All Entries in the "Music" Category
MGMT’s latest album “Congratulations” is an unsuccessful departure from the popular sound of their previous album
MGMT has Kurt Cobain Syndrome. After Cobain’s band Nirvana exploded in popularity, their frustrated frontman wrote and recorded the abrasive In Utero in effort to regain underground credibility. On Congratulations, MGMT takes a similar stance—“Hey, we’re not sellouts!”—and a similar left-field turn towards their artsier and more abstract roots. In the context of “Kids,” “Electric [...]
Summer Concert Preview: The Five W’s of the Kansas City summer concert scene
Who: Weezer What: An all-American alternative rock band formed in ’92, Weezer will rock audience members into oblivion with their myriad of drum-and-guitar-heavy songs. Expect a wide array of concertgoers, from the 20-something hipsters to gangly shorts-and-school-T-shirt-wearing teens. Where: City Market When: Friday June 4, 7 p.m. Why: Because nearly everyone can recall at least [...]
Gorillaz album ‘Plastic Beach’ exceeds expectations
It’s been five years since the world last heard from conceptual pop stars Gorillaz, when they released their sophomore album Demon Days. The album magnificently reflected a band that had grown better with time, as it had come four years after the Gorillaz’ self titled debut. These gaps in their work have kept the band [...]
James Mercer and Danger Mouse’s latest album fails to live up to expectations
When the Shins’ frontman James Mercer and producer Danger Mouse announced in September 2009 that they would be collaborating for an album, a myriad of possibilities opened up. Maybe it would be a soulful and beat heavy Danger Mouse sound, but with the addition of Mercer’s unique vocals. Or perhaps it would play to the [...]
Russian music downloading Web site, gomusic.ru, is affordable yet technologically imperfect
Russia is renowned for a number of things—caviar, vodka and blue-eyed blondes—but not its ability to provide music so cheap, it’s almost Napster level. The Russian mp3 download Web site gomusic.ru provides almost all the same possibilities as leading distributors such as iTunes, without putting a dent in the buyer’s bank account. The site offers [...]
Indie band ‘The Soft Pack’ keeps their charisma in second album
Formerly known as The Muslims, The Soft Pack contradict their name with their new self titled sophomore album. These San Diego-based punk rockers changed their name in 2009, but that hasn’t caused them to desert their signature sound. In their debut album, “Heavenly,” The Soft Pack used a raw ’60s rock ‘n roll resonance to draw in listeners. In their [...]
RJD2′s “The Colossus” Puts the Listener on an Unenjoyable Ride
Ramble John Krohn, the producer and melodic beat maker known as RJD2, is a phenomenon that could only be possible in the 21st century. His music is heavily reliant on popping bass drumbeats and snares in coordination with a variety of electric synthesizer sounds, as well as samples from other songs, old movies, 1970′s TV [...]
Music Roundtable with Bur, Martin, and McHenry
The next installment of the Roundtable series on the Harbinger Online features Griffin Bur, Robert Martin and Duncan McHenry discussing their likes and dislikes in the world of indie, hip-hop, and every eclectic genre known to iTunes. New Roundtable discussions will be published weekly online, and will feature discussions over music, school sports, video games, [...]
Kid Cudi’s debut album brings a fresh, upbeat vibe
New to the main-stage of hip hop, Cleveland native Kid Cudi uses soft, soulful beats, but he’s no R&B artist. He puts his individual emotions into his rhymes, but his lyrics are relatable. Combine these aspects and out comes a blend that can only be described as “emo rap.” In “Man on the Moon: The [...]
Sophomore raves about Lady Gaga’s new release
I am goo goo for Gaga. Ever since the release of “The Fame Monster” two weeks ago, my speakers have been blasting nothing but fast-paced beats and electronic dance jams. Lady Gaga’s edgy, fun songs can lift me from a school-related wallow and tempt me into a have-to-sing-along stupor. When I got my first glimpse [...]
Flight of the Conchords provide laughs once again, despite influx of lackluster electronic beats
With their first two albums, Flight of the Conchords established acoustic parodies, multiple musical genres and outlandish songs as their signature style. They belted out jams on everything from robots taking over the world to ’80s rocker David Bowie trapped in outer space. And while they’re still using these crazy antics to write songs on [...]
The Not So Biased Paramore Review
If you know me, then you’re already aware. But if you’re just getting aquatinted with the man behind the words, I’ll let you into my world and let you know – I’m a Paramore fan. And a huge one at that. They are, without question in my mind, my favorite band. Want proof? I pre-ordered [...]
