Beast – “Beast”
Posted on 08. Jul, 2009 by Author in Album Review, Music
Beast
Beast
Verve
Beast, the group, is two French-Canadians: producer/beat master Jean-Phi Goncalves and singer Betty Bonifassi (best known for her stunning vocal work in The Triplets of Belleville). Beast, the album, is 2009’s best so far. The compositions are so rich and expertly crafted, yet maintain the vitality of a live band; a perfect foundation for Bonifassi who belts, growls and even raps through this thing like Shirley Bassey and Eartha Kitt making out to a Lauryn Hill record. Lyrically, each song is a compelling struggle between the beasts and angels in [...]
Synthesis Weekly Reviews: “White Lies for Dark Times” by Ben Harper and Relentless7
Posted on 01. Jul, 2009 by Author in Album Review, Music
Ben Harper and Relentless7
White Lies for Dark Times
Virgin
Ben Harper’s musical career has been filled with much praise and prestige. Whether it be his certified gold solo album Fight for Your Mind or his groundbreaking Live From Mars with the Innocent Criminals, Harper has enjoyed the luxury of much-deserved critical acclaim. His new album, White Lies For Dark Times, with Texas-based backing band Relentless7 should be received with similar enthusiasm to prior efforts. “Number with No Name” kicks the album off with a danceable bluesy swagger led by crafty guitar work [...]
Notorious out on DVD and Blu-Ray 4/21
Posted on 20. Apr, 2009 by spencer in Film, Music
I personally believe that Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur are still alive, AND hang out with Kurt Cobain all day, AND that together the three of them are the masterminds behind the Jonas Brothers. However, the Notorious biopic, which comes out tomorrow on DVD, refutes that claim.
Featuring a performance from Wallace’s real-life son, Christopher Jordan Wallace, NOTORIOUS also uncovers the complicated relationships in the rapper’s life, including protégé Kimberly “Lil’ Kim†Jones, wife-and-R&B singer Faith Evans and long-time friend-turned-rival Tupac Shakur, examining the struggle, music and triumph of game-changer Christopher [...]
