Discourse & Dischord

posted in: Music News

The Good

Jim Carrey’s daughter Jane auditions for American Idol

Jim Carrey’s daughter Jane auditioned for American Idol this week and made it through to Hollywood. Now, before you cry nepotism, Jane works as a waitress. And she has a decent set of pipes. And she made J-Lo feel old. So we’re loving her. Listen to Carrey sing Something to Talk About, and hear what her pops has to say about her in the clip below.

 

Vanilla Ice goes indie rock with acoustic Ice, Ice Baby

He’s still milking the Ice, Ice Baby thing. Will it ever stop? Yo, we don’t know, but at least he’s doing it with some degree of irony. Watch Vanilla Ice win the hipster contingent over with his acoustic cover of his famous track. It’s actually really funny.

The Bad

Etta James public viewing and funeral scheduled this week

The world lost a great musical icon last week when singer Etta James passed away in Riverside, California, from complications stemming from leukemia. She was seventy-three. A public viewing is being held today at Inglewood Cemetery in Inglewood, CA, followed by a private funeral on Saturday. The Rev. Al Sharpton will preside. James’s family has requested that donations be sent to the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to preserve R&B music. R.I.P.

Jay-Z’s 40/40 club shut down for health code violations

After a $10 million renovation, Jay-Z’s 40/40 club in Manhattan reopened to great fanfare last Wednesday, only to be shut down the next day by the Health Department. The New York Post reported this week on all the violations, and it’s enough to make your stomach turn. Rancid raw chicken wings and raw shrimp, mashed potatoes left out on the counter, and a worker mixing salsa with his bare hands. Probably after riding the subway. Ruin your breakfast by reading about it here.

The Ugly

Steven Tyler sings the national anthem

The nation got a treat this week (opposite day) when Steven Tyler stepped up to the mic to perform The Star Spangled Banner at the Ravens and Patriots playoff game on Saturday. If you’re angry at your ears and want to do them harm, listen to his performance below.

Kanye West and Soundgarden clash at Big Day Out Festival

We all knew that sooner or later Yeezy would be back in the headlines for bad behavior. This time he not only pissed off his fans for starting his set forty-five minutes late, he also pissed off Soundgarden for doing a loud soundcheck during their set. Chris Cornell had some choice words about the people responsible for the scheduling gaffe, which you can read here. Or, check out West’s performance of All of the Lights to remind yourself why we put up with him in the first place.

Miscellany