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Most recently published stories in Beat.
'Hamilton': An American Musical Soundtrack Review
When people first started raving about Hamilton on Broadway, the first response was "It can't be that good." Mixing hip-hop with a musical? It sounded like showrunner Lin Manuel-Miranda was trying to combine two audiences together and would attract neither one of them. After listening to the soundtrack, Manuel-Miranda did a fantastic job at weaving in the elements of both from seemingly opposite and conflicting genres. After all, rap and musicals are practically oil and water when it comes to their fanbase. The fans of one genre aren't likely to go and try the other. In fact, I'd argue, Hamilton is more musical than rap album.
By Michael Bergonzi9 years ago in Beat
10 Best Fiona Apple Songs
Though she has a relatively small catalog, Fiona Apple is one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 1990s. Her powerful voice, confessional lyrics, and heavy playing style have made an indelible mark in music, and these are 10 of what I think are her finest tracks. For this list, I considered popularity, songwriting quality, and emotional intensity. It was difficult to choose, so here are a few honorable mentions:
By Eden Roquelaire9 years ago in Beat
8EEZ Playlist: The Cars
"I guess you're just what I needed". Hello and welcome. This latest spotlight is on a band that just has only one thing going for it. Fun! Do I sound like a broken record? Maybe. But, that's what I firmly believe about music - it should be fun. Growing up that way I did, not allowed initially to listen to rock music because it was considered sacrilege, it was years after rediscovering the joy of my lost youth through music.
By Carlos Gonzalez9 years ago in Beat
Two of Hip-Hop's Biggest Moguls Make Forbes' List of "Greatest Living Business Minds" in 100th Anniversary Issue
Forbes Magazine has achieved a major milestone this month. On September 15, 2017, the bi-weekly American business publication celebrated its 100-year anniversary of being in commission.
By Victor Trammell9 years ago in Beat
You Want It Darker
2016 was a dark year full of, among other bad omens, the deaths of many icons of the musical community. Among the many musical legends we lost that year was Leonard Cohen, the legendary Canadian singer/songwriter and poet who passed away on November 7th, a day before Trump won the presidency. Cohen's passing was but the latest in a long line of music deaths and it only served to further the notion that 2016 was a terrible year. Before he left us however, Cohen released You Want it Darker, his fourteenth and final studio album. Released just 19 days before his passing, the album gives us Cohen's final musings on life with nine of his most strikingly poetic and darkly prophetic songs delivered by a man not quite ready to go gently into that good night.
By Matthew Frati9 years ago in Beat
In to the Pit
I have attended various concerts over a number of years, from pubs with 30 people through to festivals with over 100,000. Where I want to be and usually get to be is at the very, very front. Often described as the pit, this especially applies to the heavy metal, thrash metal gigs I attend. As I get older and more fragile I have to consider what I do a bit more so here is my survival guide.
By ASHLEY SMITH9 years ago in Beat
Ryan Follese's Debut Solo Album Is Evidence You Can't Change Those Roots
Everyone may not realize this but the guy with the guitar singing about backroads and putting a label on it isn't new to music, let alone country music. That's Ryan Follese, son of singer songwriters with country roots Keith Follese and Adrienne Follese, and he's most well known as being the front man from the pop rock band Hot Chelle Rae.
By Chelsea DeVries9 years ago in Beat
8EEZ Playlist: Phil Collins
"It's just another day for you and me, in paradise." Hello, and thanks for reading! This spotlight artist is a personal favorite of mine. I remember hearing his haunting smash ballad, "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" back in 1984, and literally crying my eyes out. Mind you, I was only a mere 12 years old, but, the voice, the melody and the poignant urgency of the song touched me quite deeply. I made it a point to buy up all his records from that point on. I did just that and have been a lifelong fan ever since, even despite the worries that he's now "Old Hat." It was also to my incredible joy that he was also the lead singer of one of my favorite 80s rock group: Genesis. Yes...they are due for a future 'list very soon. Meantime. Me and my buddy Oates will share this latest 'list of one Philip David Charles Collins of West London, UK.
By Carlos Gonzalez9 years ago in Beat
7 Good Songs From Awful Bands
So, maybe I was a little too harsh on Alice Cooper. Maybe I was a little too harsh on Green Day. Oh, well. Now, I would like to focus on the opposite side of the spectrum, so on this list I will be taking a look at 7 songs that I personally feel are pretty good, if not great, from bands that, well... aren't. Like the last list I will attempt to avoid deep cuts and primarily focus on songs that were fairly popular. Also, like the last list this is again just my own personal opinion, so don't get your knickers in a twist... or something. A couple of these songs are even some of my favorites ever. Yes, really. So with that in mind, let's begin:
By Matt Knight9 years ago in Beat
Ke$ha's 'Rainbow' Is a Hopeful Comeback After Five Year Hiatus
I'm not sure if I need to say this but Ke$ha started out as a songwriter for other artists, most famously Britney Spears. Her debut as an artist was called "Tik Tok," and featured a comment about brushing your teeth with Jack Daniels. It was a party anthem that instantly became a hit simply because not only was it catchy but it showed the kind of free spirit Ke$ha was, even early on.
By Chelsea DeVries9 years ago in Beat
10 Modern Thrash Bands You Need to Check Out
Thrash metal — the genre of metal that remains perennially entrenched in the 80s in the minds of most metal fans. While there are several bands willing to reinforce that trope (looking at you, Reign of Fury), Thrash is alive and raging hard in 2017 with several bands that can melt your face and hit you hard with the despair that comes with living in 2017. Naming only 10 Thrash bands that go hard in 2017 is criminal, but quality over quantity is needed in a situation such as this. As promised, here are 10 Thrash bands that are worth your time in 2017.
By Dustin Miller9 years ago in Beat
