On March 18 Justin Timberlake released his highly anticipated album The 20/20 Experience to overwhelming fanfare. The pop music icon spent three months in the middle of 2012 recording his newest album, which comes seven years after his hit record FutureSex/LoveSounds, to create what can only be described as a marriage of pop and soul, providing unparalleled variety not seen in contemporary popular music.
The album's direction is uncharacteristic of Timberlake, with an emphasis on creative harmonies, sudden key changes, and varying song structures. Nearly all of the songs are over seven minutes long, which gives the listener ample time
Nothing Slowed Me Down
by J Frazzetta March 26th, 2013 | Artist Review, Featured Artist
At some point in a band’s career they achieve a certain amount of success that can afford them a chance to branch out a bit from their usual routine. By 2008 The Black Keys were building a steady following in the land of clubs and college radio and needed a way to branch out, since most of the material wasn’t getting mainstream attention. So what did they do? Well, Avid Reader, they did the same thing a lot of bands did in the mid-00’s: licensed their music for television commercials. This was a huge step, because nothing sticks in
Eels, Wonderful, Glorious, 2013
by J Frazzetta March 25th, 2013 | Album Review
When we last caught up with Mark Oliver Everett, or E, of Eels it was 2009 and his fresh batch of songs were a rocking good time. I lost track after that; since the album was the first part in a trilogy and the following releases came out in 2010, they sort of slipped my mind, but this time, Avid Reader, I picked up his newest one to tell you a little about it.
For background: E is a complicated character in that he’s been through a very tough life watching parents, siblings and friends die over the last
For background: E is a complicated character in that he’s been through a very tough life watching parents, siblings and friends die over the last
Atoms for Peace, Amok
by Louise March 22nd, 2013 | Album Review
Amok is the newest album put out by Atoms for Peace. If that artist name doesn't ring a bell, there's not too much to be ashamed of, considering that Amok is in fact their debut album and was officially released less than a month ago. However, it does reveal that you're certainly not much of a Radiohead fan and perhaps even rules out the possibility of being a Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beck, and/or R.E.M. fan. What do these bands all have in common?
The Atoms for Peace line-up includes Radiohead's Thom Yorke (vocal, guitar, keyboard, and programming), Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea (bass), Beck/R.E.M.'s Joey Waronker (drums), and Mauro
The Atoms for Peace line-up includes Radiohead's Thom Yorke (vocal, guitar, keyboard, and programming), Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea (bass), Beck/R.E.M.'s Joey Waronker (drums), and Mauro
Tomahawk, Odd Fellows, 2013
by J Frazzetta March 21st, 2013 | Album Review
Don’t let the cartoon images on the album cover deceive you, Avid Reader; this is not a kids' album. What we have this week is the fourth album from this Mike Patton project. You might think that name sounds familiar, and it should, since he’s the vocalist for: Faith No More, Fantomas, and Mr. Bungle, and he also provided all the vocal work for the video game Left 4 Dead. Whether you know it or not, his music has been changing the landscape on a broader scale, and while groups like Fantomas or Mr. Bungle are a little stranger to
