What's goin' on...

Sunday, July 17, 2011

July 18-24

Corrections...

I will be switching when I post my blogs. I was trying to get them posted by Wednesday of each week so that you would be aware of information over the weekend and throughout the next week. It is just getting too hard to keep up with during the week. Therefore, I will be posting everything on Sunday. That way you will have information for the upcoming week.

I try my best to keep you updated about new releases in music and with local music events. So I get frustrated when I miss something. I regret to inform you of an album release of importance that I missed. On June 14th, Bad Meets Evil released Hell the Sequel.

For those of you who are not familiar with what this is, I will tell you. Bad Meets Evil is a collaborative effort between two prominent Detroit rappers, Eminem and Royce da 5'9. I will be the first to tell you that I am not familiar with much of Royce da 5'9's work. I am however very knowledgeable about Eminem's. I plan on reviewing this album in the upcoming week, so I hope to give you more insight on the quality of the product. I can say that Eminem is one of the 10 best lyricists of all time. Even further, he may be the best at word play that I have ever heard. This alone will keep me buying his product. Even if Royce is weak, I am sure Eminem can carry the album. If you like Eminem's music, get the album. I am sure it will be more of what you are used to.

Since I've been gone...

Since I have been gone there have been some significant music releases. I will do my best to accurately update what we have missed...

On July 5th, Birdman released Bigga Than Life...

Birdman a.k.a. Baby was one half of the duo, Big Tymers. Big Tymers had some success in the early 2000's. He is also co-founder of Cash Money records. Cash Money has produced, Lil' Wayne and Juvenile to name a couple. Birdman refers to Lil' Wayne as his son but this is not biologically so. All of this being said, I don't really care for his music. I think this is exactly what is wrong with the current state of rap music. Rap used to say something. Cash Money definitely contributed to the deterioration of rap. It kills me to know that he is estimated at a net worth of around 100 million. If you decide to buy this album....good luck. I don't expect it to be worth the money you spend.

On July 12th,

Theory of a Deadman

The Truth Is...

This is the fourth studio album by this Canadian band. All of their previous albums have reached the top 10 in Canada and have done increasingly better in the United States. I personally enjoy their music and think they deserve a little more recognition. I would put these guys in the top three hard-rock bands of today. I would highly recommend checking them out. I don't have any reason to think this album won't be as good as their last three.

Incubus

If Not Now, When

This is another album I would highly recommend checking out. This is their seventh studio album. The band had taken a hiatus in order to prevent burn out and then decided to come together to produce this album. This prompted the title of the album. The album has already produced a largely popular singe in Adolescents. These guys always put out a good product and I suspect this will be more of the same.

Sublime with Rome

Yours Truly

Sublime just hasn't been the same since Bradley Nowell's death in 1996. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist. Their chart success backs this up. Finally, in 2009, they decided to team up with Rome Ramirez. The group originally began playing Sublime songs. This album marks the first musical escapade by the group. From the bits and pieces I have heard, I was pleasantly surprised at how good they sounded. I am still on the fence on whether or not I want to check this album out. I may wait to hear a little more before I decide to purchase this outright.

With new releases...

July 19th;

3 Doors Down

Time of My Life

This is the fifth studio album from this very successful band from Mississippi. Each of their first four albums has reached the top ten in the United States with the first three going at least platinum. They have been pumping out steady hits since 2000. I would expect more consistency out of the band. These guys are always a safe bet. Give it a listen.

They Might Be Giants

Join Us

I think you either like They Might Be Giants or you don't. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of in between with these guys. Their music is a little nerdy and a little quirky but I have come to like it a lot. However, this is their 15th studio album, so their style must be resignating with a large number of people. This also marks their first non-children's album since 2007. I think this one is pretty straight forward...if you like them get this...if not....probably not.

311

Universal Pulse

This is the band's 10th studio album. The band's style has changed very little during their career. I have always loved this band and tend to like the unique style. They have invited Sublime with Rome to open up for them on the new tour. The band's first single off of this album, Sunset In July, is very good and shows how consistent these guy's sound really is. I admit that their sound is not for everyone but I think they warrant at least a listen.

Also releasing albums this week...

DJ Khaled, Fink, Attack!Attack!, Basement Jaxx, Cold, Portugal the Man

In music...

Due to my hiatus, I haven't had time to listen to much music. I also have a lot of information to catch up on. Therefore, I will only be reviewing one album this week. I will review more next week....Sorry for the disappointment.

Limp Bizkit

Gold Cobra

OK, most people I have talked to who are Limp Bizkit fans seem to like this album. For me, I am still on the fence. I think the return of Wes Borland is obvious as the quality and sound of the music has returned and is very reminiscent of old Bizkit. I guess my problem falls with Fred Durst. I don't think he sounds bad on this album I think he lacks some enthusiasm. Durst presented a cool swagger that border lined on angry and unstable. I felt that was missing on this album. I never felt he was angry or ready to break something. I miss that. For that alone, the album loses some marks for me. If he can gain some of that back, the band could be back in business.

Rating: 3.5/6

This week's throwback albums...

Ultramagnetic MC's

Critical Beatdown

This Bronx-based rap group consisted of Kook Keith, Ced Gee, TR Love and Moe Love. This album was moderately successful upon its release but has been considered a hip-hop classic in the following years. This is a true hip-hop staple and a must have for any serious collection. The group's breakout hit, Ego Trippin' has been included for you below.

Lenny Kravitz

For me, this is the pinnacle of Kravitz's career. He began gaining some steam with several singles prior to this album and has had some success after it's release. This album however contains his best work to date. It is full of singles and creative guitar riffs that make this a very good album. This album went 3xplatinum, produced 6 charting singles and gave Lenny two Grammy Awards for his megahits, Fly Away and American Woman. I strongly recommend anyone who hasn't heard this album to check it out.

You oughtta know...

Umphrey's McGee

I am a huge fan of jam bands. There is something pure about a band that doesn't lose any sound quality playing live. It is nice to know a band can perform without hiding behind all the bells and whistles of a recording studio. A band that I have been hearing more and more over the last year is Umphrey's McGee. They formed at the University of Notre Dame in 1997 and are currently based out of Chicago. Bottom line is that these guys are really good. They are considered an "improg" band, which is a combination of improv. and progressive. They do have similarities to jam bands such as Phish and the Grateful Dead. Many people think that they are more similar to bands like Yes, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa and Genesis. Others think they draw influence from Iron Maiden. They themselves have acknowledged drawing influence from the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Police. As you can see the references are to quite the eclectic variety of music. Anyone I have recommended them to has not been disappointed. I strongly encourage you to check them out; you won't be sorry.

From the fans...

I don't get a lot of feedback from my followers but when I do, I would like to acknowledge them. From time to time I get recommendation to review or listen to different bands and different albums. Most of the time it is stuff I am not familiar with. So I will do my best to let the people's voices be heard and to promote some of the stuff my followers are into.

Tamara S recommends:

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

Tamara first head them on the Conan O'Brien show and then saw them open up for the Avett Brothers. She said they are very good. This band has ties to Canto, NY and St. Lawrence University. Give them a listen. Her sound is definitely worth it.

Jay B recommends:

Native Tongues

Native Tongues is a collective of hip-hop artists from the late 80's and early 90's. They were known for their positive-minded, fun Afrocentric lyrics, and for pioneering the use of eclectic sampling and later jazz-influenced beats. Pioneering members included A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, and De La Soul. Also tied to this movement were Chi-Ali, Black Sheep, Three Times Dope, Leaders of the New School and Queen Latifah. Even current members of the hip-hop scene draw from this, including Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Common. I have included a classic for you.

Beth G recommends:

The Sons of Sylvia

Revelation

Beth says these guys are awesome. These guys are country pop trio who formed from a family band called The Clark Family Experiment in Rocky Mount, Virginia. Ashley toured with Carrie Underwood and still have connections to her today. I agree with Beth. I really liked this album. It was different from most music I have heard lately. I guess if I had to pick a similar band, I would say Lady Antebellum, although, these gave more of a rock feel to them. Check 'em out.

Brian O recommends:

Trace Adkins - Just Fishin'

Brian said that it may be time for Trace Adkins to retire.....Give a listen and see. Personally, I agree with Brian. I have thought that for a while.

This week in music...

2001

July 24th;

Alice In Chains

Greatest Hits

N'SYNC

Celebrity

Avenged Sevenfold

Sounding the Seventh Trumpet

Cake

Comfort Eagle

Jimmy Eat World

Bleed American

1991

July 23rd;

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

Homebase

Main Source

Breaking Atoms

Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch

Music for the People

1981

June 20th;

Journey

Escape

June 21st;

Bryan Adams

You Want It You Got It

June 24th;

The Go-Go's

Beauty and the Beat

1971

July 21st;

Black Sabbath

Master of Reality

July 23rd;

The Moody Blues

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour

In Charlotte...

Amos' Southend

Thursday, July 21st;

Bayside

Friday, July 22nd;

Ten (Pearl Jam Cover)

Core (Stone Temple Pilots Cover)

Saturday, July 23rd;

Dokken

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Saturday, July 23rd;

Amy Lavere

Bojangles Colisseum

No current music events

NC Music Factory

The Fillmore

Thursday, July 21st;

John Butler Trio

Friday, July 22nd;

100 Monkeys

Saturday, July 23rd;

Aaron Lewis of Staind

Uptown Amphitheater

Tuesday, July 19th;

A Perfect Circle

Wednesday, July 23rd;

Wiz Kalifa

Ovens Auditorium

No current music events

Time Warner Cable Arena

No current music events

Tremont Music Hall (Newly Added)

Thursday, July 21st;

Doctor Booshka and the Light Brigade

Friday, July 22nd;

106.5 Presents AWOLNATION

The Constellations

Redlight King

Saturday, July 23rd;

The First Annual Radok Fest

Sunday, July 24th;

Birds With Teeth + Lucky Five

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

No current music events

Visulite Theatre

Thursday, July 21st;

Reckless Kelly

Saturday, July 2, 2011

July 1-7

Hey everyone. I have been trying to keep up with everything on the music scene for the past few weeks. It can be a daunting task. Unfortunately this week, there will be no post. I have been ill and am going on vacation at the end of the week. I will catch everyone up on new releases during the next post. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Friday, June 24, 2011

June 24-30

With new releases...

This week brings some big hitters up to bat. This should be one of the better release weeks of the summer...

June 27

Limp Bizkit
Gold Cobra

I was upset when I predicted that Wes Borland's departure from the band would be it's downfall. Obviously, Borland was the talent and Durst was the face of the group. After a moderately successful album without Borland, Limp Bizkit all but disappeared. What is exciting about this is that Borland put aside his differences with Durst and decided to make another Limp Bizkit album because "music needs it." I am looking forward to hearing if they can recreate some of the original Limp Bizkit sound. I am definitely going to check this out.

June 28

David Cook
This Loud Morning

Yes....David Cook did win American Idol. Yes....this does eliminate some of his credibility. It shouldn't. He was the first contestant to win who was actually a talented musician. His first album was actually pretty good. I am looking forward to this album as he should have no more creative restrictions from winning American Idol. He has stated that he draws influence from Our Lady Peace, of which I am a huge fan. I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you decide to check out this album.

Beyonce
4

At first glance, I thought Beyonce really needed to shave her armpits. I am not going to say much. This has a chance of being the biggest selling album of the summer. I would expect it to be more of the same from Beyonce.

Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday

Taking Back Sunday is a rock band from Long Island, NY. Their albums always reach top 10 on the Billboard charts and always reach Gold status. So it goes without saying that this album should be pretty good.

Wu-Tang Clan
Legendary Weapons

I will be a Wu-Tang supported forever. If they put out a polka album I would buy it. I think the original draw of the Wu has worn off, but lyrically, they are still sound. I am definitely getting this album. Wu-Tang mother_%*##$!

June 30

Joss Stone
LP 1

This is the fifth studio album from neo-soul phenom Joss Stone. This girl can sing her butt off. She has one the most soulful voices I have ever heard. 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. This should be very very good. Check it out.

Nas
Life Is Good

First, let me apologize if this is not the cover of the album. I could not find the artwork. As with the Wu-Tang Clan, I will be a Nas supporter forever. I will always support his product and therefore will surely get this album. He is one of the top three lyricists in the history of hip-hop in my opinion. His music epitomizes what NYC rap is all about. Check it out.

Others artists with releases this week: Billy Ray Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Buddy Guy, Queensryche, Big Sean, and Selena Gomez & the Scene

In music...

My Morning Jacket
Circuital

I have seen this band in passing a couple of times on TV and liked what I heard. I just have never brought myself to get one of their albums. So when I saw they had a new album coming out, I knew I had to at least give it a shot. I am glad I did. To me, the music sounds a lot like old Radiohead, you know from the early 90's. It may not be as complex but it has similar sound. They also evoke a nostalgic feeling, as if this album could have been released sometime in the 70's. Whatever it is, it works for me. Two of the singles, Wonderful and Outta My System were written to be performed by the Muppet band, Dr. Teeth & Electric Mayhem. When this did not pan out, the singles were kept for the album. My favorite tracks on the album are Circuital and Wonderful and look forward to see if either of these pan out as singles. I would recommend this album to anyone to at least give it a listen. I think the music can appeal to a wide variety of interests.

Rating: 4/6

Snoop Dogg
Doggumentary

Ok, I live by the credo that a good hip-hop artist doesn't need a hook. When you start reciting the hook of the song rather than the lyrics, its a wrap (no pun intended). When Snoop came on the scene, he embodied the very essence of what Gangsta Rap was. Part of what makes Snoop a legend has been his ability to adapt to the changing scene of the music industry. Unfortunately it has been harder and harder to keep Snoop relevant. It is hard to uphold Snoop Dogg as a gangsta when he is a football coach, entrepreneur, etc. Snoop Dogg has always been willing to go in a new direction. When No Limit records was getting big, he left Death Row and joined No Limit. When the retro-pimp movement was big, he was into that. When the Neptunes were in their prime, he had them produce his album. I don't think he lost his ability to rap, I'm just not sure it's relevant any more. It pains me to say this but I think the only thing that keeps him going is his clout. He knows people and therefore can get just about anyone to be on his album. On this album, he features such artists as Bootsy Collins, E-40, Young JeezyWiz Khalifa, Gorillaz, Willie Nelson, Kanye West and John Legend. I will continue to support Snoop's music because he is a legend. I don't recommend buying this album unless you feel the same way I do.

Rating 2/6

Weird Al Yankovic
Alpocalypse

Well, it is another Weird Al album and it doesn't disappoint. I feel like the opinions of Weird Al are very polarized: you either like him or you don't. I happen to like him so I thought the album was entertaining. I don't think he will have any memorable parodies off of this album but it was still entertaining. I think the best chance is TMZ, which is a parody of Taylor Swift's, You Belong to Me. Weird Al also parodies, B.O.B., T.I., Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus. His famous polka medley contains even more well know artists. As my recommendation, if you like Weird Al, go get this. If you don't, don't bother. Whether you admit it or not, Weird Al has established himself as a music icon who always manages to keep his material relevant. You gotta at least respect that.

Rating: 4/6

This weeks throwback albums...

Nirvana
Unplugged In New York

I think this is one of the more influential albums of the 90's. It did a couple of important things for music. First, the Unplugged series gave MTV a different platform to present it's artist at a time when videos were still being played in regular rotation. If provided the audience a more intimate look at some of the popular artists and gave the artists a chance to showcase their live interpretations of songs. Nirvana, perhaps the biggest band at this time provided the audience with a different look at the band's music. Eventually it also led to the resurgence of some artists such as Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Secondly, this album showed Nirvana and the grunge movement was not just all about white noise, ie., Sonic Youth. Nirvana was able to show how talented they were at musicians, song writers and in interpretation. Definite must have for any serious music collection.

Fu-Schnickens
F.U. Don't Take It Personal

I always catch a lot of slack for giving this album more credit than is due. The fact is, this album is good and I love it. I give this album a 6/6. I think it has great beats, great lyrics, great production and marketable tracks. The only knock I can give this to this day is that the material and style is dated. This album produces four memorable singles, True Fuschnick, La Schmoove, Ring the Alarm and Check It Out. For those of you unfamiliar with the group, this is the group that Shaquille O'Neal associated himself with and eventually joined. This group also boasts one of the fastest rappers of all time, Chip Fu, whose lyrical speed will blow your mind. Must have hip-hop classic.

You oughtta know....

I decided to try something new. I wanted to share the wealth so to speak. I have come across some albums in my life that may have been generally overlooked. I want to use this section to motivate people to check out some forgotten gems.

So for the first installment, I bring you:

Lost Highway Soundtrack

This is one of those occasions where the soundtrack actually fared better than the movie. The movie garnered almost no attention and the soundtrack did little better. However, the album contains some hard-rock gems. It features appearances by David Bowie, Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson and Rammstein. Many of these were one-of songs written specifically for this soundtrack. Two of these songs that are fantastic are The Perfect Drug by Nine Inch Nails and Eye by Smashing Pumpkins. If nothing else, just give it a listen. I think it is a highly overlooked album.