BrewBlog

Nude with Boots

I'm really liking "Nude with Boots" by the Melvins.  I keep returning to it  amidst a lot of new music I've acquired recently.  It's my favorite so far this year.  Melvins have stuck to a newer formula of guitar/bass/drum/drum with founders Buzz Osbourne and Dale accompanied by a couple dudes from another band.  They did this on their most recent prior, "A Senile Animal".  It worked on that one and works again, even better here.  The two drum thing really works and pushes them in a good direction.  I don't think it's a formula that just anyone can pull off but it's working well for them.  I've been a Melvins fan since around 1990 and this is my favorite from them in at least ten years.  I won't bother with a detailed review but I do recommend this one!

The "In Rainbows" Quandary

Quandary is probably exaggerating how I feel regarding Radiohead's strategy to release their latest, In Rainbows.  But nonetheless, while I appreciate their attempts to open things up and do things differently, I prefer to get my music through the usual channels.  And I'm not surprised by the publics reaction because people are hopeless creatures of habit.  Radiohead is offering up their latest release for download from their website for whatever price you want to pay.  There is really no catch other than that you have to login to their website and register with the usual information.  The "pay what you want" angle is interesting because you can pay nothing and download it.  Despite the offer to get their music for free the peer-to-peer music freeloaders are stealing In Rainbows in droves.  Bit-Torrent users downloaded In Rainbows 240,000 times the first day.  Seriously, is anyone surprised?

I'm not sure what Radiohead was going for here but it doesn't matter.  I really like Radiohead but I have a feeling they are elitists and think they are super special.  My guess is that they sat around and tried to think of something unique to do and assumed whatever they came up with would work because their fans are loyal and their music is too special to steal, etc.  I could very well be off base and I don't have anything to support what I'm saying.  It's just a guess.  I went to their web site and downloaded it, paying $10 for it.  I figured that was fair for the bits and no actual CD.  I'm very much looking forward to listening to it.  But are the masses that are used to stealing music via Bit Torrent or whatever really going to go to a website register and enter their information to get the music for free?  No.  Also, are they really going to then select zero dollars (or pounds) and expose themselves as cheap asses?  No.  People would rather steal something at no risk than go to a web site and declare that they want this music for nothing.  They know it's not worthless yet they want to spend nothing for it.  It's just too easy and thus too tempting.  Did Radiohead think their little idea was going to curb this urge?  Come on.  I'm not trying to come across as different than everyone else because I've taken without paying.  I think the difference is that I pay a lot and occasionally seek a freebie, even though it's rare.

And it's not just the money either.  Not everyone wants to register at a website so that they can buy music they should be able to get anywhere.  I'd rather have just bought it at the store or Amazon or whatever.  I can somewhat relate to the "screw the record label" angle some bands take but this felt more like an ego thing or a "we're being cool" thing.  If I had to register separately to purchase the well over 1,000 CDs I've purchased I'd be less motivated to buy.  Of course I supposed over time I may save money by picking my own price but still. 

Little Boxes

We've recently been hooked on the Showtime original series, Weeds.  It's a funny but often disturbing show about drug dealers in the suburbs.  We often find ourselves a bit shocked by what transpires, laughing at normally inappropriate themes but always entertained and looking forward to next week's episode.  Among the draws of the program is the theme song played at the shows open.  It's the same song performed in different ways by different people.  The lyrics are classic.  What's funny is that we're totally laughing at ourselves because it's really a rib on us.

Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky-tacky,
Little boxes, little boxes,
Little boxes, all the same.
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same.

And the people in the houses
All go to the university,
And they all get put in boxes,
Little boxes, all the same.
And there's doctors and there's lawyers
And business executives,
And they're all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same.

And they all play on the golf-course,
And drink their Martini dry,
And they all have pretty children,
And the children go to school.
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university,
And they all get put in boxes
And they all come out the same.

And the boys go into business,
And marry, and raise a family,
And they all get put in boxes,
Little boxes, all the same.
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same.

Interpol - Our Love to Admire

Interpol is back, finally, with another great offering in Our Love to Admire.  Fans of Interpol are guaranteed to like this because it's very similar to previous efforts.  It sounds great, has good variance of pace and a fair amount of depth to get into.  I prefer the faster songs but that's typical for me.  The melodies and riffs sound like their other two main releases but I have detected some different sounds and approaches here and there.  Antics showed a great deal of growth and I actually think this one builds even more on Antics.  Interpol is very accessible and you'll be able to tell from snippets if this is a band you can get into.  I highly recommend checking them out and I'd start with Out Love to Admire and work backwards. 

I loved Antics when it came out and found that it has better than average lasting power.  It took about three years for this follow up and that seems long for a band on the rise but I can get over that.  Our Love to Admire is solid throughout and I can tell it will have the same lasting power as Antics.  For me they fall into that category of mainstream music that I actually like.  But admittedly, I don't think I even know what mainstream is anymore (because I'm getting old).  It falls into that alternative/indy category.  This is actually Interpol's major label debut but I wouldn't have been able to tell.

Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris

Queens of the Stone Age is one of my favorite bands so I was exciting about "Era Vulgaris" coming out.  Now that I've listened to it a few times I can tell this one is a grower.  Many listenings will be necessary before I can really say for sure if this will be toward the top of the heap this year.  I've been pretty hungry for new music so it's release was good timing for me because it will get many listens before it goes into regular rotation with my recent favorites. 

Overall I like "Era Vulgaris".  While it's a bit of a departure (overused term) from past efforts it's good on it's own and contains the consistent elements clearly influenced by Josh Homme.  His guitar work is recognizable and satisfying.  QOTSA has it's key ingredients but avoids any real formula.  The shifting lineup makes for some differences and while I'm not typically a fan of the revolving band member element some bands seem to have, it doesn't matter much if it's good regardless time and time again.  The guest vocals work well and add to the depth a little.  "Era Vulgaris" is purposefully gritty and loud but sounds good at the same time.  The mix throughout works and I don't have any real complaints. 

My perception will change as I get in more listens and I'm certain it will appeal to me more and more.  Out of the gate my two favorite songs are "Misfit Love" and "3's & 7's", the former being called the weakest by many reviewers.  It's just tastes as always.  Amazon has over fifty reviews already so reading a handful gives you a pretty good idea of what people are thinking, Amazon people anyway.  I think it's really good even though it's not their best.  Clearing the bar they've set for themselves (Songs for the Deaf) is going to be difficult but they need not clear it to remain great. 

Favorite Bands

Here is a list of my favorite bands.  This topic would come up from time to time and whenever asked I would freeze while attempting a massive brainstorm that would leave me staring into the ceiling and the other person wondering what my problem was.  It's a simple question but one that isn't easy to answer on the spot, at least not to me.  Music is important and I don't want to get it wrong.  Now, hyped up on coffee, I've given it some thought and have a result.  Now when people ask in a casual conversation I can blurt out my top ten list like a big dork.  Cool.

This is a top ten list and not an "all time" list.  This is an important distinction to consider.  This is a current list, meaning the bands are all active (as far as I know) and have actually produced something in the last five years or so.  An "all time" list would have all bands and would give me the biggest headache of all time.  That said, here goes....

1. The Mars Volta
2. Devin Townsend
3. Deftones
4. A Silver Mt. Zion
5. Girls Against Boys
6. Queens of the Stone Age
7. Yo La Tengo
8. And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
9. Melvins
10. Nada Surf

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

I figured I'd like the new Modest Mouse maybe just enough to make it worth the purchase but never expected it to be as good as it is.  My expectations were appropriate considering my limited exposure.  I liked their last one (Good News...) and only heard anything further back a couple times.  "We Were Dead..." is really good.  It's easily my favorite release so far this year although it's been pretty dead in terms of new releases that interest me.  This has been one of those releases for me that has a different favorite as each week of listening passes.  Eventually you end up with more than half the tracks being non-skippers.  It's actually more like 2/3 or better being real winners.  What's exciting now is that I'm motivated to go backwards through their catalog and check out their older stuff and give it more of a listen now that I'm a fan.  I want more!

What do seals, rainforests and internet radio have in common?

They all need to be saved.  http://www.savenetradio.org/ is a coalition trying to keep Internet radio from going into extinction.  I first heard about all this because Pandora would be one of the many casualties.  I blogged about Pandora back in June of last year.  Basically, the Copyright Board ruled in favor of a strict hike in royalty rates for webcasters pay to record labels via SoundExchange for streaming Internet radio.  By strict hike we're talking about a 300% increase!  This ruling would go into effect on May 15 and is retroactive back to January of 2006.  Nice.  If this ruling goes through as planned, you can say goodbye to Internet radio.  Smaller companies will go bankrupt and bigger companies will quit that part of their business because it will no longer make business sense to keep it going. 

According to the article, terrestrial radio pays nothing to SoundExchange and satellite radio pays only 3-7% of their revenue to SoundExchange.  The relevance there is that the record labels aren't making a killing there so there is little to gain for directing listeners back to FM.  The thing I don't like about it the most is that FM radio SUUUUUUUUUCKS.  Internet radio and satellite radio both offer a much much needed variety.  Bands that deserve to be recognized and discovered have a good way to do so through Internet radio.  We need more variety, not less.  FM needs to learn a lesson or two about what people want.  The record labels are just pissed because their profits are down.  The Internet is here to stay.  The old farts in the radio and record label business need to get a grip.

There is hope though.  The Internet Radio Equality Act can save the Internet radio industry.  I'm also pleased that this is a bipartisan effort so we need not get mixed up in the politics.  http://www.savenetradio.org/ has a lot of very good information about all this.  Congress can get behind this by simply voting in favor of the Internet Radio Equality Act.  Over a million people have already written, faxed or called their representatives to get this passed.  Let's hope this or something else is done to save Internet radio.  It's good stuff and people need it whether they know it or not!

 

Accounting for the big plunge in "music sales": the digital singles effect

Link: Accounting for the big plunge in "music sales": the digital singles effect.

The music industry quaked yesterday as reports surfaced indicating that CD sales have plummeted 20 percent compared to the same period last year. This is just the latest a string of bad news for music sales going back several years. The question is, what's to blame?

This article offers a good summary of the state of the music biz.  Anyone not seeing this coming isn't paying attention or doesn't care.  Personally, I'm not sure that I care either.  Being such a big music fan you'd think, on the surface, that I'd want the industry to thrive.  What I really want is access to great music and that's pretty much it.  When I say "music industry" I'm narrowly referring to the big record company and media conglomerate complete with cocky executives basing their business and effort around what sells and puts money in their pockets.  It's a business after all so it's really not a problem or something worthy of much complaint.  I can dig through piles of complete crap to get to the one copy of the one CD that I want.  That's fine.

Overall my music consumption has gone down.  I could do a series of posts about why but...why?  I'm guessing it has to do with my willingness and time allocated to the discovery process.  I still discover new music I enjoy every year but many artists I enjoy also fall of my radar or simply go away.  I discriminate a little more these days as well.  I don't automatically grab anything I think may entertain me although I do still take the occasional risk.  My personal track record of music risk taking is really good so my reason around buying less has to do with other factors.  My level of effort goes up if I get into a musical drought and the result is usually very satisfying.  I'm way off topic now.

The basis of this article (and was supposed to be for this post) is that the music industry is facing a serious decline in CD sales.  A big part of the problem is that people have alternative ways to get music and can opt to simply buy the single that the crappy radio station they listen to has crammed down their throats.  Hmmmm.  Now these robots that the industry has worked so hard to create are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing.  They are buying the music only now it's the single and not the other 15 songs of worthless garbage.  Oops.  Now how are you going to get out of this hole?  You may need to actually produce mainstream music that isn't 90% bullshit.  Guess what, that is impossible with these masses. 

The good news is that there is more and more good mainstream music coming out and it is beating out some of the crap.  People will buy the CD if it has more than one good song on it.  Also, many of the smart executives are seeing that you can release old unreleased and remastered bits from the classics.  People will buy that too.  I can only hope that the trend quickly becomes worthy artists selling all the CDs and calling the shots and making the money.  The independent labels are laughing at some of the big guns now and I love it.  Let's hope they don't "go corporate" and that they keep to their initial mission statement.  One unfortunate casualty is the closure of the "record store".  I've always had a dream of someday having my own record store but that would now be a bad idea.  The future of this business is not brick and mortar but there still may be some hopes of an actual store but things would need to be different.  My local record store, Dimple Records, is going to disappear before my son buys his first music.  Their sales have been declining and once their core business fails to yield enough money the other cool things they do will not be enough to sustain and they will go away and will likely be replaced by a Starbucks or nail salon. 

I've been considering selling off another several hundred CDs from my collection.  I sold a few hundred a year and a half ago and haven't missed them.  I'm thinking another cut would be good.  I love my CDs but I don't listen to most of them anymore.  Each and every one has a memory associated with it.  I've gotten my money's worth for sure.  It's just that I don't see the need to keep them around if I'm not going to listen to them any more.  The idea of a CD "collection" is less attractive now then it was when I started collecting 20 years ago.  With some exceptions, CDs will slowly become worthless so I may as well get a few bucks out of them and pass them along to others that truly want them.  There are already a few hundred people that have something from my collection.  It's time to fire up my Amazon sellers account, which has a perfect 5 start sellers rating!

Clix2 by iRiver - I must have this!

I love my current MP3 player, the iRiver HP40 that I blogged about in October of 2005.  I've had it for quite a while now and it's been holding up very well, which was something I worried about with hard drive players in general.  Apparently it's not a problem.  Anyway, I've been wanting to get a newer, smaller player that would be a bit friendlier at the gym or wherever.  I'm willing to give up a lot of capacity just to have something small.  The flash players back when I got my HP40 were typically well under 1GB and were fairly small.  I know flash is the way I want to go for my second player since I'm going to continue to use my HP40 and it has an impressive 20GB capacity and does everything I need it to do.  A flash player will get me the smaller size and it will be lighter and hopefully give me better capacity than then flash players from four years ago.

After doing a little research I've discovered that the new flash players are better than ever.  They are smaller, lighter and have better capacity and battery life.  So which one should I get?  Many rave about the Apple Shuffle and Nano.  Those are ridiculously popular.  They are a little pricey but worth it if that's what you want.  I do like them.  I looked at many that all seemed to have one or many things going for them.  I began to wonder how I would narrow it down when I came across the Clix player by iRiver.  After looking at the features and reading the reviews, I was thinking I had found a winner.  After all, I like my current iRiver player and I like all the features and the fact that it does not require any proprietary software.  I can use the standard file system to manage my music just like I always have.  Then, while looking more into the Clix player I came across the brand new Clix2 player.  It's available in Korea and is on it's way to America in March (2GB and 4 GB models) or April (for the 8GB version).  The Clix2 was unveiled at the CES in Vegas, of course.  This player looks AWESOME!!!  I must have it.  And hey it's my birthday at the end of the month.  Perfect.

Links:

• http://www.iriver.co.kr/event/clix/c_event.asp
• http://www.clixhere.net/blogicles/showentry.php?e=10
• http://www.slipperybrick.com/2007/02/iriver-u20-clix-2/