Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
TOP 20 OF 2010
Over the next few days, I'll be trotting out my favorite albums from 2010 (as well as a post or two about the top movies and songs). Below you'll find my first post, #20. I hope everyone enjoys!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
An Important Film, 'Waste Land' Is Equal Parts Art and Love
In Rio de Janeiro, there is a landfill that is the largest in the world. Named Jardim Gramacho, the island of garbage is filled with catadores, Brazilian garbage pickers who troll through the trash in search of recyclables. Halfway across the world, Vik Muniz makes art in Brooklyn. He has done well for himself, focusing mainly on the photography of images made from quirky materials like chocolate syrup and sand. He decides that his next project will be working with the catadores to give back to the region. This is Waste Land, a startlingly moving film that recently made the Oscar Documentary shortlist. The movie quietly arrived at the Kendall Square Theater on Friday, but it is the type of film that should really be greeted with the type of attention garnered by the new Harry Potter. Equal parts about the importance of recycling and the interpersonal connections that can be shared by the creation of art, Waste Land is a stunningly breathtaking movie that explores just how easy it is to bring joy where there previously was despondency.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
'Fantasy' and 'Friday' Are The Best of 2010
The mere mention of Kanye West one year ago would surely elicit a sneer, while Nicki Minaj’s name might bring about a furrowed brow with a “who?” It’s funny how so much can change in just one year. Minaj is now the queen of the rap world: her first single “Your Love” peaked at 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and conquered the Rap Charts with a number one position. Just last month, Minaj became the first artist to have 7 songs on the Hot 100 chart at one time. Artists like Christina Aguilera, Diddy, and M.I.A have featured her on their songs. This summer it was almost impossible to turn on a rap radio station without hearing Minaj’s trademark growls.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
'The Kids Are All Right' Is A Step Above The Rest
The best kind of Saturday, in my opinion, is one filled with movies. I decided to take a recovery day from my hell-week and Saturday morning, lazing out of bed at noon, felt an inexplicable urge to crawl right back under the covers with a good movie. My choices were endless (thanks for the Netflix password, Dad!). Should I go classic and watch something like Antonioni’s Blow-Up, a film I had just spent the last two weeks discussing in Italian class. Or should I finally get around to watching The Kids Are All Right, which for some reason I just haven’t worked up the will to watch since it was released to much critical acclaim this summer.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
An Independent Frame Of Mind - The Heights - The Scene
Give my column a read if you haven't. This, the most recent one, concerns America's problems with good movies.
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| Scott Pilgrim was widely ignored by audiences |
Rihanna's 'Loud' Packs a Peppy, Poppy Punch
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| Drake serenades Rihanna on the island-flavored "What's My Name" |
Anyone who has noticed Rihanna’s demeanor as of late can tell that the singer is back to business as usual. Traipsing around the globe to promote her hit single “Only Girl in the World,” she seems happier than ever, the likes of which echoes throughout her satisfying new album Loud. A follow-up to the commercially unsuccessful but artistically bold Rated R, the album is really quite good. It is hard to call the disc excellent, what with the plentitude of quality music that has been floating around lately. However, it nestles in a sizable notch above the rest of the Top-40 hits that populate the iTunes charts today. On Loud, Rihanna returns fully rebooted and ready for a good time.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Queen Rihanna
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Go! Pop! Bang! The Story of Rye Rye
On Tuesday, October 5th 2010, I had the opportunity to sit down with M.I.A.’s mentee and opening act Rye Rye moments after her set finished. The following is an account of our meeting:
Q-What were your first experiences with music? Did you play an instrument or sing as a kid?
A-I never played anything but I used to watch music videos with my sister and I would imitate the dance moves I saw. I used to write a lot of poetry and my sister was friends with Blaaqstar [ed. note: M.I.A.’s frequent producer and collaborator] so she hooked me up with him. I called him up and left him a voicemail with a one verse on it that had started as just one chord, you know? I turned it into a whole song and just left it on his voicemail [laughs]. I didn’t know if he liked my voice or something but obviously it worked out!
A-I never played anything but I used to watch music videos with my sister and I would imitate the dance moves I saw. I used to write a lot of poetry and my sister was friends with Blaaqstar [ed. note: M.I.A.’s frequent producer and collaborator] so she hooked me up with him. I called him up and left him a voicemail with a one verse on it that had started as just one chord, you know? I turned it into a whole song and just left it on his voicemail [laughs]. I didn’t know if he liked my voice or something but obviously it worked out!
Q-I know you’re a big dancer, you put on these amazing live shows where you’re basically flying around the stage. Do you think you prefer dancing or singing and why?
A-You know, sometimes I like dancing more because I feel like that’s what my plan in life is. It’s one of those things that I just have in me that’s such a big part of me. But at the same time, I love to make music that makes me dance. So I’d say if I had to choose really I’d pick dancing, but I’m not saying I don’t love rapping!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Heights - An Independent Frame Of Mind
Hey everyone, please read my newest article! It's my second weekly column for The Heights and I'm really excited about it. Enjoy!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals-What a Refreshing Throwback
The crowd in Bryant Park was buzzing with electric delight as the stars of the evening’s secret (((artist’s den))) show, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, took the stage at 7:30 last Thursday night. I personally was expecting my socks to be blown off based purely on the pure perfection that is the band’s third, self-titled album. Little did anyone in the roughly 200-deep crowd that not only were Ms. Potter and her Nocturnals about to blow everyone’s socks off their fee, but would also be redefining what a live concert experience should be in its most perfect form.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Keane Anything But a "Bad Dream"
As he sheepishly batted his hands at the audience in embarrassment, Keane’s lead singer Tom Chaplin mumbled, “thanks guys” under his breath, clearly taken aback by the overwhelming applause. Keane had just finished playing their new single “Stop For a Minute” for a captive audience of about fifty people in Webster Hall’s musty basement. As Chaplin sang “and if I stop for a minute / I think about things I really don’t wanna know” the audience swayed along, eyes glued to the stage, the general feel of the whole afternoon.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
M.I.A. Crashes Her Pop "Plane" on Governor's Island
Last Saturday, I had the true pleasure of attending what was shaping up to be one of the best concerts of the year. Headlined by the truly ingenious rapper M.I.A. and featuring a slew of openers’ whose genres ranged from hip-hop (the delicious Rye Rye) and electro-rock (Sleigh Bells), the festival was, for the most part, a fantastic experience. However, perhaps M.I.A. should next time pick different artists the next time she headlines a festival, as nearly every opener heartily upstaged the supposed main attraction.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
101.9 RXP Presents BROKEN BELLS
Last week, I had the opportunity to check out Broken Bells' secret, acoustic show at Webster Hall. Ah, the perks that come with my incredible summer internship...
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
New Music: Janelle Monae, M.I.A., B.o.B., Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, DOM
The last week or so has been RIDICULOUSLY chock full of fantastic music releases.
Janelle Monae's new album The ArchAndroid is a wonderfully clever idea and it has been executed perfectly. Her duet with of Montreal, "Make the Bus" is a match made in indie-heaven. Their voices mesh together beautifully and harmoniously. The rest of the album is filled to the brim with equally quirky pop-soul songs, the best of which, "Tightrope," comes with a killer video to boot. Check that out and more after the jump.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Heights - Lopez Lifts ‘The Backup Plan;’ All Else Fumbles
Here's my latest article published in today's Heights.
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