“You can convey a thought or a story or completely describe a character or a situation through words and the whole process of editing and re-editing and rethinking and imagining. I think that that’s what I loved about writing the novel”
Joe Stevens reported for us here, and it is a fitting send off for the Deviants lead singer, who died with his boots on; a rabble rousing, free speeching, free spirit. As Joe (among many people) put it: ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE.
T Pain is the Russell Brand of hip hop, here is addressing homophobes everywhere: “Attention all homophobic idiots: if you’re not attractive to straight women, you’re probably not attractive to gay men. You can unclench now.”
Bob Dylan – If you have been raised on the Greatest Hits 2 version, it isn’t the solo on piano that flips you out, it is the bridge: “Sure wish I hadn’t had sold my old Vitrola, ain’t nothing like that good ol rock and roller” all that’s missing is the coca cola line – A+
‘Ski Mask’ is actually Islands’ fifth album and frontman Canada-born Nick Thorburn has quite a pedigree as he was also in the Unicorns (among several other bands) and is a third of the indie super group, Mister Heavenly
There are two types of John fans, those who love Greatest Hits One and Two and those who love Madman Across The Water. Writing great pop is a greater achievement than writing great art. Elton does neither any more but at least it isn’t crap.
We all know that one crazy woman who would Ginsu a dude, hell I would given the opportunity. But the reason Vernet did this is what is most endearing..
Woman’s world” has the most nagging synth hook imaginable, it is three ntes over and over again and man does it grate. Plus her drag queen portraying Cher in a new one woman show vocal doesn’t help
tTey were all wearing colorful black and red masks like a crew of Mexican wrestlers, and with their matching white outfits and numerous instruments, they looked a bit crowded on the small stage of the store
‘What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas’ inst a new thought- but those pesky millinias are taking it to a new level. And these 20-30 somethings are fucking up the Elvis impersonator business.
“We look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming gigs. Thanks for the support and the memories – lets make many more over the next year”
I don’t envy Diddy, I mean, who’d want t wake up in the morning and discover that they’d Diddy? On the one hand you’ve got half a billion bucks in the bank but to offset it, you’re Puff Daddy
Loud Like Love – Placebo – Bowie for morons with darker hair and arty prescriptions at a minimum, this lead song is real catchy big time rock – B+
The Farren send off-affair (affray?), since his death last August from a stroke whilst doing a lead singing gig with his band The Deviants,at a club in London, could last for days,with hundreds of his friends gathering to rejoice in having known him.
What else? Oooooh, now this is cool, Lou Barlow friended me on FB… so that is pretty neat right?
There has never been a pop group close to Pet Shop Boys, they were superior to Duran Duran, Human League and Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark combined But on stage? What can you do with a synth duo on stage? They are like Penn and Teller without the magic.
Jack Kelly (Corey Cott), leader and legend among the newsies, heads the strike that results from an increase in the fees the boys are charged for the newspapers they hawk on the streets
. Each song you have heard during a crucial moment of your life will be forever associated with this moment and listening to the song is a magic time traveling machine, an instant Proust’s madeleine, but much more powerful than the little cake.
Anyway, and no pressure here Mr. Lords and co, but the gig just can’t possibly live up to my expectations. So maybe it will be half as good!!! YES!!!!! Del Lords, man. October 10th at Sullivan Hall . Be there or be damned.
Remember I told you kids about the KISS arena football team? Well now it seems Gene Simmons has his scouting eye out for Tebow. The tongue wagging huckster has offered the player a sweet three year deal.
Chipotle is a Mexican fast food restaurant (with vegan options!) that has a great reputation for being hip and trendy with clean food for clean people. Plus they have great music on their sound system.
Man, this is week gruel. The choice is between… actually there is no choice, the week belongs to The Weeknd and the Weeknd is nothing special whatsoever it is just that Keith Urban is so much worse
I think what makes it so good is Lordes. Now true, Miley is at # 1, proving once and for all that nobody has lost money overestimating American’s lack of taste (a knock, but only because it’s such a lousy song, but Lordes is really good: she’s like a younger, English Lana
But the day belongs to Saint Motel, a band I’ve been expecting to break through for years now. Maybe they are too good, certainly this disco glam workout is worthy of just about any one. A great slice of modern disco.
Meanwhile co-editor Helen and I, and contributing writer Alyson camus may actually spend a day without writing for the first time in quite literally years.
The weak comedic skits lead to a bland pop star to a questionable Weekend Update and its been just plain infuriating. We want the old SNL back, we want underdog performers. Cutting edge artists!
Now this is all very deny deny deny right now, but ask yourself this? How much money dya think Noel has made off High Flying Bird, eh? Enough to support those mansions and Rolls Royces he owns? And ex wives?
The music? Weak. Falling in Reverse started strong but ended up a hot mess reflecting the leaders instability. If it were not for his looks, I doubt they’d fill a house party.
“Pink has almost been in a class by herself among women in music this year, and we’re thrilled to recognize her successes by honoring her with the Billboard Woman of the Year Award.”
Elton is such a mother hen and such an aggressively self-satisfied born again sober guy that he can’t tell the difference. Just because he is straight doesn’t nobody is gonna take any drugs any more.
Laura? I’m working on another story about her, DIIV and Sky? Arrested for drugs. The Clash? A reminder that they could be as petty as the next band. Jimmy Reed? It’s Jimmy Reed, man, why do I need an excuse????
Here is a concept I am working on, instantaneous first listen reviews of new releases on Tuesday mornings a sort of mini-guide, alternative mini-guide, to what you should be listening to, plus a spotify track listing so you can hear it.
It was a huge mistake to book and announce it but it’s not too late to change things. For years the half time show was “Up With People” the stars didn’t really star rolling in until about 1987. Even then it was George Burns and college marching bands.
I don’t REALLY REALLY want to write about it, because it wasn’t a very good concert for one reason, and because I am not sure if I have anything left to say, for another, I figured the gig, a live on tape show for WFUV Radio at St. Ann’s And The Holy Trinity in Brooklyn a week ago, might be worth a closer look
The crowd was mostly there for the headliner as it is always the case, but the group of girls on my left asked me (people are always asking me for some reasons) who was that band,… ‘Oh Caveman!’ visibly appreciating what they were discovering.
The world of Music Labels got dramatically smaller when Universal bought EMI and the result is here at last for all to see. Not simply that all ten songs on the singles charts belong to major labels, that goes with the territory, but that they all belong to one label is unheard of.
Cole must be cold turkeying as I write (you can’t have that much dope without a serious habit) and he needs to knock it off or die. PS Both Sky and Cole look like heroic chic…
A hard week to read, some maybe big time, though the Roots and EC isn’t whatever you might hear to the contrary. but it seems to belong to The Devil Wears Prada, the world’s great Christan hardcore band
Shine A Light – Rolling Stone – The second to last song on Exile, apparently Mick was better at exiles than exits because this is the perfect song to end an evening as Jahn Xavier proved Saturday night – A+
“Tiderays” is a gorgeous song and the stage is light and Justin, who sings all the songs as well as plays keyboards, is very into it, and drummer Jon Mueller is probably the single most important member!
The video a cheap dash cam travel video with pop up lyrics so the fools can sing along. Why would you showcase such blase’ lyrics anyway? Is this the same guy who wrote things like “James” and “18th Floor Balcony”?
They are brainy (their biggest influences are ‘80s post punk pioneers Echo & the Bunnymen, The Smiths and the Cure, but also romantic poets William Blake, William Wordsworth, and novelist Aldous Huxley), artistic (two of them attended art school) and they like black and white aesthetic
This whole scene makes me think about a Banksy piece I saw at the MOCA a few years ago: a guy with a pot of paint kneeling down as if he was praying in front of a giant cathedral-window-like graffiti, basically illustrating how street art has been diverted from its rebellious and outlaw origin
What a lovely birthday gift for my co-editor Iman Lababedi! On October 8th, Elvis Costello and The Atractions keyboardist Steve Nieve will release a platter of cool collaborations including Sting, Costello, Laurie Anderson, Glenn Tillbrook, Robert Wyatt, Ron Sexsmith
The week belonged to Earth, Wind And Fire, whose first new album since 2005 was one of the years best, but if it wasn’t EW&F the title would have to go to Holy Ghost reinvigorating the world of disco
Arctic Monkeys best album in years selling very well thank you and with the exception of Rod, who has been on the charts all year, and Bastille, who were on the charts all summer, only the dreaded faux-operatics of Richard & Dean leftover from August!
This is the bland leasing the bland lead by the bland with Katy’s tedious “Roar” which doesn’t belong to and tailing off with Coldplay, who have managed to release their worst song in a career chocablock with worst songs.
Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus – Well, it is better than Bruce’s but so are most things. It is still terrible and a good video will never ever save a lousy song. Sales might – D+
There was such a feeling of friendship and sharing and concern and love and pride between the band and the audience, the songs were so great and the emotions so real. It wasn’t like a performance, it wasn’t like they are here playing and you are there cheering but like we are somewhere in the middle. Sharing.
“It is my unfortunate responsibility to inform you that “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose” by Little Jimmy Dickens did not make this list…” so says Crawford before going all country on us…
