Archive: November 2010 (71-80 of 147)

Nov 15 2010 04:12 PM ET

Billy Corgan slams Pavement, calls them 'the death of the alternative dream'

BILLY-CORGANImage Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesDespite all his rage, he is still just a rat in a 140-character-limit cage.

Smashing Pumpkins frontman and general unstoppable quote machine Billy Corgan took to his official twitter.com/billy# page over the weekend, unleashing a series of persnickety butterfly-winged tweet bullets after receiving the news that he would be sharing a festival bill with the recently reunited Pavement at Brazil’s Planeta Terra Festival next week.

Below, his thoughts, presented in unexpurgated real-time form:

1:50 PM Just found out SP is playing with Pavement in Brazil. It’s gonna be 1 of those New Orleans type funerals

1:51 PM I say that because they represent the death of the alternative dream, and we follow with the affirmation of life part.

1:53 PM funny how those who pointed the big finger of ‘sell out’ are the biggest offenders now…yawn. they have no love

2:00 PM by the way, we’ll be the band up there playing NEW songs because we have the love xx

It’s so Mothra vs. Godzilla, if Mothra’s band had no other original members, and Godzilla kind of never cared about Mothra in the first place! Or as my colleague Simon says, “It’s like Billy just finally got around to hearing the third verse of ‘Range Life” … again.

But what do you think, readers—should this (generally one-sided) feud continue, or should they meet up backstage in Sao Paulo, have a pitcher of caipirinhas, do some capoeira, and finally call it a truce?

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Matador 21 in Las Vegas: three nights of all-star indie rock with a heavy dose of Gen-X nostalgia
Billy Corgan ‘blacks out’ on stage
Pavement at Central Park: Oh, stormy night

Nov 15 2010 03:28 PM ET

Adele is 'Rolling in the Deep': Hear her new single here

Filed under: Music and tagged: , ,

adeleImage Credit: Andrew YeeAdele is preparing to release her second album, 21, this coming Feb. 22 — almost exactly two years after she won a Grammy for Best New Artist. The British singer recently released “Rolling in the Deep,” her first single from the new album, and if you liked her previous work, you’ll probably dig this one, too.

Check out a promo clip for “Rolling in the Deep” after the jump. Adele tells People she wrote the revenge-themed tune in a fit of rage: “I was so angry that I finished ‘Rolling in the Deep’ in about an hour.” That feeling comes through in the chorus, as Adele wails, “We could have had it all…You had my heart and soul in your hands.”

How do you like “Rolling in the Deep”? Looking forward to 21? Let us know. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 15 2010 12:25 PM ET

Jay-Z and Jay Electronica ink Roc Nation deal, drop new track together

Filed under: Music, News and tagged: ,

Jay-Electronica-Jay-ZImage Credit: Terrence Jennings/Retna Ltd; Walter McBride/Retna LtdJay-Z surprised the world Friday night by announcing that New Orleans rap phenomenon Jay Electronica is the latest signee to his Roc Nation label. This is big news for hip-hop heads. While the wider world may still know Jay Electronica best as the father of Erykah Badu‘s youngest daughter, he’s acquired a devoted following with just a small handful of tracks like last year’s “Exhibit C.” Fans have been saying that the enigmatic lyricist is destined for greatness for a few years now. Could Jay-Z’s support make it all come true?

The first tangible result of the new deal hit the Web today. It’s a track called “Shiny Suit Theory,” credited to Jay Electronica featuring Jay-Z and R&B singer-songwriter The-Dream, and it is pretty great. (Hear it at Rap Radar.) Jay Elec’s first verse lays out his growing ambitions over a dusty sample-based beat, as he recalls sometime mentor Diddy advising him, “F— the underground, you need to win a Grammy/For your mama and your family.” Jay-Z’s verse reminds us that he too worked his way up from nothing: “Can it be the same one on covers with Warren Buffett/Was ducking the undercovers?” In other words, he adds a few lines later, “I’m the immaculate conception of rappers-slash-hustlers.” Really, both Jays drop too many quotables to list concisely here, which is exactly why it’s so exciting that they’re teaming up.

Anyone else psyched about Jay-Z signing Jay Electronica? Which Roc Nation affiliate do you hope Jay Elec will record with next — Willow Smith? J. Cole? Rihanna? Sound off in the comments.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
MC Hammer disses Jay-Z: Watch the ridiculous video
Erykah Badu: Q&A

Nov 15 2010 10:49 AM ET

Michael Jackson's first official posthumous single 'Hold My Hand': Hear it here

Filed under: Music, News and tagged: ,

Michael-Jackson-240.jpgImage Credit: Tim Whitby/Getty ImagesThis morning, Sony released the first official single from Michael Jackson‘s forthcoming Michael album, “Hold My Hand,” featuring producer and singer Akon.

This one sounds more like the MJ we know than the recent “Breaking News.” The mid-tempo ballad, about having a friend to help through rough times, actually leaked years ago when the Jackson originally recorded it, but now it sounds much cleaner. Like Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am said, Michael obviously isn’t around to say which songs he liked enough to be heard by our ears. Honestly, I don’t think any of the songs from this album will live up to Michael Jackson’s standard of excellence. So I guess we’ll just have to deal with ones that are simply just good like this: READ FULL STORY »

Nov 15 2010 10:48 AM ET

Rihanna and Drake's new 'What's My Name' video: Watch it here

Rihanna-and-DrakeA song that jumps 59 spots to no. 1 in a single week needs a video, and the brand-new Billboard-topper “What’s My Name” just got one.

Watch the Barbadian and the Canadian bring their flirtation internacional to Manhattan, sexing over spilled milk at the corner bodega, joining a late-night drum circle, and generally setting a next-level bar for fly-girl pantyhose. (Okay, impetus for that last one is mostly on Rihanna.) READ FULL STORY »

Nov 15 2010 08:54 AM ET

Sugarland settles lawsuit with founder

Filed under: Music and tagged: , ,

Sugarland settled a $14 million lawsuit with Kristen Hall, the group’s founding member who had sued the musical duo, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, claiming a right to a third of the act’s profits. Hall had founded the band in 2002 before leaving in 2005 to pursue a solo career. The agreement prevents a trial, which was scheduled to begin today. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Nov 12 2010 05:43 PM ET

Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am criticizes Sony for releasing new Michael Jackson album: 'It's disrespectful'

Will-i-am-michael-jacksonImage Credit: John M. Heller/Getty Image; Kevin Mazur/AEG via Getty ImagesWhile the Net is buzzing about Michael Jackson’s posthumous Michael album hitting stores next month, one of the King of Pop’s biggest fans, producer and Black Eyed Peas front man Will.i.am, hasn’t even heard the much-talked-about new song “Breaking News.” He’s not really interested in it, either. “Whoever put it out and is profiting off of it, I want to see how cold they are,” he says, “to say that what [Michael] contributed during his life wasn’t enough. He just wasn’t any ordinary artist. He was a hands-on person. To me it’s disrespectful. There’s no honoring.”

The producer collaborated with Jackson in 2006 on what would have been Jackson’s comeback album, following 2001′s Invincible. He can’t understand how Sony, Epic’s parent company, could release fragmentary works from a man who was so meticulous. “Michael Jackson songs are finished when Michael says they’re finished,” Will says. “Maybe if I never worked with him I wouldn’t have this perspective. He was very particular about how he wanted his vocals, the reverb he used…he was that hands-on.”

Earlier this year, Will talked to Access Hollywood about some of the songs he recorded with Michael, mentioning “Dreaming,” “Still the King,” and a James Brown tribute called “I Will Miss You.” But he still maintains that none of them will ever be released, because Jackson didn’t give them a final okay. “He kept his vocals and I kept the music,” he says. “We had that understanding.”

What do you think of Will’s thoughts? Is Sony right to release Michael’s music without his blessing?

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Michael Jackson: New single, tracklist revealed
Michael Jackson controversy: Estate attorney cites proof he sang “Breaking News”

Nov 12 2010 03:58 PM ET

Producer Tricky Stewart on how Christina Aguilera can get her career back on track, Michael Jackson's posthumous album, and more

Filed under: Music, News and tagged: ,

Tricky-StewartImage Credit: Michael Buckner/WireImage.comChristina Aguilera‘s Bionic met with disappointing sales this summer, but producer-songwriter Christopher “Tricky” Stewart is convinced she’ll be back on top soon enough. “It just seemed like the timing was a little bit off and things got a little bit out of sync for her on that project,” says Stewart, who worked on several Bionic tracks and went on to serve as executive music consultant for Aguilera’s upcoming movie Burlesque (out Nov. 24). “This film is going to bring her right back where she needs to be. When she starts to focus on a new project, I think it’s going to be amazing.”

Stewart doesn’t think Aguilera needs to switch things up when the time comes to record her next album, either. “I think what Christina does musically is always fine,” he adds. “It’s a matter of if it can be marketed properly. When I listen to [Bionic], I definitely am a fan. More than anything, it was promoted poorly.” READ FULL STORY »

Nov 12 2010 02:20 PM ET

Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy': Read EW's review

Filed under: Music and tagged: , ,

kanyeFans who sifted through the official singles, televised short film, and free downloads that Kanye West released this fall are already familiar with most of the songs contained on his fifth album. Even so, students of pop culture will be missing out if they don’t listen to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in its finished form. West has tricked out these tracks with sharper verses and grander instrumental interludes, then lined them up in a sequence that demands to be heard from start to finish. Songs that might have felt self-indulgent or tossed-off in other contexts are now essential components of a soundly built structure—easily his most consistently compelling full-length since 2005′s Late Registration.

This review will appear in the next issue of Entertainment Weekly. Click through to the jump to read the rest.

READ FULL STORY »

Nov 12 2010 01:19 PM ET

Gorillaz record new album on iPad for possible year-end release

Filed under: Music, News and tagged: , ,

damon-albarnImage Credit: Graeme Flegenheimer/WireImage.comDamon Albarn has been busy recording a brand-new album by his cartoon band Gorillaz, per a new interview with NME — and he hopes to rush it to market “before Christmas” this year.

The British singer has been quietly recording the album during Gorillaz’ current tour using his Apple iPad. “I’ve made it on an iPad — I hope I’ll be making the first record on an iPad,” he tells NME. “I fell in love with my iPad as soon as I got it, so I’ve made a completely different kind of record.”

If a new Gorillaz album really arrives in stores by Dec. 25, it would be only a few months after the release of their album Plastic Beach this past March. This would be a very pleasant surprise for fans who waited five years for a new full-length after 2005′s Demon Days.

Anyone else excited by this news? Any ideas on what an iPad-assisted Gorillaz album might sound like? Speak up in comments.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix)

More on The Music Mix:
Gorillaz run wild at NYC’s Madison Square Garden
Gorillaz creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett: The Music Mix Q&A

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