Week 05: Feb 5- Feb 12, 2013

+ Justin Timberlake releases cover art AND tracklist for his March release (March 19) album; 20/20 Experience. And if that's not enough, after the Grammys JT also released his first single off the album called 'Mirrors'. Obviously it's great. Obviously.

+ Gary Clark Jr. is launching his own music festival, "Maverick Music Festival". The festival will take place in GCJ's home state of Texas. It will feature local musicians during the day, and when the sun goes down you can look forward to performers like GCJ himself, as well as The Toadies, Girl in A Coma, Arum Rae, and Henry and the Invisibles. Gary Clark Jr also played 'Numb', and 'Ain't Messin' Around' on Kimmel this past week. He's so damn good.

+ New Queens of the Stone Age is described by Dave Grohl as "ridiculous". I assume in a good way. The album is going to feature major players in music including Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Jakes Shears (Scissor Sisters) and Elton John who claims to be a big fan.

+Jenny Lewis will be appearing on both new Postal Service tracks. Including: 'A Tattered Line of String' that was released this week.

+Phoenix owns the recording console used for Thriller (Michael Jackson) and is recording their new album on it. That there is some good juju.

+ With 'channel ORANGE' not even a year old Frank Ocean is riding his wave of success and will be heading back into the studio soon. He is currently in the creative stage, but hopes to be recording shortly.

+ The man with a million ideas, and stamina of a cocker spaniel on speed, Jack White, is back to work on his follow up to Blunderbuss. If that is not something to get excited in this cold winter, I don't know what is. White reportedly has about 20-25 tracks all in varying styles. He is not sure if the album will be released this year, and just wants to flow with his inspiration.

GRAMMYs

+Congrats to Gotye and Kimbra who took home a golden gramophone for Record of the Year AND Best Pop/Duo Performance {Somebody That I Used to Know}. The two were so gracious, so humble. Gotye also grabbed a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album {Making Mirrors}.

+ Album of the Year went to Mumford and Sons!! {Babel} Well deserved. And, they also take home an award for Best Long Form Video with Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and Old Crow Medicine Show for {Big Easy Express}. So thrilled to see Big Easy do well. Phenomenal.

+ fun. took home a Grammy for Song of the Year {We Are Young feat. Janelle Monae}. The group also won Best New Artist. Congrats!!

+ Adele took home Best Pop Solo Performance {Set Fire to the Rain}. Really though, that was a no-brainer. She deserves it.

+ The Black Keys did quite well taking home a Grammy for Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song AND Best Rock Album {Lonely Boy/El Camino}. Dan Auerbach also wins Producer of the Year!

+ Best Urban Contemporary Album goes to Frank Ocean {channel ORANGE}

+ Best Jazz Vocal Album went to Esperanza Spalding! {Radio Music Society}

+ Dr. John takes home a golden grammy for Best Blues Album {Locked Down} !!

+ Best Folk Album went to Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, and Stuart Duncan deservingly {The Goat Rodeo Sessions}

+ Jimmy Cliff takes Best Reggae Album {Rebirth}

For the complete list of Grammy winners find out: here.

This years Grammy performances were ridiculous. I want to relive those performances over and over again.

Here is a list of my favorites from the night:

+ Elton John joins Ed Sheeran to play 'A Team'
+ fun. performs 'Carry On'
+ Justin Timberlakes big band performance of a few new tracks; 'Suit and Tie' with Jay-Z, and 'Pusher Girl'
+ Mumford & Sons perform 'I Will Wait'
+ The Black Keys get on stage with Dr. John and Preservation Hall Jazz Band to play 'Lonely Boy'
+ Try not dancing when Sting and Bruno Mars perform Mars' first single off Unorthodox Jukebox, accompanied by a Sting hit 'Locked Out of Heaven/Walking On the Moon'. Followed by a Bob Marley tribute with Damian and Ziggy Marley and Rihanna; 'Could You Be Loved'
+ Lumineers perform 'Ho Hey'
+ 'Love Interruption' and 'Freedom at 21' by Jack White and his two traveling bands.
+ Adam Levine and Alicia Keys, 'Girl on Fire'
+ I don't care much for Wiz Kahlifa, but Miguel performs and its great: 'Adorn'
+ Frank Ocean performs 'Forrest Gump'
+ LL Cool J, Chuck D, Tom Morello and Travis Barker pay tribute to MCA
+ Elton John, Mumford & Sons, Brittany Howard, Mavis Staples, and T Bone Burnett play tremendous tribute to The Bands' Levon Helm by playing 'The Weight'

*click the highlighted link to view video. Do it!

A year of Keys. Black ones.

It is difficult to pin point the exact "thing" about The Black Keys. In a fickle world where genres like Americana and Dubstep can simultaneously erupt only to be crushed by a song where no one actually knows the lyrics (except "hey sexy lady") where exactly do The Black Keys fit in? The answer is, they fit in everywhere.

The once independent band can boast impressive knack and work ethic. It has now been 14 months since the Keys last release, which seems like 5 years in Black Keys time. With the release of Brothers in 2010, and El Camino in 2011, The Black Keys have been in the works of creating their next studio album since about July to be released this year. Every year just keeps getting bigger and bigger for the Akron boys.

With the Grammy Awards tomorrow and the Keys nominated for about five awards let's look back on everything great and Black Keys related in 2012.

To start 2012 with a punch, El Camino was released in December of 2011. The albums' glam-rock stadium suited album blew up the rock and roll scene really solidifying The Black Keys earned place in rock. For a band so big with a small band ego, and the zealous behavior of Jack White great things are bound to happen.

The Black Keys produced the crap out of 2012. Albums and songs from Dr.John to Ke$ha were worked on by Dan and Patrick both together and apart.

In April Dr. John's 'Locked Down' was released. I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Dr. John's particular flavor of New Orleans jazz combine with Dan Auerbach blues aptitude at Bonnaroo in 2011. Watching the pair on stage I remember thinking to myself "brilliant". I did not realize that less than one year after that thought Dr. John would release an album called Locked Down, and that album would be produced by Dan Auerbach. Brilliant.

On Locked Down Auerbach and the Doctor hone in on that New Orleans southern fried sound and pump it with thick grit and blues. Thus creating a funky new nostalgia sound.

Locked Down is not intended to be a comeback album. Without having that pressure left room for Auerbach and Dr. John to relax and lay down what they knew. The album is more deep than expected. Dr. John is 71. He has been around too long having too much success to have any interest in trying to prove to anyone his knack. He rather, took his years of acquired musical wisdom, and gruff old man voice to fabricate a genre adapting work of greatness.

At the MTV Movie awards the Black Keys were "forced" to perform with Johnny Depp. Of course this didn't require much to any arm twisting for the Keys who were honored to play with Depp. Auerbach admittedly says "[Johnny Depp] was cool from when he came out the womb". Depp joined the duo on stage for 'Gold On the Ceiling'. What most people don't know about Johnny Depp is that when he first moved to LA he was in search of work as a musician rather than an actor. The man has mad chops.

In June/ July Auerbach had a few projects that were being released; The Lion The Beast The Beat (Grace Potter & the Nocturnals), Hypnotic Nights (JEFF the Brotherhood) and Shakedown (Hacienda).

On The Lion The Beast The Beat, Dan Auerbach aided in production as well as offered vocals and some instrumental work. Oh to be a fly on the wall of the recording room. Dan Auerbach and Grace Potter creating together would be a scene filled with so much passion and talent it'd make your toes curl. 'Loniest Soul' is a playful, seemingly edgy song. With the intent of sexy ebb and flow it comes off as mysterious and showy. This works much better than the initial intent. Auerbachs influence is quite clear.

Shakedown, by Hacienda turned out to be a throwback to the 1970's style of writing music. Though seemingly simple, it gets the job done; a good hook, and a willful amount of "oohs and aaahs". Bound to do it. The dirty electric garage rock style guitar combined with a jaunty blues rasp of a voice, and steady drum beats make for one successful album. 'Veronica' is the clear winner of the album. It wraps up all of Shakedown in one perfected, neat, package.

Dan Auerbach tested his limits in JEFF the Brotherhoods 2012 album release, Hypnotic Nights. The album, resembling stoner rock, isn't at first a clear parallel to the Black Keys guitarist normal style. It takes a second listen to hear the influence. It works. 'Region of Fire' is the ultimate psychedelic track, coming off similarly to Led Zeppelin's sci-fi/fantasy inspired songs. It's a mystical sax and guitar love fest. The hooks and new found mass appeal are likely in thanks to Dan Auerbach. The group show tribute to Black Sabbath in playing 'Changes'. The song is played in perfection. There is visible maturation in this record.

Dan wasn't the only Key who was busy. Patrick Carney was hard at work bringing fame to The Sheepdogs by producing their most recent self titled studio album. Coming from Canada having won their way onto the cover of Rolling Stone, reigning in crowds to rival their peers by playing at festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, the Sheepdogs have proved themselves time and time again. Their 70’s southern rock sound is a golden throwback demanding any classic rock fan to perk up and pay attention. Despite being around the block for a little while, for some reason the band hadn’t quite received the clout they fully deserved.The album takes off with “Laid Back”, a smooth, easy breezy song. The mood of “Laid Back” plays like a throwback to the Dead’s “Truckin’”. As you settle into the groove of the album, which makes you feel fine as apple pie, Carney’s influence becomes more and more apparent. It is especially noticed on the more uptempo, hand clapping jam “Feeling Good”. The album then takes a turn to a more sombre, psychedelic folk song called “Alright OK”. Before making the B side flip, the Sheepdogs slam in some classic blues gems; “Ewan’s Blues” and “The Way It Is”. The latter sounding more modern than the rest of the album with a garage rock bass line and fervent guitar. The A side closes in true classic rock fashion with an eclectic instrumental first act finale.

The B side is packed full of fun, funky, classic rock. It pulls the album together completely. This album the Sheepdogs have crafted is nothing short of a well polished story. They take you along for the ride. A ride to get you feeling good, feeling down, feeling groovy. It is all part of the Sheepdogs compilation plan.

The collaborations continue on into the fall. The Black Keys team up with RZA for the movie "The Man With the Iron Fists". The three duel over the last fortune cookie in 'The Baddest Man Alive'. Which is also the most underrated song of 2012. It really does deserve more clout.

The Keys close the year with an appearance on Ke$has latest album, Warrior and a slew of Grammy nominations. Carney helps out the pop tart on the track 'Wonderland'. A song not undefiled by autotune. So that's what Ke$ha really sounds like.

Tune into the Grammys tomorrow night and be sure to send your good vibes the Keys way.

They fit everywhere.

Week 03: Jan 21-29, 2013

+ Beyonce is the lip syncing scoundrel. If I were her I would not have chosen the presidential inauguration to take a breather but I think people should get off her nuts, everyone lip syncs. It's mostly just funny. And a little pathetic. Now she really has something to prove. Like Wendy Williams said "do we want Beyonce to sing for real, or lip sync so she can perform her booty dances?". I pick the booty dances. Kelly Clarkson didn't lip sync though. You go Kell, you go!

+ Addendum to an earlier Grapevine post: The Black Keys will be releasing an album this year, yes. But the chances that it will be ready by March are not likely. Sad face.

+ Coachella set list has been released! Very exciting, and unexciting all at once. My reaction to the setlist was "mmeh". There are a ton of "big" names, and a plethora of "ho hum" smaller names. Don't get too excited.

+ 2013 album release madness: MGMT plan to release follow up to Congratulations. From the sounds it the album will be much more complex, and "weird". Fingers crossed the bands picks up where they left off post Orracular Spectacular. Daft Punk also plan to release new album since 2005. Other artists making comeback albums include: Eve, The Postal Service and Iggy and the Stooges. Oh yeah, and The Roots team up with Elvis Costello for an intriguing album. Also, The Darkness attempt to claim some fame in a 2013 album release.

+ Madonna has released workout videos called "Sweat". It was bound to happen. Not sure how much I will be able to stomach this. Keep it covered Madge. Keep. It. Covered.

+Ohio Players frontman and funk master Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner passes at 69 years old this past Saturday. R.I.P. Thank you for providing us with years us groovy music.

 + The Lonely Island don't completely grasp the concept of 'Yolo' in their latest comedy pop-rock song featuring both Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar. Levine also proved on SNL that he should stick to singing because acting is so not his forte.

Week 02: Jan 14-20, 2013

+ Indie roots rock band, The Lumineers perform on Saturday Night Live. As predicted, they are absolutely fantastic.

+ Jimmy Fallon hearts Brits: The Joy Formidable play their latest single off their sophomore album on Jimmy Fallon. It holds promise. Michael Kiwanuka plays a lovely 'Tell Me a Tale' with help from The Roots. Kiwanuka is wonderful.

+Jerry Seinfeld will be on Wale's next mixtape. Say what?! It's not as random as you might think. A few years before Wale broke into the interweb, he made an album called 'The Mixtape About Nothing'. This was inspired by Seinfeld. The mixtape was in direct reference to the show, showing parallels to the classic sitcom in way of song title, and musical scores. Jerry Seinfelds probable boredom to accompany Wale's fanboy boner.

+ Wiggity, wiggity... what?! No one, NO ONE could have predicted the return of 90's boys Kris Kross. No no, the former grade school one hit wonder rappers aren't back for good. They have admitted to one performance. I doubt it'll end there though. Maybe more than one should be anticipated.

+ The lineup for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been released. It's a stellar lineup with The Black Keys at the top.

+ Loveable indie rock band Yo La Tengo release latest album called 'Fade'. It's as pretty as it's album artwork. Very.

+ The best show on television Girls is selling music like hot cakes. Since the Golden Globes, Robyn's 2010 album has had an increase in sales. No doubt all thanks to Girls promotional pumping 'Dancing On My Own'. Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino aka Troy (of Troy and Abed in the Morning of Community) aka boy genius is playing Sandy on Girls. Fingers crossed we hear some of his music on the show.

+ James Brown biopic in the works. Casting will begin shortly.

+ West of Memphis: Voices for Justice is released this week and it's perfect.

Week 01: Jan 7- 13, 2013

+ After a ten year lacuna David Bowie is back. On his 66th birthday Ziggy Stardust made the announcement - via new song with music video - that he is indeed still creating music. But how good is it, really? Should Ziggy head back to his hiatus? 

+ Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney let us know in November that they were hoping to release their follow up to El Camino early 2013. Working ferociously, The Black Keys have set a tentative release date for March. The Black Keys are still in the process of getting their unofficial cohort, Danger Mouse, to join them again on this next leg of their journey. 

+ fun. release a new song for the Girls soundtrack ; Sight of the Sun. The song is exactly what you would expect from the group. Does this mean a follow up to Some Nights sooner rather than later?

+ Black Sabbath have announced a new album. Drop date should be sometime in June. 

+ Yeah Yeah Yeah give a preview to new material. Watch Suck You Blood: here. Karen O is as weird, and awesome as ever. 

+ Documentary anticipation: Kurt Cobain doc approved by Courtney Love. Spin says "said to be this generations 'The Wall'". Also, a Ginger Baker documentary is in the works. I wonder who will make appearances in both. Fingers crossed for Clapton for Baker, and RHCP for Cobain. 

+ Pop alert: Destiny's Child has released a new song; Nuclear. And, Justin Timberlake says he is ready to make music again. JT allegedly has 20 songs ready to be worked on. Can't wait. 

+ Geddy Lee is said to have a guest appearance on a Robin Sparkles episode of How I Met Your Mother. (Feb)

+ Not only will Major Lazer be released their album Free the Universe in February, but they have also announced a world tour. This album is said (by Diplo) to be more diverse. Challenging social mores, and the physical world. 

+ Chart toppers: Despite not even releasing an album in 2012, Adele has the highest record sales of 2012. Mumford and Sons and Les Miserables soundtrack have officially (and finally) passed Taylor Swift's Red. About damn time.

+ Jack White joins Conan O'Brien on 'Serious Jibber-Jabber'. The duo chat about music, upholstery, and why babies might not make good band mates. Phenomenal talk. 

+ On March 5th we will finally get to hear the never before released tracks from Jimi Hendrix experimental years apart from the Experience. People, Hell and Angels promises Hendrix musical work with various jazz musicians.

The after life albums

One of my favorite movies is ‘High Fidelity’. My adolescent dream of working in a record store semi stemmed from this book turned movie. I am obsessed with the idea of being surrounded by the brilliant works of writers, composers and artists who I not only admire but most of whom who I have yet to even experience.

I can relate to the overly neurotic protagonist, Rob. His self appointed music geekdom helps him to assess his past relationships while comparing and contrasting them to various music. He makes lists. I would be lying if I said that I do not partake in the same obsessive activity. Music lists help to lay it all out, they seem to make life more understandable. I guess.

I think it was accurately described by Courtney E. Smith in the first chapter of her book Record Collecting for Girls titled ‘Top Five Lists’ when she says:

“Music nerds everywhere delight in making Top Five Lists of obvious, obtuse, and obscure records tailored to every categorization of music you could possibly imagine. I am one of those nerds.”

When I say “obsessive activity”, I really do mean obsessive. Obsessive to the extent that once one begins crafting the aforementioned lists it seems nearly impossible to stop; top 5 songs for driving, top 5 albums that remind me of my high school experience, top 5 albums for the fall… obsessive.

True to Rob form, I have compiled many Top 5 lists. Here is my Top 5 Albums list. It has taken me many hours to create and has been revised many a time, and will be revised many more I’m sure. But for now, I think I have settled on the Top 5 best, most significant albums… to me at least. This week.

5. The Beatles, Abbey Road (1969)
Despite the tension within the band, the Beatles were able to create an important album that the world needed to hear. Although they were having different ideals of where they thought the music should go, a real message was still able to prevail from their slow demise. The A side and B side are two completely different feels. Where side A was a raw and unabashedly honest ebb and flow including a look into where the Beatles stood both politically and as a band, Side B offers the best post exasperated sigh. Side B starts off with the light ‘Here Comes to the Sun’, and moves into the perfection of ‘Because’. It is an excellent explanation to an almost confusing side A. This album, in my opinion displays the Beatles at their best. Plus, Ringo had his time to shine with ‘Octopus’s Garden’. Which to this day is probably still his greatest success.

4. The Black Keys, Rubber Factory (2004)
Chosing a favorite Black Keys album is like picking a favorite child. Not an easy task. At the time that this album was released I was not yet a Black Keys fan. My musical tastes had not yet matured. And, I am thankful that I did not know who they were just yet. Discovering the Black Keys was during an important time in my life. It was a time where I was learning about myself and entering into adulthood. At this time I could really understand this band, where they were coming from, and what their music was about. The first song that really resonated with me was ‘Act Nice & Gentle’. Though originally by the Kinks, performed by the Black Keys it carried so much more weight. Rubber Factory is so dirty, so raw. It’s the type of album that consumes you whole with the power to take you higher or spit you out.

3. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Though worshiping Robert Plant for years, and succumbing to the obvious perfection of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ I had actually never sat and listened to Led Zeppelin IV from start to finish. I luckily found a rare copy in one of my towns oldest record stores a few years ago. The owner expressed to me how fortunate I was and I couldn’t wait to get home to indulge. Right from the first chords of ‘Black Dog’ I was taken to another planet where rock n’ roll ran free. I was so easily scooped into the arms of Zeppelin’s mystical prose. A place I would never leave. Around this time is also where I began to fantasize about going back in time just so I could experience this glory first hand. I still cannot pin point what it is exactly about this particular Led Zeppelin album that will forever have me squirming.

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Californication (1999)
I was only eleven years old when this album was released. It spoke to me at eleven. It spoke to me at sixteen. And it still speaks to me now at twenty-four. This album is timeless. In my opinion, it is undeniably the best work by RHCP. Here is where the band balances an excellent alternative rock sound while maintaining their original funkability. The reason this album has the ability to affect me at so many different stages in my life is because there is a steadiness to Californication that is so special. While the album plays mostly as an epiphany, it is still so infused with energy.

1. Wolfmother, Wolfmother (2005)
You just know when an album will be a perfect fit. It’s like going on a first date. Most times, you know immediately. I knew immediately that Wolfmother and I were in it for the long haul. I can’t remember when I first heard Wolfmother but I would guess that it was ‘Joker and the Thief’ that caught my attention. I could not get enough. To me this self titled album is the reincarnation of the works of a rock n roll, flower child, super god sent out to woo me. This album makes me nostalgic for a heavy psychedelic rock sound that I never even knew.  The lyrics are transcendent, employing a meaning that many bands of the like had never done before. In a word, it’s awesome.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: The Black Keys

If you know me, or have even read what I have to say about The Black Keys. You will know that, my love runs deep. Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach are a super duo who create the loosest, bluseyest, rawest of music this decade has seen. From their recording style to the way they play their music, these two artistry intellects are the epitome of authenticity. Unlike their previous albums, The Black Keys most recent, Brothers explores a miscellaneous gaggle of music genres; blues, rock, soul, funk... Ah it is so incredible. I cannot comprehend whether they are either ahead of their time, or behind in the times (in the most evocative way). The Black Keys are the number one band I am looking forward to seeing in Bonnaroo. Nothing will be able to hold me back from their romp induced tunes.

The Black Keys

What sounds are best on Sunday? None other than old-time blues. Of course this is just my personal opinion. Being a girl raised in a pond with splish-splashes of soul, funk and rhythm and blues it's no wonder that hard-hitting blues have become sounds of pure comfort for me. It's a shame that the blues aren't as prominent as they were back in the day. But, luckily for us we have banging blues bands like The Black Keys.

The Black Keys are easily among my top picks. Their music is some of the loosest, rawest of tunes I have heard in this decade. If you ever get the chance to listen to these guys on vinyl, take it, it is a soothing, and crisp experience. Pure perfection. The band consists of two guys who, upon looking at them, you would not think that they are the ones who have produced such genius (yeah, genius). What I really enjoy about the Black Keys is their element of realness. What I mean is, this barroom blues with blasts of psychedelia is so raw with zero fluff and glitter. They are gritty with a sound of maturation, creating a sound of organic growth through every album they release. Each song that you will hear by the Black Keys carries with it sacks of substance. And, really, what more could use ask for? Especially in a world which seems to covet music that has no meat on its bones.

In May, The Black Keys came out with their eighth studio album, Brothers. It's so sugar sweet. The sound is not what I expected, quite quite different  from (my fav's) Attack and Release, and Rubber Factory however, not in a negative way. I find that Brothers has a lot more tracks that are melodious, which certainly is not a bad criticism. The guys of the Black Keys seem to have really found and honed in on their sound which is that of blues with an unheeding dose of soul, and rock. In finding this magical sound that is so true to them, they have been able to become a more rounded band who has the ability to appeal to a wider spectrum of music lovers.

The Black Keys are so rad. What I gather from listening to their music is that they are under the influence of classic blues supergods like Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Eric Clapton (circa The Bluesbreakers). Regardless of who their inspiration comes from, its workin' like a charm. Being able to dabble in different mediums and genres, in my mind, makes you an astute, wise musician. The Black Keys have not only collaborated with Danger Mouse but they also have a collaboration album called Blakroc, which is an album consisting of collabs between The Black Keys and various hip-hop, rap and r&b artists. Is that not wicked, or what? It's a pretty sweet album. If you like hip hop and are open-minded it is definitely worth the listen. My favorite tracks are: Stay Off the Fuckin' Flowers with Raekwon,Why Can't I Forget Him? with Nicole Wray, Ain't Nothin' Like You with Jim Jones and Mos Def, and What You Do to Me with Billy Danze, Jim Jones, Nicole Wray. Word on the street is there will be another Blakroc album out in 2011. I don't know the details though.

Don't just take my word for it though, go out experience the Black Keys for yourself. If you're diggin' on  unhinged, chill, modern, whisky blues, the Black Keys are for you. Mad chops.