i dropped the ball not knowing of stuff like this sooner...
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
song of the day 3.30.11
Emery's new album "We do what we want" came out this week, this is one of those new songs, "the curse of perfect days"
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
recent releases worth your time
Emery "We Do What We Want" - the hardest hitting Emery album since "The Weaks end"
![We Do What We Want (Deluxe Edition) [+Digital Booklet]](http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B004RDCI4W&tag=thetimeisneve-20)
Restorations "Self Titled" - Somewhat ambient groove-ish rock from the singer of
Jena Berlin. Definitely a unique sound.
GET IT HERE
Rise Against "Endgame" - It is a Rise Against record.
The Dangerous Summer "An Acoustic Performance of Reach For The Sun" - most people seem to either love or hate these guys for some reason. Just unassuming poppy punk without the synths or neon that their peers have, especially on this acoustic disk.
Restorations "Self Titled" - Somewhat ambient groove-ish rock from the singer of
Jena Berlin. Definitely a unique sound.
GET IT HERE
Rise Against "Endgame" - It is a Rise Against record.
The Dangerous Summer "An Acoustic Performance of Reach For The Sun" - most people seem to either love or hate these guys for some reason. Just unassuming poppy punk without the synths or neon that their peers have, especially on this acoustic disk.
Monday, March 28, 2011
why even bother saying anything?
My girlfriend and I were talking on the way in to work today about how there are just some people who don't like anything. Or rather, don't ADMIT to liking anything. It came about from me saying I was listening to Cobra Skulls and that I read a review of their new ep and how the dude just tore it apart (including the bad religion cover that he had no idea was a bad religion song) saying how it was not punk and how punk has fallen apart and he misses the old days and blah blah blah same shit everyone who is trying to sound cool says. This was a follow up conversation about a dude I saw on Friday who was very loudly bashing a game his friend and the guy at GameStop were saying was lots of fun.
My lady has a theory on these people, the ones that absolutely have to tear down everything. They are insecure. These people are afraid of saying they like something that someone else thinks is terrible and having to either defend themselves or look like a fool. I think she is on to something. The Gamestop shopper was obviously one of those guys that plays EVERYTHING that comes out and spends a lot of time sitting in front of a game screen. Hygiene seemed to be secondary. The guy who wrote the article had in his little bio that he "barely graduated high school and liked to occasionally write about music" and let me tell you, trying to be funny and ironic about what you do for a living/lack of taking care of yourself is not a statement on how alternative to the norm you can be but is more a statement of "i'm trying to make it look like I don't care what you think of me, but I really want you to know how cool/smart/funny I can be, please notice me." It's the same thing that I have talked about with hipsters in the past.
Here's the thing. Instead of saying how "childish" or "asinine" something is and comparing it to your favorite old bands. Take a look at it as a stand-alone piece of work. If someone said to me, "Man, i thought that game sucked because the controls were shitty" or "that album sucked, the guitar player needs to stop showing off." those are definitive statements. But, if you say "that band sucks because they do not sound like this" that is basically saying that because something does not sound like your favorite, popular friend approved, band, then they automatically suck.
You see this a lot where someone states that they "only like the older stuff" which is usually code for, "this band is popular now, but i need to prove my coolness by showing how i liked them before they were popular and now that they are popular, they suck." Look at a band like Against Me! "Vivida Vis" sounds like it was recorded in the middle of a high school gym with tom not having access to a PA so he had to shout everything and destroy his vocals. Alkaline Trio is another great example, some of those early recordings sound rough. Whether that is because of the recording or the talent, the result is the same. Don't get me wrong, there is a LOT of overproduced music out there, that is not what i am saying, I am saying that these people are saying that something is good simply because it meets a certain condition that they know to be accepted as cool with whatever group they want to be associated with.
Now, I have heard and bought a ton of shitty music at the word of people I know and things i read. But, on the flip side, I have found a ton of great music from the same places. Here's the thing, just because it is different that what YOU personally like, does not mean it is bad. There is music that I bought 4 years ago that I barely want to listen to now. We all change. People who sit and talk shit about everything, even if they secretly like it, are missing out. There is a lot of things out there worth experiencing and if you dismiss it simply because it does not meet your prerequisite ideal, then your attempt at showing how great you are only highlights what a complete loser you are.
My lady has a theory on these people, the ones that absolutely have to tear down everything. They are insecure. These people are afraid of saying they like something that someone else thinks is terrible and having to either defend themselves or look like a fool. I think she is on to something. The Gamestop shopper was obviously one of those guys that plays EVERYTHING that comes out and spends a lot of time sitting in front of a game screen. Hygiene seemed to be secondary. The guy who wrote the article had in his little bio that he "barely graduated high school and liked to occasionally write about music" and let me tell you, trying to be funny and ironic about what you do for a living/lack of taking care of yourself is not a statement on how alternative to the norm you can be but is more a statement of "i'm trying to make it look like I don't care what you think of me, but I really want you to know how cool/smart/funny I can be, please notice me." It's the same thing that I have talked about with hipsters in the past.
Here's the thing. Instead of saying how "childish" or "asinine" something is and comparing it to your favorite old bands. Take a look at it as a stand-alone piece of work. If someone said to me, "Man, i thought that game sucked because the controls were shitty" or "that album sucked, the guitar player needs to stop showing off." those are definitive statements. But, if you say "that band sucks because they do not sound like this" that is basically saying that because something does not sound like your favorite, popular friend approved, band, then they automatically suck.
You see this a lot where someone states that they "only like the older stuff" which is usually code for, "this band is popular now, but i need to prove my coolness by showing how i liked them before they were popular and now that they are popular, they suck." Look at a band like Against Me! "Vivida Vis" sounds like it was recorded in the middle of a high school gym with tom not having access to a PA so he had to shout everything and destroy his vocals. Alkaline Trio is another great example, some of those early recordings sound rough. Whether that is because of the recording or the talent, the result is the same. Don't get me wrong, there is a LOT of overproduced music out there, that is not what i am saying, I am saying that these people are saying that something is good simply because it meets a certain condition that they know to be accepted as cool with whatever group they want to be associated with.
Now, I have heard and bought a ton of shitty music at the word of people I know and things i read. But, on the flip side, I have found a ton of great music from the same places. Here's the thing, just because it is different that what YOU personally like, does not mean it is bad. There is music that I bought 4 years ago that I barely want to listen to now. We all change. People who sit and talk shit about everything, even if they secretly like it, are missing out. There is a lot of things out there worth experiencing and if you dismiss it simply because it does not meet your prerequisite ideal, then your attempt at showing how great you are only highlights what a complete loser you are.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
song of the day, 3.24.11
i found a video of one of the new Rival Schools songs. I might have posted it before.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
song of the day, march 22
Restorations is a band that came from the death of the band Jena Berlin, they are pretty awesome and had an album come out today
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Help Japan and get some music
http://vstheearthquake.limitedpressing.com/products/8564
$5 minimum for lots of tracks and what not for a great cause
$5 minimum for lots of tracks and what not for a great cause
song of day, 3.16.11
St. Patrick's Day is coming up and this is the first year in a while that I am not playing non-stop flogging molly and dropkick murphys. weird.
Here is band you may have never heard of, from the remnants of Tsunami Bomb comes The Action Design
Here is band you may have never heard of, from the remnants of Tsunami Bomb comes The Action Design
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
song of the day 3.15.11
Rise Against's new album "endgame" is out today. Its good. Despite what I have read from reviews, i still hear "punk" in this bands sound. Certainly feels less poppy than recent releases, but this is definitely a Rise Against album
Monday, March 14, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
song of the day, march 9
i went home sick from work. I still feel like shit. here is a new acoustic version of a song from gaslight
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Rival Schools "Pedals" came out today
And you should go pick it up. or download it. or buy it on your iphone. or steal it from your buddy. Most of you will search the web with the words "megaupload" "Rapidshare" "download" or whatever. But trust me, this one is worth buying. It sounds and feels like the natural next album after "united by fate"
There is a strong, driving beat on the songs. They sound familiar but new. The choruses are catchy without being poppy. If you are a fan of music, there is something for you on here. Instruments are being experimented with. There is electronic sounds, acoustic, a great mix of everything without letting you forget you are listening to a Rival Schools album. When i put this on for my drive today, I could feel the smile spreading across my face.
"United by Fate" was a huge part of my post-high school/college years and continues this day to get a spin about once every month or two. There was just something about it that was different. Whether it was the vocals or the instrumentation or a blending of the two, there is a sound to Rival Schools that is unique. "Pedals" feels like the next logical step from there. There is not drastic style change. No attempt to do something different. You can hear that everyone in the band has improved at their craft and understands what part they play in the band without following a formula. This does not sound like a re-united band that is trying to re-capture the flame they left behind for an easy release or because their other bands were never as popular as Rival Schools was. This sounds like a band that is making music because they love to make music together.
There are plenty of bands that get their original singer back because people do not like them without that person. There are bands that want you to know they have gotten back together by calling the new album a name that plays off the old ones or just says "part 2" These bands might sound good, but they are just copying something that they knew worked once so cash in and do it again. I don't know anyone from Rival Schools personally, but "pedals" does not sound like they are just trying to reclaim the past.
I recommend the bonus version off of itunes if you are looking to pick up PEDALS
There is a strong, driving beat on the songs. They sound familiar but new. The choruses are catchy without being poppy. If you are a fan of music, there is something for you on here. Instruments are being experimented with. There is electronic sounds, acoustic, a great mix of everything without letting you forget you are listening to a Rival Schools album. When i put this on for my drive today, I could feel the smile spreading across my face.
"United by Fate" was a huge part of my post-high school/college years and continues this day to get a spin about once every month or two. There was just something about it that was different. Whether it was the vocals or the instrumentation or a blending of the two, there is a sound to Rival Schools that is unique. "Pedals" feels like the next logical step from there. There is not drastic style change. No attempt to do something different. You can hear that everyone in the band has improved at their craft and understands what part they play in the band without following a formula. This does not sound like a re-united band that is trying to re-capture the flame they left behind for an easy release or because their other bands were never as popular as Rival Schools was. This sounds like a band that is making music because they love to make music together.
There are plenty of bands that get their original singer back because people do not like them without that person. There are bands that want you to know they have gotten back together by calling the new album a name that plays off the old ones or just says "part 2" These bands might sound good, but they are just copying something that they knew worked once so cash in and do it again. I don't know anyone from Rival Schools personally, but "pedals" does not sound like they are just trying to reclaim the past.
I recommend the bonus version off of itunes if you are looking to pick up PEDALS
Song of the day 3.8.11
I thought i would post a Sharks /// song. I think have posted this before, but oh well. Its worth another listen
edit: i found another new Sharks/// Song so you get a bonus today
edit: i found another new Sharks/// Song so you get a bonus today
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
AP's 100 Bands you need to know in 2011-My reactions
I have been a subscriber to Alternative Press for a long time. Every year, one of my favorite issues has always been the "100 bands you need to know" issue. I have always read about each band, circled the ones I like with a pen and then spent months crossing them off as their albums came out and I got to know what the band was offering. Thanks to the internet, I no longer need to wait for an album to drop to see if I like a band, I can just go online. Which is fine. I would still keep the magazine on my desk for days when I felt like checking out a band or doing some general digging about for music. Now, I have never had a year where I have checked out every band, but consistently, there is a good 50-60 bands that I take the time and at least listen to a song.
Sadly, like the magazine as a whole over the last year or so, 2011's 100 bands issue was a big let down. On their site, they call is the "no genre left behind" list. While this may be true, it seems like certain genres are getting a bigger piece of the pie so to speak. I wish I was joking when I say that for a majority of the bands this year, I did not get past looking at their picture and their "sounds like/influences" list. Whether the writers or the bands themselves felt the need to try to be witty or this is just what it has come to for me, but it seems like there was just something missing. For the pictures, there were 4 distinct things you saw: dudes in makeup/dyed black hair, scruffy flannel wearers, hipster dildos or really happy neon/'80s throwbacks. If you get past that, (which i really tried to do) you get to see either some terrible genre classifications, listing of bands that are super popular right now but will be gone soon or a list of super obscure/ill fitting bands that seemed more like an attempt at "look at how deep my musical knowledge is, you don't even know bands that I am referencing." I know I sound bitter, but one thing AP used to do was introduce new things as much as report on what was going on. I would say this time, there was an unhealthy amount of "dace" music being referenced with some other sub-classification. Which, as a whole is starting to get me down.
There are things that make sense to me, "punk rock," "progressive rock," "melodic hardcore." these sub classifications make sense. If you like your hardcore hardcore, you would want to know if a band had some clean melodies in there before you get involved. "pop rock/punk" is another one that makes sense. It is poppy music with guitars. ( i know this is a little too black and white, but it works for example sake). The thing that is getting to is that we are over-classifying music. "prog dance folk pop" is something I saw somewhere. What the hell is that? I mean, I can kind of picture what it is, but isn't most "pop" music inherently dance-y? Folk seems to just mean, they play acoustic guitars and sing softly while sounding like they are in a cabin or around a fire. What I am getting at here is that just like racism, you can label other things too much. I also think it is funny when something is called "post-" something. It is logical, post means after and typically those bands sounds like what should or does come out of something else. A "post rock" band tends to be a wall of sound that rises and falls dramatically. But when you start calling something "post dance" "post hardcore" "post punk" haven't those already been created as disco and rock'n'roll?
But, I digress. What I started this about was the 2011 100 bands you need to know. Here is my take on it. I have about 15 bands that I want to look at further. 10 of the remaining 85 all seem to be over-makeuped metal stuff. 50-60 of the bands have almost the exact same explanation/influences and the rest seems to be bands started by people who were in other bands that fall into the previous categories but now have an indie-rock/folk band. Maybe it is just an off year, maybe this is all there is out there to choose from. I think a band like Red City Radio should have been in there, but no it was mostly poppy stuff. All i can say is at least this was free of that bullshit rap rock sing dance synth radio puke (see what i did there) that seems to be everywhere else. No longer do we have the "we just came to party" bands filling up pages. I guess there is that.
Sadly, like the magazine as a whole over the last year or so, 2011's 100 bands issue was a big let down. On their site, they call is the "no genre left behind" list. While this may be true, it seems like certain genres are getting a bigger piece of the pie so to speak. I wish I was joking when I say that for a majority of the bands this year, I did not get past looking at their picture and their "sounds like/influences" list. Whether the writers or the bands themselves felt the need to try to be witty or this is just what it has come to for me, but it seems like there was just something missing. For the pictures, there were 4 distinct things you saw: dudes in makeup/dyed black hair, scruffy flannel wearers, hipster dildos or really happy neon/'80s throwbacks. If you get past that, (which i really tried to do) you get to see either some terrible genre classifications, listing of bands that are super popular right now but will be gone soon or a list of super obscure/ill fitting bands that seemed more like an attempt at "look at how deep my musical knowledge is, you don't even know bands that I am referencing." I know I sound bitter, but one thing AP used to do was introduce new things as much as report on what was going on. I would say this time, there was an unhealthy amount of "dace" music being referenced with some other sub-classification. Which, as a whole is starting to get me down.
There are things that make sense to me, "punk rock," "progressive rock," "melodic hardcore." these sub classifications make sense. If you like your hardcore hardcore, you would want to know if a band had some clean melodies in there before you get involved. "pop rock/punk" is another one that makes sense. It is poppy music with guitars. ( i know this is a little too black and white, but it works for example sake). The thing that is getting to is that we are over-classifying music. "prog dance folk pop" is something I saw somewhere. What the hell is that? I mean, I can kind of picture what it is, but isn't most "pop" music inherently dance-y? Folk seems to just mean, they play acoustic guitars and sing softly while sounding like they are in a cabin or around a fire. What I am getting at here is that just like racism, you can label other things too much. I also think it is funny when something is called "post-" something. It is logical, post means after and typically those bands sounds like what should or does come out of something else. A "post rock" band tends to be a wall of sound that rises and falls dramatically. But when you start calling something "post dance" "post hardcore" "post punk" haven't those already been created as disco and rock'n'roll?
But, I digress. What I started this about was the 2011 100 bands you need to know. Here is my take on it. I have about 15 bands that I want to look at further. 10 of the remaining 85 all seem to be over-makeuped metal stuff. 50-60 of the bands have almost the exact same explanation/influences and the rest seems to be bands started by people who were in other bands that fall into the previous categories but now have an indie-rock/folk band. Maybe it is just an off year, maybe this is all there is out there to choose from. I think a band like Red City Radio should have been in there, but no it was mostly poppy stuff. All i can say is at least this was free of that bullshit rap rock sing dance synth radio puke (see what i did there) that seems to be everywhere else. No longer do we have the "we just came to party" bands filling up pages. I guess there is that.
song of the day, 3.4.11
I was listening to a bootleg of this whole set this morning. I don't know why, but when Bruce comes out, I get chills/
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Music A.D.D.
I use a phrase often. I call it "Music A.D.D." or "Music Attention Deficit Disorder" basically, this is when you are doing something, but you cannot get it done because you keep changing your mind/not settling on what to listen to. This happens to me a lot where I will put something on and after 2 songs take it off again. Sometimes I get excited and think "yeah, now this is good" then the next thing I know I am hitting skip or finding something else to put on.
What causes this? When we go shopping or listen to the radio they are always playing a mix of songs and every one of us wishes they would just play "this" song or "that" song. I guess it all goes back to what makes a song and a band memorable. What makes those things stand out from just being background noise. On the flip side, what makes them just be background noise? Then, when you look at it again, if it is just background, why can't we just leave it alone and let it play?
I think it comes down to the level of familiarity and mood of the music. If there is something that is overly aggressive, that seems to benefit a high energy activity. Mellow seems to fit a low impact action. But then there are things that seems to fit everything. These are the bands that have variety to their songs. There is usually some kind of melody that can be picked up and a rhythm that is easy to follow. This is basically the template for Rock 'n' Roll in the purest sense.
I have a lot of bands where i have over a hundred songs each of. Most of these i can put on and just let them play. Especially if i am working, both at home or at the house. Whether it is for my job or for fun, I seem to be able to do this. Maybe it is the variety of the songs. Maybe it is the effect "that one song" has to my mood. Maybe it is just that I can sing along to each word that comes along. I am not sure.
Luckily, today is not a music A.D.D. day but I do have a lot of new music that i have bought and gotten for free that is kind of taking precedent over everything else just because it is new. If i did not have these, who knows what today would have been.
What causes this? When we go shopping or listen to the radio they are always playing a mix of songs and every one of us wishes they would just play "this" song or "that" song. I guess it all goes back to what makes a song and a band memorable. What makes those things stand out from just being background noise. On the flip side, what makes them just be background noise? Then, when you look at it again, if it is just background, why can't we just leave it alone and let it play?
I think it comes down to the level of familiarity and mood of the music. If there is something that is overly aggressive, that seems to benefit a high energy activity. Mellow seems to fit a low impact action. But then there are things that seems to fit everything. These are the bands that have variety to their songs. There is usually some kind of melody that can be picked up and a rhythm that is easy to follow. This is basically the template for Rock 'n' Roll in the purest sense.
I have a lot of bands where i have over a hundred songs each of. Most of these i can put on and just let them play. Especially if i am working, both at home or at the house. Whether it is for my job or for fun, I seem to be able to do this. Maybe it is the variety of the songs. Maybe it is the effect "that one song" has to my mood. Maybe it is just that I can sing along to each word that comes along. I am not sure.
Luckily, today is not a music A.D.D. day but I do have a lot of new music that i have bought and gotten for free that is kind of taking precedent over everything else just because it is new. If i did not have these, who knows what today would have been.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
song(s) of the day March 1
Head on over to spinner to listen to the new Rival Schools album that comes out next week.
listen here
also, the new Dropkick Murphys album "Going out in style" is $5 at amazon. Seems worth it to me.
listen here
also, the new Dropkick Murphys album "Going out in style" is $5 at amazon. Seems worth it to me.
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