Rock the Vote: Ra Ra Riot needs to speak

Entertainment Column
Written by Nathan Mattise

There’s a lot of attention on the recent announcement of Kid Cudi as SU’s Block Party 2011 headliner. The most interesting part of all the news however is University Union released some statistics from their infamous campus surveys and Cudi is supposedly in line with this results.

It’s good news for both pro- and anti- Cudi booking individuals. If you’re happy this week, rejoice in the fact that your own opinion was heard. If you’re pissed, make sure to take larger action next time a survey opportunity is presented. For both camps, the time is now. The UU Speakers/Comedians survey is live and there is one idea that needs everyone’s support.

WFOETYLs #2: Ten live sets from ’10

Entertainment Column
Written by Nathan Mattise

If you thought the top albums of 2010 were solid, the top shows really gave you reason to find a downloading means and put your funds towards tickets. Tons of big names came through CNY’s preverbial back yard (give it a 2.5hr driving radius) and I’m not even including Justin Bieber at the State Fair.

A few guidelines to start:

Is 2010 the most blog-friendly music year ever?

Entertainment Column
Written by Nathan Mattise

Where the two circles meet in the Venn diagram of music lovers and bloggers, the inevitable debate of best albums of the year  arises.

I’m as guilty as anyone of indulging in this pleasure.  A passion for music means sampling plenty and sharing your favorites while a passion for blogging means making an opinion and presenting it to the world. Year-end music lists are a natural outlet for the intersection of these.

This year however, the millions of folks who engage in this subculture have their work cut out for them.  If the online year-end music list is a distinctly 2000s trend,  2010 threatens to be the most insanely loaded (and therefore insanely difficult) year-end list conversation we’ve ever seen.  Consider the following acts that have  released or are reportedly releasing albums this year found through just three different websites: