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  • Fresh Fall Albums

    Posted by: Sienna Orlando

    September
    29
    2011

    With so many great albums being released this fall, I just had to give a little shout out to what I think is a more than healthy mix of Rap, Pop, R&B, Indie and Country music. 
     
    September 20: In case you missed it, sophomore pop star Demi Lovato released her third album Unbroken, while senior songstressTori Amos released what promises to be another riveting Tori album: Night of Hunters!
     
    October 4: If you are fan of the great Mary J. Blige, then you are in luck! The star will be releasing My Life II . . . the Journey Continues, seventeen years after the original LP, My Life, was born.
     
    Indie kids delight, because the newest by Feist (yes!) entitled Metals will be arriving in stores at the same time.
     
    clockwise from top left: Drake, Tori Amos, Demi Lovato and Bjork.
     
    October 11: This may be the biggest musical day of fall with everyone's favorite Icelander, Bjork, coming out with her slightly delayed album Biophilia. Look out for all of the custom apps for this one; Bjork has had a team of artists and programmers working to create a full-on experience.
     
    The same day boasts the first full-length album by American Idol star, Lauren Alaina (remember Lauren?) AND Ryan Adams will be coming out with his newest, Ashes and Fire! 
     
    clockwise from top left: Feist, Lauren Alaina, Ryan Adams, Mary J. Blige
     
    October 24: After Drake's amazing debut, Thank Me Later, released just over a year ago, he's coming back with another Rap-meets-R&B like only Drake can do entitled Take Care.
     
    Oh, we will Drake. You and your friends just keep feeding us with good music and we will be well taken care of indeed! Let me leave you with the title track from Ryan Adams' anxiously-awaited collection:

  • Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV" Goes Platinum

    Posted by: Allie Paxton

    September
    19
    2011

     

     
    Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV sold 964,000 in its first week, the second largest opening sales week of the year. By now, it has already sold more than a million copies and set a record for the most iTunes digital albums sold in its first four days! With a music career already spanning two decades, Wayne has already scored a reputation as one of the biggest moguls of our time. Featured on the album are his two smash-hit singles "6 Foot 7 Foot" and "How to Love."
     
    I couldn't wait to purchase Tha Carter III's proper follow-up, Tha Carter IV, but the album surprised me by being one of my least favorite Weezy albums. Don't get me wrong; there are a couple amazing songs, like "John" featuring Rick Ross, and "She Will" featuring Drake. What turned me off, however, was that at least two-thirds of the songs on the album were slow, including “How to Love," “How to Hate” featuring T-Pain, “Nightmares of the Bottom," and “So Slow” featuring John Legend. The album isn't bad - I just prefer a more fast-paced Lil Wayne sound to dance to.
     
     
    There are a lot of great features from artists like Rick Ross, André 3000, Drake, John Legend, and T-Pain; and even if you're not keen on the pace (like me), these guest appearances make the album worth listening to.
     
    "Thanks for giving us a whole 'nother classic with Tha Carter IV," huffs Busta Rhymes. "It's important that you are more than welcome to Tha Carter IV, and y'all enjoy it," advises André 3000. 
     
     
    Shockingly, the 28-year-old artist has hinted at retirement and that this "may be the last album Wayne releases." If this is true, then I had higher hopes for this album. Regardless, nothing will make this girl stop loving Lil Wayne, and I look forward to see how the rest of his musical career will evolve. 

    Hear it for yourself! You can listen to the entire album here. 
     
    (photos courtesy of rollingstone.com) 
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  • New Artist to Watch: Lana Del Rey

    Posted by: Laurie Hartt

    September
    15
    2011

     
    In this modern age of Pandora, YouTube, and an unforunate amount of same-sounding pop/rap, the arrival of twenty-four year old Lana Del Rey on the music scene is a refreshing change. With a voice so soulful it came straight of the fifites and lyrics so deep you'd think you wrote them yourself, this stunning siren sold out a London club half an hour after posting just one video on YouTube. That's it - one. But don't take my word for it - see for yourself.
     
    First, check out her pictures; note the intriguing pout, the poofy hair, and the old Hollywood retro-starlet style (swoon):
     
     
    Now, listen to her music:
     
     
     
    Convinced yet? A self-taught guitarist who grew up in Lake Placid, New York, Lizzy Grant (Lana's real name) has been singing since seventeen to the inspiration of artists like Eminem, Biggie Smalls, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Nirvana. Stranger Records reports that she claims her music to be a “mixture of her love of David Lynch, Black and White ’50s movies, Coney Island hip-hop, and heartbreak.” A little bit mysterious and a lot a bit a child at heart, she is definitely a legend on the rise. 
     
     
    Want more Lana Del Rey? Read her interview with pitchfork.com, then check out her YouTube Channel and her Facebook page. Download "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" when they're released on October 9, or buy them on vinyl October 10.
     
    (Info and pics courtesy of  guardian.co.uk, pitchfork.com, and pastemagazine.com.)
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  • Haus of Gaga: Who's Behind it All?

    Posted by: Sienna Orlando

    September
    6
    2011

    We all know that Lady Gaga is more than just a singer/songwriter; she's a performer. Plucking her favorite elements from the realms of dance, electronics, fashion, performance art, and the media, her over-the-top image has been built from her collaborations in all of these areas. 
     
    In 2008 Gaga put together a round table of artists and designers to weld together her ideas into everything that is Gaga today. This she calls her Haus of Gaga!
     
    Who are they and what part do they play? Well let's see!
     
    This gorgeous orb headpiece was designed by Nasir Mazhar, but was given to Gaga by her Fashion Director, Nicola Formichetti. Chief stylist, director (whatever you want to call him) Formichetti is the man who was integral in gettting pieces from big-time designers when Gaga was still on the incline.
     
     
    Gaga's infamous Disco Stick has been re-created in several formats, and is a manifestation by haus member Matthew Williams. As well as one of Gaga's ex-lovers, Williams was the Creative Director for Haus of Gaga from it's beginnings in 2008 until 2010 (they call him Dada).
     
     
     Laurieann Gibson is the gorgeous choreographer that's been stomping together moves for Lady Gaga since 2008. She currently serves as the Creative Director for the Haus of Gaga and even moved up to full-fledged Director for Gaga's newest video "Yoü and I". If you haven't seen the video yet, see it here!

  • New Music: Who is Bon Iver?

    Posted by: Sienna Orlando

    August
    24
    2011

     
    Have you heard of Bon Iver yet?

    If you are at all interested in Indie, Folk or just plain good mellow music, than you might want to read on.  

     
    Pronounced "bone ee-vare," this play on the French saying for "have a good winter" was chosen by the band's frontman and founder Justin Vernon. Vernon created the entire first album For Emma, Forever Ago, while spending a winter in northern Wisconsin alone.

    By layering tracks and using words that paired with the melodies he was able to create a rich ethereal effect that simply did not carry through alone in concert. Hence; Bon Iver the band! Their second, self-titled album (first together) debuted June 21st and has been sweeping across the globe ever since.  The music is soft and subtle, yet insanely rich. It's American Beauty for 2011. 

    Take a little taste with this brand new video of Holocene shot in Iceland this summer!

     
     Are you a fan of Bon Iver, now?

  • New Album to Love: Arctic Monkeys

    Posted by: Annie Roos

    July
    28
    2011


     
     I don't know what planet I've been orbiting around to not swoop down on this one the second it came out, but that's why I have Pandora in my life to keep me in check. The Arctic Monkeys, one of my very favorite bands, dropped a new album on June 7th, titled Suck It and See.
     
     
     The English indie rock band's fourth studio album does not disappoint, just about living up to their quick success from albums past (their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, became the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history, according to these guys). The critics have been pretty darn positive, though it is hard to impress everybody after achieving such huge and immediate success, while still in their teen years, I might add. I'll just say, I've been listening all week, and I won't be stopping any time soon.
     
     Their most recent video release, "The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala", from their YouTube channel.
     
    Arctic Monkeys is: Alex Turner (lead vocals, guitar/lead songwriter), Jamie Cook (lead guitar), Nick O'Malley (bass), and Matt Helders (drums, percussion).
     
    If you aren't yet familiar with these guys (or don't think you are) check out two of the oldies that made me fall for them in the first place: Fake Tales of San Francisco and I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor. (You'll notice that they have a pretty fabulous YouTube channel... check it out!)

  • Geek Chic: Rave On Buddy Holly!

    Posted by: Sienna Orlando

    July
    5
    2011

    Buddy Holly may have been the ultimate in geek chic.
     
    By age 22 Buddy was at the top of his game and already a master of the pop/rock song. Just released on June 28th, "Rave On Buddy Holly" includes nineteen of his tunes re-mastered by contemporary artists including Florence + the Machine, Fiona Apple, Modest Mouse, Cee Lo Green and The Black Keys.
     
    Say Wha?!!!
     
    Yes, that's right. If Buddy Holly were still alive, he'd be turning 75 this September; a perfect time to commemorate this forever young innovator. 
     
    "The melodic joy and fierce independent streak at the core of his artistry is profoundly felt on Rave On Buddy Holly, a 19-song collection of indelible Holly covers by a rich assemblage of current musical visionaries and creative kindred spirits."
     
     
    Tell us what you think about it!

  • New Beyoncé Album: 4

    Posted by: Allie Paxton

    July
    1
    2011

     
     
    Beyoncé Knowles released her aptly named fourth album "4" just a few days ago on June 27th. However, you may have been able to listen to it earlier than Beyoncé may have wanted, seeing as the album leaked two weeks earlier. I have listened to the entire album from start to finish a few times and it is really spectacular. Beyoncé has made this album her most personal and mature yet, revealing feelings and thoughts to her fans. 

     
     
    Beyoncé has officially released two singles from “4”: “Run the World (Girls)” which had mixed reviews from both critics as well as fans, and “The Best Thing I Never Had.” She introduced “1+1” on American Idol, which is a romantic song about her husband of three years, Jay-Z. 
     

    Spin's Mikael Wood writes that "4" is an "often-gorgeous collection of ballads and mid-tempo cuts rich with echoes of late-'70s/early-'80s pop-soul." The record is said to be Beyoncé's strangest, but it certainly does not lack personality. 
     
    The majority of the album is slow-paced, but don't worry all those "Single Ladies" lovers, the second part of the album really picks up. 
     
     
     
    What do you all think of Beyoncé's new album?
    xoxo
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  • Album to Love: Okkervil River

    Posted by: Annie Roos

    June
    14
    2011

    With the season of road trips and beach blankets upon us, so comes the need for great new playlists. And boy, do I have a little treasure for your mp3 player (or cd player, walkman... whatever it takes). A good friend of mine (thanks PT!), citing my love for Cold War Kids, clued me into Okkervil River's new album about a month ago, and I'm hooked!
     
    image courtesty of filtermagazine.com
     
    Released May 10th, the sixth album from Austin, Texas born Okkervil River, I Am Very Far has become an instant favorite on my iPod. Critically acclaimed for their literary merit as well as just great indie rock, their song lyrics read like poetry set to music. So much so, that their record label has released a hard bound book of the album's lyrics, aptly titled I Am Very Far: The Lyrics, calling the publication "a complete work in its own right."
     
    Take a listen.
     
    It's a little difficult to keep track of the line-up, what with the constant guest appearances and as many as thirteen additional musicians along for the ride in the recording booth, the official crew includes Grammy winning songwriter Will Sheff on vocals and guitar, Lauren Gurgiolo on electric guitar and mandolin, Justin Sherburn on vocals, keyboards, and guitar, Cully Symington on drums, and Patrick Pestorius on bass and vocals.
     

     
    In addition to traditional musical accompaniment, I Am Very Far also features some sounds as unconventional as filing cabinets being thrown across the room, unreeled rolls of duct tape, and a fast-forwarding and rewinding boombox (Jagjaguwar). The Guardian sums it up, writing, "it could be a mess, but it isn't, largely because the songwriting is uniformly great." Praised by the New York Times for "writing like a novelist", Will Sheff is clearly an all star when it comes to songwriting, producing, and whatever else it takes to create such incredible music.
     
    Photos courtesy of Jagjaguwar

     It should come as no surprise that the name of the band itself is a literary reference, taken from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. Though, with all this talk of scholarly songwriting and bookish allusions, there's no need to feel guilty for simply enjoying it for how great it makes your ears feel.
     
    Check out their website to listen to more of the album, including "The Valley", another of my personal favorites. While you're there, check the tour dates, because they hit the road May 31st to promote the album, so they may be coming to a city near you! Soon!
     
    Any Okkervil River fans out there? How does this album compare to the others?

  • Artist to Watch: Freelance Whales

    Posted by: Cara Fox-Galassi

    June
    2
    2011

     
     
     
    Freelance Whales can only be described as a multi-instrumental, electic, fun-loving indie-pop band. Both their music and their demeanor is catchy and makes you feel right at home. I first discovered them a while back on one of my favorite music blogs, I Guess I'm Floating. Since then, I haven't been able to stop listening to their songs. 
     
     
    Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, the band gained notoriety while playing in the New York subway. They self-released their EP Weathervanes in early 2009, and re-released it again under their label Mom + Pop in April 2010. Most of the songs off the EP were a compilation of chilhood memories and dream journaling composed by the frontman Judah Dadone.
     
    An interesting fact about the band is that Chuck Criss (who plays banjo and a plethora of other things) is the brother of Glee's Darren Criss. Obviously talent runs in the family. Below is the video for my favorite song on their album, entitled "Hannah."
     

     What do you guys think of Freelance Whales?

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