Christmas Music in retail stores. WHY?

If you listen to the merry brainwashing associated with this "joyful" holiday work in a retail store on this dreadful season of November 1st ( because who really celebrates Thanksgiving) to January 2nd and you'll understand why I'm writing about the pain that is Merry Christmas Music!

there is nothing more dreadful than hearing festive music in a retail setting working long ,questionably, legal hours in the hope for decent a wage.

but why go through all the hassle of putting consumers in the " spirit of Christmas " when you overdose them with Maria Carey's All I want for Chirstmas is you. when In a recent article titled Too Much Christmas Turns Shoppers Away by Sarah Mohoney, she explains and backs up her findings that all the effort of Christmas joy is wasted when retail franchises are cramming it down your throat.

For anyone in the position to change the music in a store. Read this article and Change it up a bit because I am not in the mood to hear the same four song's in a row playing for three months straight!

-Adrian

brokencyde is a synonym for suicide.

Warning: Explicit and abominable content alert. I apologize for putting my fellow music aficionados through this.

I'm almost disappointed no one brought this "band" to my attention... key word almost.

Can I even call brokeNCYDE a "band?" I don't really want to call them anything at all.

Their song, Freaxxx, very well may have won the title for most nauseating song of the decade.

Let us review the epic fail checklist to see if they qualify:

Terrible haircuts: check.
Cliche, chauvinistic lyrical content: check.
Obvious Auto-Tune: check.
I think I've gone far enough...

These guys really put out some tasteless music. I think I'd rather listen to Guns 'N Roses's performance from earlier this year. Have I made my point yet?

I regretfully conclude this blog, because there is no worse band in the world than brokeNCYDE. They have really ruined all my hope for the future of music.

Thanks for reading, everyone.

-Greg

Lady Gaga: Waste of Talent?

Behind the glitter, the crazy head pieces and over the top outfits, Lady Gaga just might actually have some talent. Following in the previous generations footsteps, Gaga hides her talent behind pop beats that do her no justice. Gaga is today's generation Madonna or Cher.
There is actually proof of Lady Gaga showing her talent on the Howard Stern show. If she was ever to break out of her glam pop over the top outfits and ever wants to actually sing, she is capable! It is very hard to believe but it is indeed true. Gaga has talent but choses (or should I say, her label choses) not to show it.

There are artists like Nicki Minaj that go over the top and still have no talent. There is also Katy Perry (Click the link for the best video EVER) who puts on a hell of a show and screams talent. Lady Gaga should one day break out of this cliche crazy career and become a legit singer. It could happen!

- John

Three Days Disgrace

Three Days Grace, I hate everything about you. In modern English, we try to avoid cliches, but you guys are perpetuating tasteless redundancy in lyrical content.

Why does this video of theirs have nearly 14-million views? I suppose it's because too few people read this blog, which would allow them to terms with what bad music really is.

Guys, the nineties are over; get with the program.

Try listening to some Deep Purple; maybe they can remove the bad taste from your mouths.

You know your music is miserable when there is just one, but TWO Facebook pages dedicated to how much your band blows.

There's a lot of deplorable Top-40 rock and metal (think Nickelback in the post below), but at least their songs are catchy and well produced.

It's not often that I have absolutely nothing nice to say... Hell... at least Attack! Attack!'s guitarist does a good crustacean impression.

Don't you guys just love the puns I manage to integrate into every post title?

Why is anybody listening to this terrible band?!??!?

-Greg

Nickleback Over Come this You Canadians.

What's more American than Football on Thanksgiving? how about a Canadian band ( Nickelback) playing in the Detroit Lions Half time show. Yea that sounds pretty American to me. The band was boo-ed on stage after an online petition of 75,000 fans called for them to not play. The petition was ousted, United Way director of publicity Sal Fabens stated

"In one way, the fact that some 75,000 fans have signed an online petition calling for the band's ouster is fitting, since the theme of the United Way's halftime performance is "Live United." "This is a call to action, an invitation for everyone to join us, regardless of their stance on various issues, to move forward on creating opportunities for a better life for all," he wrote. "

Really? Your gonna say if 75,000 people don't want a band to perform, you call their performance an act of over coming adversity! Wow!

If you really want to hate those Canadians more here is a video of Nickleback firing back at the NFL Petition. Blame Canada!!!

-Adrian

I wish I was Megadeaf.

The Big Four, metal music's greatest quadrahedron, comprised of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax, have been responsible for providing head-bangin' records and artistic influence since their respective inceptions. While Metallica has been shooting blanks for a few years now, since even before that abomination St. Anger (please don't try to argue that album is good, for the sake of all that is metal), a new member of the Big Four is ready to throw in the towel: Megadeth.

Coming from the mind that brought epic thrash tunes like Tornado of Souls and Wake Up Dead into fruition, I think MegaDave has finally let the world know it's time to put his baby to sleep.

Th1rt3en, some say, is an unlucky number; I seem to agree, because Megadeth's luck has run out. I remember listening to tracks off of Endgame like Head Crusher and smiling; I remember telling all my metal-loving friends, "Megadeth has still got it!"

Megadeth has got something new for us now: an unlistenable new album. Do your self a favor and DON'T go out and buy it... Thank me later.

Why did Megadeth drop the &#*%ing ball?!?

-Greg

Back in Black (Sabbath)

After nearly 33 years, Black Sabbath's original lineup is reuniting to record a new full-length album. They're even planning a 2012 world tour. There is only one issue with this: Ozzy is singing.

Even Ozzy's hay-day, when good 'ole Randy Rhoads was alive and well to tear it up with his wall of Marshall stacks, the prince of darkness still couldn't sing.

I don't think it was the bat blood that messed up his voice...

This has been an ongoing issue that has gotten even worse. Hell, Ozzy can't even speak anymore.

Ozzy, how can we help? I'm sure a lot of people want to hear you perform, but not like this.

Why are you making us listen to you, Ozzy?!?

-Greg

Dub-Step Festivals and Hippies.

What do Dub-Step festivals and hippies have in common? If you really think about it. Drugs, lots and lots of drugs if you've experienced these festivals you would know that it is a hot bed of people popping ecstasy ,"Mollys", engulfing tabs of acid, and walking around is a zombified state while loud bass music blows your ear lobes out. being a lighting technician I appreciate the light shows that accommodate these hippie fests, but the fact that these festival promote nothing more than a "good time" and the experience of witnessing a sweet lighting show. There has to be purpose to a group meeting other than blasting bass in your face!

The Dying Local Scene

Long Island has been the home of popular bands that have made it big such as, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, Envy On The Coast, Straylight Run, Nightmare of You, Glassjaw, and Bayside. It has been years since Long Island has had a successful artist make it big and headline US tours. The closest we have is Stereo Skyline, who doesn't even play their instruments live anymore. Seriously!? What are you too big for a Long Island crowd when the next state over has no idea who you are?

Bands like this don't deserve anything. Their moms pay for their equipment and advertising space across the internet. They pay thousands of dollars for a good producer that will actually make their catchy four chord songs sound good. Get over yourself, you have bad hair and no one wants to listen to that. Don't wear girl's jeans, big white sunglasses, straightened hair and call yourself a man!

Bands like these come and go and could "get signed" to a label, but at the end of the day you will be back where you started... playing the Vibe Lounge in Rockville Center for 10 little girls who only come because you wrote on their facebook wall. Not to mention crappy sound technicians who don't want to be there DOING THEIR JOBS!

Why Is Anybody Listening!?
- John

MetalBore... It all Sounds the Same!

Have you ever woken up in the morning and asked yourself, "What do Metalcore and milk have in common?" The answer is, they're both homogenized.

Warning: Some of the following audio or video footage may be offensive to people with good taste in music.

They say Metalcore break downs make you want to break stuff... It makes me want to break my speakers.

Top ten MetalSnore vocalists? More like the top ten reasons I wish I were deaf.

Just listen to All That Remains and you'll know what every other Metalcore band sounds like... well, except these guys.

Those who chastised Attack Attack! decided to coin the term CrabCore. Do you get it?

If I recall correctly, I think it was Attack Attack! who made it acceptable for Design The Skyline to play music. Remember them from last week? I wish I didn't.

Please, make it stop.

Why is Anybody Listening to this sorry excuse for music?!?

HIM - All Over Again!

Just when we thought it was safe to listen to music again, the heartagrams were gone and the HIM craze has died out. Just when we thought that black leather and guys in eye liner was no longer a threat to society, it returns.

Black Veil Bride is an interesting band of emo-core goths that has a cult like following. Try going in to a Hot Topic these days without hearing this band playing in the store. Goth music has finally been toned down, but add some emo to it and it comes back like a bad cold.

Do yourself a favor and don't even attempt to listen to this band. If you already clicked the links above and are now suffering from bleeding of the ears, contact your local physician. If you saved yourself the trouble and did not click the link, consider yourself saved.

Why Is Anybody Listening!?

- John

Lil Wayne: Put Down that Guitar Immediately.

The American Rapper Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., better known as Lil Wayne, has become a household name is his genre. Lil Wayne's is no stranger to success as he has performed and recorded with the likes of Nicki Minaj and Drake, and his most recent album, Tha Carter IV sold 964,000 copies during its 1st week on sale. Despite his successful efforts, I do have one thing to say to Lil Wayne: Put Down that Guitar Immediately. Has anyone seen Lil Wayne play the guitar? Mr. Carter needs to stop treating that axe like a fashion accessory. Guitars are for playing, damnit!

On the topic of keeping Rock and Rap separate, Fred Durst is just as guilty of deplorable musicianship. I thank higher powers that Limp Bizkit is done for. I think Shred Durst has got this guitar playing thing more under control.

Who the &#*% Listens to this?!

-Greg

What happened to Rap!

It’s time to face the facts good mainstream rap died in the 90’s. The image style and sound of struggling to climb the social ladder, and remembrances of living in poverty is long gone. Instead it is replaced by the new school. Rappers such as drake, Nikki Manaj, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, and Kanye West who command the stage rapping about fast women, cars, living the good life, and blowing money on extravagant parties. Even many old school rappers like Snoop Dog and Eminem reinvented their image to keep up with the new social demands set forth by these spoiled 00’s babies. I’m not saying the subject matter is at fault. But in times of hardship the music of that generation should mirror the events of the time. The world is witnessing hardship in every aspect of life and the only subject that seems to be popular is rapping about how much money you have and how easy you can steal your audiences’ girls’ cars and money. Todays “artists” are spitting in the face of their audience and they are eating it up. Afro punk blogs about what happened to intelligent rap music bashing: Drake, Nas, Jay-z and Little Wayne, stating “Well honestly I scoff when I see t shirts that say hip hop is dead really. It does live in all the rock bands that have allocated our style and way of doing lyrics and also all the aforementioned folks I might have l sound angry about did what hip hop did best, grow, assimilate hit a new stride. This is why it lives. The music for me still lives in kids ten years younger than me who can listen to whatever is big now but know the furious five.

- Adrian

Pop Punk's Not Dead!

From The Pixies to New Found Glory, Pop Punk has had a wide array of artists over the years.  The genre is very broad and the new scene has killed the old.  Or has it?

The early 90's had The Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Nirvana.  Later on we were brought Greenday, The Offspring and Blink 182 which was the start of today's Pop Punk.  Late 90's, early 2000's we were brought New Found Glory, Mest, Goldfinger, The Ataris, Reliant K, Sum 41, Hit The Lights and Yellowcard.  This was the prime era of Pop Punk.  The mosh-pits and the stage diving was the epitimy of Pop Punk.  These were the golden High School days where music ran our worlds.  Pop Punk was alive and well.

Today's music scene has ruined music for everyone.  Not only is music now intertwined with children and Disney, such as The Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus, but "Pop Punk" has changed.  Today's Pop Punk bands such as All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Boys Like Girls, Hey Monday, and Paramore have ruined music.  These bands don't write their own songs, have bright flashy pink t-shirts and background synth that kills the whole song.  What happened to real pop punk? There should be a different genre for this music because Pop Punk is a legacy.

Once you hit rock bottom, the only place you can go is up.  Real Pop Punk music has come back and taken over once again!  New Found Glory is still alive and kicking while Blink 182 has made a come back with a new album.  Unfortunately some of those bands will not come back, but new bands have arrived!  Set Your Goals, The Wonder Years, Man Overboard and Four Year Strong have brought Pop Punk back. Pop Punk will never be dead as long as there is crappy music to outdo. 

Why Is Anybody Listening To This (new crap!)?

- John

Victory Records, You are a Joke.

Victory Records is a well known record label, most revered for their support of A Day to Remember (whom I happen to think is an enjoyable listen for the most part).

However, Victory Records... well... have you heard the other acts that they've signed as of late?

Epitomizing terrible scene styling, and even more miserable music, Design the Skyline may perhaps be the worst band I have ever heard.

With a great disconnect from song structure and intelligent lyrics, we have These Hearts. I'll allow you to make your own judgments...

Can we get a few people to e-mail Victory and ask if they're serious or not?

Who the &#*% Listens to this?!

-Greg

No Skill for Skrill

Remember when you were little and you played with your gameboy or nintendo and just HAD to turn the sound down because it was annoying?  That is kinda what Skrillex is like.  People actually call this crap music?  It honestly sounds like beeps and boops from an Atari system.

Skrillex started out as the singer of the pop punk band "From First To Last" but after throat surgery he took a different route.  Using his real name, Sonny Moore would do solo shows with just himself and a harp player.  It gets weirder.  He goes on hiatus for a few years and comes back with the sides of his head shaved as Skrillex.

Dub step is taking over and it is killing real music.  The only people who listen to this music are at his shows where they can pop some ecstasy and dance like idiots.  This crap actually sells out major halls and clubs too!? I must be doing something wrong because I can make music like this with a gameboy and a computer.  Can you actually buy a cd of this music? Where would you listen to it, in your car on the way to work? I don't think so!

Why is anybody listening to this?!

- John

WTF EMU!

You wanna know what grinds my gears? The EMO culture what happened to you? You originated from the mid-1980’s hardcore punk movement, calling yourself emotional hardcore, which was cool but around the early 90’s you shifted to over the top lyrics about feelings wedded to dramatic punk music. Like all music scenes Emo has various offshoots- from Screamo, which sounds like punk! To Emo pop which focal points are high pitched melodies and lyrics concerning heart-break, break-ups, and adolescent “relationships.” Who the hell listens to this?

People (guys) who wear ultra-tight slim fit jeans making you ask the question how do they fit the package in there, to males wearing thick black eyeliner, Sounds similar to the Goth! I say emu because that is what Emo culture reminds me of, an EMU, a giant bird that can’t fly. It tries to be a gothic vulture but falls short burring its head in the ground when dangers near.

-Adrian

What the &@%# happened to Guns N' Roses?!?

Guns N' Roses is known by many as one of the most influential and popular 80's metal bands that have ever existed. Appetite for Destruction, released in 1987, went 18x platinum, and comprised iconic tunes that nearly every rocker 'round the world knows the words to. Axl Rose, lead singer, fueled many intra-band confrontations that began to tear Guns 'N Roses apart. After the departure of Slash, the band's lead guitarist, the band commenced its steady decline.

After watching Guns N' Roses performance at the 2011 Rock in Rio in Brazil, I am at a loss for words... or maybe I'm not....

Axl's breathing is comparable to someone suffering with emphysema on their death bed; he can't carry a note for longer than two seconds. On a related note, his pitch isn't much better. Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal apparently lacks the power of the force, as his Clone Trooper mask wasn't doing much for his image, let alone his playing of the botched guitar solo in the song.

Compare the above abomination to this performance live from The Ritz in 1988. 'Nuff said.

Ridiculous garb aside, Guns N' Roses's performance of "Welcome to the Jungle" was possibly one of the poorest interpretations of a metal classic that I have ever heard in my life. Hell, I've seen tribute band performances that blew that disgraceful excuse for a live show out of the water.

Why Is Anybody Listening to this?

Greg T.