The Truth About Music

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

Harris’ Top 110 Songs of the Decade (110-106)

By Harris posted December 01, 2009 at 11:00

Here it is. After months of preparation and hours of writing and re-writing I have assembled a list of the best 110 songs of the past ten years. Looking back is an interesting venture. Ten years ago we didn’t know the All American Rejects, Kanye West, Lady Gaga or John Mayer. Still caught up on boy bands and ’90s one hit wonders, the turn of the century (and millennium) marked a huge shift in musical tastes. The iPod was introduced in 2001 forever changing the manner in which we purchase, listen to and share music. Here is the music of our new digital world. Songs 110-106 110. All My Life, Foo Fighters (2002): Beginning the list down the top 110 songs of the decade it seems only fitting to me to start with not only one the most rocking songs, but rocking bands of this era. 2002 saw the Foo [...] Continue...
Harris' Album of the Month: Ultimate Christmas Collection by Jackson 5

By Harris posted November 30, 2009 at 15:36

Sorry this is out one day early but tomorrow is a very special day for The Truth About Music as we begin counting down the 110 best songs of the past decade. Being an American Jew means that I prefer Christmas to Chanukah any day of the week. I happen to love the music of the season and nothing says Christmas more than Christmas albums. One of the best Christmas albums comes from the late Michael Jackson and his Jackson 5. Releases in October of 1970, “Ultimate Christmas Collection” was originally comprised of eleven Christmas classics. In 2009, bonus tracks were released including remixes and unreleased material from the famous five. The groups style is captured perfectly in these family friendly songs sung in a style that is pure and genuine. Included in the 2009 bonus tracks are greetings from Michael, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas.” [...] Continue...
Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Prudes

By Harris posted November 28, 2009 at 11:27

It’s been almost a week since the American Music Awards and people are still talking about Adam Lambert and his “controversial” performance. The routine featured both a simulated blow job and a male on male kiss. What I can’t understand is why everyone cares to much? In the past we’ve seen girl on girl kisses, fake blood on stage and artists like Eminem singing about rape and kidnap. Artists like Lambert are criticized for their outrageous behavior but isn’t it our attitude that makes these situations worse. For me, artists do not have a responsibility to make sure their performances come with a disclaimer. As bad is it was for Lambert in the press, publicity is publicity and with the spotlight shining bright on Lambert his album has quietly been projected to sell upwards of 200,000 copies in it’s opening week. Compared to the man who Lambert lost to in [...] Continue...
Kris Allen’s Self Titled Album Solid, Won’t Top Lambert

By Harris posted November 27, 2009 at 11:19

After watching the American Music Awards last night I decided it was time to give Kris Allen his fair shot. Although I am on team Lambert, I am an equally opportunity listener and therefore gave a listen to the self titled debut. Just as a side note, I felt bad for Allen because Lambert was chosen to perform and he didn’t actually win. The first song from the album is pure magic in a song. From the opening notes by Allen, “Live Like We’re Dying” drives and the song showcases his pure (and surprisingly powerful) voice. Serving as the first single, it will give him a platform to stand on outside of Ryan Seacrest’s stage. With a very slow fade out the next song “Before We Come Undone” starts much slower. A much more revealing ballad sounding intro gives way to electronic sounding drums with carry Allen into an extremely [...] Continue...
Harris’ Song of the Week: Parents Worst Nightmare by H*Wood

By Harris posted November 26, 2009 at 11:21

There something I love about an artist that looks at whats out there and decides to create music that fits into that genre. Some will argue that this isn’t creative. The trick is putting your own unique spin on the songs. Earlier this month I was sent a few songs by a friend of mine. She thought I would enjoy this emerging artists music and she was right. The songs were fun and very topical in todays music world. Using the electronic style made extremely popular over the past few years by Cascada, Black Eyed Peas and more recently Lady Gaga, rapper H*Wood has created an image of upbeat fun songs to fit this genre. A number of these songs are really great. My favorite so far is this weeks song of the week. What stands out to me in this song is the fast paced production paired with H*Wood’s [...] Continue...
“For Your Entertainment” Shows Off Singers Unique Style

By Harris posted November 25, 2009 at 11:01

The most anticipated album of the year (according to both me and the sticker attached to the album) has finally arrived. After months of hype and riding the publicity bandwagon, Adam Lambert, the runner up to Kris Allen in season eight of “American Idol” would release his debut album “For Your Entertainment.” After listening to Allen’s album which to my surprise, was very enjoyable, I was pretty excited to hear Lambert’s album. Starting at a really high energy level, the first song off the album could be one of my favorite songs of 2009. “Music Again” shows a side of Lambert that I hoped would come out in the record. He mixes glam rock and a Jonas Brothers style pop with his dark side, similar to the likes of Lady Gaga. After opening the liner notes I discovered the song was written by Justin Hawkins, formerly of British rock band [...] Continue...
The Truth About Music Radar: November 23rd, 2009

By Harris posted November 24, 2009 at 08:36

This week really is only about one thing. Glam. Two artists are releasing new albums today. One, an artist who has carved a genre into pop music unlike any other. The other, a brand new artist making his major debut who plans to sit right beside her and feed off of her energy. Of course I am referring to Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert. After they both took the stage two nights ago at the American Music Awards, both are now ready to dazzle the public with their interesting blends of hip/hop, r&b, dance and glam rock. The truth star from last seasons “American Idol” Lambert demonstrated on stage at the AMA’s why he will fit so perfectly into the slot created by Gaga. Performing a song from his new album, Lambert was pelvic thrusting all over the stage. Combined with his style of wardrobe which can only be described [...] Continue...
The Hipster, Why They Should Be Terminated

By Harris posted November 22, 2009 at 23:04

I hate college. Let me say that again. I hate college! Attending college and trying to study the music industry is like trying to install a screen door in a submarine. Over the past few years, I have gained so much respect for artists and what they go through on a daily basis. Some artists I love, and some artists I hate but never based an incoherent judgement. Sitting down to watch the American Music Awards tonight I was surrounded by friends and Twitter. Both of which were feeding me similar garbage. One second they were trashing the Black Eyed Peas and the next they are ripping into Daughtry and Michael Jackson. If you decide your not going to like an artist, at least have the decency to listen before you leap off the ledge. Filled with hipsters (who all hate being called hipsters), college is driving me close to [...] Continue...
The Swellers Bring Back Memories of Punk

By Harris posted November 22, 2009 at 10:54

I have written before that punk (in the mainstream) as we knew it died sometime in the early part of this decade. With new sounds emerging left and right, the fast paced, driving vocals of ’70s and ’80s punk bands were fading faster than we could of imagined. The Swellers are a friendly reminder that this type of music can be fun and relevant. Unlike The Casualties whom they shared the stage with, The Swellers were a modern style punk band, not trying to copy bands (or be a band) from the ’80s. Instead they had a fresh sound, something different than the run of the mill alternative rock bands that seem to pop up on a daily basis. There energy matched the modern style that today’s bands bring to the table but the sound was slightly different. Although you could make the case that they are just another band, [...] Continue...
Pictures From The Swellers, The Casualties and Less Than Jake

By Harris posted November 21, 2009 at 01:39

Pictures from tonights show featuring The Swellers, the Casualties and Less Than Jake at Webster Theater. Continue...