Went to Lakewood's best location for transaction a la musica, Bent Crayon, and picked up some good stuff today.
Handsome Boy Modeling School - "White People" --> I like it a lot so far, lots of good names smeared in with fresh beats...Omar and Cedric from The Mars Volta, Pharrell, De La, Jack Johnson, Mike & Chester from Linkin Park, Mike Patton and a bunch more. Thanks to G Money Nie for the recommendation.
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www.handsomeboymodelingschool.com
Death Cab for Cutie - "Something About Airplanes" --> I've been wanting this album for a while; it's their first. Love 'President of What?', and 'Pictures in an Exhibition' (listening to this track as I type this).
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www.dcfc.com
Ikara Colt - "Basic Instructions EP" - They're on Epitaph; I've listened to it once, and like it so far.
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www.ikaracolt.com
Unkle - "Never, Never Land" - This is the newest release from Unkle, who for those who don't know, consists of the legendary DJ Shadow and James Lavelle. It's a 2-CD set...I have yet to listen to this one, but I'm a huge fan of Unkle and the seperate Unkle entities.
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www.unkle.com
I'm going to start reviewing one album, bi-weekly, and hopefully my Offbeat counterpart can review an album on the opposite weeks. First review is January 7th, and will be a Snapcase album -- both of my January reviews will be of Snapcase albums -- in honor of January being the official "Last Time For Snapcase To Rock Your World" month.
And because January is a special month, both Offbeat and I will be posting our renditions of dramatic sequence from the Snapcase show on the 22nd. Buckle your underpants.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
Snapcase – no mo’
In the progression of time things that have always been there, eventually disappear. Always, to much surprise. Granted I have been a fan of the “hardcore” music genre for a relatively short period of time in comparison to people who were there in its heyday. But I really like Snapcase. They broadened my taste and appreciation for the art of screaming. Plus they opened the door for me to enjoy the music of Refused. In the words of someone, “All good things must come to an end”
In a succinct explanation of the reason for Snapcase’s departure from the music scene, Frank Vicario (Guitarist of main riffage) stated: “We reached an impasse where our core fanbase had been dwindling due to disenfranchisement with our newer material".
(More at: http://www.idobi.com/news/article.cfm?200412163) One site that was definitely pouty over the newer material comments that the reason for the lead up of their demise is that “Snapcase is the band that almost made it to the big time and have been stuck in the limbo of being too big for street credit and established underground to make it to the majors.”
To sum it up fans & music critics did not evolve with the band. Every band moves in a position in which they feel is forward. I tend to be loyal to a band I like and evolve my perceptions of their music along with them. I will always have the old CD’s to listen to. There is something good about a freshness of music, just like underpants (especially ones right out of the dryer). Trends change and most of the time good music is pushed aside so that concocted musical formulas can be pandered to the (at the time) current masses of the younger generation. Usually to a scene where everyone looks alike. Right now the fad is shaggy hair, black t-shirts and a scarf. The commercialization of emo, a separation of a branch of indie rock into something devoid of individuality. Grandly heralded by the sticky fingers of MTV. A hilarious but oh-so-true tag line of one the posters on the Snapcase forum says:"I had no idea snapcase was still together. They're not white-belted metalcore homos so I can see why their popularity is waning."
On the other hand though, everyone can do/listen/live/dress however and whatever they want. Sometimes the elitists are just as annoying as the sheep. It’s just sad to see pieces of your life vanish.
At least I got to see Snapcase live once in my area. I will see them once again for the last time January 22, 2005.
To re-iterate: SPHERE / 681 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 / (716)852-3900 / spherebuffalo.comTickets will be on sale by Monday, December 20th available atTicketmaster and Home of the Hits...and on line on ticketmaster.com$13 Advance. Early show! All ages. Doors will be at 6:00pm. Snapcaseon at approximately 8:30pm
Here’s a little run-down of Snapcase history
http://www.themusicedge.com/moxie/news/spotartist/snapcase-a-decade-of-hard.shtml
Words of wisdom in a Snapcase:
Don’t refuse your mind
Live your life.
Escape mechanical existence
Your hero is yourself
You need to rise up and revolutionize your thinking
You need to wake up and activate the dreams of your soul
Everywhere, people move to the cadence of just one drum.
Get off of the assembly line
Pariahs are in control, Reclaim
Let's start the end
I can't…we can
Treat yourself like someone
Give someone a piece of your mind
Regrets are tokens of what has gone untold,
you're only special when you break from the mold
Can you, let go? Can you, be you?
Why do we kill ourselves to live?
To your possessions your life is bound
I know that we can live today, but tomorrow's more important
In a succinct explanation of the reason for Snapcase’s departure from the music scene, Frank Vicario (Guitarist of main riffage) stated: “We reached an impasse where our core fanbase had been dwindling due to disenfranchisement with our newer material".
(More at: http://www.idobi.com/news/article.cfm?200412163) One site that was definitely pouty over the newer material comments that the reason for the lead up of their demise is that “Snapcase is the band that almost made it to the big time and have been stuck in the limbo of being too big for street credit and established underground to make it to the majors.”
To sum it up fans & music critics did not evolve with the band. Every band moves in a position in which they feel is forward. I tend to be loyal to a band I like and evolve my perceptions of their music along with them. I will always have the old CD’s to listen to. There is something good about a freshness of music, just like underpants (especially ones right out of the dryer). Trends change and most of the time good music is pushed aside so that concocted musical formulas can be pandered to the (at the time) current masses of the younger generation. Usually to a scene where everyone looks alike. Right now the fad is shaggy hair, black t-shirts and a scarf. The commercialization of emo, a separation of a branch of indie rock into something devoid of individuality. Grandly heralded by the sticky fingers of MTV. A hilarious but oh-so-true tag line of one the posters on the Snapcase forum says:"I had no idea snapcase was still together. They're not white-belted metalcore homos so I can see why their popularity is waning."
On the other hand though, everyone can do/listen/live/dress however and whatever they want. Sometimes the elitists are just as annoying as the sheep. It’s just sad to see pieces of your life vanish.
At least I got to see Snapcase live once in my area. I will see them once again for the last time January 22, 2005.
To re-iterate: SPHERE / 681 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 / (716)852-3900 / spherebuffalo.comTickets will be on sale by Monday, December 20th available atTicketmaster and Home of the Hits...and on line on ticketmaster.com$13 Advance. Early show! All ages. Doors will be at 6:00pm. Snapcaseon at approximately 8:30pm
Here’s a little run-down of Snapcase history
http://www.themusicedge.com/moxie/news/spotartist/snapcase-a-decade-of-hard.shtml
Words of wisdom in a Snapcase:
Don’t refuse your mind
Live your life.
Escape mechanical existence
Your hero is yourself
You need to rise up and revolutionize your thinking
You need to wake up and activate the dreams of your soul
Everywhere, people move to the cadence of just one drum.
Get off of the assembly line
Pariahs are in control, Reclaim
Let's start the end
I can't…we can
Treat yourself like someone
Give someone a piece of your mind
Regrets are tokens of what has gone untold,
you're only special when you break from the mold
Can you, let go? Can you, be you?
Why do we kill ourselves to live?
To your possessions your life is bound
I know that we can live today, but tomorrow's more important
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Walter Schreifels
Every so often I check to see if the 'Rival Schools' website has been resurrected. Maybe they forgot to pay their hosting provider? Maybe some rogue 9-year old from Japan went and squatted their namespace in the short window of it becoming available, and he/she is holding it ransom for Pepsi and a cure for lactose-intolerance? I don't know...but those are reasonable guesses in my opinion.
So if you go to www.rivalschoolsunite.com it is now just a blank site. Nothing at all. When I see that, I'm motivated to find the members of the band. It's happening a lot more lately. Bands dissolve, and the quest is on! Must find the former members and find out what new project their working on! Must support!
And I found that today....even though I'm completely late as usual. (I'd love to actually find a project/band right when the concept is thought of....and not find it a year after they start touring, produced 2 CD's and are on to a Remix/B-sides album.) I looked around the web for Walter Schreifels....former founder/guitarist/bassist/vocalist/producer for bands that I listened to early on, like Gorilla Biscuits, CIV, Youth of Today, Quicksand...and most recently Rival Schools. I found what I wanted. A guy put up a website dedicated to Walter Schreifels, and the quest to find out what he's up to nowadays....here it is --> www.unitedbywalter.com --> it's a good site! Why can't a site be published for every mystery musician that hasn't posted what they're up to for longer than 6 to 8 months?? Is that too much to ask?? I guess it might be...gotta give the peeps a break and some privacy.
So, through the United By Walter website, I found his new project, 'Walking Concert' -- and of course I just missed their Cleveland date @ the Grog - Dec. 6th. www.walkingconcert.com
So if you go to www.rivalschoolsunite.com it is now just a blank site. Nothing at all. When I see that, I'm motivated to find the members of the band. It's happening a lot more lately. Bands dissolve, and the quest is on! Must find the former members and find out what new project their working on! Must support!
And I found that today....even though I'm completely late as usual. (I'd love to actually find a project/band right when the concept is thought of....and not find it a year after they start touring, produced 2 CD's and are on to a Remix/B-sides album.) I looked around the web for Walter Schreifels....former founder/guitarist/bassist/vocalist/producer for bands that I listened to early on, like Gorilla Biscuits, CIV, Youth of Today, Quicksand...and most recently Rival Schools. I found what I wanted. A guy put up a website dedicated to Walter Schreifels, and the quest to find out what he's up to nowadays....here it is --> www.unitedbywalter.com --> it's a good site! Why can't a site be published for every mystery musician that hasn't posted what they're up to for longer than 6 to 8 months?? Is that too much to ask?? I guess it might be...gotta give the peeps a break and some privacy.
So, through the United By Walter website, I found his new project, 'Walking Concert' -- and of course I just missed their Cleveland date @ the Grog - Dec. 6th. www.walkingconcert.com
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
wigged out music video
Very funny nonetheless
ELEKTRONIK SUPERSONIK
http://movies08.archive.org/2/movies/Elektronik_Supersonik/Elektronik_Supersonik.mpg
ELEKTRONIK SUPERSONIK
http://movies08.archive.org/2/movies/Elektronik_Supersonik/Elektronik_Supersonik.mpg
Ummm...ENON?!
Well I have been out of the loop of the music scene for a little while, but why didn't anyone tell me Enon put out another record. Even though I didn't pick up "High Society" I should at least know. http://www.epitonic.com/artists/enon.html I really like "Believo!" it's sweetie whack. Other people like the later stuff.
By the way Epitonic is an awesome resource for music. Plus it has sample MP3's to check out. They break all the genre's down and I...I...sniff*(where's the smiley's??)...love it.
By the way Epitonic is an awesome resource for music. Plus it has sample MP3's to check out. They break all the genre's down and I...I...sniff*(where's the smiley's??)...love it.
Monday, December 13, 2004
OK - Bella Lea is really good
How would you like it if you were playing out, and some of your stuff was taken?? Hmmmm?? How would you feel if someone stole your pomp wig? Yes! It's a wig! What if someone took it right off your head, and ran out the door with it? How would you feel? A bit snooty?? Yes, indeed....I fear you would, my no-longer-"frustrated" friend!
Aside from that...the demo's are very very good...everyone should have a listen. Looks like they're booking shows other than that D.C. one they mentioned...one in PA, and NY.
A few more people need to get in on this blog...I'm going to pass on some invites...
Aside from that...the demo's are very very good...everyone should have a listen. Looks like they're booking shows other than that D.C. one they mentioned...one in PA, and NY.
A few more people need to get in on this blog...I'm going to pass on some invites...
Friday, December 10, 2004
Infinite Number on the 29th...
Infinite Number of Sounds plays on Dec. 29th @ Peabody's....
Everyone should go.
I mean, everyone on the planet.
I hope Infrareds tour...their new CD is absolutely sick....their blood has to be made of caffeine. Or Vitamin B.
Everyone should go.
I mean, everyone on the planet.
I hope Infrareds tour...their new CD is absolutely sick....their blood has to be made of caffeine. Or Vitamin B.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
The Real Tuesday Weld
http://www.tuesdayweld.com/
This guy is totally sweet. He samples old records and makes wiggety whack songs with them. I read somewhere it described as "Vintage beat". It's something I've been wanting to do myself for quite a while. The other nifty thing is from the live songs that I have heard he works with a live band recreating the sampled songs. So he cover's the cover of a cover. Wicked sweet rating - 3478%
There are also 2 video's on Atomfilms. Watch them both:
http://www.atomfilms.com/af/content/bathtime_clerkenwell
They are pretty awesome
This guy is totally sweet. He samples old records and makes wiggety whack songs with them. I read somewhere it described as "Vintage beat". It's something I've been wanting to do myself for quite a while. The other nifty thing is from the live songs that I have heard he works with a live band recreating the sampled songs. So he cover's the cover of a cover. Wicked sweet rating - 3478%
There are also 2 video's on Atomfilms. Watch them both:
http://www.atomfilms.com/af/content/bathtime_clerkenwell
They are pretty awesome
Friday, December 03, 2004
Band of the Year
Pretty Girls Make Graves --> Even though they've been around a few years, I just discovered them....and I can't listen to them enough. Every single song on "The New Romance", is amazing. I didn't find anything this year that I like as much as them....even though there were some close 2nd places --> Keane, The Go Find, OhNo, De La Soul (just cuz the show in Nov. was wow)....list continues, I'll post more runners up showcase winners in the days ahead.
http://www.matadorrecords.com/pretty_girls_make_graves/music.html
The link above is for their record label...one of the video's works well, the other one is pretty choppy.
Dare I say - they are my band of the year.
http://www.matadorrecords.com/pretty_girls_make_graves/music.html
The link above is for their record label...one of the video's works well, the other one is pretty choppy.
Dare I say - they are my band of the year.
Ourselves
A new side project from members of Snapcase: http://www.ourselvesrock.com
Some of the wording on the Snapcase site worries me...kind of eludes to Snapcase not playing anymore? I may be paranoid....but that would be absolutely horrible.
"Ourselves" has a Pure Volume site too, they have two instrumentals up, and a cover tribute to Jawbox.
Check them out....
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The purpose of this blog is to post freely about all forms of music....
Educate.
Some of the wording on the Snapcase site worries me...kind of eludes to Snapcase not playing anymore? I may be paranoid....but that would be absolutely horrible.
"Ourselves" has a Pure Volume site too, they have two instrumentals up, and a cover tribute to Jawbox.
Check them out....
-------------------------------------
The purpose of this blog is to post freely about all forms of music....
Educate.
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