Though they are not a household name, Fugazi and its frontman, Ian MacKaye, possess a near-mythological status among those within the indie community. Since their hiatus in 2003, Fugazi’s stature among music obsessives has continued to grow and the legend of their live shows has ensnared a new generation of fans. Now, thanks to a combination of technological advancements and a favorably hobbled music industry, Fugazi is primed for a promising second life.
By LaZiguezon and QueenDeLaDance Continue reading
Never ones to rest on their contrived laurels, Metallica has decided to follow up their masterpiece my favorite album, Lulu, with a 3D film. Continue reading
Oh, my little chickens. You know there’s so many songs that speak to this season.
These, I feel, really sum everything up in a happy jingle bell festive package. Joan Jett singing about the Little Drummer Boy? Annie Lennox and Al Green exhorting us to get some love in our hearts? Come on. Now is the time.
Check it out. Continue reading
Kiedis, leader singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and occasional leather daddy, poses with the rest of the band in a Los Angeles alleyway, 2011
In this concluding edition of the year in review, we will touch upon the developments within the sphere of indie music, reissues, and the absolute worst albums released in 2011. Without further ado, let’s jump on in. Continue reading
As it happens, 2011 is the year I discovered Palladia, a channel that basically shows concerts 24/7 and is all sorts of awesome. It’s also the year I went to the most concerts, for no particularly good reason. What can I say? There were some damn good tours this year, and I really needed to make up for the fact that American Idol judge Steven freaking Tyler broke his hip last year and canceled the rest of the Aerosmith tour I was planning to travel two hours to see on a weeknight. And so, the Question of the Day: What’s the best concert you saw in 2011? Or, alternatively, as there have been plenty of years I haven’t made it to any, What concert did you most want to go to in 2011? Continue reading
As mentioned in our previous installment, 2011 was a particularly active year in the music industry. In this post, we will get address some of the past year’s biggest developments – the good, the bad, the ludicrous, and the hilarious. Continue reading
Whew! Another year has passed and left an oily slick of music in its wake. Some of that music was good and some of it was lousy but on balance, 2011 was a pretty exciting year in the music industry. As expected, CDs continued their slow death march but to the delight of music nerds and audiophiles everywhere, vinyl sales grew. Spotify graced us with its benevolent presence, thereby saving thousands of cubicle dwellers from the tyranny of their coworkers’ Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift playlists. Napster, Spotify’s precursor, bit the dust (much to the delight of Lars Ulrich—more on him later) and iTunes’ creator passed away. Continue reading
“If music be the food of love, play on!” Mmm, musical sustenance… so very, very important. 2011 was a huge year for artists such as Adele (21), Coldplay (Mylo Xyloto, people suddenly unironically liking Chris Martin), Lady Gaga (The Immaculate Collection Born This Way), and Rihanna (Loud), but also some good ones! (I kid, I kid!) And so…
Question of the Day: What was your favorite song released in 2011? Continue reading
Growing up “hors du Québec” (outside of Québec), French music has always remained a cultural staple in both my Francophone schooling and home life. Raised under the shadow of two failed constitutional accords and Québec’s sovereignty crisis, I grew up with first-hand knowledge of the precarious nature of language, culture, and cultural distinction. Or rather, I understood how they mattered and continue to matter in an ever increasingly English world. As a Franco-Ontarienne raised in a minority linguistic community, Francophone artists encapsulated the voices of our history, our joy, our pain. The following artists are unique in their own artistic styles and aesthetics and have all contributed, quite simply, to the creation of good music.