Found this on Idolator, and my soul won't stop crying. Remember when that Flo Rida remix made me want to burn a field of daisies? Upon hearing the Sean Kingston song below, I don't think burning flowers is enough.
Sean Kingston - Ghetto Girl (samples Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl")
Twice now Kingston has taken a great song from past decades and cursed it with his "presence". ("Beautiful Girls" sampled "Stand By Me"...badly) What's next? "Bohemian Rhapsody"?
Oh God..no...forget I said anything...
==TJ==
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Weekend WTF: Wow, A Site that actually posts GOOD Mashups?
This edition of Weekend WTF is just as much a legitimate entry as it is a WTF post. Astute readers will find a new Link on the Left for a site called flipboitamidles. Flipboitamidles creates and posts videos for the mashups he creates. The video's aren't usually much to write home about, but the songs themselves are incredible. Most mashups seem to involve the same groups of songs and artists over and over again. On flipboitamidles, everyone is fair game, the best mashups I've found to date are "What I've Apologized" (Linkin Park/OneRepublic) and the (Hey Oh) remix to "Give It To Me" (Timbaland/RHCP). I've posted an MP3 of "What I've Apologized" below, but please support a fellow music blogger and check his site out.
Linkin Park/OneRepublic - What I've Apologized (Mashedup by Flipboitamidles)
Another legit entry coming later this weekend.
==TJ==
Linkin Park/OneRepublic - What I've Apologized (Mashedup by Flipboitamidles)
Another legit entry coming later this weekend.
==TJ==
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
VLM Chews Some Crow
Last week I finally snagged myself a copy of Secondhand Serenade's new album A Twist in my Story. When I first discovered Secondhand Serenade, I was at a point musically where that sort of syrupy acoustic emo was what I was after. The first album cooled off a lot for me once my tastes shifted (as they often do with little warning), but I still regarded the John Vesely (the man behind the band) as someone to watch for awhile. When the new album's first single "Fall For You" dropped, I was initially disappointed. Not so much because there was a full band now, but just because it just didn't have the same weight that the best tracks off of Awake had. Then the title track came out, which was a true disappointment. But I kept hoping that upon hearing the album I'd remember why I loved the band in the first place.
Well...
First things first; A Twist in my Story isn't a terrible album. Musically there are some really good things happening. The full band does add something, and isn't just Vesely's attempt to get his album in the "For Fans of Dashboard Confessional" rack. The new version of Awake track "Maybe" is the best work from Secondhand yet. The biggest problem is sadly in John Vesely's lyrics. They're either too forced, or so badly dripping with sap that they look as though they were ripped from Tom DeLonge's post-Blink playbook. While Dashboard is in the studio, teasing fans with promises of a new album before long, Secondhand Serenade will do, much as they did while those same fans were waiting for The Shade of Poison Trees. But in reality, that's all it is. I'll play this album a couple more times, and then wonder what some other band is doing and go off and ponder that, leaving this back in the corners of my hard drive.
I'm not willing to give up hope on Secondhand Serenade yet...two albums is hardly enough to make that call...but I have a sinking feeling the third one might be the last unless something life-changing happens to John Vesely.
Ruling on the Field: 4.5/10
Highlight Reel: Maybe [iTunes]
==TJ==
==TJ==
Well...
First things first; A Twist in my Story isn't a terrible album. Musically there are some really good things happening. The full band does add something, and isn't just Vesely's attempt to get his album in the "For Fans of Dashboard Confessional" rack. The new version of Awake track "Maybe" is the best work from Secondhand yet. The biggest problem is sadly in John Vesely's lyrics. They're either too forced, or so badly dripping with sap that they look as though they were ripped from Tom DeLonge's post-Blink playbook. While Dashboard is in the studio, teasing fans with promises of a new album before long, Secondhand Serenade will do, much as they did while those same fans were waiting for The Shade of Poison Trees. But in reality, that's all it is. I'll play this album a couple more times, and then wonder what some other band is doing and go off and ponder that, leaving this back in the corners of my hard drive.
I'm not willing to give up hope on Secondhand Serenade yet...two albums is hardly enough to make that call...but I have a sinking feeling the third one might be the last unless something life-changing happens to John Vesely.
Ruling on the Field: 4.5/10
Highlight Reel: Maybe [iTunes]
==TJ==
==TJ==
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Day's Action In Music (In My World, at least)
This is a filler entry whilst I get two more substantial posts ready for later this week.
=After a conversation yesterday with a couple of friends, I have come to the conclusion that anything recorded by Michael Jackson before 1990 is socially acceptable. The one exception to that is the song he did for Free Willy. That's post-1990 and still OK. Everything else after my lifetime is pretty much a no-go. That said, I think my next physical CD purchase is going to end up being Thriller (the ORIGINAL LP, not this 25th anniversary bullshit). One of those few albums from the 80s that might not need to be left there.
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean [iTunes]
=Disturbed released the lead single off their fourth album Indestructible, out June 3rd. The track is called "Inside the Fire", and is probably the most traditionally metal thing Disturbed ever put out (remember when they were lumped in as a nu-metal act alongside Saliva and Seether?). It seems like Disturbed's best music comes in times when life is hardest. Believe, their second and most ridiculously unappreciated album, was written in large part after lead singer David Draiman's grandfather passed away, and before going in to record Indestructible Draiman's garage caught fire, destroying nearly everything in it, he was in a motorcycle accident, and went through what he calls a number of bad relationships. Apparently all of that went into writing and recording the new album. I hate to wish ill will upon someone, but if Indestructible ends up being anywhere near as good as Believe, then I think Disturbed fans should hire someone to just walk up to David Draiman and kick him in the balls every day until the next album comes out.
Oh and PS, how badass is the artwork for the single?
Disturbed - Inside the Fire [iTunes]
(this is an Audacity rip of the iTunes quality version, hence why it might sound a little glitchy)
=After buying the Disturbed song and the two new singles from 3 Doors Down (both decent, not worthy of the time it takes to rip and upload), I have $12.03 in iTunes credit to spend. Any thoughts on what to burn it on? I was thinking the new Counting Crows album or perhaps some of the Live in SoHo recordings Apple's put out, but not so sure. Any ideas on what I might enjoy are appreciated.
Back later/tomorrow.
==TJ==
=After a conversation yesterday with a couple of friends, I have come to the conclusion that anything recorded by Michael Jackson before 1990 is socially acceptable. The one exception to that is the song he did for Free Willy. That's post-1990 and still OK. Everything else after my lifetime is pretty much a no-go. That said, I think my next physical CD purchase is going to end up being Thriller (the ORIGINAL LP, not this 25th anniversary bullshit). One of those few albums from the 80s that might not need to be left there.
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean [iTunes]
=Disturbed released the lead single off their fourth album Indestructible, out June 3rd. The track is called "Inside the Fire", and is probably the most traditionally metal thing Disturbed ever put out (remember when they were lumped in as a nu-metal act alongside Saliva and Seether?). It seems like Disturbed's best music comes in times when life is hardest. Believe, their second and most ridiculously unappreciated album, was written in large part after lead singer David Draiman's grandfather passed away, and before going in to record Indestructible Draiman's garage caught fire, destroying nearly everything in it, he was in a motorcycle accident, and went through what he calls a number of bad relationships. Apparently all of that went into writing and recording the new album. I hate to wish ill will upon someone, but if Indestructible ends up being anywhere near as good as Believe, then I think Disturbed fans should hire someone to just walk up to David Draiman and kick him in the balls every day until the next album comes out.
Oh and PS, how badass is the artwork for the single?
Disturbed - Inside the Fire [iTunes]
(this is an Audacity rip of the iTunes quality version, hence why it might sound a little glitchy)
=After buying the Disturbed song and the two new singles from 3 Doors Down (both decent, not worthy of the time it takes to rip and upload), I have $12.03 in iTunes credit to spend. Any thoughts on what to burn it on? I was thinking the new Counting Crows album or perhaps some of the Live in SoHo recordings Apple's put out, but not so sure. Any ideas on what I might enjoy are appreciated.
Back later/tomorrow.
==TJ==
Monday, March 24, 2008
Panic at the Disco go to Boot Camp With Sgt. Pepper
Panic at the Disco (now with 100% less !) are back with Pretty. Odd., their follow-up to 2005's A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, which went from being an underground favorite to Top 40 radio fodder. After a great deal of anticipation, the album found its way to the internet, a few short days before its release tomorrow.
Listening to the album, the first words that come to mind are "self aware". Panic (and this album) are both well aware of the response that A Fever You Can't Sweat Out got, and the fact that releasing a sophomore album that was essentially A Fever You STILL Can't Sweat Out would never have succeeded. So Panic gets the message and returns with an album that alludes to the over-the-top, cabaret style of Fever, but never actually takes on that sound. Panic opens the album with "We're So Starving", one of the best introductory not-really-a-song tracks I've heard in awhile. The track is essentially a wink and a nod to the listener, saying "Yeah, this is still us, but..."
The album then continues with lead single "Nine in the Afternoon", a bright, happy track that sets the mood for the rest of the album. Song after song, you get hit with jangly guitars, wandering lyrics and melodies, and a simple, subdued beat in the background. Also prevalent on nearly every track is a previously unheard-of brass section keeping the sound nice and big in lieu of the normal pop-punk stylings of old. Gone are the Pete Wentz-worshiping song titles. In its place are much more thoughtful, albeit still just left of center titles like "She's A Handsome Woman" and "The Piano knows something I Don't Know". That brings up another aspect of the new Panic: they're out of the Fueled By Ramen shadow that acted as a sort of stigma in the past. They're still on FBR imprint Decaydance, but they've outgrown the baby-FOB comparisons.
One more word belongs in the same sentence when describing Pretty. Odd.; "Beatles". Beatles influence is all over this album. "We're So Starving" and "Nine in the Afternoon" have Sgt. Pepper written on their foreheads, and "Do You Know What I'm Seeing" sounds so much like "Norwegian Wood", it's almost uncanny. Other bands have listed The Beatles as an influence on the album, but no one to my knowledge has ever been able to pull it off with the success that Panic at the Disco have. Some would call it pretentious Lennon-worship, but in reality its just smart playing and utterly brilliant songwriting.
When Panic! at the Disco dropped the ! earlier this year, many (myself included) scoffed and suggested it was a feeble attempt at begging to be taken seriously. Memo to self and others; we were wrong. It wasn't just a feeble beg, it was a statement, saying the same thing the opening track said "Yeah, this is still us, but..."
Ruling on the Field: 8/10
Highlight Reel: Nine in the Afternoon, Pas de Cheval
Pretty. Odd. on iTunes
==TJ==
Listening to the album, the first words that come to mind are "self aware". Panic (and this album) are both well aware of the response that A Fever You Can't Sweat Out got, and the fact that releasing a sophomore album that was essentially A Fever You STILL Can't Sweat Out would never have succeeded. So Panic gets the message and returns with an album that alludes to the over-the-top, cabaret style of Fever, but never actually takes on that sound. Panic opens the album with "We're So Starving", one of the best introductory not-really-a-song tracks I've heard in awhile. The track is essentially a wink and a nod to the listener, saying "Yeah, this is still us, but..."
The album then continues with lead single "Nine in the Afternoon", a bright, happy track that sets the mood for the rest of the album. Song after song, you get hit with jangly guitars, wandering lyrics and melodies, and a simple, subdued beat in the background. Also prevalent on nearly every track is a previously unheard-of brass section keeping the sound nice and big in lieu of the normal pop-punk stylings of old. Gone are the Pete Wentz-worshiping song titles. In its place are much more thoughtful, albeit still just left of center titles like "She's A Handsome Woman" and "The Piano knows something I Don't Know". That brings up another aspect of the new Panic: they're out of the Fueled By Ramen shadow that acted as a sort of stigma in the past. They're still on FBR imprint Decaydance, but they've outgrown the baby-FOB comparisons.
One more word belongs in the same sentence when describing Pretty. Odd.; "Beatles". Beatles influence is all over this album. "We're So Starving" and "Nine in the Afternoon" have Sgt. Pepper written on their foreheads, and "Do You Know What I'm Seeing" sounds so much like "Norwegian Wood", it's almost uncanny. Other bands have listed The Beatles as an influence on the album, but no one to my knowledge has ever been able to pull it off with the success that Panic at the Disco have. Some would call it pretentious Lennon-worship, but in reality its just smart playing and utterly brilliant songwriting.
When Panic! at the Disco dropped the ! earlier this year, many (myself included) scoffed and suggested it was a feeble attempt at begging to be taken seriously. Memo to self and others; we were wrong. It wasn't just a feeble beg, it was a statement, saying the same thing the opening track said "Yeah, this is still us, but..."
Ruling on the Field: 8/10
Highlight Reel: Nine in the Afternoon, Pas de Cheval
Pretty. Odd. on iTunes
==TJ==
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Appreciate the Thought, But...
Check out the comment I got on this entry from a few days ago. Granted, I always like it when I get messages from record labels that aren't "take our music down" (Not YOUR music, assholes), but I think Warner Bros. and XL might've missed the point of that piece. Ah, well, at least they read the blog and weren't my usual spam comment.
==TJ==
==TJ==
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Weekend WTF: Oh-ee-oh-ee-oh...
This weekend's WTF is a tribute to the great Kevin Smith. If you've seen Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, then you already know what I'm posting. If you haven't and/or are sensitive to profanity, you might want to skip this one.
Jay and Silent Bob - Jay's Rap
==TJ==
Jay and Silent Bob - Jay's Rap
==TJ==
Friday, March 21, 2008
Making Up For A Week's Absence
Apologies for the absence...crazy week with little time for blogging. Things I've seen/heard in the last few weeks that are worth noting:
-Jack White's other band, The Raconteurs, are pulling a maneuver vaguely similar to the likes of NIN or Radiohead...except with less "Fuck You" toward the music industry. The Raconteurs are rushing their newly finished album Consolers of the Lonely to stores next Tuesday, bypassing the usual period of releasing a track to the radio and otherwise doing the press circuit. White and Co. are saying this is how they plan to plug up leaks and get music directly to the fans first. Cynics (myself included) claim this is more like critic-proofing. Looks to me like Jack White is angry that Thom Yorke beat him to the creative punch. Memo to Mr. White: "innovative" and "trendy" do not always translate to "good". It's OK to just do something the normal way once in awhile. No one will accuse you of "selling out" or whatever.
Idolator also reported that iTunes accidentally leaked the album a few days early. They've since corrected the mistake, but apparently a number of customers do have the album right now. Given how apeshit Jack White went when a Chicago DJ got her hands on Icky Thump two weeks early and played a couple songs on the air, I don't want to work at Apple's complaint line right now.
-Random thought: What would happen if the band Cake covered "Low"? Would it not be the funniest crossover cover since Alanis did "My Humps"? Someone make this happen. Now.
-In its final issue, Harp magazine ran a cover story on Dave Grohl, in which he discussed he ideas for what he'd do if he were elected president. If Grohl seriously runs for president, I'd have no problem voting Independent. Read the article here
Foo Fighters - My Hero [iTunes]
-I'm reviving the radio show (again). From now till early May, you can catch Viva La Mainstream on the radio at radio.arcadia.edu on Fridays from 4-5PM. Listen in, it should be fun.
-I've got reviews for the following things coming next week, I promise:
Random Song Pick of the Day: The Toadies - Possum Kingdom [iTunes]
(also promising more MP3s next week)
==TJ==
-Jack White's other band, The Raconteurs, are pulling a maneuver vaguely similar to the likes of NIN or Radiohead...except with less "Fuck You" toward the music industry. The Raconteurs are rushing their newly finished album Consolers of the Lonely to stores next Tuesday, bypassing the usual period of releasing a track to the radio and otherwise doing the press circuit. White and Co. are saying this is how they plan to plug up leaks and get music directly to the fans first. Cynics (myself included) claim this is more like critic-proofing. Looks to me like Jack White is angry that Thom Yorke beat him to the creative punch. Memo to Mr. White: "innovative" and "trendy" do not always translate to "good". It's OK to just do something the normal way once in awhile. No one will accuse you of "selling out" or whatever.
Idolator also reported that iTunes accidentally leaked the album a few days early. They've since corrected the mistake, but apparently a number of customers do have the album right now. Given how apeshit Jack White went when a Chicago DJ got her hands on Icky Thump two weeks early and played a couple songs on the air, I don't want to work at Apple's complaint line right now.
-Random thought: What would happen if the band Cake covered "Low"? Would it not be the funniest crossover cover since Alanis did "My Humps"? Someone make this happen. Now.
-In its final issue, Harp magazine ran a cover story on Dave Grohl, in which he discussed he ideas for what he'd do if he were elected president. If Grohl seriously runs for president, I'd have no problem voting Independent. Read the article here
Foo Fighters - My Hero [iTunes]
-I'm reviving the radio show (again). From now till early May, you can catch Viva La Mainstream on the radio at radio.arcadia.edu on Fridays from 4-5PM. Listen in, it should be fun.
-I've got reviews for the following things coming next week, I promise:
- Panic at the Disco - Pretty. Odd. (out Tuesday, leaked earlier this week)
- Secondhand Serenade - A Twist in my Story
- Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV
- The Complete Radiohead Discography
Random Song Pick of the Day: The Toadies - Possum Kingdom [iTunes]
(also promising more MP3s next week)
==TJ==
Monday, March 17, 2008
What's in an Irish 7-course meal?
Since I'll probably get things thrown at me if I don't acknowledge today as St. Patrick's Day...Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone.
U2 - One [iTunes]
(Yes, I have noticed that everytime I post a U2 song it's "One". That's the only track I have that's not DRMed.)
Meanwhile, I randomly started using last.fm's radio service over the weekend. Either I had forgotten how useful that thing could be, or it got significantly better from the last time I used it. So far the best stations I've pulled have been the similar artist stations for Daughtry and Counting Crows. So, in other words, radio stations of alternative rock from my lifetime. Game on. Still trying to decide how best to mix this with VLM, but it'll come sooner or later.
Speaking of Counting Crows, I found this utterly ridiculous interview with lead singer Adam Duritz yesterday. I kinda got this sense about him just by looking at him and hearing the music, but dude is nuts. Read the interview and learn for yourself (not the most family appropriate article, so be warned). Seriously, this thing is almost Weekend WTF-worthy.
Counting Crows - 1492 [iTunes]
(from the new album, out next Tuesday)
That's it for now. Back tomorrow with who-knows-what.
==TJ==
PS: The answer to the question posed in the title of the entry is "A six-pack and a potato"
U2 - One [iTunes]
(Yes, I have noticed that everytime I post a U2 song it's "One". That's the only track I have that's not DRMed.)
Meanwhile, I randomly started using last.fm's radio service over the weekend. Either I had forgotten how useful that thing could be, or it got significantly better from the last time I used it. So far the best stations I've pulled have been the similar artist stations for Daughtry and Counting Crows. So, in other words, radio stations of alternative rock from my lifetime. Game on. Still trying to decide how best to mix this with VLM, but it'll come sooner or later.
Speaking of Counting Crows, I found this utterly ridiculous interview with lead singer Adam Duritz yesterday. I kinda got this sense about him just by looking at him and hearing the music, but dude is nuts. Read the interview and learn for yourself (not the most family appropriate article, so be warned). Seriously, this thing is almost Weekend WTF-worthy.
Counting Crows - 1492 [iTunes]
(from the new album, out next Tuesday)
That's it for now. Back tomorrow with who-knows-what.
==TJ==
PS: The answer to the question posed in the title of the entry is "A six-pack and a potato"
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Weekend WTF: Home Edition
Today will be my last full day home, as I return to Arcadia tomorrow to start that whole real-life thing again. In commemoration of a week of relaxation in my hometown, I present the following single from the Over the Hedge Soundtrack
Ben Folds & William Shatner - Rockin' The Suburbs (Over the Hedge Version) [buy the CD on Amazon...sorry folks]
Normally if an artist changes lyrics to be less abrasive I throw things. But since Over the Hedge was a brilliant example of a family movie that doesn't insult the intelligence of people over the age of 17, and William Shatner is far less annoying than expected, I'll let it pass.
These Weekend WTF's have gotten kinda lame of late...gotta try to find some better material...
==TJ==
Ben Folds & William Shatner - Rockin' The Suburbs (Over the Hedge Version) [buy the CD on Amazon...sorry folks]
Normally if an artist changes lyrics to be less abrasive I throw things. But since Over the Hedge was a brilliant example of a family movie that doesn't insult the intelligence of people over the age of 17, and William Shatner is far less annoying than expected, I'll let it pass.
These Weekend WTF's have gotten kinda lame of late...gotta try to find some better material...
==TJ==
Friday, March 14, 2008
4 Quick-ish CD Reviews; That's Right, I Bought CDs...
I'm not doing an Under The Radar post today or tomorrow, because a) I'm holding till I can get in touch with another artist for my next one, and b) I just think it's time to mix it up a bit this week. So here's something new.
It's a safe bet that any time I go home, I'm going to come back to school with some new music. This time is no different. Over the last week I bought 4 CDs, 1 digital album, and played through some stuff that hasn't been spun in awhile. Since I haven't listened to the digital album yet (it's NIN's Ghosts I-IV, and I haven't had 2.5 hours to burn on listening to it yet) and I'm gonna save the older stuff for another entry, a look at the CDs I bought, in the order I bought them:
Sixx:A.M. - The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack
I've been trying to find myself a copy of this one since my first hearing (and unexpected enjoyment) of "Life is Beautiful". The concept behind the album is really cool; a soundtrack for a book. For the most part the music is pretty good, in spite of being a bit lacking in originality. A run of the mill nu-metal band could probably write and record this album and it would come out serviceable, but something about Nikki Sixx's connection to the material and lead singer Jason Michaels delivery, along with some ridiculous guitar work from DJ Ashba puts it a cut above the rest of the pack these days. Not that hard given what the pack looks like these days (Puddle of Mudd and Seether are both atop the Rock charts right now). Reports suggest that a second album from Sixx:A.M. are unlikely and this was just a one-shot, but it doesn't cheapen the good effort from the band. Probably not a classic for the ages, but worth some iPod space.
Ruling on the Field: 7.5/10
Highlight Reel: Life Is Beautiful [iTunes]
(sorry, haven't uploaded this album yet)
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
The last album I needed to have the full Radiohead discography, I found this at a used CD shop for 5 bucks. I'm going to do a full review of Radiohead's stuff next week, but this album was more of a mixed bag for me than any of their other stuff. On one hand, when Radiohead does something truly ear-catching, as they do on songs like "There There" and "We Suck Young Blood", the result is bloody brilliant. The problem is moments like these tend to be few and far between, and you have to listen really hard to find why people like Radiohead so much. Hail to the Thief certainly isn't a bad album, it just takes work to listen to, and I'm not always up for trying that hard to enjoy music.
Ruling on the Field: 5.5/10
Highlight Reel: There There [AmazonMP3]
Counting Crows - August and Everything After
I already had most of this album thanks to Mike Newsham, but I felt as though it was one of those ones that I needed to own, simply because it showed off the era of music so well. The debut album from Counting Crows came out the same year as Nirvana's final studio LP In Utero, and ends up being a great set to tie the angsty, heavy sounds of the grunge era and the hooky, upbeat stylings of post-grunge (see also: The Goo Goo Dolls and Collective Soul). There's rarely a bad moment on this album (except maybe the dredgy "Raining in Baltimore"), and when it's good, it's among the best in the genre, and quite frankly, Counting Crows have been for most of their career. As debut albums go, August and Everything After is one for the books.
Ruling on the Field: 9.5/10
Highlight Reel: Mr. Jones [iTunes]
(so hard to pick just one, so I went with the best-known)
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Been meaning to give this a listen since it found its way onto many (including my own) Best of '07 lists, and it helped that I saw the movie from which the album drew its inspiration. As a general rule I steer clear of rap albums, since they too often end up being the same old garbage, but Jay-Z has become one of few exceptions to that rule (his protege Kanye West is one of the others). American Gangster is a bit of an enigma as rap albums go. For starters it's a concept album, an idea usually reserved for rock music. It also simultaneously glorifies and warns against the "gangster life" that is so often the focus of rap music. Since Jay-Z seems to envision himself as a bit of a modern day Frank Lucas (minus the drug trafficking), he understands the allure of that life, but also finds it important to tell listeners that he rose above it and found success anyway. The music itself is across the board better than any rap I usually hear on the radio. "Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)..." deserved all the praise it got, and "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" is an example of Hova's ability to craft a track. Even the collaborations on the album match his skill. The album didn't sell me enough to become a fan of rap, but I certainly didn't feel bad shelling out 12 bucks for it.
Ruling on the Field: 8/10
Highlight Reel: Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... [Amazon MP3]
And that pretty much does it for me. Back tomorrow with a Weekend WTF, and then next week it's back to business as usual.
==TJ==
Current Music: Finger Eleven - Paralyzer [iTunes]
It's a safe bet that any time I go home, I'm going to come back to school with some new music. This time is no different. Over the last week I bought 4 CDs, 1 digital album, and played through some stuff that hasn't been spun in awhile. Since I haven't listened to the digital album yet (it's NIN's Ghosts I-IV, and I haven't had 2.5 hours to burn on listening to it yet) and I'm gonna save the older stuff for another entry, a look at the CDs I bought, in the order I bought them:
Sixx:A.M. - The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack
I've been trying to find myself a copy of this one since my first hearing (and unexpected enjoyment) of "Life is Beautiful". The concept behind the album is really cool; a soundtrack for a book. For the most part the music is pretty good, in spite of being a bit lacking in originality. A run of the mill nu-metal band could probably write and record this album and it would come out serviceable, but something about Nikki Sixx's connection to the material and lead singer Jason Michaels delivery, along with some ridiculous guitar work from DJ Ashba puts it a cut above the rest of the pack these days. Not that hard given what the pack looks like these days (Puddle of Mudd and Seether are both atop the Rock charts right now). Reports suggest that a second album from Sixx:A.M. are unlikely and this was just a one-shot, but it doesn't cheapen the good effort from the band. Probably not a classic for the ages, but worth some iPod space.
Ruling on the Field: 7.5/10
Highlight Reel: Life Is Beautiful [iTunes]
(sorry, haven't uploaded this album yet)
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
The last album I needed to have the full Radiohead discography, I found this at a used CD shop for 5 bucks. I'm going to do a full review of Radiohead's stuff next week, but this album was more of a mixed bag for me than any of their other stuff. On one hand, when Radiohead does something truly ear-catching, as they do on songs like "There There" and "We Suck Young Blood", the result is bloody brilliant. The problem is moments like these tend to be few and far between, and you have to listen really hard to find why people like Radiohead so much. Hail to the Thief certainly isn't a bad album, it just takes work to listen to, and I'm not always up for trying that hard to enjoy music.
Ruling on the Field: 5.5/10
Highlight Reel: There There [AmazonMP3]
Counting Crows - August and Everything After
I already had most of this album thanks to Mike Newsham, but I felt as though it was one of those ones that I needed to own, simply because it showed off the era of music so well. The debut album from Counting Crows came out the same year as Nirvana's final studio LP In Utero, and ends up being a great set to tie the angsty, heavy sounds of the grunge era and the hooky, upbeat stylings of post-grunge (see also: The Goo Goo Dolls and Collective Soul). There's rarely a bad moment on this album (except maybe the dredgy "Raining in Baltimore"), and when it's good, it's among the best in the genre, and quite frankly, Counting Crows have been for most of their career. As debut albums go, August and Everything After is one for the books.
Ruling on the Field: 9.5/10
Highlight Reel: Mr. Jones [iTunes]
(so hard to pick just one, so I went with the best-known)
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Been meaning to give this a listen since it found its way onto many (including my own) Best of '07 lists, and it helped that I saw the movie from which the album drew its inspiration. As a general rule I steer clear of rap albums, since they too often end up being the same old garbage, but Jay-Z has become one of few exceptions to that rule (his protege Kanye West is one of the others). American Gangster is a bit of an enigma as rap albums go. For starters it's a concept album, an idea usually reserved for rock music. It also simultaneously glorifies and warns against the "gangster life" that is so often the focus of rap music. Since Jay-Z seems to envision himself as a bit of a modern day Frank Lucas (minus the drug trafficking), he understands the allure of that life, but also finds it important to tell listeners that he rose above it and found success anyway. The music itself is across the board better than any rap I usually hear on the radio. "Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)..." deserved all the praise it got, and "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" is an example of Hova's ability to craft a track. Even the collaborations on the album match his skill. The album didn't sell me enough to become a fan of rap, but I certainly didn't feel bad shelling out 12 bucks for it.
Ruling on the Field: 8/10
Highlight Reel: Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... [Amazon MP3]
And that pretty much does it for me. Back tomorrow with a Weekend WTF, and then next week it's back to business as usual.
==TJ==
Current Music: Finger Eleven - Paralyzer [iTunes]
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Under the Radar: Your Favorite Enemies
Imagine if all the preaching and ranting and raving that Rage Against the Machine did actually got something done? Maybe that's what it's like to be in Canada and a fan of Your Favorite Enemies.
Your Favorite Enemies (YFE to fans) are a five-man-one-woman metal band from Montreal, who, according to their bio, pride themselves on community values and dedication to human rights. Unlike RATM, that isn't as nakedly prevalent in their music (not necessarily a bad thing), but it's certainly an important part of what they do. The music itself kind of reminds me of a more metal-influenced The Who, with lyrics meant to empower and decry teenage helplessness. All that mixed with the kickass harmonies of lead vocalists Alex Foster and Miss Isabel (yup, they've got two lead singers). YFE have already released their first EP on their own record label, which sold nearly 30,000 copies. Not bad for having only formed in '06.
As for the music itself...well, I wouldn't be doing a feature on this band if I didn't love it. The way Miss Isabel and Foster blend on every song is unmatched. The rest of the band is pure balls-to-the-wall rock and roll. Top it off with the fact that I'm a sucker for music that can inspire and empower, and yeah, I'm sold. Of the tracks available on their MySpace page, "Sunset Blow" is far and away the best example of what YFE does well. "No Time Left For Confusion" features some incredible keyboards, and guitarist Sef (to my knowledge he has no last name) is just plain awesome on every track.
But YFE doesn't just do music. They've also got a video podcast on iTunes called YFE-TV. For the most part its just Sef being weird on camera, but it shows the band has a sense of fun beneath all the metal. Plus, they're one of the more interactive bands I've been in contact with. When the MySpace for the blog first started, they were one of the first bands to show support for VLM and they're pretty good with keeping in touch with fans, which I can't say about a lot of other MySpace bands.
YFE have an EP available on iTunes (link below) and will have an album out sometime this Spring. There's a download of "Midnight's Crashing" on their MySpace and in the link below, but seriously, go listen to "Sunset Blow". It's beautiful, in a hard rock sort of way.
Your Favorite Enemies - Midnight's Crashing [iTunes]
YFE on MySpace
==TJ==
Your Favorite Enemies (YFE to fans) are a five-man-one-woman metal band from Montreal, who, according to their bio, pride themselves on community values and dedication to human rights. Unlike RATM, that isn't as nakedly prevalent in their music (not necessarily a bad thing), but it's certainly an important part of what they do. The music itself kind of reminds me of a more metal-influenced The Who, with lyrics meant to empower and decry teenage helplessness. All that mixed with the kickass harmonies of lead vocalists Alex Foster and Miss Isabel (yup, they've got two lead singers). YFE have already released their first EP on their own record label, which sold nearly 30,000 copies. Not bad for having only formed in '06.
As for the music itself...well, I wouldn't be doing a feature on this band if I didn't love it. The way Miss Isabel and Foster blend on every song is unmatched. The rest of the band is pure balls-to-the-wall rock and roll. Top it off with the fact that I'm a sucker for music that can inspire and empower, and yeah, I'm sold. Of the tracks available on their MySpace page, "Sunset Blow" is far and away the best example of what YFE does well. "No Time Left For Confusion" features some incredible keyboards, and guitarist Sef (to my knowledge he has no last name) is just plain awesome on every track.
But YFE doesn't just do music. They've also got a video podcast on iTunes called YFE-TV. For the most part its just Sef being weird on camera, but it shows the band has a sense of fun beneath all the metal. Plus, they're one of the more interactive bands I've been in contact with. When the MySpace for the blog first started, they were one of the first bands to show support for VLM and they're pretty good with keeping in touch with fans, which I can't say about a lot of other MySpace bands.
YFE have an EP available on iTunes (link below) and will have an album out sometime this Spring. There's a download of "Midnight's Crashing" on their MySpace and in the link below, but seriously, go listen to "Sunset Blow". It's beautiful, in a hard rock sort of way.
Your Favorite Enemies - Midnight's Crashing [iTunes]
YFE on MySpace
==TJ==
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Under the Radar: Drive A
Here I am, getting ready to make plans for the evening, and I realize that I haven't posted yet today! Shame upon me. Anyway, on to today's Under The Radar Band:
Last week I got an email from someone representing a band called Drive A, who enjoyed the blog and wanted to know if I would listen to and/or do a piece on the band. I decided to go ahead and check out the band's MySpace page, with few to no expectations at this point. Looking solely at the MySpace picture, I found myself with mixed reactions; these guys looked like they were 15 years old (as I write this, I still haven't confirmed their ages), and just in general looked pretty second-rate. Until I heard the music.
Drive A's list on influences span the entire history of rock and roll, ranging from Sly and the Family Stone to the Sex Pistols to the Foo Fighters. They're sound most noticeably reflects a blend of '60s and '70s punk rock (Ramones, Clash, et al) and '80s hair metal. Think Motley Crue with a mohawk. Guitarist Jason Mott is on a different plane of existence with most of the young bands out there today. Lead vocalist Bruno Mascolo's androgynous voice, despite what you'd think, works. At first listen he had a bit of Joan Jett/Girl-from-The Donnas sort of feel to it, but a few songs in, it melded into a more Scott Weiland/Axl Rose (without the combined drug and alcohol use) quality to it. As a whole the band does Guns N Roses and Velvet Revolver better than most hair metal clones out there (in some spots, even better than either band). To top it off, their MySpace page boasts praise from some huge names in the industry: Dave Navarro, Tommy Lee, and Don Henley, to name a few. For added fun, their concert schedule has them sharing the stage with many of those same names. Ignore how they look; Drive A sound like no other rock band to come out recently.
Drive A have a record in the works, due out sometime in 2008. In the meantime, they've got a bunch of music on the MySpace, and have a pretty impressive set of concerts lined up, including an appearance at this week's SXSW.
Drive A on MySpace
==TJ==
Last week I got an email from someone representing a band called Drive A, who enjoyed the blog and wanted to know if I would listen to and/or do a piece on the band. I decided to go ahead and check out the band's MySpace page, with few to no expectations at this point. Looking solely at the MySpace picture, I found myself with mixed reactions; these guys looked like they were 15 years old (as I write this, I still haven't confirmed their ages), and just in general looked pretty second-rate. Until I heard the music.
Drive A's list on influences span the entire history of rock and roll, ranging from Sly and the Family Stone to the Sex Pistols to the Foo Fighters. They're sound most noticeably reflects a blend of '60s and '70s punk rock (Ramones, Clash, et al) and '80s hair metal. Think Motley Crue with a mohawk. Guitarist Jason Mott is on a different plane of existence with most of the young bands out there today. Lead vocalist Bruno Mascolo's androgynous voice, despite what you'd think, works. At first listen he had a bit of Joan Jett/Girl-from-The Donnas sort of feel to it, but a few songs in, it melded into a more Scott Weiland/Axl Rose (without the combined drug and alcohol use) quality to it. As a whole the band does Guns N Roses and Velvet Revolver better than most hair metal clones out there (in some spots, even better than either band). To top it off, their MySpace page boasts praise from some huge names in the industry: Dave Navarro, Tommy Lee, and Don Henley, to name a few. For added fun, their concert schedule has them sharing the stage with many of those same names. Ignore how they look; Drive A sound like no other rock band to come out recently.
Drive A have a record in the works, due out sometime in 2008. In the meantime, they've got a bunch of music on the MySpace, and have a pretty impressive set of concerts lined up, including an appearance at this week's SXSW.
Drive A on MySpace
==TJ==
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Under the Radar: Dropsphere
Remember that period of music after Nirvana but before the Backstreet Boys (or Korn, if you went in the other direction)? Well, the guys from Dropsphere do.
Dropsphere is an alt-rock group hailing from Tuscon, Arizona, and their sound hearkens back to the oft-maligned post-grunge era, with echoes of Live, the Goo Goo Dolls, and early Matchbox 20 in every note of every song. Formed in early 2006, Dropsphere lead singer Chris Sahlin says that for him and his band, the song itself and playing the song is the most important thing. Dropsphere isn't interested in doing something outlandishly creative or groundbreaking; they just want to play some great songs. Based on what I've heard on their MySpace, mission accomplished.
The music itself is something refreshing when pressed against current popular music. Self-described as " hooky AAA pop rock", Dropsphere seems to have the anthemic pop ballad down to a science. I've only heard the 5 tracks on their MySpace player, but "In My Hand" and "Dose" stick out to me as their best work both lyrically and musically. Hearing this band play and more importantly, hearing why they play what they play and the fact that they don't care about the stereotypes and stigmas tied to radio-friendly pop-rock, it's understandable how they got to open for Collective Soul shortly after forming, and why Sahlin is "a sucker for the John Rzezniks and Rob Thomas' of the world."
It's unknown what Dropsphere's plans are for 2008, or whether they have an album out/in the works. But if you go to their MySpace page you can hear their music (definitely worth it), and they have about a dozen songs available through SnoCap. Also, a few members of the band saw brief success in a band called Nevershine. CDBaby has both of their albums.
No MP3s from these guys yet, but for God's sake go give them a listen for yourself.
Dropsphere on MySpace
Nevershine on CDBaby
==TJ==
PS: My feature on Sheena Beaston is up on her site now. Thanks to her for the support!
Dropsphere is an alt-rock group hailing from Tuscon, Arizona, and their sound hearkens back to the oft-maligned post-grunge era, with echoes of Live, the Goo Goo Dolls, and early Matchbox 20 in every note of every song. Formed in early 2006, Dropsphere lead singer Chris Sahlin says that for him and his band, the song itself and playing the song is the most important thing. Dropsphere isn't interested in doing something outlandishly creative or groundbreaking; they just want to play some great songs. Based on what I've heard on their MySpace, mission accomplished.
The music itself is something refreshing when pressed against current popular music. Self-described as " hooky AAA pop rock", Dropsphere seems to have the anthemic pop ballad down to a science. I've only heard the 5 tracks on their MySpace player, but "In My Hand" and "Dose" stick out to me as their best work both lyrically and musically. Hearing this band play and more importantly, hearing why they play what they play and the fact that they don't care about the stereotypes and stigmas tied to radio-friendly pop-rock, it's understandable how they got to open for Collective Soul shortly after forming, and why Sahlin is "a sucker for the John Rzezniks and Rob Thomas' of the world."
It's unknown what Dropsphere's plans are for 2008, or whether they have an album out/in the works. But if you go to their MySpace page you can hear their music (definitely worth it), and they have about a dozen songs available through SnoCap. Also, a few members of the band saw brief success in a band called Nevershine. CDBaby has both of their albums.
No MP3s from these guys yet, but for God's sake go give them a listen for yourself.
Dropsphere on MySpace
Nevershine on CDBaby
==TJ==
PS: My feature on Sheena Beaston is up on her site now. Thanks to her for the support!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Under The Radar: Blue Collar
On their MySpace page, Philadelphia band Blue Collar refer to themselves as a Pop-Punk outfit. Having heard their album and seen them live, it's safe to say they err more on the side of punk. With guitars that have never known a volume below 9 and vocals that straddle the line between harmonious and blood-curdling, Blue Collar is one of those punk bands that make bands like Yellowcard or The Ataris ashamed to consider themselves in the same genre.
Blue Collar is quick to boast about two things; one, the list of bands they've played with in their 10 years of existence, an impressive list including Phantom Planet and Sugarcult, and second, the absolute dedication of their fans stretching from Philadelphia all the way as far north as Vermont. BCPA (as they're called by fans to differentiate them from the comedy group) makes it clear how proud they are of their accomplishments. Sadly, in 2004 founding member Vinny Green died in a car accident, causing the band to record and dedicate their debut album Vincent to his memory. Suffice it to say it's a fitting tribute.
The sound on Vincent goes all over the place both musically and emotionally. It's almost as though the album goes through the band's dealing with Green's death. Album highlights "Rise Up" and "Microphone" both make direct references to the subject at hand, and carry pretty much the same message; that the only way to honor Green was to keep playing. And play they do.
At this moment BCPA is touring the tri-state area while they work on the follow-up to Vincent. If you get a chance to see them live, do so. Either way go check out their MySpace page and get a copy of Vincent. Trust me, it's well worth it.
Blue Collar - Microphone
Blue Collar on MySpace
Don't search Blue Collar on iTunes unless you want to end up punching things...or if you like Larry the Cable Guy (God help you if you do).
==TJ==
Blue Collar is quick to boast about two things; one, the list of bands they've played with in their 10 years of existence, an impressive list including Phantom Planet and Sugarcult, and second, the absolute dedication of their fans stretching from Philadelphia all the way as far north as Vermont. BCPA (as they're called by fans to differentiate them from the comedy group) makes it clear how proud they are of their accomplishments. Sadly, in 2004 founding member Vinny Green died in a car accident, causing the band to record and dedicate their debut album Vincent to his memory. Suffice it to say it's a fitting tribute.
The sound on Vincent goes all over the place both musically and emotionally. It's almost as though the album goes through the band's dealing with Green's death. Album highlights "Rise Up" and "Microphone" both make direct references to the subject at hand, and carry pretty much the same message; that the only way to honor Green was to keep playing. And play they do.
At this moment BCPA is touring the tri-state area while they work on the follow-up to Vincent. If you get a chance to see them live, do so. Either way go check out their MySpace page and get a copy of Vincent. Trust me, it's well worth it.
Blue Collar - Microphone
Blue Collar on MySpace
Don't search Blue Collar on iTunes unless you want to end up punching things...or if you like Larry the Cable Guy (God help you if you do).
==TJ==
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Under the Radar: Quick Step John
Welcome to the beginning of this week's series Under the Radar, where VLM takes a look at bands that aren't quite mainstream, but deserve to be. I'm still sort of making this series up on the fly, so it may change over the course of the week (or longer if I decide to keep it up). I'm also going to try to keep posting normal entries, but again, making this up as I go. But without any more apologies, let's get started:
Two weeks ago Arcadia had a battle of the bands featuring 5 bands from the Philadelphia area. Since they were the first band to arrive, I got the best chance to interact with the guys in Quick Step John, a five-piece band with a HUGE sound. Their performance was almost undoubtedly the most spirited of any of the five bands there, and having heard their album that same energy and grand style carries over to the studio. Their album reminds me a bit of Augustana, with a great blend of heavy instrumentals playing pop music, matched by frontman Craig Whitaker's vocals. Songs like "One By One" (which the band is quick to point out appeared on a recent episode of ER) show off their range between pop and post-grunge ferocity. At the same time, ballad "Up On A Satellite" is a crowd favorite in the style of Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional, right down to the chorus that begs for the crowd to sing/scream along.
Lastly, keyboards in a band can be a risky thing. Too often I hear them as virtually nonexistent until the token ballad, and in concert they tend to be relegated to the back of the stage, a certain energy-killer. I can't speak for last night's show at Tom & Jerry's, a bar up the block from my house in suburban Philly (fucking drinking age...), but at the Arcadia show, in a gym with around 150 people inside, keyboardist Ed Bagden positively wrecked his keyboard set. I mean, he destroyed the thing, the kind of thing that would have made The Who say "Holy crap".
Quick Step John released their debut album, The Multiple Personalities of Last Week and Next Year late in 2007. It's available on iTunes now. In the meantime the band is touring up and down the east coast in support. Check their MySpace for details.
I'm going to make it policy for these pieces not to predict future popularity, because that's a dangerous situation. Suffice it to say that for QSJ and every other band I profile I hope for nothing but success for them, since they sure as hell deserve it.
Quick Step John - Up On A Satellite [iTunes]
Quick Step John on MySpace
==TJ==
Two weeks ago Arcadia had a battle of the bands featuring 5 bands from the Philadelphia area. Since they were the first band to arrive, I got the best chance to interact with the guys in Quick Step John, a five-piece band with a HUGE sound. Their performance was almost undoubtedly the most spirited of any of the five bands there, and having heard their album that same energy and grand style carries over to the studio. Their album reminds me a bit of Augustana, with a great blend of heavy instrumentals playing pop music, matched by frontman Craig Whitaker's vocals. Songs like "One By One" (which the band is quick to point out appeared on a recent episode of ER) show off their range between pop and post-grunge ferocity. At the same time, ballad "Up On A Satellite" is a crowd favorite in the style of Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional, right down to the chorus that begs for the crowd to sing/scream along.
Lastly, keyboards in a band can be a risky thing. Too often I hear them as virtually nonexistent until the token ballad, and in concert they tend to be relegated to the back of the stage, a certain energy-killer. I can't speak for last night's show at Tom & Jerry's, a bar up the block from my house in suburban Philly (fucking drinking age...), but at the Arcadia show, in a gym with around 150 people inside, keyboardist Ed Bagden positively wrecked his keyboard set. I mean, he destroyed the thing, the kind of thing that would have made The Who say "Holy crap".
Quick Step John released their debut album, The Multiple Personalities of Last Week and Next Year late in 2007. It's available on iTunes now. In the meantime the band is touring up and down the east coast in support. Check their MySpace for details.
I'm going to make it policy for these pieces not to predict future popularity, because that's a dangerous situation. Suffice it to say that for QSJ and every other band I profile I hope for nothing but success for them, since they sure as hell deserve it.
Quick Step John - Up On A Satellite [iTunes]
Quick Step John on MySpace
==TJ==
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Weekend WTF: One of the greats...and Axl Rose
The Good, The Bad, and the Unknown had this file up awhile ago, and I'm reposting it here as a WTF, because, well. it is one. Apparently at some point during Guns N Roses' prime Tom Petty thought it was a good idea to perform with them. I haven't been able to verify when/where this performance took place, but either way, its Axl Rose and Tom Petty doing "Free Fallin'". The scariest part about this is...it's actually not half bad.
Axl Rose & Tom Petty - Free Falling (live)
Tom Petty on iTunes
Back late tonight/tomorrow with the first Under the Radar entry.
==TJ==
Axl Rose & Tom Petty - Free Falling (live)
Tom Petty on iTunes
Back late tonight/tomorrow with the first Under the Radar entry.
==TJ==
Friday, March 7, 2008
Another Uneventful Friday...
Back home for a week of break (which may or may not be considered Spring Break, given the weather). Not much to talk about just yet, but remember I'm devoting next week to new and/or underground artists. If you are/know of such a group and want me to talk about them, drop me a message. In the meantime:
=New Link on the Left for Sheena Beaston, a fellow music blogger that writes about anything and everything across her desk. Go check it out, let her know what you think (and look for an interview with VLM on that site in the near future).
=It took till the first full week of March for their to be a new #1 single on the Hot 100 in 2008. This week saw the interminable reign of Flo Rida's "Low" come to an end at the hands of Usher's first new track in 4 years "Love In This Club". When reached for comment, fellow R&B star Chris Brown was seen cursing under his breath, saying something about being "thwarted again".
=I went into the radio station earlier this week and was "blessed" with the sound of that Miley Cyrus song. Despite my expectations, hearing it didn't make me want to punch a child the same way other Disney acts do. Don't take that to mean I like the song, but it wasn't pure evil either.
=Courtesy of i guess i'm floating: OAR and Robert Randolph covering what is quickly becoming my favorite Led Zeppelin song
OAR - Fool in the Rain [i guess i'm floating]
=I think that's all for now. I'll have both substantial posts and a Weekend WTF sometime in the next 48 hours.
==TJ==
=New Link on the Left for Sheena Beaston, a fellow music blogger that writes about anything and everything across her desk. Go check it out, let her know what you think (and look for an interview with VLM on that site in the near future).
=It took till the first full week of March for their to be a new #1 single on the Hot 100 in 2008. This week saw the interminable reign of Flo Rida's "Low" come to an end at the hands of Usher's first new track in 4 years "Love In This Club". When reached for comment, fellow R&B star Chris Brown was seen cursing under his breath, saying something about being "thwarted again".
=I went into the radio station earlier this week and was "blessed" with the sound of that Miley Cyrus song. Despite my expectations, hearing it didn't make me want to punch a child the same way other Disney acts do. Don't take that to mean I like the song, but it wasn't pure evil either.
=Courtesy of i guess i'm floating: OAR and Robert Randolph covering what is quickly becoming my favorite Led Zeppelin song
OAR - Fool in the Rain [i guess i'm floating]
=I think that's all for now. I'll have both substantial posts and a Weekend WTF sometime in the next 48 hours.
==TJ==
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Update on the Past, and a Plan for the Future...
Update to last post: By Monday night I had heard several reports of people paying for the $5 download, and getting similar download problems to the one I had, which ultimately led them to pirating the album. Not exactly great publicity for NIN. But I tried again about an hour ago, and lo and behold the site was back up and running, and I'm playing through the first 9 tracks of Ghosts right now. Suffice it to say that Trent's description of the album being "music to daydream to" is quite apropos. Once I have a paycheck I'll shell out the fiver for the whole thing.
In the last week or two I've been in contact with a bunch of bands, some of whom have read VLM, others I saw live and loved, and they're all dying to be heard. So I think I'm going to dedicate next week to bands that are just below the radar screen that deserve some attention. Haven't decided what I'm going to call the series, but it'll definitely happen (I've had something like this in mothballs for awhile now). I think this is a pretty exciting time for VLM, so keep reading, and thanks to everyone for the support.
And since posting here without an mp3 is just lame on my part...
Counting Crows - Big Yellow Taxi
(One of those songs I forgot I liked so much...)
==TJ==
In the last week or two I've been in contact with a bunch of bands, some of whom have read VLM, others I saw live and loved, and they're all dying to be heard. So I think I'm going to dedicate next week to bands that are just below the radar screen that deserve some attention. Haven't decided what I'm going to call the series, but it'll definitely happen (I've had something like this in mothballs for awhile now). I think this is a pretty exciting time for VLM, so keep reading, and thanks to everyone for the support.
And since posting here without an mp3 is just lame on my part...
Counting Crows - Big Yellow Taxi
(One of those songs I forgot I liked so much...)
==TJ==
Monday, March 3, 2008
Nine Inch Nails Go Digital on New Album
As promised back in October, Nine Inch Nails have released new material exclusively through their website and is available for download or pre-order now.
The new 36-track, 2-Disc set entitled Ghosts I-IV became available last night around 9PM, shortly after an announcement about the release was posted to their official website. Reports say that within 30 minutes the site was at full capacity and users reported difficulty downloading the album.
Ghosts I-IV is available in 4 different packages: the first 9 songs are available for free as a preview of the rest of the songs. A digital copy with PDF booklet can be purchased for $5. There are 3 physical releases available for pre-order and are said to have a shipping date of April 8. There's a $10 2-CD set, a $75 deluxe edition with an extra disc and blu-ray with remixable versions of the songs, and a super-deluxe version with vinyls and autographed by Trent Reznor for a whopping $300.
I tried to download the 9-track preview (I'm tight on cash till my next paycheck...don't judge me) about 30 minutes ago, but the zip file that I was given was invalid or corrupted. Apparently NIN is still having server troubles. I'll let you know what I think as soon as I get to hear the tracks. Anyone who has heard the songs is welcome to post a comment.
Back later
==TJ==
The new 36-track, 2-Disc set entitled Ghosts I-IV became available last night around 9PM, shortly after an announcement about the release was posted to their official website. Reports say that within 30 minutes the site was at full capacity and users reported difficulty downloading the album.
Ghosts I-IV is available in 4 different packages: the first 9 songs are available for free as a preview of the rest of the songs. A digital copy with PDF booklet can be purchased for $5. There are 3 physical releases available for pre-order and are said to have a shipping date of April 8. There's a $10 2-CD set, a $75 deluxe edition with an extra disc and blu-ray with remixable versions of the songs, and a super-deluxe version with vinyls and autographed by Trent Reznor for a whopping $300.
I tried to download the 9-track preview (I'm tight on cash till my next paycheck...don't judge me) about 30 minutes ago, but the zip file that I was given was invalid or corrupted. Apparently NIN is still having server troubles. I'll let you know what I think as soon as I get to hear the tracks. Anyone who has heard the songs is welcome to post a comment.
Back later
==TJ==
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Weekend WTF: Getting Into the Spirit of Election 08
In the grand scheme of things, a political endorsement from a rock band probably doesn't mean much, unless it's from the likes of Bob Dylan or Neil Young. The guys from Pearl Jam aren't at that level yet, but either way, their musical endorsement of Barack Obama is too funny to let slip.
Pearl Jam - Rock Around Barack
Let's see Hillary find a better endorsement.
==TJ==
Pearl Jam - Rock Around Barack
Let's see Hillary find a better endorsement.
==TJ==
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