The Truth About Music

"What's hot, what's not, and whats next in pop music"

Harris’ Song of the Week: Time to Pretend by MGMT

By Harris posted October 30, 2008 at 21:27

Some pretty crazy songs have been flooding my playlist army this week but this song just stood out above the rest. There’s something about catchy electronica and bands with letters, instead of words in their name. MGMT is an electronic/alternative band from Brooklyn, NY that exploded onto the pop scene in 2008 following a few major commercial releases of this weeks song, Time to Pretend. Although the album was released in 2007, it wasn’t until 2008 when the song was featured in the popular movie “21,” and on shows such as the new “90210,” and “Gossip Girl.” This song combines a rare breed of catchy lyrics, and a melody that could not be more catchy. You might find yourself humming this songs, hours after hearing it. Its the type of song that requires another great song to get out of your head. Lucky for you, I have a song of [...] Continue...
Where Grunge turned to Alternative and Alternative Turned to Pop

By Harris posted October 28, 2008 at 23:01

Music can always be traced back in time from band to band, artist to artist, and label to label. We are currently at an interesting time in music though were a lot of music sounds the same, but at the same time, some great bands are emerging. I decided to take a look back at the last 18 years or so in hopes of figuring out where today’s music has come from. Of course, we all know that an underground scene dominated music in the early 1990′s, based out of Seattle, Washington. Grunge was a huge influence on today’s music scene. Bands such as the Pearl Jam, Alice and Chains, and of course, Nirvana dominated the music scene during the early to mid 90′s. Emerging directly on the heels of this mellow, often depressing genre of music came a string of pop bands. Pop super groups starting showing up from [...] Continue...
Hanson and an Mmmboperific Night at Webster Theatre

By Harris posted October 25, 2008 at 17:25

In 1997 a song hit the airwaves that was unlike any other at the time. It was before the boy band craze, and even before Britney Spears was sexually active (I know there once was a time) that a song dominated every walkman, stereo and car cassette player. This song title was not made up of words, there were no words to describe it. The album was ‘Middle of Nowhere,’ and the song of course was Mmmbop, a song that helped this little known band go to the top of the music world, selling ten million copies world wide. Little did anyone know that over ten years later this band would still be around, touring and making new records. Going into a Hanson concert I really had no idea what to expect. I kept telling people I was really excited for this concert, not to see them, but see what [...] Continue...
Harris’ Song of the Week: In Memoriam by Everybody Else

By Harris posted October 24, 2008 at 00:10

As is to be expected in a week full of concerts, this weeks song of the week comes from an artist that I did not plan to see but stumbled upon, and now cannot stop playing. Opening on the main stage for Hanson and Dave Barnes at Webster Theatre was a band from California named Everybody Else. They caught my eye immediately because of their unique stage setup. Their drummer was set on the very edge of the stage, all the way on the right side (facing the stage) and was a centerpiece to the band. He not only sang, but he played tambourine and synthesizer while keeping a solid beat on the drums. Nothing taken away from the other two members of this trio, who all harmonize just as well as Hanson, or any other group that harmonizes well. The sound of all three of their voices is pretty [...] Continue...
Hanson Pictures!!

By Harris posted October 23, 2008 at 09:49

As always, I post the pictures for concerts I see the morning after, the review will be coming later this week. Girls in the 18-30 Range Going Crazy for Hanson Zac Hanson (It Was His Birthday) Hanson Up Close Taylor Hanson on Piano Opener Dave Barnes Look for the review later this week. Continue...
Crazy Weekend Coming Up

By Harris posted October 22, 2008 at 09:44

This weekend is absolutely insane as I will partake in activities from my two major interests in life, music and baseball. The first concert of the weekend is Hanson. This show is tonight (Wednesday) at Webster Theatre. Yes, this is the same Hanson who sings mmbop, no longer a group of young brothers, they are now married and grown up. They do still perform together and from what I’ve heard, are actually quite good. I’m skeptical but will definitely be intrigued. After that I will be attending (and photographing and reviewing) the Scouting For Girls concert that I told you all about earlier this month (Show is on Thursday). This is an awesome band that anyone in the New York City area should really try to go see. They’re songs are extremely catchy and well written. Anyone who is going to come out, let me know. Also this weekend is [...] Continue...
Just For Fun, What I listen to the Most

By Harris posted October 20, 2008 at 23:47

I thought it would be fun to look at what songs have the most plays in my iTunes library. Ok so here goes… Number one in play counts is “Flathead,” by the Fratellis. After that are other songs from the album ‘Costello Music,’ followed by songs from Lucky Boys Confusion record ‘Commitment.’ Here’s the actual numbers: Flathead: 138Chelsea Dagger: 127Commitment: 93Hey Driver: 91Beware: 90Jane (The Loved Ones): 73 Among the songs in my library with the least plays, mostly staying at zero are: Various 50 Cent SongsVarious Spice Girls SongsVarious U2 Amongst Others… What are the number one played songs in your libraries? Let me know. Continue...
Harris’ Song of the Week: Save Me by Article 19

By Harris posted October 16, 2008 at 23:17

I hate to do this to you but this weeks song of the week is not available on iTunes or any other major distributed music source. If you email me I would be willing to send you the song and get your thoughts on it. This weeks song is “Save Me,” by Article 19. For those of you who are not familiar with this band, they are an up and coming rock band from New Britain, CT. They recently played a show at the Hawks Nest, at the University of Hartford and their music is simply mesmerizing. Picture this, the lead singer looks like (and has the abilities) of Maroon 5′s Adam Levine, the lead guitarist uses effects such as Peter Framptons voice box, the drummer grooves like Cart Beuford of Dave Matthews band and the bassist keeps a solid back line, with killer vocals. Sound good to you? If [...] Continue...
Surprise Show at Hawk’s Nest Rocks University of Hartford Campus

By Harris posted October 15, 2008 at 16:05

Saturday was like any other day in Connecticut; students relaxed, caught up on homework, and watched movies. That is until around 6 PM when members of the band We the Living arrived on campus and asked if they could play a surprise show at the Hawk’s Nest. After phone calls shot around campus for about thirty minutes it was decided that we could not pass up the opportunity to have a band of this caliber not perform. A frenzy soon broke out with emails being delivered to everyone on campus and even the band walking around about an hour before show time promoting the event. In two hours more promotion was done than anyone thought possible. Flyers were made, emails sent, posters posted and all without a sliver of doubt on anyone’s part that it would be a success, due to a killer effort by all of the students involved. [...] Continue...
Cobras, Hormones, Kids and Sass Come Together in Fun Week at Hartford

By Harris posted October 14, 2008 at 17:43

Webster Theatre had a calendar full of events that past week including singer/songwriters, metal bands and yes, the occasional pop/punk/emo/alternative band. Wednesday night, the Sassy Back Tour invaded downtown Hartford, complete with confetti, powerful lights and screaming girls. Sing It Loud was the first act of the night playing some catchy songs, but most importantly helping to pump the crowd up. The one song of theirs you may of heard of is called “Bite Your Lip.” Back sometime last year this was an iTunes single of the week and of course to that chorus the crowd new every word to it. Next on the bill was the highly anticipated Hit the Lights who sport hit singles such as “Body Bag,” and “Speakers Blown,” rocked the crowd with a blend of high energy antics and great pleasing songs. Lead singer Nick Thompson wore a Los Angeles Dodger cap on stage, clearly [...] Continue...