iVoryTowerz Highlights

Broadway: Less Spectacle is Actually More — Could it be that Broadway audiences are growing tired of the Disneyfication of the Great White Way? Not only the revival of Hair , but also two other smaller stage productions (one of them the acclaimed Passing Strange ) show that audiences don’t need loud spectacle, just passionate performances. Guest blogger Jordan Coughenour weighs in on how the U.S. theater can get back to its roots and still provide strong musical entertainment. Take a lo

$8 Buds at 1st Mariner Arena
If I’m at a concert (and I’m not reviewing it), I like to have a beer. Maybe two beers. Never any more than that, though. I roll my eyes at people who get so smashed they can’t remember the show. What’s the point of going if you’re that drunk?Last night, I saw Fleetwood Mac at 1st Mariner Arena. Side note: So did Sun reporter Chris Kaltenbach, who has a live music review I’ll post in a bit. At one point, I wanted a cold beer. I was stunned by the prices. If I’m not mistaken (and I’ve been mistak

Caterpillar Tracks – Self/Titled (CD)
Caterpillar Tracks may categorize their sound as being descended from Fugazi, but with their first track, “Just Here To Visit”, the band shows their allegiance to Monster Magnet, Offspring, and Henry Rollins. The straight-forward rock assault of Caterpillar Tracks on this song is one of the best lead ins to a disc, benefiting even more from the surf-breakdowns nestled away in opportune moments during the track. The vocals that dominate during “Boot Strap Inflation” seem more Eddie Vedder than Ia

MAXWELL’S BAD HABITS!
Maxwell has chosen “Bad Habits” to be his second single as a follow up to his preliminary hit “Pretty Wings”. The single was released on iTunes and it comes before his much anticipated album “BLACKsummers’night” due the beginning of July. ( LISTEN BELOW ) Singing “You’re my bad habit baby..can’t escape the way you’ve got me locked down baby,” Maxwell asks his lady friend for forgiveness on the soulful cut. Oh I heart him! Maxwell’s “BLACKsummers’night” is due in stores July 7 via Columbia

Soha Ali Khan to host ‘Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo’
Soha Ali Khan to host ‘Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo’ Soha Ali Khan to debut on television as host of India’s first branded lifestyle reality game showGodrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo to air on the Star Network on June 29thSoha Ali KhanDelhi, June 08, 2009: Soha Ali Khan is all set to make her television debut as the host of India’s first branded lifestyle reality game show – Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo. A brand ambassador for Ambipur, a leading air care brand from the Godrej stable, Soha will now be seen as the h

Music Review: New Jonas Bros disc is legit
By MESFIN FEKADU – June 12, 2009 Jonas Brothers, “Lines, Vines and Trying Times” (Hollywood Records). Yes, millions of teenage girls helped the Jonas Brothers rise to fame, but they’re also the reason why the group isn’t taken seriously, musically speaking. The musicianship of Nick, Kevin and Joe is often overlooked, but that may finally change on their fourth studio album, “Lines, Vines and Trying Times.” The follow-up to their breakthrough CD, 2008’s “A Little Bit Longer,” “Lines” feature

badiou baddles, me being somewhat angry, whatever
I’ve been watching the recent blogwars over Badiou with only a tiny bit of interest. I don’t have a dog in this fight, really, as I’m neither a Badiou fan (or ex-fan) nor am I a Badiou scholar. I don’t even seem to be a wholy paidup Britblogger, despite rather thick personal affiliation with some of the key parties. I think a critique of Badiou might figure in the thing I’m losing all my books for re-writing, but it’s going to take some seriously fast reading and probably a bit of help from th

Lucas Cates – Contradictory (CD)
From the opening strains of “Contradictory”, Lucas Cates calls forth the Dave Matthews Band. However, this influence is not borne out through the entirety of “Contradictory”, as a bluegrass type of style dominates, along with a Jason Ringenberg meets Anthony Kiedas approach to vocals. The track starts slowly, but by the time Cates has worked through half of the song, individuals will have to listen a little closer. This is a brand of pop rock, and while individuals have certain expectations for