Dwight Errington Myers aka Heavy D, influential rapper and frontman of hip-hop group Heavy D & the Boyz, died yesterday at the age of 44. Reports indicate his sudden death was due to complications resulting from pneumonia. The New York Times obituary details the importance of Myers, who played a major role in hip-hop during […]
Shelby Earl – “Under Evergreen” A few days ago pop critic Ann Powers sent out a tweet encouraging followers to check out the debut album of Shelby Earl, a singer-songwriter from Seattle. I’m glad I read that tweet. Earl’s song “Under Evergreen” immediately hit me. I played it at least five times in a row. Powers […]
The recent Halloween snowfall caused several power outages throughout the Northeast. I lost power for four days. Luckily I had two fully-charged iPods, so I created this Power Outage Playlist. Enjoy. 1. British Sea Power – Lights Out for Darker Skies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flqZQGZDFt4 2. Flyleaf – In the Dark http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfVxlS5D0Ck 3. Florence + the Machine – […]
From Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to the Aphex Twin’s “Come to Daddy,” there are a plethora of dark, twisted and creepy music videos out there. Here are three of the most disturbing music videos that creep me out: 3. Yeasayer – “Madder Red” Yes, it’s sweet how Kristen Bell loves her glob of a monster so […]
Since the Occupy Wall Street Protest started, several articles regarding protest music have popped up–from musicians who visit the protest (or don’t visit) to potential protest songs to the other sounds surrounding the movement. All these stories looked to the past. One of the more encompassing articles was published in the New York Times. It illustrates […]
“Make My” is the first single from undun, the 13th LP from hip hop and late-night house band The Roots, leaked Monday. The concept album, slated for a December 6 release, reportedly depicts the story of man named Redford Stephens. “Utilizing a reverse narrative arc, the album begins as the listener finds Redford disoriented—postmortem—and attempting […]
The Internet gave music nerds access. The digitization of music revolutionized how we listen to music, how we share music, how we buy music (or not buy music) and how we find music. These days, it seems like it’s all about finding new music. It’s about discovery—and access to vast amounts of music via the […]
Dance music is ubiquitous. The Atlantic highlighted house music as one of 2011’s musical trends, saying “Pop music’s backbeat of the moment isn’t the boom-bap of hip hop or the mid-tempo thud of disco; rather, it’s the jacked-up untz-untz and hissing high hats of Euro clubs and desert raves.” Pollstar editor Gary Bongiovanni told USA […]
“Holland,” the first single from new band Cold Specks, highlights the deep, soulful voice of Canadian singer Al Spx. Spx, who has recorded as Basket of Figs and the Hotel Ghost, reportedly calls her music “doom soul.” “Holland” evokes a stark gospel/bluesy sound as Spx wails over a quiet melody of cello, guitar and piano. […]
Indie rock band The Features have flirted with success for more than 15 years. Now, they may finally breakthrough to major pop success—that is, if they win over the twi-hard fans who will hear one of the band’s songs on the soundtrack for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. Formed in the early 90s, the Tennessee rockers […]
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