As a commenter on Eric Benet’s page writes, “this man has been through some stuff.” While the mainstream pop audience only knows Eric for his brief turn as Mr. Halle Berry, the fact is that the Milwaukee-reared singer/songwriter has been a mainstay in the R&B world for two decades. There have definitely been some personal and professional ups and downs along the way, but Eric is still here, still making music, and after a lengthy stay with Warner Brothers Records, […]
Posts tagged "The Viewfinder"
The Viewfinder: “These Days” by Foo Fighters
Is it safe to say that Wasting Light was the album that officially jumped the Foo Fighters from great rock band into legendary rock band status? 17 years in and still able to punch out a #1 album and plaster themselves all over rock radio–I’d say their ticket to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is pretty much stamped. Dave, Taylor, Nate, Chris and Pat also look to add some more hardware to their trophy shelf in about a […]
The Viewfinder: Madonna’s “Give Me All Your Luvin'”
I don’t mean to sound so blase about Madonna. I mean, I like the woman’s music. However, I can also say that Madonna hasn’t made an all-out great album since 1994. Euro-dance is generally not my thing, so the whole Ray of Light/Music/American Life/Confessions run, to me, added up to maybe 12 great songs and a bunch of crap. Hard Candy was alternately OK (Justin/Timbaland) and awful (Pharrell), and the two new songs on the Celebration compilation sounded like exactly […]
The Viewfinder: Baddies’ “Bronto”
I’m hoping the UK’s Baddies is a band you’ll be hearing a lot about in 2012. Their 2009 debut Do The Job is in regular rotation at the Popblerd offices and their upcoming sophomore record, Build, is already in the running to top it. On Build (Due in March or out now if you helped their Pledgemusic campaign like I did), Baddies have evolved and fully embraced their inner Devo (Check out the matching uniforms in the video!) and “Bronto” […]
The Viewfinder: Bon Joviver’s “You Give Love A Bad Name”
Here at Popblerd, we enjoy using our Viewfinder and Singles Bar columns to highlight new and exciting tracks for your listening pleasure. We also like drawing attention to videos that make music nerds giggle. Bon Joviver falls into the latter category. As it turns out, Bon Joviver is exactly what it sounds like: an uncannily accurate facsimile of the bearded folkie who made Popblerd’s Top Album of 2011, singing the irrepressible New Jersey rocker’s mega-hit “You Give Love A Bad […]
The Viewfinder: Elliott Yamin’s “3 Words”
I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, but the only “American Idol” season I ever watched from start to finish was Season 5. That season had a pretty strong set of contenders, including eventual winner Taylor “SOUL PATROOOOOOOLLL” Hicks, Katharine McPhee (who apparently is being introduced via NBC six years later), Chris Daughtry, and third place finisher Elliott Yamin. The Virginia native, to my ears, was the most talented of the contestants. Anyone who can convincingly tackle “A Song For You” […]
The Viewfinder: BLACK TAXI’s “Hand”
You’ve been seeing quite a lot of BLACK TAXI in these digital pages because, quite frankly, we think they’re pretty fuckin’ rad. The band’s latest video for “Hand” off their upcoming sophomore album, We Don’t Know Any Better, just furthers that point. The concept of “Hand” is simple: Hand cams for everyone and continue on with your day. The video (directed by David Franklin) is fun, interesting, and is a great companion piece for a kick ass rock song. Also, […]
The Viewfinder: Murder Mystery’s “I Am (If You Are)”
Brooklyn-based quartet Murder Mystery are set to release their new EP Problems this month. The band has been recording tracks over the last few years, but until now hasn’t issued a formal release. These 6 all-new tracks have the band working through their breezy brand of indie-pop that is at once toe-tapping and sentimental. And HEY! This week only, you can get the Problems EP for $2 at www.groopease.com . You can’t beat that! Check out the video for the lead single, “I […]
The Viewfinder: Van Halen’s “Tattoo”
Van Halen’s forthcoming album, A Different Kind of Truth, is notable for being the band’s first with original frontman David Lee Roth since 1984. The band released the video for leadoff single “Tattoo” today, and it’s our first real taste of the reformed band, boasting a no-frills aesthetic in crisp black and white. And on first impression, it’s just fine: Van Halen’s glory days may be behind them, but the newly-rejuvenated boys seem to be having a blast jamming together […]