As part of the dying breed of listeners who still avidly desire owning their music on a physical disc and will repurchase albums multiple times to collect bonus tracks and expanded liner notes (today I picked up my fourth copy of John Lennon’s “Double Fantasy” to secure a “stripped down” remix), TheSecondDisc.com is a daily stop for me. The site is dedicated to remasters and reissues of classic and not-so-classic albums, with both news and historical content.
The bulk of the posts are written by Mike Duquette, whose passion for music is evident in each one. When a new reissue is announced, he intensively researches era-appropriate bonus tracks (e.g., B-sides, remixes, soundtrack contributions) to create the ideal package for fans. Alas, his lists often go above and beyond what the actual CD winds up containing.
The site perhaps could benefit from having more contributors. Duquette handles almost everything except posts about Broadway musical soundtracks, and while he clearly appreciates music from all genres and eras, he does tend to gravitate towards film scores and 80s music. Some additional perspectives might be useful to read.
Three articles worth checking out:
“Ben Folds Five” Reissue Theory. Sometimes Duquette doesn’t even need an announcement to pore over discographies. In the recurring “Reissue Theory” feature, he looks at albums not currently scheduled for re-release and proposes worthy tracklists should that change. This one looks at the debut album from Ben Folds Five and adds a live disc and bonus tracks to the mix.
Back Tracks: Paul McCartney. Another recurring feature is “Back Tracks,” which looks at an artist’s entire catalog and helpfully examines its state on CD/digital platforms. With a solo career spanning four decades and dozens of non-album tracks in that time, Paul McCartney fans would be well-advised to check it out.
Order in the Court. Sometimes Duquette posts discussion topics to get readers’ takes on various reissue-related things. This one centers around whether it matters if compilations are arranged chronologically.
If I were to write for the site, three articles I’d love to tackle:
A Reissue Theory for the Sundays’ discography. My second favorite band after the Beatles, the Sundays released just three albums in the 90s, but each has at least one uncollected B-side. I could dig through concert setlists and radio sessions to find even more bonus material. If you aren’t familiar with the Sundays, check out audio perfection in the form of “Here’s Where the Story Ends”:
A debate on how much is too much when it comes to reissues. Some fans want absolutely everything, but is anyone really going to listen to 11 remixes of one song from a Talking Heads side project? I’m curious to see, if push comes to shove, what people really expect from reissues. Should they focus on presenting the original album in the best way possible, or should they be mere dumpsters for any archive material from the era?
On the same token, an article celebrating superb reissues that should serve as blueprints. Rhino did a great job with “The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees” earlier this year, providing both the mono and stereo versions and over 30 bonus tracks in one terrifically packaged box. And last year’s Beatles remasters are as good as it gets.
Deerhunter just realeased their newest album, “Halcyon Digest.” It’s surprisingly different from the bands past albums, but the change is praiseworthy. The album is more reflective rather than aggressive, and it shows Deerhunter’s maturity. Two of the tracks worth listening to are “Desire Lines,” and “Hellicopter.”
Rob Sheffield and the cover of "Love is a Mix Tape"
Rob Sheffield a current contributing editor and music and pop culture blogger for “Rolling Stone” magazine. His blog can be found at http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rob-sheffield/blog/79703/16. Sheffield has a wealth of experience in the music journalism field. Prior to working for “Rolling Stone” he was a contributing editor at “Blender” (RIP) and “Spin” magazines. Sheffield can also often be found as pop culture “talking head” on various VH1 specials.
Sheffield’s blog “Pop Life” consists of humorous looks at musical pop culture events, like the MTV Video Music awards and the American Music Awards. “Pop Life” also features pop music reviews from artists like Pavement, Katy Perry, M.I.A., and Lady Gaga. In addition to “Rolling Stone” Sheffield has also written two books, 2007’s “Love is a Mix Tape” and 2010’s “Talking to Girls About Duran Duran.”
One of the most clever examples of his writing is his entry on Adam Lambert’s 2009 AMA performance. As he describes the performance he crafts clever gems. In one instance he refers to Lambert fans as “glamskanks” and describes the performance as a “full frontal Glambgasm,” both plays on Lambert’s nickname of Glambert.
Fellow music journalist, and personal favorite of mine, Chuck Klosterman speaks highly of Sheffield’s body of work. Klosterman states, “No rock critic, living or dead or otherwise, has ever written about pop music with the evocative, hyperpoetic, perfectitude of Rob Sheffield.”
When you think of Mark Hoppus, I’m not sure “serious critic” would be the first thing that comes to mind. But over the past five years, since Blink-182 went on an “indefinite hiatus” (now over), Hoppus has proven to pop punk fans that he can be taken seriously as a critic.
I’m not sure that his intention was ever to become a serious critic, but between his blog, twitter account and brand new television talk show, Hoppus has several outlets through which he can share his every opinion about what’s going on in the pop punk scene. And he does just that.
The first thing to check out is his personal blog, HiMyNameisMark. His posts here are generally about new artists in the genre, his personal projects and links to videos he thinks his pop punk audience will appreciate. The focus though is on genuine criticism of what’s good and what’s bad in pop punk right now.
Hoppus also wrote a series of articles for SPIN.com, called “Hopp on Pop”. These weekly articles profiled new artists, and ran for about four months. A great article about the “Hopp on Pop” series can be found here.
For almost 20 years Hoppus has remained very active and immersed in the pop punk community, and has played many roles- musician, producer, talk show host and critic. His insider knowledge and personal experience give him a unique position within the community, and when he talks, people listen. I think the general pop punk audience appreciates hearing his opinions and takes him seriously as a powerful critic.
The wait for new Soundgarden material is over…sort of. To promote an upcoming compilation, “Telephantasm,” the band has released the 1992 outtake, “Black Rain.” Listen to the monster riff and check out the first Soungarden video in 14 years below.
The wait is over! Mark Hoppus, Blink-182’s fun-loving bass player, is co-hosting a new show on Fuse with comedian Amy Schumer. His first guest is rumored to be John Mayer. Hilarity is sure to ensue. The show premieres Thursday at 7pm on Fuse. Don’t miss it!
When I’m looking for reviews on new and up-and-coming music, I head straight to Daytrotter, an online music publication that focuses on Indie artists and bands. One Daytrotter critic, Sean Moeller, truly knows how to keep an audience entertained. With unusual and witty remarks, Moeller’s critique’s are anything but boring. Whether one is interested in the artist or band being reviewed or not, one will certainly be amused.
Moeller’s differs from many other music critics because he knows how to charmingly paint a picture of how the music should make the listener feel. While reviewing Portugal The Man, Moeller says, “It’s music that lets the sun break into the proceedings and you feel as if you’ve assumed a seat in a levitation machine that’s pumping pure oxygen into your lungs, giving you some kind of a buzz that you don’t usually get.”
Moeller’s creativity is apparent. I like how his descriptions show readers a different perspective on an artist or band, and it’s nice to see how he treats every artist and band he reviews with respect and admiration. But, the main reason why I enjoy Moeller’s reviews is because he is an excellent storyteller. I mean, who doesn’t like a good story?
In light of our Celine Dion-oriented reading this week, I wanted to point you towards this entertaining piece from The Awl, in which a writer tries to scientifically prove which diva is the diva-iest. It’s pretty long, but well worth it, as author Jay Caspian Kang chooses between Aretha, Barbra, Beyonce, Celine, Diana, Etta, Gladys, Mariah, Mary J, Whitney and Jordin Sparks.
The combination of archness and sincerity here is very funny, and the YouTube videos are pretty astonishing to watch. I take umbrage with Mary J’s low ranking in the “upstaging” category, though.
Willow Smith, 9, is layin' tracks and takin' names
Willow Smith, aka The Fresh Princess of Bel Air, is said to be linking up with Hova himself- the God of God’s in [mainstream] hip-hop. Yes, mainstream. (Sorry Izzo- your gangster appeal went bye-bye a long time ago. But your wealthiness, I’m sure, makes up for it. AND I would still kiss your feet if you asked me to).
As part of the Smith dynasty,it is only natural, I assume, for Willow to fall effortlessly into the Hollywood spotlight. She is not only following in her parent’s foot-steps, but her recording career with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Records is being launched only months after the release of “Karate Kid”(2010), in which brother, Jaden Smith, kicked down the proverbial doors of Pinkett-Smith family fame.
Already being called a trend-setter, Willow’s first track “Whip my Hair” preemptively dismisses her future critics (haters), and she fast-talks/sings her way into the Roc Nation label.
As badly as my eye twitches when I think of early childhood fame and richness, I kind of dig her new song. Plus, if I had hair like hers, I think I’d whip it back and forth, over and over and over again, too.
Do yourself a favor as you listen to this song, and remember, she’s 9-years-old. Enjoy!
If you are interested in discovering some new and eclectic Indie tunes, then check out last.fm for free MP3 music downloads from some up-and-coming bands. Happy downloading!
When you think of Mark Hoppus, I’m not sure “serious critic” would be the first thing that comes to mind. But over the past five years, since Blink-182 went on an “indefinite hiatus” (now over), Hoppus has proven to pop punk fans that he can be taken seriously as a critic.
The wait is over! Mark Hoppus, Blink-182’s fun-loving bass player, is co-hosting a new show on Fuse with comedian Amy Schumer. His first guest is rumored to be John Mayer. Hilarity is sure to ensue. The show premieres Thursday at 7pm on Fuse. Don’t miss it!
In light of our Celine Dion-oriented reading this week, I wanted to point you towards 