: ROCK & REVIEW - Music News & Review

Culdesac - Childish Gambino - Donald Glover (Derrick Comedy, NBC's 30 Rock & Community)

2010-07-28T03:07:16Z

Donald Glover has been one of my favorite comedians for a few years now. After watching his crazy escapades on Derrick Comedy 's online videos for years now I finally bought in when I randomly started seeing his influences on the NBC show "30 Rock." But then, BLAOW, enters Troy onto community with another favorite Joel McHale (The Soup on E! Channel) and I have been amazed by the caliber of writing and delivery -- easily my favorite comedy show on television. But as I started to follow him on Twitter i noticed this project of his entitled Culdesac, a hip hop and R&B album. A serious attempt at music. Say what?

So I decided to add him to the many new albums I have been trying to get reviews out on and he kind of passed up the others. Most of the time when actors decided to try music it is a disaster -- minus Rick Springfield of course, haha. I was seriously wary of it. But then, after a couple listens, I was actually quite impressed by the content he is putting out there. It is actually something a little different from the other stuff out there. The rap scene is kind of drowned with empty, pompous, unintelligent lyrics at the moment (minus a few) and Childish Gambino diverges from that group. Well, he still is pompous, but that's okay.

First off, he is no Eminem or Jay-Z. However, due to this type of music being exposed to many other demographics since the 1980's I can really see a niche for this guy developing if he plays his cards right. What he lacks in experience he replaces with some tenacity and a sharp tongue. With some more years I can really see him taking off. The main difference is that he can actually rap. Meanwhile he also integrates some of his nerdy qualities into the lines as well (which will appease a totally different type of group). Also, like a good comedian, he capitalizes on his "flaws" and points them out (i.e. sounding too white, etc.) and spins them. I really like the honesty and attempted connection.

I could not help but giggle when he refers to "Tina" (Tina Fey - SNL, 30 Rock, and Movies) throughout the album. Apparently she opened up many opportunities for him and that is awesome. However, I laughed because I relate the whole imagery to Dr. Dre with Eminem as he was beginning his career. Tina Fey probably is laughing too for that matter... He also refers to this album like Michael Jordan playing Baseball, which is kind of silly. But I give him credit for his honesty though.

Anyway, you should check it out. Mind you it is filled with many expletives and nasty language, so if you do not like that - stay away. But overall I would say this is a nice breath of air for the rap community.

Dallas Observer Music Awards

2010-07-20T01:07:36Z

Here are the nominations for the Dallas Observer's Music Awards. There is still time to cast your vote for the following nominations. Just go to following link and cast your vote today.

http://polls.dallasobserver.com/polls/dal/doma2010/

Best Group

Ishi

Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights

Midlake

Mount Righteous

RTB2

Telegraph Canyon

Best Solo Act

Danny Balis

Ryan Thomas Becker

Doug Burr

Glen Farris

Robert Gomez

Sarah Jaffe

Best Album

Air Review - Landmarks

The Beaten Sea - The Beaten Sea

Doug Burr - O Ye Devastator

Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms

Sarah Jaffe - Suburban Nature

Telegraph Canyon - The Tide and The Current

Best Song

The Beaten Sea - "Doctor's Not Gonna Cure Our Ills"

Ishi - "Pastel Lights"

Sarah Jaffe - "Clementine"

Seryn - "We Will All Be Changed"

Spooky Folk - "Bible Belt"

Telegraph Canyon - "Shake your Fist"

Best New Act

Air Review

The Beaten Sea

Ishi

Seryn

Spooky Folk

Sundress

Free debut album from zooseven "Lifesaver"

2010-07-19T01:07:24Z

Del Currie, aka Zoo Seven, was born and raised in Northern Ireland with his parents Joseph and Mary (I know what you're thinking, it's not true), a brother and 4 sisters. Music was always part of family life and these musical roots are what gave Currie his love for melody and harmony from a young age. Bands like The Alarm and Cactus World News were early influences that have stayed with him to this day.

Though Lifesaver is the debut release for Zoo Seven, Currie spent many years recording and playing with his band Fono. Touring with artists like The Goo Goo Dolls, Tonic and Third Eye Blind to name but a few, and working with top recording professionals like Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Radiohead). In 2005 he won Best Rock Song in the International Song Writing Contest with his partner in crime Andy Ridley.

Recording the new album solo was a very different experience for Currie, having full creative control was liberating in many ways, but not having a soundboard to bounce off ideas made for some very indecisive moments. When it came to tracking drums he turned to his old mate from Fono, Andy Ridley, to deliver the goods, and as usual, Andy did just that.

Currie has lived in Ireland, England and California, swept up broken wine bottles for a job, mixed sound for the Glenn Millar Orchestra, been burned down and built up again, worked in a fruit packing factory, played in front of 50,000 people, loved and been loved, played in bars to the barman alone, and sung songs where people sing along. Who knows what's coming next, but it'll be interesting to find out.

Get your free copy today at: www.zooseven.com

The iPhone Antenna Song by Jonathan Mann

2010-07-16T04:07:35Z

my words (almost) exactly!

"The iPhone Antenna Song" - Lyrics by Jonathan Mann

here's an awful lot of hoopla
around the iphone 4 antenna
when you grip it with the death grip
and you're call slips away

the media loves a failure
in a string of success
the facts won't ever matter
if they can make bigger messes

sure i can make it happen
but in terms of daily usage
i've yet to drop a call
so this whole damn thing is stupid

and you can call me a fanboy
i've been called worse things
but gizmodo just ridiculous
pulling their anti-apple strings

you bought a stolen prototype
get over it and move on
or hey even better
let's all sing this song

Grab a download of "The iPhone Antenna Song" by Jonathan Mann here.

Apple's explanations:

Video of the press conference, so you don't have to hear that dishonest, negative crap from competitors bent on Apple's demise. Plus, it's always better to hear it from the horses mouth.

and

antenna

Greg Pherigo - Unamped

2010-06-15T12:06:26Z

I have been busy this last month. I am preparing for a new addition to my family, Sadie Kate Willis. She will be joining our family this monday, June 28th 2010. So yes I have been busy. Man, it has been awhile since I was able to sit down and talk with indie artist, so we can get an unamped looked at who they are. I finally found time to sit down with a local dallas artist, Greg Pherigo. So here is RR's unamped look into artist/musician Greg Pherigo.

RR: What inspired your dream to create music?

GP: When I was a kid I would go over to my Grandmothers house and play around on an electric piano she had called a"Fun Machine." This is when I discovered that i liked to experiment with different chords and notes. I had no clue to what I was doing, I just liked the sound of it. When I was around 10 my Grandfather got me an electric guitar for Christmas and so I switched from piano to guitar. Even then, the guitar was more of a prop for me to pretend like I was in Bon Jovi or Aerosmith. I though those guys were the coolest people ever.

RR:What are some of your musical influences?

GP: Early on when I first started writing songs it was Tom Petty. I liked how he could turn simple chords and melodies into something great. Then I discovered Radiohead and they really influenced me to push the limits of my song structures.

RR:When you write a song, what gives you the inspiration?

GP: Songs move me and encourage me in ways that never happen through direct conversation. I love the idea of creating a song that would have some kind of impact on people wether it just makes their day better or inspires them to do something or perhaps it just allows them to relate to something they don't typically think about in their day to day life.

RR: Have you always wanted to be an musician/songwriter?

GP: Not always, I really wanted to be a Zoologist when I was a kid. Then later on in highschool I thought it would be a good idea to be a Petroleum Engineer even though I didn't know exactly what that was. It wasn't until college that I rediscovered my love for songcraft and when I look back through my past I suppose there always was a part of me that wanted to be a musician

RR: How has it been chasing your dream?

GP: It has been frustrating and difficult for me. I never have had the opportunity to put %100 of my time and resources into my music. It has always been on the back burner so to speak, after paying bills and putting food in my belly. Getting bands together for rehearsals and shows is a challenge and the recording process with limited time and funding presents a challenge as well. I have been very blessed by the people I have worked with on my projects to get the recordings I have with very little time and essentially no budget. Working in the studio and playing live shows have been some of the best times of my life and I am very thankful for those opportunities. I'm always looking forward to more of that!

RR: What has been your most favorable moment you have have while chasing your dream?

GP: There are too many to narrow it down to one but a good example would be playing a live show at Stubbs Barbecue in Austin. It's a legendary venue and a lot of my family were there for the show.

RR: What has been the hardest thing you have faced trying to make your dream happen?

GP: The hardest thing has always been not having enough time. To get a song written, rehearsed, recorded, and then released to an audience is a very long process. It takes a great deal of determination to get it done if you have to work a day job.

RR: What keeps you going while chasing your dream?

GP: There is always at least one person who seems to encourage me to keep going at the right moment. Just when i am getting ready to move on from music someone always calls up or writes me a message that says they really liked a song or a record I have made. Or they say they really like my voice and that is all the motivation I need to keep going.

RR: when some comes and sees a Greg Pherigo show, what do you want them to experience?

GP: At first I want them to experience a break from reality by being entertained but ultimately I hope they are encouraged in some way. I've noticed that the great times in life usually don't last for very long but its those moments of greatness that get you going to whatever is next.

RR: what is new/next for the musician Greg Pherigo?

GP: Hopefully I am going to begin a new collaboration with a friend of mine who I worked with before but only for a short time. We are thinking about re-working some of the songs that didn't get the justice they deserved the first time we recorded them. This could mean a possible relocation to Los Angeles which is scary and exciting at the same time.

RR: Do you want to be a signed national act or do you like the indie scene.

GP: I would love to be a national act because I think that would mean more time and resources to keep the dream alive. However, I think the nature of my music and performance style are geared more towards the indie scene. Thus, if i ever had the chance to be a national act it would mean that I retain the creative process of the songwriting and the record labels would simply act as management and distribution.

RR: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to chase their dream in the music industry?

GP:I would say to get as much determination as you can and create music that you are proud of.

Some fun questions now.

RR: If I were to hit play on your ipod/ipad/or iphone what is the song that I would hear?

GP: Probably something off of the new "Band of Horses" album called "Infinite Arms." I tend to listen to one record at a time until it's worn out.

RR: What famous person would you like to have dinner with (dead or alive)

GP: Adam Sandler, he seems like he would be a fun down to earth celebrity to be around

RR: Favorite type of potato chip?

GP: Salt and Vinegar Pringles

RR: Favorite place you like to go and just chill?

GP: I love hanging around at Bookstores, if I lived near a beach then that would quickly become my hang around place.

There you go. That was an unamped look of local Dallas artist, Greg Pherigo.

http://www.myspace.com/pherigo

http://www.facebook.com/GregoryPherigo?ref=fs

Ratatat - LP4

2010-06-08T05:06:32Z

D.C.'s duo, Ratatat, releases their recent work today entitled LP4. After trotting through the twelve tracks, I rather enjoyed myself.

Their previous work has been my background music for working, writing, and even goofing off. It just works. I do not know if this would suit everyone, those of you who are just hearing about them, because it breaks the mold for how bands should operate - i.e. no vocals. But with the recent popular appearance of bands like Does It Offend You, Yeah and even The Prodigy from years back; the market is developing some sort of niche for this electronic-instrumental genre. And Ratatat clearly does things well when it comes to this specific style. Not to mention, Mast and Stroud have a heavy-hitting resume when it comes to supporting other well known artists (The Faint, Dashboard Confessional, Bjork, Daft Punk, and even the Killers).

This album does offer something different from the previous albums, but not much though. The music is definitely similar to the other LPs. If nothing else, the album serves as a sequel to the previous tracks that have been released for your passive-listening pleasure. That's the beauty of instrumental music. I feel as though this critique should be more extensive, but I can just say "It's good!" and it would suffice the same. All I can say is, check it out. And if you have not heard them yet, get some of their stuff!

My favorites are "Drugs," "Mandy," and "Party with Children." But I am sure it may change with a week or so when I get to groovin' with the other tracks. Tell me what you think...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Party with Children" Video

Ratatat is:

Evan Mast and Mike Stroud

LP4 Tracklisting:

"Bilar"
"Drugs"
"Neckbrace"
"We Can't Be Stopped"
"Bob Gandhi"
"Mandy"
"Mahalo"
"Party with Children"
"Sunblocks"
"Bare Feast"
"Grape Juice City"
"Alps"

R & R Drum Solo Friday!! Tony Royster Jr.

2010-06-04T12:06:27Z

OK, so we slipped a bit last week and didn't get you a drum solo, so today we'll make up for it with a triple shot of Tony Royster, Jr. at ages 12, 14 and 24. He's just great to watch, and while his style has a ton of flash, he never loses sight of the groove.

If you want more information on Tony, visit his official website: http://www.tonyroysterjr.com/

Enjoy!

Paul Weller - Wake Up The Nation

2010-06-02T08:06:01Z

Wake up the nation is paul weller, formally of the mod/punk band The Jam, tenth studio album. this album tends to be a great fusion of muliple genre. For instance; the song "moonshine" has a nice 60's invasion rock with hit of the nice fender rhodes piano, like the doors. You can also here 80's new wave sound and just good ole rock guitar rifts. It seems to be alot more emotion in the vocals on this album. There are some great callobrations on this album, especially Kevin Shields from My Bloody Valentine on 7&3 is the strikers name. Over all this album has a wierd vibe that seems to work.

RRR1/2

Deluxe Edition CD 1/Standard Edition

"Moonshine" - 2:09
"Wake Up the Nation" - 2:19
"No Tears to Cry" - 2:25
"Fast Car / Slow Traffic" - 1:58
"Andromeda" - 1:53
"In Amsterdam" - 1:28
"She Speaks" - 2:15
"Find the Torch, Burn the Plans" - 3:09
"Aim High" - 3:08
"Trees" - 4:19
"Grasp and Still Connect" - 2:16
"Whatever Next" - 1:38
"7 & 3 Is the Strikers Name" - 3:24
"Up the Dosage" - 2:40
"Pieces of a Dream" - 2:26
"Two Fat Ladies" - 2:39

Deluxe Edition CD 2

1. "Wake Up the Nation (Zinc's Crack House Remix)" - 5:10
2. "Fast Car / Slow Traffic (Erland & Carnival Carnivalization)" - 2:50
3. "Grasp & Still Connect (The Bees Version)" - 2:47
4. "She Speaks (Tunng Remix)" - 3:57
5. "Andromeda (Richard Hawley Remix)" - 3:51
6. "In Amsterdam (Noonday Underground Remix)" - 2:00
7. "No Tears to Cry (Leo Zero Remix)" 8:03
8. "Find the Torch, Burn the Plans (Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeah's Remix)" - 5:18

Aim High / Pieces of a Dream – The Amorphous Androgynous Remix

9. "Part 1: Aim High (Aim Higher)" - 5:57
10. "Part 2: Pieces of a Dream (A Dream in Pieces)" - 5:27
11. "Part 3: Aim High (The Higher Aim)" - 4:57
12. "Part 4: Aim High (Like Water Needs a Flower)" - 5:05

Bonus Tracks
13. "Pieces of a Dream - Original Version" - 2:56
14. "Grasp & Still Connect - Original Version" - 2:22

Hawthorne Heights - Skeletons

2010-06-02T12:06:25Z

This will make the 4th studio project from the ohio rockers, hawthorne heights. This has album has a rawness to it as if they just stripped it down to the essestionals so only the skeletons show, hence the name of the album. Anyways this album should alter your opinion how ohio peeps rock it. If you havent listen to hawthorne, in my opinion this is a good album for you to give them a try.

RRR1/2

Hawthorne Heights is:
JT Woodruff
Micah Carli
Matt Ridenour
Eron Bucciarelli

Track listing For Skeletons
No.     Title     Length
1.     "Bring You Back"       3:26
2.     "Nervous Breakdown"       2:55
3.     "End of the Underground"       3:19
4.     "Drive"       3:10
5.     "Gravestones"       3:30
6.     "Broken Man"       2:52
7.     "Last Few Words"       3:04
8.     "Abandoned Driveways"       2:42
9.     "Picket Fences"       3:27
10.     "Here I Am"       3:10
11.     "Hollywood & Vine"       2:46
12.     "Unforgivable"       3:29
13.     "Boy"       3:45
[hide]iTunes Bonus Tracks
No.     Title     Length
14.     "Watching and Waiting"
15.     "This Will Be Televised [Pre-Order Only]"

www.hawthorneheights.com

www.myspace.com/hawthorneheights.com

STP - STP

2010-05-26T12:05:05Z

This is a must for anyone who loves the super grunge group, Stone Temple

Pilots. Their Self-Titled album is out now.

Stone Temple Pilots
Scott Weiland
Dean DeLeo
Robert DeLeo
Eric Kretz

Stone Temple Pilots Track Listing:
1.     "Between the Lines"            2:51
2.     "Take a Load Off"           3:11
3.     "Huckleberry Crumble"           3:10
4.     "Hickory Dichotomy"           3:22
5.     "Dare If You Dare"           4:29
6.     "Cinnamon"                         3:33
7.     "Hazy Daze"                         2:59
8.     "Bagman"                         2:45
9.     "Peacoat"                          3:29
10.     "Fast As I Can"                         3:33
11.     "First Kiss on Mars"           3:03
12.     "Maver"                         4:52

Jack Johnson - To The Sea

2010-05-26T12:05:49Z

Jack Johnson's fith studio album will be release through his own label,

Brushfire Records, June 1st. Jack and company have been working on this album

since January 19th. Jack went green on this album. I am not talking about a new

amount sold or how much money he spent on this album. I mean enviromentally,

he went green. To The Sea was recorded in his two solar powered studios, The

Mango tree in Hawaii and The Soloar powered plastic plant in LA.

According to Jack, The album title is symoblic for a journey to finding yourself.

I cant wait to dive into the songs.

Jack announced that a world tour will follow the release of his album. Keep ROCKandREVIEW in your favorites to find out what

city near you can see him live.

To The Sea's Track Listing:
   1. "You and Your Heart" – 3:16
   2. "No Good with Faces"
   3. "At or With Me"
   4. "When I Look Up"
   5. "From the Clouds"
   6. "Turn Your Love"
   7. "The Upsetter"
   8. "To the Sea"
   9. "My Little Girl"
10. "Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology"
11. "Pictures of People Taking Pictures"
12. "Anything but the Truth"
13. "Only the Ocean"[8]

Hank III - Rebel Within

2010-05-26T12:05:19Z

Rebel Within, the fith studio album from the grandson of country legend,

Hank williams, is out now. This is also to be Hank Williams III last album through

curb records. An interesting fact about Hank III is that he has had a pretty

successful career in country music as a nontraditional artist in a time where

pop country rules the genre.

Rebel Within Track Listing
1. "Gettin' Drunk and Fallin' Down" - 2:34
   2. "Rebel Within"
   3. "Lookin' For A Mountain" - 4:52
   4. "Gone But Not Forgotten" - 4:57
   5. "Drinkin' Ain't Hard To Do" - 3:33
   6. "Moonshiner's Life" - 3:27
   7. "#5" - 6:34
   8. "Karmageddon" - 4:27
   9. "Lost In Oklahoma" - 4:02
10. "Tore Up And Loud" - 3:49
11. "Drinkin' Over Mama" - 3:11

For more news check his official website - www.Hank3.com

Smashing Pumpkins - Teargun by Kaliedyscope

2010-05-25T12:05:34Z

Smashing Pumpkins is relasing a series of Ep as they record them. Basicly

One song at a time. Each time 4 tracks have been made ready for download,

they will also make it avialable for purchase in two different formats. One will be

straight digital and the othe will be in a cool physical EP package.

The pumpkins are trying something new. They will be doing this till they release

around 44 songs and then they will then release them all as a box set. this box

set will then be repackaged and sold.

Smashing Pumpkins is:
Billy Corgan
Mike Byrne
Jeff Schroeder
Nicole Fiorentino

Teargun by Kaliedyscope
1. "A Song for a Son" – 6:02
2. "Astral Planes" – 4:05
3. "Widow Wake My Mind" – 4:26
4. "A Stitch in Time" – 3:33

Menomena - Free Single and Album Preview

2010-05-23T11:05:32Z

One of the most current and inventive bands around today - Menomena - is soon to release their third full length album entitled Mines. I have been keeping my eyes out for them and it looks like things are stirring.

If you visit their website you can enter in your email address and they are allowing you to download a track from the album slated to release in July. The song is titled "Five Little Rooms" and it is worth the minute to get. It is definitely "them" but I do hope they have more in store on the remainder of the album. I can really appreciate their grace with their work, I love bands when they do this.

Anyway, wait with me as July saunters toward us. Also, look for their collaboration with the Helio Sequence on "Pilgrims Progress." I am pretty stoked about that pairing!

R&R Inspiration Sunday

2010-05-23T05:05:35Z

1 Corinthians 14:7-8

If all musical instruments sounded alike, how would you know the difference between a flute and a harp?

If a bugle call isn't clear, how would you know to get ready for battle?