Music
News
This is Growing Up
By JEFF STONE | Oct. 2, 2011Album: Neighborhoods Artist: Blink 182 Label: David Geffen Company Release Date: Sept. 27 Grade: B+
ARTS
Of Montreal forgot disco is dead
By Anam Ahmed | Sep. 20, 2010Artist: Of Montreal Album: False Priest Label: Polyvinyl Records Release Date: Sept. 14 Grade: C Georgie Fruit is back. Of Montreal's lead man, Kevin Barnes, morphed into his infamous stage persona (a middle-aged transsexual named Georgie Fruit) about halfway through the band's previous album, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? With a lack of coherent and continuous sound in Of Montreal's new release, False Priest, it's indicative that Barnes has yet to change back to his normal self. Thanks to a nauseating mixture of funk, kaleidoscopic pop hooks and, at times, gothic organ music, False Priest sounds more like a cabaret performance by the nightmarish duo of Prince and Brandon Flowers. The album's high point comes with track three, "Coquet Coquette," a catchy, cheerful and bouncy number that will give listeners a desire to dance. However, False Priest soon spirals wildly out of control. The entire album plods along dutifully as Jon Brion's weak splatters of energy via percussion aren't enough to whip the guitars and synth out of their stupor.
News
Cuding Edge
By JAMESON BUTLER | Sep. 1, 2010Trash, smoke and rhymes were abundant in the air outside of Alumni Arena as the kid from Cleveland put on one of the best live shows that has come to UB in years. Kid Cudi, born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, helped the SA get students excited for the upcoming football season at Tuesday night's Backyard Bash.
News
"Last name Eckman, first name Trevor"
By DAVID WEIDENBORNER | Apr. 14, 2010Trevor Eckman, a sophomore communication major, has always had a way with words. In his high school baseball career, Eckman was one of his team's biggest playmakers, known not only for his on-field talent but for his ability to talk his way into an opponent's head, as well. Not much has changed since. Eckman still gets in your head but now it's because he's trying to change the rap game. As most music fans would admit, rap is not the same as it used to be. Gone are the days of hardcore, gangster rap. The genre has mostly been replaced with a more club-oriented metaphor-filled style of hip-hop. "Today it's all about similes and metaphors," Eckman said. "You have to [write music] that listeners can relate to." This is where Eckman, whose stage name is T BagZ, stands out from the rest of the crowd. Instead of using unrealistic metaphors about having millions of dollars or flying in jets Eckman uses unique, nostalgic references to get his meaning across to the college demographic. "I'm all about the beats like Doug Funny," Eckman said, while describing his passion for music and rapping. With references to '90s life, cartoons, sports and the suburbs, it's hard for the average college student not to relate to T BagZ. His metaphors aren't the only thing that sets T BagZ's music apart. Unlike most rap artists, he has made the decision to rid his music of profanity. Eckman also takes pride in his religion through his music. "Religion is important to me and [it] sets me apart," Eckman said. "I'm not afraid to mention it in my songs." With the earnings he attempts to make through his music career, Eckman hopes to donate 45 percent of his money to cancer research and 45 percent to fund mission trips for his church. The recent success of artists like Asher Roth, who attended West Chester University, and Mike Posner, who attended Duke University, have shown there's no telling how far someone's musical dream can go. "My dream would be for the [Student Association] to sometime let me open for a concert," Eckman said. Opening for an SA concert would be a pretty big leap from where his rapping started: just cruising around with friends, blasting music and free-styling from the backseat. Currently, Eckman works with JoeyC Productions in Rochester. "I actually do this in a studio now," Eckman said. "I used to have my laptop record me rapping. You can still see the spit on my computer screen." In today's culture, rap is a fiercely competitive music genre. Everyone has his or her own criteria for what defines ‘good' rap music. As far as Eckman's concerned, it's only about the music. As one of his lyrics states, "Yeah I'm from the ‘burbs/I'm only strapped with my backpack." To gain exposure for his music, Eckman isn't leaving anything to chance. "Like with Mike Posner at Duke, if you can get a school to get hooked and rally around you, anything can happen," Eckman said. The fact that students are reluctant to spend money and are somewhat dependent on social networking sites has led T BagZ to make his music available for free online. His "Party in the USA" remix has already gotten 18,000 views on YouTube. Eckman's mixtape "It's Only a Matter of Time" will be available online via his Twitter account, YouTube channels and Facebook fan page on Apr. 20. The mixtape will have his previously released material as well as a number of new songs. And he's not stopping after that. "I'm going to keep rapping until every music label in the country tells me I have a zero percent chance of making it," Eckman said. "I got time, I'm only 19." Email: news@ubspectrum.com
News
Three Days Grace headlines Spring Fest 2010
By ERIC HILLIKER | Mar. 25, 2010The Student Association has announced the lineup for this year's annual Spring Fest concert. The show will include a large range of different styles of music, with a unique mixture of rock, hip-hop and folk. The headliner will be Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. Joining the group will be the Pharrell Williams helmed hip-hop band N.E.R.D and acoustic folk rockers, Lady Danville. Two more acts will join the lineup. The two remaining acts have yet to be made public and will be announced next week. Rumors that 30 Seconds to Mars and the Goo Goo Dolls were on the bill but pulled out of the event are untrue. Both bands were approached by SA but had to decline due to scheduling issues, according to Lauren Skompinski, public relations manager for the Student Association. Spring Fest is scheduled for April 17 in Alumni Area. Admission will be free for undergraduates while tickets for the general public will be $35. E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
NEWS
"Don't tell me I won't, I will!"
By AMY MILLER | Oct. 26, 2009British soulful singer/songwriter Joss Stone has released her fourth album, Colour Me Free, the first since her 2007 success, Introducing Joss Stone.
NEWS
Hip-hop holiday
By AMY MILLER | Sep. 9, 2009With four of the hottest rappers in the business, Fall Fest not only kicked out the jams, it bumped UB's fall semester to the right Baird-blasting beat. The far-from-compelling opening act Billy Dreece Williams failed to woo the audience with his tired lyrics and pleas to grasp the crowd's attention. His dry performance went on far too long, but Jadakiss was well worth the wait. As DJ Enuff played a combination of some of the hottest tracks in today's hip-hop music, Jadakiss stepped out and instantly took control of the stage. Rapping one of his classics, 'Made You Look,' Jadakiss paid tribute to all his die-hard fans that held him down since his early days of the LOX on Bad Boy. 'Everywhere we go/people wanna know/who we are,' Jadakiss rapped to a roaring crowd throwing up D-Block signs. The crowd sang along in exhilaration as Jadakiss rapped along to his staple 'I Get High.' When asked what fans can expect from his latest album The Last Kiss, he just shrugged. 'Nothing is really different. I continue to do what I do, not following any trends. Hip-hop needs to be more raw – no auto tune, just do what you do. You feel me?' Jadakiss said. Jada graced the crowd with over 10 of his hottest tracks, both current and classics. Ending his act with a sick freestyle, Jadakiss reminded listeners why he's among the hottest in the game. To no surprise, Busta Rhymes's electrifying performance was not only entertaining, but also hilarious to watch. Jumping right into his gig at 7 p.m., Rhymes wasted no time, opening with 'Respect My Conglomerate,' alongside friend and one-man party starter Spliff Star. From beginning to end, Busta kept the crowd astonished by his impeccable flow. 'Yeah they ain't no special effects on this s**t, what you hear on the radio, we do that s**t on stage,' Rhymes joked. Busta also performed other throwback tracks like 'What It is Right Now,' 'Jump,' and ladies favorite 'Give It to Me,' along with crowd favorites like 'Arab Money' and 'Bounce That.' As he prepared to exit the stage, the crowd raised their imaginary glasses with him to toast to UB, Barack, and of course, his latest album Back on My Bulls**t. Unfortunately, everything from then on seemed mediocre. The long wait between sets left crowd surfing and throwing water as the only means of entertainment until Common came out at 9:15 p.m. Regardless, Common's energy-filled performance and over-the-top, 'must have done his research,' shout outs to Buffalo were entertaining. With tracks like 'I'm Coming Home Again' and 'Go,' his positive attitude and uplifting lyrics moved listeners, leaving the crowd pleased overall. Surprisingly enough, Lupe Fiasco was the last to grace the stage. With a full band and enough lasers to paint his upcoming release (Lasers), Lupe ended the concert in a way that was uniquely his own. With his eyes closed throughout most of his performance, Fiasco jumped across the stage and catered to a crowd that 'just wanted the hits.' With rocked out beats and bright, effervescent colors, Fiasco ended Fall Fest with a bang and kick, pushing the semester off to a fresh start. E-mail: spectrum-arts@buffalo.edu
