Grammy Preview
HEAVE breaks down one of the most important nights in music.
Even with wholesale attempts at modernization in the past few years, the Grammys are usually a blip on the pop culture radar. While the Emmy Awards and the Oscars can bestow upon a television show or film a certain sense of legitimacy, the Grammys fail to do the same for albums. Whatever the reason, we still rely on five-star reviews, word of mouth, and year end “Best Of” lists to help us separate cream from the crap within the music world.
But this year’s Grammys stand a chance to be different...
Posted by Ryan Peters on Feb 09, 2008 @ 12:00 am
Repressed Video
Some videos should never be watched again, but we show them to you anyway.
The year was 1991 and I was in first grade. I went to school in an extremely rural area; our playground was a massive expanse of grass and decrepit swing sets. Instead of waiting in line for the good teeter-totters, my friend and I decided that we would choreograph a dance to a song we had both heard on the radio.
As we broke it down on the playground, singing the song at the top of our lungs, the recess teacher came by and sternly reprimanded us for such filthy language...
Posted by Justine Boney on Feb 08, 2008 @ 12:00 am
A Cause For Attention
Celebs and musicians team up with H.E.A.R. to help you hold on to the ability to listen.
That ringing in your ears may signify that you went to a fantastic concert last night – or maybe it actually was too loud. In a musicians’ world where, "If it’s too loud, you’re too old” reigns supreme, the amount of thought that goes into hearing protection seems slim.
Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers (H.E.A.R.) is looking to change that, and they’ve secured the help and support of a few great acts since their start in 1988...
Posted by Leen Morrissey on Feb 08, 2008 @ 12:00 am
Record Numbers
People still buy albums, and HEAVE breaks down the numbers.
Content to battle for the two top spots, Alicia Keys’ As I Am and the Juno soundtrack flip-flopped chart positions for the second time in as many weeks. After finishing a close second last week, As I Am boosted its sales 3% this week to 61,000 copies and reclaimed the chart throne. The Juno soundtrack dropped 15% to 55,000 and the runner-up slot...
Posted by Ryan Peters on Feb 07, 2008 @ 12:00 am
Missed Out Music
Some of the most overlooked indie bands.
Zumpano - Everyone listens to The New Pornographers, but do yourself a favor and check out Zumpano. The band’s first album, Look What the Rookie Did, came out and 1995 - and their second and final album Goin’ Through Changes was released in 1996. Before Carl Newman was a New Pornographer, he was playing guitar in Zumpano. This is some good fun power-pop in the vein of Weezer and Superdrag. Plus, both albums were released on Sub Pop Records, and I know you love Sub Pop. Go Canada!
12 Rods – Split Personalities is a slick and shiny rock album. It’s a true rarity to find such a well put together album that most people I know are not familiar with. It’s hard to describe the sound – but I would say it is Smashing Pumpkins-esque music with more keyboards. Plus, Todd Rundgren produced their sophomore output (and you all know how much I love Todd Rundgren).
The Halo Benders – Doug Martsch from Built to Spill plus Beat Happening’s Calvin Johnson equals the best side project band ever. Okay, maybe not the best ever, but still a very good side project. 1998’s The Rebel’s Not In is worth stealing from your local library (although I do not recommend this).
Posted by Greg Herald on Feb 07, 2008 @ 12:00 am