Shows for the Week
Saturday July 24th:
RUSH Time Machine Tour 2010 at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY at 8:00 p.m.
Throughout my younger years I had listened to RUSH mostly by accident, only hearing them when my father would turn off my radio station and put on his classic rock ones. However, through the maturing of my own musical tastes and seeing the movie “I Love You, Man” I have been exposed to even more of the “Holy Triumvirate”. This Saturday presents a great opportunity to see one of the best and most underrated rock bands still touring.
Sunday July 25th:
Slightly Stoopid at the Stone Pony Summerstage in Asbury Park, NJ at 6:00 p.m.
Foxy Brown at the B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in New York, NY at 9:00 p.m.
Two things are certain if you’re a female rapper; one, your music will be largely ignored by the mainstream media, and two, you will most likely experience some sort of legal trouble. Foxy Brown is no exception to either of these rules, but this doesn’t mean that she isn’t a great rapper. In fact Foxy, known for her righteously vulgar lyrics, may be the greatest female rapper of all time. Think a breathing, female Tupac. Not interested yet? Well then you don’t know rap, however if you are then you should definitely check out this living legend’s show.
Albums for the Week
Norman Brown – Sending My Love
The Roots – How I Got Over
I’m not going to lie; this review is completely biased as I believe that the core members of The Roots (Questlove and Black Thought) can do almost no wrong. Their latest album has done nothing to change my belief in them with Black Thought still interlacing intelligent rhymes in between Questlove’s mastery on drums. So play this album out, and when you’re tired of it (not that you will be) you can hear them as Jimmy Fallon’s band on his late night show (don’t ask me how he pulled that one off).
Kevin Rudolf – To The Sky
Kevin Rudolf may very well be the exact opposite of The Roots. His live performances are terrible, but teenage girls seem to love his music with several of his songs becoming nationwide hits. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of his songs are very catchy and when listened to on the radio or on an iPod aren’t all that bad. This album is very similar to his first which is filled with songs that will undoubtedly be played at sports arenas this summer. Rudolf’s stadium/electro/rock/rap is fun for parties and barbecues, so give it a spin or two.
Songs for the Week
Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs –“Beg Steal or Borrow”
Brandon Flowers – “Crossfire”
Foraying into solo work for the first time in his career the lead singer for The Killers strikes gold in his first single, “Crossfire.” Slower and much less grandiose Flower’s single is a nice compliment to his previous band work and proves that attempting a solo career was the right choice.
Jazmine Sullivan – “Holding You Down (Goin’ In Circles)”
Jazmine Sullivan is back after a long gap in between her last hit single, “Bust Your Windows,” a man hating ditty about getting back at a cheating boyfriend. This song is a little less violent, but no less sympathetic towards the female gender. Girls will undoubtedly be playing this single when they’re looking for love, in love, or hating everything to do with love. It’s kind of a jack-of-all-trades song for emotional women.