Hey everyone! Sorry it’s been a while. There’s a new review of Neon Trees’ “Habits” in the “Album Reviews” section and I was also lucky enough to score an interview with Damian Kulash of OK Go!! Check that out in the “Special Features” section!
Mar
15
A story of my participation in the “Where is MGMT?” competition can be found in the Special Features section!
Feb
11
New York City pop-rockers Love and Logic kicked off 2010 right by going viral. The group, comprised of several Ithaca College alums, recorded a cover of American Idol champion Adam Lambert’s song “Whataya Want From Me.” Love and Logic took to the streets of New York City to recruit actors for their music video that features one prop: a cardboard sign. The simplicity and homegrown feel of the video translates well to the YouTube audience as the video reached a staggering 105,238 views in just two and a half weeks. The recent popularity spike of Love and Logic’s video has even garnered the attention of MTVU who will now be running the video on their network because it exceeded 100,000 YouTube views.
Feb
10
This week outspoken bass player for Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz, hinted that the band’s “break” may be more serious than previously thought. Wentz posted a message to his blog stating “as much as I don’t have a solo project, I also can’t predict that I’d ever play in Fall Out Boy again.” The band initially decided to take a reprieve after seven years of non-stop touring and promotion thanks to their radio sensation “Sugar, We’re Goin Down.” While all this is going on, Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump has been diligently writing and recording for his upcoming solo debut. In an interview with Spin.com, Stump noted “I’m not in Fall Out Boy right now. But one way or another, the band will always be around.”
Fall Out Boy’s label mates The Killers are also embarking on an “indefinite hiatus.” Following their scheduled Australia tour dates, the Vegas rockers will be heading back home to spend time with their families. Killers axe-man Dave Keuning was quoted saying “I’m not sure if people are aware of it but this is probably our last shows for a while.” Unlike Fall Out Boy, The Killers show no signs of falling apart or making their hiatus permanent. Rumors have been circling for months over the possibility of a Killers cover album and a potential Brandon Flowers solo project.
The Strokes. What can be said about the iconic garage-rock revivalists of the early ’00s? Well, we haven’t heard a thing from them since 2006 and their third studio album, Room On Fire. Over the past four years The Strokes have gone separate ways and started various solo projects, the latest of which being Julian Casablancas’ solo endeavor. Casablancas explained to the media over the recent months that The Strokes were indeed in the studio without him, but more cooperation would be needed in order for the band to stage a triumphant return to the music scene. Apparently this has been achieved as just this week the band announced that their next LP has an expected release date sometime in September.
UK indie rockers Bloc Party are taking a hiatus as well. Following the release of the single “One More Chance” and their Bloctober performance last fall, the band announced that they would be on “prolonged hiatus.” Drummer Matt Tong has questioned his role in the band and whether he would return to the studio with Bloc Party following the hiatus. In an interview with the Australian press, lead singer/guitar player Kele Okereke acknowledged “we may take a year off, we may take three years off. We may never make a record again or we may head straight back in and do a record.” It has been confirmed though that Okereke is putting the finishing touches on his solo debut, due out this year.
Feb
08
This past week Lil Wayne released his “rock” album for the world’s indulgence. How did he do? Head on over to the Album Review section!
Jan
20
Hi everyone! Sorry I have been slacking lately. The Annex should be back in action sometime within the next 1-2 weeks. Anticipate live reviews of Shinedown, Puddle of Mudd, Cage the Elephant, As Tall As Lions, Muse and Silversun Pickups!! Thanks guys!
Dec
19
Looking back at the year that was 2009 and all the concerts I attended, I consider it important to hand out awards to those acts that put in the extra effort. Here are the Annex Awards for 2009:
Holy Shit That Was Incredible! – Stellastarr* @ The Paradise Rock Club
Best Song Cover – Chairlift “Sensual Seduction” @ Mohegan Sun Casino
Let The People Mosh – Cage the Elephant @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
Best Band Lineup – The Bravery, The Airborne Toxic Event, Metric, Gaslight Anthem, Ra Ra Riot, Passion Pit @ Boston City Hall Plaza
Excellence in Performance – Metric @ The House of Blues Boston
Most Memorable Song – The Killers “When You Were Young” @ Mohegan Sun Casino
Best New Act – Band of Skulls
Standout Lead Singer – Emily Haines of Metric
Standout Guitarist – Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups
Standout Bassist – Mathieu Santos of Ra Ra Riot
Standout Drummer – Christopher Guanlao of Silversun Pickups
Best Stage Dive – Mathew Shultz of Cage the Elephant
Best Special Effects – The Killers @ Mohegan Sun
Best Fans – Kings of Leon @ Agganis Arena
Best Personality – Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups
Dec
07
Tour and press representatives for Weezer announced yesterday that the band will be canceling the remainder of their December college tour after lead singer Rivers Cuomo sustained a series of cracked ribs following a tour bus accident Sunday. The accident occurred Sunday morning when the tour bus encountered a patch of black ice and skidded off the highway. Cuomo was traveling with his wife, daughter, nanny and assistant at the time of the incident. Cuomo’s wife and daughter were uninjured in the debacle and Cuomo’s assistant was later released from the hospital. Cuomo remains hospitalized. The band has promised to reschedule the cancelled shows.
Dec
04
Click on the Album Reviews tab for a new review of The Bravery’s album “Stir the Blood!”
Nov
24
Head on over to Live Reviews for a recap of Metric’s shred-fest at the House of Blues Boston!
