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Posts Tagged “30 rock”

friday chart preview

Surprise, Surprise: Nas Takes Over The Top Spot

According to early reports, Nas has managed to pull off the seemingly impossible task of keeping Lil Wayne and Coldplay from the top spot on the Billboard albums chart. Of course, what with Miley Cyrus' album dropping next week, Nas shouldn't get too used to life on top, but around 200,000 albums sold is a decent take for an album with minimal radio airplay. Meanwhile, Tha Carter III appears to have Viva La Vida beat in the longevity game, taking second with an estimated 110,000 album sales to Coldplay's 85-90,000. The Camp Rock soundtrack slots into fourth with a projected 80-85,000 copies sold, while Kid Rock's resurgence continues with another 75,000 albums sold this week for fifth place. The rest of the top ten is a logjam in the 50,000-sold range with the Mamma Mia soundtrack, John Mellencamp, O.A.R., David Banner, Taylor Swift and NOW 28 all falling somewhere near that number. [HITS Daily Double]

9:45 AM on Fri Jul 18 2008
By Dan Gibson
123 views, 4 comments

Latest by tigerpop: O.A.R. -- O RLY? more »

rock-critically correct

"Vibe" Jerks Between The Past And The Present

Once again, we present Rock-Critically Correct, a feature in which the most recent issues of Rolling Stone, Blender, Vibe, and Spin are given a once-over by a writer who's contributed to many of those magazines, as well as a few others! In this installment, he looks at the new issue of Vibe: More »

3:00 PM on Thu Jul 17 2008
By Anono-Critic
417 views, 3 comments

rumors

"Chinese Democracy" Whispers Finally Get Some New Storylines

Last night I got a tip about a video purporting to be footage of someone who works for Rock Band maker Harmonix talking about Chinese Democracy "off the record" at the E3 conference; during the chat, he made outsized claims like a) the album is not only coming out this year, it's going to be made up of not one, but four (?!) CDs; and b) September's Video Music Awards are going to go the big Axl appearance route again, what with MTV being part of the braintrust behind the game. Whether this is at all true, or merely a disinformation campaign that doubles as a shrewd way for the Harmonix employee to punk the "innocent" interviewer who was clearly not turning off his camera during the Axl-sensitive portion of the interview, is for you to figure out, although I think it's somewhat sweet that YouTube's commenting hordes are calling for the clip to be taken down so the dude can keep his job. Video after the jump. More »

11:30 AM on Thu Jul 17 2008
By Maura Johnston
3,301 views, 10 comments

Latest by Lax Danja House: The 4 CDs thing has been rumoured for a long time. Axl claimed 3 at one point a few years ago, but I guess an extra decade = an extra disc in his world. I doubt it'd be released as more »

corporate rock still sells

The Half-Year In Review: Dave Grohl Owns Alt-Rock Airwaves (What Else Is New?)

Many people find it hard to tell the great from the godawful when it comes to 21st-century mainstream rock. To help figure out which is which, here's "Corporate Rock Still Sells," where Al "GovernmentNames" Shipley examines what's good, bad, and ugly in the world of rock and roll. This time around, he gives the year's rock charts a midway-mark overview. More »

10:00 AM on Thu Jul 17 2008
By Al Shipley
930 views, 19 comments

pointless compilation curating

The "Pretend To Be A Musician" Game Expansion Pack Of My Dreams

I got a little excited yesterday by the news of Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl" being included in the next iteration of Rock Band, even if the idea of reissuing a song via video game is probably something my 1993 self would have sneered at. But I'm all about embracing the new millennium these days (or at least tryingto), so I came up with an expansion pack that draws on the Kill Rock Stars catalog of that era. It has a slight focus on the three fantastic "Kill Rock Stars"-themed compilations that the label put out in the mid-'90s, because all of those albums are 100% fire. (And yes, the first track on it is kind of absurd, given that the band in question wasn't exactly the greatest live act. But that's part of the fun, no?) My list is after the jump; I invite you to take a moment or two out of your All-Star Parade watching to create an expansion pack of your own, around whatever theme you'd like. More »

2:00 PM on Tue Jul 15 2008
By Maura Johnston
456 views, 21 comments

Latest by mike a: Although I do wonder what David "How To Play Guitar" Fair thinks of Rock Band. I'd guess he disapproves. more »

the tickets feature an illustration by roger dean

Are You Ready For Coheed And Cambria's Concept-Album Marathon?


How to build up your stamina for four consecutive nights of modern prog? Consider taking on the Stairmaster while blaring Rush albums. The reason that this regime may be necessary: Hirsute rockers Coheed and Cambria will perform the albums in their Amory Wars series over four nights at Terminal 5 in New York (Oct. 22-25) and four nights at the utterly terrible Avalon in Los Angeles (Nov. 5-8). Will Claudio defeat his enemy Supreme Tri Mage Wilhelm Ryan and his Red Army to emerge as the Crowing? Finally, the entire magical tale will be revealed. (You may want to consider bringing a few twelve-sided die and a cape.) [Coheed and Cambria]

10:45 AM on Tue Jul 15 2008
By Dan Gibson
221 views, 9 comments

Latest by Lieutenant 030: Good grief, the singer sounds like Nick Gilder. Coheed and Cambria need to cover "Hot Child in the City." + Watch video more »

love you like a sister

"Rock Band" To Breed A Whole New Batch Of Riot Grrrls (Maybe)


Sure, the riot grrrl standard-bearers Bikini Kill didn't necessarily have proficiency at the top of their priority list, so putting their songs in the "hit your marks" music videogames that are selling so many copies today seems a little bit silly. But that doesn't mean I'm not pretty excited about their girl-crush ode "Rebel Girl" officially being on the set list for Rock Band 2, which will also include tracks by Lush, L7, Paramore, and Joan Jett as well as Judas Priest's insane "Painkiller," Megadeth's "Peace Sells," and that new Guns N' Roses track we mentioned earlier. (Hey, is there any way that we can modify this thing so that I can have some friends over for a rendition of "Suck My Left One," or maybe a Bratmobile track or two?) Full list after the jump. More »

2:00 PM on Mon Jul 14 2008
By Maura Johnston
526 views, 15 comments

Latest by thearcanemodel: @Ned Raggett: likewise, that has been one of my favorite songs for what is now perilously close to 20 years... as a practical matter, though, i'm not sure i know anyone who can sing that high (at least WELL) - could more »

use your illusion

"Chinese Democracy" May Arrive Via Video Game First

One omission from the possibly half-faked Rock Band 2 track list that we published last week: Guns N' Roses' "Shackler's Revenge," which appeared on another leaked track list and which has the same title as a "lost" film that had some sort of contribution by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Buckethead. The New York Times is reporting that "Shackler's" will indeed be on the game come September, and that; more details on the track, via message-board postings pulled together by a GN'R fan blog, after the jump. More »

9:00 AM on Mon Jul 14 2008
By Maura Johnston
578 views, Comment

100 and single

Can't Touch This Werewolf: Kid Rock Brings Back The Sales-Free Chart Hit

A front-line act with a months-old album decides to push his most obvious hit-bound song to radio—a song heavily reliant on a prominent sample of a deathless pop hit. But, bucking the day's prevalent trend, he decides not to release the song on the most popular singles medium, forcing most customers to buy his album.

It's a risky move, because the Billboard Hot 100 is dominated by songs that scale the chart by amassing sales as well as airplay. But the song is so mindlessly catchy, the act's people figure it'll be a big chart hit anyway with radio alone.

I could be talking about M.C. Hammer's 1990 smash "U Can't Touch This," the "Superfreak"-sampling hit that made the Top 10, even as Capitol refused to issue it as a cassingle.

But I could also be talking about Kid Rock's "All Summer Long," a mashup of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and Lynyrd Skynrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" that debuts on the Hot 100 this week at No. 80 despite his lack of interest in releasing it digitally.

Can the erstwhile Robert Richie pull off in 2008 what one Stanley Kirk Burrell pulled 18 years ago?

More »

1:00 PM on Fri Jul 11 2008
By Chris Molanphy
1,057 views, 7 comments

friday afternoon chart preview

The Charts Prepare To Yawn At Beck

All the positive mind powers that come with being "clear" couldn't push Beck to a No. 1 debut on next week's album charts. With an estimated 80,000 copies sold, Beck's Danger Mouse-assisted Modern Guilt couldn't manage to get past the seemingly indestructible sales juggernauts of Coldplay, Lil Wayne, and the Camp Rock soundtrack. Coldplay and Weezy will likely fight it out for the top spot to the very end, with both discs selling somewhere in the 100-125,000 range. Those adorable Jonases and their cohorts will sllde into third with just under 100,000 sold; Kid Rock, who's still riding "All Summer Long," surges up another two spots this week to No. 5. The bottom half of the top ten starts with Now 28; Rihanna, G Unit, and the Mamma Mia! soundtrack will have quite the tuneful brawl as they fight for Nos. 7-9. John Mayer should take the final spot in the top ten, although he's likely too busy brainstorming his next viral video while rolling around in a big pile of money to care. [HITS Daily Double]

12:00 PM on Fri Jul 11 2008
By Dan Gibson
112 views, 1 comment

Latest by Chris N.: Rolling around in a big pile of money with Jennifer Aniston, no less! more »

videodrone

Christina Aguilera Tones It Down For America


In what will certainly be the first of many, many more to come, Christina Aguilera's ad for the voter-registration lobbying organization Rock The Vote premiered online last night; she eschews her famous melismas and lung-busting antics for a simple near-croon of "America The Beautiful," which she sings, lullaby-style, to her American-flag-swaddled baby. Apparently, this ad is supposed to pay tribute to Madonna's 1992 commercial for the organization, although I'm not sure how it does so beyond wrapping a person in a flag and giving Christina a blonde mop that vaguely resembles the one Madge sported 16 years ago. Original clip after the jump. More »

9:00 AM on Fri Jul 11 2008
By Maura Johnston
310 views, 1 comment

Latest by n/a: this commercial was actual quite soothing and wonderful. i liked it. until she started talking. it was all loud and ugly. it made me uncomfortable. it took me out of the happy place the first 26 seconds put me into. more »

nostalgia

Is There Anyone In Music Who Doesn't Wish It Was 1989?

Michael Jackson is collaborating with New Kids On The Block? Are they for real? Assuming he doesn't still think Donnie et al are still in their teens, the only reason he'd team up with a group he wouldn't have been caught dead with 20 years ago is that he really misses 20 years ago. And it seems he's not alone. We've got Sonic Youth filling most to all of their sets with Daydream Nation, Public Enemy taking a nation of millions back in time, Dinosaur Jr. reunited, R.E.M. showing off a drummer, My Bloody Valentine acting like ain't a damn thing changed, Lloyd and Lil' Wayne sampling "Ashley's Roachclip," and Pretty Ricky rocking giant shoulderpads. While it's no news that nostalgia can run in twenty-year loops, it's possible that no one who pushed product back in the day, and is still trying to do so now, wouldn't mind hearing it was 1989 again. Are any artists actually in a better state now than they were then? I could think of very, very few. More »

12:00 PM on Thu Jul 10 2008
By Anthony Miccio
742 views, 18 comments

Latest by DocStrange: In 1989, The Cure unleashed "Disintegration". In 2008, The Cure will release "The album we haven't bothered to name yet despite the fact we've already released two singles off of it and it comes out in two months". I'd rather have 1989. more »

rumors

"Rock Band 2" May Bring Dave Mustaine And Karen O Together In The Name Of Gaming


In advance of this weekend's E3 Media and Business Summit, during which many video game geeks will converge on a convention center in hopes of finding out what will attach them to their personal couches for the next few months before the next E3, someone took it upon themselves to leak what they're claiming are the song menus for Rock Band 2. The list's veracity is debatable—it looks not unlike every fanboy's dream air-guitar playlist, featuring "November Rain," "Peace Sells," and "Crazy Train," not to mention "Hot For Teacher"—but hey, if I can spend a rainy night trying to perfect the rhythms of a track from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' underrated Show Your Bones, I'll be happy. Full list of tracks after the jump. More »

4:00 PM on Wed Jul 9 2008
By Maura Johnston
2,908 views, 17 comments

Latest by El-Zilcho: @cbatson: I liked that list too. Hell, just give me a game full of 'Mats songs, and I'd be set. more »

rock-critically correct

"Blender" Hosts A Summertime Bro-Down

Once again, we present Rock-Critically Correct, a feature in which the most recent issues of Rolling Stone, Blender, Vibe, and Spin are given a once-over by a writer who's contributed to many of those magazines, as well as a few others! In this installment, he looks at the new issue of Blender: More »

12:00 PM on Wed Jul 9 2008
By Anono-Critic
896 views, 7 comments

rock-critically correct

"Rolling Stone" Finally Embraces Rush

Once again, we present Rock-Critically Correct, a feature in which the most recent issues of Rolling Stone, Blender, Vibe, and Spin are given a once-over by a writer who's contributed to many of those magazines, as well as a few others! In this installment, he looks at the new issue of Rolling Stone: More »

12:00 PM on Wed Jul 2 2008
By Anono-Critic
2,229 views, 11 comments

idolator's extensive christian rock coverage continues

Idolator's Completely Biased Guide To The Cornerstone Festival

The 24th installment of the Cornerstone Festival kicked off on a farm near Bushnell, Ill., yesterday. For nearly two decades, the festival operated outside the sight of mainstream culture, but Cornerstone has recently become a place to check out Christian youth culture first-hand, with the excellent books Body Piercing Saved My Life and Rapture Ready! delving into the long weekend. After the jump, some picks from this year's lineup. More »

2:00 PM on Tue Jul 1 2008
By Dan Gibson
497 views, 8 comments

chart preview

Lil Wayne And Coldplay Take Off The Gloves

Weezy had his week and those Brits in the funny military thrift outfits had their chance, but next week's chart will be the true test of what style reigns supreme: slightly insane rapping or newly avant-garde sensitive balladry. Either act could end up on top based on current projections, although Coldplay's projections have Viva La Vida holding a 240,000-225,000 advantage over Tha Carter III. The Camp Rock soundtrack will have to constrain its youthful excitement in third place, just short of 200,000 projected sales, while debuts from Motley Crue (100,000 or so) and Three 6 Mafia (around 75k) look to place fourth and fifth. The rest of the top 10 will likely have the unsinkable NOW 28, Usher, Shinedown, Piles, Disturbed, and Rihanna sulking around the bottom, wondering what Weezy has that they don't. [HITS Daily Double]

5:00 PM on Fri Jun 27 2008
By Dan Gibson
236 views, 2 comments

Latest by Lax Danja House: I can't believe Motley Crue can still command 100,000 unit sales in one week. I mean, I love them and all, but how many women in their mid-late 30s can there be in America? more »

corporate rock still sells

No, Really, Don't Call It A Comeback: Candlebox Returns, And Other Has-Beens Aren't Far Behind

Many people find it hard to tell the great from the godawful when it comes to 21st-century mainstream rock. To help figure out which is which, here's "Corporate Rock Still Sells," where Al "GovernmentNames" Shipley examines what's good, bad, and ugly in the world of rock and roll. This time around, he takes a look at a couple of old reliables who have re-entered the rock charts. More »

3:00 PM on Thu Jun 26 2008
By Al Shipley
694 views, 11 comments