Music
Beats On The Streets
While we generally feel pretty good about our music choices, we often seek the opinions of our musically–inclined co–editors and friends to round out our iTunes libraries.
Pump Up The Volume
If you’ve read the Music section, well, ever, you know how much we love to keep you in the loop about our favorite new releases.
Review: Matt & Kim
With their third album, Sidewalks, Matt & Kim seem to have captured the pulse of our generation.
Review: Cee–Lo Green, The Lady Killer
When “Fuck You” hit YouTube this August, it took the music world by storm. Now, with the long–awaited release of his third solo LP, The Lady Killer, Cee–Lo Green returns to the spotlight with a fresh batch of neo–soul goodies.
Review: Kid Cudi, Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager
In a world where the Top 40 consistently includes hip–hop, Kid Cudi is increasingly becoming an anomaly.
Defibrillator: Outkast, "ATLiens" (1996)
In the past two years, I have taken no fewer than three road trips through the South. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the greatest part of the country: fantastic food (Paula Deen is from Savannah), warm climate and, of course, OutKast.
Review: "The Fool," Warpaint
With haunting melodies and hypnotic guitar riffs the women of Warpaint bring a sexy spookiness to their particular brand of art rock.
One Track Mind: "Get Some", Lykke Li
Given that her last single was a moody contribution to the Twilight soundtrack, Lykke Li’s latest — the aptly titled “Get Some” — is nothing if not a breath of fresh air.
One Track Mind: "Crime Pays", Bear Hands
If you’re at all nostalgic for Oracular Spectacular, MGMT’s crazy electro–funk debut album, then you’ve received an awesome, neon–wrapped gift in the form of Bear Hands.
REVIEW: Avey Tare, Down There
On the cover of Avey Tare’s first solo effort is a crocodile skull, rippling with sharp green details that vaguely resemble a sort of digital swamp grass.
His Twisted, Awful Fantasy
Here at Street, we rejoice in reaping the rewards of artistic ambition. Sometimes those rewards are a bit, well, hard to figure out.
Puntal / Contrapuntal: Whippin' It With Willow
Willow Smith, progeny of Will and Jada Pinkett, has arrived on the music scene faster than we can say “heart–shaped weave.” The neon–hued video for her single “Whip My Hair” has been making the requisite rounds on the blogosphere, dividing music fans along the way.
Defibrillator: Ice Cube, "Down For Whatever," (1993)
To a 16–year–old, a pair of car keys is probably the most profound symbol of autonomy and freedom in the known world.
Review: Die Antwoord, $O$
In Die Antwoord, a South African rap group, pixie–voiced Yo–Landi Vi$$er sings like a perverse fairy while her co–conspirator Ninja curses like a pirate.
Venues N' Shit: The Tower Theater
The Tower Theatre, located at the corner of 69th and Ludlow streets, was constructed in 1927 as a movie house and vaudeville theater.
One Track Mind: My Chemical Romance, The Only Hope For Me Is You
Even if they vehemently deny it, the oft–costumed, mascara–wearing lads of My Chemical Romance have become the essence of all things “emo.” Their 2006 mega–hit concept album, The Black Parade, gave voice to a disgruntled sect of disaffected teenage suburbanites.
Venues N' Shit: First Unitarian Church
Release your inner awkward teen in First Unitarian Church’s basement. There’s nothing like the basement of First Unitarian Church to send you back to the days of awkward school dances.
Review: Belle And Sebastien
Belle & Sebastian forgo the lyricism, focus on the instrumentation on their latest. There was a time, back in 1996 or 1997, when the hi–fi grandiosity of Belle & Sebastian’s Write About Love would have seemed ridiculous to the band’s growing fan base.
Review: Kings Of Leon, Come Around Sundown
Southern rockers pursue a chiller state on their fifth record. It was hard to imagine what Kings of Leon would produce as a follow up to 2008’s Only by the Night. The album was a vastly successful yet drastic break from their former Southern Rock aesthetic that garnered them multitudes of awards and new fans.
