Miracles Are All Around Us

About a month or two ago, I was introduced to the video for Insane Clown Posse's "Miracles." To say the very least,  I was greatly amused by the song and the clip that accompanied it if only for the fact that you have clown rappers who normally rap about running around with hatchets and calling themselves wicked are now rapping about the wonders of the universe. As bizarre as that sounds, it is something everyone should experience at least once.

Video Graveyard

Hightower and Jones wishes to express condolences to the families of Gary Coleman and Dennis Hopper, both whom passed away this Memorial Day weekend. In their honor, I would like to dedicate this edition of Video Graveyard to both actors and their contributions to the music world in both music video and live performance.

One Hit Wonder Or One Hit Blunder

Today's Subject: "Barbie Girl" by Aqua

Man, oh, man, this is dirtiest song ever reviewed for this piece and I debated the merit of "Afternoon Delight." Perhaps, I am wrong and it is a song about artificial people living in their artificial world and how easy it is to  manipulate them. Simpler than that, it could just be a song about a plastic doll from Mattel and her lavish dream world. Nevertheless, it is one of the catchiest and cheesiest one hit wonders about plastic ever recorded.

Failure's Fantastic Planet Reissued On Vinyl

One of the best and most under-appreciated albums of the 90's, for me anyway, was Failure's final album, Fantastic Planet. From the amazing instrumentation and performances to the well crafted songwriting, it is an album that truly grabs the listener's attention and provides you with a collection of songs unlike any other on the radio. Also, it happens to be their best known album thanks to the infectiously catchy, "Stuck On You," which provided the band with a minor hit, an amazing video and a spot on 1997's Lollapalooza. Still, it was a album that many people missed out on at the time of its release.

Levi's Pioneer Sessions

Levi's, as in the denim company, has created a new project entitled Levi's Pioneer Sessions. Levi's Pioneer Sessions consists of contemporary artists cover songs by one of their favorite artists who helped influence their sound. Some of the artists included in this six-week series are John Legend featuring the Roots, the Swell Season, the Shins, She & Him, Jason Mraz, Raphael Saddiq, and the Kills.

Getting Over With The Roots

After a couple of delays, The Roots' new full-length, How I Got Over, is finally set to see release on June 22. The follow-up to 2008's Rising Down and first release from the group since becoming the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon features guest appearances from John Legend, Joanna Newsom, members of Dirty Projectors and alt-folk supergroup, Monsters of Folk, whose track, "Dear God" is revamped as "Dear God 2.0." Check out the new version at Pitchfork.

In Case You Missed It: Janelle Monae on Late Night with David Letterman

Thanks to Pitchfork (via Prefix) for this one. Janelle Monae visited Late Night with David Letterman last night promote her single, "Tightrope" from her recently released album, The ArchAndroid. It is definitely a memorable performance from a truly original artist. After the video, head over to Pitchfork to check out a recent interview with her.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Something Good Coming"

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers premiered the video for "Something Good Coming" today on Spinner. It's the second official video from the group's forthcoming album, Mojo (in stores June 15). Judging by this single, "I Should Have Known It" and "Good Enough" as well as their recent appearance on the season finale of Saturday Night Live, Mojo is going to be another fine addition to their already stellar catalog and live show.

Lena Horne (1917-2010) & Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010)

This week, the world lost two pioneering artists. On Monday, world renowned and highly respected vocalist, Lena Horne passed away at 92 and today, legendary hard rock and metal vocalist, Ronnie James Dio passed away at 67. Instead of writing some sort of eulogy or obituary for the artists, I would rather thank their families for allowing us to spend time with these incredible people through their songs and performances. We'll never know what the world would have been without them nor should we ever wonder. The art they left behind will stand as a testament to the beauty and amazement that is the human voice. To their families and friends, thank you.

Shake Your Hair, Girl, With Your Ponytail (May 2010)

Shake Your Hair, Girl, With Your Ponytail (May 2010)

Side A

01. Your Number Or Your Name by The Knack

02. 777-9311 by The Time

03. I Wanna Be Loved by The Heartbreakers

04. If There Is Something by Roxy Music

05. When I'm Thinking About You by The Sundays

06. The Way I Feel Inside (Mono Version) by The Zombies

Side B

01. Lay Some Happiness On Me by Nancy Sinatra

02. I Found A Reason (Demo Version) by The Velvet Underground

03. Everybody Here Wants You by Jeff Buckley

04. I Thank You by Sam & Dave

05. Hypotize by The White Stripes

06. Last Person by Jenny Owen Youngs

This Is Not What I Asked For...

BlackDiamondSkye Tour Dates

Once rumored, it is now confirmed that Deftones, Alice In Chains and Mastodon will perform together for a month-long fall tour entitled BlackDiamondSkye, named after each of their current releases (Alice In Chains' Black Gives Way To Blue, Deftones' Diamond Eyes and Mastodon's Crack The Skye). The tour begins September 16 in Chicago and ends October 16 in Las Vegas. This might be the one occasion where it really does not matter who opens because there is a zero percent you will be disappointed by this concert. Check out the dates and venues after the jump. 


September 16: Chicago, IL - Charter One Pavilion at Northernly Island
September 17: Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
September 18: Toronto, ON - Molson Canadian Amphitheatre 
September 20: Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
September 22: Boston, MA - Agannis Arena
September 24: New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
September 25: Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Theatre
September 26: Fairfax, VA - Patriot Center
September 28: Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
October 1: St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
October 4: Denver, CO - Red Rock Amphitheatre
October 7: Vancouver, BC - General Motors Place
October 8: Seattle, WA - Key Arena
October 9: Portland, OR - Rose Quarter Memorial Coliseum
October 12: Los Angeles, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre
October 15: San Diego, CA - Viejas Arena
October 16: Las Vegas, NV - The Joint

AC/DC - Iron Man 2 Soundtrack

(note: this was a review that was rejected for an online publication.)

What best sounds the arrival of Summer better than a big budget, explosion filled action film? An action film with a soundtrack with just as much kick as the film it accompanies. When you think of Iron Man, images of explosions, metal, good versus evil and epic battles are instantly conjured in your brain, It is only fitting that AC/DC provides the tunes for the highly anticipated sequel. 

May You Enjoy This Month Of New Releases

Yeah, that was a bit cheesy but you what is not cheesy...this month's new releases. This month is filled soon to be classics and old favorites with either something extra or completely re-imagined by a current artist. There is something for everyone and here are a few of the new releases waiting to reach you ears this month

In Case You Missed It: The Dead Weather MySpace Concert

As many of you know, The Dead Weather performed their new album, Sea Of Cowards, live in its entirety on MySpace yesterday afternoon. It was a great set to showcase one of the most anticipated albums of the month. Check out the performance after the jump.

The Dead Weather Perform Sea Of Cowards Live And More...

The Dead Weather's sophomore album, Sea Of Cowards, is set to be released next Tuesday but you do not have to wait to hear the new album. The band, featuring members of The White Stripes, The Kills, Queens Of The Stone Age and The Greenhornes, are hosting a live webcast performance of the album in its entirety from Third Man Records in Nashville, TN. The performance is set to take place today, Monday, May 3, at 6 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Central time on both, MySpace Music and their own MySpace page.

On a semi-related note, The Dead Weather will being touring this summer. Check for dates and venues after the jump.

Ozzy And Crue Take Ozzfest On The Road

After taking a summer off last year and playing a one-off show two years ago, Ozzfest is set for a six-date, North American amphitheater tour. Headlining this year's festivities are Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue who are touring together for the first time in 26 years. The artists will be joined on the main stage by Rob Halford, Devildriver and Nonpoint. The second stage features Goatwhore, Skeletonwitch, Saviours, Kataklysm, Drowning Pool and headliners, Black Label Society. Check for dates and venues after the jump.