What's goin' on...: July 2011

Feedback...
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Reflection...

As you know we lost a popular artist this week in Amy Winehouse. Amy was a key figure in the neo-jazz movement. She had only put out two albums, the second of which won her five Grammy Awards; Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Unfortunately as talented as she was, she also had her troubles with drugs and alcohol. In the end she succumbed to these demons. As a music fan, I ask that you remember her for her talents and not for the endless jokes and references made about her troubled life in the past couple years. We lost her at the young age of 27, the same age as Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and Janis Joplin.

9/14/83 - 7/23/11

With new releases...

July 26th;
Wu-Tang Clan
Legendary Weapons

I had posted a few weeks ago that this album was being released. I am not sure if I was misinformed or the release date was postponed. Either way, this album is slated to be released on Tuesday. This is a compilation album and is supposed to be a follow up to Chamber Music. The problem I am going to have with this album is that GZA does not make an appearance. For my money, he is the best lyricist of the bunch and his absence should be noticeable. I plan on getting this because it is Wu-Tang but I don't expect this to be as good as prior releases.

Joss Stone
LP1

As with the previous album, I had reported that this album was set to be released earlier. Again, I am not sure what happened but it is now set to be released on Tuesday. This marks her first album that will be put out on her own label, Stone'd Records. The co-wrote and co-produced the album with David Stewart, half of the Euro-pop due, the Eurythmics. This album took only 6 days to record. always puts out a good product and I don't expect this to be any different.

Kelly Rowland
Here I Am

This is Kelly's third album and will be her first after firing her manager and leaving Columbia Records. It is slated to be a mix of R&B, Pop and Dance. She has help with production from David Guetta and already has spawned a single, Motivation f. Lil Wayne.

Vanessa Carlton
Rabbits On the Run

I had read that Vanessa Carlton was not sure if she wanted to write another album. She had intended on concentrating on writing film scores. However, she did write her fourth album. She stated that she wanted to capture a creepy, dreamy sound inspired by Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time and Richard Adams's Watership Down.

Eric Church is also releasing an album entitled Chief

With music...

Bad Meets Evil
Hell the Sequel

I get worried when I here about rap collaborations. Usually it is two or more rappers with giant egos trying to shine brighter than each other. This collaboration works. I think Royce da 5'9 naturally gives way to the giant ego that is Eminem. Their styles are different but similar enough to make sense and make the album fluid. This album has already reached #1 on several charts and has spawned three singles. If you are a rap fan or an Eminem fan, get this album, I think you will enjoy it. This also makes me want to check out Royce da 5'9's work as well. He holds his own.

Rating: 4/6

Theory of a Deadman
The Truth Is...

I expected to like this album, but I was surprised at how much. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire CD. This is an album that you can listen to and enjoy every track and don't have to worry about skipping any. I can hear many potential singles and even a couple of radio anthems in Bitch Came Back and The Truth Is... You can pick this album up risk free. I don't have much to say really....good band...good music....good album....'nuff said. This album gets one of the highest ratings ever given on this site.

Rating: 5/6

Incubus
If Not Now, When

This is another band that puts out consistently good music. This album is no exception. This album is a lot more chill than I was expecting. The entire album is done at a much slower pace than I am used to but it works. This album also sounds like the most professional piece put together by the band. Incubus always had a raw characteristic within their music and I think that is missing with this album. This is not a bad thing as I enjoyed every track on the album. I think this is another safe buy for anyone who enjoys this style of music. I am not sure that this album will spawn any singles in addition to Adolescents but we will see.

Rating: 4.5/6

This weeks throwback albums...

Ja Rule
Venni Vetti Vecci

Do you remember when Ja Rule appeared on Jay-Z's Can I Get a...? Everyone was like who is that? Then Ja Rule released his debut album. Everyone was blown away. This album is very good and I recommend getting it. I think you will be surprised at how different it is compared to the "sold out" Ja Rule who became very soft and seemed like he wrote songs strictly for the radio. This album contains a bunch of singles, good beats, descent lyrics and good production. One of the best rap albums of the late 90's and I don't mind taking slack for saying that. Listen and see if you agree.

The Offspring
Smash

This album was the Offspring's break-out success. It seemed like everyone had this album and rightfully so. Every track could be a single and it marked the start of the punk, F the world movement that continues today. The Offspring are a staple among the X-games and alternative crowd. This album sold 12 million copies worldwide! If you don't have it....you are the only one....borrow it from anyone.....I think the Pope even has it. Seriously, if you don't have it get it before anyone finds out.

You oughtta know...

Citizen Cope

Citizen Cope, or, Clarence Greenwood is a musician originally from Washington, DC and later Brooklyn, NY. Greenwood grew up listening to Sly Stone, Al Green and Willie Nelson to name a few. Washington referred to Greenwood as their "most soulful export since Marvin Gaye." He is multi talented as he plays guitar, keyboard and drums as well as leading in production on his own music. I will be honest; he doesn't get a lot of airplay but his music is fantastic. It is hard to tie-down what his musical style is as every song is vastly different. He definitely has influences of Blues, Soul, Jazz, Rock and Folk, probably even more. If you have never heard of Citizen Cope, give him a listen. Spread the word and help educate people about a true hidden gem.

This week in music...

2001

Tha Eastsidaz
Duces 'N Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way

Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton

Judas Priest
Demolition

Prince
The Very Best of Prince

1991

Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic

1981

Stevie Nicks
Bella Donna

The Ramones
Pleasant Dreams

Eddie Rabbitt
Step By Step

Miles Davis
The Man with the Horn

Foghat
Girls to Chat and Boys to Bounce

Pat Benatar
Precious Time

Electric Light Orchestra
Time

1971

The Who
Who's Next

The Allman Brothers
Live at Fillmore East

Deep Purple
Fireball

Elvis Presley
C'mon Everybody

Donovan
H.M.S. Donovan

Helen Reddy
I Don't Know How to Love Him

Glen Campbell
The Last Time I Saw Her

Isaac Hayes
Shaft

Country Joe McDonald
War War War

Joan Baez
Blessed Are

Happy Birthday...

July 25th

Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth)
53

July 26th

Wayne Wonder
39

Mick Jagger
68

Brenton Wood
71

Dobie Gray
71

July 27th

Pete Yorn
37

Juliana Hatfield
44

Maureen McGovern
62

Bobbie Gentry
67

July 28th

Soulja Boy Tell 'Em
21

Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach)
35

Stephen Lynch
40

Jonathan Edwards
65

July 29th

Rodney Jerkins
34

Afroman
37

Wanya Morris (Boyz II Men)
38

Martina McBride
45

Geddy Lee (Rush)
58

July 30th

Neal McCoy
53

Kate Bush
53

Frank Stallone
61

Paul Anka
70

Buddy Guy
75

July 31st

Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim)
48

Gary Lewis
65

In Charlotte...

Amos' Southend

Friday, July 29th;

Sevendust

Saturday, July 30th;

Sequoyah

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
No current music events

Bojangles Coliseum
No current music events

NC Music Factory

The Fillmore

Tuesday, July 26th;
Cinderella