The Modern Lovers may not be the most recognizeable name in music. They have not gained the recognition they deserve, but this New York band was way ahead of its time. Their music was called "new wave" or "post punk," but it was actually just fun music that anybody could listen to and smile. The Modern Lovers sang songs about the awkwardness of dating, healthy food choices and Pablo Picasso in their music. Yeah, they did not take themselves too seriously. The band existed from 1970-1974 and played mostly in New York or the surrounding area. Still, word got out, and the band has left its impression on the music industry.
Last night the lead singer of The Modern Lovers, Jonathan Richman, played a show at a small club in east Nashville. Richman played a great show. He has been creating music for some time now, with twenty-one albums to date (and a new one right around the corner), so the play list was pretty comprehensive of his career. He played classic Modern Lovers songs as well as music from his solo career. Richman deffinitely has stage presence too. He constantly came down into the crowd in order to start dancing or clapping and then would step back on stage and tell a joke or two between songs. Everybody was smiling; everybody was having a great time. Richman has not lost his touch and is still a great performer. Check out his record label's website to keep up with his latest music and news. And if you are not sure who The Modern Lovers are, then do yourself a favor and find out!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
A Rose by Any Other Name...
This Wednesday, Feb. 27, a Nashville local is getting her big break. Caitlin Rose, a native Nashville singer and songwriter, is finally releasing her first album. It is a big deal too. Caitlin, formerly under the name "Save Macaulay the Band," sings like Patsy Cline and plays like Gram Parsons, and she is only twenty. Yeah, she makes a person feel really accomplished. Never the less, Caitlin's album, "Dead Flowers," will be released this Wednesday at the Mercy Lounge, and it is going to be worth the self scrutiny.
Caitlin will play a show in support of "Dead Flowers" that night, as well as a few other bands that want to show her their support. The album will be released by Nashville based Theory 8 Records, and is promising to deliver what fans crave. This album is actually just a seven song EP (extended play), with the full album to be released next months. But don't let that deter you, this is some of the best country music to be released in years.
Caitlin has already recieved a great deal of positive press including "The Nashville Rage." The show is not going to be expensive either. At a mere $8, there really is nor reason why you should not check out Nashville's newest muse. Still don't believe me? Have a listen for yourself at Caitlin's website.
Caitlin will play a show in support of "Dead Flowers" that night, as well as a few other bands that want to show her their support. The album will be released by Nashville based Theory 8 Records, and is promising to deliver what fans crave. This album is actually just a seven song EP (extended play), with the full album to be released next months. But don't let that deter you, this is some of the best country music to be released in years.
Caitlin has already recieved a great deal of positive press including "The Nashville Rage." The show is not going to be expensive either. At a mere $8, there really is nor reason why you should not check out Nashville's newest muse. Still don't believe me? Have a listen for yourself at Caitlin's website.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
British Sea Power Comes to Our Shores
Do not be fooled by the title of this blog entry; British Sea Power is a band, not an invading navy. British Sea Power has been making great music for several years, but they have never gotten the respect they truly deserve (in my humble opinion). This band has toured with the likes of David Bowie, Lou Reed (of The Velvet Underground) and The Flaming Lips, and yet they never seem to be able to get their big break.
I have enjoyed their past two albums for a long time, but their new album, "Do You Like Rock Music?," is a huge step forward musically. This third album was just released earlier this month and has already been praised by several music magazines for it's excellent quality, lyrical prowess, and overall catchy music. This is definitely in the running for my album of the year.
But wait, there's more! This great band is docking at Nashville this March! The band is going to play at Nashvile's own Mercy Lounge, and you should care because the band has been known to deliver an amazing live performace as well as great studio recordings. According to the British Sea Power official site the band recieved Time Out magazine's "Live Band of the Year Award." This is going to be a lot of fun. You should go ahead and buy tickets now if you have any interest in seeing this great band from Britain while they are staying on our side of the Atlantic; because this new album has given them the boost they need, and the show just might sell out.
I have enjoyed their past two albums for a long time, but their new album, "Do You Like Rock Music?," is a huge step forward musically. This third album was just released earlier this month and has already been praised by several music magazines for it's excellent quality, lyrical prowess, and overall catchy music. This is definitely in the running for my album of the year.
But wait, there's more! This great band is docking at Nashville this March! The band is going to play at Nashvile's own Mercy Lounge, and you should care because the band has been known to deliver an amazing live performace as well as great studio recordings. According to the British Sea Power official site the band recieved Time Out magazine's "Live Band of the Year Award." This is going to be a lot of fun. You should go ahead and buy tickets now if you have any interest in seeing this great band from Britain while they are staying on our side of the Atlantic; because this new album has given them the boost they need, and the show just might sell out.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Dr. Jones Comes Out of Retirement
He's back! The original action hero, Indiana Jones, makes his triumphant return to the big screen this Spring. There was lots of speculation about this film for a pretty long time; many people were unsure that it would actually see the light of day, and let's face it, a new "Indiana Jones" film does kind of seem like a quick cash-in on beloved characters. However, my doubt was silenced as I witnessed the first trailer to the new film, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
Nobody could play Indiana Jones like Harrison Ford, and it is for that reason that nobody will. Ford, age sixty-six, thankfully will still play Indy. I know it seems a bit farfetched that Ford can make a convincing Jones at his age, but believe me, he still has it in him. In an interviw with theraider.net (Official Indiana Jones Fan Site) Ford says that filming the movie was really not that difficult and did not give him any physical trouble, thanks to advances in stunt technology and safety. The trailer for the film shows Ford swinging from cliffs, crashing into cars, and escaping traps like he did all those years ago.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have teamed up again to bring the fans what they want. The film style looks like classic "Indy" and looks like the logical prgression in Jones' adventures. As of now, I really don't have any idea what the story is about, but I am confident it will be a blast when it is released this May.
Nobody could play Indiana Jones like Harrison Ford, and it is for that reason that nobody will. Ford, age sixty-six, thankfully will still play Indy. I know it seems a bit farfetched that Ford can make a convincing Jones at his age, but believe me, he still has it in him. In an interviw with theraider.net (Official Indiana Jones Fan Site) Ford says that filming the movie was really not that difficult and did not give him any physical trouble, thanks to advances in stunt technology and safety. The trailer for the film shows Ford swinging from cliffs, crashing into cars, and escaping traps like he did all those years ago.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have teamed up again to bring the fans what they want. The film style looks like classic "Indy" and looks like the logical prgression in Jones' adventures. As of now, I really don't have any idea what the story is about, but I am confident it will be a blast when it is released this May.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Midnight Classics
Nashville has a few great little secrets that only locals may be aware of. One of these secrets is the independent movie theater The Belcourt. This theater has shown independent films that may not be quite popular enough for most crowds, but still deserve a place on the silver screen. The Belcourt has been a home away from home for many avid moviegoers, and this cherished theater is now adding a fun new feature tho its schedule.
Every Friday and Saturday night at midnight a "cult classic" film is shown for audiences who are brave enough to stay up into the wee hours of the morning. These midnight showings are tons of fun, with mostly serious fans coming to see their favorite movies on the big screen. The films include the likes of "The Goonies", "Fast Times at Ridgemont High", "Airplane", "Ghostbusters" and many others. The movie experience is a unique one to be sure. Most of the audience can quote the films by heart and do so during the movie. This may sound annoying to some, but saying beloved lines of revered movies together with die hard fans has its own unique charm. If it is not too late past bedtime, the midnight showing at The Belcourt is an event that should not be missed. The schedule of movies can be viewed at The Belcourt's Official Website, so go on over and see if a favorite movie is making a triumphant return to the big screen!
Every Friday and Saturday night at midnight a "cult classic" film is shown for audiences who are brave enough to stay up into the wee hours of the morning. These midnight showings are tons of fun, with mostly serious fans coming to see their favorite movies on the big screen. The films include the likes of "The Goonies", "Fast Times at Ridgemont High", "Airplane", "Ghostbusters" and many others. The movie experience is a unique one to be sure. Most of the audience can quote the films by heart and do so during the movie. This may sound annoying to some, but saying beloved lines of revered movies together with die hard fans has its own unique charm. If it is not too late past bedtime, the midnight showing at The Belcourt is an event that should not be missed. The schedule of movies can be viewed at The Belcourt's Official Website, so go on over and see if a favorite movie is making a triumphant return to the big screen!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Bonnaroo Is...Back?
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is renowned for its hot days, good music, and huge crowds. A literal city is put up in two days to accomodate all the visitors from around the world. The festival is usually one of the best opportunities to see a plethora of famous bands all in the same area, all in one weekend. However, this year's line-up seems to be a little bit lacklustre.
Huge names are usually at this festival. Last year The Police reunited for a headlining concert at Bonnaroo; before that the likes of Radiohead and Beck rocked the fields of Manchester, Tenn. This year, however, there are no names worth the steep $200 to $300 ticket. Supposedly, 2008 was going to be a huge year for Bonnaroo. Their were even whispers of the ultimate rock band, Led Zeppelin, making a triumphant return at the music and arts festival this year, but Bonnaroo ticket holders had no such luck. With rumors of this being the biggest Bonnaroo ever slowly being dispelled, where does that leave the good Manchester festival?
In all fairness, there are some talented and enjoyable bands playing this year. According to Bonnaroo's official website, Pearl Jam, Kanye West, Robert Plant and Alison Kraus (Robert Plant, but no Led Zeppelin. That is not fair!), Ladytron, Lcd Soundsystem and others will all be playing crowd pleasing shows. Yet as great as those bands are, there simply is not one name that is dropping jaws and making tickets sell like they usually do. Bonnaroo will still probably be a great time for all that go, let's just hope this does not become a pattern at one of the biggest music festivals in the world.
Huge names are usually at this festival. Last year The Police reunited for a headlining concert at Bonnaroo; before that the likes of Radiohead and Beck rocked the fields of Manchester, Tenn. This year, however, there are no names worth the steep $200 to $300 ticket. Supposedly, 2008 was going to be a huge year for Bonnaroo. Their were even whispers of the ultimate rock band, Led Zeppelin, making a triumphant return at the music and arts festival this year, but Bonnaroo ticket holders had no such luck. With rumors of this being the biggest Bonnaroo ever slowly being dispelled, where does that leave the good Manchester festival?
In all fairness, there are some talented and enjoyable bands playing this year. According to Bonnaroo's official website, Pearl Jam, Kanye West, Robert Plant and Alison Kraus (Robert Plant, but no Led Zeppelin. That is not fair!), Ladytron, Lcd Soundsystem and others will all be playing crowd pleasing shows. Yet as great as those bands are, there simply is not one name that is dropping jaws and making tickets sell like they usually do. Bonnaroo will still probably be a great time for all that go, let's just hope this does not become a pattern at one of the biggest music festivals in the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)