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Who Said They’re “Wack”? The Lonely Island Plan New Album
Blame the incredibly long shadow of “Weird Al” Yankovic or the crop of so many dime-a-dozen parodists dropping quickly-crafted goofs on YouTube, but it always feels that The Lonely Island are criminally underrated. Sure, the trio of writer/actors Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccome and Akiva Schaeffer have earned plenty of acclaim for their daffy song satire, thanks to their beloved Digital Shorts on Saturday Night Live , where Samberg acted and Taccome wrote for several years. Some of these clips, including the ’90s R&B pastiche “ Dick in a Box ” [...]
Hashtag, You’re It: Eight Examples of Outdated Tech in Pop Music
15 years from now, someone will pull this article up and ask “What’s a blog?”
Declan’s Well, Campaign Capsized: Album Review
An electronic musician from New Jersey makes catchy pop about heartbreak and suburbia. What’s not to like?
Blerd Appreciation: Deke Richards – Thank You, Thank You, Baby
The name Deke Richards may not strike you immediately if you’re not a Motown fanatic. But if you’ve got any love for the works of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 (and, of course, if you read this site, surely you must), the news of Richards’ passing is indeed a bittersweet note. Richards, born Dennis Lussier, was one-quarter of two of Motown’s most famous songwriting collectives in the post-Holland-Dozier-Holland era. First there was The Clan with Pam Sawyer, Frank Wilson and R. Dean Taylor; together, [...]
Pass the Popcorn: “Roger Rabbit” on Blu-Ray? Yes, P-P-P-Please!
Ahhh, the 25th anniversary edition. There’s no quicker way to crush us under the wheels of time. The quarter century mark is usually the first really legitimate proof that a film or album is going to stand the test of time for someone – and this week, someone’s certainly going to be happy over the release of a 25th anniversary edition of the modern classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit, making its debut on Blu-Ray. Based on a wacky pulp novel by Gary [...]
Spin Cycle: blink-182, “Dogs Eating Dogs”
The very existence of blink-182′s new EP, Dogs Eating Dogs, might be surprising for several reasons. For one, it was rather quietly released online the week before Christmas. For another, it’s the band’s first independent release since splitting from longtime label DGC/Interscope several months ago. But most surprising is that, in five songs across 19 furious minutes, Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker have finally delivered upon the promise of their most mature and affecting album, 2003′s self-titled effort. Their last full-length, 2011′s Neighborhoods , was [...]
Blerd Radio Season Whatever, Episode 2: The (Sort Of) Lost Episode
It’s Saturday, and that cold, empty feeling that comes with the work week is slowly melting away. How could it get any better? How ’bout a new episode of Blerd Radio for your ears to enjoy? This episode has a fun little history. Regular co-host Dr. Gonzo suggested a great topic about film soundtracks, but had to bow out of recording. In his absence, Big Money, Mike Duquette and Michael Parr engaged the talents of another non-Mike: Dave Lifton, noted author and [...]
I Says Yes, You Says No, I Says Yes: The Genius of R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet”
Kells’ ongoing opus is the most brilliant thing he’s ever done. Here are five reasons why.
Never Tear Us Apart: An INXS Eulogy
You’d be forgiven if the news that INXS are calling it quits failed to turn many heads. The Australian band, for all intents and purposes, ceased to exist for many after lead singer Michael Hutchence’s lifeless body was found in a Sydney hotel room almost 15 years ago. There was no New Order-esque transition into something different, though not for lack of trying – assuming “ searching for a new frontman on a reality show ” and “ putting together a bizarre covers/tribute album with guest vocalists ” counts as “trying.” But I’m not going to say nor hear a bad word about [...]
The Viewfinder: Welcome (Back) to “Jurassic Park”!
Steven Spielberg’s dino classic stomps into theaters next year in 3D. Has it really been 20 years?
The Viewfinder: Anthony Hopkins Gets Hitched
Next month’s new Alfred Hitchcock biopic looks to be a good evening, if this trailer is any indication.
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