Music

The “punk composer” of his generation, Beethoven garnered that reputation mostly because of public reaction to his early works — they were sinful, even satanic. But difficult as it might be for contemporary audiences to grasp, just about all classical music has, at some point, been judged the work of…

The Brooklyn quartet the Shondes offers no shortage of politically charged tinder with which to spark a debate. That’s clear from just the band’s name: Pronounced shonduhz, it’s adapted from Yiddish for “shame” or “disgrace.” Outspoken — emphasis on out — the group is part Jewish, part transgender, and all…

While other top MCs have had to create their own boogeymen to battle — Kanye has his ego, Eminem had Kim, Lil Wayne has those cough-syrup Martians — T.I. has real problems. Released from house arrest and in the midst of 1,500 hours of community service, he still has to…

On its self-titled 2005 debut, Calle 13 was hilarious and musically innovative, vocalist Residente’s lyrics poking fun at every aspect of contemporary Latin culture while his cousin Visitante’s beats combined reggaeton, hip-hop, and funk into a swirling, irresistible groove. The followup, last year’s Residente o Visitante, was more thoughtful and…

The collision of Seventies hard-rock riffs and Eighties hardcore aggression has long been a volatile combination, successfully mined by the likes of Zeke, Nashville Pussy, and the late-lamented REO Speedealer. Though quintet Annihilation Time doesn’t careen through songs at the same maniacal tempos as those bands, its explosive third album…

It’s just before midnight outside Diamonds Cabaret, a swank-meets-hood black strip club on the western, industrial edge of North Miami Beach. Six cops sit in patrol cars outside, and three security guards stand near the door. The club once had a bad reputation it’s trying to outgrow — but the…

Justin Namon GrandMarnier, Julie Budet (a.k.a. Yelle) and Tepr. When French electro-pop trio Yelle’s C’est La Amerique tour stopped at the Magic City last Friday, we decided it was a good opportunity to meet with the group face-to-face. We originally hoped to spend the day with Yelle, getting to know…

So there’s a new mixtape DJ on the prowl in Broward County and she (that’s right, I said she) has a deft ear for good music. Her name is Miss Face, and she just released a red-hot digital download called “Face Smusher” which, when you hear these beats drop, will…

Daft Punk tried to warn us. With the U.S. economy tanking, we can’t help but to feel a little pessimistic about our future. We reverted to our inner 15-year-old, which happened to grow up in the go-go ’90s of excess and wealth (a.k.a. the Clinton years), and decide to make…

We apologize for not bringing you your weekly dose of On the List last week, but we’ve got life to you know. But we’re back, so you can get your panties out of a twist and relish in the fact that you won’t be clueless as to what is going…