• Entertainment

    Best of 2011: Top 10 Albums

    If 2011 could be remembered for one thing, it would be that in 2011 the music industry was saved… by Adele. Selling 5.82 million copies of her sophomore album 21 – numbers that labels haven’t seen in years – she definitely stands out as one of the industry’s heroes. And even though not all albums saw the same success, there were still some seriously good records that dropped this year. Here’s a list of my favorite. 10. Chancellor Warhol: The Silver Factory. Each track from the 14-track, sophomore LP feels like it was hand-picked and perfectly crafted for this compilation. The clever rhymes match with the album’s equally clever title,…

  • Entertainment

    First Listen: Lana Del Rey "National Anthem"

    When you saw this post you probably thought either:a) holy smokes, enough of Lana Del Rey already, orb) hell yes! Just post the whole album already! Only weeks until the release of Born To Die, the debut album from Lana Del Rey, and another track arrived this morning in my inbox. This time, it’s the record’s final track “National Anthem”. No, it’s not the country’s patriotic tune, nor a take on the Radiohead masterpiece. The track does in fact have an anthemic hook (“Tell me I’m your national anthem”), but the verses are Ke$ha inspired talk/rap combined with Del Rey’s signature pouty vocal.  Listen to the track below and stay…

  • Entertainment

    First Listen: Lana Del Rey ‘Off To the Races’

    It’s clear that 2012 is going to be the year of Lana Del Rey. She’s already caught the attention of most major music outlets, premiered a much hyped and talked about video for her single “Born To Die”, and landed a spot performing on SNL … all before her debut album even sees the light of day. And on the newly leaked track, “Off To the Races”, it’s easy to see why she’s causing so much buzz. Listen to the track below and check back for more from Lana Del Rey.

  • Entertainment

    New Releases: Dec. 20th, 2011

    It’s the Tuesday before Christmas and there’s a new crop music hoping to end up in your stocking on Sunday morning. Today brings new records from American DJ KASKADE and hip-hop’s Common as well as the Top 10 compilation from country-crooner Travis Tritt. And reminding us of their 2012 album releases Neon Trees, Adam Lambert, Leona Lewis, Snow Patrol, Lana Del Rey and Clay Aiken are releasing new singles digitally today. You can check out all of today’s new releases here. But that’s not all, you can visit Brite Revolution to get all their new releases for free, including new music from the enchanting Sugar & the Hi-Lows, FOR King & Country, Robert Kelly and…

  • Entertainment

    First Listen: Madonna

    With the announcement of a new album and tapped as this year’s Halftime Show entertainer at the Super Bowl, Madonna is preparing to kick off 2012 with a bang. Though not as heavily placed in the public eye this last year, the Queen of Pop has kept herself busy: launching a new clothing line (her second), planning a series of ‘Hard Candy’ branded fitness centers, directing her second film, W.E., which debuted at the Venice Film Festival, and recording a new record, which is slated to drop in March. The album’s first single is expected to hit sometime in late January, just in the time for the Feb. 5th performance at…

  • Entertainment

    Wednesday Wrap-Up: Stronger Edition

    As the music industry begins to slow down for the holiday, news is trickling out about what’s to come in 2012. Already the year seems to be buzzing with new talent arriving, like Lana Del Rey, Youth Lagoon and more. As well as a slew of new releases from some of music’s biggest names. A new record from the Queen of Pop, Madonna, is on the way, plus the new one from country’s Prom Queen, Carrie Underwood, a follow up to Adam Lambert‘s controversial debut, the long awaited new record from No Doubt, and rumors of a Watch The Throne part deux.  And popping up today, is the new video from Kelly…

  • Entertainment

    New Releases: Dec. 12th, 2011

    It’s Tuesday, which means another batch of new tunes are coming your way. The album selection is a bit scarce, but of the ones dropping today check out Slow Moving Millie‘s cover album Renditions and the new one from Lemonheads, Laughing All The Way To The Cleaners. You may find a track or two to keep you warm on this wintery day. And from the singles category comes the third from Coldplay‘s Mylo Xyloto, “Charlie Brown”, as well as new tracks from Cee Lo Green and Foo Fighters. Check out all of today’s new releases here.

  • Entertainment

    Artist To Watch: Katherine Mez

    When I first heard Katherine Mez‘s angelic voice on the demo for her track “Just Me”, a sad but beautiful ballad, I was immediately drawn to the rich depth of her tone and control. Few have been lucky enough to hear some of the rough versions of her ideas in song, but those that have know the gift that is her voice.  A voice that, if given the chance, could change the world. A Nashville-based singer who was once in L.A. working on an album that never panned out, has spent the last few years perfecting her craft – leading worship at her church, backing her friend, and another Tragic…

  • Entertainment

    Review: The Black Keys "El Camino"

    Rock music has found a new poster child. The Black Keys, who released their seventh studio album El Camino last week, have been rocking their consistent bluesy garage rock for the last decade and rarely strayed from their rock-at-the-core sound. That remains true on El Camino. A mild-moderate fan of their previous efforts, the Keys have reached beyond their core audience, delivering a sound that appeals across genre lines. Maybe it’s the pivotal bridge in the lead-track “Lonely Boy”, that seems to connect their consistent sound to an insatiably infectious hook, allowing credibility on the pop charts. And it’s that track that have music enthusiasts (and music supervisors) salivating. “Gold On The…

  • Entertainment

    First Listen: Lana Del Rey

    If I had to make an early prediction of who’d be the biggest new star in 2012, it would be Lana Del Rey. Del Rey jumped up on my radar a few weeks ago, but it wasn’t until this week that I fell in love with her music and just can’t seem to get enough of the self-proclaimed “gangsta Nancy Sinatra”. Lizzy Grant – Lana Del Rey is her stage name comprised of her idols Lana Turner and Ford Del Rey – has been buzzing since her EP for first singles “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” reached the top five on the US iTunes Albums Chart hours after its release.…

  • Entertainment

    Wednesday Wrap-Up: Everybody Talks Edition

    The music world is buzzing this evening with the announcement of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s latest inductees, Amy Winehouse‘s latest (and last) release, and the passing of Barbara Orbison, on the 23rd anniversary of her husband’s passing. And today, Neon Trees – Tragic Kingdom’s pick for best act of 2010 – released a stream of their new single, “Everybody Talks”. The Sixties-inspired track, from their upcoming album Picture Show, is not much of a departure from the band’s successful smash singles, but frontman Tyler Glenn promises Rolling Stone that the new album will be. With a catchy pop hook, it’s clear the band that earned them one of the biggest…