Month: December 2009 (Page 6 of 10)

Paul Westerberg finally signs with a label

December 11, 2009 /

I sincerely wanted Paul Westerberg to find success with his digital albums, but he really made it tough on those who wanted to purchase them. In 2008, he released the 49:00 on Amazon and TuneCore, but it was quickly removed, supposedly because of the cover medley. A new song, “5:05,” was put up in its place. Three songs followed — also in mp3 format — to little or no fanfare.

Nearly a year later, “PW & The Ghost Gloves Cat Wing Joy Boys” emerged, available exclusively on Amazon. Rather than work with labels, Westerberg was becoming a bit too comfortable releasing music on his own. It’s all well and good to have the rights to your songs, but this guy deserves some decent promotion and representation.

Now he does. Westerberg has joined forces with publishing powerhouse Bug Music.

Per American Songwriter:

Under the terms of the deal, Bug Music and Westerberg have entered into a publishing agreement encompassing Westerberg’s recordings with The Replacements, solo works and future recordings.

“We look forward to working with Paul’s Replacements and solo catalogs,” said Eddie Gomez, Sr. VP of Creative Services, Bug Music. “Paul is a major link in a respected chain of modern songwriters and his songwriting continues to resonate and influence a whole new generation of listeners.”

To be a musician, performer, and songwriter is a juggling act,” said Westerberg. “Throw in the bowling ball of publisher and it becomes downright work. The good people at Bug Music – I hear only of their imagination and proficiency – have stepped in to facilitate with Dry Wood, Elegant Mule, and Nah Music, leaving me free to augment my juggling feat with the flaming chain saw of snooker.”

Is a proper full-length on the way?

Artists, News

Morrissey graces gigantic stage on “Lopez Tonight”

December 11, 2009 /

Since I’ve yet to catch an episode of George Lopez’s new talk show, “Lopez Tonight,” having a musical act such as Morrissey might be the norm. I assumed the show would go for current chart-toppers and shy away from the veterans. Earlier in the decade, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” used to be the only talk show to feature acts with more of a cult following. Now they all do it.

Anyway, how about the stage and sound system on this show? Both are overpowering.

Artists, Videos

Proud Simon: Anchors Aweigh

December 10, 2009 /


RIYL: Train, Maroon Five, Great Lakes Swimmers

Given their generally unabashed, straightforward pop perspective, Proud Simon runs the danger of being mistaken for just another modern rock contender. Under ordinary circumstances, that predicament might ensure some anonymity, and subsequently doom them to the ranks of the also-rans. Fortunately, the band’s steely attitude and clear devotion to duty shows a decided sophistication that suppresses any frivolous tendencies while making them an outfit well worth considering.

Still, as a follow-up to the band’s thoroughly impressive sophomore effort, Night of Criminals, this five-song EP falls short of the high bar set previously, and for that reason, falters by comparison. Happily, opening track “Anchors Aweigh” shows their better instincts remain intact, and while the songs that follow vary somewhat in terms of quality, each offers sufficient cause for further listening. EPs are generally a stopgap offering anyway, so there’s every reason to expect that succeeding efforts will keep the quality intact. As things stand now, Proud Simon has no need to be humble. (Proud Simon 2009)

Proud Simon MySpace page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Melodramatic, Pop, Power Pop, Rock

Zero 7: Yeah Ghost

December 10, 2009 /


RIYL: Radiohead, Jose Gonzalez, Sneaker Pimps

Zero 7 is a project more than a band – so while Zero 7 tours as a group and has actual band members, it’s still technically the brainchild of British producers Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns. And some of those “band members” are rotated out every album or so. Once you get a grasp on that, it doesn’t take much effort to like what Zero 7 is doing. And on their fourth album, Yeah Ghost, there is still the same electronica-driven pop, but with a few added dimensions this time around. In particular, singers Eska and Martha Tilston are new to the project, rounding out a lineup that includes a few regulars like Eddie Stevens, Tom Skinner and Robin Mullarkey. After a subtle opening instrumental, “Count Me Out,” there are some bouncy dance tracks, with Eska’s power-meets-soul vocal at the forefront of awesome tracks like “Medicine Man” and “Mr. McGee.” “Pop Art Blue” features Tilston’s folky timbre and there are some fine, if quirky, instrumentals, like the haunting “Solastalgia.” But the best track on here is “Swing,” an uber-catchy ditty that still has the Zero 7 “chill” trademark – and a song that immediately has the feel of an iPod commercial. This may not be the best Zero 7 album yet, but it’s not a huge regression, either. (Atlantic 2009)

Zero 7 MySpace Page

Alternative, Ambient, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Electronica, Folk, Pop

Timbaland: Shock Value II

December 9, 2009 /


RIYL: Scott Storch, Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams

It has the Roman numeral II after its title, but Timbaland’s latest effort has more in common with the artistically bankrupt misery common to watered-down later sequels – think “The Karate Kid III,” “Jason X,” and “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” – than any mere sophomore jinx can explain. As with 2007’s Shock Value, Timbaland assembles an eclectic-by-modern-standards group of guest vocalists to try and create a sort of jukebox effect; problem is, the once-innovative producer didn’t bother to come up with any interesting beats, and most of the artists in question – including Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and the dreaded Chad Kroeger – don’t have enough personality to carry these pedestrian tracks on their own.

Timbaland_01

All things considered, there really should be some shock value in Timbaland collaborating with the likes of Daughtry and Jet, but there isn’t a song in the bunch that feels like anything more than calculated pandering, and the album lacks the kind of savvy songcraft that makes this kind of blatant soullessness forgivable. As competent as it is deeply unmemorable, Shock Value II will probably squeak out a few hits, but that’ll be more about the marquee value of participants like Justin Timberlake and Drake than anything to do with the music. Modern R&B at its most mechanized and least inspired. (Interscope/Mosley 2009)

Timbaland MySpace page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, R&B

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