Thursday, December 31, 2015

Another Look at 2015


via GIPHY

As 2015 closes, our correspondents RICH D SMOOV and Le-La Cloutier share their year-end lists to showcase how the year in music looked for them.


From RICH D SMOOV:

Jazz Album Of The Year: Kamasi Washington – The Epic
Hip Hop Album Of The Year: Czarface Every Hero Needs a Villain
Rock Album Of The Year: Ecstatic VisionSonic Praise
Metal Album Of The Year: Pissgrave Suicide Euphoria
Honorable Mention Of The Year: Kendrick LamarTo Pimp a Butterfly 


From Le-La Cloutier:

Alabama Shakes - Sound and Color
The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness
Tame Impala - Currents
Mumford and Sons - Wilder Mind
Mark Ronson - Uptown Special
George Ezra - Wanted on Voyage
Gary Clark Jr. - The Story of Sonny Boy Slim
Elle King - Love Stuff

Live Review: Gogol Bordello @ Terminal 5


Gypsy punks Gogol Bordello kicked off their annual end of the year stints at Terminal 5 on Wednesday night. The band, who performed a 'typical party' on Wednesday was in preparation for their big New Year's Eve concert at the same venue where they will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their 2005 breakthrough, Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike!

As the 10(ish) members of the band hit the stage at 9 p.m. and the giant banner of Underdog World Strike's cover began to raise behind them, celebrating the end of 2015 and kicking off 2016 came early for those in the packed house.

The band, fronted by Eugene Hutz, must burn off thousands of calories a night as they swing around the stage, dancing, jumping, screaming and performing as if it is the final time they will ever be in front of a crowd.

With a variety of percussion and guitars being played, not to mention accordions and a violin,  this was a musical party unlike any other.

Using fan favorites like "Wonderlust King," "Start Wearing Purple," "Think Locally, Fuck Globally," and the ode to the 2003 New York City blackout, "Avenue B," the band had fans jumping and dancing for the two hours on stage.

As the confetti from cannons came down on the audience like the rain outside the venue, as the clock struck 11, Terminal 5 told the band their night was done.

"We had another for you but they won't let us fucking play it. So, that is it," Hutz told the crowd who proceeded to boo the venue. As the sweat-soaked fans walked out of the place, they found an indescribable way to end the year.

While they take their roots in Balkan, Brazilian, Mediterranean and British punk, they are a band that once called the City that Never Sleeps home and a perfect match for the cultural melting pot of this city. If there was ever a band to see in the Big Apple, Gogol Bordello are truly it.

Kendrick Lamar Shares Short Film 'God is Gangsta'


Kendrick Lamar shared a short film called God is Gangsta which features the To Pimp a Butterfly tracks "U" and "For Sale." Take a look.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

VINTAGE CLIP: Motorhead on Tonight Show in 1992


As we remember Lemmy, watch this VINTAGE CLIP of Motörhead performing "Hellraiser" and "Going to Brazil" as well as a a small interview with Lemmy, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1992.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Live Pix: As Tall As Lions @ Webster Hall

On Monday night, As Tall As Lions returned to NYC for the first of two reunion shows at Webster Hall.
 
Take a look at Le-La Cloutier's live pix from the night. 







Quick News

More sad news to report, Specials drummer John Bradbury has passed away at 62. A spokesperson for the band told The Guardian: "Brad’s drumming was the powerhouse behind the Specials, and it was seen as a key part to the 2 Tone sound. ... His contribution to the world of music can not be understated and he will much missed by family, friends and fans alike." No cause of death has been revealed.

Since the recent death of founder and front man Lemmy Kilmister, Motorhead have confirmed they will no longer be a band.

DJ Shadow has confirmed that he will be releasing new music next year. No title of record or other info has been given.

In a recent interview with LetsLink.com, Ghostface Killah has confirmed that the long awaited DOOMStarks project with him and MF DOOM will arrive in February.

Action Bronson will be titling his new album, The Human Highlight Reel. He announced the news via Twitter:


El-P took to Instagram to share some snippets of Run the Jewels 3. Take a listen:
A video posted by thereallyrealelp (@thereallyrealelp) on

RIP Lemmy

(Photo by RICH D SMOOV)

Arguably one of the greatest frontmen and musical characters to walk the Earth, Lemmy Kilmister died at 70. On Christmas Eve, the rocker just celebrated his birthday but after a short battle with cancer, the "Ace of Spades" singer succumbed to the wrecked disease.

Motorhead released a statement on their Facebook page about their leader's passing:

There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely...
Posted by Official Motörhead on Monday, December 28, 2015

Our thoughts are with his friends and family.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Live Review: As Tall As Lions @ Webster Hall


Exactly five years ago this month, at the peak of their career Long Island alternative rockers As Tall As Lions played their final shows in the U.S. at Highline Ballroom. They were, at the time, dubbed farewell gigs and the band, who earlier that year played Coachella and the year before released their acclaimed third record, You Can't Take It With You, were gaining the success they had once dreamed of. After years of touring and opening for bands like Sparta, The Receiving End of Sirens, Silverchair, they were finally becoming headlining acts themselves. Playing Jimmy Kimmel Live! and touring Australia, the band from Long Island looked as if the future was bright, then it went dark.

Read Our 2009 Interview with As Tall As Lions

During the hiatus, members of the band continued in music. Singer Daniel Nigro started a band called Blocks but also went on to write with Sky Ferreira, Billy Idol, Kylie Minogue, Twin Shadow, Carly Jae Respen, Kimbra, among others. Drummer Cliff Sarcona and bassist Julio Tavarez formed The Black and The White. 

After the five years apart, which was due to an amicable split, the band announced a series of reunion gigs in Los Angeles and New York. Following two successful and sold-out nights at LA's Teragram Ballroom, they returned back East and opened their New York shows on Monday at Webster Hall.

Read Our 2008 Interview with As Tall As Lions

Just after 9pm, the band walked on stage to a heroes welcome as they opened with "Stab City" and it was as if they never left. Backed by an additional horn section, the five members of As Tall As Lions roared again. Jumping into "Be Here Now," they focused on their 2006 self-titled sophomore release early on but with three albums under their belt, they pleased all fans of every era of the band in the room. Songs like "Circles" and "Into the Flood" made it into the main mix.

As their families watched proudly from the balconies, the band sounded better than ever. It may have been five years since we last saw and heard from them, but the love is still there. Each member played with a smile on their face and soaked up every second. As the lights dimmed from the main set, fans would not walk away until they heard more.

For the two encores they had, they focused on songs from their other releases, 2004's Lafcadio and their final album. Songs like "In Case of Rapture," "Maybe I'm Just Tired," "Break Blossom," "Lost My Mind" all felt as if they were being played for the first time, again. Each song had a new spin and a new appreciation for it. Maybe it was the length in between them leaving and coming back? Maybe it was taking a step back and realizing how good their music was? Maybe it was because after all these years, the tunes still mean something? Whatever answers fans were looking for at these reunion concerts could be questions they will seek out for years to come, but one thing is for sure, if this is the building blocks for something more, then As Tall As Lions are laying a thick foundation.

Closing with "Love Love Love (Love Love Love)" the room lit up as fans sang back the lyrics louder than Nigro could sing them. They sang them with love and affection. Welcome back.

Last Shadow Puppets Share New Album Teaser


TLSP2
http://www.thelastshadowpuppets.com
Posted by The Last Shadow Puppets on Monday, December 28, 2015


Taking to Facebook, The Last Shadow Puppets shared the second album teaser of their upcoming and untitled sophomore record they plan to release in the spring.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

VINTAGE CLIP! Christmas with The Ramones


Watch this clip from a 1989 episode of MTV's 120 Minutes called "Christmas with The Ramones."

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Quick News

Santigold has pushed back her new album, 99¢, from January to a February release.

Eagles of Death Metal spoke to Rolling Stone about their recent return to the stage when U2 asked them to perform in Paris earlier this month. Singer Jesse Hughes said: "The very next day [after the attack], a courier came with a phone that had a note that said, 'This is from Bono. Make sure you call your mom.' I thought that was awesome. It was the first time that I really got to talk to my mom without being in a police station, and that meant the whole world to me at that moment." He continued and said: "U2 were trying to make sure we didn't have something in us killed. They would have accomplished their goal if they had just performed the song with us. They didn't have to give us the stage for the last song. And they did. They took care of us completely. They were genuine and sincere, and they were very proud of our accomplishments after the fact. That was such a beautiful way to put training wheels on for performing."

Gang of Four are crowdfunding their new live album, Live in London along with a DVD. For more info and see what your donation gets you, click here

Saul Williams' latest, Martyr Loser King, was supposed to arrive this year but the album has been pushed back to 2016. Take a look at the cover below:
A photo posted by saulwilliams (@saulwilliams) on
Actor Demetrius Shipp, Jr., has been cast in the long awaited Tupac biopic. The film, All Eyez on Me, is currently shooting with actor Jamal Woolard, who previously portrayed Notorious BIG in 2009's Notorious, is reprising his role. The film is being directed by Benny Boom. Take a look at Instagram shots from Shipp:
A photo posted by Demetrius Shipp Jr. (@dshippjraeome) on
A photo posted by Demetrius Shipp Jr. (@dshippjraeome) on

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

VINTAGE CLIP: Scott Weiland on MTV Live


In 1998, as Scott Weiland was promoting his excellent solo debut, 12 Bar Blues, he taped an MTV Live special featuring many of the albums tunes. Take a look at the late singer performing "Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down."

Recommended Reading: Queens of Noise



For a long time, women in rock and roll was a taboo topic. That all changed when The Runaways took the late 70s by storm. Instead of being girls that wanted to be around the boys playing music, they wanted to be like the boys playing music. With a mix of garage, punk, and rebellion, The Runways became not just pioneers to females around the world but queens of the rock world. In 2013, author Evelyn McDonnell told their story in Queens of Noise: The Real Story of The Runways.

Queens of Noise is the first book to tell the tale of Joan Jett, Sandy West, Cherrie Currie, Lita Ford, Jackie Foxx from start to finish. Thanks to new interviews, extensive research and fantastic reporting, McDonnell gives the definitive story of how and why The Runaways came to be. For any fan of this band or one of music in general, this is one to read.

Great Soundtrack: The Great Gatsby


The 2013 Baz Luhrmann film, The Great Gatsby, was nothing more than a hot mess. It might be one of the worst films in Leonardo DiCaprio's arsenal of great work and one of the worst adaptations to F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic. Yet, even in something so abysmal as this film, you can find a redeeming quality -- luckily, it came in the form of music.

Jay Z salvaged at least one portion of the tale and that was being able to tell the story through modern  music. Calling on his high profile friends, HOV executive produced a soundtrack that featured Beyonce, Lana Del Rey, Jack White, The xx, Bryan Ferry, Sia, Nero, Gotye, and others to contribute tunes or covers to the record. Taking a new look on old classics as well as grabbing sexy, seductive tunes, the soundtrack is ace.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Stone Temple Pilots Pay Tribute to Scott Weiland


The living members of STP released a video tribute in memory of their late former singer, Scott Weiland, who passed away earlier this month from what doctors say was an overdose of alcohol, cocaine, and MDA on top of having a heart condition and asthma.

Quick News

Damon Albarn's other, other, other, other band The Good, The Band and The Queen will come back alive next year. In an interview with The Sun, Albarn said he is at work with the sophomore album to the supergroup. The band, which features Albarn, The Verve's Simon Tong, Tony Allen, and The Clash's Paul Simonon released their debut in 2007. The band has been dormant since 2011.

EPMD will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of their classic, Business As Usual next year with a massive tour but in a recent interview with Billboard, the hip-hop icons said they are working on new music as well.

Lupe Fiasco took to Twitter to say that he is releasing three albums next year.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Live Pix: Baroness @ Rough Trade


Celebrating the end of a short tour supporting their awesome new release, Purple, Baroness stopped by Rough Trade in Brooklyn, New York, just hours before they play at St. Vitus. 

Take a look at pix from the 40-minute concert.








Friday, December 18, 2015

Quick News


In the wake of what happened to Eagles of Death Metal at Le Bataclan in Paris last month, the band said that any artist covering their song "I Love You All the Time" will donate all proceeds to their charity, The Sweet Stuff, which will go to aid the victims of the tragedy. Now, artists like Florence and the Machine, Kings of Leon, Savages, Alain Johannes, Jimmy Eat World, My Morning Jacket, and others have all covered the song which is now on streaming services. The services will donate all streaming profits to the charity as well.
In a press statement EODM's Josh Homme said: “I made a plea to artists and business people alike to come together to use our solidarity as proof that we are stronger together, and that we can make a difference. We are proud to be a little part of such a big group of talent and good will. We can’t thank these artists enough for their donations of talent, love, time, and compassion. Now, the Play It Forward Campaign is in the hands of the fans to help us make a difference, and to help those affected by this tragedy. Please listen, purchase, play, and enjoy – and know that every time you do, you’re doing the sweet stuff that makes that difference.”

Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor has confirmed that the band will release new music next year. He tweeted 

The late Scott Weiland's cause of death has been revealed. According to TMZ, he Hennepin County Medical Examiner revealed that he died of an overdose of cocaine, MDA and alcohol as well as having heart issues and asthma were contributing factors.

PJ Harvey will release her new album next spring. She made the record in public spaces in Kosovo, Afghanistan, London and Washington, D.C. 

Michael C Hall Sings David Bowie on Colbert


While we all wait for the new Bowie album, Blackstar, the Thin White Duke has recently penned a musical called Lazarus and stars Michael C Hall. Watch him and the cast perform tunes on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. 

Also, be sure to watch "A Message from David Bowie" below:

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Violent Femmes Announce 1st Album in 15 Years


Violent Femmes will release their first album in 15 years, We Can Do Anything, in March.

Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below:

1. Memory
2. I Could Be Anything
3. Issues
4. Holy Ghost
5. What You Really Mean
6. Foothills
7. Traveling Solves Everything
8. Big Car
9. Untrue Love
10. I'm Not Done

Quick News

M83 have finished their new album. Producer J. Meldal-Johnsen took to Twitter to post the news:
Singer Anthony Gonzalez spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the French band's new LP and said it was different from anything they have done before and influenced by 80s shows like Who's The Boss? and Punky Brewster. No word on a release just yet.

The tracklisting to Brian Fallon's Painkillers has been revealed. The Gaslight Anthem singer will release his solo debut in March, take a look:
1. A Wonderful Life
2. Painkillers
3. Among Other Foolish Things
4. Smoke
5. Steve McQueen
6. Nobody Wins
7. Rosemary
8. Red Lights
9. Long Drives
10. Honey Magnolia
11. Mojo Hand
12. Open All Night

NWA, Cheap Trick, Deep Purple and Steve Miller all beat out Janet Jackson, Nine Inch Nails, The Smiths to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in February. 

Radiohead producer Nigel Goodrich apparently is a Stormtrooper in the new Star Wars film, The Force Awakens. Four Tet tweeted about his role on Twitter:
Eagles of Death Metal will return to Paris in February and finish out the tour that was cut short after the tragedy during their gig at Le Bataclan. The band released a statement on Facebook:

We are proud to announce that our rescheduled European tour -- now called 'The Nos Amis Tour' -- will begin on February...
Posted by Eagles Of Death Metal on Wednesday, December 16, 2015


Henry Rollins Performs 'Carol of the Bells' on Colbert!


Watch Henry Rollins perform "Carol of the Bells" with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show.

Gary Clark Jr. on Kimmel



Watch Gary Clark Jr. perform "The Healing" and "Grinder" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Brian Setzer Orchestra on Conan



Watch The Brian Setzer Orchestra perform "Here Comes Santa Claus" and "Yabba Dabba Yuletide" on Conan.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Quick News

Brian Fallon of the The Gaslight Anthem's solo debut, Painkillers, has been pushed from January to March.

Members of Midlake, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, Fran Healy of Travis are forming a new band called Banquet. The band will be releasing their debut next year.

Trent Reznor has announced an artbook based on the work of Russell Mills' designs for Nine Inch Nails' 2013 record, Hesitation Marks. The 320-page hardback book, is limited to 2,000 copies, will come packaged with a framed, mixed-media painting composed by Mills specifically for the project.

Drive-By Truckers have confirmed that they will be releasing a new record next year. No further details has been given at press time.

Is David Bowie going to be on the new Gorillaz record or are Gorillaz going to be on the new David Bowie record? That is the unsolved mystery after Gorillaz artist Jamie Hewlett posted a portrait he made of The Thin White Duke on Instagram. Bowie will be releasing his new album, Black Star, next month, while Gorillaz plan on a new album sometime next year. Take a look at the picture, below:
A photo posted by hewll (@hewll) on

Sleater-Kinney on Colbert


Watch Sleater-Kinney perform "Bury Our Friends" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Playlist


Take a look at December's 26-song playlist of random musical musings from us!

Saturday, December 12, 2015

2015 The Albums: Top 10

Looking back on the year that was, 2015 seemed to be dominated by hip-hop. It is no surprise since the genre has been building for the better part of the decade and more up and coming artists are paying homage and styles to the emcees of yesterday with a new flavor. This year we saw A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, Vince Staples and king Kendrick give us the socially conscious and new school / old school mix. While Drake and Fetty Wap dominated the airways, there was more context with the artists that didn't go as viral. It was also the year that major reunions went belly up -- disappointing records from some of the most anticipated artists like Refused, The Libertines and Faith No More, led the pack while Coldplay and Adele might be selling tons of albums they released very forgettable records.  Yet, there were some reunions that did do right by their fans -- Blur, Sleater-Kinney and New Order pleased the fan base that had been waiting for new music for so long. 

2015 The Albums: Honorable Mentions

This year seemed to be all over the place in terms of style and context and this top 10 will feature that but those that made the list are killer records that we feel will be talked about for a long time. 

2015 The Albums: League of Their Own

Here we go, our top 10 albums of 2015....

10. Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$
9. Hamilton
8. Titus Andronicus - The Most Lamentable Tragedy
7. Florence & The Machine - How Big How Blue How Beautiful
6. New Order - Music Complete
5. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Chasing Yesterday
4. Jamie xx - In Colour
3. Bjork - Vulnicura
2. Blur - The Magic Whip
1. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly

2015 Best New Artist

Now, in long form with explanations:


 10. Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$

Brooklyn’s Joey Bada$$ turned 20 this year but has been turning heads since he was 17. After a series of acclaimed EP’s and mixtapes, Bada$$ arrives in grand fashion with his full length debut, B4.DA.$$ and brings with him a touch of 90s glory days and a willingness to showcase he is one of the leaders of the new school. He brought pure fire at the top of the year with his debut. A ferocious look into the mind of someone who doesn’t seem to be in the music for the fame but for the message.

Key Tracks: Save the Children, Paper Trail$

 9. Hamilton

In 1994, the Notorious BIG rapped "You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far," 21 years ago, Biggie Smalls probably wouldn't even imagine the brilliance of seeing hip-hop on Broadway being used to tell a historical tale of one of America's founding fathers. This is the saga, the brilliance, and the brainchild of Lin Manuel Miranda and his cast of Hamilton. This is the first time a soundtrack, let alone an original Broadway cast recording has ever made a year end list but with something this special, this phenomenal and most of all this good, it is hard to resist.

Key Tracks: My Shot, We Know


 8. Titus Andronicus - The Most Lamentable Tragedy

New Jersey prog-punks Titus Andronicus have made their best work when they are focused on a story and an idea. Their debut, The Airing of Grievances and their sophomore album, The Monitor, all were focused on a story crafted by singer Patrick Stickles. Yet, their third record, Local Business, was not only flat, it was all over the place. Now, with The Most Lamentable Tragedy, they found their focus again and with a 98-minute punk opera, this band sees no bounds and continues to push the envelope as to what a band should do.

Key Tracks: No Future Part IV: No Future Triumphant, Into the Void (Filler)


7. Florence & The Machine - How Big How Blue How Beautiful

Three albums in, Florence is proving that she is more than just a musical machine, but a modern musical goddess. The Welsh singer with a voice that can make angels cry returned with her most personal album to date. Focusing on personal heartbreak and overcoming obstacles, Florence takes her arraignments and sound to a new level.

Key Tracks: Ship to Wreck, What Kind of Man 


6. New Order - Music Complete

In the decade since their last album, New Order broke-up, then reunited without founding member Peter Hook and now released their 10th album – as much as fans may scratch their head that it isn’t New Order without Hooky, this album is some of their best material since the 1980’s. New Order take the new wave style they helped usher in, add more Euro trashness to it and sharp delivery for a record that is a party from start to finish. What is missing is Hooky’s signature bass lines and playing but it is made up for in Gillian Gilbert and Phil Cunningham’s synths.

Key Tracks:  Plastic, Tutti Frutti


5. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Chasing Yesterday 

Chasing Yesterday is Noel Gallagher coming into his own and putting his past behind him, while the only yesterday he may be chasing is selling out massive stadiums around the world, he goes for that sound but on a different level. Chasing Yesterday is a bit more eccentric and intimate that his 2012 solo debut. Fusing jazz and rock, Gallagher goes for something new and it works.

Key Tracks: Lock All The Doors, Ballad of the Mighty I 


4. Jamie xx - In Colour

What started out as the perfect record for this past summer, grew into something so much more. The xx DJ has been making solo records with the likes of Gil Scot-Heron and EP’s under his name, but now with his full on debut, he brings his xx members and shines like the sun. In Colour combines his ambient sounds he is known for but combines calypso, soka, hip-hop, jazz, and raga, all over eletronic beats. This is a record for the beach, sunsets, and lounging.

Key Tracks: SeeSaw, I Know There is Gonna Be (Good Times)


3. Bjork - Vulnicura

The last time Bjork dazzled her audience was in 2011 with her app album, Biophilia, now, the Icelandic princess who has always discussed nature, life, and science, travels inward for the first time to discuss herself. Vulnicura is Bjork at her most vulnerable. It is a breakup record that plays out like the plotlines of an Oscar contending film that rips from the headlines and heartstrings of Bjork’s own life. The album is an expression of her breakup with artist Matthew Barney and culminates three months before the split, the heart of the breakup, and the recovery after. With production by Arca and The Haxan Cloak, heartbreak never sounded so bittersweet.

Key Tracks: History of Touches, Black Lake


2. Blur - The Magic Whip

It has been over a decade since we last heard new Blur material, but after years of on-again / off-again reunion concerts, the band finally gave us new music. The happy accident that is The Magic Whip hears a band that has no desire to repeat the past but only embrace the future and whatever the future may hold for Blur, this combination of four British men is something that we can always treasure and count on to give us something special -- no matter how long we have to wait.

Key Tracks: Lonesome Street, Thought I Was A Spaceman


1. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly

Two days after the 20th anniversary of Tupac’s Me Against the World, Kendrick Lamar surprise released his sophomore album a week ahead of schedule and if anyone ever doubted that the Compton rapper could be the second coming of Pac, all doubts are officially pushed aside. Beautiful, raw, honest, intense, To Pimp A Butterfly is a modern poet putting social commentary and storylines over beats provided by the likes of Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Pharrell, Dr. Dre, among others. Clocking in at 80 minutes, which is long for any record, especially by today’s standards, Lamar lets his feelings about celebrity, love, the hood, and black culture out with a vengeance. Combining hip-hop, funk, jazz, psychedelica, and rock, Lamar defies the sophomore slump and proves he will not be pigeonholed. With lyrics about Trayvon Martin to Michael Jackson to Nelson Mandela, as well as his “interview” with Tupac, this record is a lyrical document of our times by a one-man verbal wrecking ball. Like last year's best album, Against Me!'s Transgender Dysphoria Blues, it is an album that speaks to our times and a record that decades from now will still be the center of conversation. It became an instant classic and the soundtrack to a movement -- "We Gon' Be Alright!" was the anthem for those still fighting a struggle. The power and brilliance behind this record goes beyond it being the album of the year, it might become the album of the decade and one of the best we will ever hear in our lifetime. Hail, Hail King Kendrick!

Key Tracks: Alright, Mortal Man

2015 Officially A Icon - Ghostface Killah

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings on Colbert


Watch Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings perform "8 Days of Hanukkah" on The Late Show.

Calvin Harris on Fallon


Watch Calvin Harris bring the fire to Fallon!

Friday, December 11, 2015

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Rick Ross on Corden


Watch Rick Ross perform "Sorry" on The Late Late Show.

Kurt Vile on Colbert


Watch Kurt Vile perform "Pretty Pimpin'" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

2015 Best New Artist

This superlative and tradition began in 2011 when a little British artist made a lasting impact on us, that artist James Blake, has gone on to release a handful of superb EP's, a magnificent sophomore LP, won the Mercury Prize and was nominated for a Grammy. Needless to say, we feel like we were correct in picking him and starting this award with him. 

Other winners in following years included artists that were picked by us and voted on by you the fans, which were:

2012 - The Heartbreaks
2013 - The 1975
2014 - Royal Blood

This year's artist for us was a no brainer. It is someone who tore down the music world with his debut, has worked in the past with Thundercat and Flying Lotus and was featured on Kendrick Lamar's stunning LP, To Pimp a Butterfly. 

Earlier this week, his debut, The Epic, was our League of Their Own pick by us and now we are proud to make Kamasi Washington 2015's Best New Artist.



Congrats to Mr. Washington, you clearly left your mark on the year and here is to an exciting new year and many more to come!

Quick News

Blur have released an online comic book inspired by their new album, The Magic Whip. Take a look at it now by clicking HERE.

Speaking during a fan Q&A, Noel Gallagher reflected on his final moments with Oasis. He said: "Leaving Oasis - that was a horrible night [in Paris, 2009]. I knew that it was going to be a decision that would follow me around – there’s still not a day where I don’t read something about us getting back together – so I knew what I was getting myself into. [It was the right thing to do], definitely. What Oasis had in its future was to do bigger tours and generate more money, which is great. I wasn’t planning on going solo, but it was such a mess that I was happier off [doing that]. I wish – this is all in hindsight – that we hadn’t broken up. That we all agreed we’d all do different things, and then one day we’d all get back together – but it all got vicious, and I wish it had been handled differently. But I don’t have too many regrets.” He was also asked about his current relationship with estranged brother, Liam, saying: "It’s difficult for people to understand that to be in a working relationship for 20 years with someone you’re so close with is really difficult. And there’s a whole mess that’s gone on around it. But I’ve no doubt that, one day, it’ll be all OK again.”

 President Obama told People magazine that his favorite song of the year was Kendrick Lamar's "How Much a Dollar Cost" from this year's To Pimp a Butterfly.

Author Bob Mehr will release his authorized biography on The Replacements, Trouble Boys: The True Story of The Replacements in March via Da Capo Press. Take a look at the cover, below:

Joanna Newsom on Colbert


Watch Joanna Newsom and a giant harp on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Prince Reuploads His Fantastic Radiohead Cover


Prince covered Radiohead's "Creep" in stunning fashion at Coachella 2008, then after clips emerged from the artist doing the song, he pulled them off video streaming services like YouTube -- even though Radiohead had given permission for video of their song being covered to be up. Now, in a change of heart, Prince has reuploaded the clips of the cover. Take a look!

Logic on Fallon


Watch Logic perform on The Tonight Show!

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings on Conan


Watch Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings perform "Just Another Christmas Song" and "Please Come Home For Christmas" on Conan.

Coldplay on Corden


Watch Coldplay perform "Adventure of a Lifetime" on The Late Late Show. 

Listen to Our Essential Coldplay Playlist on Spotify

Monday, December 7, 2015

Eagles of Death Metal Return to Paris with U2

Eagles of Death Metal performed in Paris for the first time since their show at the Bataclan last month, when 89 people were killed.

Read: Eagles of Death Metal, U2, Foo Fighters Open Up About Paris Attacks


The band performed with U2 as a special guest to the Irish band's final night of the Innocence & Experience World Tour that closed at AccorHotels Arena on Monday. Eagles of Death Metal released a statement on Facebook following the performance:

We want to offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for everything our brothers in U2 did for us in the aftermath of...
Posted by Eagles Of Death Metal on Monday, December 7, 2015


The band performed Patti Smith's "People Have the Power" with U2, before Bono said: "They were robbed of their stage three weeks ago. We would like to offer them ours tonight." Eagles of Death Metal then performed their single "I Love You All the Time."

Read: U2 Pay Tribute to Paris Victims

Take a look at fan shot footage below, this concert is currently airing on HBO this evening.

Read: Bono Calls the Paris Shooting: 'First Direct Hit on Music'


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Sunday, December 6, 2015

2015 The Albums: League of Their Own

This award started long before the site was even a thought, in one publication, radio show or another. Since 2000, I have handed out a "League of Their Own" Award to an album that is made by an artist who is the most forward thinking, open minded, revolutionary musician out there today. Their accomplishments in the past 12 months have either resurrected a sound, broke down walls and created new frontiers or have totally reinvented a genre all together. In the past winners have included: 

2000 - Radiohead - Kid A 
2001 - The Strokes - Is This It? 
2002 - NERD - In Search of... 
2003 - The White Stripes - Elephant 
2004 - The Killers - Hot Fuss 
2005 - The Mars Volta - Francis the Mute 
2006 - TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain 
2007 - Kanye West Graduation 
2008 - Santogold / Santigold
2009 - Mastodon - Crack the Skye 
2010 - Gorillaz - Plastic Beach 
2011 - Bjork - Biophilia 

2012 - Flying Lotus - Until The Quiet Comes 
2013 -  Arcade Fire - Reflektor
2014 - Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels 2 

...and now, to add to the growing list of musical revolutionaries is an artist who is taking funk and jazz back to new and dangerous territory that has not been heard in decades. If Miles Davis came back from the dead and asked Flying Lotus to produce a record for him, it would sound like the winner of this year's award. It is artists like this that the League of Their Own exists. Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2015 League of Their Own winner is...


Kamasi Washington - The Epic

After being the sax player for Brainfeeder and working with Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington had to make a name for himself and break out of the shadows of his constituents. His near three-hour-long debut, The Epic, takes us into outerspace and back again all while floating on a funky neo-jazz ship. Broken up into three acts: The Plan, The Glorious Tale, The Historic Repetition, Washington and his band take us to places that music and this genre have not experienced in this generation. The Epic lives up to it's name and Washington's future is one to watch. This record truly stands on it's own and will stand the test of time as something that will turn heads and hearts for decades to come. 

Read: 2015 The Albums: Honorable Mentions 

Stay Tuned Next Week For Our Top 10 Albums of the Year!