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!

Travis Barker & Yelawolf, 'Psycho White'

Travis Barker & Yelawolf - Psycho White

Since the release of Give the Drummer Some in March of 2011 I’ve been anxiously waiting for Travis Barkers next project. When Barker featured Yelawolf alongside Busta Rhymes, Twista, and L’il Jon on GTDS track ‘Let’s Go’ it was obvious that the two needed to work together again.

It’s so strangely amazing when different types of musical medium flow together with such effortlessness. Travis Barkers drumming style equates that of Yelawolf’s rapping style. Which is clear on the EP’s first track ‘Push ‘Em’ (featuring Skinhead Rob & Tim Armstrong). Barker is known to rock fast and hard. His flow is powerful and all consuming. To be able to keep up with the drummer is impressive. Yelawolf is definitely awe inspiring. The dude hasn’t been around for a long time, and to be on par with - who I think is - one of the best musicians of our time… damn. Travis Barker and Yelawolf feed off of each others rapid fire intensity.

The EP isn’t all intense all the time though. You do get some time to catch your breath. Despite only offering up five tracks, there is a lot of versatility. Though you start off with high energy ‘Push Em’, ‘6 Feet Underground’ has more of a reggae, and southern feel. No doubt Wolf’s influence. ‘Funky Shit’ showcases Wolf’s quick tongue. It’s plays like a psychedelic, chill track. But, the real stunnerwould have to be ‘Whistle Dixie’. It’s raw, has a great beat and you get the chance to experience both Barker’s and Yelawolf’s talents both apart and together. ‘Directors Cut’ is old school. It has a thrilling feel, with great climb. Using music from Halloween  this track is fresh, and inventive. It is a good final song to wrap up Psycho White.

It is obvious that Travis Barker and Yelawolf were given creative freedom in the studio. The duo really feed off of each other and it shows.  Such a great EP. I only wish there were more tracks. Check it out!

Huge fan-girl moment for me. I’ve been a fan since I was about twelve years old. So, this definitely gave me butterflies.

Travis Barker (Give the Drummer Some)

To start off, let me just say, I am an enormous fan of Travis Barker. For real. Like, colossal, mammoth, huge fan. I seriously get the shivers almost every time I watch him drum. I don't care if he is drumming for Blink 182, or Transplants, or +44, or Box Car Racer or whoever else, he is great. That kind of passion, is just... outstanding, unreal. So, I'm sure you can apprehend the excitement I felt when I found out that he is finally releasing a solo-ish, drum centered album. Pretty-freakin'-excited, let me tell ya.

Give the Drummer Some was released almost two weeks ago now. In this time, my opinion has been moving all over the map. Travis is wonderful, of course, we know this. But, it was a matter of seeing how the hip-hop, rock, rap, drum infused album would fare with the superabundance of talent featured on it. Unlike what I expected, this isn't a drum album with featured vocals. Instead Give the Drummer Some is a complimentary fraternity where everyone involved has their talents on display.

Fact: rap is more gripping with authentic drum beats. It just is.

The artists involved in this album are so vast, and some of the best of the best in their field; Tom Morello, RZA, Raekwon, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Slash, Cypress Hill, The Cool Kids, Kid Cudi... to name a few. The best part about collaborating with so many different artists is no two tracks sound alike. Give the Drummer Some makes it virtually impossible to ever feel bored.

It is so rad to hear L'il Jon's snarl, with Twista and Busta's rapid fire rhymes in Let's Go alongside Yelawolf. Or, The Transplants with Slash escorted by their tranquilizing vocals and Spanish inspired guitar in Saturday Night. OR just the complete genius masterful combination, of our Mr. Barker in the company of Tom Morello, RZA and Raekwon in Carry It. I could really go on and on and on and on about how impressed I am with this album. But, I don't think I could ever articulate properly how I feel. You need to listen for yourself.