Look y'all, I'm not on quaaludes this
year!

So, last night was the 25th anniversary of MTV’s Video Music Awards. I realize that I may seem like the wrong person to review the VMAs, being that my personal music taste -- which includes Britpop, old school industrial, some hip hop and most of what’s on Ed Banger Records -- is not exactly what this network specializes in.

I’m well aware that I’m not MTV’s target demo, however, a bigger fan of the VMAs you will not find. The awards are a tradition in my house -- I have seen every one of these since I was in elementary school, and I’ve even got a good number of them on old VHS tapes in my basement.

That being said, the VMAs certainly aren’t what they used to be. Lately there’s been some terrible ones, starting around 2005 when they let Diddy host and culminating last year, in what was not only the worst VMA of all time, but a convoluted mess that was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen on television.

But, of course, I went back for more this year, ever hopeful that there will be something as great as that time the dude from Rage Against the Machine climbed up the set scaffolding and threatened to jump when Fred Durst won an award Let’s see how it went...

- Britney Spears opened the show in a skit with one of those guys from Superbad. This was largely unfunny, but I guess it showed improvement from the drugged out zombie dance she called a performance to open last year’s show. She does look about 1000 times better.

- Spears introduced Rihanna, who did “Disturbia” complete with faux-goth dancers and a personal tower a la Antichrist Superstar. I’m sure that did not escape Marilyn Manson, who at this very moment is probably writing a blog about how that bitch ripped him off. I don’t really understand what this upbeat club pop song has to do with the goth motif, but whatever. Very odd bit in the middle of the song, however, when the band pounded out a couple lines from “Seven Nation Army.” Weird White Stripes homage aside, this was well put together for what it was.

I don't know why he needed 3 belts
either, but the guy was funny as
hell, so I'm giving him a pass.

- Next up we meet this year’s host, Russell Brand. This guy is uber famous in the UK and kinda nobody here. You might remember him from Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but you also might not. He referenced this, commenting that there might be a problem because his persona “really only works with fame,” which I thought that was a great line, but didn’t go over very well with the crowd. In fact, not much of his humor went over well with the crowd, who seemed fairly uncomfortable with the whole making fun of people thing. Makes me wonder how the legendary Chris Rock-hosted VMAs of the late 90s would go over today. Crowd reaction aside, Brand was very, very funny and throughout the night proved himself to be the best thing about the show.

- The Jonas Brothers played something...Seriously, it boggles the mind that there are people over the age of 13 who find this to be acceptable music. Most notable thing about them was Russell Brand’s relentless jokes throughout the night about their much flaunted virginity promise rings. Look, I really could not care less about their moral choices, but their music is wretched, so I’m up for any reason to make fun of these tools. I got the distinct feeling people were a bit offended by Brand’s insinuation that he’d take the virginity of these teenage goodie-two-shoes (and based on the Jonas Brothers stone-faced reaction, they clearly had no sense of humor either.) But it’s comments like that that kinda make me wanna marry the guy, so it’s all subjective.

T-Pain (left) vs The dude from MCR

- Lil Wayne performed next and set a record for the number of times you can touch your crotch in three minutes. I will give him credit that, unlike the miserable performance of his I caught at V-Fest, at least there was a live band and he wasn’t rapping over his cd. T-Pain also made a guest appearance, leaving me to wonder why he raided My Chemical Romance’s wardrobe.

- Pink did her thing next. I’m not the biggest fan of this girl, but it was a neat show. MTV made great use of the fact that the awards were held on Paramount’s lot in LA, utilizing the movie sets for the performances. Reminded me of the good old days when the VMAs were special and people did unique performances you wouldn’t see anywhere else.

- Jordan Sparks presented something and managed to cram in a comment about how you shouldn’t make fun of people who wear promise rings because “not every guy or girl wants to be a slut.” Because I’m a bad person, I giggle, roll my eyes, and make a comment about how she really doesn’t need a promise ring to keep herself a virgin. Oh, snap.

- Chris Brown and Rihanna did that song where they sing over the melody of “Dragostea din Tei.” Well, I know that it’s called “Dragostea din Tei” -- you know it as that “Numa Numa” song you watched that fat kid lip sync to on YouTube.

- Christina Aguilera did a dark electro version of the first verse of Genie in a Bottle, which I rather enjoyed. This led into her new song, “Keeps Gettin’ Better,” which, to my delight, reminds me of her “Dirty” period. I like this girl so much better when she stops trying to prove what a good singer she is and just cranks out the club hits.

Why this was relegated to filler material,
I'll never understand.

- They showed 30 seconds of LL Cool J is doing “Goin Back to Cali” on the floor with the other bands who don’t matter. Are you kidding me? Also relegated to post-commercial bumper spots are Lupe Fiasco and The Ting Tings, which is a real shame, since these people are actually talented and I would’ve liked to have seen them get the benefit of real performances.

- Kid Rock was up next, and before launching into “All Summer Long,” he took a shot at all the fake people who dance and lip sync instead of being real performers. I’d like to point out that “All Summer Long” is essentially a cover of “Sweet Home Alabama,” but with different words. Kid Rock -- keepin’ it real.

- Britney Spears took home Video of the Year for “Piece of Me”. Is it me, or does that deserve a late pass like nothing else? I don’t think anybody in the world would argue that Britney is in any way relevant to today’s music scene. Not that I expected anything great to win – I don’t think a truly breathtaking video has won since The Smashing Pumpkins took it in 1996 for “Tonight, Tonight.” Hell, the fact that anything – ANYTHING – was able to beat out Justice’s "D.A.N.C.E.". last year, says that this award has very little to do with what is, in fact, the best video of the year. But it usually does have something to do with who’s the most popular, and I find it hard to believe Britney fits that bill anymore.

- And finally, Kanye West closed the show with a song no one knows. I’ve seen West live, and I can vouch that he puts on a good show, but for some reason he decided to go the extremely understated route here, which kinda gave the show a solidly “eh” ending.

Overall, I have to say it was much better than last year. Certainly not one of the classics, but watchable at least. Huge credit to Russell Brand, who was the best host they’ve had in a long time, even if barely anyone there appreciated it. And they brought the quality of the performances up, for the most part, which is a good thing. See ya next year.

- Amirah

Econoline Crush version 2008

Now I'm older, wiser and bitterly cynical, it takes something fairly special to get me to raise little more than a skeptical eyebrow. The news that Canadian alt-rockers Econoline Crush have reformed has been the most recent reason for me bouncing around my room (read: padded cell) with joy. True, I'm bringing you this update somewhat late as the band announced this news some time ago, but in my defence there is an ocean or two seperating our continents AND I'm only usually allowed to communicate with the outside world via messenger squirrel. True, their news might take some time to arrive but at least they work for little more than a handful of nuts, but I've digressed.

Fact remains that vocalist Trevor Hurst is back from the wilderness, metaphorically speaking, following a sabbatical fronting his solo band, simply called Hurst, who released one superb EP, 'Wanderlust' back in '05. Along for the ride in Econoline Crush v2.0 are guitarist Kai, bassist Scott Whalen and drummer Brent Fitz. Worryingly, Hurst aside, none of this current roster have actually been in a previous incarnation of the band, but a quick blast through the new tracks featured on new album 'Ignite' reveal that EC of 2008 can still knock out some concise pop rock gems, chock full of ice cool riffs and pulsing with an electronic groove that's somewhere between Stabbing Westward and Gravity Kills. Most impressively of all, Hurst's voice sounds better than ever. Sharing a sound consistent with that of their second album, the awesome 'The Devil You Know', 'Ignite' is produced by Sylvia Massey. For a preview head on over to their MySpace page and tell 'em Blendetta sent you…

- Giles Moorhouse

Check out the video for Econoline Crush's "Dirty":

Shy Child being awesome

Shy Child Rocks!! They are freakin awesome. I didn't really listen to their music till I came across these interviews that they did. They were hilarious.

Check out the interview: Shy Child @ UncensoredInterview.com

- Mika

In case you've ever wondered what the lyrics to Pearl Jam's - Yellow Ledbetter are, here you go:

Eiffel 65: I heard the guy third from the
left did all the work.

You know you remember every one of them!

La Bouche
Nikki French
Real McCoy
Cici Peniston
Alice DeeJay
Eiffel 65
Sonique

And I bet you danced a little too.

- Kali


**Wanna share a favorite music video? Find it on YouTube, send us the link here, and we'll feature it in the next Music Video Time Machine.**

The Roots saw the future of rap video

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Sure it's a cliché, but sometimes it happens to be true. And oh my, did I ever find truth in that cliché while watching the Yo! MTV Raps marathon that's been running on digital channel MTV Jamz for the past few weeks. Thank Baby D's "I'm Bout Money" clip for providing this revelation. Now, there is absolutely nothing remarkable about this video. It's every cash, hos, bling clip you've ever seen. But what I do find remarkable is that I remember The Roots parodying this exact video -- 12 years ago. "What They Do" was a perfect send-up of mid-90s rap video excess. There's something sad about the fact that it's still just as relevant over a decade later.

- Amirah

**Wanna share a favorite music video? Find it on YouTube, send us the link here, and we'll feature it in the next Music Video Time Machine.**

The Roots - What They Do

They like to party

Who could forget the Vengaboys? Many of us tried and failed, especially when Six Flags resurrected "Who Likes To Party" for their own commercial purposes. Or if you ever saw the fateful karaoke of "Boom Boom Boom Boom" that Art Brut posted online, enough said. But go onto YouTube and type in their name, and sure enough over 1000 results show up from Asian guys singing in their cars to the "two girls in a bedroom singing" skit to even the Simpsons dancing to it (20th Century Fox has removed this clip now). Now relive the good old days of the Vengaboys; just promise me to still avoid Aqua.

- StEvO

**Wanna share a favorite music video? Find it on YouTube, send us the link here, and we'll feature it in the next Music Video Time Machine.**

Vengaboys - Boom Boom Boom Boom


Vengaboys - Who Likes To Party


Vengaboys - Up & Down

Wye Oak believes, hon

I came across this term recently in an interview on the AV Club website with Jenn Wasner & Andy Stack from Wye Oak. They used it to describe the local indie scene in the Baltimore area. Was it just a bit of humor on their part or is there actually something more happening in the back alleys of B-more, hon?

There's always a catchy term to describe the era of a band or area music. We all remember the craze (although few of us probably reading this right now lived it) of Beatle-Mania. And T.Rextacy or Bolan-mania. Then when certain areas of the world had their scenes. New York going through two major ones with the 60's Andy Warhol/Velvet Underground art scene.....and later on with a newer art rock scene created by bands such as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Moldy Peaches, and TV On The Radio.

One of Baltimore's breakout acts, Spank
Rock

And let's not forget one of the best in Madchester.....Happy Mondays, Joy Division/New Order, and the birth of rave culture on that side of the sea anyway. It even got its own movie in the form of "24 Hour Party People". Most cities and states have a nice vibrant scene in them; Chicago, New York, California, London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, etc. so why not Baltimore?

Apparently the scene is already happening around us. Bands such as Wye Oak and Beach House are pulling in some nice record label deals, and others are amassing a huge popularity including Spank Rock and Dan Deacon, the latter who tours constantly and even played Coachella in California this year (one of the biggest festivals in the US). And now with this month's Rolling Stone announcing the best scene of 2008 as Baltimore, we might find ourselves in the big leagues.

The "scene" Baltimore is often known for is not
of the musical variety

If only we could stop dragging ourselves down; there's not enough hometown support. It seems everyone who lives in Baltimore always has something negative to say about it, myself has been included on that as well. And while it may have our problems with crime, homelessness, traffic, taxes, dirty political figures, crooked cops, overcrowdedness, & drugs, we have a very vibrant art, music, dining, club scene. And besides, there are worse places; least we're not in Detroit.

No offense intended to people who may live in, planning to live in, or have lived in Detroit. But you have to admit it sucks, right?

- StEvO

PS: To see all the haters/supporters of the "Baltimorgasm" scene, check out Rolling Stone's comment thread.

MP3: Wye Oak - Warning

MP3: Spank Rock - What It Look Like

You know you watch it. No one claims that they do, but American Idol is one of the highest rated, most watched television shows of all-time. Oh, ok… you just watch the auditions. That is what the people will admit to watching. Fact is: most people watch it. The statistics don’t lie! If your friends say that they don’t watch American Idol, statically, they are liars. I’m not afraid to admit that I watch it. With that being said, on to my rant…

Undeniably, this year’s American Idol contestants are hands-down the most talented group of individuals that have ever been on the show. So far in my opinion, America has gotten it wrong twice – Michael Johns and Carly Smithson shouldn’t have been voted off so early, but that’s just me talking. Either way, the people who have left and the people that remain are more gifted than in any previous season. My question is: why do they have to pick such crap music to choose from this year?

Simon (who I love – I want to have his ignorant British babies) always uses certain phrases such as: “cruise ship”, “in your bedroom”, “your mom made you do it” to describe “cheesy performances” and I get what he’s saying. He also hates when people, who are competing for a major-label contract sound “karaoke.” The biggest way to avoid being “cheesy” or sounding “karaoke” is to avoid singing songs that would give people that impression. The judges like to use the word “karaoke” to describe covers of songs from artists that can’t be covered. Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion are a few that fit that category.

Keep in mind the keywords “cheesy” and “karaoke.” Also keep in mind that these contestants have a select choice of songs to select every week. To get to my point: this year’s theme weeks are really not good for the contestants or the fans of the show. Think about this logically: who is watching and who is voting. How in the eff did Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber or Neil Diamond help out any of those people competing for a record deal? The above artist’s works were all theme weeks this year and I don’t think the artist selection could have been worst! I’m assuming that these artist were pre-selected, but still: Dolly: who cares, Maria: the judges have been begging people not to do her songs for years, Andrew Lloyd Webber: huh?. And Neil Diamond: talk about cheesy! David Cook can usually pull off whatever is handed to him, but he’s an exception to the rule:



I’ve always assumed that the American Idol audience demographic consisted mainly of young girls and a hand full of senior citizens. I suppose statically I’m wrong, but I believe that those two groups of people are the ones that but the albums. I did work in a music store for 8 years… I sold a ton of Constantine Margoulis’ metal band “Prey For the Soul of Betty” CDs to 12 year olds and elderly women. I suppose that’s beside the point. What I’m trying to say is that the theme weeks this year suck. If Mariah Carey is “uncoverable” and Neil Diamond is “cheesy” why were they selected to have theme weeks? I know they all have something new to promote – that makes sense for them. But how do cheesy karaoke songs promote American Idol or the contestants? Let these artists who have a lot to prove chose their own songs. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want a guy who sounds like Jason Maraz (Jason Castro) sing a song from “Cats”, nor do I want to hear a Carly Simon sound-a-like (Brooke White) sing Mariah Carey. If I’m right about this, let me know. If you disagree, you’re most likely wrong, but I’d like to hear your opinion anyway.

- Krissy

BT and his sweet highlights

When the techno explosion of the late 90s/early 2000s is called to mind, that brief period when DJs were so gonna be the next big rock stars, you tend to think of the usual suspects – Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method, etc. There was that "Where’s Your Head At" song. But due to the magic of iTunes shuffle, I was reminded of another little forgotten gem with BT's "Never Gonna Come Back Down." The single featuring Soul Coughing's M. Doughty on vocals was taken from his 2000 release, Movement In Still Life – which was actually a very good record, and with its liberal use of guest rappers beat the current electrorap trend by a mile (think MSTRKRFT’s "Bounce" eight years before that was the cool thing to do).

Though hardly anyone outside the electronic community remembers it nearly 10 years later, “Never Gonna Come Back Down” did have a moment in the sun on alterna-rock radio. It even had a video – one of those awesome clips that really could only have been made during this time period. A Hackers-esque theme, warehouse rave atmosphere and Windows media player visuals -- what more could you want from a techno vid circa 2000? Let’s take a trip back through the magic of YouTube.

- Amirah



**Wanna share a favorite music video? Find it on YouTube, send us the link here, and we'll feature it in the next Music Video Time Machine.**

ODB realizes that Kelis probably still does have his money.

Most would probably agree that Kelis is best known for being the girl whose milkshake is, in fact, better than yours. But with her greatest hits collection recently released in the UK, it seems a good time to reminisce about Kelis’ earlier work. You see, long before she was bringin all the boys to the yard, the R&B stylist was providing the refrain for Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Got Your Money.” Many got their first look at the future star in the song’s video, a blaxploitation-laced classic of pimp decadence.

Warning: NSFW


And while we’re on the subject, it’s well worth noting that “Got Your Money” has made a recent reappearance with a cover by Say Anything on the Punk Goes Crunk compilation. This one gives Dynamite Hack’s version of “Boyz in the Hood” a good run for its money in the competition for best awkward white boy rap cover. You always knew the late great king of Shimmy Shimmy Ya had some off the wall lyrics, but you never knew how great it could be til somebody enunciated them.

MP3: Say Anything - Got Your Money


- Amirah

I just spent the past two hours scouring the internet for an album to download. Not because I’m too cheap to buy it, not because I don’t care about supporting the artist – because the album hasn’t actually been released yet. And the fact that my time spent searching certain sites that may or may not contain the words “rapid” and “share” has thus far yielded no results is not making me a happy girl. Seriously, how dare they keep this album under such tight lock and key that I can’t even find it a week before it hits stores? Who do these people think they are?

Let’s rewind for a minute. All the way back to 1995. October 3, 1995, to be exact. I was sitting in social studies class, supposedly learning about the Civil War, but actually counting down the hours until I could get the hell out of school for the day. Because you better believe I had already made 100% certain that my mom could give me a ride to the local record store to pick up the just released “What’s the Story Morning Glory.” Cause like-oh-my-god-Oasis-is-totally-the-best-band-ever!!! A huge fan of the band’s previous album, this then 14-year-old budding Britpop enthusiast was being driven crazy with anticipation; I’d had the date of the new album’s release circled in my school calendar for weeks. There may have even been a few hearts drawn around it.

It’s a feeling that I miss. Whenever there’s talk of the evils of file sharing, seldom brought up is the fact that easy access to leaked albums has destroyed the concept of looking forward to anything. There’s almost no such thing as “release dates” anymore – there’s just whatever date somebody puts it up on the internet. It’s not something that I expect will go away, nor do I think anyone should step in to try to control such things. It's just one of those things that you accept because, well, times change. Personally, I am well aware that my behavior will remain the same – if I know an album I want is readily available online prior to its actual release, I’m going to go find it. But sometimes I’m nostalgic for the time when that wasn’t an option, when you actually had to count down the days until you could hear your new favorite CD.

So, anyway, let me get back to searching for that album. Somebody’s probably got it up somewhere. But you know what? I kinda hope I don’t find it.

- Amirah

From November 1999 to November 2007 I worked for a Baltimore based chain of independent music stores. I started as seasonal help in ’99 making a mere $5.25 / hour when I was just 18. From there I quickly moved on to Key Holder, Asst. Manager, Store Manager, and Manager in Charge of Training. I worked in all 11 locations: doing inventory, re-merchandising, and general cleanup. My point is: I know the ins and the outs of running and working in an indie music store. Here are the stereotypes that I hate that were associated with my previous job:

10. I smoke pot like, uh, all the time. Not that I think it makes a difference to you if I do or don’t, but it did to me – under some circumstances… like with the police. Try calling the cops when someone steals a bunch of shit from your store and have them take you seriously… and not harass you. You can accuse me of a lot of things and you’d probably be right. But for the record, I don’t smoke pot.

9. High Fidelity is the Best Movie - EVER. Guess what? I’ve seen it a couple of times. I hated it, and I’m sorry. Although completely inaccurate I did like Empire Records. I would have had that little thieving bastard from that movie arrested (if the cops even came when I called them) – I wouldn’t have hired him.

8. People think that you just hang out and listen to music all day. I wish that were true but its not. There is actually a LOT of hard work involved in working in and managing a music store. The general public (and their heathen offspring) likes to fuck up your store – especially on the first of the month. It takes a lot of effort to maintain order in a store that is supposed to be kept in alphabetical order! It’s very hard to convey this realism to applicants – they also think that we just hang out and listen to music. If they are totally into My Chemical Romance, but can’t spell their name, they still believe that they are prime candidates for employment.

7. I Bet you’ve never even heard of Buffalo Springfield! Guess

Buffalo who?

what? I have. I might be a young white girl, but I know what I know. I also knew that when people asked for “that the bullet hits the bone song” they are asking for Golden Earring – Twilight Zone. It’s not called “when the bullet hits the bone”, but it’s the song they were asking about. And when people asked for “that heaven sent you song” by Marvin Gaye, I knew it was Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Your Precious Love, even though I’m not old and I'm white. If you ask me a question about your favorite song, you obviously have no clue what you are asking about: let me at least try to prove to you what I know. These are also the people who used to tease about “I bet you’ve never even seen a real 33 & 1/3 record before!” when there are 30,000 of them in the store.

6. So what kind of discount do I get? Ok. If you charged me $5.00 for a $12.00 pizza or removed all of my late fees for a video I hadn’t returned on time, thank you, but that’s on you. Indie store or not, we never operated on a barter system. I never jeopardized my job for cheap food or movie rentals.

5. How much are those backstage passes?! We used to see tickets through Tickbastard. When we first started selling them, TB set up their machines that looked to be made in 1982. If those machines had the ability to print laminated backstage passes for events, it would have been a technological achievement for its time – 1982. I also probably would’ve know how to print them.

4. A quarter! Elton John is SO much better than the Beatles! When purchasing pre-owned music, there is a standard set price. It’s all about supply and demand. Although you might think that a scratched Elton John – Love Songs CD is priceless, it isn’t. I used to explain “high dollar” CDs as something that will always sell, i.e. the Beatles. I guess to some (non-Beatles fans or crack heads with Elton John CDs) that example didn’t work so much.

3. I saw on da innernet it came out on Thursdey! (Baltimore dialect) - Know what? It didn’t. First of all, 99% of CDs are released on Tuesday. Second of all, the Internet often lies. And if you were to have told me that Best Buy had it (which unless it was an exclusive, they didn’t) I would’ve said “Well, why didn’t you buy it there?”.

2. So you’re telling me they don’t make that on cassette!? Nope. They don’t. I bought my first CD player when… well my first CD was Green Day – Dookie. I was late to the party. With MP3s, DVD-Audio and Super Audio, its surprising that CDs haven’t gone way of the 8 track, and you still think they make cassettes (pronounced cass-its, as it often was)? I guess you would be, if you’re still asking for them.

This is crap!

1. Can I return the White Album? I didn’t like it. Maybe I’d understand this coming from a child. Thing is, it came from 40+ year old people. Return / exchange policies had to be tightened due to burning. Our exchange policy was printed on the receipt. Unless you were a “club member” it meant: you could exchange for the same item if your purchase was defective. Sometimes I knew people were getting over on us, but if they stated a good enough case, we had to oblige. Don’t tell me, the stupid young girl that you didn’t already know what was on a CD such as the White Album. And I can honestly say, most of these return-obsessed customers were doctors, lawyers, and politicians – people with money. Shame on you for giving hard working people a hard time because you are too cheap to spend money for music. If you'd rather steal it, do it online like everyone else does - don't steal it from indie store struggling to survive.

That’s my story and that’s my list. Feel free to comment, especially if you’ve endured the same stereotypes as I have.

- Krissy

Correction: After a good nights sleep, I realize that this list seemed to move from stereotypes associated with working at a music store to stereotypes associated with the customers that shop there. It ended up being more of a rant than anything else. Either way, it felt good to put all of this in writing.

Everyone knows of the superstitious belief of a "sophomore slump" in the music industry. A brand new budding artist gets all their good stuff out into the world and then....bam they got nothing left. But the record company doesn't settle for that answer and neither will the contract you have with them. So the artist tends to release an album of, for lack of a better word, shit. Some bands almost instinctively know not to release a second album (what did happen to Dogs Die In Hot Cars?). The "sophomore slump" can kill a lot of people in the music biz....but not all. In fact after a browse through my music collection, I have found a few bands whose second album surpasses their debuts in the music world. Now most of this list may be based on opinion so I know I'll receive some crap for some of my choices (see below) but it stands to say that some people actually write better music when given a second chance.

Ash "1977"
An absolute leap in songwriting between this album and their debut "Trailer". "Kung Fu" is a perfect song to make the jump from earlier songs like "Hulk Hogan Bubble Bath" and "Jack Names The Planets" yet still encourage more listeners with a song like "Girl From Mars".

Belle and Sebastian "If You're Feeling Sinister"
The first choice I may get crap for from the fans of "Tigermilk". Don't get me wrong, the first album is good but "If You're Feeling Sinister" is great.



Cake "Fashion Nugget"
A very worthy album that launched Cake into the huge mesh of big 90's artists unlike his first album which spawned one single on all the college/indie radio stations and quickly forgotten once Cake went "the distance".

Chromeo "Fancy Footwork"
Another group who had a good first album but I really sank into this group when they FINALLY released their second album. Some things are worth the wait though especially when you're gonna release music videos with Dave on the side of a pizza van and parodies of Dire Straits.

The Dandy Warhols "Come Down"
This album is as "cool as Kim Deal". Besides their first album is as weird as their last one.

The Faint "Blank-Wave Arcade"
After their emo-esque debut "Media", this album was a refreshing break from the rest of Saddle Creek's humdrum Bright Eyes' wannabes. But we would still have to wait for "Danse Macabre" for perfection.

Foo Fighters "The Colour and The Shape"
This album has a very strange love/hate relationship for me. I was never a big Foo Fighters fan, but they seemed a natural progression from Nirvana. "Everlong" was a wonderful masterpiece but "My Hero" agitated me to the very core of my being. I think "Monkey Wrench" throws me over to the positive side of this album while the first album seems very weak in comparison.



Goldfrapp "Black Cherry"
Another choice that might damage my rep with the die-hard Goldfrapp fans who drool all over "Felt Mountain" as a masterpiece. I admit it's a great album....to fall asleep to, but give me the glammed out Goldfrapp anyday. "Strict Machine", "Twist", "Train".....this was the start of a beautiful relationship. Then she breaks your heart with her newest one trying to revitalize the "Felt Mountain" days.

Hot Chip "The Warning"
A definite improvement over their debut album with singles abound.

Hot Hot Heat "Make Up The Breakdown"
You mean they had another album before this one? Yeah and they would also like to forget their screaming hardcore days of "Scenes One Through Thirteen".

IMA Robot "Monument To The Masses"
I'm just a sucker for this band. The infectious first single "Creeps Me Out" to the ballad-esque "Lovers In Captivity". This album really pulled their sound together while their debut was a little rough around the edges.

Jimmy Eat World "Clarity"
Look out everybody! He's pulling out an emo band! But I have to give my respect to an album that changed my whole view of music from the crap that's force fed down your throat to a wide world of acts that actually have talent, passion, and creativity. This album was a masterpiece in my life and always will be.



Just Jack "Overtones"
I love alot of these British rap acts but Just Jack pulled this album together with more of a pop sound, and it worked very well.

The Knife "Deep Cuts"
A vast improvement over their unusual debut, making an interesting electronic album but still being able to liberally use steel drums.

Ladytron "Light & Magic"
Another electronica act breaking through with one single ("Seventeen") but their are many more hidden gems on this disc.

Nirvana "Nevermind"
You're probably thinking, "ah this list writer is now showing his true colors....he works for Spin, doesn't he?" Nope, I am not a sellout. This is just a better album and very well constructed compared to "Bleach". Yes, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has been drug through the mud and this launched them into the mainstream world that corrupts and all the other BS. But still, a true masterpiece of music. (I actually tend to like "In Utero" better though, shhh.)

Radiohead "The Bends"
After hearing "Creep" for the thousandth time, "The Bends" was refreshing collection of hits to be had. From rockers like "Just" to the chill of "Street Spirit", everything on this album takes the cake.

Rilo Kiley "The Execution Of All Things"
Their lyrics and music just create an intense atmosphere that was lacking on their first disc, must have been that Omaha experience.

William Shatner "Has Been"
Listen to it and you will understand.

Smashing Pumpkins "Siamese Dream"
Ah, back when they were the Smashing Pumpkins and not Billy Corgon & Jimmy Chamberlin and others who were never in the band in the first place but we'll still call it a reunion. A simple rock masterpiece and soundtrack to most of our 90's lives. Of course "Gish" wasn't bad either.

The White Stripes "DeStijl"
They move from the obscure blues garage sound with lots of cover songs to a definite sound as their own. And they just keep rising from there.



So that's my list. Feel free to bash, add to, or comment in anyway you feel like expressing yourself. And remember not all sophomore album are good but Bloc Party for some reason keeps selling albums.

~StEvO

HEY I CAN'T MEET U HERE 2MARO
SAY GOODBYE DON'T FOLLOW
MISERY SO HOLLOW

Lists. I love lists. They work for me. They work for all of us. So, Blendetta.com wants our lists - our "opinions" if

Layne Staley

you will. I've got lots of those. I am a very opinionated person who works hard to appear as someone who is not. When I saw an invite to compose lists for publication, I was so excited. I thought, how easy ---> just put my opinions in numerical order. My first thought was 90's music. I loved the music in the 90's - almost all of it (except the pop and indie stuff - I've never liked that). My thoughts were racing non-stop about the opportunity to put MY list together of the music I liked from the decade I loved. But then I complicated things. I had to pull out all of my cds, and I mean all of them, to confirm release dates of some of the cds I wasn't sure about. Then, I put them in four different categories ---- for sures, probablies, maybes's and no haps. It wasn't as easy as I thought - I have a lot of cds - most of them from the 90's! After that, I had difficulty sorting out which ones really belonged in the maybe pile vs. the probably pile. Things got outta control and somehow I ended up driving around roughly 900 miles over a three-day period, listening and re-listening to cds to make sure I gave them all due consideration. I spent about $413 in gas, but, I've got my list together. Here goes:

Now remember, love it or hate it - it's my list. After reading this, go make your own:

10. Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie....
9. Third Eye Blind - S/T
8. STP - Core (Japanese Import w/Acoustic version of Plush)
7. Counting crows - August and Everything After
6. Snoop - Doggystyle
5. Nirvana - Nevermind
4. Dave Matthews Band - Before These Crowded Streets
3. Pearl Jam - 10
2. Nirvana - In Utero (tied with Nirvana Unplugged - which prompts my next list)
1. Alice in Chains - Jar of Flies



Honorable Mention must go to Counting Crows for This Desert Life, Soundgarden for Down on the Upside and Bush for 16 Stone. So, agree or disagree, you know it's good! Any other 90's people out there? Let's see your list. Or, have you not been enlightened to the 90's music yet because you think that Taking Back Gayday, I mean Sunday, is like classic rock? Maybe you think that King Diamond or (god forbid) Ratt is the greatest recording artist of all time!! Whatever. Anyway, put yourself out there. Let's see what you've got. Just don't spend three days driving around listening to music to come up with your list! Gas is too expensive right now. Ok - my rant is over. Now go pull out some 90's grunge, give it a fresh listen and enjoy. And remember, with the lights out, it's less dangerous!

Comments - feedback? Haters welcomed. Thanks for reading.

Kitty Travagline

It takes a lot to get us excited; perhaps a riveting article in the latest edition of Pipe & Slipper monthly, a flash of a lady's garter on the bus on the way to our weekly meeting of the Camden Philatelic Association, or perhaps the gentle, sensual, undulating curve of a sine wave. Never let it be said that we don't know how to party, but what really gets us going is some raucous, fuzzed up guitar invective as ably demonstrated by post-punk noiseniks A Place To Bury Strangers. Stars of this year's SXSW festival, A Place To Bury Strangers are starting to create a splash, the ripples of which will be felt across the various strata of the music industry over the coming months. Make no mistake about it, this band will be BIG. Squalls of feedback, hypnotic bass lines and rigid, mechanized drum machine rhythms courtesy of a real, live drummer collide as one orgasmic whole, the resultant musical potpourri smelling like a potent combination of Jesus & Mary Chain, Kasabian, Sisters Of Mercy, Primal Scream, Sonic Youth and Killing Joke; these guys have it all.Blasting out of NYC at what feels like a million miles an hour, A Place To Bury Strangers were formed from the ashes of neurotic shoegazers Skywave and feature vocalist/guitarist Oliver Ackermann, the charmingly monikered Jono Mofo on bass and Jay Space on drums, and seem hell-bent on kicking out some of the most inventive noise this side of Muse.

The self-titled debut album is out now in the U.S. whilst their first single, the supermassive blackhole of double A sided single 'To Fix The Gash In Your Head/Ocean' is out in the U.K. on May 5th, so consider yourselves duly warned. It seems only right that we leave the last words to one of New York's finest, an anonymous NYPD Officer; "…Let them play one more song before we shut the place down. This band is sick."

Check 'em out at www.aplacetoburystrangers.com.

- gileZ Moorhouse

Check out the video for I Know I'll See You:

It's a scene that appears in nearly every movie featuring a record store. You know, the one where an employee puts on some music, thereby causing a spontaneous dance party to break loose. As a former record store employee of many a year, I saw this phenomenon occur in real life exactly one time. The track that caused the impromptu dance epidemic? 33Hz's "Chemical Reaction." This was when I knew this band had something...More at RSJ-->

Like 33hz? Like this article? Link to it:

Copy & paste:

<a href="http://www.blendetta.com/2008/04/new-at-rsj-33hz.html"><img src="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg260/blendetta/33hzbanner.jpg" alt="http://www.blendetta.com/2008/04/new-at-rsj-33hz.html" width="468" height="60">

This is a list of my favorite cover songs. I'm not saying that they are the most famous or the most brilliantly covered songs of all time - they are just the ones that I like the best. So in no particular order they are:

Al Green - I Want to Hold Your Hand ( originally by The Beatles )
Johnny Cash – Hurt ( originally by NIN )
U2 – Everlasting Love ( originally by Robert Knight )
Donell Jones – Knocks Me Off My Feet ( originally by Stevie Wonder )
Rufus Wainwright – Across the Universe ( originally by TheBeatles )
The Fugees - Killing Me Softly ( originally by Roberta Flack )
Black Crowes – Hard to Handle ( originally by Otis Redding )
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You ( originally by Dolly Parton )
Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah ( originally by Leonard Cohen )
Led Zeppelin - When the Levee Breaks ( originally by Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie )

Go a head - agree with me or agree to disagree - you're comments are welcomed!

- Krissy

We would like for you to post lists pertaining to pop-culture, music, movies, television or video games on our site. Ok, it’s not a huge announcement. It’s not like as big as when the “Old Folks” announced their reunion tour, but at least this announcement doesn’t suck. I know, it’s not like having a website full of random lists is a new concept, but lists are fun, so we’re doing it anyways. Here are some reasons as to why we want to do this in descending order:

5) People make mental lists of things. People like to share lists on the interweb.
4) People have short attention spans. Lists are easy to read and comprehend.
3) Everyone ’s VH1 list shows (you know you do!). This will be like that. Only difference is: you have to read it.
2) As previously mentioned, lists are fun.
1) People have short attention spans. Lists are easy to make.

Your lists can be about anything pop-culture related. We want your opinions to be heard, even if you don’t want to write an “opinion piece” about a particular subject. We also want to encourage people to comment on your opinions, because that’s what they like to do. Your lists, for example, could be about:

- Your favorite video games.
- Favorite musicians with one-word names (i.e. Madonna, Prince, Bono, etc).
- Best movies featuring Mathew Lillard.
- Stupidest You Tube videos to appear on a real television show.
- Reasons why “sophomore” albums of new bands are absolute crap.

Your topic can be very specific or completely broad – it’s up to you. Make sure to send these lists to blendetta@verizon.net. You know you want to.

Picture this... the year is 1988, at any elementary or middle school USA. Girls fashions included big hair, stone washed jeans, slouch socks, and anything NKOTB

NKOTB 1988

related. New Kid's merchandise was like crack-cocaine for little girls in the 80's. They couldn't get enough of it! They didn't care how much it cost, they just had to have it. NKOTB made a TON of $$$ peddling junk with their faces on it to little, impressionable girls. For these girls, sporting NKOTB apparel was as normal as watching cartoons on a Saturday morning - it's just what you did. As for their music, we all know it sucked. I think, or I should say thought, that once these girls grew up and realized how talentless NKOTB were, they dropped them like the bad habit that they were. That's probably why when they went out of style, it happened hard and fast. If you were still listening to NKOTB like a week after they weren't cool any more, other kids just knew that you were a total loser. I'm well aware of the fact that everything old becomes new again, especially with music. Cheesy pop tunes from the 80's are "back in". Thing is with the New Kids, they fell so fast and so hard it is unimaginable to think that they could ever make a comeback.


Skip forward 20 years to present day. All of those little girls are grown up now. They have careers, husbands and kids of their own. Instead of cartoons, they watch the news and programs like the TODAY show in the mornings. Well, at least thats what I was watching on Friday morning. To my surprise, the New Kids were on to announce their reunion. I was in disbelief! The announcement itself wasn't shocking - it was how it was received by the audience. The entire plaza was filled with grown-ass women with cameras, standing in the rain, screaming so loud that you could barely make out what NKOTB were saying:



Seriously people? WTF is going on here? How on earth do these guys still have any fans? I have lots of questions about this. It makes me wonder. Instead of school desks covered with giant stand up buttons of young 80's bubblegum pop guys, will we be seeing offices and cubicles plastered with photos of 40 year old has-beens, 20+ years out of their prime? I know that the state of our nation isn't great when it comes to what people find to be entertaining... but an NKOTB reunion? Maybe if they had a reality show I could understand the hype. Most of the viewers would be watching just to have a laugh. This isn't that. People are actually excited by the thought of new NKOTB music and tour. Personally their excitement makes me want to vomit in my mouth. Thank you for allowing me to rant.

NKOTB 2008, yikes.

- Krissy

Comments are welcomed!