Metroglow Magazine » Music News

The Dark Eminem, “Relapse”

Joey Ross — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:00:19 +0000

Eminem’s new album, Relapse, is far beyond dark and disturbing. The first eight tracks Marshall Mathers, Slim Shady, or whatever identity you want to see him as, addresses his mother, himself, and the American society and pulls no punches. Drug use, rape, drunkenness, and general darkness are prevalent. Mathers is bringing to light the issues he did not in Encore and the Eminem Show. It is like holding up a mirror to your friend or family member who spends more time in the bar or brothel and making himself/herself look deep into their own eyes. It’s not fun, but deemed necessary by the artist, so then it must be respected. 3 am and My Mom are the ugliest and the prettiest with new beats, flows, and lyrical devices that will entertain those who don’t find it disturbing.

We Made You is Eminem’s comic relief in the middle of the album. Medicine Ball begins Eminem’s “why do you hate me” attitude that he first started in Encore, but Shady shows no remorse for making his listeners uncomfortable. Stay Wide Awake draws the listener deeper into Eminem’s dark world that he creates in Relapse. The lyrics and flow build and build like falling deeper and deeper in a hole. Déjà Vu and Crack a Bottle are the bookends to one of Eminem’s greatest and most powerful tracks, Beautiful.

Beautiful is Eminem’s diamond in the roughest of the rough and pulls the darkness of the album together. Eminem even states that he is depressed and that the lives he is living are becoming too heavy. Heavy is the best way to describe the song. Beautiful is beautiful as Marshall Mathers cries out to his dark world that he might be done, not with his lifestyle, but rap, complacently, and his past. It is his charge to move on. Beautiful should be on everyone’s iPod.

The last song, Underground, is Eminem’s answer to where he has been and why it has been so long since his last album release. What Beautiful does not mend and the darkness it does not cover, Underground forces together. Marshall Mathers makes it personal saying that he has exposed it all, the drugs, addictions, and identity throughout the album. It begins to make more sense. The darkness has not escaped, but is delayed until Relapse 2 debuts later this year.

Relapse is like driving by a car accident and looking and seeing the damage and then you don’t stop looking. Hope can be placed that Relapse 2 will answer our questions of Eminem. Is he quitting? Is he clean?

We can only assume, but Marshall Mathers has put it all on the line. He pulled no punches and wanted to give it all, and he has. If this is too much for you then erase it, but respect it. Eminem pushes the envelope and does it unconventionally and not many fans will like it, but society should appreciate the experience of seeing what a dark world, the real dark world, is like. For that, thank you Eminem for putting Slim aside and showing us your real name, Marshall.

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Mormon Tabernacle Choir Comes to Norman

E. Zachary Knight — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:00:59 +0000

On June 27, the world renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be performing at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma. This is their first time and possibly the only time they will ever be performing in the state.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir (or Motab when referred to casually) was formed in 1847 in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. Since then they have been a principle part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ conferences and performances. However, they do not stick to church performances. They have also performed around the world at many world’s fairs and even at the inaugurations of five US presidents, most recently George W. Bush.

Performing with them will be the Orchestra at Temple Square. This orchestra was formed 10 years ago in order to expand the musical arm of the LDS church.

I recommend attending this performance. Motab is a must see event and tickets often go fast. For more information you can visit their Oklahoma performance site.

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American Idol: Wild Card

Ellen Carroll — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:00:53 +0000

If you watch American Idol religiously, like a good American, then you know all about the Wild Card show. If you don’t watch it every week but happen to flip it on tonight, you’ll probably be thinking, “Wait a minute, is this a rerun? I thought all those people were out of the competition!” You’ll be right, of course, about the latter. The Wild Card contestants are back with a little help from the judges, who racked their brains to come up with the eight lucky singers who will get a second chance on tonight’s episode. Each of them had been left behind by votes cast by the public during the previous weeks of competition, but were held ‘just in case’ for the judge’s final pick. While there are obviously those that don’t think these singers should get a second shot at stardom, Idol judge Simon Cowell thinks differently.

“Historically, this process enabled people like Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken to make it into the 12,” said Cowell, explaining why the process was brought back after four years without it’s use.

“If we didn’t have a wild-card pick they wouldn’t have made it,” Cowell said. “Certain people we think made stupid song choices, or they were just in a tough group, so we totally, totally support this system. I think it’s fair, and it gives somebody, a few people, a second shot. And you know what? One of these wild-card picks could actually win this show.”

This is good news for the eight chosen for a second chance. Three of the eight will advance after tonight’s show- adding the last quarter of the envied Top 12 to the stage. So, who’s back? Sadly, although not surprisingly, the headbands and 80’s glow didn’t cut it for the entertaining favorite, Nick “Normund Gentle” Mitchell. Those chosen weren’t a surprise, either. Matt Giraud, Megan Joy Corkrey, Anoop Desai and Tatiana Del Toro were easy choices, each thrilled with the chance to show the audience how talented they really are.

Randy Jackson brought back the “really, really talented” Von Smith, who was eliminated one round earlier. Kara DioGuardi brought back the ‘commercial’ Jasmine Murray, and reminded her to “kill” the judges with her vocals. Paula Abdul saved Ricky Braddy, who had been eliminated in the first round. Also brought back was the bluesy Jesse Langseth.

Who will make the cut and continue on to the Top 12? Tonight’s show promises to be a good one as these hopefuls give everything they’ve got for one more chance at fame and fortune. My picks: Anoop Desai, Von Smith and Jesse Langseth. We’ll see…. tonight, on American Idol!

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New Music Releases: March 17

Ellen Carroll — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:52:51 +0000

Sigh. If only there was a way to get my vampire love fix without rereading long books or watching a hit movie. Oh wait, there is! Yay for the release of the Twilight soundtrack! If the books and movie weren’t enough for you either, you’ll be pleased to see a winning lineup of major rock stars making every moment of the Twilight soundtrack as awesome as the book and film. Including singles from Linkin Park, Paramore, Collective Soul and Muse, this CD is definitely worth sinking your teeth in.

If that still isn’t enough, you’ll be swooning when you realize that the very last song is sung by none other than Robert Pattinson himself. That’s right. He’s hot and he sings. But wait! There’s more! Throw in a bonus CD with special interviews and music videos and you’re sure to be a hit around the neighborhood (or at least with your teenage daughter).

Also new this week:
1.Naked Willie by Willie Nelson
2.The Script by The Script
3.BoA by BoA
4.Long Distance Voyager by The Moody Blues
5.Cult of Static by Static-X
6.Paramore: The Final RIOT! [Blu-ray] by Paramore
7.Octave by The Moody Blues
8.Heaven & Hell[Vinyl LP] by Black Sabbath
9.Quiet Please: The New Best of Nick Lowe (Limited Edition, Deluxe CD+DVD) by Nick Lowe
10.Brahms: Violin Concerto; Double Concerto by Vadim Repin

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New Music Releases: March 10

Ellen Carroll — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:20:19 +0000

Who can forget the shy, humble Texas girl who shook the world with her powerful debut on the first season of American Idol? Since her monumental victory, Kelly Clarkson has risen from country girl to super star within a matter of a few short years. Her first album, Thankful, showcased her talent and branded her a pop artist, while her second and third landed her a spot in Rock history as one of VH1’s Top 30 Hottest Rock Front Women. With 9 of her songs reaching Top 10 spots on the charts, it can be clearly seen that it is the quality, not quantity, of songs that matter.

Clarkson’s fourth album, All I Ever Wanted, features her hit single My Life Would Suck Without You. In its first week of release, it jumped from number 97 to number 1 on Billboard’s Top 100 List, breaking the record for the largest jump to that position in chart history. If you love Kelly Clarkson, your life will suck without her newest CD.

Also new this week:
1.The Distance by Taylor Hicks
2.Bare Bones by Madeleine Peyroux
3.Scream by Chris Cornell
4.Amore Infinito: Songs inspired by the Poetry of John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla) by Josh Groban and Placido Domingo
5.Live at Last by Stevie Wonder
6.I Believe: The Gospel Masters by Elvis Presley
7.Not Without A Fight by New Found Glory
8.Symphony: Live in Vienna (CD & DVD) by Sarah Brightman
9.Yesterday by the Beatles
10.Unplugged…and Seated (CD/DVD Collector’s Edition) by Rod Stewart

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New Music Releases: March 3

Ellen Carroll — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:19:17 +0000

If you’re a comic book fan, you are undoubtedly marking down the days until you can squeeze into your costume and storm the nearest theater to see the newest ‘comic’ movie The Watchmen. You’ve seen them all- The Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, X-men, Ghost Rider… the anticipation builds with each film as you wait to see if this one can top the rest.

What better way to get a feel for the movie than by previewing the soundtrack? Just looking through the list of artists gets me excited. The album boasts top performers including My Chemical Romance, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. The Watchmen is scheduled to release on screen on March 6, but if you just can’t wait another minute you can check out the CD first. No matter what you think of the film, the soundtrack sounds like a smash!

Also new this week:
1.No Line On The Horizon by U2
2.Maybe Tomorrow by Molly Jenson
3.Middle Cyclone by Neko Case
4.Written In Chalk by Buddy and Julie Miller
5.Lucky One by Raul Malo
6.Retrospective 3 (1989-2008)(CD/DVD) by Rush
7.Pop! Remixed by Erasure
8.Invaders Must Die by Prodigy
9.In Principio by Arvo Part
10.The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem In Person at Carnegie Hall- The Complete 1963 Concert by Tommy Makem and The Clancy Brothers

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New Music Releases: February 17

Ellen Carroll — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:31:30 +0000

Look out, it’s an outlaw! Oh wait, it’s just Willie Nelson at it again. While you may not be a fan (his music certainly isn’t for everyone), you undoubtedly can answer the question “Who’s that old hippie guy with the braids that sings country music?” without hesitation. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying his fame. It is no surprise to those that know of him that this old timer just won’t quit. Ol’ Willie’s done a bit of everything and worked with everyone, from Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings to Toby Keith and Mike Meyers. With hundreds of songs reaching the tops of all authoritative charts, it is actually hard to find a Willie Nelson song unworthy of a country fan’s time.

His newest album, Willie and The Wheel, is no different. Teaming up with Asleep At the Wheel seems to have been a good plan. Their blend of country and swing music make this a quick favorite among fans old and young.

Also new this week:
1.Years of Refusal by Morrissey
2.Dark Was the Night by various artists
3.The Annie Lennox Collection by Annie Lennox
4.Hold Time by M. Ward
5.Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit by Jason Isbell
6.Uncle Charlie by Charlie Wilson
7.Wish by Sutton Foster
8.High School Musical 3: Senior Year by Karaoke
9.Halo Wars / Game O.S.T.
10.March of The Zapotec and Realpeople Hollandby Beirut

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New Music Releases: February 24

Ellen Carroll — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:27:34 +0000

Hey music lovers! Some of you may remember the first time Astral Weeks was released in 1968, even if it had a nearly non-existent fan base at the time. Although the audience acted indifferently to Van Morrison’s first album for Warner Brothers Records, it achieved critical acclaim and soon become famous for its unclassifiable genre. It has been said to possess a sort of unique musical power- combining folk music, jazz and rock with unprecedented skill. It quickly became a favorite among many famous artists. Elvis Costello called it “the most adventurous record made in the rock medium,” and Steven Van Zandt, of Bruce Springsteen’s band, said that “Astral Weeks was like a religion to us.” Astral Weeks has since been placed on the most authoritative lists of best albums of all times, including The Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Albums of All Time.

Forty years later, Van Morrison brought his classic back to the public in a rerecording live at the Hollywood Bowl. The fan base this time: phenomenal. Morrison’s unpredictable performance brought a fresh new feel to the classics, while remaining true to the feel of the originals. Through a career spanning over 50 years, Van the Man has never ceased to amaze and his newest CD is no exception.

Also new this week:
1.Wrath (Deluxe) by Lamb of God
2.Mr Lucky by Chris Isaak
3.The Ballad of John Henry by Joe Bonamassa
4.War Child presents Heroes by various artists
5.Roll On by J.J. Cale
6.Insurgentes by Steven Wilson
7.Easy Does It by Jake Owen
8.Music from the 3D Concert Experience by Jonas Brothers
9.Troubadour by K’Naan
10.What I Knowby Tom Rush

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