Posted by mcmusicritic in August 28, 2009
All good things come to and end. Never before have those words rung more true. With less and less time remaining during my summer vacation (if you can call taking summer classes a vacation), I’m forced to stop maintaining this blog.
As a graduate student, I’ll be returning to school in a about a week and will be taking on an internshyip on top of that. Needless to say, I’ll have my hands full.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has read my blog from the beginning. Your loyalty has been truly touching. I would also like to thank my newer readers, because the fact that you flocked to my site eventually is a sign that I have been doing at least a few things right. I know the things people do on their spare time are things that they like to do, and so the fact that people chose to read my postings is sincerely touching.
With that, I’m forced to admit that I won’t have the free time necessary to maintain this blog, as whatever time I do get to myself during the next few months, I’ll probably spend sleeping or spending with my girlfriend.
It’s been a quiet few weeks (news has come out that a member of Fall Out Boy was arrested, but seeing as I always avoided writing tabloid-style journalism, I’m definitely not going to start now on the verge of ending this blog). In that sense, I am forever grateful that I get to dedicate a whole blog post to saying thanks to my readers. Considering that it has been a news-packed summer, with Michael Jackson’s passing, all the news surrounding Akon and his sick site HITLAB.com (check it out!), and the april-fool’s-esque new that Joel Madden is set to release his memoirs. Anticipating another flurry of news sooner or later, I’ll gladly take this break to say my goodbyes. With that,
Peace out (hopefully not forever),
M.C.
Posted by mcmusicritic in August 20, 2009
News that Michael Jackson has been buried is characterizing a relatively slow news week in the music industry. Personally, the fact that this story has been stretched out oover the course of two months is really getting to me. I’m all for paying tribute to the man and the legend, but it’s getting to the point where “outlets” such as Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood are seeking to capialize on his death. At least, that’s how it appears to me.
In other, I’d even say more important, news Lady Gaga is in Israel after performing there for the first time yesterday. As a Jew myself (or at least someone who was raised Jewish), this is noteworthy to me. It’s nice to know that Israel gets the time of day every now and then from the music industry. Props to Lady Gaga as it must have been easy to pass over Israel considering the ongoing security issues over there.
Lady Gaga has positively taken the world by storm over the past year, and is also set to appear at the music world’s next major event, the MTV Video Music Awards on September 13. Gaga, one of Akon’s Kon Live Distribution artist, is up for a show-high nine titles, which represents a tie with Beyonce, who’s always a threat when it comes to awards. I think it speaks to Gaga’s talent and success that she’s up against Beyonce. May the best singer win.
I do hope Gag wins, not because I hate Beyonce, but I can appreciate her music more. When it comes down to rhythm and blues or pop, I’d choose pop as the lesser of the two evils. As such, I don’t think I’m necessarily a Lady Gaga fan. I mean, I wouldn’t be caught dead buying The Fame, but that’s admittedly because I’m hung up on keeping appearances as a rock fan (yes, I’m superficial). I will likewise admit that “Poker Face” and “Paparazzi” are pretty decent tracks. If they were simply the MTV Music Awards, I think she’d be a lock to win, but because they award the qwuality of the videos, I think it’s very much up in the air who will come away with most awards. Good luck to Lady Gaga.
Peace out,
M.C.
Posted by mcmusicritic in August 18, 2009
I think comedian Conan O’Brien got it right when he joked on The Tonight Show recently that Britney Spears being handed a lifetime achievement award, at the Teen Choice Awards last week, is proof enough that kids can never be entrusted to vote for president.
I’m paraphrasing of course, but the point made is definitely a sound one. You have to take into account the fact that, I’m relatively sure anyway, the teens didn’t actually vote on this award in particular, but, all the same, I’m sure they would have voted for Spears if they could have.
Now, I’m going to try my best and not make fun of Ms. Spears (at least any further), because that’s not really the point I’m trying to make. What is is that the TCA are a joke.
I’m sure a lot of you already know this or don’t even care, but, in either case, it needs to be said. The only purpose the TCA serve is to give actors of teen and kids movies some recognition. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they deserve any, but that they wouldn’t get it any other way except to give teens who don’t have any taste a forum to voice their opinions. It’s a sad truth; Well, it’s true, and it’s very much sad, at least.
Believe me, I’m all for free speech, and, generally speaking, I consider giving everyone a chance to express themselves to be of the utmost importance and a fundamental right not only in the Western World, but all over in this day and age (it should be anyway). But, when people expressing themselves means voting for the best “bromantic comedy” in film and the best “love song” in music (when every single song being released has to do with love in one way or another), it’s enough to make you gag. Do these awards even mean anything? Or are they just filler to make up the however many hours the show is contracted to be on the air with FOX? I can almost guarantee that anyone who wins an award would trade it for their album being ceritifed platinum in a heartbeat, because at least the latter means a bigger bottom line. A TCA means you get a surf board to show off to all your surfer buddies and get laughed at.
How easy is it to imagine that all the celebrities who go to the trouble of appearing at the TCA only do so because it’s polite, good publicity, and they don’t want to snub their legions of teen fans, on whom they’re largely dependant for their success? That was a rhetorical question, so please don’t answer it. I mean, you can if you want. Just don’t expect a response to any other answer than “incredibly easy.” So easy in fact that it would probably make Candy Land look like a world championship chess match against Deep Blue.
I don’t mean to say that celebrities are ungrateful for their fans. Although I’m sure some exist who are, I mean to say that I’m sure there are equally few celebrities out there who don’t see the TCA for what they really are… meaningless. If I were rich and famous and appearing in three movies this summer, I’d want to spend the night I had slotted for going to the TCA sleeping instead. One has to understand the hectic schedules these people live through day-in and day-out. To ask them to show up to a meaningless awards show, where the awards are voted on by people with questionable taste, is obviously not asking too much of them. But I’m sure it is a burden all the same, especially to fake a smile when you know they each have a pretty good idea ahead of time if they’re going to win or not anyway. That’s not because they’re told, but rather because any adult whose been following the entertainment world can pretty much predict how a teen will vote, based on the simple premise that teens generally vote for what’s new and what’s popular.
And with that as the perfect segue, social music community website Hitlab.com weeds out the quality from the sheer quantity of mediocrity out there. The site, through its proprietary Dynamic Hit Scoring (DHS) technology, is able to distinguish between what should be hits and what shouldn’t even chart the Billboard Hot 100 by analyzing a series of variables, such as tone and tempo, and comparing them to the chart-topping hits of the past six years. The users who get the highest rankings and most fan votes, get a chance to get signed by Akon. More of the site’s appeal lies in the fact that the site members are largely independent artists looking for their big break (save for Akon, Lady Gaga, and Saschali, who was signed to Kon Live Distribution after being discovered through the site), so, by registering today and logging on, you could conceivably be looking at the next big superstar to tackle the music industry. Say what you want, but that’s a pretty exciting concept for a purebred music lover.
For independent artists who are just itching to get discovered, few easier alternatives exist. If you want to get signed, you’ll get your chance to blow away the competition just by registering. Meanwhile, for music fans in general, Hitlab allows you to vote for the artists you want to see make it… plus you gain access to their music and can even download some of their tracks to help support them.
While Britney Spears may need help in one form or another, she is admittedly able to sell her albums on her own. This despite the strong argument that nothing she’s done since releasing … Baby One More Time (1999) has been particularly noteworthy, aside from her well-documented personal troubles. To say she’s wrothy of a lifetime achievement award is thus pretty laughable considering her reputation as a bad mother, well-deserved or not, has overshadowed her success as a recording artist by some margin.
And, yeah, I know I said I wouldn’t trash Brtiney Spears earlier, but, technically, I’m just stating facts. This post is still about that nuisance that is the TCA.
Keeping with Spears, though, she’s really only been in the spotlight of a decade, which amounts to a third of her life (No, I’m not counting her time on The Mickey Mouse Club), doesn’t it? Hardly a lifetime. Granted, for those 10 years, she’s been insanely famous and maybe the most famous person on the planet. Still, that means little, just as word the word “lifetime” apparently does in the award’s title. I’ve got little problem acknowledging her vast achievements in the music industry, as there’s no doubt she’s accomplished a lot. Then, just take the word “lifetime” out of the award. But, I guess, if you did that, you’d have to give out the award to all the more-deserving celebrities out there first, wouldn’t you?
As one suggestion, why not acknowledge Akon for all that he has done over the course of his career? He’s accomplished much more in my humble opinion in five years that Spears has done in double that time. So, I ask you, where is his surf board? Probably still in the shop.
Not that Akon was ever really in the running to win this so-called lifetime achievement award, but, assuming he had a chance, it marked the third time he got snubbed at the show. I mean, take the choice male artists category, for one example. The nominees were: Jason Mraz (who won), Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Kanye West,and Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em (apparently that’s his actual stage name, with the “Tell ‘Em” and everything). That’s the same Soulja Boy who once sang to “Superman that hoe”. So, while Akon’s lyrics oftentimes take a turn to the explicit, it’s not as if those did get a nod are wholesome, salt-of-the-earth type singers.
Meanwhile, the choice-rhythm-and-blues-artist nominations comprised: Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx (for real), and T-Pain. Where’s the love exactly? I can understand Beyoncé being nominated. T-Pain, maybe… I mean he is signed to Akon’s Konvict Muzik label. But every other name in there, over Akon? Really? I’d scream out for justice, but, as I’ve been trying to prove the length of the post, it’s just the TCA. Why bother caring, when it means so little in the grand scheme of things.
Peace out,
M.C.
Posted by mcmusicritic in July 31, 2009
I’ll just preface this by saying that I don’t usually touch entertainment news items such as these for the simple reason that I just don’t care about the personal lives of actors or musicians, but after getting wind of this latest piece of information, I just had to share it with the world: Joel Madden is writing his memoirs!
Before I continue, I’ll wait a few seconds to help let it sink in and let you guys readjust yourselves accordingly. A lot of you are probably on the floor, rolling around uncontrollably like it’s nobody’s business. Getting up about now? Okay, just to confirm, in case you think you misread it, Joel Madden is indeed writing his memoirs. On the floor again, are you? Can’t say that I blame you.
So, assuming you guys are up on your feet again, the first thing that entered my mind was: Joel Madden, from Good Charlotte? Why would anybody want to read his memoirs? His life is what passes as interesting these days?
Then, like you I assume, I laughed hysterically for some time (don’t know exactly how long, though; I lost track), took another look at the article to make sure I hadn’t misread anything, like that it was John Madden who was actually writing his memoirs (which would only be slightly less funny I guess, but still less funny all the same). Alas, no such luck, as I realized the article was indeed as I had first read it. I laughed again, of course, and then started writing this.
I will openly admit that superficially speaking, I don’t have a problem with Good Charlotte’s music. They prone to making a very catchy radio-friendly brand of rock music that isn’t exactly displeasing to the ears. In fact, if I had never heard of them before and turned on the radio to hear one of their singles, I’d probably think they were pretty good. I’d be mistaken, for sure, but they’d still manage to fool me for some time. Of course, I have heard of them, and that aforementioned superficiality is what leads to their downfall, as far as I’m concerned, anyway.
I owned their self-titled debut and actually liked it (I still have it in my collection, actually). Based on that, I bought their second album, the one with “Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous” when it came out even though I hated that single, because I figured the album as a whole would be just as good as the first. Unfortunately I was a bit too accurate in my estimation. In fact, it was a carbon copy of their debut. They each had a song about the two twins hating their deadbeat dad, one about living in suburban Washington D.C., as well as a so-called anthem on each! Much to my chagrin, the band apparently hadn’t grown at all. Needless to say, I was pissed off as a fan, which I was no longer immediately after realizing I had been ripped off. I ended up selling the album right away for just a few bucks just so I could get it out of my collection.
I will admit, that I haven’t totally hated their stuff since then (at least what I’ve heard on the radio and on television) and they have showed some signs of maturing. However, just reading their Wikipedia page now, I’m seeing that they’ll be returning to their “pop-punk roots” on their next album! Speaking to their declining popularity of recent years, I guess they’ve figured out the formula to success, what works and what doesn’t. At least that would be my best guess.
That right there is perhaps my biggest beef with the music industry today: Its over-commercialization. Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand the need to advertise and the need to get one’s self and image out “there”, but what happened to doing it for the love of the music? I mean, take Akon (yes, Akon, again) for one example. You can’t go anywhere these days without hearing about him. He produced the new Whitney Houston single, and is featured on just about every other rhythm-and-blues or hip-hop single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart these days. He puts his name on everything to do with Hitlab.com, his new business venture, not because he has to, but because he believes so firmly that that’s where the music industry is headed, into the digital age. Just look at all the hype this Top 50 Digital Songs of All Time list is getting. Of note, Kon Live’s own Lady Gaga made it on the list twice, with “Just Dance” and “Poker Face”. I can tell you one thing… music certainly isn’t headed towards autobiographies and memoirs.
I just don’t see why artists need to go to the extremes they do to sell albums, not only by writing books that, were it likely not for a ghostwriter, would be horrible written. Also by selling yourself and your own personal style out to sell albums. Also by appearing on The Simpsons for Chrissake.
I’m of course referring to news that Coldplay will appear on the hit animated series this upcoming season, as if the British band needed more publicity. I mean, come on. When U2 did it, it was cool. When ‘N Sync did it, it got annoying. When R.E.M. did it, it spoke more to their desperateness to get into the public eye again more than it did the fact that they had once been in the public eye. Now that Coldplay’s doing it, I just want to hit Chris Martin. And Joel Madden too. But for so many other reasons.
Peace out,
M.C.
Posted by mcmusicritic in July 24, 2009
So, here we are, July 2009. I swear though, it’s as if news of the Backstreet Boys dropping a new album sent me back a decade. In my mind, the only other possible explanation aside from time travel is that they’re in need of money.
How else can you explain it? The Backstreet Boys and the music they release, hell, the boy band in general, hasn’t been relevant in years.If they’re so on the cusp of financial ruin that they need to exploit the nostalgia of women all over the world now well into their mid-20s, so be it. It’s not like they’re doing anything illegal, just something really sad from my standpoint anyway. I’m not even a convinced this get-rich-again scheme (if that’s what it is) will even work.
Maybe I’m missing the point, but I’d like to think that the Backstreet Boys fans of the 1990s do not comprise a cult following for the group but were really just the victims of mass marketing at its worst. I honestly do find it hard to believe that the same tween fans, who in 1997 were lining up from blocks away from the music store to get their hands on a Backstreet’s Back CD, will show up in droves for a concert in promotion of this new album nearing 30 years of age.
As an unbiased observer (and, believe me, I am being fair and unbiased; I don’t live my life with the sole purpose of going against everything the Backstreet Boys stand for), my honest opinion is that the Backstreet Boys just don’t matter anymore. Sure, there was a time when they did, but that was during the pop movement of the 1990s and the early part of this decade. Their music was hardly timeless like, say, Michael Jackson’s was. It was just one aspect of their image that they sold to unbeknownst teenage girls.
Really, the Backstreet Boys sold out arenas because they were heartthrobs that every teenage girl wanted to be with (I know this because I was growing up at the same time and saw firsthand their effect on girls my age). So, now that these girls are weighed down by responsibilities, have hopefully met guys that they actually love and don’t merely have an ill-advised crush on, have started families, and can no longer be deluded by their old romantic fantasies, what’s the point?
To put it in perspective, the Backstreet Boys came out in 1993. It’s now practically 2010. A 12-year-old fan who has followed the band since the beginning would be on the verge of turning 29 as we speak. Just how many 29-year-olds do you know that would go to a Backstreet Boys concert and yell at the top of their lungs just for coming within an arm’s reach of A.J.?
I’ll admit that I am not a pop music fan. That being said, I can admit when there’s a pop song I like, and there have been a few over the years, but none of those have been released by the Backstreet Boys. I think pop was invented just as a way to make money and not as a means of expression. Of course, when I say pop, I do mean the genre and not a category of music encompassing all that’s on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is considered “popular”. I mean that bubblegum brand of music where singers add in the word “baby” to a line when they can’t think of anything to rhyme with “lately” or “maybe” from the line before (or, even worse, they put in “lately” or “maybe” because they can’t think of anything to rhyme with “baby”). And I’d even like to point out that it’s hardly a given that they write their own music and lyrics. I think the Backstreet Boys do at this point, but, by and large, it’s common for popstars to sing songs written for them by somebody else. I personally think that cheapens music when the words you sing aren’t even your own, but maybe that’s just me.
Before I go any further, let me prove to you my lack of bias. I can acknowledge and openly admit that there are plenty of not-so-great rock bands out there with the same superficial lyrics, same lack of real emotion in their work (Sugar Ray, 311, Limp Bizkit, No Doubt, Nickelback… the list goes on and on). Feel free to disagree with the bands I’ve listed; their lack of talent is a matter of my opinion. I acknowledge that.
I can also appreciate other genres even if I don’t listen to them and am not a fan per se. I hate Akon’s music, but you can’t help but admire the dent he’s put in the industry in such a short time frame. I mean, as a songwriter and producer he’s got skills. He knows how to write hit songs. And, even in terms of pop, Lady Gaga is starting to grow on me. Say what you want about her (over-the-top, if not non-existent) sense of style, her songs are undeniably catchy and well-written.
Meanwhile, the Backstreet Boys just have no place in the industry anymore. It would be one thing to go about pursuing solo careers and try to grow as artists, but, so far as I know, many of the Backstreet Boys have gone that route only to come up empty. What does that say about their so-called talent?
Peace out,
MC
Posted by mcmusicritic in July 15, 2009
If there aren’t any objections (considering I’m writing this and none of you are here with me, I should hope not), I’m going to include some more Canadian content in this blog, at least for this post. So, if you’re anti-Canadian, look away right (wait for it)… now.
Just thought I’d point out that Halifax, Nova Scotia folk duo Sons of Maxwell are pretty much taking the online world by storm these days after frontman Dave Carroll posted a comically charged poke at United Airlines for their alleged novel take of indifference when it comes to customer service. It’s a great video, great song, and a the typical Canadian way of getting back at someone who has wronged you… don’t make them pay, make them feel really guilty and get them to want to pay on their own. Of course, United’s wanting to pay on their own only came after the YouTube video in question, “United Breaks Guitars”, went viral and reached over 1,000,000 views and spread the word quite effectively as to just how badly Carroll was treated over the course of a year. In any case, it’s funny, so check it out.
Okay, anti-Canadians, you can turn back now. The point I was making was this: The internet has become a driving force as far as artists should be concerned with getting their message and product across.
Hitlab.com is another example, as independent artists everywhere slowly discover the music industry’s best-kept secret. Put simply, the site represents the future of the music industry. The future? Today? What a novel concept. So novel, in fact, that Akon has signed on with the social-music-community platform knowing that, otherwise, he may get left behind when the digital age of music is ushered in in full. The gist of the site is this: It’s open to both fans and artists alike, with artists invited to, upload, share, and sell their songs. Not only that, but the site plays host to an ongoing competition among independent artists, giving them a shot at a record deal with Akon.
The site’s breakthrough “dynamic hit scoring” technology ranks songs based on how likely they are of becoming a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Those who get high scores and those who resonate the most with the site’s users themselves earn chance to compete in an annual showcase in front of Akon, after which at least one performer will realize their dream of getting signed under either Kon Live Distribution or Konvict Muzik. The site has already been profiled in detail, most recently in Forbes magazine, where Akon described the site as “the industry killer”.
One glance around ever-smaller CD stores reveals the truth. More and more artists are foregoing the classic CD release altogether and are making their albums available exclusively in mp3 format. It’s a tell-tale sign that the music industry isn’t in trouble, but rather the music industry as we know it is. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though… just the natural order of things; the next step in evolution, really.
Peace out,
MC
Posted by mcmusicritic in July 10, 2009
I, for one, think it’s time to move on, now that Michael Jackson’s memorial service is a thing of the past. No direspect intended toward the King of Pop or his family and fans in any way, of course. I just believe death is a natural part of life, and, while Jackson’s death was arguably untimely, life does go on for everyone else.
What I’d like to know is who’s next in line to become king of the industry? Of course, I don’t mean to say that MJ will ever be replaced, but I sincerely think that there are other artists out there who can seriously make a run at rivalling MJ’s success.
Personally, if a gun were at my head to come up with a name, it would be that of Akon. Granted, Akon is already massive in terms of his popularity and established empire, but so was Jackson before he soared off into Neverland, so to speak, in the 1980s and early 90s. Even though they can be classified into different genres (Jackson with pop and Akon with hip-hop and rhythm-and-blues), I still think Akon can eventually become the biggest star in the world.
For the unaware, just look at the progress he’s made thus far: He’s a singer, songwriter, producer, and record executive (having founded two labels, Kon Live Distribution and Konvict Muzik). In addition, he has forayed further into the commercial side of the business, associating himself with Hitlab.com. He calls it an “industry killer” for its ability to determine the likelihood of an uploaded song to become a hit based on its unique “dynamic hit scoring” technology.
On Hitlab.com, independent artists can join and compete for a chance to get signed by Akon to a record deal. Artists and fans alike are welcome to join and, in the case of artists, stand a chance at winning should they demonstrate talent and their uploaded songs resonate with fellow users. The site has already produced one success story in Saschali, an R&B singer from Montreal, Quebec (originally Pembroke, Ontario) who is already recording her first album under the Kon Live label as a result.
What’s interesting is that Akon and Jackson had worked closely together prior to Jackson’s death. Jackson even had a new album in the works, which Akon had helped produce. The two had reportedly developed a close relationship over the past few years, and the two even recorded a few songs together, including 2008’s “Hold My Hand”. It is Jackson’s last known recorded song before he succumbed to cardiac arrest earlier this summer. There are no further developments as of yet regarding the future of the album in question.
A lot of factors no doubt come into play in trying to determine whether Akon will ever become as successful as Jackson in the long run, but one must acknowledge that Akon is already well on his way. Furthermore, Akon hasn’t had as many public-relations nightmares to deal with as Jackson.
I will say this. There will never be another Michael Jackson. For all his good and bad qualities, he was really one in a billion at least. But, at the same time, I think it’s downrright ignorant to believe that no one will ever match his success. Unlikely, yes. Impossible, no. Cut Akon some slack. He’s only been in the industry for five years (his debut album, Trouble, came out in 2004). By the time Jackson released his solo debut, since taking over lead vocals in The Jackson Five, he had been in the industry around the same period of time. Add to that another 10 years when Thriller came out. So, I think it’s fair to say Akon should be granted at least a little more time before his all-defining oeuvre is expected out and any conclusions on the subject are made.
Peace out,
MC
Posted by mcmusicritic in July 3, 2009
I thought I’d give a quick rundown of the top Canadian bands of all time (in no particular order) in honour of Canada Day, which came and went this past July 1st. It may surprise many of you that may of the world’s biggest music starst are in fact Canadian..
Nickelback, for one band, has enjoyed huge success, albeit mostly off the coattails of their eight-year-old single, “How You Remind Me”, which helped their 2001 album Silver Side Up sell six million copies in the U.S.A. alone.
Nickelback’s three albums since then haven’t done nearly as well, but, in their defense, it’s hard to duplicate that kind of success. Still, there’s no denying that Nickelback is perhaps the biggest Canadian act out there today (aside from Celine Dion, who remains perhaps our most famous export of all-time).
Also of note, Sum 41 is another Canadian band that has made it into the mainstream. If we’re making comparisons, they can best be thought of as Nickelback’s pop-punk counterpart. At around the same time that “How You Remind Me” was climbing the charts, Sum 41 was achieving some breakout success of their own with their single “Fat Lip” and the song’s accompanying album All Killer No Filler.
And if Sum 41 is Nickelback’s pop-punk counterpart, Montreal’s Simple Plan is Sum 41’s even poppier-punk cousin from French-speaking Canada (even though they sing in English). Their success has been much less widespread, but they have had some, no doubt.
Canada also plays home to some of the most loyal fans bases out there. While the Barenaked Ladies, the Tragically Hip, Our Lady Peace, and Finger Eleven (among other rock bands) have been unable to break out of Canada commercially, they still manage to make livings making their music, due in part to their continued success in their home country. As a huge fan of both both Finger Eleven and Our Lady Peace’s, I can honestly (or, maybe, that makes me biased?) say that they each deserve more accolades than they’ve earned up to this point. Finger Eleven is more of a hard rock/alternative act, while Our Lady Peace, despite starting out in much the same vein, has gradually evolved into more of a mainstream rock act. They still put out quality music, though, as evidenced by their latest album, Healthy in Paranoid Times, which was a smash, where else but in Canada.
One needs to go back a few decades to get a good idea as to just how much of an impact Canadian artists have had on the industry. Pioneers in the (not just Canadian) industry include: The Guess Who (ironically, their claim to fame was “American Woman”), Rush (“Tom Sawyer”), and Steppenwolf (“Born to be Wild”, “Magic Carpet Ride”). Also of note, Bryan Adams is one of the most well-known Canadian recording artists, a claim he has held for some time since his debut in 1980. Further back, Neil Young’s earlier work is heavily influenced by his beginnings in Toronto, Ontario and later in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
And all this doesn’t even take the country’s top pop artists into account: Anne Murray, Alanis Morrisette, Nelly Furtado, Avril Lavigne, and Feist. One can make an argument that Canada has produced just as many successful acts as America. It may not be a strong argument, but there are good points to be made.
Currently, there are several Canadian acts threatening to put Canada on the map in the music industry to an even larger extent. One example is Montreal’s own Saschali, a rhythm-and-blues singer, who was recently signed to international recording artist Akon’s Kon Live label.
Originally from Pembroke, Ontario, Saschali got to where she is through a combination of hard work, dedication, and talent, signing her record deal after earning a chance to perform in front of him through Hitlab.com, a relatively new social-network site that allows musicians to create profiles and upload their music in order to vie for that same chance. Currently, the site plays home to nearly 14,000 as-of-yet-unsigned artists.
Also of note, Pamela Lajoie, signed to Flydecibels, a small Montreal-based label is at the forefront of a new wave of pop singers. Only 16 years old, she, going just by just Pamela, has already released a full-length album, 120 Milles a L’Heure (2007). Coincidentally, Flydecibels is associated with Hitlab. Reportedly, a second album is being planned, and she has spent significant amounts of time in Atlanta and Los Angeles, meeting up with big-time producers, including Diane Warren. Warren notably wrote Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me”, which won a Grammy Award back in 1996.
Elsewhere,The Midway State is making a splash, having released their debut Holes last year. Out West, Ten Second Epic and Marianas Trench, are helping to drive the pop-punk scene further along, thanks to their sophomore hook-laced albums. Evans Blue is also making some noise in alt-rock circles everywhere for their melodic brand of metal. The former three are personal favourites of mine.
Admittedly, while few of the bands that “make it” with a record deal actually do to the point of establishing log-lasting careers, the aformentioned artists are evidence enough that Canada does have its share of talent and that, artist-wise, the country is firmly entrenched in the music industry today. While Canadians can take pride in the fact that plenty of Canadian artists have made huge names for themselves in the past, they can also feel good that the future looks just as bright. Happy Canada Day indeed.
Peace out,
MC
Posted by mcmusicritic in June 26, 2009
Let me preface this by saying that I believe bloggers are not supposed to report news but rather analyze and give their opinions on news already reported. As such, I’m not a day late talking about Michael Hacson’s death. I’m right on time to give my views on the subject.
Now that that’s out of the way, I will also admit that I am not a Michael Jackson fan, nor do I own any of his albums. I wasn’t even born when Thriller came out in 1982. Some might say that the album was so great that if I am as much of a music fan as I claim to be, I couldn’t have helped but have been influenced by it at some point in my life. Unfortunately, believe it or not, that’s just not the case, and I won’t lie to that effect either just to seem more musically knowledgeable. However, I will say that I can appreciate the album for what it was, appreciate the songs on it and the rest of Michael Jackson’s library, and appreciate Michael Jackson for his talents as a songwriter. To this day, “Black or White” remains – and likely will remain – one of the best songs (and best videos) ever created. He was, without a doubt, one the greatest entertainers the world has ever seen.
As a person, it’s hard to imagine that he was guilty of all that he was accused of. I’d prefer not to start a heated discussion now, so I’ll just add that I don’t know if he was guilty or not. All I know is the innocence he had about him gave at least the impression of a person who was innocent of those crimes.
In any case, he was about so much more than his, for lack of better terminology, abnormality. He was the King of Pop. Nay, he is the King of Pop, and no one should be able to take that away from him, not the title nor his music. At this point, I think the music belongs to everybody.
Peace out,
MC
Posted by mcmusicritic in June 23, 2009
I grew up watching MuchMusic, so it pains me to say that the MuchMusic Video Award (MMVA)s have become nothing more but a pointless popularity contest. Those familiar with the show and the network will know what I’m talking about. Those who aren’t, well, let me enlighten you:
MuchMusic, essentially the Canadian MTV, or at least they try really hard to be tend to give out awards only to the major stars who bother to show up, or, rather, as has been a trend in the past, if you’re a big star and agree to make an appearance, chances are not only will you be nominated, but you’ll win an award out of sheer gratitude. Of course, I can’t back this theory up by actual facts or recorded conversations between Much executives, but I will just say, to avoid risk of libel, that it at least really, really appears that way.
However, I will admit that Kon Live’s own http://www.hitlab.com/user/18931/lady-gaga, did deserve to win the award she received for international video of the year artist (for “Pokerface”). She beat out mega stars Beyonce (“Single Ladies”), Britney Spears (“Womanizer”), and Kanye West (“Heartless”), who, again coincidentally, weren’t there. Still, even I can’t deny that Gaga is one of the top up-and-coming stars in the industry. Style aside, she’s got talent. As much as I want to dislike her, I keep finding myself singing along to her songs. Say what you want about her latest single “Paparazzi” (weird video, for one example), it is a great song.
However, other examples of MuchMusic’s apparent nepotism came to light when the Black Eyed Peas, another performer on the night, won for international video of the year group (“Boom Boom Pow”). They beat out hard hitters such as Green Day (“Know Your Enemy”), Coldplay (“Viva La Vida”), and The Killers (“Human”) for the award (among other nominees). None of the latter three were in attendance.
In addiiton, when it came time to give out the award of the night, Canadian rockers Nickelback, who performed at the show, did not go home disappointed, with “Gotta Be Somebody” being named video of thed year. It’s hard to dispute the legitimacy of this victory in particular, because there was no other nominee clearly favoured above the rest of the pack. Still, I would have liked to see pop-punk group Marianas Trench win for “Cross My Heart”, which actually was a fun video to watch, was an obvious technical achievement, and was based on a friggin’ great song.
“Cross My Heart”, if you haven’t seen it, and, if you aren’t Canadian, no one will blame you, basically centers around a guy following his girlfriend (or ex-girlfriend) with a marching band in tow. She somehow doesn’t seem to hear all the ruckus behind her and continues on with her day in blissful ignorance, despite this band growing ever larger (people on the street continue to join in) and ever louder. At the end, stopped at her door, she takes off the earphones she’s revealed to have been wearing, turns around, sees the crowd and her boyfriend, and invites him into her place.
It’s a great concept for a video, and it’s a shame that it got snubbed, especially for a much-less-interesting video about a band playing on a bridge, but that’s the allure of the MMVAs. You never know who’s going to win, because the artist that usually deserves to, more often than not, doesn’t. Marianas Trench had to settle for the award for best director (Colin Minihan), so, at least the video got some recognition for its awesomeness.
It should also be noted that the Jonas Brothers lost out despite co-hosting the affair (nominated for “Lovebug”), so props to MuchMusic for showing some restraint there. The brothers did win the award for “Ur Fave International Video” (do the ‘y’ and ‘o’ really take up that much space???) for “Burnin’ Up”, which was presumably voted on by the fans. So, that’s one thing MuchMusic can’t be blamed for at least. I’m sure there will be more to complain about next year, though. And who knows? Maybe I’ll even watch.
Peace out,
MC
