Turns out that the revolution WOULD be televised. The musical revolution, that is. On August 1st, 1981, MTV was launched. It was the first TV channel to devote itself exclusively to music videos. When it debuted (with The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star”), I don’t think anyone had the slightest idea that MTV would turn into the cultural phenomenon it became. Within a few short years, the video age began. The era of the faceless, unphotogenic rock star was […]
Posts tagged "Lists!"
bLISTerd Extra: The Top 10 (11?) Albums of 2011 (So Far)…Tom’s Turn
1) Foo Fighters –Wasting Light Record of the year. If there is a better second half of the year release I’ll console myself with that hypothetically brain-punchingly excellent album. Bands get sharper over time; few have hit the running peak of passion and musicianship the Foos are on right now. 2) Hayes Carll – KMAG YOYO Never heard of him.Saw two Carllsongs on my way out of another show. Bought the album out of left field. Alt-country, straight-up country, straight-up […]
bLISTerd: The Best of 2011 Continued: Andrew (Not Drew)’s List
Halfway home, everybody! Here are my favorite albums, so far, this year: 1. Moving Mountains – Waves “Waves” does something that I didn’t think was possible: It combines the luscious atmospherics of a post-rock record with soaring vocals. Not an easy feat, making for a remarkable album. 2. Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will Proving that some things only get better as they get older, Mogwai return with yet another album to write home about. 3. Touché […]
bLISTerd Extra: The Top 10 Albums of 2011 (So Far): Drew’s Up to Bat
10. Adele, 21 // Lady Gaga, Born This Way Because it’s my list, that’s why. Gaga may not be the best pop princess doing it right now (spoiler alert – Beyonce), but Born This Way does compound on her zany promise, and if it doesn’t reach the dizzying pop heights of The Fame Monster, it’s certainly every bit as flamboyantly giddy as we expected it to be. Adele’s another pop princess, but she’s achieving her success by dressing her songs […]
bLISTerd Extra: Dr. Gonzo’s Top 8 of ’11!
8. Puro Instinct-Headbangers in Ecstasy Sisters Piper and Skylar Kaplan present an album of dreamy pop landscapes not unlike their pal Ariel Pink’s last album Before Today. In fact, one of the album’s strongest cuts is “Stillyagi,” which features Mr. Pink. The airy and hazy music may not be ground enough to be palatable for some listeners, but I think it’s a lovely album – one that’s particularly good for late spins when you’re pulling an all-nighter. 7. Raphael Saadiq-Stone Rollin’ […]
bLISTerd Extra: The Best Albums of 2011…So Far! (Rob’s Turn)
While of late I have been obsessed in equal parts with stoner rock and the first ten Chicago records (don’t ask), I’ve also been wired into some fine new sounds outside those two poles. It’ll all change by year end, but as of now, here be my faves: 1. Foo Fighters: Wasting Light. Their best record by such a wide margin, it’s almost like we’ve been listening to a different band for the last 15 years. 2. Peter Bradley Adams: […]
bLISTerd Extra: Popblerd Presents the Best Music of 2011…So Far
Last week was actually the 26th chart week of the year, so we’re a little more than halfway into what has been a fairly solid year musically. From a business standpoint, sales of prerecorded music are up for the first time in seven years, buoyed by hit albums from sources expected (Lady GaGa) and unexpected (Adele!). In addition, just about every conceivable sub-genre has produced at least one classic album this year. So whether you like pop-flavored country, retro new […]
bLISTerd: Top 10 “Chappelle’s Show” Skits
Practically from the second “Chappelle’s Show” debuted on Comedy Central in 2003, it was a classic. Take one comedian who clearly didn’t give a fuck, fantastic writing from the likes of Neal Brennan, and a team of players that included Donell Rawlings, Charlie Murphy, Rashida Jones, Billy Burr, Mos Def and many others. Add in musical performances from the best of hip-hop and R&B, and “Chappelle’s Show” became must-see TV for lots of people, with each season becoming more anticipated […]
The Top 40 Emcees of All Time: #2
You know what this means? You’ll have #1 by the end of the week? For a recap, start here and go backwards! 2) Big Daddy Kane Representing: Brooklyn No, I didn’t intentionally drop a Kane piece on the same night that his “Unsung” biography on TVOne airs (something I will unfortunately have to miss due to prior commitments), but I’m OK with letting today be a day that we put as much shine as possible on a man who pretty much […]
The Top 40 Emcees of All Time: #4 and #3
I know, I know, I’m drawing this out. But #1 is within striking distance! Check out #5 and #6 here , and let’s keep it moving!! 4) KRS-ONE Representing: The South Bronx! South South Bronx! There’s no question that Kris Parker was one of the men who changed the game in 1987-1988 when hip-hop went out of the Adidas/brag rhyming era into something a little more lyrically complex. Truth be told, there were some compelling reasons to place him at #1. […]
The Top 40 Emcees of All Time: #6 & #5
This was the part where I started to get a headache. After feeling relatively comfortable with my choices up till now, including Andre 3000 and Jay-Z at #8 and #7, respectively , organizing the top 6 turned out to be a fairly Herculean feat. I should correct that. #1 was pretty damn easy. Organizing the next five was rough, because seriously speaking, any of the next five gentlemen on this list could have placed anywhere from #2 to #6 depending on how I was feeling. So without further ado, […]
The Top 40 Emcees of All Time: #8 & #7
Kool G. Rap and Nas finished 10 and 9. Who’s next up on the list? 8. Andre 3000 Representing: Atlanta It took a long time before I was able to appreciate OutKast. Not to say I was a purist, but…well, I was a purist. No one from outside New York was as good as artists from New York. Shit, prior to OutKast, rap from the SouthEast was booty music a la Luke. To this day, I don’t think Southernplayalisticadillacmusic is […]
