Surf’s Up: Thumbs Up!
Let’s face it, music videos are great because you’re listening to quality music and watching it at the same time. It’s the very definition of “eye candy.” In the past decade, some really smart producers swung it the other way and replaced the visuals of rockers with footage of athletes. The soundtrack to
Sprout, a surfing montage, is a selection of fourteen songs from thirty some odd cuts played in the film. This selection is eclectic enough to suit anyone’s musical needs. Read more…
By Jeanette Honig Posted in Reviews
Homme & Friends Strike Again
Is it something in the desert air? Or is it the desert sun that radiates with musical originality? Nevertheless, Josh Homme and friends have coined a steadily progressive and innovative style of rock, making Queens of the Stone Age one of the most respected bands in music today. But like many famous rock bands before them, they quickly realized that the road to success isn’t as smooth as one might think. Take for instance the ever-revolving lineup of band members, most notably the recent departure of co-founding bassist Nick Oliveri. But this is Homme’s show now, who masterminded past successful projects like the Eagles of Death Metal and the indie-favorite Desert Sessions’ series. Now Homme manages to build upon their past successes with Lullabies to Paralyze. Read more…
By Taylor Whipple Posted in Reviews
Conor Oberst, with an impressive back-up band, and the Faint will set out on tour together at the end of April. The tour will take him across America and wrap up in June. Mars Black and Airborn Audio will open. Read more…
By Anonymous Posted in News
Non-Conceptual, Non-Exceptional
Numbing the minds of the masses and insulting the intelligence of sophisticated music fans, 50 Cent brings us The Massacre. From a production standpoint it’s easy to understand the appeal of this album but the lyrics of the self proclaimed “King of New York” are an embarrassment to the rap industry. The shooting, robbing, sexual themes, and trash talk of The Massacre displays an overall lack of integrity. These themes are by no means new to rap music, but while predecessors such as Kool G. Rap and NWA intended to make a cultural statement, it is clear that 50’s use of such topics is purely exploitative. Read more…
By Robert Keefer Posted in Reviews
Mahalo From Dream Land
Jack Johnson is a true renaissance man in every sense of the word; semi-professional surfer, acclaimed filmmaker, record label owner, new father, and celebrated musician. Indeed, his talents and achievements are many, but it is this last role that has catapulted Johnson from an indie surf-niche hero, to the forefront of popular music – and rightfully so. Read more…
By Ben De Leon Posted in Reviews
Same Old Song And Dance
With Rebirth, her fourth album, Jennifer Lopez continues her exercises in vanity and paycheck gathering – otherwise known as her career. It isn’t very clear exactly where or how her rebirth came about, since she’s still peddling useless, shallow ballads interspersed with dance tracks and guest spots from famous friends. Read more…
By Kate Dunphy Posted in Reviews
Paul Hester, drummer of Split Enz and Crowded House fame, was found dead by strangulation supposedly in a park by his Melbourne home. He was 46. Read more…
By Anonymous Posted in News
The Bomb Product
The lyrical content of hip hop is often packed with pop culture references. Anything considered a household name has somehow found its way to becoming a lyrical metaphor. The Game has simplified the process with his debut, The Documentary, referencing every artist, album and product that his prospective fan base already has embedded in their brains. Pac, Biggie, NWA, Nikes, the list goes on. Is this just brilliant marketing or is The Game really what he claims to be; a product of rap culture? Whatever the answer, it works for this album. Read more…
By Robert Keefer Posted in Reviews
Even though he’s on tour with QOTSA, Josh Homme has found time to work on his second album with Eagles of Death Metal, titled Death By Sexy. It is due out this summer. Read more…
By Anonymous Posted in News
Aha! This One Works!
The bearers of the Great American Party Soundtrack, the Kings of Leon, have brought forth their second album Aha Shake Heartbreak. This new effort could have been lost in the sophomore slump, a musical Bermuda Triangle; where bands get lost in their own egos, stop writing new music, and start plagiarizing their own work. Luckily for the Kings, this didn’t happen. They have kept chugging away, like a rock and roll steam engine, gaining momentum and covering ground they haven’t previously seen. Read more…
By Elizabeth Halvorsen Posted in Reviews
