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Posts tagged "pop" (Page 6)

CCP Ep. #143: Handwritten by Shawn Mendes

In revisiting the pop community, much hype has been bestowed to a 16-year-old Canadian artist who broke the record for youngest artist to debut in the top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100. Brought to the world’s attention through his successful Vine covers, Shawn Mendes and his debut album Handwritten promises to bolster his 6.5-second skills with a full-length production. Let’s hop in and see how those skills translate! Afterwards, some general thoughts on the impact of ‘age’ in music. From child prodigies to latent talents, can we quantify the effects that passing years have on artists’ abilities?

CCP Ep. #138: American Beauty/American Psycho by Fall Out Boy

Courtesy of our fan, Kristin V., today we investigate American Beauty/American Psycho, the latest release by the reunited pop giants, Fall Out Boy. However we might have approached this band in the past, let’s take our analysis one note at a time. Aftewards the review, stick around for… “The Great Cliché Debate”! Join us as we cite our darkest terrors in modern music and then duke it out! (Spoilers: we all lose.) Tell us about your most feared clichés!

Ep. #15 – Feat. ShyBoy

Matt is invited behind the DJ booth for this exclusive interview with the singer-songwriter, producer, and DJ/mashup artist, meekly known as ShyBoy. Once a member of the band Hypnogaja, ShyBoy discusses the band’s dissolution but reaffirms a working relationship with its members. His solo work, however, has taken flight with two LPs, Lost In Space and Water on Mars, not to mention his newest EP, Daisy Pusher. Solo work aside, his career is complemented by a recent residency at the club, Bootie, at the Echoplex in Los Angeles, which he discusses alongside his fondness for making mashups. Fielding a vast array of musical tastes (and an ode to Donna Sommer), ShyBoy leaves time for a chat on Sci-fi and comic books for his & Matt’s “spinning” dialogue.

CCP Ep. #118: Hungry Ghosts by OK Go

Today we find out what happens when Indi Power Pop goes electronic! However you choose to categorize them, the four-piece rock band OK Go is clearly dabbling into new areas with their latest album, Hungry Ghosts. Early in Crash Chords history, Matt had the priviledge of conducting an interview with OK Go’s drummer, Dan Konopka, while also reviewing their previous release, Of the Blue Colour of the Sky. For their new album however, we administer the unadulterated CCP treatment, so hop on board and share your own opinions! Following that, we shift to a more lighthearted topic: quite simply, the nature of “rocking out!” Can this primal urge ever mingle freely with the stoic world of critical analysis?

CCP Ep. #113: True Blue by Madonna | Featuring Rashmi

A time warp has thrown us today, specifically to a time when “Pop Goddess” could only conjure up one name: Madonna. In welcoming today’s special guest Rashmi, an actress and musician in her own right, she has us take a look at Madonna’s breakthrough album, True Blue. And then we shift to Rashmi herself. Raised in Dallas, Texas, her music is a blend of country folk tinged with the pleasing lilts of traditional Indian ornamentation. Not only do we find out when her style took shape, but we get to hear it for ourselves — as do you! Ears open, everyone.

CCP Ep. #106: Complete Surrender by Slow Club

Today’s band, the English guy-girl duo Slow Club, dips from modern Indie-Pop back to 60s/70s-era Motown for their new release, Complete Surrender. First we take a trip through the album, and then, as per the present case of genre-meshing, we take another trip a through a thesis: “Pop music looks toward the future while Indie looks to the past.” Any validity? That’s today’s question. (Opinions & comments encouraged.)

CCP Ep. #103: Ghost Stories by Coldplay

Checking in on one of the mellowest pop rock bands of the last decade, we simmer down to discuss Coldplay’s latest LP, Ghost Stories. Afterwards, join us in a discussion on unconventional vocalists! More often than not, inflection and artistic flare will win over classical training. But in the world of rock, where a singer’s humanity is paramount, how much can an artist get away with? When does novelty fail in the face of effort?

CCP Ep. #95: Prism by Katy Perry | Featuring Afterbirth Monkey

Today we welcome guests Mark & Chuck of the music comedy duo Afterbirth Monkey. As tradition demands, they have the honor of the weekly album pick, which they reveal to be Katy Perry’s latest, Prism. Later, we spotlight our guest duo and pick apart the origins of their risque yet quirky comedy style. And of course, we couldn’t let them leave without giving us a taste of their craft, so they regail us with three unique tales (in song form of course). Stay alert for these performances at the most logical intervals. Hint: you won’t have to wait long for the first.

CCP Ep. #89: G I R L by Pharrell Williams

Finally giving the biggest collaborator of the music industry his due, this week’s review spotlights Pharrell Williams’ latest solo album, GIRL With the artist’s smooth rhythms and groovy textures, it’s no surprise that his singles seem to find their way to every DJ’s library. Simply put, they’re easy on the feet. And so, for our discussion, we open the floor to dance music! We cover its varied history and cultural quirks, so be sure to boogie down with us after the review.

CCP Ep. #80: The Wack Album by The Lonely Island

In the mood for some satirical gibberish? Who isn’t. That’s why we’re pushing forward with more reviews of comedy music albums. This week we chose The Wack Album by The Lonely Island (the comedy Hip-Hop troupe composed of former SNL staff & cast members, Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg, and Jorma Taccone). Then stick around for a brief intro to the use of satire in art. Conversely, stay tuned for a future discussion on the use of music to a comedic end.

Music is Life… and Life is Good!

Tag: pop