The Truth About Music

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

Harris’ Song of the Week: Torn on the Platform by Jack Penate

By Harris posted January 15, 2009 at 19:07

Jack Penate is the greatest singer/songwriter you’ve never even heard of. Although Jack has never toured in the United States his music speaks for itself and should be listened to at all costs. Matinee, his first and only studio album peaked at #1 on the Indie Album charts in the UK. Torn on the Platform, is an awesome song, starting slow and quiet and building into a mix between ska (minus the horns) and traditional acoustic guitar anthems (Jack Johnson like). This is fun and funky dance music that makes you just wanna pelvic thrust to the nearest dance floor. If you do nothing else for the rest of the night find this guy on Youtube or attempt to download him illegally, or if your really desperate, email me and I’ll send a song or two. He really is worth the effort. For now I can only dream about singing [...] Continue...
Thriving Ivory and the Case of the Stolen Voice-box

By Harris posted January 14, 2009 at 17:00

Thriving Ivory, a brand new band to the pop music scene in America, broke with their self titled debut album featuring the now hit single ‘Angels on the Moon.’ The band has had moderate success with this single and I do enjoy the bands sound. My problem with them, hasn’t this band happened already? Clayton Stroope, lead singer of Thriving Ivory’s vocals sound eerily similar to two different more established front men. You don’t have to listen any more than their single to hear the similarity between Stroope and Gerard Way, lead singer of My Chemical Romance. Upon further listening I have a theory on Guns and Roses lack of touring in 2009. Is it possible that Clayton Stroope is Axl Rose in disguise? I think these two scenarios are highly likely and if you would, listen to Angels on the Moon and tell me which person you think he [...] Continue...
Psychic and Gossip Girl

By Harris posted January 13, 2009 at 21:09

Rarely do I have a moment when what I think actually comes to life. Sitting on the couch last night with my sister, I began talking about my latest article, reviewing Franz Ferdinand’s “Tonight.” Before I could even finish, she brought up that one song off of this latest album was featured on the show just a day before. This was shocking to me as I had written: “This was a solid attempt but unless Franz can get some great backing by a fun super bowl commercial or score a song on Gossip Girl this will just be another unheard album by the group from Scottland.” Cross my heart I did not see Gossip Girl the night before (I generally avoid watching it at all costs) but who knows, maybe the show will of just single handedly saved Franz Ferdinand’s junior album. Continue...
Franz Ferdinand Draws Mixed Reviews While Staying the Course

By Harris posted January 13, 2009 at 14:30

Franz Ferdinand has always been a band overshadowed by other albums, and other bands. Still, giving them a listen they have never done anything to blow me away and their latest studio album “Tonight,” is more of the same. I can’t say it’s a bad album, it just does nothing for me. As with any album there are songs that do hit me as being great singles or awesome b-sides but the general flow of the album is sub par. The album leads off with ‘Ulysses,’ an odd song that is clearly attempting to capitalize on the rich success of electronic bands, such as MGMT, or The Ting Tings. The song seems weird in the context of the album but is not necessarily a bad song on it’s own. As the album progresses there are some hits and many misses. Among my least favorite songs are ‘Live Alone,’ and ‘Bite [...] Continue...
The 2009 Academy Awards

By Harris posted January 09, 2009 at 11:14

Taking a step away from music over the past week I have made it a point to go out and see some of the movies sure to be swimming in Oscar nominations. Among the ones I have seen were Gran Torino, Frost/Nixon and 7 Pounds. Of course I have already seen The Dark Knight and Burn After Reading which are sure to carry some smaller awards. In my opinion the best picture of the year will go to Gran Torino and the lead actor should go to either Clint Eastwood for this movie, or to Will Smith in 7 Pounds. Although this may fall under much criticism I have not yet seen Milk, Sean Penn’s new movie. Although I’m sure this movie will also receive a slew of nominations I simply do not like Sean Penn and therefore would be swayed from picking him under any circumstances. With that in [...] Continue...
Harris’ Song of the Week: It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy

By Harris posted January 08, 2009 at 19:43

I’m sure you just read the above headline and now think that I am either forgetting what year it is, or that I’m nuts. As far as I know, I’m not either of those, but I am being nostalgic this week. After spending some time downloading some of my favorite late 90′s songs, this one crept into my head. To this day, It Wasn’t Me is one of my favorite (and most catchy) hip-hop/rap songs of all time. My generation will always remember when this song came out, it was just racy enough to make people care about it, and most middle school students purchased and then played to death, the CD single. It Wasn’t Me was followed by Angel, another great single from Shaggy but for now pretend its the year 2000, the Red Sox still haven’t won the world series, we’re just beginning to understand how much W [...] Continue...
Clint Eastwood Dazzles in Gran Torino

By Harris posted January 05, 2009 at 13:11

Last night me and a few friends ventures into White Plains to see Gran Torino before it is releases in all theatres next week. In a year full of great movies and even better performances Clint shows that he still has what it takes. Playing a racist, stuck in the wars of the past he hates blacks, all Asians and even many Caucasians. I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone but I will say that I have not laughed this much (out loud) since the first time I saw Superbad. Moral of the story: go see this movie as soon as possible. Continue...
Harris’ Song of the Week: What’s This by Danny Elfman

By Harris posted January 04, 2009 at 13:28

Call me a dork, call me outdated or call me a child, but I simply can’t help the fact that I love classic Disney movies. A few weeks ago I finally got around to seeing Nightmare Before Christmas (Tim Burton). This movie was weaker than what I had expected but the music was simply amazing. Although John Williams is my favorite American movie composer, Danny Elfman was simply amazing as the singing voice of Jack Skellington. This song was my favorite, as it combined awesome visual elements with an enchanting Christmas song. The idea of Jack walking through this new village seeing Christmas for the first time is a really fun concept. American’s think that everyone knows what Christmas is all about, but this scene really depicts its deepest roots, and how an outsider may view this festive holiday. Although Christmas is over, and I am (as always) questioning if [...] Continue...