Musical Wish List for 2014

With 2013 almost in the books, we can sit back and recollect on what a great year it was musically, or we can be greedy and count next year’s chickens before they hatch. We’re choosing the latter. Sure, 2013 had its sweet moments. There were crossover hits that (almost) everyone…

ZZ Top – Hard Rock Live, Hollywood – December 28

Stick around long enough, and you become what you pretended to be. When ZZ Top formed in 1970, they were a trio of twenty-year-olds trying to capture the blues of their home state of Texas. Thousands of whiskey bottle-emptying, smoky nights later and they’ve filled the role they cast themselves…

Best Broward and Palm Beach County Albums of 2013

Listen up, people. Grab your beverage of choice or the stinky, sticky thing you enjoy puffing on, put the volume up, and get ready to judge. They say the album’s dead, but there’s no real proof — no bloody vinyl LPs or strangled cassettes (non-cassingles, of course) lying around with…

Five Things You Don’t Know About Jay Z

You love the Jiggaman, but do you really know all about his greatness? There are so many facets to Mr. Shawn Carter — loving father, attentive husband, chart-topping rapper, business, man. And thanks to his all-angles hustle, Hova’s latest album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, was certified platinum before it even…

Five Ways to Spend New Year’s Broke

It’s New Year’s Eve, and you’re in the mood to get down and boogie-woogie. Problem is, well, your bank account is tapped out until next payday. And then rent is due on Tuesday, so you’re in a bit of a hole. A limousine, with Cristal in hand, dropping $500 for…

Justin Bieber Retires: Five Things We See Him Doing Next

No doubt, the recent Twitter announcement by Justin Bieber that he’s retiring is a total Cher move. On Christmas Eve, probably in a drunken eggnog haze, he tweeted: “My beloved beliebers I’m officially retiring.” This was even after he had already announced this “big” news earlier in the month on…

Five Best New Year’s Eve Parties for 2014

Doesn’t it feel like every year is the “worst” or “best”? Like if you got married in 2013, it was the best year ever. If you lost your pinky toe, it was the worst ever. Maybe you’re anticipating another Pintrest-perfect 12 months or you’re hoping you don’t lose your other…

Five Best New Year’s Parties in Broward and Palm Beach

Doesn’t it feel like every year is the “worst” or “best”? Like if you got married in 2013, it was the best year ever. If you lost your little toe, it was the worst ever. Maybe you’re anticipating another Pinterest-perfect 12 months or you’re hoping you don’t lose your other…

Kanye West’s Letter to Santa

We at New Times pride ourselves on our keen sense of journalistic curiosity. So we knew we had something when one of our interns walked into the office with a gold envelope that said “To: Santa. HURRY UP DUMB ASS MAILMEN” Turns out it was a letter to Kris Kringle…

Sandratz Host Skate Jam at Circus Bowl in Pompano

We here at New Times think you should get an early start on your New Year’s resolutions. Take the Gorilla Biscuits approach and start today! We’ll show you how. Our first resolution (after shaking this nasty cough-syrup addiction we developed over the fall) is to stop hanging out at the…

Power Trip – The Talent Farm, Pembroke Pines – December 20

Last Friday night, the Talent Farm of Pembroke Pines hosted a celebration of the new guard of thrash metal. A virulent display of chugging guitars, screaming vocals, and hectic mosh that served as much as a barometer of the strength of South Florida’s own metal and hardcore scene as it…

Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums of 2013

New rules, new slaves, new mobs and gangs, and more ways of soul searching. That was 2013. There’s no denying hip-hop stuck its chest out with enough bravado that would make Michael Jordan believe you were challenging his throne. Who else but Jay Z could sell one million albums BEFORE…

Top 20 Signs You Spend Too Much Time in Fort Lauderdale

For 20-somethings and young-at-heart 30-somethings, Fort Lauderdale is brimming with more nightlife options than ever. Sure, the city still has a reputation for wife-swapping and wasted frat guys, but with the emergence of places like the FAT Village Arts District, Radio-Active Records, the Bubble, and Funky Buddha Brewery, indie-loving club…

Holiday Gift Guide Filled WIth Musical Merriment

The holidays aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. The annoying obligation to buy the perfect gift and please everyone on your list… God, this is a desperate time of year. However, don’t despair. We here at New Times are pleased to share our thoughts and suggestions about the best…