So I’m officially addicted to Pearl Jam’s new album, Backspacer.

BUT not at first.

There was the initial single, “The Fixer”, a poppy, melodic, bright rock song that has been featured in Target commercials and TV ads. There was also the premiere of “Get Some”on Conan O’Brien’s debut of The Tonight Show, but it wasn’t the greatest performance and didn’t really get me. I was excited for this new album, but doubtful. It’s a shame watching a band continue long after they’re any good at it (The Rolling Stones, Hootie & The …

“It hurts when you say that I ain’t the one, you haters/How did I become your favorite?/I need to know ‘cuz I care/I need you to love me, I swear.”
Need insight into the new, post-retirement Jay-Z? Look no further than this line from the Jay-Z/Kanye West collabo, “Hate”, a sinister track on the Brooklyn MC’s upcoming “Blueprint 3″. After a break that would have ruined lesser careers, Jay came back with “Kingdom Come”, “American Gangster”, and now the third installment of the Blueprint trilogy – all great albums from an …

Almost all of the time, you’re sure where a rap video is headed. Not this time!

In keeping with the recent Grammy tradition of honoring albums that may not have had blockbuster sales, this year’s Album of the Year goes to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant for their T-Bone Burnett-produced album, Raising Sand.  The album is an impeccable piece of music, a travelogue of an ancient American musical landscape that stills and stirs at the same time. The duo’s “Please Read the Letter” also won the Record of the Year award, as well as Best Pop Collaboration w/ Vocals for “Rich Woman”, Best Country Collaboration w/ …

Whether or not you’re a fan of Scarlett Johansson, you’ve got to give her props for a couple of reasons.
1. She’s a pretty good actress
2. She’s got great taste in music.
Last year saw Little Miss S (shout out to Edie Brickell!) release an album of Tom Waits covers that was chewed up and spit out by the blogosphere, most likely due to the fact that these people have no appreciation for the genius of Mr. Waits and his music. Now, she’s back on wax with a contribution to the soundtrack …

If you watch much video on the “internets” these days, you’ve surely realized that every other rapper and mixtape DJ (known and unknown) has entered the video blogging arena. In my opinion, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything as entertaining as New Jersey MC Joe Budden’s “JoeBuddenTV” YouTube channel.
From behind-the-scenes studio clips to Budden politicking with his Slaughterhouse partners Royce and Joell Ortiz, the videos show a more grown-up side of Hip-Hop than most documentaries. Gone are the blunts and the 40-oz. bottles – Budden and company eschew the b.s. …