So who agrees with me that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band put on one hell of a performance for last night's Superbowl Halftime Show? The NFL has had some class Halftime performers in recent years, and I think it's just great. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2...It's fantastic that these living rock and roll legends are being exposed to younger viewers as opposed to someone like, let's say, Beyonce. I really hope they learned their lesson from the whole Janet Jackson trash debacle, and the travesty of making Aerosmith share the stage with N' Sync and Britney Spears. So far, it appears, they have. It's nice to see some performaces with heart and soul being showcased by true artists. The Boss brought it. I've always enjoyed the camaraderie Bruce has had with each of his E Street bandmates, and to see a musical act up there with so much history and integrity is inspiring. It doesn't matter how good any of these new acts are--they don't yet have the legacy that these classic artists have spent a lifetime achieving. Let's hope the NFL continues this tradition. Perhaps it's just wishful thinking but I feel like AC/DC & Bon Jovi are heavy Halftime Show contenders for the next couple of Superbowls...
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle
So who agrees with me that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band put on one hell of a performance for last night's Superbowl Halftime Show? The NFL has had some class Halftime performers in recent years, and I think it's just great. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2...It's fantastic that these living rock and roll legends are being exposed to younger viewers as opposed to someone like, let's say, Beyonce. I really hope they learned their lesson from the whole Janet Jackson trash debacle, and the travesty of making Aerosmith share the stage with N' Sync and Britney Spears. So far, it appears, they have. It's nice to see some performaces with heart and soul being showcased by true artists. The Boss brought it. I've always enjoyed the camaraderie Bruce has had with each of his E Street bandmates, and to see a musical act up there with so much history and integrity is inspiring. It doesn't matter how good any of these new acts are--they don't yet have the legacy that these classic artists have spent a lifetime achieving. Let's hope the NFL continues this tradition. Perhaps it's just wishful thinking but I feel like AC/DC & Bon Jovi are heavy Halftime Show contenders for the next couple of Superbowls...
Friday, January 30, 2009
My Top 10 Albums of 2008
Obviously this is only based on what I've heard and it's very possible that albums such as AC/DC's Black Ice would be on here had I heard them yet. I've heard great things about Kings Of Leon too, so I still need to play catch up. Maybe someone can pick me up a copy of Black Ice at Walmart... Anyway, these are the albums that dominated my iPod this past year. Enjoy!
1) Guns N' Roses-Chinese Democracy
No I do not consider this GN'R. No it does not hold a candle to Appetite. No it was not worth a 17+ year wait. Yes it would sound much better with Slash and Duff on it. But yes I love it! It is just so refreshing to hear Axl's voice again. And I'm pleased to report that his "F you" attitude is alive and well. I wish the band had a different name, but Buckethead shreds, along with the rest of the players. The song "Scraped" has just been kicking my ass lately. The screeching vocals and these lyrics just speak to me:
"Sometimes I feel like the world is on top of me,
Breaking me down with an endless monotony
Sometimes I feel like there's nothing that's stopping me,
All things are possible,
I am unstoppable
Some may convince you,
No one can break through
I'm here to tell you,
You're worth more than they tell you
Don't you try to stop us now,
I just refuse
Don't you try to stop us now,
'Cause I just won't let you"
2) Tantric-The End Begins
Another case of a lead singer carrying on with a brand new band and another case of him assembling one kickass band, including an electric violinist! Great production by Toby Wright. This album saved my life this year.
3) Radiohead-In Rainbows
The most innovative and great, different sounding music I've heard in a long time.
4) Scott Weiland-Happy In Galoshes
This man is a true artist. Tortured, broken, brilliant!
5) Ryan Adams & The Cardinals-Cardinology
My favorite album he's done in the past 5 years. Amazing songs! "Natural Ghost" is one of the best songs I have ever heard.
6) Trapt-Only Through The Pain
They took a huge leap as songwriters and musicians on this one. Very infectious and it should have been a much bigger hit. My band opened for them a few years ago and I've always been a fan.
7) Buckcherry-Black Butterfly
I'm still just so happy these guys are back and in the mainstream. Listen and rock out to "Tired Of You."
8) Filter-Anthems For The Damned
Another band that it's great to have back.
9) Man Raze-Surreal
This is Phil Collen from Def Leppard's side band. And this kicked the bejesus out of the new Lep album this year. Raw, lively, and inspired. Great vocals by Phil and some interesting reggae and Police influences really made this stand out.
10) Extreme-Saudades De Rock
Nuno Bettencourt is one of the best guitarists I have ever seen, period. I highly recommend the song he sings lead on, "King Of The Ladies," for a good ass-whoopin.
Honorable Mentions:
The Black Crowes-Warpaint
(Not the Crowes' best but it has a few great songs and a great overall feel)
Tesla-Forever More
(Very focused work and some awesome tunes but too many cheesy lyrics--Sorry Jeff!)
If you think I'm missing out on something, let me know about it! By the way, check out the band God Fires Man from Brooklyn. I saw them open for Scott Weiland in December and they were pretty impressive.
1) Guns N' Roses-Chinese Democracy
No I do not consider this GN'R. No it does not hold a candle to Appetite. No it was not worth a 17+ year wait. Yes it would sound much better with Slash and Duff on it. But yes I love it! It is just so refreshing to hear Axl's voice again. And I'm pleased to report that his "F you" attitude is alive and well. I wish the band had a different name, but Buckethead shreds, along with the rest of the players. The song "Scraped" has just been kicking my ass lately. The screeching vocals and these lyrics just speak to me:
"Sometimes I feel like the world is on top of me,
Breaking me down with an endless monotony
Sometimes I feel like there's nothing that's stopping me,
All things are possible,
I am unstoppable
Some may convince you,
No one can break through
I'm here to tell you,
You're worth more than they tell you
Don't you try to stop us now,
I just refuse
Don't you try to stop us now,
'Cause I just won't let you"
2) Tantric-The End Begins
Another case of a lead singer carrying on with a brand new band and another case of him assembling one kickass band, including an electric violinist! Great production by Toby Wright. This album saved my life this year.
3) Radiohead-In Rainbows
The most innovative and great, different sounding music I've heard in a long time.
4) Scott Weiland-Happy In Galoshes
This man is a true artist. Tortured, broken, brilliant!
5) Ryan Adams & The Cardinals-Cardinology
My favorite album he's done in the past 5 years. Amazing songs! "Natural Ghost" is one of the best songs I have ever heard.
6) Trapt-Only Through The Pain
They took a huge leap as songwriters and musicians on this one. Very infectious and it should have been a much bigger hit. My band opened for them a few years ago and I've always been a fan.
7) Buckcherry-Black Butterfly
I'm still just so happy these guys are back and in the mainstream. Listen and rock out to "Tired Of You."
8) Filter-Anthems For The Damned
Another band that it's great to have back.
9) Man Raze-Surreal
This is Phil Collen from Def Leppard's side band. And this kicked the bejesus out of the new Lep album this year. Raw, lively, and inspired. Great vocals by Phil and some interesting reggae and Police influences really made this stand out.
10) Extreme-Saudades De Rock
Nuno Bettencourt is one of the best guitarists I have ever seen, period. I highly recommend the song he sings lead on, "King Of The Ladies," for a good ass-whoopin.
Honorable Mentions:
The Black Crowes-Warpaint
(Not the Crowes' best but it has a few great songs and a great overall feel)
Tesla-Forever More
(Very focused work and some awesome tunes but too many cheesy lyrics--Sorry Jeff!)
If you think I'm missing out on something, let me know about it! By the way, check out the band God Fires Man from Brooklyn. I saw them open for Scott Weiland in December and they were pretty impressive.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Welcome To The Fold
So I've decided to start a blog. I've sort of kept one throughout the years on my myspace page but my sister Melissa has convinced me that this is much more 2009. This will be a place to share my observations, thoughts, and concert reviews among other things. I'm sure that everybody surfing "the interweb," or "the internets" as Dubya would say, is just dying to know what's on my mind! Feel free to bookmark it and check back often. Happy reading...
j
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