But what's with the growling???

So my husband and the features writer (Brett) are having this musical male-bonding thing. It's been going on for about two years now, with Phillip serving as Yoda keeper-of-knowledge to Brett's jedi absorbtion of all the musical stuff that Phillip's apparently been dying to share with someone, and I just haven't been a good enough candidate over the last 15 years. In that time, I'll point out, I've seen Megadeth (or maybe it was Metallica?), Warrant, Tesla (I like them), so I've hung in there. I've even grown to appreciate the humor and tallness of Ted Nugent.

However, as a musical buddy, I'm lacking. Brett has taken up the yoke admirably, and apparently it is a light load to bear.

Anyway, into this exchange of musical culture comes something called Opeth -- a Swedish band that's opening for the show they're going to hear in Atlanta tomorrow. They growl. Which, I understand if you can't sing. But in the moments when this guy (Opeth's lead singer, who's probably named Lars...) sings, he's got a nice voice. Interesting music, but I don't get the growling.

Their summer of music continues in New York on Father's Day weekend. Both are fathers, by the way, which automatically makes both of their wives saints for sanctioning these outings, right?

NKOTB performs again

They're not so new, nor are they kids but one could argue they were on a block outside of the NBC studios. I can't believe I'm posting this ... the things I do for you people.

Rodney Atkins could take 6 ACM Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Rodney Atkins is still surprised when people recognize him in the grocery store nowadays. But give it time.

With six nominations for Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards, including biggies like male vocalist, album of the year and song of the year, his shopping trips are about to get a lot dicier. He's also scheduled to perform at the show, which airs live from Las Vegas at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

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NIN new album is a free download

It seems like Trent Reznor and Radiohead are going head-to-head to change the music industry. 

Monday, Reznor announced that the newest NIN album, The Slip, will be available for free download at their website. 

Click here for the download form. Why not? It's free. 

You can read more about it here.

Also, check out a review of The Slip in tomorrows Escapes section. 

Jazz Fest Webcast

Click here to watch

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) Webcast is right around the corner! Live on the blue room May 3rd and 4th starting at 2 p.m. EST. Featuring the best performances from the festival, the live Webcast will include taped highlights from the first weekend.

Saturday Line-Up
Roddie Romero & The Hub City All Stars
Zac Brown
Wayne Toups
Jon Cleary
Dr. John
Voice of the Wetlands All Stars featuring Tab Benoit, Dr. Cyril Neville, Dr. John and others
the subdudes
Theresa Andersson
Susan Cowsill
Kim Carson
Irma Thomas
Tim McGraw
Jimmy Buffett
Widespread Panic (Woohoo!)

Sunday Line-Up
Salvador Santana Band
Alejandro Escovedo
Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
Porter Batiste Stoltz
Papa Grows Funk
Art Neville
The Neville Brothers

— Info from www.attblueroom.com