Rapper Novel Turns a Page
Motown scion writes for Alicia Keys, raps over Ben Folds, and gets a second chance at stardom.
By Peter Gerstenzang 02.26.09 5:16 PM
It's a strange day when a rapper frets over what piano-pop goofball Ben Folds thinks of his music. But that's exactly what happened after Novel (born Alonzo Mario Stevenson) recorded himself rapping over Folds' plaintive 2001 ballad "The Luckiest." "I was worried he'd say, 'You fucked my shit up!' " says Novel, 27. "But Ben loved it.
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Matthew Sweet, 'Sunshine Lies' (Shout! Factory)
Still putting the guitar-centric power into pop that's marginally popular.
By Peter Gerstenzang 08.25.08 2:07 PM
It's not the savviest 2008 career strategy to play immaculately executed '60s and '70s power pop, but few do it better than Matthew Sweet. Yoking fuzz-stoked guitars (credit Television vet Richard Lloyd) to gorgeous melodies derived from the Beatles and Big Star, Sweet serves up his best tunes since Altered Beast.
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Upload and Personal
Who exactly are those copyright-flouting obsessives who add obscure videos, camera-phone live clips, and fan films to YouTube? Say hello to three seriously dedicated posters.
By Peter Gerstenzang 01.29.08 8:39 PM
Hannah4Monkees
A.K.A. Hannah Rarick
AGE: 20
HQ: Lancaster, Ohio
DAY JOB: Bank teller
SPECIALTY: TV appearances, movie clips, and old commercials featuring the Monkees
CLIPS POSTED: 135 in five months
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The Moonbabies, 'Moonbabies at the Ballroom' (Hidden Agenda/ Parasol)
Sweeping, bouncy boy/girl melodies -- it must be Sweden.
By Peter Gerstenzang 05.29.07 3:00 AM
On their fourth album, this indie-pop duo -- multi-instrumentalists/ songwriters Carina Johansson and Ola Frick -- create what finally could be their Stateside breakthrough.
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