Maximum Rock 'n Soul

The Bellrays rock. Okay, I don't have the music blog writing chops like some others I've mentioned below, but I guess I'd say they're sort of like Led Zeppelin combined with Patti LaBelle on steroids. Or maybe not. Or the Who combined with Aretha Franklin. Or, something like that...

Anyway, I definitely need to hear them live. Buy the albums and listen to clips here.
"Fire on the Moon" is the one that originally caught my attention. I think I may have heard another one of their songs used in a car commercial. Although if I did, there's a good chance that it would be documented by Deviated Septum.

Kathleen Edwards, Sambassadeur

Continuing the journey through the music blogs, I discover this tune by someone named Kathleen Edwards. Everything that needs to be said about it is at Poptext, you can download it there. I love it.

I also love this Swedish group called Sambassadeur, especially the tune titled "Between the Lines". Download it under "media". They have yet to release a full length album, although it's coming soon. Thanks to The Rub for that introduction.

The Rub

Some good writing about current events in the indie/alternative rock scene can be found here.

WXPN

This is a non-commercial station which broadcasts from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, they play so much great stuff. I used to pick up their "World Cafe" show on another station when I lived in Pittsburgh, and I recently discovered that I can pick them up around Harrisburg too--unfortunately I lose it right before I get back to where I live.

But, you can listen to them via their website here.

Matson Jones

While I'm on the subject, Fluxblog has a really cool track posted by a group called Matson Jones. I love the way they use the cellos.

Update: Their official site is here, with more tracks posted in the music section. From what I can tell, they're from Denver, and they have yet to release an album.

Two more

Continuing the search through various music blogs, The Suburbs Are Killing Us and Fluxblog seem to be very good. And check out Fluxblog's photography link.

Get infected

I've been slowly checking out various music blogs/mp3 sites. One good one I found is Music is a Virus, check out that "Good Loving" track while it's still up.

Artwalk

Although I'm hungover, I think I'll be checking out the artwalk today. If not today, then tomorrow.

I used to live in Lancaster, right downtown. Although I don't really miss my old job, I do miss living there.

Oh, you want all that bass!

My oldest bestest friend Ben stopped over on saturday, and we hooked up his bass stack, which he had been storing in my garage. Then we jammed for a couple hours. It was fun, and I think we sounded pretty good. Sort of half-wrote something on the spot.

We just need a drummer, because I think we'd both like to start playing out sometime before we die.

He actually was in a band during the '90s, called the Wine Bottles, and they did tour, playing various well-known smaller venues around the country. I think they were particularly popular in Boulder and Philadelphia, because the band members were from those two towns. Certainly helps you to develop a bi-coastal following.

Anyway, that stack kicks ass.

"Lyla"

People seem to love them or hate them, but I proudly admit that I've always been an Oasis fan. Seen them live twice, and this June will be the third time(I was supposed to see them in Philly on their last tour, but it was cancelled due to a car accident).

Something about those perfect pop melodies combined with the electric guitars.

Anyways, you can download a copy of their new single "Lyla" here. I can't say that I was totally blown away the first time I heard it. This might have something to do with it being a recording from what I think is a Polish radio station, possibly filtered through a tin can. But I like it more after repeated listening. I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of the album.

Internet Radio

One site I've found is Soma FM, which seems to be good. It's listener supported, and they have a good "indie" station. Satellite and internet stations are rapidly taking the place of commercial broadcast radio, which is just a tool of the major corporate labels. All part of a positive trend.

Closer, closer

recorded a couple more things, I'm into the electric stuff lately. A Marshall combo amp sure does put out.

Also watched the movie "Closer" on DVD. Damn, that's good. Love that opening sequence where the two are walking towards each other, and the Damien Rice song playing. Then the scene with the simultaneous break-ups. Really, each scene in that film is almost perfect, not a single wasted frame.

this isn't actually my cat, she lives with my parents...

okay, it's friday cat blogging...

CNN Sucks

They went from the Terri Schiavo death watch straight into the 24/7 pope death watch.

Is there no other news? Can't they wait until the guy actually dies?

Fucking vultures.

Analogue, Digital Fatigue

I guess I'm part of a dying breed who is still using a tape recorder, as opposed to a digital one. Although I'll probably get a digital recorder, in order to make it easier to post tunes here, once the financial situation improves. I bought one of those little Tascam 4-track Portastudios a couple years back, and that's what I'm still using. So I'll have to have the demos converted somehow, or go to someone who can help me record new versions on digital.

I also got a turntable a couple years back and started buying some vinyl. To my ears, there is definitely a depth and warmth to the vinyl that isn't there with cds. I think it's because those records, mostly older used ones, were analogue recordings. The proprietor of Stan's Records in Lancaster told me about something called "digital fatigue", and swore that digital recordings, and even recordings later than the early '60s(something to do with transistors) lacked something that those earlier analogue recordings had. I did a search for "digital fatigue" on Google and found this article by an MD who says that digital music doesn't have the therapeutic effect that analogue does. Then there's a more technical discussion here.
It sort of makes sense to me, that if you break music down into ones and zeros, something is going to be lost. I don't know.