web analytics

Pop Rock Nation

Category: News

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

  • The Return of Creed: Did Anyone Ask for This??

    creed

    Lordy, who asked for the late Nineties to return so quickly? First, we got the news that a Limp Bizkit (or limpbizkit?) reunion was on the horizon. Now, we’ve been smacked with a doozy: Creed is getting back together for a summer tour. If you remember, Creed’s brand of post-grunge (with an extra religious twist!) made them one of the biggest selling bands of the late Nineties and early 00s. They split up acrimoniously a few years later, and lead singer Scott Stapp (who does the most constipated-sounding Eddie Vedder impression of anyone I’ve ever heard) recorded a solo album to lukewarm reception. The remaining members got a new lead singer, renamed themselves Alter Bridge, and released two albums, also to lukewarm reception. The most noteworthy thing that happened during that period was the unearthing of an X-rated video starring Stapp and Kid Rock. So much for being a semi-Christian band.

    Anyhow, someone somewhere feels like enough time has passed that there is still an audience for this band? Their music-which wasn’t espeecially good in the first place-hasn’t aged well, and now just sounds bombastic and cheesy. No way in hell I’d pay to go see them in concert. After all, who wants to sit through this again?

  • FORTY-FIVE REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE #33: Self-Dressed Man

    Social Distortion's "Cold Feelings" 45

    SOCIAL DISTORTION  “Cold Feelings”  b/w  “Bad Luck (Live Acoustic)”  (Epic Records #ES7- 4568, white-label promo, 1992)

    Since there’s a million people out there who know more about Social D than I do, I’ll keep this brief.  My first exposure to L.A. punk stalwart Mike Ness and his brilliant Johnny-Cash-meets-The-Clash alchemy was ’81’s “1945” from the 2nd installment of Posh Boy’s Rodney On The ROQ series, which my high school accomplice Beaker and I spun endlessly in his bedroom while trashing all the furniture.  Black Flag’s “Rise Above” was on that same record.  God, what days.

    Social Distortion promo 45

    Fast forward a decade later, and that whole L.A. punk scene seemed decimated, with the exception of the more hard-melodic-power-pop punks like Bad Religion and Green Day (who had yet to really pick up the torch and run with it, along with Rancid, who had not yet fully blossomed out from the ska-rooted Op Ivy).  It was at this time that Ness and his Social D cohorts hit the height of their powers with the hooky, muscular (and very successful in an MTV-sorta way that doesn’t happen anymore) Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell LP.  This still-unplayed tour promo 45 from ’92 showcases the album’s lead-off track, “Cold Feelings,” which I still think is Ness at his best.

    Play \”Cold Feelings\” by Social Distortion

    Side B features a live acoustic take on Somewhere…‘s classic 2nd track, “Bad Luck.”  It’s a great rendition, but let’s keep things fresh, shall we?  Check out this recent, hard-chugging electric live take with The Boss & his E-Streeters at the LASA.  It totally kills.

    Play \”Bad Luck\” live in L.A. with Mike & Bruce

    Well, both “1945” and 1981 are long behind us, yet there’s still no stoppin’ the D.  Keep up with all the hottest poop at socialdistortion.com.

    NEXT WEEK:  Two…Two…Two Garage-Rock Classics In One!

  • New Release of the Week 4/28/09: Bob Dylan’s “Together Through Life”

    dylan

    I’ve got no problem admitting that I’m not the world’s biggest Bob Dylan fan. While I think he’s an ace songwriter, there are very few people I can think of whose singing I enjoy less. It seems to have gotten worse as he’s gotten older. Some people (Joni Mitchell) get better as singers as they age. Mr. Zimmerman? Not so much. Anyhow, the guy’s a legend no matter how you slice it, and he has a new album called “Together Through Life” out today. Given the slow release schedule, this could very well become Dylan’s first #1 album debut EVER. I smell an early front-runner for Grammy’s Album of the Year.

    Elsewhere…

    Ben Folds Ben Folds Presents: University a Cappella : True story. I have my iTunes on in the background, and as I was researching this album, a Ben Folds song just randomly came on. It’s like my computer can read my mind! Then again, the song that came on was “Fired”, so maybe I shouldn’t count on my laptop as a crystal ball yet-at least I hope not.

    Anyway, this is a pretty interesting piece. Ben got a bunch of college students to sing his songs acappella. You can get a little taste of what to expect here.

    Ben Lee The Rebirth of Venus: Folds’ sometime partner in The Bens (along with Ben Kweller, who unfortunately, does *not* have an album coming out today, “The Rebirth of Venus” is the latest effort from the former child prodigy. Why Ben Lee has never caught on in the States is one of music’s great mysteries. He’s a fantastic songwriter who can write a killer hook, and he’s got a sense of humor besides. Maybe he just goes over peoples’ heads.

    Mike Jones The Voice: Who? Mike Jones

    WHO?? MIKE JOOOOOONES

    Remember back when Texas rap was gonna be the next big thing? There was this guy, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, and a couple of others. None of them have careers anymore! Ha!! Anyway, after a million and one delays and a much too long gap in between albums, Jones is back. Can he salvage what’s left of his career? I’m betting “no” here, but I’ve been wrong before. Not many times, mind you, but I’ve been wrong before.

    OK-I was kidding with that last comment. My ego’s not that big-yet.

    Urban Mystic GRIII: Old Skool 2 Nu Skool: When I first heard of this guy, I thought he was one of those space-cadet R&B singers, like Maxwell, you know? Come to find out this guy’s just Jaheim with even more hood cliche added. His first album (which I think was self titled) was one of the biggest pieces of shit I’ve ever heard before (and I’ve listened to a LOT of music). For those of you who care, he has a new album out today. That said, if this interests you at all, I have to question your taste in music.

    As always, get your full list of new releases here.