The summer is almost over but music is as hot as ever. So let's talk some alternative, metal, hip-hop and rock shall we.
The Verve is back with their new single Love is Noise and a new album titled Forth set to be released on August 25th. Most will remember them for their spectacular worldwide hit 1997's Bittersweet Symphony (sampled by Kanye West and Madonna and covered by many acts including Moby and One Republic) and the poetic Sonnet which have to be two of the most melodious and wonderful tracks ever produced, or even more recently from the 2005 Live 8 benefit concert's where they performed with Coldplay (Youtube the performance it's really beautiful to see). Chris Martin (Coldplay) describes Richard Ashcroft (The Verve) as "the best singer in the world" and Bittersweet Symphony as one of the "best songs ever written". If you have never heard of the Verve well now is the time to check them out. Love is Noise is a catchy tune that speaks definitively of some of the downsides love represents and has a fantastically done video. The Verve definitely does not disappoint and only leaves us anxious for the rest of the Forth album.
Another group that's back and as wonderful as ever is Slipknot. Now most of us will remember them as heavy and hard-core, the real deal when it comes to hard rock. The always masked Grammy award winning group is back after four years with a new album All Hope is Gone set for release on Aug 26. They released their first track Psychosocial, debuting the video on FNMTV a couple weeks ago. The video is definitely not for the faint of heart but if you are a true maggot (Slipknot fan) and even if you are not you can appreciate the song. Corey Taylor gives us a more melodious side of Slipknot with a heartfelt chorus that even if you are frightened you cannot help but sing along and feel the song. Who knows, after one listen you may even find affection in being called "maggot"?
Moving on from the seasoned veterans let's look on some newbies. Shwayze right now is known as a duo of Aaron Lewis aka Shwayze and his bestfriend/producer Cisco Adler of Whitestarr. Shwayze is a rapper that hails from the "mean streets" of Malibu living in what he claims is the only trailer park in Malibu. You can check out Shwayze on Buzzin' a reality show on MTV that follows him on his comedic and interesting journey to putting out his self-titled debut album. Buzzin' is also the name of the lead single off his album which is one of many tracks that are a soothing mix of hip-hop and Cisco's alternative rock style. Shwayze's latest is Corona and Lime which debuted at 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The song speaks of a girl like me who "loves hip hop and rock & roll", fans of both genres should give Shwayze's tracks a listen. Corona and Lime is a nice and easy summer tune, it's not all about soul and what's in your heart, it's just a fun song to listen to when you want to kick back with a Corona and lime.
Finally who can talk about summer and new music and not mention the talented Katy Perry who had us all singing along to the playful and seemingly risque I Kissed A Girl. If you don't know her she played Travis McCoy's girlfriend (which is now her real life role) in the most recent video for the smash hit Cupid's Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes. For almost as long as there was summer there was Katy Perry at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive 7 week stretch. I Kissed A Girl generated much buzz, which wasn't all good with even her parents, who are pastors, are rumoured to disapprove, but really sometimes if you don't want to hear a song you should just turn it off and not spoil it for the rest of us who can appreciate it. Her album One of the Boys is a definite must get. I recommend Hot N Cold and Self-inflicted as must listen tracks. Hot N Cold playfully speaks of a boyfriend who just seems to be split into two, changing his mind "like a girl changes her clothes"; Self Inflicted is a little more on the soulful side speaking of a love she can't let go but yet one that hurts, "Baby you are the weapon I choose these wounds are self-inflicted". The theme may seem a bit cliché but sometimes cliché is just the truth, so go out and get the album if you haven't yet and give the song a listen. Also if you haven't yet and aren't too easily offended then you may want to check out Ur So Gay another track on her album attracting controversy because it is deemed as homophobic, or as hating on emo guys. Give it a listen and maybe get back at me with what you think.
This was my little mix of the old and the new. Let's show these artistes some love, go out there listen to some new songs and add them to your end of summer play lists and head out to face the rest of the year!!!
Tell us what you think of these artistes and more
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
What's New? : Katy, Shwayze, The Verve, Slip-knot
Sunday, August 17, 2008
THE JAMAICAN SWEEP
Jamaica now officially has the fastest human beings walking this Earth. On the heels of Bolt's impressive victory yesterday at the Bird's Nest the Jamaican women bolted their way to a sweep of the Olympic 100m women's finals. Shelly-ann Fraser, the seeming underdog, lead the group of her teammates Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart to a gold, silver and silver , clocking an impressive personal best of 10.78s beating out her teammates who both came in at 10.98s after a review of their photo-finish. The last sweep of both Olympic 100m finals occurred in 1912. Further Fraser one in fine style with this being the widest margin of victory in this final since 1988 when Florence Griffith-Joyner set that elusive world record of 10.49s.
Shelly-ann Fraser was most ecstatic telling reporters,
"I can't believe I actually won. Nobody expected me to win, so there was no pressure"Fraser said it was a great feeling to cross the line to see both her teammates beside her, all recognizing that they has just created history.Before this weekend Jamaica had never won a gold in the 100m finals and now they have taken the top spot for both men and women. Stewart said,
"It's about time, we've been waiting for this, so many great athletes have come so close and we were able to pull it off tonight"Of course the American's which placed fourth, fifth and last in the 100m final did not take defeat lying down. Team USA appealed the results citing that one of their own, Torrey Edwards had false-started. The appeal was quickly rejected by the International Association of Athletics Federation. The appeal however has resulted in the medal award ceremony being put off till Monday. The Americans also believe that they should at least be awarded a bronze for their efforts, but that also will be a no go. Nothing and noone will steal Jamaica's thunder as they bolt into the rest of the sprint events. All eyes are now on Jamaica as the 200m sprint and 4x100 relays get underway with the Jamaican men and women teams expected to medal and possibly take home the gold!!!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
BOLT STRIKES THE BIRD's NEST IN BEIJING
So I know I'm breaking music's reign over the entertainment page, but for one of the best reasons possible. In one of the greatest moments in both entertainment and Olympic 100m history, Jamaica's Usain Bolt ran a most fantastic 9.69s to break his own world record and win Jamaica's first gold in history in the Olympic 100m men's at the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, China.
The race was unbelievable with Jamaica's Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt both expected to medal as the world's two fastest men. The starter sounded and the men were off with Bolt starting slow and taking the lead 50m in. At 80m he started his celebration looking to both his sides and realizing he had already won with the rest of the back at least a body length behind. Usain crossed the finish line upright making winning this event seem so effortless and easy. Bolt ran around the track in celebration embracing his mother and fans, reggae music blazing through the air. Jamaican's all across the world celebrated this epic moment, some of us even laughing at the way Bolt chose to finish such a spectacular race, some of us wondering if he is even human but all of us proud of Usain. When asked why he eased up at the end Bolt said,
"I didn't come here to run the world record, because I was the world record-holder. I came here to win."As he said earlier this year when he first made the world record "Records can be broken, Olympic gold's last forever". And win he did, with fellow Jamaican's Powell coming fifth and Michael Frater running a personal best of 9.97 to come in sixth.
When asked about Bolt's performance Powell said,
"Usain was spectacular. He was definitely untouchable tonight. He could have gone a lot faster if he had run straight through the line."This entire race in itself being spectacular as it is the first time 6 men have run under 10 seconds at the Olympic games. At this rate it is now speculated that Usain will eventually run under 9.60s, possibly in this very year.
What's next for Usain? The 200m and the 4x100m relay. Bolt has said that the 200m is his event and is the favorite for the 200m finals and possibly may become the first sprinter to take both events at the Olympics since Carl Lewis in 1988. Let's all cross our fingers and possibly he may be coming home with 3 gold medals for Jamaica.