Author: WKNC Admin
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Liar, Liar
This will be a short post about a short song for a short week.
Point is, with the holiday and the snow day, it was a short week. Appropriately, the song I got stuck in my head fit the truncated work schedule.
“Liar, Liar” by the Castaways is fantastic. It was their hit, reaching number 12 on the charts in 1965.
I think, though, it was the video I found on YouTube that caused me to listen to this song so much. Check it out. Dancing party chicks and everything.
That is all. Carry on.
-La Barba Rossa
Listen to Mystery Roach every Saturday from 8-10 am for Garage, Prog, Psychedelic, Fusion and noise from the 60s and 70s.
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88.1 WKNC Pick of the Week 1/20
‘Onmyradio’ Fails to Disappoint
Mir.I.am
When Musiq Soulchild stepped on the scene in 2000 with his classic debut album Aijustwanaseing, he carried on the tradition of Neo-Soul music started by artist including Erykah Badu and D’angelo. From “Just Friends” and “Love” to “Don’t Change” and “B.U.D.D.Y.”, Musiq has remained a consistent force in the realm of Neo-Soul for almost a decade. With his latest release “Onmyradio”, the 30 year old Philly native fails to disappoint.
For Musiq fans, the release of the first single from “Onmyradio”, “Radio” was a confusing. The crunk track does nothing to compliment Musiq as an artist or appease his fan base and failed to chart. With the state of R&B as it is, the watered down production, uninspired vocals and no originally, one would wonder why Musiq, would try and conform. Thankfully, the poor choice of a lead single is in no way indicative of the remainder of the album.
“OnMyRadio” opens with the up-tempo, hard hitting, bass driven “Backagain”, where Musiq explains how he thought he was over a break-up, until they came back.
“Until”, reminiscent lyrically of Stevie Wonder’s classic “Always”, tells of how he’ll love his significant other until the end of time. It is one of the albums stand-out tracks.
The second single, “IfULeave”, a duet with the Queen of Hip/Hop R&B Soul, Mary J. Blige is a well balanced duet of back and forth banter between a couple on the verge of a break-up. Production-wise, it is similar to”Teachme”, a gem released from Musiq’s last album, “Luvanmusiq”.
Momentum comes to a stand still with “Special” and “Deserveyoumore” On “Special” the melody and beat are competing with each other and “Deserveyoumore” sounds like a 70’s bland love song by an all male vocal quartet.
The piano driven “Dearjohn” is a letter explaining how Musiq, lacking the courage to break up in person instead opts for a pen and piece of paper. The sadness in Musiq’s voice, remorseful lyrics, vocal arrangement, harmonies and production make this the best track on the album.
Next, “Loveofmylife”, is equally endearing and gross as Musiq sings how he “can loose a car, even body parts”, but could never live without the love of his life. Feeling the recession, “Moneyright”, an up-tempo electro-pop groove has Musiq pledging to give his love all they desire once he gets his funds together. In terms of production, where as John Legend has “Green Light”, Musiq has “Moneyright”, minus Andre 3000.
On “Someone” Musiq delivers what he does best. Love ballads. The dulcet melody and beautiful words express how we all want someone to love us despite our imperfections.
The only other feature on the album, “Iwannabe” featuring Damian Marley infuses a bit of Reggae and Caribbean vibe on a song surely to make you want to move.
“Sobeautiful” is another moving love ballad where Musiq displays how his vocal prowess has matured in the past 8 years trying out his falsetto.
Albums are often judged by their first single, but there are exceptions to every rule, “Onmyradio” being one. Musiq, although with a few missteps, has stayed true to who he is as an artist while remaining relevant. Although “Onmyradio” may not be Musiq’s best, it is a solid effort and a solid effort from Musiq is still better than what’s currently playing—on the radio.
88.1 WKNC DJ Pick of the Week is published in every Tuesday print edition of the Technician, as well as online at technicianonline.com and wknc.org.
Join myself, DJ Caid, on Americana Blues & Co. Saturday as I will be filling in for DJ Sweet Annie Rich and interviewing The Duhks. The interview is scheduled for right after 10:30am. Tune in and enjoy your Saturday morning with some true American (and sometimes Canadian!) music.
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Tab-One Music Video
While everyone else was busy playing in the snow on Tuesday, local MC Tab-One (of Kooley High & Inflowential) was busy making a music video- a remix of “FlowGlow." And while the lip-syncing may be a little off and picture quality from a homemade video may be a bit shady, it still just furthers some more promotion for ”One Day“ which I am supa-psyched about.
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Why Hate On The Power?
Ok, this has been bothering me for a while. I get crap from the prisoners, from strangers, hell even from our own Caid. WHY THE HATE ON POWER METAL?!?!?!? Seriously, I don’t understand it. Is it because they sing about dragons? Is it cause they sing about fighting in medieval Europe alongside King Arthur? What, what is it? People say power metal is not “brutal” enough, or is “pansy” metal. Why? Is it because they can actually sing and play their instruments with good skill? I enjoy listening to death and black metal as much as the next guy, but sometimes I actually want to be able to understand what my vocalist is singing about, not Cookie Monster vocals with maximum distortion on them. I want to be able to hear a guitar solo that actually uses all six strings on the guitar, not just the one. Is that too much to ask? And I can guarantee you that power metal has been around longer than these other genres and will continue to exist even after those have gone.
Let me give you a brief history of the great genre of dragons. Power metal is a style of heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed or thrash metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a later more widespread and popular style based in Europe and Japan with a lighter, more melodic sound and frequent use of keyboards.
Power metal is today associated with an epic sound tempered by characteristics of speed metal, power metal’s musical forerunner. Power metal’s lyrical themes, though as varied as metal itself, typically focus on fantasy, mythology, camaraderie, hope, personal struggles, emotions, war, and death.
Power metal is highly focused on the vocalist, with “clean” vocals being much more prevalent than the growling vocals. The majority of the genre’s vocalists sing in the tenor range, capable of hitting very high notes. There are however many exceptions such as Pyramaze / Iced Earth frontman Matt Barlow, Falconer frontman Mathais Blad, and Sabaton frontman Joakim Broden; they sing in either baritone or bass range, though in certain songs like Creator Failure, Barlow hits very high notes reminiscent of Rob Halford. Power metal vocalists Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray, andHansi Kurch of Blind Guardian record multi-layered vocals reminiscent of Queen, creating a choral effect.
Power metal guitarists and bassists generally play rapid streams of notes, but change chords comparatively slowly, with a harmonic tempo of once per measure or slower. Fast and demanding guitar solos, however, are almost guaranteed.
A number of power metal drummers generally play with two bass drums for added speed, utilizing them to play a constant stream of sixteenth notes with snare drum accents on the beat. This style is fairly common in power metal as in other heavy metal subgenres, though it is by no means universal. Power metal though has become the most prevalent in the use of this technique.
Power metal bands often incorporate keyboards into their musical arrangements, something popularized by Jens Johansson of Stratovarius, though their usage varies from subtle accents to a full-blown melody line. Some symphonic power metal bands such as Rhapsody of Fire, Fairyland and Nightwish have also been known to record with more symphonic elements, and as such, they utilize a full orchestra to fill the role a keyboard plays in other power metal bands.
Notable Power Metal Bands:
For More See Here
Aid for History Came From Wikipedia
Colossus will be bringing metal mayhem to Local Lunch on Thursday, January 22nd, for an interview.
Colossus’s Rylan Wilshire & Sean Buchanan will be in studio for the interview at around 12:30pm. Afterwords, Colossus will be playing with WKNC Double Barrel Benefit 5 alumni, Tooth, at WKNC & Tir Na Nog’s first Local Beer, Local Band that will feature Metal music.
For more details about the show, check out the WKNC Rock Report, and don’t forget to tune in for the interview!
The Beast will be live in the studio for DJ J Wall’s underground show tonight at 10pm. Also Cashmere will be calling into the DJ Nominal Late Nite Mix Show at 12am. Don’t forget to check out The Beast, Edgar Allen Floe, and Natalie Steward (½ of Floetry) at the Brewery on Friday January 23rd at 8 pm.
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The 88 Hottest Women in Indie Rock
We’d hate to be shallow, but these women are not only physically good-looking, they’re also immensely talented. Here are my 88 Hottest Women in Indie Rock:
1. Jenny Lewis
Not only is the #1 hottest woman of indie rock the lead singer of Rilo Kiley, she’s also sung with the Watson Twins, and DNTEL & Ben Gibbard in the iconic Postal Service. Oh, and she has her own solo career too, proving that not all childhood actors go the way of Macaulay Culkin. Put on your Rabbit Fur Coat and Rise Up With Fists, this fiery redhead Las Vegas native is hot enough to sustain lava. Her latest, “Acid Tongue” brings all the boys to the yard to test out that acid tongue for themselves. And hey, I’m into her. She’s hella hot.
2. Zooey Deschanel (She & Him)
For an actress turned “she” of She & Him, she makes crossovers look good. With acting chops in The Good Girl and the recent Yes Man, her soothing croon and huge seafaring eyes, Zooey marks number two on the list. Too bad she’s engaged though. According to Stereogum, Zooey is Ben Gibbard’s (Death Cab for) Cutie. Which gives hope to all hefty bearded soft men everywhere.
3. Joanna Newsom
It’s not difficult to mistaken Joanna Newsom for an angel. Her voice is this weird folky and entrancing slice of heaven. Also, she plays the harp.
4. M.I.A.
M.I.A flies like paper. If Beyoncé were into indie rock, she’d be M.I.A. Her blue hair and giant, corny sweaters has inspired many a Halloween costume, but not in a scary Dick Cheney kind of way.
5. Marnie Stern
Yeah, Marnie Stern is hot. and This Is hot and I Am hot and You Are hot and So Is That and He Is hot and She Is hot and It Is hot and That Is That.
6. Feist
Canadian Goddess of Ipod commercials, Feist played an angel on A Colbert Christmas and had the muppets humming “1, 2, 3, 4”. How cute.
7. Cat Power
Chan Marshall’s breathy seduction of a voice has made her the #7 contender on the list. Her stage name is also my favorite euphemism of lower girly parts, interestingly enough.
She’s so hot, it’s almost barbaric. Kim Gordon is the smokin’ female bassist behind the holy Sonic Youth and one of the frontrunners of indie rock. Now approaching her late 50’s, this is one cougar I wouldn’t mind being jumped by in the forest.
9. Emily Haines (Broken Social Scene)
Indian-native, Canadan-raised Emily Haines is probably one of the hottest women to come out of Canada and India at the same time. Her looks are as delicate as her piano and vocals with Broken Social Scene. She’s like if Kiera Knightley was in a kickass band but could probably still be that girl in your Spanish Diction class.
10. Tift Merritt
Tift Merritt looks more like a model than your average country singer-songwriter (think Reba). But don’t be fooled, this Carolina chanteuse can sing a gorgeous Americana piece like no other.
11. Santogold
She’s dropped her first album in her mid-thirties, opened for Coldplay, and co-wrote songs for Ashlee Simpson. And though the latter two seem to contradict each another, there is no doubt that Santogold can belt out beats to the likes of M.I.A. and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
12. Madeline
This DIY acoustic star has soft, approachable looks reminiscent of her quiet, honest songs from such albums as “Kissing and Dancing” and “The Slow Bang.” She’s as delightful as the cartoon french girl of the same name.
13. Kaki King
A pretty girl with sweet vocals and post-rock instrumentals? That deserves to be mentioned.
14. Kelly Crisp (the Rosebuds)
A local Raleighite, Kelly Crisp taught English at a community college before forming the Rosebuds. She’s also a comedian, (will her talents ever stop emerging?) which undoubtedly caught the eye of the charming Ivan Howard. And he’s not bad-looking either.
15. & 16. CocoRosie (Bianca Leilani and Sierra Rose Casady)
Twins! Bianca and Sierra Casady make for a pretty hot pair in their band CocoRosie. Bianca (Coco) and Sierra (Rosie) oftentimes wear elaborate makeup on stage, making it hard to figure which one is which. Luckily, they’re both hot sisters who make beautiful, psychedelic sounds.
17. Marissa Paternoster (Screaming Females)
She’s so tiny, I feel like I could put her in my pocket. But when this girl screams, she screams. With her mouth. It’s so evil and delicious.
18. Karen O. (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
Part Korean. Part Polish. All hot woman. Her quirky, orgasmic-like vocals leave her an enigma as the centerpiece of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
19. Jill Andrews (The Everybodyfields)
Frontwoman of Tennessee’s The Everybodyfields, Jill Andrews, is a gem. Her soft country twang intriguing many a bearded male in plaid.
20. Mel Draisey (The Clientele)
So hot she makes the rest of her bandmates look bad. Her pouty eyes and sultry violen make Gwyenth Paltrow sulk.
21. Nicole Atkins
This “pop-noir” singer from Jersey, with her so-short dresses and duotone hair, can wear Old Navy and still look hot.
22. Anna Spence (The Annuals)
Raleigh’s own Anna Spence is the folksy next-door neighbor. You figure she’s cute, but really, you just want to court her and hold her hand.
23-25 The Pipettes (Rosay, Gwenno, RiotBecki)
Their kisses are wasted on you. Though the original members may have severed ties to the band, they were hot while they lasted. Their hits were catchy; their charm, infectious.
26. Thao Nguyen
27. Lykke Li
28. Beth Tacular (Bowerbirds)
29. Ladyhawke
30. Kathryn Calder (The New Pornographers)
31. Nicole Barille (Mr. Gnome)
32.& 33. Camera Obscura (Tracyanne Campbell, Carey Lander)
34. Charlotte Gainsbourg
35. Þórunn Antonía (Fields)
36. Kazu Makino (Blonde Redhead)
37. Neko Case
38.-40. Au Revoir Simone (Erika Forster, Annie Hart, Heather D’Angelo)
40-44. Sleater Kinney (Carrie Brownstein, Janet Weiss, Corin Tucker, and Lora McFarlane)
45. The Ettes (Maria “Poni” Silver, Lindsay “Coco” Hames)
46-48. Pink Flag (Princess Ojiaku, Betsy Shane and Jessica Caesar)
49. Goldfrapp
50. Khaela Maricich (the Blow)
51. Kristin Gundred (Grand Ole Party)
52. Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)
53. Eleanor Friedberger (The Fiery Furnaces)
54. Analee Fery (Monsters Are Waiting)
55. Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond)
56. Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond)
57. Satomi Matsuzaki (Deerhoof)
58-59. Tegan & Sara
60. Victoria Legrand (Beach House)
61-61. Midtown dickens (Catherine Edgerton and Kym Register)
62-64. The Vivian Girls (Cassie Ramone, Kickball Katy, Ali Koehler)
65. Belinda Butcher (My Bloody Valentine)
66. Joan as Policewoman
67. Katrina Kerns (Sufjan Stevens)
68-70. Ladytron (Helen Marnie, Mira Aroyo)
71. Jolie Holland
72. Lovefoxxx
73. Nico Vega
74. St. Vincent
75-77. Tilly and the Wall (Kianna Alarid, Neely Jenkins, Jamie Pressnall)
78. Annie Hardy (Giant Drag)
79. Sia
80. Bat for Lashes
81. Gabriela (Rodrigo y Gabriela)
82. Anita Robinson (Viva Voce)
83. Emiliana Torrini
84. Mirah
85. Inara George (Bird and the Bee)
86-88. All Girl Summer Fun Band (Kathy Foster, Jen Sbragia, Kim Baxter)
I have a thing for rappers. I have a bigger thing for indie rappers. There is just something so cool about weird music, awkward tempos, and RAPPING!
Joaquin Phoenix is the newest to the rapping industry. That’s right. Mr. Ladder 49 decided to make the jump from the acting bandwagon to the rapping bandwagon. How legitimate do you think this is?
I found an article that speculated on different rapper names for Phoenix. There is Quin Money, Lil’ Jo, MC Joaquin, but the best is Young Pheezy.
Any other ideas? I think I would go with Ying Yang Quin.