Oct/090
Monday Newsmix: ODB’s son snags a single; plus The Strokes and more
Like father, like son?
It’s so hard to believe that it’s been five years since the untimely death of Wu-Tang member Ol’ Dirty Bastard. (But then, I tend to say that about a lot of things – maybe I’m just getting old, eh?) In fact, it’s been so long since then that now ODB’s own son is ready to take up his father’s mantle.
Barson Jones, AKA Boy Jones, will release his first single before the end of the year, according to reliable sources. The 21-year-old son of ODB, whose real name is Russell Jones, first appeared on stage at age 9 with his father, so he’s had a lot of time to hone his skills. Here’s hoping that the single lives up to its namesake.
Also, the linked article drops another interesting tidbit: ODB’s final posthumous album, A Son Unique, may be seeing a release before the end of the year. A fitting album name, all things considered, isn’t it?
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In other new album news, The Strokes are officially back in the studio. The five-piece indie group have been working on solo projects since the release of their 2006 album, First Impressions of Earth, but now they’ve collected once again to write and cut their long-awaited fourth album.
According to reports, the group have nearly finished writing the album, and frontman Julian Casablancas has compared the new songs to Thin Lizzy, as odd as that sounds. It’s good to hear that the band is taking their time, I suppose, but that description leaves me with a bit of apprehension. Here’s hoping that they can pull it off.
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I guess being behind bars doesn’t bar one from receiving accolades. Rapper T.I., whom you may know from his collaboration with Rihanna on the single “Live Your Life,” received two B.E.T. Hip-Hop Awards this past weekend while serving a year’s prison sentence for possessing illegal weapons. Hey, it is a pretty catchy single…
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So it looks like the new Animal Collective album is actually a five-track, half-hour-long EP. According to the description, it seems like it’ll be a bit harsher than the “springy, summery” Merriweather Post Pavillion. Okay, it’s not a new album, but it IS more AnCo. I’m certainly not complaining.
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As if you needed any further reason to avoid the next Good Charlotte record (other than the fact that it’s another Good Charlotte record), it looks like Pink will perform in some fashion on a song. Blech.
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See the track list for the upcoming Lego Rock Band video game here. Not a bad list, though I want to throttle the guy who thought that Vampire Weekend would be fun to play.
Sep/090
Monday Newsmix: Jay-Z wins and Kanye fails
Blah blah blah Beyonce blah blah blah...
Yes, I’m back (for really real this time!) The past few weeks have been hella busy, but believe me when I say that I’ve held you, my loyal readers, in the fondest corner of my heart while I’ve been away. (Yes, all three of you. And speaking of which, hi Mom!)
But anyway, let’s get to the news:
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Yes, our good buddy ol’ pal Kanye was at it again over the weekend – and this time on national TV. At the start of yesterday’s MTV Video Music Awards show, as country starlet Taylor Swift began her acceptance speech, West hopped on stage, snagged the mic, and let loose a torrent of verbal diarrhea. The cause? Defending pop singer Beyonce, whom he felt had produced “one of the best videos of all time.” All the while, a timid and confused-looking Swift simply stood there. (One can only imagine what was going through her head at the time. Sadness? Shock? A desire to bludgeon Kanye over the head with that award statue?) Thankfully, West was removed from the show shortly after.
Things even worked out in a roundabout way. Later on in the show, none other than Beyonce herself let Swift finish her speech. Kanye also apologized for the incident, but all things considered, his words ring hollow, smacking of publicist pressure rather than genuine remorse. Just please become a gay fish or something already, Kanye. We’re tired of your crap.
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In other hip-hop news, perennial news generator Jay-Z pulled a far more hilarious stunt recently. When wacko conservative “commentator” Glenn Beck appeared on Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor late last week, he gifted host Bill O’Reilly with a copy of the latter’s book, A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity. The catch? The book contained an inscription by none other than Jay, reading: “Peace Bill, JZ. Off That.” O’Reilly – a vocal opponent of “hip-hop culture,” AKA a racist – remained ignorant of the reference to a lyric in Jay’s recently-released The Blueprint 3: “This ain’t black verse white, my n*gga we off that.”
Billy Boy then proceeded to ignore the peace offering and launch into a tirade against Jay. Good show of maturity, ol’ chap.
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NEWSBITES
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R.I.P. Jim Carroll, punk rocker and author of The Basketball Diaries.
Waiting for the next Massive Attack album? If so, don’t hold your breath: according to Rob “3D” Del Naja, the album is in a “state of flux,” and it may be a while before it’s released. The good news, however, is that they have 10 tracks ready to go, incorporating guest appearances from Damon Albarn and Guy Garvey (Elbow), among others. Hope this one’s worth the wait.
Pop duo Tegan and Sara have unveiled an October 27 release date for their next album, Sainthood.
Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas is set to release his solo album, Phrazes for the Young, on October 19.
Grab a new EP from Portugal. The Man for the low, low price of nothing (and a quick website registration.)
Apr/090
Stephen Colbert challenges the Decemberists to Rock-Off #2
This time, it’s personal.
The first time that The Decemberists appeared on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report, show anchorman and master of the deadpan Stephen Colbert had challenged guitarist Chris Funk to a “ShredDown.” In an upset, Colbert thoroughly trounced Funk after pulling a secret weapon: guitarist Peter Frampton.
And now, on April 27, the two will face off once again, man-to-men (and woman), leaving no grudge unsettled in their wake. Yes, ladies and gentleman, this will truly be a battle for the ages. Only one party will be left standing.
Who will triumph? Only time will tell, but a repeat Colbert victory smacks of truthiness, does it not?
Mar/090
VHI resurrects “Behind the Music”
For those of you who love hearing about all of the drugs, booze, womanizing, anger management issues, and periodic visits to rehab that seem to mark the lives of so many famous musicians: Your messiah has returned. VH1, a television station otherwise known as “MTV for your parents,” plans to resurrect their trademark “Behind the Music” documentary series later this year.
The series’ producers have already got rapper Lil Wayne and former STP/Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland to sign on for episodes. (I really want to see that second one.) That leaves eight others open for this season. One thing’s for sure, though: If they nab Kanye for one, I’ll die of sheer laughter.
Feb/091
Joaquin’s descent into the mouth of madness
What the Christ is up with Joaquin Phoenix? If it wasn’t apparent that he was losing his marbles when he quit a successful and obviously lucrative acting career to become a mountain-man-bearded white rapper, it should be now.
On an appearance on The Late Show to promote his last acting gig, Phoenix settled for mumbling two-word answers to host David Letterman’s questions. He also seemed rather insecure about those ridiculous whiskers.
As for the rest? Well, see for yourself.
Feb/090
Steve Martin goes bluegrass
White-haired Texan Steve Martin has had a prolific career – from his excellent stand-up work (including 25 guest spots on SNL), to major roles in comedy classics like Little Shop of Horrors and Three Amigos!, to recording several comedy albums, authoring novellas and plays, and more. What he’s not known for, however, is his work with the banjo.
But that’s all about to change. In a new album, entitled “The Crow,” Martin will tackle original bluegrass tunes with the help of several talented guests. (The only one confirmed so far is Dolly Parton.) And what’s more, the album will apparently be completely serious – in other words, no ha-has to be found.
Most film stars can’t tackle the music thing very well – but then, they haven’t been playing the banjo since the 1960s. It’ll be interesting to see if Stevo can pull this off.
Jan/090
And on the other end of the spectrum…
Perhaps due to the globally flagging economy, it seems like entertainment career switches are becoming more and more commonplace. Now, according to Reuters, successful rapper, video game star, and clothing marketer 50 Cent plans to expand out into filmmaking.
Fitty will be promoting his new filmmaking company, which he plans to call Cheetah Vision, at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. No word yet on what the company’s first project will be, but it should at least be interesting to see what they can churn out.
Jan/091
Phoenix rises from the ashes… as a rapper!(?)
Former actor Joaquin Phoenix – best known to cinema-goers as the Emperor Commodus from Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning movie Gladiator – has resurrected his career in the most unlikely of places. Last friday, Phoenix took the mic at a Las Vegas nightclub for the first time and officially entered the world of hip-hop, complete with, uh, requisite neckbeard?
Now, I know that some people can successfuly do an entertainment-biz career change like this, but I can’t help but feel that he might be the stupidest emcee since MC Frontalot. Hopefully he doesn’t take up puppeteering next…
Dec/081
How much would you pay for a snotty tissue?
…how about if it came from this beauty?
Okay, it still sounds crazy. But this week, a tissue used by an under-the-weather Scarlett Johansson fetched over five grand on online auction site eBay. There is one sane part to the story, though: at least the proceeds are going to charity.
Ah, if only I were that famous too. (I could use the money.)
Dec/081
Thief exacts sweet, sweet revenge upon Paris Hilton
Ditzy socialite Paris Hilton has inflicted some awful things upon us: one of the worst movies ever made, an awful pop album, and countless entertainment news articles portraying her with that mysterious chihuahua. (Why does she carry that little thing around all over the place, anyway? Is it hiding something?) Today, some brave soul among us finally snapped and struck back.
Reuters reports today that a gloved, hooded man broke into Ms. Hilton’s gated Los Angeles home, making off with several items. Many of the things the perp nicked came from her bedroom, sparking questions (in my mind, anyway) as to his ultimate motive.
So who was this man? A gallant vigilante? A closeted nerd looking to snag a few pairs of celeb panties? Banksy? We may never know…