Category: Artists (Page 230 of 262)

Welcome to the National Recording Registry, Mr. Zappa!

April 11, 2006 / Will Harris

It was announced today that 50 new records are being added to the National Recording Registry, and, in the article on Yahoo! News, particular note is made of the inclusion of the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Are You Experienced, Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life, and B.B. King’s Live at the Regal. What’s mentioned far more casually, however, is the much more interesting news that among those 50 records are Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation, We’re Only In It For The Money, by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, and the Firesign Theater’s brilliantly titled Don’t Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me The Pliers.

To see the whole list and a brief description of the importance of each entry, click here.

Alternative, Artists, News, Pop, Rock

Zero 7: “In The Waiting Line”

April 10, 2006 / John Paulsen

I heard this tune recently during a commercial on HBO advertising their original programming. It’s soulful, moody electronica, guest starring Sia and her considerable vocals. If you liked “Breathe Me,” you’ll probably dig this one as well.

Listen to a sound clip here.

Alternative, Artists, Deep Cuts, Electronica, Pop, Songs

The Return of the Living Dolls

April 10, 2006 / Will Harris

I’d love to take credit for that headline, but I borrowed most of it from an album New York Dolls released in the ’80s (Night of the Living Dolls). In this case, though, it’s even more accurate now than it was then, since the last two remaining living Dolls – singer David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain – are releasing a new album.

The line-up is fleshed out by second guitarist Steve Conte, bassist Sam Yaffa (late of Hanoi Rocks), and drummer Brian Delaney, who’d already worked with Johansen for several years prior to the Dolls reuniting for the 2003 Meltdown Festival in London, and the album is produced by Jack Douglas, who engineered the band’s debut LP back in the ’70s.

Will the record be any good…? Based on the performances the band’s been giving lately, it has a real shot at greatness…but only time will tell.

Alternative, Artists, News, Rock

Dolby disses K-Fed

April 10, 2006 / Captain Capm

That’s right, Thomas, you tell him! Thomas Dolby is currently pissed off at Kevin Federline for sampling “She Blinded Me With Science” in his new lame-ass song without permission. Says Dolby on hiss official blog:

“Turns out K-Fed has no management, label or lawyer, so it’s going to be hard getting hold of him. So K-Fed, if you’re reading this, I’m asking you nicely to take the track down ASAP. Or maybe you’d prefer me to come after some of your wife’s ill-gotten gains?”

Also accoring to Dolby, he’d never heard of K-Fed until “a few days ago.” It’s too bad the rest of us can’t say the same thing. Woe be to the label who winds up releasing his debut turd of an album. K-Fed would be better off just going back to dumpster diving and leaving the public alone.

Artists, News

So who’s this Andy Leek, then…?

April 8, 2006 / Will Harris

Well, according to Sir George Martin, who manned the controls for Leek’s 1988 debut, Say Something, he’s “one of the most talented artists I have ever produced.” And given that Martin has produced the Beatles, Cheap Trick, America, Kenny Rogers, Jeff Beck, and even Peter Sellers, he’s in a position to know what he’s talking about.

I just stumbled upon Leek’s album in a local used CD shop, and, when I spotted Martin’s name (and, okay, the decidedly inexpensive price), I snapped it up immediately. As soon as I put it in, I was instantly reminded of the white-boy soul of Mick Hucknall, of Simply Red…but I still didn’t know who the hell Andy Leek was.

Artists, Pop