Last Monday, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrated the induction of several musical greats during it’s 25th anniversary ceremony. Among the “performers” inducted were, The Hollies, who’s bright “Britpop” vocal harmonics still resonate across contemporary pop and rock culture and Genesis, who’s epic career has more than earned them rank in the Hall. The Hollies and Genesis my be new to The Hall of Fame, but are certainly not rookies to the music industry. The talents of these two groups and the individuals who comprise them, have not only affected the fabric of “Rock & Roll” but helped to create and perpetuate new genres and movements in music that continue to evolve and inspire decades later.

Whether their name be an homage to the great Buddy Holly or a bit of holiday decoration hanging from the eves of Graham Nash’s home, The Hollies smooth vocal stylings and infectious pop melodies rounded out the British invasion begun by label-mates, The Beatles. Despite several line-up changes, The Hollies’ distinctive sound, solid production and quality live performances captured hearts and chart success in both the UK and the US. One of their most popular chart-toppers was, “He Ain’t Heavy He’s my Brother”. The ballad was first recorded by Neil Diamond, but released in 1969 by the Hollies (featuring Elton John on piano) a year before the Diamond single. It was inspired by the curious history of the famous orphanage Boys Town. The Hollies are one of few British Pop bands that continue to record and perform today. Two particular favorites of mine are the Creedence Clearwater Revival inspired, “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” and “Carrie Anne”, the song for which actress Carrie-Anne Moss was named, and features an awesome steelpan percussion solo about 2 minutes into the song.

While The Hollies capitolized on brilliant pop harmonies, Genesis’ simple melodic beginnings, quickly evolved to help define the progressive rock movement. With a rather flamboyant Peter Gabriel on lead vocals, the band incorporated elaborate stage show theatrics with musical innovation, culminating in the release of their 1974 concept album, “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway”. In an interview following the band’s induction, Steve Hackett notes,

Imagine a British band doing an album called ‘The Lamb Lies
Down on Broadway,’ in New York with the singer playing the
part of a Native American of Puerto Rican ancestry. It’s crazy,
in a way. We were taking a New York-based show to New
York, but they accepted us. Why, I don’t know. It’s crazier
than fiction, the reality of that.
(Link to the Genesis official web-site to read the rest of the interview and other commentary about the bands induction) Yes, Genesis had been accepted, but wasn’t embraced by the multi-generational masses in the United States until after Gabriel was replaced by drummer Phil Collins in 1975. With the break down of progressive rock into punk and Collins at the helm, Genesis redirected and emerged with a solid sound that eventually shifted from “prog-rock” stylings to more accessible, radio-friendly tunes like “Follow you Follow Me” released in 1978 and the bands first and only number one single in the US, released nearly a decade later in 1986; “Invisible Touch” (no matter how bad my day, the rediculious simplicity of this video and charm of the song’s hook never fails to get me to grab my sticks and sing along).

Here I go, totally man crushin’ again.

This car circus held in Delhi each year is ridonkulous. The shrieking you hear is the film maker fearing for his own safety, high up on the non-too-secure structure as the cars start to whirl past him.

 

Last summer someone on the Tubes of You mashed up the opening credits sequence from Magnum P.I. along with Captain Han Solo and friends aboard the Millenium Falcon. While this newest mash-up doesn’t look like quite the same amount of patience and research the Solo P.I. employed, this Beastie Boys version of episodes from Battlestar Galactica is nonetheless still quite entertaining.

 

One of my favorite bands of the last couple of years is slated to release their newest LP, High Violet on May 11th. If you don’t already own a copy of any of The National’s previous efforts (particularly Boxer or Cherry Tree), do yourself and get familiar with the warm tones, catchy tunes and crisp sounds in anticipation for the new record.

Or just as good, check out the performance displayed last night on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on which the Brooklyn Quintet rocked out to their new record with the opening track entitled “Terrible Love:”

 

I‘m sorry but this still puts Avatar to shame…

 

Tokyo/Glow: a wonderfully crafted time-lapse video written and directed by Jonathan Bensimon.

Tokyo/Glow ollows the nighttime journey of an illuminated man from a crosswalk sign as he embarks on an adventure through the streets of Tokyo. Shot on location throughout Tokyo using thousands of individual digital stills, the short film features original music by indie rock band Kidstreet.

To achieve the striking effect of the illuminated man, an original light suit was constructed using hundreds of feet of high-voltage LED rope lights and a translucent nylon outer shell. Michael Lambermont, executive producer at Alter Ego in Toronto, oversaw the effects-heavy post-production process, which included weeks of extensive rotoscoping and compositing in the facility’s two Flame suites, plus a final colour grade, once the effects were complete. Geoff Ashenhurst, editor at Stealing Time, was charged with bringing the thousands of digital stills to life with director Bensimon.

 
[via laughing squid]

One of the most listenable albums I’ve acquired over the past six months gets a really nice, simple video from the very much adorable Glen Hansard and Czech singer/pianist Markéta Irglová who make up the key components of The Swell Season. Their album, “Strict Joy” is a record that can’t be ignored. If you dug the soundtrack to Once (which if you didn’t you’re either not reading this site, you’re deaf or are a likely an idiot), you gotta pick this one up as well. Anyway, on to the video. I like.

 

This video has been going around the interwebs for the past couple of days, mostly eliciting variations on “WTF???!!” It’s Kirsten Dunst as “Akihabara Majokko Princess” in a short video directed by McG, and produced by Takashi Murakami. The song is a cover of “Turning Japanese,” by The Vapors. Images from the shooting began popping up a couple of months ago, and here’s the whole thing, with Dunst bouncing around the Akihabara district of Tokyo. There are some hentai images in various shots, so the video’s slightly NSFW.

WTF cries aside, I find myself strangely entranced by the video. And not even in a bad kind of way.

EDIT: The video’s been removed by the copyright holder. Bummer.

(via The Playlist and Boing Boing)

 

Look at your Facebook profile…now back to this post…now back to your profile…now back to this post. Sadly, your Facebook profile isn’t nearly as awesome as the commercial in this post. Look down…

 
“The tickets are now diamonds”…BRILLIANT!

Generally, I appreciate shiny things and good smells, but I’d rather at look at my own man with those two tickets to that thing I like. Especially, if that thing happens to be the March 6th, Minnesota RollerGirls bout. That’s right…Real. Live. Roller Derby! A smarmy, hot man on a horse selling nice smells, is all good and fine (actually, pretty damn funny), but hip checkin’ chics on skates crusin’ around a flat-track at dizzying speeds is some serious kick-assery. Roller Derby just isn’t old school pushing and shoving in tight shirts and hot-pants. It’s where fast, fun and flare meet strict rules, forceful determination, tactical decisions, skating savvy and the finesse of a fall.

 
Many a weary mother either in denial or the dark about derby, may have gotten a good lashing from begging daughters who came home from Barrymore’s Whip It, wanting skates, bruises and more black-eyeliner. Modern roller derby however, has become a sport that spans over 400 leagues world-wide. The Minnesota RollerGirls are unpaid, amateur skaters who belong to a governing body known as The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. The skaters not only own the league themselves, but represent a cross section of their community and are involved in numerous charitable events and promotions. The recent “Rock the Cause: Gillter Ball 3″ event to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters, is just one of many ways The Minnesota RollerGirls give back to the community in the Twin Cities. To catch derby bouts and events near your own hometown, check out the WFTDA link and guys, if your feeling left out…get off your horse and on some wheels. Men’s derby is quickly becoming more and more popular, legit and wicked fast fun.

The recent chatter about a new Muppet movie sparked memories of Nanny’s green and white striped socks and a glassware collection preserved (I hope) somewhere in my parents basement. Back when kid’s meals actually came in handy handled boxes (perfect for transporting action figures, Legos and bits of plastic more useful than those that came with the meal), certain fast food establishments issued collectible glasses painted with pop culture’s favorite characters, including Snoopy, Kermit and even everybody’s favorite Wookiee.

We all know that it’s not easy being green and I’m not convinced that neon orange liquid they pass off as “drink” is really fit for consumption, however, when served as the backdrop for a cycling Kermit, the real question in my little six year old mind was not, “Why are there so many songs about rainbows?” but, what time do I need to wake up on Saturday morning to watch Muppet Babies?” I can think of few contemporary half hour segments that can provide a kid with silly cuteness, dangerous adventures in imagination and musical movie magic, like a Henson powered cartoon can. Then, why not wrapped it all up in a fashion statement dictating that green and white striped socks are really the only thing one needs to be fearful of? … Genius!

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Erie, Pennsylvania indie power-pop band Radio Empire formed less than a year ago and they’ve already made quite an impact on the western Pennsylvania music scene. Having already released an EP in the spring of 2009, shortly after their formation, the band is set to release their first full-length album at their official CD release show on February 17, playing with the likes of Chicago-based pop-rock band The Audition (who have played at Warped Tour and opened for Jack’s Mannequin, New Found Glory, Boys Like Girls) and Maryland-based The Dangerous Summer.

Their new album, titled “Wishing Well,” is going to have more emphasis on the power rather than the pop. As lead vocalist and guitarist Tyler James said in a recent interview, “Anything that was catchy before is twice as catchy now. Anything that was harder is twice as hard now. We took everything to the next level.”

Radio Empire has the title song of their new album (and all of the songs from their previous EP) up on the band’s MySpace and after listening to it a few times, it’s obvious that the band, which includes Tyler Woodruff and Jess Scutella and a current fill-in show guitarist, has benefited from the chemistry that their summer EP tour provided and they have musically matured over the past year, James’s vocals particularly standing out in the new song.

Considering the explosion of their popularity in less than a year and the promise that the new single offers, this is a band to watch out for. If you’re in the Erie area, you’ll be able to snag their album at the February 17th show (which I am hoping to make) – otherwise, you’ll have to wait until March when its available online via their MySpace, Amazon, and [hopefully] iTunes.

Expect a full album review and maybe even an interview with the band within the coming weeks. In the meantime, here’s the video for “Thursday Calls for No Surprises”, a song from their EP.

Cheese. It’s what’s for din.. *SNAP!*