product review
Product reviews and how-to's of rising music merchandise, CDs, albums, concerts, and more.
Review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles: 2 of X
Among Rob Sheffield's many talents as a Beatles journalist -- not historian, because, as Sheffield convincingly demonstrates, the Beatles are far more important today than when they were writing and recording as a band, which back then was extraordinarily important indeed -- but among the delightful ways Sheffield makes his case is by fashioning his arguments from the Beatles' lyrics, so deftly that you don't even want a quote. Talking about John Lennon's unquenchable need to make a girl care, to make her "feel something," Sheffield concludes "Because if he doesn't reach her, the song is worthless and so is he. It's a love that lasts forever, it's a love that has no past".
Paul LevinsonPublished 7 years ago in BeatIn Depth Review of Logic’s ‘Everybody’
The production of the project is top notch. Executive produced by his partner in crime 6ix, the album also includes production from Logic himself, No ID, and a couple others. Features include the likes of Killer Mike, Khalid, Alessia Cara, Black Thought, Chuck D and more. Everybody did great in its first week in sales, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. And although it didn’t do so good in its second week, who cares? Logic is one talented guy, and this is a super elaborate concept album.
Sadé SanchezPublished 7 years ago in BeatReview of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles: 1 of X
I've always loved The Beatles. First as a fan, always as a fan. How much as a fan? Well, I was delighted to find a subscription to Sirius/XM Radio in my new car, early this month, and I promptly tuned it to MSNBC. Until The Beatles channel checked in on May 18, and that's what I listen to when I'm driving now. Even when I'm not driving -- I just came in from my driveway, because I wanted to hear the end of "Baby You Can Drive My Car". I'd probably still be there, if the urge to write this review had not been so strong.
Paul LevinsonPublished 7 years ago in BeatOne Bowie Fangirl's Interpretation of Blackstar
Although as a child, I was fed a fairly varied diet of good music, it’s fair to say that my ‘bread and butter’ was definitely Bowie. From starry-eyed mooning over Labyrinth to teen sulking accompanied by Station to Station, his music pervaded a substantial portion of my life.
Where Have All the CDs Gone?
Enter any record store (yes, they are still called that) these days and you’ll have the impression that the CD stalls are dwindling, hit by reserving vinyl on one, and DVDs on the other. Or, try taking a stack of CDs that are collecting dust on your home shelves to a secondhand store. Chances are that when the owner sees that you are bringing CDs, he won’t even let you through the door, let alone give you anything that will even resemble a decent price for them. Who would have thought that as we were entering the 21st century CDs were practically everywhere, still hailed as the best ever advancement in sound reproduction? These days, mirroring the dooming fate of vinyl LPs in mid-80s, it seems people are just leaving entire CD collections by the dumpster, hoping that somebody will be merciful and at least save the music recorded in those laser tracks. The official data is no less damning. According to LA Weekly, in the period from 2001 to 2014, only in the US the sales of CDs dropped by 80% and LP sales are up a staggering 800% since 2004. What did the hell happen?
Ljubinko ZivkovicPublished 7 years ago in BeatHarry Styles: Harry Styles
What do you do in your spare time while on hiatus from one of the world’s biggest-selling and most successful boy bands? When you’re Harry Styles you use that time wisely by dropping a debut album so commanding that it makes you an instant rock star. If you disregard preconceived notions concerning boy bands, as well as stop trying to decipher if lyrical subtexts may or may not allude to Taylor Swift, you will hear the emerging talent of an undeniably credible solo artist.
Eric AllenPublished 7 years ago in BeatMusic Genres That Are Great Driving Soundtracks
There's something about cruising in the summertime that just makes you feel alive - even if you're just commuting to work. The right car can make any journey good, but if you really want to get the best that driving has to offer, you're going to need the right soundtrack for your roadtrip.
Ossiana TepfenhartPublished 7 years ago in BeatGuardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 2
James Gunn has compiled another bang-up soundtrack for his highly-anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The upcoming space adventure is the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the sequel to Gunn’s surprise summer blockbuster of 2014. Here again with Awesome Mix Vol. 2, the songs featured were precisely hand-picked by Gunn and strategically placed throughout the film, serving to underscore the script as a subtle, but dynamic cast of supporting characters. Awesome Mix Vol. 2 is an eclectic assortment of mostly well-known tunes, and happily in its own unique way, just as marvelous as its predecessor Awesome Mix Vol. 1, which went on to sell a whopping 2.5 million copies worldwide. The brilliant second soundtrack album features 14 tracks, including the amusing “Guardians Inferno,” co-penned by Gunn and film score composer Tyler Bates. During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn revealed some enlightening specifics as to how and why he chose the significant songs for the upcoming film’s final cut.
Eric AllenPublished 7 years ago in BeatThe Serious Genius of Father John Misty’s Pure Comedy
At first glance, Father John Misty’s Pure Comedy might sound like the recorded version of a clergyman moonlighting as a stand-up comic, but in actuality it’s the latest studio album from the former Fleet Foxes drummer. Try to imagine Elton John as an American folk artist with lyrics penned by Randy Newman or Conor Oberst, and you’ll have an entry point into the sardonic, acid-tongued, yet filmic world of singer-songwriter Father John Misty (née Josh Tillman).
Eric AllenPublished 7 years ago in BeatDoes Anyone Still Wang Chung?
The name Wang Chung might give you the impression that the group is a New Age Jazz group. In fact, they do incorporate a certain "airy and fluid synthesizer type" feel within their music. But Wang Chung is neither new nor a New Age group.
Frank WhitePublished 7 years ago in BeatListen: More Drake, 'More Life' Playlist
The OVO God is out with his new 'playlist,' More Life, now available wherever music is sold or streamed. That's right. Playlist. Not album. Drake is explicit about this (but not anywhere else in the playlist), so take heed.
Krishna PatelPublished 7 years ago in BeatGreatest Classic Movie Musicals
Ever since people first put sound in movies, the classic genre of the musical has thrived. It makes sense, of course. Song has always been involved in visual story telling. The Greek Chorus would sing prayers during stage productions. Opera adapted the works of Shakespeare.
Anthony GramugliaPublished 7 years ago in Beat