AbrielleNewton

Who Says Graffiti Has to Stick to the Streets?

Notorious for their angsty and anarchist tendacies, it's hardly ever a shocker when news breaks of "street artists taking a stand". However, when one discovers that stand is against the streets themselves, a grafitti artist's canvas, jaws tend to drop. Artists like Kidult, Blu, Maismenos, and Katsu are revolutionizing the street art scene, taking it off the sides of buildings and construction sites and delivering it to a more permadent home, on your computer screens. The mission: to create peices best experienced via the web. Using the internet how the streets were used in the past, these neo-graffiti artists take full advantage of the platform, actualizing what may seem fake or impossible, and making it look damn good.

Washed Out- Within and Without

Two years after the debut of his first EP Life Of Leisure, Ernest Greene, nom de guerre Washed Out, is due to release his full-length album Within and Without , and to think it was all prompted by blogging hipsters. If Life Of Leisure, recorded and produced in Greene's bedroom studio, was able to gain both momentum and acclaim dispite it's humble beginnings, one can only imagine the wrath Within and Without will unleash on the synth pop scene, especially since Green has recently signed with the label Sub Pop. The good news is, you won't have to wait too long because the album is scheduled to drop in a mere week on July 12th. The records nine tracks are awash with programmed beats, synthesizers, keyboards, and of course Washed Out's trade mark sweeping multi-tracked vocals, establishing it as a must have for the summer months.

Kasabians At It Again.

Kasabian have revealed a series of new song titles off their upcoming album-rumored to drop sometime in 2011. Guitarist, Serge Pizzorno, has said that he wants the forthcoming album to emulate Radiohead's 'OK Computer'. "Not necessarily the sound," Pizzorno explained, "but 'OK Computer', as a record that just makes you go, 'Wow' [is the inspiration]. I want to aim for something that's as incredible as that, just the feeling of being blown away that you get from that." The band have been hard at work on the new album since earlier this year, and have recently ventured off to San Francisco California to complete it with Dan the Automator, the producer of their last album ‘West Ryder Lunatic Pauper Asylum. Songs set to feature include ‘Switchblade Smile’, ‘Neon Noon’, Goodbye Kiss’, I Hear Voices’, ‘Shelter From The Storm’ and ‘Velociraptor’. Singer Tom Meighan described 'Velociraptor' to Q as “mega punk fucking aggression. Totally off the wall, but you know it’s us.” Serge Pizzorno followed with “Listening to the songs makes you feel great. Get your fucking jacket on, whack your fucking shoes on. It makes you believe things are going to happen.”

Say Hello to New Villager

San Francisco natives, New Villager have given a whole new meaning to triple treat, specializing in songwriting, video, performance, language, sculpture, drawing, and collage. In other words,they're hipsters. A self-proclaimed "artist collective," assembled of Ben Bromley and Ross Simonini, New Villager is bringing something to the music scene we haven't seen before- finally something to save us from the monotony that is music today . New Villager's sound has already been described as "Michael Jackson meets the Beatles," and if that isn't enough to spark your intrest, their mesmerizing choruses and eclectic New Age vibe will. Their debut album drops in June, and if the singles we've heard so far are any indication of whats to come, it promises to be one of the most entrancing, addictive albums of the summer.

The Kills, 'Blood Pressures'

It's no secret, Alison Mosshart, of The Kills, gets around-musically that is. From teaming up with the legendary Jack White in Dead Weather, to releasing two hard-hitting, raunchy blues hound albums in a mere two years. However, despite her solo success, Mosshart has faithfully returned to original band mate, Jamie Hince, reuniting The Kills. And boy am I glad she did, although it's hard to deny the utter brilliance of the duo's past albums simplistic, garage-punk sound, the new beefed up version is impossible to ignore. The addition of variety, synth-not the tacky kind-, and a touch of goth gospel makes 'Blood Pressures' The Kill's finest album yet, a must buy.

"Suck It and See"

This summer, the Arctic Monkeys are finally patching up their two year album gap with the release of "Suck It And See". So far, fans have only heard one track- the riff heavy Brick by Brick which is currently streaming online. There have, however, been mixed reviews about this track with drummer, Matt Helders, making a rare turn on vocals.With that being said, there will be another chance for reviews the album actually drops when the Arctic Monkeys give the public another teaser with the release of the single "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" on April 16.  The single will be available in vinyl(7in) with Brick by Brick on the B-side.  

Please Oh Please, More Summer Heart

With electronic craze on the rise, countless acts have face planted whilst attempting to take the basic facets of the genre and make them their own. Luckily, Blackbird Blackbird has gifted us with the glorious achievement that is Summer Heart. Although the album doesn't possess any ceiling-shattering bass drops or catchy hooks like the house and electronica we have grown to love, it carries a constant breeziness that makes Summer Heart light and refreshing in comparison to hard, heavy-hitting house such as Deadmau5 or Designer Drugs- perfect for, you guessed it, the rapidly approaching heat of the summer season. The tracks are simple, sweet, and delicate; highlighting the wistful nature Blackbird Blackbird has come to be categorized by. The perfect backdrop for anything under the sun, literally. Curious? Check out Kings!

Previously Unreleased Bowie Album Leaked

"Toys", an album put together by David Bowie around the turn of the decade, has made it's way from the vaults of Hollywood onto multiple torrent sites in a matter of days. Rumor has it that the album was due for release in 2002, but scrapped by Virgin Records as a result of back-fenced talk having to do with rights issues and royalty disputes.  The leak is said to have been facilitated by the purchasing of "Toys" on eBay last Sunday for £62. The world, however, may never know. In any matter, "Toys", the hour-long 14 track album, is a revisiting of some of Bowies earlier, lesser-known tracks as well as some unheard material. The track list goes as follows: 1. Uncle Floyd 2. Afraid 3. Baby Loves That Way 4. I Dig Everything 5. Conversation Piece 6. Let Me Sleep Beside You 7. Toy (Your Turn To Drive) 8. Hole In The Ground 9. Shadow Man 10. In The Heat Of The Morning 11. You’ve Got a Habit Of Leaving 12. Silly Boy Blue 13. Liza Jane 14. The London Boys

Cold War Kids, Feel Free To Take Back What is Yours.

The Cold War Kids recently dropped their lastest album, Mine is Yours, and I think it is safe to say it is one the biggest music related disappointments this year after My Chemical Romance's, Danger Days and the Black Eyed Pea's Super Bowl performance. As always, lead singer Nathan Willet's vocals are foremost element, however even they cannot breath life back into album. The songs on Mine Is Yours sound rehashed, obsolescent, and-dare I say- unimaginative which is a drastic fall from grace when considering previously-recorded, power house tracks such as Saint John(Robbers & Cowards). It feels as though the Cold War Kids are attempting to follow in the footsteps of indie-be-gone bands such as Kings Of Leon, who after delivering one noteworthy and unique track after another plummeted into mainstreamdom. To sum things up, I would avoid Mine is Yours unless you are a fan drawn-out, lack-luster music; in which case, you are a tool.  

Ra Ra Riot at Culture Room

On March 7, 2o11 New York Natives Ra Ra Riot lured concertgoers of all ages to Ft Lauderdale's own Culture Room. The Inconvenience of the show falling on a weekday was no match for the 100 plus fans packed into the itsy bitsy venue. The Luyas, who opened for Ra Ra Riot described playing the venue, and Florida in general, as a "great experience" paired along with "awesome, interactive crowds". And if throngs of girls, and some men, clawing over each other just to get a good vantage point to Ra Ra Riot frontman, Wes Miles, qualifies as an "interactive crowd" then we at fashionnerrd agree wholeheartedly. However, not everyone in attendance agreed with the hype surrounding the bands as indicated by Ra Ra Riot's very own cotton slinger: "Its obvious that people just come to the shows for the merch guys. We're where its at, duh". Whether you came for the merch guys or to actually enjoy the show, chances are a stellar night was  had.

Discovering Dinosaur Bones

Don’t let the moniker fool you, the Toronto-based indie rock band Dinosaur Bones is anything but prehistoric. With a sound originating from singer/songwriter Ben Fox’s basement Dinosaur Bones has clawed their way up, signing a contract with Dine Alone Records and making quite the name for themselves on the way. Their crestfallen, yet whimsical, sound has them on track to release their first album My Divider on March 8, 2011. Dinosaur-Bones-Royalty by FashionNerd

The Milo Project

Planning on visiting the Paris area? Beware of unidentified flying persons, all part of The Milo Project, a Parisian graffiti artist's exploration into the realms of realsim as well as his full scale attack on gravity. The Milo Project’s main objective is to plaster the streets of Paris with realistic mannequins that not only “defy gravity” but also assimilate themselves into the Paris landscape. “Amongst wandering entities, they represent the border between the concrete and the dream-like,” hanging from the sides of anything from skyscrapers to bridges. The artist builds mannequins with a strong concern for realism but at the same time disputes the concept by placing them in “imaginary” spaces, creating an effect that goes against everything you were taught in Physics. These solitary, faceless figures are creating quite a fuss on the streets of Paris, causing onlookers to question their surroundings, to blur the line between the real and the surreal, the possible and the impossible.

Oscars Deny Bansky?

Earlier this week Bansky, who is best known for his anonymity, learned just how fond the Oscars is of enigmas when his request to attend the event in disguise was denied. As for the reasoning behind the decision, Academy President Tom Sherak was quoted as saying: “If Banksy isn’t comfortable showing his face on the Kodak stage, then the Academy isn’t comfortable having him on that stage,” which is actually quite ridiculous. If Bansky’s concealed identity is “discomforting” to the Academy perhaps they should not have nominated the British street artsist for best documentary, seeing as one of the biggest factors of his fame is his facelessness. Not to fear though, there has been speculation that this whole predicament has been an elaborate PR push, which wouldn’t be too out of character for the brilliant Bansky. Also the spotting of a new Bansky in LA by none other than Lauren Conrad of The Hills seems to support this theory, making Bansky and Oscar fans alike all tingly inside.