Massive Attack's New Album = Downtempo Brilliance

Another post from my new gig at GeekWeek: http://www.geekweek.com/2010/02/massive-attacks-new-album-is-full-of-downtempo-brilliance.html

I first fell in love with Massive Attack when I heard their song "Paradise Circus" while listening to my satellite radio station at work. The song had so many different elements to it - hand claps, piano, a slow but infectious beat, and the sensual and smooth voice of female singer Hope Sandoval. In my mind it was a downtempo gem, and I was intrigued to sample more tracks from this band.

In scouring the internet to discover more music from Massive Attack, I learned that their new album was set to drop today, February 9th. It's a highly anticipated release, as it's the groups first project in almost 7 years. After listening to the album, titled "Heligoland," I realized it was the perfect soundtrack for this rare, but rainy day in Los Angeles. Or any low key day for that matter.

Each track is unique but flows into the next, incorporating synths, horns, catchy harmonies and electro beats. The more I listen to the album as a whole I discover something new, some element in each song that I didn't quite catch on the first go around.

"Heligoland" will definitely please the ear of any electronica/downtempo fan.

Must Hear Tracks: "Paradise Circus," "Babel," "Splitting the Atom," "Girl I Love You"

Check out the album stream on their MySpace: Massive Attack - Heligoland

Grammy Ratings up 35%!

Grammy's 2010

Michael Caulfield / WireImage.com

I started to blog for geekweek.com. Here is my first music post from last week...a Grammy recap!


From the red carpet to the stage, the 52nd annual Grammy Awards was full of over the top performances, lavish fashions, and most of all, music. The ladies in music took the night, with Beyonce winning a record-breaking 6 awards including Song of the Year for her smash hit, "Single Ladies...Put a Ring on It." Country star Taylor Swift won the night's biggest award for Album of the Year for the platinum selling "Fearless." And perhaps one of the most anticipated moments of the night, the always outrageous Lady Gaga opened the ceremony with a high energy and theatrical performance featuring singing legend Sir Elton John.

Gaga was just the beginning. The entire night was filled with memorable performances including Pink, who sang "Glitter in the Air" while twirling above the audience in a flesh colored sequin body suit, elegantly hitting every note even though she was suspended by only a piece of fabric. The moving 3D tribute to the late Michael Jackson had viewers drawn to the stage as Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Usher harmonized to Jackson's "Earth Song." Rock band Bon Jovi hit the stage for their first ever Grammy performance in their career, performing their classic "Livin' On a Prayer," which was decided by viewers votes. The Black Eyed Peas brought their energy to an entertaining peformance of their latest hit "Imma Be," and Jeff Beck flawlessly pulled off a rendition of late guitar legend Les Paul's classic "How High the Moon."

Some of the nights biggest winners included country act the Zac Brown Band for "Best New Artist," Green Day for "Best Rock Album," and the breakthrough alternative band Phoenix who snagged the award for "Best Alternative Album."

Music's biggest night saw ratings improve by 35% with 26 million viewers who tuned in Sunday night.