Deep Thoughts on the Grammys

A recent poll suggests that 80 percent of television viewers will not be tuning in to the 2007 Grammy Awards on Sunday. And this makes us…sad. Love them. Hate them. But you musn’t ignore the Grammys. Sure, the award show proves time and again that it’s out of touch with music on a number of levels (see below). Sure they drag on for hours, leaving you practically catatonic and drooling into your Cheetos during Bob Smith’s twelve-minute acceptance speech for Best Pan Flute Album Performed by a Left-Handed North-Umbrian award. Yes, the jokes are lame, the applause is forced and everyone in the audience seems to be counting down the minutes before he or she can start getting wasted/smoke a cigarette/gouge his or her eyes out with a fork. But really, this is not a new phenomenon. Have the Grammys ever been fun to watch? Save a few stellar performances in recent years (Prince with Beyonce, the White Stripes), it’s almost always been a race to the finish-line, a means to an end. And that end is the water cooler, around which we rally to praise or disparage the winners and losers, rehash the evening’s poignant or ridiculous moments and, of course, analyze the year’s latest fashion victims. In the age of Tivo, it’s easy to blow the less exciting portions of the show (that’d be about 80 percent of it), but for the full experience, one must soldier through the whole mind-numbing shebang

taken from
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/category/2007-grammy-awards/

Kosheen

Back with their long-awaited third album, Damage, Bristol's electro-drum'n'bass trio are back and, having not attracted much attention ahead of its release, are touring through the UK and Europe till the end of the year. Judging by a pretty packed out Koko, there's still enough interest out there to make them viable.

The setlist comprised of a good mix of their three albums, with most of the singles getting an airing. However, the band began with a clutch of tracks from the new album, showcasing they still have a knack at creating hook-laden, emotional electro tunes. Moody title track Damage, recent single Overkill and Chances, another stand-out track from the album all set a high standard for the night.

If you're a fan of Sian Evans's voice, then she recreates its quality beautifully live. A superb frontwoman, she knew that the crowd was there to support the band, and she was all too happy to connect and chat with us. Her speaking voice is a soothing, soft South Wales accent, but when she sings she certainly has the range and confidence to not only belt out her vocals, but to test and alter the vocals a bit, creating slightly new different perspectives on old melodies.

As the band made their way through that back catalogue, the likes of Empty Skies, Hide U and a phenomenal Hungry reminded their (by now manically dancing) audience of how many good singles they've put out. For a band known for their drum'n'bass stylings, the drumming on the likes of Hungry and (Slip and Slide) Suicide was superb. They also threw in a reward to the fans in the form of Dangerous Waters, a single released in 1999 before they joined Moksha Records. If there was one criticism to be made, it was that their breakbeats could do with some beefing up to stop them sounding lightweight and perhaps reminiscent of the backing on Babylon Zoo's Spaceman.

They chose well from the new album with Sian demonstrating some, let's say interesting, dance moves on Same Ground Again, and showcasing the brilliant, epic Wish You Were Here. Difficult second album Kokopelli was largely ignored, although those who were there wouldn't have forgiven them if they hadn't played a rousing All In My Head. By the time Catch ended proceedings, the crowd was uncontainable.

It was obvious that Sian was truly grateful to the fans and their support. She was charming and humble all night. If Kosheen are your bag at all, then try to get to a gig because even those songs that are so-so on record really come to life live.

taken from
http://www.musicomh.com/gigs/kosheen-2_0907.htm

Britney hit and run charge

Britney Spears is in yet more legal trouble - the Los Angeles City Attorney has filed hit and run charges against her.

The troubled pop superstar has ended a week in which her lawyer and manager both quit her employ as she fought her ex-husband for child custody with a new legal headache.

It dates back to a parking lot incident on 6 August, which was caught on camera by paparazzi photographers.

Careless Spears accidentally collided with Kim Robard-Rifkin's vehicle as she tried to park her Mercedes Benz in Van Nuys, California.

After inspecting the damage on her own car, Spears failed to contact Robard-Rifkin in accordance with California law.

And that's not the only driving charge the City Attorney dropped on the pop star on Friday - she also faces a misdemeanour count of driving without a valid California license.

Each charge carries a maximum of six months in jail.

Britney's arraignment hearing is set for October 10 in Van Nuys Superior Court.

And the latest controversy seems to have turned Spears into a wreck - she was spotted sobbing while shopping in Los Angeles as the news of her driving crimes broke.

Earlier this week, a Los Angeles judge ruled the pop star would be subjected to random drug and alcohol testing twice a week as part of her ongoing child custody battle with ex Kevin Federline. The pair must also attend parental councilling sessions.

taken from
http://www.music-news.com/ShowNews.asp?nItemID=15298

Justin backs Britney

Justin Timberlake has admitted that he sympathises with troubled singer Britney Spears.

He also denied rumours that he's teaming up with his former girlfriend.

Timberlake said: "There's no ill will. I have nothing but love for her. She has a huge heart. She is great person."

In the past few months, Spears has shocked the world by stripping off for a skinny dip and by attempting to relaunch her career with a disastrous performance on the MTV Video Music Awards.

Her parenting skills have also been called into question in her custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

A judge has now ordered her to take random drug tests. But if Justin is to be belived the Toxic star is being misjudged.

taken from
http://www.music-news.com/ShowNews.asp?nItemID=15297