The News Review:
- Facebook is IKEA and MySpace is Las Vegas
- Telluride Bluegrass fest blends traditional acts and new talent
- Punk pop and a folk legend
- Acting his Age Works for Nick Lowe
- Music Review: Bad Brains Explosive
- Anyone Hear an Echo?
Facebook is IKEA and MySpace is Las Vegas
Globe and Mail – Jun 25, 2007
Boyd says the younger users on MySpace are what she calls “subaltern” — a term meaning subordinate or lower in station — in the sense that they are outcasts in some way or another either because they are involved in a social sub-group of some kind (i. they are gay or goth or interested in punk music) or they are a member of a racial or cultural group that is non-mainstream (i. black Hispanic Asian etc. Teens that join Facebook she says are what she calls “hegemonic” meaning they are sympathetic to mainstream society in some way… These are kids whose parents didn’t go to college who are expected to get a job when they finish high school. Teens who are really into music or in a band are on MySpace. MySpace has most of the kids who are socially ostracized at school because they are geeks freaks or queers. Boyd admits that some of these differences are likely a result of the ways in which Facebook and MySpace evolved. The latter started as a social network for music fans to share information about their favourite bands whereas Facebook started as a social network that was restricted to university students and faculty — and therefore has had a collegiate type of appeal ever since.
Telluride Bluegrass fest blends traditional acts and new talent
Denver Post – Jun 25, 2007
It’s the big-name shows at Telluride Town Park or it’s the smaller artists’ gigs found in parks and on streetcorners throughout the small mountain town. It’s the festivarian camaraderie and the unabashed friendliness that dominates the sunny days and chilly nights or it’s the laid back solitary nature of staking out your own space at the main stage with a tarp snacks beer sunscreen and a good book. Telluride is one of the greatest music festivals in North America. The organization is stunning the talent is epic and you can’t beat the town’s natural beauty and the festival site’s surreal picturesque setting. Waterfalls wildflowers and creeks abound and it all contributes to the good mood that permeates the area this time of year. This year’s festival the 34th annual followed in the footsteps of past events employing more mainstream act to close out most nights. And while Counting Crows the New rleans Social Club and Los Lobos certainly have their place in today’s pop music spectrum it’s hardly at a bluegrass festival… If you made it or not here are three rising bluegrass acts worthy of your attention and expendable income. The Avett Brothers: Touring one of the best albums of 2007 so far “Emotionalism” the Avett Brothers are on fire. The innovative punk-Americana trio has never had a hard time pushing its theatrical live show which features the charismatic Avetts playing banjo and kick drum guitar and high-hat respectively with the liveliness of a first-generation punk band. The band’s recordings have always been packed with songs befitting the brothers’ personalities but “Emotionalism” is a fine moment in their short but accomplished life. It’s a record full of life and gusto and passion and pop melodies disguised as roots music – and it’s as intoxicating as anything else released this year. Album to buy: “Emotionalism” Ramseur Records. Crooked Still: Slightly more traditional bluegrass than the Avett Brothers Crooked Still also plays with a heavy slap of punk ethos and enviable enthusiasm.
Punk pop and a folk legend
Vail Daily News – Jun 25, 2007
Special to the Daily The Polyphonic Spree"The Fragile Army”TVTThree albums in and reviews of The Polyphonic Spree still focus first on the group as a concept. Which is understandable; there aren’t too many cult-like 20-odd-piece choral ensembles active in pop music. But the extramusical attention is also beneficial to founder Tim DeLaughter whose tunes still haven’t caught up with his ambition. "The Fragile Army” remains like The Spree’s previous work heavily orchestrated but this time the debt to lush ’60s pop such as the Fifth Dimension is more subtle. The rhythm section frequently pushes to the fore and the homage on several tunes seems to evoke the more baroque practitioners of glam – an impression furthered when David Bowie sideman Mike Garson shows up to add piano to the title track one of the high points here. However these relatively simple power-pop songs aren’t always big or memorable enough to support their grand conceits (as well as the cryptic feel-good lyrics)… ”Although Argos is the (very) distinctive voice of Art Brut the band is just as crucial an ingredient. The other musicians frame Argos’ droll monologues in tight song structures and sweeten them with harmonies and backing vocals. The often spare chugging guitars of the first album last year’s "Bang Bang Rock & Roll” broaden here into careering punk-rock tunes full of sly riffs and catchy bass lines. Despite the title it’s really not that complicated at all – it’s just good fun. Danton Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service Mulgrew Miller Trio "Live at the Kennedy Center Vol. II”MaxJazzThere are no Miller lite servings on this intoxicating disc’s five robust rounds of hard swing and pure soul.
Acting his Age Works for Nick Lowe
Washington Post – Jun 25, 2007
Lowe frequently sings from the perspective of a man who’s lived a life and learned its lessons. It’s not geriatric rock just the type of music you heard _ but didn’t understand _ when dad played Frank Sinatra while driving you around on Saturday chores. The man in his song “Long Limbed Girl” has come across a picture of an old girlfriend and wonders what’s become of her. The narrator of “I Trained Her to Love Me” is an aging lothario who knows he’s going to break another heart and couldn’t care less.
Music Review: Bad Brains Explosive
San Francisco Chronicle – Jun 25, 2007
Produced by the Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch using analog tape and equipment “Build a Nation” delivers a potent mix of speed wicked riffs and HR’s powerful vocals. It’s a full-frontal assault. Your ears may start ringing just by holding this CD in your hands.
Anyone Hear an Echo?
Washington Post – Jun 25, 2007
The Green Day tribute band Dookie is especially good — particularly its rhythm section. A four-piece from Springfield Mass. the band plays loud fast and tight keeping the pop-punk melodies intact and injecting the songs with just the right combination of energy and attitude. Singer Louie Scalzo has Billie Joe Armstrong’s facial tics spread-leg stance and has adopted his penchant for blurting profanities. He also sings when called for with a perfectly fake British accent a la Armstrong who is from… Clearly they don’t take themselves seriously. "We take the music seriously" says Scalzo. "But we don’t have to take ourselves seriously because we’re not Green Day. "It’s just acting in other words — which is how Edward treats his role as Sir Rod. Just back from his dressing room having changed into a purple velvet dinner jacket for his evening set he explains that before he goes onstage he gets into character. "We Rodify" he says. "Get into his mental state.