Music, Marketing, Entertainment, Events, and more

"I Need a Doctor" - Dr Dre w/ Eminem and featuring Skylar Grey

2011-02-28T17:12:00.000-08:00

And The Grammy Goes To ...

2011-02-13T21:16:00.000-08:00

With a chilling tribute start to Aretha Franklin by a female vocalist group consisting of Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina Mcbride, Yolanda Adams and Florence Welch, the 53rd Annual Grammy Award show began with an excitable performance. The Show continued to rock out with the Muse' performance of their hit, the "Resistance" and on to a flashback segment with a new generation of upcoming musicians B.o.B., Bruno Mars and Janelle Monet. The other performances didn't disappoint anyone, except for those wanting to hear the winners. The show was interrupted here and again by the announcement of categorical winners...as if that was what thousands of music celebrities and their fans gathered for at the Los Angeles Staples Center.

If you were like most of us who skipped the award announcements and just watched the performances, fear not...we've compiled the list of winners along with how we predicted each category.

How did your picks pan out??

2011 Grammy Winners - Major Categories(WINNERS are in Bold / ** = Our Pick)

Album of The Year:

The Suburbs – Arcade Fire

Recovery – Eminem
Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga**
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry

Song of The Year:

“Beg, Steal or Borrom” – Ray LaMontagne
“Forget You” – Cee Lo
“The House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert
“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem feat. Rihanna

“Need You Know” – Lady Antebellum**

Record of The Year:

“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem feat. Rihanna**
“Nothin’ On You” – Bruno Mars
“Forget You” – Cee Lo
“Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys

“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

Best NEW Artist:

Justin Bieber

Drake**

Florence + The Machine

Mumford & Sons

Esperanza Spalding

Best Country Album:

Up On The Ridge – Dierks Bentley
You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band**
The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson

Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

Revolution – Miranda Lambert

Best Rap Album:

The Adventures Of Bobby Ray – B.o.B
Thank Me Later – Drake

Recovery – Eminem

The Blueprint 3 – Jay-Z**
How I Got Over – The Roots

Best Contemporary R&B:

Graffiti – Chris Brown
Untitled – R. Kelly
Transition – Ryan Leslie
The ArchAndroid – Janelle Monáe

Raymond V Raymond – Usher**

Best Rock Performance By A Group or A Duo w/ Vocals:

“Ready To Start” – Arcade Fire
“I Put A Spell On You” – Jeff Beck & Joss Stone
“Tighten Up” – The Black Keys
“Radioactive” – Kings Of Leon

“Resistance” – Muse**

Best Pop Performance By A Group or A Duo w/ Vocals:

“Don’t Stop Believin’ (Regionals Version)” – Glee Cast

“Misery” – Maroon 5
“The Only Exception” – Paramore
“Babyfather” – Sade

“Hey, Soul Sister (Live)” – Train**

Best Pop Collaboration w/ Vocals:

“Airplanes II” – B.o.B, Eminem & Hayley Williams**

“Imagine” – Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No. 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare

“If It Wasn’t For Bad” – Elton John & Leon Russell
“Telephone” – Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
“California Gurls” – Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg

Best Pop Vocal Album:

My World 2.0 – Justin Bieber
I Dreamed A Dream – Susan Boyle

The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga

Battle Studies – John Mayer
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry**

Best Dance Recording:

“Rocket” – Goldfrapp

“In For The Kill” – La Roux
“Dance In The Dark” – Lady Gaga

“Only Girl (In The World)” – Rihanna**

“Dancing On My Own” – Robyn

Who Are YOUR Picks for the 2011 Grammy Awards?

2011-02-13T15:02:00.000-08:00

While there's really no way to predict who will come away with Grammies, We still have to make some sort of picks for who we feel are definitely some top picks for tonight’s 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

Eminem, in the lead with 10 nominations, should be a shoe in for a Grammy or two. His nominations include three of the four main categories - Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year. He’s also in competition against himself in the Best Rap Song category, with both “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie” up both up for the award. Voters are bound to appreciate that his album “Recovery” marks his true comeback.

Lady Antebellum comes in second with six nominations. They are nominated for Album, Record and Song of the Year for “Need You Now.” The hit was heard and performed everywhere throughout the year, playing on many TV shows. They've already taken home multiple trophies at the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association and inaugural American Country awards shows.

Now, Lady Gaga is also a promising figure in the awards, with six nominations. These include Album of the Year. Last year found Lady Gaga all over the place - on stage, on TV, on magazine covers and all over social media. 2011, especially if she takes home some more Grammies, will find her in the same spots. She won 13 Billboard Music Awards during the past two years and eight MTV Music Video Awards in 2010. Her two Grammy Awards last year showed she’s certainly on the Recording Academy radar.

What are your top picks and how do you compare to ours??

2011 Grammy Nominees - Major Categories(** = Our Pick to Win in 2011)

Album of The Year:

The Suburbs – Arcade Fire
Recovery – Eminem
Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga**
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry

Song of The Year:

“Beg, Steal or Borrom” – Ray LaMontagne
“Forget You” – Cee Lo
“The House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert
“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem feat. Rihanna
“Need You Know” – Lady Antebellum**

Record of The Year:

“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem feat. Rihanna**
“Nothin’ On You” – Bruno Mars
“Forget You” – Cee Lo
“Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

Best NEW Artist:

Justin Bieber

Drake**

Florence + The Machine

Mumford & Sons

Esperanza Spalding

Best Country Album:

Up On The Ridge – Dierks Bentley
You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band**
The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson
Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
Revolution – Miranda Lambert

Best Rap Album:

The Adventures Of Bobby Ray – B.o.B
Thank Me Later – Drake
Recovery – Eminem
The Blueprint 3 – Jay-Z**
How I Got Over – The Roots

Best Contemporary R&B:

Graffiti – Chris Brown
Untitled – R. Kelly
Transition – Ryan Leslie
The ArchAndroid – Janelle Monáe
Raymond V Raymond – Usher**

Best Pop Performance By A Group or A Duo w/ Vocals:

“Don’t Stop Believin’ (Regionals Version)” – Glee Cast
“Misery” – Maroon 5
“The Only Exception” – Paramore
“Babyfather” – Sade
“Hey, Soul Sister (Live)” – Train**

Best Pop Collaboration w/ Vocals:

“Airplanes II” – B.o.B, Eminem & Hayley Williams**
“Imagine” – Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No. 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare
“If It Wasn’t For Bad” – Elton John & Leon Russell
“Telephone” – Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
“California Gurls” – Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg

Best Dance Recording:

“Rocket” – Goldfrapp
“In For The Kill” – La Roux
“Dance In The Dark” – Lady Gaga
“Only Girl (In The World)” – Rihanna**
“Dancing On My Own” – Robyn

Best Rock Performance By A Group or A Duo w/ Vocals:

“Ready To Start” – Arcade Fire
“I Put A Spell On You” – Jeff Beck & Joss Stone
“Tighten Up” – The Black Keys
“Radioactive” – Kings Of Leon
“Resistance” – Muse**

Best Pop Vocal Album:

My World 2.0 – Justin Bieber
I Dreamed A Dream – Susan Boyle
The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga
Battle Studies – John Mayer
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry**

New Music : September 27, 2010 - October 05, 2010

2010-10-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Gucci Mane "The Appeal"
One of the most street-loved MCs in the game is back with a diamond-encrusted smile and his second in less than a year. The album's lead cut is "Gucci Time," produced by and features Swizz Beatz, who also does the same on "It's Alive." Its first track is the menacing production from Rodney Jerkins (Brandy, Ray J, Destiny's Child and, of course, Michael Jackson) who brings alarming horns fit for a gangster-flick soundtrack. It's raw, underground, its 'hood, but it's different. The Neptunes give Gucci a club bounce on "Haterade," a record about evolution and reflection in which Nicki Minaj raps during their first time together talking in depth on personal things. On "Grown Man," Mr. LaFlare enlisted guest singer Estelle to express his newfound growth and mental freedom.

Eric Clapton "Clapton"
This is Clapton's first studio release since 2005's "Back Home." It features some of the same participants of the previous release - including JJ Cale and Doyle Bramhall II, but the legendary guitar front/blues man's latest includes less original material. Clapton's ONLY songwriting contribution is "Run Back to Your Side." The rest of the program is given over to covers—by icons as diverse as Tin Pan Alley legend Irving Berlin and blues great Little Walter—plus "Diamonds in the Rain," a ballad penned by Bramhall, Justin Stanley (Mark Ronson, Beck) and neo-soul sensation Nikki Costa. That cut also features a cameo by Sheryl Crow, but she's not the only notable pitching in on "Clapton". Trombone Shorty, Allen Toussaint and Wynton Marsalis are on board, too.

Mark Ronson "Record Collection"
Mark Ronson has been one of those guys that's easy to hate on for some time now. His stepdad is Mick Jones of Foreigner, and he was modeling for Tommy Hilfiger and deejaying parties for celebs like Diddy when most of his peers were wrapping up their undergrad work. Nevertheless, Ronson has matured into a formidable producer with a resume that includes breakthrough albums for Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. Like its predecessor, 2007's "Version," the new release ( credited to Mark Ronson and the Business Intl.) is heavily laden with guests, but they're not all contemporaries; in keeping with the disc's '80s electro vibe, contributors include Boy George and Nick Rhodes and Simon LeBon from Duran Duran. Also on board are rappers Q-Tip and Ghostface Killah, while songwriting assistance is provided by Cathy Dennis (Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head"), Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, and Nick Hodgson of Kaiser Chiefs.

Kenny Chesney "Hemingway's Whiskey"
Chesney is a relentless touring machine, and not a year has passed since 2002 that he hasn't walked off with major awards from CMT, CMA and ACM. (Oddly enough, although five of his last six albums have topped the Billboard charts, he's never snagged a Grammy Award.) Chesney finally took a year off from concert treks, and returns refreshed with this latest release. The album gleans its title from a Guy Clark song, although Chesney adds that he's also a fan of both the literature and lifestyle associated with the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. In addition to his recent single, "The Boys of Fall," which the singer says perfectly captures the vibe of his Eastern Tennessee adolescence, Chesney's fourteenth studio album also includes a duet with George Jones on a remake of "Small Y'all," which will hopefully introduce some new, younger listeners to the man considered the greatest male vocalist of country's Golden Age.

Bad Religion "The Dissent of Man"
Who would have thought that Bad Religion would still be getting it on later in their years. Their new release is produced by Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Tool) and marks the seminal punk band's 30th anniversary! Thirty?! But that doesn't mean they're conducting business as usual. Some of the bean members feel that the last couple of records have been amongst their most conservative and have never strayed too far from the Bad Religion sound. the band tells EW News that on this release, they're taking the songs to a lot of different places, exploring their influences and trying out some new things in a way we haven't done in years." In addition to the album and the publication of Greg Graffin's new autobiography, "Anarchy Evolution," the band is also celebrating with an extended North American tour.

Phil Collins " Going Back "
Phil Collins has seen so much success and has definitely put out just about any type of album a man of many talents can possibly put out - solo or with a band. In the '80s, audiences worshipped Collins as a god. Between 1984 and 1990, he racked up 13 Top 10 hits in the U.S. Subsequent decades haven't been quite so kind to the Genesis drummer, but his rehabilitation is well under way with "Going Back." Having shored up his solo career early with his 1982 rendition of the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love," Collins now revisits his youthful love of R&B. Accompanied by a small combo that features members of Motown house band the Funk Brothers, Collins runs through 18 tunes made famous by acts like the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, and penned by such greats as Goffin & King, Holland-Dozier-Holland, and Norman Whitfield.

Marcy Playground "Indaba Remixes from Wonderland"

Most indie-alternative fans can remember the soultry, mellow sound of Marcy's Plaground. Their 1997 megahit single "Sex and Candy" (over 1.4 million in sales) spent an amazing 34 weeks on the Billboard's top charts. Now fast forward to 2009 with the release of "Leaving Wonderland...in a Fit of Rage." This album was a combination of intimate reflective music that defined the group's commitment to not submit to the corporate, carbon copied music mainstream. The release of the remixes takes from the 2009 CD and collaborates it with the group's online community, which is a community of approximately 500,000 musicians, ranging from novice to hobbyist, to Grammy Award winning artist. Marcy Playground’s collaborative produced a total of 333 submissions and 13 of whom were chosen to be featured on the CD. This gave the fans the opportunity to put their own take on Marcy Playground’s songs and the winning musicians will receive profits from the CD sales. This marks the first time that an entire CD was produced from “crowd-sourced” music. WIN.

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

Ben Folds & Nick Hornby: "Lonely Island"
Neil Young: "Le Noise"
Deerhunter: "Halcyon Digest"

Weekly Top Concerts/Shows To Check Out ...

2010-09-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

Monday, September 27th

World Cafe Live:

Headliner: Avishai Cohen

Opening Act: None Listed

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$22

Trumpeter Avishai Cohen is a leading figure on the international jazz scene. As an assertive and accomplished trumpeter with a taste for modernism who is deeply rooted in the bebop and post-bop tradition, Avishai is taking jazz in new directions. He's making waves as an improviser, composer and bandleader. Originally from Tel Aviv, he began performing at age 10. He toured the world with the Young Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra and went on to become the trumpet player of choice for many leading jazz, rock, pop, studio and television projects. He received a full scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and in 1997 he placed third in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz Trumpet Competition.

Tuesday, September 28th

Trocader:

Headliner: The Swans

Opening Act: None Listed

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$30.65

This band has been an influential American post-punk band who was initially active from 1982 to 1997. Led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira, the band was one of the few groups to emerge from the early 1980s New York No Wave scene and stay intact into the next decade. The Swans employed a shifting lineup of musicians until their dissolution in 1997. Besides Gira, the only other constant members were keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter Jarboe from 1984 to 1997, and semi-constant guitarist Norman Westberg. The band was noted for droning vocals and strange instrumentation. After dissolving Swans, Gira formed Angels of Light, continued his work with Young God Records and Jarboe continued her solo work. In 2009, Gira hinted that he may one day resurrect Swans In January 2010, Michael Gira reactivated Swans and began work on a new album, titled "My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky." The official MySpace page for Swans was changed to display "SWANS ARE NOT DEAD",and a bulletin was posted containing a link to Young God Records' MySpace, where a new song had recently been uploaded. To help raise money for the upcoming new Swans album, Gira released a new solo album, "I Am Not Insane," via his Young God Records website. In January 2010 LAS Magazine posted an article on alternative financing in "a cash-strapped music industry, unable to rely on record label financing, [that] is positioning its own quid pro quo: fan dollars to fund projects in exchange for exclusive material and a sense of involvement" that cites the Swans selling out of the 1,000 signed and numbered copies of "I Am Not Insane" as an example of reverse financing where proceeds from one project are rolled over to finance the next. The album is set to be released on September 27, 2010.

Wednesday, September 29th

Theater of the Living Arts:

Headliner: Justin Nozuka

Opening Act: Alex Cuba / Ry Cuming

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets: $25

Justin Nozuka, when performing live, is completely engaged with the crowd and music. He doesn’t just sing, he performs and feels the music. Gifted with a voice and talent that's difficult to categorize. His music is a mixture of singer-songwriter storytelling, with elements of rock, soul, reggae, and funk. Several songs are anthemic, while others are chill, mellow and inspiring. He is a story-teller and his songs have immense depth and are positive/inspiring.

Thursday, September 30th

World Cafe Live:

Headliner: Howie Day

Opening Act: John Wesley Satterfield

Doors: 7:30pm / Show: 8:30pm

Tickets:$24 - $34

Several years after releasing his commercial breakthrough album "Stop All The World Now," singer and songwriter Howie Day breaks his silence with his long-awaited third studio album "Sound the Alarm." The album is a stunning collection of the kind of emotionally resonant, melody-minded pop-rock gems that have earned Day a legion of devoted fans over the past 10 years.His one man band shows rocked both intimate venues and arenas alike. Howie's shows were best known for his live and "ad-lib" style of making the music as he feels it and as the energy of the crowd creates it. With his fancy pedals and mics and soundboards, his current shows don't stray too far from what made millions of fans love him even before all of his commercial success... and that's a GREAT thing!!

Electric Factory:

Headliner: Bullet For My Valentine

Opening Act: Escape The Fate / Black Tide / Drive A

Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7pm

Tickets:$32.70

This Welsh heavy metal band from Bridgend, formed in 1998 is composed of Matt Tuck - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, Michael Paget - lead guitar, Jason James - bass guitar, backing vocals and Michael Thomas - drums. First formed under the name Jeff Killed John, they started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana. Jeff Killed John recorded six songs which were not released; two of these tracks were reworked later in their career as Bullet for My Valentine. Financial difficulties dictated the name change, which was followed by a change in music direction. In 2002, the band secured a five-album deal with Sony BMG. The band has stated that their music is influenced by classic heavy metal acts such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slayer. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene. Bullet For My Valentine — which sounds and acts like a band trying to be the Metallica of this generation have heavy radio hit “Your Betrayal” to kick things off on their show, followed by two songs with fast, aggressive opening riffs that wouldn’t be out of place on the first three Slayer records.

Friday, October 1st

Kung Fu Necktie:

Headliner: Fight Amp

Opening Act: Batillus / Kowloon Walled City / Ladder Devils

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$8

Hailing from South Jersey, this group spent most of their six-odd-year career playing shows in and around Philadelphia. Anyone who’s spent much time in Philly knows that it’s a tough, pessimistic town, and its urban filth and nasty attitude radiate from this band. They are supporting their second album, "Manners and Praise" from Translation Loss Records. Their sound is brutal noise rock/punk played with single minded focus and very real intensity. They’ve clearly done their homework and have a sound that embellishes the music of Melvins, Black Flag, The Jesus Lizard and various other sundry abusive rock bands of the last twenty years. Bassist Jon Dehart’s über-gravelly bass tone coats even the band’s more restrained moments in knee-deep sludge, and Mike Howard’s tom-heavy skinsmanship is equally propulsive during both speedy segments and the band’s miles-deep grooves. The guitars sound bristling and barely in control at times, but the band as a whole never gets mired in their own murk. These guys draw just as much from a punk-rock sense of unease as they do from metal’s sonic firepower.

Electric Factory:

Headliner: B-52's

Opening Act: Gang

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$49.70

Get in and be put on with panache by Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Keith Strickland and Fred Schneider of the iconoclastic band that makes the glockenspiel seem like the coolest instrument on the globe. Yes, they're kitschy as all get out, and therein lies the appeal. Schneider should get things going by belting out the question, "What's that on your head?" Cindy Wilson, magnificent in a black, shiny micro-mini and go-go girl hair will step in to keep the groove on with their sounds that are prime examples of the punk-y, camp-y, rock-y cool music and wackadoo lyrics that make sense somehow in their shows, but nowhere else. Many of their tunes are fizzy and irresistible, they give listeners no choice but to cave in and come along for the ride as most of the crowd will buckle in for the loop-de-loop that is a B-52s show.

Trocadero:

Headliner: Teenage Fanclub

Opening Act: None Listed

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$25.75

This band has been around for about 20 years now and they’ve still got it. The Scottish power poppers are touring behind "Shadows," their first album in 5 years. The new material is good and their harmonies are still solid … although physically, the 20 years are starting to take their toll. These guys are starting to look a bit like Dads … which we guess they probably are, but that’s neither here nor there.

Saturday, October 2nd

Electric Factory:

Headliner: !!!

Opening Act: Les Savy Fav / Fol Chen.

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8:30pm

Tickets:$24.70

Known for their dance punk music, the Sacramento-based group has the perfect genre to set the mood for any show night. !!! will be taking to the main stage with their bright funk and disco-infused dance punk music. Their fans and newcomers will altogether love the grooves in their music, but will get a kick out of watching lead vocalist, Nic Offer. His little boy shorts always seem to add a slight endearing, comedic effect to all his dancing - according to most of his loyal concert followers. The entire collective works really well together on stage. There is a dynamic that both rock and electronica fans can both enjoy as you will take notice when you look around and all the moving bodies around you are in agreement.

Sunday, October 3rd

Electric Factory:

Headliner: Switchfoot

Opening Act: The Almost

Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$30.10

This long time American rock band from San Diego, California is composed of Jon Foreman - lead vocals, guitar, Tim Foreman - bass guitar, backing vocals, Chad Butler - drums, percussion, Jerome Fontamillas - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals and Drew Shirley - guitar, backing vocals. Their style from earlier albums with independent label Re:think Records consisted primarily of guitar-driven alternative rock, characteristic of a three-man lineup, though they also incorporated string arrangements with slower songs. After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream recognition with the inclusion of four of their songs in the 2002 movie "A Walk to Remember." This recognition led to their major label debut, "The Beautiful Letdown," which was released in 2003. It went on to sell over 2.6 million copies and produced the band's best-known singles, "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move". Switchfoot is hailed as one of the greatest bands of the modern rock era. According to Jon Foreman, the name "Switchfoot" is a surfing term. It stuck with the band due to all of them being involved in surfing and loving the sport/activity. The name is about change and movement, a different way of approaching life and music.

New Music : September 21, 2010 - September 27, 2010

2010-09-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

Maroon 5 "Hands All Over"

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 cited that "Pour Some Sugar on Me" was one of his childhood faves. The opportunity work with super producer Mutt Lange did not have to be voted by the band. They were thrilled to be working with the legend, who not only worked on Def Leppard's "Hysteria" and "Pyromania," but also huge hits for AC/DC, Foreigner and Shania Twain, when he offered to produce their new album. This latest release from the group puts together their smart mix of pop and R&B hooks with production so polished. Cuts like lead single "Misery" and the catchy "Stutter" will garner raves from fans of classic M5 fare like "This Love," but there are surprises, too. "Out of Goodbyes," a collaboration with Lady Antebellum, sounds more like vintage Fleetwood Mac than modern-day Music Row, while the title tune boasts enough hard-hitting swagger to make it as popular with exotic dancers as the aforementioned "Pour Some Sugar."

Gin Blossoms "No Chocolate Cake"

The Gin Blossoms were victims of having to coexist with the early '90s mania for Seattle grunge groups like Nirvana and bubbling up in the wake of that groundbreaking band's demise. Their post-grunge jangle and lovelorn alt-rock angstdid a lot to get them noticed as it was easy to separate their sound. Now they're suddenly back and in the blink of an eye they're offering listeners a refreshing time-travel experience beginning with "I Don't Want to Lose You Now" and the new single "Miss Disarray." These guys have been in the industry long enough that they can perform this melodic stuff in their sleep. Their songs are accompanied with an electric 12-string guitar or jangling chorused guitar on almost every track, adding bounce to the sadness of songs such as "Somewhere Tonight."

Carlos Santana "The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time"

Carlos Santana has enjoyed a huge career resurgence with star-studded albums like "Supernatural" and its sequels. He adds on to those successes but puts a twist in the formula for his latest album. Collaborating with Chris Cornell, Rob Thomas, Scott Weiland, Chris Daughtry, Gavin Rossdale, Ray Manzarek and others, he sets out to put his interpretations of his generation's awesome guitar solos. Conceived while collaborating with Clive Davis, the twist this time is the song selection, which eschews originals for classic rock favorites by Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Cream, T. Rex and Deep Purple. Personally, we would have preferred the legendary axe man to take on Van Halen's "Eruption" instead of the pop-laden "Dance the Night Away." His interpretation of AC/DC's "Back in Black," which features hip-hop oddballs Nas and Janelle Monáe should be interesting.

John Legend & The Roots "Wake Up!"

Philadelphia's music family has been so large and still growing that most were wondering when such a team up effort could ever come up on an album. Well, one composed of John Legend and the Roots has just occurred. The two have joined forces for a different kind of covers set. Conceived during the tumult and excitement of the 2008 presidential election, "Wake Up!" is a bracing mix of socially conscious and soulful protest songs, ranging from the familiar ("Compared to What," the 1970 jazz-funk hit by Les McCann and Eddie Harris, and "I Wish How I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free," popularized by Nina Simone) to esoteric fare from the back catalogs of Mike James Kirkland and Baby Huey and the Babysitters. Throw spirited readings of Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway into the mix, and you've got an ideal soundtrack.

Billy Currington "Enjoy Yourself"

Georgia native Billy Currington recently racked up his sixth No. 1 country hit with the laid-back "Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer." Working with top-notch Nashville songwriters like Troy Jones, Shawn Camp and Dave Barnes, Currington delivers a disc that makes him seem like the kind of guy who'd truly be fun to toss a few back with, full of good-natured ruminations like "Bad Day of Fishin'"—which beats a good day of anything else—and his paean to man's best friend, "Like My Dog."

Matt Costa "Mobile Chateau"

Singer/songwriter Matt Costa isn't shy about emulating the classic songwriting of the Byrds and Donovan, but on his new album, Costa also draws from the catalog of Bob Lind who was his favorite songwriter. Costa thought so highly of the Lind song 'Ask Your Man,' he actually took the lyrics and reworked them into a new song called "Drive." It's a piano-driven pop track that sounds like it could be a long-lost Beach Boys tune with its shimmering summery feel.

Selena Gomez "A Year Without Rain"

Disney star Selena Gomez, who turned 18 this year, says her sound has matured as well. The sophomore set from Selena Gomez and the Scene builds on the success of her techno-tinged No. 1 club hit, "Naturally." "There's a feeling when I perform that song that I love, so when I was going back in the studio, I had a better understanding of where I wanted to be musically," says Gomez. The successor to her Gold-certified "Kiss & Tell" also features some ballads, including English and Spanish renditions of the title track, and "Ghost of You." And another Teen Choice favorite, Katy Perry, co-wrote "Rock God" and contributes backing vocals.

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

Michael Franti & Spearhead "The Sound of Sunshine"
Walker Hayes Walker Hayes (EP)"

New Music : September 14, 2010 - September 20, 2010

2010-09-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Robert Plant "Band of Joy"

After making a masterpiece like 2007 "Raising Sand," Robert Plant needed to concoct a mighty impressive follow-up. After all, his collaboration with Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett entered the charts at No. 1 and won Album of the Year honors at the 51st Grammy Awards. Percy meets the challenge admirably on "Band of Joy," wrapping his pipes around meticulously chosen country, folk, blues and indie rock offerings. Nashville vet Buddy Miller, the man dubbed Artist of the Decade in the final issue of "No Depression" magazine, serves as producer, while Patty Griffin plays Plant's vocal foil. The disc is a knockout from top to bottom, but highlights include an eerie interpretation of "Monkey" (one of two selections by Minnesota trio Low), a lively romp through Barbara Lynn's "You Can't Buy My Love," and "Cindy, I'll Marry You Someday," a variation on the traditional "Cindy, Cindy."

Sasha Dobson "Burn"

The highly anticipated new release from this American jazz singer-songwriter from Santa Cruz, California, who is now based in New York City, is finally here and really delivers. Right on time to be supported by her current tour. Dobson is participating in Norah Jones' "The Fall" tour, providing guitar and percussion accompaniment as well as vocal harmonies. She is the opening act on the tour. The album is a 6-song EP that showcases her singer-songwriter talents, balancing between acoustic material and slightly more muscular electric workouts. Fiddle accents season the country-ish opener “Family,” while the simmering title track benefits from some ethereal pedal steel guitar. Dobson’s previous full-lengths The Darkling Thrush and Modern Romance earned her characterization as a jazz crooner, but there is scant evidence of that here apart from “The Day We Met,” a soft number that embellishes Dobson’s breathy delivery in a lush cushion of plucked strings and ukulele. It’s pleasant enough, but in the crowded field of female singer-songwriters, it will take more than an EP of unobtrusive songs to stand out.

Grinderman "Grinderman 2"

This band is the latest in a long line of musical ensembles led by Nick Cave They certainly don't waste too much time on album titles. This is their follow-up to their eponymous 2007 debut simply titled "Grinderman." The 2nd album builds on the musical character of its predecessor from singer-guitarist and cohorts Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey, and Jim Sclavunos. The band delivers an angst and guitar-driven squall of post-punk that Cave is known for shelling out with his previous groups. It's co-produced by the band and Nick Launay (Public Image Ltd., Birthday Party). The sound exhibits ferocity, yet also experiments more with the songwriting form, yielding explosive results like the trippy, tribal "Heathen Child" and the climatic, elastic freak-out, "Bellringer Blues."

Weezer "Hurley"
Not much to really distinguish this new album from Weezer and the large chunks of Rivers Cuomo's back catalog. Although they're bolstered by the crunchy, power-pop guitar riffs and sunny vocal harmonies that longtime fans of these alt-rock favorites expect, selections like "Trainwrecks," "Memories" and "Smart Girls" seem fun while they last. The albums similar sound structure doesn't give much for fans awaiting for such a new sound from an old fave. But, why mess with what has worked over and over and over again, right. Maybe. Most of the songs on this album may prove largely forgettable especially you already own their back catalogs.

Of Montreal "False Priest"

This indie group is known to be so freaky-deaky you'll be hard pressed to shake off its impression after taking a listen. Front man Kevin Barnes puts a very weird spin on funk, soul and R&B, complete with flights of falsetto and hypersexual lyrics. Like Prince, OutKast and Parliament/Funkadelic, Barnes and Of Montreal create their own bizarre, colorful universe—no wonder the cameos by Janelle Monáe and Solange Knowles seem right at home. This latest release gets help from producer, Jon Brion, making it possibly the slickest Of Montreal effort on record. One of Barnes’ most charming musical qualities is how sonically messy his LPs have been, almost as if there were too many ideas stewing in the pot that some of the ingredients boiled over. It made for fascinating listening, like finding a razor blade in a blueberry pie; it could cut you, but it still tasted sweet. The rough edges are sandpapered down by the heavy, nay hamfisted hand of Brion, turning the compositions into something most fans have heard before... Could be a good thing or a bad thing...but we'll let you decide.

Jamey Johnson "The Guitar Song"

Co-writer "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," which is the crossover smash that put Trace Adkins over the top. It was good enough to give this country music maverick a golden ticket in Nashville. The sussess has possibly enabled the moderately successful, albeit critically lauded, recording artist to stretch his fourth album across two CDs. Divided into discs labeled "black" and "white," the 25-song set starts off grim and menacing, yet gradually turns more uplifting and redemptive. Along with a spate of the polished originals that have won Johnson multiple songwriting awards, it also includes his distinctive interpretations of tunes popularized by Vern Gosdin, Kris Kristofferson, and Mel Tillis.

Linkin Park "A Thousand Suns"

Yet another long awaited album from LP. This one promises to bring the west coast band to new levels. That may necessarily not be a good thing as evident from a very mixed, more negative than positive reaction to their first single, "Catalyst." The last three studio albums by this rap-rock sextet—"Meteora" (2003), "Collision Course" with Jay-Z (2004), and "Minutes to Midnight" (2007)—all shot to No. 1. This new album features the current hit and reunites the band with Rick Rubin, who co-produced the disc with vocalist Mike Shinoda. This may turn out to be an experimental album for the group with the strange collaborations and arrangements that fans aren't accustomed to. Their angst ridden,message driven lyrics and delivery are still there, but seem shrouded. You almost feel it wanting and struggling to burst out, but can't seem to climax in each song. For the most part, the album is nothing more or less than a return to form for the California six-piece. ‘Burning of the Skies’ sees lead singer Chester Bennington wallow in the territory that best suits him - self-pity. They retain the same formula for their dual front men with different styles - Chester, the sensitive, persecuted soul and Mike, the abrasive front for the same feelings.

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

The Black Angels "Phosphene Dream"
The Chapin Sisters: "Two"
The Charlatans "We Who Touch"

Weekly Top Concerts/Shows To Check Out ...

2010-09-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, September 14th

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Bilal (Album Release)

Opening Act: None Listed

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$20 - $25

Bilal Oliver was born and raised in here in City of Brotherly Love. He attended college at the New School for Social Research. While in NYC, he became acquainted with The Roots, Q Tip, Common, Erykah Badu and Mos Def. Bilal would also take part in jam sessions with his New School professors and classmates. It was during one of these sessions that Bilal met Aaron Coleman of the Spin Doctors. The two hit it off and soon private jam sessions in Coleman’s home gave birth to a demo of songs that would land Bilal a record deal with Interscope. Later sessions with Questlove, of The Roots, introduced Bilal to J Dilla and sparked a fruitful working relationship between the two. Once the album was near completion, label pressures coerced Bilal into working with more commercially prominent producers like Dr. Dre and Mike City. For years, label politics prevented any significant progress to occur on Bilal's follow-up album and years had passed with a lot of red tape and more controversy. In spite of the setbacks of his last album, Bilal had a dedicated fan base and they wanted more. The encouraging feedback began to re-inspire Bilal to write songs again and he set out to accomplish what he had started in 2001. Late 2009, Bilal announced his official second album is to be released and it was out this past summer. He's doing the tour to show fans that all his hard work was for something cool, slick, driven and with style. Even if it took years to perfect it.

Theatre of the Living Arts: WXPN PResents ...

Headliner: Broken Social Scene

Opening Act: The Sea & Cake

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$25

Every BSS show is a special one because you never know what incarnation of the group will be on stage. The group has over 15 members resulting in a tour that is often difficult. and this one had a few of the bigger names missing from the show. Even if not all the members could make the tour, their set turns out to be a perfect mix of old and new members as well as a perfect example of a band with multiple albums being able to give fans of old and new a complete experience. From new songs like the spacey jams of “Texico Bitches” to the instrumental classic “KC Accidental,” BSS will show long time fans that they can do it all on stage – and that stage will be a packed one. Their performances are known to have band members switch off places and instruments to allow others to float around in the ever changing collective. Everyone is so immensely talented in the group that at any moment a member could take control of a song or change the direction.

Keswick Theater:

Headliner: Todd Rundgren

Opening Act: None Listed

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$35 - $95

At 62, this young rocker is still the new pop-wunderkind that he was when he first broke into the music industry. The singer/songwriter and producer has had a great and extensive career thats supported by a certified gold solo double LP "Something/Anything?" and a successful band, Utopia. He has also been extremely active as a producer and engineer on the recorded work of other musicians. During the 1970s and 1980s, Rundgren produced big-selling albums, including "Bat Out of Hell" by Meat Loaf, "We're an American Band" by Grand Funk Railroad, and "Skylarking" by XTC. His best-known songs include "Hello It's Me" and "I Saw the Light" which have heavy rotation on classic rock radio stations, and "Bang the Drum All Day" featured in many sports arenas, commercials, and movie trailers. As legendary as his works in production and songwriting has been, his shows has been as equally impressive. You're not getting any younger and neither is he ... GET IN!!

Wells Fargo Center: The Monster Ball Tour

Headliner: Lady Gaga

Opening Act:

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$85 - $305.50

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga, from Yonkers, New York is bringing her infamous tour to Philly for two days. Born to an Italian family consisting of an internet mogul and business partner- this aspiring exhibitionist began her career singing Michael Jackson and Cyndi Lauper tunes into a plastic tape recorder, her parents were the only ones who sprung for Lady Gaga tickets then. She earned her stage name from the Queen song "Radio Gaga." First signed to Def Jam recorders at 19, LA Reid, however, they dropped Gaga after only 3 months - it was hip hop star Akon who gave Lady Gaga another chance, signing her to his Konvict label. Since then, Lady Gaga has written songs for Britney Spears, Fergie, The Pussy Cat Dolls and New Kids on the Block. After sparking the interest of Interscope records, Gaga struck a joint deal with the two labels. One of the first songs that Lady Gaga would produce would be a mashup (combo of music from one song and a capella from another) of the AC/DC song "TNT" and the Motley Crue song "Girls, Girls, Girls" and the rest is history!!

Wednesday, September 15th

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Charlatans UK

Opening Act: Sherlock's Daughter

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$25

The Charlatans (known as Charlatans UK in the USA to avoid confusion with the 1960’s group of the same name) were originally formed in Birmingham, England by bassist Martin Blunt, who recruited fellow West Midlanders; Rob Collins (keyboards), Jon Brookes (drums), John Baker (also known as Day) (guitar) plus vocalist Baz Ketley. Former Electric Crayons singer Tim Burgess (from Northwich) replaced Ketley before the release of The Charlatans debut single “Indian Rope” in 1990 on the band’s own Dead Dead Good Records label. It proved an indie hit and the group soon found a major label, Beggars Banquet off-shoot Situation Two, in time for the release of The Only One I Know which reached the Top 10 in the UK singles chart. A further single, Then, and debut album Some Friendly, were released later that year to great commercial and critical acclaim.

Mann Music Center:

Headliner: Cake

Opening Act: None Listed

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$35

With a unique sound embodying elements of funk, hip-hop, new wave pop and guitar rock, Cake has continually paved their own path across the alternative rock landscape. Sporting a thick collection of hits drowned in lyrical non-sequiturs, pop culture references and smirky satire, the multi-platinum rockers tour and hint at some new songs from their six studio album to be released later this year.

The band was recently honored as one Billboard's top 10 "greenest" bands on the planet after they converted their entire Sacramento recording studio - where they recently recorded their forthcoming album entirely with solar energy - to solar power.

Theater of the Living Arts:

Headliner: Of Montreal with Janelle Monae

Opening Act: NONE LISTED

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$32.70

Of Montreal is an indie rock band from Athens, Georgia who is known for putting on a whimsical and musically captivating show. The band is composed of band leader Kevin Barnes, Bryan Poole, Dottie Alexander, Davey Pierce and Clayton Rychlik who all came together after years of members shuffling in and out of the group. As a long time fan, you should expect a new sound, look and feel to the band with the new direction they are taking their style to. Moving away from the psychedelic-fantastical sound of past albums, and toward a heavier use of guitar, they not only wail with Barnes' high-pitched voice, but also place it over a rock background with only hints of the quirky sound that has placed them in a few top bands lists for half a decade. Barnes acts the narrator to a symbolic play happening on stage - naked women and men eating apples out of each other's hands, while a cartoon of a cock (rooster) and a priest flashed on the projection screen and other theatrical displays that are very visual.

Wells Fargo Center: The Monster Ball Tour

Headliner: Lady Gaga

Opening Act:

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$85 - $305.50

As Lady Gaga concerts started becoming more and more popular as Lady Gaga , she would find set and fashion inspiration in the form of Lower East Side DJ Lady Starlight. The two went on to perform at Lollapalooza in 2008 where Lady Gaga was given a summons for indecent exposure due to her hot pants addiction - from this, more and more fans were learning of the outrageousness of a Lady Gaga concert and wanted Lady Gaga tickets of their own. Emulating the pop-art lifestyle, Lady Gaga concerts are anything but drab - with outlandish outfits dripping with faux crystals, faux meat, balls dropping to the theme of A Clockwork Orange and mounds and mounds of hot pants, Lady Gaga tickets are your passes to some serious eye candy. Lady Gaga shows guarantee a blast into the past and a glimpse into the future of pop. So get yourself in and just dance.

Thursday, September 16th

World Cafe Live:

Headliner: Matt Hires

Opening Act: Matt Santry / Zach Williams

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$15

When you listen to Matt Hires, what comes across is the sound of an artist self-assured, authentic, and at ease with being completely and utterly himself. On his debut F-Stop/Atlantic release, Take Us To The Start, the 23-year-old Florida native fuses the intimacy of the great singer/songwriters with indelible pop/rock hooks and propulsive rhythms. The result is a mesmerizing collection of songs that are immediately enchanting, while becoming more deeply rewarding with each listen.

Friday, September 17th

North Star Bar:

Headliner: Biffy Clyro

Opening Act: O' Brother / Bronze Radio Return

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$15

Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Ayrshire comprising of Simon Neil - guitar, lead vocals, James Johnston - bass, vocals and Ben Johnston - drums, vocals. After their first three albums, the band expanded their fanbase with the release of their fourth, Puzzle in 2007. The album went gold in the UK, selling over 100,000 units. Biffy Clyro's popularity grew even stronger with the release of the singles "Mountains" and "That Golden Rule", which both reached the top 10 of the UK singles chart. Their latest album, "Only Revolutions," reached #8 in the UK chart and went gold within days of its release in 2009, later going platinum in 2010 and became nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. Even though, Simon Neil does most of the vocals, all three band members contribute to vocal duties. The band is best known for using complex and interwoven guitar riffs, unusual time signatures and chord sequences and melodies that often change throughout songs, and not to forget about their great presence on the stage.

Mann Music Center:

Headliner: Pavement

Opening Act: Kurt Vile

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$37.50

After years of speculation, veteran indie rockers Pavement are back on the stage with the lineup of Mark Ibold, Scott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West reuniting for dates around the world in 2010. They are touring to support their newly released compilation album entitled "Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement." Pavement made their mark when post-punk turned into alternative rock. When their first EP, "Slay Tracks" (1933-1969), was released in 1989, it sparked a back-to-the-garage movement in the American underground. While there were a number of hardcore and punk bands in the U.S. during the late '80s, Pavement brought guitar pop back into the underground lexicon. Combining ringing guitar hooks with mumbled, cryptic lyrics and a D.I.Y. aesthetic borrowed from post-punk, the band simultaneously sounded traditional and modern.

Saturday, September 18th

Susquehanna Bank Center:

Headliner: Rascal Flatts

Opening Act: Kellie Pickler / Chris Young

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$44.85 - Lawn; $88.15 - $116.15

This popular country trio are known to always open up their shows with a loud bang playing one of the many fan favorites. Their fist pumping country blasts gets any corwd riled up to start and end the night off. Their shows promises to take fans through a musical journey through their multi platinum selling albums. They definitely are all about the music and less of the talking and that’s what they show. Expect hit songs including "Bless The Broken Road", "Me and My Gang", "What Hurts the Most", "Here Comes Goodbye", "These Days", "Life is a Highway", "Feels Like Today" and many more. For anyone who has never seen Rascal Flatts in concert before - definitely check out a show.

2010 MTV Video Music Award Winners

2010-09-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

There were a lot of jeers, cheers and talks about Kanye West's interruption of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech in last year’s awards during this year’s 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, but happy to report Taylor made it through her performance with only applause interrupting her. The night belonged to Hip-Hop and Pop with Eminem and Lady Gaga dominated ownership of the MoonMen. So it was time to let bygones be bygones and the show offered a handful of trophies that felt less meaningful than ever, as viewers held their breath for a potential act of contrition from Kanye West. Although, the draw of the VMAs is the wacky frisson of having pop’s A-list all squished into one auditorium and hoping they fight, make out or both.

Proving that MTV's Video Music Awards is not your typical awards show, show producers chosen carpet for the VMAs was white. Any celebrity who walked and gave their strut onto the white carpet took a back seat to the woman who owned the night - Lady Gaga. Her over-the-top gowns (most designed by the late Alexander McQueen) and coordinating headpieces, not only made her presence known in the world of fashion, she also cleaned up with multiple wins. She won Video of the Year, Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Best Collaboration with Beyonce. In a rare moment, a designer was mentioned in an acceptance speech; Lady Gaga thanked McQueen for supplying clothing for her videos. Perhaps the only thing that rivaled Lady Gaga's get-ups were the elaborate onstage sets. And maybe, just maybe,

Kayne West's red suit.

Justin Bieber made his VMA debut with an outdoor performance in front of hundreds of screaming girls. Kim Kardashian introduced the JB’s performance by joking about her inappropriate crush on the young star. Did you happen to catch JB as he flailed away inexplicably at a silver drum kit and a drumstick went flying from his hands. Pop-R&B's reigning prince, Usher, came and took over the stage shortly after his buddy Bieber and of course put his dance moves to good use to get the the audience dancing in their seats!

Other memorable performances of the evening included Florence and the Machine's beautiful and impressive vocal performance of “Dog Days are Over” and Taylor Swift’s performance. Opening with a video recap of Kanye interrupting her acceptance speech last year, Taylor then dressed as a 1920’s pin-up girl to sing a new song from her "Speak Now" album. Swift premiered a new tune of her own with lyrics clearly directed at the rapper, and none of them naughty. “Thirty-two is still growing up,” the country-pop princess squeaked, wearing her most serious face. “Who you are is not what you did. You’re still an innocent.” Mary J. Blige and Swizz Beatz helped Drake give his first VMA performance of his song “Fancy.” New sensations B.o.B, Bruno Mars Hayley Williams and Paramore gave a long montage of favorite hits from this year. Lincoln Park even gave a remote performance at the Griffith Observatory. Gaga announced the name of her new album, "Born This Way" and Kanye wrapped up the show by performing his song, “Last Call.”

Here are the List of Categories, Nominees and WINNERS:

Best Female Video:

“Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga **WINNER**
“Tik Tok” – Ke$ha
“California Gurls” – Katy Perry
“Video Phone (extended remix)” – Beyonce feat. Lady Gaga
“Fifteen” – Taylor Swift

Best Male Video:

“Airplanes” – B.o.B. feat. Hayley Williams
“Find Your Love” – Drake
“Not Afraid” – Eminem **WINNER**
“In My Head” – Jason Derulo
“OMG” – Usher feat. will.i.am

Best New Artist:

Broken Bells, “The Ghost Inside”
Jason Derulo, “In My Head”
Justin Bieber feat. Ludacris, “Baby” **WINNER**
Ke$ha, “Tik Tok”
Nicki Minaj feat. Sean Garrett, “Massive Attack”

Best Pop Video:

“Nothing on You” – B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars
“Video Phone (extended remix)” – Beyonce feat. Lady Gaga
“California Gurls” – Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg
“Tik Tok” – Ke$ha
“Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga **WINNER**

Best Dance Video:

“Evacuate the Dancefloor” – Cascada
“Sexy Chick” – David Guetta feat. Akon
“I Like It” – Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull
“Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga **WINNER**
“OMG” – Usher feat. will.i.am

Best Rock Video:

“Kings and Queens” – 30 Seconds to Mars **WINNER**
“Dog Days Are Over” – Florence + the Machine
“Flash Delirium” – MGMT
“Uprising” – Muse
“Ignorance” – Paramore

Best Hip-Hop Video:

“Airplanes” – B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams
“Forever” – Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem
“Not Afraid” – Eminem **WINNER**
“On To The Next One” – Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz
“Pursuit of Happiness” – Kid Cudi feat. MGMT & Ratatat

Best Collaboration:

3OH!3 feat. Ke$ha, “My First Kiss”
B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams, “Airplanes”
Beyonce feat. Lady Gaga, “Video Phone (extended remix)” **WINNER**
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”
Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce, “Telephone”

Video of the Year:

“Kings and Queens” – 30 Seconds to Mars
“Airplanes” – B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams
“Not Afraid” – Eminem
“Dog Days Are Over” – Florence + the Machine
“Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga **WINNER**
“Telephone” – Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce

New Music : September 07, 2010 - September 13, 2010

2010-09-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

Interpol "Interpol"
The long awaited new album from the New York City indie favorites. Though their cover art leaves for a lot of raised eye brows and WTF remarks, the album cannot simply be judged by its outside looks. Mixed by Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails, the Killers, Placebo), the band's fourth full-length finds them back on indie label Matador and sounding more focused than on 2007's "Our Love to Admire." Completed before the departure of longtime bassist Carlos Dengler, the New York combo's new collection includes "Lights," a brooding anthem that builds at an almost agonizingly slow pace toward its dramatic climax, and the peppier, pulsating "Lights." The good news is, Interpol remain better and are more than capable of delivering another devastating album.

Sara Bareilles "Kaleidoscope Heart"
There's always something about this lady with Francophonic name and the vocals soothing enough to put the most restless of all animals to bed for a while. Regardless, after spending nearly three years touring in support of her major-label debut "Little Voice," which spawned the 2007 pop smash "Love Song," the 30-year-old singer, pianist and songwriter is back with a slew of new originals. Diehard fans have already heard several of these tunes via a series of making-of Internet shorts that documented the recording process, including "Uncharted," "Gonna Get Over You" and "Bluebird." And the punchy, independent-minded "King of Anything," peppered with handclap accents and toots of brass, is as insanely catchy as "Love Song," while sounding distinct in its own right.

Robyn "Body Talk, Pt. 2"
Diminutive Swedish pop diva Robyn is dropping the second installment of her promised trilogy of EPs. This album actually starts out in a more cohesive manner than its idiosyncratic predecessor (which spawned the dance hit "Dancing On My Own"), with slick electro ditties like "Love Kills" that make you wonder what all the fuss over La Roux is about. But as the superlative eight-song set progresses, our heroine gradually gets her freak on. Diplo lends an assist on the jittery "Criminal Intent," while Snoop Dogg trades verses with her on "U Should Know Better," and between those two tracks, Robyn definitely seems like a lady you wouldn't want to piss off. Elsewhere, "We Dance to the Beat" features some of the most oddball lyrics we've heard on a club-banger in ages, while the "acoustic" rendition of "Indestructible" swathes the singer in a bed of lush strings.

The Weepies "Be My Thrill"
This Los Angeles husband-and-wife duo of Deb Talan and Steve Tannen have always made kid-friendly music—the kind of record you buy because you enjoy it and kids can sing along in the backseat. They haven’t always been this chipper; they wrote much of their last record when they desperately wanted to have a baby, and the songs were shaded by loneliness and longing. It was called Hideaway, named after a song about how even the stars sometimes can’t bear to emerge. They finally became parents between the time they made Hideaway and released it, so even though their world had changed, they spent the last few years performing songs they’d written a lifetime ago. The new mom and dad were probably happier than their music sounded—and all that contained joy had to explode at some point—which brings us to this new album. The first track is just what you’d expect from a band called The Weepies—a simple waltz with wistful lyrics clearly enunciated by Talan’s sugary voice. Between the handclaps and lyrics like “We hold hands while we work and play / And hope tomorrow is a sunny day,” the ridiculously catchy “Hope Tomorrow” could be the theme song to a PBS Kids show.

Jerry Lee Lewis "Mean Old Man"
When it comes to being a badass, rockabilly icon Jerry Lee Lewis is on the top of the list. At a young 74 years of age, the man responsible for such incendiary hits as "Great Balls of Fire" and "Breathless" follows up his 2006 comeback "Last Man Standing" with "Mean Old Man." In addition to a title tune penned by the legendary Kris Kristofferson, the disc also features a roster of guests that makes Carlos Santana look positively friendless: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, Slash, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, John Mayer, John Fogerty and Jon Brion. And that's just on the standard, 10-song edition. Pick up the deluxe package, and you'll find eight more tunes, featuring contributions by Merle Haggard, Shelby Lynne, Gillian Welch, Solomon Burke, Mavis Staples, Robbie Robertson, and Nils Lofgren. With almost any other artist, we'd be worried about the star getting lost in the shuffle, but Lewis has rarely had trouble finding—and holding—the spotlight.

Helmet "Seeing-Eye Dog"

It's been four years since their last record. The musical landscape has continued to change, but so has HELMET. With their seventh studio album from their label, Work Song, Helmet hopes to emerge their army of fans to support their leader once more. While this new album may not fully capture the same vibe as the band's earlier works, it's easily the best album to bear their name and above all it offers something new mixed with the old. What it proves is that at age 50, Page Hamilton can run rings around youngsters who weren't even born when most of their albums were yet to be released.One could easily over-praise the album. There's an ambiance with their album that likely stems from Hamilton's film work. Don't expect this to be rocked up and transformed, as it's a pretty straight-forward and sounds like nothing else in the Helmet catalog. Their familiar fury doesn't arrive until a few songs in. Throughout the album, when the vocals kick in from long intros, it's Page's vocals that bring you back to the song's roots and emotions.

Stonesour "Audio Secrecy"
The album title is a play on the term "idiosyncrasy," for the third studio full-length by this heavy metal crew from Iowa. The alt-metal quintet, which features vocalist Corey Taylor and guitarist Jim Root (both of Slipknot) and drummer Roy Mayorga (formerly of Soulfly), garnered Grammy Award nominations for Best Metal Performance two years in a row with selections from their previous record, "Come What(ever) May." Once again working with producer Nick Raskulinecz, Stone Sour recorded the album at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tenn., during the city's historic flood earlier this year, which only heighted the emotional intensity of the performances; Taylor has described the disc as both darker and more melodic than their earlier work.

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

Dick Dale: "Guitar Legend: The Very Best of Dick Dale"
Bachman & Turner: "Bachman & Turner"
Film School: "Fission"

Top Events To Check Out, SO FAR, In The Fall of 2010

2010-09-09T05:27:00.000-07:00

September usually means packing up to go to college, going back to school, moving back into the regular working routine and doing away from the summer get away...for the time being. But just because the great weather has ended, even though it was the hottest of record, the fun and excitement doesn't have to end there. We've named a few top events going on this fall to get you motivated and get back in to the full swing of crispy air, scarves and heavy sweaters. Chronologically ordered, too:

1. HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME!

'Glee's' Britney Spears episode

Warm up those vocal cords. 'Glee' returned for the fall this week on Sept. 7. This season, Carol Burnett will play Sue Sylvester's mom and Britney Spears will guest-star in an episode.

2. LA FEMME FATALE
Maggie Q of the CW's 'Nikita' dials up the danger (Sept. 9)

It's hard to avoid the accident provoking and scintillating billboards featuring Maggie Q as Nikita. The actress is kicking butt and taking names in the reboot of the 'Nikita' franchise, where she stars as a rogue assassin set on taking down the secret U.S. agency that recruited then ultimately betrayed her. The series is flashy fun but Maggie Q steals the show. She's tough as nails in a pair of Jimmy Choos.

3. RAP SMACK-DOWN

Jay-Z and Eminem at Yankee Stadium (Sept. 13 and 14)
It's the rap faceoff of all time: New York's finest (Jay-Z) vs. Detroit's craziest (Eminem), in a concert/showdown at the House That Ruth Built. Expect this doubleheader to be as heavy-hitting as the ultimate subway series. It's sure to fire up fans of music and baseball just in time for the playoff season.

4. A KILLER GOES ROGUE

Brandon Flowers' 'Flamingo' (Sept. 14)

The Killers' lead singer Brandon Flowers is releasing his first solo album this fall, but he has no intention of breaking up one of the most popular neo-new wave bands of the last decade. Flowers does, however, take some creative leaps on the CD, broadening his sound while also sporting more of the kind of metrosexual looks that earned him GQ's 'Most Stylish Man' award this year. Expect music that's just as natty.

5. 'WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS(Sept. 24th)
Michael Douglas and Oliver Stone bank again on greed, guts and Gordon Gekko – and make this season's hottest New York movie. It's been a long time since Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas, of course) was a hot commodity. But he's out of prison – just before the crash of 2008 – and wheelin' and dealin' again in Oliver Stone's rich-looking sequel, the big-event movie of the fall. Gekko has a new acolyte (Shia LaBeouf), a new adversary (Josh Brolin) and a daughter (Carey Mulligan) who rejects her dad's evil ways. But this is a devil we know, ready again for an insider trade – what better place for him to stalk than Wall Street.

6. FRIENDING THE FACEBOOK MOVIE

'The Social Network' (Oct. 1)

According to this drama, Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg) founded Facebook because he was lonely. Eisenberg himself is still best known as an interesting indie actor, but depending on the status of David Fincher's hugely-hyped biopic, his friend list could soon include a guy named Oscar. Audiences are already buzzing about the arresting poster images. We foresee a lot of "Likes" for this one.

7. ROCKER RETURNS TO REALITY TV

'Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It' (Oct. 11)

Last spring, Bret Michaels had an appendectomy, survived a brain hemorrhage and then won 'Celebrity Apprentice 3.' The rocker dated dozens of ladies on 'Rock of Love,' and now we'll get a glimpse at his family life in 'Life As I Know It,' airing on VH1. It follows Michaels' hectic life on the road and his return to the compound where his daughters Raine and Jorja live with their mother, Kristi Gibson. Michaels said recently he's considering marrying Gibson, his longtime on-and-off girlfriend.

8. LEGEND OF THE FALL

Kid Cudi, 'Man On the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager' (Oct. 26)

Kid Cudi, hip hop's boy wonder, released his critically acclaimed debut album, 'Man on the Moon: The End of Day,' and continues his spitfire storytelling with his sophomore effort, 'Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.' Under the wing of mentor Kanye West, the precocious 26-year-old collaborates with rap heavyweights such as Snoop Dogg and Pharrell along with indie favorites like Ratatat and Chip Tha Ripper.

9. TAYLOR-MADE FOR HITS

Taylor Swift 'Speak Now' (Oct. 26th)

When Taylor Swift speaks, millions listen. In fact, nearly six million did just long enough to make her last album, 'Fearles' 2009's top selling disc. So why shouldn't Swift title her new one, 'Speak Now'? Especially since she wrote every song on it herself for the first time, and fashioned it as a 'concept album' in which each piece offers a confession to a different person in her life. That should keep the gossip about this disc every bit as hot as its sales.

10. TWO PLAYERS: 166 KEYS

Elton John and Leon Russell 'Union' (Oct. 26th)

Two pianos are better than one. This fall a pair of the best-known ivory tinklers in pop, Elton John and Leon Russell, will team to release their first-ever joint project, titled - what else? - 'Union.' If that's not enough the disc also features cameos by Neil Young, Brian Wilson, and Booker T. Jones. Considering Leon was one of Elton's first role-models, it's no wonder the disc rocks with such passion.

11. POP'S LATEST IDOL

Lee DeWyze's first major-label CD (Oct. 26)

True, everyone yawned over 'American Idol' this year. But that couldn't shake it from its perch as the nation's most-watched TV show. While winner Lee DeWyze may not have been Mr. Personality, he earned enough love to beat everyone else in the competition, so clearly he's got something going on. This fall, the raspy-voiced singer will release his not-yet-titled, major-label debut, which, if nothing else, should reveal if winning 'AI' still matters as much as what has been the biggest point of interest: who will be the next Simon.

12. THE KING RETURNS

Michael Jackson's 'new' CD (November)

Even death can't silence the King of Pop. In early November, Sony will pry open the vaults to release 11 never-before-heard songs from the late icon on a disk yet to be titled. Some have already cried blasphemy, including the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am. But fans will no doubt find any new music from their hero a thrilla.

13. THE BAD MAN'S REVENGE

Kanye West 'Dark Twisted Fantasy' (Nov. 16th)
For his long awaited step back into the limelight, Kanye West is going to have a lot to prove, following his MTV boner of last year, not to mention his previous CD, which forsook his forte of rap for an arty electro experiment. For West's new album, forbiddingly titled 'Dark Twisted Fantasy,' he swears he's done with all that. It's a return to hard hip-hop beats and sweet soul samples. Given hot guest stars like Drake, Jay-Z and Beyonce, the bad man of rap may pull off a tricky comeback.

14. THE WILDEST AND CRAZIEST GUYS IN TOWN

'The Pee-Wee Herman Show' (Nov. 11) and 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' (Oct. 13)

One's a fictional goofball who talks to his chair, the other's a real-life maverick President called Old Hickory. So what do Pee-Wee and Andrew have in common? They're both American icons that exemplify arrested adolescence. Each man also takes an emotional journey in his show.

15. MAGIC'S DARKEST HOUR

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I' (Nov. 19)
The seventh, and last, book in J.K. Rowling's smash series was so monumental, it can only be told in two films, so hence comes the penultimate Potter movie, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I'. With director David Yates and his nicely maturing cast returning, we can expect plenty of big-screen magic as Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) plans to face down Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). But be prepared for a little torture, too: You'll have to wait until July 2011 for the explosive finale.

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: September 8th

2010-09-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

Kung Fu Necktie:

Headliner: Thomas Functions

Opening Act: Party Photographers / Moon Women / Bad Cop

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$10

These guys from Alabama promise to make a good impression on new listeners and fans of their music and shows. Josh, Philip and Zach are in town to bring about their rough cut sounds of rock, pop, soul and shoegaze with a bit of Jackson Brown's influence. The Thomas Functions have rarely been thought of, but that all might change with their shows.

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Balmorea

Opening Act: Mountains

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$10

This group consists of a beautiful combination of neo-classical strings and chamber-rock music that make them sound like scene leaders. They come congregating together to create a good symposium of folk elements - i.e. banjos and acoustic guitars. They blend in beautifully with more formal instrumentation. They convey themselves as both instantly accessible and tirelessly rewarding, with vague and mysterious vocal emissions further adding colour to their already vibrant mix and there's enough going on here to give the group its own enjoyable place with their music. Their instrumental focus is well heard of especially live, their commitment absolutely precise and yet varied arrangement works as its own composition for their albums and performances. In their shows, you'll find elements of full-on drone and dramatic atmospherics with their quick piano parts over a low bass pulse feeling like the pace of a slow shanty before breaking into suddenly portentous keyboard.

North Star Bar:

Headliner: Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social

Opening Act: Moneybrother / John Olmstead Band

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$12

This New York City front man, guitarist, singer/songwriter is back to his hard-riffing best, a literate rock n'roller to the tips of his Cuban heels. The genuine article in an age dominated by phonies. After three critically acclaimed solo records, dozens of world tours and TV appearances, Jesse Malin found himself back in New York City questioning his next move. From his days fronting seminal hardcore trio Heart Attack and infamous glam punks D Generation, then seven years on the road as a solo artist, Malin had cultivated a devout fan base. Hard to believe that here was a time for over a year he didn’t play or record. Over the summer of 2009, in the basement of Avenue A watering hole Hi-Fi, the songs came forth. Malin, with impresario Don DiLego, drummer Randy Schrager, guitarist Matt Hogan, and bassist/DJ Tommy USA, worked with his newly formed band to bash out an album’s worth of gritty anthems, and The St. Marks Social was born. A solid band, but one with an open door to Malin’s community of musician friends - longtime partner in crime Ryan Adams, pop singer Mandy Moore, fellow label mate Brian Fallon, and former bandmates from D Generation Howie Pyro and Danny Sage.

Trocadero:

Headliner: Dirty Projectors

Opening Act: Owen Pallett

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$17

This Brooklyn-based experimental rock band is composed of Dave Longstreth - lead vocals along with Amber Coffman - vocals, guitar, Angel Deradoorian - vocals, keyboard, samples, guitar, bass, Brian McOmber - drums, Nat Baldwin - bass, and Haley Dekle - vocals. In 2002 Dave released "The Graceful Fallen Mango" under his own name, but a year later he reintroduced his experimental rock project as "Dirty Projectors,” a moniker he's kept longer than any particular lineup. Longstreth and a revolving cast of collaborators have since released four full lengths, multiple compilations and EPs: From The Getty Address’s electro-infused Don Henley-themed opera to Rise Above's rewriting of Black Flag's Damaged from memory (grafting of African musical ideas to punk rock fantasies), Longstreth has, forged his own path with authority and an inexhaustible urgency with the groups and sounds he has created.

World Cafe Live:

Headliner: Tortoise

Opening Act: Greg Davis / Ben Vida / Grimace Federation

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$25; $35

From their humble beginnings a few decades back, Tortoise has been known as a group that resists easy metaphors and analogies. They can be described as having a sound of their own and no one else's. Twenty years after its founding, the band's signature and singularly inimitable sound—a fluid intersection of dub, dance, jazz, techno, rock, and classical minimalism, with no part overwhelming or dominating the whole—remains an American and international original. Even more unusually, they seem to have arrived at their sound with almost no apprenticeship to speak of; to judge from their early singles and albums alone, they seem to have come into being with their musical identity and DNA fully formed, like Athena from the forehead of Zeus. Tortoise remains unique in the world of contemporary music for their boundless intellectual curiosity, their unmistakable compositional voice, and their synthesis of seemingly contradictory sound worlds far from their doorstep.

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: September 3rd

2010-09-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

First Unitarian Church:
Headliner: The Breeders
Opening Act: Hot Guts
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
Tickets:$20

Back in the 1990's, The Breeder's were one of alternative rock's most promising bands. Conceived initially as a way for Pixies bassist Kim Deal and Throwing Muses guitarist Tanya Donelly to let out some suppressed creative energy and take a break from being the second bananas in each of their main bands. Deal and Donelly both played guitar, leaving bass for Josephine Wiggs of Perfect Disaster. Taking their name from the group Deal led with her twin sister, Kelley, in their teens, the Breeders combined the spareness of Throwing Muses with the shifting dynamics and warped pop sensibilities of the Pixies. Soon after recording an album and an EP, Donelly left the Breeders to form her own group, Belly. Kim Deal brought in her sister Kelley as her replacement. 1992 also saw the group play its first high-profile gigs, opening for Nirvana on their European tour. In the summer of 1993, with the sonic collage of "Cannonball," the Breeders had a crossover hit that catapulted the group into stardom; within a year, the band had a prime spot on 1994's Lollapalooza tour which confirmed them as a quirky, artistically willful group that was nevertheless in tune with the commercial pop tastes of the early '90s. Just as quickly as success hit the band, the Breeders went on a sudden hiatus, partly due to exhaustion from the rapid nature of their fame and from their extensive touring. Though the Breeders' break was supposed to be temporary, it ended up lasting far longer than the band or its fans could have expected.It wasn't till 2008 that The Breeders would release another album - "Mountain Battles" on the 4Ad label.

North Star Bar:

Headliner: Arrah & The Ferns

Opening Act: Wissahickon Chicken Shack / Lady / Funkslaw

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$8

With their catchy sing-along chorus hooks paired with unpretentiously ironic and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, it results in a guilt-free pop listening experience equally suited to chilling out to. They were first conceived by way of an open mic that new-found friends Arrah Fisher and Carl Stovner signed up for in 2005. They didn't have any songs written but thought they'd play covers or something really cool. However, lightning struck fingertips and songs were born from anxious little hearts of 20-year-olds. They knew this rad drummer, Dave Segedy, who also happened to be in high school at the time, and they asked him to practice one day. They played one song together, and the rest was history. The three signed to a label (Standard Recording), released their debut album, "Evan is a Vegan," in 2006, and completed a successful first national tour. In 2007, the trio became a quartet with the addition of bassist, Joey Patrick. The four began writing new material and in December 2007, they started recording their sophomore album, "All the Bad In One Place." In the midst of recording and planning the release, unexpected events led the band to one massive fork in the road. And in the best interest of all parties, separate ways were taken. Arrah and the Ferns played their last show in May of 2008. Arrah and Carl moved to Philly shortly after the disbanding to continue making music. In May of 2010, Arrah and Carl announced that they were to finish and release the sophomore album they started over two and a half years before. Joining them in their new live band and as the new "ferns" are Jay Chuong, Buddy Szczesniak and Ryan Belski.

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Lou Barlow

Opening Act:Wye Oak

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9:30pm

Tickets:$12

Indie long-timer Lou Barlow is best known as the bassist for fuzz-rock legends Dinosaur Jr. and the frontman for Sebadoh. Lately, Barlow has been touring with the Missingmen (Tom Watson on guitar and Raul Morales on drums), who previously backed Mike Watt. Today, Merge released = Sentridoh III (as in "Lou Barlow + the missingmen = Sentridoh III), an EP that Barlow recorded with the Missingmen.
Barlow and the missingmen will spend their summer touring adding Philly to their stops. They play a string of shows with Baltimore slowcore duo Wye Oak.

World Cafe Live:

Headliner: Marina and the Diamonds

Opening Act: Young The Giant

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$21 - $28

Marina is making the pop scene and sound cooler than it has ever been. No revelations there. Somewhat ironic perhaps though that the jewel in this new crown of credibility gut - laughs in the face of any notion of 'cool'. Marina (and The Diamonds) Diamandis is living, breathing, belting, vogue-ing proof of the unfathomable possibilities contained within organic pop in 2010. Her careless attitude towards her genre and the way she expresses it through her lyrics and songs are something to be an inspiration to some of the Pop Princesses out there. She's the complete songwriter/performer: 50% Greek, 50% Welsh and 100% frolicking fairytale creature. A girl with virtually no musical schooling, for whom heart scorching choruses miraculously seem to appear at the tips of her fingers with each preposterous limb fling. A voice that both lures sailors to shores and wards ships from rocks. She's definitely got next!!

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: September 2nd

2010-09-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

North Star Bar:

Headliner: Today Is The Day

Opening Act: Death Beds / Towers / Bubonic Bear

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$12

The charismatic cult leader, Steve Austin, leads bassist Ryan Jones (Wetnurse) and drummer Curran Reynolds (Wetnurse) in this present day's version of Today Is The Day. They have been one of the most unique and influential bands of the past 15 years. Their brand of metal, noise, psychedelia, and rock have earned the band worldwide acclaim. They've toured the world with the likes of Motorhead, Melvins, Morbid Angel, Converge, Napalm Death, and Neurosis and has released eight studio albums on labels including Amphetamine Reptile, Relapse, and SuperNova. They are renowned for being proud noisemakers with brutal blues-rock and completely disfigures it with a noise-rock auteur, Austin, known as much for his off-kilter, damaging riffs and vocals as for his soaring David Gilmour leads.

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Ursula Rucker

Opening Act: NONE LISTED

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$10

As a poet and performance artist, Ursula Rucker has enchanted critics and fans across the globe with her diverse repertoire, captivating vocals and accessible poetic verse. Critics have compared Ursula to celebrated writers like Sonia Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni. The Roots have called on her to proved their album, "Do You Want More?!!?!!," with a spoken word contribution to fit the bill. “The Unlocking”, which closed the album, introduced Ursula to the world of progressive hip-hop and led to subsequent invitations to close The Roots follow-up albums "Iladelph Halflife" and "Things Fall Apart." Ursula has brought her words to venues including Montreaux Jazz Festival, Winter Music Conference, Painted Bride Art Center, and World Café Live. She has toured with Jamaaladeen Tacuma, SYLK130, and 4 HERO in the United States and Europe.

World Cafe Live:

Headliner:

Opening Act: Eilen Jewell

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$30; $40

Their music is often described as a mix of different American music's blues, country, rock'n'roll, pop, folk and R&B and in each strand. Band leader, Dave Alvin insists on keeping up with "California Style" music. His favorite blues, for example, is the West Coast scene that coalesced around Big Joe Turner and T-Bone Walker after World War II. Dave's favorite country music is the Bakersfield Sound of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. His favorite R&B is the South Central L.A. scene of Jesse Belvin, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Richard Berry and the Calvanes. His favorite folk songwriters are the California heirs of Woody Guthrie's years there's Kate Wolf, Jim Ringer, Mary McCaslin, Rosalie Sorrels and Tom Russell. His favorite pop-rock songwriters are the chroniclers of California's collision of sun-tanned hopes and film-noir disappointments' Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Brian Wilson and Stan Ridgway. He'll be bringing his "West Coast" sounds to the east at the Philly pit stop.

Theater of the Living Arts:

Headliner:

Opening Act: Donnis / XV / 2AM Club / DJ Benzi / Dephonic

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets: $15

This up and coming Philly alternative hip hop band consists of Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege, a.k.a. Proto,and Noah Beresin, better known as Xaphoon Jones.At 19 years of age each, this duo met at Drexel University and composed a sound based on the fusion of hip hop and unique sample choices from alternative influences such as Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens, Passion Pit, and MGMT. The two have gained a following in the underground among music bloggers and local college students. Their first free mixtape, entitled "The Swelly Express," was debut on November 2009 and presented the story of the group's experiences trying to break into the music industry. As with most of their successes, the mixtape quickly gained popularity online and in January 2010 the group signed a record deal with EMI. Their first commercial single, "Opposite of Adults", which samples the Brooklyn group MGMT's 'Kids' was released on February 21, 2010 in the UK and reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. They have a studio album slated for release this month.

Kung Fu Necktie:

Headliner:

Opening Act: Stockpile / Unrest / Secret Cutter

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets: $8

This hardcore metal band from the Miami / Gainesville area of Florida are coming to tear a hole through the walls of Kung Fu Necktie. The 4 piece, grindcore band composed of David Smith - vocals, Rick Smith - drums, Jonathan Nunez - guitar and Eric Hernandez - bass create one of the most abrasive sounding bands ever and are bringing that sound to completely rock out the city.

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: September 1st

2010-09-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

Rittenhouse Square Park:

Headliner: The Homophones

Opening Act: Government Cheaze / Post Post

Show: 6pm

Tickets: FREE!!

These guys could be the next reincarnation of a lo-fi Smiths... or could they be a hi-fi Beat Happening? There's something familiar, comfortable and charming about the way Jason Ferraro's luxurious baritone vocals rest on those lightly marching snares and strumming acoustics. And when the backing vocals chime in, and the synths emerge from the shadows, The Homophones can lead you somewhere really artsy.

North Star Bar:

Headliner: The Reign of Kindo

Opening Act: Dinner and A Suit / Great Pile of Leaves / Trevor Gordon Hall

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm

Tickets:$10

Amazing vocals pouring over groovy, jazzy beats with intertwining guitars and piano blend to create an amazing sound. Rare is it to find modern music that pinpoints the middle ground between a respect for past greats and a boldness to pave tomorrow - quite modestly, the definition of The Reign of Kindo. The group cites influences from Dave Brubeck to Ben Folds to Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto to John Mayer that's crafted to blend such diverse influences into an identity so refreshing, unique, and universally personable. Their sound that is like that of veteran musicians who are about 40 and have been playing their instruments since they were one. Ultimately, when listening to them, one would get a wonderful blend of tracks that encapsulate a world that disappears when the rhythm and chords fill the ears, providing the audience with the best musical escapism.

New Music : August 31, 2010 - September 6, 2010

2010-09-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Ryan Bingham "Junky Star"

Ryan is know to have one of those gravelly, lived-in voices that belies his tender years - He's not even 30. He has plenty of stories to tell and a persuasive style of delivery. Recorded with his trio, the Dead Horses, his latest to date was produced by T Bone Burnett, who previously collaborated with Bingham on the soundtrack for "Crazy Heart," which won the emerging artist an Academy Award for Best Original Song, for "The Weary Kind." Highlights on Bingham's third long-player include the lurching "Strange Feelin' in the Air," the topical "Depression" and "All Choked Up Again," which ends the album with a dose of Stones-y swagger.

Sahara Smith "Myth of the Heart"

This Texas singer-songwriter creates songs mostly know for its Cinemascope-like wide-screen portraits of romantic passion, loneliness and unrequited love. Her richly impressive, intensely soulful voice tops off this debut album which quickly places this 21-year-old in the Emmylou Harris-Alison Krauss camp of country-rock singers of exquisite tastefulness. Her work with her eminently empathetic partner, producer Emile Kelman, who’s learned his lessons well studying under T Bone Burnett gives her songs plenty of sonic air in which to breathe, supporting her deeply felt takes on matters of the heart with painterly applications of yearning guitar and marrow-deep bass and drums.

Gerald Levert "The Best of Gerald Levert"

15 of of the late R&B crooner's greatest hits including 'Baby Hold On To Me,' 'I'd Give Anything,' 'Thinkin' Bout It,' and 'Taking Everything,' plus hits from his legendary groups, Levert and LSG. The album also features the never-before-released, Top 10 Urban AC single 'Can It Stay' and liner notes by Dr. Cornel West. Shortly before his death, Levert completed work on what would be his final album, In My Songs. The album was released on February 13, 2007. In June 2007, a book Gerald was working to complete entitled, I Got Your Back: A Father and Son Keep it Real About Love, Fatherhood, Family, and Friendship, was released. The book was initially planned as a tie-in for a Levert album of the same name. Levert was also working on a reality show in which he was losing weight along with 12 of his female fans, who were training with him at his palatial home.

Jenny & Johnny "I'm Having Fun Now"

As the title of the album may not showcases, a bulk of this record was made in Omaha, Neb., during the worst blizzard in over a century - not that you'd guess it from the bright textures and hook-laden pop melodies. Jenny Lewis and Johnny Rice combined, have made records with Rilo Kiley, the Watson Twins, and as a solo artists and singer-songwriters. They have been creatively and romantically involved for half a decade; Maybe that's why this project, though lighthearted, has some of the prickliness of a real day-to-day relationship. The album distinguishes itself from Lewis and Rice's solo effort with help from old friends Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes) and Pierre de Reeder (Rilo Kiley). It's been compared to classic AM radio fare but is really closer to the jangle pop of the 1980s -- bands like the Three O'Clock and Opal in L.A., Let's Active out of North Carolina, and the Chills. The album, inspired partially by the death of Johnny's mother in 2006, this solid set showcases an impressive lineup of players—including Lisa Germano, Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing), Glenn Kotche (Wilco) and Pat Sansone—performing quiet, haunting originals, like "Broken Promises" and "By Some Miracle."

Goo Goo Dolls "Something for the Rest of Us"

The new album from the perennial pop-rock band was produced by Tim Palmer (U2, Pearl Jam, David Bowie) with additional production by Butch Vig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, etc.) John Fields (Paul Westerberg, Jimmy Eat World) and the Goo Goo Dolls themselves. The result showcases more of the well-crafted songs and timeless lyrics that have been such an integral part of the band’s continuing success. Written and recorded over the past couple of years, the album delivers another dose of emotionally charged, well-crafted rock songs such as “Sweetest Lie,” “One Night,” and “Soldier.” With his songwriting, Rzeznik confronts some of the issues that have become part of many people’s everyday lives and addresses the disillusionment of the difficult period we live in. His writing does well in giving a voice to the emotional uncertainty that accompanies hard times. The follow up to their 2006 release, "Let Love In," which marked the Goo Goo Dolls’ 20th anniversary as a band.

Disturbed "Asylum"

Disturbed have grown and become a heavy rock sound all of their own since coming to the scene in 1996. Their last three albums—"Believe" (2002), "Ten Thousand Fists" (2005) and "Indestructible" (2008)—all entered the charts at No. 1. Now, their latest is "Asylum," but the hard-hitting Chicago quartet is quick to point out that the album title can be read more than one way: An asylum may be a facility for the insane, but it can also be a place of refuge. Likewise, several of the 12 new songs can be read on multiple levels, including lead single "Another Way to Die." Thematically, the song's about global warming and how the choices we make affect the planet that gives the group a new topic that will hopefully raise a little awareness.

Heart "Red Velvet Car"

Since their 1976 breakout debut, "Dreamboat Annie," the band Heart has sold over 30 million records worldwide. "Red Velvet Car" is Heart's second album since reforming in 2002, and finds them moving in a fresh direction, with an emphasis on acoustic timbres. The follow-up to "Jupiter's Darling" features guitar hero Nancy trying her hand at myriad instruments, including mandolin, dobro, banjo, fiddle, viola, cello and autoharp. The album was produced by acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Ben Mink (k.d. lang, Barenaked Ladies). Along with nine brand-new songs, the set also includes an alternate reading of "Sand," originally recorded by their side project the Lovemongers.

Richard Thompson "Dream Attic"

Not only is he lauded for his virtuoso playing and revered as a forefather of the folk-rock genre, but he's also won kudos as a songwriter, including the prestigious Ivor Novello Award. Like his best work, his new creation is sharp-tongued and poignant, incorporating everything from murder ballads ("Sidney Wells") to Beatles-esque pop ("Big Sun Falling in the River") and a scathing indictment of so-called too-big-to-fail banks ("The Money Shuffle"). The record is culled from a string of West Coast concerts from earlier this year, but the material is all new, and bristling with excitement.

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

New Idea Society "Somehow Disappearing"
Magic Kids "Memphis"

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: August 31st

2010-08-31T11:12:00.000-07:00

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Autolux

Opening Act: This Will Destroy You

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$13

This extraordinary rock band is made up of a kinetic sculpture producing pop music with strong experimental sounds of bright melodies and a dark sense of humor on top of sonic meltdowns that could be swirling clockwise at the outer edges or counter-clockwise toward the center. Founded in 1999 when they had just begun playing their first live shows. In their shows, you'll find them setting up their equipment and taking the stage with deliberation. As soon as Carla begins the heavy, stuttering Can-on-heroin beat to their song, “Turnstile Blues” and Eugene begins to sing “my thoughts take me downtown...” in a strange androgynous voice, the audience will come flocking in and everything will shift and fall apart into a powerful rush of dissonance and noise you'll ever hear. Of course, this will be followed by Greg’s drunken, slightly out-of-tune guitar melody. Within the first minute of the first song, you will know that you're witnessing the arrival of a unique and powerful new band.

World Cafe Live:

Headliner: Marty Stuart

Opening Act: Danielle DarrowTerrible

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$37.50

The legendary country musician makes a stop in the city tongiht, so make that extra effort to catch his show. Since starting out singing gospel as a child, the bluegrass stint with Lester Flatt in the ‘70s, the six years with Johnny Cash in the ‘80s, and coming up with his smash “hillbilly rock” hits of the ‘90s, the four time GRAMMY-winner, platinum recording artist, Grand Ole Opry star, country music memorabilia preservationist, stylist, designer, photographer, songwriter, all around renaissance man, charismatic force of nature, and (first of all, perhaps), leader of the extraordinary, versatile touring and recording band The Fabulous Superlatives, Marty Stuart has shown a showman’s zest for every conceivable flavor of country music. Not to mention, a missionary’s zeal for bringing the importance of the music and its themes home to long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Theater of Living Arts:

Headliner: Allstar Weekend

Opening Act: Dolphin Arcade / Somersault Sunday

Doors: 5:30pm / Show: 6pm

Tickets:$12

During their debut performance on national TV on Good Morning America, these guys were described by Robin Roberts as a mix of the Jonas Brothers and Blink-182. Hey, why not?!! Cameron, Michael, Nathan, and Zach make up this band of pop energy that could also get them in the same league as All American Rejects. Not only are their names almost closely related, but the two bands also have similar sounds and similar energetic shows. The one thing that separates these guys, aside from the lack of massive appeal - which is yet to come, is their upbringing through Disney. That always helps with the tweenie-bopper fans they're trying to build. Just ask Jonas Brothers and Hanna Montana. Its all screams as with any other Disney creation mixed in with easy riffs and catchy pop choruses to go with your french fries. Its small venues for now, but we see a huge stadium performance in these tweens' future.

New Line Up For Dancing With The Stars Season 11 - Fall 2010

2010-08-30T21:37:00.000-07:00

We're positive that people will probably be tuned to their tv's with the premiere of the new season of Dancing With The Stars this fall. This new line up of comedians, reality TV Stars, singers, TV and film actors, athletes and more will begin strutting their stuff on Monday Night, September 20th. Check out the line up and see who you'll be rooting for...

David Hasselhoff - The next Baywatch star to hit the DWTS dance floor. Following in the path that Pamela Anderson left, the "Hoff", although known for his old-time shows, has made himself stay popular with his fans by singing, appearing in commercials and movies, and as a judge on America's Got Talent

Kurt Warner - Another athlete contestant. Will he follow in the successful footsteps of his fellow NFL players Warren Sapp or Emmitt Smith?

Brandy - This R&B singer is out to prove that she still has the moves that accompanied most of her smash hits. She done plenty of projects outside of her music as a funny actress who appeared in Moesha, The Parkers, and House.

Florence Henderson - We were just counting down the time for when this was going to happen. America's favorite mother of six is hittin' DWTS to shake off the 60's and 70's and get in with this new century's moves.

Margaret Cho - This likable comedian best known for her stand-up routines will be holding the laughs until she gets on the dancefloor.

Mike "The Situation - As if the cast of the Jersey Shore weren't already everywhere, the reality TV star known as "The Situation" will be sweating and lifting his shirt up an awful lot this season. Some of the judges may have been offended with Maks ripping his shirt off, well they better be prepared for Mike to take some articles of clothing off as well.

Michael Bolton - This crooner known for many hit songs such as "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You", "Time, Love, & Tenderness", and "When A Man Loves a Woman" will be out to prove that he can be real smooth on the dance floor.

Jennifer Grey - Probably a close favorite to win or exit late. All because "nobody puts Baby in the corner." Jennifer already has proven to millions that she can be taught the forbidden dance as well as regular ballroom moves. Now she just has to do it all over again...sadly without the awesome Patrick Swayze.

Rick Fox - The NBA champion who was married to Vanessa Willams, will probably prove his pretty boy image can handle the dancefloor. This beauty should be quite interesting to watch.

Kyle Massey - Definitely a shoe-in to leave first or leave early. This young actor, best known for starring in the Disney Channel sitcom That's So Raven, may not have the star power to be voted to stick around even with good moves.

Audrina Patridge - The star of the hit show "The Hills" will be fighting for more than just audience approval of her dance moves. Haunted by a scandalous past, Audrina looks to redeem herself on DWTS.

Bristol Palin - This was probably the first casting for this season. Yet another contestant who made it, not from entertaining us through her performances, but entertaining the news media. Will the daughter of Alaska's most famous resident politician and mother follow in the footsteps of her fellow gossip maker, Kate Gosselin?

Winners List of the 62nd Emmy Awards

2010-08-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

If you missed the 62nd annual prime-time Emmy Awards that aired last night, don't worry, the recap of nominees and winners are below.

A year after producers tried in vain to overhaul the format of the awards telecast, there were no big changes this year, but there were some tweaks around the edges. Don Mischer, the show’s executive producer, said that Jimmy Fallon had “just thrown himself into this show,” and praised his ability to sing, dance and joke — while under the deadline pressure of live TV.

First off, the live show started with a musical skit. The beginning of the program was a showcase of what was to come from the uncanny and musically inclined Jimmy Fallon. The show was definitely not without a few dramatic series of its own.

For one, the prospect of Conan O’Brien winning an award on NBC’s airwaves — after being shown the door by the network after only seven months as host of “The Tonight Show” — added a delicious bit of drama to the awards show. Host, Jimmy Fallon, addressed that tension right away in the telecast, saying in the opening monologue: “NBC asking a late-night host to go to L.A. to host another show. What could possibly go wrong?” The control room cut to a close-up shot of Mr. O’Brien, who nodded to the camera. Mr. Fallon asked, “Too soon?”

As expected, much of the drama on Sunday revolved around the competition between “Glee,” a high school musical, and “Modern Family,” a multi-generational sitcom. See who won that competition...

NOMINEES AND WINNERS LIST

OUTSTANDING DRAMA

Lost
Breaking Bad
Dexter
**Mad Men**
True Blood
The Good Wife

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)
Mariska Hargitay (Special Victims Unit)
Glenn Close (Damages)
**Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)**
January Jones (Mad Men)
Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights)

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A DRAMA

Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights)
**Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)**
Hugh Laurie (House M.D.)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Matthew Fox (Lost)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA

John Slattery (Mad Men)
**Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)**
Martin Short (Damages)
Terry O’ Quinn (Lost)
Michael Emerson (Lost)
Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Sharon Gless (Burn Notice)
Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)
Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)
Rose Byrne (Damages)
**Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife)**
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Beau Bridges (The Closer)
Ted Danson (Damages)
**John Lithgow (Dexter)**
Alan Cumming ( The Good Wife)
Dylan Baker (The Good Wife)
Robert Morse (Mad Men)
Gregory Itzin (24)

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Mary Kay Place (Big Love)
Sissy Spacek (Big Love)
Shirley Jones (The Cleaner)
Lily Tomlin (Damages)
**Ann-Margret (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)**
Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost)

OUTSTANDING COMEDY

Glee
**Modern Family**
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Nurse Jackie
30 Rock
The Office

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

Lea Michele (Glee)
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Toni Collette (The United States of Tara)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
**Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)**
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A COMEDY

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Matthew Morrison (Glee)
Steve Carell (The Office)
**Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)**
Tony Shalhoub (Monk)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY

Chris Colfer (Glee)
Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family)
Jon Cryer (Two and A Half Men)
**Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)**
Ty Burrell (Modern Family)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

**Jane Lynch (Glee)**
Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)
Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)
Julie Bowen (Modern Family)
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)
Holland Taylor (Two and A Half Men)

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Mike O’Malley (Glee)
**Neil Patrick Harris (Glee)**
Fred Willard (Modern Family)
Eli Wallach (Nurse Jackie)
Jon Hamm (30 Rock)
Will Arnett (30 Rock)

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory)
Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives)
Kristin Chenoweth (Glee)
Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live)
**Betty White (Saturday Night Live)**
Elaine Stritch (30 Rock)
Jane Lynch (Two and a Half Men)

OUTSTANDING REALITY SHOW HOST

Ryan Seacrest (American Idol)
Phil Keoghan (The Amazing Race)
Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars)
Heidi Klum (Project Runway)
**Jeff Probst (Survivor)**

OUTSTANDING REALITY SHOW COMPETITION

Project Runway
**Top Chef**
The Amazing Race
Dancing with the Stars
American Idol

OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM

Antiques Roadshow
Dirty Jobs
**Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution**
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List
Mythbusters
Undercover Boss

VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES

The Colbert Report
**The Daily Show With Jon Stewart**
Real Time With Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live
The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien

MINISERIES OR MOVIE MINISERIES OR MOVIE

**The Pacific (HBO)**
Return to Cranford (PBS)

OUTSTANDING TV MOVIE

Endgame (PBS)
Georgia O’Keeffe (Lifetime)
Moonshot (History)
The Special Relationship (HBO)
**Temple Grandin (HBO)**
You Don’t Know Jack (HBO)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE

Michael Gambon (Emma)
Patrick Stewart (Hamlet)
Jonathan Pryce (Return To Cranford)
**David Strathairn (Temple Grandin)**
John Goodman (You Don’t Know Jack)

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE

Maggie Smith (Capturing Mary)
Joan Allen (Georgia O’Keeffe)
Dame Judi Dench (Return To Cranford)
Hope Davis (The Special Relationship)
**Claire Danes (Temple Grandin)**

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A MINSERIES OR A MOVIE

Jeff Bridges (A Dog Year)
Ian Mckellen (The Prisoner)
Michael Sheen (The Special Relationship)
Dennis Quaid (The Special Relationship)
**Al Pacino (You Don’t Know Jack)**

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

Glee - "Pilot"
**Modern Family - "Pilot"**
The Office - "Niagara"
30 Rock - "Anna Howard Shaw Day"
30 Rock - "Lee Marvin Vs. Derek Jeter"

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Friday Night Lights - "The Son"
The Good Wife - "Pilot"
Lost - "The End"
**Mad Men - "Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency"**
Mad Men - "Shut The Door. Have A Seat"

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL

The Pacific - "Part Eight"
The Pacific - "Part Ten"
The Special Relationship
Temple Grandin
**You Don't Know Jack**

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES

**The Colbert Report**

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Real Time With Bill Maher

Saturday Night Live

The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien

What Is Stealth Marketing and How Is It Affecting YOUR World ?

2010-08-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

You may need to tack on a little extra sense of awareness when you're out in public these days. Not only do you need to physically protect yourself from the millions of life-or-death instances that chance may take on your life or having to stay on top of the world around in order to be a step ahead, but these days, you need to have an even more keen eye, ear or mind to pay attention to what seem like routine occurrences happening around you. As if you needed another distraction. However, as with the old TV series, "Candid Camera," these types of occurrences have been around for a while, just more prevalent and in more areas. Here's what we mean.

Take the example of a beautiful, young actress hired by corporations of consumer products and brand companies. One job that she was particularly hired for has her stepping into a bar during its happy hour with the goal of flirting with a few well-dressed gentlemen. After a few minutes of the "routine" introductions and conversations, she gives over her new and shiny brand name cell phone so that the intrigued gentleman can hold it, feel it and, most importantly for him, put his number in. Little did he know, she just finished her job by having him interact with the brand name cell phone. The beautiful, persuasive young actress had done more than expected of her job when she leaves the bar with most of the gentlemen she interacted with not only feeling confident of their ability to attract gorgeous women, but also having first hand experience with a new gadget that they suddenly really needed to have. The actress was paid to flirt and be part of a covert ad campaign for a brand name cell phone company in order to drum up interest in smart phones by putting them in the hands of attractive, young and flirtatious women who push the product without the public's knowledge.

This is how most people, though unaware, are welcomed into the new world of trick or treat promotions called "Stealth Marketing". This practice has actually been present within the loose marketing community for a few years now, although with each passing year, there seems to be an emergence of some new sort of twisted promotion, enchanting ploy or puzzling scheme. One quite attempt actually caught the attention of the Federal Trade Commission.

Back in 2006, the FTC began investigating the practice of "stealth marketing", defining it as seeking to build product buzz through blogs, social media or word of mouth by quietly paying "ordinary" people to promote the product. This lead the FTC to eventually impose new rules in 2009 that require anyone writing about products and services online to disclose any financial connection with the sellers, including "payment in kind" of free products or other gifts. These rules also apply to public relations and advertising agencies hired by the seller. In a recent case against PR firm, Reverb Communications, a settlement was reached by both parties after the firm was accused for breaching the law. Reverb Communications was hired by iPhone game developers to promote the game offerings. The public relations agency then took on the role of having their employees post positive reviews of particular games and applications on the web and was paid for their reviews, which was looked upon as causing an influence, in the buying habits of consumers. This was also looked upon by the FTC as an infraction in which they levied a fine against Reverb Communications.

"Companies, including public relations firms involved in online marketing, need to abide by long-held principles of truth in advertising," said the director of FTC's Division of Advertising Practices, Mary Engle, during a statement in an article on the Ars Technica* website. She continues on in the article, stating, "advertisers should not pass themselves off as ordinary consumers touting a product, and endorsers should make it clear when they have financial connections to sellers." In their August 26th article, Ars Technica wrote the FTC investigation did confirm that paid employees of Reverb were posting positive reviews of games on the App Store "using account names that gave readers the impression the reviews were written by disinterested consumers." The same reviews did not reveal the fact that Reverb received a commission from game developers, and these positive reviews can often mean a big increase in sales on the App Store.

These same type of rules were applied long ago in the music industry when they banned radio stations from taking money to overplay new songs released by artists whose labels would shell out the payment.

The often marked unethical practice, also called undercover or buzz marketing, was actually brought into the movie industry spotlight with the release of the film entitled "The Joneses" bringing it to the big screen.

The dark comedy, staring David Duchovny and Demi Moore, is about a seemingly perfect family that is actually just a team of stealth marketers paid by brands to look perfect and push products onto their family, friends and neighbors.

"Stealth marketers probably believe they're providing a service because they are providing information on good products they believe in," the movie's writer and director, Derrick Borte, was quoted to saying in The New York Daily News.** He goes on to prove our point by stating "but I don't think there is a defined line for where it stops and starts. We have to be suspicious of every message we see from everywhere at this point."

For their part, companies choosing to do their marketing and branding in such a way know the risks of stealth marketing. They're fully aware of how these risks outweigh the benefits, but are still willing to take the chance that it might work if the product is a good product. They also must face up to the fact that ultimately the consumer is being tricked into believing a staged occurrence. This can potentially lead to consumer backlash as they do not like being deceived, and brands don't want to look bad.

Why might most marketing industry experts and consumers not view stealth marketing in a negative light? In a statement on the New York Daily News** website, Jason Van Trentlyon, president of Street Guerrilla Marketing states that "stealth marketing has a greater potential to make a more sincere impact on the public as opposed to a TV or billboard ad. People are inundated with so many blatant advertisements on TV and in magazines that they don't pay attention anymore. This is a way of creating buzz, and any buzz is good buzz."

For years now, a lot of brands have brought on this alternative type of marketing to their target consumers. Sony Ericsson was probably one of the first to step out and resulted in the launch of the most notorious stealth marketing campaign to date. When the company first came out with a camera phone in 2002, it hired actors in 10 cities to pretend to be tourists who would stop passersby and ask to have their photos taken. The campaign proved to be a success with attention it garnered from the media and most importantly, consumers. Wal-Mart got into the action using stealth tactics online when it set up Walmarting Across America — a fake blog that supposedly recounted one couple's trip across the U.S. in a camper van that they frequently parked in Wal-Mart parking lots. Other companies have also tried creating the same type of buzz by releasing undercover videos on YouTube. In 2007, a video purportedly showing an upset bride on her wedding day cutting off her hair went viral and was viewed almost 3 million times in two weeks. The video turned out to be an advertising stunt for Sunsilk hair care products, even though the product was never seen in the video.

The ultimate goal for all of these companies, all of these products and all of these marketing tactics is to get as much press as possible in a world full of potential consumers with short attention spans. If you are able to get the media's attention in which they focus on you in their print, radio, tv or web postings and if you are able to capture the attention of busy, distracted and on-the-go consumers without completely turning people off, then so much the better. For all you brand managers, Happy Selling. For all you consumers, Be Aware.

( Source: * Ars Technica/Law&Order Posting August 27, 2010 ; **nydailynews.com/april19,2010 )

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: August 27th

2010-08-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

First Unitarian Church:

Headliner: Envy On The Coast

Opening Act: Terrible Things / Loyal Divide

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$15

This alternative rock band from Long Island, New York just released their sophomore album "Lowcountry" in March of 2010. In the same year, they announced that, after 6 years, they will be hitting the stage one last time for a farewell tour. Made up of Ryan Hunter -vocals, guitar, drums, Sal Bossio - guitar, keys, vocals, Jeremy Velardi - bass, Brian Byrne - guitar and Dan Gluszak - drums who were former members of now-defunct Long Island bands - the pop-punk bands 3 Minute Warning and Kingston12, and the post-hardcore band Guilt Like Gravity. They'll be bringing their unique loud rock, post-punk, alternative sound to this unique venue, so catch them in their rare form for the last time.

Trocadero:

Headliner: Live Disaster

Opening Act: Honor / Linus Lullaby / For A Moment / Parkside Ave.

Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7pm

Tickets:$15

Live Set Disaster is a group of guys from outside of Philly, PA. Vince,Tim, Matt, Robb and Doug have created a brand of music that they can call their own. They've mixed together the rockin' sounds of genres like Punk, Hardcore, Reggae and Ska to completely harness something wicked for fans to listen and repeat listening to. With a no holds barred, don't give a "F" attitude and a complete disregard for everything around them, they press on to show you a world full of disrespect for the government and the value of friendship, while the world crumbles at their side.

North Star Bar:

Headliner: Tesco Vee's Hate Police

Opening Act: Common Enemy / Hellmouth / American Speedway

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$10

Born into a strict Christian reformed background, TV has spent most of his adult life rebelling against societal norms, organized religion, and the French. From humble punk rock beginnings in East Lansing in 1979, where he formed The Meatmen. The group rose to heavy duty heights in the 80's and 90's before cashing in their loons in 1996 to break for a bit. Now on the re-emergence of the Dutch Hercules and his all new band of meat and after 17 years in solitary confinement, Summer 2010 marks the return of the burliest, swarthiest, meanest, most malevolent line up of TVHP ever..the years in the big house have helped these goons hone their craft, playing evil mean spirited punk rock! So hide your virgins, stock up on ear plugs and lock the gun case to prepare to see the real HATE ROCK. The Meatmen are back... HELL YA!

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Arc In Round

Opening Act: Tre Orsi / Busses

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$10

This Philly 4-piece band reflect a sonic sensibility from hours of sonic experimentation. The band spins out dark pop thats often taut, spacey and melodic. Humming bass, shuffling drums, glitchy keyboards and dissonant, pedal-treated guitar all melt together into an iridescent sheet of sonorous reduction, and you can still tap your foot to it. Made up of producer/engineer Jeff Zeigler, co-songwriter Mikele Edwards, bassist Ian Fraser and drummer Matt Ricchini who joined up together in 2009. Their live shows bring their layered sound out of the studio and onto the stage for an immersive, crisply executed show.

Kung Fu Necktie:

Headliner: Live Not On Evil

Opening Act: They Wait Below / the Wonderfalls

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$5

This Philly based band is playing their hometown tonight to rock out the distinct punk sound that they own. Rob Windfelder -vocals, guitar, Norm Alger -guitar, Kevin Person -bass and Larry The Kid - drums are bringing a show to put out all the staggers and take in their dour bass and doom-ridden lyrics. They are sure to put themselves on the map with these shows. The group is known for their dark and heavy rock'n'roll laced with thick, thick pounding guitars. That sound is fused with enchanting vocal lines that together bring together songs into a new realm of goth tinged punk rock'n'roll. Very atmospheric and very dominant. Their recent release, "Next Time Nail it Shut," is a powerful, catchy, stimulating album.

Susquehanna Bank Center:

Headliner: Camp Rock Presents the Jonas Brothers

Opening Act: Demi Lovato

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm

Tickets:$37.25-Lawn; $67.25 - $97.25

Sometime in the city tonight, you will probably be hearing thousands of young girls squealing. When you investigate further, you'll find out that the ear piercing noise is coming from across the river in Camden, New Jersey. You will then come to find that borderline obsessed Jonas Brothers fans have filled the Susquehanna Bank Center draped in Jonas gear, bearing signs and gifts for the massively popular trio. The brothers are in town with their Camp Rock crew to present an entertaining 90-minute performance. Nick and Kevin will be playing guitar, while sunglass-wearing Joe Jonas parades out front, handling most of the lead vocal duty in between schmoozing with the audience, jogging across the stage and generally soaking up attention. Performing with a five-piece band in the shadows behind them, the trio will go through their high-powered pop hits along with songs from the Camp Rock movies.

The Electric Factory:

Headliner: Scissor Sisters

Opening Act: Sammy Jo

Doors: 7:30pm / Show: 8:30pm

Tickets:$30

New York City's ,The Scissor Sisters, is a band born from the town's gay dance clubs. Featuring him-and-her lead vocalists Jake Shears and Ana Matronic, the group is in town tonight poised to play a powerhouse 100-minute set that's bent on releasing all of the band's pent-up energy after a four-year stage and recording hiatus. Their colorful, burlesque-inspired show combines fashion, frantic dance moves and falsetto vocal harmonies. They project a B-52's-like knack for call-and-response party anthems with no room for a slow, mopey number. Aside from their top hits, the Sisters will be performing songs from their newest album, "Night Work." They're sure to pull out songs like the sexually charged "Any Which Way," "She's My Man" and "Whole New Way," just to name a few. As well as put out most of their highly danceable, glam-pop songs just to get the audience dirty enough to titillate without offending.

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: August 26th

2010-08-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Barbary:

Headliner: Negative Approach

Opening Act: Cobra Lung

Doors: 6pm / Show: 6:30pm

Tickets:$12

Detroit natives, Negative Approach, were the undisputed champs of Midwestern hardcore in the early to mid-'80s. Legend has it that vocalist John Brannon recruited drummer OP Moore and the guitar/bass team of Rob and Graham McCulloch at a skate park sometime in 1981. The band, lead by the bald-headed John Brannon and his hoarse wail, are composed of brothers Rob and Graham McCulloch - guitar and bass, and OP Moore - drummer. They concocted an extreme sound devoid of frills that alternated between violent and mean. This was first fully documented in 1982 on their self-titled Touch and Go 7". The band was certainly as influential group, touching everyone from Poison Idea to Sonic Youth to Los Crudos, as well as entire generations of hardcore fans in Boston and New York. They were also as original and extreme as any early-'80s punk outfit -- the rhythmic crush created by Moore and the McCulloch brothers continues to be an undeniable steel-toe to the face. An essential show and listen for anyone who wants to understand hardcore.

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Marah ( An Evening With)

Opening Act: NONE LISTED

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$15

Marah has just released it's new record "Life Is A Problem" on iTunes. If you're a music enthusiast in Philly, you've undoubtedly seen them come and gone from time to time. Now they are a coming, once more as Marah rises again, this time from the farmland of rural Pennsylvania. Frontman David Bielanko describes the process of this revival as a true testament to the album name as they have had all sorts of problems and issues to overcome their return. This is the first record that the group, entirely revamped with the addition of Christine Smith, but without brother Serge around. They are announcing the addition of two new band members for this summer tour, namely Mark Francis Sosnoskie on bass and Bruce W. Derr on guitar.

Trocadero:

Headliner: Where The Ocean Meets the Sky

Opening Act: At Daybreak / Amleah / Your Bright Ideas

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets:$12

Picture an epic, panoramic scene full of splendor and that's exactly what makes a perfect moniker for the type of music that this South Jersey six-piece delivers. Their ubiquitous sound of epic soundscapes and thunderous metal machinations colliding – a wide ranging, panoramic display of musical landscaping.

Here to promote "Empires," the band’s musically adventurous debut full-length sure to assault listeners with a sound that is just as smart as it is heavy – an unfortunately rare combination in today’s current alt music scene. The album is directed towards the faults of human beings and the idea that we destroy ourselves from the inside out. Spending the last several years building their own empire, performing up and down the East Coast, sharing the stage with bands like Between the Buried and Me, Alesana, Haste the Day and more of today’s genre giants in the process. All the while, laying the groundwork for their album, which the band wanted to emphasize creating something enduring.

Theater of the Living Arts:

Headliner: Xavier Rudd & Izintaba

Opening Act: Good Old War

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$23

Xavier Rudd gradually refines his globally-influenced collage of world music – a matchless mixture of reggae, funk, blues, folk, and nearly every other sort of song with the ability to stimulate people’s spirits. This time around marks a fresh, new musical and spiritual awakening for Rudd, perhaps most notably with his addition of bassist Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo under their new unified banner. The trio form a triangle of influence that carries a piece of each individual member, yet keeps them all connected. Thanks to the input of Inzintaba, there’s a staggering amount of vigor to the sound that Xavier Rudd fans haven’t seen to date. There’s also more vocal variation, with colourful harmonies in several different languages soaring atop the music.

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: August 25th

2010-08-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

Rittenhouse Square Park:

Headliner: A Place to Bury Strangers

Opening Act: Drink Up Buttercup

Show: 6pm

Tickets: FREE!!

This is not a re-post or a mistake. It is indeed the return of one of the loudest bands from New York for another free show in the park this evening. Their sound is indeed loud, heavy, fuzzed out and heavy on the shoegazey. Rumor, however, has it that their newest record ditched much of the volume for more concise songwriting and a focus on melody. The first track "It Is Nothing" is a total amp melting Bailter Space style dream fuzz blowout, looped mantra like vocals, massive washes of blurred guitar, hypnotic drumming that you'll come to enjoy at their shows. The sonic touchstones of influences or similarities apply - Jesus And Mary Chain, Loop, My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3 and especially Bailter Space. With vocals being quite washed out and weary, the drums a solid propulsive pound the bass wiggly and melodic, a band like this could be all about the guitars. They are seemingly always on the verge of careening out of control, throbbing and buzzing, soaring and screeching, grinding out thick chunks of caustic crunch, or unfurling a gauzy sheet of glimmery haze.

North Star Bar:

Headliner: Chalk and the Beige Americans

Opening Act: Coolrunnings / Laarks

Doors: 7:30pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$8

This Philly band was heard at a local Fishtown dive bar where the patrons didn't expect to be blown away by the Chalk's vocals and simple skilled guitar strumming. Everything he plays, whether an original folk tune or a 60's soul standard, comes off as an honest, melodic trip through positive vibes of live music. Applause seemed to humble the guy and he truly seems to like incorporating audience members into his improvisational verses. He allows audiences to leave the place with the songs playing over and over in their heads, lasting throughout the week until they come back and see their show again. After playing the Fishtown pub circuit for the past year or so, Chalk has added drummer Rob Medcalf and bassist Dave Kasper to help refine the sound and work toward breaking into the vast Philadelphia music scene and beyond. With a roosty rhythmic vibe, the trio has been compared to the likes of Bill Withers, Ben Harper, as well as established Philly artists G Love and Amos Lee.

Kung Fu Necktie:

Headliner: Monolith

Opening Act: An Albatross / Gifts From Enola / Cleric

Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7pm

Tickets:$8

Monolith will lull you with its complex and dark instrumentation and then hammer you when you are weak and vulnerable. Greg, Adam, Mike and Shaver hail from South Philly and have shared the stage with such acts as Rosetta, Tombs, Baroness, Fight Amp and If These Trees Could Talk. Their sound is often described as epic, expansive sludge metal with post-rock dynamics, reminiscent of bands like Neurosis, Isis, Mouth of the Architect and Mogwai. They are in town this evening to promote the record release of "New Song Up."

The Tower Theater:

Headliner: Trey Songz

Opening Act: Dondria / Monica

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$49.50 - $59.50

This show, dubbed the "Passion, Pain and Pleasure Tour," in honor of his forthcoming fourth release, had spent a few years on the shelf to help the major-label artist slowly build a fan base in the limelight without headlining a tour. Virginia's Tremaine Neverson, otherwise known as mainstream R&B singer Trey Songz survived middling sales of his first two albums to strike gold on his third release, last year's "Ready." And he's parlayed multiple mixtapes, savvy collaborations (like one with Internet sensation Drake) and big breaks (a 2009 opening spot for Jay-Z) into his own headlining outing. Fanatics alike may get hysterical as Trey will waste no time to cater to his lady devotees with a set that's a visual reenactment of some of his music videos as well as a sensual serenade here and there from a few songs from his upcoming "Passion, Pain and Pleasure" album (scheduled to be released September 14th, 2010).

New Music : August 24, 2010 - August 30, 2010

2010-08-24T17:10:00.000-07:00

Eels "Tomorrow Morning"

There’s pretty much nothing groundbreaking about this new Eels’ album, their ninth studio recording. Most loyal fans should recognize bits and pieces from the previous works of frontman and songwriter Mark Oliver Everett. The usual affected drum-and-electric piano stomp, winsome folk, the static of an old transistor radio. What they might not recognize is the optimism in his lyrics. It’s especially welcome after years of songs that plunged listeners into depression. This album is ostensibly about redemption, a peculiar concept to associate with Eels. Pulling away the gloom lets Everett’s songs shine, and helps coalesce the distant strands of a complex career. Songs like “Spectacular Girl” pushes a hard drumbeat, and calls to mind “Susan’s House” off 1996’s Beautiful Freak. “I Like The Way This Is Going,” meanwhile, is a bright-eyed love letter, with easy charm and a passing resemblance to “Packing Blankets,” off 2000’s Daisies Of The Galaxy. Both songs draw smiles, and they aren’t the only ones here that do. Everett is a complicated dude, and perhaps he’ll return to the dark stuff soon, but this new album should prove to be a welcome change of pace.

Kate Perry "Teenage Dream"

Throughout the summer of 2010, Katy Perry has dominated the airwaves with the irresistible "California Gurls" and seems determined to make the summer last as long as she can. Just in time for the summer to end, she finally releases the album with hopes to keep the sizzle going. Perry has cited Madonna, ABBA and the Cardigans as big influences on her sophomore studio album, the follow-up to her multimillion-selling debut "One of the Boys." Her 2nd coming definitely hits fans with radio-friendly grooves, produced by the pop-art sounds of Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Stargate, Tricky Stewart, and Greg Wells. In the "Hummingbird Heartbeat," the album nails that weird middle ground between heart-on-the-sleeve emo and Top 40 pop that Kelly Clarkson works so well. But much of the potential fun is undercut by dark sentiments ("Circle the Drain"), and overall the lyrics are cloying and clunky. "Teenage Dream" definitely delivers a sweet sugar rush, but also leaves a bitter aftertaste.

Fantasia "Back To Me"

Has it really been four years since her last record? The winner of Season 3 of "American Idol" has kept herself busy while time flew. She published an autobiography, was the center of a VH1 reality show, starred in a Lifetime TV movie and the Broadway musical "The Color Purple." Keeping herself busy by creating work to satisfy her beloved fans, Fantasia had been inspired to give the title of her third album, "Back to Me." She felt that now was as good time as ever to go back to how things used to be when America first laid their eyes on her during 'American Idol. As if her fans weren't already, Fantasia wanted to focus everyone's attention back to her and back to the music that everyone can relate to and enjoy. In addition to her current R&B hit, "Bittersweet," the disc includes writing and production credits from Ne-Yo and Jim Jonsin, a collaboration with Cee-Lo Green ("The Thrill Is Gone"), and a reprise of "I'm Here," her showstopping number from "The Color Purple."

JJ Grey & Mofro "Georgia Warhorse"

JJ Grey's sound has been called swamp music, but it's a helluva lot more than that. Grey’s fifth album, Georgia Warhorse, was recorded a St. Augustine, Fla.’s Retrophonics studio, and it’s a Southern-fried ride through funk, soul and straight-ahead blues. Grey writes, composes and arranges every aspect of this CD, and accordingly, his stamp is all over it — and this disc is evidence that he’s one of the freshest talents emerging from North Florida. From powerful opener “Diyo Dayo” to more poignant tracks such as “King Hummingbird” and “Gotta Know,” each song reads like a short story, with Grey putting on a show with his storytelling abilities and gritty vocal delivery. It’s not a fully consistent release — he loses his pace on tracks such as “All” and “Lullaby” — but it’s a keeper. Swamp music it ain’t, but it’s done the Everglades proud.

Little Big Town "The Reason Why"

The band best known for their platinum-selling 2005 album "The Road to Here" have undergone their share of personal heartaches over the years, but two things have remained unchanged since the country vocal quartet's inception back in 1998. The line-up of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet is still going strong after 10+ years. Their trademark vocal harmonies. And both still seem as strong as ever on their fourth full-length. The new release has had its share of ups and downs, from the heart-tugging "Shut Up Train" to the rip-roaring "Little White Church," but those differences are only matters of tempo and sentiment.

Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan "Hawk"

This new creation from the collaborate team of Isobel Campbell (formerly of Belle & Sebastian) and Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age). Though their voices don't sound very much like the perfect duet, they certainly possess enough complexities of an oddball cult duo. With Campbell's breathy soprano juxtaposed with Lanegan's gruff, weathered bass on eight of the 13 Americana-inflected selections, they give fans of both groups the satisfaction of mashing the band's distinctive vocal sounds together in harmony. Produced by Campbell, the pair's third collaborative outing also includes contributions from the Smashing Pumpkins' James Iha and singer-songwriter Willy Mason. Highlights include a mysterious reading of "Snake Song" by the late Townes Van Zandt.

!!!(chk-chk-chk) "Strange Weather, Isn't It?"

This Dance-rock combo have unleashed some amazing underground singles over the ast few years, most notably 2003's epic "Me and Giuliani Down by the School Yard (A True Story)," but their albums weren't nearly as impressive until 2007's "Myth Takes." Three years later, their newest release sounds like their most cohesive full-length album to boot. Recorded in Berlin, New York, and Sacramento, Calif., and co-produced by the band and Eric Broucek (former house engineer for the trendy DFA imprint), the album has already spun off a trio of summer jams: The mesmerizing "AM/FM," the metallic funk of "The Most Certain Sure," and the album's high point, "Steady as the Sidewalk Cracks," an Afrobeat-tinged post-punk freak-out that makes Vampire Weekend sound positively anemic. The album will surely get your groove on.

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

The Dandy Warhols "The Capital Years: 1995-2007"
BARB "BARB"
Dead Confederate "Sugar"

Concert Attendance Is In Turmoil ... But Not In Philly?

2010-08-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

Read amongst our reviews and you'll see no signs of concerts feeling the pinch of the economy. You might even go as far as to say that concerts are "recession proof" since music and entertainment are great ways to escape from world issues. With old festivals like The Lilith Fair and Lollapalozza revamping and the usual summer mega tours like the Vans/Warp Tour and OzzFest still active among all these years, who could even think of such a dilemma as low attendance would be present. Well, many have reported that this year, along with the past few years, has been burdened by low ticket sales and low attendance. As recent as the Lilith Fair Tour stop at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, one could spot a sea of empty seats. Just another sign for some concertgoers and concert promoters that Summer 2010 was proving to be a season of lowly figures and disappointing attendance.

The estrogen driven Lilith Fair, in particularly, has had its battle with attendance and finances as most huge festival concerts in this industry have had. Ten of the 36 originally scheduled shows for the tour were canceled due to lack of sales. Some of the more elaborate and expensive acts like Kelly Clarkson or Queen Latifah who were excited to originally be on as participants, have now dropped out of the rotating lineups. Up and coming, nu-soul sensation Janelle Monae also bid farewell right before the start of the tour.

Jonathan Takiff, writer for the Philadelphia Daily News, writes in a column that "by my nose count, fewer than 5,000 people were floating around the 25,000-capacity, riverside venue July 28. Most were planted, initially, in the really cheap lawn seats costing just $10, if you timed your purchase right." He also states that this years show lineups were even more weakened by the rash of cancellations of tours from big draws like Christina Aguilera, Limp Bizkit, Simon & Garfunkel and select date cancellations from the Jonas Brothers, Rihanna and the American Idol crew. Even the ever growing sensation and popularity of country music couldn't stop cancellations from country-rock crossover bill of the Eagles, Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban. Even the popular Barenaked Ladies did even worse than Lilith and Kings of Leon still had a lot of seats to fill during the day of. Thats not to say that there were no great turnouts. The center's season opened to a packed house withthe WXTU Country Show. As well as the Phish and the Dave Matthews tours each doing their part to fill the huge venue. Jimmy Buffett's two shows looked promising - one already a full sellout, the other a few hundred seats shy of going clean.

Yeah, we know.

To ad to the dismay of the once powerful industry, reports of downturn in sales by Live Nation, the world's most dominant concert promoter and order processor through its recently acquired Ticketmaster division, are popping up in financial news medias. Being a publicly traded company doesn't help Live Nation much as they are required to reveal their financial results every quarter.

The live show giant revealed a net loss for the concert division of $34.6 million for the last quarter while ticket sales are down 12.6 percent. Their projected adjusted operating income for the entire year looks to be down about 10 percent from 2009.

Even with the continued weakness of the economy, there are still many concert venues, regions and cities that are still performing above the economic turmoil. For the city of Philadelphia, this fact could not be any more evident.

The city just underwent a revitalizing of two major concert event venue in the Mann Center for the Performing Arts and the Dell Music Center. Both have scored some successful shows this summer. Working in a new partnership with AEG Concerts, the Mann lured 20,000 Dead fans to their West Fairmount Park for a two day 4th of July show. This even caused most of the concert goers to stay overnight in the City of Brotherly Love. Idina Menzel, whose fan base rose thanks in part to Fox's TV show, "Glee." Along with those successes, underground sensation Arcade Fire were able to raise their ticket sales in this region, for this venue, to about 8,000 ticket sales. The Grammy winning band never got airplay on commercial radio, but still had success in this area.

The municipally-owned Dell, formerly Robin Hood Dell East, reported its first sellout of the season by getting 7,000 concert goers to check out the double bill of Teena Marie and Keith Sweat. The refurbished (see sidebar) East Fairmount Park summer concert facility has booked top-billing from acts like George Clinton, War, the Urban Guerilla Orchestra and the Latin Jazz Ensemble which should garner even more success. The newly crowned Wells Fargo Center (formerly Wachovia Center) recently notched a 12,000-plus figure for Maxwell and Jill Scott on June 19 along with two full houses for the James Taylor and Carole King "Troubadour" reunion tour. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' two shows recorded one complete sellout and the other close to it. The South Philly event arena is still going strong with fast sellouts already notched for Paul McCartney (two nights,) Roger Waters (three nights doing "The Wall") and teen sensation Justin Bieber.

During his interview with Jonathan Takiff for the Daily News, Chief Operating Officer for Global Spectrum, John Page stated "Philadelphia's such a great music market. It goes back to the infancy of the touring business. So as tough as the economics are, if it's priced right, people will still come out to see the show." Global Spectrum is the Comcast-Spectacor entity that operates the Wells Fargo Center. "So as tough as the economics are, if it's priced right, people will still come out to see the show."

Yet, one can't ponder upon this topic without taking a look at the high cost of tickets and ticket processing fees, not to mention the wacky ancillary fees. As most artists might argue, concerts are their only REAL means of income from their music since the advent of downloading mp3's.

As most in the industry know, in order to keep all its concert facilities buzzing, Live Nation makes exclusive deals with artists by agreeing to huge guarantees. The promoting company promised a reported $400,000 a night for this year's "American Idols" production and $700,000 a night to Tom Petty.

But these deals, essentially giving the artist all the ticket revenue, only work if there's a full house, and Live Nation can make decent money on the food, drink and parking fees. If attendance drops even just 10 percent, the deal goes down with it.

For this concert season, Live Nation offered tickets free of service charges to early buyers, and bargain $10 lawn seats for a limited spell a few weeks before the show, just to put fill in the empty seats in the house. Meanwhile, the mega promoters offered a buyer's remorse offer, giving you three days to change your mind and get your money back after making a purchase. In the future, there are talks about standardizing a now-experimental "all-in" ticket that wraps the Ticketmaster processing charge into the advertised price of a seat, rather than socking it to you separately at, say $20 a pop.

As good as most of the offers may do the concert business, industry experts say those discounted tickets cause as much harm as good because they allow concert goers to wait for a bargain deal instead and go to outside companies who resell tickets.This leaves everyone involve to count on last minute ticket buyers or "door" sales. Do they really need another reason to bite their nails? The Mann Center sold 1,000 tickets for the Arcade Fire show.

There can be a surmountable amount of issues that factor into why ticket sales in many areas are up. Many can go the financial statistic routes and say that global economic issues are the bigger cause or some may go the operational route and state that with increase of processing fees and the percentages of the ticket sales being divided into too many components may be causing the dismay. Others may go to even point at the social trends of people just hooking themselves up to their computers and hearing their favorite down loadable artists or watch them from their friend's Youtube posting of their cell phone recording of a great show.

I'd like to go the simpler route in stating that if music these days weren't the digitally enhanced, auto-tuned, sample ridden, layer after layer of crud production that it is now and artists were left to be "artists" where as they sang their lungs out, played instruments, danced and engaged themselves with loyal fans, then perhaps many will flock in to be "dazzled." Should it be the economy that we're looking at or should we put some eyes and ears onto the quality of shows, acts and stage performances? A wise music lover once said - "if the music was worth hearing and the artist was worth seeing , then people will come at ANY price."

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: August 19th

2010-08-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

North Star Bar:

Headliner: The Bridge

Opening Act: Three Legged Fox

Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7pm

Tickets:$10

The Bridge is a rock band whose music combines elements of blues and roots, added with some funk and then, soul. They've recently become known coast-to-coast, and even in Europe, for their gritty and grand live performances and poignantly hand crafted albums. Following in the tradition of classic / southern roots rock, and flavoring their sound with Americana sensibilities, the band has built their own niche between the jam, country, and bluegrass genres. They are traveling nationwide to promote their most recent CD, "Blind Man's Hill", which spent over 3 months in the Americana Radio Top 40.

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Panic Years

Opening Act: Atomic Square / The Defog

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$10

Formed in 2007 by two former band-mates, Edward and Amy in the Virginia Beach area where they thought the local music community was lacking support and and were disheartened by being in bands. They decided to start collaborating on a few old ideas and a few new ones with the goal of simply writing good songs. In early 2008, they teamed up with old friends and former Capitol recording artists Mark Padgett and Rob Sweitzer, to produce and record their first self titled Ep. The collabo resulted in a collection of songs that reflect who Edward and Amy are as songwriters. After recording the album, Amy and Edward packed up and moved to Philly where they met Adam Smith and Kevin Kurtz, and are currently playing shows and writing new material.

World Cafe Live:

Headliner: Lee "Scratch" Perry

Opening Act: Lionize

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets:$28 - $38

The Godfather of dub and reggae, Grammy winning reggae icon Lee 'Scratch' Perry returns with the sexually charged club anthem "Pum Pum," - the debut single from his latest LP. The album, "Repentance," touches on a multitude of genres ranging from hip-hop & dancehall to club ready dance hits. Perry created a sound in the 60's and 70's that can easily be seen as the prelude to the dance, hip hop and pop music genres which makes it easy to see where artists from Jay Z, Santogold, Hot Chip, M.I.A., to Spank Rock cut their teeth and found their sound. He continues to influence the musical landscape of today by redefining every genre of music he touches with his unprecedented vision and production expertise. He remains revered by his peers and seen as one of the most influential artists by many of todays contemporary performers.

Trocadero:

Headliner: Dean Wareham (plays Galaxie 500)

Opening Act: Dean & Britta Band / Crystal Stilts

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets:$21

Though there's 4 different bands mentioned on this show, the concert revolves around 3 acts that Dean Wareham created. Dean was responsible for or is a member of Galaxie 500 and Dean& Britta. He formed the band Galaxie 500 in 1987 and after leaving in April 1991, he founded the band Luna. Since Luna's breakup in 2005, Wareham has released albums with fellow Luna bandmate (and wife) Britta Phillips. He also works as a film composer, Dean & Britta have been working on film scores (most notably Noah Baumbach's movie, The Squid and the Whale), and promoting the documentary film of Luna's farewell tour Tell Me Do You Miss Me.

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: August 18th

2010-08-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

Rittenhouse Square Park:

Headliner: A Place To Bury Strangers

Opening Act: Homophones

Show: 7pm

Tickets: FREE

One of the loudest bands from New York is back in town for a free show tonight. Their sound is indeed loud, heavy, fuzzed out and heavy on the shoegazey. Rumor, however, has it that their newest record ditched much of the volume for more concise songwriting and a focus on melody. The first track "It Is Nothing" is a total amp melting Bailter Space style dream fuzz blowout, looped mantra like vocals, massive washes of blurred guitar, hypnotic drumming that you'll come to enjoy at their shows. The sonic touchstones of influences or similarities apply - Jesus And Mary Chain, Loop, My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3 and especially Bailter Space. With vocals being quite washed out and weary, the drums a solid propulsive pound the bass wiggly and melodic, a band like this could be all about the guitars. They are seemingly always on the verge of careening out of control, throbbing and buzzing, soaring and screeching, grinding out thick chunks of caustic crunch, or unfurling a gauzy sheet of glimmery haze.

North Star Bar:

Headliner: Patterns

Opening Act: Welter / Plushgun / Cheat To Win

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets: $8

Patterns is an experimental rock project from West Philly. They came together in late 2008, the current line-up of the band consists of founding members Brendan Burke(guitars, effects, noise), Mike Wyman(bass guitar, effects, noise), and Brian McClure(drums, percussion). Their show tonight is to showcase their 2 year long project of playing with each other, formatting their sound, solidifying an identity to what they've been experimenting on. They'll catch your ears first with their riffs and noise as they often have more of than vocals in their songs.

Trocadero:

Headliner: Desoto Jones

Opening Act: Bright & Early / Opening Day / Eyes On The Prize

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets: $12

After a long hiatus both from the studio and from tours, Desoto Jones are back. In their absence, however, they were pretty busy. For one, they had to say goodbye to close friends and family, guitarist Chris Gill and drummer Justin Staszewski. It was very hard but it was what made the most sense for everyone.They then went through a search for new members and welcomed in new rhythm guitarist and backing vocals Greg Townsend and new drummer Adam Francois. After a few sessions together and finding their new and awesome sound to be in working order, they partnered with the Camden Riversharks baseball team to write and record the team's new theme song to commemorate the baseball team's 10th season and will be heard at every game for the 2010 season. They also released "Inward Telescopic," a new EP this past June. Check out their new sound tonight. With their new line up, they still kept their sound and could possibly have had an upgrade.

Electric Factory:

Headliner: Crystal Castles

Opening Act: None Listed

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets: $25

This thrash, hypnotic, techno, experimenting duo, named after She-Ra's home, are in town tonight to promote their new release, "Crystal Castles II." Ethan Kath and Alice Glass will be showcasing their pulsing and pounding sound topped with Alice's often haunting vocals. Get ready to get your groove on to their disco tech, experimental, yet danceable tunes. The rhythms and beats they garner tend to get that trippy aura that only a few rave and techno DJ's are able to pull off, but then they total do a 360 and bring you to heavy rock, thrash sounds to trigger your senses. It just gives you a great listen to the versatility of their sound and the strength and range of their vocals. So whether your grooving to the beats or raving to the rhythms...just make sure you do it with them in the room!!

Keswick Theater:

Headliner: Mary Chapin Carpenter

Opening Act: Dar Williams

Doors: 7pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets: $36; $46

Mary Chapin Carpenter was part of a small movement of folk-influenced country singer/songwriters of the late '80s. Although many of these performers never achieved commercial success, Carpenter was able to channel her anti-Nashville approach into chart success and industry awards by the early '90s. Many have been fans of MCC's kickback celebrations of fiercely independent women and her somewhat introspective ballads. She had a long hiatus of not performing, but is now back and a lot of fans couldn't be happier. There will be plenty of the kickback felt in her show with the big band that she travels with and whose members are all the very top notch and at the top of their game. Her vocals are from the soul, her lyrics from the heart and when they come together she creates songs that talk about being true to yourself and the world around you.

Susquehanna Bank Center:

Headliner: Last Girl On Earth Tour Presents - Rihanna

Opening Act: Kesha

Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm

Tickets: $31 - Lawn; $46 - $106

Since the turn of the century, every American summer has seemed to produce one or two Caribbean-styled dance-pop hit sensations, and the summer of 2005 was no different, as the relentless dancehall-lite booming rhythms of Rihanna's "Pon de Replay" seemed as omnipresent as sunshine. Like Daddy Yankee ("Gasolina") and Sean Paul ("Get Busy") in summers prior, Rihanna emerged initially as an unknown superstar, known far more for her song than for herself. Unlike Daddy Yankee and Sean Paul, however, she is a woman -- a young and beautiful green-eyed one, to be more specific. Her show is sure to bring about a great performance with a lot of energy. She's riding a sort of comeback wave to erase her dram with Chris Brown. Everyone knew, though that as soon as she went back into the studio, recorded a few tracks and sent the album into shelves, everything would be ok. Well, it went far from just ok. Single after single from her new album, "Rated R", brought about monster tracks and tons of publicity for the young singer from Barbados. She spent the next few months being almost everywhere and at times, all at once! This show promises to give fans a glimpse of her new album that set to release in late 2010.

New Music : August 17, 2010 - August 23, 2010

2010-08-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

John Mellencamp "No Better Than This"

The "cougar" is back from a long studio album hiatus with his sepia-tone Americana sound. Working alongside producer T Bone Burnett (who previously helmed the stellar "Life Death Love and Freedom"), Mellencamp recorded at a trio of historic locations: First African Baptist Church in Savannah, GA; Memphis' legendary Sun Studios; and a San Antonio, TX hotel room where bluesman Robert Johnson recorded in 1936. These thirteen stripped-down songs were captured on vintage equipment, using a single microphone—the kick drum at points sounds like someone thumping a shoebox—yet that unique element embodies Mellencamp's performances with added gravity.

Ray LaMontagne "God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise"

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs has come about with a down home vibe for their new album. They recorded it at LaMontagne's domicile in western Massachusetts. The follow-up to "Gossip in the Grain," which entered the charts at #3, is the raspy-voiced troubadour's first self-produced full-length. The overall sound here is brighter, but the both albums still share similar musical sensibilities, blending elements of country, blues, gospel, and more. The chugging "Devil's in the Jukebox" gets an extra jolt from some inspired harmonica playing, while "Beg Steal or Borrow," with its underpinning of pedal steel, is eerily reminiscent of Joni Mitchell.

Trace Adkins "Cowboy's Back in Town"

This "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" hit-maker has been an everywhere in the media for the last few years, as a finalist on "The Celebrity Apprentice," the inspiration for a comic book, even the voice of a KFC television commercial. He also racked up trophies from the ACM and CMT for "Hillbilly Bone," his recent album duet with Blake Shelton. His latest features the cuts "Hold My Beer" and "Kick A Man's Ass," as well as the single "This Ain't No Love Song." He racks up a few twangs and great new tunes to keep him in the limelight and hopefully not have to leave town. This new Adkins album marks his debut for Toby Keith's Show Dog record label.

Iron Maiden "The Final Frontier"

It's been four years since Kings of Metal's "A Matter of Life and Death" and boy, have fans been waiting for a new studio album. Good thing they filled the gap up with some tour dates to keep fan appetites from diminishing. This marks the longest gap between studio albums from the British metal icons in their 35 year span. Their popularity, however, remains undiminished, as evidenced by last year's "Iron Maiden: Flight 666" tour documentary. And they make up for lost time on this new album. Working with producer Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Journey), the band gives fans something substantial to chew on: Running more than 75 minutes, this is Maiden's longest record yet. The majority of the tunes are over seven minutes long, with the epic closer "When the Wind Blows" clocking in at 10:59.

Kem "Intimacy: Album III"

Detroit native Kem spent five years making his latest cut, but claims the personal trials he faced while writing and recording the disc pushed him to reveal more of himself in the music. The purveyor of sophisticated, adult-oriented R&B, who scored big in 2002 with his hit "Love Calls," is joined here by a couple notable guest stars. Grammy Award-winner Jill Scott contributes a spoken word bit to "Golden Days," while Motown alumnus David Van De Pitte—the conductor and arranger on Marvin Gaye's 1971 masterpiece "What's Going On"—puts the string section of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra through its paces on the lead single, "Why Would You Stay."

Matthew Dear "Black City"

The self proclaimed electronic music polymath just recently relocated from Detroit to New York, but he really got down in a musical metropolis of his own making. His newest is an aural adventure full of curious, nocturnal grooves, such as the minimalist funk of "I Can't Feel" and the mix of ultra-glide keyboard sounds and sinewy bass running through "Little People (Black City)." While not quite as overtly poppy as its predecessor, 2007's top-notch "Asa Breed," Dear's fourth album under his own name (apparently he has aliases) exerts an irresistible allure nevertheless.

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

Leslie Stevens and the Badgers "Roomful of Smoke"
Original Soundtrack: "The Switch"
Brian Wilson "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin"
Megan McCormick: "Honest Words"
Chief: "Modern Rituals"
Esperanza Spalding: "Chamber Music Society"

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: August 17th

2010-08-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Kung Fu Nectie:

Headliner: Delta Mirror

Opening Act: The Ropes / Soars

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Tickets: $10

This trio from Los Angeles claim their likeness to bands named the Big Pink and Fuck Buttons. Their style is a mix of shoegaze and electronics. DM is less expansive and less noisy, respectively, than most acts: Their debut album, "Machines That Listen" is more mello and a bit down-tempo, but a definite ear candy that may get the repeat button worn off. Their musical beats are savvy as they seamlessly transition their sounds from tempo to tempo. The trio’s Craig Gordon and David Bolt no doubt picked up most of their thump while working on their previous hip-hop project . Lyrically, each song takes place in a different room of a hospital; it’s an emotional and conceptual palette that mirrors the Antlers’ Hospice. There are three voices at play, including bassist Karrie K’s, but it’s a gothy baritone that pushes most of the songs.

Johnny Brendas:

Headliner: Cave

Opening Act: Birds of Maya / The Signals

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets: $10

When their new album, Pure Moods, released late this spring, little was known about them or their sound. However, Chicago's Cave were thought to have spiritually hailed from some weird world where the German pulse of Can and Amon Düül II overlap with the sound of post-punk Britain. This made for an interesting comment as well as something that the band had to live up to. They've got a great rythmic tempo to their riffs and chords and absolutely take you in with the thumps on their beat. Lyrically, their all about some nonsense and parties, but definitely a great mix of vocal echoes harmonies within screams. Their speedy psychedelic rhythms are enough to bring any concert goer back to the sixties, but as soon as you get there, they fast forward you back to help you remember what year you're really in. Groove ON!!

Susquehanna Bank Center:

Headliner: Creed

Opening Act: Skillet / Theft

Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Tickets: $16.25 - Lawn; 26.25

The rock band from Tallahassee, Florida , who disbanded in 2004 after three multi-platinum albums along with selling 26 million records in the US and 35 million records worldwide, are back after their 2009 reunion announcement. Original members consisting of lead vocalist Scott Stapp, guitarist and backing vocalist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall have been back together since spring of 2009. They are continuing the support of their latest album,"Full Circle," with a stop in the Philly area. After nearly 7 years apart, they come back and seem to be better than ever with a performance their fans will never forget. These days, the band is more all about rock power, harmonies, riffs, energy and they show lots of it. They're sure to hit up the stage with their classics, but when they channel their performance to their new sound and album, you'll even here Tremonti's take on vocals. Welcome Back Boys - Keep it Comin!