Lilly Allen Second Release, Rates Second

So one of my favorite English Artists of the modern times released her second album a few weeks ago; and while it is a good album, it falls into the Sophomore Slump category. It just isn’t as good as her first release, though it does have some high points, and is true to her musical form. One thing that always attracted me to Lilly was her clever and witty lyrics and well this album does just that. “Fuck You” might sound like a bitter song to an Ex - well kind of, how about to Americas Ex-President Bush! The first few songs on the album are the best, then it kind of goes downhill from there; however, it never hits rock bottom…just not a full album of hits like her last release was. It is very apparent that she is growing older and thinking about leaving the party life of the young pop star. The album is full of how we judge age and party too much and how she just wants to live a low key life most of the time. Track 3, “Not Fair,” might be my favorite track of the album and has great Lilly Vocals and that upbeat Euro Electro Pop beat that we have learned to embrace over on this side of the pond! It is one cleverly written song with double meanings that presents the understandable needs of this woman in a relationship. Also, the amped up banjo is a nice touch. Like most second albums I am afraid this has been over produced with too many sounds and beats over laying each other. “Back to the Start” is a good example of this; it could be a great song, but the tempo and the overlays are too much. I don’t ever see how she might be able to do this song live, but if she can pull of the vocals live, then I stand corrected. You get lost in the trance of that techno beat; it’s like 3 bad gay bars mixed songs together and didn’t know how to stop!

So I would suggest burning this album from a friend. It might be good for when company is over and getting ready to go out on the town or for keeping you awake on the drive to where ever you might be going.

Happy Birthday Nesta

I want to wish Robert a Happy Birthday up in Rastafarian Heaven, i bet the green up there is amazing...here is a classic to get you through this cold Friday & celebrate one of the greatest talents of our time.

Old Crow Medicine Show, 1/31/09 Vogue Indianapolis

Nothing melts a foot of snow like a hot ass, foot stomping Bluegrass Concert; and that is what the Old Crow Medicine Show put on Saturday night at a sold out show at the Vogue. This 5 piece Bluegrass band out of Nashville, TN has been rocking the concert series for over 10 years and the heart and soul they pour into their shows give hope to the live music world, and is bringing Bluegrass Music into many peoples lives that might not listen to it. The first set was a little slower & mellow with many traditional songs, but the highlight of the first act was a dedication of “I hear them all” to Folk Legend Pete Seeger, which could have easily been a Pete song. They followed it with a great bluegrass cover of John Lennon’s “Crippled Inside” which just made my mother fucking night! The second set was an upbeat hoe down full of their more popular songs. The place was steaming by the time they played Wagon Wheel & CC Rider (Elvis Cover). The second act seemed more like one big party out in the country filled with a hot band…and hot oh have you looked at these boys photos! The whole night I felt like I was back in Nashville seeing one of many amazing acts play in a local bar, which got me thinking to why this band has made it out of Nashville with so many other great musicians there trying to do what O.C.M.S. is doing.

It was a concert jam-packed of excitement and delight, with out all the glitz and glamour that is so often needed for a live concert, just a lot of energy. Every member except for the Bass player passed around their 4-6string instruments and played them almost perfectly. While a normal Bluegrass band has a Mandolin O.C.M.S. does not have a mandolin player, but instead Ketch Secor plays a bad ass harmonica and doubles on the fiddle. Each member took their turn singing and picking their own tunes while also covering some of the most classic bluegrass around. If you want to introduce a Bluegrass Virgin to the genre I think one of their shows or albums might be a great start before throwing them into the greats of Monroe, Watson, Scruggs, Stanley and so on…

The Day The Music Died?

So I was going to write about the 50th anniversary of what many people have called the Day the Music Died. But I really liked this article by David Hinckley in today’s NY Daily News. It pretty much sums up my thoughts that the music really didn’t die as much as became very underground with out its main stars (or any for that matter)out in the spotlight any more, which allowed for the Huge Explosion of The Beatles 5 years later and for Rock & Roll to live on.

Better then Whitney?

Who wasn't impressed By Jennifer's Performance last night! I think she sounded better then Whitney, though Whitney was at her peak (pre-crack...Bobbbbie). Let me know what you think was she a flop or did this girl work it...