Active Music Listening Thursday April 4, 2013

YTD recordings listened to: 262
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 171
Not good music: 70
Buys: 9

Possibles: Sidsel Endresen & Stan Westerhus, Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, Cryptopsy, Nick Waterhouse, Patterson Hood, Skyzoo,  Chris McGregor, Brother Ali (2009), Alvin Youngblood Hart, Bob Gluck Trio, Ether Net, Oddisee, Holly Williams, Matt Davis’ Aerial Photograph, Hollis Brown, Dave Arner Trio

@@@ David Arner Trio: Out/In the Open (Not Two, 2009).  I came to this record after seeing an email for Cadence magazine’s 39th anniversary show series.  It’s a piano/bass/drums recording.  I like this session.  It’s well recorded and the energy is good.  Some racket, but not a straight up Cecil Taylor pounding festival.

@@@ Vintage Trouble: The Bomb Shelter Sessions (Vintage Trouble, 2012).  I was talking to a music fan friend of mine and he said he was a big fan of these guys.  A straight up blues band heavy on the guitar attack.  The singer is charismatic if not particularly memorable, and the drums are mixed high on this record, which I view as a big plus.  Solid B for me.  Check out Buddy Guy’s Sweet Tea from early last decade if you want your face ripped off.

@@@ Alkaline Trio: My Shame is True (Epitaph, 2013).  A MOG new release.  Sidle on up and get yer dose of Orange County California straight punk.  Not my favorite style as I prefer the freak punk of SST.  The guitars are maximum width and classic crunchy with big drums sounds — it’s basically mainstream rock production with less reverb and a little more punch.  The songs are pretty standard, nothing jumping out of the speakers.

@@@ Wall: Shoestring (Big Picnic, 2013) I caught a glowing write up of this EP at the Guardian over here.  It’s a sweet, melodic indie electronic record.  The singer is super close up on the microphone only a few notches above a whisper.  The multi-tracked vocal arrangements are on top of clean guitar arpeggios, some electric organ, and solid but not downtempo beats.  It’s a tad cloying for my taste.

Active Music Listening Sunday March 24, 2013

YTD recordings listened to: 235
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 153
Not good music: 65
Buys: 9

Possibles: Sidsel Endresen & Stan Westerhus, Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, Cryptopsy, Nick Waterhouse, Patterson Hood, Skyzoo,  Chris McGregor, Brother Ali (2009), Alvin Youngblood Hart, Bob Gluck Trio, Ether Net, Oddisee, Holly Williams, Matt Davis’ Aerial Photograph, Hollis Brown.

@@@ Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience (RCA, 2013).  You would have to be pretty close to comatose not to be see that Justin Timberlake is all up in the public space, as common as dog shit on the sidewalks of Brooklyn. I would say my macro statement regarding Timberlake’s music is that he stands to be the greatest beneficiary of Michael Jackson’s death.  He traffics in the same soft r&b/soul that Jackson went to the bank on.  And while Timberlake is certainly a hottie, he’s not the kind of gent who’s gonna say anything substantial.  He’s a male bimbo.  By the way, the first tune Pusher Love could have used at least three minutes off the top.  I’ve been waiting, like forever for this track to call it a day.  I skipped the big single ‘Suit and Tie’ as I saw him and the corporate dildo Jay-Z perform that light and fluffy biscuit on Saturday Night Live when it was on reruns.  The third tune, Don’t Hold the Wall, is very Jackson-esque but not nearly as musical as Jackson’s intricate pop, and twice as tedious.  And I was not a Michael Jackson fan.  When this recording started I thought it was better than I expected, but the record has turned into a pretty flat affair with predictable arrangements and Timberlake being at this point a pretty one dimensional musician.

@@@ Phosphorescent: Muchacho (Dead Oceans, 2013).  An electronica recording being marketed as alternative/indie that I found on the MOG new release page.  It’s a super slacker with hints of Zen.  With pieces of song titles including the words ‘the wounded master’ and ‘koan’ it wants to be more than a downtempo indie record where the guitars do appear in the third tune ‘Ride On/Right On’.  I do appreciate the violin that’s used in this context as that’s not a common thing to hear and if you’re into a stoner electronica indie thing, these guys will hook you up.

Active Music Listening Thursday November 29, 2012

YTD recordings listened to: 898
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 526
Not good music: 324
Buys: 30 (not all 2012 releases)

Possibles: Zani Diabate, Isaiah Toothtaker (2011), Ondatropica, Sidsel Endresen & Stan Westerhus, The Ones to Blame, Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, Cryptopsy, Nick Waterhouse, Patterson Hood, Wahid, Skyzoo, Pig Destroyer, Bettye Lavette, Philippe Petite, Chris McGregor, Brother Ali (2009), Bio Ritmo, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Mrs. Medicine, Nico Muhly, Code Orange Kids

@@@ Beach House: Bloom (Sub Pop, 2012)  Another indie gem from the Guardian top 40-21.  I think I peeped it earlier in the year.  Solid, but not best of material.  Sort of meaningfully slow and reverbed 1980′s mope rock inspired tuneage.  The female singer has pipes, the material is a bit above average.

@@@ Nite Jewel: One Second of Love (Secretly Canadian, 2012).  Another indie gem from the Guardian top 40-21. More mopey overly dramatic 1980′s inspired music.  I like Beach House better but neither makes my year end list.

@@@ Dexys: One Day I’m Gonna Soar (BMG, 2012) I get just the single ‘She’s Got a Wiggle’ on MOG, so I can only go from that, but I dig the drum sound a whole lot.  It really glues the tune together.  I believe these guys are survivors from Dexy’s Midnight Runners.  The Guardian describes this as confessional music similar to what you would hear at a musical and I concur.  I dig it all right.

@@@ Farrah Abraham: My Teenage Dream Ended (Farrah Abraham, 2012).  Wow, I’m dying on this Guardian list, it’s really not meant for listeners like me.  This is your autotuned pop, with skittering mainstream version of dubstep beats.  There is an interesting chopped up feeling to the record, mainly in the beats and the vocals which are surreal to say the least, but I have no clue how this music ended up on anybody’s year end list.

@@@ Marina and the Diamonds: Electra Heart (Electra, 2012).  Opens up with the sweet and nasty tune Bubblegum Bitch.   Lots of lip licking and popping bubblegum hearts and a rock ‘n roll pose purchased at a shopping mall.  Really just corporate sonic diarrhea.  I’m sure Marina is a nice person but she’s being steered by a bunch of suits into making this music.

@@@ Tribes: Baby (Universal, 2012).  More self-punishment from the Guardian List.  Start with the pain, keep with the pain.  Well, life is strange, this is not nearly as awful as what preceded it.  Simple stripped down rock with some actual spunk to it.  I’m not jumping up and down but at least there’s some energy to this record.  I would rather the cubicle dwellers listen to this kind of music than the electropop/electrorock sewage.

@@@ The Twilight Sad: No One Can Ever Know (FatCat, 2012).  Scottish indie rock and frankly I expect more from non-Americans.  Opens up with the tune Alphabet — big churchy-ass organ with a thick Scottish accent and some serious drama.  The second tune is more classic Euro rock.  Still some pretty serious synth action, but some thump and rock relish and mustard underneath.

Wow, that was a rough day in the listening trenches.

Active Music Listening Monday November 5, 2012

YTD recordings listened to: 806
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 472
Not good music: 290
Buys: 27 (not all 2012 releases)
Possibles: Zani Diabate, Isaiah Toothtaker (2011), Ondatropica, Sidsel Endresen & Stan Westerhus, The Ones to Blame, Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, Cryptopsy, Nick Waterhouse, Patterson Hood, Wahid, Skyzoo, Pig Destroyer, Bettye Lavette, Philippe Petite, Paul Giallorenzo, Chris McGregor, Brother Ali (2009), Bio Ritmo

@@@ Bio Ritmo: La Verdad (Electric Cowbell, 2011)  I saw on the WRIR weekly playlist that these guys have a new record out, but this one is on MOG.  Living in New York City and being a bodega customer you hear a ton of salsa whether you like it or not.  And I like the old school salsa.  This record is mostly an old school salsa with touches of funk and lounge.  These guys are strong musicians with the bass player really standing out and the organ player right behind him.

@@@ Stick Against Stone: Index of Directions (MediaGroove, 2010).  Described as ‘afro-wave’ in the PR email I got, these guys.  It’s definitely a unique neighborhood they’re working in — I would say there’s a touch of Frank Zappa thrown in for good measure.  I certainly dig the energy of tracks like ‘Your Sweat’, I dig the political leanings of their music,  and I give respect to the uniqueness of what these guys are doing.

@@@ The Coup: Sorry to Bother You (Anti-, 2012) A MOG front page release.  I’m holding out for this record — I like the idea of these guys.  Smart, political ghetto rappers.  On this record they’ve opted for a sort of bouncy, comical rock/rockabilly production style with fuzzy basses, strong rhythm guitar.  I like it, but I wish it was funkier.  I think they’ve toned down the politics and cranked the party vibe, which is the wrong direction for me.  I didn’t catch anything in the raps that was particularly inspired and catchy — I want to like these guys and I wanted to like this record, but it’s pretty average.

@@@ You Won’t: Skeptics Goodbye (Old Flame Records, 2012).  Hipster indie folk songwriter I heard about from a PR email.  A lot of guitar strumming, acoustic and otherwise, a nasal voice and some decent tunes with occasional outbursts of rockin’.  I can see this working well live, but the record didn’t really hit me hard.  This is good music for cubicle folks.

@@@ Calvin Harris: 18 Months (Columbia, 2012).  A MOG front page release.  Things start out club stupid and then accelerate into full retard by the time you hit ‘Drink from the Bottle’.  We’re not talking about music that’s better when you’re drunk or high, but being drunk and high is a requirement to make it through this record.  Every lyrical cliche you’ve ever heard, every stupid sounding chainsaw synth played in the least interesting way.

@@@  Toby Keith: Hope on the Rocks (Showdog Universal Republic, 2012).  A monster shot of corporate country with stories of hard luck souls with slick production.  There’s even a little arena rock on the third tune ‘Scat Cat’.  With song titles like ‘I Like Girls Who Drink Beer’ we’re not talking John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ here.

Active Music Listening Tuesday October 23, 2012

YTD recordings listened to: 771
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 454
Not good music: 276
Buys: 26 (not all 2012 releases)
Possibles: Zani Diabate, Isaiah Toothtaker (2011), Ondatropica, Sidsel Endresen & Stan Westerhus, The Ones to Blame, Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, Cryptopsy, Nick Waterhouse, Patterson Hood, Wahid, Wadada Leo Smith ‘Ten Freedom Summers’, Skyzoo, Pig Destroyer, Bettye Lavette, Philippe Petite, Paul Giallorenzo, Chris McGregor

@@@ Royal Band de Thies: Kadior Demb (Teranga Beat, 2012).  I caught this record on the WRIR world music show weekly email.  It’s a roomy sounding, uptempo African recording.  I went to the label website here and it explains that this is a recording of a band from Senegal from 33 years ago and it’s a two microphone recording, which explains the roominess of the recording.  These guys are absolutely smokin’, man that’s some impressive playing.

@@@ Kid Koala: 12 Bit Blues (Ninja Tune, 2012).  Am I a sour bitch to want my favorite music to be more than samples from old blues records with new beats underneath?  Shouldn’t young folks just buy some old Howlin’ Wolf records?  I would recommend the rockin’ chair Howlin’ Wolf record, there’s also an absolutely rippin’ Buddy Guy record from 2003 called Sweet Tea.  Junior Wells was good, Mississippi John Hurt killed it, but Howlin’ Wolf’s band is closest to this record.  I wouldn’t say this is outright cultural thievery but it’s in the neighborhood.  Boo hiss.

@@@ Chicha Libre: Canabalismo (Barbes, 2012).  I caught this record off the WRIR world music list.  I have many records in my vinyl collection that cover this sort of Latin/Rock/Pop formula and I give respect to these guys for keeping this sound going.  Not quite campy, the organ and guitar drive the quirkiness over Latin percussion and group vocal chants.  I think it’s done well, but it’s hard for me to get too excited about this record as I already own fifteen versions of it from all over Latin America.  Check it out for yourself.

@@@ Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: The Heist (Macklemore, 2012).  These guys have caused quite a stir with their tune about Jimmy Iovine and the general scumbag nature of the music business.  Of course, one of the main points of this music blog is to separate the froth and PR horseshit from the music.  They’re two different things.

I like the lyrics on this recording, his flow is too breathy for my taste, the beats are all right, the first tune’s production is too synth-y.  Outside of the underdog’s message, which I’m totally down with, I don’t really love the music.  I would much rather listen to Skyzoo or El-P

@@@  Four Tet: Pink (Text Records, 2012).  Off the CFUV weekly email.  Am a fan of Rounds from 2003 but I haven’t felt any Four Tet since.  This appears to move away from the more abstract trip hop to the straight funky approach — oh maybe not, here comes some medium trippiness.  The first tune is good, but I could use more.  The second tune ‘Lion’ follows the same formula — the beats have been made funkier as opposed to the skittering jazz like beats of previous work and the arrangements retain some abstractness but have been simplified.  It’s all right — not captivating.

@@@ Faded Paper Figures: The Holy Smoke (Shorthand (a guess?), 2012).  I came to this track via a music publicist email.  At this point, there is so much indie electronic music out, I’m not sure what kind of track would make me stand up and scream ‘Hells Yeah!!!’.  It’s hooky (in the chorus especially), it’s got the required chainsaw synths and the club beat.  Done well but doesn’t stand out for me.

Active Music Listening Friday October 19, 2012

YTD recordings listened to: 756
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 443
Not good music: 272
Buys: 25 (not all 2012 releases)
Possibles: Dennis Bovell, Zani Diabate, Isaiah Toothtaker (2011), Ondatropica, Sidsel Endresen & Stan Westerhus, The Ones to Blame, Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, Cryptopsy, Nick Waterhouse, Patterson Hood, Wahid, Wadada Leo Smith ‘Ten Freedom Summers’, Skyzoo, Pig Destroyer, Bettye Lavette, Philippe Petite, Paul Giallorenzo, Chris McGregor

@@@ Chris McGregor Septet: Up to Earth (Fledgling, 2008)  A raucous and boisterous jazz hit.  I like this shit — it swings, it squeals, it’s a New Orleans funeral.  I guess this is a re-issue from 1969, man it’s good, but there isn’t anything on Youtube or anywhere else on the internets for me to hit you up with so you’re going to have to take my word for it.  Of course, as I’m in the music business my word is shit.

@@@ John Mueller: Topography (Table of Elements, 2008)  I caught a feature on this musician over here at Anti-Gravity Bunny, but lo and behold the ambient electronic album he has up on MOG is not streaming for shit.  It does not help to get into the ambient/drone/long tone state of mind when you’re getting buffered right out of the mood.  This musicians sounds substantive and interesting and I will make another run at his music when the gods of bandwidth allow.

I understand that both of the above records qualify as genuinely obscure.  I prefer to clip Youtube videos or find a link to the music I’m discussing, but that’s not possible in the case of these two records.  I was raised to apologize, but there’s nothing to really apologize for — it’s called Active Listening for a reason so get out there and dig for yourself if you feel the urge.  Active listeners are the lifeblood of non-corporate musicians and small labels.

@@@ Talk Normal: Sunshine (Joyful Noise, 2012) From a music publicist email.  From an upcoming album.  In the single below I like the repeating waves of bass that anchor the waves of noise that are layered on top.  They namecheck Laurie Anderson in the promo email, but the music is more muscular than Anderson’s.  I would say the Breeders are a better point of reference.  You can stream the full record over here.  While I’m not putting this record on my best of list, this band is certainly a couple cuts above the normal PR sponsored dreck that slides my way.

@@@ Ajak Kwai: Come Together (Ajak Kwai, 2008). I found this African record over here at Splinters and Candy.  The guitar work is notable for its driving funkiness and Kwai’s voice is both strong and delicate.  The second tune ‘Tita’ evokes a Caribbean influences with a souk sounding beat.  This blog most definitely aims to push up women’s music and self-released music and this record qualifies on both counts so check out Ms. Kwai and here music.

 

Active Music Listening Weds September 19, 2012

YTD recordings listened to: 623
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 369
Not good music: 219
Buys: 19 (not all 2012 releases)
Possibles: Left Lane Cruiser/James Leg, Dennis Bovell, Seluah, Donnie and Joe Emerson,  Zani Diabate, Isaiah Toothtaker (2011), Ondatropica, Lianne Le Havas, Sidsel Endresen & Stan Westerhus, The Ones to Blame, Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, The Semi-Colons, Cryptopsy, Nick Waterhouse, Thollem McDonas

@@@ Cellos: Bomb Shelter (Dead Beat, 2012).  Sort of an old school punk/metal hybrid.  A nice loping basslines that descends into a noisy squall and back out again.  The tune ends with a really sweet hyper harmonic simple guitar melody outro-ing over the rhythm section with a final round of power chords and grunting dissatisfaction.  This is the best shit I heard today.  I would like to hear the whole record but all I could find was this Youtube clip.

@@@ alt-J: An Awesome Wave (Infectious, 2012).  These guys are getting the push, nominated for the Mercury Prize.  I dig the single ‘Tessellate’.  The appeal of this music in the beats/rock combo — you’re going to find listeners when you put a backwards guitar over a fat beat.  Past the sonic formula I don’t find the songs particularly memorable — the beats outperform the tunes.  I thought I would like this record more.

@@@ Jonti: Sine & Moon (Stones Throw, 2012).  A longish 1 plus minute acoustic intro before we get to the main dish.  It’s electronica hop — sort of downtempo rapper over arrangements that are both electronica and hip hop based.  I dig the downtempo-trip hop vibe, a solid B.

@@@ Saul Williams: Volcanic Sunlight (Sony, 2011).  I found this release via a college radio weekly email.  I thought the title ‘The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust’ was a brilliant title but I don’t think I like his music as much as I like the title of that record.  I was wondering why I couldn’t connect with the music and then looked at the driver for my interface and they compressed the fuck out of this music.  Man, no dynamic range at all.  That could be part of it.

@@@  Brandi Disterheft: Debut (Superfran Records, 2007).  This jazz bassist has a new record out which I saw on a college radio list, but only his debut is up on MOG.  This straight jazz is all right.  Not jump up and down OMG material, but there’s some quirkiness, the piano player especially.  For listeners who love chops.

Active Music Listening Friday September 14, 2012

YTD recordings listened to: 611
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 360
Not good music: 216
Buys: 19 (not all 2012 releases)
Possibles: Left Lane Cruiser/James Leg, Dennis Bovell, Seluah, Donnie and Joe Emerson,  Zani Diabate, Isaiah Toothtaker (2011), Ondatropica, Lianne Le Havas, Sidsel Endresen & Stan Westerhus, The Ones to Blame, Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, The Semi-Colons, Cryptopsy, Nick Waterhouse, Thollem McDonas

@@@ Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra (8 ft Records, 2012)  I understand Ms. Palmer is a huge deal for how she conducts her business.  I give respect to that — the music business is a giant shitpile.  Still and all, I don’t think I like this new record.  First off there’s no dynamic range at all.  She compressed the fuck out of it and it makes the music sound not only loud but very one dimensional.  Everything is rammed up your facehole.  Maybe these songs work great live, that definitely happens but I’m surprised I don’t like this record more.  It’s a poser sonic spectacle without much substance.

@@@ Minotaur Shock: Orchard (Out soon on Melodic).  I found this record via an interview over here at The Milk Factory.   It’s a different sort of electronica.  This soundcloud trailer I believe is selections from the record all put together with no spaces.  It’s cool, it’s a little hard to tell what the record is going to be from the trailer, but there are some interesting sounds going on.  I think they should have just released a tune or two in their entirety.  It’s not straight party electronica and it’s not beat-less ambient.  My guess is that it’s sort of like 4tet.

@@@  The Walkmen: Heaven (Fat Possum, 2012)  A massive display of singing in the first tune ‘We Can’t Be Beat’.  Layered backgrounds and an able and ebullient singer out front.  The production/sounds are great and the playing of the band is decent with somewhat plain vanilla arrangements,  The singer and the drummer are pulling their weight, the guitar player and the bassist need a cup of coffee or some meth.

@@@  Zulu Pearls: No Heroes, No Honeymoon (Cantora, 2012)  The rhythm section sounds great, I don’t love the effect on the singer’s voice in the first tune.  It’s not awful but it’s a little distracting.  The record sounds tremendous but I feel there’s an absence of passion and wildness to the tunes that I find regrettable.  I know restraint is a key trend in indie rock these days but I find the restraint boring.

You can stream the record over here at My Old Kentucky Blog.

@@@  Ryan Keberle: Heavy Dreaming (Alternate Sides, 2010)  I found this straight jazz recording via a gig email sent out by All About Jazz.  It’s piano, a couple of horns, bass and drums.  Good energy, there’s some nice horn playing goin on.  Keberle is a fine trombonist.  My stated preference is for more out-ness but that’s now where he’s at and this could work for you.

Active Music Listening Wednesday September 12, 2012

YTD recordings listened to: 600
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 353
Not good music: 212
Buys: 19 (not all 2012 releases)
Possibles: Left Lane Cruiser/James Leg, Dennis Bovell, Seluah, Donnie and Joe Emerson,  Zani Diabate, Isaiah Toothtaker (2011), Ondatropica, Lianne Le Havas, Sidsel Endresen & Stan Westerhus, The Ones to Blame, Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, The Semi-Colons, Cryptopsy, Nick Waterhouse, Thollem McDonas

@@@ James Iha: Look to Sky.  This album is getting a pretty massive push — my email box has been serially bruised by PR hacks about this album.  I never dug the Smashing Pumpkins, I always thought Baldy Corgan’s head was too far up his rectum to take too seriously.

I will not hold that against Mr. Iha but I’m not going in totally expecting to soil myself over this record.  The first tune/title track is not Pumpkin-y.  It’s sort of electro-pastoral folk.  It’s pretty.

The second tune is ‘To Who Knows Where’ and it’s more Pumpkin-y.  A shimmering midtempo dreamer.  The third tune ‘Gemini’ is even more Pumpkin-y.  An arpeggiated pop nugget with more New Age lyrics.

He’s a veteran musician and he knows how to write songs, record them, make them sound great.  It’s not particularly my cup of tea, but check it out as it may be yours.

You can stream here.

@@@ Rosco Bandana: Time to Begin. (Hardrock, 2012)  Hit this track via PR email.  The title track from an upcoming album of the same name.  It’s sort of an uptempo roots rock kinda show with a touch of swamp to it.  Ably produced, the song itself sports a lot of energy and familiar musical elements.  Radio friendly to put it lightly.  There’s a swapping of male/female singers and the male singer has an odd sort of odd helium sounding tone to his voice.  There’s a lack of bottom register to his singing. Either this is the way he rolls or somebody EQ shelved his voice somethin’ fierce.  It’s okay, solid B-.

@@@  Alt-J: Awesome Wave (Infectious Music, 2012)  Hot off being nominated for the Mercury Prize in Britain I can’t hear the record here in America.  You cannot beat the music business for just straight up fucked business practices.  I will peep a clip that was emailed to me by our PR overlords and try not to be sour.  I don’t know what he record sounds like as this Youtube video is a remix.  I like the beat, and that’s a pretty hooky bass line, and I like arrangement, I dig and don’t dig the singer.  I’m not sure on that cat.  Well, the song is over, I’m not motivated to hear more I don’t have an opinon so fuck it.

@@@ ZZ Top: La Futura (Universal, 2012)  Let’s face it, this guy is a badass guitar player, it’s just a question of how stupid the songs are and maybe how good or bad the production is as being the factors as to whether you dig it.  The 1970′s records are absolute dirty ass classics — Cheap Sunglasses, I’m Bad I’m Nationwide, and the 1980′s stuff was less classic.  I want to be kind.  This one seems to be in the middle as the synths have been jettisoned from the ZZ Top space shuttle but the lyrics aren’t as cutting and hilarious as the classics.  I also hear some riff recycling but the third tune called Consumption is pretty sharp.  Man, this motherfucker can play guitar you kids should just hop off your fucking smartphones and check his flow.  It’s fucked up.

It’s shocking anybody is buying any music at all

It’s difficult to know if folks in the music business don’t know how much music is available online or if they know and are in denial.

By the time you have been to the download blogs, all the blogs that offer free downloads for promo purposes, all the music you can stream on blogs and on YouTube, rippin mp3s off videos all over the net, free streaming options, you can have a very rich life without dropping a dime on music.

Being a small independent label, that certainly makes for a more difficult environment to sell music in, but reality must be recognized as it is.

I predict that in just a couple of years recorded music will be viewed as a listener’s desire to support a musician, band, act or label.

It’s not necessary to buy music, even if you are an enthusiastic listener.