Thanks to my friends at NBC for giving me a heads-up on this. I typically watch The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC several times a week, but I've been so busy I haven't been able to keep my regular TV routine. Wouldn't you know the night I don't tune in, Metallica's Lars Ulrich stops by for an in-studio interview. Rachel is apparently a big Metallica fan. This is a great interview.
It is highly likely that The Last Vegas will always be known as the “Make Rock History” band. Over the past few months, The Last Vegas won the Make Rock History contest, toured with Motley Crue and just released a new album. Whatever Gets You Off is a very strong modern rock effort, packed with just enough arena-rock vibe to lump the band into the Glam category.
The first half of the album is packed with songs that could all be radio hits. “Whatever Gets You Off” and “I’m Bad” are exceptionally excellent, featuring big sing-along-choruses. “I’m Bad” tries to be dangerous, but it’s really all just dirty fun.
The Last Vegas are not strangers to the recording process. Before the band signed with Eleven Seven, they’d released several independent records, honing their songwriting abilities. All those self-financed albums paid off, because Whatever Gets You Off is well worth the ten bucks it would cost you for a legal download of the record.
Unlike modern contemporaries that need not be named, The Last Vegas possess a certain special quality that gives them a gritty, solid appeal. No, this isn’t Bob Dylan and protest music for the masses, but Whatever Gets You Off is a great party record you can play for your friends without shame. Every song is good – you don’t need to skip forward or back. You can’t say that about many albums these days, but The Last Vegas have managed to create an album with literally no filler. There are screechy guitar solos, great lyrics and the typical rock n’ roll themes. Above it all, there is a sense that The Last Vegas know exactly what they are doing – and that they’ve been on this path to superstardom since day one. Since every song is excellent on Whatever Gets You Off, it’s easy to discern that there’s definitely a method to the madness here: The Last Vegas definitely know how to play the game. If the name of the game is Glam, so be it.
[Breaking: Ryan Seacrest Twittered that next week is, in fact, rock week. Bring on the Glam!]
As promised, here's a video of Adam Lambert's performance on American Idol tonight. Better watch it before Fox forces YouTube to pull it down. It was, as usual, amazing.
The other day, Slash Twittered that he was asked to be the "mentor" next week on American Idol. Yeah, next week is rumored to be rock week. When I received this Twitter I squealed and my husband admonished me. He totally doesn't get it. You see, people, we're talking about Slash and Adam Lambert on.the.same.show.talking.rock.music.
Glamtastic!
On and on I kept saying I could feel a week of epic proportions ahead. Now, to be clear: rock week is not confirmed. It's not even certain Slash will participate on the show. We should know for sure tomorrow night.
Tonight's theme is Big Band week. I'm excited as every week because that means hearing a new song from Adam - but I'll be honest: I wish we could skip ahead to rock week.
There are already tons of threads on American Idol forums around the Interwebs with people speculating what Adam will sing for rock week. See, from now on the contestants get to sing two songs per episode. That's double the Glam, Shaggy!
Adam would be well suited to play up his Glambert side. Yeah, I said Glambert. He can do one power ballad and one rocker and just go ahead and put the nail in the coffin on this competition. Some critics say small Kris Allen is gaining on Adam. I suppose that's the case if most Americans want another Jason Mraz. I sure don't.
You knew I was going to ask, so here it is: what should Adam sing for rock week?
The popular choices among most Idol fans are "I Remember You," "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Paradise City" and "Dream On." I would argue Adam shouldn't sing Guns n' Roses just because of the Slash factor. I'd love for Adam to sing "Caroline No" by the Beach Boys (yeah, they are considered a rock band) and "Nobody's Fault" by Aerosmith. Beyond that, I'm not guessing!
"Caroline No"
"Nobody's Fault"
I'll post about tonight's episode after it airs on the east coast.
How cool would it be to spend the day golfing with Vince Neil? In my case, this would involve riding around in a golf cart, trying to look cool while making divots all over a really fancy golf course, but still...it's golf - with Vince!
You can actually golf with Vince - no links skills required. Bid on the one in a lifetime experience on eBay. Click here to see the auction.
The cool thing is that the auction benefits the Skylar Neil Foundation. You'll be playing with Vince during the annual Skylar Neil Memorial Golf Tournament in Simi Valley, California on May 1st. Yeah, it's coming up like - now! - so you better bid high and often to make those travel plans.
If I had six hours face time with Vince Neil, I'm not sure what we would discuss...but I know I'd have one hell of an interview to post here on Bring Back Glam! I think I'd ask him about all his businesses, if he's sick of singing "Wild Side" and what he thinks of American Idol. I mean, we already know he's a fan, so it would be a great conversation starter. Beyond that, I'd go back to my "looking cool" plan.
I wish I had some damn money. I'd totally bid on the auction. Seriously, if you are flush with cash - bid. The money goes to a great cause and you'll have bragging rights over your friends for, like, a solid year.
I'm sure you know that Nickelback has a very famous song called "Photograph." Well over two decades ago, Def Leppard recorded a song of the same name. I 100% prefer the Def Leppard version - but you might prefer Nickelback. That's all up to you.
I think Nickelback got the song idea from Def Leppard. I mean, there are variations to themes and words - but basically it's all about looking at an old image with a lusty, heavy heart. Yes, you can be lusty looking at photos of your childhood. It's all about perspective and wishing for something you no longer have such as youth or, you know, a supermodel.
Here is the evidence. Do you think Nickelback ripped off Def Leppard? Who has the better song?
I've noticed Hair Nation on satellite radio is playing a lot of Honeymoon Suite lately - specifically "New Girl Now."
I love that darn song.
The more I listen, though, I think Honeymoon Suite are more new wave then Glam. There's something about the song structure and cadence of the drums that just sounds more Cars instead of Poison. Maybe it's just me.
If you are not familiar, Honeymoon Suite are from Niagara Falls, Canada. "New Girl Now" was the band's big hit, but they've worked with a ton of famous musicians and producers and released lots of albums.
It's true the band has undergone a ton of lineup changes, but many of the original members reunited a couple years ago.
So what do you think: Glam or new wave?
Here are some videos for consideration:
"Burning in Love"
Honeymoon Suite also recorded the theme to Lethal Weapon
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 12:01PM 