Opinion Blog: Enough With Taylor Swift!

One word that describes Taylor Swift: BORING!!!

(Before I begin, can I just point out how ridiculous that picture to the right is? Please Taylor! Please! Do not start rapping like you said you wanted to!)

In my opinion, Taylor Swift is as plain as a white wall. She is another blond pop icon who tries to make movies but fails, who gives off the squeaky clean image until something raunchy is revealed (which something will), and who has become so commercialized into our clueless media that it's just annoying!

Yes, she is pretty, plays the guitar, and seems like a sweet girl, but who really cares? She does not have the potential to become a lasting star. All her lyrics seem to be the same. All cheesy love songs. And her voice is generic.

I really don't think she should've won all those Grammy awards. But then again, sometimes our media doesn't appreciate true music. They go by what's on the radio and what teenagers, who barely pass Algebra, like.

I wish our music industry would wake up and realize what good music is. I wish they would realize that lyrics like these (From the song "You Belong With Me"): "But she wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts She's Cheer Captain and I'm on the bleachers..." SUCK!

Oh and for the record, Kanye, you're mean, but totally right...

Check this band out: The Black Keys

They are usually compared to bands such as The White Stripes, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and ZZ Top. Bands such as Metallica claim to listen to them. Artic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders can be seen wearing their band t-shirt.

The Black Keys are the definition of the-modern-day-indie-blues period. The band, composed of just two guys, Dan Auerbach (guitarist and vocalist) and Patrick Carney (drums), started off their musical career in 2002 with the release of their first album "The Big Come Up".

Following "The Big Come Up" they produced "Thickfreakness" (2003), "Rubber Factory" (2004), "Magic Potion" (2006), and "Attack and Release" (2008). With "Magic Potion" and "Attack and Release" they gained their fame.

Songs on their 2006 and 2008 albums were featured in about 40 movies, television shows, and commercials combined. In 2007 the film Black Snake Moan featured their song "When The Lights Go Out" and the film Cloverfield featured the song "Grown So Ugly". The song "Strange Times", one of their most popular hits, can be heard on the video game Grand Theft Auto 4, and on television shows Dexter and Gossip Girl.

Recently (2009) The Black keys have produced the album "Blakroc" which features a unique blend of hip-hop and bluesy-rock. "Blakroc" features hip-hop artists such as Wu-Tang, Ludacris, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and Jim Jones.

The Black Keys are beyond any doubt a revolutionary band. Listen to them once and you'll be hooked. Listening to Auerbach's unique and emotion-filled voice is seducing. You'll never want to press stop on your iPod.

See them April 18th at the Filmore in Miami. I already bought my ticket. Have you?

Pickle VS Nickelback: The Battle on Facebook Ends

Pickle won!

A few weeks ago a rather strange group was created on Facebook titled "Can this pickle get more fans than Nickelback?" The page was out to prove that it could get more fans, or facebook members, to join than, the actual Nickelback fan page could.

Well after only four weeks, compared to the years that the band Nickleback has been on facebook, the pickle page got a whooping 1,500,210 members to join. Nickleback's fan page has 1,424,629 members.

"Pickle" fan page creator Carol Anne claims that, "This page is only intended for humour and nothing more or less. I am not using this page to endorse any hate towards the band Nickelback."

Let's just hope that Nickelback doesn't take offense to this page and doesn't develop a hate for pickles.

Aerosmith Makes Up and Announces Tour

After months of quarrels between Steven Tyler and his bandmates, Aerosmith has made up and announced their “Cocked, Locked, Ready to Rock” summer tour of Europe. Lead singer Tyler tells Rollingstone Magazine, “We’re coming your way and rocking your world. Look out baby, ’cause here we go again!”

Only three weeks ago Tyler threatened to sue his bandmates if they went on a tour with another singer. Aerosmith was testing out other singers, such as Billy Idol and Lenny kravitz, for their front man position. The band was apparently fed up with waiting for Tyler to rejoin them for more gigs and was willing to replace him.

The band met early February and came to a realization that they belonged together. Regardless, they made up being the old friends they are, and announced another tour. Aerosmith is now confident and boasting that they are once again ready to rock.

Upcoming Concert: Manchester Orchestra & The Features

This Sunday, February 28th, Manchester Orchestra and The Features will be playing in concert at the Revolution Live venue in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Doors open at 7pm and tickets cost $13.50.

*

As I've mentioned in a previous blog, The Features is a hot new indie band similar to the Kings of Leon. On Sunday, they will be opening up the show for Manchester Orchestra, a band that has quickly won fame.

*

Manchester Orchestra is an indie band from Atlanta Georgia, formed in 2005. The band is made up of five guys, singer and guitarist Andy Hull, lead guitarist Robert McDowell, keyboardist and percussionist Chris Freeman, bassist Jonathen Corely, and drummer Jeremiah Edmond.

*

The band of five has released two popular albums, "I'm Like A Virgin Losing Child" (2006) and "Mean Everything to Nothing", and several extended plays.

*

The album "Mean Everything to Nothing" is where they got their most recognition from. Some of the hits on that album include, "I've Got Friends", "Shake It Out", and "The Only One".

*

Manchester Orchestra has toured with such bands as, "Brand New", "KOL", "Say Anything", and "The Annuals".

(Manchester Orchestra)

Remember the 80s Musical "The Last Dragon"?

The Last Dragon is a 1985 martial arts musical, directed by Michael Schultz, now considered to be a cult classic.

The Last Dragon centers on a teenage martial arts student, Leroy Green, who has dreams of becoming a great martial artist like his idol Bruse Lee. Leroy goes on a quest to achieve the title of "The Last Dragon", the highest level of martial arts. On his journey to becoming the "Last Dragon" Leroy confronts villains such as a corrupt arcade mogul Eddie Arkadian and the evil Sho'Nuff, from whom he must also protect his younger brother Richie and crush, TV Music Video Host, Laura Charles

Being a kung-fu musical in the 80s, the movie got a lot of recognition for its music. Featured in this film is a DeBarge song, "Rhythm of the Night", written by Diane Warren. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard R&B charts. The film's Richard Perry's produced title theme was nominated for Worst "Original" Song at the 1985 Golden Rasberry Awards, as was Laura Charles’ song "7th Heaven".

A remake of the movie is currently in the works, with actor Samuel L. Jackson taking on the role of Sho'nuff. John Davis of Davis Entertainment and Gordy's son Kerry Gordy, along with the RZA are set to produce. Wu-Tang will be the Executive Producers.

Rihanna is also said to star in the movie as a sexy dominatrix (as seen on the photo on the left). Starpulse Entertainment said, "It's not a part for the faint hearted."

This is no joke people. In case you haven't ever seen The Last Dragon, here's a trailer (keep in mind this was a low budget film... therefore this is a low budget trailer):

Jay-Z Performs an Unforgettable Concert at the Bank Atlantic Center

Wearing all black and sporting his trademark Wayfarers, Jay-Z came out on the BankAtlantic Center stage with one goal, to give everyone there a concert to remember. This was a night which all Jay-Z fans will be boasting about for months, if not years, to come.

Jay-Z, also known as Shawn Carter, holds the record for No. 1 albums in the Billboard 200 and for selling more records than Elvis, the King himself. His success was apparent last night at the concert, the first concert in his BP3 tour, as every song he would perform got louder cheers than the last.

The Brooklyn native opened up the sold-out concert with the hit “Run This Town”, followed by an amazing “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” remix. He then went to play his latest hit, “On To The Next One”, followed by “D.O.A (Death to Auto-Tune)”.

Other hits played last night include, “99 Problems”, “Empire State Of Mind” featuring Bridget Kelly, “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”, “Swagga Like Us”, “Big Pimpin’”, and “Hard Knock Life”.

Jay-Z and his mic were backed by a mind-blowing 10-piece band, including two drummers and a large brass section. The band helped his songs boom and got reactions from the audience not seen or heard at other concerts. The impressive, visually-changing backdrop also helped emphasize his songs and their lyrics.

At the beginning of the night new artist Trey Songz started the party with recent hits such as “I Invented Sex” and “Say Aah”. His radio famous songs got the crowd pumped for the real show.

As a “half-time show”, also giving Jay-Z time to rest his tired voice, Young Jeezy took the stage to give a mediocre performance. Jeezy’s voice was out of tune, causing his lyrics to be hard to understand. It was apparent that the audience was highly anticipating the return of Jay-Z.

As the night came to an end, Jay-Z gave a respectable salute to the fans, “I appreciate every one of you.” Without a doubt Jay-Z knows how to put on remarkable performances.

PHOTO BLOG

These are pictures, taken by me, of all the concerts I have been to in the last two years...

STONE
TEMPLE
PILOTS

NINE

INCH
NAILS

PEARL
JAM

PEPPER

LANGERADO
MUSIC
FESTIVAL

MY
MORNING
JACKET

KINGS
OF
LEON

JANE'S
ADDICTION

311

Hot New Indie Band: The Features

The Features is an indie band composed of four guys Matt Pelham, Roger Dabbs, Don Sergio and Parrish Yaw, who went to middle school together in the small town of Sparta, Tennessee.

Growing up in a town of only 5,000, the boys started their band in 8th grade out of boredom. Their playlists consisted of songs by artists such as Beethoven, Neil Young, and Guns n' Roses.

Through high school the guys continued their band, playing in small events such as parties and talent shows, and in their college years they moved up to playing in clubs and bars in Nashville.

Within only a few years, the band signed a contract with Spongebath Records and had started professionally recording their music.

Their chance at stardom came when they toured with the popular band of brothers the Kings of Leon as their opening band.

Touring with the KOL paid off. On June 2009, the Kings of Leon announced having the freedom to sign and champion artists of their choice. The Features were the first band to be signed to the imprint, and the first release as part of the deal was the Some Kind of Salvation LP, released July 28, 2009.

Check out this video of their featured song "Lions" on their Some Kind of Salvation Album:

Music Diva Beyonce Takes Home Six Grammy Awards

Beyonce Knowles led the Grammy Award nominee list with ten nominations. Out of those ten, she won six, a new record for a female artist.

Knowles list of nominations were contained within the Top Three Grammy categories, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Her actual wins include Song Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best Contemporary R&B Album.

Her 2008 album I Am... Sasha Fierce is now running against the Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga for Album of the Year.

Nine Inch Nails Makes a Promise to the Fans

After announcing an end to concerts and touring and perhaps album-making, Nine Inch Nails has promised their fans a little something to put them at ease.

Trent Reznor, vocalist, has promised new music from his new studio-only project. He also made another mysterious promise on the band's website to introduce something else that "isn’t" Nine Inch Nails. Reznor claims to be in an unsure state of rediscovery and reinvention. This may have triggered him to want to create new music.

Reznor decided to stop touring after his recent marriage. Though fans are still not happy with NIN's decision to quit concerts after their "Wave Goodbye Tour" with Jane's Addiction, it helps that Reznor has decided to keep NIN as a studio project.

(Both pictures were taken by me at the Jane's Addiction NIN concert this past summer.)

Lil Wayne Soon to be Behind Bars

On Febuary 12th hip-hop artist Lil Wayne, also known as Weezy, will be going to prison for 12 months following his 2007 New York City arrest for illegal gun possesion.

Lil Wayne, mostly known for his albums Tha Carter I, II, and III, the third including last years hits "Got Money" and "Lollipop", says that prison will not keep him away from making music and the fans. Wayne has told Rollingstone magazine that you only stop when you die.

While Wayne is locked up, his label Young Money will be moving to New York to be near him. Wayne will also stay in touch with fans through Twitter accounts to endorsements. Weezy also claims that he will be able to keep an iPod, in which his label will send him beats to.

Jail time will not keep this hip-hop/rap star from realeasing music and money. In fact, Tha Carter V is scheduled to be released shortly after he gets out.