So I happened to read this article today on Yahoo, and apparently Radiohead is a U2 ripoff. Go figure.
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/getback/338/u2-and-the-bands-who-pretend-to-be-them
26 July 2008
04 June 2008
Candidly Brendan Canning
You can now download Broken Social Scene Presents Brendan Canning! Canning doesn't seem to pumped about it, but you can snap it up from the Arts & Crafts site. Here's what Canning posted to his Facebook today:
It has come to my attention that an unmastered version of my album has been leaked through the internet. With the retail release being six weeks away, I've decided to correct the situation by releasing the album digitally myself, because I can. So this is for all you early birds who just couldn't wait for July 22nd. But you know, it won't be like going to your favourite record shop and getting a copy in your hot little hands, or sitting in your basement downloading it to your iTouch phone while playing Grand Theft Auto, it merely corrects the situation that is...a messed up version of my record floating around on the internet, and this is not how I wanted my record to drop. Believe me, this is not a minor situation. We're talking recall here folks...With all of this in mind, please note: 'Something for all of us...' will be available at all fine retail and digital outlets in North America July 22nd with some additonal artwork inside and slightly later for the rest of the world.
Thank you all, please enjoy.
BC
03 June 2008
Return to Forever @ The Paramount 6/3/2008
How do you being to grade or rate a band that is composed of masterful musicians? Any sort of criteria relating to musicianship seems irrelevant essentially, because you can't help but rate them well. Indeed, Return to Forever is one such band that is filled with those who are renowned for their mastery of their instruments, and as expected, they exemplify that mastery live.
Unfortunately, that mastery was far from appreciated during the performance. While most of the audience seemed to recognize that they were watching extremely skilled musicians perform their craft, very few audience members seemed to truly appreciate it. The difference ties to what the audience was composed of, that is, middle class, middle-aged pseudo-pretentious music fans. They knew enough to recognize the skill, but not enough to really appreciate it. Which was depressing because they clapped and screamed throughout the solos and songs, obscuring the subtleties and even annoying the performers quite a bit. This was a crowd of Rock fans at a Jazz concert, and they were sorely out of place. It certainly didn't help that so many were inebriated, but I feel these people wouldn't know class if it looked them in the eye.
Beyond the crowd though, the show was amazing. The first set was the more Fusion-oriented set, but still with the Jazz-improv that meshes the Jazz and Rock worlds in these types of bands. Technical issues plagued Chick early on, but by the start of the second song he seemed to have worked things out for the most part...although his acoustic piano was muted when he first started playing it. The first set, while great, was overshadowed by the second set, which was primarily acoustic.
The second set began with Al Di Meola's solo and it was a very nice acoustic piece leading into the opening song of the set. Chick opened the second song with the best solo of the night, without a doubt. The masterful experimentation ranging from using mallets and even his fingers to stroke the piano strings, to lovely Jazz compositions with very loose structure. It was both beautiful and almost incomprehensible, the latter likely lending to the strength of the former. Stanley's solo was the most flashy solo of the night and certainly energized the crowd. The solo was possibly the most creative of the night. While Chick's blew Stanley's away in terms of musicality, the things Stanley did with his upright were things i have never seen done before. Very interesting and unique and memorable. Lenny's solo was in the midst of the last song and was my least favorite of the night sadly, despite my drummer nature. While not bad by any means, compared to the avant-garde style employed by Chick and Stanley, Lenny's solo seemed far too accessible and simplistic for a man of his talents. There was not anything very interesting going on in it either, mostly rudiments and weirdly timed fills and, while difficult, the solo did not wow as much as his peers' did.
The encore began with Chick on the keytar involving the audience in singing along to his melodies while the rest of the band looked on. Gradually the band built into the start of something before bringing the audience back in again. After that they began the encore song. The song itself was sort of a let down after all of those solos. It felt empty as it was played without as much improv as previous pieces and was much more straightforward. While a fan favorite, they could have done more with it musically to end on a high point.
That being said, the show was amazing, period. In simple summary: amazing musicians play amazing music.
Unfortunately, that mastery was far from appreciated during the performance. While most of the audience seemed to recognize that they were watching extremely skilled musicians perform their craft, very few audience members seemed to truly appreciate it. The difference ties to what the audience was composed of, that is, middle class, middle-aged pseudo-pretentious music fans. They knew enough to recognize the skill, but not enough to really appreciate it. Which was depressing because they clapped and screamed throughout the solos and songs, obscuring the subtleties and even annoying the performers quite a bit. This was a crowd of Rock fans at a Jazz concert, and they were sorely out of place. It certainly didn't help that so many were inebriated, but I feel these people wouldn't know class if it looked them in the eye.
Beyond the crowd though, the show was amazing. The first set was the more Fusion-oriented set, but still with the Jazz-improv that meshes the Jazz and Rock worlds in these types of bands. Technical issues plagued Chick early on, but by the start of the second song he seemed to have worked things out for the most part...although his acoustic piano was muted when he first started playing it. The first set, while great, was overshadowed by the second set, which was primarily acoustic.
The second set began with Al Di Meola's solo and it was a very nice acoustic piece leading into the opening song of the set. Chick opened the second song with the best solo of the night, without a doubt. The masterful experimentation ranging from using mallets and even his fingers to stroke the piano strings, to lovely Jazz compositions with very loose structure. It was both beautiful and almost incomprehensible, the latter likely lending to the strength of the former. Stanley's solo was the most flashy solo of the night and certainly energized the crowd. The solo was possibly the most creative of the night. While Chick's blew Stanley's away in terms of musicality, the things Stanley did with his upright were things i have never seen done before. Very interesting and unique and memorable. Lenny's solo was in the midst of the last song and was my least favorite of the night sadly, despite my drummer nature. While not bad by any means, compared to the avant-garde style employed by Chick and Stanley, Lenny's solo seemed far too accessible and simplistic for a man of his talents. There was not anything very interesting going on in it either, mostly rudiments and weirdly timed fills and, while difficult, the solo did not wow as much as his peers' did.
The encore began with Chick on the keytar involving the audience in singing along to his melodies while the rest of the band looked on. Gradually the band built into the start of something before bringing the audience back in again. After that they began the encore song. The song itself was sort of a let down after all of those solos. It felt empty as it was played without as much improv as previous pieces and was much more straightforward. While a fan favorite, they could have done more with it musically to end on a high point.
That being said, the show was amazing, period. In simple summary: amazing musicians play amazing music.
27 May 2008
Nightwish/Sonic Syndicate @ The Ogden 5/26/2008
Sonic Syndicate was forgettable. Completely and utterly mediocre, at best. The best parts of the songs were keyboard leads...but there's no keyboardist in the band. It would also help if the band didn't sound like Killswitch Engage or, as Nick said, "These guys sound like Atreyu." Well now I've confirmed why I don't listen to Atreyu either. At the end of their set they announced it was their last song and there were a few shouts to the effect of "Thank god!"
Nightwish, however, was amazing. Normally, when you go to a show, you tend to enjoy the songs you already know well. That wasn't even the case here. The songs I knew were good, but some that I didn't know ranked among my favorites of the night. Let me get one thing out of the way now, Annette is not Tarja. Her range and operatics just do not match Tarja's at all. But if she is taken on her own and not compared to Tarja (though she performs songs Tarja originally did), she is actually not bad really. She's a more subdued voice, and has less focus in this new version of Nightwish, but it's by no means ruined by a lack of Tarja.
In fact, all five band members were, in my opinion, essential performers of the night. The keyboardist is a great player and also quite entertaining. The bassist (the other vocalist) not only provided a good stage presence, but had good, fun stage banter too. He even was well-versed enough in Colorado lore to know that Colfax (where the venue is located) is known as a street to pick up whores, and make a joke about it. The drummer has as much stage presence as most any drummer can have, about 1 in 2 songs he ended up on top of his set jumping and giving the crowd energy. The guitarist was also great fun to watch and had some great solos (especially the improvised harmonization with the keyboardist, that was awesome). Annette did a great job of not only singing but continually engaging the crowd, dancing, doing whatever she could to keep everyone entertained, and it was effective.
Also, unlike far too many bands, Nightwish does not play live like they do on CD. The songs are different, there are added sections, there are neat recordings added not from the album, and it's great. I pay far too much money listening to bands play what I already own, only with worse sound quality. Not true for this band.
Also, the band did a great job of making the show feel intimate, and they are so friendly they were still greeting fans when I left 5 minutes after they stopped playing. They were so appreciative too. Rare in bands that are well-known in their music scene.
Nightwish, however, was amazing. Normally, when you go to a show, you tend to enjoy the songs you already know well. That wasn't even the case here. The songs I knew were good, but some that I didn't know ranked among my favorites of the night. Let me get one thing out of the way now, Annette is not Tarja. Her range and operatics just do not match Tarja's at all. But if she is taken on her own and not compared to Tarja (though she performs songs Tarja originally did), she is actually not bad really. She's a more subdued voice, and has less focus in this new version of Nightwish, but it's by no means ruined by a lack of Tarja.
In fact, all five band members were, in my opinion, essential performers of the night. The keyboardist is a great player and also quite entertaining. The bassist (the other vocalist) not only provided a good stage presence, but had good, fun stage banter too. He even was well-versed enough in Colorado lore to know that Colfax (where the venue is located) is known as a street to pick up whores, and make a joke about it. The drummer has as much stage presence as most any drummer can have, about 1 in 2 songs he ended up on top of his set jumping and giving the crowd energy. The guitarist was also great fun to watch and had some great solos (especially the improvised harmonization with the keyboardist, that was awesome). Annette did a great job of not only singing but continually engaging the crowd, dancing, doing whatever she could to keep everyone entertained, and it was effective.
Also, unlike far too many bands, Nightwish does not play live like they do on CD. The songs are different, there are added sections, there are neat recordings added not from the album, and it's great. I pay far too much money listening to bands play what I already own, only with worse sound quality. Not true for this band.
Also, the band did a great job of making the show feel intimate, and they are so friendly they were still greeting fans when I left 5 minutes after they stopped playing. They were so appreciative too. Rare in bands that are well-known in their music scene.
14 May 2008
Free Download? Cha-TING
The Ting Tings' full length We Started Nothing drops July 22, but here's a killer remix of "Great DJ" to tide you over till then!
13 May 2008
New ScarJo, No More [Tom] Wait[s]ing
Except I'm lying about Tom's absence. Scarlett Johansson's debut album Anywhere I Lay My Head hits shelves May 20. Listen to clips right hizzere. If you have an Imeem account, you can experience it in its entirety over thizzere.
After seeing her do Just Like Honey with Jesus and Mary Chain at Coachella last year, I kind of wanted to hate this album. I'm not yet sure if I hate it, and I might even slightly like it.
What do YOU think?
After seeing her do Just Like Honey with Jesus and Mary Chain at Coachella last year, I kind of wanted to hate this album. I'm not yet sure if I hate it, and I might even slightly like it.
What do YOU think?
22 April 2008
Top 10 Most Annoying Singers of All Time?
This list was posted today. I have to admit adamantly disliking or at least not liking any of the artists on the list other than Lily, so it works alright for me.
I imagine some of you will hate it though ^_^
I imagine some of you will hate it though ^_^
20 April 2008
Thrice/Circa Survive/Pelican @ The Marquee 4/19/2008
Pelican was my second favorite of the night by a large margin. It's funny but I always think these Post-Rock/Metal groups are always going to be boring live and every time they blow me away. Unlike when I saw Mono, the crowd never really got into these guys, but they really were great. Like all of these sorts of bands, it took me about 5 minutes to really get into it with them, but once I was there, the whole journey was amazing. Also did a good job of moving around and getting into the music which the crowd never ended up feeding off of unfortunately. Also really friendly folks, ended up manning their own merch booth after the show and they were quite nice and enthusiastic about what they do. Every time I go see a Post-Rock/Metal band I think I should go to a sitting venue but every time I am so mistaken. These bands are amazing live.
Circa Survive was maybe on par with the last time I saw them. The music is good, and the crowd energy level was high when they came on, the crowd was jumping just seconds into their set, but they failed to harness that energy. By the end of the first song, the crowd was more subdued and just sort of nodding along. I don't know what it is, because the music is fine, but the extra hidden factor just isn't there for these guys. It's a shame because they had such a solid base to build on that i thought they would be really great.
Thrice was amazing as usual. Still nothing from Identity Crisis but a few from Illusion of Safety including Trust which was a new one for me. A lot of focus on newer songs of course, which was cool and not cool at the same time. The newest album came out Tuesday but I had not yet heard it so there were a handful of song I was completely unfamiliar with. Add to that the drunk next to me who couldn't stop ruining the show for everyone around him and we have so strong negatives. But all the same I think this was the best show of theirs I have been to. It might have just been my long hiatus from going to shows, but I really felt...cathartic...going to this show. I screamed my heart out along with the band, moved my head until my neck was stiff as a board, and through it all thoroughly enjoyed the whole show. Objectively, their set up is getting better everytime though. The whole experience continues to improve music remains amazing as ever, with some extended endings even on a few songs.
Circa Survive was maybe on par with the last time I saw them. The music is good, and the crowd energy level was high when they came on, the crowd was jumping just seconds into their set, but they failed to harness that energy. By the end of the first song, the crowd was more subdued and just sort of nodding along. I don't know what it is, because the music is fine, but the extra hidden factor just isn't there for these guys. It's a shame because they had such a solid base to build on that i thought they would be really great.
Thrice was amazing as usual. Still nothing from Identity Crisis but a few from Illusion of Safety including Trust which was a new one for me. A lot of focus on newer songs of course, which was cool and not cool at the same time. The newest album came out Tuesday but I had not yet heard it so there were a handful of song I was completely unfamiliar with. Add to that the drunk next to me who couldn't stop ruining the show for everyone around him and we have so strong negatives. But all the same I think this was the best show of theirs I have been to. It might have just been my long hiatus from going to shows, but I really felt...cathartic...going to this show. I screamed my heart out along with the band, moved my head until my neck was stiff as a board, and through it all thoroughly enjoyed the whole show. Objectively, their set up is getting better everytime though. The whole experience continues to improve music remains amazing as ever, with some extended endings even on a few songs.
Kissing the Beehive!? Oh my Wolf Parade
For those of you not already aware, warbly Montreal janglesmiths (running out of original descriptions here) Wolf Parade are dropping a new album called "KISSING THE BEEHIVE" (caps mine) this coming June 17th. And that thing is so leaky it's about time we re-lined our music umbrellas, if you know what I'm saying.
Ostensible single "Call it a Ritual" is on the blog circuit already, with a 1-minute sample of it being played on NPR's All Songs Considered a week or so ago. The band has been playing the new songs live apparently, and they sound exciting - though little sign of that delightful Krug number about bones and captains. Hope springs eternal, though.
Ostensible single "Call it a Ritual" is on the blog circuit already, with a 1-minute sample of it being played on NPR's All Songs Considered a week or so ago. The band has been playing the new songs live apparently, and they sound exciting - though little sign of that delightful Krug number about bones and captains. Hope springs eternal, though.
17 April 2008
Walter Yetnikov Interview
If you are remotely interested in how the music industry as a whole totally missed the Internet boat, you need to watch THIS INTERVIEW with Walter Yetnikov. Yetnikov ran CBS Records, which later came under Sony ownership. Dude dishes the dirt!
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