Oasis Back in the Studio

The tumultuous British rockers Oasis are at it again. They are back in the studio recording for their next as yet untitled album due out sometime in August of next year. According to Liam Gallagher, the groups singer/songwriter/badass, all the recording should be done mid-December, and then it is in LA for mix-down and mastering.

They guys, like Radiohead, are currently sans-Record label. However don't expect any handouts. According to Gallagher, it would be over his "dead body" that he would be seen giving his hard work away for nothing.

As with the bands last album "Don't believe the truth", they guys are working with producer David Sardy.

Giving the XO laptop the Edge.

The XO laptop, the flagship laptop design of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) campaign got the "Edge" it needed recently. The rocker's edge that is. Long time member of U2 Edge created a startup sound that will play as the laptop starts up.

“I'm delighted to support One Laptop Per Child," said Edge. "It's an amazing aim to use this new technology to help children all over the world."

For those of you who aren't in the know, the OLPC campaign is an educational project founded by Nicholas Negroponte. The goal of the foundation is to provide children around the globe the opportunity to learn and explore the world around them through a bright green laptop.

Here is a video on the XO:

Cheapskates Unite!

Radiohead fans everywhere, you should be ashamed of yourselves. According to a recent independent survey completed by Internet research group ComScore, more than half of those that downloaded the new album didn't pay a dime. Tsk Tsk.

It was a move the has shaken the music industry at the very core, and really a sign of the times. I applaud Radiohead for the guts to allow users to set their own price for the bands latest release. I personally paid 4 pounds for the album, and I thought it was worth every last quid.

If it were up to me, and thankfully it is not, every last one of you who got the album for free should send the boys from across the pond at least $4 USD. That is the least you can do.

How much did you pay for the album? let me know

Artist Spotlight: the Matches

I must first admit, that the inspiration for this post came from watching the following video for the Matches video "Salty Eyes".

The video, is inspired by the Bob Dylan film clip for "Subterranean Homesick Blues" which is a classic video of him flipping through keywords of the song all written on poster board. The Matches take on the video, as you can see, has them heaving various decrepit analog TV's displaying them in front of a steady cam before dropping them gloriously on the floor. It truly is a work of art.

Thus I decided to look into the band a bit more, and discover all I could about them in our first artist spotlight!

The matches are comprised of Shawn Harris on vocals and guitar, Matt Whalenon the drums, Justin San Souci on the Bass and Vocals, and lastly Jon Devoto on Guitar and Vocals. The band hails Oakland, CA as their home turf, similar to bands like Green Day and Rancid, and musicians like Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. Originally calling themselves the Locals, the band members diligently promoted themselves at rock concerts and other venue's where music fans could be found. After a run in with another band titled "the Locals" out of Chicago - they changed their name to "the Matches", and kept blazing their rock music.

DISCOGRAPHY:

E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals


The first album cut by "the Matches" after their name change. The title cleverly poke's at having to change the band's name. They first released this album sans record label, after having recorded much of it in their garage, bedroom, or wherever they could find room. After being picked up on Epitaph records, the tracks were remastered, and re-released with the new label's mark on the album.

Decomposer


The sophomore effort by the matches fully released under their label Epitaph. The album features a full fledged mick of rock-saviour punk, as well as power pop ballads. It has quickly risen to popularity amongst the California music scene. The band went crazy during production of the album, and had nine separate producers each produce a track from the album. According to the albums wiki page, "John Feldmann of the band Goldfinger, Mark Hoppus of +44, Tim Armstrong of Rancid and Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion and owner of the label Epitaph Records are among the A-list production team".

For More Info:
the Matches Website
the Matches MySpace
the Matches on Wikipedia

What do you think of the Matches? Leave your comment below!

NEWS: Radiohead Album "Almost There"

The infinitely complex nature of Radiohead. The band that went from obscure noisemakers, to epic Rock Gods with the release of their 1997 album "Ok Computer", only to find themselves back in obscurity in the present day.

However, for those of you that love to divulge themselves in the bands catalog now and again, you will be pleased to know that their seventh release to date is "Almost There". According to the web log of information at deadairspace the album is nearing completion in the studio, ready fot the finishing touches of mastering.

Stanley Donwood, the band's incredibly talented artist and web guru, described the band's new music as "almost embarrassingly minimal" with "lot's of bass". Thom Yorke, the moody paranoid frontman has described the newest work as "similar to OK Computer in a way but much more terrifying."

So exactly when can we expect to be blessed by this newest release. It appears that the band must first pen a deal with a new label, as "Hail to The Chief" marked the end of they relationship with the giant EMI. Besides that minor detail everything else looks in order.

Radiohead is: Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway

Find Radiohead at
radiohead.com

Original Story: Spin.com

REVIEW: Sufjan Stevens: "Come on feel the Illinois"

A simple play on words can be either intriguing, or simply exasperating. As is the case with the mystery that is Sufjan Stevens, the boy with the odd name from Michigan. For those of you who haven’t heard, Sufjan has made it his audacious goal to write an entire album for each of the 50 states. Each state so far, has been painstakingly researched and captured in no less that 18 songs of wit produced by the prodigy that is Stevens. Is he mad? Or is he Genius? Only time will tell.

First a little background on the artist himself, which will greater explain the odd nature of the album itself. According to the profile found on his label ‘Asthmatic Kitty’ (more on that later), Sufjan is a self taught musician who is well versed in the mechanics of the “oboe, recorder, banjo, guitar, vibraphone, bass, drums, piano, and other instruments too numerous to mention.” Anyone who has the patience (or is downright crazy enough) to learn that many instruments, must have an incredibly odd taste in musical styles. He is also schooled in the art of literary verse from the New School for Social Research, and it is quite apparent from the lyrical style found in many of his songs.

On our next stop – we take an in depth look at the track titles found on the album. The shortest title by far is the track: “Chicago”, consisting of seven whole letters. Other titles include: “To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament, and It Involves an Inner Tube, Bath Mats, and 21 Able-bodied Men”, which is as thought provoking as it is disturbing. It certainly is a curious feat in itself to be able to title a song with an entire epic poem.

It is with these entirely odd facts at the helm of my mind that I decided to give Stevens a try. Certainly, a bloke who is as eclectic as they come can produce a wonderful artistry of musical delight! And so – I listened.

At first glance, the music contained within the shiny Compact Disc is exactly as I imagined it. There is no real genre to place the sounds within; it is rather a conglomeration of musical styles that “pop” in and out as the songs as they please. And not just the common styles like Pop, and Rock. There is to date Baroque Classical, Medieval Epic Bard, Opera, and Broadway Musical. Never is your mind simply at rest while listening to these songs, as you can never quite place what you are listening to. That being said – the mixture of the genre’s is just that – a mixture. The songs never quite evolve enough to become their own sub-genre. It can only be labeled as independent, and it seems that this is exactly what Sufjan wants.

All in all, there is a very unique mix of music and lyrics that will weave a million tall tales of life in Illinois on this album. But… to me it can never achieve more than great background music, because to listen is to subject your mind to a million unanswered questions.

Tracklist: (Come on feel the Illinois) - Just for kicks

1. "Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois" – 2:09
2. "The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience but You're Going to Have to Leave Now, or, 'I Have Fought the Big Knives and Will Continue to Fight Them Until They Are off Our Lands!'" – 2:14
3. "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!" – 6:45
1. "The World's Columbian Exposition"
2. "Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream"
4. "John Wayne Gacy Jr." – 3:19
5. "Jacksonville" – 5:24
6. "A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, but for Very Good Reasons" – 0:47
7. "Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step Mother!" – 3:03
8. "One Last 'Whoo-Hoo!' for the Pullman" – 0:06
9. "Chicago" – 6:04
10. "Casimir Pulaski Day" – 5:54
11. "To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament, and It Involves an Inner Tube, Bath Mats, and 21 Able-bodied Men" – 1:40
12. "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts" – 6:17
13. "Prairie Fire that Wanders About" – 2:11
14. "A Conjunction of Drones Simulating the Way in which Sufjan Stevens Has an Existential Crisis in the Great Godfrey Maze" – 0:19
15. "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!" – 5:23
16. "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!" – 5:09
17. "Let's Hear that String Part Again, Because I Don't Think They Heard It All the Way out in Bushnell" – 0:40
18. "In this Temple as in the Hearts of Man for Whom He Saved the Earth" – 0:35
19. "The Seer's Tower" – 3:54
20. "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders" – 7:03
1. "The Great Frontier"
2. "Come to Me Only with Playthings Now"
21. "Riffs and Variations on a Single Note for Jelly Roll, Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Baby Dodds, and the King of Swing, to Name a Few" – 0:46
22. "Out of Egypt, into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I Shake the Dirt from My Sandals as I Run" – 4:21


Released: July 5, 2005
Genre: Folk rock
Label: Asthmatic Kitty
Producer: Sufjan Stevens


Find
at


Sufjan Website
Asthmatic Kitty

Way Back When: Oasis - What's the Story, Morning Glory

What's been spinning through my head over and over. Oasis, "What's the story) Morning Glory". Really the entire Oasis catalog is spinning madly on my mP3 player. Why the retro-grade detour down rock and roll memory lane?

To me, Oasis represents it's own genre of musical genius. The songs have a timeless quality to them that I can listen to over and over again. From the intro on Hello, leading off with the beautifully dirty Vox amplifiers, to the ballad of Wonderwall, I just can't stop listening.

Another draw to the band is the intrigue of the brothers Gallagher relationship. The warring tension that has kept on through a decade of Rock and Roll, that is an ever present theme in the music. I wonder how it all works every time I hear the music. It intrigues me that the brothers really don't like each other, or at least don't get along very well. I can see , and hear rather, how such conflict can be the foundation for awesome music.

And another thing I love about Oasis, is their consistency. They have a formula that works, and they stick with it tried and true. It is a truly British rock sound that will have you chugging Guiness in ecstasy in no time.

Oasis, like a wonderful Supernova of Sound exploding into your ears.


Oasis Website
Get your Vox gear at GuitarCenter.com

Simon and Garfunkel Reunite

There is much rejoicing amongst the baby boomers today, as following suit to the Police, and possibly even the Smashing Pumpkins, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkle reunited in concert yesterday in Washington DC. Possibly two of the most influential voices in American Music, these two must have put on quite a show.

Paul also joined up with the Zulu choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo for the first time since 1999. The concert was in honor of Paul's recent reception of the Gershwin Award as reported earlier on this blog.

Other performances of the evening included were bluegrass star Alison Krauss, reggae singer Stephen Marley and Latin vocalist Marc Anthony, who all performed songs from Paul's repertoire.

For all those interested, and you know who you are, the concert will be aired on June 27 on PBS.

Smashing Pumpkins: First Concert Update

I know that we've all been waiting patiently, and the moment has finally arrived. For the first time in seven years the newly revived Smashing Pumpkins took the stage in Paris to promote their upcoming album. The three hour show included 29 songs, with a nice mix of old and new, including an acoustic show sandwiched in the middle, featuring tracks such as "33," "Winterlong" and "To Sheila."

The revised band included the originals Billy Corgan, and Jimmy Chamberlin as well as newcomers guitarist Jeff Schroeder, bassist Ginger Reyes and keyboardist Lisa Harriton.

The Pumpkins will continue their tour through the summer to promote their new album "Zeitgeist", due out July 10.

The entire set list:

"United States"
"Today"
"Stand Inside Your Love"
"Orchid"
"Doomsday Clock"
"Home"
"Hummer"
"Starz"
"Tarantula"
"Bullet"
"Gossamer"
"God and Country"
"33"
"Rocket"
"Winterlong"
"To Sheila"
"Glass and the Ghost"
"Cherub Rock"
"1979"
"Tonight"
"Neverlost"
"That's the Way"
"Disarm"
"Zero"
"Untitled"

Encore 1:
"Shame"
"Silverf*ck"

Encore 2:
"Annie Dog"
"Muzzle"

NEWS: Courtney Love to sell Kurt's Belonging's

In an effort to rid herself of the memories of her late husband, and to finally move on from his death 13 years ago, Courtney Love is holding an auction at Christie's where she will sell off all of Kurt's old things.

"My daughter doesn't need to inherit a giant... bag full of flannel... shirts," Love quoted the AOL website Spinner.com. She plans to leave her daughter with a sweater, a guitar, and the [presumed original] lyrics to "Smells Like Teen Spirit", as a memory of the father she never really knew.

There is no date set for the auction, but we'll keep you posted.

Original Story

REVIEW: Death Cab for Cutie, "Plans"

Artist: Death Cab for Cutie
Album: Plans
Year Released: 2005 - tlantic.
Genre: Indie / Rock
Rating: (4/4) Awesome

"When heaven and hell decide, that they both are satisfied,
Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs,
If there's no one beside you, when your soul embarks,
then I'll follow you into the dark."

"I will follow You Into the Dark", Death Cab for Cutie

Such a hauntingly beautiful song that touches the very depths of the soul. The imagery, the pain, and yet the hope that eminate's from this song is a beautiful thing. I really can't help but listen to the poetic love song over and over again.

And yet I must admit that the first time I heard the "Plans" album from Death Cab, I wasn't a big fan. It didn't have that dynamic rock and roll presence that usually strikes me in a band. There weren't a lot of screaming guitars, driving rhythms, up-tempo's... Yet I can't stop listening to the whole album over and over again.

It takes a while, but the entire album is so full of playful poetic lyrics that stab your still beating heart, and haunting sounds that both give you the chills and warm your very soul, you really can't help but love this album. What it lacks in rock, it more than makes up for in pure artistic expression, the very core of the indie music movement.

For example the song "Summer Skin" with it's piano driven marching beat, never gets off the ground running, but when the vocal's begin to "read" the lyrics off to me in such a melancholy fantasmic way, I close my eyes and begin to dream of hope lost, and loves gone... Beautiful.

Each of the song's warrants such an emotional response. I can only say you will truly be moved by this album. Perhaps not at first, but you will.

Death Cab is: Christopher Walla, Ben Gibbard, Nathan Good, Nick Harmer, Michael Schorr, Jason McGerr
Album Produced by: Christopher Walla.


Find Death Cab for Cutie at eMusic

News: Raconteurs Recording Another Album

According to Billboard News, the Raconteurs are busy recording another album at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, TN. The album, which as of yet is unnamed is the groups second album following up their successful "Broken Boy Soldiers" released in 2006.

Jack White, of the White Stripes and acting producer for the groups claims this song list is "very different" from their original album, but he is very pleased with what the band is producing. They currently have 12 songs written at this time, and are trying to finish recording in a three week window, before the members get along with their busy schedules.

The album should be complete sometime next year.

The Raconteurs are: Jack White of the White Stripes, Brendan Benson, and Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler of The Greenhornes.

News: Smashing Pumpkins, "Zeitgeist" Track List

The Smashing Pumpkins, one of the most successful alternative rock bands of the 90's disbanded, after their epic farewell concert in 2000 at Chicago's Metro, the same place their career started in 1988. Each of the band's members went their separate ways to do solo work and focus on their own careers.

But in a year where miracles happen, the Band has pulled together (much like the Police), and is getting set to release a whole new album entitled "Zeitgeist" on July 7, 2007. According to the Billboard news release, the album is chock full of rock and roll reminiscent of their earlier days, and should be everything that the fans are waiting for.

The track list as announced, is as follows:

"Doomsday Clock"
"7 Shades of Black"
"Orchid"
"That's the Way"
"Tarantula"
"Starz"
"United States"
"Never Lost"
"Bring the Light"
"Come On (Let's Go)"
"For God and Country"
"Pomp and Circumstance"

The band, who's only known returning members include frontman Billy Corgan and original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, will kick off a European Festival tour with a show at the Grand Rex Theatre in Paris on May 22. Their first show in the US will be on July 7 at the Live Earth concert in East Rutherford, N.J.


Original Story at Billboard.com

REVIEW: Avril Lavigne, "The Best Damn Thing"

How freakin awesome are the powerful sounds of a feminist punk rocker Canadian. Yes, it's true I have always liked the sound that Avril has, and it's no different on her latest release, "The Best Damn Thing". Full of screaming riffs, angry drums, and attitude, the album shines amongst the cookie cutter vinyls we hear so much today.

Her debut track "Girlfriend", is a commanding diddy which basically says - I get my way, or else. The song has a great dynamic quality, and the sound is dead on punk. The vocals are well done, although I must admit - I might have a really hard time with Avril for long long periods of time.

Another track "The Best Damn Thing", is another powerful example of the energy that Avril has for the music. It is catchy, well written, and has more energy that a freight train rolling downhill. It is really hard not to get your toe tapping fro the duration of the song.

One thing that bothered me about the album, was the rock balad featurette called "When You're Gone". It could have been called "The softer side of Avril". Although it is well produced, and well thought out the song lacks the attitude driven pop the rest of the album has. It seems to stick out as if it doesn't really belong.

Besides that - there are a couple of songs where the lyrics waver a bit, and there are a few songs that lack the punch of some of the others. But I feel that this is an album worth listening too.

Album Produced by: Butch Walker, Derek Whibley, Rob Cavallo, Matt Mecley

Bono, The Edge, and Spiderman on Broadway

It has been reported that Marvel Comics is preparing a musical based on the popular graphic novel "Spideman". According to Billboard.com - preparations are underway, writing is taking place, auditions are being held... It's really on. The musical will be directed by Tony award winner Julie Taymor.

Now - apart from the fact that U2 has built a solid career of rock and roll music. I can't help but think, a musical? Really? Not withstanding the musical "Tommy" which featured the musical endeavors of the Who, I wonder what Bono is thinking. Perhaps he has some time on his hand from his busy schedule of saving the world, and needed another creative outlet for his bored mind.

All in all I guess we will just have to wait and see. As for me... I'm not holding my breath.

Read the entire Article here.
Find U2 here.

Review: The Flaming Lips, "At War With The Mystics"

Artist: The Flaming Lips
Album: At War With The Mystics
Year Released: 2006 - Warner Brothers Records
Genre: Indie, Electronic, Rock
Rating: (4/4) Awesome

The first thing about this album that caught my attention is the cover art. It was beautiful. I was standing in Urban Outfitters, in the men’s department where they keep the covers of the records they are spinning, and I was intrigued by the artful explosion of color and the guy on the front in obvious disbelief at the light emanating from the bright orange and blue blob. It was truly surreal. And I hadn't even heard the album yet.

"At War With the Mystics", is the 11th release for the Flaming Lips, spanning over a twenty years of intrigue, and a blatant disregard for the normality of the music industry. And the album continues the tradition with utter excellence from start to finish. With an analog feel, and a cacophony of sounds ranging from synth driven organ sounds, to clapping of human hands, the album does a great job of standing out from the standard radio played songs put out today.

One of my favorite tracks, "The Wizard Turns On... The Giant Silver Flashlight and Puts on His Werewolf Moccasins", is a grand instrumental track that moves up and down, telling a story with textural sounds rather than lyrics, and inviting the listener into an imaginative state of being. Another great, "Vein of Stars", provides an almost ballad like beginning to an intriguing, psychologically driven song hinting at the state of life today.

You will not be disappointed with the outcome of this album, no matter where your tastes in music lie. Pick up a copy of this heroic album today.

The Flaming Lips Are: Wayne Coyne, Steven Drozd, Michael Ivins.
Album Produced By: The Flaming Lips, Dave Fridmann, Scott Booker

New Music Tuesday

Artist: The Papercuts
Album: Can't Go Back
Year Released: 2007 - Gnomonsong
Genre: Rock
Rating: (4/4) Awesome

No one ever likes to get a papercut, in fact I would say it is probably one of the worst things in the world. But upon finding some cuts from this album, I would say everyone loves to listen to the Papercuts. This is one of the most acoustic, analog, marvels I have heard in a long time.

I must admit right off the bat that I have not heard the entire album, only those cuts and samples that I could dig up from my search on the entire-world-wide-net. But I immediately fell in love with the emotionally driven, laid back, analog sounds that eminated from my computers speakers.

According to their mySpace page, the Papercuts is the music of Jason Robert Quever accompanied by David Enos, Matt Stromberg, and Trevor Montgomery. They are based out of the San Fransisco area, and are signed with the label Gnomonsong.

The songs upon this album are an amazing display of talent, with just the right amount of edgy raw sounds that make them stand out from rest of the music world. The track "John Brown" has a light airy feeling, coupled with the somber melodic genius of the lyrics. It is the type of song that brings one's own emotions to the feelings, causing a reflective mood within your soul. Then the song changes movements entirely with a folky / gospel feeling that sways back and forth in your ears like musical candy.

I highly recommend checking out the Papercuts on your trip through the music industry. It is well worth it.

Live Review: the Police, at the Grammy's

Yes, it's true, the Police, the formative rock band that dominated the 80's performed together for the first time in 23 years. And it looks as if they still got it. With a name like Sting, you know that you can do anything you want. And with his rugged good looks...

For those of you who may not know, or may not remember, the Police was grouped together in England in 1977 by drummer Stewart Copeland. He met up with Gordon Matthew Sumner (aka Sting), and Henry Padovani and they recroded their first cut, "Fall/Out"/"Nothing Achieving" and from there just kept on rockin. Riding on Sting's clear as a bell vocals, Copeland's innovative but solid rock and roll drumming, and the memorable licks of guitarist Padovani, the group became the biggest band to hit the music industry in the 80’s. Their music extended to every corner of the Globe, and if you haven’t heard at least their name, then you are most likely a cave dweller.

To mark their 30^th anniversary, the Police banded back together after a 23 year hiatus to open up the Grammy’s performing their hit song – “Roxane”. And a grand reunion it was. It was really as if they had never left, with the energy of youthful 20 year olds, the bands members rocked the house to a standing ovation.

Sting, who has had the most memorable solo career, led the enthusiastic diddy with great fervor and his vocals were as grand as they ever have been. It was a great display of talent. Stewart Copeland brought back his amazing skills as a drummer with an ease that made pounding the skins even look easy. And the guitarist Padovani rocked the house with the tell tale riff that makes the song what it is.

It was a grand entrance back after so many years; one can only hope that they may have some new music in the works to keep it going.

New Music Tuesday: Bloc Party, A Weekend in the City

Artist: Bloc Party
Album: A Weekend in the City
Year Released: 2007 - Wichita / Vice.
Genre: Indie Rock / Pop
Rating: (3/4) Awesome

Long live the Bloc Party. Today is Tuesday, and for reasons unbeknowst to most typical consumers, the music industry has decided that Tuesday is an excellent day to feed the consumer their new music. Whatever the reason, for all music lovers, tuesday is the day of choice of our weeks.

Today, a new album is released from the United Kingdom by Bloc Party, a energetic passionate group of young brit's on the cutting edge of the world's music scene. The album is called a Weekend in the City, and touts compositions such as Song for Clay (Disappear Here), On, Hunting for Witches, and my personal favorite, Uniform.

The album on the whole has a definite pop influence, with a sound that ranges from punk to California Surfer Emo, and many in-betweens. The talent portrayed by this young group is immense and welcome, with crystal clear vocal's, well written lyrics, excellent guitar riffs, and solid beats throughout. They have also done a great job at adding a dynamic quality to the album, allowing the searing rock to shine with moments of quiet introspection in between.

I definitely recommend taking a look at this album. It will be a welcome addition to your Tuesday, and give you a release from the monotony of the week.

Bloc Party is: Kele Okereke,Russell Lissack, Gordon Moakes, Matt Tong
Album Produced by: Jacknife Lee.

Other Albums out today: "Yes I'm a Witch, Yoko Ono"
Other Albums I'm excited about: "Village Sessions, John Mayer"

Show Review": Purple Rain in Florida during Halftime.

Ahh the Super Bowl, the epitome of television entertainment. Where else can you find it, drama, comedy, action, and a plethora of men running about in tight white pants in the pouring rain for 4 hours? What a thrill. I must admit the game was not half bad, with Peyton Manning leading his Colts to a glorious victory over "da Bears", but that's not why we're here.

No, we are here to take a closer look at what was probably one of the weirdest halftime shows in the history of the game. This year the entertainer of choice was none other than prince, the stick tall skinny rocker with the purple guitar. It was the talk of our party this year that ever since the debacle with the boob that the networks were trying to play it safe with their mid game entertainment. They seem to continually bring in the “older generation” of stars to perform for the rowdy and over charged football fans. But is it safe with Prince? The man who a few years back renamed himself to the “Artist Formerly Known as”?

I will be the first to admit that I am not a fan of Prince. He is not on my playlist I any of the genres of music I listen too. I do not even really know any of his music, nor would I be able to pick him out of a music lineup on the radio. And from what I could tell during his performance, I was right. His vocals were a bit to off for me, his lyrics were strange, he kept breaking into this odd sound that resembled a bird dying while calling out whoo hooo-ooo-oo’s or something like that. No, prince is not my cup of tea. Not to mention his outfit was outrageous, his hair was odd, and his doo-rag made him look a bit like an overworked Aunt Jemima.

I was amazed at his perseverance however, and I must admit that he is does have some skills. It takes a real artist, who is committed to his craft to play through the pouring rain with football fans watching in awe of you. (As a side note, I wonder if Prince is a fan of the game?) Never having heard him play I was impressed by his skills on the guitar while he was shredding it up on the giant oddly shaped stage. And the music was well played, on the beat, on key for the most part, and entertaining to watch for a little while.

But the crowning moment, which ruined it all for me, was the medley of songs he mashed together towards the end of his performance, at least one of which had previously been performed by the Foo-Fighters. It was definately hard to hear or understand, but I'm sure I heard a bit of "All along the watchtower" through the pouring purple rain. There is also no way in this universe was he going to pull off a song better than Dave and the Boys. In my opinion Prince should stick to what he does best, what ever that is.

To sum it up, no I am not a converted fan of the man in purple. While he had some skills on the guitar, I can not overcome his gaudy appearance and over the top vocals. He did a good job, and that's that.