I was excited to review this CD since I heard the first single “I Don’t Want to Know” on the radio. Mario Winans’ soft, caramel voice sings about ex-lovers, cheating bitches and hard times through all 17 album tracks. He may whine for most of them, but it is the good kind of whining. His… Continue reading Mario Winans
Month: May 2004
BR549
I’m pretty sure everyone makes fun of country music. The particular characteristics of individuals don’t even matter, but they share at least one common root: country music deserves to be mocked. The trendy hipsters with their tight fitting hooded sweatshirts and interesting hair enjoy poking fun at country; the jazz hepcats share a laugh at… Continue reading BR549
Gary Jules
“There’s no poetry between us/Said the paper to the pen.” If this kind of cutesy singer-songwriter cleverness doesn’t send you running, you may find a lot to enjoy in Gary Jules’ sophomore effort. The quiver to Jules’ voice lends a much needed authenticity to his cynical and melancholy songs. Jules mixes a wide range of… Continue reading Gary Jules
John Frusciante
A collection of sharply written alt-rock tunes intermingled with bits of astonishing self-indulgence, Shadows Collide With People is an alternately rewarding and frustrating effort. The majority of Shadows Collide With People emphasizes Frusciante’s strengths as a songwriter. The Chili Pepper’s guitarist possesses a surprisingly strong voice in addition to his formidable guitar skills, a strong… Continue reading John Frusciante
The Beta Band
Finally, The Beta Band has developed good taste. For a long time now everyone knew they were capable of crafting brilliant music. That is, everyone except them. The Beta Band has made music nerds across the globe salivate with just about every album they’ve ever released, yet they’ve remained ambivalent toward these highly acclaimed nuggets… Continue reading The Beta Band
The Von Bondies
By Jesse Keith
The Von Bondies have all the trapings of hipster rock superstars. They have the good looks, mastered the completely-bored-with-life pose, had a fistfight with Jack White, and, above all else, are a seriously tight rock band.The Bondies follow bands like The Strokes, The Hives and The White Stripes in the alt-rock revival of the American… Continue reading The Von Bondies
It’s time to stop, collaborate and listen–respectively
“It’s all about promotion,” says Scott Lee, perhaps better known as hip hop emcee and producer The EquAzn. “We’re here to promote positivity in the hip hop scene.” With over a dozen artists–ranging from emcees, producers, and DJs all with backgrounds as diverse as rapping, beatboxing, electronica, turntablism and club music–hip hop collective Audible Intelligence… Continue reading It’s time to stop, collaborate and listen–respectively
Keeping harp music real, Celtic-stylee
By Jesse Keith
Remember the first grade when the teacher said you could be anything? What dream job did you choose: fireman, astronaut, veterinarian? The list of professions first graders list off is long and cliched. Unfortunately, most of us never get a chance to look at that experience from a more mature perspective and really take an… Continue reading Keeping harp music real, Celtic-stylee
Semites of the world unite
We live in a highly volatile time precariously perched at the edge of conflict. The tiniest provocation in the form of sexuality, political ideology, religion can ignite a situation into irrevocable consequences. François Dupeyron has directed a movie offering us a more optimistic slice of life. Set in Paris in the early 1960s, Monsieur Ibrahim… Continue reading Semites of the world unite
The Freddies island of misfit commercials
By Natalie Sit
Beer and commercials make a good combination at the Eddies, Big Rock Brewery’s annual creative beer ad festival–for those who win. For those whose Ed Woodian creation never saw the light of day, the second annual Freddies Reject Festival could be for you. “It’s not a parody but poking fun at ourselves,” explains co-organizer and… Continue reading The Freddies island of misfit commercials