'Loses Control' a breath of fresh air
In the age of pre-packaged pop, an album overflowing with raw energy and emotion becomes increasingly difficult to find.
In the age of pre-packaged pop, an album overflowing with raw energy and emotion becomes increasingly difficult to find.
It's been six years since the '90s quintessential auteur Quentin Tarantino unleashed a film upon his legions of fans.
Pete Yorn comes off as a sensitive and brooding rocker. But how would he describe himself? "Sensitive and brooding," he says laughing. The sensitive and brooding New Jersey native says he's family-oriented, fiercely loyal and a connoisseur of comedy.
The DVD release of The Italian Job is just like the movie itself -- big, loud and fun. The movie, although not critically acclaimed, is a nice return to a summer release just as the weather gets cold. Moreover, the 45 minutes of special features truly make the DVD.
Belle & Sebastian, the most beloved of Scottish indie bands, have just released their newest album of sweet, delicate pop tunes. Dear Catastrophe Waitress presents a pleasant '60s pop feel with the surprisingly straightforward, sometimes depressing and always clever lyrics that have become Belle & Sebastian's trademark.
Dave Matthews, John Mayer and the guy from Dashboard Confessional are three guys I want to punch in the face. Just like all rock stars, these guys want to get laid; however, their ability to disguise what they're after is at least impressive.
Sometimes, indie rock is high concept. Other times, you just make do with what you have. On their debut The Rosebuds Make Out, The Rosebuds make arresting indie pop-rock with just a guitar, keyboard and bass. Maybe they're high concept, or maybe they couldn't find anyone else to play with them.
Trying to hit the mainstream seems to be the goal these days. On his new Stop All the World Now, singer/songwriter/master looper Howie Day has tried too hard to create an album catering to the Top 40 (think U2, wait ... think U2 in the last five years).
Sex sells. This law of nature is the reason people will read this article. It's the reason the title alone might hook some from the second they pick up the magazine. It's for this reason nearly every city in America has at least one strip club. It's why there's a little adult bookstore on street corners the world over.
Ludacris went all out with the chicken and beer theme for his newest album. The CD is wrapped in plastic that resembles a dirty South tub of chicken. The actual CD jacket lists the songs under "Nutrition Facts."
Dave Matthews, John Mayer and the guy from Dashboard Confessional are three guys I want to punch in the face. Just like all rock stars, these guys want to get laid; however, their ability to disguise what they're after is at least impressive.
Maybe it's just natural to see things through the prism that you want to see. If the only band one has ever heard is the Beatles, then a lot of what one listens to thereafter will sound inferior. If the only band one has ever heard is Limp Bizkit, then one probably will never want to listen to rock music again.
Think trucker hats, crowd surfing and an average attendee age of 15. Yep, it's an All-American Rejects concert. AAR, along with special guests Hoobastank, Ozomatli and Diffuser, performed Saturday at the Murat Egyptian Room as part of the Nokia Unwired Tour 2003.
The DVD release of The Italian Job is just like the movie itself -- big, loud and fun. The movie, although not critically acclaimed, is a nice return to a summer release just as the weather gets cold. Moreover, the 45 minutes of special features truly make the DVD.
An Instant O In The Universe, Stereolab's first release since the passing of bandmate Mary Hansen, the band creates an EP that, to be honest, falls a little flat. There are a huge amount of good things that can be said about the record, however.
Sometimes, indie rock is high concept. Other times, you just make do with what you have. On their debut The Rosebuds Make Out, The Rosebuds make arresting indie pop-rock with just a guitar, keyboard and bass. Maybe they're high concept, or maybe they couldn't find anyone else to play with them.
In the age of pre-packaged pop, an album overflowing with raw energy and emotion becomes increasingly difficult to find.
Trying to hit the mainstream seems to be the goal these days. On his new Stop All the World Now, singer/songwriter/master looper Howie Day has tried too hard to create an album catering to the Top 40 (think U2, wait ... think U2 in the last five years).
Based on MTV2's Saturday night heavy metal show, Roadrunner Records' two-disc, 40-song compilation Headbanger's Ball lives up to its name. This is a blast to listen to for any real metalhead.
Death Cab For Cutie has an uncanny knack for writing (and I hate to use this word) cute, perfect little indie pop songs. Through four albums, they never stray too far from their formula, but expand enough each time to keep the music fresh.