The Truth About Music

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

Author: Jon

Exclusive: TAM Screens …music video?

By Jon posted April 27, 2011 at 08:00

This past week I had the privilege of chatting with a really cool band from burgeoning Tucson, Arizona. When I say they’re cool, I mean it in every sense of the word, all the way down to their name, “…music video?” Paul explained that in the beginning, it was just “music video” but when working on an MS Paint drawing – which evolved into something like the picture below – he made a logo of a TV with wings and a thought bubble, thus explaining the “…” Since then, the TV with wings has become their image and their representative image. I wanted to know how the band developed their sound, as it is so unique and fresh. To get to the bottom of this, I asked them what their influences are. I got some expected and some surprising answers. Wes made it clear the The Flaming Lips are his [...] Continue...
Haters Hate, But EDM Is On The Rise

By Jon posted April 15, 2011 at 08:00

For all you late bloomers out there, EDM is the acronym for Electronic Dance Music. For all you haters out there, I don’t care what you think or what you say, EDM is taking over the world, and there’s no denying it. If you need proof of this, have no fear, it is plentiful. Since the 1950′s, Mainstream Pop has dominated the air waves, the charts, and the record industry as a whole. In the past 3 years, Pop is slowly but surely being dissolved, diluted and flat out taken over by the sounds EDM lovers have been listening to for 20 years. Some overwhelming evidence is the latest album from former Pop Mega Star/Psycho turned EDM concubine, Britney Spears. “Femme Fatale” is a EDM masterpiece. Laced with Dub Step, House and Trance beats combined with her sexy voice and collaborations with the likes of Dub Step legend Rusko, I [...] Continue...
Review: Travis Barker’s “Give The Drummer Some” Gives The Fans Some Too

By Jon posted March 16, 2011 at 12:00

This morning I woke up to go to work at about 6:00am. The first thing I did was start up my Macbook and iTunes and purchased Travis Barker’s debut solo album. Being a life long Blink 182 fan as well as a fan of The Transplants, Box Car Racer, and +44 (Travis’ side projects), I was teaming with anticipation for this album’s release. Coming in with high expectations, and swirling rumors that “Give The Drummer Some” was just going to be a glorified rap album with live drums, I was really hoping Travis would come through with a complete album from top to bottom that really showcased his talents. Continue...
Britney Goes British: Her Latest Single Kicks It Dub Step Style!

By Jon posted January 19, 2011 at 08:00

This past week, Britney Spears’ latest single, “Hold It Against Me” hit the web, and subsequently became Scott Mills’ (BBC R1 DJ) Record of the Week. What makes this the twenty nine year old’s best song in years you ask?, well its simple… As I’ve mentioned before, Electronic Dance Music or EDM and Dub Step, as genres, have had an amazing year in 2010 and are shaping up to have an even better year in 2011. With that said, this is Britney’s best song in years because she is embracing this shift in the music industry, as well as people’s taste in music in general, and changing her style ever so slightly whilst still maintaining the classic Spears sound. More than ever before, DJs and Electronic Music Producers (A.K.A. Deadmau5, Tiesto, SHM, Armin Van Buuren) are literally selling out arenas and entire tours, so props are in order to Britney, [...] Continue...
Record of the Week: Marina and the Diamonds Deliver a Gem

By Jon posted January 16, 2011 at 08:00

Happy New Year folks! Hope all is well, and if not, no worries, I have a special treat for all of you. So this song, although released last February, is still truly a gem. “Hollywood” by Marina and the Diamonds, has been chosen as my Record of the Week. Coming off the album “Family Jewels”, this song is taking new wave pop by storm and making it modern, progressive, while still sticking to the basic format. Being from Wales, it’s only appropriate that the chorus contains the line “I’m obsessed, with the mess, that’s America”. Marina Diamandis (right) formed Marina and the Diamonds in London in 2007, comprised of just her, and is currently working on her second studio album due out later this year. This song also really keeps you guessing with tempo and key changes throughout, and with Marina’s hypnotizing vocals, you can’t help but fall in love [...] Continue...
Play It Loud Presents: Top 20 Club Bangers (Electronic Music) of 2010 (5-1)

By Jon posted January 05, 2011 at 08:00

Sorry for the delay, I’m sure some of you have been waiting for a while for the Top 5, but I had a bit of a recovery weekend after new year’s eve. Lets just say I didn’t get much sleep. Anyway here are the Top 5 songs of 2010 that, if you were a part of the club scene at all, you already know and love. These song are just as amazing as the rest of the Top 20, but they all have a little something special that separates them, you know, that little bit of kick that makes them some next level shit. Continue...
Play It Loud Presents: Top 20 Club Bangers (Electronic Music) of 2010 (6-10)

By Jon posted December 28, 2010 at 08:00

Sorry for the delay over the holiday weekend, I know you guys could hardly wait to find out the rest of the Top 20 so now for 10-6! 10. “When Love Calls (Vocal Mix)” – Nicky Romero ft. Basto!: This song just has a great, pounding House beat with some Trance-y elements laid over it, making it an amazing Progressive House song. The vocals are what brings it home, the prototypical club voice pulls the song together. Continue...
Play It Loud Presents: Top 20 Club Bangers (Electronic Music) of 2010 (11-20)

By Jon posted December 22, 2010 at 14:00

In keeping with the year-end tradition of making lists here at TAM, I have compiled a Top 20 Club Bangers of 2010! This list will consist of twenty electronic music songs that have made waves and shook the ground a bit this year. Being one of the biggest years ever for electronic music, with artists like Tiesto, Deadmau5, Armin, and Swedish House Mafia in the mainstream, and more underground artists like Afrojack, Laidback Luke, Ducksauce, and Nero, slowly getting recognition for their groundbreaking tracks released this year, more and more people are appreciating electronic music for what it is. Continue...
TAM Exclusive: An Interview with Norwegian Pop Sensation Tone Damli Aaberge

By Jon posted December 22, 2010 at 08:00

Hello TAM Followers!! Today I present to you Norwegian Pop Sensation Tone Damli Aaberge. Tone is already a huge star in Europe, hailing from Oslo in Norway, and she’s making her way across the pond. I recently had the opportunity to get an exclusive interview with Tone, and asked her some ‘get to know you’ questions. Continue...
Record of the Week: Fenech-Soler’s “Demons”

By Jon posted December 20, 2010 at 12:50

This week, I have chosen a song that some of you may have heard, but most of you probably have not. “Demons” by Fenech-Soler has been on repeat for about a week now on my iPod, and I just can’t get enough of it. The British electropop band released their first studio album just 4 months ago, and is slowly making waves, especially in the UK. “Demons” as well as their other single “Lies” are both constantly on BBC Radio 1, which is usually a pretty good indication that they will slowly begin to have a presence on American radio. The first single off the album “Stop and Stare” was also featured as a Record of the Week on Radio 1. Continue...