Run With The Heard

The Heard or sometime known as Run With The Heard are your new favourite band that you don't know yet. They are a genre-less collective of talented musicians and emcees from Vancouver. With a blend of hip hop, electronic, dance, alternative and grunge, these guys master it all before smashing it together to create something so very refreshingly new and original. Innovative to say the least, a regular part of their live performance includes a modified Guitar Hero guitar, three emcees, a bass player, two producers and a guitar/singer/drummer. They manage to weave this all together into a high energy, explosion of a stage show.

Now as amazing as these young cats are, they have yet to release a full length album. Spending most of there time winning over fans one by one. They found time to record and release a crazy new single off their upcoming album. Titled 'Invincible' its a little less hip hop but a little more more dance and is a perfect example of the high energy experience these guys provide.
Check out their Myspace page for the new single...  
www.myspace.com/runwiththeheard

The Heard will be LIVE in VICTORIA April 29th @ Sopranos
Come check 'em out!

Heidi Montag Wants to Make a 3D Movie Where her Breasts Kill a Shark

Yep... that pretty much tells it all. I just wanted to prove that she is as stupid as she looks.
As much as I'd like to say this is fake movie news, it isn't. Montag recently told People's PopWatch, "I am making the first 3-D beach comedy about a shark that attacks a small beach town and I save the day with my 3-D boobs. I've even written a role for Dolly Parton to play the town mayor!" Yes..you read that quote right. Heidi Montag is actually writing the script HERSELF. Ugh... what is the film world coming to?
Just when you thought the torture would end along with the cancellation of The Hills yesterday, she decides to take that torture to the extreme by bringing it to the big screen... in 3-D!

Maybe she just wants a chance to show off all of the new dimensions to her body that were artificially constructed earlier this year...? Regardless, please, please, PLEASE do not support the madness and stupidity of this movie and Montag's career by buying tickets to it, or in any way supporting it. Thank you.

The Final' American' Album

In celebration of his 78th birthday, Rick Rubin has released the final chapter in Johnny Cash's legendary music anthology of the 'American' Series. 'American VI: Ain't No Grave' is a final ballad of Cash's most death relevant song writing (and covering) abilities. Most tracks are slow yet re-assuring everyone that when he dies, everything will work out for the best. He talks about his life, and reflects on his accomplishments. Kinda weird to hear him talking about this kind of stuff, but I'm sure Rubin pretty much planned it that way. Most of these tunes were recorded after the death of this wife June Carter. So in a way these songs are for June, but in our ears they reflect on Cash. If you haven't updated your Johnny Cash library in the past 16 years, here a brief run-through:

- The 'American' series started in 1994, when he signed on with Rubin's American Recordings label. The first release, 'American Recordings', was based on Cash recording all acoustic songs, all recorded in his Tennessee cabin. Most of the tunes are covers (Tom Waits, Kris Kristofferson, Leonard Coen), but most critics will argue that Cash's versions are more powerful and clear. They offer a simple, yet emotional sound that Cash's voice manages to perfect. Cake Picks: Delilia's Gone, Redemption, Bird On A Wire.

- The follow-up album 'American II: Unchained'(1996) had a bit more of production to it; Rubin decided to add a band to back up Cash's voice and guitar. So he went out and got Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to give him a hand. It's pretty interesting to hear such a powerhouse band back up one of the most distinct voices in music history. The album includes, again, well done covers from Soundgarden's 'Rusty Cage' to Beck's 'Rowboat'. A bit faster paced, I would favour this piece of Cash's work from the 'American' recordings a personal favorite. Cake Picks: Rowboat, Rusty Cage, Country Boy, I've Been Everywhere.........man.

- 'American III: Solitary Man' was recorded just after Cash was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The mixture of great covers, with slow emotional songs and upbeat tunes, gives the album a feeling of confusion. From happiness to the thought of death, Cash takes you through a playlist of great quality music. Again having his good friend Tom Petty helping him out and also backing him up in vocals. He manages to cover Petty's 'I Wont Back Down", Neil Diamonds 'Solitary Man', U2's 'One'(which I strongly prefer over U2's version) that will make you think differently about each song. Another solid album to add to the legends body of work. Cake Picks: I Wont Back Down, One, The Mercy Seat.

- Voted by many critics as the greatest music video of all time, Cash's version of Nine Inch Nail's 'Hurt' might have given Cash the title as best cover of all time. 'American IIV: The Man Comes Around' gave the world a new look at Cash's struggle with his life, and his choices to cover songs that include such relevant lyrics. His covers include NIN's 'Hurt', Depeche Mode's 'Personal Jesus', The Beatles' 'In My Life', Sting's 'I Hung My Head', The Eagles' 'Desperado' and even Hank Williams 'I'm So Lonesome, I Could Cry'. Once again, a must hear track list, the covers just give you such an amazing sound that Cash has converted. Cake Picks: Hurt, In My Life, Desperado, Bridge Over Troubled Water (with Fiona Apple on back up vocals)

- This is the first album release after Cash passed away in 2003. 'American V: A Hundred Highways'(2006) was a collection of tracks that Cash had only recorded vocals for, back in 2003. Rick Rubin then added overdubs to create an album that would add to the ongoing anthology of Cash's life. The album was such a success that it reached #1 in the Billboards for top 200, Country Album and Internet Albums. 'God's Gonna Cut You Down', the title track, won a Grammy for best short form music video and Cash's biopic 'Walk the Line' was released the year before and was nominated for multiple Oscars. It was the year of Johnny Cash; if you didn't know who he was, you best be doing your homework because he owned the charts, and he wasn't even alive. The album included covers of Gordon Lightfoots 'If You Could Read My Mind', Bruce Springsteen's 'Further On Up the Road' , Hank Williams' 'On The Evening Train'. Cake Picks: God's Gonna Cut You Down, Like A 309, Further On Up The Road.

Cash also released a similar series of albums called 'Unearthed'. He does a lot of great covers on those albums as well. So you best be checkin that out too. Anyway, make sure you listen to these if you're interested in this type of music; if not, then stay tuned, because we might be able to help you out in your music knowledge Plus you might find something that will change your life.....foooorrreeeevvverrrrr

Beanie Sigel and Freeway rip a strip off of Jay-Z

The new Beanie Sigel/Freeway collabo album has hit the streets and a certain tune has stirred up some bad blood. Track 12 entitled 'Average' on the 'Roc Boys' release clearly states their hatred and sore feelings for the HOV. The duo explain how much Jay has changed since his Roc days. Stating that hes not about the streets anymore, also something about an incident where he called the cops on them. Anyway, check it out as these angry people express their true emotions...very deep...

Upcoming Album Releases...

There seems to be a theme these days in the rock world: 90's bands trying to make a comeback with the new generation of listeners. Now lately we've heard some success with bands like Pearl Jam and Alice and Chains, but apparently there are more and more bands reforming and putting out records in the near future. So we'll have to wait and see how these once rock pioneers handle the new millennium. Also some huge names in hip hop to mark down on that calendar of yours.

New Rock:

- Smashing Pumpkins - Teargarden By Kaleidyscope 1: Songs for a Sailor - May 25, 2010

- Stone Temple Pilots - Self Titled - May 25, 2010

- Soundgarden - ??

(Apparently they're back together and possibly doing an album)

- R.E.M. - 2010

- Tom Petty and The Heatbreakers - Mojo - Spring 2010

- Tokyo Police Club - Champ - May 11, 2010

- The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt - April 2010

- MGMT - Congratulations - April 13, 2010

- Gorillaz - Plastic Beach - March 9, 2010

New Hip Hop:

- Shad - TSOL - May 25, 2010

- Nas & Damien Marley - Distant Relatives - March 16, 2010

- Flobots - Survival Story - March 16, 2010

- Wu-tang - Wu Massacre - March 30, 2010

- Murs & 9th Wonder - Fornever - March 30, 2010

- The Roots - How I Got Over - April 29, 2010

- Cypress Hill - Rise Up - April 20, 2010

- Jedi Mind Tricks - Army Of Pharaohs: The Unholy Terror - March 30, 2010

- The Cool Kids - When Fish Ride Bicycles - Spring 2010

- Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 - Fall 2010

- Common - The Believer - Dec 2010

- Evidence - Cats and Dogs - 2010

- Method Man - The Crystal Meth - 2010

(Apparently right after the Wu album is released)

Film Review: Shutter Island

Martin Scorsese has been changing film for 30+ years. His ability to dominate every aspect of film is mesmerizing. A master of all genres, he seems to perfect every piece of film he touches. Now, if you're not familiar with his work, here's a brief run through: Goodfellas, Casino, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Departed, Gangs of New York, Cape Fear, and now to add to that list of classics, Shutter Island.

Shutter Island is an amazing look at Scorsese's vision of a psychological thriller, starring his regular, Leonardo DiCaprio as a sea-sick detective travelling to a mental institution located on a crazy ass looking island. He is hired to inspect a case of an escaping patient, who is considered extremely dangerous. But, you know what, I think I'm just going to leave it at that because that's all you need to know. If I was you, I wouldn't read anything about this film if you already haven't, because I kind of did and it didn't exactly ruin it for me, but it hinted a lot of things that I suspected when I was watching this. But all in all, it was a wicked movie, full of amazing photography and extremely well done direction. Scorsese's ability to manipulate the viewers emotions into the same confusion in which the lead character experiences is captivating. Many critics have expressed this as a negative aspect to the film, but for me it kept me thinking, and that is an attribute that made the film stand out in my mind.
Unsurprisingly, Leo, as always, was at the top of his game and so were the rest of the actors. Ben Kingsley's performance also made a huge impact in keeping things creepy and insecure. Also, look out for a cameo by Buffalo Bill. Shutter Island is a keeper, and a must see. I would suggest checking it out in the theatres because the cinematography is off the hook, and it looks soo good on the big screen. So, check it out and don't sleep because that wouldn't be cool.

Doomtree

If you're a fan of the Rhymesayers crew then you are probably familiar with POS. But what some people don`t know is that POS is a member of a family of like minded emcees/musicians called Doomtree.

   Doomtree is a rap group/record label/family from Minnesota and easily one of my favourite collectives of all time. Although they perform together frequently and have two full length albums as a group, each one of the members is an established and talented solo artist.

P.O.S is signed to Rhymesayers out of Minnesota and is definitely a favourite of mine. On my top ten emcee list, for sure. Original beats and original lyrics, forcing hip hop to evolve to where he needs it to be.  Avoiding the common cliche of infusing cheesy rock riffs and hip hop beats (see "lil waynes" new so called "album") P.O.S is opting for a more genuine equivalent to infuse hip hop with and that's punk. Taking the raw sounds of both genres and making something all his own.

Dessa is definitely an emcee to watch out for. Standing as one of the few hopes for the seemingly absent female rapper population in today's mainstream. Dessa also doubles as a professor at the McNally Smith College of Music and she's had her fellow Doomtree member P.O.S as a guest speaker. Abouthiphop.com named Dessa one of the top ten artist to watch in 2010 and I agree. Her new album Bradly Broken Code is out and is definitely worth picking up. 

These two are amazing rappers but are also talented musicians and singers, teachers and producers. Making real music in a real way. But it's not just these two that are amazing, each member has their own style, so be sure to check them all out. Doomtree, highly recommend.

Bob Dylan covers LL Cool J

Bob Dylan rapes raps.