I would like to wish everyone a happy, safe and prosperous 2009. See you next year. Cheers!
Peace & Happiness,
QNYC
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
My Year In Music, Pt. 6 ... Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe: Saints of Los Angeles
Track Listing
http://www.myspace.com/motleycrue
Mötley Crüe was one of those bands that as a teen I listened to religiously. The grooves on my Shout At The Devil album are non-existent. I sense some eyes rolling. The chick who declared 80's Alice Cooper too cartoo
nish wore the grooves off a Crüe record. I've already repented for my anti-Alice sins ... or something. Anyway, I go through extended periods where I don't listen to Mötley Crüe. But, as long as Nikki Sixx's hair still stands proud in all its rock 'n' roll inky black glory, I will always eventually come back to The Crüe.
So, back in June, Mötley Crüe released Saints of Los Angeles. This is the first Crüe record with the original line-up in over a decade. To be honest, I haven't really felt good about any Crüe records since Dr. Feelgood. Sure, I've continued to buy Crüe records but I'd give them a spin and toss them on a pile of stuff in the corner with the other CD's I don't listen to. Saints of Los Angeles proved to be different. Ok, yeah, I couldn't toss it in the corner even if I wanted to because I only bought the download but that's beside the point! I have a special virtual corner for disliked downloads. But I digress.
Feeling a bit nostalgic, I sat down and gave this latest effort a proper listen. I find Saints of Los Angeles enjoyable. It's the closest to back in the day Crüe they've come since well, back in the day! Now, while I don't enjoy it as much as those long ago records I hold near and dear, it certainly gives me a fulfilling dose of Crüe. To be honest, I like it better than Theatre of Pain ... I'm still trying to find some extra love for that record. Anyway, the catchiest numbers for me are the title track, "Saints of Los Angeles," "White Trash Circus" and my favorite of the bunch, "Just Another Psycho."
It's nice to know that Messieurs Sixx, Neil, Mars & Lee can still make a gal feel like a teenager again. In those nostalgic moments, little teenaged rock chick me happily flails around the room thinking my walls look too bare without the multitude of Crüe pictures peering down at me.
I'd recommend it to fans who were on the fence about the record, some casual fans and those special people with crushes on Nikki's hair ... yeah, they exist, I'm acquainted with a few of those people! If you're a beginner, start at the beginning.
nish wore the grooves off a Crüe record. I've already repented for my anti-Alice sins ... or something. Anyway, I go through extended periods where I don't listen to Mötley Crüe. But, as long as Nikki Sixx's hair still stands proud in all its rock 'n' roll inky black glory, I will always eventually come back to The Crüe.So, back in June, Mötley Crüe released Saints of Los Angeles. This is the first Crüe record with the original line-up in over a decade. To be honest, I haven't really felt good about any Crüe records since Dr. Feelgood. Sure, I've continued to buy Crüe records but I'd give them a spin and toss them on a pile of stuff in the corner with the other CD's I don't listen to. Saints of Los Angeles proved to be different. Ok, yeah, I couldn't toss it in the corner even if I wanted to because I only bought the download but that's beside the point! I have a special virtual corner for disliked downloads. But I digress.
Feeling a bit nostalgic, I sat down and gave this latest effort a proper listen. I find Saints of Los Angeles enjoyable. It's the closest to back in the day Crüe they've come since well, back in the day! Now, while I don't enjoy it as much as those long ago records I hold near and dear, it certainly gives me a fulfilling dose of Crüe. To be honest, I like it better than Theatre of Pain ... I'm still trying to find some extra love for that record. Anyway, the catchiest numbers for me are the title track, "Saints of Los Angeles," "White Trash Circus" and my favorite of the bunch, "Just Another Psycho."
It's nice to know that Messieurs Sixx, Neil, Mars & Lee can still make a gal feel like a teenager again. In those nostalgic moments, little teenaged rock chick me happily flails around the room thinking my walls look too bare without the multitude of Crüe pictures peering down at me.
I'd recommend it to fans who were on the fence about the record, some casual fans and those special people with crushes on Nikki's hair ... yeah, they exist, I'm acquainted with a few of those people! If you're a beginner, start at the beginning.
Track Listing
- L.A.M.F.
- Face Down In The Dirt
- What's It Gonna Take
- Down At The Whisky
- Saints Of Los Angeles
- Mutherfucker Of The Year
- The Animal In Me
- Welcome To The Machine
- Just Another Psycho
- Chicks = Trouble
- This Ain't A Love Song
- White Trash Circus
- Goin' Out Swingin'
http://www.myspace.com/motleycrue
My Year In Music, Pt. 5 ... Danielia Cotton, The BellRays & Little Jackie
It has dawned on me, that I haven't really written much about female artists or bands featuring females. Well, being of the female variety myself, that just won't do!
Danielia Cotton: Rare Child
Back in May, I was browsing around the Internet. I tend to do this a lot in an effort to find something that catches my eyes and or ears. I happened upon a story about singer/guitarist Danielia Cotton. As part of the story they had a song being streamed from her then upcoming record Rare Child. Said record was coming out the following week. I liked the song. The following week rolled around and the record became a part of my collection.
I like this record. It stayed on r
epeat on my iPod for a few weeks and in heavy rotation for a good while after that. Cotton has a great voice. She has one of those voices that goes from rockin' out to soulful acoustic tinged songs flawlessly. Hers is a warm voice. A lot of times when singers start wailin' and rock shoutin', it gets painful to listen to especially when people don't know when to stop. This doesn't happen in Cotton's case. She has one of those nice blues rock shouts and she is tasteful in using it.
Lyrically, Rare Child is a personal record. This is one of those records that's best if you just sit and listen to all the way through ... you know something we used to do on a more frequent basis before iPod's, playlists and shuffle modes became the norm. The songs do however stand well on their own for those who don't listen to records as a whole. There's really no filler on this record but the highlights for me are, "Make U Move," Rare Child," "Let It Ride" and "Bound."
I think if you're a fan of warm voiced blues rock female singers you'll like Rare Child.
I like this record. It stayed on r
epeat on my iPod for a few weeks and in heavy rotation for a good while after that. Cotton has a great voice. She has one of those voices that goes from rockin' out to soulful acoustic tinged songs flawlessly. Hers is a warm voice. A lot of times when singers start wailin' and rock shoutin', it gets painful to listen to especially when people don't know when to stop. This doesn't happen in Cotton's case. She has one of those nice blues rock shouts and she is tasteful in using it.Lyrically, Rare Child is a personal record. This is one of those records that's best if you just sit and listen to all the way through ... you know something we used to do on a more frequent basis before iPod's, playlists and shuffle modes became the norm. The songs do however stand well on their own for those who don't listen to records as a whole. There's really no filler on this record but the highlights for me are, "Make U Move," Rare Child," "Let It Ride" and "Bound."
I think if you're a fan of warm voiced blues rock female singers you'll like Rare Child.
Track Listing
- Make U Move
- Testify
- Didn't U
- Bang My Drum
- Rare Child
- Running
- Righteous People
- Dark Desire
- Let It Ride
- Bound
http://www.myspace.com/danieliacotton
The BellRays: Hard Sweet and Sticky
I became familiar with The BellRays sometime in 2007 when I was going through a female rock singer phase. Some browsing
around the Internet led me to Lisa Kekaula, The BellRays' throat. A fan was born.
Earlier this year, The BellRays released Hard Sweet and Sticky. I had instantly been taken by their previous release Have A Little Faith. On first listen to Hard Sweet and Sticky, I was a little disappointed. However, after a few listens I started getting into it. Where as their previous effort was more fiery, this outing was a little more understated. Kekaula's voice was still spot on but overall I felt like it was missing some unmph.
"Psychotic Hate Man" and "Pinball City" both display The BellRays familiar punkish side. My favorite song on the album is "Foot Prints On Water" which also appears on an earlier album the band released. The other highlights, "One Big Party," "Infection" and the low key "Blue Against The Sky."
I like the record but it's not my favorite effort by The BellRays. Would I recommend it? Yes, but I would probably suggest picking up some of their earlier works first.
around the Internet led me to Lisa Kekaula, The BellRays' throat. A fan was born.Earlier this year, The BellRays released Hard Sweet and Sticky. I had instantly been taken by their previous release Have A Little Faith. On first listen to Hard Sweet and Sticky, I was a little disappointed. However, after a few listens I started getting into it. Where as their previous effort was more fiery, this outing was a little more understated. Kekaula's voice was still spot on but overall I felt like it was missing some unmph.
"Psychotic Hate Man" and "Pinball City" both display The BellRays familiar punkish side. My favorite song on the album is "Foot Prints On Water" which also appears on an earlier album the band released. The other highlights, "One Big Party," "Infection" and the low key "Blue Against The Sky."
I like the record but it's not my favorite effort by The BellRays. Would I recommend it? Yes, but I would probably suggest picking up some of their earlier works first.
Track Listing
- The Same Way
- One Big Party
- Infection
- Coming Down
- Footprints On Water
- Blue Against The Sky
- Psychotic Hate Man
- The Fire Next Time
- That's Not The Way It Should Be
- Wedding Bells
- Pinball City
http://www.myspace.com/thebellrays
Little Jackie: The Stoop
I decided to buy The Stoop by Little Jackie after getting the title track as a free download from some service or another. I w
as familiar with Little Jackie vocalist Imani Coppola's work already so it wasn't a big stretch that I might check out this release.
Normally, I'm not a fan of modern pop flavored R&B and even less of a fan of the hybrid R&B/Hip-hop genre. But, "The Stoop" caught my ear with it's laid back infectiousness. Often times, you're misled by a catchy single and the rest of the album holds nothing similar and you end up disappointed. This doesn't happen with The Stoop. The whole album is full of catchy songs. It's a fun record. It often mixes upbeat catchy music with some rather caustic lyrics. It was a perfect summertime record.
I went to see Little Jackie back in October. The songs translate well live adding to the fun sing-a-long nature of many of the songs. The highlights for me, the amusing "LOL," the upbeat fun "The Kitchen," "28 Butts" and my personal favorite, "Cryin' For The Queen."
Fans of upbeat, catchy, pop infused R&B should check The Stoop out if it's not already in your collection.
as familiar with Little Jackie vocalist Imani Coppola's work already so it wasn't a big stretch that I might check out this release.Normally, I'm not a fan of modern pop flavored R&B and even less of a fan of the hybrid R&B/Hip-hop genre. But, "The Stoop" caught my ear with it's laid back infectiousness. Often times, you're misled by a catchy single and the rest of the album holds nothing similar and you end up disappointed. This doesn't happen with The Stoop. The whole album is full of catchy songs. It's a fun record. It often mixes upbeat catchy music with some rather caustic lyrics. It was a perfect summertime record.
I went to see Little Jackie back in October. The songs translate well live adding to the fun sing-a-long nature of many of the songs. The highlights for me, the amusing "LOL," the upbeat fun "The Kitchen," "28 Butts" and my personal favorite, "Cryin' For The Queen."
Fans of upbeat, catchy, pop infused R&B should check The Stoop out if it's not already in your collection.
Track Listing
- The Stoop
- The World Should Revolve Around Me
- 28 Butts
- Guys Like When Girls Kiss
- Liked You Better Before
- LOL
- Cryin' For The Queen
- Black Barbie
- One Love
- The Kitchen
- Go Hard Or Go Home
Monday, December 29, 2008
My Year In Music, Pt. 4 ... Priest, Motörhead & Alice
This summer turned out to be a bit of a boon for hard rock/metal fans. For our listening pleasure we got a long talked about, long awaited record from the mighty Priest. Lemmy and crew gave us their 24th album. And shock rock legend Alice Cooper weighed in with a new record of his own. Metal love all around, right?
Judas Priest: Nostradamus
I've been listening to Judas Priest for a good long while. Like with everything, I go through periods where I listen to them more than other times. This year I listened to a lot of Priest and thus found myself thinking tha
t perhaps I should check out Nostradamus when it was released. For those that don't know, Nostradamus is a concept album. They've gone and put Nostradamus' life to song. That right there made me leery and almost prevented me from purchasing it. One, I don't like concept albums and two, I really don't give a wit about Nostradamus. But, it's Priest!
Because I like cute, I picked up the deluxe edition of this two CD opus instead of your standard jewel case edition. It's a very nice package too ... 48 page hardbound book with the lyrics. Great package. Looking at the track listing, Nostradamus looks a wee bit daunting. There are 23 tracks on this puppy! Yeah, that's a lot of Priest but, some of the tracks are more interludes than actual songs.
I really wanted to like this record. I can't honestly say it's a bad record because it's not. The music is your above average Priest fare. Singer Rob Halford can still pull off the vocal feats that Priest fans have come to know and love. My problem with the record, it's overkill. It's just too damned tedious. Nostradamus is one CD too long. There were moments while listening that I found myself looking at my music player and asking, 'how much longer is this going to go on?'
Nostradamus contains no arena rousers. What's that mean? In Quirky Chick speak, it means not once while listening to it did I say to myself "I can't wait to hear this one live!" There will be very few cliche horns in the air, screaming at the top of my lungs, giving myself a headache and or whiplash when one of these songs rolls around live. The biggest standout for me and the song most likely to make me go all cliche metal chick and whatnot is "Persecution." This one has one of those make your ears bleed guitar solos ... yeah, sweet. My second favorite track, the acoustic laced "Alone." Other standout tracks, "Prophecy," "Pestilence and Plague" and "Conquest." Title track, "Nostradamus," starts off with what sounds like Halford standing an audition for an opera before kicking into a blistering Priest romp. And this is a petty personal preference thing on my part but I don't like the word Nostradamus and frankly I find it a bit annoying hearing it blaring through songs.
I wouldn't tell a novice Priest fan to run out and buy this record. It's too overwhelming and tedious. However, I would tell an on the fence Priest fan to buy it. Perhaps this will be one of those records that down the line, I'll pull out, listen to and fall in love with. Right now however, it's the relative you're happy to see a few times a year but you start yawning and hinting how late it's getting after a while.
t perhaps I should check out Nostradamus when it was released. For those that don't know, Nostradamus is a concept album. They've gone and put Nostradamus' life to song. That right there made me leery and almost prevented me from purchasing it. One, I don't like concept albums and two, I really don't give a wit about Nostradamus. But, it's Priest!Because I like cute, I picked up the deluxe edition of this two CD opus instead of your standard jewel case edition. It's a very nice package too ... 48 page hardbound book with the lyrics. Great package. Looking at the track listing, Nostradamus looks a wee bit daunting. There are 23 tracks on this puppy! Yeah, that's a lot of Priest but, some of the tracks are more interludes than actual songs.
I really wanted to like this record. I can't honestly say it's a bad record because it's not. The music is your above average Priest fare. Singer Rob Halford can still pull off the vocal feats that Priest fans have come to know and love. My problem with the record, it's overkill. It's just too damned tedious. Nostradamus is one CD too long. There were moments while listening that I found myself looking at my music player and asking, 'how much longer is this going to go on?'
Nostradamus contains no arena rousers. What's that mean? In Quirky Chick speak, it means not once while listening to it did I say to myself "I can't wait to hear this one live!" There will be very few cliche horns in the air, screaming at the top of my lungs, giving myself a headache and or whiplash when one of these songs rolls around live. The biggest standout for me and the song most likely to make me go all cliche metal chick and whatnot is "Persecution." This one has one of those make your ears bleed guitar solos ... yeah, sweet. My second favorite track, the acoustic laced "Alone." Other standout tracks, "Prophecy," "Pestilence and Plague" and "Conquest." Title track, "Nostradamus," starts off with what sounds like Halford standing an audition for an opera before kicking into a blistering Priest romp. And this is a petty personal preference thing on my part but I don't like the word Nostradamus and frankly I find it a bit annoying hearing it blaring through songs.
I wouldn't tell a novice Priest fan to run out and buy this record. It's too overwhelming and tedious. However, I would tell an on the fence Priest fan to buy it. Perhaps this will be one of those records that down the line, I'll pull out, listen to and fall in love with. Right now however, it's the relative you're happy to see a few times a year but you start yawning and hinting how late it's getting after a while.
Track Listing
- Dawn Of Creation
- Prophecy
- Awakening
- Revelations
- The Four Horseman
- War
- Sands Of Time
- Pestilence and Plaque
- Death
- Peace
- Conquest
- Lost Love
- Persecution
- Solitude
- Exiled
- Alone
- Shadows In The Flame
- Visions
- Hope
- New Beginnings
- Calm Before The Storm
- Nostradamus
- Future of Mankind
http://www.myspace.com/judaspriest
Motörhead: Motörizer
Motörhead is another one of those bands, like AC/DC, that you pretty much know what you're going to get when you buy one of their r
ecords. Motörizer has the band staying true to form. That's not a bad thing. The difference between Motörizer and some of their previous efforts is they sound more inspired ... more energetic. Besides, Lemmy is one of those people you can't help but like.
Lyrically, Motörhead has never been anything to write home about in my opinion. Lemmy's voice is even more graveled sounding if that's even possible! "Rock Out" and "Buried Alive" both have the what you would call the classic Motörhead sound. The music of "Back On The Chain" reminds me of "Damage Case" ... I keep expecting to hear it when I listen to this song. Other notable standouts, "When The Eagle Screams," "Time Is Right," "One Short Life," which has a blues vibe, and "(Teach You How To) Sing The Blues."
If someone were to ask me 'should I buy the newest Motörhead record?' I'd say yes. I don't think anyone who likes Motörhead, even casually, would be disappointed in this record.
ecords. Motörizer has the band staying true to form. That's not a bad thing. The difference between Motörizer and some of their previous efforts is they sound more inspired ... more energetic. Besides, Lemmy is one of those people you can't help but like.Lyrically, Motörhead has never been anything to write home about in my opinion. Lemmy's voice is even more graveled sounding if that's even possible! "Rock Out" and "Buried Alive" both have the what you would call the classic Motörhead sound. The music of "Back On The Chain" reminds me of "Damage Case" ... I keep expecting to hear it when I listen to this song. Other notable standouts, "When The Eagle Screams," "Time Is Right," "One Short Life," which has a blues vibe, and "(Teach You How To) Sing The Blues."
If someone were to ask me 'should I buy the newest Motörhead record?' I'd say yes. I don't think anyone who likes Motörhead, even casually, would be disappointed in this record.
Track Listing
- Runaround Man
- (Teach You How To) Sing The Blues
- When The Eagle Screams
- Rock Out
- One Short Life
- Buried Alive
- English Rose
- Back On The Chain
- Heroes
- Time Is Right
- The Thousand Names Of God
http://www.myspace.com/motorhead
Alice Cooper: Along Came A Spider
Alice Cooper decided to give us a concept album too ... chronicling a serial killer. I've already mentioned I d
on't like conceptual projects. Add to that, I'm not really a fan of post 70's Alice. To be honest, when I was exploring music to listen to that I didn't inherit from family, I ignored Alice. Why? I felt he was a little too over the top cartoonish. I mean come on, I watched him on the Muppet Show for goodness sake! Yeah, I just admitted to watching the Muppet Show but let us not dwell on that. In hindsight, my assessment of Alice Cooper was outright hilarious considering some of the 80's hair metal I just couldn't live without back in the day.
A bit older and a bit wiser, I found myself listening to classic Alice ... you know, back when Alice Cooper was a band and not just a man called Alice. Alice Cooper the band was a damn good band. Discovering this still didn't really have me showing much love for modern day Alice. Oh sure, there were a few songs here and there that I enjoyed but those didn't compare to the older stuff. But, I decided to buy Along Came A Spider and give it a chance.
Of the three albums I've talked about this time around, I found myself liking Along Came A Spider the best. I think it's safe to say I found myself liking this effort because it sounds more like the classic Alice I've already professed to being a fan of. Dare I say I even found myself dancing around the room a bit while listening to this album. What's that? A danceable serial killer story?
I can honestly say that I didn't once feel the urge to skip a track while listening to this record. There are but a hand full of records that came out this year that have that distinction. My favorite track on the album is "Killed By Love." Other highlights, "Wake The Dead," I'm Hungry," "(In Touch With Your) Feminine Side," which has a bit of a Stones vibe to it, and "The One That Got Away."
If you like more of the classic Alice sound, then you'll probably like this record.
on't like conceptual projects. Add to that, I'm not really a fan of post 70's Alice. To be honest, when I was exploring music to listen to that I didn't inherit from family, I ignored Alice. Why? I felt he was a little too over the top cartoonish. I mean come on, I watched him on the Muppet Show for goodness sake! Yeah, I just admitted to watching the Muppet Show but let us not dwell on that. In hindsight, my assessment of Alice Cooper was outright hilarious considering some of the 80's hair metal I just couldn't live without back in the day.A bit older and a bit wiser, I found myself listening to classic Alice ... you know, back when Alice Cooper was a band and not just a man called Alice. Alice Cooper the band was a damn good band. Discovering this still didn't really have me showing much love for modern day Alice. Oh sure, there were a few songs here and there that I enjoyed but those didn't compare to the older stuff. But, I decided to buy Along Came A Spider and give it a chance.
Of the three albums I've talked about this time around, I found myself liking Along Came A Spider the best. I think it's safe to say I found myself liking this effort because it sounds more like the classic Alice I've already professed to being a fan of. Dare I say I even found myself dancing around the room a bit while listening to this album. What's that? A danceable serial killer story?
I can honestly say that I didn't once feel the urge to skip a track while listening to this record. There are but a hand full of records that came out this year that have that distinction. My favorite track on the album is "Killed By Love." Other highlights, "Wake The Dead," I'm Hungry," "(In Touch With Your) Feminine Side," which has a bit of a Stones vibe to it, and "The One That Got Away."
If you like more of the classic Alice sound, then you'll probably like this record.
Track Listing
- Prologue/I Know Where You Live
- Vengeance Is Mine
- Wake The Dead
- Catch Me If You Can
- (In Touch With Your) Feminine Side
- Wrapped In Silk
- Killed By Love
- I'm Hungry
- The One That Got Away
- Salvation
- I Am The Spider/Epilogue
http://www.myspace.com/officialalicecooper
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Around New York ... December 29, 2008 - January 4, 2009
Upcoming shows in the New York area ...
Decem
ber 29 -- Pat McGee / Ernie Halter / Luke Mulholland at Mercury Lounge (pictured Pat McGee)http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 29 -- Big Big Bucks / Paris Can Wait / Ten Minute Turns / Sora An at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 29 - December 31 -- Patti Smith And Her Band at The Bowery Ballroom (sold out)
http://www.boweryballroom.com
December 30 -- Katie Pearlman Band / Anita Nikki Krishnan at Cafe Vivaldi
http://www.cafevivaldi.com
December 30 -- Alisa Shamrow / She-Dick / Jasper James at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 30 - 31 -- Gov't Mule at Hammerstein Ballroom
http://mcstudios.com/boxoffice
December 30 - January 4 -- The Bad Plus at The Village Vanguard http://www.villagevanguard.com
Decem
ber 31 -- Semi Precious Weapons at Public Assembly (pictured)http://www.publicassemblynyc.com
December 31 -- The Damned at Blender Theater at Gramercy http://www.blendertheater.com
December 31 -- Chuck Berry at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill http://www.bbkingblues.com
December 31 -- Yo La Tengo / The Feelies at Wellmont Theatre http://www.wellmonttheatre.com
December 31 -- Blonde Redhead at Terminal 5
http://www.terminal5nyc.com
December 31 -- Ippazi / Dan Torres w/Ryan Vaughn / Ellen Kaye Band at Cafe Vivaldi
http://www.cafevivaldi.com
December 31 -- A Place To Bury Strangers / Dirty On Purpose / The Vandelles / My Best Fiend at Mercury Lounge http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
January 1 -- Amanda Palmer & The Danger Ensemble / Emilyn Brodsky at Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
January 1 -- Crystal Castles / Alex English at Music Hall of Williamsburg (Crystal Castles pictured)
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
January 1 -- Chewing Pics / Raymond Bally / Armedalite Rifles at Cake Shop
http://www.cake-shop.com
January 2 -- Chris Cubeta & The Liars Club / Bryan Dunn / Matt Singer / Emily Easterly at Union Hall
http://www.unionhallny.com
January 3 -- Rich Girls / Blip Blip Bleep / Jacksonknife at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
January 4 -- My Best Fiend / The Main Street Gospel / Silver Rockets / The Midnight Prayers at Cake Shop
http://www.cake-shop.com
January 4 -- Women / The Mighty Handful / The Comfort at Public Assembly
http://www.publicassemblynyc.com
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Happy Holidays!
Happy Christmas ... Hanukkah ... Kwanzaa! If I've left anyone out, my apologies. May you and your loved ones be safe and happy.Peace & Happiness,
QNYC
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tickets Go On Sale This Week For Upcoming Shows In The New York Area
On Sale Wednesday, December 24, 2008
February 6, 2009 -- Cat Power at Apollo Theater
http://www.apollotheater.org
On Sale Friday, December 26, 2008
March 7, 2009 -- The Whigs at Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
On Sale Saturday, December 27, 2008
February 7, 2009 -- Levon Helm at The Wellmont Theatre
http://www.wellmonttheatre.com
My Year In Music, Pt. 3 ... Def Leppard & Man Raze
Def Leppard: Songs From The Sparkle Lounge
Track Listing
http://www.defleppard.com
http://www.myspace.com/defleppard
Man Raze: Surreal
Track Listing
http://www.myspace.com/manraze
This past April, Def Leppard released Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, their first album of new songs since 2
002's X. I'd say I grew up listening to Def Leppard but that would make me and them seem old. Yeah, okay, we are but I'd rather not think about the decade known as the 80's. The bad hair and horrible clothes that I as a teen insisted were "cool" make me shudder. Who thought spandex and big hair were a good idea? It's amazing fire marshal's allowed 80's rock bands into buildings being the walking fire hazards they were! But, I digress.
Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is the first Def Leppard record I actually kind of looked forward to buying since their monstrously huge Hysteria. I was a bit put off by "Nine Lives" featuring country superstar Tim McGraw being released as the first single. I have nothing against McGraw and to his credit and theirs, it worked without them really altering their sound to include him. Sure, it was a great marketing move having that as a lead off, but that regulated their catchiest song in years, "C'mon C'mon" to second single status. To make matters even worse, they saddled the poor song with possibly the most horrid video since the UK video of "Pour Some Sugar On Me." Of course, videos don't really mean that much these days since most of the music video stations don't actually air music videos! But, they didn't have to treat such a catchy song like a bad seed stepchild.
The standout tracks for me are, "Tomorrow," the already mentioned "C'mon C'mon" and "Hallucinate" The track "Love" has them channeling Queen. I personally prefer the deluxe edition acoustic version of the song. "Bad Actress" wins point for being a solid rocker and bonus points for the odd yet catchy lines, 'You can't sing, can't dance ... Can't fit in your pants.'
You can hear traces of all of their past efforts in this record. While some of us old folks may have sentimental attachments to the 80's era records, there's still plenty here for us to enjoy. In the end, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is a solid outing.
002's X. I'd say I grew up listening to Def Leppard but that would make me and them seem old. Yeah, okay, we are but I'd rather not think about the decade known as the 80's. The bad hair and horrible clothes that I as a teen insisted were "cool" make me shudder. Who thought spandex and big hair were a good idea? It's amazing fire marshal's allowed 80's rock bands into buildings being the walking fire hazards they were! But, I digress.Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is the first Def Leppard record I actually kind of looked forward to buying since their monstrously huge Hysteria. I was a bit put off by "Nine Lives" featuring country superstar Tim McGraw being released as the first single. I have nothing against McGraw and to his credit and theirs, it worked without them really altering their sound to include him. Sure, it was a great marketing move having that as a lead off, but that regulated their catchiest song in years, "C'mon C'mon" to second single status. To make matters even worse, they saddled the poor song with possibly the most horrid video since the UK video of "Pour Some Sugar On Me." Of course, videos don't really mean that much these days since most of the music video stations don't actually air music videos! But, they didn't have to treat such a catchy song like a bad seed stepchild.
The standout tracks for me are, "Tomorrow," the already mentioned "C'mon C'mon" and "Hallucinate" The track "Love" has them channeling Queen. I personally prefer the deluxe edition acoustic version of the song. "Bad Actress" wins point for being a solid rocker and bonus points for the odd yet catchy lines, 'You can't sing, can't dance ... Can't fit in your pants.'
You can hear traces of all of their past efforts in this record. While some of us old folks may have sentimental attachments to the 80's era records, there's still plenty here for us to enjoy. In the end, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is a solid outing.
Track Listing
- Go
- Nine Lives (featuring Tim McGraw)
- C'mon C'mon
- Love
- Tomorrow
- Cruise Control
- Hallucinate
- Only The Good Die Young
- Bad Actress
- Come Undone
- Gotta Let It Go
- *Love (acoustic version)
- *Nine Lives (Def Leppard version)
http://www.defleppard.com
http://www.myspace.com/defleppard
Man Raze: Surreal
In June, Man Raze released the
ir debut CD Surreal. For those who don't know, Man Raze is Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen's other band. Joining him in this effort are Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and former Girl cohort Simon Laffy on bass.
Surreal features Collen's gritty vocals. I like the rawness of his voice ... it's not polished or over produced. Man Raze takes us through a variety of sounds ... from the punk'ish punch the air sing-a-long "Turn It Up" to the reggae dub of "Runnin' Me Up." The standout songs for me, "Turn It up," "Skin Crawl," "Connected To You," and "Halo." Overall, this record makes you feel like you're in a small hot sweaty bar listening to them. That my friends, is a good thing!
ir debut CD Surreal. For those who don't know, Man Raze is Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen's other band. Joining him in this effort are Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and former Girl cohort Simon Laffy on bass.Surreal features Collen's gritty vocals. I like the rawness of his voice ... it's not polished or over produced. Man Raze takes us through a variety of sounds ... from the punk'ish punch the air sing-a-long "Turn It Up" to the reggae dub of "Runnin' Me Up." The standout songs for me, "Turn It up," "Skin Crawl," "Connected To You," and "Halo." Overall, this record makes you feel like you're in a small hot sweaty bar listening to them. That my friends, is a good thing!
Track Listing
- This is
- Turn It Up
- Runnin' Me Up
- Every Second Of Ever Day
- Spinning out
- Can't Find My Own Way
- Skin Crawl
- Low
- Connected To You
- Halo
- It's Entertainment
- Shadow Man
http://www.myspace.com/manraze
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Around New York ... December 22 - December 28, 2008
Upcoming shows in the New York area ...
December 22 -- La Res / The Leah Siegel Band / Dandelion Wine / Wynn Walent at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 22 - The Distraction / Kid:Nap:Kin at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 23 -- Zanderdanz / Boy/Girl / Sweetie / Chewing Pics at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 23 - 2
5 -- Matisyahu at Webster Hall (pictured)
http://www.websterhall.com
December 23 - 28 -- Cedar Walton Quartet at The Village Vanguard
http://www.villagevanguard.com
December 26 -- Weston / Latex Generation / Cheeky / Catjaw at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 26 -- Kimya Dawson at The Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
December 26 -- Makeup Breakup / Robes / The Narrative at Cake Shop
http://www.cake-shop.com
December 26 -- Virginia Coalition at Highline Ballroom
http://www.highlineballroom.com
December 26 - 27 -- Todd Rundgren at Blender Theater at Gramercy
http://www.b
lendertheater.com
December 27 -- New York Dolls / The Dirty Pearls at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza (pictured)
http://www.irvingplaza.com
December 27 -- Ryan Montbleau Band / Josh Dion Band at The Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
December 27 -- Mercury Morning / Jeffrey John / Janet Labelle at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 27 -- Chris Rob at Blue Note
http://www.bluenote.net
December 27 - 30 -- Matisyahu at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
December 22 -- La Res / The Leah Siegel Band / Dandelion Wine / Wynn Walent at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 22 - The Distraction / Kid:Nap:Kin at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 23 -- Zanderdanz / Boy/Girl / Sweetie / Chewing Pics at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 23 - 2
5 -- Matisyahu at Webster Hall (pictured)http://www.websterhall.com
December 23 - 28 -- Cedar Walton Quartet at The Village Vanguard
http://www.villagevanguard.com
December 26 -- Weston / Latex Generation / Cheeky / Catjaw at Mercury Lounge
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 26 -- Kimya Dawson at The Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
December 26 -- Makeup Breakup / Robes / The Narrative at Cake Shop
http://www.cake-shop.com
December 26 -- Virginia Coalition at Highline Ballroom
http://www.highlineballroom.com
December 26 - 27 -- Todd Rundgren at Blender Theater at Gramercy
http://www.b
lendertheater.comDecember 27 -- New York Dolls / The Dirty Pearls at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza (pictured)
http://www.irvingplaza.com
December 27 -- Ryan Montbleau Band / Josh Dion Band at The Bowery Ballroom
http://www.boweryballroom.com
December 27 -- Mercury Morning / Jeffrey John / Janet Labelle at Pianos
http://www.pianosnyc.com
December 27 -- Chris Rob at Blue Note
http://www.bluenote.net
December 27 - 30 -- Matisyahu at Music Hall of Williamsburg
http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Holiday Song Update
In my last post, I mentioned Daniel Iorio's "Angels In The Snow." I said I'd buy it if it were for sale. Well, I got word from Daniel that it is indeed available here. Guess what's in my collection now? Cheers!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)