Up And Rising: Armageddon Monks
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In an area where the music?scene is dominated by collegiate jam bands, it is refreshing to hear local groups of different genres make their mark in upstate New York. One sound which has recently impressed Sharp Notes is the rock-metal churn of Ithaca-based Armageddon Monks. With tracks balancing grit and a crisp sheen, the group’s recently-released self-titled third?album deserves to be heard by the masses.
Perhaps the most refreshing element of this band is their unabashed love of classic rock and metal. While it seems as though many modern?bands pay tribute to their forefathers with a wink and a nudge,?the Monks wear their influences proudly on their sleeves. Armageddon Monks doesn’t seem to have much of an agenda besides straight-up rocking, and?the band?spares no expense in making sure their goals are?met.
All of the elements of classic rock records are in place. Perhaps most immediate is the blazing dual guitar work of Steven Goldman and Jack Logue, who solo and run on screaming axes.?New singer Matt Kelly has a range which?easily transitions from?a James Hetfield parallel to?the gentle emotion of Incubus’?Brandon Boyd.?Drummer Mike Hunter and bassist Andy Adelewitz round out the group with a tight, yet nimble, foundation.
The players of Armageddon Monks invest their all into the?latest disc, and a few listens evoke Powerslave-era Iron Maiden. Multipart songs truly illustrate their?chops and ability to compose compelling tracks. Although, as many metal albums do, the disc grows a bit exhausting near its end, Armageddon Monks provide a great trip for?the metalhead looking for something fresh while keeping a foot firmly planted in tradition.
“Severed” (from Armageddon Monks):
50 v. Everybody
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Can’t We All Just Get Along, 50?
This is one of those funny little news stories that sometimes?falls through the cracks. Yet Sharp Notes is there to sweep it up, post it and dwell on it.
Earlier this month, Nas announced that his new album, due in December, will be named either Ni–a or Ni–er. People were offended, blah blah blah - life goes on.
Or does it? It has been reported that 50 Cent felt it necessary to weigh in on the the situation, further proving that he will go at no length to self-promote, including random attacks at other rappers.
Although 50 has not heard the record, he has said this about the title: “Nas sucks. It’s nonsense, man. That’s a stupid name. It doesn’t make sense. Why would you title it that?” He also implied that Nas is simply using the title as a publicity stunt.
Now it is true that 50 has never been a Nas fan, even offering up a few choice barbs on his 2005 track “Piggy Bank.” Yet this situation seems to be not only?an instance of 50’s desire to pick a fight with everyone, but also the pot calling the kettle black.
A rational person analyzing 50’s argument might note that he cannot judge how the title of a work of art makes sense or not unless he has actually heard the CD in question.
But the best element of 50’s argument is his disgust?that the title is named as such for “shock value” to sell records. Hmmmmm, when was the last time someone in rap started a shocking publicity stunt surrounding the release of their record? How about creating a hollow, over-hyped battle with another MC whose record came out on the same day as yours? And then, after all that,?underselling and not retiring, as promised.
Oh 50 - you are a man of mystery.
50 Cent alienating a bunch of NYC rappers on “Piggy Bank”:
Coheed and Cambria space out…and other New Tuesday Releases
Coheed and Cambria
-Coheed?and Cambria - Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow- Comic book-loving proggers return with the latest album in their multimedia?The Armory Wars series.
-Say Anything - In Defense Of The Genre- Fronted by pop mad scientist Max Bemis, the group’s newest is?a double disc which explores even more uncharted rock territory than their debut.
-Cobra Starship - Viva La Cobra!- Emo supergroup (!) originally assembled to write the title track to the film Snakes On A Plane (!) returns with their sophomore album (!) in just over a year (!).
-Ween?- La Cucaracha- Totally underrated indie weirdos return with a vibrant new genre-shifting disc which ranks among their best material.
-Babyshambles - Shotter’s Nation- Pete Doherty finds time to put down the needles and enter the studio, somehow delivering a pretty solid disc of snotty brit rock.
N.E.R.D. Rises From The Dead!
Hurrah! Pharrell Williams, one-half of The Neptunes and one-third of?N.E.R.D., told NME?today that the production team’s rock band will be releasing a third album this spring. This comes as a surprise to many fans who remember the drama between the band and their former record label. In a 2005 radio interview, Pharrell said that he was so unhappy with the group’s direction under the supervision of Virgin Records that he considered N.E.R.D.?to be over. Yet he soon rescinded his words via?the band’s?management. Even with the clarification, many fans were left under the impression that the group’s 2003 sophomore album, Fly Or Die, would be their last.
Details are limited about the new disc, but Pharrell promises it will be a return to form and that the majority of the album’s tracks are about “pretty girls.” As Sharp Notes is obsessed with?N.E.R.D.’s 2001 debut?In Search Of…, this back-to-basics approach seems pretty dope. Nay, very dope.
“Provider” video (from? In Search Of…):
Week At A Glance - Concerts Of Note 10/22 - 10/28
?G. Love
*Wednesday, 10/24 @ 9:00 p.m. -?G. Love & Special Sauce?@?The Haunt [$20]
Eclectic Philadelphia blues / hip-hop collective bring their road-tested style to The Haunt. Sure to be a hot night in Ithaca.
www.myspace.com/glovespecialsauce
*Friday, 10/26 @ 5:30 p.m. -?Katherine Aelias Band @?Castaways [Free]
Progressive folkers, lead by the graceful?vocals?of Katherine?Aelias over a bed of lush acoustic instrumentation,?grace Castaways with a free happy-hour show.
*Saturday, 10/27?@?2 p.m. - Moshtoberfest @?The?Haunt?[$7.00]
All-day metal event includes performances from local rockers such as Ayurveda, Check Engine, Chemical Flaw, Armageddon Monks and many more.
FMI: www.myspace.com/thehauntithaca
Sharp Notes’ Canadian Adventure!
Sharp Notes is going on a temporary hiatus in order to explore the natural wonders of Niagara Falls (on the Canadian side - duh!). We will resume normal posting again?on Monday. In the meantime, if you get lonely, whip out your Bryan Adams and Celine Dion CDs and think of us.
A Tough Week For Rap
Prodigy
All the bling in the world cannot save a bevy of rap superstars from facing a difficult few days. Here are a few of the noteworthy developments:
-10/5 - Hip-hop clothing heavyweights Southpole and Rocawear lost out on a bidding war to have their name on the?New Jersey Nets’ now-Continental Airline Arena. Instead, the venue will be known as the Izod Center, after the popular, distinctly?non-hip-hop line.
-10/6 - Rapper Beanie Sigel has?been issued a warrant for his arrest after failing to return a car for more than a month after it was due back at a Philadelphia rental agency. Oh yeah, he also had a suspended license during the time of rental.
-10/6 - Rapper Lil’ Wayne was arrested after a show in Idaho on felony fugitive charges after being accused?of possession of a controlled substance in Georgia.
?-10-9 - Diddy is being sued for $19 million dollars after allegedly reneging on a contract regarding the sale of Notorious B.I.G. audio recordings.
-10/10 - Mobb Deep member Prodigy pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a loaded weapon after a traffic stop last October. He faces three-and-a-half years in prison.
Perhaps the only good news to come out of the rap world is today’s announcement that Ghostface Killah will soon be battling himself for chart supremacy. His newest solo album, The Big Dough Rehab, comes out on December 4, the same date as?his newest album with the Wu-Tang Clan, 8 Diagrams, drops. Kanye & 50 - eat your heart out.
Up And Rising: Bob Sinclar
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While Bob Sinclar is certainly not a new artist and needs no introduction in much of the world, the club-ready hitmaker could certainly use a bit of hyping in the States. Known as one of the premier French house producers, Sinclar gained massive European fame with his reggae-centric beats. Frequently utilizing whistled hooks, exotic guest vocalists and messages of positive thinking, Sinclar has become a dominating presence in the world music scene.
Songs such as ?Sound Of Freedom,? the near-title track to this year?s Soundz Of Freedom, juxtapose driving acoustic guitars with a Middle Eastern-flair, creating a tune palatable for many ears. Sinclar?s other styles can be heard on 2005?s smash hit ?Love Generation,? which was a number one hit all over the world, without making much of an impact in the United States. Simple, universal themes of love and respect, along with an insanely catchy singsong whistle, make it clear as to why Sinclar is famous in so many lands.
Sinclar anticipation has hit Sharp Notes especially hard with the impeding release of his heavily-bootlegged Live At The Playboy Mansion set, due out Saturday (import only, folks!). This double-disc document solidifies Sinclar?s position as a king among house DJs. Definitely worth picking up.
“Sound Of Freedom”:
bob-sinclar-sound-of-freedom.mp3
“Love Generation” video:
Week At A Glance - Concerts Of Note 10/8 - 10/14
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?Thousands Of One
*Thursday, 10/11 @ 10:00 p.m. -?Thousands Of One?@?Castaways [$TBA]
Politically-charged rap / soul group is sure to bring the house down in front of their hometown crowd. With Broadcast Live and Taina Asili.
www.myspace.com/thousandsofone
*Friday, 10/12 @ 8:00 p.m. -?Yung Joc @ Zeta Beta Tau fundraiser at?1 Edgecliff Place [$22.00]
Diddy protege comes to CU frat in order to celebrate the house’s 100th anniversary and to raise money for The Children’s Miracle Network.
Tickets: http://www.ticketalternative.com/TicketSelection.aspx?item=2817&sch=8636
*Saturday, 10/13?@?10 p.m. - Check Engine @?The Nines?[$5.00]
Local proggy metal trio tour material from their latest disc, CHAPT. I - IV. With The Douglass Brothers.
www.myspace.com/checkengineband
No, The Guy From Blink Is Not The World’s Best Drummer!
A recent conversation with friends lead Sharp Notes to debate against current +44 / former blink-182 stickman Travis Barker as the best living?drum?soloist.?While Barker is?definitely a god among punks and great as a stable,?fast resource, it is safe to say that many others trump his improvisational techniques.?And as we maintain a music blog, it seemed appropriate to support our argument with visual analysis of the best living legends in action.
5) Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band) - Utilizing a uniquely-styled kit to create a comprehensive world-music sound, Beauford’s avant-garde stylings switch on a dime from Afrobeat to contemporary rock. On this solo culled from a live performance of DMB staple “Two Step,” listen to the speed and control Beauford exhibits, as well as his knack for rhythmic timing:
4) Stevie Wonder - Even though this songwriting genius is blind, he is able to play just about any musical instrument with ease. This early-career performance is astounding in?how much better Wonder navigates four senses than most of us handle five:
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