Saturday, January 31, 2009
Ryan Adams Sets New Alt-Country Sales Record
Ryan Adams' latest effort in his prolific discography, Cardinology, has set an all time Alt-Country sales record. The album has been certified as Triple Paisley with sales of over 3,024, which shatters the previous mark mark of 3,011 held by the Jayhawks 1986 self titled debut. Ryan Adams currently holds the Alt-Country's top spot by having six albums that have reached Goldenrod (500 or more album sales) certified levels or better. When asked about this tremendous achievement, Mr. Adams responded by thanking his hundreds of fans. Adams also told RollingScone that he has seven more albums planned for release this week and two all new E.P's scheduled for today. Adams also clarified a lingering question that he is in fact "not Bryan Adams."
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Rush Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Fans of the Month Club, Will Get 10% Off their First Visit
BREAKING NEWS!: RollingScone has just learned that seminal Canadian hard rock/prog/other band Rush has finally been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Fans of the Month Club. The band, who ranks fourth behind the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Aerosmith for most consecutive Gold or Platinum albums, has long been a favorite of fans for their instrumental proficiency and eclectic style.
On Monday it was learned that after years and years of snubs, Rush has finally been asked to visit the ranks of rock elite, and the Scone has learned that on Friday, Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart will walk the hallowed halls in Cleveland, viewing famous props and instruments from actual members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, like all other visitors, they will not be allowed to touch anything, and flash photography will be strictly prohibited. For $5 dollars more, the band will be allowed to see an exclusive film depicting the early years of hard rock. Geddy Lee has also been quoted as saying he will be purchasing a Cleveland Rocks! commemorative coin from the gift shop, and "maybe a Sex Pistols T-shirt," (29.99 + tax).
On Monday it was learned that after years and years of snubs, Rush has finally been asked to visit the ranks of rock elite, and the Scone has learned that on Friday, Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart will walk the hallowed halls in Cleveland, viewing famous props and instruments from actual members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, like all other visitors, they will not be allowed to touch anything, and flash photography will be strictly prohibited. For $5 dollars more, the band will be allowed to see an exclusive film depicting the early years of hard rock. Geddy Lee has also been quoted as saying he will be purchasing a Cleveland Rocks! commemorative coin from the gift shop, and "maybe a Sex Pistols T-shirt," (29.99 + tax).
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
CREATE YOUR OWN CAPTION!!! volume 1
We here at RollingScone think our fans deserve a little something for slogging through all this tripe and so we have decided to rip off the New Yorker and let you, the reader, create your own caption for this hilaaaarious picture above. Send your submissions to JStags@yahoo.com so we can mock them without mercy. If yours is chosen you will get nothing, except a byline in the smallest font that we can manage. If no one sends anything (very likely) then our editor Joseph Steigerwald will make his own because chances are he's better at it than you anyway.
Sample Examples:
Beyonce (to Pete Seeger): Oh Mr. Seeger, I really like that "Night Moves" song, and "Turn the Page" is one of my all-time favorites!
Pete Seeger (to Will.i.am and Beyonce): Oh hey, how's the marriage you two. My kids really like that "Crazy in Love" song you guys did.
Bruce Springsteen (to Beyonce): Your Music is bullshit.
Pete Seeger (to Will.i.am and Beyonce): They let you guys run for president?
Will.i.am (to himself): What the hell's an inauguration.
Beyonce (to herself): Is this Bono...?
Pete Seeger (to himself): Hopefully someone will mistake me for Willie Nelson and give me a joint.
(Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce Knowles, and will.i.am at the We Are One concert at the Lincoln Memorial during festivities for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Photo courtesy Alex Brandon of the Associated Press.)
Monday, January 19, 2009
What is a true music fan?
I've noticed that lately I've been getting a lot of attention on the Scone for my musical knowledge. There's my description as a "compendium of knowledge," Claire referring to me as a "true music fan", and now I'm making headlines for being like the guy from High Fidelity. This is all well and good, because my musical knowledge is something that I pride myself on. But it got me thinking...what really is a true music fan and why am I one? This is a far more complex question than it appears on the surface, but here are a few points for consideration.
1. Emotional Response - This one is a no brainer. If music doesn't trigger an emotional response in you or if music is something that you feel totally indifferent about then you are simply not a true music fan. But this is where it gets tricky. There are people (believe it or not) who feel very intensely about bad music. Sure, to them it may not be bad, but is someone who is only listening to boy bands really a true music fan? That is why I suggest point #2.
2. Street/Indie Cred - For lack of any better terms. Basically, if all you listen to is what the radio feeds you, then you are missing a huge piece of the "true music fan" puzzle. Not because all music on the radio is crap and not because the less known a band is the better, but simply because the music that gets played on the radio is only the smallest fraction of the total amount of music made. If that's all you know, then you don't know much.
3. Desire to Hear New Things - I'm often asked by people, "How do you hear about some of these bands that you listen to?" My honest answer is that I have no idea. I start listening to one artist, find out about them and their influences, and suddenly the floodgates are opened to others. It is true that many people just aren't exposed to a lot of music. The "boy band fans" referred to earlier might love other things if they would just hear it, but thats not enough. Pick up any music magazine (there's a lot of them) and read a review. A true music fan will seek out the music that sounds appealing to them. Someone who is not a true music fan will think, "well that sounds like it might be good" but never follows through.
4. Will Realize That Point #2 is at Least Partially Bullshit - This is for the exact reason mentioned within #2: Not all mainstream music is bad and not every obscure band is good. A good song is a good song no matter who its by. A true music fan will be able to tell the difference between the good and the bad and not care about what liking a certain artist or song will do to their cred. Far too many people get caught up in caring way too much about how popular something is. There is no reason to start hating your once favorite band just because a few more people found out about them.
5. Thinks About Music - Some might argue this or say it doesnt really make a difference. If you ask me, this is what really separates the men from the boys (sorry, ladies). I like to make lists. I'm not saying that you have to make lists to be a true music fan but I don't think that the experience should end when the music does. Making lists just gives me a framework for thinking about the music. Sometimes its very hard to decide which album is better when you really like both a lot. It forces you to become more critical. I'll think about the lyrics, the melodies, the instrumentation, the cohesiveness of the songs, how an album is paced etc. The time taken to think in between listening will get me excited about listening to it again.
See if you can add/remove any points from this list. I'd like to see if we can come up with enough criteria so that we eliminate every single person from being a true music fan.
1. Emotional Response - This one is a no brainer. If music doesn't trigger an emotional response in you or if music is something that you feel totally indifferent about then you are simply not a true music fan. But this is where it gets tricky. There are people (believe it or not) who feel very intensely about bad music. Sure, to them it may not be bad, but is someone who is only listening to boy bands really a true music fan? That is why I suggest point #2.
2. Street/Indie Cred - For lack of any better terms. Basically, if all you listen to is what the radio feeds you, then you are missing a huge piece of the "true music fan" puzzle. Not because all music on the radio is crap and not because the less known a band is the better, but simply because the music that gets played on the radio is only the smallest fraction of the total amount of music made. If that's all you know, then you don't know much.
3. Desire to Hear New Things - I'm often asked by people, "How do you hear about some of these bands that you listen to?" My honest answer is that I have no idea. I start listening to one artist, find out about them and their influences, and suddenly the floodgates are opened to others. It is true that many people just aren't exposed to a lot of music. The "boy band fans" referred to earlier might love other things if they would just hear it, but thats not enough. Pick up any music magazine (there's a lot of them) and read a review. A true music fan will seek out the music that sounds appealing to them. Someone who is not a true music fan will think, "well that sounds like it might be good" but never follows through.
4. Will Realize That Point #2 is at Least Partially Bullshit - This is for the exact reason mentioned within #2: Not all mainstream music is bad and not every obscure band is good. A good song is a good song no matter who its by. A true music fan will be able to tell the difference between the good and the bad and not care about what liking a certain artist or song will do to their cred. Far too many people get caught up in caring way too much about how popular something is. There is no reason to start hating your once favorite band just because a few more people found out about them.
5. Thinks About Music - Some might argue this or say it doesnt really make a difference. If you ask me, this is what really separates the men from the boys (sorry, ladies). I like to make lists. I'm not saying that you have to make lists to be a true music fan but I don't think that the experience should end when the music does. Making lists just gives me a framework for thinking about the music. Sometimes its very hard to decide which album is better when you really like both a lot. It forces you to become more critical. I'll think about the lyrics, the melodies, the instrumentation, the cohesiveness of the songs, how an album is paced etc. The time taken to think in between listening will get me excited about listening to it again.
See if you can add/remove any points from this list. I'd like to see if we can come up with enough criteria so that we eliminate every single person from being a true music fan.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Headlines for January 21st, 2009
Monday, January 21st, 2009
This, is RollingScone.
- Dateline Monday: Everyone’s friend who knows a lot about music is “Just like the guy in ‘High Fidelity’” Jason Reis is just like the guy in High Fidelity.
- Shocking First Person Account: "I went into this record store, and it was just like 'High Fidelity'"
- Simple Plan: ...That’s it, that’s the entire joke
- A 1945 Editorial: Can the Jitterbug menace be stopped?
- Q&A Exclusive: My woman done me wrong, why does she treat me so mean?
- Today's Poll: 95% of America likes “everything except country and rap”
- Weather: It's Not Raining Men all week. Weather Girls not approved by the American Meteorological Society. Men raining from heaven not scientifically accurate.
RollingScone EXCLUSIVE: First look at Obama Inauguration Theme Song
In an exclusive story, RollingScone has uncovered the formerly secret lyrics to the Barack Obama Inauguration Theme Song. The song, which was chosen in a contest won by little known soul singer Lady D, will be played on Tuesday during the Inauguration. The inspirational melody was inspired by John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change," "You're the Best" by Joe Esposito and the intro is a direct keyboard homage to "Final Countdown" by Europe.
The previously unknown lyrics to Lady D's "Go Higher."
To all the spirits gone before us,
to all the ones who know us,
we've been here waiting,
waiting for a change.
A change in all of our lives,
a change coming 'cuz of our cries,
embodied in just one man,
a man who says, yes we can!
Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep Barack down,
Obama's the best around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
Obama's gonna change the nation,
gonna fix the economy,
reverse global warming,
clean up Iraq and spark world harmony.
Obama's gonna outlaw all things that are bad,
like crying babies, and clowns that are sad.
No more murder, guns or divorce,
What about healthcare? Universal, of course!
Obama's gonna fix the BCS,
Obama's gonna join the Washington Wizards
and win an NBA championship
then he's gonna become a wide reciever for the Redskins,
and catch 200 catches, and win the MVP and a Super Bowl,
then he's gonna fly to Pakistan and use his x-ray vision to find Bin Laden
and then he's gonna star in his very own motion picture and it'll gross 500 million dollars
and then when the aliens come, Obama's gonna fight them off with his bare hands, and blow up the Alien's mothership with his Change Power and then he's -
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
(guitar solo)
Fight! till you drop,
never stop! You can't give up!
Until you reach the top! (Fight!)
You're the best in town! (Fight!)
Listen to that sound! (Fight!)
A little bit of all you got, will never bring you down!
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down. (Nothing!)
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down. (Nothing!)
The previously unknown lyrics to Lady D's "Go Higher."
To all the spirits gone before us,
to all the ones who know us,
we've been here waiting,
waiting for a change.
A change in all of our lives,
a change coming 'cuz of our cries,
embodied in just one man,
a man who says, yes we can!
Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep Barack down,
Obama's the best around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
Obama's gonna change the nation,
gonna fix the economy,
reverse global warming,
clean up Iraq and spark world harmony.
Obama's gonna outlaw all things that are bad,
like crying babies, and clowns that are sad.
No more murder, guns or divorce,
What about healthcare? Universal, of course!
Obama's gonna fix the BCS,
Obama's gonna join the Washington Wizards
and win an NBA championship
then he's gonna become a wide reciever for the Redskins,
and catch 200 catches, and win the MVP and a Super Bowl,
then he's gonna fly to Pakistan and use his x-ray vision to find Bin Laden
and then he's gonna star in his very own motion picture and it'll gross 500 million dollars
and then when the aliens come, Obama's gonna fight them off with his bare hands, and blow up the Alien's mothership with his Change Power and then he's -
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
(guitar solo)
Fight! till you drop,
never stop! You can't give up!
Until you reach the top! (Fight!)
You're the best in town! (Fight!)
Listen to that sound! (Fight!)
A little bit of all you got, will never bring you down!
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down.
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down. (Nothing!)
'cuz Obama's the best, around
nothings gonna ever keep him down. (Nothing!)
RollingScone EXCLUSIVE!: Sufjan Stevens Declares Washington D.C. Subject of Next Album in Fifty States Project
Folk singer-songwriter-musician Sufjan Stevens, in an inexpected move, has declared Washington D.C. to be the third album of his ongoing project to write an album about all of the fifty United States of America. The first two albums in the series reflected on the history and geography of Michigan, Stevens' home state, and Illinois. Although there has been much speculation about the next state chosen for the project, with Oregon, California, New Jersey, and New York mentioned most often, but choosing the District of Columbia was the subject of his next album was an unexpected move, especially since it is not actually a state. However, according to Stevens, was the basis of its appeal in his nationwide musical adventure.
"The District of Columbia was a really interesting subject for this album. Residents of Washington D.C. enjoy less self-governance than anyone else in the nation. They couldn't even vote for president until 1961! With the historic election of Barack Obama, I became more interested in the musical possibilities of the folklore and mystery of the United States government," says Stevens.
The album is expected be a significant musical departure for Stevens from his normal soulful melancholy, orchestral folk, possibly incorporating musical elements previously unused by Stevens, including patriotic songs, jazz, rap, and hardcore.
"The District of Columbia was a really interesting subject for this album. Residents of Washington D.C. enjoy less self-governance than anyone else in the nation. They couldn't even vote for president until 1961! With the historic election of Barack Obama, I became more interested in the musical possibilities of the folklore and mystery of the United States government," says Stevens.
The album is expected be a significant musical departure for Stevens from his normal soulful melancholy, orchestral folk, possibly incorporating musical elements previously unused by Stevens, including patriotic songs, jazz, rap, and hardcore.
Friday, January 16, 2009
RollingScone 2008 Band of the Year!
RollingScone would like to congratulate the Free Credit Report.com Band as the 2008 RollingScone Band of the Year. The band, which released it's first album, Free Credit Report.com (offer applies with enrollment in Triple Advantage), on Def Jam Records in March took over the airwaves and went Triple Platinum in the US and sold over 10,000,000 copies worldwide. The band also boasted three #1 singles, including Free Credit Report.com in Tights, Free Credit Report.com (Girlfriend's Basement Remix) and Free Credit Report.com (Crappy Car Mix). The band has appeared on the Tonight Show, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and the Late Show three times. Lead singer and bassist Steve O'Connell says that the band is back in the studio working on their new album with producer Jon Brion. O'Connell has hinted that the new album will take the band in a different direction and says that people shouldn't be surprised if some new influences from the hip-hop world show up. Akon and the Neptunes have been rumored to appear and Kanye West has also expressed interest. The still untitled new album is tenatively due in late October 2009.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
RollingScone Interview: Kanye West
The RollingScone Interview: Kanye West
presented by the RNC and the New Orleans Tourism Board.
RollingScone: Hello and welcome back to the RS.com real interview. Today’s guest is multi-platinum recording artist Kanye West.
Kanye West: ShiiiTTttt SonnnNN, YouUuu CannNNN PriiNNttT whhatttEEVER you WaNNTT, I’MM KanNYee WeSSTtTTt, I DoNN’TT CarrEEE WhaTtT U SssAaayy, I MakkeEE MuussiiCCc ForRrR the MasSSSess, foRRr tHHee PeeeOppLLe. Goooooddd LiiiIIiiIIifffEE!
RollingScone: Uhm alright let’s talk about your latest album, 808’s and Heartbreak, now you really went a different direction with this album, gone are most of your boasts about being the greatest MC alive and instead you seem to get in touch with your emo side, explain how this all came about.
Kanye West: I’mmMmm a TrrUeEE ArTiSTt, I DoN’Ttt NeEeEeDdd YoUuu ComMmenntTinnggG onN WhatTt KinNNdd of SoNG I’mmMMm mmmAking-
RollingScone: Ok, can I stop you for just a second, what the hell is up with your voice. Is that the-
Kanye West: ThaaAAAttss the AuuutttOOO-TuuuuNNNeeeE, fooorrRRR the nEwW AAllbuM Iii WanTTTeddD to GggGGgOooOooOOOoooOOOoooOOOooooOOOOOoooooOoOOoooOooOooOoOoOoOOooooooooooooooooooooo0000000000000oooooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooOOooooOOOOOOOOOOoOoooooooOOOOoooooOOoooOOOoooooOOOoOOoooOooOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooO O O OoooooooOOoo Inn a neWW dirrEcCtiOOnnn and ShOwOwoWoOW offFF my innncrEdible VoCCaLLL talleNNNTSSS. JessUUssSS Wallllkksss!
RollingScone: It’s incredibly distracting. I think you’re probably supposed to turn it off when-
Kanye West: biittTchh Iii’Mm Kanye WeSSttTTTT, I’m the GrrreAtttEsttTT RappErrr aliiiIIvvvEEee. attTTT the Enddd offff the DaYyyayyayyayayyyYY I Don’tTTt GiiivEee A F---KKKk if YouuU ThIiinKkk I’MmMM ArrOOoGAanNNtttT, YouUUu CanNNN PuTTTT aLllLL Thiss OnNN Hereeeee, You KOOnNNWw WhyyYYY? I MakKEee MussIIccc for THEeee PeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEople. FlaaaaSShiiNnggg LiiiigGGhhTTSS!
RollingScone: Ok why don’t you just get the hell-
Akon: Convict(Convict…convict…convict…) Akooonnnnnn. Convict (Convict… convict… convict) and Kaaannyyeee Westttt.
RollingScone: What in God’s name is this?
Kanye West: Ittt’sss thEEe MoothherrrrF----n reeeemixxxxXX, Chicaaagooooo raaaAIIIsee Upp!!! ThrroOuughHH the WiiiiIIreEEE.
Akon: Reeemixxxx, Convict (convict… convict… convict). Akonnnnnnn.
Kanye West: (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) Yeah thatttTTsss Righttt, worrrLddSSS grEatesT MC. I canNN turn Shittt to GoldDdd. GeeOOrrGgeee BuuSShhh HAtteeessSS BlAaCkk peOpleee and BlaAcKKK PeppErRR and BlaAAckkboaARRddSS.
RollingScone: Thanks for nothing! Join us again for another thrilling edition of the Rollingscone Interview, brought to you by Fibersol, stay regular with Fibersol.
Next time we have - fresh from the grave - Barry White!
presented by the RNC and the New Orleans Tourism Board.
RollingScone: Hello and welcome back to the RS.com real interview. Today’s guest is multi-platinum recording artist Kanye West.
Kanye West: ShiiiTTttt SonnnNN, YouUuu CannNNN PriiNNttT whhatttEEVER you WaNNTT, I’MM KanNYee WeSSTtTTt, I DoNN’TT CarrEEE WhaTtT U SssAaayy, I MakkeEE MuussiiCCc ForRrR the MasSSSess, foRRr tHHee PeeeOppLLe. Goooooddd LiiiIIiiIIifffEE!
RollingScone: Uhm alright let’s talk about your latest album, 808’s and Heartbreak, now you really went a different direction with this album, gone are most of your boasts about being the greatest MC alive and instead you seem to get in touch with your emo side, explain how this all came about.
Kanye West: I’mmMmm a TrrUeEE ArTiSTt, I DoN’Ttt NeEeEeDdd YoUuu ComMmenntTinnggG onN WhatTt KinNNdd of SoNG I’mmMMm mmmAking-
RollingScone: Ok, can I stop you for just a second, what the hell is up with your voice. Is that the-
Kanye West: ThaaAAAttss the AuuutttOOO-TuuuuNNNeeeE, fooorrRRR the nEwW AAllbuM Iii WanTTTeddD to GggGGgOooOooOOOoooOOOoooOOOooooOOOOOoooooOoOOoooOooOooOoOoOoOOooooooooooooooooooooo0000000000000oooooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooOOooooOOOOOOOOOOoOoooooooOOOOoooooOOoooOOOoooooOOOoOOoooOooOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooO O O OoooooooOOoo Inn a neWW dirrEcCtiOOnnn and ShOwOwoWoOW offFF my innncrEdible VoCCaLLL talleNNNTSSS. JessUUssSS Wallllkksss!
RollingScone: It’s incredibly distracting. I think you’re probably supposed to turn it off when-
Kanye West: biittTchh Iii’Mm Kanye WeSSttTTTT, I’m the GrrreAtttEsttTT RappErrr aliiiIIvvvEEee. attTTT the Enddd offff the DaYyyayyayyayayyyYY I Don’tTTt GiiivEee A F---KKKk if YouuU ThIiinKkk I’MmMM ArrOOoGAanNNtttT, YouUUu CanNNN PuTTTT aLllLL Thiss OnNN Hereeeee, You KOOnNNWw WhyyYYY? I MakKEee MussIIccc for THEeee PeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEople. FlaaaaSShiiNnggg LiiiigGGhhTTSS!
RollingScone: Ok why don’t you just get the hell-
Akon: Convict(Convict…convict…convict…) Akooonnnnnn. Convict (Convict… convict… convict) and Kaaannyyeee Westttt.
RollingScone: What in God’s name is this?
Kanye West: Ittt’sss thEEe MoothherrrrF----n reeeemixxxxXX, Chicaaagooooo raaaAIIIsee Upp!!! ThrroOuughHH the WiiiiIIreEEE.
Akon: Reeemixxxx, Convict (convict… convict… convict). Akonnnnnnn.
Kanye West: (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) Yeah thatttTTsss Righttt, worrrLddSSS grEatesT MC. I canNN turn Shittt to GoldDdd. GeeOOrrGgeee BuuSShhh HAtteeessSS BlAaCkk peOpleee and BlaAcKKK PeppErRR and BlaAAckkboaARRddSS.
RollingScone: Thanks for nothing! Join us again for another thrilling edition of the Rollingscone Interview, brought to you by Fibersol, stay regular with Fibersol.
Next time we have - fresh from the grave - Barry White!
Suburban Moms Love Ball of Flame Shoot Fire
The music of Pittsburgh indie rock darlings Ball of Flame Shoot Fire has proven to be immensely popular with a strange demographic - suburban moms. Ball of Flame Shoot Fire, composed of Mt. Lebanon High School graduates, released their first EP, Grumpy Little Bird, in 2007, and released their first full-length album Jokeland in late 2008. Often compared to Man Man, Beirut, and other nationally acclaimed indie rock darlings, Ball of Flame Shoot Fire combines epic, time-signature changing, hyper-instrumented with a choir of falsetto voices. They shout, they clap, they bang on stuff, they frantically sing nonsense about religion and love and people named Bertie. And all of this endears them to the women who raised them and others like them. Says Wilson Cook-Winston, the band's pianist, "As the sons of suburban moms, it makes sense that we understand the issues they face, which comes out in our music, especially the live shows." Suburban moms are a great demographic for the band to attract - with their large disposable income and an adorable lack of knowledge about music piracy, they make ideal fans. The band has started to look into ways to accomodate this portion of their rapidly growing fanbase. Says saxaphonist Henry Peters, "We'll probably have to play live at more reasonable times - maybe lunchtime concerts they can go while the kids are at school. And a whole new line of apparel - aprons, New Balance cross-trainers, and control top pantyhose."
Even non-suburban non-moms are invited to check out BOFSF at www.myspace.com/bofsf
Even non-suburban non-moms are invited to check out BOFSF at www.myspace.com/bofsf
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Best of 2008
Every year I make a list of my favorite albums from that year. And every year I post it on my myspace blog and no one seems to care. So now I share my list with you, beloved readers of Rolling Scone, in hopes that maybe one of you will care enough to enter into a heated debate with me about one of my selections and its placement. You could even share a list of your own with me, and I will tell you how wrong you are. After all, making lists isn't about enjoying music, it's about being right. So without further ado I now present to you my 100 favorite albums of 2008.
100. District Line - Bob Mould
99. Working Man’s Café - Ray Davies
98. Modern Guilt - Beck
97. Lay It Down - Al Green
96. Do You Like Rock Music? - British Sea Power
95. Golden Delicious - Mike Doughty
94. Momofuku - Elvis Costello
93. Mercy…Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy - Ours
92. It Is Time For A Love Revolution - Lenny Kravitz
91. Warpaint - Black Crowes
90. Field Manual - Chris Walla
89. The Stand Ins - Okkervil River
88. Happy In Galoshes - Scott Weiland
87. A Piece of What You Need - Teddy Thompson
86. Exit Strategy of the Soul - Ron Sexsmith
85. Robert Pollard Is Off To Business - Robert Pollard
84. Caught In the Trees - Damien Jurado
83. Now or Heaven - The Broken West
82. Sunshine Lies - Matthew Sweet
81. Forth - The Verve
80. Recovery - Loudan Wainwright III
79. Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails - The Baseball Project
78. Detours - Sheryl Crow
77. The Sucker Punch Show - Lovedrug
76. Real Animal - Alejandro Escovedo
75. Seeing Things - Jakob Dylan
74. The Seldom Seen Kid - Elbow
73. Slick Dogs and Ponies - Louis XIV
72. Acid Tongue - Jenny Lewis
71. Fire Songs - The Watson Twins
70. Weezer (Red Album) - Weezer
69. Flock - Bell X1
68. Brain Thrust Mastery - We Are Scientists
67. Ode To J. Smith - Travis
66. Brighter Than Creation’s Dark - Drive-By Truckers
65. Electric Arguments - The Fireman
64. Giving Up the Ghost - Jackie Greene
63. Into the Sun - Candlebox
62. Songs In A & E - Spiritualized
61. Addicted To Company (Part 1) - Paddy Casey
60. We Have Cause To Be Uneasy - Wild Sweet Orange
59. Gossip In the Grain - Ray LaMontagne
58. In the Future - Black Mountain
57. Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
56. Secret Machines - Secret Machines
55. Dig Out Your Soul - Oasis
54. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
53. Jukebox - Cat Power
52. Como Te Llama? - Albert Hammond Jr.
51. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
50. In the Ever - Mason Jennings
49. Volume One - She & Him
48. Real Emotional Trash - Stephen Malkmus & Jicks
47. Off With Their Heads - Kaiser Chiefs
46. Here We Stand - The Fratellis
45. Raise the Dead - Phantom Planet
44. Everthing That Happens Will Happen Today - David Byrne and Brian Eno
43. Break Up the Concrete - The Pretenders
42. Low vs Diamond - Low vs Diamond
41. 4:13 Dream - The Cure
40. Temporary People - Joseph Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts
39. Hope for the Hopeless - Brett Dennen
38. Narrow Stairs - Deathcab For Cutie
37. Connor Oberst - Connor Oberst
36. Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt - Augustana
35. Pull the Pin - Stereophonics
34. A Hundred Million Suns - Snow Patrol
33. Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart - Rachael Yamagata
32. Asking For Flowers - Kathleen Edwards
31. For My Friends - Blind Melon
30. Grand Archives - Grand Archives
29. Day & Age - The Killers
28. Oceans Will Rise - The Stills
27. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
26. Attack & Release - The Black Keys
25. Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings - Counting Crows
24. Heart On - Eagles of Death Metal
23. Here’s To Being Here - Jason Collett
22. Perfect Symmetry - Keane
21. The Virgins - The Virgins
20. Parallel Player - Sloan
19. Fate - Dr. Dog
18. Felice Brothers - Felice Brothers
17. Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket
16. Freedom Wind - The Explorers Club
15. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends - Coldplay
14. Saturnalia - Gutter Twins
13. A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea - Tyler Ramsey
12. Blame It On Gravity - Old 97’s
11. Mermaids - Slow Runner
10. For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver
9. Cardinology - Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
8. Animal!/Not Animal - Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s
7. Diamond Hoo Ha - Supergrass
6. Konk - The Kooks
5. Dear Science - TV on the Radio
4. Stay Positive - The Hold Steady
3. Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs
2. Only By The Night - Kings of Leon
1. Lucky - Nada Surf
100. District Line - Bob Mould
99. Working Man’s Café - Ray Davies
98. Modern Guilt - Beck
97. Lay It Down - Al Green
96. Do You Like Rock Music? - British Sea Power
95. Golden Delicious - Mike Doughty
94. Momofuku - Elvis Costello
93. Mercy…Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy - Ours
92. It Is Time For A Love Revolution - Lenny Kravitz
91. Warpaint - Black Crowes
90. Field Manual - Chris Walla
89. The Stand Ins - Okkervil River
88. Happy In Galoshes - Scott Weiland
87. A Piece of What You Need - Teddy Thompson
86. Exit Strategy of the Soul - Ron Sexsmith
85. Robert Pollard Is Off To Business - Robert Pollard
84. Caught In the Trees - Damien Jurado
83. Now or Heaven - The Broken West
82. Sunshine Lies - Matthew Sweet
81. Forth - The Verve
80. Recovery - Loudan Wainwright III
79. Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails - The Baseball Project
78. Detours - Sheryl Crow
77. The Sucker Punch Show - Lovedrug
76. Real Animal - Alejandro Escovedo
75. Seeing Things - Jakob Dylan
74. The Seldom Seen Kid - Elbow
73. Slick Dogs and Ponies - Louis XIV
72. Acid Tongue - Jenny Lewis
71. Fire Songs - The Watson Twins
70. Weezer (Red Album) - Weezer
69. Flock - Bell X1
68. Brain Thrust Mastery - We Are Scientists
67. Ode To J. Smith - Travis
66. Brighter Than Creation’s Dark - Drive-By Truckers
65. Electric Arguments - The Fireman
64. Giving Up the Ghost - Jackie Greene
63. Into the Sun - Candlebox
62. Songs In A & E - Spiritualized
61. Addicted To Company (Part 1) - Paddy Casey
60. We Have Cause To Be Uneasy - Wild Sweet Orange
59. Gossip In the Grain - Ray LaMontagne
58. In the Future - Black Mountain
57. Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
56. Secret Machines - Secret Machines
55. Dig Out Your Soul - Oasis
54. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
53. Jukebox - Cat Power
52. Como Te Llama? - Albert Hammond Jr.
51. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
50. In the Ever - Mason Jennings
49. Volume One - She & Him
48. Real Emotional Trash - Stephen Malkmus & Jicks
47. Off With Their Heads - Kaiser Chiefs
46. Here We Stand - The Fratellis
45. Raise the Dead - Phantom Planet
44. Everthing That Happens Will Happen Today - David Byrne and Brian Eno
43. Break Up the Concrete - The Pretenders
42. Low vs Diamond - Low vs Diamond
41. 4:13 Dream - The Cure
40. Temporary People - Joseph Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts
39. Hope for the Hopeless - Brett Dennen
38. Narrow Stairs - Deathcab For Cutie
37. Connor Oberst - Connor Oberst
36. Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt - Augustana
35. Pull the Pin - Stereophonics
34. A Hundred Million Suns - Snow Patrol
33. Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart - Rachael Yamagata
32. Asking For Flowers - Kathleen Edwards
31. For My Friends - Blind Melon
30. Grand Archives - Grand Archives
29. Day & Age - The Killers
28. Oceans Will Rise - The Stills
27. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
26. Attack & Release - The Black Keys
25. Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings - Counting Crows
24. Heart On - Eagles of Death Metal
23. Here’s To Being Here - Jason Collett
22. Perfect Symmetry - Keane
21. The Virgins - The Virgins
20. Parallel Player - Sloan
19. Fate - Dr. Dog
18. Felice Brothers - Felice Brothers
17. Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket
16. Freedom Wind - The Explorers Club
15. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends - Coldplay
14. Saturnalia - Gutter Twins
13. A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea - Tyler Ramsey
12. Blame It On Gravity - Old 97’s
11. Mermaids - Slow Runner
10. For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver
9. Cardinology - Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
8. Animal!/Not Animal - Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s
7. Diamond Hoo Ha - Supergrass
6. Konk - The Kooks
5. Dear Science - TV on the Radio
4. Stay Positive - The Hold Steady
3. Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs
2. Only By The Night - Kings of Leon
1. Lucky - Nada Surf
Why I Like Fall Out Boy, Plus Bonus Folie a Deux Review!
Nobody likes Fall Out Boy, no band is currently the focus of more derision from the likes of uppity indie kids (including the ones i know). The leading music critics have been kinder to this super stardom seeking pop/rock band from Illinois. Giving their last album "Infinity on High" an average score of about 70 (METACRITIC combined score from multiple reviews). FOB's current album Follie a Deux has garnered even better scores including a coveted score of 'A' by the Onion (and you know the Onion doesn't F around). Unfortunately this critical respect does not translate into respect. Most of the hatred lands directly at the feet of Pete Wentz, who stands as the current face of emo/faux-punk that Fall Out Boy is lumped in with. This is probably due to the fact that he is an immense tool. One of the largest in the history of music. However, the music that FOB makes refuses to reach to Wentz's low standards. Patrick Stump, lead vocalist has one of the better, if not best, voice's in rock today. Stump's style is completely unique, although he obviously has cribbed notes from people like Phil Collins and Robert Plante. Stump has a great vocal range, dipping from sweet smokey highs to cavernous lows within a single musical phrase. Stump's love of hip hop and R&B is reflected in their music. On Infinity on High they went out and got uber-producer Babyface to produce a few of their songs. On Folie a Deux they lose Babyface but retain the slick R&B ambition.
The new album retains some of Wentz's usual too long, too clever song titles. Names like A Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On a Bad Bet and Disloyal Order of Water Buffalo's are a mouthful and too clever by half, but at least this time it eschews the ridiculous puns of previous albums, I'm like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off, anyone? Fortunately the music continues the strong growth that most bands would kill for. Most people probably don't realize that having a spectacular first album is NOT the norm for most bands, it takes time for all the elements to come together, especially for pop/punk bands who usually know 3-5 chords. Well the elements have finally coalesced into a musical juggernaut. Guitar, check. Rhythm section, check. Lyrics, check minus. Vocals, check plus.
Disloyal Order of Buffalo's starts out the album basically the same way Thriller started off Infinity on High, cept with no Jay-Z boast. Stump retains his brilliant phrasing and vocalistic tics, constantly trilling the last words of each phrase in a R&B'ish style that reminds one of another short white boy who loves R&B, Mr. Phil Collins. The best look at his ridiculous range is apparent on the Neptunes produced W.A.M.S. which groves appropriately with both white and black boy soul. Fall Out Boy's main competition My Chemical Romance went the concept album route with The Black Parade and opted to crank up the guitar heroics and pay tribute to old school rockers like Queen, T.Rex and Pink Floyd. On the other hand, FOB are routed much more firmly in hip-hop (cameos by Pharell and Lil' Wayne!) and new wave (Elvis Costello and Debbie Harry show up, briefly). Guitar solo's are not permitted and the guitars crunch in a fashion reminiscent of later day Green Day and Blink-182. The album may not quite reach the pinnacles that their brothers in arms in Green Day (American Idiot) and My Chemical Romance (Black Parade) reached, it is indisputably a very good album. The hooks start strong and end strong, every song on the album is packed tight full of 'em. I Don't Care has a simple riff that grabs hold, while Stump belts out the usual Wentz-ish lyrics. If you dont know what those are, here's a hint, woe-is-me I'm famous but I hate the spotlight. Fortunately Wentz also takes time to bash Bush, (20 Dollar Nose Bleed) and praise recreational drugs (also, 20 Dollar Nose Bleed). But the musical the wide range of musical styles that FOB take on are the real stars of the show. It's all bright and simple but all excellently crafted and so addictive, like heroin or Rock of Love.
Haters will continue missing out on one of the best up and coming band primarily because of Pete Wentz's insistance on being a media whore and because their first albums were pretty average with a few good singles. Too bad for them, for the rest of us (reviewers, me, teenage girls) we will continue to eat up the deliciousness that FOB serves. Remember, the Beatles didn't make very good records at first either, but once they hit their stride they were pretty good (disclaimer, FOB will never be the Beatles). To paraphrase Mr. Wentz, Fallout Boy doesn't care what you think, as long as it's about them. Haters Beware!
Folie A Deux: A-
Infinity on High: B
From Under The Cork Tree: B-
The new album retains some of Wentz's usual too long, too clever song titles. Names like A Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On a Bad Bet and Disloyal Order of Water Buffalo's are a mouthful and too clever by half, but at least this time it eschews the ridiculous puns of previous albums, I'm like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off, anyone? Fortunately the music continues the strong growth that most bands would kill for. Most people probably don't realize that having a spectacular first album is NOT the norm for most bands, it takes time for all the elements to come together, especially for pop/punk bands who usually know 3-5 chords. Well the elements have finally coalesced into a musical juggernaut. Guitar, check. Rhythm section, check. Lyrics, check minus. Vocals, check plus.
Disloyal Order of Buffalo's starts out the album basically the same way Thriller started off Infinity on High, cept with no Jay-Z boast. Stump retains his brilliant phrasing and vocalistic tics, constantly trilling the last words of each phrase in a R&B'ish style that reminds one of another short white boy who loves R&B, Mr. Phil Collins. The best look at his ridiculous range is apparent on the Neptunes produced W.A.M.S. which groves appropriately with both white and black boy soul. Fall Out Boy's main competition My Chemical Romance went the concept album route with The Black Parade and opted to crank up the guitar heroics and pay tribute to old school rockers like Queen, T.Rex and Pink Floyd. On the other hand, FOB are routed much more firmly in hip-hop (cameos by Pharell and Lil' Wayne!) and new wave (Elvis Costello and Debbie Harry show up, briefly). Guitar solo's are not permitted and the guitars crunch in a fashion reminiscent of later day Green Day and Blink-182. The album may not quite reach the pinnacles that their brothers in arms in Green Day (American Idiot) and My Chemical Romance (Black Parade) reached, it is indisputably a very good album. The hooks start strong and end strong, every song on the album is packed tight full of 'em. I Don't Care has a simple riff that grabs hold, while Stump belts out the usual Wentz-ish lyrics. If you dont know what those are, here's a hint, woe-is-me I'm famous but I hate the spotlight. Fortunately Wentz also takes time to bash Bush, (20 Dollar Nose Bleed) and praise recreational drugs (also, 20 Dollar Nose Bleed). But the musical the wide range of musical styles that FOB take on are the real stars of the show. It's all bright and simple but all excellently crafted and so addictive, like heroin or Rock of Love.
Haters will continue missing out on one of the best up and coming band primarily because of Pete Wentz's insistance on being a media whore and because their first albums were pretty average with a few good singles. Too bad for them, for the rest of us (reviewers, me, teenage girls) we will continue to eat up the deliciousness that FOB serves. Remember, the Beatles didn't make very good records at first either, but once they hit their stride they were pretty good (disclaimer, FOB will never be the Beatles). To paraphrase Mr. Wentz, Fallout Boy doesn't care what you think, as long as it's about them. Haters Beware!
Folie A Deux: A-
Infinity on High: B
From Under The Cork Tree: B-
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Electronica is the New Emo
Picture this, dear reader. The year is 2003. Brand New, Good Charlotte, and Something Corporate rule the pop-punk-emo airwaves (coincidentally, Fall Out Boy is being signed to Island Records, but no one cares about them, much like now). Misguided teenagers spend their allowances on eyeliner and buttons from Hot Topic. They are misunderstood, awkward, sad. In the eternal words of Oasis, there are many things that they would like to say to you, but they don't know how. Take a deep breath dear reader, and remember how it felt to listen to the Get-Up Kids in your parents' basement, checking your Hotmail account looking up what you thought were masterpieces that only required four powerchords on Tabcrawler.
But, dead reader, the year is now 2009. The sun has finally risen, the puddles have dried, a new age now begins. Six long years later, many of these morose teenagers are now directionless twenty-somethings. Hotmail has been traded for Gmail, anything from Hot Topic has been shoved in the depths of closets and drawers, and the old emo albums remain unchecked in their iTunes library. The former emos aren't happy, but they deal with the emptiness of their existence differently now. Enter the age of emotionless, dance-friendly electronica.
I know, how on earth did that happen? What could possibly make electronica the new emo? Electronica is the anti-emo, and if emo kids know anything, it's about betraying your roots. I know it was a long time ago, but remember that emo attempted to be REAL, EMOTIONAL, ROCK MUSIC!!! \m/!!! that you could FEEL from your beanie with a baseball brim to your monochrome Chuck Taylors. Electronica? It's repetitive, beep-y, and somehow strangely hypnotic. Why is this the new refuge for the former emo devotee?
After years of wallowing in self-pity with nothing to show for it, a barista or bartending job and tattoos that are going out of style, yesterday's emo kid has moved out of the house into a crappy, drafty apartment, is drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon every night, and taken their rightful place among the masses of other formerly separate subcultures now grouped together as hipsters. And after years of self-induced depression, the exercise you can get rocking out to Justice, Daft Punk, and many other notables is the best antidote. Yes, dear reader, electronica outscores emo on the danceability scale 9 times out of 10.
Although the lyrics of electronica are mostly nonsense, emo kids have finally realized that there are only so many ways to sing/whine/scream about love lost/unrequited/regretted. Like everything else in their lives, they want their music to numb rather than incite. Electronica is a musical drug to counter emo's heartbreaking sobriety.
Who knows, in another six years, we may see a shift towards lite rock or heavy metal. Because if anyone knows crap music, it's an emo kid.
But, dead reader, the year is now 2009. The sun has finally risen, the puddles have dried, a new age now begins. Six long years later, many of these morose teenagers are now directionless twenty-somethings. Hotmail has been traded for Gmail, anything from Hot Topic has been shoved in the depths of closets and drawers, and the old emo albums remain unchecked in their iTunes library. The former emos aren't happy, but they deal with the emptiness of their existence differently now. Enter the age of emotionless, dance-friendly electronica.
I know, how on earth did that happen? What could possibly make electronica the new emo? Electronica is the anti-emo, and if emo kids know anything, it's about betraying your roots. I know it was a long time ago, but remember that emo attempted to be REAL, EMOTIONAL, ROCK MUSIC!!! \m/!!! that you could FEEL from your beanie with a baseball brim to your monochrome Chuck Taylors. Electronica? It's repetitive, beep-y, and somehow strangely hypnotic. Why is this the new refuge for the former emo devotee?
After years of wallowing in self-pity with nothing to show for it, a barista or bartending job and tattoos that are going out of style, yesterday's emo kid has moved out of the house into a crappy, drafty apartment, is drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon every night, and taken their rightful place among the masses of other formerly separate subcultures now grouped together as hipsters. And after years of self-induced depression, the exercise you can get rocking out to Justice, Daft Punk, and many other notables is the best antidote. Yes, dear reader, electronica outscores emo on the danceability scale 9 times out of 10.
Although the lyrics of electronica are mostly nonsense, emo kids have finally realized that there are only so many ways to sing/whine/scream about love lost/unrequited/regretted. Like everything else in their lives, they want their music to numb rather than incite. Electronica is a musical drug to counter emo's heartbreaking sobriety.
Who knows, in another six years, we may see a shift towards lite rock or heavy metal. Because if anyone knows crap music, it's an emo kid.
The Re-Re-Re-Return of Rolling Scone?
Recent reminiscing of the Rolling Scone's glory days (found at http://www.xanga.com/rollingscone) has inspired a new generation of self-declared music aficionados without comedic or grammatical talents to tell YOU, the people of this fine nation, how to feel about rock, and perhaps, if you are so lucky, even roll. Yes, even roll.
What does this mean for you, dear reader? This means infinitely more music reviews and counter-reviews, music news and olds, and top 3528691648916 whatevers of all time lists than you've seen since 2007. This means that you'll have yet another website to add to your blogroll or RSS feed, for the tech-savvy youths, to waste time while you should be pursuing higher education, expanding your mind, or paying the bills. This means the staff here will be busy making sure that you will have moderate amounts of nearly adequate music-related written content that is unrelated to the debatable genius, or lack thereof, of Stephen Malkmus. Because Pitchfork can go suck it.
What does this mean for you, dear reader? This means infinitely more music reviews and counter-reviews, music news and olds, and top 3528691648916 whatevers of all time lists than you've seen since 2007. This means that you'll have yet another website to add to your blogroll or RSS feed, for the tech-savvy youths, to waste time while you should be pursuing higher education, expanding your mind, or paying the bills. This means the staff here will be busy making sure that you will have moderate amounts of nearly adequate music-related written content that is unrelated to the debatable genius, or lack thereof, of Stephen Malkmus. Because Pitchfork can go suck it.
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