Music's 3R's 11.30.09: Adam Lambert's AMA Controversy, Eminem's Reissue, New Supergroup, More

Posted by Aaron Titan on 11.30.2009

From a defense of Adam Lambert's controversial AMA performance and the new supergroup featuring members of Anthrax, Fall Out Boy, and Every Time I Die, to Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind, Pt. 2," Eminem's Relapse reissue, Lupe Fiasco's new mixtape and upcoming music releases, and Ronnie James Dio's current cancer battle, 411's Aaron Titan brings you all the Right, wRong, and Ridiculous in the music world in this week’s Music 3R’s.



Greetings

Dude, I made it back from Thanksgiving. My friend recently posed the question over Facebook: Is it possible to get a food hangover from Thanksgiving? The answer: a resounding yes! My goodness, I ate so much. Then I drank some wine. Then I had some pie. Then I drank some more wine. Then, I got super full and the football games were shitty. Luckily, a Dominican cigar was waiting out in my uncle's truck garage and somehow, it really helped me relax and digest. Fast-forward through the rest, many beers consumed with good friends, and many hockey games and NFL games taken in, and here we are…back at work. BOO!

Side note: My uncle showed me this really cool forwarded email he received while we were smoking our cigars. He's a huge golfing fan and plays pretty much whenever his job and the weather allow. This email details all the cool things about the sport of golf and at the end, it talked about why golf is played on 18 holes. It's not an arbitrarily-selected number. Apparently, when the Scotch people were inventing the game at St. Andrew's, someone suggested that they have 18 holes so that they could have one shot of a fifth of Scotch on every hole and finish the bottle at the beginning of the last hole. As a non-golfer and a bigger fan of the Frisbee and mini versions of the sport, that fact somehow makes golf a little more badass to me.

Anyways, thus went the journey that brings us all back together to kick another week off here on 411Mania with the always sensational Music 3R's. Welcome, welcome, WELCOME!

So next week, I'll be missing from action. I'm attending the Bulls-Raptors game at Chicago's United Center this upcoming Saturday and between all the travel involved and my work week involving some end of the year bullshit I have to start dealing with, I just won't have the time or energy to churn out an edition of the R's next Monday. Not sure if I'll have a sub or not, but we'll see. I'll make my triumphant return on December 14th.

Also, I was brainstorming some ideas for an end-of-2009 edition of the Music 3R's and I think I came up with an idea. My tentative plan is to pen a retrospective of my 2009 journey as a music fan, and lay out all that was Right, wRong, and Ridiculous about all that. This would include music acquired, concerts attended, and major music news stories that I was invested in as a fan. I'll probably also lay out my top 10 albums of 2009.

Finally, look for me to make an appearance or two in the Music Section's top 30 albums of 2009 special, coming soon here on 411Mania.com.

OK kids, let's get at it! But wait, for all the noobs…

The Column

For those unfamiliar with the 3R's 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



Lupe Fiasco's Return: Lupe Fiasco returned in a big way on Thanksgiving Day with a new mixtape, one of two that will precede his upcoming Lasers album. Enemy of the State: A Love Story features the following (beats borrowed are noted):

1. Intro (Keri Hilson: Knock You Down)
2. The National Anthem (Radiohead)
3. Turnt Up (Travis Porter)
4. Yoga Flame (Lil Wayne: Fireman)
5. Lazers (Lupe Fiasco: Shining Down)
6. Angels (Remix) (Diddy-Dirty Money)
7. So Ghetto (Jay-Z)
8. Say Somethin' (Timbaland x Drake)
9. Thank You (Jay-Z)
10. The One (Slaughterhouse)
11. Popular Demand (Clipse)
12. Summit On The Summit (HP TV Commercial)

This is a really fun mixtape! I like it because it's short, sweet, and does what it's supposed to do: remind me of just why I'm a big Lupe Fiasco fan in the first place. My personal favorite track has to be "The National Anthem" with the track-title Radiohead song as the beat and just a sick Lupe rhyme over it. Here's Lupe's plan leading up to the Lasers release in 2010:

"The last six months, it's been like, 'I gotta really, really go out there and show that I'm nicer than all of them. All right, so be it. If it takes three more albums to do it, then so be it.' That's what I got left with Atlantic. Three more after Lasers. I'm already done with two. The mixtape is coming Thanksgiving. It'll be another mixtape after that and an album after that. It's really to get that status and lock it in and [and have people] be like, 'Look at this positive dude, the underdog. The positive one who came and murdered all these dudes. And he's there, and he's good.' "

The next mixtape, Friend of the People, will be released online on Christmas Day. Lasers will come sometime thereafter in 2010, seemingly in the spring. From what the leaked track "Shining Down" sounds like to me, it's gonna' be fuckin' dope (especially with all the WWE references he's been using lately; I'm a huge fan):





You can download Enemy of the State: A Love Story here.



Anthrax and Fall Out Boy Together?: Yeah, I was skeptical at first too, but the more I think about it, what fun this might end up being! In the vein of other successful artists stepping away from their main bands to form what's being termed supergroups (Audioslave, Them Crooked Vultures, Hellyeah, etc…), we have another, albeit strange, one. Fall Out Boy guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley are joining forces with the mighty axeman Scott Ian and guitarist Rob Caggiano of Anthrax and Every Time I Die vocalist Keith Buckley and bassist David Karon. Collectively, they are known as the Damned Things. Scott Ian described the sound of the tracks they've written as "Kyuss meeting Thin Lizzy," which to me, sounds like it could end up being pretty kickass.

Now at first, I was actually kind of taken aback by this news. Anthrax is a band I've seen live and respect for their contributions to the metal genre, my first musical love. I've always respected Keith Buckley's vocal abilities and so I was cool with the Every Time I Die factor in the Damned Things. But Fall Out Boy?

Well, that's pretty unmetal in my opinion. Yet, the more I think about it, the more I think they could contribute to this. Fall Out Boy has been around the block for quite a while so at the very least, these guys can play and they can play fast. Plus, when you earn Scott Ian's endorsement, you pretty much earn mine as well. Said Ian of Trohman and Hurley:

"People think of Fall Out Boy and they think of Pete Wentz and Patrick [Stump]. These two guys, man, they're fucking hardcore dudes. Joe writes some amazing riffs."

In a way, he's right. I definitely think of Patrick Stump and his kind of whiny voice that is a big part of my aversion to Fall Out Boy's music (just not my cup o' tea people). I also definitely think of Pete Wentz and his name being in the headlines with his whole high-profile marriage to Ashlee Simpson (and of course, the guyliner around his eyes in constant raccoon fashion). I think these other Fall Out Boy dudes definitely want to make their own mark and it sounds like they're surrounded by the right company to do so.

The Damned Things have about 15 songs demoed and will most likely be recording them sometime before the new year. Their Myspace page has been active since October 2008 but no tunes are currently posted for streaming (though there was one up there a while back from what I've read). I'll give these guys a listen when they're stuff comes out. "Supergroups" are usually pretty fun. Supposedly, Keith Buckley will take more of a singing and less of a screaming approach to his vocals on the Damned Things debut album.

The wRong



Dio's Sick: Bad news on the metal front. Wendy Dio, wife and manager of legendary metal singer Ronnie James Dio, issued this statement last week:

"Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans."

"Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio."

"Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up."

I definitely hope that Dio is on the mend soon and is back onstage when he's ready and healthy. This guy is metal through and through, has a powerful voice, and oozes charisma and fun. I'm definitely more of a casual fan than hardcore fan of Dio-era Black Sabbath as well as Heaven and Hell and his solo stuff, but I respect the guy for what he's done. Besides giving us awesome songs like "Holy Diver" and "The Mob Rules," the guy made the metal horns hand gesture for rock concerts what wiping is for number-two-ing.

We wish you a speedy recovery and send you much love Dio! Here's The D's tribute to Dio for your entertainment:







Empire State of Mind: The Sequel: Let me preface this by saying that I really dig the song "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and featuring Alicia Keys. I'm not from New York City at all but I've visited it and had a blast. I've no problem for showing love for your city. Hell, I loved hearing Lupe Fiasco at Lollapalooza 2008 rapping in Chicago's Grant Park about how he's "from the city in the Midwest, the best city whole wide world." Chi-city, what up!?!

That said, here's this: Alicia Keys has written a sequel to the aforementioned song, "Empire State of Mind, Pt. 2." It's will be featured on her new album The Element of Freedom, out on December 15th. Below is a live version of Keys performing the new track:





OK, so does this sound a little too similar to the original Jay-Z track to anyone else besides me? Haven't we traveled down this road already? I mean, "Empire State of Mind" is a number one hit song (Jay-Z's first by the way) and it's been prevalently featured on television at award shows and was the New York Yankees anthem to their successful 2009 World Series campaign. Basically, my point is this: Why record a song so similarly-sounding to a smash hit we've all heard many, many times already? What's the point besides cashing in on the success of the original song?

I mean, OK, there's some new lyrics and no rapping going on, but the hook is still there as is the familiar piano-driven beat. Why not just include "Empire State of Mind" as a bonus track on the album. I'm sure Jay-Z could have granted Alicia Keys that courtesy given how much she's helped him promote the song in playing it live on TV many times. After all, the guy has pretty strong control over what happens with his music now that he owns his current Roc Nation label. In summation, I'm sure the rest of Alicia Keys' new album is probably worth checking out, but this song – the song that closes out the album by the way – is worth skipping in my opinion.

The Ridiculous



Eminem's Refill: Eminem will be releasing a reissue of Relapse called Relapse: Refill on December 21 (man, how many ‘re-‘ words in one sentence was that?). I'll be picking these up via a leak unless Em decides that since a million+ people already own the 20 original tracks deserve a separate EP style disc. Here's the tracklist for the second disc:

"Forever" (w/ Drake, Kanye West, and Lil' Wayne)
"Hell Breaks Loose"
"Buffalo Bill"
"Elevator"
"Taking My Ball"
"Music Box"
"Drop the Bomb on Em"

Now, I haven't heard the tracks yet, so I could very well be putting my foot in my proverbial mouth here, but as a longtime Eminem listener, I'm just not excited about 7 new Eminem songs. Why? Well, hell man, if they were anything more than B-sides that didn't have enough to make the albums proper of Relapse or Relapse 2, why get excited? I mean, "Forever" is a pretty solid song, but heck, I've had that one on the MP3 player for a few months now. So yeah, let me take what I said back before: I'm just not excited about 6 new Eminem songs, not 7.

Now on the other hand, if the tracks come out and surprise me as really good, well then I look foolish and Marshall looks awesome. That would also show that if he's chucking these tracks out early, just imagine how Relapse 2 is going to end up when it's released in 2010. In general though, I'm not a big reissues type of guy unless I discovered the artist late or something. Case in point: Lady Gaga, I hadn't bought The Fame yet, so I'm excited about picking up 8 new tracks when I get to a Best Buy sometime soon and purchase The Fame Monster.



Adam Lambert = Controversy?: I call bullshit on this one, and not on Adam Lambert despite my criticism of his single "For Your Entertainment" a few weeks ago. Let's review first…

Adam Lambert has come under scrutiny for his performance at the American Music Awards last week, particularly his use of the middle finger gesture, sexual dance moves (including simulated oral sex), and kissing his male keyboard player. Check out Adam Lambert's comments following the performance (pardon the ads at the beginning):


Watch CBS News Videos Online

MTV Shows

So yeah, I find what Lambert's said about the performance and the reactions to it he's received making quite a bit of sense. I mean, other performers put some racy stuff out there on the same broadcast to probably a bigger audience of children given that he went on last when it was likely more kids had gone to bed by then. Where's the backlash on all of that? I mean, Janet Jackson grabbed a dude's crotch. She didn't simulate something sexual like Lambert is being bashed for; she actually did it! He did what he did as an entertainer, not a role model. I know I bitched about Miley Cyrus being a poor role model for kids and all, but she's 16 and is on the Disney Channel, a network for kids, so yeah, that falls under a different kind of scrutiny for me personally, though many may disagree.

The particular part of Lambert's AMA performance that's made the most headlines has been the male-on-male kiss. Many have compared it to the kiss between Madonna and Britney Spears at the VMAs in 2003. People seemed to throw less of a fit about that same-sex kiss than they are about this one. I don't know, it just kind of stinks of double-standards and erroneous reasoning. Why was that less inappropriate than the current case?





And yet, why are both such big deals? It's just kissing! I can see where a middle finger or intimations of oral sex might be called into question, but two dudes kissing ain't that big of a deal, is it? I almost think it would've been a bigger deal if he had kissed a woman instead of a man, given he's an openly gay man and people would've been questioning his sexuality and stuff. Really though, who cares?

In the end, I agree with Lambert's comment that he's "not a babysitter" but rather, a "performer." His job is to entertain and get a reaction out of people and he did one hell of a job apparently. He's definitely got people talking and I think his record and tour sales will ultimately benefit. Any kind of press is good press – well, unless you're Kanye West that is. Kudos to you Adam Lambert for getting your crazy on!

Hasta Luego: And there you have it. Another week of the R's and another chapter closed. I'm nearing my half-year anniversary of being on the 411Mania staff and continually enjoy writing my column here. Have a great week and I'll see you in two weeks from today! Cheers!

Soundtrack to the 3R's this week was played by the following artists…

The Roots (f/ Mos Def & Styles P) - "Rising Down"
The Roots (f/ Dice Raw & Peedi Peedi) – "Get Busy"
The Roots – "75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)"
The Roots (f/ Porn and Dice Raw) – "I Will Not Apologize",
Lupe Fiasco – "The National Anthem"
Lupe Fiasco – "The One"
Lupe Fiasco – "Popular Demand"
Shadows Fall – "Destroyer of Senses"
Dr. Dre (f/ Xzibit and Eminem) – "What's the Difference"
Black Sabbath – "The Mob Rules"
Murs – "I'm Innocent"
Dead Prez – "Hip-Hop"
Ringo Starr – "Photograph"
Ringo Starr – "Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)"
Lupe Fiasco (f/ Matthew Santos) – "Shining Down"
Lupe Fiasco – "Solar Midnite"
John Butler Trio – "Better Than"
John Butler Trio – "Funky Tonight"
John Butler Trio – "Caroline"
Wilco – "Wilco (The Song)"
WIlco – "Deeper Down"
Wilco – "One Wing"
Wilco – "Bull Black Nova"
*the sounds of the second half of the Colts-Texans game were used during the editing and polishing process