Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Official World Cup Anthem
As of right now we are less than a hundred days away from the 2010 World Cup. I think we need to have a listen at the official theme song “Wavin’ Flag” By K’naan. The song originally appeared on his sophmore album Troubadour, but was re-recorded for the World Cup. More about K’naan as well as a version closer to the original after the jump.
Evanescence: New sound?
On february 22nd, Evanescence announced that they begun recording for their 3rd upcomming album. However, the band is planning to take their sound in a new direction. Their next album is suppose to be introducing a more electro feel. However, The band has much previous success with their previous albums. Considering that they’ve sold nearly 15 million records and earned 2 Grammys, Why mess with success? But lead singer Amy Lee seems to be quite excited with having some fun with their next album.
I am not sure how many of you are into video games enough to have picked up any of the Rock Band games as well as purchased any of their download-able content, but I am. I have been waiting for this day since its first announcement last summer. The Rock Band Network gives the tools to artists and labels in order to put out songs for the Rock Band titles. Starting today the service will be available to the public so we can start to buy the slightly over 100 available songs with your closest friends. As of right now RBN is up on the Xbox360 and hopefully next month it will be running on the PlayStation Network.
Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan
Avenged Sevenfold recently posted on their website that Mike Portnoy, the drumming legend of the severely technical metal band Dream Theater, shall be recording with A7X on their upcoming album.
This is the post that Avenged Sevenfold put up on their website on February 17th:
I want our fans to know that with Jimmy in our hearts, our journey to record has officially began. Jimmy helped leave this world an amazing gift and now it’s our job to make sure to deliver that gift to our fans. We asked Jimmy’s all time favorite drummer Mike Portnoy to record on behalf of him. Mike said it would be an honor and without question that’s what Jim would have wanted. Its comforting to us that someone like Mike, who is undoubtedly revered as one of the best drummers in the world, held such respect and adoration for the Rev’s abilities. Even though it will never be the same without our brother by our side, his essence lives in our hearts and through the music he helped create. He was a legend before any of the success or any of that bullshit and we are fucking excited to lay this down for our fans, and especially for Jimmy.
- Avenged Sevenfold
You can also view a tribute video for Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan on www.AvengedSevenfold.com
Mike Portnoy
What’s Your List?
Back in March 2005, Esquire Magazine ran a column written by John Mayer discussing the top songs he remembers from growing up. It started a string of emails, first from my oldest brother and then throughout the family, discussing what songs were important to us. Growing up in a music hip household, you get exposed to various genres and types of music. There are songs that maybe your favorite, but then there are those that just hold a special place for one reason or another.
As you grow up, your taste in music expands and refines. Some believe that to listen to mainstream “pop” music is to dance with the devil. To some, finding out the next “it” band first is more important than actually enjoying the music. To me, music is all about emotion. It is there to help you at all times, with joy and pain and everything in between. So what’s your memorable songs? Remember, these may not your favorite ten of all time, but those songs, that when you hear them on the radio, illicit the most emotional reaction!
Now and then I’ll stop by to let you know what I think is worth checking out. Here are my rec’s for the week:
Miike Snow – Miike Snow (2009)
Infectious kick-based dance jams never get old, at least not to me. This band not only knows how to craft a song, they explore their progressions and melodies to the fullest and let the listener know to expect more than a simple pop hook or synth riff. You could probably DJ a party, play this record, sit on your ass for an hour and still get everyone moving.
RIYL: Passion Pit, Discovery, Crookers, Phoenix
Lupe Fiasco – Enemy of the State (2009)
‘09 was a tough year to rank mixtapes, but Lupe’s latest effort has to be a contender for the top spot. Featuring beats like the National Anthem (Radiohead), All The Way Turnt Up (Travis Porter ft Sean Teezy & ATL), and Angels (Dirty Money), Lupe once again establishes himself as perhaps the most intelligent and eloquent rapper in the game. The only complaint I have is that it’s only 22 minutes and change long, but then again Lupe is dropping his full length, Lasers, later this month. I guess we can say he succeeded in creating some additional hype for what will surely be one of the year’s best efforts.
RIYL: Jay Electronica, Wiz Khalifa, Mos Def
Motion City Soundtrack – My Dinosaur Life (2010)
MCS is back and once again they waste no time letting you know. My Dinosaur Life is an emotional roller coaster ride that kicks off with inspiration, brings you to the depths of sorrow and picks you right back up again. Singer and songwriter Justin Pierre has established a new sense of maturity in his writing, likely as a result from shedding old habits and becoming clean. If you liked the Motion City Soundtrack you heard on Commit This To Memory, you’ll love this record. It’s a pop-punk blaster, perfect for putting the windows down and taking a mental trip away from it all.
RIYL: Blink-182, The Matches
Vampire Weekend – Contra (2010)
This band brings it. There are so many interesting things going on during this album that one can’t help but think, how the hell did they think to use THAT sound? Vampire Weekend shows that their self-titled debut was only a hint of what they could accomplish and on Contra, they again take traditional song structure and morph it into something much different, but ironically catchier and more rhythmically validating. I’d be shocked if this album didn’t make my 2010 top 10 list.
RIYL: The Strokes, Ra Ra Riot, Harlem Shakes
The American Dollar – Atlas (2010)
I’m not going to lie, there is a reason that The American Dollar hold a special place in my heart: they help me sleep. This isn’t a bad thing – in fact, sleep and music are two of my favorite things, so a combination of the two is naturally awesome. Merely anointing them as my personal Mr. Sandman, though, doesn’t do their work justice. On Atlas, this Brooklyn-based duo take the listener through an enchanting instrumental journey of beautiful piano-based chord progressions, thoughtful melodies and dreamy soundscapes – but with a driving rhythmic force.
RIYL: The Album Leaf, Explosions in the Sky, Hammock