iOS 4.2 for iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch > is now available to download in iTunes. It's not a major update unless you're an iPad owner. The update to Apple's operating software provides multi-tasking and folders - major, but iPhone/iPod touch users are already privileged to these features.
So while the update for handheld users is not groundbreaking, they are cool and worth a blip. First, AirPrint is now available to use with AirPrint eligible devices or printers with built in WiFi - if this is not a functionality your current printer has, you may want to consider during the procurement process of your next printer.
The other update and perhaps best new feature is Find My iPhone [or iPad or iPod Touch]. Apple's device-locating and data-protecting technology is cool but one could only take advantage of it at an additional cost - with the purchase of the MobileMe service. Now this feature is free upon installation of iOS 4.2 so never fear or fret again the next time you black out, lose your phone and some lurking phoney [aspiring iPhone owner] gets a hold of it. You now have the free options of finding it via geolocation technology or wiping out your precious data remotely - just remember to set up this feature before your next potential shenanigans [prior to holidays highly recommended] :j Marc
Soundclash AZ > last night a live musical marvel took place in front of American Junkie in old town Scottsdale: the Roots and Miniature Tigers took the stages - yes. Stages. Plural.
The Red Bull Soundclash featured two bands on opposing stages concert, collaborate, co-create, and compete, per say, and those in attendance stood between those stages. Soundclash consisted of a warm-up and four rounds or themes: the cover, the takeover, the clash and the wild card.
The cover round began with DJ Senbad dropping 'Fire' by Jimi Hendrix. Then each band covered that classic in their own style. In the takeover round, each band performed original songs followed by one band then the other band followed suit. The Roots performed 'You Got Me' without Erykah Badu but got help on those vocals from Captain Kirk Douglas on guitar. Miniature Tiger did an okay job on that rendition but it's a tough job to continually follow an epic and iconic hip-hop band like The Roots and such was the case for the majority of their night. Nonetheless, kudos to Miniature Tigers for doing their thing in a complex and magnified format.
The clash round featured the bands performing their songs with a stylistic twist. The Roots did a cool ska version of 'The Seed 2.0' and with the exception of Questo on drums, the entire band skanked around stage in true dub style.
Finally, the wild card round consisted of a finale performance from each band with their own surprise special guest. Angelo Moore [aka Dr. Madd Vibe] from Fishbone joined the Roots on stage with his saxophone and gymnastics to do 'Freddie's Dead'.
Soundclash was such a unique touch to the concert configuration and hopefully the success of this live collaboration series brings about a new revolution.
:j Marc
[here's a vid of that 'Freddie's Dead' rendition. Sorry about the heavy cymbals - I was right under the speaker for this. If you want to see a few of the other parts of the performances check out the latest uploads onto the zBORED YouTube channel: zBOREDtube]
Nelly 5.0 > the St. Lunatic resurfaces today with the release of 5.0, his sixth album in his 10-year solo tenure. It's been 2 years since Nelly's last album [Brass Knuckles] but over 6 years since his last good one [Sweat/Suit].
You've probably heard the first single 'Just a dream' at some point in the last few months and you also probably fear a new LP stocked with other soft, 'Over and over' or 'Dilemma' like tracks. But we certainly know what the Country Grammarian is capable of ['EI', 'Ride wit me'] and all of his prior studio productions have yielded at least one catchy jam that makes a club shake and this album features tracks with T.I., Birdman and DJ Khaled to instill some confidence in that notion.
Here's the video for the most recent single which does much better than this album's first but unfortunately Nelly didn't get the memo that people are sick of Akon and see right through the talentless tubes of T-Pain. Whoa Nelly! :j Marc
Remix mashup edit > whatever you want to call it the song sequel is not uncommon. But an entire album of the re-cut is scarce indeed and practically an endangered species.
It's puzzling that more artists do not deliver the whole pie reheated as opposed to just a slice. Some of my most prized discs are doppelgangers, per say, some of which have been my morphine during the painful await of follow-up albums. One of my favorite bands, Bloc Party, has put out two remix albums: Silent Alarm Remixed and their latest Intimacy Remixed. Both Silent Alarm and Intimacy are superb in every way and the band's permission to let a slew of beloved DJ's like Armand Van Helden do their thing with it have made the time between new Bloc Party releases seem like a lot less than two years.
Aside from putting DJ's to work to prevent fan starvation, there are other benefits to releasing new cuts like capturing new followers or penetrating new musical territories.
I was never really a fan of Sarah McLachlan until I heard the Tiesto remix to 'Silence' back in 2001. The vocals on this song are hot and such a compliment to DJ Tiesto's craft. It was the middle of this 11-minute track when some serious voice is shown off that got me curious. Turns out the album that this gem is on, Remixed, features mixes from some of my other favorite DJ's like Hybrid and BT. This album got me to appreciate Sarah but her Bloom album, which contains remixes by Junior Boys, Thievery Corporation and Gabriel & Dresden, turned me into a fan.
The Tonight album by Franz Ferdinand is a good album but their dub remix album titled Blood is better tenfold. You know Franz and you know the genre but this album takes fans outside of the indie element and into the reggae remix realm. It's such a great album to get lost in and worth at least a listen even if you're not into the dancehall sound.
Finally, let's talk about scores. There is a difference to a soundtrack and a score. In the case of the film Requiem for a Dream, this 'soundtrack' is more of a score. I've never felt the need to pick one up, especially in this case when tracks would just remind me of Jennifer Connelly going ass to ass, Jared Leto's severed arm or any of the other demented shit in that flick [for the record, I do think this movie's music is brilliant anyhow]. But this soundtrack procreated and that dark spawn was a remix album with tracks by Paul Oakenfold and Delerium, to name a few. The cuts are somber like the original but injected with a huge dose of BPM, perfect for your gym playlist or next heroine party with Marlon Wayans.
Some other honorable mentions in the remix department involve Mr. Jay-Z. While I'm not as much a fan of him as the rest of the world is, these two mashup albums are the product of incredible creativity and extremely diverse sounds. Collision Course features early Linkin Park songs mixed w/ a variety of Jay-Z's. The much more impressive album is a bootleg that Danger Mouse deserves the credit for: The Grey Album, where he mashes up The White Album by The Beatles and The Black Album by Jay-Z.
Any of the aforementioned albums are highly recommended if you are a fan of any of these noted artists but especially if you aren't already :j Marc
zBORED Members unite! > it's time we take a stand and fight against the infamous Duck Face! One of our very own members of zBORED posted this video's link on some duck face photos and experienced the wrath of a few angry duck-billed platypussies. This bold and heroic statement against one of society's most dreadful villains indeed caused a stir but you can't make an omelette without breaking a few duck eggs.
Seriously, this song is hilarious and we should be inspired to do the same as our aforementioned vigilante. So if you come across a ducky profile pic in your social network, you know what to do. Or if you encounter a Duck Face transforming in real life, chant the anthem. Everyone who sends a link of proof, screenshot, video or whatever of their heroism will be entered to win a motherducking awesome prize at the end of this month [and for shits and giggles you can see more or submit at antiduckface.com].
This is going to be fun. Viva la revolution! :j Marc
Portugal. The Man > the band of Alaskans and Oregonians visited the Clubhouse in Tempe this past Thursday headlining a show w/ White Denim. After a few years of infiltrating my Modest Mouse station on Pandora I finally got the opportunity to see Portugal. The Man live and in such an intimate, comfortably packed house of about 500 heads.
It was a fine performance that unfortunately did not include 'Colors' but did, however, include another fav: 'And I'. Check out this clip from that tune and you'll see just how intimate it was just for us lucky 500 who got to take from the air and then to the streets.
Live and direct > last week on SLOSHBALL Eve the posse rolled out to the Clubhouse in Tempe to check out Ra Ra Riot on their Orchard tour. It was an impressive show to say the least and one that earned them honors in the category of bands that kick ass but even more so live and direct. They sound just as good on stage [if not better] as they do on any of the cuts I've heard over the years.
Not your traditional band, Rx3 boasts lots of strings - that is, a cellist and violinist [Alexandra & Rebecca] accompany the gentlemen playing guitar, bass, drums and keyboards [Milo, Mathieu, Gabriel & Wes, who is also the lead singer].
Perhaps the kicker to this newfound fondness of Ra Ra Riot is Alexandra. This hotso plays a mean electric cello, gets down on the keyboards and sings like she's made from the vocal chromosomes of Stevie Nicks and Nelly Furtado. Hotness to the max.
See you at the next show: Portgal. The Man ;j Marc
