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: Spinal Tap to Reunite

I know that this is the moment you have all been waiting for. After a 25 year hiatus due to creative differences (come on - we all saw the documentary), Spinal Tap is to perform one last time at the Live Earth Festival at Wembley Stadium in London. All the original members of the group are to be there, including guitarist Nigel Tufnel (played by Christopher Guest), singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer). Even the documentarian Marty De Bergi (Rob Reiner) will be in attendance.

As an added bonus, Marty will be filming a small documentary about the bands reunion, and possibly an explanation as to where they have been all this time, to air at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

I know we all look forward to this great event. Rock and Roll history is going to be made!

Original Story

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: Paul Simon to Receive First Ever Gershwin Award

Paul Simon is one of the most influential and respected artists and songwriters in the 21st century. His accomplishments will be recognized May 23 at a Gala event when the US Library of Congress bestows upon him the newly founded Gershwin Award for popular song, which honor's Simon for the "profound and positive" effect his music has had on popular culture.

The Gala awards banquet will be held at the Warner Theater in Washington D.C., and will include performances from such artists as Art Garfunkel, James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Philip Glass, and Alison Krauss.

Paul started his musical career as half of the duo Simon and Garfunkle, which led him to numerous awards and induction into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. He then pursued a successful solo career with such albums as "Graceland" and "The Rhythm of the Saints".

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

NEWS: Britney Spears and Sanjaya Malakar, duets?

According to various news sources, reportedly Britney Spears, Itching to make a wonderous comeback in to the American pre-teen pop market is planning to cavort with none other than our news worthy mangy locked Sanjaya. Just when you thought you'd never have to hear his name again huh.

According to the reports, Britney thinks that since Sanjaya has such a news worhty buzz about him, if she teams up with him to make beautiful music together, it will help her career and help her to land on the top music charts. I personally think that shaving her head might have caused her to stop thinking...

The thought of Sanjaya and Britney to me brings up a little bit of last nights dinner. Never mind the fact that her recent escapades have led her to be more of the music industry freak show, and less of the up and coming talent.

However, and I really hate to say this: it might just be the smartest thing she has ever done. If you truly think about it from a purely business standpoint, where has she got to go from here. If she put out another solo work who would buy it? But, if she were to team up with a recent sensation, even if he did lose, it might just garner enough attention to brighten up her image if not just a little bit.

It seems just crazy enough to work, unfortunately. Let's just say if it does - you won't find me looking it up...

Times of India original story

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.

Roundup of the ASCAP Awards

Last night was the 24th annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) awards. Held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, the awards honor those songwriters that show outstanding talent in today's music business.

Top honors fro Songwriter of the year went to Johntá Austin and Jermaine Dupri. "Because of You" and "Be Without You", shared the top spot for song of the year, and EMI Publishing claimed the top spot for Publisher of the year.

Special Honors were handed out to both Mellisa Etheridge, and the All American Rejects.
Etheridge was honored with the distinguished ASCAP Founders Award to recognize her pioneering contributions to the music industry.

The All American Rejects were given the ASCAP Vanguard Award for their impact on the music business that helped shape the future of music.

Click Here for Complete Story
Click here for the complete list of winners.

Music Sales Down, But are we Concerned?

In a news report by the Recording industry Association of America RIAA, it seems that there has been quite a bit of growth in the digital download sector of the music market, however overall sales continue to decline. According to the report, there were 586 million songs downloaded through online music stores last year, which represented a 60% increase over 2005. Overall value of the record industry was only $11.5 billion which represented a 6% decline over 2005. The hardest hit market being the Latin market, which posted a 21.3% decline.

$11.5 billion. As one comes to think about it, that is a very large number. I will give them a little credit since that is well below the peak number of $45 billion mark of 1997. But still - $11.5 billion. Perhaps it would be easier to care if there were a little less greed plaguing the market all around.

We all know it, and we all see it. Tell me it's no difficult to muster up some sympathy when we see major recording artists every day living a life of opulent luxury. Partying, lavish spending trips, and over the top spending is common place amongst the wealthy music industry elite. And yet there are many people all over the world starving to death, many of them musicians themselves!

I guess it just seems unfair to me, that the music industry greed keeps the rich getting richer. In fact, It is my thought that with a little less greed, the exec's at the major labels might even see sales go up. It is just a thought, but if these super rich artists and executives were able to dismount from their high horse and spread the wealth a little, more people might be more willing to support their cause. It's their call though.

NEWS: Sanjaya heartbroken.

It seems like moment's after the parody post that had Sanjaya scaring small children and women with his freakishly abnormal hair, and all to creepy eyes: America has voted him down. He will no longer be in the running for the top spot on American Idol.

And the whole world says: Amen. It was all to apparent that his creepy looks, and freakish hair styles were not enough to keep him in the running. I personally am relieved. That is one less "awful performance" that we must endure each week at the idol.

Really - you have to give it to her, I mean him though. It takes a lot of guts to go up there every week and look that gay.

So Simon - I hope your happy. Now all we Americans have to do is figure out what to talk about now.

Humanitarian Madonna?

Oh the joy of being a follower. Don't do anything for yourself, simply follow what others have done. In recent weeks it appears that Madonna, the Pop-Icon-Diva who is most notably known for her song entitled "Like a Virgin", has been frequenting the Malawi Province of Africa for many humanitarian endeavors.

First following the example of the movie-iconess Angelina Jolie, Madonna adopted a son saving him from a life of poverty whilst bringing him into a life of opulence and instant fame. For sure there are more pictures of her newest addition, David Banda than of Tom and Katie's alien child.

Secondly, it appears Madonna is currently back in Malawi overseeing the construction of a children's health care center. Already during her visit, she has met the natural father of her new found love, and made him a part of her family too (although not with the paper to back it). It has also been rumored that she has plans to build yet another mansion in Malawi where she would like to spend up to a month out of the year getting to know the heritage of her son.

Now I do not in any way discount the good that the actions of these humanitarian stars is doing. It is obviously raising the awareness of the human condition in such places as Africa and Eur-Asia. It is obviously helping out individual communities when the celebrities visit and adopt, and spread their good fortune. But are they the saints they self-proclaim themselves to be? Or, are they simply following an economic trend that will gain them publicity like non other. We all know that a celebrity is only a celebrity if they are being talked about by the general public. How much of these humanitarian causes is actually, well humanitarian.

REVIEW: Akon, "Konvicted"

Artist: Akon
Album: Konvicted
Year Released: 2006 - Universal Motown Records
Genre: Hip Hop, R and B
Rating: (2/4) Awesome

In general, I do not gravitate towards hip hop, RandB, Rap, or any other genre of that nature. Although there are a few gems, the music just doesn't do anything for me. And yet despite a gradual decline it remains the most popular style of music today. It is everywhere, and I can't seem to get away from it. So I decided to check out the newest artist in the full lineup - Akon and his latest release "Konvicted".

Labeled as the Saviour of hip hop (really), the little man from Senegal has pioneered his way into the record charts with a fusion of styles that he is personally responsible for. He wrote and produced all but one of the tracks on Konvicted, and his personal style is evident throughout the mix.

So here's the rundown. I have to give him props for his rise to fame, and for navigating the treacherous slopes of the American Business. It takes a lot of desire and drive to succeed as well as he has. But...

I just don't see it. It doesn't make any sense to me how, or why anyone would want to mix the street hip hop gang style with the Mr. Nice Guy attitude (note the sweater). All in all, after all the "fusion" takes place all your left with is a Rasta groove with a regular beat. When I listen to his most popular diddy - "Don't Matter", I can envision sitting on a beach in Jamaica with some happy weed and a dreadlocked do.

Another song - "Smack That" featuring Eminem leaves a lot to be desired. Although Eminem, one of the true artists of this genre shines as usual, I leave the song wondering what is so important that Akon must smack it. (Shaking my Head...)

The rest of the album is as drab as the rest. Akon's vocal quality, a higher pitched processed sound droning on and on. The beats are pretty standard, the lyrics are un-original, and I just don't understand it. I guess some-one has to be on top...


Album Produced by: Akon, Hakim Abdulsamad, Keon Bryce, Rask, Dwight Reynolds "Skrapp", Eminem, and Benny- D.

American Idol Contestant Scares, Children, Elderly

ALL OVER AMERICA, In an unprecedented case tonight, American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar was reported to have frightened 50% of the viewers of the popular prime time contest with his "Utterly awful" performance. The frightened individuals responded in a survey taken by the National Couch Potato's of America, and were comprised mostly of women, children and elderly. It has been highly suspected that the remaining 50% were simply trying to act tough.

"It was really scary!", one smaller viewer was quoted. "His Hair looks like a monster!". Other people interviewed after the contestant's performances Tuesday night compared the mangy-maned singer to a wookie, a stalker, a creepy individual, and most uniquely to a fuzz-brained-half-witted-explative. "I just don't like it when he stares at the camera like that", exclaimed Jane D. from Texas. "It just gives me the Heebie Jeebies! I would not want to cross him in a supermarket at all!"

Mrs. D, a sweet old lady from the great state has been an avid follower of the American knock off show. It hasn't been until this season that she has seen the show decline. "If it weren't for the bingo night being on Monday's, I wouldn't watch it at all. I do like watching Paula dance when the boy's sing though."

American Idol, in it's sixth season this year, has drawn record numbers of fans over it's short past, and has made the careers of such great artists such as William Hung, and of course the all time great - Ruben Studdard. Other honorable mentions have included Carey Underwood, who's fledgling career has started to gain the attention of Nashville.

This season however has been plagued with controversy. Many fans find the contestants to be mediocre in comparison, and downright awful. "What's up with that no-neck woman", claimed B.J. Icanovichomeister. "I could do better than her!" In fact of the survey respondents in the N.C.P.A survey, an overwhelming majority were disappointed with the talent represented this year.




***Note: In case you haven't already figured it out, the above story is a parody of the ridiculous phenomenon that is American Idol, and should be taken as such.