If you bite the hand, get louder and defiant A couple of years ago when reviewing grandson’s first EP, a modern tragedy vol. 1, I referred to the multi-talented musician as being an artist to help you survive today’s uneasy world. With the release of his debut album, Death of an Optimist, I’m even more convinced that if anyone is going to soundtrack a revolution, it will be grandson. For an album that clocks in at less than forty minutes, Death of an Optimist takes us on a whirlwind journey that perfectly encapsulates this chaotic year and what it means… Read more »
The Inbox Jukebox brings you fresh new tunes and bands. This week features tracks from Mokita, CXLOE, ONR x Nile Rodgers, and Teddy Swims.
If the pop-rock music scene was a high school, Monroe’s Matt Berman would be the super cool new kid who charms students and teachers alike within his first week.
LOS ANGELES – Beyonce became the most decorated female on a Grammy night as she collected six trophies, including song of the year for her anthem “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it).”
If you thought 2009 was a big year for music, just wait until you see what 2010 has in store.
LONDON – One in 10 albums bought in the United States last year was by a British act, figures from the BPI, which represents the British recorded music business, showed yesterday. The rise to 10 percent from 8.5 percent in 2007 was due to a mixture of established bands like Coldplay which released “VivaLa Vida or Death and All His Friends,” and Radiohead with “In Rainbows” and newer acts like Duffy, Leona Lewis and Estelle. There is one caveat, however. British pop stars are gaining a growing share of a rapidly declining U.S. market. U.S. album sales fell 14 percent… Read more »
Britain’s largest pay-TV firm BSkyB is to launch an online subscription music service and has signed the world’s largest music group Universal as its first partner, in a deal that could challenge Apple. The service will offer downloads to keep and unlimited listening through streaming for a single monthly subscription service. The tracks will be in the MP3 format, meaning they can be used on many devices including the iPod and mobile phones. BSkyB will form a new joint venture to launch the service in Britain and Ireland, building on its relationship with millions of customers and Universal’s hundreds of… Read more »
In a slow week for new releases, mellow crooner Jack Johnson remained No. 1 on the U.S. pop album charts Wednesday, while newly minted Grammy winners Amy Winehouse and Herbie Hancock surged into the top five. Johnson’s “Sleep Through the Static” sold 179,545 copies in the week ended February 17, according to Nielsen SoundScan, enough to lead the field for a second week. Canadian rock band Simple Plan’s self-titled album started at No. 14 with 39,000 copies — 100,000 copies short of the No. 3 debut for its previous release, 2004’s “Still Not Getting Any…” Overall sales were down 11.6… Read more »
Herbie Hancock won the coveted album of the year Grammy on Sunday, becoming the first jazz instrumentalist to win the honor in more than 40 years and causing Hancock to remark “it’s a new day” at the Grammys. Hancock’s “River: The Joni Letters,” an all-star tribute to Canadian singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell was a surprise victory at the 50th annual Grammys, beating out other nominees Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black,” Kanye West’s “Graduation,” rock band the Foo Fighters’ “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace” and country singer Vince Gill’s “These Days.” “Joni Mitchell, Joni Mitchell, Joni Mitchell, thank you so much,” said… Read more »
Troubled British singer Amy Winehouse is the perfect poster girl for the current state of the music industry. Music isn’t her problem. Everything else is. That’s exactly the same situation that the music industry – faced with lagging sales, a lack of star power and defection from its biggest moneymakers – finds itself in these days. And when the music industry has problems, the Grammys – celebrating their 50th anniversary Sunday – do as well. Winehouse and her stunning R&B revivalist debut “Back to Black” (Universal Republic) are up for six awards; she’s the only artist nominated in all four… Read more »
