Since 1995 Ben Folds has been best known for quirky piano-based pop rock first and foremost. His work with Ben Folds Five (really only a trio) highlighted that goofy, tongue in cheek nature, and his solo material took it to a new level. On his new record Way to Normal, Folds starts to take off the oddball mask and reveals a true human being underneath, without sacrificing the quirkiness that's been his mark of trade for so long.
Way to Normal leads off as strange as ever with "Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)", which has about as much homage to Elton John as you'd expect with that title. From what I've gathered the track is semi-autobiographical based on Folds recent journey to Japan (someone can gladly prove me wrong there). The album stays on that left-of-center note through "Dr. Yang" and "The Frown Song", which is fine because that's Folds bread and butter, but Folds is most definitely at his best when he lets his guard down for a little bit and let's some of his humanity and artistry show. Lead single "You Don't Know Me", a duet with Regina Spektor, is the first step toward that transition, a trip that's well on its way as Folds laments his way through "Cologne", and as Folds ends the album with the reminiscent "Kylie From Connecticut". Those two moments are the most emotionally naked Folds gets on the album, but the upbeat, enjoyable music in between finds a comfortable balance between feelings and slapstick, between the road-rage driven "Errant Dog", "Free Coffee", and "Bitch Went Nuts". For God's sake listen to the transition between the latter two tracks; its easily the most enjoyable, laugh-out-loud section of Way to Normal.
On Way to Normal, Folds illustrates that he's on...well, he's on his way to being a normal guy. While most solo musicians claim to have that everyman appearance, Ben Folds can actually back it up in his music. This is the closest thing to an honest record I've heard from a solo artist in some time.
Final Score - 8.5/10
Ben Folds - Kylie from Connecticut [iTunes]
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Stuff That Fell Through The Cracks
In a strange way, I feel like the fact that my last post got enough attention to get taken down is worthy of being noted. So click here to see the email Blogger sent me to inform me thus.
So in spite of my best efforts, there are still bits and pieces from the music world that end up slipping under my radar and don't get the coverage they deserve here. So I'm devoting this post to giving those stories at least some of what they're due.
=Guns N Roses may yet get to fill out a tax form this year, and the American people may yet get a free Dr. Pepper. Sources close to the band confirm that retail outlet Best Buy has scored exclusivity rights to the release of Chinese Democracy, which may well be out around Thanksgiving (Rolling Stone says mark November 25th on your calendars) if sources are to be believed. It's already been confirmed that a song called "Shackler's Revenge" is on Rock Band 2 and that another song entitled "If The World" will be featured in the new Leonardo DiCaprio/Russell Crowe film Body of Lies. Word on whether or not either song will see a wider, digital release in the near future remains to be seen.
Damn, and here I thought Kevin Cogill had the exclusive rights to Chinese Democracy's release.
=Fall Out Boy are taking umbrage with the release of the video for "I Don't Care", claiming that the label tampered with the vid my adding meaningless product placement. Pete Wentz wrote a rant about it on his blog only to have it get removed by the record label, and having seen the clip in question, I can't say the band's claim is baseless. The editing of the cellphone shot is kinda shady and gratuitous, but since its only there for at best 3 seconds, not sure its worth the complaints. The video itself is fantastic though. Props for the cameos by Mark Hoppus and the fake Sarah Palin.
(The cellphone clip in question is at about 1:34 in this video, which I'm surprised I found given that last I heard it was getting pulled down left and right)
=Metallica is in an interesting jam regarding their new album Death Magnetic. There's been a bunch of complaints about the mastering of the CD, which apparently doesn't lend itself well to being played at loud volumes. Metallica is defending the mastering, saying it sounds exactly how they want it to sound. Likewise, someone went and remastered the album using the version released for Guitar Hero III. Props to Matt at Addicted to Vinyl for getting a copy out there. Since I'm still listening to my leaked copy I can't speak to the sound quality being bad, but anyone who knows for sure is welcome to offer their thoughts.
=Nickelback is offering their newest single "Gotta Be Somebody" for free on their website until 6AM EDT on September 30 (so for the next 6 hours from the time I'm typing this). Idolator hit it on the head when they called this track a prom song, but it's pretty good nonetheless. I can imagine this song scoring a scene somewhere near the end of this season of Smallville, what with the grandiose lyrics and Killers-esque synthesizers in the beginning of the track. Based on this and the fact that apparently Dark Horse might have a "Parental Advisory" tag on it, Nickelback may well be letting their balls drop a bit for this record, sales and spins be damned. This album might be worth the cash after all.
That's all I've got for now. The pulled post from earlier spooked me a bit, so no mp3s with this one. I'll make up for it tomorrow with a shitload of reviews and other goodies.
==TJ==
So in spite of my best efforts, there are still bits and pieces from the music world that end up slipping under my radar and don't get the coverage they deserve here. So I'm devoting this post to giving those stories at least some of what they're due.
=Guns N Roses may yet get to fill out a tax form this year, and the American people may yet get a free Dr. Pepper. Sources close to the band confirm that retail outlet Best Buy has scored exclusivity rights to the release of Chinese Democracy, which may well be out around Thanksgiving (Rolling Stone says mark November 25th on your calendars) if sources are to be believed. It's already been confirmed that a song called "Shackler's Revenge" is on Rock Band 2 and that another song entitled "If The World" will be featured in the new Leonardo DiCaprio/Russell Crowe film Body of Lies. Word on whether or not either song will see a wider, digital release in the near future remains to be seen.
Damn, and here I thought Kevin Cogill had the exclusive rights to Chinese Democracy's release.
=Fall Out Boy are taking umbrage with the release of the video for "I Don't Care", claiming that the label tampered with the vid my adding meaningless product placement. Pete Wentz wrote a rant about it on his blog only to have it get removed by the record label, and having seen the clip in question, I can't say the band's claim is baseless. The editing of the cellphone shot is kinda shady and gratuitous, but since its only there for at best 3 seconds, not sure its worth the complaints. The video itself is fantastic though. Props for the cameos by Mark Hoppus and the fake Sarah Palin.
(The cellphone clip in question is at about 1:34 in this video, which I'm surprised I found given that last I heard it was getting pulled down left and right)
=Metallica is in an interesting jam regarding their new album Death Magnetic. There's been a bunch of complaints about the mastering of the CD, which apparently doesn't lend itself well to being played at loud volumes. Metallica is defending the mastering, saying it sounds exactly how they want it to sound. Likewise, someone went and remastered the album using the version released for Guitar Hero III. Props to Matt at Addicted to Vinyl for getting a copy out there. Since I'm still listening to my leaked copy I can't speak to the sound quality being bad, but anyone who knows for sure is welcome to offer their thoughts.
=Nickelback is offering their newest single "Gotta Be Somebody" for free on their website until 6AM EDT on September 30 (so for the next 6 hours from the time I'm typing this). Idolator hit it on the head when they called this track a prom song, but it's pretty good nonetheless. I can imagine this song scoring a scene somewhere near the end of this season of Smallville, what with the grandiose lyrics and Killers-esque synthesizers in the beginning of the track. Based on this and the fact that apparently Dark Horse might have a "Parental Advisory" tag on it, Nickelback may well be letting their balls drop a bit for this record, sales and spins be damned. This album might be worth the cash after all.
That's all I've got for now. The pulled post from earlier spooked me a bit, so no mp3s with this one. I'll make up for it tomorrow with a shitload of reviews and other goodies.
==TJ==
Monday, September 29, 2008
New Music: David Cook, The Killers, Snow Patrol, Britney Spears...
EDIT: All mp3 links on this entry have been removed after I got a message from Blogger announcing they had pulled the post for DMCA violation. At least they told me this time.
That's right...I added Britney Spears to the end of that list. And yes, I willingly listened to and paid attention to it nonetheless.
The Batshit Crazy One announced a new album, entitled Circus would be released by years end (date is sometime in December), and the lead single "Womanizer" made its radio debut earlier this week and quickly spread all over the interwebs. I think the best thing about "Womanizer" is the fact that for the first time in awhile you can hear a sense of enjoyment. Britney actually wanted to record this album. "Womanizer" sounds a lot like something that might've been on last year's Blackout, but again, with a bit more sincerity and commitment. While I wasn't enamored of Blackout, it's astonishing what happens when someone like Spears stops half-assing it and actually records something kinda fun. Listen for yourselves to the REAL version before a million remixes clog up the Hype Machine.
Britney Spears - Womanizer
(No, nobody forced me to type this)
The Killers, having wholeheartedly gotten their Springsteen on with 2006's Sam's Town, are coming back this November with Day and Age, produced by Stuart Price, alias Jacques Lu Cont, the guy who churns out surprisingly decent remixes of Killers tracks (google his version of "Mr. Brightside"). The song opens with the sort of 80s electronic feel that made Hot Fuss so loved, and that spacey, electronic sound is rampant for the whole track (perhaps a sign of what might be on the album?), but the lyrics, arguably what made Sam's Town at the very least a decent album, are right on that same vein. Having heard the track about a dozen times in the last week, I'd have to say "Human" ranks up alongside "Mr. Brightside" and "All These Things That I've Done" on the list of the best Killers songs. Day and Age is slated for release November 25th. "Human" is all over the interwebs now, and will see its official iTunes release this Tuesday.
The Killers - Human
I've already proclaimed my love for the new Snow Patrol single, but since Blogger pulled the post last time, "Take Back The City" is a great, driving rock song from Snow Patrol. The band said A Hundred Million Suns (out stateside on October 28th) will sound different from previous Snow Patrol albums, but "Take Back The City" sounds like pretty standard fare, and I still love it. So should you.
Snow Patrol - Take Back The City
Our worst fears my have been realized. David Cook's first single from his post-Idol debut album, "Light On" debuted on AOL last week and drops to iTunes this Tuesday. The track was written by Chris Cornell and a guy with ties to Hinder. Not worried too much yet, but the Hinder thing is a problem. Then I saw a picture they're using as publicity:
Bit problematic right? What happened to the guy who looked like he could do rock and roll? Truth is, I don't know. Because "Light On" is a serviceable track, but it lacks all the balls that Cook's Idol-performance material had. It sounds like average adult contemporary radio rock. Sure that means it'll sell millions of records, because its pretty safe and has Cook's name recognition on it, but guys like me who bought into the dude because he had some rock mentality are left a little cold. David Cook, you're now on notice; I'll still support you and hear the album, but please let this be a label ploy and let there be some real rock on the record. When I wrote this piece, I didn't want to be right.
David Cook - Light On
So I was wandering around some of the seedier parts of the interwebs looking for some music, when something came across my screen claiming to be the new Oasis album. I dove on it, because it seemed like the right move, but until then I hadn't heard about a leak. I haven't heard the tracks yet (I have however confirmed I didn't get virused), but I'm wondering if any reader has heard or seen the same. I don't think Liam Gallagher is smart enough to pull a Death Cab or Ben Folds*, but you never know.
*Death Cab for Cutie and Ben Folds both leaked fake copies of their newest albums as a trick for fans.
Speaking of Ben Folds, heard his new album (the legit version) this weekend; expect a review tomorrow or Tuesday, as well as a review for Jack's Mannequin's new record.
==TJ==
That's right...I added Britney Spears to the end of that list. And yes, I willingly listened to and paid attention to it nonetheless.
The Batshit Crazy One announced a new album, entitled Circus would be released by years end (date is sometime in December), and the lead single "Womanizer" made its radio debut earlier this week and quickly spread all over the interwebs. I think the best thing about "Womanizer" is the fact that for the first time in awhile you can hear a sense of enjoyment. Britney actually wanted to record this album. "Womanizer" sounds a lot like something that might've been on last year's Blackout, but again, with a bit more sincerity and commitment. While I wasn't enamored of Blackout, it's astonishing what happens when someone like Spears stops half-assing it and actually records something kinda fun. Listen for yourselves to the REAL version before a million remixes clog up the Hype Machine.
Britney Spears - Womanizer
(No, nobody forced me to type this)
The Killers, having wholeheartedly gotten their Springsteen on with 2006's Sam's Town, are coming back this November with Day and Age, produced by Stuart Price, alias Jacques Lu Cont, the guy who churns out surprisingly decent remixes of Killers tracks (google his version of "Mr. Brightside"). The song opens with the sort of 80s electronic feel that made Hot Fuss so loved, and that spacey, electronic sound is rampant for the whole track (perhaps a sign of what might be on the album?), but the lyrics, arguably what made Sam's Town at the very least a decent album, are right on that same vein. Having heard the track about a dozen times in the last week, I'd have to say "Human" ranks up alongside "Mr. Brightside" and "All These Things That I've Done" on the list of the best Killers songs. Day and Age is slated for release November 25th. "Human" is all over the interwebs now, and will see its official iTunes release this Tuesday.
The Killers - Human
I've already proclaimed my love for the new Snow Patrol single, but since Blogger pulled the post last time, "Take Back The City" is a great, driving rock song from Snow Patrol. The band said A Hundred Million Suns (out stateside on October 28th) will sound different from previous Snow Patrol albums, but "Take Back The City" sounds like pretty standard fare, and I still love it. So should you.
Snow Patrol - Take Back The City
Our worst fears my have been realized. David Cook's first single from his post-Idol debut album, "Light On" debuted on AOL last week and drops to iTunes this Tuesday. The track was written by Chris Cornell and a guy with ties to Hinder. Not worried too much yet, but the Hinder thing is a problem. Then I saw a picture they're using as publicity:
Bit problematic right? What happened to the guy who looked like he could do rock and roll? Truth is, I don't know. Because "Light On" is a serviceable track, but it lacks all the balls that Cook's Idol-performance material had. It sounds like average adult contemporary radio rock. Sure that means it'll sell millions of records, because its pretty safe and has Cook's name recognition on it, but guys like me who bought into the dude because he had some rock mentality are left a little cold. David Cook, you're now on notice; I'll still support you and hear the album, but please let this be a label ploy and let there be some real rock on the record. When I wrote this piece, I didn't want to be right.David Cook - Light On
So I was wandering around some of the seedier parts of the interwebs looking for some music, when something came across my screen claiming to be the new Oasis album. I dove on it, because it seemed like the right move, but until then I hadn't heard about a leak. I haven't heard the tracks yet (I have however confirmed I didn't get virused), but I'm wondering if any reader has heard or seen the same. I don't think Liam Gallagher is smart enough to pull a Death Cab or Ben Folds*, but you never know.
*Death Cab for Cutie and Ben Folds both leaked fake copies of their newest albums as a trick for fans.
Speaking of Ben Folds, heard his new album (the legit version) this weekend; expect a review tomorrow or Tuesday, as well as a review for Jack's Mannequin's new record.
==TJ==
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Musical Ramblings, Volume 1
In a brilliantly wasteful usage of Arcadia's resources, I'm typing this article as I am at work in our library. Great success. Very rarely do you, my loyal readers, get a glimpse into my normal, non-blogging life, but at the moment, I feel I have a good sense for how music and my real life intertwine, so let this be a form of musical ramblings that give you a look into that life.
I'm writing a paper on the movie The Departed for my Intro to Film class. If you haven't seen it, drop whatever you're doing and go rent it right now. It's epically amazing. It also gives me a perfect reason to post this song.
Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up To Boston [iTunes]
I also find myself speaking in a moderately decent South Boston accent shortly after watching that movie, which is entertaining to everyone except my buddy Peter, who actually is from Boston, so he just kinda groans.
Meanwhile, my roommate RJ got hold of my copy of the first two seasons of Smallville (before it got ridiculous). This is fine because Smallville is a fantastic show and making fun of the "Meteor Freak of the Week" is a great pastime, but I hear the same 30 second clip of this song 5 times a day, including RJ's god-awful rendition of it. When you get to the chorus of the track (if you don't already know what I'm talking about), you'll understand why its headache inducing after the third time.
Remy Zero - Save Me (Theme From Smallville) [iTunes]
Speaking of annoying songs, let me make perfectly clear how much I hated Weezer's most recent record. It was just atrocious. Whether Rivers Cuomo was trying to be serious or not is irrelevant; the music was flat out terrible. But alas, "Troublemaker" came on the radio a few weeks back and got infected in all our brains, and thanks to RJs love for making mischief, it sort of became the de facto theme song for my apartment. And in a twisted sort of way, I'm OK with this.
Weezer - Troublemaker [iTunes]
Roommate #2 goes by the name of Helen and as a general rule I hear this song about 6 times a day coming from her room. Number of times I've complained = 0
Metro Station - Shake It [iTunes]
Lastly we've got Gary, the true theatre kid in among us. Dude's musical taste begins and ends with musical theatre. This is far less irritating than most of my readers would think. Dude's also playing the Meat Loaf character in Arcadia's Rocky Horror Show this October.
If I had any musical theatre in my savefile archive, it'd be here. Sorry Gary!
Oh, and the Mets lost today, squeezing themselves out of the playoffs again. Right now there's a 19 year old college student wondering if the Mets will ever win a World Series in his lifetime. The true satisfaction in this rests in the fact that a 7-year-old Yankees fan wonders the same thing about his beloved team.
Daniel Powter - Bad Day [iTunes]
That's it for now. Another post coming right behind this one.
I'm writing a paper on the movie The Departed for my Intro to Film class. If you haven't seen it, drop whatever you're doing and go rent it right now. It's epically amazing. It also gives me a perfect reason to post this song.
Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up To Boston [iTunes]
I also find myself speaking in a moderately decent South Boston accent shortly after watching that movie, which is entertaining to everyone except my buddy Peter, who actually is from Boston, so he just kinda groans.
Meanwhile, my roommate RJ got hold of my copy of the first two seasons of Smallville (before it got ridiculous). This is fine because Smallville is a fantastic show and making fun of the "Meteor Freak of the Week" is a great pastime, but I hear the same 30 second clip of this song 5 times a day, including RJ's god-awful rendition of it. When you get to the chorus of the track (if you don't already know what I'm talking about), you'll understand why its headache inducing after the third time.
Remy Zero - Save Me (Theme From Smallville) [iTunes]
Speaking of annoying songs, let me make perfectly clear how much I hated Weezer's most recent record. It was just atrocious. Whether Rivers Cuomo was trying to be serious or not is irrelevant; the music was flat out terrible. But alas, "Troublemaker" came on the radio a few weeks back and got infected in all our brains, and thanks to RJs love for making mischief, it sort of became the de facto theme song for my apartment. And in a twisted sort of way, I'm OK with this.
Weezer - Troublemaker [iTunes]
Roommate #2 goes by the name of Helen and as a general rule I hear this song about 6 times a day coming from her room. Number of times I've complained = 0
Metro Station - Shake It [iTunes]
Lastly we've got Gary, the true theatre kid in among us. Dude's musical taste begins and ends with musical theatre. This is far less irritating than most of my readers would think. Dude's also playing the Meat Loaf character in Arcadia's Rocky Horror Show this October.
If I had any musical theatre in my savefile archive, it'd be here. Sorry Gary!
Oh, and the Mets lost today, squeezing themselves out of the playoffs again. Right now there's a 19 year old college student wondering if the Mets will ever win a World Series in his lifetime. The true satisfaction in this rests in the fact that a 7-year-old Yankees fan wonders the same thing about his beloved team.
Daniel Powter - Bad Day [iTunes]
That's it for now. Another post coming right behind this one.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Charts: September 27
I accidentally left my iTunes playing while I went into the city for 5 hours today, so the numbers are more interesting. A bit more like what they'll be like when I get a new set of headphones.
As you can see, Deas Vail left a very nice impression on me, as I hope they do you. And of course the new Snow Patrol track finally sold me in grand fashion, earning its top spot. Paramore continues its reign on the charts, just now in the form of a different song.
More posts coming, including more new music.
==TJ==
PS This and all the other charts I've done here are archived, so if this gets pulled down I'll re-up it ASAP.
|
As you can see, Deas Vail left a very nice impression on me, as I hope they do you. And of course the new Snow Patrol track finally sold me in grand fashion, earning its top spot. Paramore continues its reign on the charts, just now in the form of a different song.
More posts coming, including more new music.
==TJ==
PS This and all the other charts I've done here are archived, so if this gets pulled down I'll re-up it ASAP.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Under the Radar: Deas Vail
A few weeks ago one of my friends (I can't tell you for the life of me who; if you're a friend of mine and you read this and you can claim the following conversation a yours, tell me) and I were talking music and they dropped the name Deas Vail to me. I treated it about the same way I treat most of the rec's my friends give me; the band was added to the list of bands I should investigate, but no further action took place.
Until I get an email from someone from the Deas Vail's management firm, encouraging me to check out the band, and offering two MP3s to boot. With a name like Deas Vail I was expecting music somewhere in the metal genre, something in the ballpark of HIM. Let this reinforce the lesson that band name's can be deceiving. Deas Vail is much more accessible than modern metal. At first glance it's a ballsier form of punk; iTunes lists Anberlin among their nearest neighbors, and I likened them to The Spill Canvas. But neither of those really do the band justice. They're both fine comparisons, but Deas Vail also has a very intelligent air about them. The music might be vaguely punk-ish, but it has way more dynamic than most punk bands. Deas Vail has a very smart pop sensibility to their tracks. The lyrics and some of the music, most notably on "White Lights" could very easily be found on a Matt Nathanson album. Far from what I initially expected from both name recognition and an initial iTunes search.
Granted this praise is based solely on two songs, "White Lights" and "From Priests to Thieves", both on the White Lights EP. But those two tracks are sufficient fare to convince me to hear the new record when it comes out. I advise you folks do the same. Look for more news on this blog from Deas Vail.
Deas Vail - From Priests to Thieves [iTunes]
Deas Vail - White Lights [iTunes]
==TJ==
Until I get an email from someone from the Deas Vail's management firm, encouraging me to check out the band, and offering two MP3s to boot. With a name like Deas Vail I was expecting music somewhere in the metal genre, something in the ballpark of HIM. Let this reinforce the lesson that band name's can be deceiving. Deas Vail is much more accessible than modern metal. At first glance it's a ballsier form of punk; iTunes lists Anberlin among their nearest neighbors, and I likened them to The Spill Canvas. But neither of those really do the band justice. They're both fine comparisons, but Deas Vail also has a very intelligent air about them. The music might be vaguely punk-ish, but it has way more dynamic than most punk bands. Deas Vail has a very smart pop sensibility to their tracks. The lyrics and some of the music, most notably on "White Lights" could very easily be found on a Matt Nathanson album. Far from what I initially expected from both name recognition and an initial iTunes search.
Granted this praise is based solely on two songs, "White Lights" and "From Priests to Thieves", both on the White Lights EP. But those two tracks are sufficient fare to convince me to hear the new record when it comes out. I advise you folks do the same. Look for more news on this blog from Deas Vail.
Deas Vail - From Priests to Thieves [iTunes]
Deas Vail - White Lights [iTunes]
==TJ==
Time to Play Catch-Up
So this whole MOG thing is beginning to take shape. Those of you who saw the banner ad yesterday will soon see an ad that actually fits on the site and isn't cut off. Likewise you should also now see the RSS feed off in the sidebar. This is a bit of an experiment for VLM, and your feedback is certainly appreciated. Bear with the site as it gets used to the new stuff.
Meanwhile, it took less than a week for Kanye West's new track to undergo countless remixes, and it all culminates in the obligatory cover. In perhaps a year-late thank-you for the "This Ain't A Scene..." remix, Fall Out Boy's Pat Stump has placed his vocals on "Love Lockdown", and surprisingly enough its pretty damn good. It could use a little harmony to take the edge off (guess Pete Wentz was busy that day), but it's a worthy homage to a track we'll all be hearing a million times a day for the next few weeks.
Pat Stump - Love Lockdown (Kanye West Cover)
Kanye West - Love Lockdown [iTunes]
Fall Out Boy - This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race (Kanye West Remix) [iTunes]
'Ye also announced that 808s and Heartbreak was now set to drop "November something", effectively killing the already dead Kanye v. 50 part deux subplot that would have existed had the original December release date stuck.
That's it for now. Expect tons more in the next few hours, I've got a lot to catch up on.
==TJ==
Meanwhile, it took less than a week for Kanye West's new track to undergo countless remixes, and it all culminates in the obligatory cover. In perhaps a year-late thank-you for the "This Ain't A Scene..." remix, Fall Out Boy's Pat Stump has placed his vocals on "Love Lockdown", and surprisingly enough its pretty damn good. It could use a little harmony to take the edge off (guess Pete Wentz was busy that day), but it's a worthy homage to a track we'll all be hearing a million times a day for the next few weeks.
Pat Stump - Love Lockdown (Kanye West Cover)
Kanye West - Love Lockdown [iTunes]
Fall Out Boy - This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race (Kanye West Remix) [iTunes]
'Ye also announced that 808s and Heartbreak was now set to drop "November something", effectively killing the already dead Kanye v. 50 part deux subplot that would have existed had the original December release date stuck.
That's it for now. Expect tons more in the next few hours, I've got a lot to catch up on.
==TJ==
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
VLM Sells Out (Kidding)
So potentially big news:
Viva La Mainstream was invited and accepted to be a part of the MOG music network. I had heard of MOG before but never looked that deep into it; from what I gathered its some cross breed between last.fm and Hype Machine, but that doesn't quite do it justice. But anyway, VLM is a member of MOG now. I'm also trying out their MOG Music Network, which will in theory bring more traffic to my site. It also means the site is ad-supported for awhile, but frankly, I'm not worried too much about it.
So basically look for some changes to come to the site in the coming weeks and months. VLM might look different, but it's still just me typing the posts, its just that now there's more going on behind the scenes.
I'm as new to this as you all are, so let's see where this goes. Thanks for sticking around this long.
==TJ==
Viva La Mainstream was invited and accepted to be a part of the MOG music network. I had heard of MOG before but never looked that deep into it; from what I gathered its some cross breed between last.fm and Hype Machine, but that doesn't quite do it justice. But anyway, VLM is a member of MOG now. I'm also trying out their MOG Music Network, which will in theory bring more traffic to my site. It also means the site is ad-supported for awhile, but frankly, I'm not worried too much about it.
So basically look for some changes to come to the site in the coming weeks and months. VLM might look different, but it's still just me typing the posts, its just that now there's more going on behind the scenes.
I'm as new to this as you all are, so let's see where this goes. Thanks for sticking around this long.
==TJ==
On The Broadcast: New Killers, et al, Deas Vail, and some Newbies
Yes, I'm aware that several of my posts have gone missing. I contacted Blogger's tech support about it, but since Blogger's idea of tech support seems series of forums that are largely dominated by the blind leading the blind, I dunno how much success I'll have. It's also possible that the entries were pulled on ToS violations (this is an MP3 blog after all), but it'd still be nice to be notified that such was happening. The only piece I really mind missing is the Metallica review, but I'll live. All the mp3s are still in existence on a different server and I'll link to that another time.
Anyway, today at 3PM (that's on the East Coast, adjust for your area accordingly) VLM is back on the radio at radio.arcadia.edu. Today's broadcast will have: New music from The Killers, Snow Patrol, Kanye, and Alicia Keys, as well as your normal healthy dose of Foo, Paramore and other goodies. Also expect some new Under the Radar bands, especially a band called Deas Vail. I'll do a full piece on them later this week, but they're impressive. I also did another strafing run on Ariel Publicity's site, so you'll hear some music from bands they endorse. All that and God knows what else, this afternoon at radio.arcadia.edu
And now for something completely different
Daughtry - Feels Like The First Time [iTunes]
(Yes, a cover of the Foreigner song)
==TJ==
Anyway, today at 3PM (that's on the East Coast, adjust for your area accordingly) VLM is back on the radio at radio.arcadia.edu. Today's broadcast will have: New music from The Killers, Snow Patrol, Kanye, and Alicia Keys, as well as your normal healthy dose of Foo, Paramore and other goodies. Also expect some new Under the Radar bands, especially a band called Deas Vail. I'll do a full piece on them later this week, but they're impressive. I also did another strafing run on Ariel Publicity's site, so you'll hear some music from bands they endorse. All that and God knows what else, this afternoon at radio.arcadia.edu
And now for something completely different
Daughtry - Feels Like The First Time [iTunes]
(Yes, a cover of the Foreigner song)
==TJ==
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Blink 182 Drummer Critical After Plane Crash
Charts coming in an hour or so...this story taking priority right now.
Travis Barker, the drummer for Blink 182 and its offshoot band +44 was in a plane crash late Friday night and is apparently listed in critical condition with severe burns. Barker and DJ AM had just wrapped up a show at the University of South Carolina when their plane went off the runway in a takeoff attempt. The plane's pilot, co-pilot and two of Barker's associates were all killed in the crash. Little other information is available about Barker or DJ AM (real name Adam Goldstein)'s condition, but if something else comes out I'll post it here.
Keep the Barker and Goldstein families in your thoughts.
4 killed, 2 hurt as rock star's jet crashes [MSNBC]
Blink 182 - All The Small Things [iTunes]
Travis Barker, the drummer for Blink 182 and its offshoot band +44 was in a plane crash late Friday night and is apparently listed in critical condition with severe burns. Barker and DJ AM had just wrapped up a show at the University of South Carolina when their plane went off the runway in a takeoff attempt. The plane's pilot, co-pilot and two of Barker's associates were all killed in the crash. Little other information is available about Barker or DJ AM (real name Adam Goldstein)'s condition, but if something else comes out I'll post it here.
Keep the Barker and Goldstein families in your thoughts.
4 killed, 2 hurt as rock star's jet crashes [MSNBC]
Blink 182 - All The Small Things [iTunes]
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
All We Hear Is Radio Ga Ga
Just a quick announcement that from 4 till 5:30ish today the Viva La Mainstream radio broadcast will see its triumphant return. Go to radio.arcadia.edu and hit listen now to listen, and IM your requests to thearcrequests. Be advised I'm playing music from my iPod so not all requests will be available. Check it out!
==TJ==
PS after today the show will air from 3-5PM...scheduling snafu meant a different time for today.
==TJ==
PS after today the show will air from 3-5PM...scheduling snafu meant a different time for today.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Charts: Week of September 7
So apparently the charts from August 30 were somehow deleted from the blog. This made ensuring my numbers were accurate very difficult. Oh well.
The constant rotation playlist on my computer/iPod went through a rather large shift in style and tone in the middle of the week, which will explain why there's such a strange combonation of music this week. Either way, here's the most played music from this week.
And voila. I have no idea what next week's chart will look like, but expect a few of these (namely "Best Of You" and "Knights of Cydonia") to stick around for a bit. And given the unexpected staying power of Paramore, you'll probably see them next week too. Till then, enjoy.
==TJ==
The constant rotation playlist on my computer/iPod went through a rather large shift in style and tone in the middle of the week, which will explain why there's such a strange combonation of music this week. Either way, here's the most played music from this week.
|
And voila. I have no idea what next week's chart will look like, but expect a few of these (namely "Best Of You" and "Knights of Cydonia") to stick around for a bit. And given the unexpected staying power of Paramore, you'll probably see them next week too. Till then, enjoy.
==TJ==
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
iTunes 8 looks nice, is a touch shy of brilliant
Yesterday Steve Jobs continued his quest to take over the music world by releasing iTunes 8. The new version is at its core the same, but two new features have me geeking out a bit.
First is the new grid view, where you can look at your music library as a grid with album covers, similar to the CoverFlow that came out in iTunes 7, but on a bit larger scale. There's little real advantage in this, other than the fact that it looks mighty cool and you can scroll through your artists much easier than you could before, and once you've gone past the initial grid view, it breaks down your songs by album. iTunes is nothing if not tidy.
The far more geeky new feature on iTunes 8 is its Genius software. iTunes Genius will take a song in your library and, based on what else is in your library and what other iTunes users (at least those who have also enabled the Genius), will form a playlist centered around that track. It then offers recommendations of songs you could purchase that would fit into this playlist (mostly just popular tracks from the artists already in the playlist). For example, putting "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters into the Genius yields a pretty straightforward playlist of 90s alternative (Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Fuel, etc.). Likewise, using "Poprocks and Coke" by Green Day begats a list of blink-182, Sum 41, The Offspring, and all manner of other punk acts. It's a pretty cool feature and handy for someone with musical ADD like myself, but its not without limitations. It can only use stuff that appears in the iTunes Store (so no Beatles will ever show up in the Genius list), and its a bit predictable in its choices, so playlists can get bland. Obviously this works best when a) you have lots of music in your library, and b) lots of people enable the Genius. Given the amount of restraint I've heard when people talk about this function (apparently people are reluctant to tell Apple what they're listening to), it may not be everything Apple hoped it would be. But if you're too lazy to come up with your own playlists, by all means let Apple try to do it for you.
Foo Fighters - Everlong [iTunes]
Green Day - Poprocks and Coke [iTunes]
==TJ==
First is the new grid view, where you can look at your music library as a grid with album covers, similar to the CoverFlow that came out in iTunes 7, but on a bit larger scale. There's little real advantage in this, other than the fact that it looks mighty cool and you can scroll through your artists much easier than you could before, and once you've gone past the initial grid view, it breaks down your songs by album. iTunes is nothing if not tidy.
The far more geeky new feature on iTunes 8 is its Genius software. iTunes Genius will take a song in your library and, based on what else is in your library and what other iTunes users (at least those who have also enabled the Genius), will form a playlist centered around that track. It then offers recommendations of songs you could purchase that would fit into this playlist (mostly just popular tracks from the artists already in the playlist). For example, putting "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters into the Genius yields a pretty straightforward playlist of 90s alternative (Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Fuel, etc.). Likewise, using "Poprocks and Coke" by Green Day begats a list of blink-182, Sum 41, The Offspring, and all manner of other punk acts. It's a pretty cool feature and handy for someone with musical ADD like myself, but its not without limitations. It can only use stuff that appears in the iTunes Store (so no Beatles will ever show up in the Genius list), and its a bit predictable in its choices, so playlists can get bland. Obviously this works best when a) you have lots of music in your library, and b) lots of people enable the Genius. Given the amount of restraint I've heard when people talk about this function (apparently people are reluctant to tell Apple what they're listening to), it may not be everything Apple hoped it would be. But if you're too lazy to come up with your own playlists, by all means let Apple try to do it for you.
Foo Fighters - Everlong [iTunes]
Green Day - Poprocks and Coke [iTunes]
==TJ==
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
In Which VLM is Obnoxiously Self-Referential
My web traffic stats tell me that a picture of Hayley Williams I posted way back in November is perpetually the biggest way in which people come across this site. It makes about as much sense to me as it does to you (apparently some google search term keeps drawing up the image). So it seems like a good idea to repost the image. So I will.
Paramore - Born for This [iTunes]
==TJ==
EDIT: Found out why its so popular. A google image search for Paramore would present this as the fourth most relevant image. Brilliant!
Paramore - Born for This [iTunes]
==TJ==
EDIT: Found out why its so popular. A google image search for Paramore would present this as the fourth most relevant image. Brilliant!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
A Day Late And A Dollar(Ish) Short
Because I'm lazy and posting a full chart takes more work than its gonna be worth now that it's 24 hours late, I'm just gonna widget the top 5 and talk about a couple tracks.
So yeah, the top track is from the CitizensFOB Mixtape I keep promising to talk about. It's pretty fantastic
Cobra Starship - I Kissed A Boy
And the other really noteworthy part is the new track from The Crash Motive, who finally released their EP Just Cause It Never Happened Don't Mean It Won't earlier this week, and its gone into constant rotation already.
The Crash Motive - Between Us, You & I [iTunes]
And NO, I will not apologize or feel ashamed for having "Unwritten" in the number 2 spot. Just not gonna happen.
Promise to be back on track next week, when there are no drunk people in my apartment.
==TJ==
So yeah, the top track is from the CitizensFOB Mixtape I keep promising to talk about. It's pretty fantastic
Cobra Starship - I Kissed A Boy
And the other really noteworthy part is the new track from The Crash Motive, who finally released their EP Just Cause It Never Happened Don't Mean It Won't earlier this week, and its gone into constant rotation already.
The Crash Motive - Between Us, You & I [iTunes]
And NO, I will not apologize or feel ashamed for having "Unwritten" in the number 2 spot. Just not gonna happen.
Promise to be back on track next week, when there are no drunk people in my apartment.
==TJ==
Saturday, September 6, 2008
A night of being a college student + going out to lunch = this week's chart is gonna be a bit delayed. Look for it tonight.
(Note: this won't affect future charts. It just means that the numbers for next week will only reflect from whenever this week's chart goes up till next Saturday at noon [the usual post time].
(Note: this won't affect future charts. It just means that the numbers for next week will only reflect from whenever this week's chart goes up till next Saturday at noon [the usual post time].
Friday, September 5, 2008
Nickelback Had Their Fingers Crossed!
Chad Kroeger doesn't seem to be good at keeping promises. Late last year Nickelback assured the masses that it would be some time before we heard from the band again. In my exploration of Billboard's news site as I sit bored in the library, I came across the following.
GAH!!! Who allowed this to happen? Look, I admit to being a casual Nickelback fan, but I'm still hearing all bajillion singles from All The Right Reasons on the radio far too often. When I heard Nickelback was going away for a bit, I thought I'd be out of college before I heard a new song. I kinda wanted that to be how it was. An 18-month hiatus is nothing, especially since I bet you used that time to write and record this new album.
I was having a good night before I heard this news.
==TJ==
New Nickelback Album Due In November
Nickelback's next studio album will arrive Nov. 18 via Roadrunner, just in time for the holiday retail season. First single "If Today Was Your Last Day" will hit U.S. radio outlets Sept. 30.
I was having a good night before I heard this news.
==TJ==
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Gonna Party Like It's Your Birthday...
Just in case you don't have frequent and/or have a LiveJournal, today is Andrew McMahon's birthday. The brains behind Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin turns 26 today. Happy birthday Andrew (not that I think your reading this, but ya never know).
In celebration, i present two songs. One excellent JM track, and the only musical piece of evidence I'll accept from those that argue that Something Corporate is better than Jack's Mannequin.
Jack's Mannequin - Bruised [iTunes]
Something Corporate - Konstantine
==TJ==
In celebration, i present two songs. One excellent JM track, and the only musical piece of evidence I'll accept from those that argue that Something Corporate is better than Jack's Mannequin.
Jack's Mannequin - Bruised [iTunes]
Something Corporate - Konstantine
==TJ==
Monday, September 1, 2008
Linktacular New Post!
Here in America (I don't know if I have any international readers, hence the clarfication), today is Labor Day, the day when we all celebrate how hard we Americans work by...taking a day off. Hmm. Anywho, some random stuff to catch you all up on since I went away.
Matt at Addicted to Vinyl posted two fantastic complete live shows; a Matchbox 20 set from Australia circa 1998 (After Yourself Or Someone Like You, but just before Mad Season), and the famous Nine Inch Nails Woodstock '94 show. Both are available in their entirety at the links provided. Enjoy!
Friends or Enemies posted a mixtape featuring new stuff from Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, et al. Haven't listened to it yet (headphones are busted so listening time has been shelved lately), but its free if you click here. Click the little lever thingy then fill out some info and you'll get your download ticket. PS: Fall Out Boy releasing a new album already? That was quick.
And since I've posted so many others cool stuff, I suppose I should give you good folks something to read (assuming you're still reading and didn't click away yet). This live show has gotten posted before, I'm certain, but it's a great show and worthy of being recycled here. Sometimes called "The Show That Broke Up Audioslave", Chris Cornell did an unplugged show in Sweden shortly after Revelations was released. Here is that show. For all the people who hate the new solo Cornell stuff, use this as a means to look back fondly upon the man.
Chris Cornell Unplugged in Sweden
Doesn't Remind Me
Like A Stone
Wide Awake
Fell On Black Days
Be Yourself
Billie Jean
Original Fire
Redemption Song [Bob Marley Cover]
Peace, Love and Understanding [Elvis Costello Cover]
All Night Thing
Black Hole Sun
Call Me A Dog
Thank You [Led Zeppelin Cover]
Complete zipped download
Have at it. Back later.
==TJ==
Matt at Addicted to Vinyl posted two fantastic complete live shows; a Matchbox 20 set from Australia circa 1998 (After Yourself Or Someone Like You, but just before Mad Season), and the famous Nine Inch Nails Woodstock '94 show. Both are available in their entirety at the links provided. Enjoy!
Friends or Enemies posted a mixtape featuring new stuff from Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, et al. Haven't listened to it yet (headphones are busted so listening time has been shelved lately), but its free if you click here. Click the little lever thingy then fill out some info and you'll get your download ticket. PS: Fall Out Boy releasing a new album already? That was quick.
And since I've posted so many others cool stuff, I suppose I should give you good folks something to read (assuming you're still reading and didn't click away yet). This live show has gotten posted before, I'm certain, but it's a great show and worthy of being recycled here. Sometimes called "The Show That Broke Up Audioslave", Chris Cornell did an unplugged show in Sweden shortly after Revelations was released. Here is that show. For all the people who hate the new solo Cornell stuff, use this as a means to look back fondly upon the man.
Chris Cornell Unplugged in Sweden
Doesn't Remind Me
Like A Stone
Wide Awake
Fell On Black Days
Be Yourself
Billie Jean
Original Fire
Redemption Song [Bob Marley Cover]
Peace, Love and Understanding [Elvis Costello Cover]
All Night Thing
Black Hole Sun
Call Me A Dog
Thank You [Led Zeppelin Cover]
Complete zipped download
Have at it. Back later.
==TJ==
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