Vinyl Notes

Almost two months after the online release of Ghosts, and fans are just receiving their hard copy CDs Nine Inch Nails has released a new single called “Discipline.” Talk about working at lightning speed. Trent Reznor and crew must be working overtime, cranking out music like a well oiled machine.

Speaking of machines, apparently Reznor was a autograph machine for the day and is signing the 2,500 “super-ultra-mega-deluxe GHOSTS” CDs on Thursday. After considering a live webcast of the signing, NIN thought better of it but still gave fans a chance to spend the day with them. ::snicker::

This Saturday independent record stores across the nation celebrated their cultural contributions to their local neighborhoods with National Record Store Day. When I found out about this event, I went straight to the list of participating retailers to see if my local record store, Fingerprints, was taking part and was pleased to see that they were. So I spent Saturday afternoon digging through crates of albums, observed a signing by Metal legend Rob Halford and in the evening caught a performance by Limbeck.

My friends at Listen In reported  Record Store Day from their respective corners of the US. Eric Atienza rose early to go to Other Music - his favorite record store in New York - and couldn't control his urges; leaving with a host of things to add to his vinyl collection. Evan Mix lamented that he was unable to visit his local record store but made a recommendation for a performance in his area. My partner in crime and I wrote about the Long Beach celebration of Record Store Day.

While Fingerprints has expanded over the years, there is absolutely no wasted space. Stacks of CDs 3′ high were liberally strewn about as were boxes of t-shirts. Suffice it to say Fingerprints is your typical neighborhood record store. We would like to offer details of the Silversun Pickups’ set, but the list was full within minutes and we missed out. We did, however, have a chance to check out Limbeck and lead singer Robb MacLean’s gravely alto timbre was perfectly suited to their country tinged indie rock sound.

Fans weren’t discouraged by the late start of the set or the lack of a rhythm section. In fact, there was no room for percussion or the bass, two dudes and two guitars was all the stage could handle for this intimate performance.

(more…)

Just when I had all but given up hope that underground hip hop is still alive, I see a glimmer of hope.

The thing is this: underground music is about the culture of the music. It’s great that there’s such a prominent indie rock blogging community; I’ve discovered some great music that way. When digging around though, the best I could find on hip hop was Hip Hop Ruckus which respectable for sure but way too busy, too mainstream and too inarticulate for my taste.

And then I found out that Aceyalone, Dilated Peoples and Alchemist were slated to do a joint tour and then saw an article on the A.V. Club blog about free hip hop mixed tapes. Yay! Maybe it’s not prominent, but obviously there’s a bit of underground love out there in the blogosphere.

I leave you with the most Aceyalone’s latest single from his album entitled Lightning Strikes.

Seems like an odd question to ask I know, especially with the recent success of her latest single. If you are like me, a fan of the old Mariah, you probably agree that Music Box was her last good album. She’s had a few ok songs here and the since then, but mostly she just seems to be trying to keep up with the times. The effort smacks of desperate attention seeking from someone who is beyond their prime.

I guess that’s not really fair. Don’t get me wrong, I still love her voice; I just wish she would use it. When I see her in public, I always think she looks like a hoochie, and when I heard her most recent single, all I could think is…wow; and not in a good way. It reminded me of LSG, the group with Gerald Levert, Jonny Gill and Keith Sweat and “My Body” which struck me as awkward even though it hit No. 1 and No. 4 on the R&B and Pop charts respectively.

(more…)

Death Cab for Cutie covers “Love Song” by The Cure. What’s the point of a cover that sounds almost exactly like the original?

Lollapalooza is burning up the internet with buzz and is slated to be the biggest music festival of 2008…Coachella is hot on the Lollapalooza buzz tail.

Liz Fair announced a new album scheduled for release in the fall; the first in 15 years. She’s also revisiting “Exile in Guyville” in June with four previously unreleased tracks.

kmmad

(more…)

Independent record stores across the country are gearing up for Record Store Day on Saturday April 19. This day all participating retailers will simultaneously join together in a celebration of the “culture and unique place they occupy both in their communities and nationally.”

Already artists are showing their support with special performances and exclusive releases including limited edition 7”s by Death Cab for Cutie, R.E.M., and Black Keys. Bjork will even be doing an exclusive screening her new video “Wonderlust.”

(more…)

Radiohead has ventured further into the online world with w.a.s.t.e central a place for music enthusiasts to connect with each other and bond over their passion. My first reaction is to wonder if the site will become a place for Radiohead fanboys to gab about the greatness of Radiohead?

You have to sign up to see any content including user profiles and even the official blog messages, which may or may not be worth it depending on how interested you are. As far as I can tell, it’s not all that active a community but it is brand spanking so it could take a little time. Users can blog, or post pictures, videos, remixes, music and even get a Radiohead email address.

(more…)

Looks like Lollapalooza 2008 is on track for success this year. What with the buzz in both the blogosphere and the mainstream music news, and the announcement with some of the hottest acts in music today on the line-up; the festival is sure to be a winner. Since the line-up is probably what you’re looking for, here are some highlights:

(more…)

A few weeks back I wrote about how Nine Inch Nails’ (NIN) new album Ghosts was affecting the music industry. Truthfully, independent bands have been offering free downloads and streaming for quite some time now, but when big name acts start severing ties with record companies and making a go of it on their own, that’s when it becomes revolutionary.

I wasn’t a fan of NIN in the ‘90s. The first song I ever heard was “Closer” and I didn’t hear that until ’99 while traveling through Europe and a friend made me listen to her favorite song.  Over the years I discovered song after song and when With Teeth came out I bought it, along with Pretty Hate Machine.

At this point, I’d consider NIN one of those bands whose music I will purchase without having to hear it. So as soon as I heard the news about Ghosts, I went directly to the website and purchased the CD (yet to be mailed out) and downloaded the entire collection. My first thought was of the wow this is awesome variety. Which brings me to the point of this entry: an impromptu review of the Ghost collection.

Album artwork: Ghosts V

(more…)