KISS Makes a ‘Monster’ New Album
As we approach the 40th anniversary of the “Hottest Band in The World,” KISS unleashes their latest album, Monster, their first since 2009’s fantastic Sonic Boom. Being a KISS fan for almost 30 years, I could not wait to hear what the boys had in store for us in 2012.
In Praise of the Opening Act: Cheap Trick Captivates New Jersey
I’ve seen Cheap Trick in concert 10 times in the last decade, and nine of those performances were in different ZIP codes. Why? Because they’re one of the best live acts out there.
The 64th Street Shuffle: 10cc Returns to NYC
Absent from the American live scene since the late ’70s, the British pop-art band played its first New York date in 35 years at the Concert Hall this past July.
Long Island Screams for Iron Maiden
With the Maiden England world tour kicking off just six days ago in Charlotte, the group was rested and ready to deliver its signature, galloping brand of aggressively intricate, massively influential music that they’ve been assaulting the world with since their 1980 recording debut.
L’Arc~En~Ciel Take The Garden by Storm
L'Arc~en~Ciel (French for rainbow), a band formed in Osaka, cements its name in rock history as the first Japanese band to perform at New York City's famed Madison Square Garden on March 25th
Musicians with a Double Life
People love watching Bruce Wayne rid Gotham of crime at night as Batman, Peter Parker swing between skyscrapers as Spiderman, and Clark Kent fly through Metropolis as Superman, so when I heard that the band Fleming consisted of two doctors and a suit my music journalist senses started tingling.
Aussie Floyd Shines on New York City
I always knew that for me to absorb the full impact of Pink Floyd's music required a live stage with instruments, singers, and visual effects; so when the opportunity to see The Australian Pink Floyd Show (TAPFS) in New York City came to fruition I just had to be there.
Reviews
KISS Makes a ‘Monster’ New Album
“Monster” is the 20th studio album by KISS. (Universal Music Group) KISS is one of those bands you either love or hate. There’s no middle ground when it comes to them and, to be honest, that’s the way they like it. Some of their albums over the years have been loved (Destroyer, Love Gun, Creatures of the Night) or despised (Music from “The Elder,” Hot in the Shade, Carnival... [Read more]
In Praise of the Opening Act: Cheap Trick Captivates New Jersey
Cheap Trick pose with the Classic Album Award at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour at the Roundhouse on November 10, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Full disclosure: I’ve seen Cheap Trick in concert 10 times in the last decade, and nine of those performances were in different ZIP codes. Why? Because they’re one of the best live acts out there. For a band that... [Read more]
The 64th Street Shuffle: 10cc Returns to NYC
It was a good Friday the 13th for 10cc. Absent from the American live scene since the late ’70s, the British pop-art band played its first New York date in 35 years at the Concert Hall this past July. With a 40-year career and 30 million albums sold worldwide, the current 10cc lineup, led by co-founder Graham Gouldman, has been together for a decade and recently toured Australia, Japan and Europe,... [Read more]
Long Island Screams for Iron Maiden
“Scream for me, Jones Beach!” is genius. That was the command Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson barked at key moments during the band’s Wednesday (June 27) gig, baiting hardcore fans (is there any type at a Maiden show?) to return the favor and also give love to their hometown, or in this case, the Nikon Theater at Jones Beach itself. With the Maiden England world tour kicking... [Read more]
L’Arc~En~Ciel Take The Garden by Storm
A few years ago I went to the MTV Video Music Awards in Japan, and noticed something interesting. Whenever categories came up where American artists went against Japanese artists, nine out of ten times, the American would win, and not even be in attendance to accept the award. It seemed so unfair to compare American artists to their Japanese counterpart when you think about how many American bands... [Read more]
Musicians with a Double Life
We live in an age where having a double life is the greatest things since bread came sliced. People love watching Bruce Wayne rid Gotham of crime at night as Batman, Peter Parker swing between skyscrapers as Spiderman, and Clark Kent fly through Metropolis as Superman, so when I heard that the band Fleming consisted of two doctors and a suit, my music journalist senses started tingling. Guitarist... [Read more]
Aussie Floyd Shines on New York City
The first time I heard music from Pink Floyd was in high school when my brother played me “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” the opening song off their classic 1975 album Wish You Were Here. From then on I was hooked, and spent all my money collecting the Floyd’s albums and live concert bootlegs. At the time, my weekends were spent basking in the beauty of laser Floyd at my local planetarium,... [Read more]
Bebe Buell Makes ‘Hard Love’ at Hiro Ballroom
She may be a granny, but she can still rock. Since the early ’70s, Bebe Buell has worn a lot of hats: Playboy Playmate, model, muse—she served as part inspiration for the character Penny Lane in Cameron Crowe’s Academy Award-winning film Almost Famous)—author (the New York Times bestseller Rebel Heart), and celebrity mom of Liv Tyler. You know, Steven’s daughter. Now, Bebe is ready to... [Read more]
Time for NOTAR to be a Superstar!
In the day of short attention spans, social media, and 3D television it’s hard to find a Hip Hop album that doesn’t bore the crap out of you with random filler and guest spots. Some of today’s hottest Hip Hop artists such as Jay Z, Lil Wayne, and Game have all released critically acclaimed albums in the fall of 2011. Although their albums have had no problem climbing the charts I can’t... [Read more]
‘Live from Tokyo’ Explores Music’s Japanification
When it comes to cultural diversity, Japan has always been a borrower. Their entire writing system, known as kanji, is made up of Chinese characters; the country’s most popular sport is baseball, America’s pastime; and South Korean television dramas get all the top ratings. Japan’s music scene is no different. In Live from Tokyo, American director Lewis Rapkin takes us on a kaleidoscopic... [Read more]
Brian Wilson Takes Manhattan
As part of the Blue Note Jazz festival, Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson performed at New York City’s Highline Ballroom before a sea of gray-haired fans enthusiastic about doing the hippy hippy shake to classic hits like “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” and “Heroes and Villains.” The first half of Monday night’s performance was like a greatest... [Read more]
Summer Jam Kicks Off the Season
“We’re gonna party like it’s my last show!” said a blonde Chris Brown as Busta Rhymes joined him on stage at the “New” Meadowlands stadium for the 2011 edition of Hot 97′s Summer Jam Hip Hop showcase. Artists on the bill this year included Wiz Khalifa, Waka Flaka, Fabolous, Swizz Beatz, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Lloyd Banks, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Prodigy... [Read more]
