Category: News (Page 35 of 136)

New Zealand dogs rule the pop charts

February 18, 2008 / Captain Capm

Hey wanna get something that only your dog can listen to and enjoy? Well the folks over in New Zealand have just the thing for you. You see, a version of “Silent Night” recorded at a frequency that only canines can hear has recently topped the charts. Per the report,

A Very Silent Night, recorded at a frequency only dogs can hear, was so popular among owners it hit number one at Christmas, but has been receiving mixed responses from listeners.

“The most violent one was a dog that physically attacked the radio when it was played and went quite berserk and totally destroyed it,” said Bob Kerridge, chief executive of animal welfare group, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Good times, good times!

News, Songs

Chalk up another entry for future “Proof that the Grammy Awards Are Out of Touch with Reality” lists

February 11, 2008 / Will Harris

Give the Grammy Awards credit for getting a few things right this year: they gave Amy Winehouse the Curse of the Best New Artist (not that she hasn’t already put herself on the fast train to Hell), hooked her up with Best Female Pop Performance and Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Rehab,” and gave Back to Black the award for Best Vocal Pop Album. Somewhere between all those Winehouse wins, they even let Vince Gill take home the Best Country Album for the sprawling masterwork that is These Days.

Gill also got in one of the two best zingers of the night after he was presented his award by Ringo Starr. “I just got an award presented to me by a Beatle,” he said, then pointed at a specific individual in the audience and asked, “Have you had that happen yet, Kanye?”

(The other great line, by the way, was Prince throwing off the snarky comment about Alicia Keys’ virtual duet with Ol’ Blue Eyes, saying, “Frank Sinatra looked good for 150, didn’t he?”)

But, c’mon, people: whether it’s a good album or not, you’re just setting yourself up for ridicule by giving the Album of the Year award to Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters. It’s just Steely Dan’s Two Against Nature all over again…

Alternative, Artists, Country, External Music, Jazz, News, Pop, Rock, Songs

Britney goes bonkers…some more

January 25, 2008 / Captain Capm

When you’re on an out of control path down the crapper, why jump off? Indeed. The latest Britney Spears moment of madness found the pop star waiting outside a Beverly Hills school to pick up some kids. At first she claimed she was picking up her own kids, then changed her story, declaring “They aren’t my kids; I have a new attorney, and I came to pick them up for her.” Ooooooo K then. Could this chick go any further down the rabbit hole? You betcha. And she definitely will.

Artists, News

Ringo: Still The Most Tempermental Beatle

January 22, 2008 / Will Harris

Granted, the field of competition isn’t as wide as it used to be, but, still, I can’t imagine the ever-genial Paul would’ve walked off “Live with Regis and Kelly” after being told that he needed to shorten the length of his song.

I’m not saying it’s not a little ridiculous that the show’s producer, Michael Gelman, said that Ringo’s song had to be a mere two and a half minutes or less – that’s a pretty paltry time frame, even for a pop song – but Gelman apparently offered to barter with Ringo and cut down his chat time in favor of giving him more time for a song, and Ringo instead opted to hit the highway. Well, he was probably riding on the high of knowing that he’ll be getting an upcoming episode of “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” all to himself, but, still, it smacks of a bit of a tantrum to me.

I have to say, though, that Dave Stewart – the former Eurythmic who’s serving as Ringo’s current musical director – had the best quote about the matter:

“Four minutes (3 minutes and 40 seconds, actually) seemed like an appropriate amount of time for a former Beatle. Mr. Gelman apparently felt Ringo’s musical legacy should take a back seat to additional banter about the size of Ms. Ripa’s derriere.”

You go, Dave!

Artists, News, Pop, Rock

So You Wanna Be a Rock and Roll Star?

January 22, 2008 / Mike Farley

UBER.com, along with industry big shots such as Atlantic Records, The Agency Group, Sneak Attack Media and Peer Music Publishing, are launching a contest for unsigned artists and bands called You Bring the Talent. The winner will receive an EP deal with Atlantic, publishing deal with Peer, booking deal with The Agency Group, distribution through ADA from The Rebel Group and a showcase at Hollywood’s House of Blues. To enter, you have to join UBER.com, and upload your band’s music, bio, and photos–then set up a voting module for yourself.

The contest runs until March 31, and your fans can vote once every 24 hours. For more information, please visit www.uber.com/youbringthetalent.

Alternative, Artists, Music Labels, News, Pop, Rock