The fourth album by blues artist Gary Clark Jr. has many fans on both sides of the fence. While it reached number one on the Billboard Blues Charts this month, reviewers on iTunes have other things to say about the album. Some think that the album is overproduced and is missing the elements made Gary Clark Jr. so great to begin with. While there are others that think the artist is showing how multifaceted his talent is. By following Gary Clark Jr. and the paths that he has been going in, it is clear that he is aware of the way the business works, but is consciously doing his own thing. He has worked with Mississippi MC Big K.R.I.T. to get established in the Hip Hop world. The opening track, the Healing has underlying Hip hop loops that exemplify this influence, with out being overpowering. His album shows hints of these different vibes including some Psychedelic hints on the vocals in the track, Wings . Another influence that can be heard throughout the album is R&B, Our Love has clear and is a calmer track. He then takes us on the Funky train with his track Stars then he swings us back around with Gospel styles in the song Church. In addition to all the experimentation that he has done, he also has decided to step away from some of the big name producers he has worked with. This album he decided to do on his own at one of the hometown studios in Austin. This really exemplifies his want as an artist to do his own thing and that he is in control of the music that he is presenting us. Gary Clark Jr. manages to go into this concept album about his childhood with hints of genres that have stemmed from Blues music and has incorporated them into creating a masterpiece. By taking on these different hints, he is shaping the modern blues era into something possibly new and different. While it would be great to hear his great guitar shredding, it is refreshing to hear his other talents unfold and creates anticipation for what he will try next.
The board games are out and we are playing “Don’t Wake Daddy.” Swing by our events page to get your latest updates for where we will be all week!! We hope to see you all at some point!
Do you want a sweet iron on T-shirt or sweatshirt? Email our program director Lauren Koepsel for more information!
When Canadian rock ‘n’ roll band The Sheepdogs took the stage at the 7th Street Entry at Minneapolis’ legendary 1st Avenue, I was skeptical. Their supporting act, Radio Moscow, featured a front man that wore not one, but two, different articles of suede fringe clothing and music that relied on gratuitously shreddy guitar solos to compensate for lack of cohesiveness amongst the overall sound of the band. Radio Moscow had the technical chops and instrumental proficiency, but they just aren’t there yet. So I was skeptical of The Sheepdogs, suspecting them to be trite rock ‘n’ roll wannabees, stuck in the glory days of 1970’s classic rock, and unable to conjure any definitive musical identity of their own.
But then they started playing. Sure, their music is a blatant throwback to likes of The Allman Brothers and Creedence Clearwater Revival, but The Sheepdogs were not attempting to create a carbon copy of their heroes. They pushed past the “they don’t make ‘em like they used to” mentality that many neo-classic rock bands often slip into and delivered songs with distinctive substance, complex vocal harmonies, intertwining dual guitars, and a killer rhythm section. As a band, they captured the groove of every song they performed, demonstrating an energy that electrified the entire crowded venue. Their stage presence was modest. The only glimmer of flashiness existed within their playing, which was so finely dialed in that it blew me away. It is clear that this band is a group of guys who care very deeply about making great music, music they want to listen to.
I’ve seen bands in the same vein as The Sheepdogs who would be better off just declaring themselves a Lynyrd Skynrd cover band. This is not the case with The Sheepdogs. They are the future of good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. -Amy
I attended Melanie Martinez’s concert on Wednesday, October 21 at Turner Hall in Milwaukee. Her set was very simple, and consisted of big toy blocks spelling out ‘CRYBABY’, the name of her album. Her set list went in order of her album, which makes sense because her album tells a story, song by song. First, the drummer and keyboard player came out-both in green and white striped shirts and bear hats. Lastly, Melanie came out, dressed in a bib for a top, baggy pink shorts made to look like little kid pants of a diaper, and socks. The set design, the apparel, and the people playing instruments all came under the same theme of her album. It was very kid-like, but her album is very twisted.
Melanie had the weirdest stage presence I’ve seen out of all the concerts I’ve been to. But it was also the most entertaining. She is probably the most eccentric person I’ve ever seen; she is not afraid to be different. She had little dance moves and it was very comical to watch, but it also made me want to dance like that. She also knew what she wanted for the way her show was presented. A few times during the show between songs, she would ask the lighting director to turn down specific lights because she “wants it to be dark”.
Overall, the concert was really great and everything she did along with the stage setup went along perfectly with the album. Not many people know of her, but I definitely recommend listening to her. -Emily
Well the month is coming to a close and the October Mixtape has been a huge hit. Is your Midterms and Homecoming and work schedule getting you down? Well here is some of our favorite jams to get you through this rough week! Stay Tuned for the November Mixtape coming out soon!
The fourth album by blues artist Gary Clark Jr. has many fans on both sides of the fence. While it reached number one on the Billboard Blues Charts this month, reviewers on iTunes have other things to say about the album. Some think that the album is overproduced and is missing the elements made Gary Clark Jr. so great to begin with. While there are others that think the artist is showing how multifaceted his talent is. By following Gary Clark Jr. and the paths that he has been going in, it is clear that he is aware of the way the business works, but is consciously doing his own thing. He has worked with Mississippi MC Big K.R.I.T. to get established in the Hip Hop world. The opening track, the Healing has underlying Hip hop loops that exemplify this influence, with out being overpowering. His album shows hints of these different vibes including some Psychedelic hints on the vocals in the track, Wings . Another influence that can be heard throughout the album is R&B, Our Love has clear and is a calmer track. He then takes us on the Funky train with his track Stars then he swings us back around with Gospel styles in the song Church. In addition to all the experimentation that he has done, he also has decided to step away from some of the big name producers he has worked with. This album he decided to do on his own at one of the hometown studios in Austin. This really exemplifies his want as an artist to do his own thing and that he is in control of the music that he is presenting us. Gary Clark Jr. manages to go into this concept album about his childhood with hints of genres that have stemmed from Blues music and has incorporated them into creating a masterpiece. By taking on these different hints, he is shaping the modern blues era into something possibly new and different. While it would be great to hear his great guitar shredding, it is refreshing to hear his other talents unfold and creates anticipation for what he will try next.
