CD Review: Prince – 20Ten

So a friend of mine from the UK sent me a copy of this album as it was released for free with the Daily Mirror. It hasn’t been released in the US and to be honest, with the way Prince is acting these days I doubt it will be any time soon.

I’ll be honest, I’m a HUGE Prince fan. Ever since I was a kid, Purple Rain was one of my favorite records growing up. I had it on cassette and on vinyl, and carried the cassette tape with me where ever I went, just to get my parents to play it on car trips. When I got my first CD player, the first CD I got was Prince: The Hits. Yes, when I say I’m a huge Prince fan, it goes back to my childhood.

But with his latest release 20Ten, I’m starting to think he’s lost his damn mind! (Oh wait, HE HAS LOST HIS DAMN MIND!!!) 20Ten starts out with “Compassion,” a funk influenced rock song that makes you want to jam out at a house party with your friends. The next track “Beginning Endlessly” goes back to his old school roots like “1999” and some of his stuff he did with New Power Generation back in the 90’s.

But after those 2 tracks that’s where things go from great to horrible. Every other song on this record sounds exactly the same. Most of the time it’s repetitive and boring and makes you wonder what the hell happened to Prince. This isn’t the Prince I grew up with. What happened to the days of “When Doves Cry” and “Thieves in the Temple”? I understand Prince is now a Jehovah’s Witness, but that shouldn’t interfere with him making awesome records like he did during the Revolution days. Maybe Prince should hold a meeting and try to get the band back together, because this new crap isn’t working

Overall rating: 2 out of 5

By: Xander Deccio

News & Photos: The Need, Bangs, C Average & Thrones @ the Crocodile

The Need, Bangs, C Average and Thrones all played a benefit for a great cause: musician, band manager and booker Natalie Cox. Cox is being treated for cancer and if you missed this show you can still go to her blog and offer support. Thanks to Simon Krane for attending the benefit and bringing back some mighty fine shots.

Need_0045

Need_0007

Need_0049

Need_0073

Need_0130

Need_0142

Need_0314
The Need

Bangs_0165

Bangs_0174

Bangs_0187

Bangs_0245

Bangs_0250

Bangs_0249

Bangs_0300
Bangs

CAverage_0046

CAverage_0113
C Average

Thrones_0030
Thrones

DSC_0022
Merch! – all photos by Simon Krane

Show Review & Photos: New Politics @ El Corazon

New Politics’ self-titled debut came out on July 13th and I have to say it’s one of my favorite CDs of the year. I was lucky to see them last week when they headlined at El Corazon. If things go as they should in this world, they will headline at much larger venues. They’ve got an opening spot lined up for 30 Seconds to Mars, which will expose them to a bigger audience for sure. So why do I like this Danish band? Their songs are just damn great, that’s why. I like the balance of the fast-talking done by David Boyd with the screaming melodies of Søren Hansen. The trio, including drummer Poul Amaliel is exciting live and Boyd does not stop at handstands to get your attention. I love all their songs and I am hoping next time I see them they do this one live too. New Politics is danceable, unrestricted rock.

newpolitics4

newpolitics1

newpolitics2

newpolitics3

newpolitics5

newpolitics6

newpolitics7

newpolitics8

newpolitics9

newpolitics13

newpolitics14

newpolitics15

newpolitics18

newpolitics16

newpolitics17

newpolitics19

newpolitics20
New Politics – all photos by Dagmar


Gallery of New Politics @ El Corazon