What is there to say about the current situation in Haiti? It’s horrible, unthinkable, and heart-breaking for New Yorkers with relatives there. Here is one way to help.
This mournful Jam comes from the Shins off of their 2001 album, Oh Inverted World. We hope the situation there improves dramatically soon, these people need all the help they can get.
The Shins – Caring is Creepy:
-Melissa
Filed under Jam of the Day, News
After detecting and then researching the origins of a very sophisticated cyberattack on Google (among several other large and well-known companies, from diverse industries), the company has released a statement titled “A new approach to China” on it’s official blog. Although Google.cn faces smaller attacks almost daily, Google decided that this statement was necessary in light of the scope of the operation and “evidence to suggest that a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.” Although they had previously expressed “discomfort in agreeing to censor some results” when launching Google.cn in 2006, this recent attack has led them to the decision to stop censoring results, which “may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China,” according to the statement.
Well, this seems like it could be a very bold move and it certainly is already being championed by human rights groups worldwide. I think that Twisted Sister, The Iron Men Of Rock And Roll, have a jam for you, Google.
Twisted Sister – We’re Not Gonna Take It:
-Drew
Filed under Jam of the Day, News
As part of our ongoing quest to bring you relevant and creative content in addition to hot jamz and the like, we’ve decided to start posting the Jam of the Day feature in a different way. This means that only some of the JOTDs will be linked to a news story. Some postings, such as this single from Young Money featuring Lil Wayne, Lloyd, Gudda, and Nicki Minaj (among others), will just feature a short introduction and then the jam. Hopefully this will free us up to focus more on some other aspects of the site, such as videos, interviews, reviews, and all sorts of other fun stuff. Keep it locked.
In any case, this song might not score as high on the “dope” scale as “Every Girl,” but I have been singing it on repeat in my head for the past week. Sorry for the ads… VEVO may just destroy all the joys of YouTube.
Young Money – BedRock (ft. Lloyd):
-Drew
Filed under Jam of the Day, News
A couple of days ago in Sparta, Wisconsin, a man dressed up in a santa suit stumbled out of a car and proceeded to hug and then interrogate a groups of kids about the whereabouts of his reindeer. Obviously, he was wasted at the time, and was later cited for open intoxicants. Sounds pretty funny to us.
Today’s Holiday Jam is a shoutout to all the reindeer out there, especially our homeboy Rudolph, in this hot version from The Temptations. I guess they just released their 48th album back in 2007! That’s kind of nuts. Kind of like this video.
The Temptations – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:
-Drew
Filed under Jam of the Day, News
There was a major blast from the past last week when this year’s Grammy nominees were announced. Daryl Hall and John Oates (Hall & Oats) ended up with a nomination (for pop performance by a duo or group with vocals) for “Sara Smile,” a 34-year-old track from their self-titled fourth album. They were nominated for a live performance of the song from the 2008 album Live at the Troubadour. This nomination for Hall & Oates that puts them alongside fellow nominees Bon Jovi, Black Eyed Peas, the Fray, and MGMT was a big surprise to many, including Hall. If they do win, it will actually be their first Grammy. In an interview with the Times where he was asked for his reaction to the news, he explained that the song “defines me as a songwriter, on my own. I’ve sung that song thousands of times, and I’ve never sung it the same twice. It’s a song that in its simplicity has a lot of flexibility built into it. It evolves, and it remains timeless. I use it as the centerpiece of any show that we do.” I mean it’s a good song and all but listen here and see for yourself if it resonates with you in 2009.
Another Grammy nominee this year, Bon Jovi just announced that the opening act for their February, 2010 tour will be Florida’s own Dashboard Confessional. For Dashboard Confessional’s new album Alter the Ending, front-man Christopher Carraba is joined by a full band, a departure from some of the more earnest singer-songwriter tunes he has been known for. Dashboard Confessional is playing tomorrow night at the Middle East is Boston and this Friday at the Highline Ballroom but the shows are sold out so you’ll have to check them out when they open for the Bon Jovi tour this February. Check out the first single off of the album, “Belle of the Boulevard,” below.
Dashboard Confessional – Belle of the Boulevard:
-Melissa
Filed under Jam of the Day, News
I came across an article today in the Times about a new branch of the $7.2 billion surfing industry (who knew?) that really surprised me. I found it interesting that a community that has always been so in-tune with their environment is coming to the recycled materials movement so late in the game. Although there are plenty of organizations out there (like the Surfrider Foundation) that are looking after the oceans and the beaches, the toxic industry of making surfboards, surf gear, and all the waste generated from broken boards etc. had not gone green. Until now. Green Foam Blanks, a company that makes recycled polyurethane blanks (the foam core of surfboards) was recently started in San Clemente, California by surf industry veteran Joey Santley and Steve Cox. As the Times explains, “Polyurethane surfboards are made with a carcinogenic chemical compound and Green Foam aims to reduce demand for new polyurethane by recycling the considerable amount of waste produced when shaping a surfboard from a slab of foam. Old surfboards can be recycled as well.” I think these guys have the right idea. Better late than never. Santley is even mounting a guerrilla marketing campaign to get recycled surfboards in the hands professional surfers and celebrities to build awareness.
Also making waves in Cali today, Oakland’s own Rogue Wave announced the release of their new record Permalight, set to drop in early March, 2010. Their new tour dates to promote the album will start in February. They will be here in NYC (playing the Music Hall of Williamsburg) on the scheduled date of their record release, March 2nd. They have a bunch of great jams from their last album, Asleep at Heaven’s Gate, but the most fitting for today is the ethereal “Eyes.” The odd menagerie of dolls starring in this video are even on a beach!
Rogue Wave – Eyes:
-Melissa
Filed under Jam of the Day, News
East Village to Brooklyn 