2017: My top 10 album release picks!

  Admittedly I've had less of a finger on the pulse of the music scene this year. There have been so many distractions with the political climate and life events. Still, there have been some great releases that I've picked up on and I'm excited to share them. As always, I miss a lot too. It seems like for the past couple of years, after I make this list, I find a few more albums that I wish I'd heard of before the year's end. If you have a favorite album release this, please feel free to share in the comments. Here goes, in no particular order:

1. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Murder of the Universe

What have these guys been up to all year? I'll tell you what, recording and touring. There is no other way possible for a band to have so many releases in one year and have them all be darn good (all told, there will be 5 I've heard!! So far I've heard 3, I think...). Well, this one is great. It feels like a concept album to me. It is more distinct than some of their other releases over the years and is also heavier. They stick true to their roots, though, you'll find the psychedelic and improv sections fans have come to expect. It's also a doomy release, but accessible enough to appeal to rock fans as well.

2. Sanctifyre - Immortal Champions
 

I've been waiting a long time to hear a studio release from these epic metal warriors, from Eugene. They've put on killer live shows for a while now, opening for touring acts that come through town, and never disappoint. It seems like the band is on break or broken up now, but that didn't stop them from releasing Immortal Champions. I do hope there's more to come from them, but for now I'll be content to enjoy this shredding metal masterpiece. The song writing and instrumentation is all top notch and you can tell these guys honed their craft before recording. It will remind you of the 80's epic metal the genre is known for.

3. Elder - Reflections of a Floating World

Do you want to go on a journey right now? Put on Elder's Reflections of a Floating World. It's psychedelic and weird at times, but memorable, and a complete album. I've been working on a list of top metal albums all time for myself, and this is on there because it is very good. I know little about the band except they've released a few albums so far and are improving with each release. I look forward to seeing what their future holds.

4. Kadavar - Rough Times

The German stoner retro rock band Kadavar has done it again, with Rough Times. Their signature perfect guitar tone accompanying a new lineup of songs that are sure to impress, is a great new release for 2017. I would say, it is my second favorite of their albums (behind Abra Kadavar). My favorite track? "Die Baby Die", which  has been getting stuck in my head at least once a week, it's so catchy and fun to sing.

5. Myrkr - Mareridt

You're probably asking yourself, it this release more like M or more like Mausoleum? In my assessment, it's is a blending of the styles present in each of those releases. It has more of the operatic singing present in Mausoleum, but definitely a metal album, as is M. So, I find that it appeals to me in ways that both of those albums do. I'm not surprised by the direction Myrkur is going, but I'm pleased. She is so good and continues to bring something new to the metal genre that I find refreshing.

6. Greyskull - Eighties Kids

Yea, I don't only listen to metal... I listen to all kinds of stuff, including eighties inspired synthwave. This album is one I stumbled across on Bandcamp, probably somehow roundabout because I like The Midnight so much. Anyway, Eighties Kids has a nostalgic feel, if that isn't obvious, and makes me want to go watch Kung Fury or Turbo Kid, or some episodes of Stranger Things, again.

7. Queens of the Stone Age - Villains

I'm going to go see QOTSA for the second time in a few weeks and I hope they play a lot from Villains. When I initially heard the album, I had my doubts. It's different from their other releases and almost has a dance feel to it (although I wouldn't play it at a dance party!). The song writing is similar to what you might expect from them, but the rhythms in the background are different and make you hear the songs in new kind of way. It's really very cool. I think some part of me has been resistant to becoming a full blown QOTSA fan due to how I felt about them years ago, Dave Grohl playing with them so their just another Fu Fighters... or Nirvana wake band... or something that's been done before, or something... I don't really know. It's time to let all that go and just enjoy the fact that they're making really good music worth listening to.

8. Prophets of Rage - self titled

 Yes, they're a super group and super groups are notoriously mediocre. I know, Tom Morello can only play guitar to sound one way... and we've heard it all before with Rage Against the Machine. Yes, B-Real has some sort of bizarre draw to creating rap rock when all we really want him to do is keep doing whatever he did on Temples of Boom. Now that we got all that out of the way, let's discuss Prophets of Rage. I think these guys found a recipe that works. I think it's the Chuck D factor, he must be the glue for this group. In the political climate and time of change, and unbelievable injustices, and frustration about the country in general, this was the album I wanted to hear. It encapsulates my feelings about patriotism and some immense disappointment, and frustration, that I've felt this past year. I'm not sure that's what they were going for (part of me thinks they just knew they could stand to make some cash with a release like this). Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised with this release.

9. Beck - Colors

I've been a Beck fan for many years, ever since I heard Odelay. I've never been sure what he would come up with next. I think Colors stands out. It's creative and unique, and immediately accessible to the ear. The dance beats are catchy and nearly perfect, as Beck's songs often are. It's different from any other Beck release, yet will remind you of his past releases. This is an example of a musician who is at the top of his game, it does not get any better than this, folks.

10. Robert Plant - Carry Fire

 Whenever Robert Plant comes out with a new album I'm reminded of a thought I've had many times over the years... after Led Zeppelin and the eighties happened, Robert Plant had a choice to make... he could have ridden the Led Zeppelin wave forever. He could be playing the Lane County fair every year. And, that would have actually been fine. However, he made the harder choice, the choice of a true artist. He decided to keep being creative and to keep trying to make better and better music. And, that he has done. This album is no exception. His song writing, if anything, has only improved and he has the chops that he's always had, showing the high notes off sparingly, but effectively on this album. And, his words have weight, he's thoughtful and poignant. Not to mention, he still surrounds himself with a darn good band. Check out "Bones of Saints".


Of course, I need a few honorable mentions of other releases from this year that I enjoyed thoroughly...

The Obsessed - Sacred
Stoner metal headed by Scott Weinrich.

Spaceslug - Mountains and Reminiscence
Psychedelic stoner music

Amethyst - Oraculo Del Tiempo
Fuzz band from Argentina

Mastodon - Emperor of Sand
Heavy metal legends return with a great release

Kimberly Freeman -  Secret Lullaby
Dark songwriting that will make your skin crawl

Beastmaker  - Inside the Skull
Up and coming metal warriors continue to do what they do best

Egypt - Cracks and Lines
One of my favorite bands, stoner doom band

Wintersun - The Forest Seasons
 Jari Maenpaa has returned with another technical masterpiece

Freedom Hawk - Sunlight
Stoner rockers


Thanks for reading. Peace, love, and support your local music store.

-Jason

15 Acoustic (mostly) Albums to Make You Wanna Play Guitar

Recently I was remembering back to the days when I was first getting into playing guitar and songwriting. Over the years certain albums have stood out as encouraging that process. In every case, the artists make it sound easy to deliver great music, it is often simple, and they're all masters at their craft. These are great albums, all things aside. Something about each one of them made me want to pick up my guitar and at least try and learn a song or two. I hope you have the same feeling.

In no particular order...

1. John Lennon - Acoustic

First off, the version I have came with chords printed along with the lyrics in the CD booklet. Wow, I wish this happened more often! It makes Lennon's songs so accessible. These tracks make you feel like anybody can pick up a guitar and learn the songs and I like to think maybe John Lennon felt that way. It's a great album featuring stripped down versions of many songs you'll recognize and a great place to start with learning chords and singing. (Start with: Working Class Hero, God)


2. Nirvana -  MTV Unplugged in New York

 Getting into Nirvana would have been impossible for me without this album, I was absolutely not ready for anything as heavy as their studio albums when I first heard of them. Thankfully, when I was in high school, I heard this and had a chance to hear what great performers they were and what great songwriters they were. Then, later when I transitioned into their other stuff, I was able to access it and enjoy the heck out of it. Also, some of the cover songs on this album were the gateway to me learning about other bands (Leadbelly, The Meat Puppets). I was young when I heard it the first time and the album has traveled with me in life. It's powerful and one of the best albums ever. (Start with: Come As You Are, Where Did You Sleep Last Night)


3. Beck - Stereopathetic Soulmanure

I had a tough time choosing between this one and One Foot In The Grave, but I've definitely gone to want to play songs off of Stereopathetic Soulmanure more often. The other thing this album accomplishes for a songwriter is that it makes you feel like you can take things from your world, record them, incorporate them into songs and come up with something cool and interesting. The songs are simple and very fun to play. The sounds and interludes are unlike anything else I've ever heard and add a lot. One step beyond acoustic songwriting/performing, get out a sound recorder and some basic sound editing software and go make some weird cool songs. (Start with: Satan Gave Me A Taco, Ozzy)


4. Bob Dylan -Blood On The Tracks

Blood on the Tracks was the first Dylan album I had. I was fortunate to see him live in 1999 and hear him play Tangled Up In Blue. Dylan is the master at writing a song with basic chords, structure, and vocal range, and yet making it so hard to perform well. I played some of the songs off this album quite a few times while in my dorm room, Westfield State College, with my friend Erik as we both struggled to pick up basic guitar skills. (Start with: Tangled Up In Blue, You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go)


5. Page and Plant - No Quarter

This album was basically the unplugged version of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant's tunes, although it wasn't quite that and was never officially called that. I think most of the fans called it that. I saw Page and Plant on tour in 1997 and they were anything but unplugged, wow, they rocked and Plant could definitely still hit the high notes. This album stands out to me because it shows how classic Led Zeppelin songs could be rearranged into mellow versions and still be amazing. I've listened to this album countless times and, if ever an opportunity arises, I'm going to play songs with a full orchestra. These songs are not as easy to learn as some on my other entries, as Page has a hard to learn style that is sloppy and technical at the same time and since it isn't one person singing and playing at the same time, sometimes the songs are hard to to that with. Still, these songs are worth checking out. (Start with: Gallows Pole, The Battle For Evermore)


6. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker

I had the incredible fortune to see Ryan Adams live in New York, playing solo acoustic, shortly after this album was released. I was just getting into his music and had no idea he'd become so big. I shook his hand at a bar, he made some jokes, that was my interaction. I sat on the floor in a tiny club and was blown away by his command of his voice, the perfect songwriting, and his finger picking style. These songs sound great with just a guitar and voice and this is still my favorite of his releases. If you get a chance, see the video that comes with the deluxe version of Heartbreaker. I was at that show and you'll get a chance to see what I mean. (Start with: Come Pick Me Up, Oh My Sweet Carolina, Damn Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains))


7. Wilco - A.M. 

 Arguably Wilco has gone on to create bigger and better things than AM. They were still firmly grounded in their alt country roots at this point and the album lacks the expansive creativity that is present in their newer releases and I appreciate that they've continued to push the envelope creatively. However, these songs are great to play. I like the simple riffs that are present in most cases and the little tricks that can be discovered while singing the songs. They're fun to play over and over. Also, Tweedy is lyrically clever in places that I enjoy.  (Start with: Pick Up The Change, Passenger Side)


8. Billy Bragg - Back To Basics

 Perhaps it is fitting to follow up Wilco with a Billy Bragg entry since they did the albums together, but I find I much prefer Back To Basics. The songwriting is strong and the performance is basic. Bragg uses some reverb and electric clean tone to put on a show with this album. He doesn't try any fancy tricks, which I find appealing as I try and learn new songs to play. The title describes the album perfectly. The style almost reminds me of punk, although it's not that. Is there such thing as alt folk punk? If so, I wanna play that. (Start with: A New England)


9. The Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music

With the absence of Mark Olson, Gary Louris was front and center for this Jayhawks release and it came out great. Louris is a total package (the rest of the band is pretty good, too!), being able to song write, sing, and shred the guitar. The challenge I have with playing some of these songs is that I can't quite hit Louris' notes with the vocals at times. But, a capo or just taking it down an octave can be an easy fix if you encounter that (he's got a great range). Also, I've found that sings songs can often be played in a simpler version, or with Louris' sweet riffs added in. I got to see The Jayhawks on this tour and they were impressive, on tour with The Thorns, so it was cool to hear both of the bands perform Blue in the same show! (Start with: Angelyne, Save It For A Rainy Day)


10. Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison

 Johnny Cash was a master at using his amazing and unique voice to make up for less guitar skill. He was also a great song writer. He played guitar just enough to deliver his songs, it also helped that he often had super talented lead guitarists backing him up. He was one of the best front men of all time and nowhere is that showcased more than on At Folsom Prison. Cash's songs are often simple to learn, though nobody could ever perform like him. His songs are great to make your own, do your own version. If you want to learn how to do that, Cash is a great template for that too. He did great covers and made them distinctly Johnny Cash. Check out his American Recordings records for inspirado in that department. (Start with: I Still Miss Someone, The Long Black Veil)


11. Tom Petty - Wildflowers

Tom Petty is another performer with an unmistakable sound. I like a lot of his stuff, but always find myself coming back to Wildflowers. It is timeless and features Petty at his best. It is one of those albums and made me want to give up on my own songwriting because Tom Petty had already made the perfect album. After a while I just tried to use his performance to springboard my own creativity, which is what I imagine all great artists hope for their admirers. Recently, with Petty's death, I've heard some of the broadcasts of interviews with him (thanks NPR) and he sounds like he was such a humble, interesting, and inspiring human being. This album has all the ingredients for greatness. (Start with: You Don't Know How It Feels)


12. Ween - The Mollusk

The Mollusk stands as my favorite Ween album and it is possibly their mellowest. 12 Golden Country Greats is also great for learning some songs on guitar. I stuck with The Mollusk because many of the tunes are a little more to my preference and I find the album overall to be more interesting. The band definitely uses some effects and pedals, and stuff like that, but it's really not necessary to learn many of these songs. (Start with: Cold Blows The Wind, It's Gonna Be (Alright))


13.Tom Waits - Heartattack and Vine

When I moved back east to go to school in my undergrad, one thing I didn't anticipate was homesickness. I know, I should have seen that coming, but I was young and hadn't experienced such emotions before. Well, the cure for some of it came int he form of Tom Waits and this was the album I ended up connecting with. Waits has some albums that are more acoustic and they're great to check out, but this is the one that resonated with me and made me want to pick up my guitar. It's raw and dirty and makes you feel like you're doing something a little wrong by being a fan of it. It's music from dark alleys and rainy streets. I love it. Of course, Waits is a piano player so not all his songs work great for guitar... be warned. (Start with: Ruby's Arms, Jersey Girl, Saving All My Love For You)


14. Rodriguez - Cold Fact

 Rodriguez is most well known for the Searching For Sugarman ST and you'll find some of those songs on Cold Fact. I like his regular albums better than the soundtrack album, as I find they have more cohesion. He is straightforward with his playing and singing, and songwriting. It's politically tinged and a little dated with some of the accompanying instrumentation, but the quality shines through. With minimal practice, these songs can be picked up and performed. It seems many haven't heard of Rodriguez, so watch as your friends ask you "who wrote that?" and you can impress them by knowing about him and then introduce them to some new stuff. Go for it! (Start with: I Wonder, Like Janis)


15. Neil Diamond - 12 Songs

 
I'll be honest, before 12 Songs, I thought Neil Diamond's best days and albums were behind him. His few releases before it had not been impressive and he'd seemed to be on a steady decline as far as new albums was concerned. I've been a fan of Diamond for as long as I can remember and his hits are classic, some of the best songs (I love Hot August Night). When I heard this, though, I thought... wow. This is great. Diamond can still write songs and he showcases top notch ability on this album. His chord structures are basic enough (look at him hold that G chord on the cover!), it's the writing and unmistakable voice that stand out. His songs are fun to learn and usually pretty quick. Learn a few, show your friends, sing and play them together. Have a great time with it. (Start with: Captain of a Shipwreck, Save Me A Saturday Night)


That's it. I hope you enjoyed my list. If you have albums that have inspired you to pick up your guitar and play, feel free to mention them in the comments. 

Nautical Dooooom

Metal has so many sub-genres that it can be difficult to keep track. One of my favorites is doom, and with in that, nautical themed doom. Certainly themed albums or concept albums have been a thing for a long time in the music world, but I find it fascinating when bands wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to a theme. Nautical doom, while certainly sometimes just a theme that a band can try for an album or two, has at times been the whole focus for certain bands. I'm always on the search for more albums and bands, but here you'll find some of the good ones I've found so far.

What was important when selecting for this list was the impression and feeling I got when listening to the album. If it reminded me of the ocean, was doomy and dark, and had some reference somehow to the ocean, it could have made the list. I understand that some people might disagree or think a particular album is not themed enough. The thing is, this is such a specific genre, that there isn't a lot out there that I've found. But, what is out there is super interesting and worth thinking about. 

In no particular order... here are my favorite nautical doom albums


Ahab

The Call of the Wretched Sea

 Ahab's Call of the Wretched Sea was the first nautical doom band and alum I heard of. The genre is printed right on the side of the case! "Nautical Funeral Doom". I was captivated. When I put it in, I was hooked quite quickly. The sound is super heavy, like a wall of ocean, and the music can suck you in. The band is from Germany and since releasing Call of the Wretched Sea, they've released a few more albums, all of which stick to the nautical themes. I still find that I prefer The Call of the Wretched Sea, but they have been consistent with their sound and their other releases are well worth a listen for any doom fan. Fans of Moby Dick will enjoy the constant nods to the literary classic throughout the music, besides the obvious one in the band's title.


Graves at Sea

The Curse That Is

Graves at Sea, with a name like that, I include them with my nautical doom section of my music collection. They don't seem to be as strictly nautical as some of the other bands or albums on this list, but have enough songs that fit the theme for me. They're from Arizona and Oregon, and I first heard of them through a split they did with Asunder, which is awesome. I saw Asunder live, wanted some of their music, found the split in a quirky music store that has since gone out of business (RIP) and then was quite excited when I heard about the full length, The Curse that Is. It's a solid album through and through, reminded me somewhat of Ahab. It's heavy and doomy and sure to please any fan of sludgy doom.


Adrift For Days

The Lunar Maria

 A psychadelic doom band from Australia, Adrift for Days captured my attention with The Lunar Maria. In actuality, they may not be so ocean themed throughout their music, but I sure get the feeling of being out in the middle of the ocean with no help in sight when I listen to their music. It goes from mellow and serene to dramatic and intense, and everywhere in between. Since finding them on bandcamp, I've kept up and been ordering their albums as they are released. Good stuff.


Sea Witch

The Blackened Sea

This Canadian two piece, Sea Witch, truly is nautical themed and doomy as hell. I've only recently come across them, but so far have been impressed. I've listed here their full length, but they've also done splits with other bands. All the songs are solidly nautical themed and the band gets loud, especially for a two piece.


Grond

Howling From the Deep

Another solidly dedicated nautical themed doom band, Grond has another album called Worship the Kraken. Initially I was not as into this band, but their sound grew on me quickly. I had to get into the vocals, which are a little more forward in the mix compared to my usual tastes. But, it's not a distraction and I did find myself listening to this album repeatedly after making the purchase. They are from Moscow, Russia and admittedly, are probably the first Russian metal band in my collection. Definitely check out.


Shipwreck A.D.

Abyss

I bought this album out of a discount CD bin at a local record store and found myself really enjoying it. I didn't know what to expect, but am the kind of music collector that's willing to take a chance that looks interesting. The album has a dark and doomy nautical feel throughout, and it's heavy stuff. When I looked up info on the album I found Shipwreck A.D. listed as being similar to a bunch of bands I don't usually care for (punk, hardcore), which surprised me. Maybe that means they'd not want to be on the kind of list I'm constructing here. Who knows. Anyway, I like 'em and hope they keep producing music along these lines.    

 
 
 Mastodon

Leviathan

  While not necessarily a doomy band or a nautical themed band, this list could not be complete without possibly the best nautical themed metal album ever made. Leviathan. Based loosely on Moby Dick, this album changed how I listen to metal. The first time I heard it, I thought, no way. I had a friend that was insistent that I give it another try and we blasted it throughout his house that day. I needed more. Now Mastodon is one of my favorite bands, period. They do a lot of different stuff across their discography, something for every kind of metal fan. This album delivers for the nautical metal fan, and might I even say it... it's pretty doomy. Enjoy.

So, that's all I've got for now in the sub, sub-genre of nautical doom. Check it out, let me know what you think. If you have nautical doom albums in your collection that you think could fit on this list, let me know in the comments below. Rock on.

-Jason

 

Is there a place for CDs?

Recently, my roommate and I got in a discussion regarding buying music. I've been told that I'm a bit of an anomaly with how many physical albums I own. Yes, I'll admit that growing up in the nineties made me collect CDs... and maybe a few tapes. Also, it's hard to live in Eugene without at some point scouring through vinyl at local thrift stores. So, yea, I've got a bunch. Also, in my undergrad I was music director for the campus radio station and I heard about so many interesting bands during that time, and surely my music collection grew due to that exposure.

Back to the point. Robert has made the argument that the CDs are being squeezed out. With space online becoming cheaper and cheaper (if not free), the mp3 serves less of a purpose and it's totally reasonable that in the future digital music will only be of high quality sound files. Mp3s were great because they sounded okay and took up very little space, right? Hard drives are bigger, too, now than ever before and it's easy to store music. So, digital music is convenient. And, it's no longer just the shitty mp3 version of that great album that you own on CD or vinyl.

Then, there's vinyl. Vinyl sales are up. They'll probably never be what they once were (music sales in general will probably never be what it once was!), yet, there is a collectable market here. Hell, I like to think that there's more than just a collector's market. Will vinyl grow in appreciation? Will the minor annoyances of having to flip records and handle them carefully be outweighed by their wonderful sound, listening to albums in their completed package, and having all that amazing art and liner notes? I sincerely hope so. That is how it is for me.

For these thoughts, I don't want to go into the subject of online radio stations, streaming services, and other similar forms of music delivery. I fear to be drawn off on too much of a tangent... and, so...

Where do CDs fit in? I could include tapes in this, too. I've heard (but not confirmed) that there is even a company in Portland that will manufacture tapes. That is so cool. They do have some sort of appeal to the nostalgic. I'm not sure what it is, exactly, and am personally not so fond of them... so I'll leave it at that. CDs on the other hand, I have grown to love. I have many of them and do not want to give them up. While I've made plenty of digital purchases and own tons of vinyl, and have put most of my CDs digitally onto my computer for digital access, it is the CDs themselves that I reach for most often when listening to music. Why is that?

Well, Robert would say that I'm just old fashioned and because of my generation, or old habits, or just plain refusal to enter the modern age, I just simply refuse to adapt. The thing is, I have adapted to new forms of music access (even digital streaming... thanks Google Play), I just love CDs and still find them valuable. I love holding an album in my hand and looking at the art and/or little book while I listen. Music enjoyment for me is not complete by just listening (I mean... sometimes it is... but, sometimes not!), I want to think about all the parts of the art form. With digital music I find myself forgetting songs or album titles unless I'm constantly reminded. When I have the tactile accompaniment of the physical album, I do remember and find myself accessing it more, or thinking about it more. I want to loan a CD to a friend and have them loan me theirs.

Then I can hear Robert saying, right! That's why you have vinyl! And, I know he's completely right. He's so right. Many of my friends have vinyl record players and I could bring vinyl over. The art is bigger anyway. They sound better, too (according to many).

So, where does the CD fit in? It's in between. It's smaller and inferior in some ways to the vinyl. Yet, it's easily possible to digitize a CD if you want to. One foot in the digital world and one foot in the analogue. It's an in between, like the hybrid car, something temporary. Something only to be remembered by the nineties generation that relied on it. Maybe this is so. Hmmm.

I'm going to make a couple arguments in favor of the CD....

First, it's incredibly cheap to manufacture. It's way cheaper to produce them, than vinyl (look up on youtube how vinyl records are made and you'll have a new appreciation! And realize why they're so darn expensive!). If you're at a concert (or putting on a concert), CDs are still the way to go to get your music out there or pass it around. You may be thinking about download codes or website directions? First, concert goer is gonna want or pay for that. Touring bands need something to sell! Also, somehow the extremely simple steps of going to a website and entering a download code are often too much when somebody gets away from the live performance. I don't know why, but it truly is. A CD is gonna get listened to, at least once, if it is bought. CDs still need to come down in price dramatically on the commercial level, the markup is simply too outrageous, but this is starting to happen from my casual observations. 

CDs are more convenient than vinyl. Sometimes getting out a record seems like too many steps, give me a CD. I want the complete album. I want it to sound good. I want the art. I want to carry it around with me. I get out the CD. I want a similar to vinyl experience, but am not quite up for the vinyl commitment. This argument would not work for Robert... he'd just look up the album on YouTube. It does work for me.

You can still browse through bins of CDs at the local store and find "gems". I don't want to rely on what Amazon recommends to me or on what Pandora decides belongs on the same playlist as some band I like. These are too limiting. I like the chance that I'll come across something new and wonderful at the CD store. Robert would say, that's what vinyl is for. And, looking through vinyl is a joy in itself. However, even if you look at a vinyl and it looks unscratched, it could be messed up enough to not play. That is frustrating. Or, sometimes you pull out a sleeve only to realize that the record within is too scratched to purchase. Vinyl is fragile. New vinyl is expensive. CDs are cheaper and if the disc looks clean, it's pretty much guaranteed to play right. I'm often willing to take a chance on a CD that I wouldn't take on vinyl. It is true that sometimes vinyl can be much cheaper than CDs, but this is becoming less and less the case. And good vinyl (or popular vinyl) is always pricey. So, I appreciate the CD.

So, you can decide for yourself if there's a place for CDs. Thankfully they're so easy to manufacture that they'll likely always be available on demand, similar to how old out of print books are sometimes available. I find appreciation for all delivery forms of music... there's a time and place for each of them.

My Top 10 Albums To Stop And Pay Attention To

Over the years there have been certain albums where I had to stop all activity and just listen to. I have found this profound in its own right, the power of music to just captivate. These have definitely been albums that struck me at the time and, generally, remain some of my favorite albums. I'm not saying they're my all time favorites, or anything, there's music for all occasions and different ways to enjoy it. For example, right now I'm rockin' some Bryan Adams and while this is some fun good stuff, I'm not gonna stop everything and just listen to it. It's great for what it is. It makes me feel good and want to do house chores... or something. I don't know. Anyway, you get the point... stuff like that.

1. Led Zeppelin - IV: I first heard Zep early in my high school years. Up to that point I'd never listened to anything that heavy. Also, Robert Plant's voice struck something deep inside that I haven't heard since. The band played with reckless abandon, an untamed sense that I admired. I had a friend at the time that told me, first you'll get into Hendrix, Zeppelin, Sabbath, then metal. Well, that's pretty much what happened. The point is, when I got that Led Zeppelin album for Christmas I played it and my jaw dropped. I could not be bothered. It was there to be absorbed and took everything I had just to listen to it. What a killer album.

2. Beck - Odelay: I first heard Odelay around the same time I heard Led Zeppelin IV. I heard it in a friend's car and can remember thinking that I'd like to hear some more of that, but didn't really have a chance to listen to it closely. I saved up, purchased the CD, and played it in my living room. The first thought I had was that I'd just wasted my money. The music was all over the place and too disorganized. It was only a short time before I changed my mind on that and decided that it was one of the most creative and intelligent, and wonderful pieces of music ever made. I listened to every note. I played that album over and over. P.S. I also got to see Beck at the Salem Armory in '97 and what a great show.

3. Wintersun - Time 1: Yea, yea... everybody knows that Time wasn't as good as Wintersun's debut album. But, what about the hype? What about the multitude of tracks? The processor needed to make the album in the first place? Wintersun is an undeniable talent. When Time finally came out, I took it home and immediately played it, laid on my bed, and didn't move for the duration of the listen through. It's a solid album, no doubt. I got to see Wintersun perform live around this time, they put on a good show, but I could have listened to them for about 10 more hours.

4.The Beatles - Revolver: When I was too small to remember I was listening to the Beatles. It was the music of choice on long family car rides and in a lot of other situations too. However, I was still not quite prepared when in my teens my dad brought out his vinyl collection. Among the piles was every Beatles album, worn out from lots of play, yet sounding great on our stereo. I put on Revolver one day. My vision of the Beatles was still of the British pop invasion brand, I did not know what they morphed into by the end of their decade of dominance. In my opinion, Revolver was the middle, the crossover. The riffs are heavier, the songwriting a little more out there. It's my favorite Beatles album to this day. It blew my mind.

5. The Dandy Warhols - Come Down: Hearing this album led to a big expansion in my musical tastes. The sound and drone of the album could put one in a trance and make time pass quickly. The songs are catchy at the same time. After hearing this, I think I was more open minded to what I heard through my radio station music director college days. Before this time, I was zoned into a dozen (or so) albums and the style they conveyed as my definition of good music. After hearing the Dandy Warhols, I thought... what if other stuff is good, too? And, now I'm into so much music, so many different styles, genres, sub genres, etc etc and I'm always looking for more.

6. Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around: Johnny Cash taught me so much. I'm not religious in the sense that he was, but I respected his religious songs. He has so much feeling and meaning behind his music, and such a presence that he can't be ignored. His voice is timeless. By the time I heard American IV I was already into the American Recordings, but I think he saved the best for this one. It was a culmination of so much of his life and career. He seemed to be leaving his audience with a parting message of hope, but also a warning if we couldn't get our act together. The album stops you in your tracks. It's powerful in a way only music can be, yet rarely is.

7. The Eagles - Hell Freezes Over: If you remember when this album came out, I'm certain you remember what a big deal it was. My dad couldn't stop talking about it. The Eagles got back together! And, wow, arguably they sounded better than ever. I can remember sitting at the desk top computer (the only CD player in the house at the time) and listening to this repeatedly and not being able to believe how crisp and good it sounded, how tasty the solos were, and how perfect the singing was. It's still a favorite album.

8. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker: This album sounded so good to me when I heard it that I actually got jealous and couldn't listen to it for a while. I got over that quick enough, but it resonated because it sounded the way I wanted to sound when I play music. I can't really do it like Ryan, but dang it if I don't try sometimes. I was fortunate enough to be in New York city for the CMJ festival shortly after this album was released and see him twice. His solo acoustic show is still one of my all time favorite live shows that I've seen. He's captivating and you will not find a finer example of songwriting, finger picking, and song delivery than Heartbreaker.

9. Mastodon - Crack The Skye: When they made Crack the Skye, Mastodon made their album for me. I was already into their music when they came out with the album, but I couldn't have predicted that they'd make such a great piece of music. Of the three times I've seen Mastodon live, seeing them perform Crack The Skye in its entirety (on tour with Dethklok)  was by far the best. Sitting up stairs in the Roseland, they were mesmerizing. The album has that effect on the listener.

10. Neil Diamond - Hot August Night. There is this certain "thing" that comes to mind whenever Neil Diamond is brought up in conversation. While I think most people who pay attention to his music eventually wind up being big fans, he can sometimes get criticized for being cheesy or hokey. Whatever. Hot August Night is not cheesy or anything, except awesome. Even for Neil, he was having a spectacular night. He put on an amazing show for that crowd and showcased what a good songwriting he really is. He also played some songs that are rarely presented, especially on his hits lists, because he hadn't written that much back then. Put this album on, people will be blown away if they haven't heard it before... they'll be saying, "who's this guy who sounds kinda like Neil Diamond?" and you'll respond, "that is Neil Diamond. See how $%@#ing good he is?"

The retro futurist in me

Recently my roommate encouraged me to do some home rearranging, with the supreme idea of putting a record player front and center in my living/dining room off my kitchen. This room gets the most use in my house and having a way to play vinyl more conveniently made a whole lot of sense. So, now vinyl is getting spun on a daily basis at my house and it has been a musical reawakening around here. All kinds of stuff that has been too long neglected has found the light of day and I've been realizing how good a lot music is that I only have on vinyl, and how I need to listen to it more often.

This brings me to my next point, the importance of the Retro Futurist record subscription I had for two years. If you haven't heard of Retro Futurist records, it's worth looking up. A lot of the music they sent me as part of the subscription didn't grip me initially, but I tried to pay attention to their philosophy of signing talented bands... regardless of genre. The members of Kylesa could have been assumed to only sign metal bands, specifically those that fit their own stylings. They did more and I appreciate it, especially now as I'm revisiting all these gems from my music collection. The bands that Retro Futurist signed, in my opinion/from what I can tell, are still not getting the exposure they deserve. So, I'm gonna mention em' here and if you read about something that sounds interesting to you, go seek it out. You can find most (if not all) these bands on bandcamp, anyway.


These bands...

Sierra - Pslip: This Canadian rock band did grip me instantly when I put it on. It reminded me of some of the other bands I've been into (Mastodon's Crack the Sky, Baroness). This was the first record I received from Retro Futurist and I played it a lot for a few weeks. It is doomy, yet with good instrumentation and interesting riffs. When Sierra came out with their next album (72), I picked it up instantly.

Jagged Vision - Harvest Earth: This band has a punk/metal blend, with an almost serene guitar tone. The vocals are harsh, but not too in your face. They're appreciated, rather than abrasive. I would love to see Jagged Vision tour with a band like Toxic Holocaust or 3 Inches of Blood (RIP).

Burnt Books - Where There's Ashes There's Fire: This album immediately captured my attention when I opened the box, it looked like somebody hand made the record jacket in a basement. It reminded me of zines from my high school days. Listening to the album, it's dark and heavy, downtempo and growly. At first I was not into it, but it has grown on my tremendously. It is more approachable than bands like Indian or early Neurosis, but reminds me of them.

Dark Entries - The Make Believe: I listen to Dark Entries and then I want to put on a Dimu Borgir album afterwards, then go back to Dark Entries. My only challenge with this album is that I wish it was longer. They truly have a good thing going. The songwriting is good and the band is solid. When I initially listened to it I thought it was too mediocre. But, I wasn't paying attention. Eventually I listened to it more closely and made sure to focus a bit more... made sure I was free of distractions. Time flew by.

Caustic Casanova - Breaks: This might be the favorite of all the albums I got from the record subscription. Caustic Casanova, from DC, is mostly a rock band, but not your typical rock band. They get weird sometimes, in the best way possible. The songwriting surprises me because it's predictable only until it is not. I went online and ordered all their older albums and a t-shirt after hearing Breaks.

Crazy Bag Lady - Hunks: This album took a while to grow on me. I think that's because I couldn't find a category to put it in. It's sort of punk and sort of just loud, and sort of metal. Honestly, this one was the hardest to like. With that said, I put it on quite often now I feel like I've gotten to know it better. Also, when friends come over, I've a few times found myself asking what they think of it and it gets a pretty darn positive response.

So, there you have it, some of my thoughts on some of the albums I got from the Retro Futurist record subscription. Maybe you'll go on bandcamp, or someplace, and listen for yourself. Or, better yet, maybe one of these bands will come through your town and you'll get to see a show first hand. I'm appreciative that these bands have helped to expand my musical horizon and find more new music to enjoy.

Rock on.

-Jason
 

My Favorite Top 10 Bands that Are Not Metal... But, Almost...

I love metal. A third of my music collection is metal. It's what I'm drawn to. Yes. It's great. Also, however, I like bands that ride that line between rock and metal. That is what this list is about. Some of them helped me to develop my musical taste and acted as a bridge to heavier music. Whatever the reason, the almost metal holds a special place in my musical preference persona... here are my favorites (in no particular order) with pictures of the covers of my favorite albums by those bands. Rock on.

1. Local H: When Steve Goss gave me a copy of "Ham Fisted" in high school I had no idea that I would get so into Local H. They rock. For a trio, they rock even more. Scott Lucas is a well rounded musician (I also really like his band, The Married Men), but Local H is where he shines the most for me. My favorite album of theirs is "Here Comes The Zoo". It's the heaviest and the songs drive in an intense way that gets my blood flowing. Lots of people only know Local H because of their one big hit in the nineties (off of "As Good as Dead", their most poppy album... I won't mention the song) and a couple more minor hits from around the same time. They kept making music, though, and touring, and getting better. I saw them live in the early two-thousands and the show kicked ass.

2. Therapy?: I'm not sure I could have ever got into metal without hearing about Therapy? in high school. The band crosses over into metal (I think they even toured with Metallica once??), but somehow the music is too simple or basic, or punk, or something else. In any event, the songwriting is top notch, albeit a little weird at times. A trio, they do so much with just 3 instruments and I think Andrew Cairns has one of the best rock voices in the biz (underrated!!). They're from Ireland, fyi. I heard of them when my family had a foreign exchange student from France was was very into them and have yet to meet another fan of their music. However, for me they remain a band that I jump at any chance to hear something new from, or something I didn't have already. My favorite album remains "Infernal Love", most likely because it's the first I heard. "Troublegum" is likely the most metal. Even their new stuff is good.

3. King Tuff: Ian at CD World told me about King Tuff and I'm glad he did. They're a bit punk, kinda doomy, kinda stoner rock... I dunno. The songs are short and to the point. The style is straight up and in your face. Too much of them and you might get tired of the vocal sound, but you'll eventually come back for more. This is a band I haven't known about for too long, but has quickly entered my regular music rotation and remained. My favorite album is "Black Moon Spell" (The purple one), then the self titled (red one), then "Was Dead" (the blue one), but they're all good and worth listening to. Great riffs galore.

4. Caustic Casanova: I keep waiting for Caustic Casanova to branch fully into metal, but the more I listen to them I realize that they just rock hard. It's not metal. However, they might as well be. Their music is so solid and in your face. I have the feeling that they just don't care that it's not super polished or perfect, it's just good. The vocals hit a rasp that is perfect for their style of music and tone. The instruments are constantly switching it up, the music isn't predictable and constantly interesting. What a great band. Once I got into their latest release, "Breaks", I was drawn to seek out their older stuff. I actually heard about them through the Retro Futurist record subscription, with their 2 song release, "Pantheon: Vol 1", which rocks hard. I like them so much I mailed them a Christmas card last year.

5. Floater: One of my favorite bands of all time, I've seen Floater live more times than I've seen any other band live... too many times to count. It seems like in Eugene, people feel strongly one way or the other, they either love or hate this band. I love them. Also, I'm convinced that if anybody who doesn't care for them took the time to explore the diversity of their albums, they'd find something they like. Like many other bands, they get remembered for one or two releases that were the most popular at some point in their career. This trio has never changed members and they've continued to practice and tour for decades now, they're tighter than ever and sound better than ever. The music is bass heavy (although the guitar has taken a front seat in more recent releases) and Rob has a great voice for all kinds of music, demonstrated by the diversity of sound in their albums. It is a clean and pure voice that hits the notes in the right spots. Unique from any other band, ever... there is only one Floater. My favorite album: Angels in the Flesh and Devils in the Bone

6. Freedom Hawk: I first heard of this band as they were coming out with "Into Your Mind" and I stumbled across Small Stone Records' website. Somehow the band reminds me of dad rock, rockin' and little psychedelic, with blues influence. They never quite get heavy enough to roll into metal, but it doesn't matter. Their sound is accessible and I think they would sound good alongside metal, blues, stoner, doom, or psychedelic bands. I don't know much about them and only got into their stuff in 2015. Worth a listen.

7. Fu Manchu: This band first grabbed my attention when they released "King of the Road" and I was a DJ/Music Director at WSKB in college. I was not into metal at that point. I loved their sound. It's stoner rock and their sound has done a lot to define the stoner blues genre. While I like a lot of their stuff, the before mentioned album and "Gigantoid" are my favorites. Maybe it's because I got into sci fi themed music right around when "Gigantoid" was released, so it was good timing. Whenever I put on a Fu Manchu album, I think to myself... damn, I need to listen to them more.

8. Ugly Kid Joe: Wow. What a great band. Once again, a band that has been remembered for a couple songs, but has done so much more. Whenever I pay attention while listening to Ugly Kid Joe I am reminded over and over of how a guitar solo should work. Theirs are shredding. Much of their music is just fun, so maybe it's hard to take them seriously sometimes, but they are masters of their craft and forever an awesome band. Recently, I found a copy of "Menace to Sobriety" at a thrift store and can't believe it took me so long to find that gem. I'll always love their classic, "As Ugly As They Wanna Be" and the music videos from my high school daze. Their new album is solid, too, though ("Uglier Than They Used Ta Be). Many have tried at the party rock sound, extreme few have perfected it like Ugly Kid Joe. Plus, how awesome is it that one dude is wearing the Sweaty Nipples t-shirt in the pic on one of their early albums??

9. Henry's Child: There are quite a few pictures in my family's photo albums from the 90's of me wearing my Henry's Child shirt, it was a favorite of mine for many years through high school and early college. It fit right and I often got to explain... yea, it's a pretty cool band. They were signed by Elemental Records and I had a chance to see them around when they were working on their second album, "Clearly Confused". While I was interning with Elemental I got to see them in the studio,  an unbelievably awesome experience to have as a young person. The album is a work of art. It's cohesive and well done, and each member of the band delivers his part flawlessly. I was sure at the time that they'd be the next big thing. I got to see them recently after a couple decades have passed and they're still a great great great band (and hella nice guys, to boot!). The music is epic. They've put on a couple of the best live shows I've ever seen.

10. Mr. Big: I'm not quite exactly sure the trajectory that Mr. Big's career took, but for me the album "Lean Into It" remains one of my favorite almost metal albums, so they made the list. Yea, I heard of them because of their one mega hit. And, I never had the urge to seek out more of their albums. One thing I know is that "Lean Into It" rocks. They play great solos. And, despite how cheesy and 80's their music sounds, I like it. It's an album to play while driving around on a summer day. I heard of them because my friend Puck once worked for MTV Taiwan and showed me his interview with them. That was pretty cool to see and a fun story from my youth... Hey, Puck... tell again how you interviewed Mr. Big. Get out that video again, will ya? Ah man. Good times.

Yes, there are a lot more bands that are almost metal. Feel free to mention your favorite in the comments. 

When your local music store has a sale

Hello. This past weekend my local music store had a store wide sale, which translates to the fact that I couldn't stay away.  Here were my pick ups...

King Tuff "Was Dead" I've liked King Tuff for a couple years now.  Somehow they were a natural transition after I got into The Black Keys' "Brothers". Maybe they're a little more punk?  Or, perhaps the stripped down sound and muddy simple guitar riffs,  saying so much,  make the band great.  In any event, they're not really metal,  but I put them with my metal albums because somehow they ARE metal... if that makes sense.

Car Seat Headrest "Teens of Denial" I already bought their discography off of bandcamp, but couldn't resist picking up the CD. It feels good to hold in the hands.  I'm so sad I hadn't heard of them yet when they came through Eugene last year. Well... now I have and I hope they come back.

Gza/Genius "Beneath The Surface" Have you heard "Liquid Swords"?? Yea, I had to get this.  Sometimes I crave hiphop and this is as good as it gets.  It's smart and withstands the test of time despite being about 18 years old. Badass raps.

Judas Priest "Redeemer of Souls" I haven't listened to it yet,  but how could it be anything short of great?? Judas Priest! Legendary. Here's an album I've been waiting to find a sweet deal on since it came out... used and 25% off. Yes. Today was that day.

Rock on!

Robert Earl Keen, Striker, Sanctifyre, Weresquatch, Toxic Witch... A great weekend for live music

This past weekend I had the chance to see 5 bands live. All of them kicked some ass, so I'm going to tell you about it.

Robert Earl Keen and his band played the WOW Hall on Friday, January 20th and one fine aspect of this show? No opener! I got to arrive, have a quick beverage downstairs at the WOW, and get right up front to enjoy the show. I like to think that it was some of the crowd navigating muscles that I've developed through going to so many metal shows that helped me hold that spot through the show. In actuality, I'm not that tough, so it was probably really just the mellowness of the crowd out that evening to see R.E.K. In any event, the show was thoroughly entertaining and seeing this band from right in front was possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Keen is not the most technical guitar player I've seen, but I knew that going in as I've seen him before with Lyle Lovett. That show was just the two of them on a stage with acoustic guitars, not quite the same experience as this show, featuring the full band. R.E.K.'s songs hit the familiar combo of G, C, and D over and over, but his song writing is terrific and his voice is as good as it has ever been. Despite the obvious road weary of the band, they delivered. Keen makes up for the fact that he's not going to shred your face off by surrounding himself with a top notch band. The drums were solid and the young fiddle player got his job done. What really shined, though, was the guitar, lap steel, and mandolin. The guitar player, from Texas, brought all his chops and added an electricity to each song that honestly would have been enough even if the rest of the band wasn't there. But, he traded off solos with the lap steel player who solidified the experience as "country", but the kind that nobody complains about. This band is what you always hope will be playing when your friend gets into some new music, that's country... instead of  "new country".  The mandolin player, from Australia, was also quite the master of his craft. So, there. I totally recommend seeing Robert Earl Keen with his band on tour this year if you get the chance... even if you're not a fan yet... or think you don't like country.

Sanctifyre opened up the show at Old Nick's last night, Sunday January 22. This band from Eugene keeps getting better and better, and they're outgrowing the boundaries of this little town. They're too good. I've seen them many times since members were still in Dark Confidant and the potential they had back then has grown into a professionalism and polished quality that outmatches anything else I've heard from Eugene in a long time. They have two songs on bandcamp and are rumored to release a full length sometime in the not too distant future. I'm looking forward to it. Influences from Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are undeniable, along with that quality of "we're keeping classic metal alive", that is infectious. So, many good things to come. They played well last night... as is to be expected from dudes who practice this much.

Toxic Witch was next on the list at Old Nick's. I'm going to be honest and say, after hearing this band twice, I still can't get into them. However, that's not say they're not worth checking out. Each of the musicians is very good. The lead guitar has unmistakable Dave Mustane influence and it is a shred fest. Also, the drumming is interesting enough to keep you watching. The vocalist, who plays the second guitar, is pretty darn good too and when the two guitarists riff together, it's pretty cool. The bass is solid, as well, so no complaints on the band. I feel like they have potential that hasn't been realized yet and I'm excited to see where they might go.

Weresquatch came down from Portland to join this metal melee. This was the second time I've seen them and they're super good. I typically can't get into harsh vocals, but I get into these. They fit the music. Also, for a three piece, each member makes sure their presence is felt in the perfect way to compliment the music. If you haven't already heard their album "Frozen Void", it's a must listen. They seem to be in step with some of my other favorite bands from the North West, such as Brain Dead and Toxic Holocaust. If you like those, check out Weresquatch. The live performance songs were short and to the point, and didn't waste your time. The solos were solid and didn't try to do too much. Also, on stage the band has tremendous personality.

Striker was the headliner, from Alberta, Canada, at Old Nick's. These guys immediately evoked the energy of the 80s (at least what I imagine a metal show would have felt like back then) and they have their set down. Unfortunately, I thought the sound lacked a bit for their set, but that's not their fault. Also, they had a bigger setup than most bands I've seen at Old Nick's, so maybe that had something to do with it. It still sounded decent. The band was solid all the way through, despite their individual songs lacking a distinct quality. They are a polished road band, in look and sound. It was also somewhat refreshing to hear a clean vocalist, singing something kinda cheesy. I like that style of metal and it seems to not be as popular right now, unless it's way way overdone. This was not overdone. I think fans of Dokken would appreciate this kind of thing.

So, overall, a great weekend for live music.

Last night I had a thought while browsing Bandcamp. There is more music and better music coming out now than ever before.

Some years ago I thought that that the best age of music had come and gone with the 70s. My reasoning at that time was that technology had come to a peaking point. This included the widespread availability and relatively cheap price point of electric instruments. Also, recording high quality sound was possible and easier than it had ever been before. Since that point, with the rise in popularity of television and then internet, and also including video games and other distractions, it seemed to me that it would be difficult for any individual to dedicate the time and practice to totally master an instrument as individuals had done before. For me, probably because I was such a huge Led Zeppelin fan, the 70s seemed like the decade where great musicians where able to really be put on display. So many had been able to dedicate themselves into mastering an instrument. Obviously many musicians had been masters of their craft prior to that, but now it was possible to blend that mastery with THE ELECTRIC GUITAR (and other musical possibilities enhanced by technology) and hence, the birth of metal and all kinds of new other sounds happened. It seemed like never again would these two forces of technology and musicianship combine... at least in my mind, that seemed true.

Okay. Now it's 2017. The internet makes it possible to distribute, or at least put music out there, in many more ways to many more people than ever before. This also has the down side that there is tons of crap to sift through and it is often difficult to find the gems. But, you know how one thing leads to another? One band mentions that this and that person helped out on one song, so you look up that person's album. Then you find that he/she is on tour right now with some other band and you look them up. Then, you talk to your friend who also likes that band and that friend makes a couple recommendations. Whammo. Soon you have a whole list of very potentially cool new music to check out. So, I've been following paths to seek out bands that are a little outside of the mainstream and in some cases, a lot outside of the mainstream. I'm looking for the ones that really resonate with what I'm doing right now, interested in, feeling, etc. etc. Yes, a lot happens on bandcamp, I'm basically addicted to that website right now. But, not all of it does. I find bands through bands through bands through bands and there's so much out there.

So, that leads me to my thought for today. There's better music being crafted in this day and age than ever before. So much is built off music of the past. So much is new. Musicians are still wholeheartedly dedicating themselves to their craft and they're coming up with fresh ways to do it. It's dern impressive. I'm sure a list will present itself at some time in the coming months... stuff that has really got me interested. For now, though, I hope that you are encouraged to do a little exploring. It's nearly impossible to find a quality radio station these days, at least where I live. There is the college stations, but really nothing else that plays anything besides regurgitated popular "hits". I'd rather barf. Even when they play songs or bands I like, it's the stuff I've heard too often. College stations, I still give a way thumbs up. Keep doing what you're doing.

There's so much out there on the internet that it can be overwhelming sometimes. But, the great bands are still out there. They're just not doing it in front of stadium crowds like Led Zeppelin did. They're doing it in living rooms and in tiny venues, and they're releasing it free or really cheap. If you find something good, encourage them. Spend a little money on a really good band or send them a Christmas card. Get out there. Get excited for music. 

How did I miss this album? Freeman by Aaron Freeman

I've been a Ween fan for lots of years. They were a band that came along in my life right around when I needed to hear something weird and creative, guys that were creating something that I longed for. Chocolate and Cheese was the first of their albums that I heard, in about 2002. I was offended and loved it all at once, and eventually just loved it. It wasn't long before I went searching for their other stuff and came across The Mollusk and then I was hooked. I had to get all their albums and as soon as they came out with a new album after that, I picked it up and played it a lot. That's pretty much how being a fan of a band works, right?

So, how did I miss Freeman when it came out in 2014? I cannot say. I am glad to have come across it recently, though. The album, overall, reminds me of what I loved about the mellower side of Ween and hearing the familiar vocals warms my heart. This album reminds me of Ween, yet it also sounds like a solo album. The music is simpler and cleaner than a lot of what Ween made is, and it's tighter for the most part as well. While what appealed to me about Ween in many ways was their ability to sound great and interesting while being very improvisational, this music is great for opposite reasons. It sounds to me like all the tracks were layered in pieces and then carefully aligned. I don't know if that's how it was made, but it sounds that way to me. I'm listening to it and wondering if Aaron Freeman had these songs completely planned out in his head prior to recording even the first lick.

Another feature that strikes me is how different each song is from the one before it and the one after. These songs were put in order on purpose. They stand out from each other and were put in purposeful order. I enjoy that. Too many albums today sound like a bunch of singles. Not here. The songs feature similar instrumentation and sound, yet the songwriting and riffs set them apart. It's truly good stuff. And, despite the simplicity, it seems to me that a lot of thought went into this album... even if that was over the course of years before the album was made, possibly in a relatively short time. I can imagine that.

If nothing else, check out this album for the solos. They're super sexy and well crafted, with all the right wrong notes in all the sweet places to make solos that sound original and distinct. They fit the songs so well that they're almost like a second vocalist at times, as many great solos are. It's some good stuff and has no lack of shred, as well.

There ya go...

Vinyl Sales Up, Music Sales Down... My thoughts

Reading a few articles lately, it's great to hear that vinyl sales are up in the US and in Europe. Visiting local places around town, seeing vinyl on the shelves in places other than the back of local record stores is an obvious sign that it's not just collectors reliving their nostalgia by playing occasional vinyl. All this warms my music heart.

However, a little more google searching quickly indicates that overall music sales is down. This is the part that bothers me. It bothers me in a big way. Especially when considering the overall decline of the local record store across the country. What is going on??

In this day and age of the internet making it more and more easy to display and distribute tunes, and when just about anybody with a laptop or a fancy phone can record pretty high quality music, why is music sales down? Music is more and more accessible than it has ever been.

I know there will be thoughts and talk of, "well, I can get it for free off of some streaming website, so why shouldn't I?" Or, there will be thinking like, "I can hear everything I want on some streaming site, so why bother with albums?" Then, there I am shaking my head in frustration and disbelief.

First, I consider a site like bandcamp.com, which I love and use regularly, and will probably write a whole entry on someday. It's a great site. I can't say it enough. It helps funnel money from the fan directly to the artist and takes a very very small cut. It's all in the artist's favor. The artist can share their music the way they want to. But, what's the point? The site insists that a high quality download is available, and that means wav or better. This is absolutely essential as an option in my mind as far as listening to music is concerned.

The resurgence of vinyl is so heartening because vinyl is a pretty high quality sound option, maybe the best generally available in a home. People seem to always think of the nostalgic crackles and pleasure of putting the needle on the record because it reminds them of a bygone age. More importantly though, with a high quality record, a high quality record player, and a high quality record player needle, this is the best way a person can hear music in their home. It's about as close to being in the studio as it is possible to get.

I bring this up because quality is not generally available on the music streaming sites (although I think some are starting), free downloads, or even through many digital purchase sites. Instead you get mp3s. An mp3 is less than 20% the file a wav is, even a high quality one. It is not smaller like a wall clock made more conveniently into a watch, as seems to be an ample comparison to what many think. Instead, think of a pizza cut into 5 pieces and somebody ate 4, what you're left with is less pizza. It's still pizza, but far less satisfying and it cannot sustain you. At least not if you really like pizza. I've joked that I'll buy mp3's over a CD when they cost 20% of the price for a CD, so about $2.00 an album is probably what they're worth, by my estimates. Otherwise I'll take the CD or vinyl.

Now, I have some digital music in the form of mp3s in my personal music collection and I've certainly listened to digital streaming sites. There are plenty of times I put them on because I'm not really paying attention, the music is in the background solely. I'm cooking, doing some work around the house, or talking with friends, having people over, or listening to it on tiny earbud headphones where the quality doesn't matter that much. There is a place for mp3s, sure. However, I also have times when I must listen to music I love, that's a part of me, that has sustained me. When I'm in that kind of mood, the mp3 just won't do. I imagine all people must have this inside of them (although, maybe I'm wrong... the trends in music sales would certainly indicate so). I can't imagine not being able to listen to my favorite albums in high quality.

Mp3s had their glory days. They made sense when "space" was expensive on a computer. Having mp3s rather than wav, or some other high quality file, was necessary because it meant having space for other stuff on your hard drive, or on your external drive. Nowadays that is not the case, though. Computers have massive hard drives (if you want one) and external TB size drives are pretty darn cheap. There's storage on-line. Even phones can hold quite a bit (although this is one place I might advocate for streaming sites or mp3s). There's plenty of space for as much high quality digital as anybody could need. I do know this. A person could not listen to all the music put on a TB hard drive, even in high quality files, there just simply would not be enough hours in a day or days in a year. If somehow you did, though, you could always get a 2 TB drive or two 2 TB drives, it's still only a couple hundred bucks!

Digital streaming sites can be fun and sometimes I find something new on one. More often, though, I have the feeling that whatever algorithms the site is using don't quite fit my tastes. I'm left thinking, do I have to hear the same freaking radio hit song by one of my favorite bands? Play a different song, one that doesn't get played all the time. And, aren't there any other bands that fit this style? Why isn't there more variety on the digital streaming? So, I turn it off and go to my own music collection. 

I also have to make the point that often music makes more sense and sounds better when complimented by the songs around it, on the album it was intended. A lot of work, time, and energy often goes into ordering songs, completing liner notes, selecting the right artwork, and everything else that is an album. Music streaming sites don't account for this at all and digital music often does a poor job of accounting for this. It's probably the main reason I'll always be a fan of hard copies of albums.

Also, when did this sense come that music should be free? It's hard work making music, touring, promoting, and living on a tight budget. The vast vast vast majority of working musicians are in this boat. They also work second jobs. They also find a way to be creative and blow our minds with music that touches the soul. Shouldn't this be compensated for? Shouldn't we, as fans, be able to kick a few bucks (because that's usually all that it costs to make a musician feel satisfied... buy an album or shirt... at a show or on line) to support someone's dreams and art? I definitely think so. The vast majority of musicians I've met are  just trying to make it like everybody else and work on something they love. And, they very often do it for free or for very little. 

So, the long and the short of it is... think about going down to your local record store and making the purchase of music that's high quality... CDs and vinyl. Sometime try listening to it back to back with an mp3 of the same music, I bet you'll notice a difference. Some artists are even releasing studio quality downloads with Vinyl or CD purchases (The download that comes with Ryan Adams' deluxe edition of Heartbreaker is breathtaking!). If you don't have a set already, I think it's worth the time and money to get some good speakers, and a stereo, or some high quality headphones, you'll hear all the parts of the songs that we're being left out with the low quality earbuds or computer speakers. High quality sound equipment will usually last decades if it's taken care of. Or, if you can't leave your home to go down the street to a record store, explore a site like bandcamp.com. You just might find something new there, too, and you'll get a lot from spending a little, and you'll show respect to artists by compensating them for the work they do. Although, there's a lot of free stuff available there, too. Enjoy music. It is a reflection of life.

Keep the songs alive.

-Jason