http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Mon, 9 Aug 2004 11:42:04 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/08/09/114204.php Janet BranaganSarah Hudson has a lot to be thankful for and apparently, a lot to live up to. Although only a mere twenty-three years old, this in-your-face ingénue is different. She already has your attention and she doesn't have to fight to get noticed. Instead she has the opposite problem, all eyes are on her. In fact, with her father, formerly one half of a successful 70's pop duo, The Hudson Brothers, and her cousin being on-screen darling Kate Hudson, it's hard to see what machine this self-proclaimed pop rock rebel is really raging against.We've heard it all before. Bijou Phillips wailed about not being wanted on "When I Hated Him (Don't Tell Me)" and even Chastity Bono threw her 'woe-is-me, famous but twice removed' hat into the ring with her now defunct band, Ceremony. So what makes Sarah Hudson's attempt at individuality all that special? From one listen of the Naked Truth it seems, not much.The title track is a fun, yet serious tune in the vein of a Jill Sobule or Melissa Lefton; two other quirky pop princesses that never fully found a foothold in the pop industry. "Girl On The Verge" meanwhile, belongs in a Lindsay Lohan driven vehicle or perhaps Clueless ten years past or even further removed, the Go Go's two decades too late. Most of the songs on Naked Truth at least remain true to the title; serving up a raw approach to sad, real life topics with a surprisingly off-putting, upbeat delivery.But before, long the whole 'red headed stepchild, feel bad for me' vibe starts to wear thin. By the time we get to "Strange" things downshift from self-deprecating to downright embarrassing, fast. "I'm a little bit strange, but here's the twist. I might even get stranger than this," coos Hudson. The standout track crown is still awarded, however, to "I Know", a timeless tune that at moments is part Madonna with the spirit of rock sisters Heart mixed in. This song might've even had a home with Britney, but on Hudson's otherwise quirky collection, it somehow seems out of place. On "I Know" Hudson steps out of the peculiar girl gone wrong box and succeeds. Now if only Naked Truth contained a little more meat and a little less monotone, we'd all be singing a different tune.Janet Music18438@blogcritics.org Mon, 9 Aug 2004 11:42:04 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/08/02/105122.php Janet BranaganI was reading an article the other day about the supposed rebirth of alternative music. Suddenly, eager to rid the world of the dime a dozen alt rock bands like Nickelback and Puddle of Mudd, the industry is all a buzz with a new era of sound. Leading the pack are bands such as Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand, The Killers and the Yeah Yeah Yeah's.It's too early to say, but already I'm feeling torn. While I'm all for good, new music (cause God knows it has been awhile), I'm still a little reluctant to call this "new" stuff revolutionary. Maybe it's my disgruntled twenty-something self talking here, but new bands that are ALSO original at this point, seem to be a bit of a myth.Let's break a few down a bit, shall we?Yeah Yeah Yeah's- Songs like "Tick" obviously owe their sound to the likes of eighties bands i.e. Berlin and with their breakout hit, "Maps" Chrisse Hynde called and wants her mojo back.Franz Ferdinand- Is already doing The Strokes who are ALL doing early eighties rock/new wave (insert various names of artists here).Modest Mouse- "Float On" and others, is The Talking Heads revisited with a bit of Squeeze's pop sensibility thrown in for good measure.And let's not stop at the sound... have you seen pictures of these bands? It's like it's 1983 all over again complete with Flock of Seagulls inspired hair "creations" and the lead singer who has mastered the indiferrent stare.There's also this little talked about concept called backlash. Eventually, these bands are bound to feel the pressure 1. from their underground fans who hate when indie becomes mainstream and 2. by reviewers and listeners who are eyeing them suspiciously, waiting for them to become the one hit bargain bin drop offs of a new generation.I can remember about ten years ago when Dave Matthews had just started to become huge. Before then, their fan base was predominated by yuppy college kids making bootlegs of the 99th live version of "Tripping Billies". Fast forward some and those same yuppy college kids are now upper middle class, yuppy newlyweds shopping at Baby Gap instead of Aeropastle. There are even cover bands devoted to covering purely D. Matthews tunes. Suddenly, Matthews is the elder statesmen, the James Taylor of Generation X if you will.Not that this is a bad thing. It's inevitable. Every generation needs their pop princess, their bad boy garage band, their eccentric, strangely loveable pop trio. All I'm saying is don't pass it off as fresh. The reason YOU like it so much falls into one of the following three categories:1. The older generation. There's a familiarity to it. It reminds you of your own youth. 2. The younger generation. You identify with its rebelliousness, devil may care, (calculated) indifference. 3. You live under a rock. Didn't hear it the first time and you're just discovering this type of music. Yet since it was once a hit because it sounded good twenty years ago, everything old is new again.All this being said, I do find myself bopping to a lot of these new tunes. I'm also constantly in the state of new artists making good music, despite what it sounds like here (so if you have any suggestions, please send 'em.)Call it a comeback. Call it a tribute. Call it whatever you want.Just don't call it new. Janet http://planetjanet18.blogspot.com/ Music18162@blogcritics.org Mon, 2 Aug 2004 10:51:22 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/08/02/104447.php Janet BranaganI was driving in my car the other day when the song "Mexican Radio" came on by Wall of Voodoo. Only problem was it wasn't Wall of Voodoo at all, but it was indeed "Mexican Radio". Thoughts ran through my head in this order:1. "I didn't know someone remade "Mexican Radio". 2. "I didn't think someone NEEDED to remake "Mexican Radio".Don't get me wrong. I love a good remake as much as the next girl, but there are definite, unwritten rules to the remake.They go a little something like this:1. Don't remake a song that was already really good UNLESS you have something new and original to add to it. 2. Don't remake a bad song UNLESS you can make it good. 3. Never let your remake become bigger than any original song you've done on your own. (i.e. Jeffrey "In Your Eyes" Gaines).It's not so much that this new version of "Mexican Radio" was bad. It couldn't be. Because it sounded almost EXACTLY LIKE THE ORIGINAL SONG!At any rate, hearing the song prompted me to research if there was an actual remake and it turns out there was more than one. The good news though is that I'm currently reading about some remakes of interest that I didn't know about.Got a good remake you this is worth a listen?Janet http://planetjanet18.blogspot.com/ Music18161@blogcritics.org Mon, 2 Aug 2004 10:44:47 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/08/02/103145.php Janet BranaganHello Blog Critic readers! My name is Janet. I am a teacher/writer from NJ who loves to pick apart pop culture tidbits. I have been a part time writer for a few years now, contributing to both online and print publications. Always scouring the net for the latest in GOOD music, I hope to comment on some of what I find here, both good and bad. I hope you read my posts and challenge my opinion if you disagree with me. After all, I have always said I am a girl who doesn't know much about music, but I know what I like.For further readings from yours truly, check out my blog, The Art of Getting By Janet :) Culture18160@blogcritics.org Mon, 2 Aug 2004 10:31:45 EDT