tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75452400191396547072024-03-13T22:06:02.780-07:00Riff 'N Ralk Music TockRyan, Alex, and others talk music, review albums, interview musicians, and periodically get off on a tangent. We appreciate your interestAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-33856971028532480922014-05-24T13:24:00.001-07:002014-05-24T13:24:40.304-07:00Welcome to our new homeRiffnralk.com<br />
<br />
Thanks for your support. Continue to read our posts (and enjoy the back catalog) here.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-91068223821478042272014-05-16T08:04:00.002-07:002014-05-16T08:09:43.681-07:0010 Songs That Must Be Played LOUDSome songs work no matter how you listen to them: soft, loud, through a broken speaker system, or even being butchered by a bad karaoke singer. Some, however, only work in one context, either through the rawness of a live performance, the careful arrangement of a studio recording, or as we will explore today, through maximum ear splitting volume.<br />
This is by no means a top 10, but rather ten anthems to the joys of obliterating our eardrums.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">10. Boredoms - Acid Police</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/h-9bXc-WM4Q?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Let us be realistic for a moment. This song is the same riff and same vocals for about four minutes straight. There is nothing complicated, sophisticated, and in the wrong context interesting about this song. Played hushed over a cell-phone speaker this sounds like a punk anthem some 6th graders would write in order to sound tough. Played at conscious-challenging volumes, however, and the wailing of Yamatsuka EYE and his parade of who knows how many drummers transforms into an ode to caveman simplicity and crudeness. As the words "Acid Police" are screamed in broken English they are accompanied by microphone killing drums and distorted guitars. The perfect way to piss off your neighbors at 2 in the morning, and I still can't figure out why this isn't a party anthem; perfect for downing every elicit substance in arms reach while holding the person closest to you to ensure you don't collapse under your own inebriated state. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">9. Death Grips - Guillotine</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Orlbo9WkZ2E?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">While all of <i>Death Grips</i><i> </i>requires speaker blowing volume to truly appreciate, <i>Guillotine</i> takes the cake. The song, barely consisting of anything more than a bass drop and a few awkward clicks for the most of the</span> song has a brooding visceral tone to it that is lost at low decibels. It is that bass drop, played at the most ill-advised of volumes that creates the tension and power which allows <i>MC Ride</i> to holler out all of his darkest fears and paranoia. As a journey into a tortured man's sub-conscious it only works at full volume as the raw emotion does not connect well in a restrained manner. This all comes to a climax when the song enters its final stage of ear splitting sirens and synth screeches accompanied by <i>Ride</i>'s howling. At lower volumes it just sounds like a bunch of noise, but when played loud it truly captures the madness that is brooding within.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">8. The Mars Volta - Cotopaxi</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/EfvzB_T8ie0/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/EfvzB_T8ie0&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/EfvzB_T8ie0&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One of the few <i>The Mars Volta </i>songs to not break the 20 minute mark and the only song to break the 50 BPM mark </span>on their fifth album <i>Octahedron</i>, <i>Cotopaxi</i> is a refreshing break from the subdued nature of the album. Rushing along at a hurried and heavy pace the then truncated line-up does a good job of filling the sound spectrum with catchy riffs sprinkled with clever sonic tricks hiding underneath. All of this is lost when played at low volumes. The rest of the album almost begs you to listen to it in a quiet manner, appreciating the subtleties and soft nature of this album which are rarities for <i>The Mars Volta</i>. So when you get to the album's half-way point it begs you to crank the dial to tinnitus inducing levels in order to appreciate the explosive nature of <i>Cotopaxi</i> and its stark departure from the rest of the album. This is all made more apparent when the next song, <i>Desperate Graves,</i> returns to the softer soothing tone the majority of the album holds. A musical representation of free-falling, <i>Cotopaxi </i>values your tolerance for the loud.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">7. Jay-Z - 99 Problems</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WwoM5fLITfk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When we complain our lives do we do it in a sophisticated well-mannered way </span> or do we instead go off in a capillary bursting fervor about how the universe is screwing us over? If you ask me, and you always should, it is the latter. <i>Jay-Z</i> knew this and accompanied his song about life's woes with a nasty and grungy bass line. The instrumentals hear accompany the theme of the song so well as when we rage about our own lives we tend to express them in a similar manner, with little common sense or subtlety to our grievances. That is why, when listened quietly, the song is rather silly sounding, as if we should all wear top hats and monocles while we groan on about our first class problems. While I will never be racially profiled by the police I can empathize with <i>Jay-Z</i>'s "fuck the system" attitude he projects and at a volume mimicking a jet engine taking off you want to get your fist pumping too.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">6. Rage Against The Machine - Killing in The Name Of</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QNzIKoAy2pk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If you di</span>dn't see this one coming you may have missed the whole intention of this list. Little needs to be said hear. From the moment those savage opening notes hit you know you need to be turning the dial on your stereo to "disturbing the peace" in order to truly capture the rage (haha) of this song. All of this is made so obviously clear at the songs climax where Zack screams "Fuck you I won't do what you tell me" for about a good minute and a half. How does that NOT demand your song to be played at outrageous volumes? Really, what else could be said about this early nineties ode to telling the man to go fuck himself. Nothing....the end.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">5. Weezer - El Scorcho</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7CEqVTWo4EI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">While likely the song on this list with the most subdued moments it does not mean it does not benefit from eviscerating your ear drums in the process. While nearly any song from <i>Weezer</i>'s <i>Pinkerton</i> could fit this list I find <i>El Scorcho</i>'s drunken barroom like chorus to be the most fitting for the list. A drunken rambling of "I'm a lot like you" needs to be drowned out by the sound of the song itself. Other little gems, including <i>Rivers </i></span>finding out someone didn't know about <i>Green Day</i> to the exclamation of "How Cool is That?" and the break neck speed bridge that comes in out of nowhere, give you an excuse to thrash like the inebriated fool you are in that moment. Even it's off pitch "doodoos" near the end demand that intensity. None of these jerky and sloshed antics work at controlled decibels where it would come off more as a cheap version of <i>Piano Man</i> rather the Generation-X successor it truly is. It is a song full of emotions that barely exist while sober and those are the emotions that need to be played the loudest.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">4. Brand New - Vices</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ygByaer7c4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I'm trying to avoid the trap of just picking a bunch of angry songs, but as I scroll through my list of options it is hard to ignore <i>Brand New</i>'s opener from the last album they put out. Opening with a soft melodic opening that lulls the listener into a false sense of security the song then violently shakes you awake from the pleasant dream it was providing you. <i>Jesse Lacey</i> explodes into a screaming tirade of pain and anguish that I can barely comprehend, but it is impossible to ignore the emotions projected through his veracity. All of this, the explosive introduction, the swells of amp feedback, and Jesse's outbursts sound almost parody-like when played softly. The terror inducing strums of those opening chords hold no weight when they don't startle you with a volume borderlining offensive</span>. Part of this works because your natural tendency is to turn the volume up to hear the soft and subdued introduction only to permanently damage your ear drums for doing so. Skip that, and you get something that sounds like cheap teen anguish.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">3. Joe 'Bean' Esposito - You're The Best</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SkH3MTG2aAE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Laugh all you want, but there is a charm to the schlocky anthems of the 80s. Their "you can do it" attitude may sound outrageously corny to the youth of today, but back in an era of cocaine, Ronald Reagan, and more cocaine you could get people excited for some feel-goodery and no song I know of did this better than the iconic rallying cry of this song from <i>The Karate Kid</i>. </span>Even today you can get people to ironically play along, but only if you have this anthem of positivity blasting at maximum. Try as they might, even the most cynical of individuals would be hard pressed to be not be subdued by this emotional pick-me-up. That constant reminder of that "You're the best...around" motivates people to be a better, and do great things for those three brief minutes, but it only works if the message is loud enough to shatter all the glass around you. Who wants a motivating speech to be quiet and cordial? No one, we want it to be obnoxious and ridiculously over the top, something that can only be done at full volume.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Fang Island - Daisy</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EIurAP4yHtQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You might remember this pick me up song from our summer playlist last year, but <i>Daisy </i>by <i>Fang Island</i>'s charm is </span>completely lost if it isn't cranked up. Thunderous drumming accompanied by the upbeat melody are all lost in controlled and contained listening sessions. Just like with <i>You're The Best</i>, its radiating positivity is completely neutralized when the song isn't screaming it in your face. It's short length begs you for those brief moments to risk some permanent hearing loss in order to appreciate the glowing positivity it wishes to provide you. <i>Fang Island</i> will never ask for much aside from blowing out your speakers in order to appreciate its smile inducing rallying cry for a brief period. Really now, that isn't a big demand is it?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Shellac - Prayer to God</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/9MLoY_zadsE/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/9MLoY_zadsE&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/9MLoY_zadsE&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The songs on this list I feel that stand out the most are the simplest. Those barely developed thoughts are only properly conveyed when shouted at you, much like a commentator on cable news, if you haven't really thought out your argument you might as well say it louder. I heard this song for the first time at a record store in Normal Illinois and thought it was incredibly stupid. A few years later after being given the album to enjoy I finally figured out why I hated it so much the first time and that is because I wasn't knocked off my feet due to bone shattering levels of intensity. The song is begging for someone to be violently murdered, stating over and over "fucking kill him", something that would sound just flat out stupid on NPR, but when broadcasted over a million PAs at once its disgusting message of hoping that a benevolent God will gruesomely kill somebody begins to make sense. The song consists of one chord, chugging drums, a whole lot of screaming, and ill will, for that to be played at any single digit volume level should be criminal. The songs structure is juvenile, and lyrics offensive, which makes it the perfect song to crank at truly offensive volumes.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-23521703157440948052014-05-14T09:08:00.000-07:002014-05-14T09:08:05.271-07:00Review: Killer Be Killed - Killer Be Killed<a data-mce-href="http://www.riffnralk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cover.jpg" href="http://www.riffnralk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cover.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><img alt="cover" class="aligncenter wp-image-1126" data-mce-selected="1" data-mce-src="http://www.riffnralk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cover-768x768.jpg" src="http://www.riffnralk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cover-768x768.jpg" data-wp-imgselect="1" height="350" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; outline: rgb(119, 119, 119) solid 1px; resize: none; text-align: center;" width="350" /></a><br />
<br />
The debut album from supergroup Killed Be Killed has finally landed, 3 years passed since the first news of a supergroup featuring The Dillinger Escape Plan's Greg Puciato and Soulfly's Max Cavalera created a little snowball of hype that has grown and grown after the incorporation of Mastodon's Troy Sanders and Dave Elitch (currently drumming for ANTEMASQUE).<br />
<br />
Considering the background of each of it's members it was easy to predict the result was going to be heavy, but what they were going to sound like remained a mistery for almost 3 years. So now that the album is out (and assuming you haven't heard the first "singles") you must be wondering... was it worth the wait?.<br />
<br />
The album kicks off at full strenght with the first two singles, "Wings of Feather and Wax" and "Face Down", the first featuring Max, Greg and Troy sharing vocal duties between different parts of the verses and bridge, while singing the choruses together. The next two songs are slightly reminiscent of The Dillinger Escape Plan, just much more radio friendly. After track 5 the album is mostly traditional, radio friendly trash metal, much closer to a simplified version of Soulfly than DEP or Mastodon, in fact if it wasn't for Troy's vocals there wouldn't be anything on "Killer Be Killed" that sounded like Mastodon's spacey prog rock.<br />
<br />
Most of the guitar work is comprised of very traditional rhythm guitar riffs with heavy distortion, there's rarely a solo or a memorable guitar lead, and the same goes for the drums. I've been following Dave's work since he joined The Mars Volta in late 2009 but while he's certainly very skilled I have yet to see him play a memorable drum beat or fill, and this kind of music doesn't really demands for creativity.<br />
<br />
How much you can enjoy this record will most probably be determined by which main project brought you here, I can't really say I'm a big fan of Cavalera's previous work (or trash metal in general), and was probably expecting something more adventurous or groundbreaking, so the best thing to do is just take it for what it is, enjoy the catchy hooks and varied vocal performances, and avoid thinking about what this could have been.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ranking:</b> decent</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>For fans of:</b> thrash metal, hardcore</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Accessibility:</b> radio friendly</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Highlights:</b> "Wings Of Feather And Wax", “Snakes of Jehova”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/eJE_V3QACRk/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/eJE_V3QACRk&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/eJE_V3QACRk&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dandelionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05588700271635246379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-27317420785073959732014-05-06T20:46:00.001-07:002014-05-06T21:10:26.238-07:00Ryan takes you back to the year... 2013!<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The year is almost
over, and so many artists have released records that most of you won’t listen
to. Last year was the same. In fact, there were so many records that you may
have missed some. So Ryan has taken it upon himself to review all of them in
this five part series! Accompanying each album are a few choice tracks that
really stand out, listen to them. Make sure you like and share us on the
internet or else we won’t return the favor. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Welcome to the Past!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Part One:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 1975: <i>The 1975</i>-
European pop-punk band tries to express themselves with this lackluster album.
Akin to a British Panic! At the Disco, The 1975 tries to be upbeat and make
songs about fooling around with girls they like. It is nothing you haven’t
already heard. So you can just politely ignore this one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHk5SWVO4p8">Chocolate</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>C</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Adam Ant: <i><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: windowtext; line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none;">Adam
Ant Is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner's Daughter</span></i><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; line-height: 107%;">- The master of Neo-Romanticism
is back with the goofiest named album in decades! Aside from the moniker, Adam
Ant ‘s style of storytelling is wacky and engaging. The mix of Glam and
Alternative rock is amicable, but does not make it a total success. (And for
some reason the vocal mixing is terrible)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 107%;">Good Songs-
“</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TuAg0kHlZo"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 107%;">Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 107%;">” “</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcC7WId9y1I"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 107%;">Hardmentoughblokes</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 107%;">” “</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt59dQMQ2JY"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 107%;">Shrink</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 107%;">”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">D+</span></b><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary Allen: <i>Set You
Free</i>- An un-obnoxious country album. This very accessible album is
pleasantly devoid of pointless tropes that plague contemporary country.
Contains some heartbreaking songs about addiction and other afflictions.
Thankfully there is only one mention of a dog; no mentions of a truck. Check
this one out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q3LEadIk3w">Every Storm (Runs Out of
Rain)</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3qFAP7vwqM">Bones</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Antiphon: <i>Midlake</i>-
Spacey rock. Nothing I haven’t heard before. Very laid back sound. Not exerting
too much effort. Letting the instruments play themselves, more or less. Seems
like the band was over their own sound while they were recording, not worth it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt9ouaIgIsI">The Old and the Young</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>C<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A$AP Rocky: <i>Long.
Live. A$AP</i>- There is nothing special about this album. Once again another
lowest common denominator rap record about hanging out, having sex, making
money and being better than other people. We have all heard this before. You
can pass on this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU4OIAYwo5g">1 Train</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE_Jm14ygVs">Phoenix</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>D</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Batiste: <i>Social
Music</i>- Exciting Jazz album from a group of talented musicians. True
highlight is the songs that flirt with gospel like Mingus used to. Some fairly
creative takes on standards like “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Imhau2AmVo">St. James Infirmary</a>”.
Definitely worth a listen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://open.spotify.com/track/09RirGugBRYwRt9UTfZlFw">Let God Lead</a>”,
“<a href="http://open.spotify.com/track/04lcFHvkLaFZbbgmxQ4ePO">San Spirito</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B+<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sarah Brightman: <i>Dreamchaser</i>-
Made for your local Dentist’s office. Easy listening at its easiest. With such
covers as Wings’s “<a href="https://play.spotify.com/track/4RaY850V8eP4mQTEuNEGy8">Venus and Mars</a>”
and Sigur Ros’s “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhcPGz9-B98">Glosoli</a>”
you are sure to find at least one song you will mildly tolerate then swiftly
begin to hate! You are better off just listening to the originals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maa7DQoL6rA">Breathe Me</a>” “<a href="https://play.spotify.com/track/0m3fqKlpvIH3HXMeLzvtqq">A Song of India</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>D</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bullet for My Valentine: <i>Temper
Temper</i>- This metal album does little to extend the reach of the genre. It
is a very straight forward effort, and the band clearly plays it safe by
reusing the same chord progressions from they’re last album. Merely opting to
slightly change the subject of the lyrics, emphasis on slightly. There are much
better metal albums out this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpBt0EaYsTU">Truth Hurts</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>D</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nick Cave: <i>Push the
Sky Away</i>- Singer-songwriter Nick Cave took his time with these nine
focused, brooding ballads. Ever the storyteller, Cave makes sure you get no
pleasure from the tales he weaves. This a fairly major departure from his more
recent, melody centric albums. It is slow, methodical, and you will take no
pleasure in it. Which is the point, I guess.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDFyd_no17o">Mermaids</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>C</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CHVRCHES- <i>The Bones of
What You Believe</i>- Scottish synth-pop group has their sights set high, and
their sound set low…fi. Reminiscent of other European effect heavy bands like
M83 and ABBA. Their sound has many, many low tones and flirts with shoegazing.
Good listen for those who enjoy pop or synth-pop. The single, “<a href="http://vimeo.com/81234624">Lungs</a>” is a nice diversion from other pop
bullshit on the market now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktoaj1IpTbw">Gun</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B-<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Civil Wars: <i>The
Civil Wars</i>- This group brings a very refreshing take on the country genre.
The harmonies entwine throughout each song. Both singer/songwriters know how to
make truly gripping songs. It stinks that they split up. A must.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1qY8EB4JlQ">I Had Me a Girl</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTb6MoMLvcY">Devil’s Backbone</a>” “<a href="http://www.vevo.com/watch/the-civil-wars/disarm/USQX91302587">Disarm</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A-<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Deltron 3030: <i>Event 2</i>-
The second album from hip hop heroes Del “The Funky Homosapien” and Dan “The
Automator”. This albums packs in a wide spanning scope of sounds and
imaginative, spacey lyrics sure to please any listener. This concept album
about a guy going on a space trip is well worth the money. For some reason,
tons of celebrities lend their voices to this project as well. Talents such as
David Cross, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, The Lonely Island and Joseph
Gordon-Levitt help make this album unforgettable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th9TQZRpas4">The Return</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peAZzP81CnA">What is this Loneliness</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A-<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drake: <i>Nothing Was The</i>
Same- There is nothing worse than this album.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>F</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dropkick Murphy’s: <i>Signed
& Sealed in Blood</i>- Legendary Celt-Punk band’s newest work is pretty
much made for people who like to get drunk and yell. Perfect for any occasion!
Each song is as engaging, and predictable enough, for even passers-by to join
in on the merriment/sorrow. So play these songs and yell at those you love and
hate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1NZcH2haIM">The Boys are Back</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-Swfm3CLAc">The Battle Rages on</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC2A4wqR-fE">Out of Our Heads</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everything Everything: <i>Arc</i>-
Surprisingly creative and deep. A true work of art! This British indie band is
like what Panic! At the Disco could have been if they didn’t suck but weren’t
as emo as Fall Out Boy. If you are looking for a unique and sometimes complex
band, start here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjKcmZGhUrQ">Cough Cough</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HW_BY-G4yI">Choice Mountain</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc6-jjsUOu0">Undrowned</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A-</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Foxygen: <i>We Are the 21<sup>st</sup>
Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic</i>- This group sounds like a
mid-sixties psychedelic band going full swing on some heinous shrooms. It’s all
about sending good vibes and love and grooves and impeaching Nixon. Foxygen
also isn’t too shy about flaunting their deep blues roots either. This album is
a pretty worthwhile listen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq7aPbhTqdQ">On Blue Mountain</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPmAO4xpQcE">Shuggie</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Josh Groban: All That Echoes- This guy can sing! It’s like
the Phantom from that Opera play got twelve songs all to himself. Each song
kind of has the same tone of being sad or amorous, which kind of gets boring.
This album is best as a sprinkle amidst your playlist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oUUG4LpQI0">Falling Slowly</a>” “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EAn2hOStpA">I Believe</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>C+<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite: <i>Get Up!</i>- Good God this album sure has got the blues. The first two
songs are somewhat lacking, but once they get rolling, they hardly let up. One
of the standout moments of the album is on the song “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzD3ASjMcm8">Blood Side Out</a>”. This
heavy, heavy song gives both musicians a chance to pair up and really show how
bad they have the blues. This album has some really good parts and some pretty
mediocre parts. Listen to the songs below.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMSzNdu-uJY">We Can’t End This Way</a>” “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YndfhwNMniI">I Don’t Believe a Word You
Say</a>” “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThEymP4Asyc">I Ride at Dawn</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B-<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Icona Pop: <i>This
is…Icon Pop</i>- Super-synthy-lowest-common-denominator-dubstep-infused dance
music that is surely to become your guilty pleasure of the year. Today’s
equivalent of 80’s music, in as positive a way as possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FWRT9C9XMQ&feature=kp">All Night</a>”,
“<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnoNGqYGOXs&feature=kp">Light Me
Up</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>C+<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Joy Formidable: <i>Wolf’s
Law</i>- This Indie-Metal band’s newest release has some pretty catchy songs. Their
high energy riffs are perfect for working out. They are the kinds of songs that
energize you to win a video game, or bungie-jump. Check out the “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN6rQNP2CWw">Maw Maw Song</a>”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yICu0tuRUjQ">Forest Serenade</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NWypO7QwUE">Little Blimp</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A-<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Juicy J: <i>Stay Trippy</i>-
A prime example of how truly awful music can get. Filled with bafflingly
unimaginative lyrics that may or may not be just what J was doing (or would
rather be doing) at the moment. If you want to get high and party, this is for
you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjruX15qX6c">Wax</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>F<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
k-os: <i>Black on Blonde</i>-
International superstar k-os gets deep on this synth-heavy album. He gives
plenty of time to state his influences and inspirations (God). Melding singing
with rap verses, this work has plenty for any Hip-Hop fan. I would put this
album squarely in the conscious rap genre in the vein of Arrested
Development and Anthony Hamilton.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJbBhGOAsXo">Nobody Else</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AixyCN8wtO4">Try Again</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Talib Kweli: <i>Prisoner
of Conscious</i>- Hip Hop extraordinaire returns with another solid offering.
Kweli once again proves he can manipulate his unique brand of storytelling over
any beat. A really fun album with great guest acts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DFmg0eGdtQ">Favela Love</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvTNj5--a9o">High Life</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LL Cool J: <i>Authentic</i>-
I do not know why this album was made. It starts with a song about getting high
on bath salts (“<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghQgN9LzKKs">Bath Salt</a>”),
and continues in that vein for the remainder of the album. Each of these songs
are superseded by the next in how embarrassing they must be for LL Cool J. “We
Came to Party. Hey look I got my hands up on your body.” Enough said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMcsxIciFJw">We Came to Party</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M81-LdWQbmg">Bartender Please</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>F</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Legend: <i>Love in
the Future</i>- Smooth and soulful! Wonderfully produced album filled with some
pretty good covers. If you are in the mood to make babies, throw this bad boy
on!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=450p7goxZqg">All of Me</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp6X_r62zNY">Open Your Eyes</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lowrider: <i>Black Stones</i>-
There is plenty to like from this melancholic indie album. The band borrows
from different areas, mostly soul and blues, to make a really engaging album.
Lowrider excels at sounding like a wide variety of different bands but are
wholly themselves. Easily in my top twenty of the year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-o9NjhOigE">Golden Sun</a>” “<a href="https://play.spotify.com/track/5XCqj5cxaBgCUZcWwalCvl">This City</a>” “<a href="https://play.spotify.com/track/2Zr9iajbsPQBIw5hZOc5Sn">Go Get Gone</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
M.I.A.: <i>Matangi</i>-
This album is frightening. Kind of like a collection of songs a crazy ex made
for you while tripping on ecstasy. The beats are sporadic and effect heavy,
borrowing heavily from dubstep and other subgenres MIA helped inspire. MIA’s
lyrics are mostly about vengeance and love, and in different vocoder settings,
further making this album a trip. A little too inaccessible for me, but still
classic MIA!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nn4kJl0n5w&feature=kp">Warriors</a>”
“<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl_xu6BZ53I&feature=kp">Double
Bubble Trouble</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z4Mx9nlcPo&feature=kp">Exodus</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B-</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Major Lazer: <i>Free The Universe</i>-
This album is perfect for stoners. Multi-elemental melodies that are made for
wonderers and mind expanders of all sorts. The duo of Diplo and Jillionaire
combine reggae and dancehall music to create a pretty great album. Also good
for the clubs! Not really good for quiet spaces, though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytIfSuy_mOA">Get Free</a>” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul McCartney: <i>New</i>-
Very fun album from a well-known musician. It is no mistake that so many bands
list the Beatles as their main influence. McCartney harnesses a keen ability
for song writing that is quite unique. One of the best songs on the album, “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc4KqEFkzTI">On My Way to Work</a>”, is
about riding a bus and masturbating. McCartney’s other non-solo projects are a
little more profound and legendary, but this album is still a delight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4XCtzLaKvU&feature=kp">Early Days</a>”
“<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HisBomAA6Ks">Everybody Out There</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A-<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tim McGraw: <i>Two Lanes
of Freedom</i>- This album borrows from the worst aspects of country music:
Beer, Girls in cut-offs, and Trucks. Mr. McGraw then takes these elements and
makes it worse by trying to make it relatable to today’s youth. Sentimental
songs of youth, long nights of partying, and of course Lil’ Wayne. Please,
don’t listen to this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hilarious Songs- “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3vD0bF-YZQ">Two Lanes of Freedom</a>” “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf7GfUORHtw">Truck Yeah</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>F<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moby: <i>Innocents</i>-
Very mellow and engaging album from the master of ambient electronica. Blending
many different elements into a smooth, buttery concoction that will have you
hooked. Also available in chunky!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txksGGB60FM">Everything That Rises</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ZDqe5j4q8">The Perfect Life</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEFQZEYRNYk">The Last Day</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A-</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Janelle Monae: <i>The
Electric Lady</i>- Funky soul rap installment from one of the most
underappreciated performers to date. Janelle Monae adds a level of flavor that
is sadly missing ever since Outkast’s last album. The compositions in this
album are as bad as they want to be. Never a dull moment on this genre-blending
adventure!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21X7ALvwN8Y">Givin Em What They Love</a>”
“<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aSs-Ak9gxs">It’s Code</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaMBagakSdM">Dance Apocalyptic</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Polyphonic Spree: <i>Yes,
It’s True</i>- The famously huge group plays it very safe with this vanilla
effort. It sounds more like a Passion Pit B-side than their earlier albums, which
may be giving it too high of praise. The album is syrupy and fails to capture
one sense of wonder despite the non-stop efforts. Not made for everyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCZUpxMLC2w">Let Them Be</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>D+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert Glasper Experiment: <i>Black Radio 2</i>- The Experimental Jazz group is at it once again,
this time bringing with them a dozen or so Hip-Hop and R&B stars. This
album flawlessly weaves a multitude of jazz influences into a thick and smooth
sound that anyone will fall in love with. The addition of such artists as Jill
Scott, Brandy, Anthony Hamilton and Snoopzilla to these songs are sure to
excite the listener. The final song of the album, Bill Withers’s “<a href="http://open.spotify.com/track/6oNtNVE10EEqIRxF7N5XAA">Lovely Day</a>”
quaintly ties up what is one of the best albums of the year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_kS5P8XIu0">I Stand Alone</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BGNfwhse5o">Calls</a>” “<a href="http://open.spotify.com/track/6sTFelHSBdhOxUXnTGxzM6">I Don’t Even Care</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rudimental: <i>Home</i>-
The first album from U.K. electronic duo mixes soul, dancehall, house and a
passable amount of dubstep. These songs will draw you in and put you in an
unescapable groove. I am surprised these songs aren’t as popular as they should
be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oABEGc8Dus0">Feel the Love</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0ak-Y60RoM">Powerless</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9-Lwpgfd1E">Not Giving In</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Silverstein: <i>This is
How the Wind Shifts</i>- Emo band follows the blueprints of mediocre suburban
punk music to a fault. There is nothing new in this album that hasn’t already
been done at least a dozen times. There are plenty of other good (read:
listenable) albums that have come out this year. Ironically, the best songs are
in the form of short vignettes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwKr2teLnoY">Arrivals</a>” “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2uDupq7TAY">The Wind Shifts</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>D+<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scott Stapp: <i>Proof of
Life</i>- Very predictable solo album from former Creed frontman. Each song has
riffs taken directly from previous Creed endeavors, leaving only an embarrassing
grasp at relevancy. Absolutely nothing surprising about this album to the point
where it seems lazy. Not good at all, but better than Nickleback.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Key tracks: “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QphK9wwzssU">Hunghaga!</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct6gM4MaGu0">Randassa Fromand Ah</a>” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>F<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Starfucker: <i>Miracle
Mile</i>- If you like weird music that doesn’t go anywhere fast, you will love
this album. Reminds me of MGMT and Animal Collective; both bands came out with
albums this year, by the way. I saw this band live and they were pretty good.
The studio recordings don’t do the band justice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4q9Sen8bUQ">Atlantis</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>D<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tegan & Sara: <i>Heartthrob</i>-
The Queens of Indie stay true to form on this outing. Mixing their unique
voices with energetic samples and nonstop drums. A great choice for most
occasions. Make sure you aren’t doing any dangerous tasks because you may get
fatally distracted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xBg_Eyw2kI">Love They Say</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z592oUdYFUw">I Couldn’t Be Your Friend</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>B+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yo La Tengo: <i>Fade</i>- Indie giants Yo La Tengo continue their
long trend of making mellow albums and living in their parent’s basement.
Always eating all the food and refusing to do their chores (ie: mowing the
lawn). I swear, if they don’t do something productive before putting out
another half-baked album, I am going to lose it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good songs- “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qpxEQ2McY">Paddle Forward</a>” “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICFj0K7N6Lk">Before We Run</a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>C</b><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586609448991128632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-68874784368602952412014-05-05T20:04:00.002-07:002014-05-05T20:04:43.756-07:00Episode 21<span id="goog_572277738"></span><span id="goog_572277739"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><a href="http://www.riffnralk.com/ep21.mp3" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.riffnralk.com/ep21.mp3</a><br />
<br />
It's a brand new day. And time for a brand new episode!<br />
This time round Alex, Ryan and a very special guest review:<br />
<br />
Taking Back Sunday: <i>Happiness Is...</i><br />
Skrillex: <i>Recess</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
So get something to eat and join us for this episode of.....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.riffnralk.com/">Website</a>| <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RiffNRalkMusicTock">Facebook</a>| <a href="https://twitter.com/Riff_N_Ralk">Twitter</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586609448991128632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-23041527456198307302014-05-01T14:33:00.000-07:002014-05-01T19:46:16.843-07:00Review: Cynic - Kindly Bent To Free Us<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.riffnralk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Cover.jpg" href="http://www.riffnralk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Cover.jpg"><img alt="Cover" class="aligncenter wp-image-950" data-mce-src="http://www.riffnralk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Cover-768x768.jpg" src="http://www.riffnralk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Cover-768x768.jpg" height="400" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
California based prog metal band Cynic is back with their third album in 21 years, yes, it's been 21 years since Cynic released "Focus" back in 1993. While Nirvana was in the spotlight and Metallica was still touring their most commercially succesful album (don't get the idea that I like Metallica), Cynic released the influential debut which originally received mixed-to-bad reviews from the metal scene. Cynic cited the backlash as one of the reasons for their break up in 1994, but when they returned from their sleep more than a decade later, metal had gone a long way since 1993 and "Focus" had become a cult classic, inspiring bands like Scale The Summit and Between The Buried And Me.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
Fifteen years after the release of "Focus" came "Traced In Air", which was a direct continuation of the sound of their debut album (only a little softer), and was generally well received by fans of "Focus" and progressive metal in general. A series of experiments with the softer and more melodic side of the band came later ("Re-Traced", a reimagining of "Traced in Air", and an EP titled "Carbon Based Anatomy), which bring us to the release we are looking at today.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
"Kindly Bent To Free Us" is the culmination of around 5 years of experimentation, and though it retains the sound and textures of their previous work it also makes away with the heavier guitar work and harsh vocals of "Focus" and "Traced in Air". The music remains moderately complex, the drums are groovy and constant and there's still guitar solos here and there, but Cynic no longer sounds like a metal band. With a runtime of just over 40 minutes the album feels a little short for a 6 years wait and it's 8 songs are over too soon even with a 5 minute average lenght.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FTmsaoSebYo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
The lyrics are someplace between spiritual (there's a little excerpt of a speech by Alan Watts) and just cryptic, but with a little imagination you can make something out of them (except the lyrics in "True Hallucination Speak", which sound just like that). The vocals retain the robotic and cold style of their previous albums, if a bit more melodic, but the main strength of the "Kindly Bent To Free Us" is the instrumental section.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
Guitars, bass and drums never outshine each other, not even during solos, so the music feels generally complete and engaging, like some kind of futuristic version of a rock band from the 70's. The zeppelinesque riffs (yes, that's apparently a commonly used term), the sweet fretless bass and a good use of ghost notes give the songs a pleasant sense of speed and groove, and while the music is generally a little cold the album certainly climaxes with the song "Moon Heart Sun Head", a 5 and a half minutes little progressive piece.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
Cynic may not have reinvented themselves, they rather disposed of half of the elements that composed their early sound, but the end result doesn't feel limited, if anything it leaves them a lot of ground to explore.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span data-mce-style="font-style: inherit;" style="font-style: inherit;"><strong>Ranking: </strong></span>recommended</span></div>
<div class="separator" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>For fans of:</strong> modern prog rock, post rock</span></div>
<div class="separator" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Accessibility:</strong> moderate</span></div>
<div class="separator" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Highlights: </strong>"Moon Heart Sun Head", "The Lion's Roar"</span></div>
Dandelionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05588700271635246379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-8022831502087548442014-04-22T14:26:00.000-07:002014-04-22T17:35:18.485-07:00[Review] Animals As Leaders - The Joy of Motion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L79gPBMMtL8/U1VXMN4PDvI/AAAAAAAAAUk/bo3wQzwXHyw/s1600/Animals-As-Leaders-The-Joy-of-Motion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L79gPBMMtL8/U1VXMN4PDvI/AAAAAAAAAUk/bo3wQzwXHyw/s1600/Animals-As-Leaders-The-Joy-of-Motion.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Animals As Leaders are back with another intricately designed musical journey through progressive metal, jazz and beyond. The third album by the trio takes a different direction than the last two releases and it's their most refined album so far. Their debut (or to be precise, Tosin Abasi's debut, since the trio only came to be before the second release) was basically a demostration of Tosin's skills on 8-string guitar, the compositions were spacey and contained more riffs and solos than one can memorize. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The second album, "Weightless", showed an emphasis on shredding within more "classic" verse-chorus composition, while still mantaining a heavy progressive element. Many fans of the debut album thought it was a disappointment but in my case it was my introduction to AAL and personally I enjoyed it much more than the self-titled.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Now, 3 years after the release of "Weightless" lands the third album and second trio release, "The Joy Of Motion". One thing instantly caught my attention when I first listened to it, the album features much less soloing in favor of creating sonic landscapes and a constant sense of groove; the combination of clean tones and heavily processed guitars (and often electronica) is great and the songs shift constantly through both.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This time around the album was produced by Misha Mansoor and Nolly Getgood (both from Periphery) and their influence is pretty obvious in the djent infused "Tooth And Claw" and closer "Nephele", but it doesn't stop the album from being pretty colorful and varied, from the jazzy "Another Year" to the synchopated slap guitar and bass of "Physical Education", one of my favourite tracks on the album.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
"The Joy Of Motion" has one of the things I like to come across the most when a listen to an album, a collection of songs that are varied, keep you interested and at the same time feel like a coherent entity, something very few bands manage. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9/10</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZhSVwcRcMIk" width="480"></iframe></div>
Dandelionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05588700271635246379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-78000316154666478022014-04-21T16:46:00.000-07:002014-04-21T16:46:07.507-07:00Listen to the title track off Jack White's upcoming album<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7qowa8h7dU/U1Wr8-Cwe_I/AAAAAAAAAU0/GE7lYUr4x4o/s1600/borrar+laza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7qowa8h7dU/U1Wr8-Cwe_I/AAAAAAAAAU0/GE7lYUr4x4o/s1600/borrar+laza.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second single off Jack White's upcoming album "Lazaretto" has been released, and as expected it includes a screechy guitar solo. You can stream the track via Youtube below and preorder the album <a href="http://smarturl.it/Lazaretto">here</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1. Three Women</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">2. Lazaretto</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">3. Temporary Ground</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">4. Would You Fight For My Love?</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">5. High Ball Stepper</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">6. Just One Drink</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">7. Alone In My Home</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">8. Entitlement</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">9. That Black Bat Licorice </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">10. I Think I Found The Culprit</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">11. Want And Able</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cYF0LtfUvJs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Dandelionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05588700271635246379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-56363339434109544222014-04-21T07:10:00.000-07:002014-04-21T08:20:19.396-07:00A quick updateGood morning,<br />
<br />
It seems that I have been rather quiet here as of late, and I wanted to take a quick minute to address the whys, hows, and huhs about it.<br />
<br />
Actually there is nothing that exciting to say on the subject, but transparency does have its perks. Primarily that there is a tendency to actually believe what I have to say. I am sure there is a witty comment about the government in there, but frankly it is too early in the morning to find it. I am sure you can think of it yourself, and when you do let me know so I can steal it. At least I'm being transparent!<br />
<br />
Basically there are two large factors at play here. First of all is the website which instead of writing I have been busily working on. I'd say we are at about 75% now and slowly progressing. I'm hoping around May it will be ready for an 'official' launch. We are discussing the best method of going about that, and what we want to do to celebrate the occasion, but nothing official is set in stone. Suffice to say that if you live in the Chicagoland area there should be some festivities to be had in the not too distant future. We will make sure to make a big brouhaha about it when we do make a decision. Just so you know, spell check told me to spell brouhaha that way.<br />
<br />
The website has been a much larger task to take on than I had imagined, but it has been a really powerful process for me. Just the ability to see this thing begin to take shape and come to life has been really an awe-inspiring experience. It started off as a jumbled mess and is now a jumbled mess that somewhat resembles a website. I can't wait to share it and show you what we have been working on for the past few months. I think you will really like it. There are a few things I am working on that may not be quite finished by the time we launch, but the bulk should be good to go. The biggest hurdle has been transferring everything over and making all look clean and uniform. Thanks to some help from my 'tech support' the process has been getting progressively streamlined as it has happened meaning the work is getting faster and faster as it happens. That is pretty great, and it means each step is less daunting than the last. <br />
<br />
Naturally this leads to the question of why this has been taking so long. Easy, and this goes into the second issue of why I am not writing much (for fun) lately. Mainly it is because school this semester has been a monster and the time I can commit is relatively small to writing. This has also, in turn, stunted work on the website which has been my primary focus. Even as I write this I am cringing at what obligations I am ignoring. This is all compounded on the fact that this venture into building a website is all new to me, and therefore when a problem arises I can not solve it immediately, it is a slower process than I'd like it to be. <br />
<br />
What all of this means is that writing has stalled a bit on my end, and that is a disappointment. I have a few ideas bubbling for when I have time to commit to writing again, and I hope the summer will be filled with endless journalistic nonsense for you to sink your teeth in.<br />
<br />
With all of that said I do have to politely plea (again) that you take the time to share our page once it is up, does not matter what social network you use, but help us out. The more eyes on us, the more it motivates us to grow and do bigger and better things (Like the fabled Riff 'N Ralk G-string). I think it is safe to say we will likely never be as powerful a machine as say <i>Rolling Stone, </i>but if we can carve out our own niche than I think we have done a good job.<br />
<br />
Before I vanish again into the series of tubes that is the soon to be .com I wanted to take a quick minute (because I also want to procrastinate just a bit longer) and also introduce a few additions to our team.<br />
<br />
First is Nathan, who created the colorfully bizarre <i>Fookcast</i> early in the month. He has been doing the show for a while and his show has now found a home here. It is still very much 'his show', but we are so glad to have him use us as his base of operations. I think its a great symbiotic relationship.<br />
<br />
Then, and I don't think I ever introduced him, we have Kenny who since late December has been doing the weekly <i>Saturday Night Hype Masters</i> mixtapes. Kenny used to (still kind of does) run s'Tracks on the Daily' and this is sort of a spiritual successor to that. We will be building a log of all of them for the site as well so make sure to keep looking.<br />
<br />
Finally we have Dante, who is from Argentina (we have gone global!). Dante created <i>El Espectro de Color </i>some time ago and because I'm a horrible human being I offered to take him from his child and join our growing and ballooning Riff 'N Ralk monster. Dante still runs <i>El Spectro</i> and contributes to us as well. He will be providing album reviews and news commentary, an area we had not really delved into just yet so I'm glad to be able to check that box.<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope to have a clear 'launch date' soon. Keep looking and thanks for waiting.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-72227762305447671402014-04-15T10:08:00.001-07:002014-04-15T10:08:32.760-07:00Antemasque Announce Debut Album Details<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocNwCWDECPA/U01lWVTwU_I/AAAAAAAAAUU/cPXyOd8lJq4/s1600/zy7KM8jc.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocNwCWDECPA/U01lWVTwU_I/AAAAAAAAAUU/cPXyOd8lJq4/s1600/zy7KM8jc.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Cedric Bixler Zavala and Omar Rodriguez Lopez have announced the release date of their new project's debut album featuring Dave Elitch on drums and Flea on bass (it has not been confirmed whether or not Flea will be featured on all the songs on the LP). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After several song reveals and bits of info falling into place, Antemasque have announce that their debut album will arrive on July 15th and July 1st for those who bought the initial three singles from the same service (Bandcamp or iTunes). Additionally, the first 10.000 people who pre-order the album starting midnight April 16th will receive a bonus track called "Drown All Your Witches", which you can preview <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/mars-volta-members-antemasque-try-to-drown-all-your-witches-20140415">here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
More exciting news are expected tonight when their new label Nadie Sound's website is revealed.</div>
Dandelionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05588700271635246379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-50412786023381840882014-04-08T20:11:00.001-07:002014-04-09T05:32:24.098-07:00[Review] Periphery - Clear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mZx8QURmIk/U0NSOPEVLNI/AAAAAAAAAUE/1M7rkupRa4I/s1600/PERIPHERY-CLEAR-COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mZx8QURmIk/U0NSOPEVLNI/AAAAAAAAAUE/1M7rkupRa4I/s1600/PERIPHERY-CLEAR-COVER.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Periphery is definitely not for everyone, with 3 guitar players and a tendency to make a joke of themselves with silly song titles and some cheesy melodies/lyrics it's easy to understand why the band is so polarizing. To make it more difficult for the newcomers their records are harder to digest than a bag full of scissors, but their new EP, "Clear" takes the band in a different direction.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Their second EP (a little distraction before the release of their long awaited third LP "Juggernaut") is composed of 6 songs, each written by a different member of the band based on the general theme of the "overture" which opens the album.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/fOtinnFWp7Q?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The idea is nice, and it's certainly entertaining (I would love to see other bands like Mastodon do something like this), by listening to each song you can separate the elements that form Periphery's sound and find out who's behind them, and who are their influences. "The Parade Of Ashes" for example, written by vocalist Spencer Sotelo, shows a clear Nine Inch Nails influence during the first half, while the chorus on "Feed The Ground" sounds a lot like Slipknot (they recorded a cover of a Slipknot song for their second album), and with the exception of the songs created by guitarist Misha Mansoor and bassist Adam Getgood (both instrumental), the rest are much more straightforward than most of Periphery's work. The only drawback (not counting whether you can absorb some of the cheesiness or not) is that the songs don't actually feel like a continuation of the overture, but the idea still comes across. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
In short, if you are a fan of Periphery, you should check this out, and if you aren't it's a good starting place to be introduced to their sound, musician by musician.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7/10</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Dandelionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05588700271635246379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-22046278680181888662014-04-07T06:09:00.002-07:002014-04-07T06:09:32.321-07:00Episode 19<a href="http://www.themarbleshrine.com/RiffnRalk/ep19.mp3" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.themarbleshrine.com/RiffnRalk/ep19.mp3</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=480084315381773&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/RiffNRalkMusicTock" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Riff 'n Ralk Music Tock</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> episode 19! We are joined by the ever funny Job Grob to discuss</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=8871710020&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/AgainstMe" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Against Me!</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'s Transgender Dysphoria Blues</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=7401700249&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/brucespringsteen" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Bruce Springsteen</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'s High Hopes </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=448727530146&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/thelawrencearms" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Lawrence Arms</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> - Metropole</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/flagdayeveryday" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">#flagdayeveryday</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-26601973852138393822014-04-07T06:07:00.001-07:002014-04-07T06:07:58.080-07:00Episode 20!<a href="http://www.riffnralk.com/ep20.mp3" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.riffnralk.com/ep20.mp3</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We made it folks, the big 2-0!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Ryan takes a stab at editing this episode so watch out as we review</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">St. Vincent </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=14591271531&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/Beck" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Beck</a><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />and Kimono Kult<br /><br />Scope it! <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=480084315381773&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/RiffNRalkMusicTock" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Riff 'n Ralk Music Tock</a>!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-83312013615182040202014-04-03T18:58:00.000-07:002014-04-03T19:11:22.051-07:00Linkin Park Is Recording A "Prequel to Hybrid Theory" And I Don't Even Know What To Think Anymore.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkVswFos29k/Uz3_jdGs1nI/AAAAAAAAAT0/BPzEk9i7VLs/s1600/awesome-linkin-park-live-conser-wallpaper-hd-image-wallpaper-background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkVswFos29k/Uz3_jdGs1nI/AAAAAAAAAT0/BPzEk9i7VLs/s1600/awesome-linkin-park-live-conser-wallpaper-hd-image-wallpaper-background.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow, that's one hell of a long title, so... where do I begin? As a teenager I was kind of obsessed with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linkin_Park">Linkin Park</a>, though I never saw them live (they never came to my country in that period as far as I know) I had all their albums and I spent a lot of my free time listening to them. I'm sure most of you are familiar with their first two albums, but basically it was very basic, cheesy, hip hop meets pop-metal, which was trendy back in 2000-2003. So it's easy to see why so many people love them and why so many people hate them, I went through both stages before I completely forgot about them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But one day I decided I was listening to too much prog rock, experimental music and all kinds of weird shit and I didn't want to be a pretentious asshole, I needed some guilty pleasure music to balance things a bit. So what I did was check where the hell Linkin Park had gone after I basically erased them from my life, and I was quite suprised to see that they had gone experimental... but wait! I don't mean experimental in the King Crimson/The Mars Volta sense... but more like "let's try to expand our sound" kind-of-experimental.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last time I checked Linkin Park had recorded a "mash up" album with rapper Jay-Z, things could hardly get any more mainstream... well, it seems a few years later they decided they wanted to piss off most of their (huge) fan base by ditching their nu-metal sound in favour of other kinds of modern music. As it is to be expected from a band whose fan base is comprised mostly of teenagers and "ex teenagers" which can't deal with their favourite band trying new things, people hated the follow up to "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora_%28album%29">Meteora</a>" (2003), to be fair it was all over the place, "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minutes_to_Midnight_%28album%29">Minutes To Midnight</a>" (2007) had a few decent pop rock songs but mostly it was a bunch of ideas the band decided to explore. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But as if they didn't have had enough with pissing off half of their fan base by removing the "angry" lyrics and hip hop elements present through all their career, they decided they wanted to double the bet by getting rid of all the harsh vocals and heavy, processed, guitar riffs... the result was the quasi-progressive electronic pop experiment called "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Thousand_Suns">A Thousand Suns</a>", this definitely was the final insult to the most conservative part of their fanbase, no harsh screaming, no heavy guitars, almost no hip hop and a lot of instrumental interludes. Suprisingly I loved it, after spending countless hours listening to bands like The Mars Volta, King Crimson, Mastodon, etc, memorizing all their solos, bass lines, drum patterns and every little bit of noise, I was really enjoying their music.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At this point you are probably wondering where the hell am I going with this, well my opinion is Linkin Park is one of those bands that are very easy to hate (or should I say it is "cool" to hate them?) but I think everyone should leave all bias aside and give their albums a try. All their albums are different and if there's one thing you can't deny is that their songs are catchy as hell. Don't expect to find amazing musicianship (at least not in the technical sense), just try to relax and enjoy it. I'm not going to talk about "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Things_%28Linkin_Park_album%29">Living Things</a>" (2012) and their next album "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunting_Party_%28album%29">The Hunting Party</a>" (coming soon) so you can listen to them and decide whether it is your thing or not yourself, torrent all their stuff and give it a try, just please... PLEASE don't listen to "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recharged">Recharged</a>"...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/iD_ICSWn5xY/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/iD_ICSWn5xY&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/iD_ICSWn5xY&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Dandelionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05588700271635246379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-70040423916564089472014-04-02T20:44:00.001-07:002014-05-06T17:39:28.953-07:00Fookcast #1: Hang On to Fook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXRpF3Jeqqc/UzzY1mOrj6I/AAAAAAAAAQY/UyDNgZnFXP4/s1600/episode-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXRpF3Jeqqc/UzzY1mOrj6I/AAAAAAAAAQY/UyDNgZnFXP4/s1600/episode-1.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px;">
Fookcast returns with a new monthly series, taking you through a full hour of mixtape-meets-podcast entertainment.</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: center;">
<strong><a data-mce-href="http://logotrek.com/fookcast/Fookcast-Episode-01.mp3" href="http://logotrek.com/fookcast/Fookcast-Episode-01.mp3" target="_blank" title="Fookcast #1">Download episode #1: Hang On to Life</a></strong></div>
<blockquote style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px;">
... jp incorporated JAZZBOT XTREME ... ninja sex party FYI I WANNA F YOUR A ... ariel pink and jorge elbrecht NO REAL FRIEND ... connan mockasin FOREVER DOLPHIN LOVE ... colin stetson AWAKE ON FOREIGN SHORES/JUDGES ... dawn of midi SINOPE ... team sleep 11/11 ... the smashing pumpkins MELLON COLLIE AND THE INFINITE SADNESS ... ariel pink and jorge elbrecht HANG ON TO LIFE ... mark kozelek and desertshore LIVINGSTONE BRAMBLE ... björk POSSIBLY MAYBE ... otto rollo ENJOYSOLITUDE ... devin townsend DEVLAB ... zach hill UHURU ... boris JUST ABANDONED MY-SELF ... william basinski DLP 6 ... chris cornell WHEN I'M DOWN ...</div>
</blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-75736158032682421882014-04-01T18:21:00.003-07:002014-04-01T18:22:49.779-07:00New Jack White Album Out In June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4TxNQd8LrY/UztY7Sz3ONI/AAAAAAAAATk/cNY8Lnpg9no/s1600/jack-white-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4TxNQd8LrY/UztY7Sz3ONI/AAAAAAAAATk/cNY8Lnpg9no/s1600/jack-white-2014.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jack White has announced the released of a new solo album due this year through his label Third Man Records. The album, titled "Lazaretto", will have a limited edition release featuring "a Lazaretto LP pressed on split-color blue and white vinyl coupled with exclusive album art, a lustrous blue vinyl 7-inch with two early demos of songs that appear on Lazaretto, a 40-page hard bound Lazaretto book and a letter-pressed linen postcard".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Lazaretto" will be out on June 9th and the first single, the instrumental "High Ball Stepper" has been released to the public, with the title track scheduled for release later this month.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/sRbnAxrS3EM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dandelionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05588700271635246379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-59576633100436110022014-03-22T23:36:00.001-07:002014-03-22T23:36:47.966-07:00Saturday Night Hype Masters 3-22-2014 (Katy B)'Sup, y'all? Been workin' a lot and so, I've just been feeling either chill or tired, most of these days now. Due to my tired mood this weekend, I'm gonna hit y'all with a slightly more chill 5 hit combo of the lovely vocals of Katy B. Homegirl sounds good in everything she's in, and wisely dabbles in various genres to ensure she's staying fresh and reaching a wide audience! Hope you enjoy this one...until next week, y'all.<br /><br />- Kenny Riot -<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLlrTMa_nt2hMq-TUdUK0-AxQVbhFHg_gS" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Riot.EXEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025123107626886622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-3368763940855856192014-03-15T18:40:00.000-07:002014-03-15T18:40:19.744-07:00Saturday Night Hype Masters 3-15-2014 (Danny Byrd)OOOOH MAN! How're y'all doin' on this fine Saturday Night? I'm lackin' sleep, but I'm still in a good mood and that means I gotta drop some FUN music for y'all, up in here! Time to get right with one of my personal favorite producers, Danny Byrd, because his Drum & Bass stylings are just so damn fun to listen to, and in a genre with fans trying to be all hard and serious, it's nice to just have some "good times" tunes, y'know? Get hype, and I'll catch you all next week!<br /><br />-Kenny Riot-<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLlrTMa_nt2hNYGvzrqNiVe5inrfxkwuC4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Riot.EXEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025123107626886622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-92164303214877706972014-03-09T21:29:00.000-07:002014-03-09T21:29:20.693-07:00Saturday Night Hype Masters 3-8-2014 (DJ Hazard)Whoadamn. Sorry this is a day late, y'all! I had a lot to do yesterday, so I ended up leaving long before I normally write this feature. Anyways, Last night ended up being hype as fuck, so I'm gonna drop a really hype as fuck Drum & Bass producer on y'all right now, in the form of DJ Hazard! Never mind that tomorrow is Monday, and never mind that today, we lost an hour of sleep (or in my case, an hour of partying in the city), use this to get yourself ready for the week ahead! until next time...<br /><br />-Kenny Riot-<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLlrTMa_nt2hNlZgk05OiKpDNAB92uCyg3" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Riot.EXEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025123107626886622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-35271333654681049442014-03-04T21:01:00.002-08:002014-03-04T22:30:34.599-08:00Why The Mars Volta Reuniting Is Good For Rock Music And Your EarsWhile nothing is 100% confirmed reputable sources have stated that the two brainchilds behind the project have begun talking again and may play together in 2015. It is a long way off and the possibility of variables to mess it all up are high. Ideally though, we could expect a small tour with some festival shows layered on top around the summer/fall of 2015. There is a group that are jumping up and down with anticipation and another group that are groaning in anticipation of more falsetto squealing "<a href="http://youtu.be/yHYYu6uuOU8">over-indulgent guitar wankery</a>". While no doubt both points are valid (one more so than the other) there is some value for everyone in the return of the formidable musical monster.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1. <i> The Mars Volta</i> is a who's who of high-talented musicians you should follow anyway</b><br />
<br />
While<a href="http://youtu.be/hKxGk6kg8js"> not everyone</a> in the band has had a great load of success after the tenure in the group there is a healthy majority of former members who had been in or are in some truly amazing groups that are the musical antithesis <b> </b>of <i>The Mars Volta</i>'s sound. Some members I have mentioned before, but it is valuable to consider some of these names. Original touring drummer <i><a href="http://youtu.be/c1mKHGE-9qY">Jon Theodore</a></i> has been with some big names since he left in 2006 briefly pairing with the infamous <i>Zack De La Rocha</i> to form <i><a href="http://youtu.be/N1R-GgTrmNs">One Day As A Lion</a></i> and is now the drummer for heavy rock juggernaut <i><a href="http://youtu.be/k2kFnkl785Y">Queens Of The Stone Age</a></i>. His tribal drum fusion has also brought him to smaller <a href="http://youtu.be/H0nLbt56WwU">short term projects</a> all of which feature his signature perpetual motion style.<br />
<br />
You also have <i>Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez</i> who drummed for <i><a href="http://youtu.be/JO9pl7duvRg">Zechs Marquise</a></i> and is now producing fresh new beats and rhythms under his new pseudonym <i><a href="http://youtu.be/jFmlQH5Osb0">Eureka The Butcher</a></i>. <i>Eureka</i> may be in its infancy, but recent<a href="http://instagram.com/p/k6PdMTMs3O/"> instagrams</a> will show that he is experimenting with some old school equipment creating truly twisted sounds from some ancient technology. In an era of laptop artists it is an exciting prospect.<br />
<br />
I've mentioned both <i>Deantoni Parks</i> and <i>Juan Alderete De La Pena</i>, but there names deserve a second nod as both have been doing some truly forward thinking work. <i>Deantoni</i> is of course drumming for numerous projects such as <i><a href="http://youtu.be/JlVJNWt1EUs">Art World Killers</a></i> and <i><a href="http://youtu.be/WPmvF_OWUOo">Bosnian Rainbows</a></i> and has been seen experimenting with visual artists in <a href="http://vimeo.com/84720222">combining different lighting effects with his signature glitch robot drumming</a>. <i>Juan</i> may be releasing a new <i><a href="http://youtu.be/f_TitEfd6fg">Vato Negro</a></i> album soon and has tweeted about a possible new <i><a href="http://youtu.be/3_gmWxvXmqc">Big Sir</a></i> release as well.<br />
<br />
Even ring leaders <i>Omar Rodriguez-Lopez </i>and <i>Cedric Bixler-Zavala</i> are currently exploring new territorie<i>s. Cedric </i>is not too far (we hope) from releasing his first album under his new band <i><a href="http://youtu.be/VW3I4xfn8Dw">Zavalaz</a></i> and if a new song released on <a href="http://omarrodriguezlopez.bandcamp.com/"><i>Omar</i>'s bandcamp page</a> is a forecast of things to come then color me interested.<br />
<br />
All of these acts are quite different from the main group, and there many many more that I could touch upon. Most importantly all feature some top notch musicians that you should keep an eye on as well. The point is that while you may not love the signature madness of <i>The Mars Volta</i> the members inside are heavy duty talents that are creating some great and diverse sounds.<br />
<br />
<b>2. <i>The Mars Volta</i> once had a strong impact on the music landscape and it could again</b><br />
<br />
Whether you want to admit it or not, the early years of <b> </b>the Volta had an impact on the music around it. At the time their brand of music was far from popular and not only that you would never catch it on the main stage. A few years after their initial exposure to the spotlight and rock bands were either imitating or at least pulling themes from the groups seminal first two albums. Suddenly big bombastic experimental rock was <a href="http://youtu.be/k97XFduGcRk">cool</a> and its<a href="http://youtu.be/i3KSIa9GQy4"> ripple-effect</a> is still being felt<i>. </i><br />
<br />
You can debate how big of an effect the band had, but I see a pleasant correlation between the rise of <i>The Mars Volta</i> and the death of nu-metal and who would complain about that? Whatever sound they invent next may or may not have a large splash in the musical pool and it may not land where we expect, but when the band was "officially" dissolved in early 2013 the outpouring of support and admiration from musicians was surprisingly larger. Strange enough many of them were electronic and hip-hop artists such as <i><a href="http://youtu.be/dJ6wT81lEsI">Nobody</a></i> and <a href="http://youtu.be/NjLdGbzd15o"><i>El-P</i>. </a><br />
<br />
It's worth humoring what could happen next as these guys always seem to be on the cusp of something new and dangerous, whether they are followed off the cliff is not always certain, but when you see <i>The Roots</i> covering<a href="http://youtu.be/If6MK6B6YMg"> <i>Cygnus....Vismund Cygnus</i></a> you know artists are at least watching <i>The Mars Volta</i> go off the cliff in admiration.<br />
<br />
<b>3. <i>The Mars Volta</i> showed that it paid off for a major label to gamble on an experimental band</b><br />
<br />
Bands like <i>The Mars Volta</i> are often on smaller labels and that is not surprising. 30 minute epics and 75 minute long albums rarely are considered "marketable" by any stretch of the imagination. The problem with this is that bands that are providing some truly exciting sounds to listen to are being ignored for what is marketable, which is sometimes known as "<a href="http://youtu.be/ktvTqknDobU">the same old shit we've already heard</a>".<br />
<br />
This is why it was indeed such a big deal when Universal signed on the band with nearly no strings attached. They were taking a chance on a group that was at the time i<a href="http://youtu.be/PZU1IEl_pG8">nternally ripe with substance abuse issues</a> and uncertainty about which turn they would take next. Their investment paid off as the band exploded with popularity and their album sales were relatively consistent since.<br />
<br />
While the market for music has shifted quite a lot since 2002 there still exist big name labels and big name artists. More shaking of the tree is good for the music industry and their willingness to gamble on rogues in the industry may not always bring in financial fortune it is good for the listener. I am reminded of <i>Death Grips</i> and their signing to Epic records which sounded like another story of the same sort. When the deal soured though due to Epic's lack of support it unfortunately validated their concerns for signing on small acts with <a href="http://youtu.be/2MHhLDCJ57E">avant-garde ideas</a>. Fortunately another larger label has given them a chance and seemingly let them do what they want. Perhaps we will see them open for <i>'Lil Wayne</i> just like<b> </b><i> The Mars Volta</i> opened for <i>System of a Down</i> and <i>Red Hot Chili Peppers.</i><br />
<br />
<b>4. There have been few bands so polarizing in the past decade</b><br />
<br />
A resounding 'meh' is rarely heard when <i>The Mars Volta</i> is mentioned in a conversation of music. Typically you get mouth foaming loyalty or eye rolling and damnation for uttering those three words in a row. This too, is a good thing. Polarizing acts are powerful and are important as they are eliciting a reaction instead of just a resounding indifference. Having that reaction means you are doing something right; you are causing them to feel something rather than just listen to some music. We need more bands like that, that create that love or loathe feeling. It challenges us to be critical of what we listen to, and not only that it forces us to engage with our music. Music listening can be so passive and an uninspired process and any music that does the opposite is wonderful. Visceral reactions are a symptom of having to be involved with the music. I have never heard anyone say "I'm gonna hit the bowl, turn off the lights and really dive into some <i>Kings of Leon"</i>, but I have heard that multiple times in regards to <i>The Mars Volta</i>. We need more bands that encourage that....drugs not always a required.<br />
<br />
Even if you hate them, and hate me for writing this much on the subject, you have at least had the experience of creating that response and not just an indifferent <a href="http://youtu.be/xhmWAlMuFDI">"it was alright I guess"</a>. I like engaging with people who hate this band. It is fun to listen to them go on and on about it, and from my experience it is always 'on and on'. I'm happy it is, because it means you actually tuned in.<br />
<br />
<b>5. <i>The Mars Volta</i> produce one of the most obscene live shows in modern music, and we need more of it</b><br />
<br />
Love or hate them the Volta have done a few things right over the course of their career one of which are their <a href="http://youtu.be/tNT8SXlj6uo">completely off the rails live performances</a>. In the studio the loosest of parameters are in place to make sure the listener has a vague understanding of what is happening. <a href="http://youtu.be/Gl6333L1osI">Live</a>, the band has no ability to reign themselves in and their shows tend to fly off the rails into some strange <a href="http://youtu.be/MnOlyYt9_vs">alternate dimension of pure madness</a>, and big stage music is in desperate need of more of that. <br />
<br />
We are in an era of music that celebrates minimalism, subtleties, and lo-fi recording quality; a very 'less is better' approach to music. There is nothing wrong with that, but that was never <i>The Mars Volta</i> which is why the potential reunion is a good thing. Instead of tip-toeing clever lyrics over subdued synthtronics <i>The Mars Volta</i> arrive in a <a href="http://youtu.be/umdO1mZ62DM">36 wheel semi-truck that is on fire</a> with audacious levels of pomp and circumstance. A modern day psychedelic approach to <i>Liberache</i>'s Candelbra. <br />
<br />
Even from their iconic entry music, the theme to <i>A Fistful of Dollars</i>, the group has no shame in how it presents itself in pure ostentatious and vulgar self-indulgence, and that is something we need more of in our rock music today. When Ryan and I reviewed the latest <i>Daft Punk</i> record we applauded it for going full throttle on the production and presentation, not skimping at all, and the same is true here. Monstrous back-drops, flashing pulsing lights, and seven tier effect pedal towers reigned supreme during the heyday of Volta touring. Sure some of that went away during their last tour, but then again that was a tour featuring a band crumbling from the inside out. Glimmers of the golden era of the runaway locomotive still stood as <i>Cedric</i>'s stage banter borderlined on <a href="http://youtu.be/hOLD2-kGqMo?t=59m20s">pure word salad</a> and <i>Deantoni Parks</i> turned his drum abuse to 11.<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
Not every band succeeds in that form of presentation. <i>Iron and Wine</i> would not work very well with seizure inducing strobe lights and 3 phaser effect pedals all turned to max at the same time. Then again, other bands could benefit from going truly mad. It is that sense that they always went "All in" at the proverbial poker table, and it oddly always seemed to pay off for them. Music needs some of that. It needs full bore seroquel needing lunacy that is the polar opposite to the timid play in the shadows style music that is dominating the air waves.<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
Maybe I am just optimistic. Maybe it is because it was one of the first bands I ever felt a strong attachment to, and maybe its because I'm running out of bootlegs to listen to, but I feel that this a band that had a strong impact on our music in the 21st century producing imitators and haters all at the same time. It produced a bizarrely loyal fan base that has remained active nearly two years after their last album released, and it helped launch the careers of some excellent musicians who damn close to calling it a day on their lives as musicians. All of this I think keeps me eager for the potential for a resurrection of the monster that is <i>The Mars Volta</i>. <br />
<b> </b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-8250204741382231432014-03-01T19:20:00.003-08:002014-03-01T19:20:30.923-08:00Saturday Night Hype Masters 3-1-2014 (Ajapai)Hey, guys and ladies! This week, I've got a mad interesting five hit combo for y'all! Check out Ajapai, who has a very distinct heavyweight dubstep style, and a seemingly polar opposite funky house style. Dude definitely gets you movin' though. Like what you're hearin'? <a href="https://soundcloud.com/ajapai">Check out his soundcloud for even more dope tracks!</a> See you next week!<br />
<br />
-Kenny Riot-<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLlrTMa_nt2hNxnd41f3Qnl2qbGQMesMk8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Riot.EXEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025123107626886622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-5966294918338542152014-02-22T19:38:00.000-08:002014-02-22T19:38:04.972-08:00Saturday Night Hype Masters 2-22-2014 (Evol Intent)'Sup, y'all? Hope your weekend has been as entertaining as mine has been, so far (save for this morning, but I digress), 'cause now I gotta get the hype goin' for tonight! Check out these five dope ass tracks from Evol Intent, a trio of mostly Drum & Bass Producers that also dabble in some other projects and genres. If you like what you're hearin' here, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/evolintent">then definitely hit up their soundcloud page and follow them</a>, since every Thursday, they give away a newly mastered version of one of their classic tracks in their own "Throwback Thursday" celebration! Hope ya like it, 'cause I'm out for now!<br /><br />-Kenny Riot-<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLlrTMa_nt2hO3hqsTor2JKauQXpRl9ufe" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Riot.EXEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025123107626886622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-49533625329691019262014-02-15T20:42:00.001-08:002014-02-15T20:42:44.868-08:00Saturday Night Hype Masters 2-15-2014 (aarabMUZIK)'Sup y'all!?! Chicago is seein' yet another snowy Saturday Night, but more flakes don't really matter because this 5-hitter heats the streets right up! Tonight, we're gonna get hype to the sounds of aarabMUZIK! He's a dope ass hip hop producer with a sick portfolio. Mostly worked with The Diplomats (Dipset), but he's got plenty of his own instrumentals for y'all to get right with! Look him up on LiveMixtapes.com if you're feelin' what you're hearin'! Until next week...<br /><br />-Kenny Riot-<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLlrTMa_nt2hOJsMq1Wk-iox7DV4c03TMu" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Riot.EXEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17025123107626886622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-12967177558065228692014-02-14T14:44:00.003-08:002014-02-14T14:44:58.955-08:00Episode 18<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.themarbleshrine.com/RiffnRalk/ep18.mp3">Episode 18:</a></span></b> We share our winter playlist so you can enjoy it for the last few weeks of winter.<br />
<br />
Ryan also reads some R. Kelly Lyrics and we reenact a bit too much of The Whisper Song.<br />
<br />
Bonus for you guys: I read the Kimono Kult description at the end. <br />
<br />
Hope this is the last episode we debut on blogspot and not the websiteAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545240019139654707.post-43771669313071020342014-02-12T15:05:00.000-08:002014-02-12T15:05:21.977-08:00Riff 'N Ralk Music Tock. A Reflection After One Year.Roughly a bit longer than a year later and this project still stands and functions. Frankly after so many other failed projects I am astounded that it has survived this long. It has been a fantastic year and I am excited for what the future holds for Ryan, myself, and our guest contributors.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
To give some back story, this was not the first time I had attempted music journalism by any means. In fact this has been the culmination of many failed attempts at getting something off the ground and producing quality content. As you may recall, my Junior year of highschool was a time of musical awakening, where I would finally find a band that I really connected and gelled with. It was an amazing period for my ears and has led to many great friendships, experiences, and ultimately this little piece of internet hell.<br />
<br />
I recall reading the school newspaper and seeing the occasional album review, often for bands I had never heard of nor cared for. It was a frustrating experience to not see any journalism for bands that I actually cared about (which was frankly maybe three). I recall one issue had an album review for <i>The Mars Volta</i>'s <i>Scabdates,</i> a live album that did not win too many favors from the public due to its strange sound collage and unorthodox presentation. I loved the album and so did the reviewer and it was a moment that made me feel that this was something I could do.<br />
<br />
I recall my first attempt was a weekly blog post on my Myspace page, which, much like Myspace, deteriorated and was quickly forgotten. The drive was still there, but I lacked an avenue. Eventually in my Freshmen year of college I was given a chance to writer for a blog called <i>Obviate Media</i>. Suffice to say only a few postings by yours truly ever surfaced before I decided it was clearly not the right fit for me and tried my own thing, the very shortly lived <i>Dozen a Dime</i> which was my first attempt at a collaborative music blog. The problem, crucially, was the lack of anyone having any interest in collaborating and it too dissolved into nothingness. Somewhere in the ether of those days exists an album review for <i>Sparta</i>'s <i>Threes</i> and a strange meandering end of 2006 wrap up where I chastised the reforming of <i>The Smashing Pumpkins</i> and said the tambourine is the devil's instrument. In retrospect I was right about both.<br />
<br />
The year before I had become familiar with the British runaway success <i>Top Gear,</i> a car show that was more about the personalities than the cars. Presence, and presentation are key to the shows endless success as the program continues to this day. The lessons were not lost on me as I finally realized that the key to success was not in playful word play (which at the time I sorely lacked in), but in brash verbal prose. I fiddled around with a very cheap microphone, the free software Audacity (which we still use to this day), and produced <i>The Final Mix</i> (originality is a strong point of mine as we can see). With a lack of knowledge of most rock music history I paraded forward, and while the show was short lived (I think there were five episodes over the course of the year) some ideas were cemented in place that would survive into <i>Riff 'N Ralk Music Tock</i>. Primarily the use of music to illustrate the point and the common three album format that Ryan and I typically adhere to.<br />
<br />
Again, the project floundered after a lack of effort and vanished into internet hell. I still have an episode sitting on my hard drive. I've clicked through it once, wincing at its rough quality. A lot of lessons have been learned, mainly how to manage audio levels (sort of) and how to not talk so fast (sort of). There was one episode, however, that set the stage for the future where I invited college friend Aaron to join me in a review of <i>Era Vulgaris</i>, an album I actually did not finish but still felt inclined to share my opinion on. What I do remember is that our interplay helped elevate the episode to something more than my typical mouth foaming rants and provided some sanity to my typical off the rails demeanor. It was good chemistry and while <i>The Final Mix</i> was a bomb it provided some good lessons to carry over.<br />
<br />
My music journalism for the most part staid dormant for the next few years. I spent two years in college radio which was one of the greatest periods in my college life. I learned a lot about myself, developed some wonderful skills in terms of communication such as learning to slow the hell down, and I can not forget the great connections I made with my fellow DJs. For two semesters I helped <i>The Indie Rock Show</i> change from a love letter to small label bands into a carnival of general insanity by introducing my co-hosts and listeners to some of the most off the wall bands I could find, and by turning typical radio banter into something more mutated and bizarre including a whole episode where we time traveled to the fall of the Berlin Wall (in order to "kill off" one of our hosts who was leaving for South Korea) and creating a whole segment for the worst music I could find called "So Indie It Hurts" (Which, in retrospect, was mostly an excuse to get <i>Throbbing Gristle</i> on the radio). Had the managers Kate and Mark less sense to keep a finger on my typical avalanche of Kaufman-tier shenanigans you can imagine there would be nothing more than a smoldering crater where the radio station was. Having great leaders reminded me of the art of restraint and that not every idea is one to engage in. Restraints are great learning tools that help you have a sense of form and structure before you start going off the deep-end.<br />
<br />
Things from then on again faded as other priorities took over such as learning to make my own music instead of chastising others and surviving graduate school. It was around this time that I actually met Ryan at the local Karaoke hole. While we did not share the exact same taste in music there was enough overlap to share some mutual joy and he was also one of the few people I had met who was brave enough to venture down some of the musical rabbit holes I had been exploring. That is not to say he would not venture out minutes latter shaking his head in disgust, but there was a certain level of humoring that I valued. The only other person I could get to do the same is my significant other who in turn had me listen to four hours of <i>Garth Brooks </i>once. There is balance I guess you could say.<br />
<br />
At some point I had brought to Ryan the idea of a podcast which he seemed interested enough in. After a two minute meeting about what to name our new project (I had resurrected <i>The Final Mix</i> while he opted for the more ludicrously named <i>Riff 'N Ralk Music Tock</i> and frankly his idea seemed to match our personalities better) we were on our way. A ditched pilot episode later we hooked up a couple Rock Band microphones to a laptop, hit record, and we were invading the internet space yet again (The pilot may surface one day, but it is pretty terrible). <br />
<br />
It has been quite a year to say the least, one with a lot of lessons and fantastic memories. One of the first things you realize is just how massive the internet is and how insignificant you are as an entity on there. Getting people to check out your page is an exhaustive exercise, one that makes you realize why most Youtube celebrities (is that a term?) hound you for likes and subscribes. Clawing our way to our meager 131 Facebook likes also involved mostly pestering friends and family to humor us and show their support. I don't even know how many people actually listen to our show either. I believe in our show and what we provide, but believing in that does not generate fans. It is a strange realization that there is so much more to success that just having something good. I wish I had known that at the onset.<br />
<br />
You would also be surprised at how challenging it is to get anyone to write or contribute to this project. Somewhere around ten people have said at one point they were eager to write for <i>Riff 'N Ralk</i> and aside from Corey and Kenny none of them have followed through. I understand, though, as there really is little to gain from contributing aside from some writing practice. There is no money involved, and no one besides Ryan and myself have any attachment to the <i>Riff 'N Ralk</i> name. Again this is not something I had anticipated as I figured there would be plenty of people eager to sink their teeth into a new project and had shared the same ambition I did to create a new platform for music journalism.<br />
<br />
Not to mention there are endless amounts of music journalists too. From the big names of <i>Rolling Stone</i> and <i>Pitchfork</i> to endless small operations that offer their own little niches. The internet is saturated with them and getting people to come to yours is a monumental task. You are asking that small percentage of people who follow this kind of thing to consider your brand new rinky-dink operation as opposed to something a bit more established with a more consistent writing staff and greater output.<br />
<br />
One of the reasons I adore our project and value the people I tap to come on (whether they ever write or not) is because they are great people who put themselves into their work and not their egos. There is no attempt to be cool, hip, or trendy because we are so painfully aware that we will never be that. Reading other journalists opinions I get the sense that they are trying to do more than just write an album review. They are trying to create a persona of a high and mighty opinion with an ego to be admired and adored. The review is more about them than it is about what the subject and unless you are Hunter S. Thompson it is not likely you can get away with that. Perhaps I am being a condescending to those writers and it may be a bit short-sited to make those claims considering they get thousands of views per article and we get 40 on a good day. <br />
<br />
So how do I even feel we fit in this race? There are a lot reasons and
the most of it is because of the personalities that we bring to the
table and the presentation we provide. This is an over saturated
"market" and I feel we are not the same as other websites (pardon my arrogance). We are lovers of music, and not in that cliche I wear a "Music is my life" t-shirt while jamming out to top 40 exclusively. No, we sit with crates of records in our homes absorbing more space than our roommates want to tolerate, and ticket stubs fill our drawers. This is more of a celebration of what we enjoy and having a laugh along the way. There is only everything to gain because we really have nothing to lose in this race. I also know that my teammates are wonderful people that really show their essence in their writing and recording. I find myself laughing endlessly while editing our episodes.<br />
<br />
We start 2014 (in typical <i>Riff 'N Ralk </i>fashion a month late) with some lessons learned and massive ambitions. Our website is being worked on nearly every third day and will be launching hopefully at the end of the month. We will use it as a launching point for bigger and better things, more interviews, concert experiences, and a better polish on our product. <i>Ryan </i>and I have spent quite some time brewing new ideas we want to share and we hope to find time to do so for all of you. It is especially hard when we both have full time commitments, but we somehow find a way to provide media for you to enjoy.<br />
<br />
Lastly, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who reads our articles, listens to our podcasts, and humors our rambunctious concoctions. I realize the majority of you were asked nicely to do so, but the fact that you continue to read my walls of text, listen to our hour long ramblings, or listen to <i>Kenny</i>'s mixtapes does mean a lot to us as we all know you could be doing more productive things with your lives such as learning to play the tuba. Just know that if we ever make it to the top that you can say you can say you knew <i>Riff 'N Ralk</i> before it was cool and they lost touch with the fans.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17117806392235679765noreply@blogger.com0