The year 2011 is shaping up to be a great year in music. I just two months, a number of really high quality albums have already come out. Adele’s sophomore album is a thing of beauty and could even be arguably a better album compared to her already stunning debut.
And now it’s Radiohead that has come out with a new album. The critical darlings and rock icons have released The King of Limbs this February and, just like In Rainbows, they released it independently. This second independent release is proof that Radiohead has succeeded in actually making their independent distribution viable. Radiohead is sending a very strong message to the industry – and that is you don’t need the support of a major label to achieve success in the market.

Lot’s  of people  wants to be a rock star.  In this video of Nickelback’s  I want to be a rockstar, people of all ages, personality and regular people  played a part  and lip-synch the song, I enjoyed watching it when I first saw the video in my Facebook FunWall, these guys really know how to make me smile.I  Want to Be a Rock Star is one of the many songs of Nickelback that I really like.  It has fascinating tunes and the lyrics if you noticed typecasting the rock stars way of life.Why don’t you watch the video in YouTube?  Enjoy!(Photo Source: http://www.public.asu.edu)

The influence of rock and roll is far-reaching, and has had significant impact worldwide on fashion and film styles. This impact is broad enough that “rock and roll” may also be considered a lifestyle in addition to a form of music (i.e. “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll”). However rap and hip hop would later replace this role. Its impact has been positive as well, with the trend of many rock stars facilitating charity events such as Live Aid. Saving the World is becoming a more and more common phrase associated with rock music today.There are also spiritual aspects tied to rock music. Songwriters like Pete Townshend have explored these in their work. The common usage of the term “rock god” acknowledges the religious quality of the adulation some rock stars receive.Source:Wikipedia

As of late, a genre that has come to be known as “indie rock” is emerging. It has come to be characterized by overall low production quality and unconventional songwriting. The Shins. Death Cab for Cute. The Strokes. These are bands that have come to be associated with the genre.

But what is indie rock, really?

Put simply, indie rock is an abbreviation of independent rock.

To be a little more detailed about it, indie rock refers to rock bands that are not under contract with a major label (Sony-BMG, EMI, Warner Music, etc…). Their music is either self-released (independent) or they are signed to a label that is independent of a major label.
So… More than anything else, “indie” is an umbrella term that pertains to unsigned or indie label bands.
But, as always, the term is evolving and may eventually be associated with a particular sound. Even if the bands are on a major label.
When that happens, at least, you know where indie rock came from.

How about rock music for your baby? When I was pregnant to my now 10 year old daughter, I used to put a radio in my tummy and let her listen to different kind of music that I prefer to listen and one of my favorite genre is alternative rock.

I was so excited when I stumble into this site where they turned the punk, metal, classic rock into children’s music which I absolutely agree that both parent’s and baby will enjoy.

This idea was really ground-breaking and yet awed.

If you will visit the site you will hear the rock a bye baby rendition of Green Day.

(Photo Source: http://www.rockabyebabymusic.com/web/page.asp)

If any of you have seen what BBC made, those “seven films, charting the history of rock,” you’ll know that it’s one good read. It talks about the birth of rock music until the way it is seen today, from blues-based Rock to Indie and more.

Seven different films were created to feature the seven “ages” of rock. These are:
1.    Blues-based Rock (1963-1970)
2.    Art Rock (1966-1980)
3.    Punk (1973-1980)
4.    Heavy Metal (1970-1991)
5.    Stadium Rock (1965-1993)
6.    Alternative Rock (1980-1994)
7.    Indie (1980-2007)

Source:
BBC.CO.UK

But it is. Whether or not that is good news or bad news is up to you. Chris Cornell has indeed paired up with beatmeister Timbaland for Cornell’s new album, Scream.

The response has not been generally good, as a lot of reviews have panned Chris Cornell’s latest enterprise, which is proof that even geniuses can make bad decisions. Online rating website Metacritic gave Scream a measly 3.5 out of 10 score, where the majority of reviews cited a hard time reconciling Chris’ rock roots to Timbaland’s obviously polar opposite beats.

But not all has been doom and gloom, as some reviews lauded Cornell for going out of his comfort zone, and said that at a certain level the Chris Cornell and Timbaland collaboration did work, as did Cornell’s earlier popularized rendition of Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.

The smashing Pumpkins have been one of the fastest rising stars in the world of rock since they entered the scene in 1988. Known for their unique style, they have a sizable fan base all over the globe and many would miss him should he decide to go for real. The upcoming South by Southwest Music Festival is fast approaching nad it seems he won’t be part of the band when they get there. known for his exceptional skills as a drummer, bringing his groove into the band, he was initially ejected from the band in 1996 due to substance abuse. He was agin brought into the group in 1998 which was followed by the bands breakup with Chamberlin joining Corgan in the Zwan.
Chamberlin has gone solo with the release of his “Jimmy Chamberlin Complex”, that released the album “Life Begins Again” in 2005. They crossed paths when the band produced a reunion album “Zeitgeist” followed byt he band’s 20th year anniversary tour. Known for his drug problems, he and tour keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin both OD’d on heroin which led to the death of Melvoin, Jimmy was booted from the band and he was sent to rehab. He joined Corgan again in 98′ till the news of their breaking up got out.

News, Issues and Surprises from the rock world and beyond. The Rockers Hall of Fame has an unusual inductee this year, Madge?? Well, as it turns out one of the criterion for selection was that an album had to be released on a specific 1980 something date when she was on top of the world. Her breakup also stirs the world with a reported $74 mil payout. No problem for her, the ticket sales of her “Sticky and Sweet” concert tour sold tons of tickets. U2 announces the making of a new album, “No Line on the Horizon”, due to be released on March next year. Axl Rose, speaks against issues regarding the much awaited and criticized album “Chinese Democracy”. Prince also says he is releasing an album this coming year and many more to come.

Image source: www.rockonthenet.com
Columbia/Roadrunner/Island Def Jam/Sony Music Soundtrax released “Spider-Man (Music From and Inspired By)” on Tuesday, April 30. “Spider-Man,” the live action motion picture released by Columbia Pictures in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the classic graphic character’s Marvel Comics debut, made its way into theaters nationwide on Friday, May 3.

“Spider-Man (Music From and Inspired By)” is a collection of music written and performed by a generation of musicians influenced by the power and mystery of the Spider-Man character, his conflicts and his adventures. The album’s lead singles and videos are “What We’re All About (The Original Version)” from Sum 41 featuring a guitar solo from Slayer’s Kerry King; and “Hero,” a new track from Nickelback vocalist/guitarist Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott (the vocalist from Saliva), written for the film by Kroeger.