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.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
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...
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...
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
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
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
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Favorite Albums 2015 (1-5-16)
Favorite albums from 2015
It's hard to believe that early in this year I was worried that there weren't going to be too many memorable albums. Last year and the year before were so great that it seemed impossible that releases could come out this year that would stand up to those. Yet, here I am, the first week of 2016, reflecting back and having a darn difficult time deciding what my top 10 releases were for 2015. Of course, it's all totally subjective and I'd love to hear about what some of your top picks were. I just love music so darn much and spend so much time thinking about albums, this kind of thing is so fun to write. I included the album art because I think album art is an under appreciated art, but it’s a essential component of the “album” in my mind. So, in no particular order…
Ryan Adams - 1989. It probably could have been predicted by anybody that knows how much I love Ryan Adams' music that I'd pick this one. So, I'll get it out of the way. I still like his self titled album (last year) a bit better than this one, but 1989 a great release. How does he do it? Heart melting… rock'n'roll… pop… country… metal… etc. etc. He never ceases to amaze me. If somebody had told me even a year ago that I'd be listening to and loving songs written by Taylor Swift, I'd have laughed. But, through this album, I'm able to see what a talented songwriter she is and hear how her songs could be reinvented to be more to my tastes. Ryan achieved making something completely original out of cover songs, which isn't an easy task.
Kadavar - Berlin. I've thought Kadavar was great for a couple years now and waited with great anticipation for the release of Berlin this year. They're a trio. They're from Germany. They know how to rock. Kadavar has possibly the best tone I've ever heard. When listening to their songs, it's often not about the notes they play, but what they don't play. When so many bands today try to do too much, Kadavar plays with a simplicity that is appreciated, done the right way. Berlin has just as much riffage as I've come to expect, the songs are memorable, and the song writing is top notch. They ride the bridge between rock and metal.
Iron Maiden - Book of Souls. Iron Maiden still stands as putting on the best live show I've ever seen. They continue to be a band of seemingless endless talent. And, if it's even possible, they seem to be getting better with age. Book of Souls doesn't waste any time across two jam packed CD's of shreddingly epic metal, delivered in the tried and true Iron Maiden way. Bruce Dickenson sounds as sharp as ever and the band is as tight as can be. Iron Maiden continues to set the bar high for the epic style of metal that they're known for.
Allan Hough - Thank Me When You're Grateful. My long time friend Allan made this album and released it this year, and dang what a release. I've listened to it so many times and still can't get enough of it. It's poetic and heartfelt, punk and disco, clever and complete. It's unlike anything I've ever heard, yet I can sometimes catch a glimpse of where inspiration came from… and it's from a lot of places. There's a lot of this album I find myself relating to with a kind of California, Bay Area, nostalgia. Yet, it's so damn new.
Shamir - Ratchet. There are days that go by when I tell myself I'm never gonna like pop music again. Then here comes Shamir with Ratchet. This album to me sounds like it takes place completely in the moment. The songwriting sounds like poetry written down on napkins and recorded the next day. Only an abundance of natural raw talent can make something sound like that and work (of course, Shamir probably spent a lot more time than that working out these songs and making them as good as they are). Of all the albums I really liked this year, this is the one that really surprised me.
Myrkur - M. If I met someone that I thought might get into black metal, but wasn't ready for the really heavy stuff, I'd probably play for him/her this album, M, by Myrkur. For black metal, I appreciate how she switches it up from the typical growl and grind that the subgenre's vocals are know for. Instead, she mixes is in an operatic element that makes the album stand out. It's still heavy as hell. I don't usually get into black metal, it's typically just not my thing, but when I find something I like, I can really like it… this is definitely a case of that.
Night Demon - Curse of the Damned. Night Demon made one helluva thrash album. This is metal for all occasions. It's music like this that gives me tons of hope for the future of metal. This album has enough elements of 80s thrash that it will remind you of the greats that you've appreciated for so long, yet it's fresh. Another complaint I sometimes hear about metal is that it's too much about shredding and not enough about sounding interesting. Well, it seems that arguers from both sides will be pleased here. Night Demon keeps it interesting and full of nasty riffs, while shredding like the best.
Freedom Hawk - Into Your Mind. I found out about Freedom Hawk through the internet. I don't know much about them or what they're about and pictures of them depict them as a bunch of aging rockers. Then I heard Into Your Mind… it's a really good rock album. I can remember some years ago hearing Ryan Adams talk about how he wondered about whatever happened to the guys that just rocked, so Ryan went on and released Rock'n'Roll. Well, Freedom Hawk convinces me that there are good bands still out there writing original music and still ROCKING. It's stoner rock with solid riffs and they throw in a dusting of psychedelic magic on top of it all. Into Your Mind makes me want to get in the car for an extended road trip…
Khemmis - Absolution. I had a chance to see these guys live this year and play songs off of this record. It's doom, for sure, but stood out for me as particularly well done. And, they were cool dudes to chat with after the show, ta boot. The doom genre has been so flooded with mediocrity these past few years that it's hard for a band to stand out, but Khemmis has done it. They rock a bit more than a lot of doom and keep it interesting. Good song writing, musicianship, and vocals that even the not-so-doomy metal fan will appreciate.
The Arcs - Yours Dreamily. The Arcs, a Dan Auerbach side project, has a signature Auerbach sound despite having song writing credit by pretty much all the members of the band. It reminds me a lot of what I liked about certain Black Keys albums, having a more heartfelt and mellow feel compared to the more poppy and beat heavy sound the Black Keys seem to be drifting towards. I wasn't totally crazy about this album initially, but have found myself going back to it over the past few months and have decided that it deserves a place on this list for that reason. Of all the albums on this list, I think this is the one I'll be going back to in the years to come.
There were a lot of other really great albums that came out this year. Here are some notable mentions: Wetsocks - Drips; Torche - Restarter; Toxic Holocaust/Municipal Waste - Toxic Waste; Sorcerer - In The Shadow of the Inverted Cross; Ufomammut - Ecate; Mark Knopfler - Tracker; Goatsnake - Black Age Blues; Rhett Miller - The Traveler; Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard - Django and Jimmie; The Sword - High Country; Ryan Adams - Live at Carnegie Hall; Ghost - Meliora; Uncle Acid - The Night Creeper; Black Trip - The Shadow Line; Demon Lung - A Dracula; Pentagram - Curious Volume; Giorgio Moroder - deja-vu; Dead Weather - Dodge and Burn; Kylesa - Exhaulting Fire; EODM - Zipper Down; Scale the Summit - V; Guster - Evermotion; Ah God - Ah God; Glowsun - Beyond the Wall of Time; Baroness - Purple; Satan's Satyrs - Don't Deliver Us; Fuzz - II; W.A.S.P. - Golgotha; VHOL - Deeper Than Sky; Dopethrone - Hochelga; Satan - Atom by Atom; Christian Mistress - To Your Death; Symphony X - Underworld; Visigoth - The Revenant King; Motorhead - Bad Magic; Egypt - Endless Flight.
My favorite albums from 2014 (12-31-14)
My favorite albums from 2014
- Ryan Adams by Ryan Adams
- Pslip by Sierra
- Out Among The Stars by Johnny Cash
- Morning Phase by Beck
- Maximum Overload by Dragonforce
- Once More ‘Round The Sun by Mastodon
- Most Messed Up by The Old 97’s
- Astrogasm From The Inner Space by Acid Mother’s Temple
- Clearing the Path to Ascend by Yob
- Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey
There were a lot of other really great albums this year… So… Here are my honorable mentions:
Pilgrim, II: Void Worship; Jagged Vision, Harvest Earth; Black Label Society, Catacombs of the Black Vatican; Michael Jackson, Xscape; First Aid Kit, Stay Gold; Willie Nelson, Band of Brothers; Serpentine Path, Emanations; J Mascis, Tied To A Star; Weird Al, Mandatory Fun; Robert Plant, Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar; Brimstone Coven, Brimstone Coven; Neil Diamond, Melody Road.
Feel free to share your favorite albums from 2014 if you want. I'm always glad to hear about what else is out there or if we have some common favorites.
Albums for the deserted island, pt 2 (5-14-09)
I decided to do a part two to the list of albums for the deserted Island, 10 just wasn't enough. Listed here are some more of my favorite albums of all time and some of the stories behind why. This was from May 2009.
Well, Bobby... here's part 2...
1. Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Soul to Soul"... When I was a kid, probably 7 or 8 or 9 I was building forts out of the couch cushions and my dad came home. He brought with him, on cassette tape (because it was still the 80's) SRV's "Soul to Soul" and "Texas Flood". They're both amazing and I listened to them both over and over that day. And, then I did so many times after. Our long time family friend Kathleen came over that day and said, "Wow! Stevie Ray, good choice Jason". I of course tried to play it off legit as a kid, thinking "oh yeah, I know" and kept building forts. But, I knew my father was introducing me to something great. And now, more than 20 years later, that music still endures.
2. Alice in Chains "Unplugged"... Alice in Chains will always remind me of high school rides in Puck's green Taurus. Those days are unforgettable. However, we never did listen to the Unplugged album. I heard later that Layne Staley was so messed up during the show that they had to keep starting songs over and that many were surprised he made it all the way through. Well, I think sometimes perhaps musicians (or other artisits) have to give something up in order to be amazing. It's a kind of sacrifice. These are the best versions of these songs.
3. Nirvana "Unplugged"... I couldn't listen to Nirvana until after I loved this album. They are among the best to come from my generation, yet not impressive song writers or technical musicians. Yet, their performance, song writing, and passion for the music was plenty impressive. I like this album also because when I was learning to play guitar, I could play many of these songs (albeit not quite like Kurt). I never listened to much Nirvana until right around when Kurt passed on, I don't know if that matters much in the long run, but it seemed significant at the time.
4. Eagles "Hell Freezes Over"... Yeah, it was the first CD my family ever owned. My dad and I used to make special trips to the back room of our house to play it on our old 486. The harmonies are damn good, the guitar work and song writing are unmatched, and the title is clever. The Eagles somehow turned themselves into an all-star band. All of them (for the most part) could sing, song write, and play an instrument. And, they could (and probably still can) play together perfectly.
5. Tom Waits "Heat Attack and Vine"... When I first moved to MA in 1999 I got some homesickness that I'd never felt before. For some reason I went out and bought this album. I think that Jersey Girl was the only Waits song I really knew at the time, but the burned out looking mug shot of Tom on the front cover seemed to display exactly how I felt. So, I bought it and listened to it many many many times. Matt can vouch for the long Tom Waits sessions that occurred in that room in the Winter and Spring of 99. And, perhaps Erik can too. Erik and I learned a few of these and used to sit on the floors in other people's rooms and try to play them, trying to rasp up our voices.
6. Bob Seagar "Beautiful Loser"... It's really only the first half of this album that is really really good, but it's worth hearing all the way through. It's really designed for road trips across the west (in my opinion at least) so to fully enjoy it, take it to Montana, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Wyoming, or some other similar huge and remote state... then drive. This is especially effective if you have a black Isuzu Trooper with a broken air conditioner that burns through a quart of oil every 120 miles. I bought a cassette tape of "Beautiful Loser" in some gas station out there somewhere, it got plenty of playing time on plenty of trips.
7. Neil Diamond "Hot August Night"... Neil was feelin' it this night. I happen to enjoy most, if not all, of his music, however I also fully understand why many others do not. Nobody has ever understood the magic of Neil quite as well as Plouffe, and we've spent plenty of hours appreciating him together. However, this album (especially if you can hear it on vinyl) is by far his best. It's got classic songs, some less common ones, Neil playing guitar, and is all performed live in a very raw and stripped down way. Neil was physically at his prime and you could tell he had practiced these songs til he could do them perfectly. And, he hadn't quite yet become the Neil Diamond we now know and appreciate, he was less polished and ready to rock... awesome.
8. Bob Dylan "Blood on the Tracks"... I discovered for myself this album also during that 99 year. And, I also tried to play a bunch of these songs with Erik. We had plenty of fun doing that, but could never quite make them as interesting as Bob does. He's a great song writer and this is my favorite stuff. It's heart felt and poetic and a bit dark. I'm always surprised how many people I've mentioned this album to and they tell me that it's also a favorite.
9. John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band... The first album for John after the Beatles broke up. I read once that these songs were John's response to the changes that occurred at the end of the 60s. And, that could be. To me it also sounds like he had been bottling these songs up because for whatever reason they didn't fit with the band scene. And, then he released them! And, it was some sort of big relief for him! They're so honest and cool and I imagine them to be the most personal for John. I think it took him from being a rock super star to being a real dude... and that's always appreciated.
10. Mark Knopfler "Golden Heart"... Of course I first thought Mark Knopfler was cool when he was rockin' Money for Nothin' and I rented the Dire Straits music video collection from Flics'n'Pics (R.I.P.), but nothing compares to this stuff. I'm not sure how true it is, but I was told that he traveled across Europe and Asia before recording this. The album feels big and it's diverse. The guitar playing is crisp and smooth. The songs are well written and go from rockin' to blues to folk to heart felt. Dad have listened to this a ton. One time I was leaving to go back to MA at some point and he told me I better take along Golden Heart. He was right.
Deserted Island Top 10 Albums (2-26-09)
I should probably update this list from time to time to see if ideas have changed. Anyway, for now, here's a list from February 2009 from a fun activity I did with some friends. These are my top 10 albums to take to a deserted Island... no other music... forever. This is it!
Top 10 albums... if I was on a deserted island...
Thank
you Bobb for coming up with the idea for this. It's really really tough
to think of the top ten albums I would take today if I were heading for
a deserted island and couldn't take any music, but here's a shot at it.
This list of albums is indisputably important to the "Jason" of today
no matter what. So, in no particular order...
1. Led Zeppelin IV... This was one of the first CDs I ever owned. I listened to it so many times that it finally broke. It's one of those albums that makes me stop and think "damn" when I hear it, any song. It gets in my blood and gets me pumped up. I don't even care that Stairway has been way over played, it's good. The guitar and vocals and drums combined make this album amazing, and John Paul did his job fine as well. A fine demonstration of a great band in its prime.
2. Beck's Odelay... The first time I heard Odelay I thought it was crap. The second time I heard it I thought, what was I thinking the first time. It reminds me of having 4 people on my floor during the morning after of a high school sleepover and jumping all over the place and eating pancakes. It's an album that reminds me of more carefree days. Long drives in an Isuzu and making five dollars last all day.
3. Willie Nelson's Stardust... Even though lots of these songs are covers, Willie does them spectacularly. This is an album I'm going to listen to all the time even when I'm an old man. It's a night time album filled with romance and nostalgia. Willie was branching out from what people expected from him musically when he made it, and I think that's a kind of metaphor for what I'm sometimes trying to accomplish. It's mellow and can wake me up at times as well as be a sleepy time album.
4. Black Label Society's Hangover Music Vol. IV... The metal album for non metal folks. Every song is good. Zack is the total package here. He song writes, he sings, and he shreds. When I first heard this album I thought, "Wow, I've never heard anything quite like that before" and I haven't since. I reminds me of Adam and the good times we've had together. It makes me want to be a better guitar player/singer/songwriter... and I've definitely stolen some of this album's inspirado at times.
5. Floater's Sink... This album can't be played in pieces. Although, Thin Skin is ridiculously amazing. Floater has amazed me for years, but I keep coming back to Sink. I've heard it at so many transitional stages of my life that I think of it all the time. 3 guys that have stayed true to their roots over the years. They're solid and they're Eugene... I think of myself this way. I have too much respect for this band to not include them on this list.
6. Ryan Adam's Heartbreaker... I'm not sure if this album contains any of my favorite current Ryan songs, but it's forever my favorite Ryan album. It is the album that makes me love country and I heard it exactly when I needed to. I felt like Ryan was writing these songs just for me, even though I'm sure lots of people can relate to these songs.
7. Lloyds Hill's World's End EP... This is not the best stuff Lloyd's Hill ever made, because the best music they ever made was played live and never recorded. However, this is really really good. When Matt and I drove across country we listened to this set of songs more than anything else, and that was multiple times per day. These songs remind me how awesome this country is, of how great my friends are, and how important it is to ROCK every now and again. I think of this music all the time.
8. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention's Freak Out... My mom told me once how much I would likely dig this album and she was right. It changed how I viewed the possibilities of music. Once again, I heard it at the right time in my life and it made a difference. It helps me to relate to where my parents must have come from. And, it's rock solid from start to finish... even the last two psychedelic tracks. I can remember listening to this album while laying on a floor with the lights off and thinking, "How did he come up with this? This is rediculous!". It's so good.
9. Genesis' Invisible Touch... When I was a kid and would be driving up to visit the snow and stay in a cabin, this was often the album we could all agree upon. It's pretty 80's, but still withstands the test of time. This album, like Bob Seager's Beautiful Loser (which didn't make the list... but just barely), is one of those albums I own on cassette, vinyl, and CD... it's good. It's the album I put on when I look through all my music and can't find what I'm looking for. I know I'll always appreciate this work.
10. Johnny Cash's American IV... This was a culmination album. I think Johnny put everything he had left into it. It's an example of where one man maximizes his potential. And, he surrounded himself with some of the best musicians ever to record these songs. And, somehow he made them even better. It's an album that displays a life full of experience and lessons. It's reflective, personal, and inspiring. I can't imagine a better piece of music. Neil Diamond accomplished a similar thing when he recorded 12 Songs, but not at quite the Johnny level. Johnny was a master.
Well, there you have it. 10 albums that I'd take on an island. I hope the batteries in the boombox are long lasting. Enjoy the day!
1. Led Zeppelin IV... This was one of the first CDs I ever owned. I listened to it so many times that it finally broke. It's one of those albums that makes me stop and think "damn" when I hear it, any song. It gets in my blood and gets me pumped up. I don't even care that Stairway has been way over played, it's good. The guitar and vocals and drums combined make this album amazing, and John Paul did his job fine as well. A fine demonstration of a great band in its prime.
2. Beck's Odelay... The first time I heard Odelay I thought it was crap. The second time I heard it I thought, what was I thinking the first time. It reminds me of having 4 people on my floor during the morning after of a high school sleepover and jumping all over the place and eating pancakes. It's an album that reminds me of more carefree days. Long drives in an Isuzu and making five dollars last all day.
3. Willie Nelson's Stardust... Even though lots of these songs are covers, Willie does them spectacularly. This is an album I'm going to listen to all the time even when I'm an old man. It's a night time album filled with romance and nostalgia. Willie was branching out from what people expected from him musically when he made it, and I think that's a kind of metaphor for what I'm sometimes trying to accomplish. It's mellow and can wake me up at times as well as be a sleepy time album.
4. Black Label Society's Hangover Music Vol. IV... The metal album for non metal folks. Every song is good. Zack is the total package here. He song writes, he sings, and he shreds. When I first heard this album I thought, "Wow, I've never heard anything quite like that before" and I haven't since. I reminds me of Adam and the good times we've had together. It makes me want to be a better guitar player/singer/songwriter... and I've definitely stolen some of this album's inspirado at times.
5. Floater's Sink... This album can't be played in pieces. Although, Thin Skin is ridiculously amazing. Floater has amazed me for years, but I keep coming back to Sink. I've heard it at so many transitional stages of my life that I think of it all the time. 3 guys that have stayed true to their roots over the years. They're solid and they're Eugene... I think of myself this way. I have too much respect for this band to not include them on this list.
6. Ryan Adam's Heartbreaker... I'm not sure if this album contains any of my favorite current Ryan songs, but it's forever my favorite Ryan album. It is the album that makes me love country and I heard it exactly when I needed to. I felt like Ryan was writing these songs just for me, even though I'm sure lots of people can relate to these songs.
7. Lloyds Hill's World's End EP... This is not the best stuff Lloyd's Hill ever made, because the best music they ever made was played live and never recorded. However, this is really really good. When Matt and I drove across country we listened to this set of songs more than anything else, and that was multiple times per day. These songs remind me how awesome this country is, of how great my friends are, and how important it is to ROCK every now and again. I think of this music all the time.
8. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention's Freak Out... My mom told me once how much I would likely dig this album and she was right. It changed how I viewed the possibilities of music. Once again, I heard it at the right time in my life and it made a difference. It helps me to relate to where my parents must have come from. And, it's rock solid from start to finish... even the last two psychedelic tracks. I can remember listening to this album while laying on a floor with the lights off and thinking, "How did he come up with this? This is rediculous!". It's so good.
9. Genesis' Invisible Touch... When I was a kid and would be driving up to visit the snow and stay in a cabin, this was often the album we could all agree upon. It's pretty 80's, but still withstands the test of time. This album, like Bob Seager's Beautiful Loser (which didn't make the list... but just barely), is one of those albums I own on cassette, vinyl, and CD... it's good. It's the album I put on when I look through all my music and can't find what I'm looking for. I know I'll always appreciate this work.
10. Johnny Cash's American IV... This was a culmination album. I think Johnny put everything he had left into it. It's an example of where one man maximizes his potential. And, he surrounded himself with some of the best musicians ever to record these songs. And, somehow he made them even better. It's an album that displays a life full of experience and lessons. It's reflective, personal, and inspiring. I can't imagine a better piece of music. Neil Diamond accomplished a similar thing when he recorded 12 Songs, but not at quite the Johnny level. Johnny was a master.
Well, there you have it. 10 albums that I'd take on an island. I hope the batteries in the boombox are long lasting. Enjoy the day!
Top 10 Nerd Game Soundtracks (10-8-16)
I decided to post some of my lists from the past couple years on my blog, here. This one is from October 8, 2016.
Nerdery Alert: Top 10 Nerd Gamer Soundtracks
Lots of my friends know how much I like tabletop RPGs. I've always felt that having the perfect soundtrack to accompany a game can add an element that takes the session to another level, and can assist the imagination. I like listening to all kinds of music, trying to set the tone for the game, whether as the game master or a player. Here are my overall favorite nerd game soundtrack albums. I think it will be evident that some are more fitting than others for certain genres of game play, but overall it's still a line-up that provides a lot of diversity. If you've been looking for a music to accompany your games night, I think you'll be pleased with any on this list. So, in no particular order...
1. Official Roleplaying Soundtrack by Midnight Syndicate
I have to start by getting a couple of the obvious ones out of the way. The Official Roleplaying Soundtrack by Midnight Syndicate is, while maybe a little generic, a nearly perfect blend of instrumental adventure songs that is especially fitting for a fantasy RPG. You can hit repeat on this thing all night and will receive absolutely no complaints.
2. Shards of Eberron by David P. Davidson
And, when you get a little tired of it and need a break, you need reach no further than the Eberron: Shards of Eberron disc, original music by David P. Davidson. This is similar, but different (and perhaps a bit more distinct) compared to the ORS. It came in the back of the first Eberron source book. Once again, it's probably best suited for a fantasy campaign, but I've used it with other genres and felt like it adds a great feel.
3. Conan The Barbarian ST by Basil Poledouris
First of all, this soundtrack is awesome in its own right and fits the movie it was made for perfectly. It’s the fantasy ST that first gave me the thought that I needed more music with my nerd game seshes, playing rounds of second ed D&D.
4. Drink The Sea by Glitch Mob
My friend Andy introduced this one to me while we were playing a lot of sci fi BRP (Chaosium). It works well for anything sci fi, especially. It’s electronic and easily slips into the background. Listening to Drink The Sea, it’s easy to imagine star docks on far off asteroids. What a cool sound. I’ve never listened to anything else by Glitch Mob, but perhaps I should.
5. Equinox by Joel Grind
Joel Grind, most well known for fronting the punk/metal crossover band Toxic Holocaust, has thoroughly impressed me with this 2016 release. Reading about it, Equinox was inspired by 70’s and 80’s horror STs, and that is evident with a first listen. It’s eerie and dramatic and due to enhance any sci fi, thriller, or horror RPG.
6. The Music of Red Alert: Command and Conquer
I was a big fan of Red Alert when it came out and somehow acquired this CD back around when the game came out (late 90s?!). It sounds industrial and reminds me of the marching armies, fitting to the game it was designed for. It’s definitely a less versatile RPG soundtrack choice, but can have its perfect moments nonetheless.
7. 2001: A Space Odyssey
The challenge I had with this one, initially, was that I’ve seen the movie so many times that the songs were difficult to separate from the film and think of as a soundtrack to the games sesh. This music is so distinct and iconic at times. Still, it is a great spacey soundtrack and I now use it regularly in my rotation for sci fi/post apoc/anything weird....
8. X-Files Original Motion Picture Score by Mark Snow
Here’s my first pick for something modern (D20 Modern, maybe), but it works for a lot of games styles. Sci Fi is an obvious match, as well as anything horror, thriller, detective, superhero, or post apoc. I’ve used it a lot while playing BRP (Chaosium) and Aberrant (White Wolf).
9. Tomorrow’s Harvest by Boards of Canada
This might be my favorite RPG soundtrack choice. It’s very versatile and subtle in its distinctness. The quiet songs on this album have a way of fitting behind any game I’m playing, adding dramatic effect and punctuating the right moments. Electronic and spacey at times, ambient and serene at others, Boards of Canada have made my RPG sessions much enhanced.
10. Tron Legacy Original Motion Picture ST by: Daft Punk
I couldn’t stop listening to Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories when it was released, and picked this up soon after. With a first listen, I knew it had to accompany some RPG playing. This is the the choice my players most often request or recognize. It is a most obvious choice for sci fi, but it works for all kinds of game genres. BTW, I’ve still never seen the movie...
So, that’s it. The albums I reach for to create a soundtrack to accompany a nerd game/board game session when a little extra mood needs to be created or a dramatic moment needs to be enhanced. Might as well pick up them all and make one big playlist... set it to random... and start rolling some dice. If you have other albums/artists that you like to listen to for your own games, please feel free to post in comments. I’m always looking for the next one...
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