Music Set

Faith In Fakes by Umberto Eco is a superbly entertaining beginner’s guide to semiotics. To what? Semiotics is the study and interpretation of symbols. In our increasingly iconic age, the discipline has much to say, and to do so must delve deeper and wider, into sociology, philosophy and psychology. In this superb selection of essays, Umberto Eco discusses topics as widely spaced as blue jeans, the film Casablanca, ancient monuments and theme parks.

» Read the full Book Review: Faith In Fakes - Travels In Hyperreality by Umberto Eco article…

I owe Mary J. Blige an apology.

Why? When she first hit the music scene with “Real Love” in 1992, I initially dismissed her as another one hit wonder, just a dance/hip hop artist who would quickly fade from the charts. Boy, was I wrong. With every album, her voice has grown stronger, wiser, and more heartbreaking as she fearlessly chronicles her personal struggles with drugs, romance, and depression. Her most recent album, Growing Pains, has cemented her status as a modern, streetwise Aretha Franklin.

» Read the full Mary J. Blige’s Underrated Mary Shows Her Vocal Versatility article…

Determination and perseverance have been the hallmarks of Robin Thicke's musical career. Then again, such fortitude was necessary in the world of R&B, where his presence was confronted with the (white) "elephant in the room." The media's labeling of Thicke's repertoire as "blue-eyed soul" was no match for the sheer talent exposed on his sophomore album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke.
» Read the full Interview: Robin Thicke - Singer and Songwriter article…

Billy Idol started life as William Broad in London in 1955. He found his life’s purpose as a member of the Bromley Contingent, early fans of the Sex Pistols. William changed his name, intended first to be spelled Idle but a misprint on a poster showed him that Idol was cooler than Idle, joined Generation X and released Dancing With Myself before moving to New York. There he met Stevie Stevens and launched his solo career.

At the time, punk rock was being changed by the big names John “Rotten” Lydon and the Clash towards a more reggae and political beat.

» Read the full Music Review: Billy Idol - The Very Best Of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself (CD/DVD) article…

Britney Spears is being linked with Justin Timberlake once again, this time to collaborate on a song. Plus, the Jonas Brothers grace the cover of Rolling Stone and more gossip goodies.
» Read the full Pop-Pourri: Britney and Justin to Duet + More article…

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline’s custody settlement is final, according to TMZ.com.

Under the settlement, which was filed Friday (July 25) in L.A. County Superior Court, Spears must pay $250,000 in Federline’s legal fees. Also, Federline will get $20,000 a month for child support, up from his previous $15,000. The agreement doesn’t mention visitation, TMZ reported.

On July 17, Spears agreed to give Federline sole legal and physical custody of their two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, while she would retain visitation rights.

» Read the full Britney Spears’ Custody Agreement Finalized article…

Like freeze dried prophets walking out across the pollution-hardened Thames, the British duo of Dan Le Sac (DJ, effects - aka Dan Stephens) and Scroobious Pip (words - aka David Meads) want to tell us that we've lost our way. Aware of the challenge of raising cerebral matters with a dumbed down audience, it's an impassioned message that they're prepared to cloak - in a move Trojans will be familiar with - in the disguise of clattering Brit-hop.

» Read the full Music Review: Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip - Angles article…

Have you ever wondered whether an interesting nickname helps kick up a musician's career? Or to ask the question in a different way, does a guy with extraordinary talent but an ordinary-sounding name sometimes find himself flying a little below the radar? Case in point (always wanted to say that) is saxophonist Gerald Albright, who can blow with the best of them but is probably not the first name that comes to mind when you list great saxophonists.
» Read the full Music Review: Gerald Albright - Sax For Stax article…

MГ¶tley CrГјe have announced fans can view one of their concerts for free online. The gig, taking place next week (August 1), is part of their sold out US tour. The LA group will take to the stage at 9.30pm (PST) at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. Tickets to watch the show live online are free of charge, but very limited, and are available from Deeprockdrive.com. MГ¶tley CrГјe’s new album ‘Saints Of Los Angeles’ is out in the UK on September 1.
» Read the full Motley CrГјe to make gig available to watch online article…

I have to admit that I was a rather late arrival to the Radiohead party — having not fully embraced them until they released their semi-electronica trilogy (minus one), in the form of the albums Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001).

Don't ask me why, but it wasn't until the release of those two albums that I really first started to "get" the band, with my first live Radiohead concert — in 2001 under the starry skies and picturesque setting of the Gorge Ampitheatre in Eastern Washington state — pretty much sealing the deal.

» Read the full Music Review: Radiohead - The Best Of Radiohead (2 CD Special Edition/Single DVD Edition) article…