If you’re the kind of music geek that I suspect you might be, there’s probably a soft spot in your heart for the music of Ben Folds. The witty singer/songwriter/pianist is one of the smartest and funniest guys to grace a major label – imagine Randy Newman and Joe Jackson thrown in a blender, with the songwriting virtuosity of a Billy Joel/Elton John-type – and, with his partners in Ben Folds Five (of which there were only two other bandmates), […]
Posts tagged "reissues"
bLISTerd: Mike D.’s Best Reissues of 2011 – In with the Old
With 2011 slightly more than half over, I’m realizing that I’ve probably bought more music in those seven months than I did in all of 2010. And I bought a lot. (Seriously, does anyone have more shelves? I need them badly.) But while I’ve enjoyed a lot of new music this year (Lady Gaga and The Cars immediately spring to mind), I’ve got to give it up for the fine folks working to provide great reissues and box […]
Blerd Briefs Extra: Classic (and Not So Classic) Albums Get the Reissue Treatment!
If you’ve been following the “Flashback ’91” posts over at Popdose , then you are well aware that a lot of classic albums reach their 20th anniversary this year. 1991 was a watershed moment for pop music-the year alternative fucked up the mainstream and killed the hair-band era, the year hardcore hip-hop stopped being urban America’s secret, and the year U2 and R.E.M. went from being great bands to being legendary bands. Bono and the boys are jumping onto the reissue […]
“Songs in A Minor” Turns 10 with Special Deluxe Package
Back in 2001, it was almost impossible to miss the buzz that surrounded singer/songwriter Alicia Keys. Sure, much of it was hyperbole: but it was impossible to deny the fact that she was a unique bird in the pop music scene. While the image of a self-sufficient female singer/songwriter/instrumentalist may have been common back in the days, that ideal became less prevalent as we transitioned into the 21st century. Alicia was a throwback, but with a modern edge. The album […]
Jigga What? “Hits” Track Listing is Kind of a Head Scratcher
Jay-Z’s long overdue for a greatest hits collection. Actually, he’s one of those artists whose hitmaking proficiency has been so prolific that one disc isn’t gonna be able to contain all of his worthwhile material. Well, the track listing for Jigga’s long-overdue “The Hits Collection Vol. 1” surfaced on amazon.com yesterday, and as a Jay-Z fan, I’m kinda nonplussed. If you think about it, though, the track listing kinda makes sense from a “truth in advertising” perspective. Let’s split hairs-this […]
New Release Report 5/18/10: Feast or Famine
After a couple of weeks with barely anything to recommend, there’s a veritable cornucopia of quality new music in stores today. These releases cut across all genres, and as appreciative as I am to have good music, I’ve gotta ask: CAN Y’ALL SPREAD THIS SHIT OUT SO I DON’T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT DROPPING SIXTY BUCKS ON NEW MUSIC IN ONE DAY???? DAMN! Just saying… Anyway, these records come 100% Blerd Approved. If you don’t like ’em, maybe there’s something wrong […]