Category: CD Reviews (Page 249 of 399)

Seen Your Video: Midnight Juggernauts, “Road to Recovery”

March 21, 2008 / David Medsker

This is what Duran Duran’s Red Carpet Massacre should have sounded like.

For those who don’t know the back story, Duran Duran solicited the help of hip hop overlord Timbaland and his protégé Nate “Danja” Hills to oversee their last album. This idea was sixteen different flavors of bad, because Tim and Nate demand that they be the stars of their work, not the bands singing and playing the songs in question. Duran Duran were reduced to co-stars on their own album. Tragic.

The Midnight Juggernauts right every wrong that Duran made. The drum tracks are positively huge, second only to Daft Punk. The bass lines are fluid and rubbery – nothing on Red Carpet Massacre comes close to the bass line on “Shadows” – and the keyboards are layered without smothering everything around them. And here’s the best part: they’re a trio. That’s right, there are only three guys making all this sound, which I guess makes them the equal and opposite reaction to Wolfmother, and the dance doppelganger of Muse.

Their album Dystopia doesn’t land on US shores until May 27, but it already has a spot on my Best of ’08 list. I haven’t been this excited about a band since, well, Muse. Make sure and check out the clips for “Tombstone,” “Shadows” and “Into the Galaxy” as well.

Alternative, Artists, Electronica, External Music, Rock, Seen Your Video, Songs, Videos

Road Warriors 57

March 20, 2008 / Mike Farley

Pop/rock band Augustana will release their new album, Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt, on April 29. And if you missed their performance at SXSW last week, fear not, because you can watch some of the show on www.crackle.com, or get there through the band’s MySpace page at www.myspace.com/augustana.

The Samsung Sound Check series of free private concerts will kick off March 27 with Ne-Yo performing at House of Blues in New Orleans. Other acts in the series are Jimmy Eat World in Charlotte on March 30, Gym Class Heroes in Chicago on April 10, Paramore in Houston on April 29, and Sean Kingston in Las Vegas on May 14. A limited number of tickets will be available through radio promotions, street teams and online registration.

In advance of their new album, Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings, Counting Crows will head out on tour Continue reading »

Alternative, Concerts, Country, Hip Hop, Pop, Rap, Rock

It’s Alive! – The Highwaymen

March 20, 2008 / Will Harris

Last night, I was fortunate enough to catch Willie Nelson in concert at The NorVa, in Norfolk, VA. It was the second time I’d seen him there, and although it wasn’t quite as long a performance as the last time he came ’round, it was still just as good a time. There were, however, a few bittersweet moments, such as when he broke out “Good Hearted Woman,” introducing it with the words, “Let’s do one for Waylon!” Ah, the late Mr. Jennings: how he’s missed. And the absence of Johnny Cash is felt even more strongly. As such, I thought I’d go ahead and offer up an artifact from the past that never fails to make me smile: Willie, Waylon, Johnny, and their ol’ buddy Kris Kristofferson teaming up to sing their version of Jimmy Webb’s “The Highwayman.” Just listen to that crowd scream as each gentleman takes the mike for their respective verse…

Artists, Concerts, Country, Pop, Songs, Videos

American Idol: Hard Head Doesn’t Advance

March 20, 2008 / Mike Farley

Last night’s “American Idol” results show proved one thing….that you shouldn’t always indulge yourself, thinking you are indulging your fans in the process. More on that in a bit.

First, they announced the mentors for this season….Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Neil Diamond…pretty diverse bunch, no? Then the remaining 11 did their second Beatles medley in as many weeks. It was watered down, bland, and none of them looked like they were having any fun whatsoever.

Okay, on to the results. Brooke White, safe. Carly Smithson, Bottom 3. What????? I know Simon thought it was a bad song choice (“Blackbird”), but come on…she wasn’t worse than 8 other contestants. David Archuleta, safe. Michael Johns, safe.

Then a break, then a video about shooting the latest Ford commercial. Okay, really, this show should and could be 30 minutes instead of 60.

David Cook, safe. Kristy Lee Cook, Bottom 3….well, duh. Jason Castro, safe. Ramiel Mallubay, safe.
That left Syesha, Chikezie and Amanda….Mrs. Mike said it was going to be Amanda and that she was going home.

Then Ryan Seacrest took some phone calls…..how’d you like to be one of the judges or contestants who have to answer some crazy fan’s question on national TV on the spot? I think I would start coughing uncontrollably so as to bow out.

Then Idol alum Kellie Pickler sang her new single, “Red High Heels.” The song was bland and boring, like most Country radio is, but Kellie looked great….and her boobs were not out in front this time for all to see. I have to say, I like her a whole lot more as an artist than Carrie Underwood.

Then after a 5-minute clip about the upcoming “Idol Gives Back” episode that featured former contestants Elliott Yamin and Fantasia (season 3 champ!), it was back to business.

Syesha Mercado, safe. Chikezie and Amanda….Chikezie, safe. Amanda, Bottom 3.

So the Bottom 3 was Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook and Amanda Overmyer. Carly looked like she absolutely didn’t belong, and she was sent back to safety first. Then, so was Kristy AGAIN, as Amanda was eliminated. Mrs. Mike called it two weeks in a row.

Here is my thought…first of all, Amanda went first, and that’s never a good thing unless you are a contender to win it all. Then, she sang “Back in the USSR,” and she proved that the same type of song at the same tempo week after week is not smart, because it makes you one-dimensional. The judges kept warning her about that. Amanda, though, made some comment that she gets 90 seconds to entertain America each week and she wants them to have a glimpse into what her live concert would be all about. Yeah, about that Amanda…..you’ll get to try and start proving it as of today because you are no longer an “Idol” finalist.

Meanwhile, Kristy Lee Cook keeps pulling this MacGuyver act. She has not had a good performance since her rendition of “Amazing Grace” in the initial audition, but she is clearly getting votes based on her All-American good looks. Hey America, what is WRONG with you?

Oh well, that’s why they play the games. Speaking of which, it’s NCAA tournament time…so I won’t tell your boss that you are faking being sick to watch basketball all day. See you next week…

Alternative, American Idol, Country, Pop, Rock

American Idol: Too Much Beatles

March 19, 2008 / Mike Farley

Too much of a good thing can be too much of a good thing. Much the same way that your second doughnut does not taste nearly as good as the first one, two straight weeks of “American Idol” contestants singing Beatles songs was a bit, say, watered down? Or maybe they all just chose the wrong songs. However you slice it, last night was a bit disappointing. Let’s go to the recap….

THE GOOD

David Archuleta was very good last night, and back to form, but I was not nearly as impressed as Simon Cowell was. David sang “The Long and Winding Road” and it was about an 8 out of 10 on my Archuleta scale. Randy said David was back to his game but that it was a bit safe, Paula said David is identifiable, and Simon said that while last week David’s performance was a mess, this week he was “amazing.” Seriously, I was practically insulted by that…but still, this kid is really good.

David Cook was once again “amazing”…sorry, Simon. He sang “Day Tripper” and strapped on his guitar Continue reading »