Above The Din

Can't Stop The Rock Editor

2009-07-23T21:35:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! Ryan here. Good news to share with all our loyal readers - I have joined the staff of the Examiner as the Newark Rock Examiner! What's great about this is that, other than getting paid to be a voice of rock for New Jersey, I own all articles that I write and am free to share them with other sources - i.e. you. So in the coming months, you will start to see a combination of AtD-exclusive and nationally-recognized music articles. What will come? StayTuned and find out!

Exclusive Interview with Dave from Aversion!

2009-07-14T19:49:00.006-05:00

Every once in a while a band comes along that, although labeled a "local band", have a sound tight enough to stand with bands of more renown. Enter Aversion, a quintet based in Central New Jersey whose sound is reminiscent of mid-tempo rock bands such as Breaking Benjamin, yet with a style that can not be placed in any singular field. Aversion consists of Michael Newton (vocals), David Konopacki and Vito Badalementi (guitars and backing vocals), Kevin Czarnecki (bass), and Christopher "Chewy" Spitalieri (drums). I had the opportunity to sit down with cofounder Konopacki for an exclusive interview about fears, the future of the band, and the music industry. Read on!

Ryan Crowley: Hey Dave.
Dave Konopacki: Hey, how are ya.
RC: Alright, let's start with your band's history a little bit, for those who don't know you. You and Mike [Newton] started in 'Nam, apparently? [laughs]
DK: [laughs] I see you've read our band's bio.
RC: Yep, that's for sure. So really, where you guys got started...you're really two former bands, right? It was you and Mike who played together for a while...
DK: We started in a band together probably about 3, 3 and a half years ago...and things kinda fell apart after...well, they had been together for a while, I joined, and then things fell apart so...[laughs] I was the catalyst for things falling apart it seems. But then we decided we would continue to work together. We wrote a bunch of stuff by ourselves, we did programmed drums and I played all the other instruments and Mike sang. And eventually we started looking for other members; despite what our bio says, uh, we found our drummer on Craigslist, and...
RC: Your bio actually does say that, by the way, later on.
DK: It colors it a little bit. The Craigslist part is true...and he brought in Kevin, our bassist, and Vito, who's our other guitarist. They'd previously played together.
RC: So you guys formed and you took the name "Aversion". Is there any personal meaning to that or is it just kind of a cool rock name? What's going on with Aversion there?
DK: There...there's no personal meaning to that at all. [Laughs] When me and Mike were trying to start stuff...obviously the first thing you do before you start writing songs is, you try to figure out a name, right?
RC: Of course.
DK: So...Mike had a long list of things and well, honestly a lot of them were crap. [Laughs.]
RC: [Laughs.] And can you give us an example of that, or are you too embarrassed?
DK: It's not that I'm embarrassed, it's that it was like two years ago and I don't remember any of the other ones. I probably have the list at home, I just can't remember any of them right now. And Aversion is the one that stuck out in my mind, to me. Just fitting the most, and being memorable so.
RC: Alright then, so you heard it here first. Aversion, up off the list. Other bands have done it so that's not...
DK: That's how Nine Inch Nails came about, so...
RC: We're mentioning "More Than Sorry". That's your single on iTunes. You have that and "Lactose", which you sing on, actually...
DK: [laughs] I do, I do. It's amazing that I actually do that, 'cause I'm scared of microphones.
RC: [laughs] Well you're certainly not showing it now.
DK: [laughs] I hide it well.
RC: Yeah, he's holding his arms and sweating profusely, for those of you who aren't here with us. And, I have to ask, I've heard some of your other stuff, I've gone to some of your other shows. What's the next song you're planning on recording, if you have that lined up?
DK: Well, this will be purely my answer, the rest of the band has not...we have not talked about it yet. But, we just wrote a new song, I think the working title is "Conversation", I'm not sure that's the official title yet.

RC: I have to ask, is that the song you opened with at the semifinals at [Starland]?

DK: Yeah, that's it. Our bassist Kevin wrote that, and I think that's a really strong song so I think that's a good option. And also a song that's been kicking around, that I've had for a while, well, the basis of it... "Head On" now is the title. I think that's another good one; I think if we're gonna do another two song set, I think it'd probably be those two songs.

RC: And of the songs that you've been playing in concert, the other songs..."Funny..." to name one...which for some reason is called your "pop-punk song"...
DK: [laughs]
RC: [laughs] I personally don't hear it but Mike likes referring to it that way. Are those just more for full CD releases or more songs that you've been kicking around until you started recording, or what's the story on those?
DK: Well, if we do a full album, they'll be on it...but we're...we're kinda kicking around some ideas for a new business model at the moment as far as sales and stuff, and I'm not sure recording a full album at this point is really gonna happen. I'm thinking we'll probably do a couple songs here and there, and eventually all of those will probably see the light of day in a studio recording. But for now it's gonna be a couple at a time.
RC: It's working, now it's a great business model, especially in the modern age. So I take it, then, you're big into the whole digital music revolution, not having to release everything on CD but using iTunes, Myspace...by the way, myspace.com/musicofaversion, as selling points and as ways for people to hear your music.

DK: Uh yeah, that's...we're actually...we've been kicking this around for literally two days collectively, today being the second day...we're probably gonna follow the Radiohead/Nine Inch Nails model of pay what you want, and if that means we're giving music away, at least people are listening to it. We're also...like, we'd love if people went to iTunes and bought the music, but we know they can get it for free. So, if you want it, aversion.bandcamp.com. All you gotta do is enter your e-mail address, and you get everything we've recorded...at this point it's two songs...

RC: [laughs]
DK: But when it's more you'll get it for free as well.
RC: Well if I didn't like your music so much, I'd say it was a waste of $1.98...
DK: [laughs]
RC: But luckily I do enjoy your songs, so no worries there.
DK: [laughs] I'm sorry to the people who paid for it, we'll make it up to you in some way.
RC: Like a T-shirt or something, I don't know. But it really is worth...more than $1.98, honestly. But moving on with that, talking a bit about getting music out there, have you thought about sending demos to radios, getting some radio play, college radio, anything like that?
DK: Yeah, we're in the process of putting together a press kit to send out to all the local stations that'll have us, and some that probably won't. We've gotten some tiny bit of radio play on the Rutgers RSU station, 88.7 New Brunswick. That's a great station, listen to it.
RC: Please.
DK: Yeah. So we've gotten some radio play. Not very much, I'll admit, but a little bit. Also, we should probably do Philly stations too.
RC: Yeah, Philly's pretty awesome that way, we should get you out there. Alright, so, you've actually been playing in better venues now, bigger venues. You're not just a club band, you just did Starland, you literally just did Stone Pony two days ago. How's that been different for you, how's the feeling of those places?

DK: Well, that's a...I have a two part answer for that. It is awesome playing the same stage as your idols. Like, I saw Opeth at Starland two or three weeks before we played there, and I'm staring at the stage going "That's where I'm gonna stand. I'm gonna be there". It's an awesome feeling playing the same stage as the bands you love. On the other hand, when you're not a huge band and you're not drawing a huge crowd, it's a little disheartening to see just how empty the place is. Like when we play the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, we pack that place and it's awesome. Like, just the energy. But when we played the Stone Pony, it wasn't a whole lot of people there, it was a little hard to get into it. Not to toot our own horn here, we still put on a good show, but it was a little harder to get into it.
RC: Of course. You feed off the band - the energy of the crowd - and when there's not much crowd, it's a little harder to get the energy going.
DK: Right.
RC: Basic band physics 101, as it were. Alright so, anything else you want to say to our readers before...any plugs, anything that I missed?
DK: I think you got everything, but just again, it's myspace.com/musicofaversion, musicofaversion.com, aversion.bandcamp.com. We're on Youtube, just search for us...we've got More Than Sorry and Lactose up there in video form. I'm sure we'll be other places, just search for us. If there's a social media network, we should be on it. And if we're not yet, we will be.
RC: Alright, and I guess I just have to part with one more question. As you - as I mentioned earlier, you sing on "Lactose" and...you're giving me a look here...
DK: [laughs]
RC: And you sing a little bit on "Funny...". Will we be hearing more Dave Konopacki vocals in the future?
DK: Only if the song calls for it. I hate doing it, I really do, I feel like a jackass singing. I am not a good singer, I'm terrible, but sometimes the song just calls for something and that's when I have to step up.
RC: And you can't get Vito or Kevin or Chewy [Spitalieri] to step in?
DK: [laughs]
RC: [laughs] I'm calling you guys out by the way, you gotta start helping out on the mic.
DK: Vito does the background vocals on "More Than Sorry" because I can't. I tried it one show, and I heard a recording afterwards, and...the entire world is better off if I don't do it.
RC: [laughs] Fair enough, fair enough. For Dave Konopacki, this is Ryan Crowley signing off. I hope to talk to [you] and more members of the band soon, hopefully when more people have seen them. Hint, hint. Signing off. Thank you, Dave.

Transformers 2: Revenge Of Michael Bay

2009-07-01T11:48:00.003-05:00

So the first Transformers was pretty good. Shia LaBouf showed some level of acting skill, or at the very least that he desperately wanted not to be the kid from Even Stevens. Megan Fox provided eye candy with mechanical aptitude. The parents were funny, and the action scenes were alright. The biggest gripe I had with the first movie was that the robots came in too late.

Man, those were the days. The fact is, Michael Bay is Michael Bay, and as the linked clip states, he cares more about making things go boom than he is about characters. If you want to watch a Michael Bay movie, just watch that clip on repeat for about 90 minutes and you'll get the idea. (This movie does have the biggest recorded explosion in film history, so I guess you have to give Bay that.) Intersperse a love scene once in a while that's poorly acted. Seriously, Megan Fox went on record saying this movie isn't about the acting. What actor(/actress) derides the ACTING in a movie?

Now, to specify the formula to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. WARNING: Spoilers. Sort of.

Regale us with a backstory about how machines were actually around when the dinosaurs were. Really? Creatures who go around draining suns of other planets to restore their powers. Sort of a "we're solar powered" type thing? Hide your secret weapon where no one has ever thought to before - in the pyramids. Real original. I think I saw Nicolas Cage and Brandon Fraser lurking in the scenery. Have Sam touch the cube that was thought to be destroyed but isn't completely (wait for the theme here...) and have a nervous breakdown. An intelligent nervous breakdown that has him showing up cameo Rainn Wilson and drawing symbols all over the campus lawn, the walls of his and his techno-geek conspiracy roommate's dorm, and God knows where else. Have Sam completely ignore his girlfriend until she tries to dump him (and does, a few times), fight to get her back, and then refuse to tell her he loves her until - and here's where the spoilers come - he dies, she says she loves him, and he comes back to life and FINALLY telling her the same, in a breath of relief for the one or two people who have actually been trying to dig a plot out of this movie. Never happened before. But wait, Sam's not the only one who dies! Optimus Prime dies too. That matters, right? No, wait, it doesn't, because he comes back to life with the power of some magic dust. Did Tim Kring ghostwrite on this movie? What the hell? It's all well and good to do that with one character, but two? C'mon.

This movie did have some good parts. The action was palpable and popcorn-inducing (or in my case, Junior Mints-inducing as I never buy popcorn at the theaters). The parents didn't fail to be hilarious (especially when the mom, played by a wonderfully hilarious Julie White, indulges in some "special brownies") and some of the new characters were pretty decent (Mudflap and Skidz, caricatures though they were, provided some of that good ol fashioned tag team comedy in the vein of Andy Wainright and Andy Cartwright from "Hot Fuzz"), and John Turturro's Agent Simmons played up his pain-in-the-ass character to decent comic effect. It was a very decent action movie that maintained the comic elements of the first, and I appreciate that. But if you're not interested in things going boom, then seriously, avoid anything with the words Michael Bay on it.

Final Score: 76.

First Ever Deep Cut Friday!

2009-06-26T12:03:00.005-05:00

In trying to revive the slumbering Above the Din, I decided that I am going to start a new recurring column that takes a look at some of the tracks that didn't make it to singles, but probably should have. As this is a relatively new column, I could cull from anywhere in the last 5 years, so keep your eyes and ears tuned. But I will try to make note of at least one new release each week.

So without further ado, the first ever Deep Cut Friday.

The first song I want to talk about is "Stamp of Origins: Horizons" by dredg off "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion" (2009). dredg are recognized for songs like "Bug Eyes", "Savior", and "Information", but they have a very sweet side to them as well. Horizons, a song predominantly led by piano, takes the view of someone ready to die and meditating on their life. It's a thoughtful way to tie up the album, and references many of the songs within (Ireland, Information, Delusions, I Don't Know, Gathering Pebbles, and I believe Mourning This Morning all get nods in the latter half of the LP version of the song).

The Stamp of Origins series off the latest record echoes their first two LPs, Leitmotif (with the "Movement" series) and El Cielo (with the "Brushstroke" series). They took a respite from this concept with their mainstream breakthrough Catch Without Arms, and the return to this is a sign that dredg will not shake their roots just because they have seen the spotlight. Notable in this way is that this album marks the only time that dredg's series have not been instrumentals, although there are instrumentals on the new album (notably "Drunk Slide" and "Long Days and Vague Clues").

Going a bit lighter, the second and final track for this week is one from late last year: "Addicted To Drugs" by Kaiser Chiefs off "Off With Their Heads" (2008). The song is typical fare for Kaiser Chiefs, very wry and danceable, and seems to chronicle the boredom of suburban life. The chorus plays off Robert Palmer's "Addicted To Love": "You're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to drugs." Musically Nick Hodgson makes excellent use of the cowbell to start and supplement the track, Whitey's guitar riff slides under your skin, and Simon Rix's bass sounds like it could be another guitar. Peanut's keys have been understated in this song (and throughout the album), but add the right bump to the song's chorus and instrumental breakdown. It is easily a highlight of the superb album.

That is all we have for today. I leave you with this bit of information: Kaiser Chiefs, Kings of Leon, Bloc Party, and Vampire Weekend are among the bands scheduled to play this year Readings-Leeds Festival, and Kaiser Chiefs have announced a break following their tour with Green Day. StayTuned for new information on Above the Din!

Top 5 Ground Songs

2009-06-26T02:40:00.003-05:00

Note: This post does not necessarily reflect the views of the full Above the Din staff.

5. White Stripes "Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground"
4. Coldplay "No More Keeping My Feet On The Ground"
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Higher Ground"*
2. The Charlatans UK "Muddy Ground"
1. Elbow "Grounds For Divorce"

*while this is not the original, I feel that this is the best version of this song.

In Memoriam

2009-06-26T02:39:00.002-05:00

As a music blog, we would be remiss not to make mention of this:

RIP Michael Jackson.

2009: Old And New Music Heroes Return

2009-06-24T12:36:00.005-05:00

No matter what style or era of music brings glee to your ears, you may be hitting your iTunes or Amazon this year for the latest of the greatest. There may have been a time when you may have hit a record store for such purchases, but who leaves their house to purchase music anymore?

This year has already gotten off to an incredible start. Dredg, Green Day, Tori Amos, and U2 have already dropped their latest. But hold on, ladies and gents, because the ride is just getting started.

Remember the '90's? Surely it was not that long ago. Of course, people of voting age now may have been born in '91 so maybe the '90's were not all that memorable. For those, I say this is a good time to see what you were missing. For you fans of old-school rap, before it was all money, champagne, and chicks, you have a veritable array to whet your palate. Beastie Boys, Bone Thugs N Harmony (remember them?), Cypress Hill, Diddy (now releasing under Sean "Diddy" Combs - seriously, guy, pick your identity), Dr. Dre, Fugees, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Naughty By Nature, Outkast, Fallon house band The Roots, and Tupac (yes, you read that right. This guy can't be dead) are all releasing in '09. 90's rock swings back in a big way with the returns of Alice In Chains (with 2 albums), Blink-182, Garbage, The Offspring (2010), and Stone Temple Pilots for the hard-rock fans as well as Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20, Our Lady Peace, Rusted Root, Sister Hazel, Sixpence None The Richer, Sugar Ray and Third Eye Blind for those who like their music to go down a little easier. 90's rock staples Collective Soul continue their onslaught of amazing, following the successes of "Youth" and "Afterwords" with the project referred to as "Rabbit" (although guitarist Dean Roland has confirmed on Twitter that this is not the official name of the album). Pearl Jam keep their engines running with "Backspacer" (although the leadoff single, played on Conan O'Brien's first night as Tonight Show host, left a little to be desired). 90's indie vets Barenaked Ladies (sans Steven Page), Blur, and The Flaming Lips will also be returning to the fray, as will R&B throwbacks Ginuwine, Mariah Carey, Maxwell, and Whitney Houston. For the 90's acts that aren't returning, at least their voices will be, with Dolores O'Riordian and Noel Gallagher dropping solo albums.

For you 80's enthusiasts, Cheap Trick, Crowded House, Devo, Extreme, Heart, The Lemonheads, Michael Jackson, Peter Gabriel, and Sting will provide you some new sounds. Metalheads can rejoice as Dream Theater, Killswitch Engage, Megadeth, Porcupine Tree, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra return. For you classic rockers, there's an all-star lineup coming your way. You can look forward to Aerosmith, Black Crowes, Boston, Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople, Joe Satriani, John Fogerty, KISS, Levon Helm, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Roxy Music (original lineup), and ZZ Top gracing your presence with new music.

I promised you newer artists as well, so here they are: Arctic Monkeys, Breaking Benjamin, Cobra Starship, Daughtry, Deer Tick, Elbow (2010), The Fiery Furnaces, The Mars Volta, Muse, New Pornographers, OK Go, Paramore, Spoon, Regina Spektor, The Shins, Tantric, and Tegan and Sara are among the artists with releases on the way. Interpol's Paul Banks releases under Julian Plenti. Collaboration albums include "Horehound" by the Dead Weather (Jack White and Allison Mosshart) and an LP by Discovery (Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij & Ra Ra Riot's Wes Miles). Oh yeah, Christina Aguilera, Creed, Kenny Loggins, and Velvet Revolver are back. Y'know, if you cared.

An interesting trend is going to appear in 2009, with artists releasing under multiple bands. This is a far cry from the 90's, when Eddie Vedder was criticized for starting a new band with Stone Temple Pilots (although obviously, Scott Weiland is not quite Eddie Vedder). Big Boi has a solo album underway in addition to Outkast's. Blink-182 side projects Angels and Airwaves and +44 are releasing new albums. Shirley Manson is releasing her own album in addition to Garbage's. Rob Thomas has an album aside from MB20's. Even Ace Frehley of KISS has a solo album coming out, adding to a second trend of band sidemen(and women) releasing albums (keyboardist Bill Champlin of Chicago, bassist Melissa Auf der Maur, bassist Nathan Maxwell of Flogging Molly with his Original Bunny Gang, and guitarist Tony Fredianelli of Third Eye Blind).

I'm sure this has been an overload of information, but it was purposely done that way to show you your options for 2009 (and some for 2010). For a full breakdown, visit Metacritic.

Movie Review: Stardust

2007-08-14T10:22:00.000-05:00

In a wry admission of "Stardust's" gleeful, impossible-to-market genre-bending, a poster tagline touts the film as "the fairy tale that won't behave". Neither a large-scale epic nor a testament to childlike wonder, as most recent such films tend to be, it must inevitably invite comparisons to "The Princess Bride" as the only other adult-oriented fantasy movie. But, and this is important, boys and girls, "Stardust" is not and never was a knock-off of Rob Reiner's classic. It is very much its own spellbinding, wondrous creation. Familiar motifs like wicked witches, scheming princes, wise mentors and a damsel in distress add a delicately old-fashioned air to the proceedings, but the characters present a decidedly modern take on fairy tale archetypes.

Our story opens in the town of Wall, an ordinary British village bordering the realms of faery. Young hero Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries vainly to woo his love Victoria (Sienna Miller). When the pair see a shooting star, the desperate Tristan makes a bargain with the rather conceited object of his affection - if he retrieves the star within the week, she will marry him. Aided by a magical candle, a gift from his faery mother, he sets off, and is rather surprised when the star turns out not to be a lump of celestial ore but rather a lovely woman(Claire Danes). Yvaine certainly has no intention of becoming an engagement gift.

The antagonistic spark between proud Yvaine and gallantly gawky Tristan never quite develops into the screwball-esque fire of clever comebacks and quick quips which the filmmakers aimed for, but it does maintain a steady glow of stinging sarcasm. Although their romantic destiny won't surprise, the quietly luminous chemistry between Cox and Danes ensures it enchants.

Alas for poor Yvaine, souls more nefarious than Tristan are searching for the fallen star - after all, Tristan doesn't want to hurt the star, just present her (kidnap is such an ugly word) to Victoria. Wicked witch Lamia and fratricidal brothers Septimus and Primus both seek her. Lamia, played by the astonishingly gorgeous Michelle Pfeiffer, is a sorceress of the highest order, prone to the more gruesome acts of magic - like divining via animal entrails and eating the hearts of stars to stay young and beautiful. Pfeiffer gleefully embraces Lamia's malicious nature, as well as the mortification (and amusement) of her increasing decrepitude as the previous star's power wears off. Septimus and Primus, on the other hand, are seeking a necklace which will grant one of them the throne - although they won't turn down immorality.

"Stardust" merrily breaks from usual fairytale conventions. Tristan is no knight in shining armor with Yvaine as the helplessly lovely maiden, nor is there a blatant effort to turn her into some proto-feminist who lectures her hapless beau in the ways of righteousness, as recent revisionist fairytale films have done. No, the lovers are fairly evenly matched. In another clever twist, the mentor so critical to the archetypal hero's journey from boy to man is the fierce, pitiless, dress-wearing Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro). Wait, what? Yes, it turns out the bellicose pirate is a gentle, pacifistic, well-read "woopsie". De Niro hams it up a bit - okay, a lot, adopting a strangely dainty, almost girlish inflection - but it remains an entertaining and, ultimately, commendable approach.

Perhaps “Stardust’s” most striking change lies in its attitude towards magic. Magic, and the CGI required to create it on film, serves the story, rather than the film having been built around special effects, dazzling as they are. As such, it helps transport viewers into the realm of the fantastic, but would certainly have failed without such a charmingly romantic, wondrous story. Stardust glitters brilliantly with a pure magic too rarely seen in films.

Grade: 95

Cheers, thanks for everything: Travis concert review

2007-08-13T18:19:00.000-05:00

Travis is a band of four Scots who more closely resemble the cast of "Trainspotting" than a rock group. They've also been out of the spotlight since 2003's amazing but low-key album "12 Memories". So how is it that they can get an entire crowd jumping to possibly one of the most melancholy quality songs of the late 90s?

Let's start at the beginning (skipping the wholly underwhelming Jon Paul White who, with his sideman Ricky Dean, offered up every rock cliche a mopey moptop could). The arena goes black. Searchlights come up, and the opening number is...the 20th Century Fox theme? What's going on?

The music changes and the theme from "Rocky" is blared, as our four heroes - led by their roadies and managers - come out through the audience decked in full boxing regalia. High fives and cheers abound. As they get up to the stage, a brief clip of "Living In America" is played, they disrobe, grab their instruments, and launch into a stellar "Selfish Jean". This leads off a three-song barrage, being followed by "Eyes Wide Open" and "Writing To Reach You".

Fran thanks the audience and the concert hits full throttle, tearing through hits old and new. This includes, but is not limited to, "Sing" (complete with banjo), "Side," "Driftwood," "Big Chair," "My Eyes," "Pipe Dreams," "Battleships," "Re-Offender," "All I Wanna Do Is Rock," "Love Will Come Through," "Indefinitely," "As You Are," and "Good Feeling". Intermittently, the band has their roadies toss bottles of water out to the audience - one of many moments that prove that Travis may love their music but their fans are key. Guitarist Andy Dunlop hops into the crowd for a solo. Bassist Douglas Payne sings a verse of "Turn" while Fran and Andy rock out together. Fran has the crowd cheering for touring keyboardist Claus during his "Good Feeling" solo; as Fran puts it, "like an angry Viking - whose fish was just stolen or something - really put the pressure on". "Closer" tears the house down, before which Fran has us introducing ourselves to our neighbors in the audience.

If the main set of the concert wasn't enough, the five-song encore cements Travis as one of the best touring bands out there now. It begins with an acoustic "Flowers In The Window" with the rest of the band singing behind Fran. I believe the second song is "Afterglow," but it pales in comparison to the follow-up.

Fran comes to the mic and says "This is something we never do, but we're going to play a song again, a reprise if you will of 'Selfish Jean'. We're going to have some assistance. I don't know if you watch 'The Daily Show'..."

Crowd goes nuts. I look over to fellow correspondent and love Joyful Girl.

"But we have with us Demetri Martin..."

What? Is this for real? Joyful Girl and I are exchanging looks of intense excitement. Demetri Martin joins to perform a live version of the "Selfish Jean" video. For reference, watch below:

Following this...and nothing needs to follow this...Fran asks the audience if they want one song or two (there's only one song left on the encore list folks, I checked). Of course, they say two, so Fran and co. add an impromptu "Humpty Dumpty Love Song," and close with...one guess...

A song that has us all jumping...

"Why Does It Always Rain On Me". Coming into the final verse, Fran stops the audience and tells us we all need to jump. "We have marksmen. If you don't jump, they will find you and bring you down." Oh, British humor. The whole house goes nuts. The show ends, and Cloud 9 doesn't disappear for the rest of the night.

Now, I've been to some amazing shows. We saw Collective Soul and Live earlier this year, and a bill of Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether, and Evanescence is pretty difficult to beat. OK Go came into the audience for an acoustic performance and that was amazing. But no band has given an entrance so amazing, water to the audience, a guitar solo inside the audience, an encouragement to harass a band member, Demetri Martin dancing onstage and eating chocolate biscuits, and amazing song after amazing song the way Travis does. They're an underrated stage presence, gracious for any spotlight, and promising a return soon. And that, folks, is a band worthy of mention.

I give this concert a 96.

The next music battle

2007-08-09T13:44:00.001-05:00

We have touched on technology and music a bit here, but recent developments involving Pearl Jam need to be noted.

According to the band's web site, Pearl Jam's Lollapalooza webcast was censored by sponsor/webcaster AT&T:

When asked about the missing performance, AT&T informed Lollapalooza that portions of the show were in fact missing from the webcast, and that their content monitor had made a mistake in cutting them.

During the performance of "Daughter" the following lyrics were sung to the tune of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" but were cut from the webcast:

"George Bush, leave this world alone." (the second time it was sung); and
"George Bush find yourself another home."

Now I don't think an apology by AT&T is going to cut it. Especially, with net neutrality still being an issue.

AT&T's actions strike at the heart of the public's concerns over the power that corporations have when it comes to determining what the public sees and hears through communications media.

Aspects of censorship, consolidation, and preferential treatment of the internet are now being debated under the umbrella of "NetNeutrality." Check out The Future of Music or Save the Internet for more information on this issue.

Most telecommunications companies oppose "net neutrality" and argue that the public can trust them not to censor.

AT&T, like other telecommunication companies say you can "just trust them" about doing the right thing and keeping everything equal. We need to pass a net neutrality law now. Corporate censorship has always been a part of the American music scene but the internet could bring censorship a whole new level.

Bush on Iraq

2007-07-24T21:35:00.001-05:00

1st annual benefit concert for 911 rescue workers

2007-07-09T14:49:00.000-05:00

The FealGood Foundation, Artists 4 Hope, and
the Gear Up Foundation, in conjunction with
FRIEND ENTERTAINMENT LTD,
are proud to announce the 1st annual
9/11 RESPONDERS
DOO-WOP ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BENEFIT CONCERT
Saturday, July 21, 2007, 7:30PM
At the Kupferberg Center for The Performing Arts,
Queens College (Colden Auditorium)

Starring
Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge
"The Worst That Could Happen"

The Duprees
"Have You Heard"

Frankie Lymon’s “Legendary” Teenagers
"Why do Fools Fall In Love"

The Tokens
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

Cleveland Still and The dubs
"Could This Be Magic"

Vito Picone and the Elegants
"Little Star"

For tickets and Information call: 631-698-9696 or visit
www.friendentertainment.com
Alternatively, please contact
John Feal: (631) 724-3320
AnnMarie Baumann: (631) 884-1604
Vito Valenti: (516) 567-5446
www.FealgoodFoundation.com
144 Shenandoah Blvd N Nesconset NY 11767
Queens College Box Office: (718) 793-8080
Please make all checks out to the FealGood Foundation
(Paypal also accepted). Sponsorship Accepted.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article.php?id=9964

True Colors: Fight Hate

2007-06-24T09:31:00.000-05:00

The Human Rights Campaign, sponsors of this summer's True Colors tour want you to see the following video. And AtD is more than happy to spread the word. Together you and I and rock and roll can help stop the hate.

Music by Cyndi Lauper.

What's So Funny?

2007-06-19T09:27:00.000-05:00

TIME recently ran the article "Comedians' Little Secret,"in which Richard Corliss examines the recent spate of good and successful comedic films, powered by old pros Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler, late bloomer Steve Carell, and young upstarts Seth Rogen and Michael Cera. Corliss points to many factors in this trend - the relatively cheap cost of comedy flicks, their increasingly broad appeal, the dearth of tv comedy (aside from the schadenfreudian amusements of reality shows), an aging generation of action stars, audience preference for pleasurable distractions from our increasingly scary reality, the declining appeal of classic Hollywood glamour in favor of schlumpier leads. I say huzzah for this comedic richness, especially as it broadens the stereotypical movie star to encompass those whose talents lie not in their rippling abs, chiseled good looks, and machismo but rather in their wit and normal guy qualities.

And yet, all these brilliant, accomplished comics are...men. White men. Straight white men. In his article, Corliss speaks bluntly of the "astounding and appalling" lack of female comedy leads, and rightly so. When is the last time an actress' comedic talents were considered the highlight of a film in the same way those of Will Ferrell or Owen Wilson are flaunted? Sure, Katherine Heigl received top billing in "Knocked Up," but that's primarily due to her "Grey's Anatomy"-minted celebrity rather than any presumption of humor - and indeed, Rogen's character is far funnier. Leslie Mann, on the other hand, was supremely hilarious in that film, as she was in her minor "40-Year Old Virgin Role," but has never been in a movie built around her unique comic skills. Even Tina Fey - the recipient of widespread acclaim for "Mean Girls," which she wrote - has found more fame on the small screen. I guess women just aren't funny enough to carry a comedic film - better to leave that task to Ferrell and his unending supply of arrogant oafs, or Stiller and his...similarly unending supply of arrogant oafs.

Women aren't the only ones ignored by movie comedies - so too are minorities and members of the GLBTQ community. In his day, Eddie Murphy made some stellar films - and now he makes "Norbit". Chris Rock, once noted for his biting stand-up, has gone on to such silver screen gems as "I Think I Love My Wife". Let's not even talk about the Wayans brothers. Asians or Hispanics? Practically nonexistent in the comic film canon. The funniest film in recent memory to feature non-white leads was, in all honesty, "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle," the hugely enjoyable stoner film. It was genuinely funny and managed to appeal to a fairly wide audience, thus explaining the failure of studios to pursue more non-white actors for leading funny-man roles (aside, of course, from the film's upcoming sequel. I am completely serious). Wait, what?

Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders are even scarcer than minorities when it comes to movie comedies. I'm not talking about stereotypical gay buddies here, like the wisecracking Rupert Everett in "My Best Friend's Wedding," but rather starring characters who lead funny on-camera lives. Now, there's been some luck in comedies about gays - see "In & Out" and "But I'm a Cheerleader" for a couple decent movies in this category - but those are few and far between, and generally feature straight actors in the roles.

Maybe I'm asking too much of Hollywood. They've only just started to accept that if you put Steve Carell's or Seth Rogen's face on a poster it won't scare people away from a movie - in fact, it might actually get them to see it. And maybe studios think that female, minority, and GLBTQ comedians won't draw in the big money in the same way that Steve Carell and Vince Vaughn will - after all, we "know" it's young white dudes who make up the majority of the movie-going public, right? How can we expect them to relate to women/blacks/Asians/bisexuals/queers? And maybe you think I need to pick my battles. But humor captures the zeitgeist in a way that dramas often don't, making us laugh by pushing boundaries and showing our flaws, but without taking them too seriously. It is what we as a group, a society, a generation finds funny that binds us together. The absence of women, minorities, and GLBTQ actors from the upper echelons of comedy speaks to a larger absence in society. Straight white dudes aren't the only funny people out there - but they're the only ones anyone sees.

New Artist Watch: Fair To Midland

2007-06-08T17:49:00.000-05:00

Serj Tankian can do it all. Best known as the frontman for System Of A Down and for his humanitarian efforts, he's releasing a solo album in the fall, "Elect The Dead". And he has his own record label. A recent discovery on such is the quintet Fair To Midland.

I've only heard the lead-off single, "Dance Of The Manatee", but already I have tingles thinking about what this band can do. They rush in like a sonic cross-pollination of Breaking Benjamin, Evans Blue, and Ra. The vocals jump from pretty to a less high Mars Volta to a melodic growl. The growl doesn't even bother me the way that it could.

The band is selling its image now in a sort of fantasy-book way, as evidenced by their amazingly designed webpage and the lead-off video (which can be found on Page 29 - I'm not kidding). The bio section features lead singer Darroh Suderth with a banjo, of which rock needs more (seriously, listen to "Ty Cobb" by Soundgarden and you won't be able to disagree). I'll be keeping a very close eye on this band, and those of you with harder taste should do so as well.

Slanted spotlight on Elbow to come in the near future. StayTuned!

Slanted Spotlight: dredg

2007-06-07T19:41:00.000-05:00

A while back, if you remember, Joyful Girl started a segment entitled "Slanted Spotlight". Its purpose was to highlight bands that you may not know of, and her maiden voyage was with the band Winterpills. The band I bring before you is slightly less slanted, and in a completely different style, but one I feel deserves a spotlight. Without further ado, dredg.
image from dredgonline.

According to dredgonline, as their official site does not provide a biography, dredg have existed since 1993, kicking around in high school and self-publishing. From this came two EPs, "Orph" and "Conscious". Strangely enough, their big break came on 9/11 - the 9/11, not just any September 11 - with "Leitmotif" (a very fitting name for this, their breakthrough album, as leitmotif means "a motif or theme associated throughout a music drama with a particular person, situation, or idea" (Dictionary.com)). While fitting in with the natural progression of Dredg's sound, "Leitmotif" is a rawer and harder sound than their two more polished and frankly better later albums, "El Cielo" (2002) and "Catch Without Arms" (2005), each featuring an underlying concept and theme. A fourth album is on its way.

Fellow AtD correspondent Coz introduced me to dredg with the song "Bug Eyes" off "Catch Without Arms," a deceptively pretty song encased in a mid-to-fast tempo and driving beginning. There are few artists which I immediately feel the need to research after hearing one song, and dredg was one of them.

At first, I was slightly disheartened, having only come across "Leitmotif"-era work such as "Penguins In The Desert" (penguins are a recurring image for dredg, with the "Of The Room" video focused on a penguin, and the bridge for "Triangle" being "We live like penguins in the desert/why can't we live like tribes" in an almost Gregorian repetition). Coz prodded me not to give up on dredg, so I researched the latest two releases and ended up buying both of them, playing each one on repetition for weeks on end.

"El Cielo" is more fine-tuned and many parts are instrumental. Their "Brushstrokes" add an almost theatrical note to the album, as if they were a score to the dialogue presented in the songs. The album itself is a meditation on waking and dreaming states, including samples to drive its point home, such as in "Whoa Is Me" ("inspired by the clarity of consciousness, rather than the vividness of dreams"). Many of these samples are taken from sufferers of sleep disorders, the letters of whom can be found in the liner notes.

"Catch Without Arms" goes from very emotional ("Matroshka" - one of the most beautiful songs I've heard from the current decade) to very slick (the "Zebraskin" riff crawls under your skin), and speeds up just enough (the opening "Ode To The Sun" has - at risk of sounding cliche - an infectious drive that gets into you, and it comes back with "This Tanbark Is Hot Lava" and "Hungover On A Tuesday"). Basically, there's something for everyone, from the most pretentious artist ("Scissor Lock," most of the instrumentals), to the sap ("Matroshka," "Planting Seeds"), to the hard rocker. Download a few songs to whet your whistle, and see if you want the albums. I'll bet once you start digging deep, you'll at least be tempted.

Movie Review: Knocked Up

2007-06-04T09:21:00.000-05:00

Everything you know about romantic comedies is about to change. In the past, they've been "chick flicks" characterized by meeting cute, witty dialogue, "hilarious" misunderstandings, and supremely attractive couples. But real relationships aren't like that, at all, and rom coms don't have to be either - so all hail Judd Apatow, for his refreshingly funny, vulgar, honest portrayal of love, sex, marriage and babies in the recently released "Knocked Up".

As the title suggests, this is no gently humorous exploration of pregnancy – instead, it’s a frank, funny exploration of what happens when a mismatched couple’s one-night stand ends exactly the wrong way. Alison (Katherine Heigl) initially comes off as that girl everyone hated in high school - pretty, smart, and likable all at once! While Ben's a walking "Above the Influence" PSA, since this stoner's career goal is to build a "boobs and bush" website with his buds for all those times you've wondered to yourself, "God, when does Denise Richards get nekkid in that movie?" Not exactly "father" material, but when Alison finds out she's preggers the couple decide to give it a go.

Watching Ben and Alison struggle through both pregnancy and forming a relationship is simultaneously sweet and fucking hilarious. Rogen and Heigl play off each other beautifully in a movie whose script is often improvised, Rogen proving he deserves a starring place in the list of contemporary comic actors. Let's not forget the super-terrific supporting cast, all of whom shine whether in bit part cameos or major roles. Ben's friends, pothead slackers all, constantly rip on each other in ever cruder ways - watch for their scathingly funny jibes at Martin Starr's character, growing a beard and facial hair to win a bet. Plus there's a steady stream of Jew jokes (yep, Rogen and Apatow are both Jewish), drug humor, and the general brand of male vulgarity that's supremely funny, especially if you've ever had Jewish and/or male friends.

So check off the box for "R-rated comedy that appeals to men, and women who aren't afraid to laugh at the mention of pubes". But Apatow and his crew aren't content to just be riotously crude - no, they believe that emotions actually matter! Shocking, I know. To that end, "Knocked Up" has a wonderfully developed subplot dealing with Alison's sister Debbie (Leslie Mann, one of the funniest women in show business) and her husband Pete (Paul Rudd). Debbie could come off as strident and demanding, Pete as selfish and uncommunicative, aka the worst stereotypes of women and men. But their own relationship issues are genuine - serious and funny at the same time, just like in real life. Debbie worries about getting old and why her hubby doesn't want to spend time with her (at the same time, she's out clubbing with her single sister), while Pete's childish, cynical desire for independence comes crashing down around him in an amazingly touching and comic episode with Ben in Las Vegas.

It would be easy to quibble with the film's central premise - namely, that successful Alison would fall for loser Ben. But that would be to miss the characters' complexity and, yes, growth. From the start, both Alison and Apatow are fully aware of Ben's flaws, while eventually impending fatherhood forces Ben to reexamine his careless attitude toward life. What Apatow gets, brilliantly, is that being in a relationship isn't just about matching your partner's success - it also demands support, love, and faith in the other person, no matter how fucked up they are. Not to mention a willingness to embrace the utter ridiculousness of life.

Final grade: 95

TV Review: "Clark and Michael"

2007-06-01T10:39:00.001-05:00

Having recently critiqued the fall TV lineups of CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, and the CW, I delightedly announce the imminent decline and fall of those very same networks and their out-dated approach to television. For years, TV has increasingly pandered to the lowest common denominator, broadcasting shows which will capture the widest possible audience, including that most elusive prey known as the "18-to-35 year old male". Many quirky shows are either never given a chance or quickly booted due to low ratings - everything Andy Richter's been on that wasn't "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," everything Judd Apatow's ever done, etc. Cable networks can afford to produce edgier shows that garner smaller audiences, but even so - the audience is limited to those willing to pony up the extra cash for channels like HBO and Showtime, while everytime the going gets good it's interrupted by retarded-masquerading-as-clever commercials. But huzzah, modern technology has finally reached the world of TV and it will never be the same again.

The show causing such raptures of delight is "Clark and Michael," starring Clark Duke and Michael Cera (George-Michael Bluth of "Arrested Development"). Duke and Cera play, essentially themselves - two young, oblivious screenwriters developing a new show about two guys named, you guessed it, Clark and Michael. They've hired a film crew to document their cocky, incompetent efforts to get their show on the air - a brilliant use of the documentary style which allows for cheap but authentic looking production, as well as the surprisingly effective and non-pretentious narrative gimmick of talking to the camera. In the first episode, the partners start shopping around their script, which Michael suggests leaving anonymously to preserve the "air of mystery," and decide to go straight to the top - Ted Turner. When that fails, despite (or more likely, because of) Clark telling the receptionist that her refusal is "breaking [his] balls," they manage to score a read at "ATC Family" with Tony Mesner (Tony Hale). Falsely believing this is their big break, the duo sit around on their asses waiting for the call that never comes - although it does give them a great opportunity to catch up on their DVR and get invited to a pasta party by their creepy, stalker-ish neighbor.

The second episode follows up wonderfully, sending up the conventions of reality TV - a breakdown in the bathroom, a promising voicemail from their agent (Mitch Hurwitz, creator of "AD") played over a sunset beach scene, an entertainingly obnoxious, drunken Clark at a dinner meeting. And the thing is, these two awkward, inept characters really believe they belong on a reality show that will showcase their inevitable rise to success. Even the cheesy opening montage, so obviously footage of Cera and Duke screwing around like the teenage boys they are, has a self-conscious note not unlike that found on most reality shows - they mack for the cameras in hideous shirts, grin goofily and earnestly, pause for the requisite serious shots.

Episodes are available only on the show's website, clarkandmichael.com, and the two which have premiered have a combined run time of about 29 minutes - fans find them too short, but as Duke points out on the show's blog, most people believed that Internet users wouldn't watch anything longer than a few minutes anyway. And an important caveat - the show is, technically, financed by good ol' CBS, which is why "Clark and Michael" can afford not to show any commercials and feature only a few ads in the sidebar. To truly revolutionize TV as we know it, someone's going to have to figure out a totally new way to foot the bill. But "Clark and Michael" is a great example of the promise Internet TV holds, namely as a way to showcase offbeat talent that hasn't been pre-packaged by studio bosses.

Final score: 94

How about that?

2007-05-29T21:41:00.000-05:00

Amazon announced today that it is creating a DRM-free music store. The previously-rumored store will be launched sometime "later this year" and offer unprotected MP3 files for purchase. The Amazon music store, which does not appear to have a name yet, will offer "millions" of songs from over 12,000 record labels.

How is the fall

2007-05-29T19:26:00.000-05:00

I trip like you do.

Pictures are Worth 1000 Words

2007-05-26T22:50:00.000-05:00

Does that mean the picture above is worth 1044 words?

Taps by Unknown Song Writer

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Rock Radio is Back!

2007-05-25T15:08:00.000-05:00

Rock Radio has been gone from New York City but it has returned. WXRK is back in its old home of 92.3, and will be all rock all the time. The radio waves were missing something in New York and now they are filled.

It is back baby.

Great Idea for TV Show

2007-05-25T13:21:00.000-05:00

Alright, check it out. I've got a great idea for a tv show.

Let us take three mediocre bands from the 80s and get them to perform one song. But before they each perform, have a current mediocre band perform a different one of their hits. Okay, now we can get several actors and actresses, who have no connection to the music or the bands but who are promoting movies, to come and introduce the bands. I'll get a reality TV star to host, but not one who has even been on the channel before.

***********
Damn, I got beat to the punch. Damn you, VH1 and your Rock Honors.

Movie Review: Once

2007-05-25T12:02:00.000-05:00

Time was, the phrase "movie musical" conjured up very specific images of stars like Judy Garland and Gene Kelly arbitrarily breaking into big, sparkling songs. Every once in a while you got flicks like Rent and Hair, featuring songs that sounded more like popular music and less like gimicky, stuffy showtunes, but even then the films worked on a grander, theatrical scale - yes, Rent is based on Jonathan Larson's experiences in boho NYC, but I doubt that struggling AIDS-afflicted artists serenaded each other in cafes. It is a testament to Once, then, that while aptly deemed a "musical," it so completely redefines what it means to use music in movies as to demand a new genre for itself - call it a "lyrical film".

The flick first garnered notice at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, winning the World Cinema Audience Award for a dramatic film. And, true to the indie nature of the event, Once is a small, intimate, low-budget production. The Dublin-set story centers around an Irish busker (Glen Hansard), known as "Guy" in the credits, who meets Czech immigrant Girl (Marketa Irglova) one evening while performing a self-written song. Her personal questions about the motivation and feelings behind the tune lead to a friendship between the pair and he soon learns that she too is a musician. Too poor to afford her own instrument, she practices piano at a music store - it is here that the two first perform a lovely, delicate duet of a song Guy wrote, crooning the pitch-perfect lyrics "I don't know you/But I want you/All the more for that".

Their quietly developing courtship comes off as genuine - with the awkward propositions, unexpected silences and reliance on neutral vocabulary like "brilliant" that usually mark real relationships. So too is their individually complicated romantic histories - he has an ex who cheated, the basis for the amusing ditty "Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy," while she is estranged from her husband. As singer-songwriters, the pair express the majority of their emotions through songs, but ones with general thoughts on life and love that don't feel constrained to the movie's plot. Rather, the real-life musical team's melodies and lyrics would be at home on an indie-rock radio station, although placed in the context of the story they serve as invaluable narrative devices.

As the pair grows closer, Guy proposes a collaboration on a demo recording and Girl jumps at the chance. The obligatory montage scene at the studio flows smoothly and easily - the relationship between Guy and Girl, and their dedication to the music-making process, is heart-felt, not staged.

Hansard and Irglova are musicians, not actors - a characteristic which allows their music to shine all the more, but also leads to such tendencies as Hansard gazing at Irglova with big, dewy eyes to express affection/surprise/sadness. Director John Carney is more accomplished at the art of movie-making - important scenes take place in small spaces that enhance the moment's emotional weight, and he adeptly uses a long tracking shot to follow Girl as she walks down a street singing lyrics she wrote to accompany one of Guy's melodies. Carney also makes clever use of Dublin, playing up it's working-class, urbanized feel to emphasize the prosaic environment surrounding the two talented artists, one which works to restrain their creative and ultimately romantic impulses.

Once is a sweet, restrained film, whose charm owes much to the masterful use of modern music to tell this love story. It does not aspire to be more than it is and those who connect deeply to music as a form of expression will find much to enjoy in this film.

Final Score: 90

Another Barrel O' Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare review.

2007-05-23T21:31:00.000-05:00

Whoever says the carefully crafted album is dead wears the doomsayer sign too early. The new Arctic Monkeys CD plays like a concert - the opening is strong and quick to get into the action (which is good as it is also their lead-off single, "Brianstorm"). The songs transition into each other smoothly but still have enough of a distinct flavor for you to know where you are. There is the chunk of softer fare that begins with the smooth jazz club feel at the end of "Balaclava," snakes through "Fluorescent Adolescent" (one of the two best songs on the CD), into the softest point "Only Ones Who Know," and starts to pick up in "Do Me A Favour". The penultimate song ("Old Yellow Bricks" - my personal favorite) feels like it could be a barnburner when done right, and "505" is a comfortable end.

The music is exactly what Arctic Monkeys started on "Whatever People Say...," only with some fine tuning, a little harder here, a little softer there. Whereas "Whatever" was mid-fast-tempo almost the entire way through, this album is slightly more polarized. The sound can be described as having the pop sensibility of early Beatles, the stomp of the Ramones, and the sardonic bite and wit of modern British lyrics. You'll find yourself bobbing along to even the least catchy of songs. And in plenty of places the music is deceptively complex; this isn't just your three-chord fare though it may sound as much at first listen.

I'd say if you're looking to bounce, or you liked "Whatever People Say...," this is something to pick up. You won't be blown away by most of it, but you'll certainly be bouncing about.

Final Score: 85.

Summer Movie Preview: The Good Stuff

2007-05-23T11:56:00.000-05:00

Everyone knows that this summer's shaping up to be another exercise in unoriginality, with special effects-laden sequels, remakes of previous films and 80s cartoons, another animated film about penguins (enough with the penguins already!), adaptations of books, adaptations of tv shows, etc., etc. Of course, there will be indie movies for those of us lucky enough to live in and around New York and L.A., a refreshing break from this eye candy monotony, but what about good wide releases? Yes, believe it or not, there ARE islands of hope amid the sea of uninspired flicks premiering this summer, and I am your intrepid guide. Read on for a preview of three of the most promising, under-the-radar films coming soon to a theater near you!

June 1st sees the release of "Knocked Up," an R-rated comedy from Judd Apatow starring the brilliantly funny Seth Rogen. Fans of "Freaks and Geeks" (a show I can never give enough love) will recall Rogen from his turn as the dryly humorous stoner Ken, a show on which Apatow worked as producer, director and writer. More recently, Rogen starred in Apatow's hilarious and surprisingly sweet "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," delivering memorable advice to "wait until the seed grows into a plant, then fuck the plant". The premise of their latest joint endeavor is similarly raunchy and oriented towards grown-ups - Rogen and Katherine Heigl play a mismatched couple whose one-night stand ends with her unexpected pregnancy and their decision to try this whole "parenting" thing together. The promise of Rogen's and Apatow's supremely funny talents (not to mention those of Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, and fellow "F&G" alums Jason Segel and Martin Starr) on display, once again showing that sex can be hilarious and emotional, not just crass and immature, is unbelievably, cream-your-pants exciting. Yes, I did just make a crude sexual reference.

The rest of June and all of July is dead to me. And by that I mean, this is the time to check out all those big exciting movies I just ranted about avoiding but that we all really want to see anyway, because what's summer if not a time to let our gray matter slowly ooze out through our ears? Or you could, I dunno, read something. Okay, at least pick up Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Then *drumroll* August comes to save us all with a one-two punch of awesome movies. Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" premieres on August 10 - although, for the sake of honesty, I should mention that he just wrote the graphic novel the flick was based on. Of course, being Gaiman, the story was fantastic, beautifully illustrated by Charles Vess, as it tells the charming, dark story of a young man's quest to find a fallen star for his lady love. This journey involves, as many do, an evil witch (Michelle Pfeiffer), a captain of a flying boat (Robert de Niro), and a dying king (Peter O'Toole) and his scheming sons. The buzz surrounding the flick is that the impression given off by the trailer of some bizarre, nonsensical, special-effects laden fantasy is completely undermined by the reality - namely, that the movie is a romantic, funny, gorgeous adventure in the vein of "The Princess Bride," and which deserves to be the surprise hit of the summer. Commence squeeing...now.

Next super-cool film to debut in August is "Superbad," arriving August 17. Co-written by Seth Rogen - yes, the very same man who's comedic genius I was just extolling - and starring the ridiculously talented Michael Cera - known to fans as the awkward, dorky, hysterically funny George-Michael from "Arrested Development" - this is another film bearing an impressive comic pedigree. The director, Greg Mottola, even directed some episodes of "AD" and "Undeclared" (Judd Apatow's short-lived follow-up to "F&G," set in college and starring...Seth Rogen! Who was also a writer for the show. When he was 18). At the most basic level, it's a teen sex comedy, about two dorks who plan to impress girls and get laid by bringing booze to a party. I know, it sounds lame, but trust me - watch the trailer. YouTube videos of Rogen and Cera. Then tell me this doesn't sound awesomely funny.

So there you have it. Three wide-release flicks to get excited for, that aren't a variation on the same schlock Hollywood keeps feeding us. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to make plans to catch "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" this weekend.

New Music Alert: Collective Soul

2007-05-22T08:56:00.000-05:00

Hollywood

The first single from their upcoming as-yet-untitled new album due in August has hit the 'net (that means MySpace) and will be impacting radio, as much as radio can be impacted these days, imminently as well.

In other CS news, the band will embark on a trifecta bill with Live and Counting Crows, hitting minor league baseball parks all across the country in a series dubbed - are you ready for this - The Rock N' Roll Triple Play Ballpark Tour. Who's the person who comes up with the names for these tours? Thank you, Captain Obvious, for leaving absolutely no confusion about what the nature of the event is (Rock N' Roll) , how many performers there will be (Triple Play), and where it takes place (Ballpark Tour). You got the pun in there, but frankly even that wasn't that good.

New Music Alert: Smashing Pumpkins

2007-05-22T08:47:00.001-05:00

Tarantula

Taken from their upcoming album "Zeitgeist," due July 10, their first new studio material since 2000's "Machina/The Machines of God."

Meanwhile, Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain (anybody know who else is in the band yet?) have two residences this summer, one in San Francisco and the other in Asheville, North Carolina.

That's all well and great, but where's the full cross-country tour?

Fall TV Preview: the CW and Fox

2007-05-18T14:28:00.000-05:00

Following up on last week's post regarding new fall shows for CBS, ABC and NBC, we bring you the creative endeavors of the last two major broadcast networks - the CW (the hybrid of UPN and WB) and Fox. Want to know what to get excited for and what to skip? Just read on.

The CW doesn't stray too far from its roots in the networks that brought us the supernatural "Buffy: the Vampire Slayer" and teen soaps like "One Tree Hill" and "Everwood". First up is "Gossip Girl," a drama about kids at a private high school in Manhattan - okay, seriously, stop setting shows in NYC. This goes for everyone. Anyway...it's your typical "bratty, spoiled teenagers who bitch and whine about each other and have dark secrets" plot, except, oh look, it's got a 21st century twist! The "gossip girl" of the title is the unknown author of an up to the minute, inside-dirt blog. This show will TOTALLY speak to the Internet-savvy youth of today.

A show whose otherworldly themes hearken back, if ever so slightly, to the "Buffy" days is "Reaper," about a guy whose parents SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL BEFORE HE WAS EVEN BORN. Kinda puts your issues with your mom and dad in perspective. As a result of this deal, the kid has to go around collecting souls for the devil - which, since the devil's basically a fair guy, means getting the bad guys. And I am down with that shit.

Then the CW decides to try out some new avenues. In the running for show most likely to either offend people or really make them think is "Aliens in America," about an American family that unwittingly takes in a Pakistani Muslim exchange student. Let's hope it actually explores prejudice and stereotype in a funny, honest, possibly satirical way - rather than exploiting cultural differences for a laugh. The other new show is "Life is Wild," about a vet who moves his family out to a South African game reserve - the same one where his first, dead wife grew up. I can't see how that would be weird for the second wife at all... Setting a show not on the itty bitty island we stole from the Native Americans but instead in a country we stole from the native Africans is an unusual way to shake things up - but will the change of venue actually revive the tired family drama?

Last and not quite least was Fox - the network known for taking chances on quirky shows like "Firefly," "Arrested Development," "Family Guy," and "Undeclared," only to drop them when audience numbers don't pan out. So this year, the network's playing it safe by sticking with fairly conventional sitcoms and dramas. For example, we have "Back to You," starring Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton as two Pittsburgh news anchors who hate each other. Both stars are pros at the traditional sitcom format, which this series seeks to follow in the footsteps of - including quirky supporting characters and an almost sorta love interest. Whoop-dee-doo.

Fox rolls out another uninspired sitcom in "The Rules for Starting Over," about divorced 30-somethings lookin' for loooooove. They've got all your stereotypes covered - the diehard romantic, the multiple-divorce, and the hopeless-with-women. Oh, and don't forget their ONE pretty female friend who just happens to live next door to contestant number 3. Right. Any show which compares dating to a farmer's market - with the assumption that anyone who's still single in their 30s is like picked-over, squeezed, bad fruit - can't possibly be good.

There's also "Canterbury's Law," featuring your assorted misfit lawyers taking on unpopular cases. Of course there's a dramatic backstory involving the missing son of the firm's head, played by Julianna Margulies, but still - another law show? Really? Is the law THAT interesting?

Another tried-and-true category is, of course, the cop show, so Fox goes for broke by premiering 2 new series in this area. "K-ville" has promise, set as it is in post-Katrina New Orleans - in case you missed it's topical themes, one of the cops is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. New Orleans is very much a tragic mess in the wake of Katrina, and I can't decide if I'm looking forward to this show exploring this sensitive subject in a manner which the press and administration has done little of, or if the reality of the situation is just too heartbreaking to stomach a fictional version of it. Maybe it's a little of both. The other cop drama, "Amsterdam," has a supernatural twist (otherworldly police seems to be all the rage these days), in the form of an immortal New York detective. Eh - it's a cute twist, since he was given immortality way back in the 17th century when he first came over with the Dutch, but since there's also a whole subplot involving his ability to become mortal only when he finds his one true love, it's kind of cheesy.

Having exhausted the usual TV formulas, Fox turns to the silver screen for inspiration and comes up with "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," set after "Terminator 2: Judgment Day". Never having seen any Terminator flicks, I don't feel I can safely judge this one's potential - but it does star Summer Glau, the ass-kicking psychic chick from "Firefly"/"Serenity," which is enough encouragement to check this one out.

There's a whole raft of reality shows coming up, but since that's the lowest form of entertainment available, it doesn't deserve comment.

Fall TV Preview: NBC, ABC and CBS

2007-05-16T11:31:00.000-05:00

The new shows and renewals for next fall have been announced by 3 of the major networks - CBS, ABC and NBC. I take a look at what looks promising and what doesn't (links are to DarkHorizons' descriptions of the shows and the complete fall lineups):

NBC was the first to announce their lineup, taking a cue from their uber-popular comic book fantasy "Heroes" by producing several new series with sci-fi or supernatural undercurrents. Including...a "Heroes" spinoff! Except not really a spinoff - it's a 6 episode show called "Heroes: Origins," which will introduce audiences to never-before-seen heroes, one of whom viewers will vote to keep as a regular character on the show. To a reluctant "Heroes" fan, this premise sounds promising, although it threatens to destabilize the character cohesion that really formed only recently.
Another new show-but not is "The Bionic Woman," an updated version of the 70s classic. I can't think of "The Bionic Woman" without recalling the Halloween episode of "Freaks & Geeks," when Bill Haverchuck went as Jamie Sommers (her Bionic-ness' alter ego). Remember how freaking hilarious that was? Anyone? *Sigh*
Anyway, we've also got a spy thriller, time-travel drama, and cop show - with some twists, but nothing too imaginative. Oh, but don't forget "Lipstick Jungle," in the running to replace "Sex and the City" as the hip show about "modern" New York women. Of course, they're smart, sexy and powerful - but they still have problems. Oh man, I totally relate to this show. I'm a modern woman! I'm smart! I have issues! I live near New York! I'm a high-powered career girl with money to burn on the latest fashions...oh wait, that last part's not true. Never mind then.
All dramas, you'll note, except a mid-season sitcom called "The I.T. Guys," about, um, I.T. guys and the new (female, of course) office manager whose gonna make them cool. I.T.'s just hilarious on its own, and this series is especially auspicious since it stars Joel McHale (from E!'s "Talk Soup" and a brief appearance on "Thank God You're Here!") and Jessica St. Clair (regular on VH1's "Best Week Ever"), both of whom are pretty funny.

On to ABC's fall lineup. Unlike NBC, they're not limiting themselves to high-powered women with issues - no no, let's bring the men along too. So we've got male CEOs AND male suburbanites dealing with life's problems. But don't worry gals, ABC cares about you too - just look at "Cashmere Mafia," a series about strong, sexy female executives who live in New York and struggle to balance life and career issues. Nothing like "Lipstick Jungle" at all. Wait, what? You're a woman who DOESN'T work at a New York corporate job? Then you must be a member of "Women's Murder Club," a bunch of women who solve crimes because the men don't know what they're doing. Silly boys.
Let's see, what else is up - a soap opera about rich, pretty people behaving badly. "Pushing Daisies," about a guy who can bring murder victims back to life just long enough so they can tell the cops who did them in - except when he revives his girl, she stays alive, but only as long as he NEVER TOUCHES HER AGAIN! Why does she get to stick around but no one else he touches does? Could it be - gasp - a ploy to ensure an unending supply of romantic tension? No, there must be a TOTALLY LOGICAL explanation...
I'm not even going to mention the "Grey's Anatomy" spin-off, except to say that I've never seen the original show and think the spin-off looks even worse.
The one show that COULD be really clever is "Cavemen," the sitcom based on those Geico commercials. Yeah, yeah, I too thought it was a dumb concept when I first heard about it - but those ads are pretty ingenious. So maybe, just maybe, with the right writers and a good cast, the show will actually be a funny, insightful commentary on prejudice in modern society. Or it'll just prove that trying to spin an episodic series out of 30-second ads is one of the dumbest ideas to ever occur to network execs.

Surprisingly, CBS has the most shows that I'm excited about - although I'll be surprised if any of them actually succeed in making their premise work. The network stays away from the "successful people with issues" genre so popular with ABC, as well as the sci-fi gimmickry of NBC, opting instead for what sound like more nuanced shows.
Striking a blow for television diversity is "Cane," a drama about a successful Cuban-American family involved in the rum and sugar business. The prospect of Latinos portrayed not as subjects of broad comedy but as genuinely complex characters is intriguing, and it stars two of today's most successful Hispanic actors - Hector Elizondo and Jimmy Smits. If it manages to avoid stereotyping and sensationalism, it could be well worth looking into.
Another exciting premise is "Moonlight," about a vampire cop. Okay, I admit it, I think vampires are cool. Especially the sweet, sensitive, tormented kind the hero seems to be (aw, he has to decide between leaving a lonely, loveless life or turning his crush into a vampire!) . So that's why I'm hoping this one doesn't bite...except in the literal sense.
In the category of "shows about important social issues" we have "Swingtown," which focuses on the swinging 70s - a time of women's lib, experimentation and open marriages. In other words, sex. Will this show be a genuine exploration of an interesting time in our social history, or just an exploitation of the decade's tawdrier elements? Probably the latter, but you never know.
And the most amazing genre ever: Mystery Musical Drama. Currently describes only one American show - "Viva Laughlin," based on a BBC series (why are all the cool shows British knock-offs?). Seems to revolve around the owner of a Vegas nightclub - really all I got. But it's a Mystery Musical Drama, starring and executive produced by Hugh Jackman. You might know him as Wolverine, but his roots are actually in musical theatre - he has a Tony for his starring role in "The Boy From Oz". As a musical theatre fangirl, I'm predisposed to like this show.

Stay tuned for commentary of the new shows from the CW and Fox.

A fight over Guitar tabs

2007-05-15T22:33:00.000-05:00

"Recently Hal Leonard Corporation, the world's largest songbook publisher, sent an email to the music publishing and copyright community urging them not to license guitar tablature for free, advertising-supported use online. The email includes a number of factual errors and was potentially very damaging to the potential for a free, legal, and licensed destination for guitar tab online. Musicnotes and MXTabs have posted the full letter along with their response."

Review: Romeo & Juliet

2007-05-15T12:31:00.000-05:00

Warning: This review contains spoilers.

My first encounter with Romeo & Juliet was in 9th grade, when our well-meaning teacher asked us to take turns reading the script aloud - for those who adore Shakespeare's use of language and the play's passionate emotions, the comedic awfulness of this proposition should quickly be apparent. Nevertheless, the play became one of my favorite of Shakespeare's works and I've enjoyed seeing various interpretations, including Baz Luhrmann's film and Sondheim's reworking of the story for West Side Story. This past Saturday I experienced the rare pleasure of seeing the story performed by the New York City Ballet, with a score written by Sergei Prokofiev - though lacking Shakespeare's beautiful speeches, the use of motion and music succeeded in conveying the story's tragic romance.

The ballet follows Shakespeare's plot, although certain nuances have been omitted to simplify the story's ability to be conveyed through dance. For the most part, this works well, although not perfectly - the details of Friar Laurence's scheme to reunite the lovers are lost and it's unclear how the lovers learn that they are on opposite sides of a blood feud. Most of all, I would have loved for Mercutio's "Queen Mab" speech to have been translated into an increasingly frenzied solo effort, marked by dizzying pirouettes and off-kilter leaps. The dancer portraying him easily captures his quick temper and playfulness, most notably in a strong, agile solo at the Capulet's party, and it's unfortunate that the score lacks an opportunity to demonstrate the character's darker edge. Alas, Profkiev fills out the score instead with pretty dances for the corps, which are sweetly and competently performed and provide an opportunity to admire youthful skill, if not necessarily an advancement of the story.

The core of the plot, of course, is the intense emotion between the doomed lovers - an irrational sentiment, seemingly based entirely on a longing gaze and some poetic speeches, which leads to a hasty marriage and double suicide. Leads must convey this ardor in a believable, heartfelt and heart-wrenching manner - a task which the young Romeo and Juliet in this version accomplished wonderfully. Their most accomplished and emotionally compelling pas de deux takes the place of the famous balcony scene, when the couple confesses their love for one another. Filled with soaring leaps, challenging lifts and a remarkable ability to move together, the dance is a sweeping test to their passionate relationship. When the dance is briefly reprised in a grotesque self-parody at Juliet's tomb, the end of this breathless love affair seems even more lamentable.

The dancer who portrays Juliet merits special mention, both for her technical proficiency and dramatic skills. She first appears dancing to the strains of a light and delicate air, appropriate for the child she is at the time - yet she quickly grows up into a lovestruck young woman and finally a distraught bride who must choose between marrying someone else and putting herself into a coma. As the music darkens in tone, so too does her dancing mature, demonstrating every anxiety and hope that shakes her frame.

Although a beautiful interpretation of the classic romance, the ballet is not flawless - most egregious to the eyes of this casual reviewer were the costumes. When the Capulets and Montagues meet on the streets for a rumble, they wear red and green, respectively - sharply contrasting colors that highlight their opposition. But the main characters are garishly distinguished - Tybalt in a bumblebee-like doublet, Mercutio in vibrant purple. Worse, the corps de ballet at the Capulet party is dressed in elaborately clashing colors, distracting from the steps of the dance. More subtle colors for the background dancers and greater care given to the main characters' dress would have made the costumes an enhancement, rather than a hindrance.

The New York City Ballet's limited run of Romeo & Juliet was quite beautifully done, the dancers' masters of their skill who manage to convey, if not quite the plotline of the story, the intensity of emotions behind it.

A Letter to Timbaland

2007-05-14T21:33:00.000-05:00

Dear Timbaland,

As you so proudly pointed out, I'm just a piano man, but I don't think it is that bad. I mean, Billy Joel is the piano man and, well, he has sold 79.5 million albums. How many platinum albums do you have? That is right, one. I'll stick with the piano man, thank you very much.

Yours,

Doughnutman

Free Speech Friday

2007-05-11T10:04:00.000-05:00

We want to know what you are thinking. So please, would you be so kind as to oblige us?

Top 25 Most Sad Songs

2007-05-10T22:16:00.001-05:00

According to Spinner.com, these are The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World.....

'The River' - Bruce Springsteen (1980)

'Nothing Compares 2 U' - Sinead O'Connor (1990)

'No Surprises' - Radiohead (1997)

'A Change Is Gonna Come' - Sam Cooke (1964)

'Space Oddity' - David Bowie (1969)

'That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be' - Carly Simon (1971)

'Lost Cause' - Beck (2002)

'I've Gotta Get a Message to You' - Bee Gees (1968)

'Back to Black' - Amy Winehouse (2006)

'Shilo' - Neil Diamond (1968)

'My Mom' - Chocolate Genius (1998)

'Anyone Who Had a Heart' - Dionne Warwick (1963)

'Naked as We Came' - Iron & Wine (2004)

'In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning' - Frank Sinatra (1954)

'Brick' - Ben Folds Five (1997)

'In the Real World' - Roy Orbison (1989)

'Concrete Angel' - Martina McBride (2001)

'Dance With My Father' - Luther Vandross (2003)

'Hallelujah' - Jeff Buckley (1994)

'He Stopped Loving Her Today' - George Jones (1980)

'I Know It's Over' - The Smiths (1986)

'Hurt' - Johnny Cash (2002)

'Eleanor Rigby' - The Beatles (1966)

'Gloomy Sunday' - Billie Holiday (1941)

'Chicken Wire' - Pernice Brothers (1998)

Music Videos Online

2007-05-10T19:25:00.000-05:00

Internet radio may be on the verge of disappearing, but maybe there is something else, an Internet music video station.

Online radio station Last.fm is adding a video section to its site this week, enabling users to create their own personalized video channels - similar to how users can already create radio stations based on their music tastes.

"Last.fm aims eventually to have every music video ever made on the site, from the latest hits to underground obscurities to classics from the past."

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/lastfm_launches_video.php

Transatlantic Tidal Wave: The British Music Scene With A Vengeance

2007-05-10T18:48:00.000-05:00

2007 is a very exciting year for fans of the British sound. And we're not even halfway there yet.

This year, Britpop fans were treated to new rising stars - and I don't use the term loosely - The Feeling and The Fratellis, among other emerging sounds. These names have already made it for themselves: The Feeling was set to tour with Of A Revolution until a hospitalization got in the way, while the Fratellis were the new poster boys for iTunes.

If that's not enough (and when is it ever?), new favorites and Britpop standbys flooded the stores. New heroes Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, and Arctic Monkeys each provided their sophomore sets, lead-off singles not disappointing fans or critics. Rising band Maximo Park added to the mix in April with "Our Earthly Pressures". Seminal acts Manic Street Preachers and Travis each break long silences (3 and 4 years, respectively) to release new material, both released within the past two weeks. (Look for a review of Travis' "The Boy With No Name" soon.) Old school Britpop band Super Furry Animals dropped an album early on this year. Stereophonics are planning a new album, "Pull The Pin," for release later this year. Radiohead, South, and Franz Ferdinand are also shooting for 2007 releases.

Even current Britpop posterboys Snow Patrol made it big this year, landing the lead-off single for the Spiderman 3 soundtrack, "Signal Fire".

But wait! There's more. Starsailor are in the studio, with 18 skeletons of songs vying for tracklisting and more to come. The Charlatans are currently working on their 10th album, and Oasis is popping into the studio halfway through the year with recent drummer Zak Starkey (yes, Ringo's son). Embrace is currently hammering together a new album. Even Blur - yes, you heard me right - is trying to piece together a new album. They're not sure it'll work, but at least they can admit that. Unlike some bands (lookin' at you, Guns 'N Roses).

This was a lot of information. To recap:
In 2007,
Released
Arctic Monkeys - "Favourite Worst Nightmare"
Bloc Party - "A Weekend In The City"
The Feeling - "12 Stops And Home" (American release 2007)
The Fratellis - "Costello Music" (American release 2007)
Kaiser Chiefs - "Yours Truly, Angry Mob"
Manic Street Preachers - "Send Away The Tigers"
Maximo Park - "Our Earthly Pleasures"
Snow Patrol - "Signal Fire" (single)
Super Furry Animals - "Candylion"
Travis - "A Boy With No Name"

Going to be Released
Franz Ferdinand - TBA (2007/2008)
Radiohead - TBA
South - TBA
Stereophonics - "Pull The Pin"

In The Studio
Blur
The Charlatans
Embrace
Oasis
Starsailor

I'll let you feast on that for now. StayTuned for more!

Favoring Familiar Silhouettes To New Voice: American Doll Posse review

2007-05-09T18:21:00.000-05:00

Three years following one of Tori's more personal albums ("The Beekeper"), Tori returned with a new album promising five different voices. "American Doll Posse," released May 1, was set to be a pentacle of perspective - a feat for any artist.

As an album devoid of concept, "Posse" comes through as something to add to your Tori collection. It features her in the different styles we know she can nail - whether it be the dirty funk of "Body and Soul," the jazzy "You Can Bring Your Dog" and "Teenage Hustling," the melancholy "Girl Disappearing" and "Digital Ghost," the uptempo but subtly sad "Beauty Of Speed," the angry feminism of "Dragon," or what can only be described as Vintage Tori on "Almost Rosey". There are a few clunkers - such as the well-aimed but misfired "Programmable Soda" or the blunt "Fat Slut" - but the rest of the album ranges from decent to great, and keeps the lyrical balance between wit and honesty befitting a Tori album. As a bonus, the album opens with an obvious shot at Bush ("Yo George") which is a good song on its own.

However, this was meant to be a concept album. Looking through the booklet prior to listening, I was impressed with the amount of detail that seemed to go into the concept. The songs were demarcated by personality - each personality getting vocal and background credits for the separate songs (for example, the dark story song "Smoky Joe" is credited not to Tori but to Pip - in fact, two parts of Pip). Each personality also has its own rumination on life and their pages come rife with Tori puns. "Smoky Joe," however, is a good example of where the concept falls flat. The song starts with two separate inflections for the two Pips, but Pip II starts sounding like Pip I - that is, if the way it's set up in the book is correct. This may seem a small gripe but leads to the greater problem. The voices for the album are not defined. There are small references to possible characters in the songs, but the characteristics start to blend from one of the posse to the next. Rather than getting five clear voices, it sounds more like five different sides of Tori struggling to come to the surface. If there were a comparison, I would say it's like your taste buds. We supposedly have separate areas for sweet, salty, etc, but put a salty food on the sweet area and it still tastes salty.

If you're looking for an innovative album, or a concept album, or even an album with any cohesion, this is not a place to turn. If you're looking for some new Tori songs to put on your iPod, there are enough good songs here to merit actually buying the CD.

Final Score: 84.

New Music Alert: Queens of the Stone Age

2007-05-09T10:52:00.000-05:00

"Sick, Sick, Sick"

First single from their upcoming new disc "Era Vulgaris," due June 12 via Interscope. The set follows up 2005's "Lullabies to Paralyze."

Government Will Send You to Jail for Buying Used CDs

2007-05-09T10:45:00.000-05:00

The government should regulate items for sale in this country. People should wait to buy a gun, you should have a license to buy viruses, you shouldn't let just anyone buy radioactive material. I, however, do not think that used CDs are in the same category.

As Ken Fisher reports for ars technica
New "pawn shop" laws are springing up across the United States that will make selling your used CDs at the local record shop something akin to getting arrested. No, you won't spend any time in jail, but you'll certainly feel like a criminal once the local record shop makes copies of all of your identifying information and even collects your fingerprints. Such is the state of affairs in Florida, which now has the dubious distinction of being so anal about the sale of used music CDs that record shops there are starting to get out of the business of dealing with used content because they don't want to pay a $10,000 bond for the "right" to treat their customers like criminals.
The states of Florida, Utah, and soon Rhode Island and Wisconsin will care more about your used CD collection then whether you should really get a driver's license.

I feel that this is just an attempt by the music industry to end file sharing. The music industry is trying to stop people from buying CDs, downloading all the songs onto their computer and then returning them to the store. I think the actual consequence of the law will be a further drop in CD sales.

Top 10: New World Gods

2007-05-08T21:44:00.000-05:00

10. Richie Sambora w/ Eric Clapton - "Mr. Bluesman"
9. Katherine McPhee - "Over It"
8. Jennifer Lopez - Jenny From the Block"
7. Meat Loaf - "The Future Ain't What it Used to Be"
6. Olivia Newton-John - "Physical"
5. Brad Palsey - "Penguin, James Penguin"
4. Diana Ross - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
3. Daughtry - "Home"
2. Rascal Flatts - "My Wish"
1. Kelly Clarkson - "Never Again"

Extra points if you figured out the theme before number 1. Bonus points if you got the theme before 3. I am impressed if you figured out what was coming by number 8. You are a music god if you connected all the references. And if you did that, quit your day job and people will send you money for being amazing.

New Music Alert: Evans Blue

2007-05-08T15:41:00.000-05:00

I am going to try to get these alerts out a lot more often...

But let's get right to it. You can catch the brand new Evans Blue single, "Pursuit," over on their MySpace. The new record, "Pursuit Begins When this Portrayal of Life Ends," comes out on July 24 according to Amazon.

"Pursuit" follows up their 2006 debut, "The Melody and the Energetic Nature of Volume," which spawned the hit single "Cold (But I'm Still Here)" and an excellent cover of Sarah McLachlan's "Possession."

Fun Music Trivialities

2007-05-07T12:57:00.000-05:00

Amazing things happen when you take the time to pay attention to the little bits of knowledge crammed into each glass of the self-proclaimed "Best Stuff on Earth."

It's amazing insofar as to why an ambitious music journalist would willingly waste the next 30 seconds of your life. Ponder that, and this, courtesy of Snapple Real Facts:

33. Termites eat through wood 2 times faster when listening to rock music.
226. Cows give more milk when they listen to music.
111. The first jukebox was located in San Francisco in 1899.
332. A housefly hums in the key of F.
335. A tune that gets stuck in your head is called an earworm.

Four Dead in Ohio

2007-05-04T10:17:00.000-05:00

From Wikipedia:

The Kent State shootings occurred at Kent State University in the city of Kent, Ohio, and involved the shooting of students by the Ohio National Guard on Monday, May 4, 1970. The altercation killed four students and wounded nine others.The shootings were the culmination of four days of increasingly agitated demonstrations by members of the student body. The students were protesting the American invasion of Cambodia which President Richard Nixon launched on April 25, and announced in a television address five days later.T here were significant national consequences to the shootings; hundreds of universities and colleges closed throughout the United States fearing similar outbreaks, and the event further divided the country along political lines.

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG "OHIO"

Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio.
Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?
Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?
Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio.

Unequivocally The Best Music Video of 2007...

2007-05-03T22:30:00.000-05:00

So far, or so I say:

Ladies and gentleman, for anyone who has ever contemplated suicide (this author being one of them), I present to you Three Days Grace's "Never Too Late," a track that potently tackles the subject not only musically and lyrically, but visually as well:

That's no easy feat for anyone.

Kudos to 3DG for having the gusto and the creativity to nail it.

Lyrical Interlude

2007-05-03T16:41:00.000-05:00

Welcome to a section of your day in which we can delve into the words that make songs what they are, be it beautiful, unsettling, bizarre, humorous, shocking, refreshing, or anything beyond. Lyrics are those literary fragments we scribble in the margins of our notebooks, repeat to ourselves like mantras during the course of the day, or quote to our friends to sum up our outlooks on life. They're stories and statements that become engraved into our consciousness.

Today I want to look at "Rose" (pronounced "Ro-zay") by offbeat UK sensation The Feeling.

Before reading, if you'd like and haven't heard the song, try this experiment of reading the lyrics before I blab about them. Or better yet, listen to the song before doing even that, and see what happens. Feel free to share your thoughts and impressions.

My reaction

It starts off gently, with piano resembling insistent raindrops on a windowpane. Upon the first listen, I heard a sweet love song, although lines like " So don't be afraid / 'Cause your in control / I'm just your slave" were causes for "Hmm..."

Subsequent listens caused the realization that the song was about, all things, a pink crayon! A look at the very first verses will show this:

You and your friends
Boxes of ten
Cool to the touch
You warn me so much
The white to your left
The red to your right
Are all that I'd seen
'Til I realized the love that I seek
Lies right in-between

The sincerity with which these lines are sung, the rawness of the closing shows a wonderful mix of the insistence of defending one's love and the fun of indulging in color:

Don't let him put you down
I won't let him put you down
'Cos your as good as the rest
And you're much better dressed
I think pink is my colour
I wont drink from no other
Never!

A delightful mix of serious tone and whimsical subject makes music and lyrics sport about with one another here. There's an unstable "I" voice that's completely absorbed in a pink wonderland, making the song remind me of being a child inside when it's raining, in love with the warmth that comes from a crayon that provides the only color on a soaked day. Or someone who has gone off the deep end about one special product of Crayola, in an endearing way. Or someone who enjoys putting together imagery and is not afraid to use the giddy "I love ya / especially today," which, in the midst of the delicate aura, somehow works.

If you're enjoying this little experiment, The Feeling's "Twelve Stop and Home" is a great place to go. And if you're already a fan of these guys, they love it when you see them in concert but you never see them in concert at all. Unless, that is, you check them out at Holmdel's PNC Bank Arts Center with OAR on August 11.

Peace and music and crayon love for now. More lyrical exploration to come!

Save Internet Radio!

2007-05-01T18:08:00.000-05:00

So I don't know how you feel about petitions, but as we are a site dedicated to media and society, I felt this was a good place to make a plea. Please save Internet radio.

Internet radio holds a special place in my heart. Pandora is a prime example. Where else can you find amazing bands that are otherwise on the fringe by just attaching a big name with a similar sound? A good 25% of my collection is bands that are not played on the radio, and other than word of mouth, there are few places to find hidden treasures.

If Internet radio disappears then all potential acts suffer. Let's face it, unless your sound fits into the zeitgeist, there are few chances to thrive on the radio or music television. The Top 40 Format essentially recycles the same hit songs consistently, increasing their hit power which feeds into the cycle. Music should not be like Reaganomics, where the already popular songs are the ones being continually sold.

So please, save internet radio.

We've got some exciting things coming up! Look for a review of "American Doll Posse" soon!

Earth Day Jeopardy Answers

2007-04-25T10:56:00.000-05:00

Here are the answers to the Earth Day Quiz:
(from Environmental Defense)

The American President whose eleven-state conservation tour was a precursor to Earth Day:
Who is John F. Kennedy?
United States Senator who first proposed Earth Day:
Who is Gaylord Nelson?
The U.S. city that issued the first Earth Day proclamation:
What is San Francisco?
Folk singer who was the keynote speaker and performer during the first Earth Day march in Washington D.C.:
Who is Pete Seeger?
Popular Earth Day slogan sung during the first Earth Day march
What is "All we are saying is give Earth a chance?"
Presently, the number of countries that celebrate Earth Day:
What is 140?

How many did you know?

Top Guns

2007-04-23T22:07:00.000-05:00

Here's a question for you. I want to know your top modern frontmen. It can be 5, 10, 20, even something odd like 7. And if you can't think of names, bands will do and one of our staff will try to assist you with that.

Here's my Top 20, subject to change:

01. Scott Anderson, Finger Eleven
02. Gavin Rossdale, Bush/Institute/Solo
03. Josh Homme, Queens Of The Stone Age
04. Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters
05. Tori Amos, Solo
06. Maynard James Keenan, Tool/A Perfect Circle
07. Chris Cornell, Soundgarden/Audioslave/Solo
08. Ed Roland, Collective Soul
09. Ed Kowalczyk, Live
10. Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails
11. Billie Joe Arsmtrong, Green Day
12. Bono, U2
13. Fran Healy, Travis
14. Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol
15. Gavin Hayes [not Martin Grech], Dredg
16. Ben Burnley, Breaking Benjamin
17. Amy Lee, Evanescence
18. Damian Kulash, OK Go
19. Ricky Wilson, Kaiser Chiefs
20. James Walsh, Starsailor

So let me hear your thoughts!

Equal pay for equal work?

2007-04-23T09:58:00.000-05:00

American women make only 80 percent of the salaries their male peers do one year after college; after 10 years in the work force, the gap between their pay widens further, according to a study released Monday.

The study, by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation, found that 10 years after college, women earn only 69 percent of what men earn.

Even after controlling for hours, occupation, parenthood, and other factors known to affect earnings, the study found that one-quarter of the pay gap remains unexplained. The group said that portion of the gap is "likely due to sex discrimination." - AP

PAY ME MY MONEY DOWN by Bruce Springsteen

I thought I heard the captain say
Pay me my money down
Tomorrow is our sailing day
Pay me my money down

Pay me, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

Soon as the boat was clear of the bar
Pay me money down
He knocked me down with a spar
Pay me my money down

Pay me, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

Com'on!

Well if I'd been a rich man's son
Pay me my money down
I'd sit on the river and watch 'er run
Pay me my money down

Pay me, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

Horn!

Lets hear the trumpet!

Alright everybody,
Let's bring it up to B flat
A one two three!

Well I wish I was Mr Gates
Pay me my money down
They'd haul my money in in crates
Pay me my money down

Pay me, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

Alright somebody
Yello!
Yip!
Woha!
Go!
Come on!

Trumpet!
Once more trumpet!
Woah!

Alright now!
Back to G
A one two, a one two three
Yeah!

Well fourty nights, nights at sea
Pay me my money down
Captain worked every last dollar out of me
Pay me my money down

Pay me, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

Pay me, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

Pay me, pay me
Pay me my money down
Pay me or go to jail
Pay me my money down

Everybody solo!

Woah!
Woah!
Woah!

Unplugged, literally

2007-04-22T09:25:00.000-05:00

I love a cappella. There is something incredibly beautiful about the purity of the human voice filling a room, the inherent silliness of beat-boxing and making background noises, the lengths to which the art form makes the voices of a dedicated team stretch. One of the best ways to experience this is through college a capella, which brings to it the promise of a hopefully unpretentious gathering of college kids who just love to sing and perform. This weekend, I got to witness the yearly "JamFest," hosted by Drew University's 36 Madison Avenue, and such glories as Coldplay's "The Scientist" sung by an all-female group, a rambunctiously-done "Brown-Eyed Girl," and many instances in which the voices of my peers soared, dazzled, shocked, and delighted. A cappella under the right conditions is captivating, inspirational, and makes the audience feel like they can do anything. It's alternately bouncy and powerful, ridiculous and brooding, and this mix makes for ideal weekend entertainment.

Inspired, I did some searching online to see if a cappella had any life outside college, the place where most people are introduced to it to begin with. And lo and behold, I came across something appropriate for the indie editor to throw out there. Indie Blockedapella does covers of various independent rock acts, including The Arcade Fire, Ben Folds, The Decemberists, Belle and Sebastian, The White Stripes, The Magnetic Fields, Sufjan Stevens...

It's fun. Lots of emphasis on the quirky background noises, a bit too much for me at times and at the expense of tapping into the beautiful sweeping terrain the form can cover. I'm not so thrilled with all of their arrangements as much as glad that a group covering indie songs exists. And hey, it's essentially just two guys having fun, so there's lack of pretension for you.

What I'm most interested in, though, is groups doing a cappella covers of their own songs. I'm not sure if this happens, but if not, it should. It could be the new acoustic. Does anyone have any examples, or contributions of the ideal songs they'd like to see done up with only the voice?

Hey Spidey, U2 Can Be A Broadway Star

2007-04-21T20:21:00.000-05:00

That's not AOL speak, either - according to AOL Entertainment News:

Marvel Studios is putting the pieces together for a musical on the Great White Way starring the popular superhero.

Julie Taymor, who won Tonys for direction and costume design for the Broadway production of "The Lion King," will direct, with U2's Bono and The Edge creating new music and lyrics for the project.

Auditions are taking place, and a reading is scheduled for the summer. No dates for a Broadway opening have been set.

What's on this reporter's mind is how they're going to handle the mouth-covering mask. A mouthhole would look dumb (unless you do a torn mask, middle of the fight kinda thing), but you don't want to be muffled.

But with U2 lyrics behind a powerhouse superhero story, this could be a lot of fun. Sing with me now: "Loooong ago/my uncle saiiiid to me/With greeeat power/comes great responsiBIIIIILLLity"

Save Wolves and Hear Nature!

2007-04-21T17:06:00.000-05:00

It's a great feeling when you know that a small action you take can make a huge and important difference to the world, and at the same time you can get something a little bit more:

Save America's Wolves are currently running a campaign and here is how it works. You spread the word about wolf slaughter and as a reward you get a free mp3 download of The Samples' "Nature."

Hundreds of wolves could be killed in Idaho and Wyoming if they lose their protected status under the Endangered Species Act. Help us send 200,000 comments in favor of protecting wolves -- Spread the word!

Urge 3 friends to oppose the Bush/Cheney Administration’s reckless plan to de-list gray wolves in the Northern Rockies, and you’ll get a free music download of “Nature” by the Samples.

It's that easy - free bangin' new music to help protect one of the world's most beautiful creatures. So why are you still reading this?

Earth Day Jeopardy!

2007-04-21T16:55:00.000-05:00

With a music history flair!

From Environmental Defense:

Earth Day Jeopardy

The American President whose eleven-state conservation tour was a precursor to Earth Day...
United States Senator who first proposed Earth Day...
The U.S. city that issued the first Earth Day proclamation...
Folk singer who was the keynote speaker and performer during the first Earth Day march in Washington D.C....
Popular Earth Day slogan sung during the first Earth Day march...
Presently, the number of countries that celebrate Earth Day...

Submit answers via the comments and we'll see who is the most Earth-friendly, musically and politically savvy one of ya out there. Enjoy!

John McCain Insults The Beach Boys

2007-04-21T16:41:00.000-05:00

Not directly mind you, but vis a vis this misguided joke. Wow, and we thought that John Kerry had a defective sense of humor. In one fell swoop, McCain butchers a 60's surf rock classic in the name of ignorant and dangerous political posturing. When McCain was later interviewed and asked if his comments were insulting, he replied something to the extent that Iran should develop a sense of humor and scoffed at the idea that badmouthing them might not be the best move. To this, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann responded that it was not insulting to Iran so much as it was to the Beach Boys. Amen, Keith.

Tori Amos Takes Out Her Big Wheel

2007-04-21T16:23:00.000-05:00

"Big Wheel" comin' at ya right here, courtesy of Yahoo Music. The track is the lead single off Tori Amos' upcoming album, "American Doll Posse," due May 1. Hey lookie here, Amazon has a special edition available for pre-order, but is that as cool as iTunes, which has set up a special ticket pre-sale if you pre-order the album through them? I'll leave that for you to decide, but since it's Tori, how could you go wrong?

Never Forget

2007-04-19T10:37:00.000-05:00

"My father blocked the doorway with his body and asked the students to flee," Librescu's son, Joe Librescu, said Tuesday in a telephone interview from his home outside Tel Aviv. "Students started opening windows and jumping out."

A courageous end for this Holocaust survivor who died on Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance day).

This man deserves some more attention.

From the NYT article:

When Romania joined forces with Nazi Germany in World War II, the young Librescu was interned in a labor camp, and then sent along with his family and thousands of other Jews to a central ghetto in the city of Focsani, his son said. Hundreds of thousands of Romanian Jews were killed by the collaborationist regime during the war.

Librescu, who was 76 when he died, later found work at a government aerospace company. But his career was stymied in the 1970s because he refused to swear allegiance to the Communist regime, his son said, and he was later fired when he requested permission to move to Israel.

Librescu obtained his degree in mechanical engineering and aviation construction in 1953 from Polytechnic University in Bucharest. He went on to earn his doctorate from the Bucharest-based Academy of Sciences in 1969, and an honorary degree from the Bucharest Polytechnic University in 2000.

Librescu immigrated to Israel where he taught at Tel Aviv University and worked on aeronautical engineering innovations. He first arrived at Virginia Tech on sabbatical in 1985 and stayed on as a teacher and researcher, which included work with NASA, hundreds of published papers and numerous awards for a scientist who:

specialized in composite structures and aeroelasticity

Librescu's work led to the strengthening of the materials used in aircraft skins and frames, which may have led to the increased survival rate during crashes, as well as definitely contributing to the overall structural integrity of aircraft.

There are many people that Dr. Librescu's work may have rescued. This man spent his life trying to make the world a better place.

Dr. Librescu will be remembered as much for his patience with his students, for his commitment to teaching and for his unselfishness, as for the meticulous suit and tie he wore to all occasions.

This man held the door closed and yelled for his students to kick out the second story windows as death came for him in the form of a madman's bullets, death that was unable to claim him in that Nazi labor camp, that had missed him during the Communist takeover, that had missed him while he worked in Israel, finally found its mark on Holocaust Remembrance Day when he made the conscious choice to give his own life for his students. Funny how he had to come to the land of the free to be mercilessly killed.

An average Monday in professor Liviu Librescu’s solid mechanics class that in a blink turned from reviewing homework to the unmistakable pop of gunshots outside her Norris Hall classroom. In the flurry of students dialing 911 on cell phones, taking cover on the floor and twisting open second story windows to escape, Merrey, 22, glanced over her shoulder before jumping.

"I just remember looking back and seeing him at the door," the Virginia Tech senior recalled of her professor. "I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for him"

[snip]

"It wouldn’t amaze me he would do such a thing," fellow engineering professor Muhammad Hajj said. "He’s that kind of person, willing to take care of others, protect others."

http://www.roanoke.com/...

And that's exactly what he did. Dr. Liviu Librescu, a Holocaust survivor, did not survive the deadly rampage at Virginia Tech but all his students did.

x-livejournal
Shared with permission from dailykos.

I have a problem...

2007-04-18T21:41:00.000-05:00

Hello, my name is Rob, and I am here today to talk about something that is very difficult for me. I have an admission to make and I am really worried what this might mean for my relationship, my friendships, and my family. But there's no way around it, I have come to terms with it for myself, and the only thing left to do now is just break down and admit it. Really, what other choice do I have? It can't get better until I am honest and open, right? So here it is and I hope I have all of your support during this tough time. Here goes -

I...kind of...I mean, not like a lot, but to an extent...like Nickelback.

I know...I know what you might say. That they are sheer cheese rock. But at the very same time they are also guilt rock (for me at least).

But hey, If Everyone Cared then they might sell something like 4 million copies of their latest album, right? Wait, whoops, I guess they did. Oh well, I guess there's no Savin' Me now. Oh man.

So let's have out with it. What are YOUR guilty pleasures? No, not you Fuse. I'm talking about you, yes you in the corner, you in the spotlight, Losing Your Religion. I want to hear all about your secret love of Kelly Clarkson, because I am just a sick bastard like that. Also it's a perfect segue into a brand new feature here on AtD: The Mixtape/Top 10 challenge. This is where I throw it out to y'all (and I know RyTunes, Joyful Girl and Doughnutman will have a ball with this, because we tend to discuss these things in our spare time anyway).

Here's how it works: I give you the topic and then depending on (mostly my mood) you come up with a mixtape or top 10 list (a la Doughnutman, but don't tread on him). If a whole mix is a bit of a tall order, then ya can just suggest a song, but for bonus points suggest where in the mix it would go, since order is just as important as song selection when it comes to mix mastering (right, Mike?)

We're going to start with mixes. Your Guilty Pleasure mix. Go for it!

And if you feel compelled to put on a little Nickelback, it's okay, it can be our little secret :)

Michael Moore Unveils The Nightwatchman

2007-04-18T21:26:00.000-05:00

Tom Morello's acoustic folk protest alter-ego, The Nightwatchman, will release his first album, "One Man Revolution," on April 24th. The video for the first single, "The Road I Must Travel," made it's online debut on documentary filmmaker Michael Moore's official website this week. Peep it here. But if you're like me and you can't quite make out the quotes, you can view a larger version of the vid here.

And since we're all about the acoustic, folk, protest, anti-right (and alter-egos) here on AtD, though not so much radical socialism either (sorry Che Guevara fans), let's do some lyrics (courtesy of Mr. Morello himself):

Well I climbed the seven summits
And I swam the seven seas
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see
I fought in the jungles
And I fought in the streets
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see
Once I had a reason
Don't know what it could be
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see
Well I sang to myself
That I want to be free
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see

I walked the empty desert
And I was burned in the heat
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see
I crossed the frozen wasteland
And in the bitter cold did freeze
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see
And I will knock on every door
For I do not have a key
And the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see
Well I sang to myself
That I want to be free
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see

They shot a man in Soho
Couldn't guess his age
I found his empty journal
I filled up every page
I called up my state senator
They said he wasn't there
The secretary took my name
And man she sounded scared
So I counted my misfortunes
I added up the blame
I picked through all the garbage
I checked off all the names
I read in the newspaper
They'd questioned all my friends
They hoped that they could find me
Before I struck again
Well I sang to myself
That I want to be free
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see

So when thirsty I will drink
When hungry I will steal
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see
So tonight I walk in anger
With worn shoes on my feet
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see
And I will sing to myself
That I'm gonna be free
But the road I must travel
Its end I cannot see
There's a sign along the highway
But it's too dark now to read

Check out more tunes, tour dates, and a whole lot more at the official Nightwatchman site.

Art in the Park!

2007-04-18T21:05:00.000-05:00

Damn this is cool and my Hudson Valley pride is bursting forth:

Children and teens throughout the Hudson Valley have been entering their inspired creations in our "Art in the Park" contest. As of today, more than 120 drawings, paintings and photos have been uploaded to our special online gallery, but there's still plenty of time to submit additional entries before the Monday, April 30, deadline.

You enter the contest by submitting your best work of a Scenic Hudson park or Hudson River scene, or if you're more of the critic (*cough cough*) you can vote for the slyest work here.

Brought to you by Scenic Hudson.

Save the Pand(or)as!

2007-04-18T01:18:00.000-05:00

Pandora Internet Radio is a great place to find new music. By simply entering bands or artists you're into, you can create a personal station that plays sonically similar music. Not only can you encounter new tunes, you also get to know your own musical taste, its threshold, and the way in which it can branch out. The day I learned that "mild syncopation" was a recurring theme in the music I enjoyed was one of great discovery, although I mostly just enjoyed the fancy term.

Unfortunately, sites like Pandora are in danger as the Copyright Royalty Board has decided to nearly triple their licensing fees. The price to maintain such sites will be higher than what it takes to keep satellite radio alive, although the sites (at least Pandora) already happily pay royalties to the artists they feature.

The SaveNet Radio Coalition has been formed in response, and they've formulated a petition we can sign to help keep such a democratic, convenient form of music enjoyment and discovery.

In an unsure musical climate in which digital music is a sort of brave new forefront and radio is quickly becoming a wasteland, it's important that we have a voice. Go to it! The site, the petition, and the determined place in the mind that loves music for the people, chosen by the tastes of the people.

And now it's time for some Free Hugs!

2007-04-17T22:21:00.000-05:00

Because amidst all the pain and suffering we could all use some love and affection:

Music: "All The Same" by Sick Puppies

So give a free hug to someone who needs it today (and even those who don't, or claim they don't, because honestly, who couldn't use a hug?).

You can (Extra! Extra!) read all about it [Can Juan Mann make a difference?] on Wikipedia. And if you're feeling really inspired, join the movement! Sometimes making the world a better place is as simple as an outstretched arm and an open heart.

Dedicated to the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings

2007-04-17T22:08:00.000-05:00

Jimmy Eat World - Hear You Me (click to download acoustic version):

There's no one in town I know
You gave us some place to go
I never said thank you for that
'thought I might get one more chance

What would you think of me now?
So lucky, so strong, so proud
I never said thank you for that
Now I'll never have a chance

May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads, the sleepless go
May angels lead you in

So what would you think of me now?
So lucky, so strong, so proud
I never said thank you for that
Now I'll never have a chance

May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads the sleepless go
May angels lead you in

(May angels lead you in)
May angels lead you in
(May angels lead you in)
May angels lead you in

And if you were with me tonight
I'd sing to you just one more time
A song for a heart so big
God wouldn't let it live

May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads the sleepless go
May angels lead you in

May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads the sleepless go
May angels lead you in

And please visit this website: http://www.remembervt.com/index.html to leave your thoughts and prayers for all those affected by the horrors of April 16, 2007.

Top 10 at 10 - Human Body Edition

2007-04-17T21:13:00.000-05:00

10. Pink - "U + Ur Hand"
9. Jay Z - "Dirt Off Your Shoulder"
8. At The Drive Arm - "One Armed Scissors"
7. ZZ Top - "Legs"
6. Police - "Wrapped Around Your Finger"
5. Norah Jones - "Toes"
4. Alkaline Trio - "Your Neck"
3. Shakira - "Hips Don't Lie"
2. Drowning Pools - "Bodies"
1. Bush - "Mouth"

RyTunes In On Some Recent Casting Choices

2007-04-17T18:13:00.000-05:00

Geek movies are back with a vengeance! With the advent of Spider-Man 3, sequels of your favorite (and indifferent) heroes are lacing up their boots, unwrinkling their spandex, and Ironing their Man for 2008 and beyond. A list of casting choices have been released recently, thanks to movies.aol.com. So here are my thoughts, and I welcome you to (respectfully) agree or disagree.

Edward Norton has been cast to replace Eric Bana as the Incredible Hulk for the 2008 sequel release. According to AOL Movies, in this movie the Hulk aims to find the cure for his greening. I've got three reactions to this.

1. Why, Edward, why? This is generally a move for people whose careers are faltering. It's called a desperation play, or Hail Mary. But for people like Mr. Norton, who pulls off acting with such a fine touch, this is a possible career suicide. I'm talking Roberto Benigni as Pinocchio-magnitude career suicide. This may possibly be the first truly stupid movie he's ever done.

2. I...guess he could pull it off? Edward is capable of bringing class to a lot of roles. No one else could be Smoochy. So it's possible, I suppose, that the Jekyll of the story (face it, that's all the Hulk is, Jekyll and Hyde fighting crime) could be a lot classier/more beautifully tormented.

3. He's not a hero type. Edward Norton playing truly mindless? There may be too much intelligence in him to play a bulging, raging, soup can mascot. Look how well intelligent actors did in, oh say, Wild Wild West.

Moving on.

Tom Hanks is back to further destroy Dan Brown's work in Angels And Demons. Maybe he's really a spy for art historians who despise Dan Brown, trying to sabotage the work from the inside. I don't think his portrayal is going to be any good, and I hope like Hell that the rest of the cast can make up for it.

Maggie Gyllenhal will be assuming the role of Rachel Dawes in "The Dark Knight". Question: do we still need Rachel Dawes? Really? Did we need her to begin with?

The role of Iron Man goes to...Robert Downey, Jr.! I wouldn't have been so sure about this, but his recent roles in such films as A Scanner Darkly....have not helped that in any way. It could work, but I have my reservations. Sure the guy's got an iron liver but...

...we can't forget about Speed Racer! Or can we? I don't know. I have. Anyway, Emile Hirsch will be taking the title role in May of '08. By November of '08, it will be long out of theaters, marking another victory for the intelligent portion of the American population.

So weigh in! What do you think?

College Shooting

2007-04-16T12:45:00.000-05:00

Massacre at Virgina Tech today as a student came to class with two guns and killed 22 students and injured 29 people at least.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all.

from CNN:

(CNN) -- The Virginia Tech Police Chief said at least 20 people were killed in twin shootings on the Blacksburg campus Monday morning.

"Some victims were shot in a classroom," Chief Wendell Flinchum said, adding that the gunman was dead.

President Charles Steger called the shootings "a tragedy of monumental proportions."

A hospital spokeswoman told The Associated Press that 17 Virginia Tech students were being treated for gunshot wounds and other injuries. Sharon Honaker at the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center told CNN that four patients had been transported there, one in critical condition.

One person was killed and others were wounded at multiple locations inside a dormitory about 7:15 a.m., Flinchum said. Two hours later, another shooting at Norris Hall, an engineering building, resulted in multiple casualties, the university reported. (Watch police, ambulances hustle to the scene Video)

The first reported shooting occurred at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a co-ed dormitory that houses 895 students. The dormitory, one of the largest residence halls on the 2,600-acre campus, is located near the drill field and stadium.

Amie Steele, editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, said one of her reporters at the dormitory reported "mass chaos."

The reporter said there were "lots of students running around, going crazy, and the police officers were trying to settle everyone down and keep everything under control," according to Steele.

Sing a Hymn in Public School

2007-04-13T14:51:00.000-05:00

The following post is of my own opinion and not reflective of anyone else's.

There is currently a controversy going on in Glen Rock, New Jersey over whether or not a public school chorus should be able to sing a Christian hymn. The argument is that they are not singing it for religious purposes but for entertainment purposes. I, however, believe that it has nothing to with entertainment. If the song was a prayer about the greatness of Allah, I doubt any of the people currently supporting the idea would stand by it. I'm sure if you asked them if they'd support an Islamic song now that they're involved in the controversy they might say yes, but it wasn't long ago that people were protesting the addition of the crescent onto holiday displays in the area.

Allowing one religion into public school is one religion too many.

Change Is In The Air

2007-04-13T13:06:00.000-05:00

In today's LA times there is an editorial about possible changes to the cell phone industry. If we are lucky, prices will drop.

What's the deal with cell phones? Well you see, right now there is nothing you can really do if your cell phone sucks. All the problems with your cell phone which should be fixed by competition, such as dropped calls, high hidden charges, bad phones, poor and costly wireless Internet and roaming costs, aren't being taken care of due to the current system.

Verizon and AT&T run a digital plantation where they don't let phones and features they can't control onto their network. It's an exclusive system; if you want to use your phone on a Verizon network, you have to get permission, so you couldn't get an iPhone even if you wanted to. In Europe and Japan you can pay for sodas with your phone but you can't do that here. This permission system is also why roaming charges are so high.

It's possible that if the FCC policy on selling or renting the new broadband spectrum is fair, we could get a wireless broadband wholesaler, which would simply rent their network to whomever wants it for whatever purpose they want it. You'd be able to plug your phone into your computer and get broadband. Cell phone and broadband service would be instantly cheap and universal, getting around redlining that denies broadband to poor and rural areas. There would be fewer dropped calls. Roaming charges would drop dramatically. You could pay for things with your phone (or any mobile device you can invent). You could use any phone for any network, and download ringtones more easily. And the big national telecom companies would actually have to compete with all of this.

This would make life better for anyone.

Nigerian Elections

2007-04-12T22:54:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, there will be an election in Nigeria. We are hoping to spread democracy by force in Iraq, yet we are missing the opportunity to foster democracy where people actually want it.

For the past 47 years, from the time of the country's independence, Nigeria has transferred power through military coups. Hopefully on Saturday that trend will change.

Nigeria and its election

First, some background information provided by the CIA Factbook:

Nigeria achieved independence in 1960 from Great Britain. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. We are hoping for the first transfer of power without military means.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation and has a population of 131,859,731.

The current leader is President Olusegun Obasanjo

Political parties and their leaders:

Action Congress or AC [Bise Akande]; Advanced Congress of Demorats or ACD [Alex Anielo]; Alliance for Democracy or AD [Mojisoluwa AKINFENWA]; All Nigeria Peoples' Party or ANPP [Edwin UME-EZEOKE]; All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [disputed leadership]; Democratic People's Party or DPP [Jerry Useni]; Fresh Democratic Party [Chris OKOTIE]; Movement for the Restoration and Defense of Democracy or MRDD [Mohammed Gambo JIMETA]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Dr. Ahmadu ALI]; Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Peoples Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria Peoples Party or UNPP [disputed leadership]

Religions: 50% Muslim, 40% Christian, 10% Other

Current background information:

Times have been violent recently in Nigeria. The battles have been both religious and regional.

The imposition of Islamic law in several states has embedded divisions and caused thousands of Christians to flee. Inter-faith violence is said to be rooted in poverty, unemployment and the competition for land.

There have been clashes between various separatists and nationalist groups.

Election concerns from Tom Lantos (D-CA):

Normal preparations for the voting on April 14 and 21– including the release of voter registration rolls, distribution of permanent voter cards, designation of polling stations and accreditation of domestic and international monitors – have been hampered in the run-up to the election. The offices of some domestic monitors and opposition party members have reportedly been ransacked by the police and security services, which have also denied permits to political parties seeking to hold rallies.

What it means:

With President Olusegun Obasanjo not running for reelection, we need to keep tabs on this election and push for a democratic transfer of power. This will create a great precedent for others in the region to follow.

Slanted Spotlight: Winterpills

2007-04-12T21:45:00.000-05:00

If you have a sharp attention span and have been following us here at Above The Din for a long time, you may remember Slanted Spotlight. I return almost sheepishly with the intent of reviving this feature after its hibernation period.

It's an overcast day in Northern New Jersey, and the air is grazed with a chill that makes the rain more severe. I don't want to leave the room very much, and it's one of those days that reminds me of Winterpills. Their rich brooding melodies seem to seep into the laid-back, reflective atmosphere of the day.

These guys (and girl) were entirely unknown to me until a trusty copy of Paste Magazine came with a CD that featured "Pills For Sara," from their first and then-only self-titled album. It was haunting. It told a fragment of a bitter story, it was literary, with striking lines such as "Biting hard and crushing flowers, sleeping through my superpowers". I was intrigued.

And then, after a hibernation period in my appreciation for them, RyTunes and I explored 2005's "Winterpills" only to find a plethora of interestingly written and textured songs. "Laughing" has a nice cruising melody, "Found Weekend" is artsy cafe waltz meets epic insistence in the repeated "You will live forever." "Looking Down" is melancholy in a thoughtful, understated way. "Portrait" paints a scene we can visualize and contains the deliciously descriptive line "There's honey in my chemicals." The band uses both acoustic and electric guitars, both male and female vocals, and "Winterpills" is an album for days when time stands still. It feels like folk, and like music that doesn't take itself too seriously while at the same time having brilliant lyrical and melodic moments. Some of this may have to do with its humble origins in the home of singer/keyboardist Flora Reeds.

“Our original idea for the first album was to casually record some demos at my house, but before we knew it we were making a full-length record,” says Reed.

"The Light Divides," Winterpills' latest album, was just released on February 27, and I've heard sporadic bits so far, thanks to their official site and their MySpace posting two songs. "Handkerchiefs" is precious, with Reed's voice carrying crystal-clear and the calm-endearing "We need a place where we can talk." I'm reminded of Jewel's early work, with an indie edge and more maturity. "Broken Arm" is more direct and straightforward, accusatory even. The raw start, marching tempo, and profanity (is this their first time?) shows they took it up a notch. It's different, but it's fun.

There seems to be a certain timelessness involved, and the sense of this group as a band of dreamers is conveyed nicely in drummer Phillip Price's explanation of the latest project's name:

"I was thinking how, in the dark, we’re all one unrevealed event, a miasma. It's only when we are hit with light that we are separate. In a way, perhaps this collection of songs is my way of cursing the light and, for better or for worse, avoiding lighting any candles."

Worth delving into on any given rain-day.

He Really is Not All That Into You

2007-04-12T20:06:00.000-05:00

Dear Avril Lavigne,

Guess what, babe? He is not all that into you. You should really consider moving on and finding another guy.

He is flattered that you think he looks good but he doesn't care. I am glad you think you are great and his girlfriend is lame. Well guess what? You shouldn't date her! He is the one dating her and he obviously likes her more then you or else he would be dating you.

Your friend,

Doughnutman

I'm not sure if I should laugh or not.

2007-04-12T19:49:00.000-05:00

Talking Truth to Power

2007-04-12T12:55:00.000-05:00

When will the media accept that people don't like President Bush and that they want to hear about politics on t.v.?

Pink is STILL being prevented from performing or talking about her anti-Bush song by most of the American media:

Are Pink’s anti-Bush views being censored?

The outspoken rocker — who recently went after her singing sex-symbol peers in her song "Stupid Girls" — is now taking aim at the commander-in-chief, in her controversial song, "Dear Mr. President." But she says that she’s not allowed to discuss her political views on the radio.

Pink appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and thanked him for letting her sing and discuss the song, which she says the hasn’t been able to do on the radio or other TV shows.

What is the song that she can't play? This:

The Lyrics

Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?

Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb and we're not blind.
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?

Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?

Big Win For Progressives in New Jersey

2007-04-11T20:11:00.000-05:00

Today it was announced on politicsnj.com:

Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero will endorse State Sen. Loretta Weinberg tomorrow, ending a civil war in the 37th district. Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes will drop his challenge to Weinberg in the Democratic primary, as will Assembly candidates Ken Zisa and Cid Wilson.

This is a huge win for the progressive movement in New Jersey.

State Senator Lorreta Weinberg is the godmother of progressive politics in New Jersey. She won a highly contested election at the party convention two years ago, which involved going to court to open uncounted ballots. Democratic Boss Joe Ferriero want to place his buddy, Ken Zisa, as the next senator and the people stood in his way. He tried to get revenge this year by backing challengers to Weinberg and her running mates.

Weinberg and her running mates Gordon Johnson and Valerie Huttle received almost every single endorsement a Jersey progressive wants.

Democracy For America
EMILY’s List
Bergen County Central Trades and Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Englewood Democratic Club
NARAL Pro-Choice New Jersey
SEIU New Jersey State Council
NOW – NJ
New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center
PAM’s List
Bergen County Black Caucus
Communication Workers of America
Garden State Equality
Health Professionals and Allied Employees/AFT/AFL-CIO
New Jersey Funeral Directors
Latin American Society of New Jersey
New Jersey Citizen Action
New Jersey Environmental Federation
New Jersey Stonewall Democrats
Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey
Bergenfield Councilman Bruce Carlson
Englewood Council President Charlotte Bennett Schoen
Englewood Councilman Scott Reddin
Englewood Cliffs Council President Ilan Plawker
Leonia Council President Mary Heveran
Leonia Councilman Tony Puzzo
Maywood Councilman Timothy Eustace
Maywood Councilman John E. Savage
Maywood Councilman Nancy Jengo
Teaneck Mayor Elie Y. Katz
Teaneck Deputy Mayor Lizette Parker
Teaneck Councilwoman Monica Honis
Teaneck Councilwoman Jacqueline Kates
Tenafly Council President Patrick Rouse
Tenafly Councilman Michael Lattif
Tenafly Councilwoman Carol Hoernlein
Tenafly Councilwoman Nadia LaMastra
Tenafly Councilman Jon Warms

The progressives in Bergen County are trying to pry the Democratic party away from Boss Ferriero and this is a huge step in the right direction. Ferriero runs pay-to-play to perfection and has the ability to raise enormous amounts of money with no qualms about spending it. He doesn’t always use it for campaigns, but has spent thousands on a party at the Borgada Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

We have a ways to go, but we are making progress.

What Could Have Been: A Question For Concertgoers

2007-04-11T17:16:00.000-05:00

I'm sure that many of us have had amazing concert experiences. I've been blessed in the past seven years to make up for all the earlier lost time, trying to hit on average one show every season (p.s. tri-show comparison to come in a later post). In the opportunities that we've finally gotten to see our bands, I'm sure that many of you have walked out in total awe of the set list - the way it was put together, the song choices (especially the non-singles that as a fan you feel privileged to enjoy), openers, closers and encores.

But something nags. Even with the sheer anticipation of seeing certain bands, we can't help but build some hopes of songs they'll play. Sure, the concert was amazing, but where was [x]?

So now I'm going to ask you to dig into your collective unconscious and finally get off the chest the minor disappointments of missed material. In the shows you've seen, what songs do you feel were looked over?

I'll start. I have a few here.

Queens Of The Stone Age: "The Sky Is Falling" and "In My Head"
I can understand missing "The Sky Is Falling" but a) It's my favorite QOTSA song (seriously, just listen to its epic wonder) and b) It would have been a perfect opener. "Go With The Flow" was awesome to start on, but TSIF would have killed. It has this slow sweeping beginning with a tense buildup that explodes. Still, understandable. But "In My Head"? Their recent single at the time? I give them props for not feeling the need to play their single, but it was my second favorite, the song I was obsessed with at the time, and they got my hopes up by releasing it as a single a few weeks before we saw them. Not cool, man.

Bloc Party: "Two More Years" and "The Price Of Gas"
Same exact scenario. "Price Of Gas" would have been an opening on par with Muse's "Apocalypse Please". Start with the marching sound. Make it dark. Make it tense. Blow the hell out of it. And "Two More Years" had a rare distinction of being a successful non-album single. They really could have gone places with it. Drummer Matt Tong started the beginning riff but cut it short.

Ours: any song I actually know. (i.e. "Leaves," "Meet Me In The Tower," "Fallen Souls," etc.)
I'm sure Ours played a wonderful set. I just couldn't recognize it.

Finger Eleven: "Thousand Mile Wish"
Part of me was glad they didn't play this song, but still it would have been pretty sweet, and probably could have replaced the awkward "Change The World".

OK Go: "Shortly Before The End"
It probably wouldn't have translated well in concert, but made for a perfect set-up to "Return" (which they also didn't play the second time we saw them).

So that's all I have for now. I really have one more that I can "sea" but I'm sure Joyful Girl will chime in with that sentiment. Feel free to share your thoughts!

Five For Fighting: Tori's Posse Is Coming May 1st

2007-04-10T18:43:00.000-05:00

Go GrrlPower Rangers!

You gotta hand it to Tori. Only she could turn an album of covers into a dark musical Vagina Monologues ("Strange Little Girls," 2001). Only she could turn a cross-country trek of one woman into a chart-placing album ("Scarlet's Walk," 2002, which climbed to #7 in the US). And now the sensuous-but-sassy (though slightly sensitive) storyteller returns on May 1, with "American Doll Posse," an album chronicling not one but five different personalities - reportedly named Santa, Clyde, Isabel, Tori, and Pip, according to the Wikipedia.org article - pictured above. The first single is a rollicking country-tinged song, "Big Wheel" (formerly called "I'm a M.I.L.F.") which you can hear streaming on Tori's official site.

For most sane musicians, this kind of task - create five distinct personalities and give each of them a life in the process of a single CD - may prove daunting. But it's just another day in the life for Tori. And Pip. And Clyde. And Scarlet. And...

Top 10 Medical Edition

2007-04-10T16:43:00.000-05:00

10. Montley Crue - "Dr. Feelgood"
9. Pink - "Just Like a Pill"
8. Guster - "Medicine"
7. White Snake - "Medicine Man"
6. The Who - "Doctor Doctor"
5. Alanis Morissette - "Not the Doctor"
4. Wallflowers - "Health and Happiness"
3. Weird Al Yankovic - "Like a Surgeon"
2. Bon Jovi - "Bad Medicine"
1. The Fray "How to Save a Life"

Live Earth Concert Coming to NJ

2007-04-10T08:18:00.000-05:00

Isn't that fitting?

Giants Stadium will host the U.S. Live Earth concert on 7/7/07. The landmark concerts set to raise awareness and activism for an injured planet visits the Garden State. Maybe this means there is hope that someone will clean up Secaucus:

NEW YORK -- Organizers today announced sixteen of the headliners who will perform at the U.S. leg of the 7-continent, 24-hour Live Earth concerts on 7/7/07. The concert will be held at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, Live Earth Founder and Executive Producer Kevin Wall said. Tickets for the show go on sale Monday, April 16 at 10 a.m. EDT.

How about the performers?

The U.S. show will feature live on stage:

Kanye West
AFI
Kelly Clarkson
Akon
KT Tunstall
Alicia Keys
Ludacris
Bon Jovi

Melissa Etheridge
Dave Matthews Band
Rihanna
Fall Out Boy
Roger Waters
Smashing Pumpkins
John Mayer
The Police

Meanwhile the U.K. version of the massive global concert has also been uncovered and features the star power of the Beastie Boys, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bloc Party, and Snow Patrol among many others. The event will take place at Wembley Stadium in London and ticketing begins on April 13.

The rest of the cities/venues are as follows:

Brazil: Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
South Africa: The Cradle of Human Kind, Maropeng near Johannesburg
Japan: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo
China: Steps of the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai
Australia: Aussie Stadium , Moore Park, Sydney

Ticketing information for these dates will be announced soon.

Much more coverage on this historic event to come. Stay tuned to AtD and http://liveearth.msn.com/

100 Millionth iPod Sold

2007-04-09T22:29:00.000-05:00

Apple has sold 100 million iPods. And I still don't have one.

Chocolate Jesus is Tasty

2007-04-09T19:51:00.000-05:00

Chocolate Jesus is tasty.

For all those people who like naked men and chocolate, this is the story for you.

More Than Music, and By That I Mean Sex

2007-04-09T15:49:00.000-05:00

Escape to a land without authority figures dragging you down. A world where you can be with who you want, they way you want, and when you want. Music can take you there, whether via Neo-soul and R&B artist Maxwell

and his seductively smooth sounds,

or country music siren Faith Hill

and her sweet and innocent melodies.

M usic let's your imagination roam free. When you are listening to music there is no need for you to be ashamed or scared of sexuality as it is out there. Some of us have trouble talking about sex, but singing about sex, that makes it so much easier.

"Let's talk about sex, baby, let's talk about you and me" - Salt-n-Peppa

We tend to be reserved about sex and nudity. I would argue that this topic, along with death
and those feelings associated with
loss, are the two most taboo subjects in our society today. We need not be ashamed
of our bodies. Every time we let the "ethical" end of corporations sideline a song,
we let them win. We should not censor bands nor should we prevent or discourage our friends and relatives from joining them. People can join bands to express themselves better or they could just join a band to get laid. We all have needs, after all.

In fact, in the Pussycat Dolls' recent reality show, one of the challenges was to show that you have confidence in yourself by dancing in a box for seedy old men. Not exactly what most people think rock stars should do.

Men	Women
[Eric Balfour of "24"]	[Lindsay Lohan]
[Jamie "Apollo" Bamber of "Battlestar Galactica"]	[A Tiffany Mulheron]
Men's Underwear Fashion Show]

Doughnutman's

top 5 songs to have sex to:

5. Marvin Gaye- "Let's Get It On"
4. Alexander Scriabin - "Poem of Ecstasy"
3. Addictive Beats - "Saeed & Palash"
2. Erykah Badu - "Worldwide Underground"
1. SportsCenter theme song

College File Sharing

2007-04-09T14:57:00.000-05:00

The RIAA has started going after college kids who are file sharing on campus. Steve Knopper over at Rolling Stone talks about how, for the first time, some IT departments at colleges have started not cooperating with the RIAA. The two colleges who have declined to participate in the RIAA's crackdown are the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the University of Maine.

The RIAA wants IT departments to deliver cease and desist letters to individual students. They have delivered 805 letters, including the 27 that were sent to Wisconsin and Maine. They plan on delivering about 400 a month. The letters tell students they should settle for $3,000 rather than go to trial for copyright infringement.

Commentary

The letters are nothing more then extortion letters sent by the RIAA to coerce college kids into stopping their actions. I agree that the RIAA is asking IT departments to become their racketeering agents. Good for Wisconsin and Maine's IT department for not falling for the RIAA's game.

Just thought I'd let you know

2007-04-08T15:05:00.000-05:00

The song is about me.

Stop and Hear the Music

2007-04-08T15:04:00.000-05:00

Question: How often, as a pedestrian going to work, the store, or out for a stroll, do you really pay attention to what's going on around you? I mean no cell phone, no iPod, no mental checklists of all you have to get done that day - just a pure, simple appreciation of the moment? Of the beauty of things great and small? That was the question posed by the Washington Post in an article published today, entitled Pearls Before Breakfast. The premise of the article was simple - they asked a world-famous concert violinist (Joshua Bell, for connoisseurs of classical music) to play at a D.C. Metro station for 45 minutes one busy workday morning, to see how many people stopped and took notice of the presence of unadulterated beauty. Post editors feared crowd control issues - surely in a town as erudite as Washington, D.C. commuters would recognize the gifted musician. Would you be surprised to learn that, in the 43 minutes he played, only 7 people stopped to watch and 27 gave money, amounting to $32.17?

Of course, you could argue that these are busy (as a former resident of the D.C. area, I'd also describe them as self-important) people, how could we expect them to have the time to stop for a street musician? But that, of course, is the problem. Why don't we have time to pause, if just for a minute, to acknowledge the presence of something which is not only out of the ordinary, but truly extraordinary? The advent of the iPod and the cellphone allow us to retreat from the world into spheres of our own creation - to distract ourselves with entertainment or conversations of our own choosing. We create the soundtrack for our lives. We avoid potentially awkward interactions with strangers because we've decided that the voice on the other end of the line is immensely more relevant than the physical world around us. Randomness, spontaneity, unlooked for moments of emotion or spirituality are lost to us. When I visited Paris two years ago, I noticed how few people held the electronics so dear to Americans next to their ears - almost no one chatted on a cell phone or shuffled through their iPod playlists. I can't say this made them more aware of the world around them - but they seemed less like the isolated zombies so many Americans are and more like engaged citizens.

The article points out that context, of course, matters - that art isn't art unless we know it, unless we have a frame to place it in, whether that be the literal gilt frames of an art museum or the larger one of a concert hall. Is beauty, then, something of which people are only aware when they are told it is beautiful, when it has received the approval of experts? Should we not be able, as rational, emotional creatures, to know beauty when we see it, hear it, taste it? It seems that children do - every single child who saw Bell watched him eagerly, while their parents hurried them away. Yes, children are easily distracted by all kinds of stimuli and just as easily bored, so we can hardly conclude that these children truly appreciated Bell's mastery. But they are not yet tainted by the adult desire to be on one's way as quickly as possible, by the adult ability to tune out their surroundings in pursuit of seemingly more important tasks, by the adult disinclination to recognize artistry in daily life.

I'm not insisting we have to turn off our cell phones and iPods - often, listening to music can help relieve the boredom of a routine commute while the phone can help us stay in touch with loved ones. But maybe once a week, just try it - try to live in the moment, try to be aware of the little bits of beauty in the world.

Near Death of the President

2007-04-08T14:31:00.000-05:00

Ford President Alan Mulally, right, had to be quick on his feet to make sure President Bush plugged a power cord into the right socket on a Ford hydrogen-electric plug-in hybrid.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070407/AUTO01/704070338/1148

We nearly lost the leader of this country because of self immolation.

Credit Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally with saving the leader of the free world from self-immolation. Mulally told journalists at the New York auto show that he intervened to prevent President Bush from plugging an electrical cord into the hydrogen tank of Ford's hydrogen-electric plug-in hybrid at the White House last week.

As Mulally told reporters:

"I just thought, 'Oh my goodness!' So, I started walking faster, and the President walked faster and he got to the cord before I did. I violated all the protocols. I touched the President. I grabbed his arm and I moved him up to the front," Mulally said. "I wanted the president to make sure he plugged into the electricity, not into the hydrogen.

Battle of the Bands' Music Videos

2007-04-06T19:43:00.000-05:00

MTV continues to get it. Their latest move that doesn't suck; a battle of the freshest up-and-coming music vids out there. The prize? Bragging rights and the opportunity to introduce the video on MTV. This week's competition sees Evanescence's "Sweet Sacrifice," pitted against Lil Mama's,"Lip Gloss," versus Linkin Park's much anticipated "What I've Done." Who will come out on top of this powerhouse brouhaha? Will disappearing vapors outlast the presumed mother of hundreds of potential children (Lil Kim, Lil Flip, Lil Romeo), or will this all be decided at the park? You decide!

Round one already saw Shiny Toy Guns come away victorious over the likes of Maroon 5 and Snoop Dogg. And while the reward of 15 minutes of fame on MTV is still a little too TRLesque for my taste, this is still good (Internet) Music Television. And as the battlefield continues to heat up, all I can really say is - IT'S ON.

Who will get served next week?

Year Zero Revealed!

2007-04-05T22:59:00.000-05:00

This is it. Trent has unveiled his concept album magnum opus for public consumption (at least, until you can buy it for yourselves on April 17, which you should all do of course, because for fuck's sake this deserves it).

Check out the goods at yearzero.nin.com.

Meanwhile, Gigwise has this unhinged interview with the man himself discussing his personal demons, his passions, and the inspiration behind and relevance of Year Zero:

“As I’ve watched this unfold so far,” he confesses. “It’s been rewarding to me as the author and artist to see some interesting dialogue and discussions going on between the community out there of, not only the concepts but also how they are rooted in what’s happening today. At the end of the day I think a nice benefit of making a record like this is, morally, I think if a handful of people pay attention to what’s happening right now I think that’s a good thing.”

Amen.

Campaign Fundraising Numbers

2007-04-04T22:06:00.000-05:00

With the Q1 numbers all in, Republicans have to be feeling a bit queasy about their chances in 2008. (Totals include all receipts, including general election money. In millions.)

Republicans

Romney $23
Giuliani $15
McCain $12.5
Huckabee $0.5
TOTAL $51

Democrats

Clinton $26
Obama $25
Edwards $14
Richardson $6
Dodd $4
Biden $3
TOTAL: $78

That means the Democrats raised a dollar every nine seconds of the first quarter.

More money more problems.

Mo Money Mo Problems

(Notorious B.I.G, Puff Daddy & Mase)

Now who's hot who not
Tell me who rock
Who sell out in da stores
You tell me who flop
Who copped da blue drop
Who jewels got boxed
Who mostly go G down to da tube sock
Da same old pimp
Mase you know ain't nothin changed but my limp
Can't stop till I see my name on a blimp
Guarantee a million sales
Pull another up
You don't believe in Harlem World
Nigga double up
We don't play around
It's a bet lay it down
Niggas didn't know me '91
Bet they know me now
I'm da young harlem nigga with da goldie sound
Can't no PHD niggas hold me down
Coota schooled me to da game
Now I know my duty
Stay humble
Stay low
Blow like hootie
True pimp niggas spend no dough on da booty
And then you yell
There go Mase there go your cutie

I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see

Yeah yeah ahah
from the D to da A to da D-D-Y
I know you rather see me die
Than to see me fly
I call all da shots
Rip all da spots
Rock all da rocks
Cop all da drops
I know you thinking now
When all da ballin stops
Nigga never home gotta call me on da yacht
10 years from now we'll still be on top
Yo I thought I told you that we won't stop
Now what you gonna do
When it's crew bag a money
Much longer than yours
And a team much stronger than yours
Violate me
This'll be yo day
We don't play
Messing around with D.O.A.
Be on your way
Cause it ain't enough time here
Ain't enough lime here
For you to shine here
Deal with many women but treat dimes fair
And I'm bigga than the city lights
Down in Times Square
Yeah yeah yeah

I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see

Uhh
B-I-G P-O-P-P-A
No info for da D-E-A
Federal agents mad cause I'm flagrant
Tap my cell and da phone in da basement
My team supreme
Stay clean
Triple beam lyrical dream
I be that
Can't you see at all events bent
Gats in holsters girls on shoulders
Playboy I told yuh being nice to me
Bruise too much I lose too much
Step on stage da girls do too much
I guess it's cause you run with lame
Do too much
Me lose my touch never that
If I did ain't no problem to get da gat
Where da true playas at
Throw your rollies in da sky
Wave them side to side
And keep their hands high
While I give your girl a eye
Playa please lyrically nigga see
B-I-G be flossin
Jig on da cover of Fortune
5 double O here's my phone number
Your man ain't got to know I got da dough
Got da flow down pizzat platinum plus
Like thizzat dangerous on trizzack
Leave yo ass phizzack

I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see

I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
What's going on?
Somebody tell me
What's going on?

I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see
I don't know what they want from me
It's like the more money we come across
The more problems we see

Bloc Party Wants You...

2007-04-04T21:45:00.000-05:00

To make their next video:

Bloc Party are giving fans the chance to make their own video for their new single 'I Still Remember'. The single is released on Monday 9th April. Fans are asked to submit a full or partial video for the song to a dedicated YouTube group where they can be rated and commented on. Winners will be chosen and the winning clips will be edited together to create a new video that will be featured on BlocParty.com and on the Bloc Party vCast. All winners will also receive a pair of tickets to the UK date of their choice on the band's upcoming sold out tour. For more information and rules, visit www.blocparty.com/youtube

What's your fondest, unrequited homosexual/bisexual memory? Give it up for Bloc and gain the respect of millions of fans, or lose it. That's the best part, it could go either way. Kind of like the theme of the song. If you don't know what I'm talking about just refer back to here. And major props to Kele for such candid honesty, bravery, and directness in his lyrical direction on the new album.

Oh, by the way Bloc Party put on one hell of a show. More on that coming later.

MTV Does Something Right

2007-04-04T21:19:00.000-05:00

Actually, MTV does a few things right. Namely Subterranean, an hour block of purely indie and underground music videos, the Leak, streaming album previews before their release, and believe it or not (I hardly do) live performances like this one:

Augustana live at (the critically ill) TRL.

and this:

The Academy Is... live at the (who still cares about?) MTV Spring break.

See MTV, you don't have to suck. I mean, as cool as whiny, spoiled, and pretty teenagers from California are (and OMG do I pine for their pampered lifestyles!) it's all about the music. It's always been about the music. Take the hint, MTV. We've been trying for 5 years now. You gave us MTV2 and that started out great, but of course it didn't last. What the hell is Bam's Unholy Union anyway? Not like it matters.

At moments like this, though, it really brings back the MTV love.

Look What Linkin Park Has Done

2007-04-04T21:04:00.000-05:00

The unfading Linkin Park are ready to sell another 5 million records and the initial vehicle this time around is "What I've Done," available streaming from the band's MySpace. The fivesome's next album, the follow-up to 2003's "Meteora," is called "Minutes to Midnight" and bows May 15.

Surely they could retire, but why? Kaiser Chiefs' "Angry Mob" is poised for great things

2007-04-04T17:33:00.000-05:00

There's a problem in modern music. Not enough bands want to write really catchy, imaginative lyrics. There's something to be said for the sardonic, for the tongue-in-cheek. For those who share this lament, there are two bands that can satiate. One is up-and-comers The Feeling, who love it when you call and sing a ballad to a crayon. But preceding The Feeling, and possibly outlasting them in the end, is the Kaiser Chiefs.

Their new release is titled, in true Kaiser Chiefs style, "Yours Truly, Angry Mob". And it is a little angrier than their previous album; the guitars are slightly more distorted, the instrumentation is more fine-tuned, and you can feel more urgency in singer Ricky Wilson's voice. This is a common move for the sequel to the breakthrough album; Green Day's 1995 effort "Insomniac" pushed the pedal, Bloc Party's new release "A Weekend In The City" is undeniably darker, and Finger Eleven can claim "The Greyest Of Blue Skies" as their hardest album. Back to the Chiefs.

Chiefs' lyrics don't disappoint, providing gems such as "Due to lack of interest/Tomorrow is canceled" ("Ruby"), "There are many things that I would be proud of/If I'd only invented them such as the wheel/The washing machine and the tumble dryer/On these inventions surely I could retire" (from the fun, catchier-than-Ruby closer "Retirement"), and "It's just seven days/It feels like a week" ("Learnt My Lesson Well"). There are places where the delivery needs work and the words feel squeezed in or tacked on ("Highroyds" comes to mind), but stylistically the Chiefs don't drop the ball and every track is bearable if not truly enjoyable. The low points are probably "Everything Is Average Nowadays" and "Ruby". After hearing the rest of the album, "Ruby" feels thrown in as a bonus track and the album truly begins at "The Angry Mob". It's not to say that either of these songs are horrible; they're fun, but not up to the level of the rest of the album. Especially not the amusing piano intro to "Learnt My Lesson Well," which can be found separately as "Boxing Champ".

If you're stuck on the Chiefs' first album, you may not be thrilled about this album, much as Killers fans obsessed with "Hot Fuss" may feel offset by "Sam's Town". But it's definitely a fun album and worth picking up.

Final Score: 87.

Alanis Morissette - "My Humps"

2007-04-03T10:28:00.001-05:00

Yeah yeah yeah

2007-04-03T10:18:00.000-05:00

We at Above the Din would like to congratulate Usher and Tameka on their engagement.

Why Bush's Economy is a Failure

2007-04-02T23:03:00.000-05:00

The Effects of Pluto

2007-03-31T17:35:00.000-05:00

The New Music Industry Cotinued...

2007-03-31T10:51:00.000-05:00

Following up on Doughnutman's insightful post below, here are some more developments in the rapidly changing music business as reported by British mag The Guardian. First up is how Who guitarist Pete Townshend is trying to create people's musical imprint in the digital space:

According to Townshend, it "takes data you input and turns that into music. I began thinking it might be possible to use software to do this about 20 years ago when I first got a Mac and software like M, Jam Factory and Music Mouse. These were programs that produced random music from limited data you put in."

Much more on this exciting new venture a bit later. First back to the industry, as Peter Gabriel leads us through the new frontier of dynamic playlist generation:

"The filtering process is not dictated by marketing dollars. Paid-for content has been the rock on which both the music and the film industries have been built. This rock is rapidly turning into quicksand and it seems to me that the future income streams are probably going to come as much from filtering and advertising, as from direct sale of content. I am hoping in our internet projects to make sure that musicians are not at the bottom of the pecking order."

And then there's Trent. We already know about his forays into alternate reality entertainment and marketing initiatives, but what about his use of technology:

"The USB drive was simply a mechanism of leaking the music and data we wanted out there," he explained. "The medium of the CD is outdated and irrelevant. It's really painfully obvious what people want - DRM-free music they can do what they want with. If the greedy record industry would embrace that concept I truly think people would pay for music and consume more of it."

And low and behold it's already happening right now and right before our eyes. The Fratellis, for example, released their latest U.K. single on a USB drive. And it seems some of the bigwigs might be getting it:

USB drives were piloted last October with Keane single 'Nothing's In My Way' which sold out in a day.

In a statement Lee Jenson head of marketing at Island Records said: "The success of the Keane single last year convinced us that music fans would welcome more audio release on this format."

Will USB replace CDs? Not anytime soon, I am sure, but is there a genuine interest and excitement in embracing new digital formats, free of restrictions and limitations, and is this a viable business model for the recording industry? The answer is unequivocally yes (at least from this one music journalist's point of view). But when will the powers that be get it?

For more on Pete Townshend's Lifehouse Method (to be covered further on this site) check out: http://www.lifehouse-method.com/index.html

For more on Peter Gabriel's The Filter check out: http://thefilter.com/

The End of the Album as We Know It

2007-03-30T13:34:00.000-05:00

Awhile ago, Joyfulgirl and I discussed the impact of Mp3s on the record industry. We now have the first glimpse of the future, as the Wall Street Journal reports:

In recent weeks, the music industry has posted some of the weakest sales it has ever recorded.

This year has already seen the two lowest-selling No. 1 albums since Nielsen SoundScan, which tracks music sales, was launched in 1991.

Some artists and record labels have accepted that people will be ripping CDs onto their iPods. The Nytimes reports the second glimpse of the future:

"We're just acknowledging the way our fans like to listen to their music,'' said Dan Cohen, head of marketing for Palm. ''The idea of doing this isn't to say to kids, 'Hey, swap our files.' We're saying: 'Thank you for buying the record. We want to give you something.' Maybe that's saying, 'You'll burn this onto your iPod anyway; well, here -- it's high quality, it's sanctioned by the artist and we're cool with you having it on your player.' And if a few people trade it, well, we're hoping they'll like it enough that they'll go buy it.''

But the biggest thing is another Times report on the end of the Album:

Universal/Republic Records, their label, signed Candy Hill to record two songs, not a complete album.

That is right, the band is not making an album filled with one or two good songs and a whole bunch of crud, they are just making one or two good songs. The music industry is changing.

Interactive Time! Soundtrack Fun

2007-03-29T18:07:00.000-05:00

Info on the "Spider-Man 3" soundtrack was recently released and it provided a Killer lineup. Pun intended: according to Billboard.com, the tracklisting looks as follows:

"Signal Fire," Snow Patrol
"Move Away," the Killers
"Sealings," Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"Pleased To Meet You," Wolfmother
"Red River," the Walkmen
"The Supreme Being Teaches Spider-Man How To Be in Love," Flaming Lips
"Scared of Myself," Simon Dawes
"The Twist," Chubby Checker
"Sight Lines," Rogue Wave
"Summer Day," Coconut Records
"Falling Star," Jet
"Portrait of a Summer Thief," Sounds Under Radio
"A Letter To St. Jude," Wasted Youth Orchestra
"Small Parts," the Oohlas

In light of this wonderful cacophony of new hits, I got to thinking: What would the ideal adaptation soundtrack be?

Here's where you come in. I'm asking you to imagine yourself as the producer and soundtrack coordinator for the adaptation of your choice. It can be a superhero story that has not been done, it can be a Dan Brown book, it can be a modernization of Pride And Prejudice. Whatever you want.

So your questions are:
1. What are you adapting?
2. Who's starring in it?
3. Who's on the soundtrack? (Or if it's fully scored, who is the composer?)
4. Are they brand new songs or already released?
4a. If they're brand new, why did you pick these particular artists/composers?
4b. If they're already released songs, why did you pick these particular songs?

Try to put some thought into this one, and then post your response as a reply. You have total creative control and I'm very interested to see the way that you, the reader, think and plan. Most of all, have fun with it!

See Evanescence and Korn for $10

2007-03-28T19:59:00.000-05:00

What you say? That's right, folks, the package deal of the summer is good fun for the kids and their friends. You just can't beat that good old fashioned Family Values. The aforementioned headliners (gee, do you think Amy will come out for "Freak On A Leash" and/or perform her band's cover of "Thoughtless"?) will be joined by Flyleaf, Atreyu, Hellyeah, and Trivium. On a side note, 'Hellyeah,' must be one of the most superfluously kickass names for a band I have heard in some time. It's like my idea to name my son 'Awesome,' but that's a different story. Back to the tour, because it gets even better:

Through Korn's partnership with Live Nation, the 2006 tour offered concertgoers lawn tickets priced at $9.99 for all amphitheater dates. This year's edition of Family Values will offer similar pricing.

Now I can really get a Hellyeah! It's not quite as sweet as OZZfest's free ticketing, but it's pretty dang close (and preferable for those of who are ever so slightly less metal).

Take it away Billboard.com:

Here are the cities for the Family Values tour:

St. Louis
Minneapolis
Chicago
Columbus, Ohio
Camden, N.J.
Boston
Washington, D.C.
Hartford, Conn.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Detroit
Toronto
Pittsburgh
Scranton, Pa.
East Rutherford, N.J.
Indianapolis
Atlanta
Orlando, Fla.
Miami
Tampa, Fla.
Dallas
Houston
San Antonio, Texas
Oklahoma City
Kansas City, Mo.
Denver
Albuquerque, N.M.
Phoenix
Bakersfield, Calif.
Sacramento, Calif.
San Francisco
Irvine, Calif.