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Wednesday, October 12, 2011
CD Reviews CD Review: J. Cole, "Cole World: The Sideline Story"
Posted By Mark Kemp on Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 9:24 AM
In an episode of the CBS courtroom drama The Guardian that aired in 2003, attorney James Mooney, played by actor Charles Malik Whitfield, tries to persuade an academically gifted young man to stay in college and keep living with his adopted white parents instead of running off to New York with a group of thugs to become a rapper. In a pivotal scene, the attorney confronts the young artist, who’s concerned that his white family will damage his street cred. Mooney asks the kid if he’s ever actually experienced the gun-battle mayhem in his lyrics. The answer is no, of course, and the underlying suggestion is that since the kid’s credibility is already compromised, he should focus on something besides hip-hop.
Eight years and one Kanye West later, the idea that a mainstream rapper without proper street cred should consider another career is TV-script banality at its worst, even if it didn’t seem so ridiculous to some folks a few years ago when Fiddy was bragging about the nine bullets he’s taken. Despite what some corporate record labels continue to sell, great hip-hop has never been about how gangsta an artist is. It’s about good beats, good wordplay, good delivery, and good storytelling — period.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
New Releases This week's new releases (10/11/2011)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 8:48 AM
Here's a quick rundown of what's new in stores this week:
Ryan Adams Ashes & Fire
Bjork Biophilia
Evanescence Evanescence
Five Finger Death Punch American Capitalist
Ben Folds The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective
Peter Gabriel New Blood
Mayer Hawthorne How Do You Do
Julian Lennon Everything Changes
Radiohead Tkol Rmx 1234567
William Shatner Seeking Major Tom
Wednesday 13 Calling All Corpses
Monday, October 10, 2011
Live Reviews Live review: Nurses, Dominant Legs
Posted By Jenny Lou Bement on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 4:32 PM
Nurses, Dominant Legs
Tremont Music Hall
Oct. 8, 2011
It's always horridly disappointing to pull up into an empty parking lot on the night of an awesome show. I suppose it is the nature of the beast. There are many factors that can contribute to low turnout — other shows going on, lack of knowledge of the musicians etc. But when you know a breathtaking show was promoted properly and people are elsewhere, it is always a bit disheartening.
In this case, there were other great shows and a protest being held Uptown. Nurses and Dominant Legs are from across the country and, considering their indie nature, I would imagine there aren't many people around here that know of them. However, I knew that regardless of how many people eventually turned up, it would be an intriguing night. The empty venue was just a plus for those that made it out. We were going to get a personal show.
Live Reviews Live review: Aterciopelados
Posted By Patrick Moran on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 2:02 PM
Aterciopelados
21st Latin American Festival, Symphony Park
Oct. 9, 2011
Photos by Jeff Hahne
A record-shattering crowd at Charlotte’s 21st Latin American Festival thronged the edge of the pond fronting the bandshell as legendary rock en Español innovators Los Aterciopelados took the stage. The Grammy-winning, United Nations-honored and profoundly influential Colombian superstars must have known that many in the massive audience were there just for them. But you wouldn’t have guessed it by the band's down-to-earth demeanor.
Charismatic vocalist and front woman Andrea Echeverri immediately set the earthy tone for the afternoon, using clothes pins to hang homemade peace banners at the front of the stage. Meanwhile, both guitarists, including Echeverri's longtime musical collaborator Héctor Buitrago, sat casually on inflatable yoga balls. But despite her everywoman, earth-mother appeal, Echeverri was far from laid back, unleashing intense and focused firepower as she attacked her acoustic guitar and launched into “Ataque de Risa” from the band’s back to the basics triumph Rio. Effortlessly and immediately, she seemed to connect with each individual in the audience, with a poetic power reminiscent of Patti Smith.
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Joshua James
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Joshua James w/ HoneyHoney
The Evening Muse
Oct. 7, 2011
Joshua James steps up to the microphone and a soft, raspy voice starts to sing. As the emotion starts to pour from his lips, veins strain in his neck and his thin frame rocks up to his toes. His eyes close as he sinks further into the poetic music. If you only catch a glimpse of the 25-year-old with an acoustic guitar, you might lump him together with countless other folk artists, though his music and performance clearly transcend the genre.
There's a restrained intensity when James performs while his music is hypnotic enough to draw the listener in. There wasn't much banter between songs as he was more transfixed on the task at hand — 12 heartfelt songs from his two albums — 2007's The Sun Is Always Brighter and 2009's Build Me This — as well as a couple of new tunes and covers.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
News / Concert Announcement Tracklisting announced for Homebrew Vol. 5
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, Oct 7, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Jeff Hahne's Hombrew Vol. 5 will be released on Nov. 4 at the Neighborhood Theatre. While we're still working to confirm the lineup for the release party that night, here's the track listing for the CD:
Appalucia — Believe in God (If Y’ant To)
Aqualads — Snake Eyes
Babyshaker — Bright Young Thing
Bakalao Stars — Ke Puedo Hacer
The Bear Romantic — Wild and Young
The Catch Fire - Rumormill
Cement Stars — Ivy
The Hot Gates — The Ghost
Lucky Five — Something In Your Head
Pullman Strike — Central Park
Side By Side — My Heart
Small Talk Industries — The Real War
Super Ape — Das Party Hausen
Temperance League — The Kids
25 Minutes to Go — Wheat Thick
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Live review: Iron Maiden, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 6/21/2012 10
Band kicks off 2012 tour in Charlotte.
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Congrats to the Avetts!
