Saturday, November 14, 2009

Snob's Music

Snob's Music

Link to Snob's Music

Three types of over-rated bands, who's one top?

Posted: 14 Nov 2009 08:18 AM PST

Stagehands: "The Silent City" (album review)

Posted: 14 Nov 2009 05:23 AM PST

Quick Hits: Ben Davis, Pick A Piper

Posted: 13 Nov 2009 10:28 PM PST

popwreckoning updates

popwreckoning updates

Link to popwreckoning

Win the Nirvana Catalog

Posted: 14 Nov 2009 11:45 AM PST

From the band that made grunge cool, we bring you the entire catalog. Relive behind the drums before . Ride along the bass lines of Krist Novoselic. Lose yourself in ’s vocals and lyrics. 1960
We’re giving away: Nevermind, Unplugged, Greatest Hits, In Utero, Incesticide, From The Muddy Bands of the Wishkah, and Live At Reading

Live At Reading was recently issued in a limited edition CD+DVD Deluxe Edition as well as DVD-only, CD-only configurations on November 3, 2009, the 2LP version is available November 17, 2009.

To win the catalog, simply answer the following question correctly and we’ll pick a winner from the correct answers on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 12 p.m. CDT.

Cobain and Novoselic met hanging around what band and their practice space?

And be sure to check out this trailer for the band’s 1992 Live at Reeding performance:

: website

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One Republic – Wake Up

Posted: 14 Nov 2009 10:47 AM PST

It's very hard to try and put a genre label on One Republic. They utilize almost every type of music, from R&B to alternative rock to even some reggae influences. Most people try and compare them to fellow "piano-rockers" The Fray, but that's just it: the only similarity linking the two bands is the piano element. So the question remains on how to classify One Republic and if that's even possible. Their display of a soulful, R&B edge mixed with a melodic rock premise distinguishes them from any other band in the music industry today. They continue to illustrate that distinction even more blatantly on their much-anticipated 2nd full length release Waking Up. onerepublic

As a follow up to their extremely successful debut album, Dreaming Out Loud, Waking Up is an album carefully comprised of 11 songs that individually have a completely different, unique sound and feel than the one preceding it. The rhythmically-charged album begins with "Made for You," a haunting melody that transitions into a soulful chorus and starts the album off strongly. It is followed by their first single "All the Right Moves," which is destined to be an instant hit due to the numerous hooks that are filled with a mix of strings and strong drums. This effectively eerie combination is very reminiscent of 's Absence album's tone and feel. A few songs later listener is hit with "Everybody Loves Me," a Beck-like album staple that is in a direct contrast to any other One Republic song on either album. It may sound strange to compare One Republic to Beck, but it strangely works.

Waking Up peaks with what has become my personal favorite song on the album, "Good Life." It is full of rhythmically perfect beats and feel-good harmonies that have a hint of an African tribal flair. It's the song on the album that will probably not become a single, but will be an instant fan favorite. (It was on repeat on my shuffle for two days straight.) Next up, the -esque title track "Waking Up" could almost be considered a 2-part song. Three minutes of the song is a fist-pumping section full of effective chanting and lead singer Ryan Tedder's -inspired voice. In a stark contrast, the 2nd half of the song moves into a solely instrumental piece with a heart-wrenching melody provided by an immaculate combination of strings and piano, immediately making the listener stop and take notice. One Republic hasn't entirely dismissed their catchy, melodic Dreaming Out Loud roots, as is displayed with Tedder's enchanting piano playing on tracks "Fear" and "All This Time." The album is wrapped up with a song entitled "Lullaby." It is an appropriate mellow counterpart and conclusion to an otherwise energetic album. It is slowed down to a relaxed pace and enters an almost trance-like state with soft guitars, Tedder's pure voice, and gospel-like harmonies.

Looking back over the past 45 minutes makes one realize that an album that has combined elements of , Beck and (and doesn't turn out to be a disaster) can rightfully be considered successfully unique. Dreaming Out Loud was full of effective, but safe melodies and textbook undertones, but they definitely take the edginess of their band to a whole new level on Waking Up. With an album dominated by intense drums, clean harmonies, and daring beats, the band has stepped out of their comfort zone and has further created a genre of their own. They could have written a radio-friendly, similar sounding album to Dreaming Out Loud, but they chose to try out a new sound that allowed them to grow and evolve into a new, fearless bad that is taking all the right chances.

Waking Up is a brave album that will earn the band respect from old and new fans alike.

It is streaming on MySpace now and is physically available Nov. 17.

Track Listing:
01. Made For You
02. All The Right Moves
03. Secrets
04. Everybody Loves Me
05. Missing Persons 1 & 2
06. Good Life
07. All This Time
08. Fear
09. Waking Up
10. Marchin On
11. Lullaby

One Republic: website | myspace

Written by: Sarah Hassan

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You Crazy Dreamers

You Crazy Dreamers


Curtis Harvey brings old to new again with “Box of Stones”

Posted: 14 Nov 2009 08:53 AM PST


Box of Stones

I don’t remember who sent me this “blast from the past” album from FatCat Recording artist Curtis Harvey.  It might have been one of these You Crazy Dreamers bloggers, so I thought I would put a bit of finger to keyboard for it.

The album “Box of Stones” is a new release (Nov. 3rd here in North America, rest of planet still pending I think) and is choke full of acoustic country folk that is just a bit more country than folk.  Almost like the album cover, I believe it speaks to another time of sephia toned whiskey joints and live roots music.  The sound created seems both personal and full of energy (even if it is a bit down tempo at times) with Harvey’s blood and guts built right in.  It is said that he recorded the entire album in his basement with few takes – just took it as it was.  I think that is why it seems full of that energy – it is really him, not his recording mixed and reproduced 50 times till it’s a fraction of the sound it once was.    A song like “Borrowed Time” has a straight forward structure but seems like was put together like it was happening all at once.  It might be the collection of sounds in the background, but I don’t know – it just sounds that way.  You can also have a songs like “Joking” or “Words” which are more in the vein of a back porch tribute to a previous time while at the same time being quite beautiful.

Another great track I found on the album is the sing a long “Oldertoo” which is a bit up tempo and brings a bit of kick to the step of this sad bastard.  It brings in banjo and an easy sound…I think it could just be the leg slapping (or what is reminiscent of a lite version of “foot stompin’ honky tonk”) – that track is included below, see for yourself!

Sidenote and recommendation: I do know I have kind of beat the vibe of “Americana past” into the ground for this post.  I have noticed with today’s indie music landscape where there is a country folk artist on every indie label’s roster (and maybe Harvey is FatCat’s resident guy with a guitar), Harvey brings a country worth considering.  With that, Curtis Harvey’s album is definitely worth a few spins, especially while sitting back with a favourite beverage of choice.

Curtis Harvey
“Oldertoo” (mp3)
from “Box Of Stones”
(Fat Cat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic Delivery
More On This Album

~Smansmith

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Purely_Arribuh

Purely_Arribuh


MANNY PACQUIAO VS MIGUEL COTTO LIVESTREAMING

Posted: 14 Nov 2009 04:53 PM PST

Watch Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto Livestreaming

Video 1



Video 2





Music Is My King Size Bed

Music Is My King Size Bed


Hot Talent Alert: Erik Hassle

Posted: 14 Nov 2009 03:17 PM PST

I think that Sweden is secretly stockpiling musical talent. The first bit of Swedish talent I've ever come into audible contact with is Robyn. I've followed her over the years and am happy to see how she's progressed as an artist and as a business woman. Forming her own label after parting ways with one of the majors, she's been able to sustain both a successful career and a sense of independence that comes through in her music. Robyn's really grown into herself as an artist and I for one, can't wait to hear what's next for her. Erik Hassle is another name from out of Sweden who, at 20 years old, is already growing into himself. Combining a beautiful voice, songwriting skills, a contemporary pop sound and fabulous hair - Erik Hassle is someone to watch.

Erik Hassle
I've been listening to Hassle's debut album (released August 2009 in Sweden), Hassle for months and every time I hear it, it's like I'm hearing it for the first time. There's just something so beautiful about his voice. More and more I've been listening to albums all the way through, where as in the past I would skip songs to get to the one that made me feel what I needed to feel at that moment. With Hassle, every song is a must-listen-to. Achieving some success in his home country, he's now bringing his brand of lyrically-driven/slickly-produced pop music to the rest of the world. Hassle plans to release Pieces in the U.S. this December, followed by a February 2010 release in the UK.

Erik Hassle
Hassle's been studying music since the age of 15, but his passion can be traced back to the age of 5, when he picked up his first drum stick at the age of 5. Hassle's come a long way, both personally and professionally. From growing up in a small village 93 miles outside of Stockholm to living in East London and traveling around the world touring with the likes of Little Boots, (he filmed the video for "Don't Bring Flowers" in LA), the artist somehow manages to keep a level head. Definitely keep your eyes peeled for Erik Hassle. He's going places and I for one can't wait to be one of the first American fans to boast "I KNEW this guy was going to be huge."

Erik Hassle - Pieces
Watch his videos for "Hurtful" and "Don't Bring Flowers." Also, be sure and check out his fantastic covers of ABBA's "SOS" and "In For The Kill" by La Roux. P.S. - check out this awesome interview of Erik Hassle over on EQ.

Check out Erik Hassle on the web:
Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter


Hot Video Alert: Mariah Carey - I Want To Know What Love Is

Posted: 13 Nov 2009 07:44 PM PST

Sure the new Mariah Carey video is a bit cheesy. I still think it's a very nice cover version and Mariah sounds (and looks) absolutely beautiful.