Voice

Skylar Grey reinvented on Don’t Look Down: Review

Skylar Grey reinvented on Don’t Look Down: Review By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Tue Jul 09 2013 POP 3.5 stars Skylar Grey, Don’t Look Down (KIDinaKORNER/Universal) Here’s another woman in search of a makeover, but in Skylar Grey’s case, it seems to be working. Formerly known professionally as Holly Brook, Grey is best known for co-writing the Grammy Award-nominated Eminem/Rihanna smash “Love The Way You Lie.”…


Ciara’s new full-length ‘easily forgettable’: Review

Ciara is trying hard not to come off as Rihanna-lite but it’s not likely to happen with her forthcoming album, Ciara. By: Nick Krewen Music, Published on Tue Jul 09 2013 R&B/POP 1.5 stars Ciara (Sony Music) “Ladies this is your sound/So as soon as it comes out/You should get yourself on the floor/And get your sexy out.” So commands Ciara, the former Queen of crunk (remember crunk?) on “I’m…


Maestro Fresh Wes settles score on Orchestrated Noise

Grandfather of Canadian rap music recruits all-star lineup for first full album in 13 years     Nick Krewen Music Published on Fri Jun 28 2013 For his big return, Maestro Fresh Wes has pulled out all the stops. To commemorate his 25th year as Canada’s breakthrough rap pioneer, Toronto’s Wesley Williams waded deep into Canadian and U.S. talent pools to help him record his brand new album Orchestrated Noise,…


Willie Nelson charms Massey Hall crowd

It usually takes country music icon Willie Nelson and his backing band, The Family, a few numbers to get into that special groove of theirs. That was the case Thursday night in Toronto. Willie Nelson and The Family performing for a Toronto crowd at Massey Hall on June 20, 2013. Nick Krewen Music Published on Fri Jun 21 2013   Willie Nelson Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., Toronto, June 20…


A Magnetic Conversation With Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik

GOO GOO DOLLS FRONTMAN ON CHALLENGING HIMSELF ON THE BAND’S LATEST ALBUM, MAGNETIC, WRITER’S BLOCK, THE CUSTOM T-SHIRT HE WORE TO THE GRAMMYS IN 1999, AND BUILDING FURNITURE June 19, 2013 — 1:30 pm PDT Nick Krewen / GRAMMY.com More than two decades into a career that has evolved from a punk-inspired garage band to Adult Top 40 bastions, the Buffalo, N.Y.-bred Goo Goo Dolls have returned with their latest…