Most of my friends and people who have followed my writing at Absolutepunk.net know that I love just about any form of independent music and many have read countless reviews of post-hardcore, emo and indie-rock bands that I have written over the years. But, today I have a confession to make. While I still love all those bands and still listen to them regularly, lately another genre has been gradually taking over a good share of plays on my radio and my iPod. That genre would be....country. Wow, it was odd for me to even type that. Despite having relatives from the south, I generally stayed away from country and I hated it growing up. I don't remember why I felt that way initially, but I would avoid it at all costs.
However, the past few years I have slowly been warming up to the genre. While I still dislike a majority of the songs that dominate country radio stations, I do enjoy some of the songs. I think the reason I started being drawn to the genre was just from exposure. My fiancee absolutely LOVES country music and when she is driving, which is almost all of the time, that is what we listen to. So after awhile, I really grew to like some of the songs. I also think that as I get older, some of the lyrical themes really start to relate more to my day to day life than songs that are more abstract and sound like the soundtrack to breaking shit. I am going to be getting married soon, living on my own and working and something about the lyrical themes in the lyrics of the country artists I listen to just fit into what I am experiencing.
However, one thing that hasn't changed about my listening habits is listening to bands that have a DIY spirit that initially drew me into the world of indie-rock and many other forms of alternative music. Below are some of the artists that I am listening to now and even if you aren't a fan of country music, check them out with an open mind and you might find something you enjoy.
The Only Sons - The Only Sons hail from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and I have been following for them for a few years now after stumbling across their album "Steel Hearts" which is available as a free download here. Here is what I said about them when I wrote about them for a feature on Absolutepunk.net: "Murfreesboro, Tennessee’s The Only Sons’ latest album, Steel Hearts, is a must-have album for any fan of alt-country music. The thing that makes Steel Hearts such a special album is its relative simplicity. In an age where autotune is used left and right, The Only Sons brand of no-frills alt-country is a breath of fresh air. The album is filled with raspy vocals, excellent musicianship, simple yet emotionally engaging lyrics, and almost never loses the momentum built by the opening tracks 'Lay Back Down' and 'Wise Up'. " I still stand by that assessment, but the band has since improved drastically with the release of their new album "American Stranger" which you can stream on their bandcamp page. Easily one of the best albums of 2011 so far and "Gone Down Swinging" is a hell of a song with incredible solos at the end. This band is going to be huge.
Here is frontman Kent Goolsby performing "Just My Luck"
The Only Sons - Just My Luck (Acoustic Promo) from theonlysons on Vimeo.
Glossary - Another band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I found out about this band in pretty much the same way, by downloading their album The Better Angels of Our Nature for free on their website. They have been around for awhile, having recently released their 6th full-length. They are more of a rock band, but they still have qualities of country music in their songs. Singer Joey Kneiser also produced The Only Sons American Stranger.
Glossary - Save Your Money for the Weekend from Stewart Copeland on Vimeo.
Are there any genres of music that you initially didn't like but learned to enjoy over time?
Sunday, March 20, 2011
120 Minutes Returns
After being out of town due to a family emergency, I returned home and learned that MTV is bringing back the highly influential 120 Minutes and Matt Pinfield will be hosting once again (Pinfield originally hosted the show from 1995-1999). 120 Minutes was a weekly show on MTV that aired popular alternative artist's music videos and videos by artists who were frequently getting airplay on college radio. The show first premiered in 1986, but the shows heyday was during the boom of alternative music in the 90's and Pinfield became one of the most popular hosts. The biggest moment of the shows history was when it aired the world premeire of Nirvana's "Smell Like Teen Spirit" music video.
I love the fact that 120 Minutes is returning to MTV, especially since Pinfield will be hosting it. Pinfield knows more about music than I could ever hope to and his interviews were always very informative. Even though I was super young during his original tenure with the show, I can always remember watching 120 Minutes and I have always associated him with the show, so I am glad they didn't try and restart the show with a new host.
I also give credit to MTV for reviving a great show that is solely about music. Growing up, music was a huge part of the channel and they generally played great music. But ever since 2000, MTV seemingly got rid off a vast majority of their music shows and focused solely on reality shows like Laguna Beach and The Hills, which was a shame.
In honor of the show's return, here is one of my favorite 120 Minutes performances and some of my favorite videos that appeared on the show
I love the fact that 120 Minutes is returning to MTV, especially since Pinfield will be hosting it. Pinfield knows more about music than I could ever hope to and his interviews were always very informative. Even though I was super young during his original tenure with the show, I can always remember watching 120 Minutes and I have always associated him with the show, so I am glad they didn't try and restart the show with a new host.
I also give credit to MTV for reviving a great show that is solely about music. Growing up, music was a huge part of the channel and they generally played great music. But ever since 2000, MTV seemingly got rid off a vast majority of their music shows and focused solely on reality shows like Laguna Beach and The Hills, which was a shame.
In honor of the show's return, here is one of my favorite 120 Minutes performances and some of my favorite videos that appeared on the show
Monday, March 7, 2011
Rescued From The "Bargain Bin"
Ah, the Bargain Bin. Although almost any album you could ever want is now available on the Internet whether it be through Amazon, iTunes or any of the other digital music providers, nothing beats the feeling of digging through the bargain bin (or used bin if you prefer) at a brick and morter record store and finding a great album. I remember when I was younger I used to go with my dad to a store called Disc-Go-Round, at least I am pretty sure that was what it was called, and spend hours upon hours digging through the racks of CDs that lined the walls. Although the store was mostly used CDs, there was a few new releases toward the front of the store and some of the used CD's were pretty cheap, but still relatively expensive. However, if you got lucky, you would stumble across a great album that was literally only a few dollars. I miss the feeling of making these great discoveries and of going to a place that was all about music and talking to the people who worked there about what they thought of a record and asking them for recommendations.
In honor of record stores and the thrill of finding an album you love for dirt cheap, I present a list of my favorite "Bargain Bin" finds.
1. Harvey Danger "Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?" - Ah, good ol' Harvey Danger. I am sure most of you are vaguely familiar of the band and their one hit "Flagpole Sitta" which was in heavy rotation towards the tail end of the '90s. Unfortunately, most people bought the album for that song alone and copies began flooding into used record stores everywhere. I grabbed my copy for about $3 and it was one of the best purchases I have made. Sure, I still absolutely love blasting "Flagpole Sitta" from time to time, but the album as a whole is full of great, fuzzed out indie-rock from start to finish.
2. New Radicals "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" - Another album that seemed to flood used bins across the country. The band had a few hits, but they are probably best known for their song "You Only Get What You Give" where singer Gregg Alexander name dropped a few celebrities at the time and calling them fakes, which did not sit well with those mentioned (though Alexander later said he only did it to see if that is the only part of the song the media would focus on and, surprise!, it was). You can sometimes find this album for like $2, which is a steal because this is one of the best pop-rock albums I have heard in a long time.
3. The Verve "Urban Hymns" - Another great purchase I have made after spending an eternity rifling through the used bin. Although "Urban Hymns" is an excellent album in it's own right, this album is worth whatever you pay for it based on the strength of "Bittersweet Symphony" alone. Although the song gained noterity due to the band being sued over the use of a sample of an orchestra version of The Rolling Stones "The Last Time", the fact remains that is still one of the greatest songs I have ever heard and still sounds timeless 14 years after it first hit the airwaves.
What are some of your best "bargain bin" purchases? Do you miss going to record stores or do you prefer the convenience of shopping online?
In honor of record stores and the thrill of finding an album you love for dirt cheap, I present a list of my favorite "Bargain Bin" finds.
1. Harvey Danger "Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?" - Ah, good ol' Harvey Danger. I am sure most of you are vaguely familiar of the band and their one hit "Flagpole Sitta" which was in heavy rotation towards the tail end of the '90s. Unfortunately, most people bought the album for that song alone and copies began flooding into used record stores everywhere. I grabbed my copy for about $3 and it was one of the best purchases I have made. Sure, I still absolutely love blasting "Flagpole Sitta" from time to time, but the album as a whole is full of great, fuzzed out indie-rock from start to finish.
2. New Radicals "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" - Another album that seemed to flood used bins across the country. The band had a few hits, but they are probably best known for their song "You Only Get What You Give" where singer Gregg Alexander name dropped a few celebrities at the time and calling them fakes, which did not sit well with those mentioned (though Alexander later said he only did it to see if that is the only part of the song the media would focus on and, surprise!, it was). You can sometimes find this album for like $2, which is a steal because this is one of the best pop-rock albums I have heard in a long time.
3. The Verve "Urban Hymns" - Another great purchase I have made after spending an eternity rifling through the used bin. Although "Urban Hymns" is an excellent album in it's own right, this album is worth whatever you pay for it based on the strength of "Bittersweet Symphony" alone. Although the song gained noterity due to the band being sued over the use of a sample of an orchestra version of The Rolling Stones "The Last Time", the fact remains that is still one of the greatest songs I have ever heard and still sounds timeless 14 years after it first hit the airwaves.
What are some of your best "bargain bin" purchases? Do you miss going to record stores or do you prefer the convenience of shopping online?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Iconic Music Videos
For this post on Genre Buzzword, I want to take a look at music videos. I realize the title of my last post was a little misleading, as it was not about music videos, so I wanted to fix that by talking a little bit about music videos and ones that I think are pretty iconic.
I just want to start out by saying that I know music videos are still around. There have been some pretty impressive ones as of late (both the short and film versions of Kanye West's "Runaway" come to mind), but it seems like music videos have sort of lost the power they once held as a medium. For example, I personally don't think we will ever see a music video that had the sort of significance and impact that Michael Jackson's "Thriller" had. There was also a period of time from the 90's into the new millennium where some famous directors such as Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze and Hype Williams churned out some of the most memorable music videos. I remember when these directors but out a new music video, it was like an event. There would be big premieres for it on MTV and then you would see it all the time. Now that cable music channels have started cutting back on airing music videos except earlier in the morning, that sort of event phenomena seems to have gone away, or at least shifted over to the Internet.
I always loved music videos and when I used to catch them on MTV, VH1 or The Box, I would sometimes end up liking a song because it had a creative music video that caught my attention. I think that a good music video is one that enhances the song and makes it even more memorable for listeners, and occasionally the music video becomes even more popular than the song itself (The main reason I like the song "Sabotage" is the music video).
Here are some of my favorite music videos. Feel free to list your favorites in the replies!
I just want to start out by saying that I know music videos are still around. There have been some pretty impressive ones as of late (both the short and film versions of Kanye West's "Runaway" come to mind), but it seems like music videos have sort of lost the power they once held as a medium. For example, I personally don't think we will ever see a music video that had the sort of significance and impact that Michael Jackson's "Thriller" had. There was also a period of time from the 90's into the new millennium where some famous directors such as Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze and Hype Williams churned out some of the most memorable music videos. I remember when these directors but out a new music video, it was like an event. There would be big premieres for it on MTV and then you would see it all the time. Now that cable music channels have started cutting back on airing music videos except earlier in the morning, that sort of event phenomena seems to have gone away, or at least shifted over to the Internet.
I always loved music videos and when I used to catch them on MTV, VH1 or The Box, I would sometimes end up liking a song because it had a creative music video that caught my attention. I think that a good music video is one that enhances the song and makes it even more memorable for listeners, and occasionally the music video becomes even more popular than the song itself (The main reason I like the song "Sabotage" is the music video).
Here are some of my favorite music videos. Feel free to list your favorites in the replies!
Sabotage was directed by Spike Jonze and the video is the opening credits for a fictional 70's police drama show. This is probably my all time favorite music video due to the creative idea behind the video and the humor behind it. It's got everything car chases, foot chases and a few fights sprinkled in.
One of my favorite songs and I love this video by Michel Gondry. Great cinematography as most of the music video takes place in dream sequences and an interesting plot that has some Inception qualities to it.
Another Spike Jonze music video. The main reason why I love this video, and why I think many people love this video, is that it takes place entirely in the "Happy Days" universe. Awesome video that fits the feel of the song perfectly.
I was never a huge Michael Jackson fan, but I have to admit this is the best and most popular music video. It had a huge impact on music.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Nostalgia, Music Videos and the 90's
Ah, the 90's. Everyone has their favorite decade for music and for me, there is no greater decade than the 90's. I realize there are amazing musicians that came in previous decades, and I even enjoy them, but there is just something about 90's music that seems to hold my interest the most. I am sure the main reason that is the case is the nostalgia factor that comes out of growing up with this music and constantly hearing it on the radio. Earlier in the decade, when I was still very young, I remember watching videos on MTV with my dad (back before every show on there was some reality show nonsense and they still played music videos) and waiting to hear my favorite songs come on the radio.
I still listen to many of these songs and I seem to be perpetually stuck in that time. I still listen to new artists and find new favorites, but it seems like the bulk of the music I listen to comes from the 90's. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong decade and wish I was a teenager back then. Oh well. Below are some of my favorite songs from the 90's that define the decade for me. One Hit Wonders, A Few Hit Wonders and everything in between.
What decade of music is your favorite? What are some songs from when you were younger that you still listen to or get excited when it comes on the radio? Feel free to list them in the replies!
I still listen to many of these songs and I seem to be perpetually stuck in that time. I still listen to new artists and find new favorites, but it seems like the bulk of the music I listen to comes from the 90's. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong decade and wish I was a teenager back then. Oh well. Below are some of my favorite songs from the 90's that define the decade for me. One Hit Wonders, A Few Hit Wonders and everything in between.
What decade of music is your favorite? What are some songs from when you were younger that you still listen to or get excited when it comes on the radio? Feel free to list them in the replies!
Better Than Ezra "Good" - I just love this song. I used to listen to it on the radio every single time it came on. Still sounds great.
Spin Doctors "Two Princes" - Another song I used to listen to constantly. I always made my mom leave it on when it came on the radio. I recently found the CD at a yard sale and still listened to it. No I am not ashamed to say I still think this song is incredible.
Sister Hazel "All For You"
Spacehog "In The Meantime"
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Radiohead Have Done It Again
Radiohead has done it again. According to Pitchfork, Radiohead will be releasing their new album "The King of Limbs" on February 19th. That is this weekend! After revolutionizing the way music is consumed with In Rainbows, many were wondering how the band would be able to top that and if they would try to follow a similar distribution model. This time around, however, the band has scrapped the pay-what-you-want model, but they have kept up the deluxe packaging. Oddly enough, as a fan of Radiohead, I was not even really interested in what the package would be like or how many songs would make up "The King of Limbs". I was just totally floored that the album was coming out so soon.
This is the second album in a row that Radiohead have announced just before the date it was to be released. In an age where music is leaked months in advance and people can report news and rumors in a split second, it is amazing how Radiohead was able to keep this album under wraps. This is a band that has dedicated fans and yet for the second time they were able to completely blindside fans with news of a new album. At this point you may be asking yourself, “Why is this such a big deal?” Well, as I mentioned earlier, music is available almost instanteously and we have lost the feeling of waiting months and even years for a new album. Radiohead has somehow managed to do the impossible, or at least what is impossible for major labels, and that is stopping leaks and building buzz for their album outside of traditional channels.
Another reason something like this is so huge is that Radiohead isn’t just another small band looking for a way to grab people’s attention. They are a highly respected group that has also sold a significant amount of records, and they are only building their legacy by utilizing creative marketing techniques to further help their career. You would think with the success the band has had lately with their new approach to music distribution would rub off on record companies who are losing money at a rapid pace, but sadly that is not happening.
I will say that as a music journalist, it is a little disheartening to have an album come out of the blue like this. One of the many perks of writing about music is getting to listen to albums way in advance. However, the thrill of getting albums months before they are released wears off after awhile and it is refreshing to be totally surprised by an album. So for those who don’t listen to Radiohead, would you rather your favorite band talk their new album to death before it even comes out and sit around waiting for it to come out or have them release an album totally out of the blue? For those who do listen to Radiohead, what are your thoughts on their distribution system?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Some Concerts That Defined My Life
After a pretty extended absence, I have decided to revive Genre Buzzword. What better way to kick off the restarting of this blog then to look back at two of my favorite concerts, starting with the first concert I ever got to visit and ending with the concert where I decided to marry my soon to be wife.
The first show that I ever got to see was Rage Against The Machine, which was around 1999 when I was in the 5th grade. My dad got me what is to this day the greatest birthday gift I have ever gotten: two tickets to see Rage Against The Machine in Philadelphia. My dad waited outside in line to get these tickets even though it was super cold outside for what would end up being the last Rage Against The Machine show in Philadelphia. I was so excited to see the show that it seemed it took forever for the weeks to pass until the actual show. I remember when the night of the show finally arrived and my dad and I were finally sitting in our seats and I was so excited that my stomach had butterflies in them.
Finally, when Rage Against The Machine took the stage, they unleashed one of the most powerful performances I have seen to this day. They poured every ounce of energy into that performance and Zach De La Rocha went absolutely insane on stage. The stadium went absolutely crazy and you had people leaping ten to fifteen feet from the stands over the barricades to make it into the mosh pit and before long complete pandemonium broke loose and there were chairs flying everywhere. Most kids my age would have been terrified but I remember thinking that this was the coolest thing I have ever seen and from that day forward I was completely immersed in music. I remember after that concert I used to wear my Rage Against The Machine t-shirt constantly in elementary school and the beginning of middle school which made people think I was crazy, but I didn't care.
However the concert that sticks out the most in my mind was a performance that I didn't really care about. It was when I went to a concert out in the woods with my then girlfriend and her brother to see a band called XYZ at a campground. Apparently, the band had a few hits in the '80s, but I mostly went to hang out with friends and generally have a good time. The campground was an absolute mess. It had rained the night before, so the ground was nothing but mud. Grabbing drinks and trying to find a bathroom was a grueling experience as every step you took, your shoes would get sucked down into the muck and your shoes were constantly getting ripped off your feet with every step.
It was one of the most magical nights of my life. Despite all the mud, bands I didn't really care for and hot temperatures, the three of us were having a blast. Finally night fell and as XYZ were playing one of their many hits, my then girlfriend and I decided that we wanted to get married. Shouting over the roaring crowd and loud music, we talked about how much we cared for each other and decided right then and there that we wanted to get married. Even though I didn't like the music, that moment made this concert hands down the best one ever.
I am sure many people are at least aware of Rage Against The Machine, so I will post the band that was playing when I decided to get married because it's pretty hilarious.
The first show that I ever got to see was Rage Against The Machine, which was around 1999 when I was in the 5th grade. My dad got me what is to this day the greatest birthday gift I have ever gotten: two tickets to see Rage Against The Machine in Philadelphia. My dad waited outside in line to get these tickets even though it was super cold outside for what would end up being the last Rage Against The Machine show in Philadelphia. I was so excited to see the show that it seemed it took forever for the weeks to pass until the actual show. I remember when the night of the show finally arrived and my dad and I were finally sitting in our seats and I was so excited that my stomach had butterflies in them.
Finally, when Rage Against The Machine took the stage, they unleashed one of the most powerful performances I have seen to this day. They poured every ounce of energy into that performance and Zach De La Rocha went absolutely insane on stage. The stadium went absolutely crazy and you had people leaping ten to fifteen feet from the stands over the barricades to make it into the mosh pit and before long complete pandemonium broke loose and there were chairs flying everywhere. Most kids my age would have been terrified but I remember thinking that this was the coolest thing I have ever seen and from that day forward I was completely immersed in music. I remember after that concert I used to wear my Rage Against The Machine t-shirt constantly in elementary school and the beginning of middle school which made people think I was crazy, but I didn't care.
However the concert that sticks out the most in my mind was a performance that I didn't really care about. It was when I went to a concert out in the woods with my then girlfriend and her brother to see a band called XYZ at a campground. Apparently, the band had a few hits in the '80s, but I mostly went to hang out with friends and generally have a good time. The campground was an absolute mess. It had rained the night before, so the ground was nothing but mud. Grabbing drinks and trying to find a bathroom was a grueling experience as every step you took, your shoes would get sucked down into the muck and your shoes were constantly getting ripped off your feet with every step.
It was one of the most magical nights of my life. Despite all the mud, bands I didn't really care for and hot temperatures, the three of us were having a blast. Finally night fell and as XYZ were playing one of their many hits, my then girlfriend and I decided that we wanted to get married. Shouting over the roaring crowd and loud music, we talked about how much we cared for each other and decided right then and there that we wanted to get married. Even though I didn't like the music, that moment made this concert hands down the best one ever.
I am sure many people are at least aware of Rage Against The Machine, so I will post the band that was playing when I decided to get married because it's pretty hilarious.
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