After two massive albums in the early 90’s, we start to close out the decade and find our heroes adding elements of electronica, a new DJ and time to chill out to the mix. This is my final installment on the June Featured Artist the Beastie Boys; I hope you’ve enjoyed it so far.
Compared to the previous efforts, this album could have dropped from outer space, which is the ongoing theme throughout the artwork and some tracks. The use of synthesizers, electronica and new DJ Mix Master Mike give the Boys new direction as they prepare to close out the
My Ear Goggles
by J Frazzetta June 22nd, 2012 | Album Review, Artist Review, Featured Artist
What better way to bookend this week then with the fourth installment of my spotlight on the Beastie Boys? I know what you’re hungry for, Avid Reader, and I’m going to serve it to you hot and fresh.
Expanding on their idea of live instrumentation and tons of rhyming, the Boys found some clear ways to communicate their message even if Ma Bell couldn’t hack it. You might think that there isn’t much of a difference between Check Your Head and Ill Communication and you might be right to a certain degree. By this time MCA had taken the spiritual
Expanding on their idea of live instrumentation and tons of rhyming, the Boys found some clear ways to communicate their message even if Ma Bell couldn’t hack it. You might think that there isn’t much of a difference between Check Your Head and Ill Communication and you might be right to a certain degree. By this time MCA had taken the spiritual
White Rabbits, Milk Famous, 2012
by J Frazzetta June 19th, 2012 | Album Review, Music Opinions
Not too long ago there was a wave of dance-rock bands coming from New York that sounded cool but never pulled my attention like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, so I tuned out most of that scene. Within the last few months I kept reading about this group, White Rabbits, and I didn’t pay them much attention until I heard they put our dance-rock that is a little darker and heavier with some inclination toward Phoenix and Spoon. Sometimes I wish I would check bands out sooner rather than later, you know what I mean, Avid Reader?
The parts
The parts
Cause I’m Electric
by J Frazzetta June 18th, 2012 | Artist Review, Featured Artist, Music Opinions
The "rule of three" is a good way to gauge a band’s output. The debut will catch your attention, the second album can often slump with leftover tracks or move in another direction, and the third album will be a good blend of the first two. For my third installment about the Beastie Boys we’re going to dive into the album that brought their love of live instrumentation and samples into an interesting blend. So check your head at the door and strap on your ear goggles, Avid Reader.
Rather than create a follow up album of heavy samples and
Rather than create a follow up album of heavy samples and
Electric Guest, Mondo, 2012
by J Frazzetta June 13th, 2012 | Album Review, Music Opinions
Subgenres in music are created every day; I mean look at all the ways you can break down metal music: death, thrash, black, British, Nu, speed, grindcore -- and the list will go on. There seems to be an underlying trend in pop music that I noted last year when I wrote about Lykke Li’s album. I have heard this trend called "neo-soul", this harkening back to AM Gold hits of the 50’s or 60’s and giving it a modern twist: Fitz and the Tantrums, Adele and so on. If you happen to hear the first single off the
