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Friday, February 10, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Augustana
Posted By Alison Angel on Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 1:52 PM
Throughout their 25-song set at the Visulite Theater on Monday, Feb. 6, Augustana frontman Dan Layus was never without a smile on his face as he belted out lyrics that make up the band’s nine-year history. It was quite a different sight from the frontman of two years ago — an alcoholic who couldn’t seem to see the brighter side of life.
With this tour, Augustana makes it clear that those days are long gone. Despite a lineup that has been in constant turmoil and being dropped from their label, Epic, after six years, the band is back with a new set of songs reflecting their contentment with life and a mellow attitude which is reflected in every song.
The foursome took the stage without a word. Only the low whine of a lone guitar chord announced the band's presence as they launched into “Hey Now” from their 2008 album Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt.
With lyrics like “Now we’re bleeding for nothing... We’re damned at the end and we’re damned at the start,” Layus showcased his attitude as a songwrtier and his crew blossomed with a steady guitar rhythm carrying them forward. Constant smiles on their faces indicated that although the same sweet melodies drive their music, they are not the same band that wrote those words so long ago.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
News Local musician Eric Krauss has died
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Local musician Eric Krauss, 40, died over the weekend. Krauss was active in the Charlotte music scene throughout the 1990s and 2000s, playing with bands including Lodestar, Helicopter, Come On Thunderchild and Virginia Reel. Details of his death aren't yet known, but word quickly spread through the Charlotte music community early this week.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 9, at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home, 1111 East Boulevard, Charlotte. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., with the memorial service beginning at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Charlotte, 2700 Toomey Ave., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.
New Releases This week's new releases (2/7/2012)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Here's a quick look at what's new in stores this week:
Dierks Bentley Home — Country singer still trying to find his own path in country music.
Die Antwoord Ten$ion — Has anyone figured out if we're supposed to take them seriously or not?
Dr. Dog Be the Void — Continuing to find their niche on the musical landscape.
The Fray Scars & Stories — More top 40 crap that sounds like the rest of the top 40 crap.
Mark Lanegan Band Blues Funeral — Latest offering from the former Screaming Trees singer.
Paul McCartney Kisses on the Bottom — A new album from the former Beatle or the title of a new porn film — you decide.
Of Montreal Paralytic Stalks — What happens to a band once the buzz dies down?
Sharon Van Etten Tramp — Of course her buzz builds right after she plays Charlotte...
Van Halen A Different Kind of Truth — Judging by early reviews, people were hoping for a different kind of album, too.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Tool
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Tool
Bojangles Coliseum
Feb. 4, 2012
The last time Maynard James Keenan and Co. were in town — July of 2009 at Charlotte's Bojangles Coliseum — the Tool singer felt under-the-weather and the band shuffled through the same setlist they'd been playing for a couple of years. Fast forward to Saturday, Feb. 4, at the same venue and the songs and setlist both received breaths of fresh air leaving a sold-out venue satisfied.
Quietly taking the stage to the steady opening rumble of "Hooker with a Penis," Keenan sang through a megaphone, offered sporadic dance moves in his black t-shirt and jeans and ended the song with a quick courtsy.
"Hooker" has re-entered the band's setlist for their current tour for the first time since 1999. While more than half of the songs played were also played at that 2009 show — "Jambi," "Stinkfist," Schism" and "Aenema" among them — fans were also treated to a few new ones, including radio favorite "Sober," the more obscure "Intension" and fan favorite "Pushit."
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Opinion / Jeff Hahne Will Madonna at the Super Bowl be the best or worst halftime we've seen?
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 2:54 PM
Everyone has a favorite and least favorite Super Bowl halftime performance — though none has truly been fantastic. For some, Janet Jackson's 2004 "Nipplegate" will forever be at the top of their list — good if you liked the sight of her exposed breast, bad if you think it ruined children's minds and the concept of nipple shields.
For others, The Who in 2010 was at the top of the bad list — though I didn't think it was horrible. I could have done without 1991's New Kids on the Block. I thought Prince gave it a good shot in 2007. I thought Black Eyed Peas last year were about as commercial as it could possibly get.
I think the halftime show is made out to be as far reaching and bland as possible, only cool to those who find their favorite songs/artists on Top 40 radio. No chance we'll ever see a Radiohead, Arcade Fire or My Morning Jacket on there. I even think Mumford & Sons would be too polarizing.
This year, we'll be "entertained" by Madonna, Nicki Minaj, MIA, Cee-Lo Green and LMFAO. OMFG. Yep, this one has the potential to be the worst we've seen. Madonna will sing "Vogue," she'll be joined by LMFAO for "Music" sing "Give Me All Your Luvin" with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. and she'll wrap it up with "Like A Prayer" with Cee-Lo. Yep, this Sunday's could be horrible.
For me, the moment when the Super Bowl Halftime performance truly "jumped the shark" was in 2001. The perfect blending of rock and commercial pop. Take a look:
From Justin Timberlake's funky chicken and running man dances to Britney Spears lip-synching and shaking her half-naked body into the hearts of teens everywhere... Nelly's rapping isn't in the same league as the collaboration of Aerosmith and Run DMC. The line dancing at the end and Spears/NSync trying to find some street cred. This one had to be the worst I've seen...
They've tried to redeem themselves with Prince, the Rolling Stones, The Who, but it's always far too commerical, cheesy and lip-synched to ever be as "cool" as you hope. It's always a solid debate, so, what's your least favorite?
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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
