FREE ITUNES- WEEKLY DOWNLOAD

This week's free iTunes download is "Blind," by a band called Hercules and the Love Affair.  I'm not one to knock a tune, let alone a free one, but I don't completely understand what Hercules was going for with their track.  It downloaded into the "dance" section of my iTunes, so why am I not moving?  The song vaguely reminds me of one played by a rejected band in The Wedding Singer (1998).  No, who am I kidding?  The image is a vivid one.  Usually I try to find something to like about all music that infiltrates my ears, but this just feels so cheesy and dull to me that it's almost impossible.  The bass line is pretty hip, but it isn't strong enough to make up for the combined weakness of the other elements.  Maybe they meant to call it "Deaf"?

You can still go ahead and download it if you feel so inclined.  It's free, and you can always delete it... or turn it up and put it on repeat to torture your enemies.  Or you may like it- apparently a lot of people do.

Click here.  The link will open your iTunes and give you the option of downloading.

Other tunes can be found on their MySpace.  I'll admit...they start to grow on you.  I actually really like some of their other stuff.  I sometimes think iTunes has a secret goal of providing negative first impressions.  As for "Blind"...after a few listens you do start to bop a bit- and I don't think it's from seizures either: 

http://www.myspace.com/herculesandtheloveaffair

FREE ITUNES- WEEKLY DOWNLOAD

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/29

R.I.P. JEFF BUCKLEY

11/17/1966 - 5/29/1997

Today marks the 11-year anniversary of Jeff Buckley's death.  Buckley went missing in Memphis, TN after going for a swim in the Mississippi River.  He was in the south working on recordings for a follow-up album to Grace.  The record was never finished.  Keith Foti, a friend of Buckley's, said he had unsuccessfully tried to persuade the singer against going into the water because of the extre

mely strong currents.  Buckley's body was found in the water on June 4th, 1997, when he was spotted near a boat by a tourist.

Our staff writer, Jenna, credits much of her musical drive to Buckley and his work.  She wrote a feature about her first experience with "So Real," which can be viewed by clicking here.

Here are two videos you MUST WATCH.  Before I watched these I did not know much about Jeff or his music, and within seconds I felt as though he had become a part of my life.  His words are sensational, his music is passionate, and his soul is naked...lying in the open for us to take.These are beautiful moments, so please enjoy.

"I'm dreaming of an eternal classic..."

It was 66 years ago (1942) today that Bing Crosby first recorded the infamous Irving Berlin tune, "White Christmas."  It lasted as the biggest selling single of all time, selling over 30 million copies, until the title was stolen by Elton John's, "Candle in the Wind," in 1997.  "White Christmas" went on to be the headlining track of the film by the same name.    

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SCARY SPICE!!!

Spice Girl Melanie Brown turns 33 today, and she's as fierce as ever!

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/29

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/28

"It's All Over Now, " for Rolling Stones frontman.

THE YEAR: 1969

THE OFFENSE:  Possession of Marijuana

THE OFFENDER:  Mick Jagger

The Rolling Stones singer insisted police tried to plant cocaine on him during a drug bust at his London home, in which cannabis was found.  His girlfriend, Marianne Faithful, was also at the house during the bust.  Jagger was found guilty of marijuana possesion, and was fined 200 pounds.  Police statements show a concern for the rocker's well-being, and his apparent ties to the drug world.

On a lighter note, if you haven't checked out the new Martin Scorsese film, Shine a Light, you should.  The film does a brilliant job of showcasing the bands talent on stage, while incorporating flashbacks of their growth through the years.

Here is the official trailer:

THE GREEN FAIRY IS GROWING UP:

KYLIE MINOGUE TURNS 40!

There is far too much to say about Kylie to be contained in a birthday blip, so we will save it for a later review, but this Australian diva deserves recognition on this special day.  Can you believe she is 40 years old?!  Her latest studio album, X, may be her fiercest one yet.  "Over the hill" is certainly not a saying that can be associated with Ms. Minogue; this superstar is just approaching her peak.

Check out her myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/kylieminogue

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/28

WE'RE NOW ON MYSPACE!!!

SO ADD US!!! 

Our profile will be updated shortly to include info, tour dates, concert pics, staff diaries, and more! Help us take over the world from every front!  Coming soon to a facebook near you... :)

click the pic & join the revolution:

WE'RE NOW ON MYSPACE!!!

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/27

A very merry birthday to you, 

Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes!

During her lifetime, Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes collaborated with many well known artists such as Toni Braxton, former Spice Girl, Mel C, and NSync.  

Most widely know from her many years in the spot light with famed R&B group, TLC, Lopes later went on to record a solo album, Supernova, in 2001.  Her tragic death in 2002, while on a spiritual retreat in Honduras, was quite a blow to fans and the entire music community.  Today the lyrical visionary would have been celebrating her 37th birthday.

In honour of this diva, here is a flashback to the Left-Eye we all grew to love.  It is the official music video for the signature TLC hit, "Waterfalls", released in 1995.  Enjoy:

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/27

Indiana Jones...or Indiana Drone?

NEW MOVIE REVIEW:

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Released: May 22, 2008

Jenna Avery-Lawyer

Yesterday, I went to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, or as I like to call it, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of what the hell is going on? Oh look, there's Shia, maybe I'll just hit mute."  Too wordy for a title? Hmm. No wonder they never called me back.

I have to say, albeit begrudgingly, it was a bit of a disappointment. I am extremely biased towards the "Indiana Jones" movies, so that's saying something. It just seemed too little, too late. Putting the plot aside, I'd like to focus on the acting chops of Harrison Ford, which I'm sorry to say, were severely lacking. Maybe it's his age. Is he just too old and tired to put forth the effort into his work anymore?  His half assed delivered lines could have been the result of the lines themselves, which sounded tired and cliché, much like Mr. Ford himself. I'm being a hard ass, but only because I expected something monumental. I guess high expectations always make the fall harder and faster. I'm depressed that I feel such things for an Indiana Jones movie.

On the bright side, it wasn't all bad. I would even see it again. The shining star of the film, Shia Lebouf, made that movie possible. His charismatic presence, along with his newly developed and much appreciated biceps, kept me alert. I can see him following an acting career much like Will Smith's. He's already a great action star with the skills for drama, and the comedic timing of a pro. Kate Blanchett, too, did not disappoint. She took her role as the deadly and obsessive Ukrainian, to heart. I found her disturbing and amusing.

The re-appearance of old characters, and occasional amusing references to old "Indiana" movies, were a nice treat to die hard fans, but felt forced. It made the film seem kitchy, and not in a good way. Since I don't do spoilers, I won't delve into the subtext of the film. I will say that it could have been better, but it will do. As I said before, I'd see it again, but not in theaters.

Feel free to check out the trailer:

Indiana Jones...or Indiana Drone?

The Doctor's in the House!

Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome

Sir Dr. James Paul McCartney!

Today, in the far off land of New Haven, Connecticut, Paul McCartney was presented with a very prestigious degree; an honorary Doctor of Music from Yale University.  The well-deserved degree was given to the former Beatle for his influential songwriting, which has moved so many for generations.  This title can join the long list of awards and honors McCartney has enjoyed, including knighthood granted to him in 1996.  Now go celebrate by treating yourself to some Beatles.  You deserve it.

- Lindsay x

The Doctor's in the House!

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/26

A SURPRISE CELEBRITY WEDDING!

Circa 1994.

Long before there was Mariah (Carey) and Nick (Cannon),  there was Michael and Lisa Marie.  It was 14 years ago, today, that Michael Jackson and the famous daughter of Elvis Presley joined the long list of celebrities to run off into marital bliss.  They were secretly married in the Dominican Republic.  Jackson, seen here clutching his bride, was delighted by the union.  (I just love her facial expression and the fact that her skin is darker than his.)  Unfortunately this hold must not have been strong enough, as the couple filed for divorce 20 months later.  The pair cited irreconcilable differences as their need to split.  Lisa Marie also claims she did not see her ex-husband for 6 months before they separated.  While it may have been a lot of pressure for Lisa Marie to be married to such a pop icon, we can't blame Michael entirely for this breakup.  She has been married 4 times (including a union with Nicholas Cage!) and announced in March that she is pregnant with a child to her fourth husband.  Also, did I mention she is the daughter of Elvis?  I think that alone guaranteed enough time in the spotlight to adapt to celebrity pressures.  

Here is a video I found on YouTube of the couple sharing a kiss onstage at the MTV Music Awards while they were still together. Note how comfortable LMP appears to be, and listen for what Michael says at the end.  Sorry MJ, but we were right!  So sad!

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/26

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/25

This year American Idol has become even more of a staple in the lives of Americans.  This past week has sent much of the country into an Idol frenzy, so today's moment in music history is quite appropriate.  It was 3 years ago today that country music diva Carrie Underwood swooped down and stole the title of American Idol from fellow finalist Bo Bice.  As Simon Cowell suggested, she has since gone on to sell more records than any other contestant in Idol history.  Looks like Simon really is always right.

HAPPY 82nd BIRTHDAY, MILES DAVIS!

On this day in 1926, a jazz legend was born in Alton, IL.  Miles Davis was one of the most influential minds ever to grace the world of music.  His primary instrument was the trumpet, and he had the writing and improvisational skills of a God.  During his lifetime he worked with such musical greats as Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Williams, Michael Jackson, and many others.  Davis passed away in Santa Monica, CA on Septempber 28, 1991 due to respiratory failure.  He was 65.

For a more in depth look into Davis' life and an un-censored commentary on the unfolding development of jazz, I highly recommend you check out Davis' autobiography, Miles.  It is a very graphic account of all things Davis went through during his life, both in and out of the spotlight, and does not hold back any information about fellow musicians; no matter how vile.

For a longer list of today's events in music history, check out Billboard.com.

IN LOVING MEMORY: 

Justin Warfield

Today is also the birthday of our dear friend Justin Warfield.  When I met him I could immediately sense his talent, and his genuine nature was undeniable.  Though he was taken from us far too soon, he has left a lasting impact on everyone he came in contact with.  A brilliant musician and sincere individual, Justin is sadly missed. 

 

You can hear some of his compositions on myspace.  He had not yet begun to scratch the surface of his extreme talent.

Justin's MySpace

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/25

FEATURED ARTIST 5/25/08: JEFF BUCKLEY

SO REAL: Jeff Buckley

Jenna Avery-Lawyer

Jeff Buckley never gave anything less than his whole being.  Every time we listen, we hear beautiful melodies that have us clutching at ourselves, trying not to fall apart. Enchanting seduction s that whisper of heavenly pleasures gained from sin.  Rebel cries that stretch and strain through our minds, snapping ourselves into awareness.  We are here.  Experiencing the raw emotion that hangs on every note, every breath.

I remember the time and place when I heard my first Buckley song.  I won't mention them now, because they are uninteresting, but the fact that I remember these details is the point.  The song I heard was "So Real".  I believe I was in 9th or 10th grade, trying to find something new.  I found Jeff Buckley, not knowing that he had already passed away.  I was ignorant of his existence prior to my listening experience, so I thought I had stumbled upon something fresh.

 Believe me, it was fresh.  I don't think I had ever heard anything like it.  It was so raw, with a controlled randomness.  The moment it started there was this feeling of something otherworldly swirling about.  It was mysterious, but still familiar.

He comes in like a whisper across your skin, personifying "love." "Love, let me sleep on your couch."  One might assume "Love" to be the nickname of a lover, but later lyrics hint at a deeper meaning.  Not only is this his love, it is love.  Love as an entity.  He invokes scents, sounds, and visions with his genius text painting.  "I remember the smell of the fabric of your simple city dress."  So simple, and yet he forces it to hold meaning.

"I love you, but I'm afraid to love you."  He whispers to all of us, to no one.  The chorus comes out of nowhere, blasting into our souls.  "Oh, that was so real!"  The transcendent vocals of Buckley tearing through the stratosphere as he soars higher and higher, climaxing.  It could speak of other climaxes as well.  Both sensually and tragically.  The ride is coming to an end, the grinding guitar ripping and shredding its way through the chorus, Buckley gliding through the rough instrumentation.  The heavy industrial interlude some might refer to as ugly only adds to the beauty.  The highs and lows of love.

Howling like a wild animal.  His love for Led Zeppelin shines through at times like these.  The perfected beautiful shrieking of Robert Plant-esque proportions.  Singing strategically just under the pitch at times to create a sense of standing at the precipice of something great.  If only we could just take that step.  We wait for a resolution that never comes.

It's winding down, it's ending.  I feel my heart lurch in my chest.  I don't want it to stop.  This song is holding me together.  I'm afraid of what might happen when it ends.  His words have torn me open, shredded my existence, and yet he's the only thing holding me together.  Relief.  I can feel it coming.  Brushing over me like cool hands.  They soothe my ravaged soul, making me whole again.  One person cannot feel this much all the time.  Jeff Buckley, however, lived every song as he sang them.  The only reason they affect us so, is because he made it possible.

I'm done.  I sit and stare, unmoving.  What just happened?  I feel alive and fresh.  Whole and beautiful.  I want to feel it again.  So I hit play and sit back, ready to endure it all again.

Here is the official music video for "So Real."

FEATURED ARTIST 5/25/08: JEFF BUCKLEY

The Walkup: A match made in...New York.

NEW MUSIC REVIEW:

The Walkup, Down on Pacific

Jenna Avery-Lawyer

Prepare to rock with The Walkup! This New York based group does not bring to mind visions of shining skyscrapers, but instead evokes scenes of sunny beaches crawling along the Pacific Coast. Their aptly named debut album, Down on Pacific, features ten tracks with a consistent quality throughout, setting the group up for a bright future.

Their debut album is the result of a unification of tastes among band members. Lead vocals are sung by Alex Koch; reminding me of Morrissey, but with a sunnier disposition. I can hear a smirk on his lips as he sings with a moody and pleading tone. Joining Koch's lead vocals and guitar are Sean Finnigan on lead guitar and vocals, Michael Petrucelly on drums, and newest member, Christopher Ayoub, on bass. These four have managed to capture a sound that is so popular these days, and turn it into something they can call their own. Vocals, enhanced by a slight echo effect, create the illusion of a live recording. These vocals are accompanied by chord progressions that straddle the line between East and West coast alternative rock. The album's opening track, "My Youth," does a great job of getting my feet tapping and head banging. It sets the tone for the rest of the record, as it is followed by more up-tempo tunes to keep the mood up in the room.

Creating a cohesive album is difficult, but essential. A thematic rhythm resonates throughout Down on Pacific, creating a sound I associate exclusively with the Walkup. They are successful in keeping the songs uniform, but not identical. The funky bass intro to "The Long Hours," done by Christopher "smooth as silk" Ayoub, screams for my attention immediately. The song continues to do so as the chorus begins. I find myself singing along with the catchy-as-hell

hook; rockin' out and banging my head like the rag doll they speak of.

The Walkup's music is heavy with sounds of their well-known, self-stated, influences. When "Conversation" came on, I thought I had accidentally started playing "London Calling," by the Clash. For me, sounding like the Clash is never a problem, as long as an original sound is still established. I was pleased to hear that the similarities did not carry through the entire tune. A heavy beat is sustained throughout the verse by the simple down-stroke strumming of one chord, and the steady, fast paced drumming of Petrucelly. The chorus enters; leaving that steady strumming behind, and instead developing into a heartsick alternative rock melody. Another surprise is the sudden appearance of a synthesizer, helping to build the song up to its climactic end. This is one of my favorites from the album, because it separates itself from the rest without losing uniformity.

The Walkup was able to establish their style and skills perfectly through their debut album, "Down on Pacific," helping them make their way into the spotlight. If they continue to release albums of this caliber, they will have cemented themselves into the music scene for life. The combination of the Beach Boys' party-time attitude, with the Smiths' moody and broody ways, is a match made in New York.

You can check out their music by visiting their myspace:

The Walkup MySpace

The Walkup: A match made in...New York.

Fleet Foxes: An Indie Land of Fairytale Enchantment

NEW MUSIC REVIEW:

Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes

Lindsay Van Osten

Close your eyes.  Picture that it's a summer afternoon in late August.  You find yourself on top of a large hill in the countryside; lying in an open field of fresh green grass.  The sky is clear, and you can feel the warm sun caressing your skin as a gentle breeze provides sweet relief on this hot and tired summer day.  As you gaze up into the storm free skies you slip away into daydreams and wish this day could be preserved and relived indefinitely.  

Well, it can.  Fleet Foxes have captured the essence of the perfect lazy summer day in their self-titled album, Fleet Foxes.  As I listen to the record I am happily transported to a time of simple pleasures.

Coming to our ears from Seattle, Washington, Fleet Foxes is the brainchild of Robin Pecknold and Skye Skjelset.  The pair started writing music together in high school on guitar and vocals.  When their music began to thirst for additional elements they teamed up with Casey Wescott on keys, Christian Wargo on bass, and later Joshua Tillman on drums.  Each player is vital for the music to survive, as maintaining the ever-weaving orchestral motion provides oxygen for the songs.  They have since expanded their instrumental artillery even further to include woodwinds, the mandolin, and of course the ever present tambourine.  The tambourine may not be a new experiment, but my what a presence it has!

With tunes self-described as "Baroque harmonic pop jams," Fleet Foxes do not fall short when blending these genres together to create a mystical musical experience, though I would argue that their sound is more Renaissance influenced than Baroque.  Their self-titled album is reminiscent of early 1960's folk rock with elements of bluegrass mixed in.  Their thick layering of vocals creates a haunting hymn-like experience, which reaches perfection when coupled with the lush orchestration used throughout the album.

Fleet Foxes achieved a unified feel for their record without falling into the trap of monotony.  One of my favourite songs on the album is "Blue Mountain Ridge."  It begins with mandolin heavily influenced by late-Renaissance/early-Baroque music and introduces matching vocal harmonies before launching into a much edgier modern feel.  Well, as edgy as folk rock can be!  Japanese influences can be heard as well through the perpetual use of the pentatonic, which creates a delicious combination for hungry ears.

The final track of the record, "Oliver James," takes a step back from the heavier instrumental elements and ends with a single voice.  This is a brilliant decision because it leaves the listener feeling fresh as the album ends.

Fans of Iron & Wine will enjoy this band.  While Fleet Foxes has a brighter sound, the two bands evoke a similar sense of peaceful freedom through themes of simplistic natural beauty.  After listening to this record it is clear to me that the members of Fleet Foxes do not simply play music; they are musicians.  Their attention to detail and intelligent orchestration, as well as their seamless combinations of contrasting stylistic elements, make them quite a respectable musical force.  I can only hope we will be taken along for more of their creative journey in the future.

Check out the Fleet Foxes myspace for tour dates and catch a show in a town near you:

Fleet Foxes Myspace

Their record will be released June 3rd by SubPop Records:

SubPop Records Website

Fleet Foxes: An Indie Land of Fairytale Enchantment