The Gym Class Heroes are sharper than ever. After spending nearly the past two years pursuing other musical side projects, the hip-hop rock quartet returns in full force with their forthcoming album “The Papercut Chronicles II” and they couldn’t be any more excited.
Another year, another batch of albums and singles, another 5 pounds on the old waistline. As we do every year around this time, writers like myself like to put an exclamation point on the last 365 days with painstakingly authored documents that seek to validate our roles as impartial curators of music…when in actuality we’re just amassing a list of songs that resonated with our own self-interests. (Hooray for music we like!) That being said, I’ll put the 11 selections below—and the 12 singles at the end—up against anyone else’s material. These are strong bodies of work, and even though the album as we know it is turning into a bit of a lost art form, you won’t need to cherry-pick through iTunes to get the good bits.
WARNING: There is no mention of M83, Odd Future or “Pumped Up Kicks” anywhere on this list, and there is only one item remotely resembling dubstep. If you’re not put off by this, please read on.
West Hollywood, California’s The Sunset Strip: the incomparable mix of its history, glamour, cutting-edge style, pure entertainment and exciting nightlife makes it the favored destination for travelers, locals, rockers and everyone in between. As 2012 approaches, The Strip invites you to ring in the New Year with special fare planned by its top restaurants–which include Asia De Cuba, Eveleigh, Nonna of Italy and Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood–or with music and comedy events at the Viper Room, The Roxy, Whisky A Go-Go, The Comedy Store, House of Blues and The Standard. The range of events and options fit a range of budgets and reveling plans. Also, the City of West Hollywood has announced it will launch a “holiday shuttle” during the NYE weekend (Dec. 29 –31). It will run in a continuous loop throughout West Hollywood from 8 p.m. – 3 a.m. on these nights. Log in here for more information.
This past Thursday, December 22 was a sneak peak of “Art Show 2011,” the follow up by infamous street artist Thierry Guetta (AKA “Mr. Brainwash”) to his 2008 art show, “Life Is Beautiful.” Guetta is most known for his controversial role in the 2011 Oscar-nominated docudrama, “Exit Through The Gift Shop,” directed by renowned street artist, Banksy.
If I told you that a group of married, middle aged men recorded an album in their garage that went to number one in America, then caused an earthquake with the music from that album, what would you say? I’d say welcome to the world of the Foo Fighters.
I’m hard on headphones. I wear them daily at the office so I don’t disturb the folks who work nearby. I wear earbuds almost daily too, walking to and from work. Over the past few months I’ve been trying out a few different brands in the quest for a nice pair that feel comfortable and I have to say its been a bit harder than I anticipated.
The fast turnover rate in the music industry makes novelty into a baton passed around from this band to that band. Bands become lost socks sucked into a black hole with no location. For today’s “Whatever Happened To…” we will probe the mystery that has befallen band the Shocking Pinks.
True to form, Talib Kweli‘s latest song and video does not shy from political themes or social justice issues. The video, shot in New York and directed by Darryl Phillips, features Kweli delivering fiery lyrics at Zucatti Park flanked by Occupy Wall Street protesters.
Video after the Jump
Pink alert! Pink Alert! Calling all DJs and Producers. Check this out. Remix Dani Deahl‘s latest “Diplo Hates You” for a chance at having your production released on Atomic Zoo Recordings.
The song has been praised by Diplo himself, saying “That shit is a jam” and the likes of Kissy Sell Out, Hot Pink Delorean, Lucky Date, Smalltown DJs, Benzi and more have already given their support.
Atomic Zoo will release 3 winning remixes. 1st place gets $500 CASH (payable by Paypal™). Details after the jump.
LMFAO’s Redfoo returns to Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for another year of Party Rock Mondays in 2012. The raucous, no-holds barred party has seen a dizzying array of animal print pants, inflatable zebras, foam hands and Champagne showers. The nights are filled with unexpected antics, entertainment and endless hours of dancing. The Party Rock Crew is back for another year and they are not sorry for Party Rocking! Redfoo breaks down the Party Rock ethos, “Party Rock is basically a mindset; it’s a verb. It’s “to party-rock.”We kind of see the world as a big party. All the articles of clothing, all the sayings we make up, we’re just having fun and making people laugh and making each other laugh and celebrating life. To party-rock is to celebrate life. It’s like party with a rock ’n’ roll attitude.”