Review: The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Effect and cause: the last song on the new White Stripes album or an explanation of the new White Stripes album? Effect: listening to Icky Thump repeatedly, several times a day or hour. Cause: Jack and Meg White. Regardless of my circular reasoning and logic, The White Stripes are back and better than ever with Icky Thump, their first studio release since 2005’s Get Behind Me Satan.
The album starts off with the first single, also the same title as the album. It’s laden with heavy drums and a xylophone-sounding guitar. The song also contains some of the best rock lyrics written in a long time, great not only for its cleverness, but also its cultural significance:
“What Americans? What? Nothing better to do? Why don’t you kick yourself out, you’re an immigrant too. Who’s using who, what should we do? Well, you can’t be a pimp and a prostitute too.”
The album was recorded in Nashville over a three-week period. The band and the studio’s surroundings may have had something to do with the country influence of certain tracks like, “You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You’re Told)” and “Effect and Cause.”
However, the use of bagpipes and Mexican horns have unexplainable influences, but sound pretty damn cool anyway. Those bagpipes can be found on back-to-back songs, “Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn” and “St. Andrew (This Battle Is In The Air).”
“Prickly Thorn” also features what sounds like a mandolin and continues directly into “St. Andrew,” where Meg says her words over a frantic bagpipe and guitar. The song makes you wonder if they’re talking about Detroit’s very own St. Andrew(’s Hall)…but no. St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. Bagpipes. Scotland. Saint Andrew. Get it?
The upbeat “Conquest” starts off with blaring Mexican horns and is on the mission from the start because…well, it’s a conquest. On “Bone Broke,” Jack resembles King Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys at times during the verses. “300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues” has a laid back, funky feel with the verses. Jack’s guitar wails and aches during the solos.
“Little Cream Soda” is one of the best songs on the album. Jack lets off frenzied, poetic verses. The guitar rocks heavily distorted riffs and sharply played solos. The drum skills of Meg White can be attested to in this song for all you doubters out there.
Jack and Meg go back and forth over a blues riff on “Rag and Bone.” It almost sounds as if they were improvising the words right off the top of their heads as they recorded the song. Although comparisons could be made throughout the album, “I’m Slowly Turning Into You” sounds quite like a Zeppelin song. The breakdown riff is so heavy and so bluesy, you might wet yourself. The “lala-la-lala-la” over the screeching guitar at the end of the song is superb. One of the best on the album, without a doubt. Tracks like “A Martyr For My Love For You” and “Catch Hell Blues” are definitely good, but when compared to other songs on the album seem only decent.
As a whole, the record is truly flawless. The experimentation mixed with the rawness of the music creates another almost entirely different album than anything we’ve heard from The White Stripes. While Meg’s consistent and steady drumming may go unnoticed by some, Jack’s ear-piercing guitar riffs will make your brain bleed and your eardrums fall out. Looks like they’ve done it again.
Album grade: AThis review can also be read @ Blogcritics.org

:: :: :: :: :: ::

Weekend Recap: 6/15 - 6/17

Hello all!

I know it’s been a minute since my last entry, but I’m back!

I was supposed to write a recap of the weekend of my cousin’s wedding and I never got around to it. But I will say this: it was an awesome time and I got extremely drunk. Oh, and I had the worst hangover of my life the next day.

Anywho, this weekend just passed, so let’s discuss that one instead.

We’ll even start earlier in the week, on Tuesday.

Paul and I set out on our usual routine of Shores Inn for $3 Boombas. For those of you who don’t know, a boomba is a large glass mug of beer…probably about 2 1/2 beers. And if you didn’t know, $3 is pretty cheap.

Wednesday, we tried something different and headed to Rogers Roost in Sterling Heights, or wherever it is. Jerry came with us too. When we walked in, we saw a bunch of our buddies from our side of town, which was a nice start to the night. And there were definitely plenty of ladies there. Good times.

Thursday…ummm, I forgot what we did. But I know we went out, so I’ll fill this in later.

Oh wait, that’s right. We met up with Sean and Jess @ Woody’s in Royal Oak. It wasn’t really that packed, but it was a nice night so we chilled up on the roof and had some brews. A few ladies here and there…nothin special.

Friday, Paul and I picked up our boy Diallo and headed to this sushi bar in Ferndale around 11:30. I wasn’t really familiar with the place and it’s not my normal style. Sushi and techno aren’t consumed by me on a regular basis. But, I enjoyed myself. Turns out I know the bartender…a fellow Notre Dame brother.

***RANT***
So, allow me to rant a little about that night, if you will. We’re sitting there, drinking out beer. Those guys are eating sushi. I’m just chillin, checking out the bar and also checking out the waitresses, who were pretty good looking. The bar is more or less empty besides a few booths full of people by us.

After they finish their food, I go up and start talking to my buddy who is the bartender. The waitresses cash out and just happen to join us at the bar. I get introduced to the one I was eying all night and we enjoy a little conversation. 

At this point, the bar is empty. We’re the only customers left. The two waitresses go out back to have “a smoke.” So, we’re in there, chummin with the bartenders. Then, at the ill-advise of our friend Diallo, we leave. We roll out back and happen to see the two girls standing there, smoking. They see us. I say to Paul, “Let’s go over there.” Paul was down. Diallo said that we shouldn’t because “they get hit on all the time by guys” and that they’re probably not tryin to get with us anyway.

I know you’re thinking, why in the hell would you leave? Why in the hell wouldn’t you go over there and talk to them? I asked myself the same thing…over and over again.

Anyway, the point of this story is that you should always go with your instinct. At that point in time, my instinct was to stay there and talk to those girls and I didn’t. Paul was feeling the same way. Obviously, Diallo was not. I will never let that happen again.
***END RANT***

The rest of the weekend was pretty basic. Saturday night, Paul and I hit a few bars downtown. Most were pretty weak, so we just ended up leaving and heading home early.

Sunday was spent out at my aunt and uncle’s cottage. It was the first time I had been there and it was a really nice place. It really relaxed me. I got to hang out with family and that’s always cool with me.

All in all, a solid week/weekend. No complaints here…except for Friday night. *GRRRRRR*

~ Mike D

Review: Various Artists - Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

As John Lennon remains a symbol of peace, in life and death, so do his songs and lyrics. In remembrance of him and his message, the album Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, brings together several artists to echo that message of peace to the rest of the world.The group Amnesty International has a long tradition of activism powered by music. It is more evident than ever with Instant Karma. More than 50 international recording artists and over 30 record labels have come together for this project.
The album will be a benefit project to support Amnesty International’s campaign. It will help focus attention and mobilize activism around the crisis in the Sudan. That crisis has place millions of people outside of their homes in Dafur and neighboring countries. The crisis, beginning in February of 2003, is genocide at the hands of the Janjaweed militias, bands of fighters backed by the Sundanese government.In addition to spreading awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, the project also encourages individuals to take a stand by putting their name to Amnesty International’s global petition, at the instantkarma website, which declares, “As a citizen of the world, I demand and end to the killing and mass atrocities in Darfur, Sudan.”
Aside from the cause, the Instant Karma album boasts a heavy line-up of world-wide artists. Big time acts such as Aerosmith, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Lenny Kravitz, and R.E.M. just to name a few. Other artists like Ben Harper, Jakob Dylan and Jack Johnson also contributed to this double CD collection. All of the acts put their own spin and style on these classic Lennon songs, such as “Power to the People,” “Gimme Some Truth,” and “Mother.”
The 23-track album starts off with an amazing version of “Instant Karma” by U2. The song is about as close to the original as you’re gonna get. Aerosmith teams with The Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars for an interesting version of “Give Peace A Chance.” Aerosmith provides great rock verses while the Refugee All Stars back it with a reggae-style chorus.
Lenny Kravitz gives “Cold Turkey” a funky feel and former Wallflowers lead singer Jakob Dylan and Mexican rock band The Jaguares perform their own renditions of “Gimme Some Truth.” Country duo Big & Rich put a down-south twist on a good version of “Nobody Told Me.”
“Working Class Hero” is performed by Green Day and is an amazing punk-rock version to the Lennon original. The song is the first single off of the album. One of the best songs on the album is performed by English songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae. Her rendition of “I’m Losing You” is performed with a beautiful voice, accompanied by an electric piano, making it a really funky and soulful track.
Songs like Avril Lavigne’s version of “Imagine” and Christina Aguilera’s version of “Mother” are decent at best and show some of the low points to the album. But then again, who will ever do it as good as Sir John Lennon himself? Exactly.
All in all, a very nice and heartfelt album full of classic Lennon songs. The cause is on-point and so are the artists with this one.
For more information, visit www.instantkarma.org.

Album Grade: B
Standout Tracks:
“Instant Karma” by U2
“Give Peace A Chance” by Aerosmith
“I’m Losing You” by Corrine Bailey Rae
“Working Class Hero” by Green Day

Also read this review @ http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/06/13/095801.php

:: :: :: :: :: ::

“Summertime and the livin’s easy…”

It’s 12:46 a.m., technically Friday morning, but really Thursday night.

Just got back from a wedding rehearsal/dinner.

Rehearsal @ the church, dinner @ my aunt and uncle’s.

My cousin is getting married.

Pardon me, but I am feeling great off of food and drink  =]  My favorite combination! hehe

In reality, tonight was basically the bridal party meets the uhh, groomsmen? I dunno. Whatever.

And of course, practice walking down the aisle…all that good stuff.

I guess it’s part of the whole getting married deal. I’m not sure…I’m kinda new to this.

I’ve only stood up in one wedding before and that was my brother Steve’s…a while back.

I just found it kind of interesting tonight because I’m older now. Interesting for various reasons.

Looking back on tonight, I kind of feel like there was the groom’s family and the bride’s family. Obviously.

But, separate at first, then united after the rehearsal.

Food. Drinks. Great times.

On that note, good food witll bring anyone together.

Sit down, have an amazing meal and just, enjoy. It kind of lets everyone relax and just take it all in.

Anyway, introduce alcohol into the situation and it’s guaranteed to get people loose.

Some, get looser than others.

Not loose in any derogatory way, but loose as in laid back. Just loose as in, this is a celebration.

A celebration of life, two people being wed in happiness and love.

Something good to celebrate in all of the bad shit that is going on in the world today, to be honest with you.

It’s…I can’t even describe it.

To say it was ‘cool’ would be an understatement, but it is.

It makes me proud to say that I have great family members and I love them.

And that enjoy the company of real, genuine and good people.

More to come on the rest of this weekend soon…it’s been a great start already.

~ Mike D

Review: Maroon 5 - It Won’t Be Soon Before Long

Sexier. Stronger. Lyrically darker. Those are the words used by front man Adam Levine to describe Maroon 5’s second studio release It Won’t Be Soon Before Long.

Those fans thinking they will hear something similar to Songs About Jane, think again. Levine and co. break all preconceived notions about their band. The band used four different producers, bringing a different feel to the album.

Levine said the album “sounds more like Maroon 5” and hopes it will help change perceptions of who they really are. He also said that they’re “becoming their own band.” And by becoming their own band, they stick to their original blueprint for success with some minor changes in the mix.

The 2005 Grammy Award winners took almost five whole years to completely their sophomore effort, the follow-up to 2002’s Songs About Jane. During those five years, co-founder and drummer Ryan Dusick left the group due to injuries suffered from touring. He was replaced by Matt Flynn, who gets his first opportunity to show his skills on this album.

The twelve song album starts with an 80s-sounding song called “If I Never See Your Face Again.” Levine sings with a player’s attitude and confidence. The guitar is funky, just like the beat, giving the track an extremely sexy feel.

But the funk doesn’t stop there. The second track and first single “Makes Me Wonder” is a smash hit of major funk proportions. It’s as catchy as wildfire and has been tearing up the charts. Despite the upbeat sound and funkiness, the lyrics are fairly cynical by Maroon 5 standards.

“Kiwi” also incorporates the funk theme of previous songs. At first, you might think you’re hearing a Michael Jackson song. The track comes complete with Prince-like influence and a very nice guitar solo.

“Wake Up Call” is scheduled to be the second single off of the album. The song has a hip-hop-esque beat, something different for M5. On this track, we hear what Levine spoke of when he said lyrically darker.

In 2005, rapper Kanye West featured lead singer Levine on the song “Heard ‘Em Say” singing the hook. Levine expanded the hook into the song “Nothing Lasts Forever” for this album, one of the standout tracks. It’s a really mellow track with great lyrics.

Another fast-paced song, “Can’t Stop”, provides a great rock song with a funky edge to the album. With this song, listeners can hear the sexier side of M5 that Levine spoke about.

“Won’t Go Home Without You” and “Not Falling Apart” are tracks that sound similar to the typical Maroon 5 fashion heard on SAJ. The songs have a distinct Police/Sting sound to them.

The piano and singing on “Better That We Break” are reminiscent of a Beatles song, but with classic Levine sounding vocals. The sad, downtrodden song will touch anyone who has broken up with a significant other and had a tough time with it.

“Goodnight, Goodnight” and “Little Of Your Time” are relatively weak songs and sound whiny at times. They are the downsides of the album, without a doubt.

The album closes out with “Back At Your Door,” a bluesy love ballad. It almost sounds like the type of song you might hear a female lounge singer performing.

All in all, It Won’t Be Soon Before Long constitutes a solid sophomore effort by Maroon 5, especially with all the accompanying pressure to deliver from fans and critics. They have done just that…deliver.

Album grade: B

Standout Tracks:

“If I Never See Your Face Again”

“Makes Me Wonder”

“Nothing Lasts Forever”

“Back At Your Door”

Also read this review @ http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/06/05/111648.php

:: :: :: :: :: ::

Misfiring Pistons…again?

I did not want to write this entry, but I guess I’ll have to since the Pistons went down 3-2 in the conference finals last night.

First off, hell of a game. A real nail biter. Double OT.

Second, and let me just get this out of the way, throwing Antonio McDyess out of the game was completely unnecessary.

Was it a hard foul? Yes. Did he deserve a technical foul? Absolutely. Should he be thrown out of the game? No way!

I mean, its as if the series wasn’t close enough, they had to go and eject McDyess, which completely changed the entire course of the game and possibly series.

When you take Antonio out of the equation, you are taking the Pistons number one bench player out of the game.

They were even talking about him being suspended for game six too.

If that happens, I will raise hell and make that foul on Varejo look like a love tap.

Like I said before, nobody wants to see the Pistons in the finals again, especially the NBA.

It’s a business and they can’t market the Pistons because there is no superstar.

Not to mention that the Pistons players look like a bunch of hoodlums (to most people, anyway) and that’s the last thing the NBA wants because they’re so image conscious.

They want Lebron and the Cavs because they seem to think it would be a good series with the Spurs, which it won’t.

That is, of course, unless they keep the Lebron suckfest going.

I mean, they might as well call this series the Detroit Pistons versus Lebron James.

And I’m not taking anything away him or his performance. But, the NBA doesn’t need to help him that much…he gets just about every call anyway.

As for the Pistons, they did nothing in that second half last night to help themselves.

Hey Flip Saunders, here’s an idea: DOUBLE TEAM LEBRON. DO NOT LET HIM GET THE BALL AT THE THREE POINT LINE AND DRIVE DIRECTLY TO THE BASKET FOR LAYUPS AND DUNKS.

Good lord, man. Why wouldn’t you make him give up the ball? Make someone else besides Lebron beat us.

So this is where we stand. Down 3-2 to Lebron, heading to Game 6 in Cleveland.

All Pistons fans have now is hope.

~ Mike D