The Truth About Music

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

#musicmoday: La Roux – “In For The Kill”

By Dave posted April 19, 2010 at 14:00

Dave Hitchings is English born, Hartford located music and tech blogger and web developer. You can follow him on Twitter at @davehitchings. The What: Is it bad to have found your album of the year by April? Well I may have, and La Roux’s self-titled debut album looks to be it. This week’s #musicmonday comes off of that album, which has only just begun receiving radio play in the United States. While thier first single, “Bulletproof,” is a strong contender for the best song on the album, it is joined by steep competition by entire front half of the album. “In For the Kill,” “Quicksand,” and “Tiger Lily,” are all incredibly good songs and well produced songs. Despite this seemingly high production quality of the music on the album, La Roux’s Ellie said in an interview with the NY Post that “the whole thing about this album is that was [...] Continue...
Foxy Shazam’s Latest Release Channels Queen & Muse, Shows Gospel Side

By Harris posted April 18, 2010 at 08:00

After I named “Oh Lord” as last weeks song of the week, I decided to sit down and give their entire major debut a listening. As with any good song from an album, “Oh Lord” gave me a great taste of what I would hear and I was not disappointed. Right from the first song, “Bombs Away,” Foxy Shazam conveys on unheard of level of energy through a recorded (non-live) album. As I said before, this band channels Queen in a very modern way. If you look at music in 2010, the only other band that has mastered Queen’s sound is Muse. If Muse is the dark side of the force, Foxy Shazam is the Rebel Alliance, showing the fun, light hearted side of Queen’s magical sound. The theme that helped Muse and Foxy Shazam create this sound is a perfect blending of the lead vocalists with the rest of the [...] Continue...
“Kick Ass” Combines Comedy, Action & Creates Perfect Spoof

By Harris posted April 17, 2010 at 08:00

Making a great spoof is a real talent. Keenen Ivory Wayans (Director of “Scary Movie“) understood it. Rob Reiner (Director of “This Is Spinal Tap“) understood it. Even Jay Roach (Director of “Austin Powers“) understood it. Great spoofs are not just cookie cutter comedies with lesser known actors. They are, in themselves, great movies that tell a story, pointing out the flaws in doing so. “Kick Ass” is the latest work from Matthew Vaughn who brought us “Layer Cake” back in 2004. What made this movie emotional, exciting and enjoyable from the very begining, were the real life moments. A moment of true nerd, pride swallowing embarrasment. A moment of true heroism. These are things that make great movies great. Continue...
TAM Exclusive: Phoenix Performing “1901″ Live at SPIN Magazine’s 25th Anniversary Party

By Keegan posted April 16, 2010 at 18:04

Glassnote Records was kind enough to invite my sister and I to SPIN Magazine’s 25th Anniversary party. Not only was it held on the rooftop of their offices but Phoenix performed a 4 song acoustic set … no big deal. Leading off with “Lizstomania” into “Armistice” followed by “Rome,” the french foursome topped it off with their unstoppable “1901.” A little rain never hurt nobody … as Glassnote staff ran to the instruments’ rescue with teeny umbrellas, the boys played on and the attendees barely even took notice as all eyes and ears were fixed on Phoenix. With the New York City skyline behind them, a roomful of music heads, magazine buffs, heavy drinkers and even a bull dog named Thompson, you couldn’t have painted a better picture as to what my heaven must be like. Continue...
Is Conan’s Move A “Very Funny” Downgrade?

By Josh posted April 16, 2010 at 11:24

Josh Feldman is a writer and podcast DJ from a suburb outside of Washington, D.C. On his podcast, The Sideswipe he talks about the music industry and other occurrences in the entertainment world. Holla Back at Josh on twitter @Jazzyfeldzle. Conan O’Brien, late night funny man in the news recently for his nation-wide tour called “The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour” is at it again. The man who started his career in late night has been absent from the news after getting administratively removed from hosting NBC’s “The Tonight Show.” Continue...
Depp, Burton Round Out Lame Duck Hollywood Cast

By Harris posted April 15, 2010 at 14:00

For longer than I care to recall, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have been deemed the best at what they do. Depp is a master of the screen, playing legendary roles such as Edward Scissorhands and Captain Jack Sparrow. Burton is viewed as a directing god in Hollywood. Beginning with “Beetle Juice” in 1988, he has become a master of all things dark and twisted in the film industry. The question (and problem) I have surrounding the pair is; are they any good together? Over the past 22 years, Depp and Burton have worked on seven movies together, “Edward Scissorhands” (’90), “Ed Wood” (’94), “Sleepy Hallow” (’99), “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (’05), “Corpse Bride” (’05), “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (’07) and “Alice in Wonderland” (’10). Despite large production budgets, huge publicity and tons of hype, these movies were not actually that good. Continue...
Harris’ Song of the Week: “Oh Lord” by Foxy Shazam

By Harris posted April 15, 2010 at 08:00

Taking a unique blend of classic rock, modern technique and heavy production value, this week’s song of the week comes from Ohio’s Foxy Shazam. Making a large splash in the spring festival scene, this band appeared at SXSW in Austin and is currently on a (mostly sold out) string of shows across the United States. The only sound that I can compare this song to is that of Muse. A tough comparison to draw, both bands have an epic-ness to their sound that escapes many other bands. Although Muse provides a much darker vision of epic mastery, Foxy Shazam brings you the happier side of this huge sound. Although this song is not currently a single, it could become a dark horse on their third, self-titled, studio album. Continue...
Two Door Cinema Club Does What Phoenix & MGMT Couldn’t

By Harris posted April 14, 2010 at 18:43

For the last few years, bands like MGMT, Phoenix and Passion Pit have dominated the pop music scene. One thing all of these bands had in common was great, standout singles and weak albums for those singles to stand on. With some of the best rock singles in recent memories, MGMT’s “Oracular Spectacular” had three great singles but was weakly constructed after that. Phoenix and Passion Pit have fallen into similar traps. The spell has finally been broken and an electro pop group has come up with an album that flirts with greatness. Two Door Cinema Club is a group from Ireland who became recognized after signing with Glassnote Entertainment, who are the same people who brought us the aforementioned Phoenix. Continue...
Are You As LOST As I Am? (Episode 11)

By Jon posted April 13, 2010 at 23:25

And I’m back, with a new installment of “Are You As LOST As I Am?” This week on “Lost” was a Hurley, or Hugo centric episode, rightfully titled “Everybody Loves Hugo,” and boy was it good. Hugo is one of my and most people’s favorite characters on the show, best known for his size, nervousness, heavy use of the word “Dude?” and of course, his ability to talk to the dead. Starting the episode off in a flash sideways, we get to see Hurley as the owner of a chicken franchise and all of his success and endeavors giving him everything in life but a women to love him. Continue...
American Idol Mini-Recap; Elvis Presley

By Harris posted April 13, 2010 at 22:47

Krystal Bowersox, “Saved,” 8/10, very upbeat Andrew Garcia, “Hound Dog,” 5/10, needed more (eliminated) Tim Urban, “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You,” 9/10, Tim’s best Lee Dewyze, “Little Less Conversation,” 9/10, went for (it) Aaron Kelly, “Blue Suede Shoes,” 7/10, nothing special Siobhan Magnus, “Suspicious Minds,” 6/10, held back (too much) Michael Lynche, “In The Ghetto,” 9/10, emotional connection Katie Stevens, “Baby What Do You Want Me To Do,” 9/10, worked it (eliminated) Casey James, “Laudy Miss Claudy,” 8/10, super safe (song choice) Continue...