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Friday, June 26, 2009
Live Reviews / News Live review: Ice Cube
Posted By Mike McCray on Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Ice Cube
Dub Car Show, Charlotte Convention Center
June 20, 2009
The Deal: One of the West Coast gangsta rap originators hits the Queen City with fancy cars and broads, while everyone wonders to themselves how he’s still a headliner.
The Good: Starting with newer music probably wasn’t the best way to grab the audience but Cube, along with WC, managed to eventually be engaging, breaking up songs with back stories. After two newer joints, he got into the classics and the crowd finally came to life. After “Check Yo Self”, “Bow Down” and other hits, Cube stopped the music and asks the crowd, “can I take it back to 1989” which sent true fans into a frenzy in the front. The best part of the show was the classic Father’s Day moment I took from the show, when a dad up front put his kindergarten-aged son up on his shoulders to see and the little man threw up West Side with both hands while rocking to “You Can Do (Put Yo Ass Into It).” Ahh, fatherhood.
The Bad: I wasn’t the only one wondering why the hell “Straight Outta Compton”, “I Ain’t The One” or at least the verse from Lil Jon’s “Roll Call” weren’t in the show? Besides that, Ice Cube struggled to win over a crowd born post-New Jack City that only knows him from Friday movies and Are We There Yet? It was a little awkward to see how hype the people who grew up with N.W.A. and Amerikkka’s Most Wanted Ice Cube was compared to kids who weren’t familiar. Constantly saying “he” started this gangster music thing was annoying and only partially true (you were a part of a crew).
The Verdict: Other than getting my shoes scuffed by a pressed 30-something woman trying to push her stroller up to the front, the show was surprisingly good, surprisingly exciting. Wouldn’t pay a lot to see him solo but when you throw in some cars, games and women... not a bad deal.
10-in-10 CD Reviews / News 10-in-10 CD reviews
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Each Friday, we bring you 10 reviews of recently released CDs done in 10 words each:
The Higher It’s Only Natural — Sophomore album of pop rock will appeal to the youngsters.
Tom Brosseau Posthumous Success — I honestly thought it was a woman singing. Folk-y stuff.
Michael Johns Hold Back My Heart — ‘American Idol’ finalist releases debut album of bluesy/soul pop.
Christina Courtin Christina Courtin — Julliard grad has unique vocal style that’s both mellow, calming.
The Lemonheads Varshons — Album of covers produced by Gibby Haynes shows different side.
Shane Dwight Gimme Back My Money — Why release two debuts and not just one double-CD?
Shane Dwight Plays the Blues — While other shows range, this one focuses on the blues.
Greg Koons and the Misbegotten Welcome to the Nowhere Motel — His acoustic style sounds like a country-fried Tom Petty.
Al B. Sure Honey I’m Home — R&b singer releases his first studio album in 15 years.
Patterson Hood Murdering Oscar (and other love songs) — Drive-By Truckers frontman releases a solo disc of similar music.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Opinion / News When Michael Jackson was cool
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Dunno if you heard the news, but Michael Jackson is dead. I write that with a lot of sarcasm because by now, everybody has heard the news. And it is sad news.
Now, from a musical perspective, the saddest aspect of his death is that the guy died being known as a weirdo.
I mean, if you're 25 years old, or even 30, and under you probably only know Mike as an eccentric, alleged child molester with bleached skin and an addiction to plastic surgery. But back before all that shit, Mike was really one of the most incredible soul/R&B performers ever.
I'm talkin' back before even Thriller.
I was born and raised in Jackson's hometown of Gary, Ind., so growing up I heard a lot about the guy. We'd drive by his house and kind of laugh at the weirdness that such a legendary icon was from our town. Him appearing on shows like Soul Train and Motown 25 was a big deal for folks in the city. And, taking a look back at some of those old performances, you can see that Jackson's vocal skills and dancing abilities were — even today — ahead of its time.
I guess I can't describe how amazing the dude was with words, so I found some video clips — arranged in no particular order — to illustrate my point. Forget the cheese of his later years, and listen to the vocals and arrangements. Fuck "pop." This is real soul music:
And here's the last one live from Gary. Rest in peace Mike:
News Michael Jackson dead at age 50
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Pop legend Michael Jackson has died of cardiac arrest at age 50.
It's sad, but it's also kinda funny that people are completely ignoring the freak show side of his life... the alleged child molestation, his white children, etc. He was a music legend and also a bit of a side-show freak. Sorry, but it's true.
Opinion / News Discovery launch continues a trend...
Posted By Pete Stuart on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 1:58 PM
With the electro / dance rock wave surging toward tsunami status thanks to thumbs-up releases by grizzled vets Animal Collective and hot-shit rookies Passion Pit, look for Discovery to capitalize on the momentum.
Discovery is a two-man, collaborative effort from members of last year's buzz bands, pairing Vampire Weekend keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij with Ra Ra Riot lead singer Wes Miles.
Ra Ra Riot, whose album The Rhumb Line is one of my favorites from last year, performed at Davidson College in April and was impressive in their role supporting Death Cab For Cutie and Cold War Kids. Great lineup, awesome show.
Look for Discovery's July 7 release, LP, on XL Recordings. VP's Ezra Koenig makes an appearance, as does Angel Deradoorian, who was in town on June 11 with her band Dirty Projectors (opening for TV on the Radio at Amos').
For now, try "Osaka Loop Line" or "Swing Tree" on the band's web site.
News / Concert Announcement Creed cancels Charlotte concert
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Creed has cancelled the two North Carolina dates of its upcoming reunion tour — Sept. 4 in Raleigh and Sept. 5 in Charlotte.
One would guess it's from poor ticket sales, but that's just speculation on my part.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Videos / News Video: The latest from Talib Kweli and Res
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 2:34 PM
New shit from Talib Kweli and Res:
http://www.thisisrealmusic.com/videos/40609/reflection_eternal-back_again_feat_res.php
New Releases / News Download The Avett Brothers' new single
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 11:28 AM
You can download a free mp3 of The Avett Brothers' new single, "I and Love and You," at Spinner.com.
On TV / Awards / News Thurston Moore on Jimmy Fallon — what's that t-shirt?
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 10:50 AM
This week's episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has sparked a lot of interest. Why? Because of the performance of Sonic Youth. Well, maybe not the performance, exactly, but more about singer Thurston Moore's t-shirt.
You can try to see it here:
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?uestlove has called it "the riskiest tshirt ive ever seen on broadcast tv....gangsta move son"
So, what was it? Answer after the jump.
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Rain doesn't dampen the party with Kesha and Macklemore
Both sets cut short as storms roll through Charlotte, N.C.
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Live review: Fiona Apple, The Fillmore (9/26/2012) 16
Fans ate it up, but it was a trainwreck of tragic and frustrating proportions.
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Frank Ocean tops Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll
Annual critics list creates requisite buzz
