New releases for Nov. 1
Here's a look at some of the new releases for Nov. 1:
Trey Anastasio "Shine" - If the Phish frontman's album is anything like the live show he did in Durham, it's good - kinda Phishy, not too jammy.
Deep Purple "Rapture of the Deep" - This week's "What year is this?" entry.
John Fogerty "The Long Road Home" - I still don't know who'll stop the rain, but I'm sure this album is pretty good anyway...
Diana Krall "Christmas Songs" - It's November, so I guess it's ok to release Christmas albums. But those ones released earlier this year could have waited...
Ozzy Osbourne "Under Cover" - I seriously hope that song he did with Miss Piggy is not on this album... Actually, I'm not sure why he did any cover songs at all.
Santana "All That I Am" - Take one guitar legend, add some famous singers and stir. We all know his formula by now...
Slipknot "9.0 Live" - It's heavy. It's aggressive. It's live, this time.
As always, the bands with animal-related names releasing albums this week (going on since July 12) - Birdman, The Impossibulls
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 6:08 AM
October 30, 2005Bad songs at college....
It's not only Elon who is playing some strange music at their football games.
This weekend, at Auburn, the band played a song by The Killers.
As an Auburn alum, that hurts...
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:04 AM
October 27, 2005It's about time....
Have you seen this article?
The rumors are confirmed, and it's good news.
Downtown Greensboro is getting a club... a music club, where actual bands will play on a regular basis.
It's competition for Ziggy's and the Cat's Cradle, but it's great news for Greensboro.
I'm glad to hear about it.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 8:40 AM
October 26, 2005The truth hurts
It's true.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:04 AM
October 25, 2005Our worst fears realized?
I heard it on the radio this morning, and then in an e-mail...
It looks like Ashlee Simpson will not only be at the top of the music charts with her new album, but she's also crushing the competition, including Stevie Wonder.
I know there are a lot of teens out there buying the Ashlee Simpson album - and apparently they've lost their hearing and sense of decency.
Truly amazing...and sad.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:45 AM
October 24, 2005This week's new releases (10/25)
Here's a look at some of this week's new releases:
Aerosmith "Rockin' the Joint - Live from the Hard Rock" - There's something to be said for some old rock stars rehabbers that call their album, "Rockin' the Joint."
The Bacon Brothers "White Knuckles" - Yep, actor Kevin Bacon and his brother are still recording CDs.
Berlin "4play" - The 80s band is back with an album of covers and a couple of originals. Covers include Prince, David Bowie and, yep, you guessed it... Marilyn Manson?
Buckethead "Enter the Chicken" - For a guy who wears a KFC bucket on his head, I guess the album title just made sense... See what happens when you get kicked out of Guns N Roses?
Enter the Haggis "Casualties of Retail" - This one gets my vote for strange food-related band name of the week.
I am Ghost "We Are Always Searching" - Appropriate for this time of year...
Bette Midler "Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook" - Looks like it's the week for CDs of cover songs...
Tony Orlando & Dawn "A Christmas Reunion" - Their first new album in 28 years... There may be a good reason for that.
Pull My Finger "Jingle Smells" - I did not make up either of those names...
As always, the band's with animal names releasing albums this week (since 7/12/05): Taylor Ho Bynum and SpiderMonkey Strings; Cobra Killer & Kapajkos; Rebecca Pidgeon; Reef the Lost Cause; The Skygreen Leopards
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 6:04 AM
October 23, 2005Oh well
I missed Franz Ferdinand on Saturday Night Live this weekend.
However, I'm not sad about it one bit.
:o)
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:17 AM
October 21, 2005It's not just me....
While listening to Jack and Kristin on 106.5 The End while driving home the other day, they were talking about the band Franz Ferdinand.
Kristin's comment - "I don't get it."
Neither do I, Kristin. I don't get what the fascination is with a repetitive band that sounds like they're from the 80s.
People act like they're the next big thing, but to me it's "been there, done that."
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 2:03 PM
October 20, 2005DVD Review: Pink Floyd 1966/1967
Release date: Oct. 4, 2005
This is not your ordinary concert video.
The recently released DVD, "Pink Floyd 1966/1967," plays more like a time capsule of a bygone period of music history.
It's Pink Floyd, but not the Pink Floyd you're probably thinking of. This isn't "Money," "Comfortably Numb" or anything else you've probably heard.
This predates all of that. It's a trippy, instrumental, wandering Pink Floyd before they were signed.
The DVD contains two Floyd songs from that time - "Interstellar Overdrive" and "Nick's Boogie" - performed in the studio and a London club called "UFO."
It gives insight to how the songs were created - watching Syd Barrett play slide guitar with a lighter, Nick Mason's malleted drum work, a Binson Echorec creating havoc with notes.
It's also a look at the London scene of that time - the dancing, the performance art and John Lennon.
Lennon can be seen wandering around at one point, the filmmaker lucky enough to have his camera rolling. (Funny that Lennon was there, and so was Yoko Ono, but the two hadn't met yet.)
For the main part of the movie - the Floyd performances - there are no words, only music.
Interviews follow the 30-minute instrumental movie - the filmmaker Peter Whitehead, Mick Jagger and Michael Caine among others.
Overall, it's interesting to see how the band sounded in the beginning days of the Syd Barrett era.
It gives new perspective on their music, and new perspective on the 1960s as seen from the "other side of the pond."
Fans of psychedlic rock would enjoy it, as would diehard Floyd fans who'd like to see a little more of the band's history.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:38 AM
October 19, 2005I still don't get it...
OK, not too long ago, I talked about Britney Spears' baby and how her and her husband were getting about $2 million for pictures of the newborn.
Apparently, People magazine has now outbid OK magazine and will buy the pics for $3 million.
As Adam Corrola recently said, "Want to know what the baby looks like? It's bald and it's white."
Seriously, is anyone really curious what the baby looks like?
The answer: It looks like every other newborn on the planet!
Most people pay to have their baby pictures put in a newspaper.
Unless this thing came out with cornrows while smoking unfiltered Camels, or it's got a third eye, who cares?
All the magazine is doing is supporting Kevin Federline's dream of building a dance studio with Michael Jackson's father.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 8:01 AM
October 17, 2005This week's new releases (10/18)
Here's a look at some of the new releases for 10/18:
10 Ft. Ganja Plant "Bass Chalice" - I know nothing about this band, but their name cracked me up.
Asian Kung-Fu Generation "Sol-fa" - Funny band name #2.
The Beautiful Newborn Children "Hey People!" - #3
Books on Tape "Dinosaur Dinosaur" - That gets my vote for clever band name of the week...
Depeche Mode "Playing the Angel" - This is the kind of album that makes people want to run out and wear black. It's good to see that the band is still making records.
Guttermouth "Beyond Warped" - It's sad that the bands albums rarely live up to their live show... Then again, I haven't heard anything new from the band in years.
Rev Run "Distortion" - It's not Run D.M.C., but it's as close as we can get...sadly.
Brian Setzer "Dig that Crazy Christmas" - His rockabilly is better than his swing, but they're both great.
Simply Red "Simplified" - My "What year is this?" pick of the week.
Ashlee Simpson "I Am Me" - Clever title there, Ashlee. I wonder how long it took her to come up with that one. She can probably say, "At least I only have to sing these songs once..."
Rod Stewart "Thanks for the Memory" - This may be an album of duets, but let's face it - Rod is not Ray Charles or Carlos Santana.
Stevie Wonder "A Time 2 Love" - Stevie's a musical genius. Can you really say anything bad about him?
As always - the band's with animal-related names releasing albums this week (going strong since 7/12/05): Ringworm, Ribeye Brothers
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 6:22 AM
October 16, 2005CD Review: Sevendust "Next"
Release date: Oct. 11, 2005
Starting off with the punishing "Hero" and falling into the more melodic "Ugly," Sevendust's latest release, "Next" comes out with a one-two punch to knock you right off your chair.
Right off the bat, the album offers a sound that is a perfect followup to 2003's "Seasons." The 11 tracks clock in at just under 45 minutes in length.
The pace picks back up with "Pieces" another aggressive track.
There was some talk of concern after guitarist Clint Lowery left the band last year, but, to be honest, you'd never know he's gone if you listen to the new album.
The melodic singing of Lajon Witherspoon coupled with the screaming of drummer Morgan Rose has become Sevendust's signature - and it's all over this album.
"This Life," the fifth track on the album, gives the listener a break as the pace slows down and focuses on Witherspoon's vocals.
"Failure" and "See and Believe" pick the pace back up slightly, but not as hard and aggressively as the first four tracks. They are, however, solid tracks that fit in nicely in the progression of the album.
That pace remains the same until the final track, "Shadows In Red," an acoustic song that sounds similar to "This Life."
Overall, I'd say if you liked the band's previous albums, you'll enjoy their latest release.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:58 AM
October 14, 2005Buy the album....again?
Now that Mariah Carey has come back down to Earth from Outer Space or wherever she was when she had her nervous breakdown, she's constantly on the airwaves.
She's all over the place - especially on the hit music charts.
How better to take advantage of that then to re-release your album with four new tracks?
I absolutely hate when artists do that. Why would anyone want a second copy of your album for four tracks?
Why can't you save those for the next album, or just put out a cheap, four-song EP?
Do you care about your fans at all?
Nirvana released their box set last year, and now, they're going to put out a "Best of the Box" along with a new track or two.
So, you spent $40 on the box set, but now you need to spend another $15 for that track you're missing...
Is there any reason to do this aside from money?
If more bands cared about their fans, there wouldn't be so many bitter people out there burning CDs, not buying concert tickets and generally loathing in the industry.
And don't even get me started on the $35 t-shirts for sale at your concerts....
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 11:33 AM
October 13, 2005A return to the 80s...
Has anyone else noticed this "return of the 80s" wave recently?
It started with artists like Gwen Stefani, Kelly Osbourne and Ashlee Simpson revamping their style and going for an "80s sound" on their sophomore (and debut) albums.
Then bands like Franz Ferdinand, The Bravery and The Killers started dominated award show performances.
There are other items too - the rubber bracelets and clothing styles - that are coming back, as well.
I have news for all of these people. I lived through the 80s, and it wasn't good.
Next thing you know, we'll have hair-metal bands and tight leather pants all over the airwaves.
There's a reason the 80s music wave died out - the music wasn't good.
Listen to it - how many chords do the Killers know? How many times can Franz Ferdinand repeat the same words over and over?
Where is the next Nirvana? If there was ever a time we needed some good music to take over - the time is now!
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 10:18 AM
October 11, 2005Ashlee can "sing"
Did you catch Ashlee Simpson on Saturday Night Live this past weekend?
I did... well, I taped it and watched it later.
Ashlee actually "sang" this time. Notice that I put sang in quotes - although she didn't use a backing track or lip synch, she wasn't exactly good or on key.
At the end of each of her two songs, she smiled widely, thanked the mediocre round of applause and clapped for herself.
Why? Probably because she's glad she made it through a tv spot without breaking into a spontaneous hoe-down.
I'm not trying to be mean. I've interviewed Ashlee, and she's truly nice if not a little naive.
Just because your sister can sing, doesn't mean you should have a major-label contract and make millions.
It's garbage for the can...
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:01 AM
October 10, 2005This week's new releases (10/11)
Here's a look at this week's new releases:
Audioslave "Live in Cuba" - The band releases a live DVD/CD. No matter how good it is, it's still not RATM or Soundgarden.
Hanson "The Best of Live and Electric" - I seriously hope that no one out there has a craving to hear the song "Mmm Bop."
Alicia Keys "Unplugged" - If I hear that song "Karma" one more time, I'm going to rip my car stereo out with my bare hands and throw it at someone...
Ricky Martin "Life" - Finally, a whole new CD for William Hung to sing.
Dolly Parton "Those were the days" - I had no idea she was still making records...
Luciano Pavarotti "O Holy Night" - What month is this? (number one)
Reverend Horton Heat "We Three Kings" - What month is this? (two)
Sevendust "Wink" - I haven't heard it yet, but I'm guessing it's loud and it's aggressive.
T.A.T.U. "Dangerous and Moving" - I'm not sure if they've dropped the lesbian gimmick, but Sting plays bass, and that scares me about the same amount as two girls pretending their lesbians to sell records.
As always, the bands with animal names that are releasing albums this week (going strong since July 12, 2005): Deerhoof, Lambchop and Hands Off Cuba, Modest Mouse, Spider Saloff, Young Buck.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 12:45 PM
October 9, 2005Concert Review: Rolling Stones
WHO: Rolling Stones w/ Trey Anastasio
WHEN and WHERE: Oct. 8, Duke University, Durham
I had never seen the Rolling Stones before, but like tons of people, I know a lot of their music.
I wasn't thrilled about the high ticket prices, but I had to see the band live at least once in my life.
I was expecting a great show - which I got - but I wasn't expecting to see one of the largest stages I've ever seen in my life.
This thing is massive. It has to be more than 100 feet tall, and it takes 70 trucks to get it from city to city.
A large video screen in the center is bordered with levels fannning out on either side - two of which were occupied by audience members who won "upgrades" by text messaging before the show.
From my seat, the band was about an inch tall, but the video screens gave you close-up looks.
Trey Anastasio's opening set was great, yet Phish free. He did, however, pull out a cover of The Beatles' "I am the Walrus."
After his 40-minute set, which included a song dedicated to his mother, it was time for the Stones.
A short video followed by fireworks broke the darkness, and then the first few chords of "Start Me Up" rang through the night.
Mick Jagger, in a bright green jacket, began strutting and dancing his way back and forth across the stage - an act of enthusiasm that didn't let up all night.
After "She's So Cold," Jagger said hi to all the Duke Blue Devil students which raised more boos than cheers.
A follow-up mention of North Carolina at Chapel Hill brought one of the loudest cheers of the night.
Their first new song, "Oh No Not You Again," fit right in with the old tunes.
The band paid later tribute to Ray Charles with "The Night Time is the Right Time."
During the band introductions that followed, Keith Richards was the final one to get a nod. (Though no one officially introduced Mick Jagger).
Richards stepped up to the microphone and said, "It's good to see you all. It's good to see anything!" Which received a huge round of laughter.
Richards then said he was going to sing, "a song off of Voodoo Lounge, I think. I can't remember all of them..."
Part of the stage was rolled out into the middle of the stadium for a few songs including, "Satisfaction" and their latest single, "Rough Justice."
"Sympathy for the Devil" had the stage lit up in black and red as Jagger sang a slightly modified version of the song - adding pauses for a slower rhythm.
The band's two-song encore, "Can't Always Get What You Want" and "It's only Rock and Roll," ended the set nicely.
Overall, it was simply an incredible show, and well worth the price to see the legends of rock do their thing.
My only qualm - the lack of "Gimme Shelter," my favorite Stones song. But I'm ok with that, because the rest of the show made up for it.
Here's the complete set list:
1)Start me Up
2)You Got Me Rocking
3)She's So Cold
4)Tumbling Dice
5)Oh No Not You Again
6)Wild Horses
7)Dead Flowers
8)Bitch
9)Nightime
10) The Worst
11) Infamy
12) Miss You on center stage
13) Rough Justice on center stage
14) Satisfaction on center stage
15) Honky Tonk Woman stage moving back
16) Out of Control
17) Sympathy for the Devil
18) Brown Sugar
19) Jumpin' Jack Flash
ENCORE
20) You Can't Always Get What you Want
21) It's Only Rock N' Roll
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 10:19 AM | Comments (2)
October 8, 2005Concert Review: Kings of Leon
WHO: Kings of Leon w/ The Like
WHEN and WHERE: Oct. 7, Ziggy's, Winston-Salem
I'll give a quick rundown of this show.
The Like opened up, and sounded basically like their album - which means they were good.
Kings of Leon hit the stage around 10:30 and played for about an hour.
They played just about everything from their debut, "Youth & Young Manhood," and their sophomore effort, "Aha Shake Heartbreak."
From the first notes of "Molly's Chamber" to the final throwdown of "Slow Night, So Long," the band had the crowd moving and singing along.
Their mellow retro rock was a welcome to surprise to some in the crowd.
I heard, "They're better than I expected," at least twice that night.
While "Pistol of Fire," "The Bucket," "King of the Rodeo," all sounded great, I was a little disappointed by the lack of "Holy Roller Novocaine."
All in all, it was a great show in a comfortable setting. Ziggy's was more than half-full which is a great turnout for Kings of Leon.
Hopefully, they'll come back around the area soon, and even more will show up.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 10:44 AM
October 7, 2005It's concert weekend...
Clean out the wax, and get ready to rumble...
Concert weekend is finally here - tonight, it's Kings of Leon at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem; Saturday night is the Rolling Stones in Durham.
I've waited a long time to see both of these bands in concert, and now I get to see both in one weekend.
You can bet I'll post reviews here as soon as I have the time.
Stay tuned, and if you're going, enjoy the show!
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 11:06 AM
October 6, 2005Plant and Pearl Jam
Why can't concerts like this happen in my area?
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 2:51 PM | Comments (1)
October 5, 2005Ashlee on SNL
Ashlee Simpson is returning to SNL this weekend.
The sad thing, is that she'll sing without help, and if it sounds awful, she'll find a new excuse.
If it sounds good, critics will say she was lip synching.
Either way, it can't turn out good.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 5:34 PM
October 4, 2005Trey Anastasio's tour
Former Phish frontman Trey Anastasio is opening up two dates for the Rolling Stones - including Saturday's show in Durham.
That show, and Thursday's in Virginia will be two of the first dats on a fall tour in support of his new album due on Nov. 1.
You can find out more about the tour and album here.
Look for a review of Trey and the Stones' concert in Durham on Sunday.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 10:34 AM
October 3, 2005Here's a look at some of the albums being release on Oct. 4:
Ian Anderson "Plays the Orchestral Jethro Tull" - The album features the Frankfurt Philharmonic Orchestra. Anyone else smell a Best Metal Grammy? Oh, and "What year is this?"
Fiona Apple "Extraordinary Machine" - Finally, the long awaited album from Fiona Apple hits stores. Thank God, the title has a lot fewer words than her last one.
Cream "Royal Albert Hall" - The second of many albums this week that make you say, "What year is this?" Cream reunited for some shows in England - and here's the fruits of that labor.
Franz Ferdinand "You could have it so much better....with" - I bet it sounds like the 80s.
Happy Mondays "Step On" - "What year is this?" number three...
Journey "Generations" - "What year is this?" number four...
KRS-One "The Lost Album" - Well, I'm glad they found it.
Nickelback "All the Right Reasons" - There are so many bands out there today where people say "They sound like Nickelback." In this case, you can truly say that, and be right.
Sinead O'Connor "Throw Down Your Arms" - Sinead follows in the footsteps of Willie Nelson and releases a reggae album.... um... ok.
Liz Phair "Somebody's Miracle" - Liz Phair continues to draw the ire of her longtime fans by trying to win over pop music fans.
Shinedown "Us and Them" - The singer has a great voice, but the music sounds like Nickelback....whoops!
Sponge "The Man" - "What year is this?" number five...
George Thorogood "30th Anniversary Tour: Live" - He's a great guitar player, and he was the first concert I ever went to, but ... (all together) - "What year is this?" (number six...)
Twista "The Day After" - Have you heard this guy rap? Talk about fast... It may be a novelty, but at least he's one of a kind.
Twisted Sister "Live at Wacken - The Reunion" - Say it with me now.... "What year is this?" (number seven)
This week's bands with animal names - (going strong since July 12): Brimstone Butterfly, Porkbelly Futures, Soulfly, Sponge, Tiger Saw, Tunnel Rats, We are Wolves.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 9:00 AM
October 1, 2005Elon's halftime show
I was at the Elon University football game today, when a strange thing happened in the middle of the halftime show.
No, it wasn't the weird guy singing the Black Eyed Peas' "Let's Get it Started."
No, it wasn't the fact the band had two guitar players, three xylophones, a bass player and a full drum set.
No, it wasn't the fact they played Britney Spears' "Toxic."
It was the fact that their third selection was by Ozomatli.
Wh-wh-what?!? Ozomatli?!? Wow! Color me impressed. I never thought the school - or any school - would break out the spanish funk.
Kudos to the band leader. Now, if they could just do away with that "Toxic" song....
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at 6:55 PM
