web analytics

Pop Rock Nation

Category: News

music-news-from-breakups-to-the-lastest-buzz

  • New Music: You Found Me by The Fray

    I’m a sucker for melody and emotion, and for some reason, the singles from The Fray’s debut album How To Save a Life hit home for me in a whole lot of different ways. While they definitely have a bit of Coldplay in them, there’s also less of a grandiose, more grounded feel to The Fray’s music (maybe it’s just because they’re an American band?).

    At any rate, I believe their new single, You Found Me, premiered on Grey’s Anatomy last week (or maybe it was Lost?) and the band will be performing it live on the American Music Awards (which will have very likely aired by the time you read this). It’s recognizable enough as a Fray song, with a slightly more rock-sounding edge. I’m digging it and highly anticipating their new album in February. What do you guys and girls think?

  • 808s & Heartbreak: Kanye West’s Headphone Masterpiece

    This was not set up to be a good move. Kanye West had made three of the finest hip-hop records of the past half-decade. Despite limited lyrical skills, he used relatability, a way with a punchline, and strong production values to make three classic or near-classic albums.

    I think it was Neil Young who coined (or at least inspired) the term “going straight from the middle of the road into the ditch” to be used whenever an artist with commercial success makes a serious left turn away from the sound that brought them accolades-think Young going from folk-rock to experimental electro and rockabilly, or Prince going from Purple Rain to Around the World in a Day.

    For his fourth album, Kanye promised to shake things up. Kanye singing? Using Auto-Tune throughout the entire album? Either West was seriously on some other shit or he was hell-bent on completely obliterating his audience.

    (more…)

  • MC Breed (1972-2008)

    It was reported over the weekend that rapper MC Breed (Eric Breed), most famous for the song Ain’t No Future in Yo Frontin’, passed away from what I believe to be injuries related to kidney failure. He was in the hospital earlier in September of this year after collapsing because of kidney failure.

    Rapreviews.com has a statement up from Breed’s family and management.

    We are saddened by our great loss. More than just an artist, we mourn the loss of a beloved father, son, brother and friend. We are overwhelmed by the tremendous outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. We are thankful and blessed to have been in his presence and want him to be remembered for his creative, caring, talented and hard-working spirit.

    Personally, I remember 106.1 KMEL (San Francisco) playing Ain’t No Future in Yo Frontin’ like crazy and it really became an anthem at the time. You couldn’t go anywhere without hearing that song. Gotta Get Mine came out a couple years later and featured Tupac Shakur right as he was really blowing up. The latter song reached a new audience in 2002 when it was featured on Eminem’s second soundtrack to his movie 8 Mile. It’s the third track on More Music From 8 Mile which also featured music by some heavy hitters of early 90s rap.

    I’ve included the videos to both songs.

    Ain’t No Future in Yo Frontin’

    Gotta Get Mine