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10 Apr 2009 21:33

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Music: Billy Corgan explains Smashing Pumpkins, his public persona

  • But many lack the sophistication to appreciate that just because I play a baby-faced killa upon the darkened stage that it doesn’t come close to who I really am.
  • Billy Corgan • In a lengthy manifesto. He says that the artistic complexity and diversity of his work provides hints as to his true nature as a human being. He also noted, by the way, that the Pumpkins will go on with just him, and he’s OK with that. Dude, we get it. You’re insane and you alienate your fans. It’s OK. You don’t need to explain your points any further. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

10 Apr 2009 11:24

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Music, Offbeat: Here’s more on PETA’s latest crazy campaign that won’t work

  • We have a request that may at first seem bizarre, but we hope that after considering the following facts, you will understand why we are asking this of you: will you please consider changing your name from the Pet Shop Boys to the Rescue Shelter Boys?
  • People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals • In a letter to the Pet Shop Boys, hoping to convince them to change their name to something less pet-shoppy. The band declined but welcomed the discussion by putting the letter on their Web site, saying it “raises an issue worth thinking about.” • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 6 Comments • Permalink

09 Apr 2009 21:45

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Culture, Music: Best part of the South Park Kanye riff: It got through!

  • SOUTH PARK MURDERED ME LAST NIGHT AND IT’S PRETTY FUNNY. IT HURTS MY FEELINGS BUT WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM SOUTH PARK!
  • Kanye West • Who writes in all caps all the time, by the way. He agrees with the show’s sentiment, and although his feelings were hurt, dude agrees he needs to “get past” himself. Good for you, you crazy bastard. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

09 Apr 2009 21:26

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Culture, Music: South Park, thank you for skewering Kanye West

Nothing against the man’s talent, but is there a single pop-culture icon more deserving of this (besides Billy Corgan)? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 Apr 2009 10:16

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Music, World: M.I.A. is ticking off the Sri Lankan government again

  • Many have already perished from starvation and preventable disease. We cannot ignore these genocidal conditions, and if the aim of the SL Government is to protect the lives of the civilians, then this ship will reach its destination and lives will be saved.
  • M.I.A. (a.k.a. Maya Arulpragasam) • Who’s put herself in the middle of a conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the U.K.-based Act Now organization, which is trying to send aid to the country which is supposed to be for civilians caught in the conflict between Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers, but the Sri Lankan military fears may be headed for Tamil forces. She’s ruffled these feathers before. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

07 Apr 2009 10:51

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Music: The Beatles, remastered; updated albums out in September

  • The date? Zero-9-zero-9-zero-9. Apple Records will mass-re-release the Beatles’ albums in a digitally-remastered format, along with two box sets – one in stereo and one in mono (for nerds and purists). The sets will come with DVD documentaries on the making of each album. Also on that day, the “Rock Band” Beatles game comes out, so it’s a good day to be into the Beatles. Regarding the elephant in the room, no word on digital release of the albums yet. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

07 Apr 2009 10:12

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Culture, Music, Politics: Dear Eminem: The formula’s wearing very thin

  • We get it, man. Marshall, you’re one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and this is the make-or-break moment. Critics, who howled in disappointment at “Encore,” are wanting “Relapse” (out in May) to be a return to form. Fans are looking for the most notorious rapper of the last decade to start making hits again. But could you at least make it a little more surprising? source
  • We get it, man. Marshall, you’re one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and this is the make-or-break moment. Critics, who howled in disappointment at “Encore,” are wanting “Relapse” (out in May) to be a return to form. Fans are looking for the most notorious rapper of the last decade to start making hits again. But could you at least make it a little more surprising?
  • The video Eminem is one of maybe four artists – Michael Jackson, Weird Al and Weezer being the other three – who nails the videos every time. “We Made You,” the first single from “Relapse,” is no exception. With pop-culture riffs all over the place, it manages to nail Jessica Simpson, “Star Trek” (see Dre as Capt. Kirk; LOL) and a host of other media icons with ease. source
  • We get it, man. Marshall, you’re one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and this is the make-or-break moment. Critics, who howled in disappointment at “Encore,” are wanting “Relapse” (out in May) to be a return to form. Fans are looking for the most notorious rapper of the last decade to start making hits again. But could you at least make it a little more surprising?
  • The video Eminem is one of maybe four artists – Michael Jackson, Weird Al and Weezer being the other three – who nails the videos every time. “We Made You,” the first single from “Relapse,” is no exception. With pop-culture riffs all over the place, it manages to nail Jessica Simpson, “Star Trek” (see Dre as Capt. Kirk; LOL) and a host of other media icons with ease.
  • However … … this is exactly the kind of song and exactly the kind of video that Eminem releases as a first single – and a decade in, and his aim’s getting a little off. Riffs on Bret Michaels and Portia di Rossi? Really? And we can see a few Republicans getting uppity over Sarah Palin’s trashing. Marshall, you need a new trick; this one’s just old and tired. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink
 

07 Apr 2009 02:14

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Music: Where’s the option to tell KISS to stop touring?

In case you’re looking to demand that the painted foursome play in your town, Eventful has a contest for that purpose. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

06 Apr 2009 11:17

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Music: It’s Spring! Here’s five albums you should save your nickels for.

  • German garage act King Khan & The Shrines (a killer live act) finally brings their blazing “What Is?!” to the U.S. (April 21).
  • UK act Art Brut’s “Art Brut vs. Satan” (out May 12 Stateside) promises to be high-concept (in a really good way).
  • Jason Lytle, the former lead dude of Grandaddy, goes uber-twee with solo debut “Yours Truly, the Commuter” (out May 19).
  • Also on May 19, Eminem, long out of the game, tries to remind everyone that he’s still alive and still worthy with “Relapse.”
  • Perhaps the most anticipated indie release of the Spring season? Grizzly Bear’s highly-hyped “Veckatimest” (May 26).
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Apr 2009 11:31

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Music: M. Ward on making music that’s implicitly political

  • I’m not that interested in getting anything too heavy off my chest or complaining in some monumental way. I’m more interested in telling stories where people can make their own implicit connections.
  • M. Ward • The singer-songwriter whose profile has shot up in recent years in part due to his collaboration with Zooey Deschanel in She & Him. Since 2000, Ward has been making albums, but his most recent, “Hold Time,” is the first one he’s made outside of the era of George W. Bush. While his music doesn’t hint at his politics, he uses his songs to capture the political mood, he says. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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