November 20 Notable Releases -- FOR THE CHILDREN!!!
Various Artists -- The Brit Box: U.K. Indie, Shoegaze, and Brit-Pop Gems of the Last Millennium.
As you've no doubt notice, I'm not in mourning for the Compact Disc nor the record industry. However, I've been a little dismayed by the lack of interesting releases this fall. While there have been plenty of good albums released all year long, the traditional season of the major release has been pretty barren. Smaller artists traditionally avoid releasing albums during this period to get out of the way of the big guys, but this year the big guys have been largely replaced by an even greater number of repacked, re-released and often completely redundant best of collections. This little 4-disc package is redundant for many of those who've crossed over 30 -- but it does have the feel of the best compilations. Atlantic blues reissues sparked British Blues Rock and Nuggets had some influence on punk and then again on garage revival. I already hear a lot of bands with Shoegaze and Brit-Pop influences -- but then, I'd like to hear more and this collection could help inspire that in some impressionable 'yutes.
Nine Inch Nails -- Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D. Trent Reznor has long used his position, money and fame to push the buttons of the record industry. He put raw tracks of songs on the internet years ago and held contests for the best remixes of his work. This latest release, which itself is a remix album of Year Zero material from a wide range of musicians not typically thought of as remixers (Kronos Quartet, Saul Williams). He also includes here every track of Year Zero, which can be remixed in Garage Band if you have a Mac or with the included demo of Ableton Live. Yes the internet will swim in shitty remixes, but somewhere out there, some kid will be able to de-construct the songs and reconstruct the techniques and learn something they could put to good use. This could also be a sign to other artists of something to sell a small, but hungry audience of consumers. Imagine buying every multi-tracked portion of Rumors, Abbey Road or Loveless -- yes it removes the mystery, myth and mystique, but don't rock stars care more about money anyway?
UPDATE: BOOOOOOOOOO!
Various Artists -- The Brit Box: U.K. Indie, Shoegaze, and Brit-Pop Gems of the Last Millennium.
As you've no doubt notice, I'm not in mourning for the Compact Disc nor the record industry. However, I've been a little dismayed by the lack of interesting releases this fall. While there have been plenty of good albums released all year long, the traditional season of the major release has been pretty barren. Smaller artists traditionally avoid releasing albums during this period to get out of the way of the big guys, but this year the big guys have been largely replaced by an even greater number of repacked, re-released and often completely redundant best of collections. This little 4-disc package is redundant for many of those who've crossed over 30 -- but it does have the feel of the best compilations. Atlantic blues reissues sparked British Blues Rock and Nuggets had some influence on punk and then again on garage revival. I already hear a lot of bands with Shoegaze and Brit-Pop influences -- but then, I'd like to hear more and this collection could help inspire that in some impressionable 'yutes.Nine Inch Nails -- Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D. Trent Reznor has long used his position, money and fame to push the buttons of the record industry. He put raw tracks of songs on the internet years ago and held contests for the best remixes of his work. This latest release, which itself is a remix album of Year Zero material from a wide range of musicians not typically thought of as remixers (Kronos Quartet, Saul Williams). He also includes here every track of Year Zero, which can be remixed in Garage Band if you have a Mac or with the included demo of Ableton Live. Yes the internet will swim in shitty remixes, but somewhere out there, some kid will be able to de-construct the songs and reconstruct the techniques and learn something they could put to good use. This could also be a sign to other artists of something to sell a small, but hungry audience of consumers. Imagine buying every multi-tracked portion of Rumors, Abbey Road or Loveless -- yes it removes the mystery, myth and mystique, but don't rock stars care more about money anyway?
UPDATE: BOOOOOOOOOO!
Labels: new releases
posted by Gorilla at 4:12 PM
0 comments
. Taking a page out of the "
. The most popular item on Icelandic Coney Island menus, the Hvarf (a sheep's bladder stuffed with live smelt) is typically served with a side of Heim (more smelt). Most tourist would do well to ask if the traditional 
. I've seen some promos for this album calling 
. This album is a great example of the state of major labels. Live albums have always been a tactic bands have used to hasten the close out of lengthy record deals. Recall that in 1996 R.E.M. signed a 5 album $80 million deal -- something a bands like this aren't likely to see again without getting into shares of tickets, merchandise and publishing. But this is also the kind of tepid stop gap solution the majors are using to stem declining sales. Repackage popular songs, usually with a DVD because so far, those have been more difficult to pirate online on a massive scale.
. Toby's first Christmas album in 12-years is a double album!! (why you make us wait so long TK?) Surprisingly, it doesn't include the ignorant asshole favorites, "Why Jews? Why?" or "I Can't Afford Gifts for My Kids on $11.50 an hour so I all I Want for Christmas is For Dubya to Keep the Queers from Getting Hitched." Happy two weeks before Halloween Y'all!
. The Detroit Kid hits back with another original album of songs apparently inspired by the guy who sold bootleg tees at Pine Knob... or was that Rock and Roll Jose? I digress, the cover is a fairly overt sample of 
Latest from the Danish duo....mmmmmmm, Danish duo. And remember, look at what your link says before you cut and paste!
. Friend to surfers, 
. A new album from the German rockists who are entering their 35th year of rocking you like a hurricane. This one features 
They also once released an album named 
. The cover for the Kentucky trio's latest release does not feature 
and somehow it's still funny and I still like it? It's sort of like 
. 
. Listen.... 
. There is only one way to counter the five finger death punch Grasshopper. Stick two fingers in ears and walk your ass out of 
. To quote the immortal 
. New one from the dour purveyors of post-punk. 
You should probably buy 2 copies.
This is basically a mix tape of music the new multi-million dollar Red Sox Pitcher finds "inspiring". Some of the artists are English speaking, others Japanese, but I couldn't do better than the press release to describe the key track.
which is cool, if you're into that kind of thing or are anti-serotonin.
. 
. 
. 
. In 1979, 
upon a time, these New Yorkers (one a refugee from 
. While it remains tempting to look at everything 
Boots. Ass. Whiskey. Beer. Strong preference for domestically branded full-size pickups... check, check, check, check. If it ain't broke don't fix it, you know like the War in I-raq. Honestly, instead of buying this I'd just suggest you support America's troops with a donation to 
Gorilla is neither sleepy nor a museum, discuss amongst yourselves. (OR AM I!?!)
Quirky lyrics delivered in a tasteful baritone -- obtuse songs, that seem to actually say something about something else. Could be the album that blows them up to be as big as 
Some people's leftovers (or "Lover You Should Have Come Overs") are better than other people's masterpieces blah, blah, blah.
I have no idea if buying this actually improves your chances at getting the free Ozzfest tix -- but it will have guitar solos and lots of doubled vocals.
