I knew this was coming my way but I had no idea what comedian Jim Breuer was going to do…
Awesome. Simply awesome.
Good old pal Matt at Addicted To Vinyl of course already one upped me and put a post about Jim Breuer’s Comedy Central special Let’s Clear The Air (FYI there might be a contest going on over at his site…). In fact I am pretty sure Matt will memorize the entire special and shoot out all the good one liners before I even get a chance thus swooning all the ladies that we never hang out with on a daily basis.
Regardless I am excited to check out this special this Saturday at 11pm only on Comedy Central. What’s better is that Let’s Clear The Air will be released on DVD on Tuesday following the world premiere showing.
I can tell you this…Jim Breuer has not lost his touch one bit and this special is full of hilarity. I will be posting a full review on it shortly.
Props to Matt @ The Syndicate for offering to have Jim Breuer scream for me.
I love Jim Breuer’s impersonation of James Hetfield of Metallica:
This was the review I was never supposed to do, a release by a band that really is a slap to the face to all musicians out there by a group of four who do not look like they take themselves too seriously. The album title alone of BrokeNCYDE’s debut release pretty much could sum up reviews of many; I’m Not A Fan…But The Kids Like It! All I can say about this band is that they are indeed the bastard cousins of NSYNC, the ones your parents warned you to stay away from.
It was tough for me even to put this album in the CD player after I took a look at the front cover. Four tattooed “bros” decked out in fur lined coats all holding alcoholic beverages sitting in the back of an SUV just does not do anything for me. Add some hair styles that would get the boys in Fall Out Boy jealous and you can just count me out. I like hip hop, crunk, screamo, and punk but I did not think I would when it was all combined together. Still there was some curiosity to the CD so I finally grabbed it, threw it in, and as much as I hate to admit, actually liked some of it.
What is it about BrokeNCYDE’s beyond opened minded crunk mixed with punk and screamo that is even slightly likable to me? I honestly have no idea but some of the songs just get stuck in my head. Perhaps I like it because I have never heard quit a mix up before. Apparently I am not the only one that likes it either. The CD debuted #87 on the Billboard #200 and has had almost 40 million plays on their MySpace page.
Imagine musical styles of Hawthorne Heights, Enter Shakari, 3OH!3, and Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz layered with pro-buzz claims and booty favoring ideals and that should pretty much sum up what the band has to offer. As annoying as it can rub off I actually found myself getting a kick out of some of the songs but mostly for novelty reasons.
“Skeet Skeet” is a mess of a song with screamo cries and crunk-like jams making for a song that will get all the crunk rock worshipers out there moving. “Booty Call” featuring E-40 will easily be a dance floor anthem for all the clubs across the world. The song is has the ability to sneak its way into all the hip hop lover’s ears with undergarment dropping success.
“Yellow Bus” on the other hand was the worst song I have ever heard in my life. For some reason the boys in BrokeNCYDE call their manhood a yellow bus (maybe you should get that looked at fellas). I feel sorry for the poor bastard that had to listen to this song over and over while it was being mastered while those terrible cheap quick lyrics barely spoken over decent beats. “Get Up” was not much better although it did feature Daddy X of the Kottonmouth Kings.
“40oz.” is another deranged club song that easily will keep the dance floor moving. Tristan Krause, the man behind the beats on this track really has a good thing going for him. It’s a complete variety of different hip hop beats and electronica blended just right.
The lyrics of “Sex Toys” cracked me up and by no means are for listeners 17 and younger. Think Eminem clever lyrics meets Tommy Lee‘s craving on an outrageous demeaning quest that is just not necessary by any standards. Once “Rockstar” came on and I heard the chorus I admitted I had enough and turned the album off. “Getting retarded” and “drinking Bacardi” is fine but when they started talking about their mating preferences being smooth on top (you know there) I had enough.
Even though the album seems to give a nod to Lil John a lot I feel that I have heard some of the beats before. The lyrics were clearly attention getting as that is pretty much all that BrokeNCYDE has going for them. Maybe if they toned down the partying and sexual innuendo lyrics and just sung about something with meaning they would be tolerable to more folk out there. Luckily I like all types of music so I was able to find some good in this CD, just not a lot.
Having already seen crunk and punk mashed before by bands like 3OH!3 this band takes it to a new level. I never once thought it would be possible to hear a mess like this, but they do it so well. I can guarantee most of you will hate this band for all they are worth. Musically declined, they have found their niche in entertainment but with a unique flair. Currently making a full tour appearance on the Van’s Warped Tour I have this feeling this will not be the last time we hear from these tattooed crunk loving mongrels. I just hope next time they can do it a little differently, possibly with meaning.
Here is a video from one of the songs I liked from the album. I know it sucks, but to me it sucks in a good way… brokeNCYDE – Booty Call Feat. E-40
This one…not so good. Looks like some douchbaggery at it’s finest: brokeNCYDE – 40oz
The onetime member of hardcore act Million Dead has been doing things his own way just prior to Million Dead calling it quits. Since then Frank Turner has been doing things his own way with a more folk approach and this September he’s releasing an all new album on Epitaph Records titled Poetry Of The Deed.
I can not even tell you how excited I am for this release.
Epitaph was kind enough to send me a link to share his first single off the track titled “The Road”. The song is insane and I think it would be in your best interest to download it now and thank me later.
Banded then disbanded then rebanded, American Steel is back with their second release since their regrouping.After reuniting just two years ago after a five year hiatus the Bay City punkers have a follow-up release on Fat Wreck Chords titled Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts since joining forces with the independent label in 2007.
Having been around since 1995 the band has had some obstructions with some change ups and personal battles including a bout of Leukemia, but they overcame those obstacles and seem to be back in full force.With their onward battle to keep as a band they pretty much keep the punk rock tough in their music on their latest release making for a solid listen.
Opening track “Emergency House Party” has a full forced approach to it.Reminding me of the SoCal punk styles of the nineties I found myself already enjoying the CD just one song in.Before the track “Tear The Place Apart” even finished I found myself tapping my foot and singing along as if I had heard the song a hundred times before.
“Your Ass Ain’t Laughing Now” is a clear callout to someone that might have overlooked the abilities of American Steel in their early stages or perhaps jaded them.The song is comical as well as just fun to listen to with a small ska feel hiding behind guitar playing.
Hinting at a Strung Out style was “The Blood Gets Everywhere” a track that was a little more technical than the others.I absolutely adored this song and found myself sitting there with the CD book open in front of me reading the lyrics while listening along to the song.I felt like a kid all over again.
Title track “Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts” was a little more of an upbeat punk track inviting you to move along to the song but with a clear discontented message that really will make you think.If a video has not been made for this track showing people carelessly dancing around then maybe one should be.
“Lights Out” was more of a rough sounding punk rock track once again hinting back to the SoCal style of the nineties.Fast paced and to the point the track really reminded me of Face To Face.“Bergamot” continued with the awesomeness of the album as well did “Where You Want To Be”.
This album is going to be liked by a lot of people once all of the current American Steel fans tell all of their friends how great Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts really is.From start to finish I was treated to a revelry of a punk rock album.With no dull moments throughout, this is one of those recordings out there that sets the standard for wholesome punk rock.
American Steel truly has outdone themselves on Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts as they just sound stronger and more controlled than ever.One can only hope they expand their mini tour of the West Coast to more of a statewide venture.I would love to see these guys rock out live. Fans of Alkaline Trio and Face To Face will get a kick out of Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts as well anyone else out there who likes straightforward punk rock from a band not trying too hard just to turn heads.
Portugal. The Man is perhaps one of the extra genre jumping bands out there that I am perfectly ok with.The band that once hailed from Alaska is back with an all new album called The Satanic Satanist on their very own Approaching AIRballoons label through indie label Equal Vision Records.Full of indie rock goodness as well as other variations of music styles this album has become a favorite of mine for 2009.
The album was actually leaked on the internet in late June but it did not bother the band at all.Rather than get discouraged about the rash release they encouraged their fans to download the album but also asked that they support the band by purchasing the album when it came out if they liked it.
The joyful sounding “People Say” clearly is a call out to the poor achievements during a certain someone’s presidency.With lyrics like “What a lovely day, yeah, we won the war.May have lost a million men, but we’ve got a million more” it’s apparent there is some sarcasm directed towards a seemingly never ending war.
“Lovers In Love” was full of harmonious singing and had more of a overseas pop dance style along the likes of Jamiroquai.It’s really a pleasant jam about love and what it can make you do.
The soulful “The Sun” makes you want to pull close someone you love and sway away the night. This is one of those songs I will be putting in the next mix I create. “The Home” kept things interesting with crazy keyboards throughout this indie rock track.
“The Woods” had a funky feel to it in a good way again hinting towards something Jay Kay might have done.It’s an incredible track I really got a kick out of as was “Guns & Dogs” a song that reminded me of Oasis short the uni-brow.“Everyone Is Golden” was very evocative of a Beatles song in a good way.
Portugal. The Man has moved in so many directions since their conception it’s difficult to brand them musically and I think they feed off of that. I can say this album is a little tamer when it comes to the band being experimental but overall is a great listen.I almost think that this is going to the album that hurls the band into the likes of mainstream candidacy.
