Archive for August, 2006

COUNTRY GIRL - PRIMAL SCREAM

For a British indie band that once delighted followers with psychedelic and punk rock sounds, and later with fusions of pop and acid house, Primal Scream can sure deliver some good old American country rock. New single “Country Girl” is an instantly infectious stomper that will keep toes tapping. With a hint of early Rolling […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Single Reviews

MY IDEA OF HEAVEN - LEIGH NASH

Leigh Nash, whose sweet, sun-kissed vocals defined group Sixpence None the Richer for more than 13 years (including 1998 top five hit “Kiss Me”), bows solo with “Blue on Blue,” replete with a similar, appreciably celestial quality. In the two years since the band split, she had her first baby and decided to escape the […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Single Reviews

Savane - Ali Farka Toure

Malian guitarist Ali Farka Toure was one of the giants of West African music. His passing in March was a terrible loss, but he exits here with a flourish. “Savane” is without question one of the finest efforts in his legendary discography. A good deal has been made of the connection between the traditional […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Album Reviews

WATERLOO TO ANYWHERE - DIRTY PRETTY THINGS

Dirty Pretty Things’ debut has engendered a somewhat tepid response, especially from the British press — probably because the Libertines’ implosion left such a scar on the psyche of Anglos and Anglophiles. But Carl Barat’s new project confirms that the “sensible Lib” brought as much to his old band as glorified former mate Pete […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Album Reviews

PORT OF MIAMI - RICK ROSS

Miami rapper Rick Ross gained instant recognition (and improbable hype) with his underground hit “Hustlin’,” a hard cut with twitchy 808s and a catchy chopped-and-screwed hook. That song’s formula is repeated incessantly on his debut album. Though not an expert lyricist by any stretch, the barbate rapper does a good job creating a grandiose […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Album Reviews

YEAR OF THE DOG … AGAIN - DMX

Though DMX has never finessed the mic like a Jay-Z or 50 Cent, the fiery MC has always been good for pensive cuts (”Slippin”‘) and grimy street anthems (”Get at Me Dog”). But on his sixth album (his first with Sony Urban), he talks about the fire he used to possess without rekindling those […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Album Reviews

IN CONCERT VOL. 1 - THE SADIES

These twangy Canadian firebrands bring plenty of friends to this live set, recorded in February in Toronto. Guests include Neko Case and Jon Langford (for both of whom the Sadies have served as backing band), Garth Hudson, Gary Louris, Kelly Hogan, Jon Spencer and more than a dozen others. But despite the fleet of […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Album Reviews

FALTAN LUNAS - FEY

After the success of 2005’s “La Fuerza del Destino,” a collection of Mecano covers, Mexican pop singer Fey returns with an album of ethereal tracks vacillating between pop and outright dance. This is a good medium for Fey’s sweet voice, which can straddle that gray area between teen pop (where she once belonged) and adult […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Album Reviews

LONG STEEL RAIL - RILEY BAUGUS

Riley Baugus is the latest in a long line of superb North Carolina banjo pickers. He gained notice for his work in the film “Cold Mountain,” though Baugus was already a known quantity among old-time music artists. “Long Steel Rail” is Baugus’ solo debut, and the presence of collaborators the caliber of Tim O’Brien, […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Album Reviews

Rolling Stones will play Churchill Downs

Mick Jagger will strut at the home of the Kentucky Derby when the Rolling Stones perform at the famed Churchill Downs racetrack Sept. 29.
“It’s an opportunity we have to bring a legendary rock group to a legendary venue,” Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton said at a news conference Monday.
Seating will be in the grandstand, clubhouse […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Music News

Janet Jackson poses topless for Vibe

Janet Jackson has never been afraid to expose some skin. The 40-year-old singer, newly svelte after losing some 60 pounds, appears on the cover of Vibe magazine wearing a skimpy bikini bottom and a necklace made of large shells. Her right arm covers her breasts.
Will she ever stop posing for sexy photos? “Of course. When […]

August 8th, 2006 - Posted in Music News

Sony Introduces New Entry-Level MP3 Players

Sony is taking aim at the entry-level MP3 player market with its new NW-E Walkman line of flash-based music players. The 512MB NW-E002F comes only in blue and will cost $70; the 1GB NW-E003F is available in silver or pink for $100; and the 2GB NW-E004F comes in black, violet, or lime green and costs […]

August 3rd, 2006 - Posted in Music News

Verizon Wireless Launches Tasty New Chocolate Phone

Verizon Wireless introduced the VX8500, or LG “Chocolate” phone, which is a hybrid handset that is one part cell phone and one part MP3-player. The company is betting the new phone and changes in its V CAST service fees will sweeten the pot and attract new subscribers.
The Chocolate phone is already a bona fide hit […]

August 3rd, 2006 - Posted in Music News

Mashboxx Inks Deals with Major Music Labels

Mashboxx plans to launch a bona fide P2P music service, inking agreements with both EMI Music and Sony BMG that will make artists such as Coldplay, Kate Bush, and the Rolling Stones available to its customers.
The file-sharing service offered by Mashboxx, which is expected to debut in the fall, will allow you to preview and […]

August 3rd, 2006 - Posted in Music Download, Music News