• Front Stage Music Blog

    Front Stage Music Blog

    Front Stage Music Blog will continue to bring music reviews on your favorite recording artists, along with updates on touring schedules, dates, and news from all your favorite artists, along with Amazon MP3 links.

  • Adam Lambert: The Quest for Platinum

    Adam Lambert: The Quest for Platinum

    Adam Lambert, the successful runner up from American Idol (Season 8) is on a quest for platinum. Adam's debut album "For Year Entertainment" is close to reaching platinum status in the US.

  • Black Sabbath: The Reunion

    Black Sabbath: The Reunion

    Black Sabbath: The Reunion

Friday, October 23, 2009

Rihanna’s Russian Roulette, The Wait is Ova

Rihanna will be releasing her new single “Russian Roulette” on Tuesday.

This will be the first single from her new album “The Wait is Ova” sue out November 23rd. “Russian Roulette” is being streamed from her site Rihannanow.com 

 

Rihanna_Russian_Roulette

“The Wait is Ova” is the follow up to her successful “Good Girl Gone Bad”

which is certified two-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “Good Girl Gone Bad” is Rihanna’s most successful album to date.

 

“The Wait is Ova” promises to be a great album along the style of Good Girl Gone Bad.

 

Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in Barbados, Rihanna has released “Music of the Sun” in 2005 and “A Girl Like Me” in 2006

 

To date Rihanna has been nominated over 100 times for various awards, and has won 53 awards ranging from American Music Awards, Barbados Music Awards, to various other peoples choice awards.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Michael Jackson gets 5 Nominations for American Music Awards

The American Music Awards has nominated  Michael Jackson for five awards. Jackson will also be nominated or dominated at all other music and arts award ceremonies this year.

 

Michael Jackson's "Number Ones" was the bestselling album of 2009, but it was released in 2003. It's a greatest hits compilation that features songs from the 80s and 90s.

 

michael-jackson-number-ones

There will be some controversy because music critics feel that the AMAs should honor only artists who recently recorded albums.

 

I don’t think the American Music Awards should be nominating an artist who has not released an album this year. If they want to present an award, it should be a life time achievement award, or creative achievements award.

 

If this goes through and Michael Jackson does win an award for “Number Ones”, then this is would clearly be double standards, and all recording artists would be up in arms.

 

We all do respect Michael, his music, and what he had accomplished. We also do respect and need to pay respect to a recording artist that has passed away. But this is not the way to do it.

 

Artists like Taylor Swift will be up against Michael Jackson this year, and if Taylor lost, this would not be right at all.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Friday, October 2, 2009

Lady Gaga “Fame Kills” Tour is killed by Kayne West

It was announced yesterday, that Lady Gaga and Kayne West’s “Fame Kills” tour has been cancelled. The announcement was made just before tickets were to go on sale.

 

Obviously this was cancelled at the last minute, As Lady Gaga was so pumped up for this tour. She and Kayne West had designed the impressive stage together. Lady Gaga was also set to play new and unreleased songs on the “Fame Kills” tour.

 

kanye-gaga

This does and does not come as a surprise, as Kayne has been getting allot of bad publicity since his stint at the VMA’s with Taylor Swift.

 

For sure this cancelled tour has cost lots of money for both Lady Gaga and Kayne West, as promoters will be looking for they’re money from the cancelled tour, ticket agents that have to reimburse everyone that bought tickets and so on…

 

Lady Gaga has not mentioned anything about the cancelled tour, and she has been unusually quiet and not seen in public since the announcement. Even her twitter account has not seen any activity. Will be interesting to hear more about this, will have to wait and see, as the dust settles.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Britney Spears releases new single “3” or you and me and one is three.

“Three is a charm, Two is not the same, I don’t see the harm, So are you game?” A line from Britney Spear’s new single “3” Which was released this week. It is the only new song on her new “The Singles Collection” CD out on Nov.24

 

“3” Is produced and co-written by Swedish hit maker Max Martin.

Britney Spears 3 

All good things comes in Three’s.

This is more a less marketing buzz for the greatest hits collection.

 

Which of course everyone will now be talking about, and will keep Britney Spears on the radar map.

 

Although it is not really a great way for publicity, especially if her following is young teenage girls.

 

 

Is Britney Spears a good role model?

 

 

Let’s see… She lost custody to her 2 young boys, been in and out of hospitals for nervous breakdowns. Been publicly partying at all hours of the night, (As a young mother of course…) the list goes on and on… so won’t continue to mention it.

 

Britney just finished a the US leg of her “Circus” tour, with a nice good old fashioned lap dance for Lance Bass.

 

You and Me and One is 3

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

New Music Releases September 22 “Breaking the Silence” The Letter Black

New Music Tuesday, what is being released today.

“Breaking The Silence EP” from “The Letter Back”, is causing some stir among certain circles, could be a release worth buying and listening too.

L500xH500_3809033629_b7752-337ba

 

The Letter Black, formerly known as Breaking the Silence, is fronted by female vocalist Sarah Anthony, followed by her husband Mark Anthony (guitar / background vocals), Matt Beal (bass), Mat Slagle (drummer) and Perry Johnson (guitar).

 

Legendary producer Toby Wright (Alice In Chains, Korn, 3 Doors Down) has worked with the band in Seattle on their label debut “Breaking the Silence,”

 

Check out their new promo video on the right.

 

Band / Artist                               Title

Jaymes Reunion
Hawk Nelson
Anthony Burger
Jared Anderson
Matt Maher
Kierra KiKi Sheard
KJ-52
Lara Landon
The Letter Black
Lincoln Brewster
CeCe Winans
Brenton Brown
Diamond Rio
Big Daddy Weave
Pilar
David Crowder Band
B.Reith
Jaymes Reunion
Live Life Loud
New Born Feeling
Live From My Church
Alive Again
KiKi's Mixtape
Five Two Television
Beloved (2009)
Breaking The Silence EP
Today Is the Day Deluxe CD/DVD
Greatest Hits
Introducing Brenton Brown EP
The Reason
Christ Is Come
Confessions
Church Music
Now Is Not Forever

Lara Landon with her release “Beloved (2009)” is also worth checking out.

Enjoy the new releases.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Country Music Association Awards, nominations released

The CMA Awards (Country Music Association) released it’s nominations list.

The CMA Awards will be held on November 11 2009.

 

Brad Paisley tops the list with the most nominations, getting six nods.

Taylor Swift, George Strait, Keith Urban, Jamey Johnson and Zac Brown Band each received four nods.

 

Entertainer of the Year

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

George Strait

Taylor Swift

Keith Urban      

 

Female Vocalist

Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

Reba McEntire

Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood      

 

Male Vocalist

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

Darius Rucker

George Strait

Keith Urban

     

 

New Artist

Randy Houser

Jamey Johnson

Jake Owen

Darius Rucker

Zac Brown Band

     

 

Vocal Group

Eagles

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

Rascal Flatts

Zac Brown Band

     

 

Vocal Duo

Big & Rich

Brooks & Dunn

Joey & Rory

Sugarland

Montgomery Gentry      

 

Single of the Year (Award goes to Artist and Producer.)

Chicken Fried
Zac Brown Band
Producer: Keith Stegal
Atlantic Records

"I Run to You"
Lady Antebellum
Producers: Victoria Shaw and Paul Worley
Capitol Records Nashville

"In Color"
Jamey Johnson
Producers: The Kent Hardly Playboys
Mercury Nashville

"People Are Crazy"
Billy Currington
Producers: Carson Chamberlain and Billy Currington
Mercury Nashville

"Then"
Brad Paisley
Producers: Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois
Arista Nashville

 

 

Album of the Year (Award goes to Artist and Producer.)

American Saturday Night
Brad Paisley
Producers: Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois
Arista Nashville

Defying Gravity
Keith Urban
Producers: Dann Huff and Keith Urban
Capitol Records Nashville

Fearless
Taylor Swift
Producers: Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift
Big Machine Records

That Lonesome Song
Jamey Johnson
Producers: The Kent Hardly Playboys
Mercury Nashville

Love on the Inside
Sugarland
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles
Mercury Nashville

 

 

Song of the Year (Award goes to Songwriters.)

"Chicken Fried"
Songwriters: Zac Brown and Wyatt Durette

"I Told You So"
Songwriter: Randy Travis

"In Color"
Songwriters: Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto


"People Are Crazy"
Songwriters: Bobby Braddock and Troy Jones

"Then"
Songwriters: Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley

 

 

Musical Event (Award goes to each artist.)

"Cowgirls Don't Cry"
Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire
Arista Nashville

"Down the Road"
Kenny Chesney

(with Mac McAnally)
Blue Chair Records,

BNA Records

"Everything But Quits"
Lee Ann Womack (duet with George Strait)
MCA Records

"I Told You So"
Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis
19 Recordings/Arista

"Old Enough"
The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe
Third Man Records, Warner Bros. Records

 

 

Music Video (Award goes to artist and director.)

"Boots On"
Randy Houser
Director: Eric Welch

"Love Story"
Taylor Swift
Director: Trey Fanjoy

"People Are Crazy"
Billy Currington
Directors: The Brads

"Start a Band"
Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban)
Directors: Jim Shea

"Troubadour"
George Strait
Director: Trey Fanjoy

 

 

Musician of the Year

Eddie Bayers - Drums

Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar

Dan Huff - Guitar

 

Brent Mason – Guitar

Mac McAnally – Guitar

   

 

This year Taylor Swift is up against heavy veterans of country music. For the male vocalist of the year, it is going to be a battle between Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, and Keith Urban.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The Beatles, The second coming of Lennon - McCartney

The Beatles are coming, or should I say “The second coming of Lennon – McCartney. Tomorrow Sept.09 2009 or 09-09-09 will be a historic day for Beatlemania. As the complete Beatles catalog is released, digitally re-mastered.

 

Also being released is “The Beatles” Rockband game, which for the first time ever, will allow you to purchase and upload Beatles songs, one at a time.

 

beatles64a34

There is a box set containing all the Beatles albums. Along with the digitally re-mastered albums on CD, you will have a choice to buy the CD’s in mono as well, but only through the boxed set.

 

Rumors have it the sound is extremely great on the digitally re-mastered albums, as the rhythm section of Paul and Ringo are finally brung forward in the mix.  This should give the songs more depth and sound.

 

look out, revolution 9 is upon us. The second coming of Lennon – McCartney is here to stay.

 

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Friday, September 4, 2009

Porcupine Tree: The Incident, that influenced The Incident

Porcupine Tree, a Grammy nominated artist will be releasing their tenth studio album titled “The Incident” on September 22. 2009 The album is being released as a double CD by Roadrunner Records.

 

Steven Wilson (vocalist/guitarist/songwriter) says The Incident is a statement.

The idea for The Incident came to Wilson as he was tied up in a traffic jam.

While driving past an accident, he noticed the “Police-Incident” tape around the parameter of the accident.

 

porcupine_tree_the_incident

It then hit Wilson, that “Incident” really does mean some traumatic, and destructive. Wilson also says that he felt the person in the accident had died, and the person’s spirit had entered his car.

 

Steven then began to reflect and think about Incidents in all aspects of life. Incident does mean something traumatic, and is an event in itself.

 

The Incident album (Double CD) The first CD “The Incident” reflected in all the songs, are all about Incidents in life.

 

The second CD which is a group effort by Porcupine Tree is created in 4 main compositions.

 

“Flicker,”  “Bonnie the Cat,” “Black Dahlia” and Remember Me Lover

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Leona Lewis to release new single “Happy”

Leona Lewis will release her new single “Happy” on Sept. 15th on iTunes. The New Album “Echo” will be released on Sept. 17th.

 

Leona Lewis is expected to perform the song live on VH1 Divas Live on Sept. 17th. Her last album “Spirit” sold over 6 million copies world wide.

Spirit her debut album, was the fastest selling debut and best selling release of 2007

leona_lewis

Her debut single “A Moment Like this” was the fastest selling single that was downloaded over 50,000 times within thirty minutes after its official release.

Leona set another record in 2008 for the fastest selling download with Snow Patrol’s song “Run” which was downloaded 69,250 times in a two day period.

 

The British public had already known about Leona Lewis, from the TV series “The X Factor” as the winner in 2006.

 

So while she was recording her debut album, and promoting it before the release; she already had a huge following who knew her.

 

This explains why her album sold very well and extremely fast in the UK, especially for an unknown artist with a debut album.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Friday, August 28, 2009

Michael Jackson’s Death ruled Homicide by LA Coroner

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, officially released it’s autopsy report today. It ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide. Dr. Conrad Murray is the sole suspect in Jackson’s death.

 

Toxicology reports are still pending and sealed at the request of the Los Angeles Police Dept. which continues it’s now homicide investigation.

 michael-jackson-doctor-conrad-murray-photo

Propofol and lorazepam were the main drugs that had caused his death.

There were other drugs in Michael’s system as well such as midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine, and ephedrine.

 

Now the Los Angeles Police Dept. will be officially looking to book Dr. Conrad Murray on the homicide of Michael Jackson.

 

There were numerous prescription bottles found through out Michael Jackson’s home and vacation home.

 

There was rumors of heroin, which have not been confirmed.

 

The saga continues, and this will differently turn into a movie by next year.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Black Crowes Free Download “I Ain’t Hiding” Released

The Black Crowes have released a free MP3 of “I Ain’t Hiding” The song sounds really amazing. It has a Disco flavor of a la Rolling Stones from the 70’s, backed by some gritty guitars towards the chorus.

 

Below is the song from You Tube.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Velvet Revolver Update: Slash recording solo album

Velvet Revolver Update: Slash is recording a solo album.

 

Velvet Revolver is still looking for a new singer; the process has been a long one so far.

Velvet

Slash is currently recording a solo record, and will tour to support his record in the spring and summer of 2010. Slash also said do not expect a new Velvet Revolver release until mid to late 2011.

 

Sprits are up within the Velvet Revolver camp, as the search goes on for the new singer.

 

There were rumors that they had found they’re singer earlier this year, but that had been dismissed.

There were also rumors of a possible Canadian singer.

 

Slash will begin mixing his new solo record in September, so maybe we could expect a release in early 2010.

 

Tidbit: Did you know the solo in Guns n’ Roses “November Rain” is the longest guitar solo on record, for a top 10 hit.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Saturday, August 22, 2009

The Dells singer Johnny Carter, Dead at 75

The Dells singer Johnny Carter dies at age 75. World renowned for his falsetto vocals, Carter is one of a few musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice with two acts.

 

Johnny Carter is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Flamingos and The Dells. An amazing accomplishment.

 

The Dells

Johnny Carter left the Flamingos in 1960 to join The Dells to replace Johnny

Funches.

 

One of his best known hits was “Oh what a Night”,  “Stay In My Corner” and “Golden Teardrops”.

 

The last time the band had performed together was at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction night.

 

The Dells had toured and sang back up with huge artists such as Ray Charles, Barbara Lewis and Dinah Washington in the mid 60’s.

 

With the help of Quincy Jones, Johnny Carter and The Dells had a long prosperous career.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Friday, August 21, 2009

The Black Crowes, Before the Frost …Until the Freeze

THE BLACK CROWES will release their new studio CD, Before the Frost... on September 1, 2009. This is a much anticipated release.


A second album, titled …Until The Freeze, will be given away for free exclusively through a unique download code which is included in Before The Frost… as a “thank you” to their fans for two decades of continued support.


Before the Frost..., and its corresponding free album …Until The Freeze, were recorded over a series of five nights at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. Although both are studio albums, all the new material was performed and recorded in front of an intimate audience of the band’s fans, making them a part of The Black Crowes musical history.


Inviting fans into the studio as part of the process during recording is a rare experience.


Before the Frost... features eleven new and previously unreleased Black Crowes songs including Good Morning Captain, I Ain’t Hiding, Been a Long Time (Waiting on Love), and other original songs that will serve to spotlight the bands ability to make emotional connections through their music. The free album …Until The Freeze is a nine-song collection featuring eight new original Black Crowes songs plus a cover version of the Stephen Stills classic So Many Times.


A limited edition vinyl release of Before The Frost…Until The Freeze, featuring all 20 tracks, will also be available on September 1, 2009.
Chris Robinson conceived the concept of Before the Frost...Until The Freeze.


As The Black Crowes approach the upcoming 20th anniversary of their release of one of rock’s most influential records, Shake Your Money Maker, which produced such hits as Jealous Again, She Talks To Angels and Hard to Handle, they are time and again hailed as one of Rock and Roll’s best live acts.


Before The Frost… (CD Track Listing)
Good Morning Captain
Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
Appaloosa
A Train Still Makes A Lonely Sound
I Ain’t Hiding
Kept My Soul
What Is Home
Houston Don’t Dream About Me
Make Glad
And The Band Played On
Last Place That Love Lives


…Until The Freeze (Free Download Album Track Listing)
Aimless Peacock
Shady Grove
Garden Gate
Greenhorn
Shine Along
Roll Old Jeremiah
Lady Of Avenue A
So Many Times
Fork In The River

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Lil Wayne: Concerts cancelled, stopped at Canadian Border, and Lauren London is pregnant

Recently Lil Wayne had to cancel his concert in Vancouver, Canada.

It was reported due to doctors orders. We now have confirmation his tour bus was stopped at the Canadian Border.

 

Lil-Wayne-posing

 

The dogs were sent out to do some sniff tests, and found something on one of the buses, that denied Lil Wayne access into Canada; therefore had to cancel his Vancouver concert. Another concert in Edmonton will also be cancelled.

 

This is not the first time Lil Wayne (Grammy award-winner) had to cancel concerts in Canada. Last summer concerts in Toronto and Montreal were cancelled, for un known reasons.

 

Lil Wayne revealed today his sometimes girlfriend Lauren London is pregnant with his child. This will be Lil Wayne’s third child.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Celine Dion: Confirmed she is pregnant

Celine Dion, one of the most successful female singers of our generation had confirmed yesterday she is pregnant.

 

CelineDion

 

With joy and pride Celine Dion made the announcement. This will be her second child with husband Rene Angelil. Both Mama et Papa are extremely happy after their confirmation Monday.

 

The expected child was conceived by vitro fertilization at the same New York fertility clinic as her first child Rene-Charles. 

 

Celine Dion is the best selling Canadian artist of all time. Celine has sold over 200 million CD’s world wide. With best selling singles such as “Where Does My Heart Beat Now” and “Beauty and the Beast”

 

 

Celine Dion is considered a Diva by all means. She has a soprano type voice that is extremely beautiful and unique.

 

Celine had finished her Las Vegas stint “A New Day” which she performed daily from 2003 till 2007

Monday, August 17, 2009

Music releases in Sept. 2009, Pearl Jam, Black Crows…

Scheduled music releases for September 2009, which includes

The following list of bands, artists and the CD’s that are scheduled for release through-out September.

 

The most anticipated releases are Pearl Jam, Black Crows, Foreigner, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Nelly Furtado.

 

Band / Artist                             Title:

September 1

David Bazan Curse Your Branches
Black Crowes Before The Frost...
Black Crowes ...Until The Freeze (digital download for buying Before The Frost)
The Color Morale We All Have Demons
Datarock Red
The Entrance Band The Entrance Band
Whitney Houston I Look To You
Juliette Lewis Terra Incognita
Trey Songz Ready
These United States Everything Touches Everything
The Used

Artwork

September 8

Amerie In Love & War
Boys Like Girls Love Drunk
Chevelle Sci-Fi Crimes
Circulatory System Signal Morning
The Clean Mister Pop
Danko Jones Never Too Loud
Marie Digby Breathing Underwater
John Forte StyleFREE [EP]
Old Wives' Tales Younger Limbs
Os Mutantes Haih Or Barauna
Polvo Prism
Vivian Girls Everything Goes Wrong
Yo La Tengo Popular Songs
Wild Beasts Two Dancers
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson Break Up

September15

Muse The Resistance
The 69 Eyes Back In Blood
Aluminum Babe N/A
Big Star Keep An Eye On The Sky (Box Set)
The Black Dahlia Murder Deflorate
Butterfly Boucher Scary Fragile
Mariah Carey Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel
Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats Meet the Meatbats
DD/MM/YYYY Black Square
The Dynamites Burn It Down
Fink Sort of Revolution
The Fresh & Onlys Grey-Eyed Girls
Gary Go Gary Go
Kyle Hollingsworth (String Cheese Incident) Then There's Now
Ricky Skaggs Ricky Skaggs Solo (Songs My Dad Loved)
Ryan Starr N/A
Thrice Beggars
Uncle Cracker Happy Hour

September 22

Pearl Jam Backspacer (Target exclusive)
Banco de Gaia Memories Dreams Reflections
Brand New Daisy
Vic Chesnutt At the Cut
Sean "Diddy" Combs Last Train To Paris
David Gray Draw The Line
Richard Hawley Truelove's Gutter
Andrew Hoover Chances, Stances & Romances
Janus Red Light Return
Madonna Iconography (Greatest hits)
Monsters of Folk (Jim James, Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis & M. ward project) Monsters Of Folk
Or, The Whale Or, The Whale
Owen New Leaves
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Higher Than The Stars 9EP)
The Pastels and Tenniscoats Two Sunsets
Pearl Jam Backspacer
Porcupine Tree The Incident
They Might Be Giants Here Comes Science (Kid's album/Dvd)
Various Artists Crayon Angel: A Tribute to the Music of Judee Sill
Wale Attention: Deficit
Why? Eskimo Snow
Wrinkle Neck Mules Let The Lead Fly

September 29

Alice In Chains Black Gives Way To Blue
Beat Circus Boy From Black Mountain
Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Susquehanna
Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Skaboy JFK: The Skankin’ Hits Of The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
Foreigner Can't Slow Down (Walmart exclusive)
Nelly Furtado Mi Plan
Kris Kristofferson Closer to the Bone
La Roux La Roux
LoveHateHero American Underwater
MadLove White With Foam
The Melvins Chicken Switch [remix album]
Paramore Brand New Eyes
Phonograph OKNO
Princeton Cocoon Of Love
Lynyrd Skynyrd God & Guns
Barbra Streisand Love Is The Answer
Strung Out Agents Of The Underground
Swell Season Strict Joy

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Aerosmith Canadian dates postponed till September

Aerosmith fans in western Canada will have to wait till September, as Aerosmith come back to play the missed dates.

 

steven2006

Steven Tyler fell off the stage in Sturgis S.D. breaking his shoulder and cutting his head. Tyler received several stitches.

 

Steven Tyler fell off the stage as he was dancing and entertaining the crowd, while the stage crew were dealing with technical difficulties.

 

According to Joe Perry, Tyler’s band mate, all is well in the Aerosmith camp, as Steven recovers from the unfortunate incident.

 

 

Aeroforce One will continue. The postponed concerts were in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Lady Gaga: Phenomenon, Satire or good marketing?

Lady Gaga, definitely makes the news any way possible, from bizarre outfits and performances on stage, to walking the streets nearly nude.

Known for her avant garde clothing style, and open lifestyle.

 

Who is Lady Gaga? She was unknown a year ago. Now she is on everyone's lips. (no pun intended) Lady Gaga has already won a few awards, and is nominated for 13 awards from the Grammys, MuchMusic and MTV for her song Poker Face.

 

I decided to do some research on Lady Gaga, this is what I discovered.

 

Lady Gaga born, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in 1986 is from New York. She is a singer, songwriter, musician and performer.

 

Lady Gaga began her career as a songwriter, writing songs for Britney Spears and The Pussycat Dolls; while establishing herself as a performer in the New York underground club scene. At the same time Lady Gaga was writing material for her own debut CD The Fame.

 

Album_Cover-The_Fame

Lady Gaga’s is musically inspired by glam rock artists such as David Bowe and Queen; to pop singers like Michael Jackson and Madonna. Lady Gaga's CD The Fame, heavily reflects her inspiration, lifestyle, and her personality.

 

 

She has stated that The Fame reflects her personality, and wanted The Fame to reflect that. The Fame claims Lady Gaga is about being famous, and how everyone wants to be famous. This explains her relationship with the paparazzi, which of course is great, free publicity. 

 

The Fame is a very unique CD, with it’s heavy pop and dance songs.

With themes such as partying, clubbing, fame, and paparazzi.

 

When The Fame was released in November 2008 it had a slow ride on the charts in the US. In Canada it was already #1 and to date the most sold units in any other country. The Fame was released in Europe in January 2009 and sold very well.

 

Lady Gaga promoted her CD with lots of live performances, public appearances with bizarre outfits on and off the stage, which the paparazzi quickly started to follow her, adding to the Lady Gaga phenomenon.

 

Lady Gaga is destined to be a great artist, and flamboyant star. We will be hearing a lot more from her in the future.

 

Her key to success is, she is an accomplished songwriter, musician, vocalist and knows how to work the paparazzi for her marketing. All the ingredients for a successful artist.

 

So is Lady Gaga just a phenomenon, satire or good marketing? I would say all of the above. Bravo Lady Gaga, I am a new fan.

 

By George Luker © Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Friday, August 7, 2009

Lil Wayne's big game

Over the past two years, rapper Lil Wayne has been a constant and overwhelming presence on the radio, appearing on literally dozens of hits by himself and others. He's done this seemingly by never sleeping, and working at a constant, dizzying speed.

 

Phonte Coleman of Triangle hip-hop group Little Brother got a sample of his work ethic a few years back. Little Brother and Wayne met when both were doing interviews at the same radio station, and Wayne told Coleman he was a fan.

57086869

So Little Brother hit him up for a cameo vocal and sent a track called "Breakin' My Heart," not expecting to hear anything back for at least a few weeks. Two days later, Wayne sent it back with a vocal he'd knocked out. It was a highlight of Little Brother's 2007 album "GetBack."

 

Rapper Lil Wayne specializes in cameos on other musicians' work, including Durham's Little Brother and Madonna.

 

 

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

 

"His work ethic is really inspiring and amazing," Coleman says. "I don't think I could ever be that prolific. I mean, if you take 100 shots, not all 100 are gonna be good. I'd rather take 10 or 20 focused shots and try to hit 'em all. But to each his own. It's really working out for him. Plus it just shows how the record labels are kinda off. In the past, if you asked labels, they'd try to shut all those collaborations down. But they're what's made him hot, so it's all good."

Wayne will perform in the Triangle on Saturday, headlining a hip-hop bill at Raleigh's Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek. He blows into town with two hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including a cameo on fast-rising British vocalist Jay Sean's "Down." And Wayne's protege, Drake (also on the Raleigh bill), is flirting with the top of the chart.

 

That's actually down a bit from last fall, when Wayne's distinctive rasp seemed to be everywhere. There was one week in October when Wayne was on seven songs in the top 40, including collaborations with Jay-Z, Akon and T-Pain. Everything he raps on turns into gold.

 

"Lil Wayne is still at the point where all you need to do is put him on a record," says Sean Ross, executive editor of music and programming for the online trade publication Radio-Info.com. "He still has the ability to jump-start careers."

 

One intriguing test case of Wayne's transitive star power will be "Revolver," a new single from Madonna's forthcoming greatest-hits album. Scheduled for release this fall, "Revolver" features a Lil Wayne cameo. Ross likens the attention that will get to Madonna's 2008 collaboration with Justin Timberlake, "4 Minutes (To Save the World)."

 

"Wayne will probably rub off on Madonna like Justin did, which is to say he'll get her back on the radio as an 'event' record," Ross says. "If it's a great record, it will stay there on its own merits. If it's just a good record for Madonna at this point in her career, it will get the 12 or so weeks of chart life the Justin collaboration did."

 

Read the rest of the article here. Source: News Observer

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Gretchen Wilson: Redneck redefined

I enter Gretchen Wilson’s tour bus expecting to wade through drained Jack Daniels bottles and a passed out entourage of shaggy outlaws beached belly up on the floor after a wild night of booze-fueled brawling.  

Her number one hit “Redneck Woman” spawned an album of good time modern classics selling five million copies. The Grammy-winning collection is an homage to that perfect moment when man, music and muscatel convene to create a memory that both illuminates and hardens a woman. These are songs about being drunk, winking at the wrong guy, getting your tooth knocked out by his gorilla of a girlfriend, flashing that gapped grin at the next cowboy who walks through the door, and starting all over. 

GretchenWilson 

I have come to talk to the jacked-up sweetheart of southern-fried country rock and am met by a self-contained business woman.  


She is wearing a grey tank top, loose curls and faded jeans. After hair and makeup, she is wearing a black tank top, loose curls, and slightly nicer jeans with a rhinestone belt. There is a sense of wanting to offer the audience something real. What you see is really what you get.  


Gretchen Wilson escorts me into a tidy RV stocked with bottled water. A flat-screen TV is running a George Carlin comedy skit as we sink into comfortable couches. Her adorable young daughter, dressed in age-appropriate pink peddle pushers, politely interrupts the interview from time to time to ask computer-related questions. There is a lesson about internet safety, and Ms. Wilson’s mothering advice is fair and firm.  


As we begin a casual conversation lapsing from lyrical analysis to gossipy personal details, she leans in and makes direct eye contact. Gretchen Wilson does not weigh and measure every phrase or edit her comments to match up with some publicist’s press release. It becomes clear that her redneck ethic is more about being the kind of woman who values individual expression over public opinion and less about being a honky tonk broad drinking the night away with dirty dogs.  


The most hardcore hairy son-of-a-bitch lurking around her trailer is a well groomed little Pomeranian puppy named Faith, who instantly assumes a supine position so that I am compelled to conduct the interview with one hand furiously writing while the other administers tummy rubs.  


Read the balance of the article here. Source: SCENE

Monday, August 3, 2009

Moncton, NB will be the biggest show on AC/DC tour

Thursday's concert by legendary Australian rockers AC/DC will likely be the biggest and flashiest on the band's seven-date Canadian tour, with Moncton's outdoor venue bringing in more than baseball and football stadiums in other parts of the country and the U.S.

 

"Right now, Moncton is the biggest show on the tour," said Ken Craig, the production manager for Donald K. Donald Events.

ac-dc

 

Although promoters won't say exactly how many tickets have been sold for Thursday's show at the Magnetic Hill Concert Site, it's expected that AC/DC will draw a crowd similar in size to the 80,000 that came for the Rolling Stones in 2005. Last year's concert by the Eagles drew a crowd of 55,000 to Moncton, while approximately 50,000 turned out in Halifax last month to see Paul McCartney.

 

Craig, who works out of an office in Ottawa, has been busy over the last few weeks co-coordinating logistics with the AC/DC crew for all seven shows in Canada this month.

 

It's a huge job to make arrangements for the dozens of tractor-trailers needed to move staging and electronic gear all over the country.

More than 200 people will be working at the site over the next few days to set up the stage, light towers, video screens, sound equipment and special effects for the AC/DC show. Everything needs to be in place before Thursday's sound checks.

 

The job of taking it all apart and cleaning up the mess begins immediately after the show ends on Thursday night.

 

The latest leg of AC/DC's Black Ice World Tour kicked off in Boston Tuesday night with a show at the Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots NFL team. From there, they went to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey Friday night and played last night at the Times Union Arena in Albany, N.Y.

 

Most of the baseball and football stadiums in North America have a capacity of 50,000 to 70,000 and are mainly reserved seating with huge grandstands and temporary seating on the floor. But the Magnetic Hill Concert Site is a huge natural amphitheatre situated on the side of a grassy hill. City officials say it could accommodate a crowd of 100,000. By comparison, last year's free show by Paul McCartney on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City drew an estimated 250,000 people.

 

It was reported earlier this year that U2 had sold 90,000 tickets for an October show at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

 

AC/DC's Canadian tour will take the band to the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Scotiabank Arena in Ottawa, the Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton and B.C. Place in Vancouver.

 

The Magnetic Hill site set-up for AC/DC will be basically the same as it has been for previous concerts by the Rolling Stones, Eagles and Bon Jovi. One of the main differences will be a larger licensed area that extends closer to the stage to accommodate more people. At the Bon Jovi show, people who wanted to get closer to the stage had to finish their drinks and leave the licensed area.

 

Another big difference, which showed up on the site plan provided by the city this week, is a different set of barricades in front of the stage. Normally, there is a steel fence or barricade set up about 10 feet in front of the stage to act as a wall between the crowd and the band. For this show, a second barricade will be set up a few metres further away from the stage to provide more protection from crowd surges. With so many people, there is a possibility that those against the fence could be crushed. The secondary barricades are set up like wings fanning out from a secondary stage that extend out toward the sound and light towers. This secondary stage will allow the performers to walk or run (or in Angus Young's case, do the duck walk while playing guitar) out into the crowd.

 

According to online reviews this week, the AC/DC show runs a little over two hours, beginning with a two-minute video and ending with two-minute fireworks display. Opening acts for the show are Irish blues-rock group The Answer and Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, who played for 34 minutes and 44 minutes respectively. According to reports from the Foxborough show, AC/DC opened the show with Rock N' Roll Train, with a giant steam locomotive smashing onto the stage, and finished with the anthemic For Those About To Rock, We Salute You, punctuated by exploding cannons and fireworks. Through the set, AC/DC performed such well-known hits as Back in Black, Big Jack, Shot Down in Flames, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Thunderstruck, The Jack, Hells Bells, Shoot to Thrill, War Machine, Anything Goes, You Shook Me All Night Long, T.N.T., Whole Lotta Rosie, Let There Be Rock and Highway to Hell.

 

Read the rest of the article here. Source: Times & Transcript.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Sir Paul McCartney to Quit Touring in 2010

The former Beatle is said to be planning a series of spectacular shows which will take him to locations he hasn't previously performed.


According to The Sun newspaper, possible gig spots include Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie and  Tiananmen Square in China.

sir_paul_mccartney


A source said: "Paul wants to go out with a bang.


"He's played countless stadiums over his 50-year career and is on the hunt for the most unusual locations he can find.
"He realizes that the older he gets, the less his body will be able to cope with the demands of extended periods on the road.”

 

Read the rest of the article here. Source: Gigwise.com

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Christina Aguilera becomes DJ, talks music, film

NEW YORK — You'll be hearing more of Christina Aguilera's voice on the radio soon, but it won't be in the form of a song. Instead, the pop singer will work as a DJ.

 

Aguilera's very own radio station is set to debut Friday. The 24-hour online channel will be distributed across Clear Channel Radio's "iheartradio" network, and will feature interviews, news, personal commentary from Aguilera as well as her favorite tunes.

 

christina-aguilera-vetsi

"It stands across so many different feels and genres from A Tribe Called Quest to the Beatles to Billie Holiday to Bjork to Black Sabbath, Jay-Z," she said in a phone interview from Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The new radio venture, A.P.E. Radio (Artist Personal Experience), will also launch The Eagles' own channel Friday, to be hosted by guitarist Joe Walsh. Weezer's station is set to launch next month.

 

The radio station is not the only project she's working on. Aguilera, a 28-year-old mother to a 1-year-old son, is also working on a new CD and has signed on to do a movie with Cher; both are due to be released next year.

 

Read full release and Christina Aguilera interview here.

 

Source: The Associated Press

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Whitney Houston: “I Look to You” Free Download.

New Song "I Look to You" Available Free to Canadian Fans Exclusively at Sympatico/MSN

 

TORONTO, July 28 /CNW/ - In the most anticipated event of summer and after almost 8 years, Whitney Houston gives her fans what they have been screaming for - to hear her remarkable voice sing again! Whitney provides a sneak peak of her new album released worldwide August 31, 2009 on Arista Records, with a free download of her title track "I Look To You," available exclusively on Sympatico/MSN for a limited time only!

 

"Whitney Houston is a music icon and the release of her forthcoming album is highly anticipated. We are proud to offer such a great opportunity to our audience with this free track download. Sympatico/MSN is Canada's leading portal thanks to its wealth of relevant content. Today's announcement marks one example of how we are enriching the lives of our users," said Gary Anderson, Bell's Vice-President of Sympatico/MSN.

 

Reader full press release

 

Source: CNW Group

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Avril Lavigne, Talks about New Album in the Works

What's Avril Lavigne been up to lately? Well, we know she's been enjoying herself boozing, hocking kiddie clothes and sticking to her one-woman campaign of reviving the trucker hat. But hey, it looks like the Brat-princess of pop has been working on music, too. Neat?

 Avril

Lavigne has an as-yet untitled album on target for a November 17 release, Entertainment Weekly reports. And of the 12 expected tracks -- thank your lucky Chuck Taylors -- it sounds as though the 24-year-old has finally grown out of her snotty "rap" phase (re: "Girlfriend").

 

"A lot of the songs are mainly the acoustic and my vocal," Lavigne told Billboard of the record. "It's a lot different from anything I've done before. It's not a pop-rock record. This is more about emotion and feeling."

 

Lavigne's reportedly been working from her home studio -- a fact made even more cozy considering her husband, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley, is producing the bulk of the project

 

View full article here.

 

Source: Dose.ca

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Michael Jackson's Legacy and Legendary Publishing Catalog

Country Music Night at the White House

The White House held a tribute to country music last night with stars Alison Krauss and her band, Union Station; Brad Paisley; and Charley Pride.

   

Here's some of what President Obama said to the guests:

    "Now, I know folks think I'm a 'city boy,'  but I do appreciate listening to country music because like all Americans, I appreciate the broad and indelible impact that country has had on our nation.  It's touched countless lives, it's influenced all genres of music, it's helped us make the American people more hopeful, it's captured our restlessness and resilience, and told so much of our story in the process.

 

President Obama also made mention to Hank Williams, Willie Nelson.

 

View the full article here.

 

Source: David Goldstein

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Barenaked Ladies leave Nettwerk for Cam 8

The Barenaked Ladies have switched up their management, bolting Vancouver-based Nettwerk in favour of new L.A.-based firm, CAM 8 Management.

 

The Toronto band was the inaugural signing for the new firm, which was formed after a merger between Career Artist Management and Hard 8 Management.

Other CAM 8 clients include Maroon 5, Dashboard Confessional and Jakob Dylan.

 

Nettwerk suffered another blow in December when Canadian pop-punk star Avril Lavigne cut ties with the company, despite the fact that Nettwerk CEO Terry McBride was credited with initially discovering the Napanee, Ont., singer.

 

View full press release here.

 

Source: The Canadian Press

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Paul McCartney’s Plays the Ed Sullivan Theatre

Sir Paul McCartney continues his US tour, with dates through out July and August. Interesting how the death of Michael Jackson, adds some publicity and free PR for Paul McCartney. I guess timing is everything…

Paul-McCartney

 

Paul recently played on the Late Show with David Letterman, ironically it is the Ed Sullivan Theatre, where Paul McCartney had played there for the first time 45 years ago with the Beatles.

 

There must have been so good and eerie feelings in the studio…

 

Paul McCartney still has what it takes to perform live, and of course the shows are always sold out.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Michael Jackson Lays his Glove to Rest

Sadly on Thursday June 25th 2009, Michael Jackson aged 50 years old, died of an apparent heart attach. Details are still sketchy as autopsy reports are not finalized; due to pending toxicology tests.   

 

It is confirmed that Michael Jackson’s personal physician was on site, and proceeded with CPR in attempts the revive the gloved one. Paramedics had arrived and transported Michael Jackson to a near by hospital, where doctors tried in vein to revive him for close to an hour, with no success.

 

Currently there is an investigation by the coroners office, as it is standard procedure when death is suspicious. There is unconfirmed reports that Michael Jackson’s personal doctor had administered Demerol by injection hours before his death. It is also reported that Michael Jackson had been prescribed various pain killers such as, Dilaudid and Vicodin in addition to the Demerol injections, which could have caused his heart attach.

 

Michael Jackson shot to fame first with the Jackson 5 at the age of 11 years old, and then later becoming a superstar as a solo artist. A very successful artist that has won numerous awards, and currently holds the record for the artist to win the most Grammy awards 8 for a single artist, and 8 wins for his album “Thriller”

 

michael_jackson

With millions of album sales world wide, Michael Jackson also holds a record as an artist with best selling album of all time with “Thriller” selling over 100 million copies world wide.

 

Michael Jackson is # 4 on the list of all time best selling artists, with total albums sales of over 500 million. Only three other artists beat him, which are.

 

The Beatles and Elvis with sales of over 1 billion world wide, and Bing Cosby at number three with over 500 million albums sold.

 

Michael Jackson had a major stake along with Sony ATV, for the highly lucrative Beatles catalog; in addition to his own catalog of songs.

 

Michael Jackson leaves behind his family and children Paris, Prince Michael, and Prince Michael II (Blanket)

 

By George Luker

Copyright 2009 Krule Music Group

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Britney Spears Concert Dates (Europe)

Updated concert dates for the Circus tour, which brings Britney Spears to town.

2009-06-20, DUBLIN, IRELAND, O2 Arena
2009-07-04, PARIS, FRANCE, Bercy
2009-07-05, PARIS, FRANCE, Bercy
2009-07-06, PARIS, FRANCE, Bercy
2009-07-09, ANTWERP, BELGIUM, Sportalais
2009-07-11, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, Parken
2009-07-13, STOCKHOLM, SWEEDEN, Globen
2009-07-16, HELSINKI, FINLAND, Hartwell Arena
2009-07-19, ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, Ice Palace
2009-07-21, MOSCOW, RUSSIA, Olimpiiski
2009-07-24, WARSAW, POLAND, TWKS
2009-07-26, BERLIN, GERMANY, O2 World

Go Britney Go.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Billboard Top 5 CD's

The top 5 CD’s from Billboards Hot 100 Music Charts.

  1. Black Eyed Peas: Boom Boom Pow
  2. Lady Gaga: Poker Face
  3. Pitbull: I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
  4. Jeremih: Birthday Sex
  5. Jamie Foxx Featuring T-Pain: Blame it

from Billboard Hot 100

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Madonna Concert "Sticky and Sweet" Tour

Sticky and Sweet is the latest ongoing tour of Madonna its her eight tour. Madonna has extended her Sticky and Sweet tour and performing in UK and Europe, Madonna has never extend her tour before. The tour comprises of 85 Madonna shows - 44 in Europe, 30 in North America and 11 in South America. Started in August 2008, the tour is planned to end in August, 2009. Around 24-25 European Madonna Concerts are decided in this summer. This tour also includes those cities in which she has not performed from more than fifteen years . “Sticky and Sweet tour” was a great hit in North and South America 2008; the tour has record-breaking Madonna ticket sales, including 650,000 tickets sold in her series of South American. And 60,364 Madonna Concert tickets are sold in New York's Madison Square Garden, the largest fans ever come together for a her concert in Switzerland. The tour happened in 58 cities 2008, seen by 2.35 million fans and grossed around $282 million. The shows are structured very well in 4 different acts – Pimp, Old school, Gypsy and Rave. Each act has different theme and choreography on stage which is very well performed by the queen of pop with her terrific singing. Songs have incredibly creative and witty presentation on stage to give audience real feel of the situation. Supporting dancers along with visuals and objects used on the stage make every song alive and add up to an extraordinary show. The updated Sticky & Sweet 2009 Tour schedule is as follows: • 04-July The 02 London , UK • 05-July The 02 London , UK • 07July MEN Arean Manchester, UK… continue till Aug 2009, Europe

Madonna is promoting her 11th Studio album Hard Candy during the concert, Hard Candy released in 2008. “4 Minutes”, “Give It 2 Me”, “ Miles Away” , “Incredible” are the top tracks on Hard Candy . Sticky and Sweet tour broke the record of last tour called “Confession on the floor” 2006. Her powerful start and brilliant ending with incredible voice make the show completely remarkable. She played her hits “Candy Shop”, “Beat Goes On”, “Human Nature”, “Vogue”, “Die another Day”, “Into the Groove”, “She's Not Me” and many more in her 2008 tour. The tour grabbed many achievements in 2008, including becoming the highest grossing tour by a solo artist, the also tour ranked in third in Billboard's "Top 25 Tours". No fan of Madonna wants to miss her show. Buy Madonna Concert Tickets as soon as you get it and enjoy the remarkable Madonna live performance.

Alexa Kari : Madonna tour dates in UK are 4th, 5th, 7th July 09 and from 9th July till August 2009 in Europe.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Young Buck - Is He About the Music Or the Insults?

Young Buck, whose real name is David Darnell Brown, is a rapper in the United States. He at one time was a member of G-Unit, which was a hip hop group based out of New York City. He has been signed to labels like G-Unit, Cashville, and Interscope.

Truly a young talent, Young Buck began rapping when he was only 12 years old, and by the time he was 14, he was in recording studios. He was "discovered" when he was 16 by "Baby" Williams and soon would leave high school and start out recording with Cash Money. From then he went on to UTP Records, and later signed with G-Unit.

To date, Young Buck has already released two albums - Straight Outta Cashville, and Buck the World. It is reported that he is working on another album currently as well, although no release date for it has been given. Some of the well known artists that have appeared in his albums include 50 Cent, Ludacris, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington, Young Jeezy, and many others.

Although it is clear that Young Buck has some great talent, since 2004 he has been involved in a lot of controversies, making one wonder if he is all about the music or all about insults. In fact, one incident occurred at the VIBE Awards in 2004, where he allegedly stabbed Jimmy James Johnson in the chest, after a brawl broke out between Dr. Dre, Johnson, and several police officers. However, Young Buck was never convicted.

There have since been many incidents where Young Buck has thrown insults, using his music to do so. For some time there was a feud between Young Buck and The Game. The Game ended up being kicked out of G-Unit, and The Game went on to release a track that insulted Young Buck. Young Buck hit back with the track known as "The Real Bitch Boy," which threw back the insults. Many tracks have gone back and forth as both artists use their music to insult each other.

That wasn't the only time where Young Buck used his music to hurl insults at others either. One song he released name "Off Parole" was directly insulting to Lil Wayne, and he has since released "Personal," which was insulting Terror Squad and DJ Khaled.

Young Buck was later kicked out of G-Unit by 50 Cent, and Young Buck went on to release slander songs on the internet against the group, although the other camp hit back with slander sons of their own.

For the past five years, there have been many incidents of Young Buck using music to throw insults at other artists. Although the man definitely has talent and is an excellent rapper, it is sad that he uses his music to be an outlet for his "beefs" with other artists. The question is will he continue this pattern his next album, or will he begin focusing more on his music instead of insults? That remains to be seen.

Check out ChinaShop magazine - the online word on music, culture, interviews, bars, clubs and bands. You'll see pics and video of exclusive events and interviews from the music scene, including a day in the studio with Young Buck.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melissa_Benson

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Music Review of Elephant Shell by Tokyo Police Club

“Tokyo Police Club” are a four-piece Canadian indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario. Tokyo Police Club were formed in 2005 and they are Dave Monks (Vocals and Bass), Josh Hook (Guitar), Graham Wright (Keyboards) and Greg Alsop (Drums). Their musical genres are mainly indie rock, garage rock and post-punk revival.


Elephant Shell has a good opening with “Centennial”. In the few seconds upon opening, you can hear the sound of a malfunctioned robot. The robot might be stuck or jammed somewhere, i thought to myself. Shortly, the draggy keyboard and Dave Monks just come in. Centennial is not a fast tempo track, but the guitar and bass seem to be able to work this track out. In the bridge, handclaps joining by keyboard, just come in for a brief second. And that might be one of the best moments on Centennial. At the end, i like Dave Monks goes, “I’m only wishing well, though you won’t believe me, this coming Thursday evening, is our centennial…” and succeeded by wedding-like keyboard. A short opening, but i’m convinced to find out more about Tokyo Police Club.

 
“In A Cave” starts with guitar that comes in from afar before joining by In A Cave’s core bassline. Before Dave comes in, the music is already really good. When it comes to the chorus where Dave again goes, “All my hair grows in, wrinkles leave my skin, but still, don’t fade… I’ll be back again when the tide is in some day…”, the keyboard suddenly enters and the rest of Tokyo Police Club can be heard helping Dave out in the background. The second verse gets even fiercer with the guitar and bass, but somehow it’s not loud. It still manages to sound light and effortless. The best bet on In A Cave is definitely the remaining 1 minute after the second chorus. Dave just struts his stuff, “Elephant shell, you’re my cave and I’ve been hiding out, will you tell me a little bit about, a bit about yourself?” and joining him are the guitar, bass, drums and keyboard which play in notes that we first heard in the beginning. Only this time, Tokyo Police Club add some magic to it! Impressive stuff by Tokyo Police Club here!

 
From the lyrics of “Graves”, it sounds like a script of a horror movie. “Pack your ashes pack a watch, change of clothes and a face cloth, meet me where your mother lies, we’ll dig graves on both her sides…” The guitar keeps playing in a loop once Graves opens before the drums, bass and keyboard come in all together. A sudden adrenaline rush! Graves is one of those tracks that don’t really have a chorus and relies on the music to drag it or make it a longer track. After Dave’s vocals on the second verse, it feels like Tokyo Police Club are having a short break by playing the music. They really do have a strong liking for keyboards. Nearing the end, Dave just sing to the end accompanied by a howl-like sound that comes on and off.

 
“Juno” has some drum beats going on. As Dave sings in the chorus, it looks like there’s a sound in the background which i think is produced by the instrument Xylophone, adding some Christmas feel to it. Reaching the chorus, Juno seems to be turning to keyboard to go along with Dave’s vocals, “You and your soapy eyes, called it off so late at night, but your hand’s on your heart, because your head’s always right…” The Xylophone also plays its part here on a few notes that really complement the chorus. As Juno goes on, it ends on a sudden and tired note, “Juno, you’re tired…” But i’m just getting started to know Tokyo Police Club.

 
“Tessellate” has some high and sharp pitched guitar in the beginning. Just as Dave sings each phrase of the verse, the keyboards which possess some catchy ingredients just come in at the right time to make sure we as listeners are having a good time listening to Tessellate. In the chorus, Dave sings with his already-known voice, “… Dead lovers salivate, broken hearts tessellate tonight…” Tokyo Police Club show some effort here by adding hand claps along side to Dave’s voice. The real deal on Tessellate is definitely the sound of the keyboard which always never fails to capture my attention as it’s too good. And at times, it sounds like a piano. Now i just can’t get the sound of it off my head.

 
“Sixties Remake” kicks off with some crunchy guitar opening that reminds me of those motorcycles engine on the highway. As this song goes and reaches a point where an exclaimation of “Hey” can be heard, i already knew Sixties Remake is one of the tracks that is going to be my favourite on Elephant Shell. The crunchy guitar is one of the factors that keeps Sixties Remake so good. In the chorus, Dave just goes, “Hey! Bat your lips, shut your eyes… Hey! Swing those chains, and start a fight, because you’ve got nerve, but we’ve got tapped…” This has got to be one of the loudest and crunchiest tracks on the album.

 
“The Harrowing Adventures Of…” has me thinking that this is one of the tracks that might be suitable for babies. The xylophone just plays in notes that will make all babies in the world smile upon listening to it. It’s not long before Dave enters the bay twilight zone, “The harrowing adventures of, you and I when we were captains of, submarines made of steel…” When it got to the point that sounds like a chorus, acoustic guitar can be heard playing in a way that blend in so well with the vocals of Dave and xylophone. Two string instruments which sounded like a cello and a violin can also be heard here. I really didn’t expect that to come, but Tokyo Police Club surprise me here. The Harrowing Adventures Of… is undefiantly cute and cheeky in its own way. It will gulp you down slowly.

 
“Nursery, Academy” is a short rock track that i find Dave sings on different notes in a few minutes. In the beginning, Dave can be heard singing, “I would’ve gone back home, i would’ve gone back home, it’s bad enough you’re here and it’s worse that you’ve come along…” Smart lyrics i thought. This song begins to pick up in a short while once the bass comes in. Keyboardist Graham must have worked very hard here as the keyboard is all over the place with different notes. Tokyo Police Club are trying very hard on this track to make it sounds as good as possible. I can feel that they work very hard on this track.

 
“Your English Is Good” has Tokyo Police Club choiring, “Oh, give us your vote, give us your vote, if you know what’s good for you…” before the whole track sounds very full as the music comes in all together. Your English Is Good is cheeky and cute with the keyboard playing in repetition in the same notes throughout the track. Everytime the keyboard enters, a smile appears on my face. Tokyo Police Club also go together with, “Because your English is good, we can see it in your bones, in this neighborhood, we ain’t driving you home…” With such title, Your English Is Good will definitely catch everyone’s attention in the tracklist section. Plus another good thing is the cute keyboard and choir that are in this track. Sweet and cute!

 
“Listen To The Math” has a slow opening where Dave’s voice seems to be the music here. The keyboards and bass add some weight to Dave’s singing as he’s into the second part of the first verse. Once it gets to the chorus, it feels light with the guitar. “It’s a ruse, it’s a laugh, experts they’d agree, listen to the math…” Shortly after the chorus, the guitar switches to a chrunchier note that seems to be able to add some extra effects and weights to Listen To The Math. Another mention is the deep background voice that comes in during the chorus. It just follows Dave’s singing in the background. Listen To The Math can regarded as a ballad that will stick to you like a fungus after a few listenes.
As the last track on Elephant Shell, “The Baskervilles” has some moments on it that stands out. The choiring moments by Tokyo Police Club is worth mentioning and appear on some parts of the song and never fail to create an impact on the listeners. They would go, “Alright, we tried to help…” As we get further into The Baskervilles, the track starts to pick up and the music just sounds as lively as ever. The guitar and keyboards work their way out here. Even nearing the end, Dave increases his singing tone and yell, “A toast to the last of a dying breed, they’re crawling back to bed, they’re falling back to sleep” to the end. A very strong finish by Tokyo Police Club.

 
Cheers!
Darren Tan
http://www.indiesurf.com