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Best Of 2015, Charts, rock nyc top 10 songs, Slideshow

The Best of 2015: rock nyc Best Songs In Order And Reviewed Through June 30th, 2015

Fatal Flaw – Titus Andronicus – As we get closer to the release of The Most Lamentable Tragedy, it becomes clear there is a whole lot of baggage to go along with Patrick Stickles epic disaster disaster, sort of “Inside Outside” for solipsistic egomaniacs. And with songs as great as this, a flat out masterpiece and one of his greatest Stickles’ songs of all time, I could care less.

News, Slideshow, These Days

These Days: Friday, July 3rd, 2015

there must be some reason there is nothing to do today, with the possible exception of the Soft Parade, the great Doors cover band, at BB Kings. Meanwhile, the big rumor of the moment is Pearl Jam are performing at this year’s “Global Citizen’s Festival” on September 26th. This will be my third year, so far I’ve seen (among others) Stevie Wonder and No Doubt each perform great sets. Finally, P-Funk on Governors Island.

News, Slideshow, Video Review

Rihanna Premieres Her New Video In An Epic Manner In Los Angeles

Of course the story of the video, if you can say that it has a coherent story, is about Rihanna and her gang kidnapping the wife of a rich accountant, so the fans’ kidnapping story was totally making sense in this context, but isn’t it a lot of effort for a short movie? According to the participants, the whole deal, including the wait to get in the bus, lasted 4 hours, 4 hours of their life to see a 7-minute clip!…Still they got to see and meet Rihanna, which has to be priceless if you are a fan. Plus she poured dollar bills on the crowd, so it was not too shabby.

News, Slideshow

Medium Cool: Best Talk Show Hosts Week Of July 6th, 2015

Really, talk show hosts? Really? I am getting one day off from my advertising job and no days off from rock nyc, and what are the other half doing? They are getting two weeks of reruns. Not for nothing, but do some damn work. What the hell is this. If I was James Corden I would go out of my way to make sure I’m working. God save Conan, the only guy to wake up and do his job. A two week vacation… I dunno, man…

News, Slideshow, These Days

These Days: Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

Believing the confederate flag should be taken down from Government buildings is not the same as approving TV Land canceling The Duke Of Hazards… This is the problem with attempting to do the right thing, censorship, in this case completely ridiculous censorship, is the next step… I don’t know of the TV show being a gateway to racism anywhere at anytime TVL is the problem not the solution

News, Slideshow

10 Songs: Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

– Nobody Hangs Out Anymore – London O’Connor – This is the modern equivalent of bedsitland, a place where young people mope to a purpose, but it is great, a beautiful low key triumph for the rap slash singer songwriter wondering where the good times have gone – A-

Live, Slideshow

Failure At Amoeba, Tuesday June 30th 2015

They played a set of six songs, a few new ones and some old stuff, as they said, for the crowd’s greatest pleasure. Their heavy rock sound was guitar-driven with discordance and morose vocals… may be Interpol and all these new bands embracing the detached-mournful vocals have been schooled by Failure

News, Slideshow

Titus Andronicus Releases ‘The Magic Morning’, A Short Film Featuring Six Songs!

‘WATCH “Our Hero” awake to a world of wonder! GASP at the shocking secret of “The Lookalike!” MARVEL at the mysterious transformative powers of the Vernal Equinox! DANCE to those which are already being called Titus Andronicus’s Greatest Hits Yet!” UNDERSTAND the underlying themes and motifs that elevate TMLT far beyond the petty constraints of a mere “rock album” and into the realm of that which the German philosopher K. F. E. Trahndorff first called, in 1827, Gesamtkunstwerk (“total art”—look it up)!!!’

Charts, Slideshow

US Top 10 Singles 7-11-15

This is awful bland though Billboard made an interesting comment, Silento is the third rapper, Fetty and T Wayne were the first two, to go viral on youtube and then break pop. None of the songs are particularly good, though they aren’t terrible either. The “nae nae” hook is addictive. Otherwise, another boring week on the charts.

Live, Slideshow

Nathaniel Rateliff, Teenage Wrist, Phoebe Bridgers, Tennis System, Repeater At The Echo, Monday June 29th 2015 Review

They were a great surprise with a formidable energy and a lot of soul. I am not using the term soul lightly, despite the cowboy hat on the head of one of the guitarists, they undoubtedly had an old-school rhythm & blues sound, and one of their songs even had a true Sam & Dave vibe. The sax, the horns and the wobbling Hammond were part of their audacious and lively R&B, with an explosive sound and a powerhouse that may have channeled some Springsteen or Joe Cocker gig.

Charts, Slideshow

US Top 10 Albums 7-11-15

How could the charts be any more jumpy? Five new releases, two newish releases, and three holdovers from 2014. One neo soul, one American, one country, one old school, and five pop albums. Break it down any way you cant this is a highly caffeinated piece of work, and if you added up all the units, you would go Gold combined.

News, Slideshow, These Days

These Days: Wednesday, July 1st , 2015

Some weeks are bigger than others and some are just ridiculous in their greatness. This is one of the biggest weeks for pop records in recent history: Miguel, Vince Staples, Neil Young, The Internet, Bilal and Joy Williams all had potential albums of the week. And I can’t listen to them fast enough.

Recorded, Slideshow

Sneak Peaks: Upcoming Releases, Week Of July 13th, 2015

Well, I know for sure what is not the most anticipated new album of net week (late next week to be precise), and that would be the new Jason Isbell, one of the biggest disappointments of 2015. I have a full review in mind, maybe by Sunday, and will not be a happy thing at all. Alan Jackson? He sucked so bad at Carnegie Hall a coupla years ago, I am not too thrilled any more. Pitbull releases album after song after album, Chemical Brothers -wasn’t crazy about the single. I think I’ll go with the psychedelic weirdos who were so good at Governors Ball earlier this year, win first place.

Recorded, Slideshow

10 Songs: Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

Hells Bells – AC/DC – From the death knoll that opens it to the blues breaker lick that follows, all the way through the end of the song, this does two things at the same time, it toughens out AC/DC even in the midst of intense loss, and connects the extremeness of power pleasure and power sorrow: a mythic “you’re only young once but you’re gonna die” – A+

News, Slideshow, The Big Huerta

The Big Huerta Respects Miss Nina Simone

I took this portrait of Nina from a still photo in the Liz Garbus documentary. This was done in oil. I chose to put Nina on black canvas because she was such a strong voice in the black culture and will always be associated with such. Her portrait is done in an angelic white with a hint of blues illuminating her hair. I used shapes in the background (acrylic) from a stage show that was filmed later in her career. The font was my interpretation of a royal African style that is done in a gold and bronze in tribute to her regal ness

News, Slideshow, These Days

These Days: Tuesday, June 30th, 2015

And so the wars begin in earnest and at first look, Apple has done a good job of integrating their streaming service into their Itunes library. I said at first look, I am already having problems on the client. I prefer the Itunes search engine to Spotify but otherwise, Spotify is superior

Live, Slideshow

Lolipalooza II Part 2, Saturday June 27th 2015 Review

He was holding his guitar very high and tight, pointing it like a gun toward the amp, he has recently collaborated with Ty Segall and his sound couldn’t have been more punk-psychedelic with a heavy layer coming straight from the 70’s.
Which makes me think, I have probably use the terms psychedelic/psychedelia way too many times in this review, but try to see 24 bands in 10 hours!

Be Here Now, Recorded, Slideshow

Be Here Now: New Album Reviews, June 30th, 2015

The Monsanto Years – Neil Young And And Promise Of The Real – From “Harvest” to “Harvest Moon” to “Wolf Moon”, this isn’t the devolution we have been promised but rather a wildly eccentric rock and folk mash up, that works better than anything Young has done since Psychedelic Pill. Even the seven minute song that gives the album its title is a goodie, plus it is politically smart – ALBUM OF THE WEEK – B+

Best Of 2015, Charts, Slideshow

The Best Of 2015: Songs Through June 30th, 2015

Unlike most months you can think of, June belonged to two songs, Dawes “All Your Favorite Bands” and Titus Andronicus’ “Fatal Flaw”. The former is easily their best song, a genius benediction to a former love and the latter was so good it made the brilliant “Dimed Out” sound like an also ran. If these don’t end up in the top five singles of the year, I assure they will be in the top ten.

News, Slideshow

A Few More Things About Kanye West’s Gig At Glastonbury

‘We were told we only had one guest each this time,’ said The Maccabees guitarist Felix White. ‘I’ve not got that many other friends who want to come, but I’m just making a point!’ And The Maccabees were not even performing on the same stage than Kanye. ‘We were told that this viewing platform’s been set up just for Kanye so he’s got hundreds and hundreds of guests apparently,’ added White.

Recorded, Slideshow

Marshall Crenshaw EP “Grab The Next Train” Review

Marshall Crenshaw’s album by segments is now in its second year and sixth installment with no lessening in quality: six new songs, six covers, six live songs, six re recordings, and all about exactly what you would’ve have hoped. Much like the Easybeats cover here, “Made My Bed, Gonna Lie It”, it is youthful, quirky, superbly arranged with some great harmonies

Recorded, Slideshow

10 Songs: Monday, June 29th, 2015

You Are In Love – Taylor Swift – As my own personal Taylor Swift backlash continues unabated, I so regret she lost her balance and became removed from the world she created and I guess I’ll feel that way till I see her on stage next week. Meanwhile, this song, written for Lena Dunham, reminds us how though the world has changed her, it hasn’t infected her songwriting – A

News, Slideshow, These Days

These Days: Monday, June 29th, 2015

One more day, one more day,just one more day and a whole lotta new albums with Miguel’s newbie actually already out. Can you feel the excitement in the air? I wasn’t crazy about his breakthrough album Kaleidoscope Dream, and was vaguely cool to his opening slot on last years Drake tour, but Wildheart is much better. Actually, it is really really good.

News, Slideshow

Devendra Banhart At LACMA, Sunday June 28th 2015: Art As Practice, Review

‘The guy from INXS has just died, I drew a monument, a scaffolding as a proof of my sorrow and at the top I put INXS. It was a way to express my sadness about losing this great pop star’. If there’s a devotional aspect to Devendra’s art, his function stays in the perpetual practice: ‘There’s no goal, it is a practice’ he repeated several times, ‘even if it is a homage’.

Live, Slideshow

Lolipalooza II At The Echo & Echoplex, Saturday June 27th 2015 Review

I wanted to call this post the small label which could because this is a real phenomenon here in Los Angeles, two minuscule labels are revolutionizing music festivals, Burger Records has its Burgerama now in its 4th year and taking some mini-Coachella proportions, then Lolipop Records has just put its second Lolipalooza – great name by the way – at the Echo/Echoplex and the festival is simply here to stay and grow every year.

Charts, Slideshow

UK Top 10 Albums 7-4-15

Wow, talk about catching a band at the height of their heat! Following my viewing of Wolf Alice last week, they have killed it at Glastonbury and were only stopped from the top spot, on their debut album I might add, by another artist who killed it at Glastonbury, who I have also seen recently and also wasn’t crazy about live. PS: I took Taylor down a notch because, frankly, she is losing her sweetness.

Charts, Slideshow

UK Top 10 Singles 7-4-15

Okay, with the estimable Jess Glynne handling the hook, this is the word to crack Tinie Tempeh Stateside. He has come close in the past , “Written In The Stars” reached #12 back in 2010, but it hasn’t happened big time as well as appearing on Swedish House Mafia’s “Miami To Ibiza” , so this one could finally do it. Meanwhile, Flo, Fet, the Felix remix -lotsa good stuff.

Recorded, Slideshow

10 Songs: Sunday, June 28th, 2015

The Tide Is High – Blondie – Is this an official gay anthem? Blondie’s famous cover of the Paragons masterpiece survives as their encore. It was the highlight of their set at Roseland, with a full brass section coming out to join her and the highlight of a whole day of music yesterday with Debbie literally wrapping herself in a rainbow flag – A

News, Slideshow, These Days

These Days: Sunday, June 28th, 2015

Murder isn’t baseball, Denis Hamill claimed in the New York Daily News today, it isn’t a staticians game. Essentially telling us all to sit down and stop fretting. Perhaps, but homeless men with machetes attacking defenseless women in Bryant Park is rife with symbolism.And if murder was baseball, New York City has transitioned from the 2000 Yankees to the 2000 Mets, and that is far enough or we will be the 2014 Yankees before we know it.

News, Slideshow

Joy Division Launches New Website and Album Re-Issues

The website also includes a listen section where you can stream the iconic ‘Closer’, set to ‘photographs by Charlie Meecham, the Lancashire-based artist whose work was used on the cover of Atmosphere’. They also promise us to add more ‘specially-commissioned videos, inspired by the band, in the future’.

Live, Slideshow

Maxi Priest And Bunji Garlin At VP records 35th Anniversary Concert, Summerstage, Saturday, June 27th, 2015

Maxi Priest we expected to be great, on record he is pop and reggae and on stage he is a rock and reggae with a masterful lead guitarist. Sly and Robbie produced some of last years Easy To Love, but on stage this was not Lover’s Rock. he opened the set with the 1990 “A Little Bit Longer” but while the recorded version is bright eyed UB40ish reggae riddem soul pop, on stage it was a barnstormer

News, Slideshow

The Taylor Swift-Apple Conspiracy Theory

But this is beside the point, there’s more to the story, some people are becoming more and more suspicious that the whole deal was just a stunt, and that Swift was secretly cooperating with Apple from the beginning. Who are these people, some new conspiracy theorists? They are random faces on Twitter expressing doubt, but also Tom Conrad, Pandora’s co-founder, who tweeted a series of interesting sentences:

Recorded, Slideshow

The Jangle Band’s Debut Single Review

The two songs are perfect examples of jangle, “This Soul Is Not For Sale” is a rethinking of the “The Bells Of Rhymney” with the folkness replaced by Beatley power pop. My Buddy Robert Ross will flip for it, I promise, and while I know it looks easy to wear your influences so on your sleeve, if it was easy, why doesn’t everybody do it. There is a magic to renewing something so great and making it your own.

Live, Slideshow

Let’s Active: rock nyc Concert Picks Week Of June 29th, 2015

I am gonna miss this because 1) I’m broke, 2) it is at Jones Beach and I don’t have a car on 3) a weekday, 4) The Big Huerta and little Stevie Crawford have already written terrific reviews of the concert in LA and Dallas, 5) plus Alyson reviewed the tribute gig months ago and 6) did I mention I’m broke? However, if you have a car and are not broke, get to Jones Beach on Tuesday and check out Brian Wilson.

Recorded, Slideshow, Sneak Peak

Sneak Peaks: New Album Releases Week Of June 22nd, 2015

Bilal might be a biggie true, 2013’s A Love Surreal was terrific and the one time I saw him live he was very good. The current single with Big K.R.I.T. is a goodie. Bassnectar released one of the best albums of 2014, but he was a bore on stage and it is a little soon for an new album, also the EP sampler was a disappointment. I’m going with Vince Staples.I’ve got a feeling about his first solo album, the Odd Future collaborator has been waiting years for his turn and the three songs I’ve already heard off Summertime ’06 have been excellent.

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