The Truth About Music

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

Harris’ Song of the Week: Monsters by Antonio Paul

By Harris posted November 18, 2010 at 08:00

Another band on the long list of sounds from outside of the United States that I’ve fallen in love with at first listen, Antonio Paul is a duo of Australian 19 year olds. Despite their young age, they have a sound closer to The Who than Justin Bieber. The running lyrics paired with the loose surfer guitar sounds breed life into a sing a long pop band. Of the three songs I’ve been introduced to so far, “Monsters” is by far my favorite. The vocals in bands like this always get to me. While some bands go out of their way to cover up their accents, these boys let it shine through on all levels. You can hear the twang in both their guitars and their vocals as they search the depths of their young voices for the power to both hit the high notes and sing in chant. The [...] Continue...
Who Was The Most Epic Band Of 2010?

By Harris posted November 17, 2010 at 15:13

With the end of the year approaching, I thought it fitting to begin putting together some best of the year lists. Although we’ve never had an epic band category, this year, two bands that might get left off other lists deserve some recognition. In similar progressive rock genres, 30 Seconds To Mars and Muse released some of the most pop relevant, epic music in a long time. Their songs are over the top, loud, sometimes obnoxious and simply awesome. Now, we leave it up to you. Enter our poll below and tell us who you think the most epic band of 2010 was. If it’s a different band, feel free to write them into the comments!! Continue...
Lee Dewyze Defies Idol Odds in Debut Album “Live It Up”

By Robert posted November 17, 2010 at 08:00

The thing about American Idol winners is that they can sink into obscurity over night. Just look at the massive black dude in the purple suit or the guy who had grey hair, but wasn’t, like super old? Where are they now? Can you name them off the top of your head? People never seem to forget that one of them couldn’t read, and one had weird hair. Very few Idols have managed to stir up enough interest in their post-reality TV careers to stay on people’s minds. Continue...
A Day To Remember Shines With New Pop Punk Meets Hardcore Album

By Robert posted November 16, 2010 at 08:00

Mixing pop punk and hardcore is a tight rope to walk. Fans on both sides of the respective styles of music sit like hungry jackals and wait for the first sign of weakness and prepare the attack when the artist falls. Lucky for A Day to Remember, they streamline both styles in exemplary fashion and do so with exceptional results. “What Separates Me From You” is the band’s new album and the overall impression is one that hasn’t been heard since fellow pop punk-hardcore kids turned millionaires New Found Glory were killing it a decade before, mixing titanic sing alongs with some furious mosh riffs. Continue...
Opinion: Women Stand In Unison In A Post Gagalyptic World

By Harris posted November 15, 2010 at 08:00

Generally, when we talk about people uniting, there is a positive overtone. If it’s Americans standing together after a great tragedy or celebrities coming together to help raise awareness for a cause. This year has made me question people coming together. More specific than people, I am targeting powerful women in pop music. It’s nothing against them personally. On their own, each of these women has displayed incredible star power. The problem is what has been left in a post-gagalyptic world. Continue...
The Truth About Megamind

By Harris posted November 13, 2010 at 08:00

I am not impressed. That’s what I thought after seeing the various trailers for Megamind. With no intentions of seeing it, I was persuaded into the theater by a general lack of other options and a recommendation from a previously trusted movie fan (sorry @WintersNight). In summing it up, the movie was not good. Here’s the thing. I wanted to like this movie. Jonah Hill. Tina Fey. Will Ferrell. What’s not to like about that cast? The problem is that it wasn’t well written. With a very similar premise to Pixar’s “Despicable Me,” the movie needed to go above and beyond in order to impress an audience that hasn’t changed much in the three months in between releases. Continue...
List: Worst Movies of Fall 2010 By Trailer

By Harris posted November 12, 2010 at 08:00

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I’ve been ranting and raving about how few movies I’m looking for this fall season. Despite a few hugely anticipated movies (a la Harry Potter), there are dozens of movies that, solely based on their trailers, look simply terrible. Here is our list of the worst five movies of the fall 2010 based only on their trailers. Needless to say, I will avoid seeing these movies in their entirety at all costs. Continue...
Harris’ Song of the Week: Felicia by The Constellations

By Harris posted November 11, 2010 at 08:00

About six months ago, I ventured out on a brutally cold night to see a band that I had been following for the previous few months. Hockey was the band and the Bowery Ballroom was the location. Arriving early as always, I wasn’t particularly amped for any of the opening bands. Generally, opening bands at these types of shows are crazy hipsters who don’t impress anyone sober enough to stand (I’m talking to you awkward, drunk old guy who’s dancing in the pit). Continue...
Review: Matt & Kim Rock With Unique Post Indie Sound On “Sidewalks”

By Harris posted November 10, 2010 at 08:00

Post indie probably isn’t the word. Regardless, Matt & Kim’s sound is a perfect balance between modern day pop rock and the current electronic indie movement (a la Passion Pit). To be honest, I never gave their major debut “Grand” a fair shot. I fell in love (as almost everyone did) with “Daylight” the albums hit single. Coming into their new album, I was excited solely because of the promise of a single like that. There’s something disappointing when the album starts with your favorite song. It’s very anticlimactic. Fortunately, the album holds the listeners attention well. The undisputed best song from “Sidewalks” is “Block After Block,” a perfect opener and high powered, lyric driven song. It has just enough synthesizer and features the familiar voice in a leading role. While many of the songs on this album help to fill out Matt & Kim’s sound, this one defines it. Continue...
Album of the Month: Cee Lo Green Kills It With “The Lady Killer”

By Harris posted November 09, 2010 at 08:00

If smash singles build buzz for albums then Cee Lo Green hit the jackpot. With his first album since putting Gnarls Barkley on hiatus, Green took the pop world by storm with his racy single, “Fuck You” (also written as “FU” or “Forget You” depending on the medium). What made this single great was that not only was it a great tune to listen to, it was well written, well produced and a perfect fit for Green’s voice. Looking back over the body of work from Gnarls Barkley, I was always extremely impressed with the singles and much less enthused about the albums. I was anxious to find out if this trend would continue. Continue...