Category: Artists (Page 25 of 262)

Steal This Song: The Wandas, “Forever and Ever”

Oh man, is this easy on the ears. Just when we’re tempted to concede that new bands just don’t know how to construct a song the way they had been built for, oh, 35 or 40 years, along come the Wandas, an east coast quartet (Boston, if you can believe it) with a serious West Coast fixation. And we don’t say ‘if you can believe that’ in a derogatory manner; in fact, we lived in Boston for a couple of years, so we speak from experience when we say that the bands that made a name for themselves there, well, don’t sound like this. The only person who comes close is Aimee Mann, and she’s been gone for so long that she hardly counts as a Bostonian anymore.

The Wandas recorded their self-titled album in Montreal, and that makes perfect sense, since their sensibilities are similar to the bands who call Montreal home. In fact, several locals (Stars, the Stills, the Dears) play on the album, and while the Wandas don’t sound exactly like any of those bands, they’re in the same ballpark. Surrender to the mellow vibe. Everything will work out, we swear.

Click here to download The Wandas – Forever and Ever

5 Most Devastating Musical Losses of All Time

Amy Winehouse.

With the recent death of Amy Winehouse, many people have reflected on other rock stars who have departed too soon. There are so many beloved musicians who are no longer with us, but there are a few true stars who left a hole in the heart of rock music lovers. Winehouse joins a group of rock stars who have all died at the age of 27 called the “27 Club.”

You can honor these legends by buying and listening to their music. Remember their talent and appreciate the art they created. Shop for music on eBay if you’re looking for good deals on albums, and enjoy the songs you’ve always loved.

Even though their music can still be found, millions of fans miss these artists. Here are a few of the most famous rock stars who died at a young age, who all also happen to be members of the “27 Club”:

1. Janis Joplin: Janis Joplin had a raspy voice and a non-conventional look, but she sure could belt out the hits. She had a successful career both as a soloist and with her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. She died in 1970 of a heroin overdose.

2. Jim Morrison:  Jim Morrison died in 1971 of a heroin overdose. He was the lead singer for The Doors and was not only a great singer and showman — he was also a poet with an IQ of 149. His music is still unique even by today’s standards.

Kurt Cobain.

3. Kurt Cobain: Kurt Cobain was the lead singer for Nirvana, a grunge band out of Seattle. He had been plagued by depression, an addiction to heroin and a stomach illness that may have been the cause of his suicide. He died in his home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head and was mourned by millions.

4. Jimi Hendrix:  Hendrix is considered the best electric guitar player of all time and is famous for his rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at Woodstock in 1969. He died of asphyxiation of vomit, although there have been many allegations of murder rather than accidental death.

5. Amy Winehouse:  Winehouse had a unique voice that started a trend in music. Unfortunately, she was involved with drugs, and although her father claims she was clean at the time, she died at the age of 27, making her the latest member of the club.

While there are so many rock stars who didn’t die at the age of 27, it does seem odd that so many unique and precious people have all died at the same age. It’s the music world’s loss, although their voices still remain with us.

Amy Winehouse found dead

R.I.P. She was 27.

British singer Amy Winehouse performs at the Glastonbury Festival 2008 in Somerset in south west England in this June 28, 2008 file photo. Winehouse, whose career has been blighted by alcohol and drug abuse, on June 21, 2011 has cancelled all her scheduled concerts after she was jeered by fans in Serbia recently for a shambolic performance. Picture taken June 28, 2008. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor/Files (BRITAIN – Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT)

Steal This Song: Delay Trees, “Cassette 2012”

All right, so here’s the pitch to anyone who was tuned in to modern rock when the scene first started coming together (that would be the late ’80s, in case you weren’t sure): “Cassette 2012,” the new single by Finnish quartet Delay Trees, is the best song the Ocean Blue never wrote.

And now, lets put that into context for anyone who was born after 1982.

The Ocean Blue were a alt-pop band out of Hershey, Penn. They released their debut album in late 1989 on Sire Records — back when, you know, the label you signed to made a very clear statement about what kind of band you were — and they quickly became darlings of MTV’s late-night modern rock show “120 Minutes.” Their songs were dreamy, jangly, and melodic beyond words. Singer David Schelzel’s low tenor was quite airy (possibly a precursor to the breathy Manchester bands a year or so later), and the musicianship was tight. Their self-titled first record remains a late ’80s alt-rock gem.

And “Cassette 2012” sounds just like that album.

The rest of their self-titled debut isn’t quite the dead ringer for the Ocean Blue, but it’s in the ballpark. Atmospheric arrangements, songs steeped in melody…it’s damn good. It doesn’t stand a chance of storming the charts on this side of the pond, but ten bucks says this will make a few soundtrack supervisors very, very happy.

Click to download Delay Trees – Cassette 2012

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