Around the Tubes: June 16, 2023

 

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Billions, John Mellencamp, Noah Kahan, The Offspring, Stephen Marley, Miso Extra, Lloyiso, 50 Years Fly: The Rise, Fall, and Revolution of Hip-Hop Fashion, Babylon 5, and Metalocalypse.

- SHOWTIME has announced that the acclaimed drama series BILLIONS will return for its seventh and final season streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME on Friday, August 11 before making its on-air debut Sunday, August 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Starring Oscar^® nominee and Emmy^® winner Paul Giamatti, Corey Stoll and Maggie Siff, the 12-episode final season also marks the return of Emmy^® winner Damian Lewis as fan-favorite Bobby “Axe” Axelrod.  "Billions has deftly explored power, money and greed in a way that not only made it a massive hit, but also defined its own genre thanks to the creative brain trust of Brian and David,” said Chris McCarthy, President & CEO, SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “This final season is packed full of the incredible, complex dialogue and character dynamics fans have come to love, and we are thrilled to partner with them on turning this hit series into a global franchise.”

- The much anticipated twenty fifth studio album from John Mellencamp—Orpheus Descending—is out today on Republic Records. Listen/share HERE.  Orpheus Descending was produced by Mellencamp and recorded at his own Belmont Mall Studio. One of his most personal records to date, standout tracks “Hey God” and “The Eyes of Portland” focus on social issues Mellencamp continues to passionately advocate for.  

- In just a matter of a few days, critically acclaimed Vermont singer and songwriter Noah Kahan’s new album Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) impressively becomes his most successful and highest streaming release to date. His new single “Dial Drunk” has amassed over 7.5 million Spotify streams and counting and debuted at #1 on Spotify’s Top Songs Debut US Chart, while all seven new tracks from the album also debuted in the Top 10, sweeping the chart. Immediately upon release, “Dial Drunk” also launched to the Top 5 on Genius’ All Songs Chart. Meanwhile, the album garnered over 12 million Spotify streams within its first 24 hours of release and debuted at #1 on Genius’ Albums Chart, #1 on Apple Music’s Alternative Albums Chart, #1 on iTunes’ Alternative Albums Chart, and Top 5 on Apple Music’s Overall Albums Chart. Not to mention, Kahan shot up to Top 10 on Spotify’s Overall Artists Chart (just behind The Weeknd), and he trended in the Top 5 nationally on Twitter on release day.  This past weekend, Noah continued his sold-out “Stick Season Tour” with his biggest show on the tour to date, as he performed to 15,000 fans at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. Watch a recap of the massive show HERE. The “Stick Season Tour” marks Noah’s most successful tour of his career with 300,000 tickets sold so far–see the full list of upcoming tour dates below.

- The Offspring are thrilled to release the special limited-edition 15th-anniversary reissue package of their acclaimed record, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, out now via Round Hill Records/UMe.  Get the 15th-anniversary package of Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace now, HERE.  Available for the first time on vinyl in many years, this special edition of the album features a bonus 45 with two new live tracks recorded at Hellfest in 2022, re-imagined artwork on the cover, and art lithos for each song. A digital version of the record, which features new animated artwork, is available now on streaming services.

- Stephen Marley premieres the video for his highly anticipated new single “Old Soul.” The well-crafted retrospective video reveals never-before-seen old family photos, vintage vinyl album covers, and a collage of Jamaican music history, and it is available now HERE on Stephen Marley’s Official YouTube Channel. The award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer chronicles his growth and innocence as a youth Marley kid, the second son of Bob Marley, and his personal rites of passage through the family legacy. The warm acoustic track takes the listener on a coming-of-age journey through allusions to personal legends and eras of musical influences that “made it all possible.”   “Old Soul” is available now on all streaming platforms and Stephen Marley’s Official YouTube Channel via Tuff Gong Collective/UMe/Ghetto Youths International.  Listen to “Old Soul” HERE or watch the new video HERE and SUBSCRIBE to Stephen Marley’s Official YouTube Channel to never miss an update.

- The revolutionary London-based, mixed heritage singer, rapper and producer Miso Extra has today announced the release of her second EP MSG, which will come via her new label home, Transgressive Records on August 18.  Alongside the news, she’s shared the first taster from the release; the 90’s R&B infused pop sounding "Space Junk", which sees Miso’s trademark playful, deliciously wonky beats and instrumentation out in full force and marks a glorious return for the artist who turned many heads upon the release of her debut Great Taste EP last year.

- South African singer and songwriter Lloyiso shares the luminous Choir Version of his new single and music video “Give A Little Kindness” featuring Edenglen High School via Universal Music Group South Africa/Republic Records. It notably arrives in honor of National Youth Day in South Africa as a perfect soundtrack for the celebration. Watch the music video HERE.  The track’s bright piano resounds through a melodic guitar riff. Lloyiso’s expansive range shines only to be matched by the sheer power of the Edenglen High School choir, uplifting the harmonies and the hook to the heavens. Recently, the rising star served as the judge for a local high school choir contest in Johannesburg. Blown away by Edenglen, he invited the students to duet with him on a new Choir Version of a personal favorite original track. The music video highlights their chemistry as they perform together on-screen.  Listen to Seasons: HERE

- Karl Kani is the undisputed Godfather of streetwear who launched the first streetwear brand in fashion history! His style and influence are still felt today. Karl will be featured in the new NBC News digital documentary, “50 Years Fly: The Rise, Fall, and Revolution of Hip-Hop Fashion.” Born and raised in the streets of Brooklyn, Karl's creativity and originality were forged in the crucible of Hip-Hop and urban culture, where he quickly became a standout for his unique style. More than 30 years after he launched his eponymous clothing line, his designs have been consistent go-to’s from stars like Tupac and Wu-Tang Clan to Joey Bada$$ and Ariana Grande.  The New Documentary Examines Hip-Hop’s Influence on the Fashion Industry as It Marks 50 Years, and is currently streaming on Peacock and NBC News NOW. Click HERE to Watch the Trailer.

- The highly anticipated continuation of the beloved series is finally here with an all-new original animated movie! Arriving on August 15, 2023, Babylon 5: The Road Home will be available to purchase Digitally and on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-Ray from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. Series creator J. Michael Straczynski returns with a story about the iconic Babylon 5 space station and its inhabitants as they take a journey through the past to determine the future.  Babylon 5 celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year and returning to voice their characters from the original series are Bruce Boxleitner as John Sheridan, Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova, Peter Jurasik as Londo Mollari, Bill Mumy as Lennier, Tracy Scoggins as Elizabeth Lochley, and Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander.

- Get ready to shred with the heaviest metal band ever assembled - Dethklok! Join lead vocalist Nathan Explosion, Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Toki Wartooth, William Murderface, and Pickles, as they tour the globe annihilating places and melting faces. For the first time ever, all episodes from Adult Swim's award-winning original adult animated series are brought together in one set with Metalocalypse: The Complete Series. Binge all 62 episodes of the four-season run, previously released special features, and the final death rock opera Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem - A Klok Opera. Metalocalypse: The Complete Series will be available to purchase Digitally and on DVD on August 15, 2023.  The quarter-hour animated series chronicles the world's most popular entertainment act in the known universe—extreme metal band, DETHKLOK—as they balance their rabid popularity with the brutality of everyday life. Metalocalypse originally premiered in 2006 on Adult Swim and was created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: June 11, 2023

 

 

Fear the Walking Dead:  Wait, where are they that Morgan can easily head back to his hometown?  I thought Padre was South Padre Island, but Texas  is a bit of a hike to Atlanta. 

 

Cruel Summer:  I spent the first episode thinking that Isabella and Megan were hooking up and were extorting the nerd for money that went horribly wrong, but then spent the second episode thinking Isabella was hooking up Parker and were on some revenge trip on the brothers.  Isabella is definitely hooking up with someone of the fairer sex.

 

But what an absurd premise that this all hinged on people assuming Isabella was on the tape and not his current girlfriend, who just happens to have the same skin color as the person on the tape.  Though I believe it was Parker who first threw out Isabella’s name which could back up my thought from the second episode that they are in cahoots.  Except, it did not seem like they even bonded until they broke into the house together, so there goes that theory.

 

Class of ‘09:  Oh no, the dude I forgot was even on the show is dead.  Oh well.

 

The Blacklist:  So is the final Blacklister Red taking down himself?  It kind of seems like he is getting rid of all his assets, even his unknown shipping business.

Around the Tubes: June 9, 2023

 

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Goliath, Secret Chef, MisterWives, Noah Kahan, 3 Doors Down, Steely Dan, Night Talks, Greta Van Fleet, Jeremy Zucker, Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts, How Do You Measure a Year?, POV, Loudmouth, and The Venture Bros.

-  SHOWTIME SPORTS announced GOLIATH, a three-part documentary series examining the historic life, career and impact of Wilt Chamberlain, one of the greatest, most emulated and most misunderstood athletes of all time. Brash and confident, Chamberlain changed the way the game is played, broke records and racial barriers and challenged the unwritten rules for all athletes, especially black basketball players, conforming to his own standards on or off the court. GOLIATH will debut on demand and on streaming on Friday, July 14 for all Paramount+ With SHOWTIME subscribers before making its on-air debut on SHOWTIME^® on Sunday, July 16 at 10 ET/PT with episodes premiering each Sunday. GOLIATH is produced by Village Roadshow Television and Gotham Chopra’s Religion of Sports in association with Kevin Garnett’s Content Cartel, Happy Madison Productions and Heeltap! Entertainment.

- Hulu Original "Secret Chef," June 29, 10 episodes (all-at-once).  From Executive Producer and chef David Chang, comes a sly twist and playful turn on the food competition series. Ten contestants from all walks of life – from professional chefs and home cooks to social media influencers – are isolated in a secret underground kitchen labyrinth connected by a series of conveyor belts. Guided by a mischievous animated talking hat, the chefs are tasked to perform a series of cooking challenges. However, there are no judges, and the chefs must rate each other's final dishes in blind taste tests. With their true identities concealed, everything will be hidden except the one thing that matters most … the food. 

- New York City/Los Angeles-based alt-pop group MisterWives share track and video, "Ultraviolet" out everywhere now. The stripped-down latest track uncovers the struggles that lie beneath the surface in pursuit of self-love. The band's highly anticipated fourth studio album Nosebleeds is due out July 14 and available for pre-order now. Plus, The Don't Look Down Tour with Bishop Briggs will set out across North America this fall beginning September 8 with tickets on sale now via misterwives.com/tour.  "Ultraviolet," out today, shows a more vulnerable side of lead singer Mandy Lee as it closes the forthcoming fourteen track collection with a steady moment of reflection, one that grapples with comparison and encourages self-care and compassion. The idea for the song emerged after Lee came across a photo series by artist Debora Lombardi who photographed flowers under ultraviolet light. Lee explains, "These flowers became technicolor revealing fluorescent hues and glittering patterns that were only visible under UV when in complete darkness which made me think about how much light and beauty is uncovered in ourselves when we’ve been through the dark."

- Critically acclaimed Vermont singer and songwriter Noah Kahan solidifies himself as the biggest breakout artist of the year with the release of Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) out now via Mercury Records/Republic Records–listen HERE! Fans have eagerly awaited this extended version of 2022’s celebrated album, which includes seven new songs and Kahan’s latest single “Dial Drunk.” Prior to its release today, the track had already amassed millions of views online, with fans singing its every word during live performances on the “Stick Season Tour.”  Recently, Kahan was the most-talked about artist at Boston Calling Music Festival, performing to a crowd of 40,000 fans during his Saturday evening set. His performance received critical acclaim from the likes of The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, Boston.com, and many more, with Consequence hailing Noah as “New England’s newest favorite son.” Watch impressive videos HERE and HERE. Not to mention, this week, he continued his “Stick Season Tour” with the first of two sold-out shows at New York’s iconic Radio City Music Hall. Tonight, he is set to perform a sold-out show at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. The “Stick Season Tour” marks Noah’s biggest and most successful run to date with 300,000 tickets sold–see the full list of upcoming tour dates below, and stay tuned for more exciting announcements to come soon.

- 3 Doors Down commemorates the anniversary of their sophomore album, Away From The Sun, by finally unleashing the original video treatment for “When I’m Gone,” which has been buried in the band’s archives for the last two decades.   Abandoned initially in favor of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the US Military to perform on the USS George Washington, the impactful video from that collaboration has garnered over 160 million views while showcasing the band’s captivating live performance intertwined with poignant moments of military reunions. The video stands as a testament to the shared values and unwavering support that has defined the profound connection between 3 Doors Down and the US Military.  However, fans can now watch the newly unearthed video on the 3 Doors Down Official YouTube Channel, HERE. Directed by the brilliant Marc Klasfeld and set against the backdrop of rural Mississippi, this Film Noir-inspired masterpiece takes viewers on an unforgettable journey through a funeral procession and burial ceremony, paired with the intensity of the band’s live performance that leads to an unexpected twist. As the band members become entombed in the muddy depths of their own graves, their captivating performance takes on an entirely new meaning blurring the lines between music, life, and death. 

- Steely Dan’s broadly acclaimed third album, Pretzel Logic, will return to vinyl for the first time in over 35 years on July 28^th via Geffen/UMe. Originally released in 1974, the best-selling album marked the band’s first to break Billboard’s Top 10, on the strength of their most successful hit, “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” plus such favorites as “Any Major Dude Will Tell You,” “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo,” and “Barrytown.”  Pretzel Logic marks the latest release in Geffen/UMe’s extensive reissue program of Steely Dan’s classic ABC and MCA Records catalog, which returns the band’s first seven records to vinyl – most of which haven’t been available since their original release. Overseen by founding member Donald Fagen, the series launched in November 2022 with the group’s legendary debut, Can’t Buy A Thrill, followed most recently by 1973’s Countdown To Ecstasy in May 2023.  Pre-order Pretzel Logic now: https://steelydan.lnk.to/PretzelLogicVinylPR

- LA-based indie rock/pop trio Night Talks share their bouncy, bright track and ominous video "Roll On" out everywhere now. "Roll On" takes an energetic, dynamic look at isolation to find slices of hope and amusement.  Behind an irresistible rhythm and glittering guitar riffs, "Roll On" captures the collective monotony and idleness that ripped through the world throughout 2020. The subject matter contrasted by the bubbling beat finds slivers of optimism and eagerness that linger and leave a lasting impression. Reflecting on writing this song during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inevitable aching comparison that came with it, frontwoman Soraya Sebghati says, "It was a really tough time to be an independent musician with no real infrastructure, especially when looking at other, more successful acts, who were still able to release albums and play on late-night television." The band powered through the fear and uncertainty that made productivity and excitement difficult to bring this track to life. Sebghati continues, "The only thing we could do was work on writing songs and other small projects, and that’s exactly what this song came out of. We wanted to capture the feeling of what it literally feels like to be stuck inside your apartment, unable to do much of anything."

- Grammy-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet is debuting their new track “Farewell For Now;” listen HERE and watch/share the visualizer HERE.  “On ‘Farewell For Now’ we express the sentiment of our longing to stay on stage and savor the magic created by the audience-music phenomena,” notes bassist Sam Kiszka. “But we must pack up and go to the next place to do it all over again; as always, we’ll be back soon.”

- Multi-Platinum Certified singer, songwriter, and producer Jeremy Zucker’s much-anticipated new EP is nothing sacred? is out today—listen HERE! Zucker’s 5-track project includes his latest single “cindy” alongside previously released songs “OK” and “internet crush,” as well as new songs “i need you (in my life)” and “a dying world…” Watch the visualizer for “cindy” HERE!  On the honest and reflective offering, Zucker looks both inwards and outwards and attempts to answer some of life’s important questions. Jeremy explains, “is nothing sacred? is a shout into the void. a question born of frustration, and a call to action. for a while, i thought it was cool to not care. it felt easier to lost myself in dopamine-fueled swipes than to call up a friend. i chose to be aloof instead of open – not by ego but out of fear. fear of rejection, fear of seeming awkward, fear of not fitting in. to me, not caring meant removing the possibility of getting hurt. it took me a long time to realize just how isolated that had made me. i think we’re losing sight of what makes it so special to be a human in this world: caring about people. being selfless, loyal. appreciating what’s in front of you.”

- PBS and WORLD Channel present Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts, an award-winning documentary feature that explores the complex history of Black soldiers in the United States military. Director and producer Dru Holley weaves together the testimony of historians, experts and descendants of Buffalo Soldiers with archival photographs, reenactments and animation to tell the story of how newly free Black Americans enlisted in the U.S. Army.  Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts will premiere Monday, June 12 at 10pm ET on PBS and Monday, June 19 at 8pm ET on WORLD Channel’s Local, USA series. The film will be available to stream on the PBS app, WORLDChannel.org , YouTube and on the PBS Documentaries Prime Video Channel. This film provides the perfect opportunity to educate viewers on Black History in time for the Juneteenth holiday.

- Oscar®-nominated HBO Documentary short HOW DO YOU MEASURE A YEAR?, from longtime HBO collaborator Jay Rosenblatt (HBO’s Oscar®-nominated “When We Were Bullies,” “Phantom Limb,” “The Darkness of Day,” “Human Remains”), debuts WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max, in celebration of Father’s Day.  Synopsis: For 17 years, filmmaker Jay Rosenblatt filmed his daughter Ella on her birthday in the same spot, asking her the same questions. In just 29 minutes, we watch her grow from a toddler to a young woman with all the beautiful and sometimes awkward stages in between. Each phase is captured fleetingly but makes an indelible mark. Her responses to her father’s questions are just a backdrop for a deeper story of parental love, acceptance, and ultimately, independence.  

- POV, America’s longest running non-fiction series, provides a balanced, in-depth look at Kathryn, a woman paralyzed by late-stage ALS in the wryly moving family portrait, Eat Your Catfish.  Reliant on round-the-clock care, she clings to a mordant wit while yearning to witness her daughter's wedding. Narrated by Kathryn and pictured entirely from her point of view, co-directors and producers Adam Isenberg, Senem Tüzen and Noah Amir Arjomand — who is Kathryn's son — deliver a brutally frank and darkly humorous portrait of a family teetering on the brink, grappling with the daily demands of disability and in-home caregiving.  Eat Your Catfish makes its national broadcast premiere on POV Monday, July 24, 2023 at 10pmET/9C (check local listings) and will be available to stream at pbs.org, and the PBS App until October 22, 2023. In addition to standard closed captioning for the film, POV, in partnership with audio description service DiCapta, provides real time audio interpretations.

- SHOWTIME announced today that LOUDMOUTH, the definitive look at  Reverend Al Sharpton directed by Josh Alexander, will premiere on SHOWTIME streaming and on-demand platforms Friday, June 16,  in honor of Juneteenth. The critically acclaimed documentary feature, which premiered at Tribeca Festival^® in June 2022, chronicles Reverend Sharpton’s path from racial justice firebrand to elder media statesman, and his work for social change from the streets of 1980s Brooklyn to 2020 Minneapolis, with never-before-seen footage on the front lines, in the media and in the corridors of power, to paint an intimate and revealing portrait of this tireless activist. LOUDMOUTH will make its SHOWTIME on-air premiere Sunday, June 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.   Often controversial, occasionally fallible, and always quotable, Reverend Sharpton has spent a lifetime confronting America's deafening complacency in the fight against racial injustice -- amplifying the ugly truths about the ongoing impact of structural racism on our nation many would prefer to ignore. Sharpton has been a polarizing figure, inspiring both love and hate on local and national stages. LOUDMOUTH follows a tireless warrior who has never ducked a fight in his mission to transform the status quo. The film features commentary from President Barack Obama, Reverend Jesse Jackson, James Brown and Senator Chuck Schumer.

-  Get ready as The Venture Bros. are back in an all-new original movie picking up right after the events from the shocking season 7 finale! Based off one of Adult Swim's longest-running, award-winning original adult animated series, The Venture Bros.: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart will be available to purchase Digitally on July 21, 2023 and on Blu-ray Disc on July 25, 2023.  Returning in their original series roles are James Urbaniak (The Fabelmans) as Dr. Venture, Patrick Warburton (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) as Brock Samson, Michael Sinterniklaas (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Dean Venture, Chris McCulloch (Superjail!) as Hank Venture and Doc Hammer as Dr. Mrs. The Monarch.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: June 4, 2023

 

Fatal Attraction:  Wait, the daughter is some slutty stalkers because of one conversation with Lizzie Caplan?  Really?  And she chooses to stalk… Johnny Crowder?  And I though Lizzie Caplan being murdered by the new husband was going to be the most inexplicable twist of the season.  Who could have guessed those two insignificant characters in the previous episodes would end up being so important to the finale?

 

The Blacklist:  How lucky were we that we got three episodes over the past week?  Lucky in that we are three episodes closer to the finale.  Yet we still got a month and a half to get there.  We did get a little more Siya backstory but I am still waiting for some bigger connection to Red and the season as a whole.

 

Fear the Walking Dead:  Oh yeah, Daniel is still alive, but the only thing I remember from him last season was that maybe he was brain damaged.  I guess he has recovered.  But so much for a mother’s intuition, where is Maury to say “you are not the mother”?

 

Saint X:  Note to showrunners, if you are going to do a murder mystery, do not have the twist be there was no murder.  I never thought Gogo and Edwin did it, but c’mon, at least have the boring white dude do it.  Though I missed how the sister knew he saw his sister right before she died.  Oh well.  At least the show gave us the strong message that if you have anti-man sex, it will ruin your life.  Happy Anti-Man Pride Month everyone.

 

Class of ‘09:  Would the FBI really let Kate Mara continue to be a field agent after she lost an eye?  Seems like having peripheral vision would be very import if you are working in the field.  But I wonder if the computer guy is the same guy who died in the future.  But I do not care enough to look it up.

 

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies:  That “race” looked like they were going five miles per hour.  But I am surpised they could not find a way to have both boys stay.  Speaking of boys, holy Zucko sighting.  Though clearly it is not Danny, who is likely in middle school with Rizzo and Frenchie.  Did everyone from the original movie have an older sibling?

 

Around the Tubes: June 3, 2023

  

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post includes blurbs on Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys, Jack Johnson, Jhené Aiko, and Fellow Travelers.

- Kenny Rogers’ first posthumous album, Life Is Like A Song, out today via UMe, is a heartfelt collection of songs that were near and dear to the late legend but in most cases never released. Curated and executive produced by the Country Music Hall of Famer’s widow, Wanda Rogers, the album features eight never-before-heard recordings, spanning 2008-2011, and showcases Rogers’ range through an array of original material and covers, including interpretations of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” and Lionel Richie’s “Goodbye,” as well as the artist’s long-sought-after lost duet with Dolly Parton, “Tell Me That You Love Me,” presented here in a never-before-released, newly remixed form. A digital deluxe edition includes two bonus tracks: a cover of the Mack Gordon/Henry Warren standard, “At Last” (made famous by Etta James), and the Buddy Hyatt-penned original, “Say Hello to Heaven.” Life Is Like A Song is available now on CD and vinyl as well as digitally. The release marks the first new non-Christmas studio album by Rogers in 10 years and the only non-compilation/non-reissued full-length album to be released on vinyl since 1991.  Stream or purchase Life Is Like A Song: https://kennyrogers.lnk.to/LifeIsLikeASongPR

- Widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, The Beach Boys’ magnum opus, Pet Sounds, changed the notion of what an album could be when released in May 1966, forever altering the course of popular music. Breaking away from the surf rock that made them global stars, The Beach Boys’ 11^th album in just four years couldn’t have been more different than what came before, especially the acoustic rave-up, Beach Boys’ Party!, featuring their smash hit “Barbara Ann,” that preceded it by only a few months. Influenced by The Beatles’ Rubber Soul and Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production, creative visionary Brian Wilson took a left turn from their standard formula of upbeat songs about girls, surfing and the Southern California lifestyle and sought to create what he called “a complete statement.” In turn he produced an album like nothing before, one that revolutionized modern music by venturing into uncharted musical territory, both in composition and production, employing innovative recording techniques and pioneering the use of the studio as an instrument. Across 13 exquisite tracks, Pet Sounds pushed the boundaries of sonic experimentation, introducing a rich tapestry of complex, orchestral arrangements, unconventional instrumentation like Theremin and Coca-Cola bottles for percussion, flawless, trademark harmonies by Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and new addition Bruce Johnston, and deep, introspective lyrics that went beyond anything the group had ever sung about. The record influenced The Beatles and their longtime producer George Martin to push the creative envelope when making their groundbreaking album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts, and paved the path for countless generations of musicians and producers. Today it remains one of the most pivotal and beloved albums ever made.  Stream Pet Sounds In Dolby Atmos:  https://TheBeachBoys.lnk.to/PetSoundsinAtmosPR

- Multi-platinum musician Jack Johnson’s new remix album, In Between Dub, is out today through Brushfire and Republic Records and available through all digital platforms and and select retailers on CD and Vinly,  In Between Dub, a hand-selected collection of some of Johnson’s favorite songs over an incredible two-decade career, features a reimagined collaborative compilation of classic Johnson tracks remixed by some of Reggae’s most influential names like the late Lee “Scratch” Perry, Dennis Bovell, Nightmares on Wax, and Subatomic Sound System.

-  Sleep Soul, a fresh R&B-inspired take on the traditional baby sleep music genre presented by Jhené Aiko, reveals its latest installment Sleep Soul: Relaxing R&B Baby Sleep Music (Vol. 3). Listen to the new project – HERE.  Curated by Jhené, Sleep Soul: Relaxing R&B Baby Sleep Music (Vol. 3) encompasses 20 soothing tunes crafted to inspire and maintain a good night’s sleep. Vibrant R&B melodies melt into downtempo rhythms encased in warm synths tailored to receptive young ears. “Sleepy Bear Soothing Serenade” opens the album with mesmerizing echoes and ambient rain sounds across a soft soundscape. “R&B Lullaby Dreams” and “Counting Sheep With Brown Noise” pacify and precipitate rest. Finally, “Sweet Dreams With Sleepy” provides a delicate conclusion to the evening with a gentle twinkling piano melody.  Expanding the vision yet again, Sleep Soul has introduced a merchandise store with premium infant clothing. The release consists of a baby beanie, onesie, and Sleepy The Bear plushie that gently plays Sleep Soul Vol. 3 album from a hidden speaker inside. Check out the full store – HERE.

- SHOWTIME has released the first teaser for its new limited series FELLOW TRAVELERS. The eight-episode drama is created by Oscar^® nominee Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia, HOMELAND) and stars Matt Bomer (The Normal Heart, The Boys in the Band), Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Jelani Alladin (The Walking Dead World Beyond), Allison Williams (Get Out, Girls) and Noah J. Ricketts (American Gods). Bomer and Nyswaner will executive produce with Robbie Rogers (All American, My Policeman) and Dee Johnson. Daniel Minahan (Halston, American Crime Story: Versace) will executive produce and direct the first two episodes. Co-produced by Fremantle and SHOWTIME, FELLOW TRAVELERS will premiere on Paramount+ With SHOWTIME later this fall.   To watch and share the teaser, go to: https://youtu.be/hC5DsDt0FGQ.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: May 28, 2023

 

Fatal Attraction: I am still pretty confident that Lizzie Caplan is not dead.  That is all I really can say because not that much interesting in this episode.

 

The Blacklist:  When they first called that person “agent Malik” I thought someone was impersonation Siya’s.  It was not until someone called her “Meera” that realized these were flashbacks.  Hopefully we get more of this the rest of the season because it is the only interesting part.

 

Fear the Walking Dead:  Not only did Morgan and Grace give up their kid, so did Dwight and Sherrie.  What happened these last couple years that all four just gave up like that?  We got some vague flashbacks last week, but it is still a bit puzzling.  Also puzzling, cutting of the index finger of someone you want to make a cure for zombieism.  That could come in handy, kind of stupid to cut it off.

 

The Clearing:  Yeah, I called the adult lady to be one of the kidnapped girls very early on.  Okay, I did think was going to be the most recent kidnapped girl.  I wonder if she will show up in the current timeline.  I wonder what happened to all those kids.

 

Saint X:  I have been saying the frumpy chick was the murderer all season, but after the penultimate episode, I am starting to have doubt.  I am beginning to think the “mistake” she talked about a couple episodes ago was to suggest the devil’s threesome.  Then after spending all season thinking that

 

Class of ‘09:  So they are done with the character of the week already?  Poor boring white dudes never got their own episode.  So are we to assume the one boring white dude lost his arm in the building collapse? 

 

Survivor:  Well, that was a bottom five season.  It has been a while since there has been a good one.  I looked back at my rankings and have not given any season over a “5” since David vs. Goliath. 

 

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies:  Why is Olivia’s parents given their blessing to her teacher?  How do they not think that is gross?

 

Yellowjackets:  I am confused.  Is that really the end of the Adam storyline?  Are the cops really going to believe that Kevyn killed him because Walter cyber framed him?  Are they just going to overlook that Kevyn had two bullets in him.  Oh, and that he actually died by being drugged.  And drugged at the same compound and day that a high school classmate also died from an overdose whose needle was injected into her chest.  Oh, and another one of his classmates and the owner of the compound had a bullet in her shoulder.  How exactly do they explain all that?  And wouldn’t six Yellowackets being on the premises  where two deaths and one shooting attract massive media attention.  Is this chapter really over or is Walter just being delusional when he said he fixed everything?  Feels like the Yellowjackets should be in a bigger mess than they were when it was just Adam.

 

But on the bright side, at least Coach Ben finally realized he should try to kill all those crazy benches.  Hopefully the writers take this extended writers’ strike to realize what went wrong and spend the downtown thinking up a coherent third season that can right the ship.