411 Music Roundtable: March Edition

Posted by Mitch Michaels on 03.18.2008

The 411 Music staff takes one last look at last month, when iTunes took another step towards ruling the world, Jack Johnson went #1, the Grammys awarded Herbie Hancock and Amy Winehouse, Iron Maiden released an awesome live DVD and Fat Joe beefed with everyone in site! Plus, previews for albums by Joe, Exodus, Cavalera Conspiracy, Snoop, Flo Rida, Black Tide and others!

Hello worldwide neighborhood, it's another edition of the 411 Music Roundtable, where the commended and/or bombed Music Zone staff look back on the news of the last month and forward to the new releases of this one.

On with the show!


MARCH 2008


BIGGEST WINNER OF THE MONTH


Herbie Hancock
Blake Lauderback: Herbie managed to walk away with some serious hardware at the Grammy's this year, which is a pretty outstanding feat for a jazz artist. On top of that he was a part of one of the most solid performances of the night, as he participated in the performance of "Rhapsody in Blue."

iTunes
Dan Marsicano: Oh, iTunes, what a relationship we have. On one hand, I love the fact that you have a vast library of music for only $9.99. On the other hand, your music quality ranges from decent to poor. Looks like the American public doesn't care though, as it was reported that iTunes has reached over 4 BILLION downloads, which puts it ahead of Target and Best Buy as the number two largest music retailer in the US. iTunes is only behind Wal-Mart now and could possibly take the number one spot by the end of 2008. iTunes is a favorite with the young crowd, and will continue to become more and more popular as time goes on, even with the older crowd. Personally, I'm a fan of CD's, always have been, always will, but I do find myself purchasing from iTunes from time to time. So I say congratulations to iTunes for such high sales and for killing people's urge to buy CD's.

Buckshot and Duck Down Entertainment
Phil Watts, Jr.: It's been a long time since Buckshot got jerked by Nervous Records, using it as a motivator for turning Duck Down Management into DUCK DOWN RECORDS. For the past few months, he's been making moves, like signing KRS-One, as well as recently signing DJ Revolution of the legendary Wake Up Show. On top of that, he has a few projects planned, like his upcoming duet album with KRS, and another album with 9th Wonder called The Formula (the latter which will be released on April 15, a.k.a. Tax Day.) Duck Down Records is also involved in an concert event called Soundclash, in conjunction with Stones Throw Records.

Amy Winehouse
Dan Haggerty: Five Grammys. International recognition in time for the deluxe re-release of her Grammy winning album (great management there by the way – it's good to see that Amy has some solid people watching her business interests). This was the best possible month she could have right now, and if she can get her shit together personally she'll be able to ride this momentum into huge things. Sometimes success is being able to take advantage of the best possible circumstances.

Young Jeezy
Patrick Robinson: During February, Jeezy was sponsoring a competition where contestants would write in about their dreams and aspirations. Jeezy would then select one wish to fulfill. The winner was Tamara Jenkins-Wilson of North Carolina, mother of a 13-year old boy with cerebral palsy who is confined to a wheelchair. The mother wished for a wheelchair accessible van, as she currently has to lift the child in and out of their car for appointments, as the boy's father is currently serving in Iraq. Jeezy presented the family with a Dodge Caravan as well as clothes from his new line on the 26th and treated the family to dinner at Justin's Restaurant in Atlanta.

Jack Johnson
John Nagle: A number one album, plus a Rolling Stone cover story that made him impossible to hate. If that's not success, then I don't know what is.


BIGGEST LOSER OF THE MONTH


Music Fans
Blake Lauderback: We were blessed with another month of being bombarded by "As The Whore Turns" starring Britney Spears. I look forward to the day when we can stop hearing about her wasted life and get back to hearing about the artists that, you know, still make music.

Maxim
Dan Marsicano: So, for those unaware, Maxim Magazine posted an album review of the Black Crowes' new album Warpaint. The problem? There weren't any advance copies given out to the media. So this reviewer formed his opinion on the album based on one song. Yep, one fucking song. I wish my job at 411mania was that easy. It is a poor example of how magazines are struggling to keep up with the times, as online journalism is becoming the future. Maxim came out of this looking really bad and it may take a while for them to regain their reputation. Personally, I'm glad they got caught. I hope this proves to other magazines that you should take the time to write a review on an album you have actually heard instead of making shit up.

Michael Jackson
Dan Haggerty: Note what I said about Amy Winehouse and her having the best possible month to really kick her career to the next level. Michael Jackson had the same opportunity this month, and totally blew it. He had the release of the 25th Anniversary edition of Thriller, one of the biggest selling albums of all time, mishandled and for all intents and purposes bombed. He could have followed this (or promoted it) through an appearance at the Grammys (and they wanted it!), but let his detached version of reality screw that up as well. Imagine him pulling off a performance at the 50th Grammys, all the news/hype of a comeback, and then Thriller hitting the shelves followed by a planned tour. Instead, we get nadda plus the wonderful spectacle of Neverland foreclosing. What an idiot (savant).

Fat Joe
Patrick Robinson: Fat Joe wants to break 50 Cent's new teeth. Joe even admitted that in a one-on-one fight, he would lose, but he doesn't care "You can put your money on that guy. I just want to bust his fucking new teeth he got. Wide-open". Joe then proceeds to start a fight with Papoose, which he also promptly lost as Joe's entourage was forced to step in to stop the fight. Seriously, this is looking like the Cam'Ron/50 beef from last year in terms of sheer stupidity.

Lou Pearlman
John Nagle: Not only is he facing federal fraud charges, but a former employee is selling nearly all of his possessions on eBay in the saddest/creepiest auction in internet history. Among the items: An oil painting of the Backstreet Boys with Pearlman in a yellow pimp coat and a complete set of Chippendale's coffee mugs. At last we know what failure truly looks like.


BIGGEST MUSIC NEWS OF THE MONTH


The Grammys
Blake Lauderback: It is the biggest night of the year for the industry, and despite several uninspired segments, there we some quality Grammy moments. Foo Fighters and John Paul Jones, Alicia Keys, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and John Fogerty, and the aforementioned "Rhapsody in Blue" segment all displayed at least a little of that "big moment" feel. Amy Winehouse also won big, and who knows, maybe she will FINALLY realize that people appreciate her musical style instead of her cracked-out style. Well… probably not.

New Opeth Album
Dan Marsicano: Yeah, I know there were bigger news stories, like Amy Winehouse winning lots of Grammies, Michael Jackson losing his home, and Stone Temple Pilots reforming. However, being a HUGE Opeth fan, this is definitely a huge news story for me. I loved 2005's Ghost Reveries, and even with a new lineup, I could see Watershed as good, if not better, than Ghost Reveries. June 3rd can't come soon enough!

New AC/DC Album
Dan Haggerty: Britney did blah-blah conservator, yadda yadda crotchless, whatever. But AC/DC will record a new album! Yeah, I know. Amy Winehouse also did blah-blah and won 5 thingies and relapsed whatever. But AC/DC are going to the studio! Flo Rida has an incredible run at the top of blah-blah… That's nice. It really is great. But in my one-man idiot at large and highly biased opinion, fucking AC/DC will be releasing a new album. Yes! Whooooooooooooooooo! Holy shit, it just occurred to me that the band has been around even longer than the wrestler I just quoted. I don't care. Whoooooooooooooooo! Bring on the Aussies.

Sean Bell's Widow Rocawear Campaign
Patrick Robinson: Sean Bell was shot 50 times by police after leaving his bachelor party. The three officers are due to stand trial but the interesting thing is that Bell's widow is being featured in the new Rocawear advertisement with the slogan "I Will Not Lose" and the quote "We are going to be here until the end, ‘til justice is served". This isn't the first time Rocawear advertisements have come under scrutiny either and probably won't be the last.

Dave Clark 5's Mike Smith Passes Away
John Nagle: For me, this was the saddest story of the month. Just one week shy of his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Dave Clark Five lead singer Mike Smith passed away. It's even more tragic when you realize that the band was supposed to get in last year, but was passed up in favor of Grandmaster Flash. It's a shame because The Dave Clark Five is one of the most underrated groups of the British Invasion. Songs like "Glad All Over," and "Catch Me If You Can" still stand up. RIP Mike, you were great.


MOST NOTABLE RELEASE OF THE MONTH


Jack Johnson - Sleep Through The Static
Blake Lauderback: Jack Johnson's latest contribution has made serious waves, and no, that's not intended to be a surfing pun. Sleep Through the Static has been making itself at home atop the charts, which, at least in my view, was a bit of a shocker. He is highlighting his slightly more mature sound while hanging on to his ultra-relaxed vibe. All in all, a quality effort.

Brain Drill - Apocalyptic Feasting
Dan Marsicano: This month wasn't great for new releases, as bands are waiting until next month and April to release their albums. However, even in a desert of new releases, a diamond was found. This diamond is Brain Drill's debut album Apocalypse Feasting. If you are a fan of death metal, this album will be your new best friend. I haven't heard death metal this brutal, as technical, and as bass heavy in a long time and I'm glad I received this in the mail. Apocalypse Feasting is an absolutely brilliant debut album and one that will have you banging your head for the entire 35 minute running length.

Pete Rock - NY'S Finest
Phil Watts, Jr.: The past several weeks, I've been posting reviews of various Pete Rock solo albums in anticipation of his latest triumph. This album was definitely worth the wait. Pete is stilling handling things on the boards, and he's managed to bring in a variety of guests, from current rappers like Jim Jones and the LOX, to forgotten names like Royal Flush, Chip of the FuShnickens, and Lords of the Underground. This album is definitely an album-of-the-year candidate, so go out and support.

Rakim - The Archive: Live, Lost & Found
Patrick Robinson: The Greatest Of All Time FINALLY has some new material out! Whilst a lot of this is live material (which is always good in it's own way), there are a handful of new tracks on the album which give hope that his full-length album, The Seventh Seal will actually see the light of day sometime soon. It's been nine years since his last body of new material was released so I can only say, it's about time.

Butch Walker- Leavin' the Game on Luckie St
John Nagle: I'm a tad biased in my choice this month, but once again Butch came through. Recorded live in his hometown of Atlanta, the album is a nice mix of his past and more recent work. It's not as intimate as Justified and Stripped, but is the perfect snapshot of Butch Walker in his true element.


MUSIC DVD OF THE MONTH


Concert for George
Blake Lauderback: Recorded in England a couple of years back, the Concert for George is a tribute to George Harrison on the anniversary of his passing after his long battle with cancer. Many of his classics like "Wah-Wah," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "My Sweet Lord," and "Something" are paid respect by an outstanding list of friends including Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Ravi Shankar, Billy Preston, Jeff Lynne, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney.

Iron Maiden: Live After Death
Dan Marsicano: Dan Haggerty recently reviewed this DVD, which is from a 1985 show at Long Beach Arena. If you haven't checked this DVD out, I would give it my recommendation. Not only do you get a classic show from one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, but there is also three hours of bonus material, including another concert and a documentary on the making of Powerslave.

Dan Haggerty: It was pure fun watching the re-mastered version of this DVD and reviewing it. What a great concert: Classic era, great songs, solid production, good editing, and most importantly, just an awesome performance. This is a snap-shot at a moment in time in metal history, when an unprompted band with an unprompted tour ruled the genre – something you'd think the industry would have noticed before jumping into hair purgatory shortly thereafter. But who cares about the history? Just kick back with a drink an enjoy one of the seminal concerts to be laid onto digital format.

John Nagle: I don't have anything to say about this DVD except "SCREAM FOR ME LONG BEACH!"

Beef II
Patrick Robinson: If you're familiar with hip-hop, you may be familiar with the Beef series. The second installment is my favorite as it chronicles a good combination of old-school feuds with those of today. Some of the most famous ones in history such as The Roxanne Wars, LL Cool J vs. Canibus, Jay-Z vs. Nas and Cypress Hill vs. Ice Cube are covered and largely from a neutral party perspective. Particularly interesting to newer fans of hip-hop would be the Jay-Z and Nas feud, which sparked some of the most vicious verses of all time from both rappers. It's definitely worth checking out, if only for the rambling interview with Method Man where there's no doubt that the man is high.


CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE MONTH


The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland
Blake Lauderback: In honor of the late, great Buddy Miles, who was a member of Band of Gypsys and a longtime friend of Hendrix. Electric Ladyland was his first collaboration with Hendrix. Check out some of the legendary tracks, "Crosstown Traffic," "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return,)" and his reworking of Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower."

Extreme – Extreme
Dan Marsicano: Extreme's debut album is a solid blend of glam metal that sound like Van Halen and Queen got mixed in a blender. Nuno Bettencourt really kicks some major ass on guitar and Gary Cherone's vocals are as good as they had ever been. Even with all the hate that Extreme gets from time to time ("More Than Words" didn't help matters), the fact remains that their debut album is a great 80's album that was overlooked. Sounds like a perfect candidate for my column!

Kiss - Revenge
Dan Haggerty: I give Gene Simmons a lot of (much justified) crap in my column, but the reality is the original glam band did some really fun music as well. I'm going to avoid the obvious choices and go with Kiss' 90's opus, a stripped down return to basics that sees the boys taking recording seriously. Well, serious in the fun-party spirit of Kiss. A little dirty, a little in your face, grungy and grime from motor-smoke, this is like Kiss' answer to transferring their sounds to the 90's. I think its fun little release full of attitude and what-ifs, as in what-if the band would have continued taking album recording seriously beyond one more album (Sigh). Check it out. It makes a great spring day road trip jam.

De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead
Patrick Robinson: This album is a rare example of what happens when a group takes everything that made them popular to begin with on their first album, and does the opposite. Worried that they would be labeled as "hippie" rappers, especially during the height of gangsta rap coming out of the West Coast, but also not wanting to be known as "hardcore", the group managed to find a wonderful combination in the middle. The album also managed to contain 27 tracks (many of these being skits under 2 minutes long) WITHOUT dragging on. Lyrically, the group was moving forward with edgier songs such as "Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa" yet still finding time to have fun on "A Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays' ". It's an awesome listen and you should not miss this if you haven't heard it before.

Dusty Springfield - Dusty in Memphis
John Nagle: Amy Winehouse wishes she could be this soulful. There aren't any vocal pyrotechnics, just wonderful emotional phrasing and heartbreaking arrangements. This is everything that soul music is supposed to be.


LYRIC OF THE MONTH
Blake Lauderback: "I cannot put my finger on it now/The child is grown, the dream is gone/I have become comfortably numb" – Pink Floyd, "Comfortably Numb"

Dan Marsicano: "Summer is miles and miles away/And no one would ask me to stay/And I should contemplate this change/To ease the pain/And I should step out of the rain/And turn away" - Opeth, "In My Time of Need"

Dan Haggerty: "With an iron fist in a velvet glove we are sheltered under the gun/In the glory game on the power train thy kingdom's will be done…/And the things that we fear are a weapon to be held against us..." - Rush, "The Weapon"

Patrick Robinson: "Southside baby, we outside baby, smokin' on a spinach like Popeye baby/'J'adore ah les femmes', yeah I love my riches, 'bonjour money' and 'au revoir bitches'" - Lil Wayne, "It's Me Bitches (Remix)"

NEXT MONTH'S NEW RELEASES


Exodus – Impact Is Imminent Reissue
Dan Marsicano: It's about time the band re-released this underrated classic from their catalog. While Impact Is Imminent wouldn't have the…impact that their 80's releases did, it was still a solid thrash metal album. It was a shame that Impact Is Imminent was thrown to the side by the mainstream, as grunge was becoming a big thing in the music industry. So, any fans of thrash metal should get this re-release, as Exodus is still in their prime on Impact Is Imminent.

Dan Haggerty: This is a reissue, and since this classic thrash institution's older material is getting noticeably hard to pick-up, this is a great opportunity to fill in the gaps in your music collection. Not the greatest Exodus offering, but a fun smack to the head and worth a revisit if you like the underground thrash pummel of this era. Warning: the lyrics are so politically heavy-handed even U2 would cry foul.


Black Tide – Light From Above
Dan Marsicano: I saw Black Tide live back in November and was impressed with how young they were and how rooted in 80's thrash and heavy metal they were. I enjoyed what I heard, including a smoking rendition of Metallica's "Hit The Lights," and am very excited about their debut album. It should be 50 minutes of old school metal, which is something that I wish more bands delved into.


Cavalera Conspiracy - Inflikted
Dan Marsicano: It has been a while, but finally, the two Cavalera brothers have reunited after twelve years to release Inflikted. Bringing Soulfly guitarist Marc Rizzo and bassist Joe Duplantier, who plays for Gojira, along for the ride, Inflikted is being called the unofficial new Sepultura album. The few songs I have heard are fast and furious, with some great guitar work by Rizzo. This is definitely a first day buy for me and could be my album of the month in next month's roundtable.


Del the Funky Homosapien - Eleventh Hour
Phil Watts, Jr.: It's been years since his last few projects (Both Sides Of The Brain and the Automator-produced Deltron 3030), and since then, he's been spending the off-time "studying music theory". Usually when rappers go off "studying music theory", it results in dumb shit like Q-Tip trying to SING. Hopefully the knowledge will actually help Del instead of hurt him.


EMC - The Show
Phil Watts, Jr.: I remember sometime after Masta Ace's last album that he said he was going to retire from rapping. Thankfully, he came to his senses, made a few guest appearances and has now formed a supergroup with Punch, Words, and Stricklin. Hopefully, this will be as good as most of his past work.


Guilty Simpson - Ode To The Ghetto
Phil Watts, Jr.: Nine times out of ten, if the morons at Pitchfork media write a scathing, hateful review of an album, it has to be GOOD! (I still remember a "review" they did for the reissue of JayLib's Champion Sound where they said the only good career move J-Dilla ever made was BEING DEAD. Even the Source Magazine during the BENZINO era has more credibility than Pitchfork. Screw them.) Anyway, Simpson's Stones Throw debut will feature production from the usual ST suspects like Madlib and the late J-Dilla (check out J-Dill's Godfather flip. Here's hoping that's on the album!)


Fat Joe - The Elephant In The Room
Phil Watts Jr.: Riddle me this - If Fat Joe is so old and irrelevant, why do people keep talking about him and making half-assed diss records about him? Doesn't that kinda defeat the purpose by keeping his name out there? Just a thought. Anyway, Fat Joe pulls a Pitch Black on us, by having another album filled with mediocrity, with that one hot Premier cut ("Thank God For That White") as the only saving grace. And again, no D.I.T.C. beats in sight. Joe still has yet to make an album that comes close to his first two.

Patrick Robinson: Fat Joe is an artist who had the tools to be one of the better rappers in the game, but has ultimately failed to utilize them on each and every album he's released. He usually gets good production and is able to make some good club tracks or street anthems but falls flat when it comes to an entire album. This being his eighth studio release, you have to feel that it's about time for that knock-out album or time to hang it up.


The Show & A Experience - Live Hard
Phil Watts, Jr.: This EP-sized album is Show & AG's first since Full Scale nearly a decade ago. Now that GangStarr and Pete & CL have both went Splitsville, it's good to know that these two are still together and active. However, while we all know that AG still has the rhymes, the question remains if Show still has it. Will he continue a more sinister edge like in Goodfellas and Full Scale or will he bring back the old jazz and funk breaks like in the "Soul Clap" days - or will it be a combination of both?


Bauhaus - Go Away White
Dan Haggerty: I'm really looking forward to this, the original post-punk band that defined the original goth sound and scene way back in the early 80's. And that is the real underground goth scene, not this mall (buy-your-look-off-the-shelf) crap that calls itself goth. That's more like diet-goth, or punk v4.0 (the kid edition). Anyway, these guys were it back in the day, and with a reunion tour out of their system and this one-off for the fans likely to be their last effort, I'm hoping the magic is still there seventeen years later.


Meshuggah - Obzen
Dan Haggerty: I'm curious, but cautious. Great players with all the technical ability and musical chops to teach master level work; but their sound sometimes comes across a little clinical – lacking that fire that makes metal crush. Could be me. But I'm hoping the band can put their skills to work and put out the album I know they're capable of.


Randy Jackson's Music Club, Volume One
Dan Haggerty: Only really curious as to how it will do, as a flop could be a real embarrassment to the Idol franchise. The man is a good music producer and has a stellar resume of collaborations. Hell, his bass work alone is like a roll call of honor. For some reason, however, I'm not convinced this album is his release, but more of a corporate deal with his name branded on it. I hope I'm wrong, because I think Jackson doing whatever-in-the-hell he wants could be a very great thing.


Rick Ross - Trilla
Patrick Robinson: Rick Ross might not be the most technically gifted rapper, but he can be pretty entertaining if he puts his mind to it. His gruff voice is menacing without sounding strained and he really could be a force to be reckoned with…if he was able to rap about things other than Miami and cocaine dealing. Here's hoping Trilla sees Ross expanding his horizons.


Sheek Louch - Silverback Gorilla
Patrick Robinson: Sheek is a bit of a tough pill to swallow. His voice can be irritating at times and whilst Styles P. has a laid back method of rapping, Sheek is very much in your face and unashamed of it. He may not be the best rapper in The Lox, but he has a knack for taking clichéd topics and making them still sound interesting. His last album was largely overlooked, and unfairly so as it showed glimpses of the true potential that many feel were lacking from his debut album. Silverback Gorilla might finally be the album that gets Sheek mainstream recognition outside the five blocks surrounding his house in New York City.


Snoop Dogg - Ego Trippin'
Patrick Robinson: Now HERE'S an album I was really looking forward to. His last effort had some of the best songs he's released in his career and when I heard that he wasn't going to include any guest appearances, I was intrigued. However, as time has progressed, the album (according to Wikipedia) appears to be 21 tracks deep with a few (albeit limited) guest appearances. I just hope he can keep it together for that long and still be entertaining.


Flo Rida - Mail On Sunday
Patrick Robinson: I'll admit it, I've been playing "Low" on an almost semi-regular rotation for a couple of weeks. That being said, I can't help but feel that the album is going to be completely underwhelming and will follow in the footsteps of other one hit wonders like Kia Shine.


Michael McDonald - Soul Speak
John Nagle: My mission for the next month is to keep this information away from my mom. If she gets word that Michael McDonald has released a new album, I will be hearing it for the next four to eight years. It's taken me long enough to get Michael McDonald's Motown out of her car….now I have to start all over again. Thanks Michael.


Now That's What I Call The 80's
John Nagle: Pretty typical track list for an 80's compilation, given slightly more credibility due to the presence of Michael Jackson and The Police. "Come on Eileen" is conspicuous by its absence though.

THE END
And that'll do it for this month. Join us next month for another awe-inspiring edition of the 411 Music Roundtable!