Since Townsman Kpdexter‘s Hear Factor mix, Damn Hippies!, has yet to reach him, I’m posting it for complete download today along with one of our first Hear Factor mixes, General Slocum’s prog-fusion mix, which BigSteve lived through. Take a day or two to download these .zip files, then I’ll upload some more of the ones that have been discussed so far. Enjoy!
General Slocum’s Prog-Fusion Mix (.zip)
Damn Hippies! (for Kpdexter; .zip)
The afternoon I received my Hear/Factor CD was a jubilant one. The envelope had a business address on it, and I routinely (and sometimes randomly) get CDs in the mail from friends, so there was still the suspense of who this one could be from. When I opened it up, there was only a CD inside, a cut out paper listing prog-rock bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra, (put in to up the suspense was my third guess) and a white CD envelope, with the title on the blank CD being “DON’T FEAR THE DIGITS!” scrawled across it – ‘Oh God, a chain letter in CD form!’ were the first thoughts that popped into my head!
It wasn’t until further scrutinizing the CD that I noticed the writing on the back with the actual tracklisting and Hear Factor written on it; I was immediately intrigued. I had no clue who any of these bands were, let alone why there were only 10 tracks appearing on a full CD, 3 of them by different artists, and one a full album (I was guessing).
What had I gotten myself into (click)?
NEW! Here are two more tracks to see where I’m at: this one and this one!
It’s coming, Townspeople! This weekend the first mix CDs will go in the mail! The media is on notice! The world will be watching! We’ll all be listening!
April 19, 2007 – The popular rock music discussion blog, Rock Town Hall, will be launching its new web-based reality series, Hear Factor, on Monday, April 30.
Rock Town Hall ups the risk, danger and excitement of Fear Factor, with a death-defying music-based version. Hardcore music fans, many spending 30 or more years forming tastes and opinions, will be FORCED to endure three days of listening to only a mix CD of tunes they have expressed a disdain for. (The mixes will be compiled by fans of that particular music.) Contestants will be required to daily diary their harrowing experiences.
“The only support they will have are from Lifelines provided by fellow Townspersons (members of the blog) who will be allowed to provide reference points, influences and comparisons to music that might make it easier for the contestant,” said blog founder, Mr. Moderator.
“We have gone to great length to ensure that our contest is safe. Rigorous physical, hearing and psychological testing have been performed. Release of Liability forms have also been collected”, said a representative known only as The Back Office.
As I’m sure you know by now, the coming week will feature the debut of Hear Factor, in which Rock Town Hall members will be sent anonymous mix CDs lovingly (sincerely) compiled by other Townspeople that may be inappropriate to a recipient’s usual tastes. For 3 days, each participating Townsperson will listen to no other music but the possibly inappropriate mix CD they have received. They will report back to the list. Highlights of their mixes will be posted for all to experience and chime in on.
In the meantime, I’d like to reward participants and all Townspeople in advance with a fistfull of Northern Soul tracks that only one without ears could not find at least the slightest joy in cranking up. These tracks come courtesy of Townswoman Sally Cinnamon, who will be participating in the initial launch of Hear Factor. Happy weekend, all!
The Feathers, “Trying to Get to You”
Chuck Wood, “Seven Days Too Long”
William Bell, “Happy”
Robert Knight, “Love on a Mountaintop”
Archie Bell & the Drells, “Here I Go Again”
For an Archie Bell interview with possibly the archetypal Type A-S-S broadcasting individual you can imagine…
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Townspeople,
I have an experiment to propose. You know those wife-swapping, trading places types of reality shows? I’d like to find two Townspeople with widely divergent tasts who would be willing to take part in a Mix Swap.
But this isn’t some friendly “Hey, let me turn you onto these boss tunes!” sort of mix swap. Rather, it’s a “Deal with living in my shoes!” mix swap. The two participants will have to live with the each other’s mix tape, listening to it exclusively over the course of a week. Dig:
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