Music
Review: The People's Key by Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes’ Partially Poignant Pamphlet for the Proletariat
Pro/Con-Ye
There really isn’t anything that’s not controversial or polarizing about Kanye West. You’d be hard–pressed to find someone who doesn’t think he’s an asshole, but somehow his assholery can make him even more appealing — not just as a musician, but as a cultural icon.
One Track Mind: Cut Copy, “Need You Now”
Need You Now by Cut Copy “Need You Now” is the kind of song that takes its time.
One Track Mind: Real Estate, "Blue Lebaron" (Demo)
Blue Lebaron by Real Estate Real Estate opened its set with instrumental–only “Blue Lebaron” at the Rotunda on Friday, the same day the band posted a demo of the track on its blog.
Review: Mine is Yours by Cold War Kids
Lukewarm Kids: The status of raw, modern blues takes an unfortunate turn for the polished
Review: Gutter Rainbows by Talib Kweli
Eminently Kwelified: Talib Kweli goes old school on latest.
Video Review: Sleigh Bells' "Rill Rill"
Below is the very first Street Music Video review, in which we present a stream of consciousness reaction to a particularly intriguing music video.
Iron and Decline
Acoustic god goes electronic — to mediocre results.
Interview: Cymbals Eat Guitars
Cymbals Eat Guitars, a rock band from Staten Island, will bless Penn with its presence tomorrow night.For those of you who couldn’t get enough of what they had to say in the magazine, here’s an extended version of the interview.
Interview: Real Estate
Originally from New Jersey, Real Estate is a four-piece band whose sound might be deemed psychedelic.
Defibrillator: "Un–break My Heart" by Toni Braxton
When Toni Braxton’s lover, Tyson, died in a studly motorcycle accident, she belted out “Un–break My Heart.” I rediscovered the hit when I sat in on a friend’s 90s–themed college radio show.
Best of 2010: Bands You May Not Have Heard of
End–of–year lists in the music world gain credibility by doing one of two things: they either compile a bunch of albums that have already been validated with critical acclaim, or they include obscure bands just to score some indie cred.
One Track Mind: Kanye West and Jay Z., “H.A.M.”
January 11 was a good day for music — Britney Spears dropped her new single “Hold it Against Me,” and Kanye West and Jay–Z released “H.A.M.” A few days after, 'Ye tweeted, “Yo Britney, I’m really happy for you and I’mma let you be #1, but me and Jay–Z single is one of the best songs of all time.” Sorry, Kanye: while we might have agreed with you on the whole Beyonce/Taylor Swift thing, we’re not as persuaded by your latest effort. “H.A.M.” is the first official single off the rap heavyweights’ joint EP, Watch the Throne, and stands for “hard as a mothafucka.” The track has all the bounce of Jay–Z’s best work, but Kanye’s verse is among his worst: his lazy flow sounds like a failed freestyle and features themes he’s covered better elsewhere.
Review: The Decemberists, the King is Dead
The Decemberists show few signs of life on latest full–length
Puntal/Contrapuntal: Big Bands Vs. Small Bands
Joke Issue: I LIKE BIG BANDS By Bubba "Hands" McNulty Hey fellas. Depression got you down?
Venues 'N' Shit: Homeless Haven
Joke Issue: By Rack 'Em Rack Willie Oh freight train. I remember when you used to come 'round these parts.
One Track Mind: Shirley Temple "Baby, Take A Bow"
Joke Issue: While we’re still years away from any comprehensive child labor legislation, one little girl is toiling away, and her hard work is paying off.
