The Big Pink and the Smith Westerns were supposed to play July 29 at the Middle East Downstairs. That’s not happening. If you bought tickets, go to the Middle East and get your money back or get tickets to see their replacement –> Dead Prez, the critically acclaimed political hip-hop duo. Check out their songs “It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop” (2000) and “Far From Over” (2010).
HALCYONDIGEST.COM!
DOWNLOAD POSTER
E-MAIL PHOTO OF POSTER
ACQUIRE RECORDINGS.
Artist: The Scouflaws
Label: Dakota Dog Records (aka Self-Released)
Hometown: Wakefield, MA
Year Formed: 2007
Members:
Andrew Tobey- lifting (according to Facebook page)/ Keyboards/Vocals
Frank Price- making banana sandwiches (FB)/ Vocals/ Lead Guitar
Alex Carney- professional Mathematician/Chauffeur (FB)/ Bass/Vocals
Evan Healey- attracting the ladies (FB)/ Drums
Matt Sandorse- existing (FB)/ Guitar
Sounds Like: Pop Punk (good Pop Punk, not whiny, pussy bullshit Pop Punk) a la Descendants, early Green Day meets Garage Rock and eats Andrew W.K. guitar riffs (at least on “Stupid and Catchy,” at least to me)
Top Songs: Crazy Desert Island Cats, Stupid and Catchy, Punch
Top Recording: Demolicious (2010)
Live Shows: HIGH ENERGY, jumping around, leaping off drum kits, sometimes shirtless, and of course FREE CAKE!!!
Website: http://www.myspace.com/thescouflaws
Artist: Silhouette Rising
Label: Self-Released
Year Formed: 2005
Members:
James DiNano- Drums/Lyrics
Cory Jackson- Vocals/Guitar/Lyrics
Dan Ward- Bass
Joel Ward- Lead Guitar
Rob DiNano- Piano/Vocals
Sounds Like: I can’t point to any particular artist that they sound like, which is a great and truly rare quality. If you have an open mind when it comes to music, then you can easily find something in their work that satisfies your ears. With that being said, on their Facebook page, they cite artists as diverse as Thrice, Bon Iver, Gonzales, and Pink Floyd as influences. So, if you are a fan of the above, then I’m positive you will dig SR.
Top Songs (In My Opinion!): Behind Closed Doors, Riverside, Perseverance, A Failed Attempt, Conversations
Top Album: Promises (2010)
Final Note: SR is playing a show in Salem on July 23rd, for more details, check out their Facebook page.
Website: http://www.silhouetterising.com/
P.S.: “Space explorations, bubble baths, So You Think You Can Dance competitions, and reenactments of “Lord Of The Flies”- “Band Interests,” from their Facebook Page.
This is probably one of the longest, most interesting interviews I’ve read. Great material.
Barlow shreds.
Artist: M.I.A.
Release: 7/2010
Label: XL Recordings
1. “The Message” – N/A
2. “Steppin Up” – C
3. “XXXO” – C-
4. “Teqkilla” – C+
5. “Lovalot” – C-
6. “Story To Be Told” – C+
7. “It Takes a Muscle” – B
8. “It Iz What It Iz” – C
9. “Born Free” – C-
10. “Meds and Feds” – D+
11. “Tell Me Why” – C+
12. “Space” – C
Comments: “Carried away” in studio. That’s truth. For the most part this album is an experimental mess. Not totally experimental, though. It’s like an electronica album (2/3 of it, at least) with vocals. Some of the more stripped down tracks like the dub/reggae cover “It Takes a Muscle” and the mellow “Space” are easier to digest. Unless, of course, schizophrenic beats are your thing. The repetition and hectic flavor of most of the tunes on here are discomfiting aspects of the listening experience. I honestly haven’t struggled with as many albums as this one.
Grade: C (75)
If anyone is in Vegas from October 1 to October 3, you might as well buy tickets for this. You know. Lots of good bands.
Rapper: Big Boi
Release: 7/2010
Label: Def Jam
1. “Feel Me (Intro)” – N/A
2. “Daddy Fat Sax” – B
3. “Turns Me On” – C+
4. “Follow Us” – B-
5. “Shutterbugg” – A-
6. “General Patton” – C-
7. “Tangerine” – B-
8. “You Ain’t No DJ” – B-
9. “Hustle Blood” – C
10. “Be Still” – C+
11. “Fo Yo Sorrows” – B-
12. “Night Night” – B-
13. “Shine Blockas” – A-
14. “The Train Part II” – B
15. “Back Up Plan” – B-
Comments: This album is too confusing for a guy like me. The choruses on “Turns Me On” and “Follow Us” are pretty stale and generic. “General Patton” is just shy of terrible. “Shutterbugg” is the first song on here that flows wonderfully, a throwback to late ’90s hip-hop. Unfortunately, not one other song makes such an impact as that one. “Shine Blockas” reminds me of a song that I heard a while back (5+ years ago) that is just realistically chill and comforting. It’s not overdone at all. It’s real. Overall, I’d recommend this to people who are more into hip-hop than I am.
Grade: B- (80)
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 