411 Music Roundtable: July 2010

Posted by Adam Hill on 07.07.2010

Was Eminem the biggest winner of the month? What would make Miley Cyrus the biggest loser? What was the best album of June? What July release is getting us excited? Find out as the 411 Music Roundtable returns!

Welcome to the return of the 411 Music roundtable!
It's been a long time coming but with the influx of new music zone writers now settled in, it seemed as good a time as any to dust off the old girl and fire her up.

I'm your host Adam Hill, King of the 5 & 1, and each month I'll be gathering together the very best of the staffers right here, on 411 Music (*pause for cheap pop*) to review the biggest stories and releases of the previous month and to look ahead to the goodness the coming month has to offer. As if that wasn't enough, this is also the place the guys can come and sound off about anything they want to in Any Other Business.

Right, enough bobbins, we've got 10 of the Music Zone's best and one guest contributor from the Games Zone, let's get to it.

Daniel Wilcox
Author of 411 Music's Versus

Biggest Winner of the Month: I debated for a little while whether to go with this or not, but at the end of the day no one else stood out as this month's "winner" more than Eminem. While the dude still has his critics, his new record has been well-received by most with notably better reviews than last year's Relapse. And having given it probably a dozen or so listens now, I have to say that this is a fantastic album packed with big, big songs. "Cinderella Man," "Almost Famous," "Not Afraid," "Love the Way You Lie," "You're Never Over" and "No Love" are all absolutely killer tracks. On top of that the record debuted atop the charts as expected, but did so selling a tremendously impressive amount of units that even managed to eclipse the sales of his comeback album last year, perhaps thanks to the strength of the lead single "Not Afraid." It may not be right up there with The Marshall Mathers LP or The Eminem Show, but Recovery isn't too far off that sort of quality either.

Biggest Loser of the Month: Christina Aguilera by some margin. People can continue to debate whether the cancelling of the summer tour and the poor performance of this album means that Aguilera's career has peaked never to return to its former glory, the bottom line is that this record under-performed both in terms of sales and critical reception. Not only did the record fail to reach number one in either the US or Canadian charts, but it plummeted in the following weeks. It did manage to get number one in the UK, as the lowest-selling UK number one album in eight years. It then made chart history by registering the largest drop in chart positions history for a number one album by falling to 29 in its second week. None of the singles have performed as well as would've been expected, and critical reception has been lukewarm at best. On top of that, every interview I've heard this chick give in recent weeks makes her sound terribly desperate for attention, which may mimic the likes of Gaga and Miley, but Christina is someone who is supposed to be able to make headlines based on her talent. June 2010 may officially mark the date that the music industry passed Christina Aguilera by.

Biggest Music News of the Month: I notice this says biggest music news of the month, so Perez Hilton posting a picture of underage snatch doesn't actually qualify, and even if it did it doesn't even come close to the history that was made on the European Sonisphere festivals this month when Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax performed at the same gig for the first time in history. The accurately dubbed big four performing together is metal history and the fact that they've managed to document this stuff for DVD release is just all kinds of awesome and something I can't wait to see for myself. For now I guess we'll just have to settle for this;



Best New Release of the Month: Plenty of good stuff dropped this month. Ozzy Osbourne's Scream was a pleasant return to form and about ten thousand times better than his last record. Stars' The Five Ghosts is another scorching blend of indie pop and alternative rock that could be up there among this summer's best also. I've already mentioned my fondness for Eminem's Recovery but it does need highlighting as one of the month's most impressive releases.
But eclipsing all of them for me was the debut album from The Young Veins, a band you're probably not too familiar with. Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left Panic! at the Disco about a year ago due to creative differences and on the debut record those "creative differences" become apparent. This is a sun-kissed spectacle of an album, perfect for the summer that celebrates and pays tributes to the guys' influences such as the Birds, the Kinks and most notably the Beatles. The perfect way to kick off the summer, this is a half-hour delight of an album that I cannot recommend enough.


"Cape Town" – The Young Veins

Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month:
Well let's begin by giving a nod to some of July's new releases that I've already heard (via nefarious means). Mystery Jet's Serotonin is certainly worth picking up, especially at this time of the year. Bombay Bicycle Club's new record Flaws leaked quite a while ago and is one of my favorite records of the year so that is worth checking out. And then there's the new M.I.A. record, which is quite good if not on the same level as previous efforts. The How to Destroy Angels EP gets a physical release, but we all downloaded that little gem for free ages ago. Korn's new release isn't really getting me too excited. There's a guy UK readers may have heard of called Professor Green who has me intrigued based off of the singles, but I don't know if the album will be any good. Outside of that there's not a whole lot I'm excited about this month, though maybe the new Avenged Sevenfold will surprise me?


"Dreaming of Another World" – Mystery Jets

#nowplaying: I know it sounds silly to say I've rediscovered an album that's only two years old, but I had truly forgotten how good the Subways' All or Nothing truly is. This is another great album for the summer and one that deserves attention, featuring great tracks like "Shake! Shake!" "Kalifornia" and "I Won't Let You Down." On a whole this a band that doesn't get the appreciation it deserves, but this album in particular is killer and one of the best of 2008.


"Shake! Shake!" – The Subways

Any Other Business: This seems like as good a place as any to plug the zone's upcoming summer feature, which myself and the staff have really kicked ass with, I feel. While at the time of writing the whole thing hasn't been finalized and put together, it has been coming along very nicely and at the time of you reading this, should be going live any day now if it hasn't already. So keep an eye out for that and enjoy the summer!

Patrick Robinson
The Hip-Hop Herald & The 37th Chamber (retired)

Biggest Winner of the Month: In my opinion, it has to be Eminem. The man makes a comeback which, despite being solid, isn't universally popular so decides to go back and give us something better. The result? Well just under 750,000 copies sold in the first week of sales is damn impressive, especially when many artists are having trouble reaching 500,000 after an entire month. I'm willing to bet that Recovery will go Platinum within the second week of sales, or at least fall very close.

Biggest Loser of the Month: Lil Kim I think takes this one. Seriously, going after Nicki Minaj because you feel she's biting your style? I'm not a fan of either Lil Kim or Nicki Minaj but Kim's actions and words during this feud have been utterly ridiculous.

Biggest Music News of the Month: The fact that Drake actually DIDN'T sell that much in his first week was pretty big news to me. If you had told me this time last year that Drake wouldn't have gone Gold in his first week, I would have laughed given the sheer levels of hype the man had going for him. Don't get me wrong, 447,000 in your first week is impressive (not as impressive as Eminem) but I had honestly expected Drake to do bigger numbers for ages. Also add in the fact that the album actually got released which in itself is an impressive news piece given how many times it was pushed back.

Best New Release of the Month: Eminem's Recovery hands down. I'd love to go on a rant now about the album and how fantastic a listen it is, but I haven't listened to it yet, well not entirely. I've listened to bits and pieces but these last two weeks or so have been pretty disjointed for me so I really haven't had much of a chance to sit down and properly listen to ANYTHING let alone an entire album unfortunately.

Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month: Big Boi's Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty because it has probably the most interesting name for an album this decade and we're only just now 6 months into it. But really, the album has been delayed so many times I'm excited to actually see it get a release. Big Boi I feel has always been overshadowed by Andre's flair (i.e. people think he dresses funny so they pay more attention to him on the whole) to a degree and when Dre was dropping killer verses from 2006-2008 or so after singing for so damn long, it was especially notable. Meanwhile Big Boi has always been there grinding away and honing his rapping skills and hey, if Gucci Inexplicably Popular Mane can sound good on a track I've got some hope for the album as a whole.

#nowplaying: Ah…yeah, I'd love to say something from Eminem, B.o.B., Little Brother, MURS or any major hip-hop release THIS YEAR, but that hasn't really happened as much. The music I HAVE been listening to is mainly Japanese but the one song that's been getting a lot of play in particular is called "My Soul, Your Beats" which anybody following the anime series Angel Beats will be familiar with, but I really don't think that anybody currently reading has been.


Any Other Business: Ah so I suppose here's "My Soul, Your Beats" if anybody IS interested in what's been running through my head the last two months or so.



In other music news, I can only say that THERE IS A GOD due to the fact that Justin Bieber DID NOT WIN Best New Artist in the BET Awards. Now I know BET has pretty much lost all sense of what it used to represent but how the bloody hell Justin Freaking Bieber made it into their shortlist of nominees and not only that, WAS LEADING THE FAN'S VOTING (which had no effect on the final outcome) by about 60% over the next most popular choice is a mystery to me.

In other personal music news, I WILL try and listen to some new hip-hop this month although knowing the way my brain works it will most likely be something HORRIBLE.

Chris Crowing
"Love, Listen, Loathe"

Biggest Winner of the Month: Eminem for proving that you can cease to be even the slightest bit relevant or interesting and still get a massive selling record, just by being Eminem. Good for you.

Biggest Loser of the Month: Katy Perry, because if rumors are true and she & Russell Brand are already married, she's missed a great opportunity to get paid a fortune, while wearing a ridiculous outfit and being the centre of attention by having the big lavish, glossy-magazine-photo wedding. Also because, SHE'S MARRIED RUSSELL BRAND.

Biggest Music News of the Month: It's been quite a slow month for music news – of course 411's news page is full of photos of half-naked women who are supposedly musicians and such, and the misdemeanors of off-the-rails rock stars, but I don't really think that constitutes MUSIC news. I'll have to go for the fact that Ozzfest will be returning to the UK for the first time in a long time, even if it is for a one-off show at the 02 Arena and the support thus far announced for the Ozzman comes from KoRn (since 2001, meh…), the Murderdolls (fun, but not really a band I'd pay to see) and Skindred (awesome!)

Best New Release of the Month: Mastodon, if only for their very entertaining and reasonably priced Revenge gets Ugly EP contribution to the Jonah hex soundtrack. It's really very good.

Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month: While I'm still waiting for release dates for upcoming 36 Crazyfists and Stone Sour albums, it seems that the coming month might be quite a good one for some chunky rock action, with Avenged Sevenfold's Nightmare, Soilwork's the Panic Broadcast and Chimaira's Coming Alive all due. There is also a record set for 12 Stones, who have always been good at their brand of soft rock, and I guess that there is a certain freakshow allure to the upcoming KoRn album…

#nowplaying: Captive Audience by Secondskin as reviewed by me here. Simply the best thing that I've heard this year, and by a Scottish band as well.
Any Other Business: Is it too much to ask that Oli Sykes just vanishes up his own ass into an alternate dimension so he can't bug me with his hateful personality, awful singing and his bands seventeenth-rate attempt and whatever it is they are trying to achieve?

Aaron Titan
Music 3R's, Album Reviewer

Biggest Winner of the Month: I think the clear choice here is Eminem, isn't it? The dude sold over 750,000 copies of his newest album, Recovery, in its first week of release. Not only that, he did so after the album leaked two weeks early. That's pretty impressive and there are VERY few artists in the industry that could garner that kind of success in the current day market of selling albums. Regardless of whether you liked Recovery or not - and I liked it a lot (see my review which is linked above) - you have to admit that Em is having a pretty bitchin' month.

Biggest Loser of the Month: Vince Neil is DEFINITELY the biggest loser of the month. He was recently arrested on suspicion of drunk driving while leaving Vegas and not only that, but several photos have surfaced of him drinking champagne on the day in question. There's also word of him having smashed a fan's camera shortly before the driving incident in question. I mean, the dude has had great success with the resurgence of Motley Crue and their upcoming stint in co-headlining Ozzfest this summer. Plus, his new solo disc, Tattoos & Tequila, has been given some pretty favorable reviews. Why put yourself at risk like this? I mean, there's the obvious issue of safety here, but let us not forget Neil's legal past. In 1984, Neil drove drunk and crashed, resulting in the death of Hanoi Rocks guitarist Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley. So yeah, this is simply not cool and Vince Neil is a LOSER in my book.

Biggest Music News of the Month: For me, it was the blockbuster success of Drake with the release of his proper major label debut, Thank Me Later. I didn't really listen to his mixtape So Far Gone and wondered if the awesomeness of his super-collaboration "Forever" (with Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, and Eminem) was a fluke. I was proven wrong, as Thank Me Later is simply brilliant and it's even more impressive considering the dude is just 23 (my age). Fuck, the dude almost sold 500,000 units his opening week! That's impressive for this day and age.

Best New Release of the Month: Eminem's Recovery, no doubt about it! You can read my full review (linked above) so see why I liked it, but let's just say it's his best release since The Marshall Mathers LP.

Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month: I'm definitely looking forward to Korn's Korn III: Remember Who You Are and Hellyeah's Stampede. I'm actually reviewing both of these and have the leak of the latter, though I haven't listened to it yet. I loved both Hellyeah singles I've heard while I think the newest Korn single "Oildale (Leave Me Alone)" is kind of lackluster. We'll see if it makes more sense within the context of the album though.

#nowplaying: You guys should check out Tim Fite's newest release, Under the Table Tennis. As a big Tim Fite fan, even I didn't know this was out until just a week ago, though it came out in May. On this album, which I highlighted in my column as my latest "Opus of the Week," Tim addressed several aspects of the present economic climate and how it affects the everyday people of this country, and he does it in the tongue in cheek, eclectic way that only he can. Click HERE to download the album from Tim's website, free of charge.

Any Other Business: I just wanted to take my time this month in Adam's feature to say thanks to all the 411Mania staff for working so hard and kicking ass each week. I've really enjoyed participating in everyone's features and hope to continue to do so in the future. This was fun!

Alistair McGeorge
Previously wrote A Lesson In..., now writer of Album A Day

Biggest Winner of the Month: Without a doubt, I'm going with Eminem for this one. Recovery has just been released, and went straight in at #1 in the Billboard 200. I've not had a chance to properly listen to it in its entirety, but by all accounts the new album is a return to form after the disappointment that was Relapse. For saving his career and showing that he's still got it, Eminem is definitely the winner of the month for me.

Biggest Loser of the Month: I'm maybe cheating a bit on this, but I'm kind of going with something that's disappointed me most this month, rather than a specific story. Ozzy Osbourne released his new studio album Scream, without former guitarist Zakk Wylde. Whilst fellow 411Mania writer Shawn S. Lealos gave this is a stellar review, I just wasn't impressed. I'm a huge Ozzy fan, I really am, but this was almost embarrassing to listen to. The vocals grated for me, and the only thing that would distinguish this from any modern metal is the fact that it has Ozzy's name on the front. There's nothing original about the sound, and I don't think it's a great return for the living legend.

Biggest Music News of the Month: I went through this last month's worth of news stories on 411Mania...and I honestly didn't find anything that leapt out as huge. That's not to say my fellow writers won't show me up with something I've seriously overlooked, but I just didn't find anything that fit this. I'll just have to say the news that blink-182 are heading into the studio in September to write and record their new album...well, it's got me hyped. I'm excited to see the band at Leeds Festival this summer, and I'm really looking forward to their new album, so this is great news for me.

Best New Release of the Month: Without a doubt, Against Me!'s new album White Crosses is the best release of the month I think, maybe even of the last couple. I recently posted a summary of my views about this album on Facebook, take a look:

Alistair McGeorge thinks Against Me!'s album "White Crosses" is actually a modern punk masterpiece. Without as strong cries of "sell-out", it could be to them what "American Idiot" was for Green Day's mainstream appeal. Incredible album that only improves with every listen.

It's a fantastically crafted album in the continuing, steady and true-to-roots evolution of the band. They're getting more epic and polished, but without losing their punk edge. Incredible album.



Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month: I'm unsure whether this is meaning the following month, or this month just past. If it's the former, then there really isn't much I'm hyped for this next month. All the albums I'm excited for now (Plan B's release in the Fall months, My Chemical Romance's fourth effort) are still a while off yet. If I had to pick something, it'd be Nightmare by Avenged Sevenfold, at least just to see how (if at all) their sound has changed since The Rev's tragic death.

#nowplaying: Almost on repeat for the last month or so has been the entire back catalogue of British folk/punk singer-songwriter Frank Turner. I wrote about him in the debut of Album A Day, and saw him support Green Day a couple of weeks ago. Mixing relatable lyrics on the matter of love with powerful notions of protest and political commentary, he's extremely relatable and very talented. Take a look...



Any Other Business: There's not a whole lot of music-related news or releases that I'm obsessing over at the moment, just a lot of shows coming up (or recently attended). As I've said already, I got to see Green Day a couple of weeks ago, and I'll be seeing pop-rockers McFly (again outdoors) in a couple of weeks time. Add to that, Leeds Festival, where personally I'm excited to see (amongst others, of course) Against Me!, blink-182, Weezer, Alkaline Trio and The Gaslight Anthem. Moving onto the end of the year, I'll be getting to see Plan B and Frank Turner, plus Australian musician/comedian Tim Minchin (hopefully). There's nothing better than seeing an act live, with every show sure to conjure up memories in a few months time.

David Hayter
Album Reviewer

Biggest Winner Of The Month: June 2010 has to be among the sweetest months metal fans have ever experienced. The Big Four played together for the first time across most of Europe, and it was beamed to cinemas around the world. While earlier in the month, Download, the metal festival based on the hallowed turf (in metal circles) of Donnington celebrated its 30th anniversary with AC/DC, Aerosmith & Rage Against The Machine. Speaking of Rage, they celebrated their victory over Simon Cowell, with a free gig in the heart of London that I was lucky enough to attend. So all in all, it was a pretty good month to celebrate the awesomeness that is metal. Of course, it's not all good news, Paul Gray died, Dio died and Isis split, but you can't have it all your own way, right?

Biggest Loser Of The Month: I don't want to harp on about this too much as I discussed this topic at length in the "Top 5 Of The Year So Far", but Gorillaz are nonetheless my biggest losers of the month. Gorillaz stepped in for U2 at Glastonbury and absolutely bombed with the live crowd, becoming the subject of ridicule. Now their performance was actually quite brilliant, but it was so inappropriate for the situation. It was low key, melancholic, intellectual and exclusive; when the crowd demanded big, simplistic, euphoric and accessible. I discussed in the top 5 how I worried that this was a bad sign for the future of the music industry, and who and what should headline music festivals, and big shows in general.

The Gorillaz failure represented the paradox of the 21st century; the artistic fringe has been freed by the internet and new promotional mechanism to revel in their own eccentricities, with access to an audience that could never dreamed have reaching just a decade ago. However, while this has allowed creativity to flourish at the fringe, it seems to have strengthened the populist core. For now you can sell great numbers of records and have a large fan base without ever encroaching on the mainstream. You have direct access to your new fans without the endorsement of either the radio or music television. You never have to "break through", you never have to do "a Nirvana" or "a Radiohead". Yet despite your fame when it comes to hundreds of thousands of people you are a "nobody". Your number one records no longer guarantee you euphoric triumphant hands in the air moments. While mainstream tastes, while more eclectic in general, are more impenetrable than ever. It's a bizarre paradox; I'm convinced it's a change for the better, but you have to feel sorry for the multi-platinum Gorillaz when they're greeted by 100,000 people collectively scratching their heads and saying "what the fuck is this?". (Whoops, and I thought I was going to keep it short).

Biggest Music News Of The Month: June saw The Strokes make their live return after a four year absence. The fractious band had gained the moniker "the lazy band in show business" after spending the best part of the last four years meandering aimlessly. The Strokes were arguable the most influential, if not the post important, band of the last ten years in terms of shaping credible pop culture. Part of The Strokes charm was the disinterested shrug with which they greeted fame and superstardom; but after four years this act was wearing thin with even their most loyal of fans. Many expected them to simply disappear with the same ramshackle nonchalance with which they arrived. Yet randomly, in June they emerged with a series of live dates; an underground gig under the name "venison" and two headline slots at the Isle Of Wight and Rockness festivals in the UK. Thankfully, they were effortless brilliant and bewilderingly tight for a band who have spent the majority of the last four years at arm's length from one another. Yet despite the excellence of their performance, there was no materiel and it emerged that the band had been recording without lead singer Julian Casablancas. Worrying signs indeed, especially when it emerged that their reunion was as much fuelled by money as any spark of inspiration. The Strokes certainly risk damaging their legacy with a sub-par album, but I suspect many, me included, are just glad to have them back. Hence their return is big news; whether it's for the right or wrong reasons remains to be seen.

Best New Release Of The Month: This has been an absolutely tremendous year for music if you're a fan of electronica, baroque pop, indie or quirky pop. There have been at least two top notch releases every month, with a flurry of good and decent efforts surrounding them. Well that was true up and until June. Sure there have been some good releases but this month failed to produce a really great record. That is, except for Robyn's Body Talk Part 1. A record that falls just short of her best work, but still manages to contain some of the most divine pop music being written anywhere in the world right now. Predictably, unpredictable, Robyn offers up a little bit of everything showing off almost her entire arsenal (minus her rap skills). While scenes have come and gone in the last ten years; Scandinavia has never stopped serving up delicious pop music, and Body Talk Part 1, is simply the next installment. It's rammed full of brilliant pop that while light and effortless, never feels insubstantial. Picking a favorite track is tricky, as I love "Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do" and "Dancing On My Own" but "Dancehall Queen" has to be the clear stand out. Robyn and Diplo could there be a more perfect marriage?...I was going to make a lame semi-hopeful, semi-self deprecating joke, but I think I'll leave it there.

Most Anticipated New Release Of The Month: Despite the ridiculously obtuse title I'm looking for to M.I.A's release more than any other next month; possibly, more than any other this year, although Arcade Fire are certainly a close second. Kala was my choice for album of the decade (00-09), it encapsulated the entire reorientation of the music industry in the 21st Century; the broadening of the artistic palate, the shrinking of world, the blurring of cultural borders and the continued brutality of humanity. Quite frankly it was tremendous, but it can be bettered. I have high hopes, but I'll also be subjecting it to great scrutiny; roll on the 13th.

#Now Playing: Okay so I've already given Robyn some love, so let's spread this around as I went a bit LCD crazy in this week's top 5. "Odessa" and Swim by Caribou are still in heavy rotation in my little world. It's a glorious record, marrying two of my favorite themes; electronica and disenchantment, beautifully. "Odessa" sounds gorgeous imagine Wilco crooning over a chronically disillusioned Prodigy beat.



Any Other Business: I'm really not happy about this. I don't want to blame the wrong people but I think I'm right in saying that Live Nation have raised their ticket prices by £20 (that's about $30) on big gigs, and roughly 25% across the board. It's ridiculous. It's completely pricing gigs out for most people's price range. For example, I was trying to get tickets for Gaga, but standing sold out, and I didn't want to sit. So I thought I'd wait for the extra date they promised. Well, they announced an extra date at the same venue (the o2 in London), for the exact same stage show, with the exact same support. Except now the exact same show's tickets had gone from £35 ($53) (without booking charge) to £75 ($113) . That's just hideous, so obviously I'm not going, and it's frustrating as all hell. They expect me to pay £75 ($113) for Gaga (or £100 ($150) for Bon fucking Jovi) when I could pay £40 ($60) to see Jay-Z headline a festival, with Lily Allen, Drake, D-12, Friendly Fires, Slash and thirty other artists? I'm mean that's just extortion.

Funnily enough when Lily Allen was debating piracy on the internet and getting a world of abuse for it; she warned labels were planning to increase ticket prices massively, and that she was actually doing the best she could to keep prices down for her fans. At the time, most thought it was a throwaway platitude so she could look like "the good guy" in a heated debate, but in reality, she played seven dates at the Brixton Academy (6,000 capacity) with tickets ranging from £18-£22 ($27-$33), rather than paying one date at the O2. I went to see her it was awesome. The show was great, for a huge selling artist it was great to see her, and her expensive how, in such an intimate environment (even if I did get stuck in the snow for four hours afterwards). In hindsight it was a very cool of her to do, but sadly it was the exception. I do genuinely fear the middle class are about to be priced out of gig going, just like the working class once were. It doesn't look good, especially as 600,000 people are about to be made unemployed in the UK and the world economy is just barely creaking along. Ugh...this is just an aimless rant really, and I know miserable note to end on, but it's how I'm feeling and it's where I'm ending.

Todd Vote
Writer of the 411 Games Top 5

Biggest Winner of the Month: Eminem, Recovery is #1, and looks like it is staying there for a minute. What more could he ask for?

Biggest Loser of the Month: Even after a fantastic tribute to MJ at the BET Awards, Chris Brown is still not able to get back in the public favor, with everyone nearly immediately writing it off as a publicity stunt. Couldn't happen to a better guy.

Biggest Music News of the Month: Bret Michaels, his health scares followed by an amazing week on television. Now rumor has it that he may replace Simon Cowell on A.I. Rock on Brett.

Best New Release of the Month: Recovery, it is the only CD I have bought this month, so of course it is the best for me, also the biggest sales week of the year? That has to account for something.

Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month: I'm looking forward to the new Korn album, and the Dirty Little Rabbits, they are playing a show about 20 minutes north of me in August, and I can't wait to pick up the CD and see them live.

#nowplaying: "Effigy", by the Smashup. I got it a couple years back on a compilation disc for the Masters or Horror TV show, and I instantly fell in love with the song.
Recovery, hey I just bought it. Of course I'm listening to it.

Any Other Business: A friend from work recently turned me onto this group. I don't know much about them yet, but they have a fairly heavy sound to them, especially on the first album. The name of the band is In This Moment. If you are into heavier rock, check out their first album. The second album is more on par with Evanescence as far as how heavy it is. On top of that the lead singer is a chick, she's really hot, and she has quite a set of pipes on her. They have a new album dropping' on July 13th called A Star-Crossed Wasteland. Give them a listen when you have a chance, you might like it. http://www.myspace.com/inthismoment

Aaron Mayagoitia
Reviewer

Biggest Winner of the Month: This month's winner is a group of thrash bands metal fans had been waiting for decades for them to forget their differences and share a bill. Of course I'm talking about The Big Four (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth & Anthrax) and their appearance in Bulgaria's Sonisphere festival. All those who have followed any or all of the bands know that twenty years ago (when the thrash scene was at its zenith) it would have been impossible – and crazy – to put Metallica (shattered after the death of bassist Cliff Burton), Slayer (guitarist Kerry King in a feud with Megadeth's Dave Mustaine), Megadeth (leader Dave Mustaine in a feud with Metallica and Slayer's Kerry King) and Anthrax in the same room, let alone on the same bill. But all parties worked out their frictions and scored a massive win with their thrash extravaganza that was beamed to movie theaters across the globe. If these guys got along and made something like that happen, anyone can.

If you want to know more about what went on that night, read my review.



Biggest Loser of the Month: Ozzy Osbourne parted ways with longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde and recruited Firewind's Gus G to refresh his sound in hopes of being relevant again. Scream is the first product to come out of the Ozzy/Gus G partnership and it is a very disappointing album (it also sold less copies than previous album Black Rain in its first week). But don't blame Gus G; in an interview with MusicRadar he revealed that all of the songs were already written when he entered the studio to record his parts, which means we'll have to wait until another album is released to know what Ozzy's new axeman can bring to the table.



Biggest Music News of the Month: Metallica's biggest surprise for metal fans during their set at the Sonisphere festival was a cover of Diamondhead's "Am I Evil" that brought to the stage members of Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer. Everyone thought that getting the bands on the same bill was impossible, but to have them all performing together on stage was even more unfathomable. However, metal history was made that night and Bulgaria, as well as movie theaters around the globe, got more than what they paid for.



Best New Release of the Month: The Quick & Easy Boys' Red Light Rabbit is the most satisfying album I listened to in June. The Oregon trio's sophomore effort has that type of magic where you know, after the first three notes are played, that you're in for something good. And it is. The Boys put together a well-played mix of ska, funk, reggae, rock, country and blues that can woo both fans of jam bands and dance floor burners alike.

You can read my full review of the album right here.



Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month: July has no releases that have me in eager anticipation. However, August has two albums for which I'm currently drooling: Iron Maiden's The Final Frontier and The Sword's Warp Riders – of which Warp Riders is the most anticipated.

The Texas doom-metal band The Sword caught my attention with its sophomore release Gods of the Earth: a riff feast reminiscent of Black Sabbath's Master of Reality smothered in Norse mythology and low-end thud that won over Metallica's Lars Ulrich (he invited the band to tour with Metallica during the World Magnetic tour in 2008). And now that there's a new album coming out I can't wait to hear more of that thick riffage for which the band is known – not to mention that the album cover is simply awesome.



#nowplaying: I currently can't get out of my head the whole of Devo's latest album Something for Everybody; the hooks and beats that the veteran new-wave rockers came up with this time around are catchy as hell. The CD is currently stuck in my stereo all day; I have a queue of newly acquired albums waiting for me to listen to them but I just can't shake "Don't Shoot (I'm a Man)", "Fresh" and "What We Do" off of my system (and after I push play I end up listening to the rest of the album). If this goes on until the end of the year it will surely make my Top 5 Albums of the Year list.

You can read my full review of Devo's album right here.



Any Other Business: I stumbled upon this video of German guitarist Dennis Hormes when searching for demonstrations of a very specific guitar, and I ended up forgetting about the guitar and I started searching for more Dennis Hormes material! This guy can shred, and he does it with taste and restraint – which is what most heavy-metal gunslingers lack. Since this discovery I have started looking up more guitar players on YouTube that have that balance between scorching skills and savvy playing, as well as sweet tone. Any recommendations?

Lenny Vowels
Album Reviewer

Biggest Winner of the Month: Gonna have to go with Eminem on this one. His seventh album, Recovery, was released this past month to high anticipation and critical acclaim. On top of that, it became Em's sixth straight album to reach #1 in its first week, selling 741,000 copies. These sales alone are being hailed and praised for assisting the music industry in the slump in record sales that's taken place due to the digital age. Em's future is looking bright once again, and the month of June 2010 should be fondly remembered as the start of his commercial Renaissance.

Biggest Loser of the Month: I might get handed some "controversy" calls for this one, but I think it's been a rough month for Miley Cyrus. Her anticipated album, Can't Be Tamed, was released to very lukewarm reviews, and while it debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts in the states, her hype was quickly quelled by the release of Eminem's newest record. She also seems to be in the media a bit too much these days, from moving out of her house at the age of only 17 (only in music, I guess) to having an ass-shot of hers surface on the web, Miley seems to be becoming one of those singers who might inevitably become famous for all of the wrong reasons (I'm looking at YOU, Lindsay Lohan). Maybe she'll clean up her act and words, but until then, feel free to enjoy the train wreck.

Biggest Music News of the Month: Eminem gets the nod here again. While the release of Recovery isn't necessarily news, the fact that he's managed to climb his way back to the top of the music world after fighting off his demons speaks volumes about his character. Perhaps the sales have to do with the fact that the rap industry really could've used the shot in the arm... or maybe that's just my opinion. Whatever the reason, Em getting back to the top of his game and the world of music in general was more than enough to make June a good month.

Best New Release of the Month: My favorite CD of the year thus far was actually released in the month of June. I know I've already discussed it in this week's Top 5, but the new album from the Chemical Brothers, Further, has already set expectations that the rest of 2010 may not be able to hold a candle to. It's a raw album full of energy, excitement, tenacity, and just plain fun. If you haven't heard it, go listen to it. Now.

Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month: Judging by what I've seen coming up in July, there really isn't a whole lot that I'm anticipating. The new album from Hellyeah looks to be all right, and I've got a soft spot for the supergroup, considering I've seen them live twice. Their first self-titled album rocked pretty damn hard, so I hope that they're able to follow through with Stampede. I'm also looking forward to listening to the new album from Picture Me Broken that's due out next week.

#nowplaying: I've been listening to a lot of older Indie stuff as of late, from Modest Mouse to Interpol. My new favorite album to listen to, though, has got to be the 2010 release from the band Titus Andronicus called The Monitor. The song "A More Perfect Union" has been stuck in my head all week, and it's going to be an awesome song to cruise to on repeat on the 4th of July.

Any Other Business: Since I mentioned both bands without providing any evidence, feel free to enjoy. Here's Picture Me Broken and Titus Andronicus.

Julian Williams
Life On Shuffle

Biggest Winner of the Month: While we all figured that Recovery would put up good numbers, I don't think that any of us believed that Eminem would move nearly 750,000 units. Especially since Relapse, his first album in 5 years, managed to sell just a little over 600,000. I figured that his new album would sell just as much as Relapse or a little less since some fans were less than enamored with that album. I guess Em being more focused and serious brought back more of his old fans. Selling nearly 750,000 albums in a week has always been impressive, but it's especially impressive in this day and age where illegal downloading is rampant and it isn't uncommon to see the #1 album in the country sell barely 100,000 units.

Biggest Loser of the Month: Ohh Miley. I guess the scandalous and sluttish behavior didn't result in album sales. Shocker. I thought that Miley would sell at least 300,000 albums in her first week so her selling just barely over 100,000 has to be seen as a disappointment by her camp. I guess she can be tamed after all. HA! You see what I did there?? Because since her album is named Can't Be Tamed. And she was "tamed" by paltry album sales. Get it?!? Screw you guys.

Biggest Music News of the Month: Up until Chris Brown's performance at the BET Awards last week, he was Public Enemy #1 in the eyes of most of the public. After his brutal beat down of Rihanna, everyone but the most ardent of Chris Brown fans couldn't even stand to look at the guy. Then he performs at the BET Awards by FINALLY giving a great dancing tribute to Michael Jackson after the many half-assed attempts that we've seen for the past year. But the dancing wasn't the end of the performance. He went on to attempt to sing "Man On The Mirror" but instead broke down like a little baby and started blowing snot bubbles all across the stage. All of a sudden the next day, everybody loved Chris Brown! All the radio stations talked about how great his tribute was and how it's time to finally forgive him. Would all these people be supporting Chris Brown if he didn't do that performance? Doubtful. Whether the tears on stage were genuine or staged is still up for debate, but one thing that isn't debatable is that his crybaby act on stage in front of millions of viewers may have just resurrected his career.

Best New Release of the Month: In a month filled with top notch releases from Eminem, Drake, Delphic, and The Chemical Brothers, it was the How I Got Over from The Roots that stood head and shoulders above the rest. This album is just filled with that classic Roots sound and it showcases why they are one of the most underrated and underappreciated groups in hip-hop history. If you haven't listened to this album, I advise you to do so because it is simply magnificent.

Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month: July looks like a pretty slow month for new releases in comparison to June, but I'm definitely looking forward to the new album from M.I.A. While she may talk out of her ass sometimes, there is no denying that she makes fantastic music. Both Arular and Kala are classic albums and I have no doubt that /\/\ /\ Y /\ will follow that same trend of awesomeness.

#nowplaying: Ohh man, I've got so much stuff I'm listening to right now. Just a few of the new albums that are in constant rotation on my iPod right now are Revolutions Per Minute (Reflection Eternal), Recovery (Eminem), How I Got Over (The Roots), Distant Relatives (Nas & Damian Marley), Thank Me Later (Drake), Acolyte (Delphic), Brothers (The Black Keys) and Further (The Chemical Brothers). I've also been listening to a lot of classic Prince and Michael Jackson songs. Can't go wrong with either of those two.

Any Other Business: If any of you guys have an iPhone or Blackberry, you should definitely consider spending the $10 a month to get the Rhapsody app. It's a great value for $10 as you can download an unlimited amount of music directly to your phone. I get to listen to a lot of albums that I never got a chance to listen to before and discover new music that I probably never would have heard otherwise. So do yourself a favor and get it! Note to iPhone users, though: Do NOT update to ios4 if you plan to use the Rhapsody app as the folks at Rhapsody have NOT updated their app to be compatible with it yet. So you'll be stuck with an app that freezes all the time if you update to ios4. I learned that the hard way. A fix is coming next week for the people who did update to ios4, though. Allegedly.

Dan Pardalis
Album Reviewer

Biggest Winner of the Month: Drake - Having followed and supported his career from fairly early on, to see him finally live up to his hype and take the number 1 spot with Thank Me Later, and boast the 4th biggest outing in music this year was something significant. Not to mention that the album is probably one of the best I've heard this year (Eminem just edged him out for the best, but more on that later). It's far from over however, because he still has to prove he's not a passing fad and survive the sophomore slump. For now though, I'd say he's achieved something well worthy of a celebration, bitches.

Biggest Loser of the Month: M.I.A. - From making ridiculous comments about the C.I.A. controlling society through Facebook and Google to feuding with music journalists and dissing Justin Bieber, the "Paper Planes" singer has really outdone herself at being an absolute PR nightmare. Without a really solid hit lined up (XXXO is a decent song, but it's not gonna do too much in the charts), and an album due out very soon, she's really not doing herself any favors. Her management needs to muzzle her, for her and their financial sake.

Biggest Music News of the Month: Chris Brown Cries – I feel like I'm missing a piece of news way bigger than this, but it incorporates two of the bigger stories in music last year, the legendary singer of "Beat It" passing away, and another singer literally beating it. I'll admit that his dance tribute to Michael was on point and he completely nailed it – that he should be applauded for. There was something unnerving about those tears during "Man in the Mirror" though, and while the jury is out on whether they were real or not, the whole thing simply reeks of publicity stunt. Either way it looks like it worked though, because the crowd cheered him all the way, especially the women. Ah, to forgive and forget.

Best New Release of the Month: Eminem's Recovery – This was the album I'd been waiting to hear all year, and I couldn't be happier with the end result. After the disappointing Relapse (which was still better than a lot of albums last year), I was hoping that he could bounce back, and he did exactly that, completely denouncing his previous two releases and declaring his triumphant return to form. It's one of Em's most focused releases ever, and much like Jay-Z, he's embraced his older perspective but managed to do it in a way that's entirely relevant to current fans of hip-hop as well. While it wasn't perfect, it was definitely the best album out this month, and my favorite of the lot so far this year.

Your Most Anticipated New Release of the Month: Rick Ross' Teflon Don – As much as the whole "Officer Ricky" thing was supposed to ruin him before his last release Deeper Than Rap, the big man still managed to release a disc full of solid music and completely turned the tables on his detractors – sorry 50! Now he's back with no drama, and with his notoriously brilliant ear for production and a list of collaborators including Kanye West, Drake, Jay-Z, and T.I., I'm expecting another great release from the boss this month.

#nowplaying: Big K.R.I.T.'s Krit Wuz Here – This guy has a stupid, unmarketable name, but his music is actually really good. As a lyrically-inclined Southern rookie rapper, he has a lot to prove, but does amazing well on his first album, which he has released absolutely free here: http://www.djbooth.net/index/mixtapes/entry/big-krit-krit-wuz-here/. This guy actually does all his own production too, which is kind of a mixture of Kanye-West style old-school soul samples combined with the distinct Southern bounce of acts like UGK. If you like T.I. or B.o.B, then definitely check this guy out.




So there we have it, the first Music Roundtable in ages and it was an absolute belter. But what do you think? Do you agree with the staffs choices? Let us know in the comment section.

And with that, I'm outta here. See you next month.