This latest release, due out in spring, contains a boatload of cover tunes and well.. it could be quite cool. You may be aware of the Johnny Depp ‘Revolution’ collab, but there will be much more. The problem is their being pretty cagey about it.
Phillip Chevron – One of the original Irish punks, the guitarist started with the great Radiators From Space before graduating to the Pogues , the guitarist was with the band back in 2011 for their last concerts.
If ever a year seemed to be about a scene that was waiting to happen, this would appear to be that year. This time three years ago, the pop scene was exploding at its seams, as was hip hop and indie
People are right, Timberlake should have cut the two album drift to a sharp singleminded single. Even so, this isn’t close to as bad as they naysayers claim
Kiki deserved more than one hit but if she was gonna have only one hit this was the one to have, a chart bursting rush of Adult pop that rushed the brightest colors of glam into a pure sensibility – A
What’s the point in living in New York City if you aren’t gonna go to Film Festivals. And better this that our two or three biggies which are getting a little bit up there, right? They have the strength but we have the numbers.
Jay Sweet, the organizer of the Newport Folk Festival, who has decided to bring the West Coast version of the festival on the Santa Monica Pier because ‘it’s an iconic place that’s not a traditional music venue’, had warned Conor, ‘no rock songs, only folk ones!’ Conor certainly followed the rules, and played lots of his most touching tunes
Step Inside doesn’t work because of the voice, Kevin has a good voice for sure, and it doesn’t work because of the bass, though the band as a whole goes song after song of strength and determination, it works because the songs are killer
On stage, they have a charming presence and a great assurance, way beyond their very young age: 20-year-old Klara sings lead for most of the songs while playing guitar and 23-year-old Johanna plays keyboard while constantly harmonizing with her sister, giving an ethereal dimension to their compositions
Charging Cheri $200 to play? That’s really mean spirited and petty. You own a handful of clubs in Manhattan, why are you shaking down Cheri Dahl for $200? So much for punk rock lives on the Lower East Side.
But depression, sorrow, the infiniteness lightness of blueing, the pain of fame gam?. These are the colors of modern r&b and superheroes. Thanks, guys.
Ban away- but there are a million more Mileys and some are walking around in your childrens school right now. Everyone wants a bite of the forbidden fruit. And everyone gets a nibble eventually.
Tina is rich and recording is not the same as releasing. If the sessions don’t go the way Tina would want them to, there is nothing to stop her from shelving them. But just the idea of another round from a star whose only peers are Aretha and Cher is enough to make a grown man cry!
Did I mention that with the exemption of the circe-y flying stunts bits, the entire thing is a disaster? The music on the top of the list will turn you deaf; in a career of terrible songwriting, Bono and the Edge reach the bottom of the barrel on this atrocious piece of music.
Watching The Wheels – John Lennon – This songs as a signpost and it reads the future of a great songwriter, able to turn the most personal aspects of his life and politics into a share . This is the acoustic demo featured on the end credits of “Funny People” – A
We Need Medicine – The Fratellis – A long time coming but they’ve still got a great lead vocalist – B+
“I really appreciated how Pierre noticed all the people who were crowdsurfing and said to stop doing it, because there were people at the show who didn’t want to get kicked and that everyone should be able to see, without their view being obstructed by some obnoxious person trying to just get closer to the band. “
Kessler’s movie is like Williams, the trajectory, the reaching back to the ending, can be sad and painful but it is so sweet and good natured you can see why Paul let him come along and document it.
Cool, right? And funny and kinda accurate because Lauren knows what children understand, Morrissey is two parts Charlie, one part Lucy, and the rest of the band are all Linus
Last time I looked I was interviewing a musician signed to Saddle Creek next week, so let’s send some love to Tim Kasher of Cursive whose last solo album was pretty good. But any week Sleigh Bells release a new album must belong to Sleigh Bells.
Bitter Rivals – Sleigh Bells – The new album is released today and this song leading up proves there is nothing much to worry about: a great synth lick pushes the duo all the way and the sound is filtered through to its focussed doctored vocals and weirdo bridge – B+
I had instantaneously liked his song ‘July’ of his previous album ‘the Year of Hibernation’ when I heard it for the first time, and the songs off his new album ‘Wondrous Bughouse’ are all dealing with a bigger, fuller, and bolder sound, which was totally well-served by the full band playing with him on stage.
The trio are really sad, if I hadn’t seen the movie I’d have played Harold Pinter’s play, which seems to lack any big emotional moments. But that’s not true, “Betrayal” has the moments, what’s missing is the people to act them.
“everybody in New York believes if they can just have the right amount of money and the right trophy wife and the right house in Palm Beach and the right vacation in St. Bart’s, they’re just convinced that everything will be okay.”
With the CBGB Festival going down this week in NYC it’s a great time to pause and reflect on the birth of the movement. I am a big fan of Rhino Records, they seem to power through with intersting compilations and offerings and a six disc set from the ‘hey ho lets go’ guys is a fabulous gift (for me).
The once in a life time vision of the band playing in a thunderstorm at Gov’s Ball earlier this year cementing my impression that Beth is really great. With a terse, “this really sucks” and ruminations about how she wished she was in California
I am losing interest fast in Justin, not entirely, but really only one great song. Haim are a real bore and Alter Bridge (the guys who wrote the music for Creed – wow, that’s some kinda credentials) are hard pressed to be worse
The Vamps are boy band youtube sensation and this song is going down very well with the tweens but less traction with older demos is my bet. Chase & Status are ready to break in the States, this is a terrific r&b single that should do well if it ever gets here.
Walking On Air – Katy Perry – By the numbers disco cropper up to nothing much but what it does do, play off its drum patterns, should get the kiddies dancing – B-
The only thing I dont like about Miley is that fucking tongue thing and that white ghetto hair. Otherwise I think she’s a hot little ticket spreading her wings and living the ultimate ‘yolo’ and the only shame is the uptight parents and judges who think she should remain 15 forever. Get over it- shes an adult now
Shuggie often seems emotionally detached from the music. He’s not an authoritative vocalist, his lyrics are well crafted and instantly forgettable, he doesn’t rely on memorable hooks or catchy choruses. As a guitarist, whether replicating Hendrix style blasts or tossing out rapid-fire blues licks, he generally seems more of a technician than an emotionally engaged artist.
I have never seen someone like Fiona Apple, on stage, she is a fragile and vulnerable person giving fierce performances and her songwriting is brilliant, pure and so authentic she makes me cry each time. After all that has been said about her physical appearance, she demonstrates a tremendous courage to show up on stage
Mary Magpie’s heroes 21 Pilots show up though. Here is a band that she trudged out to see in a venue that held 125 people (and wasnt a sell out!) less than a year ago. Suddenly they’re everywhere
His latest album is a re-release of the unbelievably brilliant No Material (with the late lamented Sonny Sharrock) from 1987 and given Ginger is promising a jazz show we can but hope he taps into this wonderful stuff
Honestly, I have a hard time recognizing Ira, Georgia and James, but if you’re familiar with Woodring’s work you shouldn’t be surprised. The short animation coming with the dolls, curiously doesn’t feature any music and I am just wondering why on earth someone would want to buy these crazy creatures,
Unvarnished – Joan Jett And The Blackhearts – Sure this is Joanie 101 but it is also older Joanie 101, whether worrying about aging on “Fragile” or slashing and burning “Reality Mentality”, she is still writing strong glam riffs with shout outs, and sing-alongs. No, it isn’t Album, but it is still damn good – ALBUM OF THE WEEK – B+
With an album considered the best of the year by many of my peers under their belts and a full force return to touring for a salivating fan base, here the Del Lords are joined by one of the best garage rock bands around, Spanking Charlene, in what is certain to be the rock show to beat in 2013
Song Beneath The Song – Maria Taylor – The Saddle Creek stalwart has her best album to date coming out soon, till then here is an early solo song that will keep you going; that’s Conor singing back up – A
There is nothing of the elder statesperson, of the Queen Mum, of any of that stuff. By keeping cool Harry is above it, an untouchable, she remains physically provocative and less a nostalgia act. It is that and not the newer material, which make Blondie viable in 2013.
My feeling remains constant: leave her alone to enjoy herself. Why shouldn’t she be free. It is amazing that women like Sinead claim slavery is freedom and freedom is a male ploy to abuse you.
I don’t know, many people choose to ignore them, but that’s true they are becoming really freaky annoying with their endless funerals picketing. I am all for freedom of expression but these people need to be slammed on the face very hard.
So here’s what you do. You pick a new name find a new charismatic front man and you get your asses back out there riding the coat tails of the LP fan base. BAM there you are again playing next years Warped Tour.
Loser – Rock The Bells – The hip hop festival meant to play this weekend was cancelled due to lack of sales and really, where was the big name to sell it?
But it’s all about how we change the way we listen to music, it’s all about what happens next in terms of technology, in terms of how people talk to each other about music, and a lot of it could be really fucking bad. I don’t subscribe to the whole thing that a lot of people do within the music industry
Yusef Allen wants coin from the Hammerstein Ballroom cuz some dude fell on him from the balcony. First off shouldn’t the guy who went over the balcony be the one crying no protection?! You really cant predict a human will fall from the sky
Let’s Dance – The Ramones – Just for all of you who were left with a bad taste in their mouth after the “CBGB” debacle, here is a reminded how everything is Ramones – A
1400 shows in 5 days is upon us and fair enough, nobody is gonna see them all with all the will in the world. Indeed, if you were doing 10 a day for five days that would equal 50 which would leave, er, 1350 bands you’ll be missing
It’s a developmentally enriching experience for them to learn how music is made, and for them to understand that music is a living, breathing entity, one that they can enjoy with others in an energetic environment
Secretly acquired? What is this, the t-shirt mafia? I don’t want to give people bad ideas, but all these designs can be easily ‘stolen’ from the site and reproduced with a simple transfer, I have made cool t-shirts to myself using $5 plain white t-shirts! The DIY way, because honestly, there is nothing punk about a $1,000 Sex Pistols shirt.
But, the club is gone and the urban legend lives. For every mass produced t-shirt there is a poser saying they were there. But now you can say you were at the Fest! A fantastic week of events from movies to speakers to free concerts in Times Square
