pop culture
Modern, popular, and iconic pop culture moments in music. From current events, to trending topics and more.
Review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming The Beatles: 7 of X
Been a bit since I posted a review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles, mostly because this is not a book to be rush-read or even normally read (whatever pace that might be), but savored, and also because I've been writing some science fiction, and there's also the lure of the cool water and soft beach of Cape Cod Bay. But I wanted to record a few words about Sheffield's chapter on "Ticket to Ride", about as rich and satisfying an extended analysis you can find of a Beatles or any worthy song.
By Paul Levinson9 years ago in Beat
Insane Publicity Stunts Done By Bands
If there's one thing the music industry has become famous for, it's the sheer number of insane publicity stunts done by bands and singers who wanted to become famous, stay relevant, or get signed by a major record label. That is, after all, why there have been so many crazy scandals in the music industry.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart9 years ago in Beat
Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Country Artists Of All Time - Do You Agree?
Greatest Artist compilation lists had, have and will always stir up controversy. Nothing is as sacred as your own favorite singer and when he/she doesn't make the list or is ranked in the nose-bleed section, fans feel betrayed. Part of it has to do with a social feeling of suddenly being marginalized by listening to an artist that did not make the A-List. Such compilations also always come up with omissions or inclusions that shouldn't be listed. And the new list by music publication Rolling Stone magazine listing the "100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time" does exactly what I just tried to explain.
By A. Michael Uhlmann9 years ago in Beat
My Biggest Dream
Some people have these fantasies that help to keep them going throughout the day. Nine times out of ten, they spend their days wondering what their life would be like if only, and at night, dreams of their deepest desires float through like clouds. Some want to be a millionaire, whether through business or not. Some want to be famous, well known in the most elite circles of society. Still, others want to earn the Novel Prize, or discover something no one's ever seen before, or write the greatest book ever penned. And some just live to experience the joys of family life, to get to raise children that are their spitting image and spend their lives with that one perfect person.
By Crystal Renner9 years ago in Beat
Pop Punk Bands that Adapted to Modern Music
It used to be simple for pop rockers, all it took was a few guys with a loud distorted guitar, a smooth riffing base, and some bumping drums. As time goes on and music progresses, making music is no longer as easy. Modern popular music is all based off of electronic beats, synthesizers, and mixing boards to modify music in any insane and intense form that one pleases. As the electronic dance music, or EDM as it is popularly referred to, and "trap" music industry has taken over music, it leaves bands in a sticky situation. Pop singers easily adapted to this change because most of their music was produced for them as they only needed to write the songs and sing them, but this is not the case for bands.
By Corey Gittleman9 years ago in Beat
Tupac, The Man He Was and Always Will Be
Lesane Parish Crooks. Tupac Amaru Shakur. 2Pac. Makaveli. What can I say. A legend of Hip Hop that was taken from us far too soon. The California-raised-Harlem-native made such a huge and everlasting impact. Pac died after being gunned down in a drive-by shooting, and now it’s 21 years later. 21 years. It’s unimaginable that a whole person could be born, grown up - now legal to drink - and they might not know who Tupac is. His legacy is set in stone, and forever it will remain.
By Sadé Sanchez9 years ago in Beat
Memories of Old and AM Gold (Part 2)
As a child during the late 1960s and 1970s, the magical world of music caught my attention immediately, but outlets to find musical sources were extremely limited. My ears were always thirsting to hear something new, thus I would gravitate towards any form of media that related to my affinity for music. The next toy I acquired on my musical quest to further my pre-pubescent musical experience was the GAF View-Master. This was my very first experience into the world of 3D. The device was nothing fancy in and of itself, but the three-dimensional round discs allowed me to “view” some of my favorite shows at will, which was an impossibility back then. It enabled the opportunity for me to watch stills of the Partridge Family, the Monkees and the Brady Bunch on demand, often playing their records as a soundtrack in the background and pretending I was attending a concert. This was yet another attempt to immerse myself into the world of some of my favorite musical artists. The Partridge Family and The Monkees always featured music, which was the most important element of the shows to me, but The Brady Bunch began to incorporate music as well. Yes, The Brady kids dabbled in music with record albums and musical variety television specials, and I had to seize any limited means possible to allow musical access.
By Eric Allen9 years ago in Beat
Amazon Music vs. Pandora
Many have heard of and interacted with Pandora's internet radio sensation, but just last January, Amazon has attempted to enter into the internet radio craze itself with Amazon Music Unlimited, which they are offering free 30 day trials here right now. So, which one is better? Well, I started my own free trial to see what the big deal was.
By Daniel Johnson9 years ago in Beat
Rhonda & Daryle Go 'Above And Beyond' - Duet Album "American Grandstand" Out In July
Late August last year, "Queen of Bluegrass" Rhonda Vincent announced on her Facebook page that she's recording a duet album with 90's traditionalist Daryle Singletary and posted the above picture of them both in the recording studio.
By A. Michael Uhlmann9 years ago in Beat
What Are You Listening To?
Music has the power to lift our spirits when we are feeling down. If you are looking for something to make your hips move and your feet groove, or you want to boost your mood, look no further. I have found music to be very therapeutic, when it comes to helping with stress management. I have compiled a playlist, of my personal favorites for coping with a serious case of the blues.
By Nicole (Nikki) M.9 years ago in Beat
