Native is OneRepublic's third studio album, which was released this past March 22.
For a band that claims to be genre-less, they come off quite clearly as a pop/rock band in this album. This is mostly thanks to their lead vocalist, as well as songwriter, Ryan Tedder. He has a knack for creating addictive radio candy. For example, the band's first single, "Apologize," had a record-breaking 10,331 plays in one given week, only to be surpassed by Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love," also co-written by Tedder. To name a few, Tedder has worked with Adele, Beyonce, Maroon 5, and a number
What Does “Alternative” Mean Anymore?
by Louise November 16th, 2012 | Music Opinions
It seems like the term "alternative" gets thrown around quite a bit nowadays. Some columnists use it as a synonym for "indie," a term that is used quite liberally as a descriptor of an artist who is recognized as having a style that is not particularly mainstream. (What's that you say? I use the term indie? Guilty as charged.) Indie at least has a definition implied from its root, independent, which refers to the fact that the artist operates without major corporate funding or producers. (The definition of indie has also evolved over the years, but that's a whole
Post-What?
by J Frazzetta November 9th, 2012 | Music Opinions
Over the last few months I’ve been pulled deeper and deeper into the worlds of Post-Punk and Post-Rock. So much so that I have almost forsaken coming back to the surface to listen to anything new unless I have to, in which case I will give a new album some spins and submerge back to the murky depths. I can already see you making a face, Avid Reader: what is post-punk and post-rock? Allow me to explain them to the best of my understanding, and I’ll even provide some examples. A few are tough to find but well worth the searching.
Pick any typical
Pick any typical
Smoke and Ash
by J Frazzetta November 5th, 2012 | Artist Review, Featured Artist
During the 90’s there was an onslaught of bands that were trying to make a name for themselves by blending parts of post-punk and metal together to form a new sound. This wasn't limited to the United States; this was a phenomenon that was worldwide, making it an interesting wave of music to look at afterward. Legions of bands have come and gone over the last twenty years, yet many remain, trying to refashion themselves to stay relevant for new ears. However, the band Ash started out playing fast paced songs, then seemed to hit a more alternative stride
Passion Pit, Gossamer, 2012
by J Frazzetta September 12th, 2012 | Album Review
A few years ago there was a boom for bands to go the way of Animal Collective and use heavy synthesizers or try MGMT and incorporate the synth with elements of a rock band to do something a little different. Then from left field, a group from Boston sprang up, with some energy, that had heavy synthesizers and plenty of rock band elements, calling themselves Passion Pit. I can’t lie to you, Avid Reader; I had their album Manners in 2009 with the intention of reviewing it but never did because I listened to it too much. Now they’ve
