More ...
What's the poi Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Owl City's impressive ascent, to two veteran groups reaching milestones, to a storied festival looking to launch a few more careers, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* In a huge win for synth-pop, Owl City claimed the top spot on the Billboard singles chart this past week with "Fireflies." What I really dig about this is that "Fireflies" had a slow build. It's almost as if, for the first time in what seems like forever, a major label put a song out there and just let people discover it. "Fireflies" wasn't shoved down our throats. I remember getting the single in the mail in mid-July. I'm glad they gave it time and let the fan base build for it. I'm also glad Owl City is teaming up with Lights for a tour in 2010. That should be an amazing show and I can't wait to check it out.
* Nick Jonas, heartthrob to pre-teen girls everywhere, is planning a solo album, because, ya know, in recent his Read More ...
* In a huge win for synth-pop, Owl City claimed the top spot on the Billboard singles chart this past week with "Fireflies." What I really dig about this is that "Fireflies" had a slow build. It's almost as if, for the first time in what seems like forever, a major label put a song out there and just let people discover it. "Fireflies" wasn't shoved down our throats. I remember getting the single in the mail in mid-July. I'm glad they gave it time and let the fan base build for it. I'm also glad Owl City is teaming up with Lights for a tour in 2010. That should be an amazing show and I can't wait to check it out.* Nick Jonas, heartthrob to pre-teen girls everywhere, is planning a solo album, because, ya know, in recent his Read More ...
Garth Brooks recently announced an exclusive engagement with Steve Wynn and the Wynn Casino and Resort in Las Vegas. For the next five years, as Garth's youngest daughter grows up, he will be playing shows for most of the weekends throughout the year. I always expected Garth to come out of retirement to do something like this but I never expected him to do it exclusively in Vegas. I figured that he would follow George Strait's model. That is to do 20-30 dates a year in arenas or stadiums and only on Friday or Saturday so that he would be home with his kids the rest of the time. It made perfect sense to me. Then again, I forget who I'm talking about. Garth Brooks is a master marketer. He, like the Beatles and Michael Jackson, understood that the power of an artist is not only in touring but in owning the music they record and once he became the man, he bought his publishing, the master recordings of his songs were bought back from Capitol Nashville and EMI and finally, he controlled when and where a single would go out. Some would call him selfish or something but he was Read More ... I am on a stream of consciousness kick for this week's column, so don't be too distracted by the all-over-the-place topicality.
Halloween is upon us, and that's quite the metal holiday, isn't it? Ghouls, ghosts, goblins and gore show in quite a bit of metal lyrics, regardless of the date! I just got a copy of the new Slayer album, World Painted Blood, which is due out next month and of course it's Slayeriffic in every way that you'd expect and it arrives at my post office box at the most appropriate of times. The promo came packaged like biohazardous material. (Speaking of Biohazard, didja hear that bassist/singer Evan Seinfeld and his porno queen wife Tera Patrick are splitsville?) The music? It came wrapped in fast, unforgiving Kerry King riffs. It's a good year for metal when a new Slayer album drops. I have the inside track on some incredible Slayer touring information for next year. All I can see it's going to be metal and it's going to be good. Better than good. A headbanger's wettest dream.
I'm still Read More ...
Halloween is upon us, and that's quite the metal holiday, isn't it? Ghouls, ghosts, goblins and gore show in quite a bit of metal lyrics, regardless of the date! I just got a copy of the new Slayer album, World Painted Blood, which is due out next month and of course it's Slayeriffic in every way that you'd expect and it arrives at my post office box at the most appropriate of times. The promo came packaged like biohazardous material. (Speaking of Biohazard, didja hear that bassist/singer Evan Seinfeld and his porno queen wife Tera Patrick are splitsville?) The music? It came wrapped in fast, unforgiving Kerry King riffs. It's a good year for metal when a new Slayer album drops. I have the inside track on some incredible Slayer touring information for next year. All I can see it's going to be metal and it's going to be good. Better than good. A headbanger's wettest dream. I'm still Read More ...
It's sometimes tough to be a country music fan. There are the old jokes where if you play a country song backwards that you get everything back that you lost in the song. It's the genre people love to hate yet what keeps me a fan of the genre, is the fact that it is (mostly) real. Take the new song "Why" from Rascal Flatts, whatever you may like to say about the band and their music, you cannot deny the power of this song which simply asks "why did you leave the stage in the middle of your song?" It's a metaphor about ending life too soon and the song has hit home for me as I remember my high school friend who felt life wasn't worth living. I wanted to say the words that I hear in "Why" for so long that the song easily brings up that long suppressed emotion to the surface, where I can actually move on from the pain of losing a best-friend.Another real song is Joe Nichols' "An Old Friend of Mine." Sung in one take with the talented Gordon Mote accompanying him on piano, Nichols sings of the struggle a man goes through as he puts down the bottle to have a better Read More ...
There was no column last week, dear reader, for a very simple reason. I was out of commission. Laid up. In the hospital for a quick, yet necessary trip to the ER. Late September and October have been an emotional and physical shitstorm for me. Enduring a major break up and when I get upset, I lose my appetite, my gastritis starts acting up and eating becomes something I like to avoid because it's actually painful. My stomach is that torn up, on the inside. Red as raw beef. It's the only part of my body that is not robustly healthy. I am normally healthy as a stallion. An Italian Stallion, like one Rocky Balboa, actually. I lost 25 lbs. But with that drastic drop in the lbs. also comes a loss of nutrition and essential vitamins and ultimately strength. I am no weakling, but it was physically beyond my ability to get better without some sort of medicine. I had to go to the ER to get an IV drop so that I could replenish what I could not get down orally, since even the thought of food tossed my tummy and anything that I tried to get down, well, in reverse peristalsis fashion, came right back up. I am so upset about this turn of events that I can't even write about it in my journal. And I am a writer by trade, by profession, by blessing, by skill, by talent and by soul. That's how d Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Miley's reasons for abandoning Twitter, to Kanye's abandoning of an awards show, to Canada's indie scene's abandoning of insignificance in the US, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Forget the Nobel Peace Prize, forget the bombing of the moon, the biggest news in the world this past week was that Miley Cyrus decided to leave Twitter. OK, so perhaps it wasn't the biggest news in the world, but in her rap song ... yes, you read that right, and yes, you were totally right to sigh when you did ... she discussed the many reasons why she decided to give it up (he he, I said "give it up"). One reason in particular is something I feel deserves to be mentioned – gossip sites using celebrity tweets as quotes for articles and basing stories around them. I've discussed this with a number of my p Read More ...
* Forget the Nobel Peace Prize, forget the bombing of the moon, the biggest news in the world this past week was that Miley Cyrus decided to leave Twitter. OK, so perhaps it wasn't the biggest news in the world, but in her rap song ... yes, you read that right, and yes, you were totally right to sigh when you did ... she discussed the many reasons why she decided to give it up (he he, I said "give it up"). One reason in particular is something I feel deserves to be mentioned – gossip sites using celebrity tweets as quotes for articles and basing stories around them. I've discussed this with a number of my p Read More ... It was announced earlier this week that Columbia Records Nashville had released Keith Anderson and Caitlin & Will from their contracts. While Anderson's release was to be expected after he experienced the dreaded sophomore slump with the C'Mon album, Caitlin & Will were dumped after only one failed single and a digital EP release. The winners of the first season of CMT's Can You Duet, Caitlin & Will were put together by the show's judging panel and producers. They made compelling television and, after seeing them perform live a couple of times, the duo had something going live. They seemed to be great performers and burgeoning songwriters, on top of being the great people we saw on the show.
The fact that Columbia dropped the duo doesn't surprise me, like coaches in professional sports, it is the inevitable fact that artists are bound to, at some point, be let go from their contract. What is surprising to me is the fact that Columbia Records cut bait so quickly after their single "Address In The Stars" failed to ignite at radio, after radio had requested i Read More ...
The fact that Columbia dropped the duo doesn't surprise me, like coaches in professional sports, it is the inevitable fact that artists are bound to, at some point, be let go from their contract. What is surprising to me is the fact that Columbia Records cut bait so quickly after their single "Address In The Stars" failed to ignite at radio, after radio had requested i Read More ... Mercury is supposedly out of retrograde starting this month and here's to hoping things start looking up after an awful September. Ugh. Still tending to and nursing my very broken heart. And listening to music to take the sting off. Here's to hoping it's a temporary situation, as well. Hope... that's something they can't get to, they can't touch, to paraphrase Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption.
I'd like to take a moment to send a prayer out to the family and friends of the late Brian Redman, former bassist for 3 Inches of Blood during their Advance & Vanquish-era. Redman was killed in a vehicular accident two weekends ago near his home in Tacoma, Washington. Redman played bass in 3IOB and left the band in 2005'ish and had previously played bass in Trial before that. I had the pleasure of working with him when he was in 3IOB and he was one of my favorite things about the band. May he rest in peace. He will be missed, for sure.
Speaking of Redman's former band, be sure and check out their latest, Here Waits Thy Doom, their first for new label Century Media. It's definitely a "must listen" for fans of throwback, fist-in-the-air metal. And no, it's not jokey metal either. It's just proud of metal's Read More ...
I'd like to take a moment to send a prayer out to the family and friends of the late Brian Redman, former bassist for 3 Inches of Blood during their Advance & Vanquish-era. Redman was killed in a vehicular accident two weekends ago near his home in Tacoma, Washington. Redman played bass in 3IOB and left the band in 2005'ish and had previously played bass in Trial before that. I had the pleasure of working with him when he was in 3IOB and he was one of my favorite things about the band. May he rest in peace. He will be missed, for sure.
Speaking of Redman's former band, be sure and check out their latest, Here Waits Thy Doom, their first for new label Century Media. It's definitely a "must listen" for fans of throwback, fist-in-the-air metal. And no, it's not jokey metal either. It's just proud of metal's Read More ...
[Tags] Column
Welcome to a special edition of Pop Shots, the one column you can always count on to give you your weekly dose of pop world musings. This week the entire focus of Pop Shots is going to be on tour combinations that failed. Sure, plenty of superstars have successfully teamed for tours, but it's the train wrecks, some of which never even got off the ground, that are really fun to talk about. Some of the following combinations seemed like good ideas at the time, while others were obviously doomed to fail from the get go. Let's start with the most recent tour fail, that of Lady Gaga and Kanye West.
* Lady Gaga and Kanye West - Fame Kills was going to be the name of the tour, but the only killing it did was of itself. Apparently ticket sales were poor, although that should really come as no surprise as, despite both being pop radio faves, Gaga and Kanye's fan bases don't exactly crossover. So in essence, this was a tour where fans of each artist were asked to pony up a healthy increase in the amount they would normally have to pay for a ticket just because an artist they have little to no interest Read More ...
* Lady Gaga and Kanye West - Fame Kills was going to be the name of the tour, but the only killing it did was of itself. Apparently ticket sales were poor, although that should really come as no surprise as, despite both being pop radio faves, Gaga and Kanye's fan bases don't exactly crossover. So in essence, this was a tour where fans of each artist were asked to pony up a healthy increase in the amount they would normally have to pay for a ticket just because an artist they have little to no interest Read More ... Sup 101D-listers? The weather is coooooold in New York today. I've bought three jackets to keep up with the inconsistent cold – one for the slightly chilly weather, one for the colder weather, and one as we like to call it here "brick" weather. That means you can't feel your toes when you walk weather. And the thing is, the levels of cold are so dramatically different that you need to be layered like everyday. So yeah, bought three jackets. I'm not ballin though; I got them all at a designer sample sale. Hey speaking of samples...
So this week I figured I'd give you all a little lesson on some Hip-Hop samples. Call it Samples 101(D). Many Hip-Hop artists look across the pond for some interesting sounds to make their music pop. I'm a fan of this. Nothing irks me more than a rapper who samples another rap song that dropped a month ago or something. DJ Premier mastered the art of the chop and could collect Hip-Hop samples to work into his production. That's a craft that he is basically the only one who is good at. So yeah, checking for some international flavor in production is a must. I'd like to put you on to one of the earlier instances where this was a major win.
Eric B & Rakim – Paid In Full (Coldcut Remix)
So this week I figured I'd give you all a little lesson on some Hip-Hop samples. Call it Samples 101(D). Many Hip-Hop artists look across the pond for some interesting sounds to make their music pop. I'm a fan of this. Nothing irks me more than a rapper who samples another rap song that dropped a month ago or something. DJ Premier mastered the art of the chop and could collect Hip-Hop samples to work into his production. That's a craft that he is basically the only one who is good at. So yeah, checking for some international flavor in production is a must. I'd like to put you on to one of the earlier instances where this was a major win.
Eric B & Rakim – Paid In Full (Coldcut Remix)
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from the trials and tribulations of Lily Allen, to pathetic exits for Diddy and Ashton Kutcher, to a Baywatch babe gone big, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* The internet can be a great way for artists to communicate with their fans. Unfortunately, it can also be a haven for negativity. Lily Allen found this out the hard way last week when she posted a blog about her thoughts on illegal downloading and the resulting conflagration turned into such a huge mess that she ended up taking down the blog and then announcing she has no plans to extend her recording contract once it's up. Does this mean that Lily Allen could be done making music? Personally, I hope not, and I hope that she keeps voicing her opinions on music industry related topics, as well. Even if people think she says the wrong thing at times isn't that better than the artists who say nothing at all, or the artists who simply say what Read More ...
* The internet can be a great way for artists to communicate with their fans. Unfortunately, it can also be a haven for negativity. Lily Allen found this out the hard way last week when she posted a blog about her thoughts on illegal downloading and the resulting conflagration turned into such a huge mess that she ended up taking down the blog and then announcing she has no plans to extend her recording contract once it's up. Does this mean that Lily Allen could be done making music? Personally, I hope not, and I hope that she keeps voicing her opinions on music industry related topics, as well. Even if people think she says the wrong thing at times isn't that better than the artists who say nothing at all, or the artists who simply say what Read More ... So, my 101-Dlisted fam ... cold has cleared. That's what happens when you catch the "grind flu" word to Yung Joc. Shortly before I was doped up on Echinacea and Goldenseal, I was invited to the Kid CuDi album release party for Man On the Moon: The End Of Day. CuDi was there, which was nice and they played a little bit of his album. I attended the official listening session a few weeks prior, and while I did love the album, I was sad that the Crookers remix for "Day N Nite" wasn't on there.
Now look, I'm no big dance remix freak. Remember Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" dance remix? That made the song – which was supposed to be about people drowning on the Titanic but still being in love – turn into some party below sea level. Unreal. Anyway, so when I first heard the "Day N Nite" remix, I was like hey now this is fresh. There's a way to remix a song properly (just like in my column from last week, when I explained the basics to covering a song): you have to make it your own. Well the Crookers did.
This duo comprised of Phra and Bot hail from my motherland of Italy and have a knack for turning awesome music into awesomer music. They've remixed some craziness like Britney Spears, U2, AC/DC and Miike Snow, but also some dancey faves like Chromeo, Chemical Brothe Read More ...
Now look, I'm no big dance remix freak. Remember Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" dance remix? That made the song – which was supposed to be about people drowning on the Titanic but still being in love – turn into some party below sea level. Unreal. Anyway, so when I first heard the "Day N Nite" remix, I was like hey now this is fresh. There's a way to remix a song properly (just like in my column from last week, when I explained the basics to covering a song): you have to make it your own. Well the Crookers did.
This duo comprised of Phra and Bot hail from my motherland of Italy and have a knack for turning awesome music into awesomer music. They've remixed some craziness like Britney Spears, U2, AC/DC and Miike Snow, but also some dancey faves like Chromeo, Chemical Brothe Read More ...
During the first week of September, Carrie Underwood was 'forced' to release a track that she had intended to release the following week (on September 8), with enough time to get it quickly up the charts, but thanks to an unknown person with access to unfinished 'demos' or 'working tapes' of Underwood's "Cowboy Cassanova," her record label was 'forced' to put the official song out early. While I love the internet for many reasons, of which giving me a career is one, the net also has to be derided when things like this happen. While in the pre-internet (old days) a person could've shared their excitement for a 'demo' with their friends, the reach wouldn't be nearly what it is now. A work tape is just that, a recording of a work-in-progress song that's not ever meant for public consumption. Rather, these types of recordings –which are made for every song as they go from ideas on a page to recorded notes– are used by the artists, producers and labels to track the progress of a song and see if it needs additions or changes.
Sometimes, the work tapes Read More ...
Ok, I have to admit. I have nothing newsy to say this week. The wind is out of my sales. I am going through a very brutal-on-my-heart break up right now and I feel like a hollowed out shell. I don't know how I am keeping it together, really. While writing is like breathing to me – very easy- even writing has become a chore to me. There is nothing harder than heartache. Anyone who believes different is blind or a fool. Or just really damn lucky. I'm depressed. I am missing something that I cherish and I am wondering how I can fix it and myself.
So the only thing I can do, really, is to retreat into myself and to my iPod and listen to music that makes me feel like better and like someone else out there felt exactly how I did. It doesn't have to be rock. It doesn't have to be metal. It just has to be real and sincere. For trying to feel positive and pick myself up the floor, I think Pantera's Vulgar Display of Power or Hatebreed's Satisfaction is the Death of Desire are suitable soothers. I will try and glean some strength from these voices Read More ...
So the only thing I can do, really, is to retreat into myself and to my iPod and listen to music that makes me feel like better and like someone else out there felt exactly how I did. It doesn't have to be rock. It doesn't have to be metal. It just has to be real and sincere. For trying to feel positive and pick myself up the floor, I think Pantera's Vulgar Display of Power or Hatebreed's Satisfaction is the Death of Desire are suitable soothers. I will try and glean some strength from these voices Read More ... Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Avril Lavigne's split from Deryck Whibley, to Fall Out Boy's latest project, to a Jonas Brothers nightmare, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Avril Lavigne, who hasn't been in the public eye since threatening world sanity with her "hey hey, you you, I don't like your girlfriend" atrocity of a song, has broken up with her husband of three years, Sum41 lead singer (does that group even still exist?) Deryck Whibley. Whibley is reportedly "crushed" over the whole thing, although to be fair, it isn't hard to crush a leprechaun. Lavigne plans on celebrating her newfound single-hood by wreaking havoc in malls while bemoaning how "Complicated" life is.
* In frivolous lawsuit news, Abercrombie & Fitch, the store best known for making the clothing worn by the kind of girls LFO likes and curiously homo-erotic advertising, has sued Beyonce Knowles for something she isn't Read More ...
* Avril Lavigne, who hasn't been in the public eye since threatening world sanity with her "hey hey, you you, I don't like your girlfriend" atrocity of a song, has broken up with her husband of three years, Sum41 lead singer (does that group even still exist?) Deryck Whibley. Whibley is reportedly "crushed" over the whole thing, although to be fair, it isn't hard to crush a leprechaun. Lavigne plans on celebrating her newfound single-hood by wreaking havoc in malls while bemoaning how "Complicated" life is.
* In frivolous lawsuit news, Abercrombie & Fitch, the store best known for making the clothing worn by the kind of girls LFO likes and curiously homo-erotic advertising, has sued Beyonce Knowles for something she isn't Read More ...
This week the summer variety series America's Got Talent crowned their winner and as fate and destiny would have it, Kevin Skinner -an unassuming unemployed thirtysomething chicken farmer- gave America their own real rags to riches tale. This tale, which should've been obvious from the first time he sang "If Tomorrow Never Comes" in a backwards ragged hat and dirty poncho, is like the American version of Susan Boyle. Quite simply, in these times with 24-year-highs in unemployment where bankers still are handing out bonuses, America struck back and gave their own ‘stimulus package' to one of their own; Kevin Skinner.
It is heartening to see a guy getting a chance at his dream but my bigger hopes are that Skinner will spend his money wisely (after losing 33% to 50% to taxes) and buy a decent home, a nice car or so and put the rest into investments because the chances of earning any other money like what he just won tonight are slim to none, even if he does get a record deal or hits. The odds are still strong that he won't earn much more money than what he's just gotten from winni Read More ...
It is heartening to see a guy getting a chance at his dream but my bigger hopes are that Skinner will spend his money wisely (after losing 33% to 50% to taxes) and buy a decent home, a nice car or so and put the rest into investments because the chances of earning any other money like what he just won tonight are slim to none, even if he does get a record deal or hits. The odds are still strong that he won't earn much more money than what he's just gotten from winni Read More ...
101D-listers, I have a cold. All of this talk about the weather the weather the summer the summer caught up with me since the weather change gave your girl a cold. Blah. So here I sit in my bed with tea, New York Magazine, and my laptop writing this column. Whenever I'm sick, I tend to play all of the songs that cheer me up. Lame, I know, but you can only watch your "My So Called Life" DVD collection so many times before you want more from your life. For me, it's the music.
I must admit; I enjoy when indie rock bands cover Hip-Hop/R&B songs. Is that odd? Is that even a thing? It sure is! (answer to both questions) That brings me to introducing my picks of the week (even though I'm sick I am hitting you with TWO), The Klaxons and Biffy Clyro. So everyone might know about these guys, but I don't think you're aware of the awesome covers they did.
The Klaxons are from London, had two hit singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans" (my FAVORITE), but I fell in love with them because of this:
I must admit; I enjoy when indie rock bands cover Hip-Hop/R&B songs. Is that odd? Is that even a thing? It sure is! (answer to both questions) That brings me to introducing my picks of the week (even though I'm sick I am hitting you with TWO), The Klaxons and Biffy Clyro. So everyone might know about these guys, but I don't think you're aware of the awesome covers they did.
The Klaxons are from London, had two hit singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans" (my FAVORITE), but I fell in love with them because of this:
Recovering from a shitty week...with personal crap rearing its ugly, unwanted head. Sometimes you reach a crossroads and love, or something, must conquer all. When people you care about so deeply that they reach your marrow throw up walls in front of you because they are dealing with something, and you know what they are doing and why they are doing it, you have to put your personal stress over the sitch aside and you have to suit up, throw on the armor, muscle up, drink a Red Bull and try and scale them, no matter how slippery or how high and insurmountable they are. If your limbs lock or get tired, take a minute and then continue climbing. Get over those walls when someone is worth it. That's what I am doing. Wish me luck. That's all I think I have to say about that. I did enjoy seeing the Philadelphia Eagles stomp the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. I am wondering how my beloved Eags will fare against the New Orleans Saints while our quarterback Donovan McNabb is nursing some cracked ribs. It's always something, isn't it?
Also, two very precious friends of mine were laid off from their jobs in the past two months and I found myself so distraught for them, because I care about them and hate seeing the Read More ...
The average warm-blooded human fears the September heat of Arizona, choosing to hibernate in air conditioned venues. With perhaps the largest multi-day music festival to come through Arizona taking place in the middle of the month, baking in the sun may be a small price to pay.
Aside from diverse acts such as Rob Thomas, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy and Social Distortion; the Tempe Fall Frenzy Festival is said to include water slides, a gaming center, Ferris wheel and food vendors alike.
As the music festival trend continues to flourish, gaining more attendees, it’s interesting to see an event like this come about in our current economic downturn. Single day tickets are priced at a reasonable $55.00, not including fees. This is a feasible 40 dollars less than a day at Coachella, and 30 less than a day at Bonnaroo. Granted, there’s a decreased amount of smaller artists, but who really goes to see them anyway? (Besides the hipsters that are too cool for school)
Since moving to the relatively small college town of Tempe, Ariz., I have been less than impressed with the lack of entertainment and overall enthralling qualities contained in this state compared to my roots in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. However, throughout the past year or so, working in various com Read More ...
Aside from diverse acts such as Rob Thomas, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy and Social Distortion; the Tempe Fall Frenzy Festival is said to include water slides, a gaming center, Ferris wheel and food vendors alike.
As the music festival trend continues to flourish, gaining more attendees, it’s interesting to see an event like this come about in our current economic downturn. Single day tickets are priced at a reasonable $55.00, not including fees. This is a feasible 40 dollars less than a day at Coachella, and 30 less than a day at Bonnaroo. Granted, there’s a decreased amount of smaller artists, but who really goes to see them anyway? (Besides the hipsters that are too cool for school)
Since moving to the relatively small college town of Tempe, Ariz., I have been less than impressed with the lack of entertainment and overall enthralling qualities contained in this state compared to my roots in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. However, throughout the past year or so, working in various com Read More ...
From the moment I saw Danny Gokey perform on American Idol's 8th season this past spring I thought that he would transition into a contemporary country music career quite nicely. The reasoning was simple. Danny Gokey would've been an odd fit for any genre but country music, except maybe for Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).The fact is, if an artist wants to have the biggest reach as possible, they don't want to be ‘just' a CCM artist, at least at first. Phil Stacy was quite similar in this regard but where Stacy sang songs on his only record for Lyric Street Records that were country influenced, he really didn't feel like a country singer, he always felt like a CCM singer masquerading as a country singer.
This is where Gokey must separate himself. He must take the time with his album and find the right songs to record. As a green songwriter, he'll likely lean on the vast songwriting community in Nashville to get great songs for his record. He also needs a producer who can teach and guide Danny to his strengths as a singer (and away from the melisma that plagues so many si Read More ...
Back to school. For the kids, at least. And teachers! Leaves will fall. Bring on the football and the fall classic - The World Series! This is definitely my favoritest time of the year and I look forward to yanking the quintessential item of comfort clothing out of my closet: the hoodie! Seriously, hoodies are like the macaroni and cheese of clothes! They are comfy, cozy and you can totally sink into them for utilitarian purposes, as the weather chills, all the while sporting the logo of your favorite band or sports team. I love zip up hoodies; I wear one almost every day in fall and winter. I have dozens from bands, but I urge any ladies who read this column and desire a feminine fit for their hoodies (and who don't shop at American Eagle or Hollister for their basics) to do yourself and favor and peep www.lipstickingprophets.com for utterly femme, uber fashionable and super cute line of hoodies. I order three or four every season because they are the most comfortable things eve Read More ... Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Michael Franti's happy new ditty, to two bands hitting the stage that you probably never imagined you'd see perform again, to the new greatest video ever made, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* With so many terrible things going on in the world I think it's great to hear Michael Franti's "Say Hey (I Love You)" getting major airplay. Franti and his band, Spearhead, have always been one of the most politically active groups in music, but with the fun and beautiful "Say Hey" they may be making their greatest statement yet - it's cool to be happy and say how much you love someone. It may sound pretty basic, but it's said so rarely nowadays that when someone finally does sing about it again it brings about a really refreshing vibe. Heck, every time I hear the song I just want to grab the first cute girl I see and start dancing with her. In fact ... you, over there ... let's make it happen lit Read More ...
* With so many terrible things going on in the world I think it's great to hear Michael Franti's "Say Hey (I Love You)" getting major airplay. Franti and his band, Spearhead, have always been one of the most politically active groups in music, but with the fun and beautiful "Say Hey" they may be making their greatest statement yet - it's cool to be happy and say how much you love someone. It may sound pretty basic, but it's said so rarely nowadays that when someone finally does sing about it again it brings about a really refreshing vibe. Heck, every time I hear the song I just want to grab the first cute girl I see and start dancing with her. In fact ... you, over there ... let's make it happen lit Read More ... Okay 101D-listers check it. I'm from the Northeast, where we have actual seasons, so change in climate can be gradual or it can be drastic. It all depends upon what Mother Nature decides on that day/month. Right now I sound like my Southern friends who come up here in the dead of summer and shiver because I'm COLD. As soon as someone pulled the plug on summer and September came around, I've been feeling like I've been lying in snow all day. It's unreal. September marks the end of summer for most people, kids especially since school starts. However, September this year marks the beginning of filming Sex and the City 2. Sorry, I'm about to get my Carrie Bradshaw geek on for a moment ...
I loved this series more than anything. HBO was on a winning streak with their series (they still are - Hello, "Entourage"). When Sex and the City: The Movie arrived, I was thrilled. Some people hated that movie, but I loved it. Now, the filming for Part 2 has begun and the movie is set to release in May 2010. When I heard the news yesterday I began to reminisce on everything "Sex and the City" the show taught me, like how important designer bags were and how Vogue pays over $2 a word. Oh yes, and the whole point of this column, new music.
I remember when the series was wrapp Read More ...
I loved this series more than anything. HBO was on a winning streak with their series (they still are - Hello, "Entourage"). When Sex and the City: The Movie arrived, I was thrilled. Some people hated that movie, but I loved it. Now, the filming for Part 2 has begun and the movie is set to release in May 2010. When I heard the news yesterday I began to reminisce on everything "Sex and the City" the show taught me, like how important designer bags were and how Vogue pays over $2 a word. Oh yes, and the whole point of this column, new music.
I remember when the series was wrapp Read More ...
Writing about music can leave one jaded and while I get a shitload of music sent my way every year, both mainstream and independent, I sometimes still get surprised by some things that I find on my own.
Recently I saw Jace Everett perform a whole set where he sang nothing but the tunes on his new record "Red Revelations." The whole event was spellbinding. He rocked, he rolled and he slightly twanged up the night with songs like "Bad Things," the only old song in his set and one that's there due to it being the theme song for HBO's "True Blood" television series.
Recorded for Jace's self-titled album for Sony Music Nashville, "Bad Things" was a single that radio ignored yet somehow it found its way to producers for "True Blood" and that gave Jace both his biggest audience and his biggest hit song. This allowed the man the freedom to sing his Buddy Holly meets Chris Isaac tunes without looking for a label. I liked "Red Revelations" so much from that concert that I purchased the CD from Jace himself, something I have rarely, if ever, done. He sold me with great music and a stellar performance.
Another artists who falls inside the big tent that is country music but outside of the mainstream (for his own recordings anyway) is Chuck Cannon. As the co-writ Read More ...
Recently I saw Jace Everett perform a whole set where he sang nothing but the tunes on his new record "Red Revelations." The whole event was spellbinding. He rocked, he rolled and he slightly twanged up the night with songs like "Bad Things," the only old song in his set and one that's there due to it being the theme song for HBO's "True Blood" television series.
Recorded for Jace's self-titled album for Sony Music Nashville, "Bad Things" was a single that radio ignored yet somehow it found its way to producers for "True Blood" and that gave Jace both his biggest audience and his biggest hit song. This allowed the man the freedom to sing his Buddy Holly meets Chris Isaac tunes without looking for a label. I liked "Red Revelations" so much from that concert that I purchased the CD from Jace himself, something I have rarely, if ever, done. He sold me with great music and a stellar performance.
Another artists who falls inside the big tent that is country music but outside of the mainstream (for his own recordings anyway) is Chuck Cannon. As the co-writ Read More ...
Before I head out to celebrate the last weekend of summer - seriously, it feels like just yesterday, it was Labor Day - I thought it'd commit pen to paper about a lot of thoughts I am having. It's been a bit of a slow week, music-wise, simply because most people check out for the holiday already, because you look at the calendar and realize, "Shit! I never took a real vacation!" When I was like 10, this time of year was miserable, because it meant back to school and Catholic school uniforms on hot days, until the weather broke. You had to wait for the principal, often a sour-pussed nun, to give your permission to take off your sweater, which you wore over a button down shirt! You had to show up on the premises in full uniform, sweater and all. So my sympathies to my nieces and nephews and their counterparts the country over who are digging their heels in the earth and regretting the return to grammar school living.
The new The Used record is out and again, it seems like just yesterday that band was blowing up on their first, self-titled record. Have you peeped the artwork for this album? It's Read More ...
The new The Used record is out and again, it seems like just yesterday that band was blowing up on their first, self-titled record. Have you peeped the artwork for this album? It's Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Chris Brown's almost instantaneous probation violation, to Britney Spears' songwriters' insane concept of rhyming words, to the strangest new pairing in all of music, and since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* This past week Chris Brown was finally sentenced for his assaulting of Rihanna. He ended up with no actual jail time, but five years probation, an order to stay away from Rihanna until 2014, fines, counseling, community service, and strict orders to "abstain from the use of all alcoholic beverages and stay out of places where they are the chief item of sale." So how did Brown celebrate staying out of the slammer? By immediately violating the terms of his probation, of course! Just one day, ONE DAY, after having his sentence handed down to him Brown was seen living it up at a 21+ nightclub where, you guessed it, alcoholic beverages were the chief item of sale. Is this a case of a celebrity scoffing the law Read More ...
* This past week Chris Brown was finally sentenced for his assaulting of Rihanna. He ended up with no actual jail time, but five years probation, an order to stay away from Rihanna until 2014, fines, counseling, community service, and strict orders to "abstain from the use of all alcoholic beverages and stay out of places where they are the chief item of sale." So how did Brown celebrate staying out of the slammer? By immediately violating the terms of his probation, of course! Just one day, ONE DAY, after having his sentence handed down to him Brown was seen living it up at a 21+ nightclub where, you guessed it, alcoholic beverages were the chief item of sale. Is this a case of a celebrity scoffing the law Read More ... img src="http://assets.101distribution.com//site/en_101/images/news_assets/jayz.jpg" style="padding:3px;" title="jay%20z" align="left" alt="jay%20z">I'm not going to bother doing a formal review of The Blueprint 3, but to summarize, it's really good. There has been a lot of controversy and debate over the singles and leaks, but the stuff on the rest of the album definitely quiets the doubts and those other songs that seemed a bit shaky make more sense in the context of the album. Some people will surely still complain (30% who will legitimately not feel it and 70% who are just being contrary for the sake of it) so if you haven't gotten the leak and are debating how high of a priority to make getting the official release, allow me to present the Top Ten Things That Are Awesome About BP3:
10. Drake Only Gets a Hook - F*ck him. However, if you're one of those people who likes Aubrey, feel free to change that to "Drake Gets a Hook!"
9. Jay Breaks Out The Reasonable Doubt Flow on "Ambitious" - It's subtle but it's there.
8. The Opening Bars On "Run This Town" - Not my favorite song, but the first four bars make up one of those always-fun-to-say openings like "I put Lamborghini doors on that Es-co-ladaaae" or "Wanna bumble with the bee, huh?" Read More ...
10. Drake Only Gets a Hook - F*ck him. However, if you're one of those people who likes Aubrey, feel free to change that to "Drake Gets a Hook!"
9. Jay Breaks Out The Reasonable Doubt Flow on "Ambitious" - It's subtle but it's there.
8. The Opening Bars On "Run This Town" - Not my favorite song, but the first four bars make up one of those always-fun-to-say openings like "I put Lamborghini doors on that Es-co-ladaaae" or "Wanna bumble with the bee, huh?" Read More ...
101D-listers, this is my last post for August, which means I am officially closing the chapter on summer. Sure, September gives us a few weeks of fakin' it, but who are we kidding really? Staples is already back to that Penny Back to School Sale, most clothing stores have their Fall lines out and Labor Day is right around the corner. I always do this thing once the summer begins and ends – I play DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince's "Summertime" just to begin and end the warm season. That song hypnotizes me, and I remember the first time I heard the remix, I was like "WTF? This sucks!" I say all of that to say this: a remix is almost just as important as the original track. Puff may claim to have invented the remix, but there are plenty of artists/producers who perfected it. Simian Mobile Disco are a pair who help make the remix world a better place.
Hailing from the UK, Simian Mobile Disco – comprised of James Ford and Jas Show – are known for their stellar electro-infused production plus hardhitting zippy remixes. Chances are you know who these guys are already, and if you don't then you've heard one of their remixes. They've been around for quite a few years, but have been called upon much more in the past couple of years, which is why they are edging toward stardom. Read More ...
Hailing from the UK, Simian Mobile Disco – comprised of James Ford and Jas Show – are known for their stellar electro-infused production plus hardhitting zippy remixes. Chances are you know who these guys are already, and if you don't then you've heard one of their remixes. They've been around for quite a few years, but have been called upon much more in the past couple of years, which is why they are edging toward stardom. Read More ...
What a crappy week for me. I committed an email faux pas, the barometric change in the atmosphere kicked my ass by making me have skull splitting headaches for three days in a row, forcing me to pop Imitrex, which is Rx migraine medicine which knocks the headaches out while making me sick to my stomach! The other horrendous side effect is the tight neck, which lasts about an hour, and a period of sweating for about 30 minutes after I take it. But the side effects are minimal and then the headache is gone, so I deal. Then I reconnected with the little sister of one of my BFFs from grade and high school on Facebook this week and it was so cute, how she said, "Do you remember me?" I used to brush your hair and I don't have amnesia! Of course I remember you! It was just fun to run into someone I hadn't talked to in a long long time. I like Facebook for this very fact. Ok, enough ruminating on non-metal stuff. Let's get to the metal.
I'm totally feeling the new Converge record, Axe to Fall, which comes out on Epitaph in October. It's the typical ch Read More ...
I'm totally feeling the new Converge record, Axe to Fall, which comes out on Epitaph in October. It's the typical ch Read More ... So I logged into my email account the other night and I noticed this special message from an "anonymous music guy" with the subject saying "HOW WHITE PEOPLE DESTROYED MIXTAPES." Being a cracker ass cracka, of course I had to open it up to take a peak. I mean, this was probably going to be the stupidest piece of rhetoric I have ever read and, evidently, I turned out to be correct.
Check it:
"My name is Anonymous Music Guy. I do this for no personal gain or benefit of self. This is just a personal weekly view of the music industry. Please pass this on.
Let's face it, white people today have destroyed the mixtape scene. They have pilfered off of the black generation since the days of slavery, but now it's a new era. An era of musical slavery. Mixtapes were once an outlet for young people with musical energy to put out a product with out enduring the costs of putting out an album. Mixtapes were a way for DJ's to broadcast new and upcoming talent to the underground market with fans patiently waiting to see who is next to blow. Now it's nothing but a pure bootleg market, where non Black/Urban DJ's basically steal peoples albums and music and put them out solely for profit and reputation.
Read More ...
Check it:
"My name is Anonymous Music Guy. I do this for no personal gain or benefit of self. This is just a personal weekly view of the music industry. Please pass this on.
Let's face it, white people today have destroyed the mixtape scene. They have pilfered off of the black generation since the days of slavery, but now it's a new era. An era of musical slavery. Mixtapes were once an outlet for young people with musical energy to put out a product with out enduring the costs of putting out an album. Mixtapes were a way for DJ's to broadcast new and upcoming talent to the underground market with fans patiently waiting to see who is next to blow. Now it's nothing but a pure bootleg market, where non Black/Urban DJ's basically steal peoples albums and music and put them out solely for profit and reputation.
Read More ...
Yeah, I know - you're only as old as you feel, right? There may be some truth to that, but I remember how I felt at 20 and there would be a serious problem if I still felt that way at 40. Aside from a few moments here and there, most normal people grow and mature and would look like idiots if they were still acting like teenagers while old enough to have their own. We've all seen that one guy in the club that, to paraphrase Chris Rock, isn't old but is a little too old for the club. Slightly out of date style, grey hair in cornrows, drinking a cup of brown liquor - no one wants to be that guy, and I'm starting to wonder how much more time I can listen to Rap before I become him.It isn't until recently that the generations of people who always had Hip-Hop in their lives started really getting too old to listen to it. Some artists are able to successfully move on to other careers (LL Cool J, Ice-T) and some remain rappers, but try to adjust to a sound that they feel is more mature (Jay-Z, KRS-One). That's all well and good for them, but what of us fans? Every generation deserves their chance so I'm not Read More ...
Spike Jonze's three-year deep project, Where The Wild Things Are, has finally been previewed to eager fans of the popular 1963 children's story.
The movie has been labeled 'in production' since 2005 after Warner Brothers Pictures allegedly requested several modifications within the screenplay, citing some material as "too creepy." Clips of the film circulating the web generally support Jonze's creative gamble at a rendition while many critics still remain unconvinced.
The trailer released depicts an eye-popping representation of the book set to The Arcade Fire's "Wake Up." Viewers are caught up in the climactic track and visually stunning cinematography while failing to notice the lack of dialogue.
Where The Wild Things Are is an easy 30-page read, full of massive illustration and scare text. Can we expect the movie to be similar?
Clearly, the storyline had to be expanded and inflated to fill the average length of a film. Can fans trust Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers to deliver a satisfying description that doesn't stray far from the book's theme?
Critics have immediately flocked to the use of costumes for the wild things. Read More ...
The movie has been labeled 'in production' since 2005 after Warner Brothers Pictures allegedly requested several modifications within the screenplay, citing some material as "too creepy." Clips of the film circulating the web generally support Jonze's creative gamble at a rendition while many critics still remain unconvinced.
The trailer released depicts an eye-popping representation of the book set to The Arcade Fire's "Wake Up." Viewers are caught up in the climactic track and visually stunning cinematography while failing to notice the lack of dialogue.
Where The Wild Things Are is an easy 30-page read, full of massive illustration and scare text. Can we expect the movie to be similar?
Clearly, the storyline had to be expanded and inflated to fill the average length of a film. Can fans trust Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers to deliver a satisfying description that doesn't stray far from the book's theme?
Critics have immediately flocked to the use of costumes for the wild things. Read More ...
The Beatles once sang about a revolution. While they were speaking about peace, love and harmony in the world, there is a revolution happening in the country music world. It hasn't happened overnight and like most revolutions, the seeds were planted early and they sprout later.
In 2001 a new label named VFR Records somehow got a little goofy song called "Mrs. Steven Rudy" all the way up the charts. The single and Mark McGuinn's album both sold around 200,000 copies apiece. The label even started getting some success with duo Hometown News and a couple more McGuinn Singles (Top 30) before hell broke loose and the music business took a swan-dive. While both a remarkable success story and a cautionary tale; VFR Records broke open the stranglehold that major record labels had with country radio. The revolution had started.
Slowly, as the decade wore on, more and more indie artists were getting a shot. Toby Keith moved from Major to Indie (with major retail distribution). Indie labels like Broken Bow Records, found success with major label reclamation project Craig Morgan before scoring huge success with Jason Aldean. Big Machine Records, started the same time Toby Keith started his label, had immediate success with Jack Ingram before becoming an industry da Read More ...
In 2001 a new label named VFR Records somehow got a little goofy song called "Mrs. Steven Rudy" all the way up the charts. The single and Mark McGuinn's album both sold around 200,000 copies apiece. The label even started getting some success with duo Hometown News and a couple more McGuinn Singles (Top 30) before hell broke loose and the music business took a swan-dive. While both a remarkable success story and a cautionary tale; VFR Records broke open the stranglehold that major record labels had with country radio. The revolution had started.
Slowly, as the decade wore on, more and more indie artists were getting a shot. Toby Keith moved from Major to Indie (with major retail distribution). Indie labels like Broken Bow Records, found success with major label reclamation project Craig Morgan before scoring huge success with Jason Aldean. Big Machine Records, started the same time Toby Keith started his label, had immediate success with Jack Ingram before becoming an industry da Read More ...
So 101D-listers, I have a story for you. You know that D-list show with Kathy Griffin? Life On the D-List? I have no idea; I'm too lazy to Google, especially when it doesn't pertain to this column's music (*insert sitcom laugh*). That show is about Kathy Griffin being on the D-List in Hollywood. You know there's A-List, B-List, I didn't know it really went past that, but Kathy Griffin considers D-List to be the lowest of the low. I'm like look Kathy – First, nice name, the best in fact. Second, if you want to be on a hot D-List, come check out the 101D-listers, right? Right? That was the worst joke in history and I apologize, but it was all of you that I thought of while watching that show. Do I ever cross your minds, anytime? Shout out to Brian McKnight.
While we're discussing men who can sing (excellent segue), that brings me to this week's pick. For the past few weeks I've been choosing either some overseas little pixie lady with airy vocals or some old schoolish group that I just discovered because my international frame of reference before writing this column was limited to Taco Bell (kidding). Since I'm a Jane of all trades, I have like 7 jobs and one is at a digital radio station (xoxo GOOM). We were looking for some talent to come in and I was digging through the Read More ...
While we're discussing men who can sing (excellent segue), that brings me to this week's pick. For the past few weeks I've been choosing either some overseas little pixie lady with airy vocals or some old schoolish group that I just discovered because my international frame of reference before writing this column was limited to Taco Bell (kidding). Since I'm a Jane of all trades, I have like 7 jobs and one is at a digital radio station (xoxo GOOM). We were looking for some talent to come in and I was digging through the Read More ...
I just got back from a whirlwind of a trip to California for the Grammy Hard Rock/Metal Screening committee. Fun times were had, new friends were made and how ironic is it that the weather in sunny So Cal was cooler and more pleasant than in New Jersey? I got back on Wednesday to near 100 degree temperatures, even though I left a warm, dry, 80 degree Cali. Someone get me back on a plane, stat! I guess we can now pay for the unseasonably cool summer we've had by having a later starting Fall.
Nevertheless, I did take in a live show on Tuesday night in Anaheim, which is home to Disneyland. Now, many of you may scoff at or guffaw at the Magic Kingdome, but I absolutely heart it there. It's a nice escape to feel like a kid again, and you can just ride the rides and enjoy the splendor, wonder and magic of the innocence of the Disney character. Sure, the food is overpriced and so is the park, but sometimes, you get what you pay for? Ever buy a cheap blue tooth for $30 that barely lasts for the same amount of days? Point taken, right? So I went to see Down and The Melvin Read More ...
Nevertheless, I did take in a live show on Tuesday night in Anaheim, which is home to Disneyland. Now, many of you may scoff at or guffaw at the Magic Kingdome, but I absolutely heart it there. It's a nice escape to feel like a kid again, and you can just ride the rides and enjoy the splendor, wonder and magic of the innocence of the Disney character. Sure, the food is overpriced and so is the park, but sometimes, you get what you pay for? Ever buy a cheap blue tooth for $30 that barely lasts for the same amount of days? Point taken, right? So I went to see Down and The Melvin Read More ... This summer alone, legendary rock 'n roll group Aerosmith has collectively suffered through a head injury, sprained hamstring, 20 stitches to the head, a broken shoulder and an unspecified surgery. Only in their mid-60s, are these guys getting too old to rock? The most recent Steven Tyler spill has now forced the band to cancel their remaining tour dates. Last month I had the pleasure of working the Phoenix tour date of Aerosmith's series with ZZ Top. Never having been a serious fan of the 'Bad Boys from Boston', I was massively impressed with the band's energy and stage presence. Easily the best performance I saw all summer, I was skeptical a few weeks before the show once the band's injuries started to make headlines. Before I witnessed their set, I assumed this would be their last tour.
In my humble opinion, historical bands like Aerosmith or the Rolling Stones still embarking on world tours keeps the current music scene alive. Sure we make cracks about how old these guys are, but the truth remains that they still work and rock harder than the majority of the new artists who come around. Alth Read More ...
In my humble opinion, historical bands like Aerosmith or the Rolling Stones still embarking on world tours keeps the current music scene alive. Sure we make cracks about how old these guys are, but the truth remains that they still work and rock harder than the majority of the new artists who come around. Alth Read More ...
[Tags] Column
I originally had written a column all about how I was perplexed at how other people who get paid to write about music (like me) often write from an ivory tower of callous snarkiness and backhanded compliments. Then, upon thinking about it for a day, I've decided instead to not really worry about that stuff. Why should I really care how some other reviewer writes about the music I love? Sure they can continue down their cold-hearted path.
Is writing like that really going to make them happy? Probably for a little bit...then they'll grow cold and need to write another review, like a junkie needing their fix.
Do they really think that writing like this is constructive? Yes, they do.
They think that by pointing out the many faults about a song that surely some songwriter or record company or somebody will heed their advice and start writing all this profound shit that's not gonna be listened to that many people, because people want to escape. People may be fed the mainstream, but they like it. They really do. And it's not because they don't like some of that ‘profound shit' that these holier-than-thou writer types are writing about. They just like the mainstream.
They do. That's why it's called the Mainstream. It's not called left-of-Centerville or Read More ...
Is writing like that really going to make them happy? Probably for a little bit...then they'll grow cold and need to write another review, like a junkie needing their fix.
Do they really think that writing like this is constructive? Yes, they do.
They think that by pointing out the many faults about a song that surely some songwriter or record company or somebody will heed their advice and start writing all this profound shit that's not gonna be listened to that many people, because people want to escape. People may be fed the mainstream, but they like it. They really do. And it's not because they don't like some of that ‘profound shit' that these holier-than-thou writer types are writing about. They just like the mainstream.
They do. That's why it's called the Mainstream. It's not called left-of-Centerville or Read More ...
Okay 101D-listers, here's the deal. Lately in my hot pursuit of international goodness, I have found some pretty interesting overseas acts who have been around forever (ie Amadou & Mariam). I found another group who pretty much rocked in a very weird way. Their name is La Bande A Basile, and sources say they're French (by sources I mean I read a little bit of their info and was like "oh snap this looks like French"). Everything I tried to find on them has been in another language. I saw this on You Tube and it was so weird but great:
It looked so absurd, so I searched some more. Then one of my favorite blogs, Fluo Kids posted up a groovy remix for a song "La Chenille qui redémarre". The remix is the Douster Gwada remix and it sounds like something Rye Rye should be on. Check it out for yourself:
Read More ...
It looked so absurd, so I searched some more. Then one of my favorite blogs, Fluo Kids posted up a groovy remix for a song "La Chenille qui redémarre". The remix is the Douster Gwada remix and it sounds like something Rye Rye should be on. Check it out for yourself:
Read More ...
I spent last weekend, August 7 and 8, 2009, rocking at two Rock Star Energy Mayhem Fests. It looks as though Mayhem has effectively put Ozzfest on ice, immobilizing that long-running tour for the second year in a row. Regardless, Mayhem is quite the quality hang, starting at 2 PM and rolling deep into the night. It's a perfect way to spend a summer day, especially if you are a headbanger with varied, wide tastes in music.
The after-hours party occurred in the second stage parking lot in Philly and it sure was good times. I've been to many of these, since Ozzfest, Tattoo the Earth, Sounds of the Underground were launched, and now at Mayhem, always have side stages that foster cammarederie and friendship and ultimately, after-show parties for the bands and their industry folks! Since the Philly shows for these travelling summer festivals almost always fall on a Friday night, the hang time is infinite, since no one has to worry about going to work the next day! Want to know what it's like, to be socializing with rock stars? Well, I am happy to illuminate that it's a low-key, super chill hang sesh. It's always BBQ food, cheap booze and lots of chattering among the natives and locals. All the side stage bands hang out and skateboard or ride bikes. Sometimes, main stage acts sa Read More ...
The after-hours party occurred in the second stage parking lot in Philly and it sure was good times. I've been to many of these, since Ozzfest, Tattoo the Earth, Sounds of the Underground were launched, and now at Mayhem, always have side stages that foster cammarederie and friendship and ultimately, after-show parties for the bands and their industry folks! Since the Philly shows for these travelling summer festivals almost always fall on a Friday night, the hang time is infinite, since no one has to worry about going to work the next day! Want to know what it's like, to be socializing with rock stars? Well, I am happy to illuminate that it's a low-key, super chill hang sesh. It's always BBQ food, cheap booze and lots of chattering among the natives and locals. All the side stage bands hang out and skateboard or ride bikes. Sometimes, main stage acts sa Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Vanessa Hudgens' latest, ahem, pictures, to Paula Abdul's exit from American Idol, to a look at a new artist you'll definitely want to keep on your radar. And since it's Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Singer/Actress Vanessa Hudgens had more nude photos "leaked" onto the internet this past week, just in time to coincide with the hype for her latest movie, Bandslam. Part of me is slightly disgusted for thinking that all this could be intentional. The pics were from when she was 17 and I really don't want to think someone in her camp felt the best way to get press was to "leak" naked pictures of their then underage star. This is Hollywood we're talking about, though, so I wouldn't put it past someone to do it. In a related story, where can I find a girl who's gonna snap some phone camera pics like that for me? (Only those over 18 need apply.)
* When Paula Abdul announced she was leaving America Read More ...
* Singer/Actress Vanessa Hudgens had more nude photos "leaked" onto the internet this past week, just in time to coincide with the hype for her latest movie, Bandslam. Part of me is slightly disgusted for thinking that all this could be intentional. The pics were from when she was 17 and I really don't want to think someone in her camp felt the best way to get press was to "leak" naked pictures of their then underage star. This is Hollywood we're talking about, though, so I wouldn't put it past someone to do it. In a related story, where can I find a girl who's gonna snap some phone camera pics like that for me? (Only those over 18 need apply.)* When Paula Abdul announced she was leaving America Read More ...
Man, are we growing! Big time, baby! We're growing at such a rapid pace. It's like we're a baby alligator feasting on the flesh found at the bottom of the swamp. Or like a super human with a cotton candy addiction. Or like some High School Musical star that forgets to wear clothes during a camera phone photo shoot. You got the picture.
Anyways our traffic has gone up tremendously in the past two months all thanks to you, you sexy pair of eyes you. We have a long ways to go before we reach out objective, which is to, ya know, become the most suave publication focusing on independent music & culture. As long as we stay consistent and continue promoting our material, then we will only do better. We're a diamond that is slowly getting shinier. Shiney, shine-shine. So far, so good.
So being the Editor of this seductive site, I have just come to the conclusion that I am the master of 101 Distribution's editorial destiny, meaning I have complete 100% control. I'm in the driver's seat of this go-kart, and oh yes, it's true. In fact Damon Evans, the uber muscular Director of 101 Distribution, even re-iterated it once again in a recent AIM conversation, which is like a 26 page contract.
Bear Frazer: So Damien, I am the king of 101D.com. Right?
Damon Evans: Read More ...
Anyways our traffic has gone up tremendously in the past two months all thanks to you, you sexy pair of eyes you. We have a long ways to go before we reach out objective, which is to, ya know, become the most suave publication focusing on independent music & culture. As long as we stay consistent and continue promoting our material, then we will only do better. We're a diamond that is slowly getting shinier. Shiney, shine-shine. So far, so good.
So being the Editor of this seductive site, I have just come to the conclusion that I am the master of 101 Distribution's editorial destiny, meaning I have complete 100% control. I'm in the driver's seat of this go-kart, and oh yes, it's true. In fact Damon Evans, the uber muscular Director of 101 Distribution, even re-iterated it once again in a recent AIM conversation, which is like a 26 page contract.
Bear Frazer: So Damien, I am the king of 101D.com. Right?
Damon Evans: Read More ...
All weekend long I tried to avoid the Lollapalooza updates on Twitter, gloating about how 'Lou Reed is a god!' and complaining, 'What is Snoop Dogg doing here?'
Since my recent attendance at Coachella, I've been eager to start globetrotting toward the goal of covering every yearly festival. Lollapalooza 2009 was on my wish list, but I didn't make it out there this year.
This year's Lolla was a rare type of festival where the headliners didn't do much for me. The smaller acts that have recently gained exposure almost dominated the entire schedule while some older veterans contributed to a solid lineup overall. I'll be honest; Depeche Mode has never really done it for me. Perhaps it's the fact that I was born in '89 and missed the madness that accompanied the 1980s. On the other hand, I would have been completely stoked to see the Beastie Boys, as I've been trying to for years. Too bad they canceled and got replaced with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Anyone else think those two aren't exactly measurable in greatness?
My top three on the lineup includes none of the headliners. I would be most excited to see Lou Reed, Vampire Weekend and The Virgins. Lou Reed is obviously a legend, Vampire Weekend is future Grammy-winning-Coldplay-comparison ma Read More ...
Since my recent attendance at Coachella, I've been eager to start globetrotting toward the goal of covering every yearly festival. Lollapalooza 2009 was on my wish list, but I didn't make it out there this year.
This year's Lolla was a rare type of festival where the headliners didn't do much for me. The smaller acts that have recently gained exposure almost dominated the entire schedule while some older veterans contributed to a solid lineup overall. I'll be honest; Depeche Mode has never really done it for me. Perhaps it's the fact that I was born in '89 and missed the madness that accompanied the 1980s. On the other hand, I would have been completely stoked to see the Beastie Boys, as I've been trying to for years. Too bad they canceled and got replaced with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Anyone else think those two aren't exactly measurable in greatness?
My top three on the lineup includes none of the headliners. I would be most excited to see Lou Reed, Vampire Weekend and The Virgins. Lou Reed is obviously a legend, Vampire Weekend is future Grammy-winning-Coldplay-comparison ma Read More ...
Last weekend Kenny Chesney brought his "Sun City Carnival Tour" to Seattle's Qwest Field with support from Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry and Sugarland. While experiencing the show from the 5th row near the right side of the stage, I got to thinking that there are very few artists who could pack a stadium the way that Chesney does. In the pop/rock world there's U2, Paul McCartney, the Stones and maybe Dave Matthews Band but after that hardly anyone else would have a chance. Rap and hip-hop? Sorry Jay-Z and Diddy, you could barely pack an arena, let alone get people to come to stadiums. Perhaps Eminem could if he had proper support. That's about it. As for country music, Garth Brooks set the tone for stadium tours and if he decided to come back today, he would sell out any stadium he chose to play. George Strait has packed a few stadiums and yearly packs the Houston Astrodome during rodeo season. Rascal Flatts recently sold-out Wrigley Field and there's little doubt that the popular trio can do the same t Read More ...
101D-listers, can you believe we're in August?! It's like the year is almost over. 2010 is well on its way. Where the hell did 2009 go? I hope everyone has had a kickass summer thus far, engaging in various types of music to move you through the summer heat. Yeah that was so cheesy, but I could care less. It's my column!
So now that we are well past the halfway mark of 2009, I was playing on Spin Magazine's site and they put up the 20 Best Albums of 2009 ... so far. I usually don't trust those "listy" things since, like who knows who compiles them. However, this time my world was rocked because a personal favorite of mine was actually featured at Number One - Ida Maria. Then I was like, "OMG, she's Norwegian! As in, ‘Across the Pond!'" Don't judge me. Please.
A little background on Ida Maria - she released an album earlier this year titled Fortress Round My Heart and I must say, if you're looking for some pleasant voiced pixie you're in the wrong place. Ida keeps it grimy with tons of raspy wails and coos, but still somehow remains Pop. You have to respect her gangsta. Janis Joplin invented that formula, and the world of raspy chicks followed suit. So now we have another, Miss Ida Maria, who is a worthy welcome into that list. Spin loves her, I love her, a Read More ...
So now that we are well past the halfway mark of 2009, I was playing on Spin Magazine's site and they put up the 20 Best Albums of 2009 ... so far. I usually don't trust those "listy" things since, like who knows who compiles them. However, this time my world was rocked because a personal favorite of mine was actually featured at Number One - Ida Maria. Then I was like, "OMG, she's Norwegian! As in, ‘Across the Pond!'" Don't judge me. Please.
A little background on Ida Maria - she released an album earlier this year titled Fortress Round My Heart and I must say, if you're looking for some pleasant voiced pixie you're in the wrong place. Ida keeps it grimy with tons of raspy wails and coos, but still somehow remains Pop. You have to respect her gangsta. Janis Joplin invented that formula, and the world of raspy chicks followed suit. So now we have another, Miss Ida Maria, who is a worthy welcome into that list. Spin loves her, I love her, a Read More ...
So I've moved. Unpacking will probably take a month. Thanks for following me through this sojourn that has felt like the ninth circle of hell. I do miss my ex-roommate like a severed limb and am getting used to living without him, however temporary, has been tough. Moving sucks. The only thing that sucks harder is throwing up. Two of life's not-so-fun activities.
This is the week of rock shows. A few years ago, I attended north of 150 shows per year. I have scaled back a bit – out of fatigue and a desire to go to shows to truly enjoy them, as opposed to rack up miles on the show-dometer! I still hit around 100 per year, and I find myself loving them more than by over-attending too many shows. I also don't think there are as many shows, with venues closing down left and right, then opening, hosting a few bands and then never heard from again. That said, I am hitting up Killswitch Engage in New Jersey, playing an "off date" from this summer's Rock Star Energy Mayhem Fest, which wraps up in two weeks. (Where the eff did the summer go??) While some other metal artists have Read More ...
This is the week of rock shows. A few years ago, I attended north of 150 shows per year. I have scaled back a bit – out of fatigue and a desire to go to shows to truly enjoy them, as opposed to rack up miles on the show-dometer! I still hit around 100 per year, and I find myself loving them more than by over-attending too many shows. I also don't think there are as many shows, with venues closing down left and right, then opening, hosting a few bands and then never heard from again. That said, I am hitting up Killswitch Engage in New Jersey, playing an "off date" from this summer's Rock Star Energy Mayhem Fest, which wraps up in two weeks. (Where the eff did the summer go??) While some other metal artists have Read More ... Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from a magazine's vampire list that left off the best to what Weird Al and the Insane Clown Posse have in common this month to the big Saved By The Bell reunion. And since it's Pop Shots you know it's all seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* Entertainment Weekly just came out with their list of the Top 20 film and TV vampires of all-time and it's a list that totally sucks up (pun intended) to the new vamps on the block, Twilight and True Blood, as well as Tom Cruise (Number ONE?!?! What, did he write the damned article?), while completely ignoring some of my personal faves. Thankfully, they gave Angel a mention at seven, but nowhere on the list were his fellow Buffy bloodsuckers Spike, Drusilla and Darla. The list also ignored Dark Shadows and left off the greatest TV vamp of all - Count von Count, aka The Count, from Sesame Street. I mean, if you can include a Twilight character you can include a Sesame Street character, they pract Read More ...
* Entertainment Weekly just came out with their list of the Top 20 film and TV vampires of all-time and it's a list that totally sucks up (pun intended) to the new vamps on the block, Twilight and True Blood, as well as Tom Cruise (Number ONE?!?! What, did he write the damned article?), while completely ignoring some of my personal faves. Thankfully, they gave Angel a mention at seven, but nowhere on the list were his fellow Buffy bloodsuckers Spike, Drusilla and Darla. The list also ignored Dark Shadows and left off the greatest TV vamp of all - Count von Count, aka The Count, from Sesame Street. I mean, if you can include a Twilight character you can include a Sesame Street character, they pract Read More ... I should be happy. No, I really should be. I'm wearing a red shirt with the DC logo blown up over my left pectorial muscle. It looks completely bat crazy with my baggy beige Hollister cargo shorts - well, as gangsta as a pair of Hollister merchandise can be. Plus, it looks suave with my black and white DC kicks. I'm rockin' the three diamond studded silver bracelet on my right hand, a broken silver watch on my left wrist and three rings that spin, one of which is transcribed with lyrics from a New Found Glory song. My brown hair is too long for gel so I use hair glue to make it stand-up, allowing my cranium to look like a pineapple, but smooth.
Yeah I'm looking good. I just ate some pancakes this morning and kicked some Russian ass on the old school Goldeneye for Nintendo 64, so I should be feeling extraordinarily wonderful. But I'm not.
I'm a mess. I'm a hot mess. Actually, I'm a Pepsi can of despair. And while the goriest and saddest of memories can easily bring on this inner turmoil, it's the simple flash of MTV programming that sets off this melancholy that embodies my entire soul. Watching something that was once so original and prosperous turn into absolute shit can do that to a man.
I can't speak on its early history. Shit, I wasn't even a Read More ...
Yeah I'm looking good. I just ate some pancakes this morning and kicked some Russian ass on the old school Goldeneye for Nintendo 64, so I should be feeling extraordinarily wonderful. But I'm not.
I'm a mess. I'm a hot mess. Actually, I'm a Pepsi can of despair. And while the goriest and saddest of memories can easily bring on this inner turmoil, it's the simple flash of MTV programming that sets off this melancholy that embodies my entire soul. Watching something that was once so original and prosperous turn into absolute shit can do that to a man.
I can't speak on its early history. Shit, I wasn't even a Read More ...
I don't have to go into the history of Eminem's antics but suffice to say that some have questioned whether or not the litany of starlets he likes to prod in his music are actually fair game. Those situations have never really amounted to terribly much so neither did that debate, but with the recent feud with Mariah Carey (and Nick Cannon by extension) getting pretty high up off the ground, a few people are again wondering if Eminem is going too far.It isn't exactly a big plus in the credibility column for an MC to battle an R&B singer and her "comedian" husband, but Eminem doesn't have anything left to prove and this has been part of his persona since day one. What Mariah didn't seem to take into account is that while Em has poked fun at pretty much every other actress or pop-star he could think of, it was usually just that - poking fun. I'm sure it wasn't a lot of fun to them, but the women in question are all used to hearing crude jokes and had the good sense to just charge it to the game and basically ignore him.
When it comes to the things he says about pop stars, no one really takes Eminem all that seriously. Read More ...
Aside from Johnny Cash and maybe Hank Williams, I have never been able to appreciate country music as a whole. I find myself wishing that I could learn to like it because believe it or not, it's one of the largest markets for music in modern day. Recently I picked up Johnny Cash's autobiography that was written six years before his passing in 2003. He made a point that I found interesting:
"I was talking to a friend of mine about this the other day: that country life as I knew it might really be a thing of the past and when music people today, performers and fans alike, talk about being 'country,' they don't mean they know or even care about the land and the life it sustains and regulates. They're talking more about choices—a way to look, a group to belong to, a kind of music to call their own. Which begs the question: Is there anything behind the symbols of modern 'country,' or are the symbols themselves the whole story? Are the hats, the boots, the pickup trucks, and the honky-tonking poses all that are left of a disintegrating culture? Back in Arkansas, a way of life produced a certain kind of music. Does a certain kind of music now produce a way of life? Maybe that's okay. I don't know."
—Johnny Cash & Patrick Carrr, Johnny Cash, the Autobiography (New York Read More ...
"I was talking to a friend of mine about this the other day: that country life as I knew it might really be a thing of the past and when music people today, performers and fans alike, talk about being 'country,' they don't mean they know or even care about the land and the life it sustains and regulates. They're talking more about choices—a way to look, a group to belong to, a kind of music to call their own. Which begs the question: Is there anything behind the symbols of modern 'country,' or are the symbols themselves the whole story? Are the hats, the boots, the pickup trucks, and the honky-tonking poses all that are left of a disintegrating culture? Back in Arkansas, a way of life produced a certain kind of music. Does a certain kind of music now produce a way of life? Maybe that's okay. I don't know."
—Johnny Cash & Patrick Carrr, Johnny Cash, the Autobiography (New York Read More ...
101D-listers, what it is, what it ain't! So we're halfway through the summer – actually a little more than that. There's been some great new music hitting the airwaves to counterbalance the heatwaves. Lucky for you (and for me), a lot of it is coming from outside of the U.S. This week I'm about to give you a double whammy of some old and new. First off, we have Amadou & Mariam. This dynamic duo has been blessing the world with their distinct sound for over three decades! Hailing from Mali in Western Africa, Amadou & Mariam are a power couple that mix indigenous sounds with rock and crazy instruments.
Over the past few years, the married couple has been working with some new school heavy hitters like the Scissor Sisters, Coldplay, and Blur. As a matter of fact, Damon Albarn of both Blur and Gorillaz fame is producing for Amadou & Mariam. Their single "Sabali" has such a strong Albarn influence, but it's a perfect way to bring Amadou and his wife to masses that may be unfamiliar with them. Another great way to bring them to the world is through newbie Theophilus London.
Theophilus London was the name on most people's lips before that Drake guy came on the scene. His brand of badassness is so needed these days and considering he's currently a New Yorker, Read More ...
Over the past few years, the married couple has been working with some new school heavy hitters like the Scissor Sisters, Coldplay, and Blur. As a matter of fact, Damon Albarn of both Blur and Gorillaz fame is producing for Amadou & Mariam. Their single "Sabali" has such a strong Albarn influence, but it's a perfect way to bring Amadou and his wife to masses that may be unfamiliar with them. Another great way to bring them to the world is through newbie Theophilus London.
Theophilus London was the name on most people's lips before that Drake guy came on the scene. His brand of badassness is so needed these days and considering he's currently a New Yorker, Read More ...
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Shakira's latest single to Demi Lovato's arrival to Sugar Ray covering one of the biggest Hip-Hop songs of the year. All seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
* While I'm thrilled that Shakira managed to work the word lycanthropy into her latest single, "She Wolf," I'm saddened to say it doesn't change the fact that the song is all kinds of terrible. I am a huge Shakira fan, but "She Wolf" is way below standards for her. It doesn't show off her vocal range, it has a weak "produced" sounding beat, and at its very core it's basically a "lite" pop song. I never thought I'd say it, but Shakira has given us fluff. The Shakira I love has huge vocals and musically dynamic songs. Can we find that Shakira and bring her back?
* When I noticed Demi Lovato's "Here We Go Again" was rocketing up the charts it goes without saying that I wanted to give it a listen to hear what all the buzz was about. Lovato is one of the Disney kids whose name ha Read More ...
* While I'm thrilled that Shakira managed to work the word lycanthropy into her latest single, "She Wolf," I'm saddened to say it doesn't change the fact that the song is all kinds of terrible. I am a huge Shakira fan, but "She Wolf" is way below standards for her. It doesn't show off her vocal range, it has a weak "produced" sounding beat, and at its very core it's basically a "lite" pop song. I never thought I'd say it, but Shakira has given us fluff. The Shakira I love has huge vocals and musically dynamic songs. Can we find that Shakira and bring her back?* When I noticed Demi Lovato's "Here We Go Again" was rocketing up the charts it goes without saying that I wanted to give it a listen to hear what all the buzz was about. Lovato is one of the Disney kids whose name ha Read More ...
It's been under works for years and features every hot rapper in the game either writing verses or appearing themselves. Close to 500 tracks have been recorded and Dr. Dre has been taking piano lessons from Burt Bacharach. Dre has barely left his house for four years and he may have gone mad while trying to finish the work. He's spent millions recording the album that he doesn't care if he ever makes back. He's hired a full time orchestra to record every note. It'll come out this Christmas. It'll be made of gold. Jesus and John Lennon recorded verses but they might not get used. Detox can cure cancer.We've heard so many rumors in anticipation of Dr. Dre's mythical masterpiece that it's hard to believe that an of it could be true. Every year, the album is supposedly on the way out but then it never comes -people used to be disappointed but its hard to say if anyone cares anymore. If Detox does ever surface, a lot of the excitement will surely return but after all this time, maybe its time that we all gave up, and when I say "we all" I'm including Dre himself.
Among those hundred Read More ...
Across the Pond: Kadebostan - July 24th , 2009