Read my latest recap of American Idol, in which the boys performed Billy Joel songs.
On tonight’s (March 21) episode of ‘American Idol,’ the Top 10 were asked to sample from Billy Joel‘s songbook, with Diddy serving as the mentor. While many of the songs came out when the contestants were young (or not even born yet), they all rose to the occasion and did interesting things with Joel’s songs.
Read the rest of my American Idol recap over at Pop Crush.
Read the interview I did with former Dimmu Borgir Keyboardist Kimberly Goss.
I would definitely love to start or join another band someday, but for the time being it’s not too practical. My days consist of taking my daughter to school, ballet class, libraries, playgrounds, and of course catching great shows like ‘Disney Princesses on Ice’ or ‘Sesame Street Live’ [laughs]. I do have a feeling that getting back into a band will be somewhere in my future. The urge and desire is definitely still there and I have never stopped writing music.
Read the rest of my interview with former Dimmu Borgir Keyboardist Kimberly Goss over at Noisecreep.
I reviewed the latest song from The Mars Volta, ‘The Malkin Jewel.’
‘The Malkin Jewel’ is just over four minutes of unconventional rock, with an epic coda that features computerized blips and beeps, but the song never embodies that cold, sterile or synthetic “laptop rock” style. ‘The Malkin Jewel’ has a pulse and it brings heat, simply capturing your attention and holding onto it, as you anticipate what the duo behind the instruments will do next.
Read the rest of my review of ‘The Malkin Jewel,’ by The Mars Volta, over at Diffuser.
Read my post about the Justin Bieber Complex Magazine cover.
For an entertainer with a fan base hovering at 15 and under, it’s scary stuff to see their boy wonder being beaten within inches of his life. He’s battered, bruised and bloodied. But relax, it’s a metaphor for his career. Throw whatever you wish at The Biebs. He’ll take it and come back for more. He’s also growing up and isn’t a little boy anymore.
Read the rest of my post about the Justin Bieber Complex Magazine cover over at Pop Crush.
Read my Voice Recap from week three.
Christina Aguilera is still stunning, even with that record-shaped hat. Adam Levine is still all about that grandpa cardigan. Blake Shelton still cracks many a joke, while Cee Lo Green flirts mercilessly. That’s ‘The Voice,’ Season 2.
Read the rest of my Voice recap over at Pop Crush.
Read my American Idol recap, on the Top 11!
The ultimate lowlight? Poor Jermaine Jones being sent home over a legal matter. We caught a glimpse of his rehearsal of ‘Somewhere Out There,’ which was just terrific. It was a hint that made us think his performance would have been mentioned the above paragraph.
Read the rest of my American Idol recap over at Pop Crush.
I reviewed the new song, ‘Days’ by the Drums for Diffuser.
‘Days’ reminds us of a movie soundtrack song, like music designer for a montage in an edgy film where there’s an unrequited romance as a key subplot. The song is also percussive, like the band’s name, but it’s not smashing you over the head. The rhythmic pulse serves a different purpose and is as immediate as your own heartbeat. That’s also how intimate the song is.
Read the rest of my review of ‘Days’ and (listen!) by the Drums over at Diffuser.
I reviewed the latest song from Garbage, ‘Blood for Poppies.’
It’s been seven (long) years since the band released an album, but judging from ‘Blood for Poppies,’ which is, in fact, poppy, they’ve made it well worth the wait. The song will transport you to that period in the mid’-’90s when Garbage owned alternative radio. Yes, we remember when alt rock radio was surging and Garbage were a huge part of the wave. ‘Blood for Poppies’ will have you feeling all sorts of nostalgic, without making you feel old — and that’s a big difference.
Read the rest of my song review of ‘Blood for Poppies,’ by Garbage, (and listen!) over at Diffuser.
I reviewed the song ‘Bridge Burning’ by Foo Fighters.
There’s a pulse-pounding beat that is woven throughout the song, preparing the listener for further sonic detonations. It’s not an easy listen, but it’s one of those fist-in-the-air anthems that can cause a “pop up” mosh pit at one of the band’s shows; that is, the pit will last for that song and order will be restored when the last note of the tune fades out.
Read the rest of my song review over at Diffuser.
I interviewed Matthew Morrison from Glee. I asked him about how far he’s come in the past two years:
“I didn’t think the world would be ready for this kind of show. Now it is hard to walk down the street without being recognized. While it might be a case of ‘be careful what wish for,’ with lost anonymity, it is a dream come true! I am also in a place where I am getting ready to release my first single and album.”
Read the rest of my interview with Matthew Morrison from Glee over at ArtistDirect.