ROCKCANDY

Luke Edgemon makes his way onto The Voice

Rock Candy — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:57:26 +0000

I can’t remember how I came across this gem of a video, but watching The Voice tonight, I was reminded of how incredible it really is. This is a cover Adele’s “Someone Like You” by Torri Kelly and Luke Edgemon, who just landed a spot on team Shakira.

While I can’t say his audition song moved me as much as this video, I think the above is a perfect example of what Luke brings to the table. If you watch The Voice at all you should definitely vote for Luke!

Paramore, I’m still into you

Rock Candy — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:26:58 +0000

After three years, two departed band members and one hell of a tour, Paramore is back with a self-titled album and a progressive new sound that’s actually quite refreshing. Paramore is 17 tracks deep and peppered with a girly flamboyance I can only assume is Hayley Williams’ way of asserting herself in the wake of the Farrow brothers’ departure. There was much speculation as to what the Farrow brothers would take when they left the band in 2011, but luckily the remaining trio has managed to maintain the playful energy heard on Riot and Brand New Eyes. While I personally feel the edgiest thing about this record is Hayley’s vocal delivery (though, really who’s complaining?), the softer edges here are refreshing. There are moments on Paramore when I feel as though I’m listening to a female-fronted Jimmy Eat World (the closing track “Future” nods hardest in their direction) and while it’s certainly not the worst artistic move, it’s not so much what I expected this time around.

True to form, however, several tracks on Paramore are immediate stand outs. ”Still Into You”, the album’s second single, was first to put itself on repeat in my head, and the delicate 50′s vibe of “(One of Those) Crazy Girls” is sure to become a fan-favorite after a few spins. I also genuinely enjoyed the oh-so-blunt lyrics of “Grow Up” and the gigantor chorus on “Be Alone”. Check out the video for “Still Into You” below and let me know what you think!

“The Tempation of St. Anthony”

Rock Candy — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:34:31 +0000

From their upcoming April 2nd, release, My Shame is True, Alkaline Trio just released their second single, “The Tempation of St. Anthony”. Unlike their last full-length, This Addiction, “Tempation” leans more toward the dark and ironic, favoring a sound last heard on the bands fifth studio album, Crimson. “Temptaion” starts off small and builds to a big chorus with haunting harmonies and Trio’s signature drum fills. It’s all more of the same in many ways, but after the crazy detour that was This Addiction, more of the same is more than welcomed. My personal favorite moment of “The Tempation of St. Anthony” comes in the nightmarish bridge; starting with a pensive bass solo that fades into singer Matt Skiba’s wailing, “You haven’t lived till you’ve seen suffering like this.” It’s predictable, maybe, but ultimately, just perfect.

In a recent Billboard interview, here, Skiba talks about writing this and other songs, and suggests some of the bands’ best tunes write themselves. That’s fine with me, really. As long as they continue writing, I will be a pair of ears eager for listening.

Angie Miller: You Set Me Free

Rock Candy — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 05:28:11 +0000

In case you missed this on Idol a few weeks ago, it’s moments like this that define an artists career. I’m predicting at least Top 5 for this little darlin’.

Live from SXSW

Rock Candy — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:18:16 +0000

Stream Dave Grohl’s keynote webcast tomorrow morning at 11am CDT here: http://www.sxsw.com/live/2013-03-14

EQuala – Tune in to your friends!

Rock Candy — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 06:43:16 +0000

Ever get a really bad ass music recommendation from a friend only to completely forget the name of the artist or the song title 20 minutes later? Now thanks to a new mobile app, EQuala, you don’t have to remember either to keep track of the awesome tunes your friends and family love.

EQuala is available for iPhone and Android and is the newest way to discover new music your friends and family are already listening too. Simply download the app, sign in via Facebook and add Friends to your EQualizer. EQuala compiles songs they’ve shared, favorited, and listened to via social media or aps like Spotify/Pandora and randomizes them on your own personal radio station. You can also search for music, and listen to popular songs/artists. It’s pretty frickin’ cool!

Check it out: http://www.equala.fm/

Smash the music biz

Rock Candy — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 06:54:32 +0000

Smash. I love the show so much, but I’ll admit when it first aired I expected it to be another Glee with more of a story line. But after a season and a half the prime time drama has proven to be more of an industry commentary than a pile of show tunes. Sure the songs are amazing and the vocals are top-notch, but the way these characters are back-stabbing and manipulating each other is pretty indicative of the real world, and the real entertainment industry. I would LOVE to see someone make a Smash 2 about the ins and outs of the music biz. Like a real life “Jimmy Iovine” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, complete with label tricks, promotional gimmicks and good old fashioned backstabbing! I smell a hit!

American Idol Top 8 Predictions

Rock Candy — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 00:29:08 +0000

This is one of the best Idol seasons in a long time. On vocal ability along, Jimmy Iovine and his crew could harvest a football team’s worth of future pop/country stars from the Top 20 that performed last night. Tonight’s Top 10 reveal leaves me wondering how they’re going to go about narrowing down it down to just 1!?! Overall, I was VERY happy with the result. Last night I guessed Teena Tores would have beat out Amber Holcomb, and would have traded Nick Boddington for Lazaro Arbos – BUT after hearing Amber sing “Every Woman” tonight I was pleased she got sent through, and Lazaro wasn’t terrible. Here’s my Top 8 predictions, in order of best performance.

1. Candice Glover

2. Angie Miller

3. Kree Harrison

4. Paul Jolley

5. Janelle Arthur

6. Burnell Taylor

7. Devin Velez

8. Amber Holcomb

Mariah Carey Comeback?!

Rock Candy — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:07:28 +0000

Holly shit balls! Mariah Carey finally released a single that sounds current and age appropriate! If you know me, you know I’m a huge fan, but at this point I had given up all hope she would ever release a pop balad again! Thankfully she’s seen the light and released “Home Again”, the single from Disney’s upcoming Oz The Great And Powerful. I’ll admit, it’s not perfect – the verses sound a little forced, and mousy at times, but it has a powerful melody and the only whisper/singing you hear is in the bgv’s! I sincerely hope this is the “Return” everyone’s making it out to be. Now if she would only stop being such a spacey diva on Idol!

Some new tunes for your ears…

Rock Candy — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:24:12 +0000

Sharing music is something that just truly makes me happy. So, I’d like to share some with you. Here are a few of the gems I’ve come across lately…

The Features, “This Disorder”

The Features have this eclectic sound that is really unlike anything I’ve ever heard in popular music. This is the first single off their 3rd studio album, due out this spring.

Demi Lovato, “Heart Attack”

This song is going to be huge (i think it might be already). Demi’s vocals are spot on as usual, and the production is just right. The perfect song to jam in the car when no one’s looking.

Matt Hires, “Restless Heart”

I’m not sure where Matt Hires has been all my life, but “Restless Heart” is one of my new favorite songs. His voice is unique in a familiar way, and there’s an honesty in his lyrics that just pulls me in.

Fall Out Boy, “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light ‘Em Up)”

They’re back! I wasn’t sure what to make of this song at first, but I think that’s because I’ve been on such a Fall Out Boy withdraw I didn’t know how to process. <3

Alkaline Trio, “I Wanna Be A Warhol”

More of the same from Alkaline Trio on this one. I’m of course excited for their new album, but not sure this would have been a single choice for me. Nonetheless it’s catchy, and I love the irony.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, “A Wake – feat. Evan Roman”

By now you’ve probably heard “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, but “A Wake – feat. Evan Roman” has a more serious vibe while still managing to be sarcastic and about as far from trite as you can get. Fave lyric: “our generation isn’t the best on safe sex/we forget the latex/becoming planned parenthood patients.”

Enjoy!