Artist Record Label 1 LAVA LA RUE “Widdit” [Single] NiNE8 COLLECTIVE 2 LO VILLAGE “Jefe’s House” [Single] Rebel 3 ZACK COKAS “Bust Down” [Single] 808s and Beatbreaks 4 SKYXXX “Hotboy” [Single] Warner 5 EVIDENCE 10,000 Hours Rhymesayers Entertainment 6 J.I.D. Off Deez (ft. J. Cole) Dreamville/Interscope 7 FOGGIERAW “I Gotta Ball” [Single] Diff Sound 8 NESS HEADS “Pull Me Up” [Single] Ness Heads 9 HEALTH “HATE YOU (ft. JPEGMAFIA)” [Single] Loma Vista 10 LESTHEGENIUS “Raleighwood Hills (ft. Sonny Miles and Jaxson Free)” [Single] Self-Released
On January 7, 2020 we lost one of the most prolific drummers of all time. Neil Peart, best known as the drummer and primary lyricist of RUSH, died from brain cancer (glioblastoma).
Peart was born in Hamilton, Ontario on September 12, 1952. He first began in music with piano lessons, something he would later say had no impact on him. He was always drumming on various things around the house as a child, so at 13 his parents bought him drum sticks, promising that if he practiced for a year they would buy him a drum set. He began taking lessons on his new kit at 14. By his late teens Peart had played in several local bands
At 18, he moved to England hoping to further his career. It took about a year and a half before he became frustrated and returned to Canada. He joined a band named Hush, and they toured the Southern Ontario bar circuit. Soon, though, he heard that a rising band, RUSH, needed a new drummer to replace the band’s original, John Rutsey. Peart officially joined the band on July 29, 1974. Two weeks later Peart and RUSH were on tour, beginning in Pittsburgh, PA.
The band had one record out when Peart arrived, and in 1975 Fly by Night was their first offering with Peart. It was considered a successful record, though the next (Caress of Steel) was not. In 1976 RUSH released their breakthrough album, 2112, and the rest is history. The band has 19 studio albums, with ten exceeding one million copies sold in the US. They are ranked third for the “most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a rock band" – Billboard.
Peart’s drumming style is fascinating! Its foundation is the rock bands of the 60’s and 70’s (John Bonham, Led Zeplin ; Ginger Baker, Cream). Into this solid base he added Jazz and Big Band techniques and styles. He played while holding his sticks butt-end out, giving him bigger sound and greater rimshot. Sometimes he played with a traditional grip and others with matched grip. His drum kits were 360 degrees around him, rotating to reverse the layout of the drums, with as many as 40+ drums.
Neil Peart – “The Goat" as he was affectionately known; “your favorite drummer’s favorite drummer,” other musicians would say; Variety wrote, “Widely considered one of the most innovative drummers in Rock history.” USA Today considered him “one of the best Rock drummers of all time, alongside John Bonham, Ringo Star (The Beatles), Keith Moon (The Who), Ginger Baker, and Stewart Copeland (The Police).” Best known for his “technical proficiency,” he was the youngest inductee into the Modern Drummers Hall of Fame in 1983. Over 40 years with RUSH… You are missed, sir.
You would have to try really hard to find a better record of the time than KoRn’s debute album, KoRn! Released on October 11, 1994, through Immortal/Epic Records, the record (and the band) rewrote how Metal was played and how it was supposed to sound. In fact, it was the beginning of a whole new genre – Nu Metal.
The iconic album cover depicts a small girl bringing her swing to a stop as she squints to see an ominous figure standing before her holding knives. A shadow of the figure and the knives is all that can be seen in the art. Speaking of shadows, the little girl’s shadow appears to depict her hanging from the KoRn brand. Intense!
Korn recorded almost the entire album with all members playing (and singing) simultaneously, rather than the normal routine of tracking one instrument at a time. They felt that playing as a band captured the distinctive sound and quality of the music, rather than the production. Jonathan Davis (vocals) recorded the bagpipes on “Shoots and Ladders" by walking around the parking lot, playing, while a microphone was set up at the back door.
“Blind" is THE song on this record! The awesome dueling riffs of James “Monkey" Shaffer and Brian “Head" Welch are matched only by the trademark line of Davis, “Are you ready?!?!?!?” “Ball Tongue" is an example of the incredible bass playing of Reginald “Fieldy" Arvvizu, with his patented clicking of his pick-ups. “Shoots and Ladders" calls into question nursery rhymes and their dark meanings of racism, plague, rape, and killing. The lyrics in quite a few of the songs concern experiences suffered by Davis – “Clown" is about a skinhead getting an attitude with Davis, and the road manager knocking the clown out. “Helmet in the Bush" is about Davis’ drug abuse. “F***“ is about when Davis was in high school where he was continuously bullied and called names. And “Daddy” is a very dark and disturbing track about Davis being abused by a close family friend. It is extremely graphic! “Need To,” “Divine,” “Predictable,” “Fake,” and “Lies” are the rest of the songs on the record, all dealing with Davis’ experiences. David Siveria plays drums and his quick, snapping hits really add a tribal feel to the album.
This record (and a major motivator for the band) is to be a voice for the voiceless; for those broken, beaten, and scarred. It helps to heal by realizing that you aren’t the only one going through this horrible thing. KoRn knows and understands.
As of 2013, KoRn has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Favorite songs: Blind and every other song on this record, but especially Blind!!
Pinegrove is the best thing to come out of New Jersey since the invention of the lightbulb. They are seemingly always lovelorn, and exist so in a most vulnerable, straightforward, poetic way.
Strangely enough, this album reminds me of Ed Sheeran’s album Divide. There are similarities in the simple guitar and complementary percussion. The music sounds slightly bleak but mostly nostalgic and sweet. Marigold does not encapsulate the full range of lead singer Evan Hall’s astonishing range. I think it’s safe to say that I was blown to the ground the first time I heard Hall scream the word ‘underground’ in the song “Aphasia” from the album Cardinal. There barely a trickle of strain or intensity in Hall’s singing on this album. I am disappointed that we don’t see any raspy, twangy yawps or chilling screams and growls on this album.
On the surface, this album contains all the signature warmth and beauty of a Pinegrove album, but the lyrics this time are less hard-hitting and heart-wrenching. I feel less of a deep personal connection, as the lyrics are vague, and less vulnerable than Pinegrove’s last few albums.
I feel that Marigold is lacking the powerful, raw emotions, with touches regret and mortality that I have grown to expect from Pinegrove. Musically, this album is on par with the high standards I set for Pinegrove, but when I try to dive deeper into this album, I find that my skull cracks against the concrete at the bottom of the shallow pool that is Marigold. All in all, this album is good. The only reason that I was so harsh in this review is because I know that Pinegrove can do better. I haven’t given up on Pinegrove yet. I will be eagerly awaiting their next album and in the meantime, I will stick to listening to Pinegrove’s best album, Cardinal.
Strange Ranger stopped by The Lounge to play a few songs off their latest album “Remembering the Rockets” 0:04 “Rockets” & “Ari Song” 4:32 “Living Free” WKNC is a student operated, independent college radio station, playing the best of indie rock, metal, electronic, hip hop, local music and more. The Lounge sessions are live recording sessions with bands and recording artists that visit the station. by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2
Do you ever sit around with your friends and realize no one has said anything to each other for the past hour? Do you find it hard to start conversations? Do you wish you had some sort of fun activity to do to encourage communication?
Well now you do! Play this version of the classic game, “Would you rather…?”, and talk to your friends about WKNC and music in general! 🙂
1. Would you rather listen to Daytime or Afterhours WKNC?
2. Would you rather host a Local Lunch or a Chainsaw Rock show on WKNC?
3. Would you rather only be able to listen to your favorite DJ on WKNC, or be able to listen to everything on WKNC except your favorite DJ’s show?
4. Would you rather be in a talented but underrated band, or in a bad but famous band?
5. Would you rather be interviewed on WKNC or conduct an interview on WKNC?
6. Would you rather have a silly DJ name or a serious DJ name?
7. Would you rather listen to music from the 60’s or music from today?
8. Would you rather have a 3-hour dinner with your worst enemy, or attend a 3-hour concert for a music group you hate?
9. Would you rather listen to WKNC HD-1 or HD-2?
10. Would you rather be fluent in every language or be able to play every musical instrument?
BEST TRACKS: Neon Skyline, Living Room, Try Again, Changer
FCC violations: Where Are You Judy, Thirteen Hours, Living Room, Fire Truck
Listen if you like: Jens Lekman, Bedouine, Faye Webster
“Essentially it’s an album about nothing”.
On January 24th, Andy Shauf released his highly anticipated follow up to his 2016 album, The Party. Just as The Party was, The Neon Skyline is another concept album in which all of the songs take place in the span of one night. The basic gist of the story is one many of us are probably familiar with: The narrator heads off to a bar with his friend, where he soon learns that his ex is in town. After that shocking news, he’s forced to revisit the and wade through the memories of their failed relationship. If you’re wondering if our narrator eventually sees his ex…I guess you’ll just have to listen to the whole story!
The album opens with the title track, (my favorite off the record) Neon Skyline. The gentle guitar and Shauf’s melodic voice – perfect for storytelling, do a wonderful job of setting the mood for the rest of the album. Sprinkled throughout the rest of the songs you’ll hear dashes of country, indie, and jazz intermingling with his usual folk / soft-rock sound.
Make sure you have ample time to listen to this album the whole way through. You’ll be so caught up in the fictional story that Shauf has brilliantly created that you won’t want to stop it for anything. If you need a quiet, peaceful album to listen to and enjoy during some much needed R&R, look no further. Put in your ear buds, close your eyes, listen and enjoy.
I hope you’ll add this wonderfully refreshing and endearing album to your “must listen to” lists soon – you won’t regret it!
Scott Avett, co-founder of The Avett Brothers, is currently featured at the North Carolina Museum of Art for his exhibition, INVISIBLE. Although Avett is most widely known for his contributions to the band that he shares with his brother, Seth; he has gained prominence in the visual art community as well. Many fans of The Avett Brothers recognize his signature relief print artwork which has been featured many times on album covers and promotional products.
The Avett Brothers is a folk rock band which originated in Concord, North Carolina in the early 2000s. The band has gained national recognition including receiving three Grammy nominations and three awards from the Americana Music Association. Rooted in traditional bluegrass and folk music found in western North Carolina, they also are clearly influenced by rock & roll.
I visited Scott Avett’s exhibition, INVISIBLE last weekend. His artistic talent is evident and the exhibit focuses primarily on his work with relief printing. INVISIBLE includes pieces of artwork found on Avett Brothers albums and posters from their shows but also showcases portraiture of Avett himself and other members of the Avett family. Both his art and the discography of the band reflect universal ideas like spirituality, love, and loss in a beautiful way.
One room of the exhibit includes a display of the music video to Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise, a song released in 2009. The song itself has been impactful to my life, its lyrics are motivational and reflect on the temporary nature of the world around us. The music video had a profound emotional impact on me, which is why I find the artistry behind the video so interesting. The artist, Ryan Mitcham, spliced together a compilation of over 2,600 images creating an animation from the canvas he physically painted. The music video depicts the rise and decline of an urban area, and its significance is indescribable. I highly recommend checking it out.
Tickets for the exhibition are paired with the Mexican Modernism exhibit at the NCMA. The limited-time exhibition will close February 2nd.
Artist Record Label 1 BROADMOOR Oldhurt//newpain [EP] 2020 N/ 2 STRANGLED “Sleep” [Single] Self-Released 3 WORMHOLE The Weakest Among Us Lacerated Enemy 4 LEFT BEHIND No One Goes to Heaven Pure Noise 5 KONVENT Puritan Masochism Napalm 6 VISCERA “Obsidian” [Single] Unique Leader 7 SUICIDE SILENCE Two Steps [EP] Nuclear Blast 8 DETACHMENT Gaslight Self-Released 9 CURSED EARTH The Deathbed Sessions UNFD 10 LORNA SHORE “Immortal” [Single] Century Media
Artist Record Label 1 BASEMENT REVOLVER Wax And Digital [EP] Sonic Unyon 2 GEOWULF My Resignation PIAS 3 JUNIOR ASTRONOMERS Body Language Self-Released 4 DAYGLOW Fuzzybrain Self-Released 5 NALLO Nallo [EP] Chase Bliss 6 BLACK SURFER Black Surfer [EP] Self-Released 7 CRITICALS, THE Mimosa Hygiene [EP] Self-Released 8 MARIKA HACKMAN Any Human Friend [EP] Sub Pop 9 (SANDY) ALEX G House Of Sugar Domino 10 MENZINGERS, THE Hello Exile Epitaph 11 PALACE Life After Avenue A/Fiction 12 TROPICAL FUCK STORM Braindrops Joyful Noise 13 CHASTITY BELT Chastity Belt Hardly Art 14 MACSEAL Super Enthusiast 6131 15 TURNOVER Altogether Run For Cover 16 JULIA SHAPIRO Perfect Version Hardly Art 17 ZACK MEXICO The Page The Pope and The Hanged Man Self-Released 18 JAY SOM Anak Ko Polyvinyl 19 ALEXANDRA SAVIOR The Archer 30th Century 20 INFINITY CRUSH Virtual Heaven Joy Void 21 CHARLY BLISS Supermoon [EP] Barsuk 22 WALRUS Cool To Who Outside 23 FREE CAKE FOR EVERY CREATURE pretty good / moving songs Self-Released 24 RICHARD SHIRK Arcadia Self-Released 25 MAUNO Really Well Tin Angel 26 NATHAN BAJAR Playroom In Real Life 27 JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD Magick Songs Dine Alone 28 FRANKIE COSMOS Close It Quietly Sub Pop 29 PRO TEENS Twos Broken Circles 30 HANA VU Nicole Kidman/Anne Hathaway Luminelle
TOP ADDS
1 IAN GEORGE Kingdom Of My Youth Self-Released 2 WEEKLINGS 3 (Three) Jem 3 BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB Everything Else Has Gone Wrong Mmm… 4 OLIVER HAZARD The Flood [EP] R And R 5 BLANKS “Sweaters” [Single] Self-Released 6 FIONA SILVER Hostage Of Love [EP] Self-Released 7 LEGAL VERTIGO Tragic Future Film Star Dine Alone 8 JORDANA “Signs” [Single] Grand Jury
