Music - The Eastern Echo

Matt on Music: Kacey Musgraves' 'Same Trailer Different Park'

By Matt Rice · Sunday, March 17, 2013

The title of country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves’ new album, “Same Trailer Different Park,” comes from her acclaimed country hit “Merry Go ’Round,” which was released in September 2012. It was a surprising masterpiece, displaying a blunt kind of cynicism rarely seen in country music. It was such a contradiction to the genre’s rural obsession that it might as well have called “Miserable in a Small Town.”

Dutch DJ Tiësto rocks Convocation Center

By Krystal Elliott · Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013

Thousands of concertgoers packed Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center Wednesday night, in various stages of undress and states of mind (some of which probably weren’t legal), to get lost in the heavy bass lines and thumping beats of electronic music powerhouse Tiësto.

Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney’s ‘Ebony and Ivory’ is dull.

Matt on Music: 10 greatest artists (whose greatest hits suck)

By Matt Rice · Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013

While researching this list, I had a stunning realization: The music-buying public is not stupid. This was a hard list to research, mainly for that reason. When an artist stops being good, they typically stop having hits. This list, however, is about the flukes—the strange instances where an exceptional artist’s biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was one of their worst songs. These are the 10 greatest artists (whose greatest hits suck).

Bettie Serveert’s new album, ‘Oh, Mayhem!’ is the group’s first complete success.

Matt on Music: Bettie Serveert's 'Oh, Mayhem!'

By Matt Rice · Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013

It’s interesting to look into what happened to all of the ’90s indie bands after the ’90s ended. Pavement broke up, of course, while Modest Mouse’s success continued to grow. A lot of them lost much of their popularity, but how their later discography held up varies from band to band. R.E.M.’s later music never held a candle to their older stuff, while The Magnetic Fields released many great albums after their 1999 classic “69 Love Songs.”

No. 2 ranked DJ Tiesto brings DJ Quintino and DJ Tommy Trash to the Convocation Center.

DJ Tiesto brings ‘electro’ to EMU

By Krystal Elliott · Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

For electronic dance music fans all across Michigan, the anticipation to see Tiësto has been building since tickets went on sale last summer, but the wait is finally over. The famous Dutch DJ is coming to rock the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center next Wednesday.

Matt on Music: New Skrillex EP “Leaving”

By Matt Rice · Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

Sonny Moore, also known as Skrillex, is in a very convenient position in his career. He may not be making the most money in the music industry, he doesn’t have the most Facebook fans and he definitely isn’t the most critically acclaimed artist. Still, there are few musicians who are in the same spot he’s in; the spot where he can do practically whatever he wants because nobody’s going to change their mind about him.

‘America’s music’ to be heard at Student Center

By Kayla Boyd · Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

If you are a music lover or enjoy relaxing to some classical jazz every once in a while, you should attend Eastern Michigan University’s Jazz Ensemble concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Student Center Auditorium.

Things to do around EMU

By Jess Salisbury · Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

Looking for something to do? Here are a few on-campus activities to keep your week interesting. Join presenter Diane Brookins and Students for Life for the Black History Month event, Life of a People, Monday at 6 p.m. at Halle Library. The event is Learning Beyond the Classroom credit approved.

Christopher Owens’ solo debut, ‘Lysandre,’ is not good and has no key tracks.

Matt on Music: Christopher Owens’ solo debut “Lysandre”

By Matt Rice · Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

If you were to look at a list of my favorite instruments, you would see a lot of diversity. Saxophone and steel drum are my top two, and also high up on the list are the bass guitar, combo organ, violin and ukulele. What you won’t see on my list, however, is the flute. On Christopher Owens’ solo debut, “Lysandre,” the first sound heard is that of a flute. And I have never heard the instrument sound as horrendous as it does, opening this record.

Tongue-in-cheek band Electric Six to play at Blind Pig

By Michael Klink · Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

It’s Valentine’s Day, and you’ve probably seen enough images of topless cherubs and rootless flowers with three-day shelf lives to last a lifetime. Why not enjoy your Valentine’s Day this year by spending it with Electric Six at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor?

Carmen’s No. 1 love song is “Dammit Janet.”

Echo staff express favorites in love songs

By Carmen Bojanowski , Jess Salisbury and Matt Rice · Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Through the ages, many artists expressed their love for their respective hunnies through song. Being one of those universal feelings and all that, love songs are something most people can relate to, so understandably, there is a metric crapton of them swimming about out there. Music writer Carmen Bojanowski, music critic Matt Rice (of Matt on Music) and life editor/resident music major Jess Salisbury weighed in on their personal favorites.

Yo La Tengo performed at the Michigan Theater Feb. 8. The show lived up to high expectations and the crowd enjoyed it.

Matt on Music: Yo La Tengo at Michigan Theater review

By Matt Rice · Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

For their current tour, Yo La Tengo is splitting shows into two parts. The first part is mainly acoustic, and the second is electric. Knowing this, I was pleased when they opened their show at the Michigan Theater on Feb. 8 with an acoustic version of “Ohm,” the opening track from their new album “Fade.” I was even more pleased when they played the song again for their electric set.

Matt on Music: Dawn Richard's 'Goldenheart'

By Matt Rice · Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013

Last year’s “Armor On” EP wasn’t Dawn Richard’s first release. It wasn’t even her first solo LP. In 2005, before she was ever a member of Danity Kane (whose hit “Damaged” is among the greatest pop songs of 2008) or Diddy-Dirty Money, she released “Been a While,” an album that has been almost completely forgotten.

Matt on Music: Tegan and Sara's 'Heartthrob'

By Matt Rice · Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013

In 2009, I became a Tegan and Sara fan after being introduced to them through a friend. They stand alongside TV on the Radio and Vampire Weekend as one of the bands most responsible for my fascination with indie-rock after being exclusively classic rock-oriented for so many years.

Student releases gospel album

By Antonio Cooper · Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013

Spreading a message might be a bit of a far stretch for some people, but for Eastern Michigan University sophomore Lydia Seale it’s only a matter of time before the world hears her message.

Matt on Music: Parquet Courts's 'Light Up Gold'

By Matt Rice · Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013

Post-punk revival is a genre that should have worked well. Bands influenced by Wire, Gang of Four and The Psychedelic Furs? How could you go wrong?

Alum leads Metro Worship band

By Carmen Bojanowski · Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013

About four years ago, Jon Whaley attended Eastern Michigan University, studying arts management. Today, he is the leader of Metro Worship, a collective effort of all of the worship bands at Metro South Church in Taylor, Mich.

Bell stands out with voice

By Andre J. Ellington · Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

It’s not hard to spot the immense talent here at Eastern Michigan University, but Kristianna Bell stands out among the crowd.

Matt on Music: Wussy's 'Bernice Huff and son, Bill sings Popular Favorites'

By Matt Rice · Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

I make no secret about Wussy being my favorite band, possibly of all time and definitely right now. Every new release increases my admiration of them, even if it’s something as simple as an acoustic re-recording of their first album or a cover of Dusty Springfield’s “Breakfast in Bed.” They’re just fantastic, and have an almost inhuman ability to make magic happen during every performance.

The Blind Pig will host dual-release party

By Bryan Alfaro · Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

The Blind Pig, located at 208 S. First St. in downtown Ann Arbor, is hosting a dual CD release party Saturday for two southeast Michigan emcees, who will be performing their new albums in their entirety. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and cover is $7 for ages 21 and up and $10 for ages 18-20.