Category: CD Reviews (Page 366 of 399)

It ain’t east coast, and it ain’t west coast…

April 11, 2006 / Will Harris

…but Detroit is the latest locale for a rapper to meet his untimately demise.

Proof, member of D12 and the best man at Eminem’s wedding, was shot to death in a nightclub on Eight Mile Road early this morning. Detroit police would neither confirm nor deny Proof’s death, only saying that two individuals had been shot in the head – one fatally – at the CCC nightclub, but a publicist at Interscope Records, D12’s label, confirmed that the news was true, adding, “Memorial service arrangements are still being made, and his friends and family would appreciate privacy during this difficult time.”

News, Rap

His Royal Badness keeps his credibility

April 10, 2006 / Will Harris

Prince is apparently not going to make an appearance on “American Idol”…though, apparently, folks at his label tried to get him to appear on the show in order to continue the promotional machine for his latest disc, 3121. The show’s producer, Nigel Lythgoe, sneered, “He did not want to talk with the kids and did not have the time.”

Get real, guy. Are you really surprised…? This is Prince. This is a guy who’s recorded albums and filmed videos and, instead of releasing them, let alone turning them in to his label, he just puts them in a vault. He does what he wants to do, when he wants to do it…like when he did “Muppets Tonight.” If he did “American Idol,” it’d be because it amused him…not because his label thought it was a good idea.

American Idol, News, Pop

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

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