counter

Paul McCartney Made Me Read Trash

By: Charbarred | in: Music | Leave a Comment



mcc.jpg

Much like Prince, Paul McCartney is giving away his album “Memory Almost Full” with today’s Mail on Sunday. I’m not a big fan but a friend convinced me that it’s a special edition CD and that I should own one. After having my coffee this morning I walked to my local news agent and bought a copy of The Mail on Sunday. I quickly unwrapped the CD and stuck in the closet to gather dust with the rest of my CDs.

Since I paid £1.50 for this privilege I figured I’d make the most of it and actually read the newspaper. Now, you don’t have to be British to know that some British newspapers are simply awful. You do, however, tend to ignore it if you can. As I don’t regularly read the newspaper and when I do I don’t stoop that low, I was shocked to flip through the pages of the Mail on Sunday and read the crap they are producing.

The Mail on Sunday

Now this isn’t an attack on British journalism as no one is really expecting things to pick up any time soon. I would like to pose a few questions to Sir McCartney though. Yes, apparently The Mail on Sunday is the nation’s favorite weekend paper. Sure, they paid you a lot of money and they have loads of readers. But do you really want to put your name (and reputation) on a paper that only a little while ago was dissecting your divorce in the lowest way possible? Are you sure your album should be given away with a rag whose main interest is Royal gossip and Britney’s Weight?

I have great respect for Paul McCartney (how could you not?). I do, however, think that at this stage of his career he can allow himself some integrity. After all, this is product endorsement, and I’m sure that many more respectable newspapers would be just as happy giving away such a prestigious album. Then again, it’s Paul McCartney, I guess he’s earned the right to do whatever the hell pleases him.


[Subscribe to this feed]


Posted on May 18, 2008

Artists to Watch

By: Kendall | in: Music | Leave a Comment



Brett Dennen

Brett Dennen - A home schooled kid, that spent his twenties as a Camp Counselor in Yosemite National forest working with kids forced to be there by the likes of probation officers and Social Workers. Mellow guitar with mellow backing. Reminiscent of early Jack Johnson but less boring.

Official Video Single - Ain’t No Reason

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amwVyRH2B8A



Brett Dennen on Myspace : http://www.myspace.com/brettdennen

Brett Dennen - Official Site: http://www.brettdennen.net

Lovers Electric

Lovers Electric - The Duo of Eden Boucher and David Turley. Eden is the sister of Australian artist Butterfly Boucher. This is harmonious indie-electro pop, similar to Portishead but less eerie and more poppy. Well worth some attention.

Lovers Electric - Honey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5DV4BJDdx8



Lovers Electric on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/loverselectric

Lovers Electric - Official Site: http://www.loverselectric.com

Liam Finn

Liam Finn - Son Neil Finn of Crowded House fame. Liam started playing at Age 16. Rollingstone magazine reports during his first gig, he impressed a group of bikers so much, they made him play all night long, not letting him get off the stage. He scores psychedelic strings help to fill out, thinly aggressive drums, haunting guitar parts, and semi-falsetto vocals.

Liam Finn - Second Chance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVpfGQ3TvPA



Liam Finn on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theliamfinn

Liam Finn Official Site: http://www.liamfinn.tv

Basia Bulat - Hailing from London, Ontario this folksy Canadian, has a good thing going. Touring the United States and Canda, she has gained critical acclaim for her performance at SXSW this year. She also plays the autoharp!

Basia Bulat - In the Night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWJxTWQHH6s



Basia Bulat on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/basiamyspace

Basia Bulat - Official Site: http://www.basiabulat.com

Leon Jean-Marie

Leon Jean-Marie - His single “Bed of Nails” produced by Mark Ronson was released in March. He’s still quite underground, but the way this genre crossing singer puts it down, it should only be a matter of time until he sees some charting success. 60’s soul, modern pop, r&B, and a little dash of hip hop come together nicely.

Leon Jean-Marie - Bed of Nails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ4CnN2Rt-M



Leon Jean on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/leonjeanmarie

Leon Jean - Official Site: http://www.leonjeanmarie.com


[Subscribe to this feed]


Posted on May 16, 2008

Death Cab wants to Play Call of Duty 4 with YOU!

By: Kendall | in: General, Music | 2 Comments



Play Call of Duty 4 with Death Cab for Cutie
Xbox Live Game With Fame with Nick & Jason from Death Cab For Cutie

Date: May 16th, 2008
Time: 4:30 - 6:30 PM (Pacific)
Game: Call of Duty 4
Gamertags:
GWF DCFC NickGWF DCFC Jason
**please note the space between GWF and DCFC and band members name**

Three days after their new album, Narrow Stairs, hit the stores, Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr of the band Death Cab for Cutie will play Xbox LIVE® members in Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare(TM) on Friday, May 16, 2008. Xbox LIVE Gold members can get a chance to play with Death Cab for Cutie by sending a friend request to the below Gamertags and be online half an hour before (7:00 P.M. ET) the Game with Fame session starts at 7:30 P.M. ET on Friday, May 16.

Narrow Stairs, produced by the band’s own Chris Walla, is widely available on May 13, and it features the hit single, “I Will Possess Your Heart.” The band is currently on tour and will appear at the Sasquatch!Music Festival May 25, and at the Bonnaroo festival June 15. They’re also Xbox.com’s Rock Artist of the Month!

For more information on the event check out : http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2008/0516-deathcab.htm


[Subscribe to this feed]


Posted on May 15, 2008

Help Noa Babayof win the Zig-Zag Live Competition

By: Yaya | in: Music | Leave a Comment



The Israeli singer/songwriter Noa Babayof will be releasing her debut album “From A Window To A Wall” with Espers’ Greg Weeks’ label Language of Stone. The album was recorded and produced by Weeks in his studio in Philladelphia last May and will be released in the US on June 17th.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxtA31hh8SU

Noa will be touring the US starting July, and you’re welcome to help and support and vote for her in the final stages of the Zig Zag Live competition that will provide her with a slot in the upcoming CMJ festival in NYC.

All you need to do is login here, click on the “Vote For Bands” button that will take you through 2-3 questions and then you’ll be able to vote and support Noa.

Noa Babyof - Midtown Fair


[Subscribe to this feed]


Posted on May 14, 2008

Genre Swapping Covers

By: Kendall | in: Music | 4 Comments



Over the years great songs get covered by great (and sometimes not so great) bands/artists from a completely different genre. The results are as mixed as the styles, but occasionally something really interesting and genuine is invented. Here’s the best of what we could dream up.

The Gourds (Snoop Dogg) - Gin and Juice
One of the first rock-ish type groups to cover a gangster rap song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAgPbkOyB08


Paul Anka (Van Halen) - Jump
The multi-million selling crooner lets it all hang out on this one. Who knew that Paul Anka could, in a weird way, be almost as charming as David Lee Roth?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WQg-wOXclM


Sid Vicious (Frank Sinatra) - My Way
This is classic. Pulling a reverse of Paul Anka, Sid Vicious turns crooning to sneering punk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLC3uT3aCoE


Ben Folds (Dr. Dre) - Bitches Ain’t Shit
Another gangster rap cover. Ben flexes his suburban whiteboy chops on this one. This is perhaps the best cover of a gangster rap song ever. It adds a certain elegance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_N3CK-6CHk


Charlie Hunter Trio (Nirvana) - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Charlie Hunter and company manage to translate the grunge classic to a crazy, cool jazz triumph.

The Postal Service (Phil Collins) - Against All Odds
Who would have guessed that Against All Odds would make a good emo/dance cover? Postal Service does Justice for the film Wicker Park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kehHqPfRhPo


The Scala Choir (The Divinyls) - I Touch Myself
There is something not quite right about a choir of 40+ German girls singing this song.

Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails) - Hurt
Did Johnny Cash know death was coming? He manages to take the NIN classic and make it even creepier than Trent Reznor could.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go


Me First And the Gimme Gimmies (Boys II Men) - End of the Road
These guys bend about every genre they can from show tunes to classic rock. Here they give Boys II Men the MFATGG makeover.

Hard N’ Phirm (Radiohead)
Pulling of f a Radiohead cover is difficult by itself.  Translating it to honest to God bluegrass is even tougher. But apparently it can be done!


[Subscribe to this feed]


Posted on May 13, 2008
keep looking »