Music
Second-Rate Island
Even though Flight of the Conchords predated Andy Samberg’s The Lonely Island, I Told You I Was Freaky feels slightly worn-out; Flight of the Conchords is a novelty act that’s no longer novel.
Defibrillator: Elvis Costello, "My Aim is True"
I spent much of my teenage years being pissy and rebellious. Not pissy in the emo way, or rebellious in the cool way, just a little dissatisfied and willing to espouse my contrarian beliefs to anyone who would listen.
For the iPod in Your Head
In 2009, what makes good hip hop? It can be a tricky question for young MCs who, like most college students, were barely old enough to speak when the genre had its golden age in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
Artist to Watch: Jared Evan
In what seemed like a blink of an eye, rapper Jared Siegel dropped his last name, started hanging out with Diddy and got signed to Interscope Records.
The Imperfect Storm
Rain Machine, Kyp Malone’s solo project, seems to operate under the umbrella of two different styles: the multi-instrumental sound strewn across the opening of the album and the soulful-crooner-over-guitar tone that ends Malone’s brainchild.
One Track Mind: 10.22.09
“Shoot First” by Apathy, featuring B-Real and Celph Titled Apathy’s message is simple: “Shoot first, ask questions last.” This lack of apology is just part of what makes this track so damn good.
Turning Up the Chaos
Sometimes, the best kind of music doesn’t make sense. The Flaming Lips are veterans of testing the capabilities of listeners to piece together cohesion out of collages of musical chaos.
Defibrillator: Wu-Tang Clan, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" (1993)
My fondest memory of my Bat Mitzvah is the car-ride to the service with my brother. Instead of bestowing advice, my brother initiated me with Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). While I should have been reviewing Bat Mitzvah tunes, the album’s second cut — “Shame On A Nigga” featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man and Raekwon the Chef — blasted through my ears.
Dance Music For Dummies
Let’s be real: your knowledge of dance music is likely quite limited. You’ve surely rocked out to “World, Hold On” at a downtown and maybe even have a Benny Benassi track on your workout playlist.
If He Only Had A Brain
Like just about every other member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah has long seemed able to pull off anything.
One Track Mind: 10.8.09
“Meet Me Halfway” by The Black Eyed Peas Whether you love the Black Eyed Peas or feel ill at the very mention of Fergie, you will find something to love about “Meet Me Halfway,” the third single off of The E.N.D. The song juxtaposes Fergie’s soulful vocals with will.i.am’s auto-tuned rap verses.
Defibrillator Special Edition: Bringin' Back Motown 1959-1972
Every genre has its time and place. You may bust out the Beethoven as you’re finishing up that overdue essay, but you’d certainly hesitate to blast it at that late night rager two hours later.
We're With the Band
Mask and Wig Few acts on campus are as old as Mask and Wig. Founded in 1888, this band is by far the most established one you will hear at the upcoming competition.
Shock Me Like An Electric Car
Last weekend, the Kia Soul Collective concert series rolled into Philadelphia. The premise was simple, if a bit odd: test-drive a Kia Soul, see free kickass concerts.
One Track Mind: 10.1.09
An American Chinese “Chasing Rabbit” With a title like “Chasing Rabbit,” this track from An American Chinese’s pending debut LP, Utopian Tree, promises something like a melodic acid trip — and thankfully it delivers.
So Nice They X-ed It Twice
Sometimes pushing the envelope means pulling it back a little. When crafting the newest of new, alternative music is all about innovation and experimentation.
Back in Business
In a blur of breakups, overdoses and suicides, grunge died in the late '90s. What followed was a wave of aural garbage in the form of bands fronted by Eddie Vedder wannabes who just couldn’t cut it — Creed, Nickelback, 3 Doors Down and (unfortunately) the list goes on and on.
One Track Mind
Jay-Z featuring Drake and Timbaland “Off That” Call it recession rap: in his stellar single “Off That,” Jay-Z is so over “Cris, rims, and Tims.” This is not to say that Jay isn’t flourishing.
Defibrillator: Toots & the Maytals, "Funky Kingston" (1973)
From the opening four-on-the-floor groove of “Time Tough” all the way to the final notes of the warm Caribbean breeze that is “Sailin’ On,” Toots & the Maytals’ Funky Kingston astounds.
