Musician’s Notebook

I’ve been meaning to make a review off the latest Weezer self titled album which is mainly known as “The Red Album”.  Just the way Weezer works by releasing an album while going through the colors of the rainbow. All the rock geeks are super excited as Weezer explodes with this latest record of theirs. I must say I was a bit skeptical about this album after listening to their prior release. I was amazed to say the least that they really put their sound through some experimentations compared to their prior releases with uses of drum machines, but still keeping the Weezer sound we all love to hear.  What got me absolutely excited about this album was hearing similarities from “The Blue Album” and their new approach. 

 So here I’ll go reviewing the album track by track:

 

Track 1:  Troublemaker

I rolled my eyes at first thinking maybe this would be a possible disappointment associating my experiences with the last album. Listening to the lyrics sounding as if it were written by some rebellious teenager. When you listen closely though, it sounds as if it were meant to be some college part rock song type of deal. The disappointment I thought I was going to have quickly left me. As a matter of fact, it’s good to hear rock music that makes you want to have fun, party, and act positive as opposed to the wrist slicing stuff that’s out on the radio these days.

 

Track 2: The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)

This song starts out with a piano and some police siren. The way the drum comes was a great reminiscences to the way some of their other songs started in the past but with a different new twist. Just like the song states, it’s pretty much a hymn, having the other members join in for some vocal fun. It’s a great pretty lengthy song for a Weezer song. 

 

Track 3: Pork And Beans

This is the single from the album and damn its hot on the Billboard charts. This song’s chorus has a very similar resemblance to Weezer’s very popular song, “Buddy Holly” In fact, I would call it the “2008 Buddy Holly”. The lyrics are very clever on this one mentioning the grammy award winning producer, “Timbaland”.

 

Track 4: Heart Songs

This song has a similar feel to “Only In Dreams” maybe not so much on the bassline, but the feel in general. I would say its a very soothing song with again some very clever lyrics. One song I won’t give too much away from, so listen for yourself. Overall, amazing song. 

 

Track 5: Everybody Get Dangerous

If you thought the first track was rebellious then this one might as be consider the gangsta rap song of Weezer. The lyrics have a humorous twist about doing property damage and just being wreck less and young.  This is where I think the album begins to head towards that different 2008 direction of theres even though it reminds of a typical a popular three chord song from Nirvana that we all know very well. 

Track 6: Dreamin’

This song reminds me of another song from “The Blue Album” but I can’t put my finger in which one. It reminds me of a Beach Boy song too. It’s very catchy and listenable not much I can really say other than it being a great song and another to judge for yourself.

Track 7: Thought I Knew

This is the song that has some drum machines in it.  It doesn’t sound like it’s being sung by Rivers Cuomo though. It’s an okay song and I honestly have to say its the one of the least impressive song in the album. I wasn’t fascinated with anything , but I won’t say it was a bad song neither. 

 

Track 8:  Cold Dark World

This is where Weezer really goes out of their spectrum from their usual stuff. The vocal style is even different the lyrics are pretty edgy, but it’s actually not a bad song.   It’s when albums like this get released that would normally disappoint me when they go around direction and it sounds bad , but in this case I’ll relieve everyone of their worries and say you can sit back and possibly enjoy this song.

 

Track 9:  Automatic 

Lots of piano and some synth-like sounds being used in this track. This song I found to be okay. It wasn’t anything out of this world, but I respect their use of instruments in this one. Especially with some of the effects they used. I don’t think I heard Weezer in this state neither. I wouldn’t put it down, but it’s not 100% my cup of tea, but who knows it might be yours.

Track 10: The Angel And the One

Another great ballad by Weezer and their way to end their album (that’s if you don’t have the deluxe edition). It’s their lengthiest track on the album and one I would recommend to listen to if you’re just minutes away from sleep. 

 

Overall:

Growing up in the 90s and listening to The Blue Album and Pinkerton album was one of my greatest auditory experiences in the past. Listening to this album reminded me of those times. The reason why I decide to actually compare such albums is because Weezer’s popularity was really high at those times and when I ask someone what their favorite Weezer albums are, it always goes back to Pinkerton and The Blue Album. Of course, there’s never going to be another “The Blue Album” in its 100% material and we don’t want to except that, but this is my way of saying Weezer fans from the early 90s would love this album even with its new direction. I consider it a excellent album and those early Weezer fans should scoop it out. Also, don’t forget there’s a deluxe edition with more tracks attached I think one or more are covers, but if you want to extend your “Red Album” experience, it’s available. 

 

 

 

I’ve been meaning to make a review off the latest Weezer self titled album which is mainly known as “The Red Album”.  Just the way Weezer works by releasing an album while going through the colors of the rainbow. All the rock geeks are super excited as Weezer explodes with this latest record of theirs. I must say I was a bit skeptical about this album after listening to their prior release. I was amazed to say the least that they really put their sound through some experimentations compared to their prior releases with uses of drum machines, but still keeping the Weezer sound we all love to hear.  What got me absolutely excited about this album was hearing similarities from “The Blue Album” and their new approach. 

 So here I’ll go reviewing the album track by track:

 

Track 1:  Troublemaker

I rolled my eyes at first thinking maybe this would be a possible disappointment associating my experiences with the last album. Listening to the lyrics sounding as if it were written by some rebellious teenager. When you listen closely though, it sounds as if it were meant to be some college part rock song type of deal. The disappointment I thought I was going to have quickly left me. As a matter of fact, it’s good to hear rock music that makes you want to have fun, party, and act positive as opposed to the wrist slicing stuff that’s out on the radio these days.

 

Track 2: The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)

This song starts out with a piano and some police siren. The way the drum comes was a great reminiscences to the way some of their other songs started in the past but with a different new twist. Just like the song states, it’s pretty much a hymn, having the other members join in for some vocal fun. It’s a great pretty lengthy song for a Weezer song. 

 

Track 3: Pork And Beans

This is the single from the album and damn its hot on the Billboard charts. This song’s chorus has a very similar resemblance to Weezer’s very popular song, “Buddy Holly” In fact, I would call it the “2008 Buddy Holly”. The lyrics are very clever on this one mentioning the grammy award winning producer, “Timbaland”.

 

Track 4: Heart Songs

This song has a similar feel to “Only In Dreams” maybe not so much on the bassline, but the feel in general. I would say its a very soothing song with again some very clever lyrics. One song I won’t give too much away from, so listen for yourself. Overall, amazing song. 

 

Track 5: Everybody Get Dangerous

If you thought the first track was rebellious then this one might as be consider the gangsta rap song of Weezer. The lyrics have a humorous twist about doing property damage and just being wreck less and young.  This is where I think the album begins to head towards that different 2008 direction of theres even though it reminds of a typical a popular three chord song from Nirvana that we all know very well. 

Track 6: Dreamin’

This song reminds me of another song from “The Blue Album” but I can’t put my finger in which one. It reminds me of a Beach Boy song too. It’s very catchy and listenable not much I can really say other than it being a great song and another to judge for yourself.

Track 7: Thought I Knew

This is the song that has some drum machines in it.  It doesn’t sound like it’s being sung by Rivers Cuomo though. It’s an okay song and I honestly have to say its the one of the least impressive song in the album. I wasn’t fascinated with anything , but I won’t say it was a bad song neither. 

 

Track 8:  Cold Dark World

This is where Weezer really goes out of their spectrum from their usual stuff. The vocal style is even different the lyrics are pretty edgy, but it’s actually not a bad song.   It’s when albums like this get released that would normally disappoint me when they go around direction and it sounds bad , but in this case I’ll relieve everyone of their worries and say you can sit back and possibly enjoy this song.

 

Track 9:  Automatic 

Lots of piano and some synth-like sounds being used in this track. This song I found to be okay. It wasn’t anything out of this world, but I respect their use of instruments in this one. Especially with some of the effects they used. I don’t think I heard Weezer in this state neither. I wouldn’t put it down, but it’s not 100% my cup of tea, but who knows it might be yours.

Track 10: The Angel And the One

Another great ballad by Weezer and their way to end their album (that’s if you don’t have the deluxe edition). It’s their lengthiest track on the album and one I would recommend to listen to if you’re just minutes away from sleep. 

 

Overall:

Growing up in the 90s and listening to The Blue Album and Pinkerton album was one of my greatest auditory experiences in the past. Listening to this album reminded me of those times. The reason why I decide to actually compare such albums is because Weezer’s popularity was really high at those times and when I ask someone what their favorite Weezer albums are, it always goes back to Pinkerton and The Blue Album. Of course, there’s never going to be another “The Blue Album” in its 100% material and we don’t want to except that, but this is my way of saying Weezer fans from the early 90s would love this album even with its new direction. I consider it a excellent album and those early Weezer fans should scoop it out.

 

 

 

I’ve been meaning to make a review off the latest Weezer self titled album which is mainly known as “The Red Album”. Just the way Weezer works by releasing an album while going through the colors of the rainbow. All the rock geeks are super excited as Weezer explodes with this latest record of theirs. I must say I was a bit skeptical about this album after listening to their prior release. I was amazed to say the least that they really put their sound through some experimentations compared to their prior releases with uses of drum machines, but still keeping the Weezer sound we all love to hear. What got me absolutely excited about this album was hearing similarities from “The Blue Album” and their new approach.

So here I’ll go reviewing the album track by track:

Track 1: Troublemaker

I rolled my eyes at first thinking maybe this would be a possible disappointment associating my experiences with the last album. Listening to the lyrics sounding as if it were written by some rebellious teenager. When you listen closely though, it sounds as if it were meant to be some college part rock song type of deal. The disappointment I thought I was going to have quickly left me. As a matter of fact, it’s good to hear rock music that makes you want to have fun, party, and act positive as opposed to the wrist slicing stuff that’s out on the radio these days.

Track 2: The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)

This song starts out with a piano and some police siren. The way the drum comes was a great reminiscences to the way some of their other songs started in the past but with a different new twist. Just like the song states, it’s pretty much a hymn, having the other members join in for some vocal fun. It’s a great pretty lengthy song for a Weezer song.

Track 3: Pork And Beans

This is the single from the album and damn its hot on the Billboard charts. This song’s chorus has a very similar resemblance to Weezer’s very popular song, “Buddy Holly” In fact, I would call it the “2008 Buddy Holly”. The lyrics are very clever on this one mentioning the grammy award winning producer, “Timbaland”.

Track 4: Heart Songs

This song has a similar feel to “Only In Dreams” maybe not so much on the bassline, but the feel in general. I would say its a very soothing song with again some very clever lyrics. One song I won’t give too much away from, so listen for yourself. Overall, amazing song.

Track 5: Everybody Get Dangerous

If you thought the first track was rebellious then this one might as be consider the gangsta rap song of Weezer. The lyrics have a humorous twist about doing property damage and just being wreck less and young. This is where I think the album begins to head towards that different 2008 direction of theres even though it reminds of a typical a popular three chord song from Nirvana that we all know very well.

Track 6: Dreamin’

This song reminds me of another song from “The Blue Album” but I can’t put my finger in which one. It reminds me of a Beach Boy song too. It’s very catchy and listenable not much I can really say other than it being a great song and another to judge for yourself.

Track 7: Thought I Knew

This is the song that has some drum machines in it. It doesn’t sound like it’s being sung by Rivers Cuomo though. It’s an okay song and I honestly have to say its the one of the least impressive song in the album. I wasn’t fascinated with anything , but I won’t say it was a bad song neither.

Track 8: Cold Dark World

This is where Weezer really goes out of their spectrum from their usual stuff. The vocal style is even different the lyrics are pretty edgy, but it’s actually not a bad song. It’s when albums like this get released that would normally disappoint me when they go around direction and it sounds bad , but in this case I’ll relieve everyone of their worries and say you can sit back and possibly enjoy this song.

Track 9: Automatic

Lots of piano and some synth-like sounds being used in this track. This song I found to be okay. It wasn’t anything out of this world, but I respect their use of instruments in this one. Especially with some of the effects they used. I don’t think I heard Weezer in this state neither. I wouldn’t put it down, but it’s not 100% my cup of tea, but who knows it might be yours.

Track 10: The Angel And the One

Another great ballad by Weezer and their way to end their album (that’s if you don’t have the deluxe edition). It’s their lengthiest track on the album and one I would recommend to listen to if you’re just minutes away from sleep.

Overall:

Growing up in the 90s and listening to The Blue Album and Pinkerton album was one of my greatest auditory experiences in the past. Listening to this album reminded me of those times. The reason why I decide to actually compare such albums is because Weezer’s popularity was really high at those times and when I ask someone what their favorite Weezer albums are, it always goes back to Pinkerton and The Blue Album. Of course, there’s never going to be another “The Blue Album” in its 100% material and we don’t want to except that, but this is my way of saying Weezer fans from the early 90s would love this album even with its new direction. I consider it a excellent album and those early Weezer fans should scoop it out.

For a very long time we have used the source of the internet for information. As time processed we found ourselves indulged with all kinds of information. Some of us aren’t readers (and I won’t assume it’s t he people reading this article) and sometimes we can see pictures and arrows pointing one way or another, but how effective is the information if we don ‘t see it move. We have come to a point in time where we can even get college degrees online and even though it might still be expensive, it sure beats getting up to go through traffic and being hasty because of our day jobs holding us back a few minutes from being early.

That’s why in this article I want to discuss the benefits of YOUTUBE. YouTube has become a ever growing source of information for many things including music. The site is being populated by everyone around the world and has become one of the biggest viewed sites ever. My advice to a lot of you who spend time on their MySpace mostly and are aspiring to become a musician should really touch basis with YOUTUBE instead. I can say this mostly goes for all the novices out there because you will find the most basic lessons on any instrument you’re wanting to learn. Best of all you can also send comments with more questions and your email will notify you of their answer to your question.

I’m not saying that more extensive education for music is always on YOUTUBE, but the majority of things you will learn in YOUTUBE will be taught by many people in many different ways. So if you don’t get it from one person you can go to the next while avoiding your “guidance counselor” to schedule you in when he or she is not busy. With just a mouse click away you can find more information. This goes beyond just learning an instrument, but you can learn cover songs, you can learn about the business of music, watch an interview of your role model which might give you tips or simply just inspire you to become what you want to become.

I think a great success story comes from my very own guitarist in my band. When I first entered the band he didn’t know much about theory and only used certain types of scales to put into his compositions. Although, his technical styles were great in terms of speed, endurance, and accuracy of his own instrument, he made a decision to learn more. Every lesson he learned to improve his guitar playing greatly enhanced his compositions as well. Within just three months or less, my guitarist became a newly evolved guitarist and composer.

I recommend everyone to take their time to go on YouTube and learn something, even if its not musically related!

During class the other day I found a technique to break any form of writers block when writing from a title. I will reveal the technique as I found it to be very useful to cure that disease we sometimes have of writers block. This technique is very similar to a word association game but it’s all within the title. What you have to do is get your title (which you should all know, should be placed in the chorus of course.) So I’m going to arrange this in a simple step form to make it completely easy for you.

1. Come up with a title.

2. Get each syllable of the title and make a list of words that rhyme with each syllable.

(NOTE: Be sure that you research the different kinds of rhymes like perfect rhymes and family rhymes. Also, refer to your online rhyme dictionary by doing a google search and getting a list of rhyming words a whole lot faster than your outdated rhyming textbook.)

3. Review each word under each syllable and be sure to plug them in the end of each line and using a proper rhyme scheme where you’re not being too cliche (or as most people like to say, “kindergarten rhymes”). Not only does it help you use clever rhyme schemes but it also exercises your sense of wording in a sentence.

You see it’s very simple! Just three steps and you can already magnify a song! Have fun with this you’ll often think that your title revolve entirely on just a limited set of ideas, but this technique I just showed you will completely destroy that. You can even try to do more than one version of the song and maybe even use all the versions and just change the title to something else. Enjoy my friends this is what we call a lyric template!

 

Nine Inch Nails’, “The Slip” Album Review

I was fairly impressed with Nine Inch Nails’ album. To think that most of the times when people say,

“The best things in life are free!”, I will forever relate that to this album. I would like to warn most though 

its hard to really determine my opinion because I am an overall Nine Inch Nails fan for about 12 years now.

I do, however, would like to add that the one album I had anticipated from Nine Inch Nails for many years wasn’t

my favorite (”With Teeth”) of course after 2 -3 years, “With Teeth” did grow on me.

The reason why I’m even mentioning a past album in a current album review is because if I really wanted to 

say if I had to imagine what kind of sound I expected “With Teeth” to sound like it would have to be, “The Still”.

I think this album was is genius. I would have paid two times the amount of “With Teeth” for this album and I think

my wallet would have had to problem giving it up.

So I’m going track by track to describe to you guys another great record by Nine Inch Nails.

Track 1: 999,999

Sometimes Trent loves to do a great a little intro to his albums whether it be all atmospherical or a good intro song. 

Here he uses kinda of a hissing sound with some ambient and some greatly designed sounds in the background that 

he uses his great knowledge of sound synthesis to perform. The sounds get a little more intense then it all stops and

you hear his voice saying something which at first you didn’t notice was being manipulated by an effect  saying, “HOw did I Slip….”

which leads to the actual track.

Track 2: 1,000,000

Using one more 1 to the title of the track brings you his next track. Which has the usual harsh and rash synth lines with some 

crazy noisy sounds and harsh bass sounds to accompany his neighboring sounds. There’s even a slight guitar shred in 

the song that reminds of “Wish” from their “Broken” EP. The chorus is catchy along with some the abrasive sounds 

in the verse. Overall great song! It kinda reminds you of a mixture of what he would do in his “Broken” EP 

with his maturity of the “With Teeth” album.

Track 3: Letting You

The drum programming sequence in the beginning of this song kinda reminds me of some crazy drum n bass but then the synths 

begin to go nuts with some speedy vocal melodies. Another aggressive sounding song to follow up with its previous.

The chorus really hammers on against your brain in this one. It’s fast and its what you expect in a nicely evolved Nine Inch Nails song.

Track 4: Discipline 

This is the single for this album that most of us have already heard before the album came out. The song that made us 

anticipate the album to begin with. This one reminds me of something that would be in “With Teeth”. Its got your

synth lines that remind you of the synth lines in “The Hand That Feeds”, but its just such a better song. A very catchy song and kinda 

tones down his aggressiveness from the previous tracks on this album so far.

Track 5: Echoplex

This was the other song that was heard in iLike before the album came out. The electronic drums starts off the song along 

with the bass line that is effected by a strange kind of distortion. It’s a pretty good song overall with some great melodies. The beat I think is one 

thing that will stay stuck in your due to the fact that it never really changes. Maybe not my favorite song out of the whole album 

but it gives good contrast to the other songs that you’ve heard up to this point. 

Track 6: Head Down 

I love the drums in this song and the extremely distorted guitars. I love this song its very mid tempo and everything, but what I really love about this song

is the chorus. WOW! The sequence that follows the chords is just really amazing. It kinda reminds me of what “The Line Begins To Blur” 

did to my auditory pleasure. Not a track to skip at al!

Track 7: Lights In The Sky

Piano and vocals. One of the things that I love that Trent does. Sounds like a ballad of some sort, but if you’ve ever liked any of his piano and vocals 

only like the beginning of “Hurt”, “Something I Can Never Have”, etc. I think you’ll love this one if you’ve ever loved his piano and vocal work. I think the 

structure if very heart and especially the chorus and the melody that accompanies it.

Track 8: Corona Radiata 

Sounds sinister and almost like the world is ending or something. It’s another instrumental that could be used for a score of a movie or something. 

I will have you judge for yourself. Strange way to follow up sucha great ballard sounding song. 

Track 9: The Four Of Us Dying 

Another sinister instrumental. The bassline and the effect in it is lovely. The song is generally a harsh electronic rock jam to me. 

It keeps you anticipated throughout the entire song. It’s a great track to jam to if you feel you need a dosage of a great blend of electronic rock

with crazy synths and background sequences and etc.

Track 10: Demond Seed

The drum sequence is what really turns me on in this song. It’s more electronic than anything and I have been loving what 

Trent has been doing electronically lately especially since the “Year Zero” album. The song has some similar traditional Nine Inch Nails 

sounds. It’s abrasive, the vocals are soft, and the guitars at a minimum. It’s repetitive but it’s that beat that just doesn’t leave you 

and doesn’t get tiring neither and thats also the way the album ends.

Overall

I”m very impressed with the album. It seems almost too short sometimes, but that can be a perspective thing. You can enjoy it so much you might want 

to play it again.  I honestly suggest getting this album, after all its free! Any hardcore NIN fans would def. appreciate it. It’s got its older influence

back somewhere in there with a blend of the new mature sound since “With Teeth”, but it’s got the balls of “Broken” and “Year Zero”. So if you were 

a fan of any of those records, then I can almost guarantee you will love this album. For those of you who have been living under a rock for nearly 15 years

and are a fan of electronic music blended with rock music because I really wouldn’t want to call NIN industrial these days, I would get out of that shell of yours

and check this out this record. So don’t wait and do your ears a favor and get this album now at http://www.nin.com (Again, it’s free and you won’t have to feel guilty about “illegally” downloading it from a torrent site or a file sharing P2P network)

 

  

Apparently, 70-Year old Bill Cosby goes Hip-hop. He recorded a hip-hop album and says it has a pop and jazz feel to it. Although the comedian says he doesnt rap because he can’t say half the words that most rap music says to begin with because it’s profane and degrading. Well, isn’t that lovely?  As he says he doesn’t expect it to be much of a hit or anything, but why waste your time? I would expect a entertainment professional  to understand how the industry works in these situations and if you’re going to be a 70 year old senile rapper that decides not to rap in a hip-hop album because “automatically� rapping has got to have to have profane and degrading lyrics, then maybe someone should just stick to what they know. 

 

The album should be due out in this month and I would consider it, “very interesting�. I don’t think Bill Cosby has  given me anything to laugh about until now. Although, I don’t agree with his speculations that all rap is “evil�, I have to say his reasoning behind this album is primary to educate those in the wrong path. The only situation at hand here is the fact that people that are in the wrong path will not take Bill Cosby serious, I mean for god sakes he did Jello commercials and besides who’s ever taken him serious to begin with? 

 

The world may never know. I suppose once this album is out, we’ll see what’s going on. It may be a  great success or it might be a major bomb. I personally have mixed feelings about it, even though he’s somewhat a child psychologist and a entertainment veteran.   

 

 

Upon arriving on Nine Inch Nails’ website on the highly anticipated day after the message on their web blog titled, “2 Weeks”,

we saw that the assumptions were very much correct, we stumbled across the message saying:

“05 may 2008: halo 27

 

Click HERE to get the new full-length nine inch nails record: the slip

 

(thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years - this one’s on me)”

 

 

That’s right ladies and gentlemen the expected (or unexpected) album from Nine Inch Nails is out. The best thing about it is, as you can read, 

“this one’s on me” meaning its absolutely FREE! It’s not another Ghosts I-IV this album actually contains vocals like all other Nine Inch Nails albums.

Anyways I don’t want to keep you here all day but the link to download this album is here: 

 

http://theslip.nin.com

 

 

Upon arriving at the site you will need to give your email address so that the download link will be sent to you and onc eyou click on the link you will have a 

choice to forward it to some of your friends via email. Once you have click on the download, you will be given several choices as to what format you want to download 

and also mentioning the fact that  the physical format are coming soon and i doubt those will be free. The formats available at the moment are:

 

High-Quality MP3s

FLAC Lossless 

M4A Apple Lossless 

High Definition WAVE 24/96

 

 

All files are 100% DRM

 

Also, as usual somewhere in the link you will have a link to download the multitracks to the album and NIN also encourages you to remix it and pretty much pass it along.

 Track Listings:

1. 999,999
2. 1,000,000
3. letting you
4. discipline
5. echoplex
6. head down
7. lights in the sky
8. corona radiata
9. the four of us are dying
10. demon seed

 

Aside from the new album I thought we’d all have to wait for awhile before Nine Inch Nails decided to announce their tour dates till May 25th but it appears they already

started throwing out some of the dates in our faces unexpectedly. Now, I too am disappointed that I don’t see a Florida date on here, but I mean it’s okay because they normally won’t give 

you all the dates for this next album’s tour right away. My only advice to those that don’t have their hometown under this list is just sit there and wait a little while longer 

and hopefully we’ll see them come around to our hometowns. Cross your fingers!

 

 

For ticket sales and presales it’s noted to go to their site http://www.nin.com 

 

 

 

7/25/08 Pemberton, BC [Pemberton Festival]

On sale: NOW

 

7/26/08 Seattle, WA [Key Arena]

Pre Sale: 5/7 (5:00PM)

On Sale: 5/10 (10:00AM)

 

7/28/08 Edmonton, AB [Rexall Place]

Pre Sale: 5/6 (5:00PM)

On Sale: 5/9 (10:00AM)

 

7/29/08 Calgary, AB [Pengrowth Saddledome]

Pre Sale: 5/6 (5:00PM)

On Sale: 5/9 (10:00AM) 

 

7/31/08 Winnipeg, MB [MTS Centre]

Pre Sale: 5/6 (5:00PM)

On Sale: 5/9 (10:00AM) 

 

8/2/08 Minneapolis, MN [Target Center]

Pre Sale: 5/7 (5:00PM)

On Sale: 5/10 (10AM)

 

8/3/08 Chicago, IL [Grant Park - Lollapalooza Festival]

On Sale: NOW

 

8/5/08 Toronto, ON [Air Canada Centre]

Pre Sale: 5/6 (5:00PM)

On Sale: 5/9 (5:00PM)

 

8/7/08 Uncasville, CT [Mohegan Sun Arena]

Pre Sale: 5/21 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/24 (10AM)

 

8/8/08 Worcester, MA [DCU Center]

Pre Sale: 5/14 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/17 (12NOON)

 

8/10/08 Baltimore, MD [Pimlico Race Course - V Festival]

On Sale: 5/3 

 

8/12/08 Knoxville, TN [Knoxville Civic Coliseum]

Pre Sale: 5/7 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/10 (9AM)

 

8/13/08 Duluth, GA [Gwinnett Arena]

Pre Sale: 5/6 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/9 (5PM)

 

8/15/08 Oklahoma City, OK [Ford Center]

Pre Sale: 5/6 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/10 (10AM)

 

8/16/08 Houston, TX [Toyota Center]

Pre Sale: 5/6 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/9 (5PM)

 

8/18/08 Dallas, TX [American Airlines Center]

Pre Sale: 5/6 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/9 (5PM)

 

8/20/08 St. Louis, MO [Scottrade Center]

Pre Sale: 5/28 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/31 (10AM)

 

8/22/08 Cleveland, OH [Quicken Loans Arena]

Pre Sale: 5/7 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/10 (10AM)

 

8/23/08 Auburn Hills, MI [The Palace of Auburn Hills]

Pre Sale: 5/7 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/10 (10AM)

 

8/27/08 East Rutherford, NJ [Izod Center]

Pre Sale: 5/7 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/10 (12NOON)

 

8/29/08 Philadelphia, PA [Wachovia Center]

Pre Sale: 5/7 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/10 (10AM)

 

8/31/08 Lexington, KY [Rupp Arena]

Pre Sale: 4/30 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/3 (10AM)

 

9/2/08 Morrison, CO [Red Rocks Amphitheater]

Pre Sale: 5/7 (5PM)

On Sale: 5/10 (10AM)

 

9/3/08 Salt Lake City [E Center]

Pre Sale: 5/7 (5PM)

On sale: 5/10 (11AM)

 

9/5/08 Oakland, CA [Oracle Arena]

Pre Sale: 6/12 (5:00PM)

On Sale: 6/15 (10AM)

 

9/6/08 Los Angeles, CA [The Forum]

Pre Sale: TBA

On Sale: TBA 

 

When you’re learning something about chords and want to get into songwriting, there are a few things you really need to know.

Let’s start off with the fact that you need a basic understanding about chords.

So what are chords?

Well, let’s just say chords are pretty much in a nutshell, 2 notes or more being played at the same time. Having said this we know that we have a large amounts of notes we can combine together and only some of them sound right together at the right time. Which is why I’m going to briefly get into chord colors. I’m not really going to go all into music theory about this, but I will give you a basic understanding about each chord color family which are major, minor, power, sevenths.

(For a free music theory crash course, go to http://www.musictheory.net )

Major: Happy and positive.

Minor: Sad, sinister, and negative.

Power: It’s got a neutral sound and makes it sound powerful, but it’s because it doesn’t use the third of the typical chords. (For example, Major chord have a 3rd (The second note) in the middle that gives the chord a characteristics of happy while minor gives it the opposite effect).

Seventh: These are supposed to sound kinda jazzy/bluesy sound and gives it a sexy sounding vibe.

Next thing to focus are the rhythmic elements of a groove. Those four basic elements are tempo, feel, rhythmic level, and rhythmic idea.

Tempo: Would be the timing on the metronome. In other words, when you clap your hands in rhythm to your favorite song. That’s the tempo.

Feel: Says it all, what kind of feel are you going for? Rock? R&Bish? etc.

Rhythmic Level: The main rhythm in notes. Let’s say for an example 8th Notes? Quarter Notes? Etc.

Rhythmic Idea: Would be like rhythmic level but combining the rests in there. So you’re not only going to be hitting 8th notes only, but you’re rhythmic level is mostly 8th notes, but then you have a quarter rest here or there.

Now time for practice, use a chord you want to use (any chord) and if you have a metronome put it in a tempo of your choice. Then just start playing a one chord groove. Try to use different approaches like use quarter notes, then 8th notes, and alternate. You’ll begin to get the hang of alternating your grooves without even realizing it, but the best thing way to use this to your effect in a song is by recognizing your motives. I learn this from Shane Adams At www.Berkleemusic.com

Exact Repeatition: Lets say in one measure on 4/4 you played a groove on the next measure you’ll play the same exact thing.

Varied Repeatition: The same as above except the second half of the second measure you will alternate a note or rhythm or so.

Alternating Two Motives: Let’s say you play a groove in one measure of 4/4, but in the second measure you will play something completely different than the first measure, but musically speaking needs to sound like its still part of each other.

Anyways, more on harmony next time…..

l

So it appears that Nine Inch Nails is doing it again! 

After releasing, “Ghosts I-IV” on March 2, 2008 you figure most fans were thinking, “Okay, great well, now we’ll have to wait for some time for another release from Nine Inch Nails.”  Well guess again! Nine Inch Nails just so happens to release their new single entitled, “Discipline” (mixed by Alan Moulder), which includes vocals and everything. American radio stations began playing the new single and provided the online links  as to where you can download this song for free (discipline.nin.com)    

 

 

 

Now the whole situation that has people completely psyched and in massive anticipation is the fact that about two weeks prior to “Ghosts I-IV”, Trent Reznor posted on his site blog “2 Weeks”. So he does it again now! April 21, 2008 Trent Reznor posts “2 Weeks”. So us doing the math leads to the very speculation that the follow-up to “Year Zero” will be released on May 5th, 2008!! Even contained with the MP3 down for Discipline is the message that says “Go to www.nin.com May 5″. So no one knows exactly what that’s all about, but we all know that Nine Inch Nails has gone completely independent and of course thats a whole other story. 

 

 

In the future, I  will be discussing a few things about how the music business has changed over time and why artists like Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead have been doing these complete DIY releases. As for now let’s all put our hands together for more Nine Inch Nails material! 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Stone Temple Pilots have just recently reunited for a 4-month summer tour and before all that takes place on May 17th, they will start off their first performance at the ABC-TV’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” tonight  (which is actually tomorrow early morning Friday at Midnight!).  It should be exciting to see the long await reunion take place. I don’t know about all of you but a Stone Temple Pilots reunion is something I always predicted would happen. Now before you go off to see them live in person you should take the time to see them on screen. The performance will bring great fuzzy feelings to every hardcore 90s music enthusiast . To bring back that refreshing sound of Stone Temple Pilots should be something of wonders to all our ears! 

In the side note of all this related news, I would also like to inform that they will be working on a new album and Scott Weiland actually said that there might be a DVD included with this upcoming album. Another part of this to mention is Scott Weiland’s second solo album will be coming out along with his autobiography later towards the end of the year. 

For those of you that haven’t kept taps on the recent news from Stone Temple Pilots, they have also announced their tour dates starting May 17th (or should we say Tonight at “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”) 

For those of you completely oblivious to the tour dates here they are! 

Columbus, OH

Rock On The Range Festival 

(May 17)

Camden, NJ 

Tweeter Center The Waterfront 

(May 18)

Cleveland, OH 

State Theatre Playhouse Square 

(May 20)

Chicago, IL 

Charter One Pavillion 

(May22)

Indianapolis, IN 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

(May 23)

Uncasville, CT 

Mohegan Sun Casino 

(May 26)

Holmdel, NJ 

PNC Bank Arts Center 

(May 31)

Mansfield, MA 

Tweeter Center For The Performing Arts 

(June 1)

Detroit, MI 

Fillmore Detroit 

(June 3)

St. Paul, MN 

Roy Wilkens Auditorium 

(June 6)

Kansas City, KS 

Rock Fest Liberty Memorial Park 

(June 7)

Maryland Heights, MO 

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 

(June 8)

West Valley City, UT 

E Center 

(June 11)

Las Vegas, NV 

The Pearl

(June 12, 14)

Calgary V Festival 

(June 21)

Los Angeles, CA 

Hollywood Bowl (June 24)

Tucson, AZ 

Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre 

(June 25)

San Antonio, TX 

AT&T Center

(June 27)

The Woodlands, TX 

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pav