Music
Different Strokes
In the first half of the aughts, it wouldn’t have been ridiculous to say that the media compared 80% of New York bands to the Strokes.
One Track Mind: 11.5.09
In the 12 years since the debut of “I Believe I Can Fly,” there’s been a void in motivational, mainstream R&B.
When Metal and Genius Collide
In the vast world of metal, few bands have the versatility of North Carolina’s Between the Buried and Me.
Defibrillator: Soundgarden, "Superunknown" (1994)
Opening with a blast of searing guitar, Soundgarden’s Superunknown grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go for upwards of 70 minutes.
Bringing Indie to Irvine
And we're pretty excited about it. The concert goes down in Irvine Auditorium tomorrow night at 8:30, so make sure to get your tickets ASAP.
Royal Ghosts of Ancient Iraq
Ah, the Penn Museum. It’s so close, and yet so difficult to motivate yourself to visit. If you haven’t set foot inside the picturesque South Street locale since your freshman year toga party, consider checking out the museum’s fascinating new exhibit: Iraq’s Ancient Past: Rediscovering Ur’s Royal Cemetery.
Flying High
Evoking something between Itzhak Perlman and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Chicago-based singer/songwriter/violinist Andrew Bird took the stage on Sunday night clad in a scarf, a tattered suit coat and no shoes.
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.
