June 10-16

With new releases...


Tuesday, June 14th;

Barry Manilow
15 Minutes

I am not a huge fan of Barry Manilow. Don't get me wrong. I will listen to Mandy occasionally but for the most part, he is not my cup of tea. I know he has his superfans and of course to each their own. I cannot in the good taste of this blog endorse this album. I have no intention of buying or ever listening to this album. If you are a fanilow of Barry Manilow.....I hope you enjoy.

Owl City
All Things Bright and Beautiful

I am not highly familiar with Owl City's music. I think most people have heard their song Fireflies. Most of their music seems similar and very popish/bubblegummy. I think those are two made-up words but they are a good fit. I obviously have not heard this album yet, but from all the reviews I have read, it doesn't sound like it is going to be very good. This is an album your kids may like but if you are over 16, chances are this is not what you are looking for.

Marc Broussard
Marc Broussard

I have always liked Marc Broussard. I have always thought that he is underrated and lacks commercial endorsement. If you have never heard him before, check out some of his older albums. If you like them, you may want to pick this one up. I would recommend that you at least give this album a listen. It is the only album being released this week that I would consider buying. Chances are, I will listen to music snippets on Amazon.com and then get any of the singles I like. Other than that, I will save myself some money and wait for a more significant upcoming release.

Ziggy Marley
Wild and Free

I may be criticized for saying this, but I think that musical talent skipped this Marley. I think Bob was obviously a legend and I think Damian is relevant and more applicable to what Reggae music is and needs to be today. I appreciate Ziggy's spirit but I think his music falls short of his relatives. If you like this style of Reggae or Island music, more power to you. I will stick with playing old records of Bob and listening to the rough voiced collaborations that Damian has with current hip-hop musicians.

With music...

I will be rating these albums based on a 6-pack of Guinness. I will try to include icons when I can figure out how.

Foster the People
Torches

This band from LA, formed in 2009. The lead guitarist/singer's name is Mark Foster. Originally, the band was called Foster & the People. People misheard it and the name stuck as it evokes the feeling of taking care of people. I first heard Pumped Up Kicks during a live performance on TV and realized I had to check them out. After listening, it is clear that none of the other songs on the album match the potential of Pumped Up Kicks. However, the album was fun; it had good energy and the sound you would expect from an Indie album. The album was alright. I would recommend it only if you like Indie music.

Rating: 2.5/6 

Warren Haynes
Man In Motion

Warren Haynes is rock royalty. He currently heads for the band Gov't Mule, but has played with the Allman Brothers Band and the Grateful Dead. If that wasn't enough, he has also had recurring appearances with Dave Matthews, David Allan Coe, Corrosion of Conformity, and the Derrick Trucks Band. The dude was born to jam. This album was pretty much what I expected. It is classic Haynes. If you like Jam Band and Blues Rock, you will like this. The album was a good listen. I would recommend this to those of you who are familiar with his music and enjoy the genre of music only. If you like popular music, this album is not for you.

Rating: 3/6

Tedeschi Trucks Band
Revelator

Derek Trucks comes from good music stock as well. He is the nephew of Butch Trucks, a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band. Derek plays with Allman Brothers Band sometimes and has frequent interactions with previous entry, Warren Haynes. This particular album features the collaboration with his wife, Susan Tedeschi. The Tedeschi Trucks band is an 11 member crew formed from both husband and wife's solo projects. I was kind of surprised at how much I liked this album. Having his wife singing really added a new level to his music. The music is consistent of what you come to expect from the Derek Trucks Band but it flows more smoothly with his wife singing lead. Again, if you like Blues Rock you should like this album. I would recommend you at least give it a listen.

Rating: 4/6

This weeks throwback albums...

The Pharcyde
Labcabincalifornia

Even though this album didn't do as well as their debut, I still consider this more of a hip-hop staple. This alternative hip-hop group from South Central LA blended a smooth delivery with some funky beats. This album deals mainly with issues like success, drug abuse and relationships. In 1995, most rappers from LA talked about guns drugs, money and women. This album provided a refreshing pause to the music we were receiving from LA at the time. I provided you with a sample of my favorite track off the album, Runnin'.

Van Morrison
Moondance

Moondance, And It Stoned Me, Crazy Love and Into the Mystic. The last of which is my wedding song. Into the Mystic always makes me smile. This is a nod and tribute to my most loyal supporter, my wife. They say that behind every good man is a great woman and it is no different here. Check this album out, Van Morrison is classic and I always endorse Irish musicians. To my wife: thanks for the support.

This week in music...



2001

June 12th;

AZ
9 Lives

Blink 182

Take Off Your Pants and Jacket

Electric Light Orchestra
Zoom

Sugar Ray
Sugar Ray

1991

June 11th;

Cher
Love Hurts

Natalie Cole
Unforgettable...with Love

Seal
Seal

Skid Row
Slave to the Grind

June 14th;

Type O Negative
Slow, Deep and Hard

Frank Zappa
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol.4

1981

June 15th;

Duran Duran
Duran Duran

June 16th;

The Carpenters
Made In America

In Charlotte...

Amos' Southend

Friday, June 10th;

Crave More

Saturday, June 11th;

Appetite for Destruction (Guns N Roses Tribute)

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

No current music events

Bojangles Coliseum

No current music events

NC Music Factory

Fountain Plaza

Friday, June 10th

Vertical Horizon

Remember this single?

The Saloon

Saturday, June 11th and Sunday, June 12th;

School of Rock

They will be covering Tom Petty; Green Day and Indie Music. Kids under 7 are free!!!!!!!!

Ovens Auditorium

No current music events

Time Warner Cable Arena

Friday, June 10th

Josh Grobin

This is one of those concerts by one of the most wholesome singers of our generation. This is one of those concerts where you will remain in your seat but your spirits will be lifted.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

No current music events

Visulite Theatre

Friday, June 10th;

Chasing Edison; Bubonic Funk; Yesterday's Gravy

Tiempo Libre

Monday, June 13th;

JD Souther

Wednesday, June 15th

Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones

Thursday, June 16th;

Over the Rhine

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.