Jukebox Jury: Travis McCoy, Paul F. Tompkins Rate 2008's Hits
The Gym Class Heroes frontman and Best Week Ever host listen to the year's biggest songs -- and reach their verdicts with utter conviction.
By David Marchese 12.29.08 9:02 AM
As the host of VH1's Best Week Ever, dapper comedian Paul F. Tompkins makes a living siccing his snark on cultural ephemera. Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy does much the same via his witty rhymes on songs like "Drnk Txt Rmeo" and "Cookie Jar," both from 2008's The Quilt.
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Taylor Swift: Teen Fad or True Musician?
SPIN's David Marchese listens closely to understand the appeal of the chart-topping teen star.
By David Marchese 12.28.08 9:19 AM
Taylor Swift was the elephant in my cultural room this year. Perhaps that’s not the most apt metaphor for a tiny, flaxen-haired teenager, but there's no doubting that Swift's success was big and that I basically ignored her. So with the year coming to a close, I thought I’d try and rectify the situation.
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Racist Music Goes Digital
Where can one find the latest white-power band? iTunes, Amazon, and other online retailers.
By David Marchese 12.23.08 10:15 AM
Like any musician, Brutal Attack's Ken McLellan wants to be heard. Only, what he wants people to hear are self-described "white power" anthems with lines like "This is the Final Solution / Our turn / They'll burn."
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Rivers Cuomo, 'Alone II' (DGC)
The Weez's new batch of chaff ain't half bad -- really.
By David Marchese 12.19.08 1:26 PM
With Rivers Cuomo having declared himself a formalist obsessive-compulsive, the question of whether he's being sincere has become increasingly difficult to parse.
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Oasis: Magnificent Bastards
SPIN's David Marchese on arrogant lads, gorgeous melodies, and a sing-along nation 20,000 strong.
By David Marchese 12.19.08 9:18 AM
Before Wednesday night's show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Liam Gallagher's contemptibility had just about slipped my mind. After all, it had been seven years since I last saw Oasis live.
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Fall Out Boy, 'Folie a Deux' (Island)
Pete & Pat Inc. launch shiny new product line.
By David Marchese 12.17.08 10:26 AM
Purists can stomp their Doc Martens all they want, but Fall Out Boy is the biggest punk-influenced act to emerge this decade. Not only do the Illinois quartet have platinum albums and hit singles, they've got reach.
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