Music Commentary

Blog Party

Musicians do it bloggy style -- A look at the websites of Dave Navarro and Kanye West

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By Leah Greenblatt

Leah Greenblatt

Technology is a beautiful thing. How else could you get Barbra Streisand's ongoing battle with the Bush White House, Lily Allen's every waking thought, or Ryan Adams' unexpurgated video rants (now sadly shuttered), all at the click of a mouse? Below, you'll find a collection of less well-publicized but possibly even more engaging efforts from various stars of the music world.

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
http://deathcabforcutie.com/blogs/
The Bio
In the '90s, they were merely Northwest twee favorites; the 2003 breakout Transatlanticism made them SNL-playing, Billboard-charting indie icons.
The Gist
Each Cabbie takes a turn at the wheel with his own corner of the blog, though you can also read them all at once. The boys muse on current events, the recording process, and silly links. For a bonus, singer Ben Gibbard digs through old records and posts audio streams.
Grade
Clean, witty, and well designed; still, fans may have to wait awhile between entries. B+

DAVE NAVARRO
6767.com
The Bio
You likely know him as the former Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, ex-husband to Carmen Electra, onetime cohost of Rock Star: INXS, and longtime advocate of shirtlessness.
The Gist
Lots of updates on his all-star cover band, Camp Freddy, Spread TV video clips with buddies like Margaret Cho and Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, touts for up-and-comers, and many, many appreciations of pretty ladies.
Grade
Rawk-centric, chatty, and very L.A. B

BEN LEE
ben-lee.com/blog
The Bio
He broke out in the '90s as a singer-songwriter wunderkind from Down Under; today, at 28, Lee continues to release his trademark quirky folk-pop and tour with buddies like Ben Folds and Mandy Moore.
The Gist
Gentle musings on the environment and Eastern spirituality, talk of his upcoming wedding in India, and various tales from the road.
Grade
Intelligent, thoughtful dialogue for people who like music and count carbon points. A-

CARRIE BROWNSTEIN
http://npr.org/blogs/monitormix
The Bio
Former guitarist for Sleater-Kinney, one of the most blazing and boundary-breaking bands of the '90s.
The Gist
Now that S-K's on permanent hiatus, the Portland, Ore., resident can focus on her blog for NPR. It's a rock geek's paradise: streamable mixtapes, critical analyses, and clever, informed ruminations on everything from stereo equipment to the B-52's.
Grade
Highbrow without being snobby, lowbrow when it's called for (she loves The Bachelor), and the writing is quality. A

KANYE WEST
kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/
The Bio
The electric, mercurial hip-hop superstar hardly needs an introduction, though he may need St. John's wort; only weeks ago, he poured blog haterade on EW because we gave his current tour a B+.
The Gist
A huge fan of both avant-garde and street fashion, techno gadgets and Japanese kitsch, West happily cheerleads for them all, as well as clips from artists as diverse as Coldplay and Chromeo.
Grade
It's like high-gloss candy: colorful, quick-hitting, and, if not exactly nourishing, always fun. (Will he be mad about the minus? Check in next week, readers!) A-

MOBY
moby.com/journal
The Bio
His 9-million-selling '99 release, Play, made him a dance-music superstar, but the shiny-pated 42-year-old is now nearly as well known for his activism and staunch veganism.
The Gist
In-depth analysis of the current presidential race (with lots of Obama props), witty dispatches from the road, and random reflections on The Simpsons.
Grade
Smart and informative. If you disagree with his politics and/or love bacon, however, it might not be for you. A-

BRIAN MAY
brianmay.com/brian/brianssb/brianssb.html
The Bio
Onetime lead guitarist of classic-rock titans Queen, the 60-year-old Brit is also an astrophysicist (he recently completed his Ph.D., after years spent touring and recording).
The Gist
Read Brian's thoughts on the discovery of zodiacal light in 1685! Witness his photographic tribute to Spanish moss! Hear about his new job as chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University!
Grade
Totally random but surprisingly charming; it's like having a dotty scientist uncle who also just happened to play Live Aid. B+