All Over the Place
By Mike Prince
Pretty much in the time it took me to rollout this article, the television writers were able to officially end their strike, strike again, and come to peace with the networks. Sorry about this. But there is good news. There is always good news. www.PensEyeView.Com is planning to rollout an accompanying blog to its already awesome interview-filled mainsite.
This blog will feature many a random entries about many a topic...updated daily. It will be interactive so you the reader can be a part of the action. Sound fun? Stay Tuned for the Launch. Preview the blog at out www.PensEyeViewNY.wordress.com
With all this said, this below is a sample of the broad topics and article styles that will be feature on the aforementioned blog.
Pink
I just don't get it. It's not that I don't like the song. I just don't understand the hypocrisy of the song and how its paraded on top-40 radio. You know the radio stations that are targeted for kids.
Let me explain:
"Keep your drink just give me the money It's just you and your hand tonight"
I am neither a prude nor a rocket scientist, but I think Pink just told whoever the "your" gentleman is in the lyrics to go home and whack it because he is not getting some from her. Sweet.
Silly Pink clearly left out the part in the song when after she told the guy to go home with his hand, he subsequently laughed in her face. But yeah Pink probably couldn't remember that because she was "druuuunk" and "don't give a fuck" This is how it definitely went down.
But seriously...
That's what America's kids are listening to? I mean Howard Stern pretty much got run off terrestrial radio by the FCC for crimes as or less severe. How did this song slip through the cracks? I guess they just assume that kids won't understand. I bet they are wrong. But hey the song sure is catchy...
Lindsey Lohan
Just wanted to touch on Lindsey Lohan's photo spread tribute to Marlyn Monroe in last month's Playb-err New York Magazine. Slip of the tongue.
What a sneaky way to avoid the whole "my career has hit rock bottom so now I must get naked for Playboy" thing that down on their luck actresses do.
I for one say kudos to her agents (even though I don't think it will help her much). It was a celebration for every man who had an internet connection even though it looked like someone set a grenade off in a freckle factory.
Rollingstone
The band Paramore was listed in Rollingstone magazine as a band to watch in 2008. Nice job guys. What was the convincing factor? Their huge 2007, perhaps?
Rock of Love
I feel the connection. No doubt. Brett Michaels always know the right thing to say. The bandana/long blonde hair combo-wig is already the must have item for Halloween.
And if you didn't know...
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_Bret_Michaels_wear_a_wig
Quick Album Reviews
Disclaimer:
I am not your typical music reviewer:
1) I do not get an abundance of albums sent to me in advance (sucks). I am not that cool or credible (yet).
2) I am also not snotty. Tad cynical? Sure. Truthful? You betcha.
3) I try to write from a fan's perspective, not a jaded New Yorker sitting in an ivory tower.
Enjoy
About a month ago, I ventured to the record store-I mean Target-and actually bought two hard copies of CDs. I am collector of CDs so it has been a really disheartening period of my life, getting caught in the digital music convenient trap that is the iTunes store. I usually purchase the hard copies for artists that I have been supporting for years. Jack Johnson and Nada Surf fall directly into this category.
These artists in a nutshell:
Jack Johnson the unassuming, mega-star of mainstream music who makes highly melodic pop rock songs. Nada Surf, the unassuming mega-stars of the indie music world who make highly melodic pop rock songs.
Same general style much different size and scope of audience. Each has different takes on pop-rock-Jack being more laid back and Nada Surf being more bouncy. Bottom line-over the last few years both have been consistently good as hell.
This leads us to their most recent releases...
After playing both albums to death over the last month, I have drawn two conclusions:
Nada Surf's "Lucky" is a keeper, while Jack Johnson's "Sleep Through the Static" is... well, a sleeper.
Anyone with two functional ears can tell you that Mr. Johnson is not the most adventurous musician. Much to the surprise of many there are in fact slight variances from one Johnson album to another, with different instrumentation and arrangements that make it pleasure for the keen listener. I prefer a world in which there is most of the best music possible. If Jack Johnson is really exceptional at making one style of music then who cares if his stuff sounds similar on the whole. I say, keep on truckin', Jack.
I know what you are thinking, though. All his albums feature a lot of the same 'ol acoustic beach rock songs that do sound awfully similar to each other. When something is consistently good, why try to re-invent the wheel?
That leads us to "Sleep Through The Static," which is the anti-Jack. It is very inconsistent.
There is just nothing really compelling or exciting on this album. The sound and the pace is similar to his first album, "Brushfire Fairytales", but with more subtle electric guitars and pianos. The problem is that the album sounds like leftovers that did not make the other records. Not that I put too much stock in a single, but "If I Had Eyes" is by far his weakest of singles (still a good track though). The record has bleaker lyrics which could fine if you can put a hook around it. The hooks are few and far between. Jack is in full Debbie downer mode on this album (think the song "The News" from Brushfire) as opposed to being happy as a clam (like "Banana Pancakes"). He must have caught a bad wave or something.
There are two killer tracks, but they are stashed away at numbers 11 and 13 so you could fall asleep before you get to them. "We Do, We Don't" is as good as anything he has done. This has arguably his best vocals on any release. I am not joking. This track is coupled with some excellent guitar effects as well as Steve Urkel's instrument of choice, the accordion that adds some extra thump to the chorus. Track 13, "Monsoon" is classic Jack, with a wild-west styled piano and clever wordplay ("...monsoon-er or later").
Nada Surf's "Lucky" like Jack Johnson's "...Static" is not a departure from the sound niche they have carved themselves over their last 2 albums. This album while not as strong as the brilliant 2005's, "Weight is a Gift" (few albums are), the album still is very good in its own right.
If you are not familiar with this band, you should be. After having a big modern alt-rock single in the 90's (the weird, "Popular") the band has since gone the indie label route, landing on Barsuk Records, the home of Death Cab. Their sound is similar to their former label mates, but the bottom line is that they are an excellent band that creates well crafted pop rock songs.
I wouldn't have picked "See These Bones" as the opening track, but once you get into "Who's Authority" and "Beautiful Beat" you realized what a gem this band is. For those Nada Surf neophytes definitely try out track five, "Weightless," a song that is so catchy and so infectious it will brighten your mood instantly. For those into intricate arrangements and beautiful emotive vocals, see track six "Are You Lightning".
On the whole, "Lucky" is a really nice upbeat album that is totally a grower. You could do a whole lot worse in the new music department.
For those still asking who the f--k are Nada Surf please visit PensEyeViewNY.wordress.com for a list of the essential tracks that you should download from itunes to get introduced to this amazing band.
Mike Prince once drank a bottle of NyQuil while watching Norbit and listening to Chumbawumba "Tubthumping". He swears to this day they synch up as if it was secretly intended.
Questions, Comments, Article Ideas? Email Me:PrinceAtPEV@gmail.com