Category: News (Page 20 of 136)

Musical genius Ellen DeGeneres named new “American Idol” judge

September 10, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

Since Paula Abdul left “American Idol,” the show has used fill-in judges like Victoria Beckham and Mary J. Blidge in the interim. With the new season coming up, the producers have found a permanent replacement, and you may have heard of her. Ellen DeGeneres will take Paula Abdul’s place as the fourth judge when the show’s ninth season premiers next year.

Hopefully, I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you,” DeGeneres said on her syndicated talk show Thursday. “I sit at home and I watch it, and I don’t have that technical … I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person.”

DeGeneres’ hiring as the show’s fourth judge all but seals the departure of Abdul, the original third judge who announced she was quitting amid a contract dispute in July.
Abdul had served as judge alongside Cowell and Jackson since the show’s debut in 2002. Producers shook up the franchise last season by adding songwriter DioGuardi as a fourth judge.

“American Idol” has been our country’s most popular show for some time now. That being said, it’s impossible to escape the news of who’s won, who’s feuding, etc. If I remember correctly, I did watch the entire first season. In theory, the show’s premise is a great. The American public isn’t voting on which contestant is the best songwriter or musician, but who is the most talented singer. These winners aren’t going to go on to compose great music, but will merely be the voice heard over songs written by professional songwriters working for a specific label. This isn’t a new idea at all — it’s existed since the days of Motown.

Nevertheless, Ellen DeGeneres is a perfect fit. The people watching don’t care, or really understand, what justification Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi are using to make their critiques. They certainly have more musical experience and knowledge then Ellen DeGeneres, but are people tuning in because of the pure musicality of the show? No, they’re tuning because they want entertainment, and that’s what DeGeneres brings to the table.

Watching all the Beatles content on VH1 has just further enhanced the fact that today’s popular music is generally horrible. Even the weaker bands that existed in their day were better than the stuff currently topping the charts. I was having a conversation with a friend about this last night. The Beatles were the first time the public and music purists got it right on such a large scale. Everybody agreed and reaped the benefits. Now, while Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry have hit singles, musical nerds like myself have to dig and dig to find new musicians worth our time. More often than not, I get too frustrated, and simply put Abbey Road on my record player.

American Idol, News

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32nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors include Bruce Springsteen and Dave Brubek

September 9, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

The Kennedy Center Honors is our nation’s highest tribute to performing and cultural artists. In past years, the Center has recognized Brian Wilson, Diana Ross, Steve Martin, Tina Turner, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Jack Nicholson, Roger Daltrey, and Pete Townshend. Bruce Springsteen, Dave Brubek, Grace Brumby, Mel Brooks, and Robert de Niro will be honored at this year’s event.

“This year, the Kennedy Center celebrates five extraordinary individuals whose unique and abundant artistry has contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world,” said Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman. “With his hilarious movies and musicals, Mel Brooks has created comedic gems that will keep us laughing for years to come. Dave Brubeck’s genius has dazzled us for six decades and has helped to define an American art form. Grace Bumbry helped to break the color barrier on her way to one of the most illustrious operatic careers in the 20th century. One of America’s greatest cinematic actors, Robert De Niro has demonstrated a legendary commitment to his characters and has co-founded one of the world’s major film festivals. With his gritty and honest songs that speak to the everyman, Bruce Springsteen has always had his finger on the pulse of America.”

The 2009 Kennedy Center Honors takes place on December 6th. The event will be broadcast on CBS on December 29th at 9:00 PM (ET/PT).

News, Videos

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Built to Spill’s “Hindsight”

September 8, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

As previously reported, Built to Spill will release their first album in over three years, There Is No Enemy, on October 6th. In the video posted above, you can listen to an early 2008 live rendition of the song “Hindsight,” which will appear on the album. Now the track is available to the public in all it’s mixed and mastered glory.

Fortunately, we don’t have to wait another three weeks for a taste of the new record thanks to Pitchfork, which just posted the new song “Hindsight.” The verdict? Since BTS is one of a small handful of bands we actually want to jam out past the 8-minute mark, the compact poppiness of “Hindsight” is a slight letdown. Would it kill you guys to insert a noodling guitar solo or two, guys? Of course, if your BTS fandom is based more on Keep It Like A Secret than Perfect From Now On—a perfectly defensible position—”Hindsight” will be right up your alley.

Listen to the track here, courtesy of Pitchfork.

This is how I like my Built to Spill. I don’t care for all the wacky guitar theatrics. I love what they can do with multiple guitar layers, but I prefer the swirling lines built around a solid song, which is what we have in “Hindsight.” I’m definitely looking forward to the new album.

Check out the band’s lala page to listen to a bunch of their songs legally and free of charge.

News, Songs, Videos

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“The Beatles in Mono” box set getting more love than expected

September 7, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

Within a few years time, I’m sure there will be another influx of Beatles-related reissues, movies, documentaries, video games, etc. Right now, however, it all seems appropriate. Granted, I know hordes of individuals are making bank off the Beatles’ legacy, despite there being only two surviving members. It’s hard to even care though, considering the amazing music they left behind. It’s been a pure joy to watch this Beatles week on VH1. I know everything is tied together with the anticipation of The Beatles: Rock Band and the EMI remasters of their entire catalogue, but it seems fueled by a genuine excitement and gratitude for the music.

While those popular remasters will be in stereophonic sound, receiving less attention is “The Beatles in Mono” box set, which also hits street retailers on September 9th. EMI had originally planned to only release 10,000 copies of the box set for the U.S. market. Unsurprisingly, pre-orders shot through the roof and they’re going to expand that number.

This may be where The Beatles in Mono comes into its own. At first glance, it looks an extravagant frippery: a £240 11-CD box set, featuring perfect miniature reproductions of albums pristinely remastered in a sonic format rendered obsolete almost half a century ago. But until 1969, the Beatles were disinterested in stereo: they oversaw the mono mixes of their albums, then left the rest to George Martin. The box set can thus proudly claim to offer “the closest you can get to hearing the authentic sound of the Beatles”. On the later albums, that amounts to a handful of cosmetic differences: if it’s striking to hear Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds with added psychedelic phasing effects, it doesn’t radically alter your perception of the song. The early albums, however, are transformed.

Hardcore Beatles fans and audiophiles tend to favor the monophonic production of their first four albums over the stereophonic albums that followed. If you care to read more about the debate, check out this link. I have a record player and can notice slight differences in the production of the mono and stereo LPs. Nevertheless, you’ll need a receiver with a channel switcher to get an obvious presentation. If not, a good old pair of headphones will do when comparing both formats of a song.

Boxed Sets, News, Videos

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Yet another reason to like Beck

September 4, 2009 / Christopher Glotfelty

Record Club: Songs Of Leonard Cohen “Suzanne” from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

I don’t know how I missed out on this character. In retrospect, it’s understandable. Growing up in the 90s, my first memorable experiences with music were from the albums my dad played around the house, the pop rock radio stations my mom listened to, and bands my friends and I got wind of that we thought were cool. Thus, my tape cassette collection from that period includes everything from the Offspring, Green Day, Weird Al Yankovic, 311, Bush, Boyz II Men, and Mariah Carey. I was all over the place. I could bob my head to the majestic sounds of the Beatles, rock out to Green Day, geek out to Weird Al, and privately sing Boyz II Men with subtle embarrassment. Needless to say, I didn’t have an older brother to show me the way. On that note, one thing I’m sure said brother would have introduced me to was Beck. I’ve listened to his late-90s album Mutations all week simply happy that my own musical instincts gradually led me to his catalogue.

Well, it’s 2009, and Beck has now been on the scene for quite a while. Rather than rest on his laurels, he’s decided to take on any odd or challenging project he sees fit. We previously announced that he’s writing Charlotte Gainsbourg’s new album which will keep his musical ambitions in check. However, Beck has also managed to create one of the coolest web pages I’ve seen for any musician or band. One section, called Irrelevant Topics, sees Beck chatting it up with Tom Waits and Will Ferrell about various topics. Recently, he’s added a feature called the Record Club where Beck gathers a group of musicians to cover a classic album in one day. Previously, Beck’s cohorts tackled The Velvet Underground & Nico. Now, he’s recruited Devendra Banhart, MGMT, Binki Shapiro from Little Joy, and Brian Lebarton and Bram Inscore from his touring band to channel Songs of Leonard Cohen. The first track, “Suzanne,” has just been posted.

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