The Truth About Music: Play It Loud

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

Play It Loud

Opinion: Toast to My Favorite Douchebag, Kanye West

By Melissa posted October 04, 2010 at 08:00

A lot of people hate Kanye West. I’m not one of them. In fact, I’ve been waiting for his comeback from the second that he decided to step out of the spotlight. Yeah, what he did to Taylor Swift was kinda messed up, but he was drunk- and let’s face it, we all do stupid shit when we’re fucked up. After watching the VMAs this year, I really wished everyone would just get over it already. And do you know why? Because what Kanye did last year was newsworthy. It was exciting. Sure, it was terrible, but it got people talking for an entire year. At this year’s VMAs, all they talked about was what Kanye did last year. They knew the VMAs would suck (like they always do the year after something big happens), so they attempted to relive that moment all night long. I almost hoped Kanye would [...] Continue...
Review: A Second Take on The Social Network

By Robert posted October 03, 2010 at 11:00

“A movie about Facebook? You have got to be kidding me! Worst movie ever.” This was my initial reaction to seeing the trailer for “The social network” a few months ago. Seriously, who would like to sit through some glaring computer porn geek fantasy biopic about some dude who is a tremendous dick that fucks over his best friend to the tune of billions of dollars? Continue...
Review: Hi, I’m Jon, Facebook me.

By Jon posted October 02, 2010 at 08:05

The title of this article says it all. It is a phrase that is uttered nearly everyday of the year since 2004 and it is a phrase that will go down in history as a defining characteristic of this/my generation. If you couldn’t tell, I just got back from seeing “The Social Network” staring Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland) and Justin Timberlake (N’SYNC), and I gotta tell you, I am impressed. The fall box office will certainly see its high of the season with this movie, because of the amazing story, the great acting, and the awesome directing. Continue...
Throwback Thursday: 1984

By Melissa posted September 30, 2010 at 08:00

It’s been awhile. I’ve been missing from the Truth About Music for some time now and what better way to stage my Kanye-esque comeback than by reviving my attempt at a Throwback Thursday column. Now if only I can amass millions of followers on Twitter since I’ve decided to actually use my account for tweeting and of course apologizing to Taylor Swift. So, without further adieu…Let’s hop in my virtual DeLorean and revisit the musical hits and misses of 1984! Continue...
Review: Vocals Aside, A Killer Album From Former System Of A Down Lead Singer

By Robert posted September 23, 2010 at 08:00

There are two kinds of people: those who enjoy Serj Tankian’s vocal style and those who do not. I am in the latter. I do not like System of a Down (SOAD), and I thoroughly loathe the way he sings. Keeping all of this information in mind, I will admit, his new album “Imperfect Harmonies” is quite fascinating, beyond the vocals. Setting aside my distaste for Tankian’s delivery, the core ideas of the piece are insightful, engaging songs that showcase a lot of talent as a musician. Going into this review, I was expecting ham-fisted SOAD knockoffs with some acoustic guitars or over extravagant faux Nine Inch Nails programmed trash. Instead, the songs are claustrophobic whispers that feature Beatle-like guitar riffs and sublime vocal harmonies that climb the staircase of melody. The album shows a lot of weight and is sonically pleasing to the ear, when you can tune out [...] Continue...
Review: Flowers Delivers a Nice Bouquet

By Jon posted September 20, 2010 at 08:00

Hey TAM readers, it’s been a really long time since I’ve had a piece of my mind on the feed here, but I’m back from my hectic summer and ready to bring you my opinions and reviews, so I’ll spare you the details as to why I’ve been MIA and get right to it. I’m re-emerging with an exciting review of Brandon Flowers’ debut solo project “Flamingo” released September 14th. Continue...
Review: Linkin Park Fails Trying To Reinvent A Dated Sound

By Robert posted September 17, 2010 at 14:13

Apparently 2003 just will not stop calling because Staind, Korn, Limp Bizkit, and now, Linkin Park all have new albums out. On Linkin Park’s new album “A Thousand Suns,” dudes who genuinely like bleached tips and guitar players who wear headphones will find LP are up to their same old tricks. I’ll give them credit that they are aiming for more of a Radiohead-Muse friendly sound this time around, but that credit does not amount to much. Their single “Catalyst” is just musically confusing. It never builds up, and it meanders in this stagnant beat that does not pay off. The album as a whole is like that. Continue...
Review: Shooter Jennings, Life In A Country Fantasy World

By Robert posted September 15, 2010 at 12:01

Shooter Jennings has had an intriguing life, to say the least. From being the spawn of famous parents to marrying an actress and releasing a few albums talking about it all in the process, he’s had a lot on his plate. On his earlier records, like “The Wolf” and “Put the O back in country” Shooter assumed the role of “Outlaw” that his father, Waylon left vacant after his death. Aside from a minor hit in the song “Southern Comfort”, Shooters career has been a gradual rise to the place where people assume his namesake to take him and there, in lies the problem. Shooter Jennings is not a country artist as much as he is pretending to be one. Country, to him is safe and casual; he grew up mired in it. It’s like an old pair of shoes that seem right. Shooter, you are too large for those [...] Continue...
Korn Fail In Recreating ’90s Sound

By Robert posted July 13, 2010 at 08:00

When Korn’s first two records came out, they were mind blowing to middle America. No one had ever heard heavy metal mixed with hip hop to the degree that it created a new genre with countless bands shuffling their feet and downtuning their guitars while wearing head to toe adidas. Musicians were running out to buy seven string guitars, myself included. Korn were on top of the world. People were used to seeing guys screaming who looked like Tom Araya of Slayer, not a white guy with an eyebrow ring and a tracksuit in Jonathan Davis. It was different. The music was different. Instead of examining the riff and building songs around technicality and speed, Korn pummeled with bass, percussion and their groove led the charge all while retaining their internal anger. The topics, which Davis sang about, were deeply personal and completely transparent of his overwhelming issues. It was [...] Continue...
Holy Murder. Someone Please Punch “The Situation” in the Throat

By Robert posted June 17, 2010 at 18:02

The cast of Jersey Shore is the reason why intelligent people support abortion. How this show is popular still baffles me to levels of crippling confusion. It’s a reality show based on a group of people who offer absolutely nothing to society in any way, shape or form. And all parties involved need to have boiling oil poured all over their bodies. But this is old news. I already rode the horse berating the morons on said show. My new gripe is with one of the dudes who calls himself ” The Situation” Seriously dude? The only Situation that’s needed around here is someone needs to put a bullet in his skull. Anyhow, Mr. tan skin and ab’s just put out an abomination to music known as ” The Situation”. Holy shit could this poster child for down syndrome be any less artistic more autistic? Really, you couldn’t have even [...] Continue...