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Stories in Beat that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
5 Tips for New Music Journalists
I run a music publication, you may have seen it here on Medium, called Modern Music Analysis. I’ve collected quite a few writers, views, followers, etc. I’ve been doing this music journalism thing for a little while and have learned a lot in my time doing it. I’m going to keep this short and sweet because there are many convoluted ways to go about it, and that’s not what will keep you in business. Here are five tips for budding music journalists:
Josh HerringPublished 2 years ago in BeatEvery Bruce Springsteen Album Ranked
20. Working on a Dream (2009) Without a doubt, Bruce's weakest effort. Some flashes of inspiration in the melodies and production are overshadowed by the insipid lyricism of songs like "Outlaw Pete," the title song, and "Surprise, Surprise." There's also "Queen of the Supermarket," a song whose subject matter is almost surreally bad, in that you really have to wrack your brain to convince yourself if Bruce really did write it, and if so, why? The rest of the record is largely uninspired, with even the best songs (minus "The Wrestler," which is more of a bonus track anyway) barely rising to the level of 'good.'
Anthony NastiPublished 2 years ago in BeatLovers and Friends vs. Just Like Heaven
I spent the entire pandemic chomping at the bit in anticipation of enjoying live music once again. While I have gone to as many shows as I can handle since the world began reopening, I have also been doing my fair share of road trips and travel.
Las MatamaridosPublished 2 years ago in BeatThe College Dropout: Analysing The Cultural Impact of Kanye West's Debut Album.
‘Global hip-hop has emerged as a culture that encourages and integrates innovative practises of artistic expression, knowledge production, social identification, and political mobilization. In these respects, it transcends and contests conventional constructions of identity, race, nation, community, aesthetichs, and knowledge’ (Morgan, Bennett, 2011, p.177)
5 tracks to get ya into Smino
Wild Irish Roses: Such a tone setter. The opening track to his critically acclaimed debut album, "Blkswn" showcases why Smino is such a hot commodity in Rap and Soul. His singing voice is soothing, his bars hit suprisingly hard on this somber, savory instrumental cooked from scratch by frequent collaborator Monte Booker. The cadences that Smino typically uses are unorthodox, unpredictable, unique and suprisingly lush. How he fits certain words and rhymes into these tight pockets is anyone's guess. A trip to go get a pack of backwood cigars never sounded so sultry and sexy. The music video that accompanies this song only adds to the passionate, lushious vibes. This is a must add to any sex playlist for sure.
MC Flo BufPublished 2 years ago in BeatDear Taylor
Dear Taylor, It’s been eight weeks since you’ve passed. It took me eight weeks to finally write this. I’ve spent so many days pondering over whether or not this would be worth it; whether or not people would care to read this. I came to the decision today that I needed to do this for me. To release every thought that’s built up in these eight weeks. I never thought the death of someone I never met would impact me this much, but here we are.
10 Movies All About Music
Music is gateway to another world and watching movies is also. Put the two together and it’s magic. Here are some movies that have music to speak to the soul.
Rich BurtonPublished 2 years ago in BeatHot Chip (Concert Review) | Philly Music Vocalizer
Synthpop party stars Hot Chip performed at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia this past Wednesday (on May 11th, 2022). Not only was it my first time at Brooklyn Bowl Philly (which just opened at the end of last year in fall of 2021), and my first time at Brooklyn Bowl with fantastic photog Queen McLean, it was my first time ever experiencing a crowd so uniquely and unabashedly their own. When I go to a show, I'm just as interested in the people at the show as the show itself. I'm interested in not just what the concert sounds like, but what the concert feels like. In other words, I want to know about the experience, as well as the experiencers.
Ashley Hans: Philly Music VocalizerPublished 2 years ago in BeatGame Over Bitch
The human condition. Why is it that we always remember the very best things and the very worst things? Like I guarantee that as you read this, you can remember the best sex you ever had and perhaps a little smile came over you as you flashed back to how it felt. And you can remember the worst sex you ever had too - and that memory probably has you dying with laughter, and maybe even questioning why you slept with that person. You might remember the best meal you ever had as well as the worst meal you ever had. Or the best and worst kiss, hotel stay, movie you saw and more. This can be applied to just about everything.
Jennifer Lancaster @jenergy17Published 2 years ago in BeatMr. Morale & The Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar | Album Review
It's been years now since the drop of award winning album, DAMN. We've gotten a taste here and there with teasing singles and features with Baby Keem, but a new album is finally here - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, a double album filled with x and y, topping off what has been one of the most incredible discographies of the modern era. The intimacy of family is front and center, with glimpses of religion, gun violence, and struggle hiding within plain sight - a Compton paramount. Kendrick, a modern rap king, has solidified his place atop the throne with this release.
Josh HerringPublished 2 years ago in BeatREVIEW: ROLLING STONES - EL MOCAMBO '77
By 1977, the Rolling Stones were in trouble. Their previous albums, It’s Only Rock’n Roll and Black and Blue, did not match the heights of their halcyon run of legendary albums from 1968 to 1973. The loss of Mick Taylor was a tremendous blow to them artistically, and Keith Richards’ drug habit was spiraling out of control and affecting his musical ability. Despite bringing in former Faces guitarist Ron Wood to the fold, the band struggled to match the fireworks of their peak years, and their live shows had become sloppy and lethargic, lacking in the vigor and danger that made their 1971-73 treks among rock’s most celebrated live experiences.
Anthony NastiPublished 2 years ago in BeatSeven Awesome, Yet Little-Known Songs By Bands I Love
Most people love music. And most of those people love bands and artists’ biggest hits. But what about the songs that you rarely hear on the radio? Songs that were never released as singles. There is a multitude of relatively-unknown, amazing songs out there. These are the first seven I thought of, in the order they came to mind. Give them a listen and enjoy.
Jason ProvencioPublished 2 years ago in Beat