In case you haven't heard, soul music star and world-class train wreck Amy Winehouse is dead. In a tragic, but not surprising turn of events, the singer died on July 23 at the age of 27, a mere five years after her record success with her second (and final) album, Back to Black. With that, Ms. Winehouse joins a long list of musicians in an unfortunate group called the 27 Club.
The club, which began with the deaths of Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones in 1969 and famed songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix in 1970 involves prominent
SPIN Presents Newermind: A Nirvana Tribute
by J Frazzetta July 26th, 2011 | Album Review, Music Opinions
Tribute albums are a tough subject with me. I find the idea of them to be well-intentioned: collecting a bunch of groups to cover an artist's material to pay homage, yet when I listen to these compilations, all I want is the real thing and not a knockoff. The problem is that many of these albums stay too close to the original and don’t let you hear the creative nature of the band doing the cover. With the 20-year anniversary of Nirvana’s Nevermind coming up, SPIN Magazine rounded up a bunch of candidates for a tribute album. Does it
Evanescence: A Retrospective
by Jason Lightner July 22nd, 2011 | Artist Review
Crafting powerful songs about lost love and suffering, Evanescence was one of the most popular musical acts of the mid 2000s. The outfit is currently comprised of six members including Amy Lee (vocals, piano), Will Hunt (live drums), Terry Balsamo (lead guitar), Troy McLawhorn (rhythm guitar), Tim McCord (bass) and Will "Science" Hunt (drums, programming). This has been the lineup since 2007 and has been the most stable lineup since the band's formation.
I found out about Evanescence back in 2003 – right after their first studio album was released. Apart from being a complete sucker for female vocalists, I was awestruck by
I found out about Evanescence back in 2003 – right after their first studio album was released. Apart from being a complete sucker for female vocalists, I was awestruck by
Soundgarden, Comcast Center, 7/10/11
by J Frazzetta July 19th, 2011 | Concert Review
For perspective, please read last week’s post.
It was the morning of June 30th, a normal Thursday, and while listening to my favorite radio station WFNX there was a game they were playing. Call in and answer the best of five random questions, beat the intern and win a pair of tickets to see Soundgarden. Using my Bluetooth I called in, made it on air and due to my ability to name two other members of N’Sync that weren’t Justin Timberlake, managed to score a set of tickets to see Soundgarden again. Strange luck indeed, avid reader.
Right off
It was the morning of June 30th, a normal Thursday, and while listening to my favorite radio station WFNX there was a game they were playing. Call in and answer the best of five random questions, beat the intern and win a pair of tickets to see Soundgarden. Using my Bluetooth I called in, made it on air and due to my ability to name two other members of N’Sync that weren’t Justin Timberlake, managed to score a set of tickets to see Soundgarden again. Strange luck indeed, avid reader.
Right off
Soundgarden, Mohegan Sun Arena, 7/6/11
by J Frazzetta July 15th, 2011 | Concert Review, Music Opinions
As the lights faded Wednesday night I grew worried: since 1996 I’ve been following Soundgarden on record, in magazines and video clips. In minutes some of my biggest musical idols would take the stage and I was nervous that my idealized vision of the band would be destroyed by a half-hearted reunion performance. After a minute or two of opener "Searching with My Good Eye Closed", my fears melted away and I realized that I was not ready for the aural assault that was to be brought upon me.
I’ve read plenty about the band; how they tune their guitars
I’ve read plenty about the band; how they tune their guitars