Music's 3R's 9.07.09: Blueprint III Leaks, New Tokio Hotel, MJ Finally Buried, Chris Brown on Larry King, More
Posted by Aaron Titan on 09.07.2009
From Tokio Hotel's new music video, Michael Jackson's burial, the upcoming TSO tour/album, Chris Brown on Larry King, and another Dead Weather album, 411's Aaron Titan breaks down the Right, wRong, and Ridiculous from the week in music in the latest edition of Music's 3 R's!
Greetings
...hey! You came back! Awesome. This is The Music 3'Rs and I'm Aaron Titan, so you must be the reader. Well, I've put together a nice column for you to enjoy on this fine Labor Day. Since you're reading this, I trust you got the day off of work, so just kick back and relax. We all deserve a day off once and a while!
I caught some serious flu illness at work this week and at one point, was cooking at a temperature of 102+. Fever hallucinations are freaky man, let me tell you! Writing the column this weekend was actually a really great way to relax, as I always enjoy writing about music whilst listening to music. The soundtrack to my keystrokes this week was - well I'll talk about that shortly. Let's get started shall we?
The Column
For those unfamiliar with the 3'Rs concept, here's the breakdown. I will be reporting and commenting on happenings in the music world and categorizing all the hoopla into three sections: the Right, the wRong, and the Ridiculous. The Right will feature news, albums, and announcements music-related that I'm personally stoked about. The wRong will be the bad versions of all three of the aforementioned. The Ridiculous is the worst of it all, that which makes good ol' Mr. Titan shake his head in perplexing amazement.
The Right
Blueprint III Leaks: Jay-Z's upcoming release Blueprint III, out this Tuesday, has been leaked in bits and pieces over the last several weeks, but fans don't have to bother scrapping for pieces of it across the internet anymore. Hov hooked up with MTV.com's promotion "The Leak" to stream the album in its entirety. It's been up since September 1st if memory serves correctly. You can access the link to stream the album here.
I listened to the album once through thus far. My initial impression...pretty solid. It's an album I intend on purchasing when I have the available spending money. Is it a classic hip-hop record? Time will tell. I think it's really has great rhymes and production value, solid beats, and well-used guest spots. Kudos to Kanye West for doing this right as the producer. I hope he fucks off with the auto-tune and does his next solo album the right way too. Graduation was phenomenal and I know he's got more albums like this in him.
My favorite track is "On to the Next One" with Swizz Beats. It's really fun and makes me bob my head in that "yea' muthafucka'" type of style. Equally impressive is the albums closing track, "Young Forever" f/ Mr. Hudson, which is Jay-Z being reflective and mellow. No Chris Martin on here though!
Overall, I'd say that my favorite Hov album is still The Black Album, as I like every single song on it without question. That's not something I can say about any other Jay-Z album. No offense to lovers of Reasonable Doubt or Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life; just my personal music tastes.
New Dead Weather Already?: Let's freshen some of you up if you haven't heard about The Dead Weather yet. The Dead Weather is the third band Jack White (White Stripes, Raconteurs) is in, only he does drums/secondary vocals instead of guitar/lead vocals in this one. Rounding out the rest of the lineup is Alison Mosshart (The Kills) on lead vocals, Jack Lawrence (Raconteurs) on bass, and Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) on guitar. The band's debut album Horehound was released this past July off of White's Third Man Records label and the critics seemed to like it. Being somewhat of a music journalist myself, I happened to find the album quite kickass as well. It's really brooding shit and stays pretty dark while some catchy-ness still emerges. Here's a taste:
This past week, White revealed in an interview that there's some "Morehound" on the horizon, and it could happen much sooner than later. He said they've been working on some new shit while on the road and have something like 12-15 tracks written. Once they get some time off this month, they're supposedly hitting the studio to record some of it. Jack White is notorious for working very fast in the studio - Horehound was done in 2 weeks' time and the longest a White Stripes record has taken is 3 weeks - so it's extremely possible we'll see a sophomore Dead Weather album in the 2009 calendar year. "Fuckin' A!" I say.
After that though, it's time to get a new White Stripes album out, as they remain my primary Jack White love. De Stihl and White Blood Cells are two albums I hold very near and dear and with a new White Stripes album comes a new White Stripes tour. Their shows near me have always conflicted with something unavoidable in my schedule. As fun as seeing Jack White with The Raconteurs twice was (Lollapalooza '06 and '08), I think I'd enjoy a Stripes set much more.
Night Castle Approaches: If you're not into kinda' cheesy Christmas music, this next segment might not be for you. As I finish digesting my yearly Thanksgiving dinner, I break out my Trans-Siberian Orchestra box set for the next 40 days or so. TSO are a troupe of musicians that mix orchestral and hard rock music and make awesome Christmas tunes. They tour their asses off every year from November to early January, playing 2 shows at many stops. I've seen them do their usual show on four different occasions. The first half consisted of a story narrated by this awesome vocal performer with songs sprinkled in. They second half was a rock-out performance. This all takes place on a stage with highly elaborate lighting, moving stage pieces, snow effects, and tons of pyro. Every performance is backed by a group of local string musicians. Oh, and the lead guitarist (at least on the East U.S. shows) is Al Pitrelli, a guy who played for 2 years in this band called Megadeth. I think I've heard of them? Here's a TSO song you may be familiar with:
So they've been promising a new album, Night Castle, for a while now, like 5 years. Well now it's finally coming out on October 27th and a new stage show is sure to follow for the tour this winter. I will be attending a show in November with my family and I can't wait. Honestly, their stage production is just untouchable and it a treat for the eyes and ears. Insert Aaron Titan's stamp of approval here.
The wRong
Michael Jackson Laid to Rest: And just when you thought it was over... Last Thursday, Michael Jackson was buried at a funeral service attended by more than 200 people. Apparently, the service started over an hour later than scheduled because of the sheer grandiosity of it all. Several people spoke including Rev. Al Sharpton and father Joe Jackson. And you know what? Kudos for it finally happening.
Michael Jackson passed away on June 25th. He was buried on September 3rd. That's over 2 months of time this circus has been going on, and it's not really over yet! A&E cameras were on hand at the service and after-party for a future TV special and possible DVD release. I mean, is there any respect for the deceased. I like Michael Jackson's music as much as the next guy, but seriously, fuck taping a burial. That's kind of morose in my opinion. Just let it go and move on for fuck sakes. I'm tired of hearing about it and I've grown tired of writing about it today. This made the "wRong" section instead of "Ridiculous" for the sheer fact that I'm glad MJ's finally been buried.
Chris Brown vs. Larry King
You know what? I believe in second chances. We all screw up sometimes. If Chris Brown is sorry and acknowledges that what he did to Rihanna was wrong, pays his debt to society and can somehow make things right with Rihanna, then cool. I've fucked up in the past (never hit a girl before though!) and I've gotten second chances. It's the same reason I'm OK with Michael Vick helping the Philadelphia Eagles enable themselves to utilize the Wildcat offense. He did his time, paid his debt to society, and is ready to move on.
However, I do take issue with this:
Nick Lachey did this shit a few years ago, turning a highly publicized situation (his divorce from Jessica Simpson) into its own cash cow by writing an entire album about it, preying on teenage girls' sympathy. Chris Brown: Some people might buy into this, but a lot of us aren't 'gonna. Do your community service, lay low for a while, and then come back with some club bangers and fresh dance moves. That's what you do best. Also, the line in the song "Baby this ain't over" is kind of creepy, don't you think?
The Ridiculous
New Tokio Hotel: Tokio Hotel dropped their new music video, "Automatic," last week. I first heard of this band through Guitar Hero. I was playing the game with a friend and was like, "What's this?" He's like, "Dude, you've gotta see what the lead singer looks like!"
Hey, OK! I've been a Marilyn Manson fan, even when he was wearing latex breasts during the Mechanical Animals era. Dudes dressing up like chicks is totally fine. This music video for "Automatic", however, is totally ridiculous, but ridiculous is a good way. Like, it's not something I can take seriously and go to a Tokio Hotel concert and be into every moment as a die-hard fan. But this music video is ENTERTAINING, and therein lies a comment I'd like to make. View the video first:
OK, this is a ri-fucking-diculous music video. Cars in the desert, smooching robots with drama, pop rock music presented in hard rock fashion... Awesome! It's not something I can take seriously, but I can still enjoy it for what it is. It's why many of us go back and listen to 80s music. Check your iTunes library and see if you have Wham's "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." Many of you probably do. If not, you really should, because that song has fun written all over it.
The point is, will Tokio Hotel or Wham be on the same global fanbase-die hard-sell out arenas around the world-always relevant and meaningful to everyone level that bands like Pearl Jam and U2 are perceived to be on? Of course not, but can music fans find some fun entertainment and enjoyment in a Tokio Hotel music video with kissing robots? Yes! I said it! I can appreciate this for what it is. Keep on keepin' on Tokio Hotel!
Now, if you're a metalhead like me and need to recuperate from the Tokio Hotel you just heard, Mr. Titan has your prescription:
Hasta Luego
Thanks for taking time out to read The Music 3'Rs this week. I hope you have a relaxing, safe Labor Day and hope to see you back here next Monday for all that is right, wrong, and ridiculous in the music world. As always, leave love or complaints below. I've enjoyed the commentary debates my columns have been sparking. Cheers!
I'm an admirer of Tokio Hotel, and I want to thank you for "getting" them - and for this really fair article on them. I completely respect that they're not your style of music, but they're fun, as you said.
The fact that you do say that it's ridiculous-but-fun also gives me major hope that this new album they have coming out could be a great chance for the band to really make some headway in this country, and that more people than just the old fangirls might enjoy the new music. No they aren't deep, inspirational songs to touch all our lives, but they're enjoyable and cute (if you think they're adorable and fun in the video, you should see their dorky amazing interviews - SO ADORABLE and giggly with a really amazing, sarcastic and dry sense of humor, I want to collect them all).
Posted By: Rachel (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 12:07 AM
I have to say, I'm with you 100% on the Michael Jackson debacle. Enough is enoughxinfinity and, sadly, people will keep beating his dead body until all the cash they can get from it runs out. I also agree with your Chris Brown comment and that's all I'm going to say because I could get verbose.
Last but not least, I'm a Tokio Hotel fan(I feel like I'm in AA now). I completely appreciate the sentiment, it's how I feel about them. They're fun, I enjoy the music, and I think you get it much better than...a lot of the fans. Thank you. Also, I now have the immense urge to blast WHAM! and dance around in my undies.
Posted By: Sheila (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 12:37 AM
Hey thanks! To everyone else, the "Automatic" video embeds keep getting yanked from YouTube. Go to tokiohotel.com or search it on YouTube to see it. It's worth the watch.
Posted By: Aaron Titan (Registered) on September 07, 2009 at 12:52 AM
I'm a Tokio Hotel fan and I share your opinion on the video, and I really appreciate your article on them. It's really their most awesome video yet, because their past ones didn't have that ridiculous-fun element, just mostly beauty shots that I imagine wouldn't really appeal to many if they weren't fangirls (not that I'm really complaining about the beauty shots). But's nice to see they've now expanded to robots and cars and furry jackets. I hope their future videos will be just as awesome--and that you write about it too when they debut. ;p
Posted By: Hanna (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 03:52 AM
Thanks Aaron! The video is fun. You can see it on their official youtube channel here http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=tokiohotelchannel&view=videos if that helps? And contrary to the earlier comment, I think you will find that the songs are far more than just "enjoyable and cute". Have you heard the snippet of Humanoid on RollingStone.com? http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=tokiohotelchannel&view=videos
Posted By: Official Tokio Hotel USA Fanclub (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 04:19 AM
Well the whole Tokio Hotel is a little bit of a bitter pill,i get the manson refrence,but by the time he went to that level everyone to listened to his work knew he had the chops musically,i see this more of a direct imitation of head automatica in the "fun music" aspect but then again there's that whole Daryl Palumbo has insane chops aspect,i wont say tokio is total trash,i would need to see what they can do live first,but i have a nasty feeling based solely off the comments left on that youtube page and my last Automatica live show experience that i would want to fucking shoot myself before the end of the show.
On much more of a positive note,Dead Weather is the best thing i have heard from White since i first heard dead leaves on a dirty ground as WS becoming as huge as it did kindda killed it for me.
Posted By: Showster (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 04:26 AM
so the blueprint leaks, yet muse who are releasing an album in less than 5 days, has been completely locked down by warner. FFS ive waited too long for it not to leak :(
Posted By: gooched (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 05:57 AM
You were spot on with Tokio Hotel. Very cool video, fun music. I hope they have alot of staying power, but who knows? As a child of the 80's, I know how that goes!
Posted By: Alpaca Mom (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 08:30 AM
I actually like this sci-fi "fun" stuff. I'm not metal fan, more brit indie, but I like Tokio Hotel, they have something that attracts you, not to mention that Bill looks like character straight from Japanese manga. I adore their German songs, and they already played infront of 500,000 people in Paris, yep half a million. Anyway, fans will love, haters will hate. Just like everywhere. Btw, this reminds me of Mad Max a little bit, which is good. Thanks for the review .
Posted By: Ryuichi (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Firstly, I have to say thank you for such a nice bit on Tokio Hotel. They tend to be---and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I must---misunderstood by media. Either people try to take them too seriously, like not realizing this song and video for what it is---fun and a little cute and made to appeal to a wide audience---or not seriously enough and writing them off as a fake boyband type deal [and this is where I throw in that the band members have known each other for nearly a decade; hell, the twins have known each other since birth, you can't fake the bond these guys have].
Automatic is a real poppy radio song, which is basically good marketing since when interested people curiously pick up the single, they then get hit with Humanoid as the b-side, which I can't call pop, or really anything but epic, and while I can't relate to it personally, as a fan it's easy for me to see how Bill wrote the song to portray his feelings of alienation and abnormality throughout his life. I think another fan linked to it in their comment, and I recommend listening to it to see both how diverse Tokio Hotel's musical style can be and simply how well they can arrange a song.
I agree that Tokio Hotel in no way will be the next U2, and while I am a fan, they aren't my favorite band of all time because that would almost be an insult to who is my favorite band [Thrice, for the record, now -they're- deep and meaningful and hella progressive] but they are a fun band, through and through. Their music is good, but that's only half of being a fan, because what also attracts people is their charisma and youth and their ability to keep their feet on the ground even as young and famous as they are. All in all, they're definitely a band that deserves some respect so thank you for giving them some.
Posted By: Phabio (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 09:36 AM
I've been listening to Rock music for nearly fifty years now and going to concerts for the last 35. I can tell you I've never had more fun than at a Tokio Hotel concert! Each one of us will have different musical tastes but every decade or so a band comes along that everyone can listen to and have fun with.
So far this century that band is Tokio Hotel. Automatic seems like total pop until you start listening to the kick ass underlayer in the second half of the song. This IS a pop song but one you can have fun with. For those who need something harder try the title track from the upcoming album, Humanoid. It's a straight ahead Rock number that takes some risks.
Posted By: Jerry (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Thanks for the assessment of Automatic! To Showster - you should definitely try to check out a Tokio Hotel show during the next tour. I think you would be surprised. My music tastes are not very hardcore, but I know what amazing live music sounds like. I've seen Coldplay rock a crowd of twenty-four thousand, been crushed to the barrier as Green Day played in front of me. And I can tell you right now, I have never had a more transcendent, cathartic, beautiful, insane, addictive concert experience than a Tokio Hotel concert. I've seen them live in six American cities. They never disappoint. These are four guys who can rock a crowd of half a million, who were born to manipulate arenas of screaming fans, and they can still bring that power and energy into tiny two-thousand person clubs. It's madness. When they are in front of you, it's like music and life and fire have been poured incarnate into the bodies of these guys. You can't understand how they're strong enough or mature enough to channel that force. But they are, they are. Tom, Gustav, and Georg (guitarist, drummer, bassist) have incredible musical skill and force for guys their age, and are growing all the time. Bill is that rarest of things, a frontman whose charisma and talent are shocking beyond the range of human experience. Being in front of that guy on a stage is like having your neurons blasted with a caffeine adrenaline cocktail, spun in a blender, and drunk in zero gravity. So basically, I would recommend that you go. :)
Posted By: Vnlasteamer (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 01:28 PM
I really appreciate this article and sincerely hope that it means that more people will finally understand Tokio Hotel for what they are- just a fun band with good jams.
Posted By: Tammy (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Thank you so much for the honest assessment of Tokio Hotel. No,to me they will never be another U2, but they don't need to be. I have taken my daughter to see them live twice, and they definitely put on a great show. Much better than I expected. And I'm excited for evolution of their new musical sound from what I've heard from Humanoid. Thanks again for giving them an honest listen.
Posted By: Sande (Guest) on September 07, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Copyright � 2011 411mania.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
Click here for our privacy policy. Please help us serve you better, fill out our survey.
Use of this site signifies your agreement to our terms of use.
