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41 Bonus Downloads and Nothing to Spend Them On

Oct 152009

Is that all there is?

I guess for being an all-around good guy eMusic rewarded me with 50 bonus downloads that I need to use by the middle of November. These are on top of my standard 30 downloads/month. I’ve enjoyed my eMusic subscription over the last 2 years for enabling me to build a collection of mostly instrumental and foreign non-rock music that I otherwise would rarely take a chance on. For instance, I’ve been able to download everything available by one of my favorite minimalist musicians, Terry Riley, whose music I’ve been collecting since the pre-digital age. As for stuff I otherwise would have been reluctant to take a chance on you may recall my excitement over new additions to my collections, thanks primarily to eMusic: that Ethiopian stuff, Amon Düül 2…

I’ve downloaded just about that entire 20-CD collection of Ethiopian stuff and all of the Terry Riley I could get my hands on that I didn’t already own. I may be crossing the line if I go any further than the four Amon Düül 2 (and one Amon Düül) records I’ve already dowloaded. The question for the Hall is, Where do I go next?
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Sleater-Kinney…But For That Voice

Posted by cdm

Jun 232009

Sleater-Kinney came up on the iPod today, and once again I had the same internal conflict that arises every time I hear them. I love the guitar playing, the songs, the drumming, the arrangements, the production, the guitar tones, and the overall sound. Plus, I love rooting for an underdog so a three-chick rock band with no bassist holding their own in a dude-heavy genre appeals to me. But I just can’t seem to make my peace with that voice.

On the old RTH, I recall someone suggesting that the reason some of us couldn’t handle the voice was because we were uncomfortable with strong women or some such nonsense. But I don’t think that’s the case. The voice sounds like Geddy Lee’s shrill younger sister to me. And I can’t stand his voice either.

I’m not giving up on them just yet because the good is really good, and I’m hoping this is one of those acquired taste things. But I’m not optimistic that I will be able to get over the hump on this.

Does anybody else have a band/artist that is otherwise perfect for them, but for a huge and possibly deal-breaking flaw?

As an aside, there’s also a great Last Man Standing here: Intra-band hook ups. Hell, Grace Slick could keep that going for weeks. SK would have been my trump card.

Rock Town Hall Sounds of Summer, Volume 1

Posted by northvancoveman

Jun 192009

About 6 months ago now I started a thread that was a lot of fun. It was The Rock Town Hall Christmas Record. Participating in that heated debate was a good way for a newbie like me to get to know all the visitors to RTH, and it produced a tangible result; nothing less than the greatest Christmas record ever (not)made!

Over the past 6 months I have resisted the temptation to stretch this format to Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day, Arbor Day, MLK Day, Independence Day, or even my home country’s beloved “May Two-Four”, Victoria Day.

But here we are, hours before the official start of Summer. The time is right. The season is right. I summon the collective genius that voted, no insisted, that “Christmas In Suburbia” by Martin Newell secure its place underneath our trees. The genius that would happily hear “Jesus Christ” by Big Star with rum and egg-nog. That wouldn’t dare tie a bow before they heard “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses. I summon this collective brain to produce

The Rock Town Hall Sounds of Summer, Volume 1.

The Rock Town Hall Sounds of Summer is the 15 greatest songs about Rock and Roll’s rightful season. Spring is for sissies. Girls wear too many clothes in The Fall. I’m Canadian…don’t even talk to me about Winter. Only Summer truly Rocks.

You know the format. Nominate a song. When another Rock Town Hall member seconds that song, it’s in!

To kick things off, I nominate “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper

Is it just me, or is it getting Hot In Herre?

Albums You Know You Like by Artists You Definitely Like Yet That You Have Zero Interest in Playing

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jun 072009

Exhausted?

It just occurred to me that I did not load a single track from Elvis Costello & The Attractions‘ Armed Forces onto my iPod. I love EC & The Attractions – everybody loves ’em – and Armed Forces is a strong record featuring some killer songs, but I rarely if ever feel the need to spin it. I’ve felt this way for most of the years that have followed the release of Get Happy!!, my all-time favorite album (period, not just among EC albums). I feel like I’ve got nothing to learn from Armed Forces. The arrangements lack mystery and unexplored nooks and crannies for me to stumble upon. The lyrics seem to have nothing more to reveal to me. I never found it to be a very emotional album, and what emotions I once felt for the album have long since passed from my daily routine (eg, “Party Girl”). It’s a closed book. A very good book, but closed for me.

Do you have an album or albums like I’ve described, albums you know you like by artists you definitely like yet that you have zero interest in playing?

Gloomy Gus Mix

Posted by Mr. Moderator

May 272009

Horror…

Ever have one of those weeks when you’re reminded too often of just how petty and self-centered some of your fellow adults can be? Man, oh Manischewicz, I’m having the second of such weeks out of my last three—don’t worry, it’s none of you and no one you know! Thankfully, over the course of the last two unseasonably chilly and gloomy days I’ve found comfort in some recently purchased songs. In case you’re feeling anything like I’m feeling and have a lot of stuff on your mind that’s better left unsaid, I thought I’d share the following mix. Enjoy!

Fairport Convention, “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” (live)

Califone, “The Orchids”

Pumice, “Eyebath”

Jim Ford, “It’s My Life”

MonoMono, “Kenimania”

Rockin’ New Year’s Resolutions

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 012009

It’s time, Townspeople, to state your Rockin’ New Year’s Resolutions. Mine is to come to terms with the digital age yet continue to embrace my true love, vinyl. I got my first real iPod (a Nano), I’ve ordered digital recording/editing software, and our band’s next release may come out on vinyl with a coupon for digital download. How 2009 is that? I’ve gotta tell you, the struggles I’ve been having with the Apple Empire have put a strain on an otherwise excellent holiday season, but now it’s the New Year and I’m ready to turn over a new leaf.

What’s your Rockin’ New Year’s Resolution?

Last Man Standing: Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory

Posted by cdm

Dec 102008

I had the iPod on shuffle the other day when a Sublime song came on. I don’t particularly like that band but it got me thinking about the odds that they overcame in coming so close to making it in a cutthroat business, only to have the lead singer/songwriter overdose shortly before their major label debut.

So, I’m looking for examples of big blown opportunities. Misguided choices are not enough: the party in question really needs to have shit the bed, even if it was only apparent in hindsight.

I’ll go with Brad Nowell and Sublime for my first answer.

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