MUSIC REVIEW: FABER DRIVE, Hands Down, A WINNER!

FABER DRIVE! B.C.'s got a Superstar in the Making Here!

Well, back to beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Faber Drive is a new discovery by major label, Universal Records, but likely is not a surprise to fans in B.C. and anywhere else this foursome plays. The rock group with an amazing hit like Second Chance is both poignant and powerful. It's a band with a sense of mission rather than entitlement or selfish whim. From the tearjerking Sleepness Nights, which focuses on a child's too up close and personal view of abuse, to the band's own honest surprise at its success to the band's amazing blend of songwriting, singing and instrumentals, this group is consistently surprising and extraordinary.

Is Faber Drive the next U2? I think so!

If I were deciding the Aha! Blogolicious! Media Innovation Awards right now (which I'm not, that's not until October), but if I were, I'd be giving the Overall title to this group, hands down. They are THAT good. Universal got it right and I'll bet the label is patting themselves on the back that they got a hold of this group before anyone else did. I've made the comment before that there are some great unknown, or relatively unknown bands out there--that all they need to take them to the very top is that ONE song, that ONE song that gets everyone's attention...worldwide attention. This group has not just that ONE song, but a WHOLE SLEW OF THEM!!

Amazing vocals, amazing songs, amazing musicality from the entire band. Scariest thing is that this is a very young and new group, not having been together very long--what's to come promises to be even more than what currently is--which is great songs, catchy tunes, heartfelt, penetrating lyrics and insight, and all of it delivered with energy, hope and passion. I wish I had the adjectives to properly describe the music, but as is usual when I find a group this above-and-beyond, I find myself hunting fruitlessly for an appropriately deserving description.

I'm always looking for the next Blue October or Nickelback or Fall Out Boy. I think I just found them.

In a word, just plain fricking AMAZING! If you're in Canada, consider yourself lucky and get to one of their concert dates right now!

Check them out for yourself...I mean it, do it right now!
http://www.myspace.com/faberdrive

I was going to review a second band in this article...but now, I'm not going to--it wouldn't be fair to another band to go head to head with this group. I'll save it for next week.

Have a great weekend! Darn it, amazing band...wow, still can't get over it.

CG Anderson
Little Dogs Media
Aha! Blogolicious! Musings and Meanings of Non-Sensical Events...and Canada!

REVIEW in review: Blue October and So You Think You Can Dance (the why of hits...)

Blue October and So You Think You Can Dance
--What Makes A Hit?

Well, so much for the sunshine. Here in Seattle it's back to rain, which is depressing since its June. Oh well...there should be some sunshine in August! Something to look forward to!

What makes a hit song? Or a hit show? Or a popular, legendary painting? Or a hit dancer or dance company? Really, for that matter, what in general makes a hit regardless of the type of media/medium?

Quite honestly, no one really knows for sure. If we did, you wouldn't be seeing so many substandard songs/shows/etc all around you, being pushed by marketing departments, labels, studios and networks. You also wouldn't be seeing bad copycats of hits, or lackluster shows, music and the like being pushed because they happen to have a celebrity/famous name attached.

Still, it's not a crapshoot either. It's not a totally random process. It's quite logical if you consider logical as including emotional appeal--i.e. human psychology and culture. At its core, every hit or every celebrity appeals has an emotional appeal, touching something in the fans and supplying a deep seated need. We can identify with the emotions involved, and we care because those emotions are reflected in our own identity and needs at the time.

This doesn't mean that everyone is going to like everything. It means that for a large enough group, that hit song or hit show, or that character or celebrity (singer, actor, athlete, dancer...) touches us--representing either something that we want or representing something that we believe in. Over time, our needs will change as we have different experiences. The crush on this or that singer or actor will be outgrown and replaced with someone else. The song that you were crazy about when you were 12 may not appeal so much when you are 22 nor 62 and so on--nor should it.

It's about finding things that resonate with where you are in your life and what you need. Even within the same age, you find yourself sometimes wanting to hear soothing sounds and other times wanting more excitement. It depends on your mood at the time and your life experiences--if you're stressed, then soothing helps calm you. If you need to pump yourself up, you look for driving beats and louder music. (Some people calm or pump themselves by listening to music, others by going to art galleries, others still by watching or doing dance, or reading...you get the idea.)

So let's look at a couple of examples, and in turn, you'll see why I and other 'reviewers' (and labels, and producers, and so on) often look for these traits.

Blue October (the band) has a hit song called 'Hate Me'. What makes it special? Well, it's in a popular genre, popular because driving beats and energy generate excitement (and in their own way are relaxing as well, since you can listen to rock/alt music and 'escape' from your daily stresses and pressures.) Second, it's well done musically. The blend of musicians and producer are first rate, showing maturity and experience. The vocals are pleasing to listen to yet still emotionally evocative. In other words, the singer puts real emotion into the song, real sincerity and has a voice that stays on key and is melodious to the ear. Fans can spot insincerity a mile away. When critics, judges and the like talk about 'committing to a song, or a dance' this is what they are talking about--committing emotionally to it, physically, entirely, really being vulnerable during the song, the dance, the artwork--allowing your feelings to be shown to the world, facing the fear of rejection and ridicule that we all feel when so exposed.

Finally, the song is about love, something central to being human and the experience of life. Now, lots of songs are about love (some hits, some not) so obviously there has to be more, more than a catchy melody or angst ridden vocals. The lyrics here are about the deepest form of love, the kind that puts the one you love ahead of yourself. Here, the song is about recognizing that to be selfish and keep the lover around would destroy them. Here, the song is about wanting your lover to be happy, even if that means that you must be unhappy.

Again, lots of songs talk about that--the difference here is that 'Hate Me' turns the tables. It tells a story, like any good song, so that we understand the context (why the person singing knows that they are toxic to the happiness of the one who loves them) but it also includes a twist. Instead of being direct and saying 'I'm not good for you, therefore, since I love you, you must leave me' it says instead 'Hate me. Because I love you, I want you to hate me, even if that causes me horrible pain, because I know then that you will leave and find love with someone who is good to you.' See the difference? The twist in how the story is told takes the listener by surprise and that makes the song more interesting.

That twist in how to tell the tale, adds both humor and pathos--and interest. Combine that with a great delivery (vocals, musicality, sophistication in how the song is put together) and you have a much better chance at catching the fans attention (and the labels and the critics.) If you then add in pleasing visuals (how you appear to others), then so much the better. Face it, people like to watch good entertainers. They don't necessarily have to be beautiful but they have to have that IT quality, that charismatic quality that makes you want to watch them. Part of that is learned (how to entertain, different tricks to presentation) but part of it is internal as well (who you are inside and how well you can project that outward to an audience--your presence on stage. That's harder to learn, but it can be learned...because at its heart, it's about confidence and vulnerability. (This is different than the interest generated by 'train wreck' people like Paris Hilton--that's not charisma as much as it is about fascination with pathos.)

Fully committing to what you are doing and being confident in who you are, these are components of charisma! Vulnerability is included because you have to be able to reveal the real you when you are on stage--else, you seem aloof, indifferent or worse, insincere.

Believe it or not, actors have just as much problem with this as other performers...and they are supposed to be able to project feelings as part of their job. Many have problems with this and you can see it in their performances. Being vulnerable and sincere is harder than it sounds.

That's why I reward innovation each year with the Aha! Blogolicious! Media Innovator Awards. Taking something and finding an interesting, surprising but still pleasing way to present it is a key to artistic success--and at least a hopeful chance of financial success as well.

This process applies to all the creative arts. Let's look at what's been happening with So You Think You Can Dance, since that is a combination of two types of art (television and dance.)

Yesterday, on the first elimination show, I wasn't surprised at the three couples in the bottom three, even though the judges were. The judges (dance oriented people) were surprised that Faina and Cedric were not favorites of the fans. I wasn't. The judges are likely looking at the contestants as dancers and therefore considering their entire body of work, not just their current performances or individual dance solos. They also probably ignore the personalities, except when onstage, and even perhaps the audience reaction to the performance, and focus more on the technical aspects.

My belief is that the audience, the fans, in contrast, are judging the contestants by television standards--are the dancers likeable? Do they manage to resonate with the likes, hopes and needs of the fans who watch them? It's more about the people and their current performance (entertainment value) than about their technical skill. True, the dancers can't be horrible, but the caliber of the competition rules that issue out. We've already seen with ABC's Dancing With The Stars (which uses a combination of judges and fan scores to determine rankings) that likeability plays a huge part in the process, though typically the combination of skill and likeability will ultimately determine the winner. It's not purely a popularity contest.

So why Faina and Cedric? Well, my belief is that the fans have been watching all along. They've seen how Faina complains a lot and seems to go into a 'poor little me, I'm a victim' mode when she is stressed. This may be unfair, but that is how she is being portrayed through the video footage shown. The fans also remember Nigel's dismissal of Cedric, even going so far as to say he might bring down his partner. Thus, given their so-so performance on Wednesday, it's not surprising to me that they were low on the fans' list.

However, given that, we also see how the two dance shows differ. SYTYCD doesn't really allow a lot of fan control of the situation. They've made sure that it's the judges who choose who goes and who stays (at least until the very end.) The fans only get to limit the judges choices, but cannot control the process beyond that. Even when the judges knew that certain couples performances, or individual solos were HEAVILY favored by the studio audience, the judges often ignored that audience reaction and went with their own biases. You could tell from the hisses (when the judges didn't like them) or the cheers (during the performance or the judging when it agreed with the audience) whom the studio audience favored.

Hence, I wasn't surprised at the bottom three. I wasn't surprised when Ashlee was chosen to go home. I was surprised when the judges sent Nicky home, since judging by the audience reactions to his solo (versus Cedric's solo), I, personally, would have assumed that Cedric was the one going home.

But that's the nature of subjective judging, the real surprise seems to be that the judges don't get this fact. Mary's tearful angry reaction that Faina was in the bottom group demonstrates this disconnect perfectly. She was going by Faina's auditions, not her actual performance or her victim personality that seemed to indicate that she (Faina) felt she deserved special treatment. Nigel's reactions were more subdued but then he is both a judge and the producer of the show--no matter how much he claims that he is being objective and fair, he is still thinking also like a producer. That means he's by nature trying to figure out who will make the most interesting reality game show television--reality game shows tend to need a lot of drama and will try to force it if necessary. Thus, keeping Cedric might be more motivated toward keeping a possible 'drama' moment around. He also would be aware of the actual rankings, so he could simply be choosing to drop the lowest ranked couple for convenience sake.

All this is speculation, don't mistake that. These are things that could be happening in order to make the show more interesting, as far as the producers think. Reality game shows (and this is definitely of that type) don't necessarily reflect 'reality'...hence, how contestants are portrayed can be manipulated by editing and other tricks, including subjective choices about who to drop. The only true thing you can be sure of, is that fan votes are counted and used to create the rankings. If they tried to alter that, then they'd be off the air as such a scandal broke.

But hopefully you can see that performance, personality and technique are all important--not just technique. That's why I always emphasize that how you present yourself to the world is critical to your success--and why it must be an HONEST presentation, created through vulnerability, self-confidence and sincerity. (Having a good sense of humor about yourself helps, too.)

The choices you make are your choices. You are not a victim. Being a victim doesn't sit well with others, and only results in sympathy in small doses. Most people would look at celebrities, singers, bands, dancers and others in the public eye and think 'wow, they have it all.' If those people constantly complain about their life, not appreciating what they have, then it wears thin even on the most ardent of fans. Fans are willing to show sympathy--if they genuinely like you--but how can they genuinely like you if you act entitled? Or self-serving? Or uncaring about their feelings and hopes?

Would you like someone like that? If you said yes, then I'd suggest you ask yourself 'why?' Why would you like someone that treats you badly? You deserve better. You deserve to be appreciated and loved for who you are and anyone that treats you badly, rich or poor, famous or non, isn't worthy of you.

As a performer, you are both performing for yourself and for them. You need that connection with others--for more than financial gain. It's a spiritual connection in a way--it's about being human and part of the human experience. So... Bring joy to others. Bring hope to others. The more you give unselfishly, because you honestly want to make others happy, the happier you will be -- and the more love you will receive in return. Your art will expand beyond your wildest dreams.

So, that's about it. No MySpace band music review this week. Why? Because I didn't find one that I thought had sufficient merit. Hey, it happens! Hopefully, next week, I'll have better hunting.

But at least now you can understand better what I'm looking for -- and more importantly, why I look for certain types and traits. I also believe that you don't need a major label or a celebrity connection to be a hit-maker. The best of the best didn't rely on connections or famous relations. They are passionate about what they do and unafraid to not only show that passion and emotional need, but also unafraid to put in the work required to reach a level of technical perfection to back up their passion.

That makes a potential hit.

Have a great weekend!

CG Anderson
owner & chief bottle washer
Little Dogs Media
blog: http://ahablogolicious.blogspot.com/
Aha! Blogolicious! Musings and Meanings of Non-Sensical Events and Canada... (a music/art/dance/media review site with a bit of humor to mix it up)

Remember, Obstacles are Actually Opportunities...look at the why behind the what...

Sherwood grooves and So You Think You Can Dance Turns UP the HEAT!

MySpace Record's Chooses Another Potential Hit with Sherwood...

So You Think You Can Dance! Season Three Starts Off Hot...but Kinder and Gentler (ok, a few mean digs by Nigel...but better), bucking the Fox reality trend...



It's sunny in Seattle! If you don't realize what that means, then you need to spend a year in Seattle.


Sunny and DRY days are only a bit more common that a full eclipse of the sun. Hence, the review today is short and sweet, so that I can try to get a bit of that sun to permeate my skin and toast me up beyond lukewarm. (I'll still be pale, since I believe in full sunscreen and quiver in fear when I see the leatherskin ones walk by...but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate not having to wear a coat, or even a sweatshirt! Ahhhhhh!!! Warmth! So this is what that feels like, so much better than the pictures on the Travel Channel!)

First up, looks like it's little sister and brother week at So You Think You Can Dance (season 3.) Benji's little sister as well as Travis' older brother, Danny Tidwell, are in the mix this time, as well as others. Don't know if the producers did that on purpose or not, but fans will soon have their say. Hopefully, Danny will get the heads up from those that watched the judges' reactions to his 'too calm' composure and detachment...and attempt to show a bit more involvement and emotion. Personality and a real connection to the fans (them liking you) is imperative on this show. True, Danny may be the best dancer of the bunch (haven't we heard that before?) but he needs to win over the fans and show some enthusiasm and gratitude. He has tremendous gifts and has the chance to show the world what they're missing by ignoring the world of dance. As for Lacey, Lacey's got the youthful enthusiasm, but can she, like her brother, win over fans and keep up the very strenuous pace that this show demands?

Time will tell. Next week's first competition with the chosen twenty will be something to watch, I think. And don't forget about the rest of the crew, like Hok, who have everything to gain but none of the pressure of being a 'relation.'

Season three is definitely worth watching...and kudos to the lightening up on the "Simon Cowell-esque aka Let's embarass people just for fun" attitude that those OTHER shows seem to think is a requirement.

On to music....

As promised, I'm looking at Sherwood, another MySpace Records fav. They (and MySpace Records) aren't quite in the big leagues yet, so Fall Out Boy and Blue October (two of my favs among the big timers) aren't having to look over their shoulders so far, even though Sherwood is more pop than they. However, MySpace continues to show that they have a good ear (and a good eye since the visual appeal is there as well.)

Sherwood is a pop rock group out of San Luis Obispo, California. The bouncy, high energy Middle of the Night sounds like it belongs on some TV show's soundtrack and for all I know, probably will be on one or has been already. It and the group have that energetic youthful feel so important to success in today's pop field. Just enough angst in the musicality and lyrics to make it interesting but still with a driving rock beat forcing the narrative along so that it doesn't get boring or pedantic. Listening to the lyrics yields another strong point in the band's favor, they have substance and truth. Delivered via lead singer Nate's powerful, plaintive vocals and backed up soundly by the instrumentals, this group has something to say.

And fans are listening...

See the band's MySpace page for their lengthy summer tour dates around not just the West Coast, but all over the country. Let me know if you attend one of the concerts and tell me what you think (cganders1@yahoo.com)

The bands MySpace page and four of their songs (as well as video clips) are located at
http://www.myspace.com/sherwood

Kudos to MySpace Records for picking Sherwood.

But BIGGER kudos to Sherwood for just being Sherwood.

They are memorable and it's because of their obvious talent for music and melody. The only thing that seems to be missing is that ONE song, that one, you know, that takes a band to the next level--that song that hits the charts and keeps climbing, capturing everyone's imagination. Perhaps it's there, but just not on the MySpace site yet.

And now I'm off to the sunshine before it ends all too soon (say in 4 minutes, about par for around here!)!

See you next week!

CG Anderson
owner & chief bottle washer
Little Dogs Media
blog: http://ahablogolicious.blogspot.com/ Aha! Blogolicious! Musings and Meanings of Non-Sensical Events and Canada... (a music/art/dance/media review site with a bit of humor to mix it up)

Remember, Obstacles are Actually Opportunities...look at the why behind the what...

The 2006-2007 Janus Media Review

The 2006-2007 Janus Media Review
A Look Back To Get a Look Forward

January was named after the god, Janus, who was often depicted with two heads. This was so that Janus could always look into the past (hindsight) while simultaneously looking forward into the future (foresight.)

It’s fitting then to take stock of the past year during the beginning of the next, so that in looking back, we can get an idea of what the future may bring.

These reviews on this blog have always emphasized the positive. There’s a reason for that and I’ve said it before, but it needs to be said again. There are enough people out there in your life and mine that are bound to look for the negative, for a reason to put you down, to make you feel bad about yourself and sometimes just because that’s the only way they can feel better about themselves.

Unfortunately, just as there are too many of those type of people around, including ourselves from time to time but hopefully not constantly, there is also human nature—the tendency to pay more attention to the negative and ignore the positive. Everyone’s had a situation where they get complimented nine times out of ten, but what do you pay the most attention to? Yep, the negative, the singular time that something mean or critical was said. We focus on that and if we’re not careful, we obsess over it and begin to believe it.

That’s why I don’t do negative reviews. If you get reviewed here, it means, at least in my opinion, that you are special and I see something special and significant about you. I want you to focus on the positive, to remember those nine times and not the one. I want you to remember that only you dictate your worth and your future—that belief in yourself is the most critical element to success and happiness—and it always will be. Every time you have a setback or a failure, remember that the most successful people in the world had dozens more than you—they didn’t give up. Each failure was a learning experience, a necessary step that brought them closer to that ultimate success—a true success, by their standards rather than dictated by the whims and fears of others.

That’s why I’m so critical of degrading reality shows and critics like Simon Cowell. I don’t hate them personally, but I hate what they are doing and the kind of world they are creating. Like ripples in a pond, the damage they do extends far beyond their own borders or expectations.

Believe in yourself. Have a life with no regrets. Take risks. Failure isn’t to be feared. Being afraid to take the risk and living a life of regrets is your real enemy, your mortal enemy.

That’s what the Janus Media Review is all about.
That’s also what the Aha! Blogolicious! Media Awards are about.
The awards actually started because of a spoof article that I wrote some long months back, but within each spoof is always the kernel of truth and this particular article had much more than a kernel. When I discovered that some of the fans of this person thought the award was real and were disappointed to learn it was a spoof, it got me to thinking—and I thought about it a lot. I thought about all the great musicians and artists and dancers and writers and actors and filmmakers that I’d reviewed and sometimes met.

It suddenly occurred to me that being reviewed was not enough, even a blog dedicated to the positive only. People need recognition and something tangible to remind them that they are special. They need something, sometimes, to give them that extra push to keep going, to fighting the good fight, to pick themselves up and try again. They need to know that they aren’t alone and that what they do, the effort itself, matters more than they can ever imagine.

Just like the damaging effects, the positive affects they make are also like ripples in a pond—and sometimes that pond becomes an ocean.

***

Background on the Aha! Blogolicious! Media Awards...
The awards may not be the big awards, but then again, they aren’t full of politics, intrigue, controversy either. They also aren’t about recognizing the already successful big timers.
These awards are about recognizing those who are doing great work but even more importantly are showing the potential to do so much more—to make those big ripples in their industry. That potential to really make a difference in the world, to change it for the better, within their genre perhaps but knowing that those ripples will extend far beyond those expected borders—that’s what the awards seek to encourage. That’s also what these reviews seek. The awards are just to give those that already are showing that success and yet are still showing the potential for so much more, to give them something tangible to look at and hold.

I wish I could give awards to everyone that I’ve reviewed, but I don’t have unlimited resources. So I’ll try to pick out the ones that I see having the greatest potential to change their industry and make those all important ripples, some of those waves I hope will become tsunamis. Again, it’s only my opinion and just being reviewed means that I believe in you and see things in you that even you may not appreciate yet.

The awards may not be big or important like an Emmy or a Grammy, but they are heartfelt and sincere. They are also actual trophies—I believe people should have something tangible to hold, not just a pat on the back. No, not the silly metal cup trophy, more like the acrylic engraved block on a standard base. So, no, they aren’t vaporware, they aren’t a cheesy printed certificate, they are actual engraved awards. If the winners meet the deadline for getting back to me, that is…

The award recipients are the award recipients, but I only want to make sure that those that actually care about getting an actual trophy are the ones that get a real trophy.

Anyone who has been the subject of a review and is currently on My Friends list with a still valid and existing MySpace page is eligible (with one notable award exception.) You also stay eligible forever. So just because someone didn’t get the nod this year, doesn’t mean that they won’t in a subsequent year. Sometimes, I need to see progression since the awards are about innovation and potential for success, rather than current success.

So the winners must message my MySpace account on or before February 15, 2007 in order to receive an actual trophy. For those that don’t care, that only want the big awards, they won’t bother with the validation requirements. Oh yes, there will be a few simple hoops to jump through in order for me to be sure that the people contacting me are the actual people who won. No reps allowed, no fakes allowed. Everyone who has won has a MySpace account and I know what they look like—so the first step will be for them to use that account to send me a message (to my MySpace Account Only!) with a valid return Non-MySpace email address (since I can’t reply via MySpace still) and then I’ll give them the details.

This is the internet and I’m all too aware of how easy it is to pretend to be someone else—so I’m trying to take precautions. And the deadline is there so that the winners won’t have to wait too long while I order the custom awards. So the deadline is firm and obviously the winners would have to read this review in order to find out that they’ve won.

This review is the only notification they will receive. (Again, if they don’t care about an online review and this medium, then perhaps I’m wrong about their potential to change their industry—perhaps they’ve already bought into the politics and will go with whatever the moneymen say.)

The only exception to this is the award that started it all—the Lifetime Achievement MediaMaker award. Call it guilt if you like, since the award nominee was the subject of a spoof (and each year another nominee will be selected and subjected to a spoof), but that individual will be notified by other means—usually their agent, if I can determine their agent. In the case of the 2006 nominee winner, I have a fair idea of who his agent is.

***

It’s Been an Interesting Year
For the arts, it’s been a year of triumphs and tragedies. Dance began to come into the limelight after some warming up years where the TV world began to see that dance could be center stage rather than simply backup dancers in a music video. Music saw the domination and possible overexposure of rap, maybe signaling its demise from coolness and decent into bland and egocentric commerciality. Rock and alternative began to see a reemergence, hopefully making young fans realize that Rock is timeless—liking it doesn’t mean you are the same as your parents. Liking it means that the Age of Rock you see is unique to your generation, just as the now classic rock ages of old, were unique to their generations. Music still fills a basic need in the human soul, and driving beats and emotionally wrenching lyrics are driven not by genre but by generation. (Beethoven was a rock star of his time and his music just as controversial. We consider it tame now…but they didn’t then. Beethoven rocks…and he did rock back then, just as Blue October or Panic at the Disco! rock now. They’ll be the Beethovens of our time, as seen in the future…a little unsettling to think about, but true. No matter how cool you think you are now, the generations after will think you’re completely out of touch and ‘un’. Get used to it.)

Why do I think Rap may have peaked? Well, when it seems like 90% of the music you hear on the radio is rap, that’s not a good sign, especially when most of it is only by a few well-established names and then played ad nauseam. That means the recording companies are pushing it too hard and the raps themselves are too often trivial and pointless. When it seems like every other recording star is dressing and acting like a rapper, and even trying to do raps themselves whether it suits them or not, then perhaps you’ve got something that’s gone too commercial -- and dilution and boredom are the only result.

The rap I’m hearing on the radio isn’t striking me as cool anymore, or even inventive that much—it’s trite and egocentric and ultimately meaningless. No ripples, at least not good ones here. Some are in there trying to improve it, trying to fuse it with their own styles, though so far I haven’t seen any of the popular artists really hit that mark yet. I applaud the effort, even though I usually cringe at the result—I don’t think that the big time artists may be able to put their egos away long enough to really get the fusion right. It’s still too much about them and not anyway near enough about the music.

On the other hand, rock (the contemporary version of today that evolved by being fused or affected by all the other forms) may resurge once more, giving the ever popular ‘pop’ a run for its money. In turn, Pop may turn away from Rap, as will Hip Hop, and both be more influenced by rock, alternative, fusion, techno and other forms more commonly seen in Europe, as well as the continuing influence of African, Asian and especially, Indian music.)

We should continue to see an evolving, entertaining and interesting mix result in all forms of music, including those that practice Rap but seek to say something with their work, rather than simply be another Pop Rap or Macho I’m a Gangsta Rap. Then again, if the recording companies have their way, meaning only push the established winners no matter what they come up with or rip off, we may be subjected to a lot more of the same, regardless of quality.

It may sound like I’m down on rap, and yes, I am, but only because of the reasons already stated. When rap is done well, it’s amazing and progressive. In fact, I could say the same about all forms of music, dance, art and media. It’s ok to be entertaining, in fact, the best examples almost always are, but the best also are inventive and push us, the listener/watcher, into new territory as well. The best make ripples. The best of the best, make tsunamis.

So what am I listening to now in terms of the big names?... other than what I’m listening to and reviewing on MySpace?

Here’s some of what I’m listening to, off the top of my head:
Blue October “Hate Me”
Panic! at the Disco “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”
Nickelback “Far Away”
Fall Out Boy “Dance, Dance”
Cartel “Honestly”
The Fray “How To Save A Life”
Shakira “Hips Don’t Lie”
K.T.Tunstall (or Tunsdell?) “Suddenly I see…”
Justin Timberlake “SexyBack” (the cute masochistic version on the CD, not the creepy, sadistic version he’s been singing lately, like at the MTV Music Awards and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show…in fact, I’m almost off that song now because of those performances…maybe he and girlfriend Cameron really are having problems…)

The world of dance has seen an expansion of its audience as shows that focus on dance gain popularity, like ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance. The effects of that growing popularity are harder to predict. This goes for the world of visual arts as well. Neither area is as pervasive or as broad as music, but we’ve seen (and so have media producers) a good start—and proof that dance can bring in an audience, and therefore dance shows can be profitable. Without that profit potential, you won’t get the television shows or films—that’s just how things work. Media can’t flourish without an audience. If you don’t support it, you won’t see it. It really is entirely up to you—the good and the bad of it.

Visual arts haven’t really surged into the public mind beyond where they’ve been for a long time now and I don’t really see that changing any time soon. Too many people still think of art as something for other people, not them. Still, as more artists from other fields (music, dance, TV/film, writing) are affected by the visual arts, then we’ll continue to see subtle effects in those other works. Perhaps occasionally someone major, someone famous and influential, will not do the ‘little art film’, a tokenization that is automatically categorized as something ‘less’, but will rather incorporate art into something very big, very commercial and very noticeable—not an ‘art’ film, but a film that stylistically breaks all boundaries and makes us look beyond the stereotypes. The same goes for music or dance, but likely, it will take a visual medium to really spotlight the visual arts. It's done it before. Likewise, while TV/film and books are widespread and range from experimental to ultra commercial, hopefully, the practice of copycatting will decrease and innovative, fresh works will become more appreciated. Hopefully, reality shows will fall from favor, too, since they just train the viewers to expect so little and train the moneymen in charge of production to go for the cheap rather than going for and investing in quality.

Still, in terms of what I’m seeing on the ‘Net, and especially MySpace, I’m excited about 2007. With over 100,000 bands on MySpace alone, and a growing number of artists, dance groups and filmmakers on MySpace (and YouTube), there’s a lot of innovation and potential out there. Yes, there is also a lot of crap, but why should the ‘Net be any different than the offline world of media?

The Aha! Blogolicious! Media Award Winners
To win any of these awards, you must have been a subject of either a REVIEW or (in the case of the first award) the subject of a spoof—namely a spoof of you as a nominee winner of the MediaMaker award, which only happens to one individual a year (at best.) If no candidates are considered worthy, then no awards will be given. So not all awards are guaranteed to be awarded every year, it will vary with the selection of review candidates.

The Aha! Blogolicious! MediaMaker Lifetime Achievement Nominee Award – this award goes to someone who has already achieved success in at least one media field or subfield and is showing some success in another field or subfield as well. This award is about being an up and coming multi-mediaist with the potential to achieve and rock their industry. It started as a spoof, with there only being nominees, not actual award winners, for this Lifetime Achievement Award, since the award itself can only finally be decided between the nominees post-humorously. That being the only true way to evaluate a life’s work, you see. Future nominee winners will also be the subject of a spoof specifically about this award.

2006 nominee winner – Gordon Michael Woolvett, actor/director/writer/filmmaker link to spoof article that started it all

2006 Aha! Blogolicious! Overall Media Innovator Winner – this award goes to a individual or group that I feel has the potential to not only succeed but to reinvigorate their entire genre as well as the entire industry itself. To win this award is tough and I’ll only award it if I find an individual or group that I think can really impact their ENTIRE industry. This year, I was lucky, one group was an obvious choice, because they left me wanting more when I heard them, though some of the other winners almost beat them out in the end. That group, a band, is

Summit Avenue (Alternative/Pop) related review & their myspace site is summitavenue

2006 Aha! Blogolicious! Media Innovator Winners -- this award goes to any individual or group that I feel can not only succeed but innovate their genre, bringing a fresh new perspective and new twists to their music, art, film, dance, etc., regardless of their particular genre. Any individual or group that I find that meets these requirements will win, since it isn’t about a category of media, but more about what they bring to the world of media. If I don’t find a particular type of media genre winner, then I don’t try to force it by giving it to a group in that genre. This is about innovation and potential to make an impact—not filling a slot. Some that would have been winners either dropped their sites or changed their page removing the (typically musical) innovations that attracted me in the first place, with the replacements not nearly so exciting, so they aren’t listed unfortunately, so abstract rap, a fun group with a silly prehistoric name, some experimental/electronica and a metal group that disappeared aren’t in mix this year.

There are still several winners this year, they are, in no particular order:

Three Second Delay (Alternative/Rock) related review & their myspace site is 3secdelay

Marianas Trench (Rock/Pop Punk) related review & their myspace site is marianastrench

Westcott & Rodway (Acoustic/Classical/Jazz) related review & their myspace site is westcottandrodway

Perceptions (short 5 minute online film) related review & their myspace site is perceptionsthemovie

There are no visual artists this year. I looked at some wonderful work from a few that I found, but I didn’t feel they were necessarily going to shake up the art world. I could be wrong and I hope they prove me wrong, just as I hope anyone I review goes on to great things. So the fault lies with me, but nonetheless, no visual artists this year are in the final mix. This award is about making a visual impact on the art world, as presented on the Internet. If you’re work isn’t on the ‘Net, I won’t see it. It does not mean you have to do your work electronically, just present some form of it here. Visual artists have been tougher for me to find on MySpace and the leads from readers have been few, so obviously, musicians dominate this years Aha! Blogolicious! Media Awards, but that may change in future years.

As for dance, the focus is on dance, but that doesn’t imply automatically a dancer or dance company. Since we are dealing with media on the ‘Net, it’s about presenting dance in an innovative way, and about showing the potential to make an even greater impact on the genre in the future. The focus is on dance and dancing, but the presentation is via media that can translate well on the ‘Net, whether it be film clips, photographic stills, or something else.

And if you’re wondering why I didn’t choose a TV show or a magazine, well, let’s just say the jury is still out on some of the other dance related areas. Remember, innovation and potential to really impact the industry is a prime requirement. Also remember, that these awards go, not to the already big and successful who probably don’t care about a piddling little award that isn’t controlled by Hollywood or New York, but to the up and comers that are still battling to make it big. So a TV show may already be seen as successful – not always, but in this case (dance), yes. Individual dancers might be chosen, but again, it’s about their presentation on the ‘Net of their innovation and talents, so if I didn’t find enough to convince me, well, then that’s my excuse here. Send me pointers to evidence if you want to see someone considered as a future review candidate and therefore become eligible as a potential 2007 winner.

Remember, I’m looking for potential to not only succeed but to change their entire genre or industry in some significant way—to really evoke change and innovation. I’m looking for the next Blue October, or JibJab or Harlem Dance. To do that is difficult and some of the most successful artists of our time wouldn’t make the cut—they may be financially successful with large followings, but they may not really make any significant contribution that will last beyond their own lifetime or even their own fifteen minutes of fame.

Then again, as always, remember, these awards are based on subjective opinion and opinions can always be wrong, I know that. So don’t be too cross if you’re favorite isn’t here. I may have missed some important clue that you picked up on, or they may still get an award in the coming years, as I see the impact of their work and their potential come more to the fore. At least, you and I are in there trying to spot the gems now—rather than letting the moneymen decide for us. If you’re reviewed at all on this blog, at any time, then it means I believe in you and your potential. These particular awards though, are limited, so I have to try to find and pick the ones I think will go the distance and make those eventual tsunamis.

Congratulations to all the 2006 year winners.

Remember, the deadline is February 15, 2007 from the winner’s MySpace account, their MySpace account that is already on my friend list only, messaged privately via message (not comment—comments will not count) to my inbox including a valid email account for return regular email messages. The return email message will detail the validation process next steps. NO EXCEPTIONS, SORRY! (This is to ensure that the award trophy goes to the legitimate winners only.) If you miss the deadline, all you’ll get is a cheesy printed certificate.

CG Anderson
Little Dogs Media
Aha! Blogolicious!

This article may be copied in whole or in part, as long as fair use rules are observed, no parts are modified from the original and credit given when quoted or reposted.
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REVIEW: Driveblind, rappers, hip hop, a videographer and a young lady named Brooke

REVIEW: Driveblind, rappers, hip hop, a videographer and a young lady named Brooke

A band that left me speechless, rap from the Bay Area to Baltimore, Abstract to Soulful Hip Hop, a young pop singer with unusual depth in her lyrics, and the "totally cool" videos of videographer/producer Cool-ness!

I was going to talk about messages and context in this week's review but I've decided that I'm going to hold off on the really deep stuff until after I've reviewed some more rappers. Why? Because what I say might upset some people and I want to carefully phrase it and control the context as much as I can in this particular instance.

Human brains automatically seek patterns. It's hardwired into us but it doesn't mean that we are hardwired. We seek patterns even if no pattern exists. That, we can't help, but if we understand our nature then perhaps we'll stop jumping to conclusions, eager to stereotype others (who in turn stereotype us) and in doing so, turn a blind eye toward anything that doesn't fit with our version of the world. Those are the blinders you need to learn to take off. That is the nature of understanding your message and how it is perceived—that is context.

I say "Madonna." Am I talking about the religious icon or the singer? Or both? What about the need to be loved? Love is contextual? Yes. Think about what the term means to you versus what form that love must take according to your own traditions, cultural upbringing, and things like that. What about hate? Or sin? Or the term "victim?" What about derogatory slurs against a racial, ethnic, or religious group? Or sexist attitudes? Or attitudes toward sexual preference or choice of job or choice of music or economic status? Get the idea? Context is everywhere.

Did you know that the use of color and sound can have different meanings to difficult cultures? Images that are common in one culture and harmless can have vastly different meanings across cultural boundaries. (Marketing people go nuts over this kind of stuff, especially when they have to worry about targeting the same message for different countries with different and very vague or specific cultural rules...or subcultures within that country or area.) Context and messages are both simple and complex. We as humans make it so. We are not immune but we can be aware—of our own reactions, others' reactions and what message we are possibly sending to others.

So what message are you conveying and how much control do you really have? What happens when you become an international level artist? Think about all the cultures that you are impacting. The potential for damage (emotional and economic) is frightening. Maybe that's why the bigwigs are so afraid of the extremes or the unproven groups. How will another culture, a new market react to them? Will they cry out for blood or reach out in peace? A worldview is even harder to deal with than a national, statewide, city or local neighborhood view--but it's just as important, especially to you as an artist since you want to send your message and be sure it's heard and heard correctly. And even when you have the bigwigs helping you, it's still up to you. You need to understand your contextual meaning.

So no pressure, eh? Maybe it's better if we work to make individuals (from those other cultures) see a wider perspective, with an understanding of different views and a sense of humor that allows all of us to realize that, of course, cultural mores are going to be accidentally and sometimes purposely transgressed...the nature of art is to explore and express. But if we can't see that perspective within our own cultures and our own art, how can we expect others to respect us or our work? If you can't see the art in rap or the art in opera or the art in dance or the art in (fill in the blank) then how can you expect other people to see the art in your work?

Take the blinders off, accept that there are going to be some things that you will like and others that you will not...but overall, accept that the range is wider than your own view and is neither absolutely right nor absolutely wrong (whether you like it personally or not)…and therefore, allow your filters to be reset.

Doesn't seem fair, does it? I'm not picking on you, personally. An up-and-coming artist has as much responsibility as an established professional. We, the audience, can tell when you aren't being true just as we can tell when you're being bigoted or narrow-minded or hateful or fearful. You don’t have to like someone else's work or their politics or a situation, but if you don't react blindly, but think first about not just yours but all the perspectives involved, then you'll be the one with the fuller understanding of life (and art.) You'll be coming from a place of maturity and thought—and we, as an audience, all of us diverse and with our own feelings on such matters, will actually hear you better and appreciate your viewpoints (even if we don't agree with them.)

It's much easier for us to ignore someone ranting and raving on a street corner (or from a pulpit or from a TV screen or trying to bully us or scare us) than it is to ignore someone who understands the issue and is actively seeking a better way to not only solve the problem but "see" the problem.

It goes deeper than that, however. Everything you do and learn will find a way into your work. Your art and your life merge into each other—you can't help it. That also means that a deficit in your art or your life will hurt since one bleeds into the other. Everything affects your work—for your life is intimately a part of your work and affects every aspect of what you do, whether you realize it or not. We, the viewer, more often than not, do realize it...even if we can't understand why that strange "offness" is there when we watch you or hear you or view your work.

"Who you are" is part of your context, you need to be aware of that. And as you grow and change over time, so will your work. However, will that inevitable growth lead to improvement or devolve into something small and insignificant?

I write spoofs/satires as well as serious articles. I'm well aware of context and its effects. In humor, these same issues are covered, but in those spoofs, I just poke fun rather than analyze too much. Some people find them funny, getting the references, rolling in the aisles, but some don't get the references and don't find them funny at all. It's about context – understanding the sub-context is important in art, music, and life. (Oh and yes, I realize that some just don't like them period, regardless of whether they get them or not. I just don't meet their criteria of funny and that's fine, a lot of what others find funny, I don't either. For example, I really can't take much of "jackass-type" humor, or "punked" humor...I find it too cruel...or anything that makes light of serious issues close to my heart like animal abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, and so forth...you understand. Those are filters that I don't intend to change... Point is, that's my choice, and therefore if people don't find my humor funny, I can understand that I might be pushing the wrong buttons for them as well.) Ever watched a film and found that you were laughing your ass off, but your friend (or others around you) weren't laughing at all, or were laughing at different parts of the movie, parts that you didn't think were really that funny? Or that sad? Or that incendiary? That's context. With a movie and just you and your friends, it's pretty innocent—but what if your music or your art or your words incite people to riot or kill or hate? That's context.

Can you control context? You can try, but not always. Paul Arden versus Herman Hesse, for example. Both men deal with message and meaning and cultural biases and images portrayed, stereotypes, perceptions... Arden is an advertising man. Hesse was a German writer of fiction, but social commentary was laced throughout his story. Both understand the human being and the human being within the human condition...and use that to make the rest of us understand their message, regardless of how we go about perceiving the message. We still get it, and typically, we understand their message, their actual intended message and their intended context. We get that message despite whatever path of internal bias and internal perception that that message had to traverse in order to get into our heads. Both of these men are masters at getting their point across, regardless of what blinders we, the target audience, happen to be wearing.

You can control context, but it takes a lot of work and a lot of understanding. It takes practice like everything else.

What internal bias, you ask, am I talking about blinders again? Yes, but even more so, it goes back to pattern finding and stereotyping as an easy way to deal with other people. I'm not just talking about racial prejudice or the usual favorite topics of TV news commentators. Just understand that where you come from shapes you and it shapes your reactions, but you can choose your reactions. For example, I love science fiction but I also love literature. I've found both groups a trifle "blinder-ized."

Sci-Fi readers are often rather snobby about other forms of art, perhaps because they feel defensive, or picked on because often Sci-Fi isn't seen as serious writing or taken as seriously as say, Faulkner, by the "literature" people. It's dumb, because science fiction is usually chock full of cultural and social commentary, just like "Literature." So maybe it's the literature snobs that need to realize that their filters are the ones that need adjusting. Then again, many people in the "arts" say they hate TV and film, that nothing worthwhile is to be found there... bull. They also need to stop reacting because of their insecurity.

There are lots of crappy things in all the arts, in fact, in every field--science, business, art, or you name it. The main thing is to look for the gems, not just the ones in your own little group of preferences, but in the areas that you don't like as well, the fields of music or art or theatre or film or writing that you don't think you like. Your work and your life will be richer for it.

Stop judging every book by just one cover.
That cover might just be you.

So did I find some folks with something relevant to say? Beyond an obvious nod to Blue October and their songs, Into the Ocean, What If We Could and especially Hate Me, which is a wonderful example of a great compelling song that shows emotional vulnerability, putting everything on the line and into the performance and at the same time a sense of self-discovery and perception about life and love and well, messing it all up.

Other than that, did I find some up-and-comers? Yes. Some are just fun, some are intriguing and show potential and one completely stunned me.

Brooke (no last name given) is a young lady (I'm guessing under eighteen and possibly a young teen) with the ambition to be a singer. She definitely can sing with a pleasant voice that hasn't fully matured yet and a pleasant Disney teen pop musicality and appealing appearance. The interesting thing about her is the lyrics to her songs--they are very mature for someone that age. I'm assuming that she wrote her songs but I can't be sure, her site is very sparse with practically no relevant information on her as an artist. The tunes are still a little awkward but generally well-crafted but the lyrics are wonderful. Girl Like That stands out as both the most pop and the most introspective, with Angry Girl a second favorite. Only because it's a music site can I be sure that it's meant to be a public (and not personal) web page. I expect that some label will hear those songs and seek to develop her very soon.

Cool-ness (yes, that's the name he gives) is a videographer/producer living in New York City who doesn't make the 10 second download rule, or even the 2 minute download sell. However, it's only because it's all videos on his site. He combines fashion and music, BMX and music, music performance, you name it and music in his short and not-so-short videos. According to his site, he is producer of an editorial TV show in Manhattan. If you have a fast link to the 'Net, check out some of his vids, especially the fashion show ones.

Federall, together with other artists he has pulled together, has put out a compilation CD of rap of their work. Most of what I heard was gangsta rap--angry, street talking tough, profanity laced and (remember the idea of context, and how you perceive yourself as well as what you say tells others how to perceive you) and racial slur laced rap about gang life in the 'hood. However, it isn't just a lot of same-old talk, there are interesting lyrics which do suggest a hidden meaning and an underlying sense of despair--that political hypocrisy and societal influences are at work and that the street life being lived isn't by choice but a matter of survival. There is a sense that some of the raps understand that real life and perceived-as-seen-on-TV-by-outsiders life are two very different things. Therein, lies the hypocrisy, however, the philosophy and perception seem unable to reach beyond that into finding other alternatives to the problem. What's Beef was the most interesting of the group to me, both musically (with interesting beats that didn't sacrifice the expected form of standard rap tunes) and lyrically. I also found Get It While It's Hot a humorous, fun departure from the other three tunes--and a welcome counterpoint to the hard, biting bravado of the others.

O&O from the group S.O.N.N. was a rap and hip hop mix. Again, we see the story of life on the street and a rage against hypocrisy and the effect of stereotypes on the psyche, but using the smoother, gentler delivery of hip hop. A delivery that does not sacrifice the purpose or drive of the music or the message. The sounds/samples/musicality was lighter and less intrusive than with the Bay area rappers of Federall, and the rappers' voices come through much clearer. It is definitely relevant in message, a social commentary that shows and understands the issues involved. It understands both the absurdities involved and the sense of desperation felt by those trapped in this world, trapped in part by their own views of themselves and in part by the stereotypical views of others. The message is serious but the music is pleasant and glides down easy. I would have preferred to hear more full-length songs rather than the snippet sets used for two of the tracks, but even within the snippets, it was easy to perceive this gifted talent. Never Will Lose It was my favorite of the group.

Justin Ambush and Khalil definitely had my full attention. He describes himself (Ambush) as an independent producer out of Baltimore but it is the tracks where he raps that I really care about. Again, like O&O, his stuff is less about general anger and living a violent street life and more about as he called it, Abstract Hip Hop. It's about asking questions, real honest probing questions and truly wondering if there are answers to be found. His work is very profound, it is very introspective even to the depth of realizing that real answers, like real solutions, are about finding real justice and tolerance and not about just playing the blame game or lashing out. He calls it Abstract Hip Hop. He says he wants to talk about more than money or women or cars. He says music is about pulling emotion out of you. I agree and he certainly did. He did and he does. The tracks are clear, catchy, easy to understand, profound and with very, very inventive beats, samples and instrumentals. No Fear is fantastic, in my humble opinion. It's hard but with interesting twists, easy to understand but thoughtful and provoking and very clear as well as clever. Someone sign these guys--they truly have something important and relevant to say and can say it so that we, the listeners, don't mind hearing their message and thinking about their music. They entertain and provoke, exactly what true art should do.

Driveblind is a rock band in Los Angeles but hailing from Aberdeen, Scotland (UK.) They will soon be releasing their first CD. All I can say and could say when I first heard them, right from the first few seconds of the first playing track on MySpace was....WOW! I was stunned and that doesn't happen very often. I literally have no words to describe these guys and no concerns or criticisms. I could listen to them for hours, especially Silhouette and All I Want. They meet every criteria I set and go beyond. They are entertaining, relevant, talented, gifted...name the positive adjective and I'll probably use it. So I'll settle on WOW. Go hear these guys and decide for yourself--but as for me, I need no more convincing. This group deserves to be huge.

So head on over to their sites and give these folks a friendly shout. They all have something interesting and relevant and entertaining to say about life and living.

Driveblind is at www.myspace.com/driveblind
Justin Ambush & Khalil is at www.myspace.com/trackology
O&O from the group S.O.N.N. is at www.myspace.com/sonn4eva
Fedarell (Street Confessions compilation CD) is at www.myspace.com/fedarell
Cool-ness is at www.myspace.com/originaltotallycool
Brooke is at www.myspace.com/brookesings

If you know of an artist (music, dance, visual arts, theatre arts, film arts—like lighting design, etc.) that deserves some attention, give me a shout. They need to have a MySpace page or other website that showcases their work—this so I can look at it and so I can point readers to their work. If their art is kinetic (kinetic sculpture or dance—i.e. movement) then still photographs are good but a clean, clear video is better (along with still images!) You can find me at MySpace or can email me through this blog.

This article may be copied in whole or in part, as long as fair use rules are observed, no parts are modified from the original and credit is given when quoted or reposted.

CG Anderson is a 10 year new media provocateur involved in media, art, technology and the online world. Also a writer, blogger and novelist. CG's comments are personal and opinionated and solely the responsibility of the author, so there. Don't like the opinions, disagree, agree, don't know? Great, make a comment—clean ones will be allowed, netiquette-challenged ones will be ignored!
MySpace site: http://www.myspace.com/ahablogolicious Help me reach 1 million friends. Add yourself as my friend today and get your friends to do the same! Thank you so much! Together we can bring great artists to a wider audience!
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