Saturday, April 24, 2004
Remembering Seattle’s Finest
Almost three weeks ago on April 5th, music fans across the country celebrated the life and death of two Seattle based artists, who both found popularity during the grunge music phase. 10 years ago on this day, Nirvana co-founder and singer, Kurt Cobain, killed himself with a massive dose of heroin and a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was only 27. Eight years later on the same day, singer of the already defunct rock-band Alice in Chains, Layne Staley, age 34, was found dead from an overdose on a combination of heroin and cocaine. Surely it’s a coincidence, but it’s worthy of mention when considering the similar background both musicians shared.
But where Cobain’s death has been met with a massive public outpouring of grief, not just from the day he passed, but each day forward as the years pass by, Staley’s has been greeted with a general shrug of indifference and a complete lack of surprise. The difference may be in the fact that Staley’s band has been inactive for so long, and he’d already been written off by so many; it almost seemed like he’d already died. In fact there had been rumors spreading for years that his heavy drug use is what tore his popular and successful band apart. Cobain’s band on the other hand was at the height of their career, which is why so many people questioned his depression that would eventually lead to his suicide.
It still however continues to puzzle my mind because both artists were well known drug users and in my opinion and obviously within the case of Cobain’s death it should not be held against them. When Cobain died, fans gathered to not only celebrate his life but his music. After all that was what brought these people to Cobain and made a connection. Staley made many contributions to music as well, while his band was successful overall; his voice was an inspiration to many up and coming singers and his bands music was in awe by so many for their ability to transpose many of their hit songs into acoustic hits as well. The question still remains unanswered in my eyes: why has Staley’s addiction caused people to overlook his contribution to music and why did only an estimated 200 fans attend a vigil after his death?
Almost three weeks ago on April 5th, music fans across the country celebrated the life and death of two Seattle based artists, who both found popularity during the grunge music phase. 10 years ago on this day, Nirvana co-founder and singer, Kurt Cobain, killed himself with a massive dose of heroin and a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was only 27. Eight years later on the same day, singer of the already defunct rock-band Alice in Chains, Layne Staley, age 34, was found dead from an overdose on a combination of heroin and cocaine. Surely it’s a coincidence, but it’s worthy of mention when considering the similar background both musicians shared.
But where Cobain’s death has been met with a massive public outpouring of grief, not just from the day he passed, but each day forward as the years pass by, Staley’s has been greeted with a general shrug of indifference and a complete lack of surprise. The difference may be in the fact that Staley’s band has been inactive for so long, and he’d already been written off by so many; it almost seemed like he’d already died. In fact there had been rumors spreading for years that his heavy drug use is what tore his popular and successful band apart. Cobain’s band on the other hand was at the height of their career, which is why so many people questioned his depression that would eventually lead to his suicide.
It still however continues to puzzle my mind because both artists were well known drug users and in my opinion and obviously within the case of Cobain’s death it should not be held against them. When Cobain died, fans gathered to not only celebrate his life but his music. After all that was what brought these people to Cobain and made a connection. Staley made many contributions to music as well, while his band was successful overall; his voice was an inspiration to many up and coming singers and his bands music was in awe by so many for their ability to transpose many of their hit songs into acoustic hits as well. The question still remains unanswered in my eyes: why has Staley’s addiction caused people to overlook his contribution to music and why did only an estimated 200 fans attend a vigil after his death?
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Reject Wins Americans' Heart Afterall
Will William Hung get the last laugh on the "American Idol" judges who booted the 21-year-old University of California student off the show in January? It definitely looks possible according to the national sales chart this week.
Last week alone, the diminutive man with the big grin turned up singing during halftime at a Golden State Warriors NBA game, landed guest shots on NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and ABC's "Good Morning America," and saw the release of his Koch International debut album, Inspiration.
His album includes his celebrated rendition of the Ricky Martin hit, "She Bangs," and karaoke-like versions of the Eagles' "Hotel California," Elton John's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," and the Village People's "Y.M.C.A" It also contains audio with Hung's observations on passion, perseverance and being yourself.
Believe it or not, Hung's release appears to be on the way to a Top 40, maybe even a Top 30 debut according to Billboard. So far it's on track to sell 30,000 to 40,000 copies its first week in stores.
Some speculate - and I tend to agree - that more people are laughing at Hung than with him. There does however appear to be a sizable following that thinks he deserves another shot at the "American Idol" crown. A petition on the website www.petitiononline.com shows more than 100,000 e-signatures of people who would like to see Hung return to the Fox show!
Hung's sincerity appears to be the quality that has elevated him above other contestants ushered off the show in the early stages of competition, and the lesson to be learned would seem to be that talent is far less critical to winning Americans' hearts than honest effort.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
N.E.R.D: Fly or Die
Thanks to their unstoppable hit-making abilities for artists like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and just about everyone else on TRL, producers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo (the Neptunes) are free to indulge themselves every once in awhile and they really cut loose on the latest effort with their group N.E.R.D, which also features rapper Shay. The group’s second album, Fly or Die, features songs that showcase their love of new wave, hip-hop and metal. The hip-hop element, which was more apparent in their first release, In Search Of, plays a more subtle role and is replaced with classic rock. However the element of surprise still exists and you never quite know what to expect with each song.
The title track is a prime example of the punk/rock combination that N.E.R.D have progressed into. Joel and Benji Madden from the punk-rock band Good Charlotte even jump in, lending their musical abilities on the song “Jump.” Other key guests on the album include the drummer of The Roots, ?uestlove (and yes that is how he spells it!) and guitarist/vocalist Lenny Kravitz. The current single, “She Wants to Move,” needs no clarification: a song about sex and love, which features a strong bass line and a solid groove. It is this theme of sex and love that translates across the entire album. “The Way She Dances” is the archetypal N.E.R.D song, oozing with charismatic coolness and sexiness, which comes across in not only the group’s music but also in the musicians they produce.
Their entire album is hard to find fault with. As you would expect from this super duo, it is brilliantly produced and demonstrates their ability to change and evolve, as does our culture.
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