A few months ago some friends and I found out that infamous Oklahoma rockers the All-American Rejects would be playing a free NYC concert courtesy of Walmart and Axe. To watch the full six-song performance, click on the link here.
The Rejects just announced another leg of their tour supporting most recent album When the World Comes Down. If you like what you saw, be sure to catch them when they’re in town! For more info visit their MySpace.
I’ve been reviewing a bunch of new albums over the past few weeks. Here are a few for you to peruse and if you like what you’ve read be sure to visit each band on MySpace!
Just over a year ago I interviewed Martin Smith of UK band Delirious? about his most recent project, CompassionArt. The idea was in it’s infancy, as musician friends of his were meeting in the upcoming weeks to write songs which would eventually become the album, CompassionArt, where all the proceeds are donated to charity. While this isn’t the first time musicians have decided to donate a song to charity, it is a first for an album to take this route.
The versatile 15-track album features 19 artists from various musical genres, all united for one goal: creating freedom from poverty. CompassionArt will support four main charitable projects and 12 individual songwriter projects. In addition, a 50-minute DVD documentary is available upon purchase of the album. For more on the project, visit the Web site here.
I have received the album for review, but after reading fellow inReview.net writer Bert’s review, I really could not have written anything better myself. Read Bert’s write-up here.
For more on this great cause, be sure to visit CompassionArt’s Web site or read my interview with Martin Smith here. What do you think? Do you hope more musicians follow this cause? I sure do.
I received a message via Jeremy Ezell on Twitter with a link to his band’s MySpace page so I gave them a listen and liked what I heard. “Tragedy” came on first. With an eerie guitar intro leading up to Ezell’s slow singing, I was intrigued and had to keep listening. The suspense grew well into the first minute and a half of the song with assistance provided by light percussion before the chorus entered and the music climaxed to a crescendo. Impressive.
Ezell’s voice is familiar. His yearning is transferable to the listener, whether it’s his aching in “Feeling Love” or frustration throughout “Tragedy.” Jeremy Ezell and The Well Reds possess catchy choruses and infectious melodies, keeping the listener begging for more.
Ballad “Feeling Love” is relatable to many. Beginning with soft piano, Ezell sings, “Dreams don’t turn out quite the way I want them to/Thoughts of you keep running through my mind/You’re here tonight, you’re here most of the time/Am I feeling, feeling love?/And is this feeling really love?/Am I feeling love tonight/Or am I just falling again?” The listener can feel the heartache and longing in his voice and accompanying music.
While “Forever Is A Breath” has that stadium friendly feel, “Believe In What You’ve Never Known” is a straight up rock song with soaring guitar textures and emotion-filled lyrics.
For Jeremy Ezell and The Well Reds, a relatively new band based in Atlanta, Georgia, one thing is certain, after a listen you’re bound to have many of the lyrics stuck in your head and that’s the mere hope of every band today.
Be sure to visit Jeremy Ezell and The Well Reds on MySpace and catch a show if you’re in town.
After an immense amount of deliberation, I have decided to take a trip down to Austin, Texas for their annual South By Southwest (better known as SXSW) music festival! I’ve been debating this trip for weeks and after becoming unemployed from my full-time job back in January I wasn’t sure if this would be the right decision. Alas, I think it will be a great opportunity to cover some shows, interview new bands and provide me with more inspiration for this blog and life in general!
Here’s where YOU come in. Just around this time last year I went on tour with Army of Me and The Used and had tons of interviews from each band. I tend to transcribe the entire interview, because die-hard fans love to read everything about their favorite band. SXSW has hundreds of bands and shows for five days straight and to go around having 20-minute interviews with each band will be fun, but typing up each of those interviews will be grueling. What are you most interested in finding out? Do you like my exclusive interviews or do you like show reviews more? Or, would you rather me blog about my take on the behind-the-scenes setup of SXSW?
As much as this blog is dedicated to bands I enjoy and think deserve attention on the music scene, you are the people who read it and leave comments and I want to make sure I serve your needs so you can read about what you’re interested in. Let me know how you’d like me to tackle SXSW. I’m SO psyched to go, but I want you even more excited to read about my crazy band stalking adventures while I’m there!
Here‘s a list of the bands attending. Who do you want to see covered? I’ll be updating my Twitter constantly as well as Marie Claire’s so you’ll be able to follow me every second of the day if you so choose to. I have just over a week to prepare before I head to Texas next Tuesday, so let me know what will keep you most intrigued and glued into reading this blog! Thanks 🙂
Below is Death Cab For Cutie‘s new video for “Grapevine Fires,” one of the tracks off their Grammy nominated album, Narrow Stairs. The animated clip, directed by Walter Robot, was initially inspired by frontman Ben Gibbard’s up-close-and-personal encounter with 2007’s California wildfires. A moving video, you can see the toll it took on him below.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmpMQA0qfuM]
In addition, the band is set to kick off a spring tour in April with support from Cold War Kids, Matt Costa, and Ra Ra Riot. Check out their MySpace page for more info.
“Life is an interesting journey, you never know where it will take you,” T.I. says introducing his music video. He continues, “Sometimes on the way to where you’re going you might think, ‘This is the worst time of my life.’ But you know what, at the end of the road, through all the adversity, if you can get where you wanted to be, you remember whatever don’t kill you will make you stronger, then all the adversity was worth it.”
Cue Rihanna and the song begins. Listen closely.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOFDaB1Sh20]
I like the song so much I made it my ringtone. So, whenever someone calls me I’m constantly reminded, “Just live your life.”
After one listen to Jamie Allen’s demo, never in a million years would I have imagined it was written and arranged by a 13-year-old. With a voice that brings comparison to Carrie Underwood and talent that makes any 20-something musician jealous, the three-song demo CD, a mix of country and pop, is an impressive release that is just a glimpse into Allen’s bright future.
The Denver, Colorado native began taking singing lessons at the age of 10. Nearly a year later she performed a two-hour set at a local coffee house, her dad accompanying on guitar. Lucky for Allen, a radio disc jockey was getting a cup of coffee during her performance and enjoyed what he heard, asking Allen to appear as a co-host on his Internet radio show. One thing led to another and soon after Allen was in Phoenix, Arizona recording this demo release.
The three-song disc has welcoming versatility, truly a testament to Allen’s talent. Beginning with moving “Kisses from Angels,” Allen’s voice is soft, yet infectious. With a strong country vibe, she tells an aching story within her lyrics, begging the listener to pay close attention. As Allen belts out “I never was a young girl,” you can’t help but to believe her.
Second track, “Its a Girls Night” changes quickly from the more serious nature of previous song, “Kisses from Angels.” A bit edgier with a fun and danceable vibe, Allen’s honest lyrics are age appropriate as she never tries to be someone she isn’t.
Definitely a slumber party anthem, Allen describes a typical girls night that includes listening to Lil Wayne and, of course, calling boys. She begins the track singing, “Hair and makeup, popcorn and scary movies, scary movies/Drank pop sodas, my stomach don’t feel so good, not so good/Nobody has to cry, no boys can bring us down/Its a girls night/Stay up late calling boys/Its a girls night/Pillow fights making so much noise/ ’Cause its a girls night.” Simple and fun, if only life was like this everyday.
Last track, “Sugar, Please!” has a funky beat with fitting background vocals. Singing, “It’s my time/Not your time/I’ll be just fine without you” Allen gets her point across to a boy who just won’t leave her alone. At times reminiscent to an edgy Christina Aguilera, “Sugar, Please!” showcases Allen’s more soulful side, still with a hint of country-pop intertwined within the track.
Allen’s talent is evident on her release. One of the best demos I have ever heard, not to mention by a musician at such a young age, it won’t be long until Jamie Allen is a household name.
To listen to Jamie’s demo visit her on MySpace. What do you think?
It’s been quite the week for avid music fans and television lovers. U2 has been a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman all week and they have managed to get every person in the room on their feet throughout their performances (watch below). I’ve been to a TV show taping before and it’s definitely not conducive to live musical performances, but Bono’s energy is so captivating.
Their latest album, No Line On the Horizon was released yesterday and has been receiving mixed reviews. However, like every U2 album, it’s the lyrics and fitting musical accompaniment that make the greatest impact. Currently, Amazon is having a special MP3 deal for the album where you can purchase it for $3.99. For fans trying to pinch their pennies, check it out here. And to reminisce about how far they have come, listen to snippets of all their albums over the years on their Web site here. Watch the performance from Monday night on Letterman below.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfO2B_yj-4Q]
Meanwhile, country pop songstress Taylor Swift will have a major role on this Thursday’s episode of CSI. I keep seeing the previews and it looks very intriguing. The recent Rolling Stone cover girl has certainly had an impressive past year and by the looks of it, her popularity has only just begun. With her first headlining tour coming up this summer, you can bet this girl is here to stay.
Watch the preview of Thursday night’s CSI episode below.
http://www.cbs.com/e/mVw4AtQtu2jFkIJCVpn7RnBrtKGNp1MR/cbs/1/
Lindsey Mae is definitely an artist to watch. The 18-year-old singer-songwriter has been performing throughout Upstate New York since she was 15. Her breathtaking five song self-titled EP release was produced by Hal Cragin (A Fine Frenzy/Iggy Pop). Full of emotionally introspective songs with fitting musical accompaniment showcasing her soft, yet at times rugged vocals, Mae is one singer who is bound to make a splash soon.
A mix of acoustic pop, Mae’s airy voice brings comparison to that of fellow singer-songwriters Colbie Caillat, Serena Ryder and Meiko. A remarkable release for any teen, what makes Mae stand out is her seemingly ageless wisdom within each track. The lyrics behind her songs are deep and filled with tales of love, loss and the confusion of both.
First track, “Cable Car,” has a country vibe as Mae sings of heartbreak. “So call me back or call me crazy/’Cause only your love can save me now,” she says. A strong storyteller, Mae draws the listener in with every word sung.
“Vitals” is a rugged and edgier track with darker guitar accompaniment. Her wavering vocals only assist in getting her emotion across within each lyric. “Papier Mache” may be my favorite track on the EP. A light ballad with soft piano and guitar intro that begs comparison to the refreshingly relaxed style of Jack Johnson, Mae’s eased singing style asks for more than just one listen.
With a solid release at such a young age, I can only expect to hear much more of Lindsey Mae in the years to come. Be sure to visit her on MySpace to hear some tracks off the EP.