411 Music Fact Or Fiction 11.06.08: Week 74

Posted by Dan Haggerty on 11.06.2008

Dan Marsicano and Ben Czajkowski sound off on the music scene: How surprising is AC/DC’s massive success? How will a Beatles based video game do? Is Slayer past their expiration date? All this and more, plus we watch All American Rejects slam High School Musical and contemplate the singing ability of Christina Aguilera!

Welcome back to another Thursday, and the music zone feature that every one loves to hate: Fact or Fiction! It's the feature that allows the fanboys and haters to come out and give us the good, bad, and ugly on the glorious news to grace the music zone's pages. In one corner we give you the man that is Everything You Can't Live Without, Ben Czajkowski! In the other is his partner in crime in holding up Mondays, What In The Hell Happened to Dan Marsicano!

And last buy not least, there is you. So jump on in and be sure to sound off on these subjects as the subjects tickle your fancy (or crawl under your skin)!


Round 1!


1. You're surprised at the success of AC/DC's Black Ice.

Still got it?

Dan Marsicano: Fiction: Not at all, to be honest. I knew that the band had enough die-hard fans that would eat up anything with AC/DC on it to make Black Ice a success. Eight years is a long time between albums, but this is AC/DC we're talking about; if Guns N' Roses fans can wait a decade and a half for new material, then eight years doesn't seem so bad. Some might have thought that the exclusive deal with Wal-Mart was a bad thing, but the true fans came out in bulk and rip the album off the shelves immediately.

Ben Czajkowski: Fact: I will start by saying I was not at all shocked by AC/DC going number one in the US. I was shocked a bit at how many units were sold, but not by that much. This is considering that the Eagles dropped, like, 600k opening week, a while back when they exclusively released their material through Wally*World.

What did shock me was: number one in 29 countries? Jesus Christ. I feel as though the buzz around Metallica's Death Magnetic was much higher across the board and that there was such a much stronger reaction to and around it. A much higher level of anticipation.

Obviously, AC/DC has done something right, in keeping with the sameness on all of their albums. I tip my hat to them.

Score : 0 for 1


2. A new video game similar to Rock Band based on the Beatles catalog is money in the bank.

Dan Marsicano: Fact: Look at "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" and the upcoming "AC/DC: Rock Band." The former sold a lot of copies and provided a solid paycheck for the band and the latter should do the same for AC/DC. The "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" series are goldmines and bands are taking advantage to jump into the field. While not part of the "Rock Band" series, it will probably be similar to the whole experience. While I question how good Beatles songs will translate to video game form, there is a lot of money that will be made.

Ben Czajkowski: Fiction: I am going to go out on a limb here and say this game is going to be an epic flop. I believe that the market for games like this has become saturated with the various environments; there is no more room for another faux-drumset or plastic guitar with pretty buttons. While games themselves will sell (AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith), trying to reinvent the wheel for the Beatles is a poor business move, in my opinion, especially with the economy the way it is today.

Score : 0 for 2


3. Slayer is a sad parody of a once great band and should just pack it in.

Dan Marsicano: Fiction: Slayer still has some fuel left in the tank, in my opinion. Look at Christ Illusion; no, it wasn't nearly as good as anything released before Seasons In The Abyss, but at least it was light-years better than God Hates Us All. The new song just released on YouTube sounds awesome, with some noticeable bass work from Araya and superb drumming, as always, from Lombardo. Their new album could very well be one of their lasts recorded efforts, judging by recent interviews, so they are going to go all out to end with a bang. I don't want another Reign In Blood; I just want a consistent effort that pummels me into submission and has decent solos.

Ben Czajkowski: Fiction I can agree, on many points with what Dan said. Anything I say will just be redundant. They are, by far, definitely not a parody; I think they are still a driving force in the metal world, while not enjoying the mainstream success. I think they should be proud of something like that. I hope they don't "sell out" their sound for their next effort just to make a few bucks.

Intermission Score : 1 for 3


FACT OR FICTION OPEN CHALLENGE

OK Everyone, let's find out what you think about the new AC/DC album. Did you like it? Or not? And are you surprised at the phenomenal success of Black Ice.

Hit the comment section and let us know!


SWITCH!


Round 2!

Fine set of pipes on her...

4. As one of the few pop starts who can actually sing, Christina Aguilera should be smacked for screwing with her voice.

Ben Czajkowski: Fact: The tone I'm getting from the general public, surrounding artists stepping beyond their normal means these days, is negative. I cite Chris Cornell's reception in his drastic change in musical style as a basis for that statement. Speaking on Aguilera, my thoughts on her have changed since she grew into success around "Genie In A Bottle" ~10 years ago. With songs like "Beautiful", I felt she matured greatly; she also carried a high level of cultural weight with her, as well. As far as female pop singers go, Aguilera is the one I do have the most respect for and the one whose voice I have appreciated the most. I don't know if she should be smacked, but I think that this "robotic" album better pay off for her. Else she is dead and buried.

Dan Marsicano: Fact: You can knock Aguilera all you want as a person, but you can't deny the power and range that she has as a vocalist. She really knows how to pack that emotional punch into even the cheesiest of songs. Any plans to screw with her voice are bad ones; there is no need for it. She has one of the best voices in pop music today and to not use what god gave you is a shame.

Score : 2 for 4


5. You'd watch a sitcom featuring Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Lindsay Lohan.

Ben Czajkowski: Fact: While I do not particularly like their styles of music or these three as human beings in general, I'd check out a sitcom with them; at least the pilot. I've seen all three of them act. I am not ashamed to admit that I enjoy(ed) watching "Mean Girls" (Lohan). I thought Spears did a particularly amusing job while guest starring on "How I Met Your Mother" (although, I don't think the role she played was so far outside of her real life personality). Most recently, Hilton was on an episode of "Chuck", which was highly entertaining to watch (again, like Spears, I don't think the role of her character was so far away from how I picture her in real life). So, while I don't watch trashy reality, I don't mind a good laugh from a sitcom. There aren't too many around these days that appeal to my adult humor. I definitely think this would.

Dan Marsicano: Fact: Definitely a fact, as long as there is a laugh track instead of a live studio audience. I could definitely see a cheesy 80's ballad about two sisters, Britney and Paris, who find out that they have a younger sister, Lindsay. They bring her into their two bedroom apartment and wacky situations happen. There will be a creepy landlord character, the crazy next door neighbor, and the attractive gay guy who hangs out with the three women and provides the witty one-liners. What a show that would be; whether it's a good or bad one is tough to judge.

Score : 3 for 5


6. Best. High School. Musical. Video. Ever.



Ben Czajkowski: Fact The only thing that would have made this video even better is if it had been a "Pop Up Video" version. This was like uncensored "Robot Chicken", set against the All-American Rejects. In fact, this video received the BCSA in my news report on Monday.

Dan Marsicano: Fact: I can't argue with Ben on this one. I could definitely see a spin-off from this; of course, a porn version with dolls. Where Matt Stone and Trey Parker when you need them?

Final Score : 4 for 6


And on those happy words, we're calling it a wrap this week. I'm out of here so we'll see you Friday in the The Mosh Pit and we'll see you back here is seven.