SMB Presents Cool Music Photo's

Robert Plant dining alone in New York City in May.

Janes Addiction's first show with new bassist Duff McKagen of Guns 'N Roses Fame, in LA

Prior to Bono severely injuring his back, he met with the President. Man I wish I had been a fly on that wall.

Jay-Z meets Ira Tuton of Brooklyn's Yeasayer at the Coachella Music Fest.

Thom Yorke performing with his new band Atoms For Peace in NY. Don't worry fans Radiohead is still his main gig but this is cool anyway. The term Atoms For Peace comes from a speech President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave to the UN General Assembly on December 8th, 1953...FYI

Tori Amos: American Music Royalty As Far As I'm Concerned

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Tori Amos this afternoon when she was out shopping with her family. One of my fondest memories of her music was when she covered Nirvana's, Smells Like Teen Spirit and it still gives me chills to hear it. She is an amazing singer and piano player, which she has been doing for almost her entire life.

Portishead Release New Song For Charity

Portishead has recently released a new track called Chase The Tear here in the US exclusively available on iTunes with all proceeds going to Amnesty International and their human rights organization. If you like Portishead you will love this song with a bit more of an dancey groove added to the somber sound of lead singer Beth Gibbons memorable voice. For more information on Portishead and Amnesty International plase check out their websites:

http://www.portishead.com/

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/

Apple iTunes Being Probed By The Feds

A little too successful? Perhaps but it's never a good thing when you enforce silly rules on the companies that you are trying to do business with, just ask Microsoft what will happen. It seems that the FEDS think that due to their current market share that Apple may be imposing improper restrictions on the music companies in order to sell their music on iTunes. It's been two years since iTunes took over as the worlds largest music retailer from the former champ Walmart. Walmart? Are you kidding? No wonder the music industry is so fucked up. I remember I once bought a cd from Walmart and I didn't realize it until I got home but the cd I had purchased was a censored version or clean as some might call it. When I went to return the damn thing I soon came to realize that that was the only version they sold. Talk about forcing the music industry to conform to stupid rules but I don't seem to remember the FEDS checking up on Walmart's business practices...hmmm. Look I still haven't completely accepted the fact that digital music is taking over. I still enjoy going to a record store and buying records, taking them home and cranking them on a stereo. But there is no denying the power of iTunes and the ease of never leaving your home. I have to find a balance and accept it. I really have to thank iTunes for some of my most recent music finds...for instance the amazing new band Sleigh Bells with their pulse pounding, ear drum busting grooves. However that still doesn't mean that they can bully companies and make music buying less fair.

The Album: Treats by Sleigh Bells currently only available on iTunes.....Hmmm makes you wonder doesn't it? But who cares just go buy it.

Do We Buy M.I.A.'s Political Agenda Or Just Her Records?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/magazine/30mia-t.html

I just finished reading a great article in the Sunday Times Magazine about M.I.A.(I get home delivery so I get it a day early) which you can read by clicking the link above. Prior to reading the article I had only heard minor bits and pieces about M.I.A. and her upbringing besides being bombarded by the overplayed Paper Planes. A good song nonetheless, especially with it's Clash sample and it's very distinct gun shots, it stands out from a lot of other music being made today. The other aspect of her music that is very intruiging is it's political references in regards to her homeland of Sri Lanka. I think what's most interesting to me after reading the article is the question of where she fits in, is she a musician, is she an activist or both? At this point she may not be exactly sure and honestly there is nothing wrong with that as she focuses more on her creative abilities and selling records to promote her message. In music there is never anything wrong with a little self promotion as long as the music is good.

M.I.A.'s new record drops July 13th.

Hot Hot Heat New Album: Future Breeds Due Out 6/8/10!!!

I was very excited to find out today that one of my favorite bands, Hot Hot Heat, are releasing a new album June 8th. This outfit from British Columbia, Canada has been rocking on my iPod for some years now ever since someone introduced me to their first record, Make Up The Breakdown, back in 2005. At first listen what stood out to me on this furious, fast paced album was the voice of lead singer Steve Bays. I have always been attracted to pain and sorrow in singers voices and his didn't disappoint with his constant theme of busted relationships and heartbreak. So as we turn the page to June 2010 we find the band treading in much the same territory musically and I am looking forward to sitting down with the record for a listen. You can however head to their website to listen to the tracks from the album, http://www.hothotheat.com/, watch videos and get updates on where they will be doing shows.

I love bands that enjoy a good pint!

Arcade Fire Announce New Album

The Arcade Fire have just announced, via their website, that their new album, The Suburbs, will be released on August 3rd. Music is saved yet again! At least that's what I am going with.

http://www.arcadefire.com/

What's Your Guilty Pleasure?

He is a talented fellow and I am not ashamed to say it, just don't tell anyone I said it. I don't know what it is about music that makes people so fickle in their tastes or their reluctance to open their minds to new things, but it's been that way for-like-ever.  Back in high school music defined who you hung around with. If you liked Iron Maiden you most likely had really long hair, smoked cigarettes, played in a metal band in your garage and had a generally dislike for authority. If you liked the Cure you were most likely an outcast with black eyeliner, sitting in the corner of the lunch room with a couple of people like you, chewing on a stale piece of wheat bread and moaning about the having to change clothes for gym class. My sterotypical point here is not to judge but to say that back then we had to choose sides and we had to wear it on our sleeves or in my case a stitched Zeppelin patch on the back of my jean jacket. Zeppelin Rules! There was no bouncing around from group to group, you either were or you weren't and that pretty much defines those years in school. No matter if you liked The Clash, The Ramones, REM, Van Halen or Michael Jackson you could not listen to Jimi Hendrix and also like Bananarama or at least you couldn't tell anyone about it. In those days I was a classic rocker, pretty ordinary actually, but I certainly toed the line with my tastes ranging from Judas Priest to Run DMC to Lionel Richie. Yes I said Lionel Ritchie, I loved Dancing On The Cieling and that video for Hello with the blind girl. Anyway I certainly wasn't going to admit to anything that would make me the butt of jokes anymore than I already was for getting beat up by a girl on a school bus. Come on you can't hit a girl! No one cared about that excuse. Sadly I had to keep it a secret that I had an affinity for Depeche Mode because honestly some guys might have thought I was a bit funny and that wouldn't be because I told great jokes, if you know what I mean. Horrible I know. Unfortunately these assumptions continued through college and well into adulthood even surfacing today from time to time. This is why I am going to begrudgingly admit here that I am a huge fam of Mr. Timberlake and his musical talents, because it is time to stop worrying about what other people think about my taste in music. At least thats what I am trying to tell myself. It's not like I have a poster taped to my ceiling of JT in his blue swim trunks or anything like that, I just dig his music, his dancing and sometimes his acting that's all.

Spin Mags 125 Top Albums Of The Past 25 Years

Well you decide what you think, but Spin Magazine, with the help of their writers, have released a list of the 125 greatest albums of the past 25 years and I'm sure many will be unhappy. Of course music means different things to different people and no two people will like exactly the same thing, but I always find it very interesting to see someone actually give this a try. To cut to the chase Spin named U2's game changing album, Achtung Baby, as their number one album. Let me repeat something because I think it's important. This is Spin Mags top 125, not yours. They chose what THEY thought should be on the list without consulting you the reader, oh that's too bad. Hey you know what they didn't ask me either. Boo hoo. After I perused the list, and I disagreed with some of it for sure, I scrolled down to the comments and began reading. Comments are certainly a place where you have to throw out all reason and understand that what is entered there is complete and utter nonsense written mostly by those who just want to spew hate and their agenda. So I couldn't be shocked by what I was reading when someone actually wrote, and I quote...."U2? Fuck You Spin." Look I don't necessarily agree that Achtung Baby is the greatest album of the last 25 years either and I don't exactly understand how the Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magic was left completely off the list. Again it ain't my list, to say it oh so eloquently. Lists like this are fun though and get the debate juices flowing, so I say go over to spinmag.com and give the list a once over yourself and see what you think....

Kings Of Leon: New Album Coming Soon

In an interview with Spin Magazine, Kings Of Leon give a small tidbit about their new album that they are currently recording. Actually this is the first record they have recorded in New York, prior recordings have either happened in their home state of Tennessee or in Los Angeles. Going in they thought the setting of the city would cause the album to be a little darker but so far they say it's an upbeat beachy sounding bunch of songs, whatever that means. Nathan Followhill, the bands drummer, said that he feels like the album reminds him a little bit of their first record, Youth & Young Manhood. That would be fun. However I always am a bit leery when a band talks about a record before it's been completed because it can change so much in the mixing process. Plus bands often like to pass on mis-information to the press while recording. Either way I am super excited to hear some new music from these guys.

New Music Tuesday 5/25/10: Stone Temple Pilots Edition

It's been almost 10 years since the last STP album, a band that has always teetered on the brink of irrelevance, and yet produced a solid portfolio of music during the 90's. These guys were certainly the cheesy alternative to the grunge movement and often don't get a lot of credit for their accomplishments. I for one, owner of all of their albums, often leave them out of any conversations relating to great bands of the nineties, in fact I pretty much had forgotten about them until this new release was announced. A perfect example of this attitude is Spin Magazines recent 25th anniversary list of the 125 greatest albums since the magazine was created. The list was compiled with the assistance of all the writers over the years and there was not one Stone Temple Pilots album mentioned. They are an interesting discussion. Is their lead singer, Scott Weiland, better known for being picked up in a crack house on Avenue D in Manhattan? Is he better known as the lead singer of Velvet Revolver? I think so. His alcohol and drug issues far outweigh any music ever produced by these guys and I think it's a bit sad. I really like their music and have not chosen one of their records or songs in at least 7 years and I think that is telling. Making great sounding music doesn't always translate into relevance. I could certainly pull out my iPod, select any of their records and enjoy a good listen, but would it stick with me? Stone Temple Pilots is unique in the fact that they can have a good sized catalog of very accessible music and still not have the recognition that usually comes with. There are many bands who have created less music that continue to have a more vital presence than STP...for example: Alice In Chains, Pixies, Everclear, Third Eye Blind...just to name a few. I don't really know how to explain it but I think a good comparison would be the Foo Fighters. I would categorize these two bands as having a similar sound, fan base and music catalog. But when you come right down to it the Stone Temple Pilots records, to me at least, are far better that the Foo Fighters. However when I am scrolling through my iPod I will stop on the Foo Fighters 10 times out of 10 over STP and that's not an exaggeration. So comes the STP reunion album simply titled Stone Temple Pilots and I am thinking that it is no coincidence that they named it such. I think that deep down they know most people have forgotten about them and need to re-introduce themselves to todays music fans in the hopes that their older catalog can be rediscovered. Honestly I am going to go back and listen to some of it now because at least they deserve that much. As far as the new album goes I am going to wait on it and see how I feel down the road.

Essentials: 20th Anniversary of Nirvana's Bleach

Like most people I didn't discover Nirvana until after the Teen Spirit video went on heavy rotation at MTV...when MTV actually played videos, but that's a broken record. Anyway after playing Nevermind to death I was happy to find a used copy of Nirvana's first album, Bleach, at Sounds on St. Marks for only five bucks and trudged home to blast it as loud as I could in my apartment. What I liked about it was that it was raw and harder than Nevermind but still had that distinct sound I was looking for. This of course was before Dave Grohl had joined the band and before the term grunge had been thrown around. This album includes the massively likable tune About A Girl which came to fame in their Unplugged visit to MTV, again back when MTV was cool. I just can't believe it's been 20 years. Thankfully this record still sounds as fresh as it did when I was a starving art student sitting in my apartment all those years ago. In case you were wondering essential means you must own it, so go get it!

Janelle Monae On Letterman: A Star Is Born

Everyone should check out this performance so that's why I put it on here for you to enjoy. It's like the second coming of James Brown as a girl. Phenomenal. The Next Big Thing. At least that what I think.

Gorillaz: The Best Fake Band In The World

Actually they aren't really fake. They are the creation of Damon Albarn originally of Blur fame, but most people know that already. When they released their second album, Demon Days, Albarn came out from behind the curtain, so-to-speak, and showed himself at concerts instead of the characters. But who wants to see him, honestly. The cartoons are way better and I still imagine that they are actually the band, the coolest looking band on the planet. Of course it's the music that I love the most and I am constantly astounded at how much better it gets with every listen. I wish I was a cartoon character.

UNKLE: The New Album, Where Did The Night Fall

Not that I can make an informed opinion after one listen on the train but the new album from UNKLE is sounding like it is going to be one of my favorite records of the year, so far. Changing directions a bit, DJ James Lavelle, one of the original members, along with Pablo Clements, have moved away from the original sound of Trip-Hop and into a more conventional sounding Trip-Rock or Psych-Rock as I have heard it called. I would describe it simply as good music. Originally UNKLE was a DJ duo that colaborated with various artists like Thom Yorke, Josh Homme, Massive Attack, The Beastie Boys and more, mixing traditional Hip-Hop beats, Electronic Grooves and Rock Guitars. For this fourth effort UNKLE move toward what I would say is a total record experience and not an album with a few stand out tracks. If you are a fan of UNKLE this is not their first album, Psyence Fiction, and is a further departure from that record, but don't be disappointed because it is good. Really good. What I enjoy most, so far, is the tone and the consistent feel throughout. Like I said there is no stand-out track that I can point to however there are definitely a few high points. What's really cool is the double CD with an entire instrumental version of the record. This is a nice added bonus and I only paid $12 bucks for it (On iTunes, much to my chagrin). Overall this is a great record that I plan to listen to often no matter what some of the critics have said. Honestly I don't know why I read them sometimes, they can be so negative. UNKLE is another band that can be used for the great first album debate/syndrome. Psyence Fiction was certainly amazing and had the advantage of being co-created by DJ Shadow, a giant of the DJ realm, who unfortunately left the band shortly thereafter. In one review I read at Consequence of Sound.net, the guy kept referring to their first album like it was their last, I mean this is the fourth friggin' album, get over it already. Continually harping on how fantastic that record was saying that nothing since then has lived up to the hype. I mean who is he speaking for? Himself of course. Just like I am speaking for myself and that is our right. Just remember the most important critic you should listen to is yourself, enjoy the music you love. Below is a list of the earlier works from UNKLE...

1.Psyence Fiction

2. Never, Never, Land

3. War Stories

I Want A Job Where I Do Nothing But Listen To Music

Wouldn't that be so fucking cool? Excuse the language but I can't help it. I'd have to be paid handsomely of course so I could go out and buy more, new cool music. Go to shows, fly to festivals, eat really expensive meals at swanky hotels and generally do nothing that requires any substantial thought. And drinking, lots and lots of drinking. I'd be the envy of all my friends...wait I don't have any friends, oh well at least I'd be enjoying myself. I wouldn't really want to be a reviewer because who am I to say what's good and what isn't, I mean I don't want to listen to everything and talk about it. I just want to talk about the stuff I like and write about how much I like it. Sometimes I think these critic's have an expectation that they are waiting for perfection and when they don't get it they give crappy reviews. That's not me. I am open minded and willing to listen to most things that people tell me to listen to. Really I wish I was in a band, standing off to the side, shaking my tambourine to the beat and posing for silly photo's for the album cover. Throngs of groupies waiting outside of my dressing room...ok maybe not. Seriously though it would be pretty amazing to look for the next hot band. Scour the clubs for a unique sound that no one knows about...yet. That's until I tell everyone about it. Try to get them to go check it out and see if they like it. Then the band would ask me to tour with them so I could play tambourine. A guy can dream, can't he?

New Music Tuesday 5/18/10

Band Of Horses: Infinite Arms

Very much looking forward to this album, the third from this Seattle outfit. I really feel like this is the album that could really make these guys more popular, not that it's what's important but it would mean that they would continue to record more.

Brothers: Black Keys

This duo from Akron, OH has been around since 2002 and I am just getting around to listening to them. They have a great rock-blues sound and I am very much looking forward to listening to this new record soon. Thankfully it is now on my iPod.

The ArchAndroid: Janelle Monae

An interesting talent out of Kansas City, Janelle Monae is a name we are going to start hearing a lot more about. She is pure style and talent from her voice to her appearance and someone who doesn't fall into the trap of typical pop. And after my first listen I am even now more intrigued by her music.

This Is Happening: LCD Soundsystem

The highly anticipated third album from this American outfit, mainly the creation of DJ James Murphy. Probably more well known in Britain than in the States, LCD Soundsystem is a shining force in the electronic music industry.

Music Is More Important Than Food

This is what I decided last night on the train. I had just come from a party where I had too much to drink and too little to eat, so my plan was to pick up something greasy before I got to the station. Of course that was until I passed Disc-O-Rama on 8th Street and suddenly desired some new music. My first choice, UNKLE, was not available. Sucks. Next on my list was BSS, or Broken Social Scene for the layman, and their new album Forgiveness Rock Record. Luckily the man behind the counter was able to find the last copy to sell it to me for $10 bucks ($10.87 to be exact and 13 cents less that what I had in my pocket), what a steal. Victorious I returned to the sidewalk armed with the new CD and realized I was running a bit late for my train. But so what. I was still feeling the euphoria of having purchased new music, mind you it's not what it used to be but still better than purchasing on iTunes. When I finally made the train and found a seat, I quickly unwrapped the new disc, read the booklet and thought that a cheeseburger would have been nice. Nah, I made the right choice.

Nowhere Boy: John Lennon Biopic Opens 10/08/10

I just watched the trailer for Nowhere Boy, the new movie about the early days of John Lennon and the beginning of the Beatles. Now this story has been touched on before in various TV movies but never fully explored until now. I think it's an interesting time to be going back to see how it all started for one of Rocks greatest performers and songwriters, being that the world of music is in such transition. What would the Beatles do in the world of today? Of course that's a silly question, this world would sound a lot different if the Beatles hadn't arrived when they did. Go to YouTube and check out the trailer to see what you think of the new film. 

Ronnie James Dio Dead At 67

Mostly known for replacing Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio died yesterday morning after a battle with stomach cancer. Diagnosed last September, Dio had announced his wishes to return to the stage once he had beaten one of the deadliest types of cancer. Born in New Hampshire and later raised in Cortland, New York, Ronnie quickly showed a desire to play music. After playing in several small bands during high school and college, Dio joined Rainbow where he began to showcase his unique vocal talents that  would be commonly associated with how Heavy Metal was sung. But it wasn't until he joined Sabbath in 1980 that he would achieve world wide acclaim.

What Was The First Album You Ever Purchased?

I'm not talking about the first record you ever had, or the first one you ever listened to. What I am talking about is the first album you ever bought with your own money at a record store...there actually used to be record stores you know. A store where all they sold was music...how weird right? Anyway when I was a kid we had 3 choices: Vinyl, 8-Track and Cassette...actually there was 4 if you include 45's. A 45 was a smaller vinyl that had a single on it and usually a B-Side track that wouldn't be released on the album. Wow, way confusing. I personally didn't like 8-tracks and actually neither did most people. Their sound was horrible, they had four sides and were a clunky plastic lump that would often break. I mostly did Vinyl and Cassettes. Vinyl was something special. They were large, usually having elaborate art and sometimes opened up like a book. Part of buying an album back
then was the entire experience. Going to the store. Flipping through the records. Listening to the music playing. Chatting with the guy (or girl) at the register about how cool your purchase was. Immediately going home, dropping the needle and blasting it as loud as you could in your room. Of course those days are long gone but the memories linger. Now by the time of my first purchase I already had amassed a small collection of records and tapes that I had either gotten at birthdays or from my parents. I even had a box of records that I had found at an apartment that we had moved into. It was 1981, I think, when I first ventured into the record store in my local mall, telling my Mom that I would meet her in the grocery store in a few. It was a momentous occasion. I walked out with a large paper bag filled with Styx' Paradise Theatre and I remember part of the reason for buying it was the cool art on the cover. Plus back then band names and logo's were really important. I spent alot of time in class (a LOT of time) drawing my favorite bands names on my blue binders...for instance: Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Styx...at that point the Beatles were passe so I didn't write them down. Anyway I met my Mom at Grand Union, picked out some cereal and then headed home for a listen. There was nothing like that first listen and everything hinged on that moment. We didn't have the internet for a preview and were basically taking a chance hoping that the rest of the album wouldn't suck but for the two tracks already released on the 45. That certainly happened, but so what. My second record of memory was the first cassette I ever bought and I am only mentioning it because of circumstance. When you are a kid, prior to your working years, money comes from various sources. Parents, Grandparents, Birthdays, Mowing Lawns, Shoveling Snow....well you get the point. We are told that it is important to save that money for a special occasion or for when you really want something. I never saved any money, a fact that I continue to struggle with. So when I came upon a wad of cash on the floor in front of me at the mall I didn't think about putting it away, I immediately ran to Sam Goody and bought Pyromania from Def Leppard on Cassette. Why not on Vinyl? Because the wad was only 8 singles and the record cost $10 bucks. Thus began my foray into the world of the less expensive Cassettes and into the world of the Walkman. Besides I always had to set aside some money for the arcade, but thats another story altogether.

Real Music Fans Wear Real Headphones

      Those headphones that came with your iPod, the in-ear sort, yeah the white ones. They suck. Ok they do serve a purpose. They are small and convenient and don't mess your hair. Whoop-de-doo. When you decide to become serious about listening to your music go out and buy a real set of headphones. Buy the ones that are so obnoxiously large that your neck will feel tired from holding up your head. It is the only way to truly tune out the rest of the world and hear your music when you are on the go. They are especially great when you are crossing the street against the light and can't hear the taxi bearing down on you. Seriously though those iPod headphones simply allow too much outside noise and besides they hurt like hell after a while, at least in my ears. Wouldn't it also be great to be considered cool because you look old school with those gigantic Princess Leia music blasters on your noggin? I often feel like Princess Leia. It's also a great way to let other people know you are way too into your music to be talking to them, especially on trains. Those little white things often aren't seen by the general passerby and you could get stopped for a question about the subways...how annoying. Go buy a pair today and start looking cooler.                            

New Music Tuesday 5/11/10

Keane: Night Train. I really liked Keane's first 2 albums but completely dismissed the third, this is their fourth. At first listen it seems pretty good but will have to pick it up to really see what it's like.

The Dead Weather: Sea Of Cowards. Yet another venture for Jack White and they seem to all be mutating together. However so far so good, it has that dirty Detroit hard rock sound that we are used to.

The National: High Violet. I bought the Nationals first album after a couple of recommendations of others and pretty much liked it. I am not a huge fan of the lead singers voice so it is probably unlikely I will pick this one up.

Sleigh Bells: Treats. This is the first release of this new band and I must say from what I have heard so far it's pretty interesting stuff. A mix of Electric Guitar Hard Rock with some Pop sensibility, but not in a bad way. 

Music News: 5/10/10

Just a couple of tidbits that I thought I would pass on this morning:

The Strokes are recording. Check you tube for a video of them in the studio. Exciting news.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced that they will begin recording a new album sometime in July and that they have..."like 20 songs ready to go." Please refer to my earlier post regarding the Chili's recent history.

Interpol has announced on their website that they have finished their new record but that unfortunately their bassist Carlos D has decided to leave the band. Unfortunate news but I sure am glad a new record is coming out soon.

How To Destroy Angels: Trent Reznor's New Band

Last year Trent Reznor announced that Nine Inch Nails would be going on tour for the last time and speculation began about whether or not NIN was done for good. For fans, like me, it was unhappy news because there is still a demand for more music from their talented front man. Luckily Trent has started a new band called How To Destroy Angels and their first new track is available for download on iTunes. The single is called A Drowning and certainly sounds a bit like NIN but with Mariqueen Maandig, Trent's wife, singing lead adding an interestingly soft touch. You be the judge. Trent has also recently come out and said that NIN is not dead, but that he needed some time away to go in a different direction. I am excited to see where this goes.

Let It Be: 40 Years Since The Last Beatles Album

This was the end. Probably not the greatest anniversary in the history of music, but this week marked the 40th year since the release of Let It Be, the Beatles last album. Of course no one outside of the band knew it at the time, especially me since I wasn't born yet. I guess you could say it was a bittersweet moment as the Fab Four would never again unite as one, only to continue their careers as solo artists, albeit successful ones. The Beatles originally intended for this album to be a live-in-studio recording that would be filmed for a coinciding movie in 1969, but due to discord between the band they abandoned the project and recorded Abbey Road. It really was the beginning of the end. Disputes over songwriting, disagreements over management and the crumbling of their own Apple Record label caused this once fluid band to fall apart at the seams. John disliked the attention Paul garnered and felt that since he had started the band it was his to lead with George and Ringo standing by his side. Paul to his credit just wanted the band to continue and to succeed even with the creative differences erupting all around.  A final dispute over who would manage the band was their undoing and they parted ways. Let It Be, for what it's worth, was one of their most successful albums with some of the Beatles most iconic hits like: The Long and Winding Road, Get Back, Across the Universe and of course Let It Be. However the band was unhappy with the production work on the album by none other than Phil Spector, but because of the break-up nothing was ever done about it. Then in 2003 Paul McCartney spearheaded the re-release called Let It Be...Naked, a stripped down version of the original release much as the Beatles initially intended. Also of note, to me, is it's classic album cover and the still warm feelings that the Beatles can garner after all these years.

Q & A: Should They Stay Or Should They Go Now?

Things that make you go hmmm...that's what I'm asking myself. For instance do certain bands need to retire? Should they go their separate ways? In this entry I will discuss, with myself of course, several burning issues in the music industry and give my take on why they should or shouldn't be. So I will start out with the emotional topic of when a band should call it quits.

1. U2: I had an affair with the self proclaimed greatest band in the world from the early 90's until just a few years ago right before their last record, No Line On The Horizon. Prior to that album I had already decided it was time for them to go, not in a bad way but they seemed to have done everything they could possibly do musically. When is enough enough?

2. The Rolling Stones: Wait let me check outside to see if anyone is waiting to beat me up for saying this. Sorry peoples this is long overdue, I mean are we gonna wait for these guys to roll out in their wheelchairs? A shout out to the Baby Boomers for continuing to ride this train. P.S. longevity doesn't change the fact that the Beatles were still better.

3. The Eagles: These guys really annoy me, in fact they really annoy each other so why still play? This is the reunion syndrome. They broke up at the height of their career, went on to several successful solo records then decided to play some shows together for old times sake. Then whammo! They are back together with a stupid album called Hell Freezes Over, I guess not. I'm sorry but if your comeback album is a live greatest hits then it's not a comeback.

These next three bands should also start considering their options since their product of late has been less than stellar.

1. The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Going clean never sounded so ordinary. And what kind of album name is Stadium Arcadium? I love the Chili's but it's time for them to either take a permanent vacation or go back to the basics of what made them so great in the first place and I'm not talking Under The Bridge either!

2. Weezer: Riches to Rags, back to Riches and now what. They've already had their highly successful comeback with the Green Album and since then 4 subpar albums getting weaker each time. Harsh, maybe but this running joke can only go so far.

3. Foo Fighters: Now this one was a tough choice because I respect Dave Grohl a ton for making a name for himself after arguably being in one of the greatest bands of all time. However after a fast rise to the top the Foo's are starting to feel a bit stale and need to put out a significant record to remain relevant.

A band we would like to see come back real soon? The Strokes. We hope these guys can mend their differences and put out another badass record.

Here are a couple of music trends that I'd like to see go away:

1. Bands with all-star line-ups. Just because you guys were great with another band doesn't mean you won't suck in the new one. See Audioslave, Chickenfoot, Oysterhead for example.

2. Lil Wayne guesting in every song on the radio. Thankfully Lil Wayne had to go off to jail on a little weapons charge otherwise he'd have been on the new Broken Social Scene record as well.

3. Rappers who announce they are retiring. Jay-Z, Puffy, Eminem. Come on. It's just a ploy to make these guys relevant again, oops that hasn't worked out too well for Em.

4. Broadway shows inspired by rock albums. Tommy, ok that was pretty much a given, but American Idiot?

5. Reunion concerts. No explanation necessary.

6. Bands or musicians who play Vegas. See Elvis.

7. British vocalists who sing the chorus in Rap songs. At some point this might have been an original idea but it's time to put it out to pasture.

One last thing that needs to go...American Idol. Ok I'll admit it, I was a fan for the first four years but that was too long. Time to shut it down, sorry Ryan.

Honorable mentions: Axl Rose, Kenny Rogers, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, New Kids On The Block, Green Day, Aerosmith....did I mention Weezer?

Essentials: The Pixies, Grunge Before Grunge

Way back in 1988 (I was a junior in high school) a band by the name of The Pixies released their first full length album called Surfer Rosa. At the time I had no idea who they were since I was fully entrenched in Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix, I'd yet to discover any underground or alternative music. That would come later in college. Those who did were lucky enough to experience (no reference to Jimi H.) the beginning of Grunge which would later be coined with the Seattle hard rock movement. Well Seattle should give thanks to Boston because that's where it originated. The Pixies had a raw, unfinished, jam-like sound that was captured so beautifully on this first record. Bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and later Weezer certainly owe a debt of gratitude for pioneering the sound that they made famous. If you ask the generic music fan of today who The Pixies are you will mostly get....'Who?' That's ok, music knowledge is often handed down and not learned. For me I was introduced to The Pixies during the early Grunge years after I was already a fan of the more popular bands and quickly tossed it aside as nothing special. But as the years rolled on more and more I found myself realizing just how influential their sound actually was and now hold Surfer Rosa as one of my favorite albums. That is the great thing about music, there is no rule that says you have to discover an artist or a band when it drops it's first album or before anyone else hears about it. That may be considered cool but it's not realistic. For most of us we need to lean on others to find out what's happening, who's the hot new band in Williamsburg or L.A. or who the next new 'IT' band is gonna be. That's why music will always be a community environment to be shared with others, not a sitting-in-your-pj's-10-minutes-before-bedtime-experience.

What Do You Do When They Are One And Done?

What happens when a really cool band puts out a great first album that you fall in love with and then they break up? Go into a deep depression? Smoke some weed? Well whatever you choose be glad that you have one good album to obsess over. Sometimes we are lucky enough that the members split and form new bands and while they never sound like the original pairing at least it's something. In the case of one particular band, Death From Above 1979, band members Jesse Keeler and Sabastien Grainger decided to call it quits because they could no longer get along after the surprising success of their first full album, Your a Woman, I'm a Machine. A great mix of hard rock infused with a dance vibe, DFA1979 was one of a kind, literally. Fortunately both members have gone on to make more music and I have been lucky enough to buy some of it. Jesse Keeler went on to form the electronic band MSTRKRFT and Sebastien Grainger started the band called Sebastien Grainger and the Mountains. Check them out . There's also The Harlem Shakes who  disbanded after one semi-successful album. A rock band from Brooklyn with a unique sound that is a little like Vampire Weekend before Vampire Weekend was even around. A friend just recently introduced me to them and it's a shame that they won't be making anymore music together because I certainly would have liked some more. Anyway the guitarist from HS, Todd Goldstein, has formed a new band called ARMS and I have just listened to a few tracks on their Myspace page and it's pretty good. I foresee an album purchase in the near future!

First Album Vs. Second Album Debate

So far this year we have seen sophomore releases from MGMT and Vampire Weekend and it reminded me of an old debate about the first album vs. the second.  Often times when a new band debuts and people start to like them a certain sound is created that the fans identify with. For me when I like a new band I get excited and really enjoy when I can connect with the music in the hopes that more music will follow. I never put to high an expectation on a second effort because I realize that it would be impossible to repeat the feeling of the original release. You don't get a second chance at a first impression. So when the new album comes out I try to look at it as a separate entity and I believe allows me to enjoy it that much better. There are some fans out there, and I do read their comments, that hold onto those first albums like it's their baby and it must be protected. They refuse to move on and can't accept a slight change to the sound or the songwriting. I can't understand this. Overall both MGMT and Vampire Weekend's new albums have gotten lukewarm receptions from people I know that loved their first albums. Mostly I hear....I like it but the first one is better.....There's not one really great song....I'm still listening to their first album. Honestly it gets me pissed. Why can't you just like both? I mean they already made a great album you love so why don't you give the second one a chance first before you toss it to the side?

In my opinion I really think it is part of our current musical culture with the 30 second snippets on iTunes being our first taste of a record. We are no longer invested in a band the way we used to be, when we would go out to the record store to pick up the new cd and be super excited to put it on in our car. I always think of the smell when I would open up the jewel case, pull out the album booklet all while the new record blasted from my speakers. Don't get me wrong, I think iTunes has aided in a lot of my new band discoveries but I just can't simply rely on one outlet. Also I think it's important for bands or artists to challenge themselves to constantly improve their music whatever that may mean to them. I am always interested when a band tries something new as long as it's not Weezer's Ratitude. In their careers, bands usually spend the most time with their first record and what I mean by that is up until their second one comes out that's the only music they have ever really played. So sometimes when they get down to writing a new record they feel like changing directions. Who wants a band that sounds exactly the same on their second record (311, The Strokes, Everclear, Smithereens), I don't (even though I like all those bands). I want something fresh and new. I want to spend a lot of time with it and really let it sink in, then after that compare the two as a complete body of work.

Here are some other bands with interesting first vs. second record debates:

Radiohead: Pablo Honey Vs. The Bends
The Stills: Logic Will Break Your Heart Vs. Without Feathers
Weezer: The Blue Album Vs. Pinkerton (back when they were great)