Posts Tagged ‘Rock’

Sometimes having a day job gets in the way of what we had going here. I don’t know how many people read or don’t read, all I know is that I have this music blog and it was one of the most important things in my life for a while…Writing about music in particular.

Then came along the day job–one I am grateful and blessed to have–and there seems to be no time any more.

But I still need someone to tell my thoughts about music, because it is so rare that I come across someone with whom I can actually have a conversation about music.

So I store up these thoughts and they build up and I lament never having posted them at all.

Well…I’m just going to dump it.

On Femme-Fronted Rock Radio Rotation: It really frustrates me that so few female voices make the radio. It does however bring me joy to hear Nico Vega’s “Gravity” on KROQ’s “Locals Only” broadcast. I guess if enough people request it, they’ll play it more, but it’s nice to hear them on the radio even a little.

Rock super group, Dead Weather–conceived by Jack White, fronted by Alison Mosshart–gets played on another local station, but they say “Jack White’s side project…” It makes sense, since Mosshart’s following pale’s in comparison to Jack’s; but would it heart to acknowledge the vocalist? I guess it must be like being the drummer…which is what Jack happens to be for Dead Weather.

On Lady Gaga: At first I wanted to hate her but she makes good pop music. What? She does! Doesn’t your body move despite you turning up your nose? Aren’t they silly and just burrow into your brain? Yeah, yeah, yeah her costumes are over the top, so what. The girl can sing, and she can put on a show. She’s entertaining and talented. That’s just about all I need right there. Mind you…I don’t like that “Love Game (Disco Stick)” song, but I just think the girl knows her audience on that one…aaaaaaand it wasn’t me. Her VMA performance may have been criticized as rough, but for a newcomer, I think she put on a fantastic show. She’s got room to grow, but if she doesn’t fall off in a few years, Gaga could well go through many transitions and be around for much longer than anyone expects.


On Kanye at the VMAs:
That was shitty, but its Kanye’s shtick. He makes some douche-bag publicity stunt, people talk about boycotting and what an asshole he is. But notice, no one was talking about the embarrassment Tailor Swift suffered; which is good for Tailor Swift. The flip side of it not being all about Swift? It was all about Kanye. So he got what he wanted, people were talking about it, and there was buzz to support his latest project (which I won’t link, ‘cuz fuck that).


On the Cycle of Music:
I watched practically every Fall premier this season (What? You can do that when you don’t watch live TV and you’re vegging out on a Sunday afternoon). It’s been kind of exciting to hear music I was writing about a year ago–up to two years ago even–being used in commercials, movie trailers and on prime time TV shows. The part of me that wants to love underground cringes when I hear The Kills’ “Cheap and Cheerful” in a promo for 90210 and Tilly and the Walls’ “Pot Kettle Black” in a Target promo for the new Anna Sui line, let’s face it though…these are good things for the bands. But seriously, a year for that level of exposure? Didn’t take long for the band with Jack White behind it though; they got in with the series premier of the CW’s Vampire Diaries. Some call it selling out, I call it smart business.

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The other day I was asked who my favorite bands are right now. I answered the question, singing the praises of Janelle Monae and Dead Weather but I must admit that I forgot a few. So I figured since I’m always thinking about updating this blog, maybe I’d dump my brain for real and share my some of my new favorites with you, dear readers (if you’re still with me).

Of course there are the two mentioned above, one a super band created by a man most would agree is a rock GENIUS; the other an underrated member of the recent soul revival. Here are a few others:

Kings of Leon: The music is great and I have to admit that while like so many others I had never heard of KOL until “Sex on Fire” broke, I think they’re older songs are much better than the ones on the latest album. In fact, on my favorite tracks from Because of the Times (2007) is “My Party.” If you can sit still while listening to this song, you’re not alive and that is the simple truth. The only problem I see with KOL is that the energy in the music doesn’t seem to translate into an engaging performance. All the same, I’m perfectly happy bouncing around to their music without needing to see a live show.



Nico Vega: Anyone who has read any of my music blogs knows that I LOVE Nico Vega. This is one band whose energy does translate and transcend live. If you ever need a rock fix, Nico Vega has the cure for ails you. They’re already an underground sensation and definitely on the break.



The Lexingtons: These guys are as fun as they are dapper. A group of up-and-comers who sort of make you remember what cool really is. What do I mean by that you ask? Just have a look at this “Bad Kids” cover video. Doesn’t it just remind you of what a video should be? Videos may not make a star anymore but that doesn’t mean they can’t be interesting.



Flotation Walls: Orchestral and cinematic is the best way to describe this group. To see them live is to see just how hard they work. Acoustic, electric, violins, guitars, upright bass, synthesizers, percussion, drums, horns…you name it they can play it, sometimes all in the same show. And we’re not talking about some 10 person ensemble. The music is a wonderful combination of dramatically classical and sharp witted rocking edginess.



I’m sure I’ll think of more later, but for now, these are the folks at the top of my recommendation list. What are you listening to these days?

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When The Kills opened for the Raconteurs at San Francisco’s Treasure Island Music Festival last year, it was apparent that the two bands well matched. The Kills gave one of the best performances of the weekend, warming up the crowd for The Raconteurs; one of the best shows I’ve ever seen (its a tie between Raconteurs @Treasure Island and Nico Vega @ The Viper Room).

I guess, Jake White felt the same way and has since recruited Kills’ front woman Alison Mosshart to front his latest side project, Dead Weather. The result is gritty, jarring and electric; a beautiful fusion of The White Stripes and The Kills.

Part of me wonders what this means for Kills guitarist Hotel, the other part wants to see Dead Weather go mainstream as proof that female fronted bands get airplay. I’ll not hop on my soap box about the radio blackout on female rockers though…

Check out the single “Hang You From the Heavens.” If you like The Kills and you were a fan of The White Stripes, there’s not doubt you’ll make room in your heart for Dead Weather

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Image by Alex Prager

Last week VinylNotes reviewed the “No Child Left Behind” EP from Nico Vega. Last night we had a chance to see the trio from the MySpace Records burn the Viper Room down with a fired up performance.

The air was heavy, damp and electric. A voice from behind the curtain said “One minute to showtime,” and I looked around, glad I’d chosen to sit on the edge of the stage. As curtain opened, Aja took the stage, barefoot and clad in leggings and a leotard, the audience screamed in excitement. Starting the show on a relatively mellow note; Aja sat on a stool, center stage, with the mic in her face. It wasn’t long before Aja to hopped off the stool and used it as a percussion device before discarding it on the side of the stage as she stomped and strutted ’round, and growled into the microphone.

By the time the trio launched into “Medicine Man” – only the second song in the set – everyone, both the crowd and the band, knew this show was going to be full tilt. Aja, Rich and Dan – vocalist, guitarist and drummer respectively – could not hide their joy as the audience sang along to every word, rocking and swaying, hands in the air. As Aja stomped her foot to the sound of the kick drum and sang, “I don’t need no medicine man to chop my wood…” she grinned big – almost as if in shock – as the crowd pumped their fists and raised their voices in the air. “Gravity” and “Be Giving” sent the Viper Room into a frenzy with the audience jumping and banging their heads as Aja, Rich and Dan played for each other as much as for the concert goers.

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The Last Shadow Puppets is a side project of Arctic Monkeys lead vocalist, Alex Turner and Miles Kane, lead vocalist for The Rascals borne of a friendship mented during the Arctic Monkey’s 2005 UK tour. The duo’s debut album, The Age of the Understatement, is a futuristic throw back to 60s pop, with an epic sound fit for a James Bond movie.

Each song is a swelling, cinematic ballad. Combined with the perfect balance of sexy, dark, and brooding, The Age of the Understatement has an added level of maturity to its pop sensibility. Turner’s voice is edgy with a slight dissonance, while Kane’s has a smooth crooning timbre, together they meld their voices, shifting between subtle discord and soft harmonies.

The first single, “The Age of the Understatement” is representative of the underlying angst that also characterizes the album. With a full and galloping sound, the song marches on about a woman who seems much like Carmen Jones or Helen of Troy. She is seductive, cunning and dangerous; enough so to start a war. The woman is likely a metaphor for anything that would lead you astray with deception.

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Many, many people had high expectations for Coldplay’s most recent release, hoping that it will be bigger and better than the last. While some make appropos comparisons to U2, I like to examine Coldplay at it own merit of melody, soundscape and rhythm (even though I haven’t heard the album yet, hehe). The reviews are lukewarm to raving and buzz abounds.

Speaking of which, over the last couple of weeks the buzz about Coldplay’s latest LP has reached a deafening level climaxing with the news that Coldplay was being accused of stealing the melody for “Viva La Vida” from New York band Creeky Boards. According to numerous reports, Creeky Boards front man, Andrew Hoepfner, claims that the melody originated from his song “The Songs I Didn’t Write” and he even asserts that Coldplay’s front man, Chris Martin, was at one of his shows in October. Hoepfner, cleverly, posted a video on YouTube for us to compare the songs for ourselves. What do you think?

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Apparently Radiohead are fans of Portishead. Check out this video of Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood playing “The Rip” – Portishead’s latest single from Third.

Find more videos like this on w.a.s.t.e. central

Hat tip: NME.com

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I’ve been hooked on Nico Vega since I heard about them six months ago from a friend at Listen In. Instantly I fell in love with vocalist Aja’s throaty, growling voice, and the infectious, high energy rhythms. I bought their EP No Child Left Behind the very same day.

The opening track “Gravity” is an anti-depression anthem and ode to anyone who has had people use words to tear them down. The negative energy, is like gravity… “a parallel on words” that eventually hurts.

Over time you could kill me
But I’ll resurrect so
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
You ain’t never gonna thrill me
But you can kiss my ass so
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na.”

You are can’t help joining Aja as she declares in a frustrated frenzy

Oh-oh-oh, you’re bringing me down!
Pick it up, pick it up pick it up, pick it…
Oh-oh-oh you’re bringing me down!

“Be Giving” is nothing short of rockin’. Three minutes and 36 seconds of a guitar and drum heavy, throw your hands in the air, bang your head rockin’ goodness. Almost cinematic in quality, the music swells and retreats with martial abandon.

I’m gonna drive off naked with the top down
Even if I don’t make it to the next town
I gonna sleep on the floor tonight ‘cause
I don’t need a damn dime to survive on

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Unable to sleep in the middle of the night, I decided to appease my insomnia by getting some reading done. Imagine my surprise and excitement to find my feedreader loaded with news of Nine Inch Nails new album. The best part? It’s available on the NIN website as a free download. Yay!

If you are an avid NIN fan like myself this album – The Slip is especially for you. From Trent Reznor himself:

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Nine Inch Nails is now a big time rouge band – since its contract with Interscope expired in October – with a cult following and in what many have likened to a Radiohead-esque move, has released their latest ablum Ghosts I-IV, on their official website only. Ghosts is an instrumental collection of “almost two hours of new music composed and recorded over an intense ten week period” and Trent Reznor called it “a soundtrack for daydreams.”

While there are certainly parallels to Radiohead’s In Rainbows release, how quickly people forget that just under a year ago, NIN made a revolutionary move by making Year Zero available for streaming on their website as well as allowing fans the opportunity to “listen. Change the tempo. Add new loops. Chop up the vocals. Turn me into a woman. Replay the guitar. Anything you’d like.” Make no mistake, NIN is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of the music distribution.


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