M83’s Anthony Gonzalez has openly admitted his obsession with 1980’s synth-pop. If he were a new wave fanboy, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming would be his loving tribute. And although it’s labeled as a two-disc set, the album clocks in at a relatively short 73 minutes and plays nicely in one[Read More…]
Articles by Nicholas Petrillo
Funny against all odds
collider.com Imagine how difficult it must be to hear your doctor say you have cancer. Now imagine how you’d feel if you asked the perfunctory question, “I’ll be okay though … right?” only to get an evasive mumble in return. That’s the story of Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a[Read More…]
J. Cole: Cole World: The Sideline Story
Praise has been showered upon J. Cole, the youngest and most promising signee to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation record label, for exceptional lyrical skills that have drawn comparisons to rap legend Nas. As a debut, The Sideline Story seeks to tell the tale of how J. Cole, who grew up[Read More…]
Pop Montreal preview
Symposium All the Mistakes You Can Make and How (Not) to Make Them Friday, Sept. 23 14:30-16:00 Location: L’ancienne École des beaux-arts de Montréal Even the indie music industry is still an industry requiring business sense and navigation. Those aspiring to be the next Arcade Fire can soak in the[Read More…]
Planet of the Apes
thegate.ca Director Rupert Wyatt rebuilt the Planet of the Apes series entirely from scratch, making the original series and a one-off Mark Wahlberg remake entirely non-canon. The first movie in a planned reboot series, Rise of the Planet of the Apes introduces the ape Caesar, whose heightened cognition is the[Read More…]
Jay-Z and Kanye West: Watch the Throne
Released exclusively online on Aug. 8, Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch The Throne embraces a growing trend in the music industry that prioritizes digital music over the aging CD. With this release comes an album that, according to the duo, will bring commercial and critical legitimacy to another game-changing movement[Read More…]
Wiz Khalifa: Rolling Papers
Since receiving unanimous acclaim for his Kush & Orange Juice mixtape in 2009, Wiz Khalifa has quickly gone from underground notoriety to mainstream recognition. This first major label album (though officially his third overall) marks his grand entrance to the growing Top 40 pop/hip-hop genre. His breakout hit, “Black and[Read More…]
An alien take on the stoner comedy
heyuguys.co.uk Set primarily in the Western United States, Paul is the fish-out-of-water story of Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost), two nerdy British vacationers who embark on a road trip across the West. When they pull over in their RV on a long stretch of desert highway, they come[Read More…]
Lupe Fiasco: Lasers
Controversy broke out after Lupe Fiasco admitted via Twitter that he is experiencing creative differences with his record label, who asked him privately not to “rap too deep” on his latest album. Lupe may have taken this advice to heart, or he might be preparing himself for a disappointing release.[Read More…]
The Tribune weighs in on 2011 Grammy picks
Best Pop Vocal Album: My World 2.0 — Justin Bieber I Dreamed a Dream — Susan Boyle The Fame Monster — Lady GaGa Battle Studies — John Mayer Teenage Dream — Katy Perry Pop music was everywhere this past year, whether you liked it or not. Although Perry’s nomination may[Read More…]
Talib Kweli: Gutter Rainbows
Alternative rapper Talib Kweli’s Gutter Rainbows displays the best qualities his subgenre has to offer. The lyrical flow is fast-paced, the message isn’t overly materialistic, the production is heavily inspired by neo-soul, and Kweli’s attitude is, as he puts it, “cool like Fonzie.” Throughout Gutter Rainbows, Kweli touches on the[Read More…]
No Kraft Dinner for Ted Williams
The first major entertainment story of 2011 was undoubtedly that of Ted Williams, also known as “the homeless guy with the golden voice.” Down on his luck and left panhandling to various passersby, Williams demonstrated his incredible silky smooth voice, which was subsequently recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Literally hours[Read More…]
Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Before the release of his latest album, few doubted Kanye West’s ability to one-up himself given his talent, money, and endless supply of industry connections. So it should come as no surprise that My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is just as spectacularly excessive as we could have hoped. There[Read More…]
Between a rock and a hard place
digitaltrends.com Two years after the release of director Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire comes 127 Hours, a film based on the terrifying true story of adventure seeker Aron Ralston (James Franco). Ralston inadvertently has his right arm pinned between a boulder and a cavern wall during an afternoon hike in the[Read More…]
Guns and sorrow
The Hollywood summer marketing machine has shifted its focus from the teenage audience back to an audience that wants quality movies. What a relief; Enter The American. The premise is simple: Jack (George Clooney), a shady veteran spy with a knack for assembling weapons, is asked to build a rifle[Read More…]
Factor: Lawson Graham
Lawson Graham is a left-of-centre hip-hop release by veteran Canadian beat-maker Factor. A group of label mates, both singers and rappers, provide some vocals for his instrumentals, but this album begs the question of whether it’s hip-hop or indie rock. It’s tough to say—the tracks that give off the best[Read More…]
Hooded Fang: Hooded Fang
Unlike some indie rockers, Hooded Fang’s ego doesn’t get in the way of producing a good album. However, this might be expected from a band named after the villain of a popular children’s book series. There isn’t a huge concept to tackle or a personal battle to overcome on their[Read More…]
Fair Game breaks the rules
Boston.com Warning: If you don’t remember the Valerie Plame affair of a few years ago, you should brush up on the scandal before going to see Fair Game, the new movie based on the story. Naomi Watts plays Valerie Wilson (know to her colleagues by the pseudonym Valerie Plame), an[Read More…]
Ice Cube : I Am the West
“Ice Cube is the West Coast” is the mission statement for his new album. But after 16 tracks loaded with self-indulgence, Cube and his small posse of gangster no-names, has-beens, and never-weres can’t give a decent reason for why he deserves the title of “Best in the West.” The album[Read More…]
John Legend & The Roots: Wake Up
It’s hard to believe that an album covering 35-year-old soul songs could generate so much hype, but with John Legend and the Roots, it’s hard not to take notice. The songs discuss war (frequently making a connection between Vietnam and Iraq), poverty, violence, and social justice. But the sound has[Read More…]
Passion, Pain, & Pleasure – Trey Songz
Trey Songz continues his steady rise to the top of the R&B charts with Passion, Pain, & Pleasure, his fourth album in five years. R&B and hip-hop may be almost one and the same these days, but with only two songs featuring shared vocal time, Trey pulls his own weight from start to finish.
Snoop Dogg – The West Coast Blueprint
In celebration of Priority Records’ 25th anniversary, hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg runs through his catalogue of West Coast favourites in The West Coast Blueprint. With a few well-placed interludes, Snoop guides the album along like a radio DJ, providing insight and commentary on California hip-hop’s golden age. Blueprint has tracks that any casual hip-hop fan will recognize and also includes some forgotten gems. Tracks like “Pay Ya Dues” by Low Profile and “Playaz Club” by Rappin’ 4-Tay have bass and G-Funk vibes, but they failed to earn the universal respect that “Eazy-Duz-It” and “Alwayz Into Somethin” achieved.
CD REVIEW: Snoop Dogg – The West Coast Blueprint
In celebration of Priority Records’ 25th anniversary, hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg runs through his catalogue of West Coast favourites in The West Coast Blueprint. With a few well-placed interludes, Snoop guides the album along like a radio DJ, providing insight and commentary on California hip-hop’s golden age.