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In lieu of my usual music countdown today I thought I do something even better…Free Music!
16VOLT back catalog for FREE!!!!
Nope, we aren’t smoking crack. You can now download the whole deal. No
obligations, free. Help us spread the word of 16VOLT. Click here for more info.
View the full post at
http://16volt.com/archives/2009/05/28/16volt-back-catalog-for-free/
I know! Can you believe it? A Bonus Music Countdown? Crazy!!!
In honor of Amazon’s 50 albums for $5 event I give you a quick review of every album on here that I had never heard of the artist or perhaps hadn’t actually heard their music but may have heard of the artist. FYI: You can preview all tracks by clicking on the album and then “Preview all†above the track listing!
This Is The One
by Utada
This album and artist remind me of a mix of Destiny’s Child and The Pussycat Dolls, only slightly watered down. R&B Flavor with a pop conscience, Utada can bounce, bubble and pop with the best of them, but it’s the lyrics that left me hanging. I like it, but I don’t love it. I could listen to the album, but it’s not entirely memorable, either. But hey, you check it out and tell ME what YOU think! =0)
La Corona
by Madera Limpia
Raggeton without the overwhelming beats and hypersexuality. I could listen to this on a Sunday afternoon by the BBQ or pool or just doing chores around the house. It’s both fun and mellow. I like this a lot! I have no idea what the songs are about, but what does it matter if it makes you feel good?!
Wavvves
by Wavves
Fun, lo-fi , alterna-dance. You can’t really understand what they’re singing, but maybe you don’t care! Maybe you’re just stoned and want something to space-out to…this is your album!
Apocalypso
by The Presets
Wow! Okay, I get it! An Orgy vibe with ultra-rad synth sounds with more She Wants Revenge style vocals. I like this a lot! Not too mellow and not too dancey/gothy. You even get a bit of a Depeche Mode New Wave atmosphere, too! Definitely check this one out!
In Ghost Colours
by Cut Copy
Sort of a modern New Order type band. This album has a chillout feel to it and I can always get behind that! Lots of lovely melodies and heartfelt lyrics to keep you company when you get home from a long-ass day at work!
Daylight Is Coming
by Remedy Drive
Christian Pop-Rock for the Linkin Park & Daughtry fans. Not my cup of tea, but this is genuinely good music.
Rebelde
by RBD
Sort of a Mexican super group from what I gather, but good pop nonetheless. Replete with obligatory ballads and fun danceable hits, RBD are worth your time and your $5! (I don’t think the rebel side truly comes out, but perhaps we’ll get a taste of that next time.)
New Surrender
by Anberlin
This one’s not really my style, but I get a very modern feel in the vein of maybe Death Cab For Cutie or Fall Out Boy and their lot. Fairly mellow pop-rock with some decent guitar riffs. Check ‘em out!
Middle Cyclone
by Neko Case
I had heard of Neko Case, but never actually heard her music. I love her voice! Very bold and full of 90’s femme-strength! She sort of reminds me of Kate Pierce of the B52’s fame. Somehow this album isn’t winning me over completely. Maybe I need to give it a few more spins, but it has a distance that I can’t quite get over. I don’t feel the words she’s singing, ya know? Again, I know nothing about her really other than lots of people like her a lot and well, upon first listen, I’m not in love with it. I do love her voice and would love to hear some rock-ish blues from her. Oh well.
Goodbye To The Machine
by Hurt
Very Puddle of Mud style rock featuring heavy guitars, broken heart lyrics and gruff vocals. If you like Daughtry, David Cook, Staind and POM, you’ll probably love this album/band. What is this new style of rock that’s taking over the airwaves anyway?? Sad-dude rock? Sdock?
A Lesson In Romantics
by Mayday Parade
My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco…see where I’m going with this? Yeah, this falls right in line with those bands. Nothing terribly exciting, but a decent album. I guess I’m just a little burned out on this type of emo.
That Lonesome Song
by Jamey Johnson
Ooh! A country album! If you hate country, you’ll really hate this. This is classic country. Singing about women and drinkin’ and retirin’ one day. Um, yeah I don’t listen to much country. This is more my Grandpa Porky’s style. Johnson has one thing that I feel most modern country stars don’t: Soul! I would love to hear him sing some honest Mississippi Blues! Oh well…
Asleep In The Bread Aisle [Explicit]
by Asher Roth
Does every white boy want to be Eminem? Or Jamie Kennedy? That’s what this sounds like to me. Even rappin’ about Bob Saget?! WTF?! No thanks. I like quality hip hop, not this watered down tricycle ride down faux-memory lane. Peace!
I’ve been watching a lot of the 70’s television show “Good Times” lately. Not only does it bring back a lot of childhood memories, but it also reminds me that while times “they are a changin'”, they don’t really change that much!
An economic crisis occurred in the 70’s, too if you recall. There are several mentions of this in the family sit-com “Good Times.” I was at first confused by the “Oh! Wow! There’s meat in tonight’s stew? What’s the occasion?” remarks, but then they specify in other episodes how much things cost and how they always cost more in “the ghetto.”
Of course I don’t remember grocery shopping as a child or how much specific things may have cost, but I do remember time bing tough and my family really only being able to afford ground beef (or chuck) for most meals. And how the rent went up every year despite the fact that my father’s wages rarely did.
This article sort of points out what I’d been thinking/remembering:
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/17/AR2009051702053.html?g=0Â
Today’s economic climate is no different than those tough times in the 1970’s! With fewer options America’s poor have fewer choices. Even those not yet at or below the poverty line still face decisions like medical insurance versus a car payment or electric bill. And with medical costs what they are today it’s no wonder more and more decide to pay for other necessities instead. And if someone without insurance (and even some with) need emergency treatment? Well, they are quickly welcomed into debt, poverty and even tougher decisions.
I’m not pointing this out to depress you or even to call the masses into action. I just wanted to remind everyone reading this that things do change for the most part, but when you’re poor it is a higher price you pay than those not much better off. You may not even know that your best friend, neighbor, etc are poor. It’s not something we discuss in social situations. Many Americans were struggling to “keep up with the Jones'” a year ago are now simply trying to keep up with living each day.Â
Please be mindful, not wasteful. You do not realize the priveledges we all have in our daily lives. Try not to take them for granted. Thank you.
I like doing these countdowns! I hope somebody out there is enjoying them, too. Seriously, COMMENT ALREADY!!!
Because I’m in a mood, applied for a “Music Guru” job and randomly found out about Monique Powell’s new band Mojo Wire (she was the singer of Save Ferris-Love them!!!) and then iTunes magically threw the song “Spam” into my ears I figured I’d go the punk route with this countdown. Plus, punk albums are generally much cheaper then the mainstream stuff…so you could call it a recession-y music countdown, too. AND since no one on Facebook or LiveJournal offered up any suggestions either…Fuck ’em! I’m doing this!
WIZO: German Punk Awesomeness! The album “Uuaarrgh!” is mostly in German (although the CD has the translated lyrics in English, too) but you’ll soon find yoruself bouncing along to lyrics unknown and happily faux-singing or lip synching even though you have no idea what they’re singing about (unless of course you speak German). They do have some songs in English which are great, too…but somehow my not knowing the words makes it more fun. I grew to love this band through exposure since my husband Loves them and has all of the albums (thanks to my gifting over the years, too). Always energetic, witty, funny and even multi-cultural! They just rock and you should listen!
NOFX: the Cali bansed punks are the epitome of modern punk! Always generous with their many witty and humorous songs and albums and always ready to party (or so it seems). Yeah, I came to love them through my husband as well, but I have great respect for a band that starts it’s own label (the now infamous Fat Wreck Chords) and signs other punk bands so all can be treated fairly and not part of the major corporate machine. Rock on! It was hard to choose an album and I could probably never pick one fave song of theirs, but I would have to say that “Punk in Drublic” is the essence of what NOFX is to me! (When I hear “Linoleum” I think of my hubby and I when we first got together!)
 Relapse To Recovery – These Gr…Tilt: One of the few punk bands fronted by a female singer! I know, rare! I looked! Also from Fat Wreck Chords (I’m not biased, they just have good bands) and from California’s East Bay! RAWK! I actually haven’t heard an entire album, just tracks on different compilations, but they are good! And you should give them a spin…it won’t hurt! I promise!
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 ‘Til It Kills – Tilt Against Me: I’m including these guys for my friend Marc. He turned me on to them last year and they are pretty damned good. I have this album and I like it. Another from Fat Wreck Chords and another semi-aquired taste. I found myself liking them more on the second and third spin. I think it’s important to give some artists more than just one shot, ya know? Check it out!
No Use For A Name: Another band from Fat Wreck Chords and another great punk band, too! Perhaps an acquired taste for many, but the song “Chasing Rainbows†is truly a masterpiece in it’s own right and thus the album “More Betterness†hits my list today because it is seriously good. (Okay, and another of my husband’s faves…but you know how it goes when you hear something often enough…) Check them out! (Sorry, couldn’t find an embed for this one, but you can buy the CD for like $5 at the link…worth it! Plus you can hear the whole albumn for free…once!)      http://www.lala.com/#album/72339069014973764
 The Hot Melts: I heard this 3 song single awhile ago and I guess I forgot all about it…but upon another listen I remember why I liked it the first time. It’s fun, upbeat and easy on the ears! I would like to hear more from this band, but for now I leave you with “Edith.â€
Edith – The Hot Melts
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Rancid: Can you have a punk countdown without including Rancid? I don’t think so, so I didn’t chance it! While I’ll admit I haven’t truly kept up with them since I saw them back in…Ugh! 1996?! Wow, I had no idea. But hey, they are rad and from CA and I love this album! Who doesn’t remember when “Time Bomb†and “Ruby SoHo†were on the radio? C’mon, reminisce a little!
L7: One of my favorite albums of all time. Ahh, the good old days! Raw female anger and frustration with chops and power-riffs to prove it! I love L7 and I probably always will! This album is a true classic though. I was recently delighted (and very surprised) to find their would-be hit single “Pretend We’re Dead†on Rock Band 2! Oh yeah, you know I rocked the shit out of that one! But get this album because it’s bad ass!
I guess 9 is the lucky number for my Friday music countdowns…who knew? I certainly didn’t plan on it. Ha! But please, listen and tell me what you think of my selections! I wanna know, for real!
© 2014 Sarah Redman