Classic Tracks

Classic Tracks– did you ever want to know the background story to Everybody Wants To Rule The World? (It was actually just a filler song). Pump It Up was recorded entirely live. Heart of Gold was cut live in two hours. My only complaint: They don't have enough songs! (via)

Update: here are some more stories.

Posted on August 29, 2008 12:49 PM | link to this entry

Learning Guitar by Podcast

I just found a very interesting podcast through iTunes called Beginning Guitar 101 (podcast link) which has four-minute video tutorials for the beginning student. From what I've looked at so far, the tutorials start out with some basic fingerings, go over basic chords, chord fills, and then chord transitions. I've not been keeping up with my practice, sadly, but this is something I'm going to put on my iPhone for downtime minutes.

Posted on May 22, 2008 12:54 AM | link to this entry

Recordings of Indeterminate Origin

From Waxy.org, this is a singapore-based website suffering from horrendous design but containing a wealth of interesting bootleg recordings, from old Zeppelin to this year's Police tour. I came for the Steely Dan outtakes, and stayed for the Jeff Buckley.

Posted on March 5, 2008 11:14 PM | link to this entry

Van Halen Reunion.

Yes, indeed, I may have to get tickets to this particular concert. I know a few people who would go with me, too, just to say we saw them live before Eddie strangled Dave.

Posted on November 28, 2007 11:09 PM | link to this entry

Pandora

What rock have I been living under that I missed Pandora? I mean, seriously, where the fuck have I been? Enter a couple of artists you like, start the playlist, and edit to your heart's content. I've already found three albums I want to buy based on my love of drum & bass/trip hop/DJ mix, and other suggested artists I already like have come up in the mix. Plus, it works with a Squeezebox, another electronic gadget I lust after.

Or, maybe I should finally just subscribe to XM Radio.

Posted on July 17, 2007 11:45 PM | link to this entry

Third RJD2 Album Review

Ouch, a 3.7. Pitchfork spears RJD2's new album, something I had high hopes for, unfortunately. On the heels of DJ Shadow's dismal new album, this is a dark time for my favorite genre of music.

Posted on March 9, 2007 3:34 PM | link to this entry

Humbucker Music, Orange amps

Huh, who knew that Orange amps are still being made, and are available here in the states? They're pricy as hell, but I bet that thing makes one fat sound. And orange tolex makes one heck of a statement.

Posted on March 8, 2007 8:21 AM | link to this entry

Automatically add music from MP3blogs

Here's a way to go out and download music from MP3blogs, put it in folders and add it to iTunes automatically. I stopped looking through MP3blogs months ago because I found it too damned time-consuming to organize, catalog, and tag the new music, even though I've found fantastic new music online. Maybe I'll try this.

Posted on March 6, 2007 11:43 PM | link to this entry

Pitchfork Review of new La's Live Disc

Wow. Apparently, somehow, an album of vintage live La's recordings was just released. Pitchfork gives it an 8.1, comparing it (unfairly, probably) to their '90 studio release. The band's chief songwriter is brilliant, perfectionist, reclusive, and unstable, so this is a nice surprise. More information, via Wikipedia.

Posted on February 20, 2007 10:58 AM | link to this entry

Music to Work By.

Thanks to this Ask MeFi question, I found some recommendations for new music to work by, something I've been lacking for the past couple of months. Specifically: Explosions In The Sky and Tulsa Drone.

Addendum: Do Make Say Think. This reminds me of Mogwai in a lot of good ways-solid melody, driving rythym, and just enough detail to keep me interested without drowning out my thought process.

Posted on January 31, 2007 9:08 AM | link to this entry

RJD2 at Sonar 3.24.07

RJD2 at Sonar 3.24.07 Here in town. I don't know what his new album will sound like, but I'd like to check this show out.

Posted on January 26, 2007 8:04 PM | link to this entry

Electronic Music links

Via Metafilter, a list of electronica links and PA recordings from a variety of artists. Also, an entire site featuring downtempo recordings, streams, and discussion. Plus, another site with preview streams and new artists.

Posted on January 2, 2007 9:47 AM | link to this entry

Tourfilter

A website to catalog upcoming live music in the area: Tourfilter. Too bad DC is the closest listed city to me, but since most national and international tours skip B'more, it's worth the drive. Thievery Corporation at the 9:30 club on the 20th!

Posted on December 11, 2006 2:42 PM | link to this entry

The Outsider Review.

Ouch. Pitchfork didn't much like Shadow's new album. It hasn't shown up on iTunes yet, so I haven't heard much beyond the first singles.

Posted on September 20, 2006 10:30 AM | link to this entry

RJD2 ditches hip-hop

RJD2 "Ditches Hip-Hop", or whatever that means. Sounds to me like he just wants to make music. I'd guess it'll sound a little less patched-together and a little more polished. In related news, the new DJ Shadow album comes out on Monday. I heard the new single while driving the 101 in San Francisco, and I loved it.

Posted on September 16, 2006 12:20 PM | link to this entry

Sonos Wireless Digital Music System

This wireless ditigtal music system showed up on BoingBoing this morning with a glowing review. I couldn't buy it right now, but I'll keep it in mind for the future.

Posted on August 9, 2006 9:41 AM | link to this entry

The Making of "Peg".

The making of "Peg", for all you Steely Dan fans out there. Becker and Fagen sit at the boards and reveal their meticulous production standards, including interviews with the players involved. (via)

Posted on July 5, 2006 10:58 AM | link to this entry

80's Videos.

This is a magnificent timesuck. A compendium of 80's videos on Youtube, everything from the banal to the sublime. I spent an hour watching videos last night.

Posted on June 20, 2006 9:10 AM | link to this entry

HOWTO Digitize Tapes & Records

HOWTO Digitize Tapes & Records
I know my dad has a zillion old vinyl records he'd love to get into MP3 format. Here's a good primer.

Posted on June 12, 2006 3:37 PM | link to this entry

Jobim & Sinatra

Jobim & Sinatra
Awesome. Dig how Sinatra does the introduction, lights a cigarette, and KEEPS SINGING. They don't make singers, or guitarists, like this anymore. Beautiful stuff. (YouTube link)

Posted on May 12, 2006 12:58 PM | link to this entry

Boards Of Canada Video.

Boards Of Canada Video.
Hm. Starts out interesting, and ends up a surf highlight reel. FYI, The footage in the beginning is of Col. Joe Kittinger, who made the highest-altitude parachute jump, in 1960, from 102,000 ft. (via)

Posted on April 14, 2006 9:21 AM | link to this entry

New Shadow Album Due Soon.

New Shadow Album Due Soon.
Good deal. I was one of the few who thought The Private Press was a forward step; let's see what he does next.

Posted on April 4, 2006 4:23 PM | link to this entry

Vintage Guitar Guy.

Vintage Guitar Guy.
Yummy guitars. If I had serious money, I'd have a collection have the time to learn how to play.

Posted on April 4, 2006 2:08 PM | link to this entry

Album/Song Of The Week.

Album/Song Of The Week.
Same ! @#$ Different Day, Lyrics Born. Check out "I Changed My Mind (Rattlesnake Mix)" or "Shake It Off". Excellent beats, excellent remixes.

Posted on March 28, 2006 4:19 PM | link to this entry

Cokemachineglow.

Cokemachineglow.
Looks a lot like Stylus (used to), reads about as well as Pitchfork, but has its own twist on new music.

Posted on January 31, 2006 8:46 PM | link to this entry

The Presets.

The Presets.
I copped "Girl and the Sea" from MFR last year and I love it.

Posted on January 31, 2006 8:45 PM | link to this entry

Year-End Music Review.

Year-End Music Review.
Aw, yeah. There's a bunch of stuff here to pick up.

Posted on December 22, 2005 12:18 PM | link to this entry

Gorillaz Live.

Gorillaz Live.
Sort of. I have no idea how they did this, but it's pretty damn cool.

Posted on November 16, 2005 10:48 AM | link to this entry

New Mogwai Album In March.

New Mogwai Album In March.
Good news!

Posted on November 14, 2005 1:06 PM | link to this entry

Roland 303 Emulator

Roland 303 Emulator
Wiki-wiki.

Posted on September 5, 2005 9:00 PM | link to this entry

Plastic's Albums Of All Time

Plastic's Albums Of All Time
I don't often read Plastic, but this is a nice Everyman listing of music that inspires new listening.

Posted on August 30, 2005 3:29 PM | link to this entry

More Breakdancing Robots.

More Breakdancing Robots.
If you didn't already have enough. The music is good too.

Posted on July 28, 2005 3:12 PM | link to this entry

Boards Of Canada 10/18.

Boards of Canada 10/18
New release in october. W00t!

Posted on July 22, 2005 5:06 PM | link to this entry

Rubber Johnny.

Rubber Johnny.
From the makers of the Come To Daddy video: this will freak you out.

Posted on July 13, 2005 4:22 PM | link to this entry

Live 8 Video Downloads

Live 8 Video Downloads
Man, that's cool, but it's gotta be a bandwidth PIG.

Posted on July 8, 2005 11:15 AM | link to this entry

1920's MP3 Transfers.

1920's MP3 Transfers.
Some nice stuff in there you won't find anywhere else.

Posted on June 3, 2005 11:22 AM | link to this entry

Crystal Method live at Sonar

The Crystal Method live at Sonar
$20, May 12. I'm very interested in seeing this show.

Posted on May 5, 2005 11:11 AM | link to this entry

Sumo lounge

Sumo Lounge
Great laid-back beats. Check the MP3's on the sidebar.

Posted on April 29, 2005 12:02 PM | link to this entry

WFMU

WFMU
Jen's been trying to get me to listen for a year now.

Posted on April 25, 2005 11:06 AM | link to this entry

Amazon MP3list

Amazon MP3list
Every promo non-DRM'ed MP3 on Amazon's site.

Posted on April 22, 2005 3:52 PM | link to this entry

iTunes Affiliates program

iTunes Affiliate program
I'd sign up for this, if I thought I could earn more than $1/mo.

Posted on April 14, 2005 9:06 PM | link to this entry

Folkways Music Catalog available

Folkways Music catalog available
This is the mother lode. And it's in MP3 format-no DRM. Woo-hoo!

Posted on April 4, 2005 10:25 AM | link to this entry

La's reforming...?

The La's are reforming
I'll believe it when I see a new album.

Posted on March 23, 2005 10:49 AM | link to this entry