If you query “Poker Face cover” on YouTube, you’ll most undoubtedly find all kinds of peculiar renditions of the song delivered by mostly talent-ill teenagers, from bad, to worse to damn right excremental. The one I’m writing about today, however, is well beyond the above demographics – namely Igor Presnyakov’s acoustic take on Lady Gaga’s anthem, Poker Face. Why the very talented Russian guitarist chose the track is well beyond my comprehension, but what’s important…
“Warm Heart of Africa”, the debut record of the infectiously catchy The Very Best, hit me totally out of the nowhere last summer when I first spun it, surprising me with it’s fresh blend of African/Western influences. That’s why I was very glad earlier when I first took a glimpse of the newly released video for the album’s title track. The Very Best are notorious by now for their energetic songs and implicit live performances,…
If you live in Chicago you should check out this show and support the local music scene! I will be at this show and it’s going to rock! Featuring: The Wanton Looks, The Maybenauts, Leslie Hunt and Scotia Widows Thursday, January 28th 8pm Lincoln hall 18+ $10.00 http://www.lincolnhallchicago.com/
Sudan 365 – A Beat For Peace is a humanitarian project founded by Faithless drummer Jamie Catto, aimed at creating awareness for the ever dire situation in Sudan, where the longest civil war in Africa is underway. Radiohead’s Phil Selway, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason and The Police’s Stewart Copeland, among many other talented and multi-cultural diverse drummers, have added their support to the campaign striving to keep the peace in Sudan. As support shown to…
It took a year after Merriweather Post Pavilion’s release for my favorite track off the album “Brothersport” to finally get a video. When I first sampled the album I was certain this feel good jam will get its video released around the booming summer, where it’s best suited, but I guess I can’t complain. Later is better than never, even though the winter chilly vibe doesn’t suit the song at all. Check out the very…
Don’t you just love year-end lists? I know I do. It’s a time where I can look back and reminisce with pleasure at all the great moments in music which occurred year long. It’s also a time where I can catch up with a lot of artists and albums that I might happen to miss, and, trust me, there always are some great ones that slip by. However troubled 2009 might have been, it’s been…
They say “familiarity breeds contempt”, but the more I hear that phrase, the more I dislike it. And not just because I’m a pathetic, desperate contrarian idiot – the phrase is wrong. Wrong. Familiarity doesn’t breed contempt. It breeds comfort, warmth, and eventually nostalgia. New things are awful, and potentially dangerous, and sometimes have questionable odours. Shun new things. Avoid them. Instead, you should wrap yourself in the comfortable blanket of the safe and familiar,…
At the beginning of the month, I was simply psyched by Yeasayer’s new song “Ambling Alp”, off the band’s upcoming 2010 new album “Odd Blood.” Back then I said “The song, as a whole, makes for an incredible uplifting experience, packed with memerising electro beats and a bright pulsating rhythm. So far, it seems a lot more sharper, defined and focused than anything on their debut, which can only make me wonder what gems I…
I’ve been a big fan of Jimmy Fallon since his SNL days, and him getting his own show this year, after he replaced Conan O’Brien as the host of the Late Night Show, did only to enforced my admiration. Last night, though, Jimmy delivered a moment of sheer and utter brilliance, when he strapped on a wig, a hat and a flannel and performed what can only be called the best Neil Young impression ever….
One of the most interesting projects of the year was N.A.S.A’s “The Spirit of Apollo”, a five year in the making, 18-track album, which featured three-dozen guest stars from mainstream rock and hip-hop stars to obscure, yet very talented high-profile street performers. “Spacious Thoughts”, one of the tracks off Apollo, is a collaboration between N.A.S.A. and two true giants of their own respective scenes, Tom Waits and Kool Keith. Impressive names to go with a…
Tibi Puiu
Mary
Al Byrne