June 3 - 9

With new releases...

June 6th;
Arctic Monkeys
Suck It and See

I love this band. I bought their first CD because I was curious and after just a few listens I was hooked. I love them because they remind me of what is good about English music. They are unpolished at best but offer a catchy combination of lyrics and music. I can just imagine the underground British music scene in its hey-day and their music is reminiscent of this. Apparently I am not the only one who feels this way, as their debut album became the fastest selling debut album for a British band, surpassing Oasis. They have also changed the way people access music as they gained popularity through Internet exposure. If you have never listened to them, please give them a try. I fully endorse this band and their product. 

                                   

June 7th;

Tech N9ne
All 6's and 7's

I will be the first to tell you that I am not all that familiar with Tech N9ne's music. I will go back and listen to some of his old stuff to see how it is and then review the album in the future. I am hesitant about the quality due to his stellar appearance and anyone who names themselves after one of the most poorly made and performing weapons of all time is asking for trouble. Let's hope that his performance is better than the weapon of the same moniker. 

                                                                                    

In music...

Lady Gaga
Born This Way

Well it's out. What did you think? Well I think it fell way short of her first release. Her singles are mildly catchy and the rest of the album lacks the energy and substance of her first album. My favorite part of the Lady Gaga craze is how quickly everyone wrote off Madonna. Comparisons were made, and rightly so, to Modonna. They are both huge pop icons who have a certain level of shock value to them. I am just not sure why everyone decided to write-off Madonna so quickly and anoint Gaga a more iconic pop star. I admit that Madonna got kinda wacky in her later years with mass adoption and fake British accents, but prior to that, she was a legend. She has a career that has spanned 30 years. Millions and millions of records sold, huge tours, movies, and international stardom. Why did everyone write her off so quickly? Lady Gaga had a hugely popular debut album and then follows it up with a mediocre album. Please stop making comparisons! Lady Gaga may have more musical talent, but, she is no Madonna. The next time she shows up to an event wearing a dress made of meat, someone do the world a favor and release a pack of wolves.     

Ben Harper

Give Till It's Gone

I am a big Ben Harper fan so it pains me to say that the album started off a bit slow for me. It seemed more "poppy" than I am used to. The album did pick up speed by track #4 and it was back to the good 'ol Ben. It is his first studio album since Both Sides of the Gun and he offers more of the same. He has such an eclectic mix of music he offers on every album that it can be a lot to take in. On this album, Harper pairs with some legendary talent. In the songs, Spilling Faith and Get There from Here, Ringo Starr joins him on drums. Jackson Browne contributes in the song Pray that Our Love Sees the Dawn. I would recommend this album as I would any other Ben Harper album. He is an artist that always seem to fly under the radar but always produces quality material. Check it out.

Beastie Boys
The Hot Sauce Committee Part 2

Ok, here is the story. Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 was supposed to be released on September 15, 2009 as half of a two-part series. However, due to MCA's cancer diagnosis, the project was shelved. They finally released the second part of the series and at this point it is unclear if there is any intent on releasing part 1. This album is a follow-up to their 2007 Grammy Award winning The Mix-Up. After listening to this album, I would say they have a strong chance at another one. The album is in typical Beastie fashion; true hip-hop funk. This album was a lot of fun to listen to. Check it out if you get the chance. There are still some of you out there who only know the Beastie Boys as 80's rappers. With the release of Hello Nasty, they showed the world that they weren't just rappers, but very talented musicians.

This weeks throwback albums...

The Wallflowers

Bringing Down the Horse

Bob Dylan is considered one of the best if not the best song writer of all-time. So what can he do for an encore? Oh, how about produce an offspring that also helms an album that goes 4xplatinum. This album by Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers was their sophomore album and peaked at number 4 on the charts. The album spawned 5 singles including One Headlight and 6th Avenue Heartache, the latter of which I included for you below. Even though the band never regained the popularity they reached with this album, they continue to produce music today. High expectations mixed with revolving band members may have led this promising band to an early demise.

3rd Bass

The Cactus Album

I love Eminem. I really do. But I would be lying to say it doesn't chap my ass to hear that he is the first great white rapper. MC Serch and 3rd Bass were doing their thing long before Marshall Mathers stepped onto the scene. This album returns you to a time when hip-hop was fun and it meant something. There was a message or a story in the song, rather than a rant about material goods. Ahhh.... those were the days. The album peaked at #4 on the rap charts and made The Source's list of top 100 rap albums of all time. If you are not familiar with the album go check it out. If you are a rap fan and haven't listened, you get the gas face!!!!!!

Music History...

As a special request, I was asked to give a this week in music update. I hope you will look at these albums and say, "I remember this." Sorry to make some of you feel old.

10 Years Ago; June 5th 2001

Radiohead

Amnesiac

Alicia Keys

Songs In A Minor

20 Years Ago; June 4th 1991

Kool Moe Dee

Funke, Funke Wisdom

Frank Zappa

Make a Jazz Noise Here

Indigo Girls

Back On the Bus, Y'all

30 Years Ago; June 5th 1981

George Harrison

Somewhere In England

June 6th 1981

Siouxsie & the Banshees

Juju

The Psychedelic Furs

Talk Talk Talk

In Charlotte...

Amos' Southend

Friday, June 3rd;

Shadow of Myself

Saturday, June 4th;

Raekwon

Tuesday, June 7th;

Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses

Thursday, June 9th;

Furnace Road

Bojangles Coliseum

No current music events

NC Music Factory

Mattie's Diner

Saturday, June 4th;

Strutter (Kiss Tribute Band)

Tipping Point Plaza

Friday, June 3rd;

Tonic

Ovens Auditorium

No current music events

Time Warner Cable Arena

No current music events

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

No current music events

Visulite Theatre

Friday, June 3rd;

S.O. Stereo (Save Our Stereo)

Saturday, June 4th;

Nashville Pussy

Wednesday, June 8th;

Soul Rebel Brass Band

Thursday, June 9th;

The Catch Fire

Something to look forward to...

My friends/followers suggested a couple of good ideas to me. They suggested that I have a rating system for the albums that I review. Great idea! They suggested that I used Guinness glasses. Another great idea! You can look forward to that in the future.