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Most recently published stories in Beat.
Gospel Sampled
I am a child of the Golden Age of Hip Hop, which most would argue is the late 80s and early 90s. Many believe this time represents the golden age due to the evolution of lyrical content and delivery. Additionally, the musical styles and the artists that used them became more diverse. Another significant factor was the upgraded use of sampling. My favorite production team during this time was The Bomb Squad comprised of Hank Shocklee, Keith Shocklee, Chuck D. and Eric Sadler. This team powered the sound of Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and many others. They were one of the first to utilize multiple samples in a song. This is the period that I fell in love with Hip Hop.
Jerome SimmonsPublished 7 years ago in BeatOdds and Ends
When one thinks of the history of the solid body electric guitar, Gibson is one of the first and most important brands that comes to mind. While guitars such as the Les Paul, SG Flying V, Explorer and Firebird were wildly successful either initially or eventually, Gibson also produced many guitars that are not as well remembered.
Frederick ParkPublished 7 years ago in BeatDanny Worsnop Takes the Long Road Home
Growing up I knew music was something that made me feel different. When I was sad music made me feel good, when I was mad music understood my anger, when I was happy music basically told me to keep it up. Music can give me the best chills, and it can make me cry like a baby. It wasn't until I was a senior in high school that I learned where I belonged. The first time my friends and I ventured off to Warped Tour, we were in this magical world, and since then I have discovered so many of my favorite bands, bands who have gotten me through depression, hopelessness, anxiety, everything in the book.
Zanna HintzPublished 7 years ago in BeatThe Revivalists: Funky Rock and Soul
At a time when independent music is enjoying a great deal of exposure, new types of bands are arising from music cities across the country. In New Orleans, one such act is creating their own soulful, funky brand of rock to great acclaim. The Revivalists are a rock group consisting of David Shaw on vocals, Zack Feinberg on guitar, Ed Williams on pedal steel, Rob Ingraham on saxophone, George Gekas on bass, Andrew Campanelli on drums and Michael Girardot on keyboards and trumpet. With their large setup, the band has a very large and dynamic sound with many great subtleties.
Frederick ParkPublished 7 years ago in BeatIron Reagan: Crossover Ministry ALBUM REVIEW
Iron Reagan continue to keep the flame of crossover thrash burning on this new LP. To listen to this album is to listen to thirty minutes of fast, glorious and straightforward fury. Sometimes it feels good just to shout.
Roland TillyerPublished 7 years ago in BeatBroken Record Part 1
As you know, album sales for the mainstream music industry peaked in 1995-1999. The decline since has been epic. This has been largely blamed on piracy and a transition to digital media, but is this decline more about a lack of consumer confidence? The music industry has set the bar in heavy-handed marketing, corporate oligarchies, and cheaping out every time they get the chance. Record companies are a caricature of overreaching big business. The public's perception of this industry was always poor; it could be considered sleazy at best. Now it’s completely isolated, soulless and outrightly despised across the board. Millennials are consumed by music and media yet at the same time not buying it. What’s different? One of the biggest barriers may be the lack of real choices.
Brett HoganPublished 7 years ago in BeatYou Could've Worn A Tie, Chris...
It’s been roughly 15 years since I decided that I was too good for the Brit Awards; but I’m firmly in the trenches of music retail now, so practicality and morbid curiosity sucked me back into the kaleidoscopic world of the British Phonographic Industry.
Don't Forget the Flamin' Groovies
The Flamin Groovies released their third album, Teenage Head, back in 1971 to much critical praise. However, because the group was known only tentatively in the Midwest and San Fransisco (where they originated about 1968), the record won little popularity and no airplay.
Will VasquezPublished 7 years ago in BeatFoxygen: Hang Album Review
After the total failure of their previous album and experimental venture …And Star Power, this new LP Hang could have seen the band going two different directions. Thankfully, they executed this new release with renewed focus and energy, creating something with some serious swagger and theatrical wistfulness.
Roland TillyerPublished 7 years ago in BeatDavid Cassidy Trying To "Get Happy" In Wake Of Dementia Diagnosis
On February 20, former 70s heartthrob David Cassidy admitted what he'd always feared would happen; he has been battling dementia, an illness that he said plagued many of his family members.
Christina St-JeanPublished 7 years ago in BeatDavid Bowie: No Plan EP Review
On this posthumous release David Bowie seems to speak to us from beyond the grave yet again. Featuring songs from the Broadway musical Lazarus which he wrote and recorded the music for during the sessions for his last album, Blackstar, No Plan is a fine conclusion to Bowie’s final musical period. It also shows how much a good structure can add to a piece of music.
Roland TillyerPublished 7 years ago in Beat#MusicLove: Alessia Cara's #KnowItAll Is a Lesson In Hit-Making Music
Google defines a "know it all" as someone who behaves as though they know everything. Alessia Cara must identify as such in some form because this is the title of her debut album. She didn't always consider herself a "know it all" though. It was her mother her pushed her to pursue music as her career. She didn't even really like to sing publicly until her mother would make her sing for visitors until she was bitten by the song-writing bug.
Chelsea DeVriesPublished 7 years ago in Beat