Musicgoat.com » Reviews

SoundCloud Tracks: Chief Ghoul’s Haunting Catchy Alt-Country Blues Folk Americana or Whatever

Corey Koehler — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:14:28 +0000

One of the reasons I started this blog was to share music. To be honest, I have been horrible at it lately. Today that changes (at least for today).

Besides, Soundcloud makes it so damn easy to share and embed music that there really isn’t an excuse.

Chief Ghoul

Today, check out Chief Ghoul from Chicago. Distorted acoustic guitar, distorted haunting vocals and I am really diggin on this.

To be honest I wasn’t crazy about the production at first but the songs quickly made me forget about it. Plus, after listening for awhile, it totally works and gives the tunes – and the Chief – their own identity (and thats what it is all about).

In My Time Of Dyin’ by Chief Ghoul

The Way by Chief Ghoul

What do you think of the Chief?

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New Cover Song: Metal Meets Folk as Ryan Adam’s Cover Iron Maiden (Music Video)

Corey Koehler — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:10:38 +0000

Opened up the feed reader today and I saw this video posted over on Switchblade Comb. I had to share it here because it reeks of the Musicgoat spirit: a folk (or Americana or Alt-Country) songwriter – and obvious Musicgoat – stripping down a metal song. Musicgoat heaven!

Anyway, cover songs are best when an artist takes the song and makes it their own. Good or bad, that it what Ryan Adams does with this Iron Maiden classic (He definitely makes it more melancholy).

Here’s a taste of both.

Maiden Original.

Ryan’s Take

Which one do you prefer? Or Do you like both? Tell us below.

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Why Less Audio Distortion Means Better Sounding Mixes

Corey Koehler — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:27:15 +0000

Distortion can sound great, we all love distorted guitar sounds, however there is a big audible difference between overdriving valves in a guitar amp and overdriving semi pro recording equipment.The following explains how to reduce harsh unpleasant distortion during recording and mixing.

All current digital audio workstations can operate at 24 bit resolution so what does this actually mean and how will it help your music sound better? One of the most important factors of improvement by using 24 resolution in recording and mixing is being able to set your recording and mix gain structure up for lower distortion.

A few easy figures firstly, when you peak an input signal at -18dBFS (on a digital meter) you are still theoretically in excess of the audio resolution of cd quality audio by 30dB. Initially -18dBFS sounds low doesn’t it ? Well in actual fact it is electrically equivalent to +0Vu. A Vu meter is an old school needle type meter on a large format SSL or NEVE mixing console. 0Vu to +4Vu was the nominal suggested channel operating level on these desks, so you see -18dBFS is not as low as you might have first thought.

With this in mind when you make recordings at 24 bit resolution you can now afford to leave much more headroom than you previously did. This has significant advantages related to distortion on your recorded music. When you peak at -18dBFS the electronics in your audio equipment (mic preamps and outboard compressors for example) will be operating more cleanly because the small integrated circuit (IC) opamps which reside in your equipment will not be working as close to their operational limits. As such cleaner less distorted recording will be made. This is just the first advantage at the recording stage of operating with lots of digital headroom.

In addition when you next start mixing a track try this different technique of creating a reference instrument to mix against. I suggest peaking your kick or snare drum at -18dBFS on your master stereo output bus and balancing the instrumentation against this as a reference instrument. There may be temptation to adjust the level but try not to change it by more than a dB or 2 and balance all other mix elements against it. By doing so, you will have built in significant mix bus headroom from the outset. This is great because you have just upgraded your monitoring courtesy of not running the small opamp IC’s in your soundcards outputs (post digital to analogue conversaion) at such hot levels. i.e. less distortion and cleaner monitoring. The icing on the cake is that your 24 bit mix will be perfectly levelled for either self finalizing or professional online mastering.

Guest post: Barry Gardner operates SafeandSound online mastering a low cost high quality online mastering studio.

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Stereoside “On Our Way” Pays Tribute To Some Greats

Corey Koehler — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:34:11 +0000

A friend of mine sent me this video the other day and I thought I would pass it along. The band is Stereoside and the song is “On Our Way.”

The song pays tribute to some of the big artists through the past 3-4 decades. One of the cool things about this tune is, they aren’t really picky about genre – both in the music itself and the lyrics. The writer is obviously a Musicgoat (we like that here).

The song starts out with this country blues feel and ends in hard rock. One verse will mention Waylon and Willie and the next will mention something about Guns n’ Roses and Alice in Chains.

Another cool thing about this tune is, I can see it relating to a lot of people – especially those that I have grown up with (Hell, I almost wish I had written this tune myself).

And the opening is a nice touch which sets the table nicely. The vid opens with a mysterious hand pouring a strong one and some mysterious inhaling sounds (hmmmm…wonder what that could be?).

AND, the dude has a cool voice. Somehow I think he can pull off some solid G n’R covers.

Anyway, enough with the ands, check it out. Let me know what you think below.

The Music of Apocalyptica: Thrash Metal Without Guitars (Video)

From Reviewer To Reviewed! Hear The Debut Album From Me, Corey Koehler

Corey Koehler — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:17:12 +0000

After years of reviewing and sharing other peoples music with you, I finally decided it was time to throw my hat in the ring by writing and recording some music of my own. Better yet, I am giving you the chance to listen to it and review it.

The name of my debut CD is “Never Too Late”. You can check out every song by stopping by the music page on my site PlanetCorey.com.

Better yet, can get 3 of my downloads, each with a personal introduction, for free by visiting my fanlist signup page now.

If you want to review it, all I ask is that you are completely honest. You can either put your thoughts in the comments below, on my artist site, your blog OR if you have a site or social media profile (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc), you could share and post it there.

Anyway, go grab your tunes now. I’m excited to hear what you think.

Interview with the male Lady GaGa-Thomas King

S. Felix — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:06:59 +0000

You know, what started out as a few simple interviews is now an exploration of what it means to be an artist. When people think of a musician, most people think of the stereotypical rock star type covered in tattoos or something along those lines. What I’ve discovered it that artists are very diverse and each one has their own obstacles to overcome, their own unique audience, and a different experience as a musician.

My most recent interview is with Thomas King who developed a whole universe to organize and better communicate his values. I’m in love with his latest single “One Nite Stand” very GaGa-esque. Listen to it at www.thomaskingmusic.com and look out for his new album coming out soon.

How is being a musician in the United States different from being a musician in Austria?

The main difference is the amount of opportunities. I always say “For every single opportunity in Austria, you get a thousand in the States.” Austria is a country with a great classical music background, and all the world-famous classical musicians come to Austria.

In contemporary music, you reach a plateau pretty quickly and there is no where to go, especially if you are doing original music. Another difference is that Americans are a lot more excitable and supportive when it comes to music and new ideas.

Your Kingtom ideology is very unique, can you tell us what it is?

The Kingtom is my universe in space—my kingdom of high-energy pop music. It consists of six planets brought together by and gravitating toward logical center, LOVE. I call this center the ‘Great Uniting Star’. I invite my audience to enter my universe and through my music, experience the power of freedom, excitement, beauty, passion, joy, peace and love.

Which element of the Kingtom is the most important to you?

The Great Uniting Star because it is an expression for what I stand for as an artist. I believe that music has the great potential to unite people and bring out love, excitement and happiness in them. This is why I chose the yin yang at the center of my logo that is partially rotated to form a heart. This powerful body then sparks a fire, which reflects the passion I have for music, generating a majestic light and energy needed to keep my universe in rhythm and the audience dancing.

Who are your musical influences?

My two role models that I adore musically are Michael Jackson and Prince. Both are phenomenal entertainers and performers, who in my perception, have always focused on the artistry and music rather than on making money.

Do you have a musical family?

I must have inherited my creative side from my mum because my dad is a businessman. I have played music and have been on stage pretty much all my life. At the age of four, I got my first drum set and started playing drums. At the age of nine, I had become a child actor for theatre, and in high school, I joined a ballroom band as a singer and toured all over Austria.

You are a very high energy entertainer, have you studied dance or theatre?

I have never studied dance or theatre, but as I mentioned above, being a child actor made me failiar with the at age at a young age. I haven’t abandoned the stage since and probably never will. I guess my high-energy nature comes from my passion for what I am doing. On top of that, I love to dance. so you will rarely see me stand still when you watch me perform.

Tell me what your newest release is going to be about.

I tried to incorporate different elements of my personality into the songs. “The King Lives On” is about spreading my message to the world. In “One Nite Stand” I show that I am not afraid to show my feminine side. “Do You Believe” portrays my theatrical side in which I am seducing a girl to join my Kingtom. “In the Dark” is an intimate ballad about feelings that have been left in the dark for a long time, and finally “Make It Loud” is a straight up feel good rock tune.

If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Madison Square Garden in New York City. That place is magical. And the big soccer stadium in Vienna, Austria, because it is always great to come home.

Your stage performance is very theatrical, what do you plan on doing on stage for this new album?

The stage show will be a spectacle. A blend between a traditional show and a musical, with dancers, animation, and explosions. When the beat fires up, I’m in the zone and hopefully my audience will join me on this ride.

Check out his music at www.MySpace.com/ThomasKingOnline or www.ThomasKingMusic.com

-Sheena Felix

Musician Interview with Six Feet Under and Catwoman Actress and Singer/Songwriter extraordinaire Maggie Baird

S. Felix — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:50:09 +0000

Suffice it to say that I was wrong. I used to think that people should stick to what they do. Actors should stick to acting and singers should stick to singing. Well every once in a while a truly creative individual comes along that is blessed with the ability to channel their creative energy into everything that they do. Maggie Baird is one of these people. Her touching interview is inspiring and befits a person with such a charming demeanor.

You are both an actress and a musician, which role do you like playing best?

I really love acting and have been lucky enough to work on some great roles, but music has been on my mind more lately. I really need a creative life and the hard part about being an actor is you can’t just “act” whenever you feel like it, other people have to cast you. With music, if you are compelled to write a song in the middle of the night or play guitar or sing…you can just do it. You may not have control over who eventually hears it or cares about it, but the part you do for yourself is almost always available to you.

What song on We Sail is most personal to you?

I would have to say “The Sun Came Up Today” because it is a sentiment that I have faced fairly often in my life. My mother died when I was in my mid-twenties and my father died 9 years ago. Over the years, many of my friends have died too. When a close friend’s father died a couple of years ago, I was so sad about it and concerned for him and his family. I was deeply in the space of knowing what it is like when someone you love dies—you can’t believe that the whole world is just going on as if nothing has happened when your life is completely changed. I wrote “The Sun Came Up Today” for my friend, but it came from my personal experiences.

How did you get involved with writing music for Groundlings Comedy and Improv Company?

The Groundlings is a company that you find yourself in after rising through the many levels of the school. In The Groundlings everyone writes their material and performs in pieces other people write. Each show usually needs some musical pieces too, for variety and entertainment value, so I often wrote something for those occasions. I wrote mock musicals about various scandals and newsworthy events etc. I once did a musical playing Martha Stewart in embroidered Denim shirt and fishnets for example. That was long enough ago, the director of the show at that time actually said that she didn’t think enough people knew who Martha Stewart was.

I wrote a lot of songs into my character bits when they were appropriate and I did a lot of improvisation. It was really fun and was kind of a breakthrough for me in terms of singing for an audience. When the audience labels you as an “opera singer” or a “country singer” and you have to not only instantly sing like one, but make up the song at the same time, that is truly a good time.

What has been your favorite role that you’ve played as an actress?

As far as television is concerned, I had a pretty fantastic part on Six Feet Under which was especially fun because I was one of the opening death sequences. On stage, I’ve played some really nice parts. I loved playing Brooke in Noises Off which was a really funny role and I did a play called And a Nightingale Sang playing the main character Helen, which I really loved.

What are your biggest song inspirations?

Ever since I was a teenager, my way of coping with my feelings was to write songs about them. I wrote a song to sing to my husband at our wedding; I wrote lullabies when my babies cried; I wrote a song when I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror and didn’t know who the hell it was. It is how I cope with things, good and bad. Everyday kind of things that everyone experiences are primarily what I write about. Of course, sometimes I just write a song because I get a funny idea in my head.

Who is your greatest musical influence?

I have thought a lot about this and if I had to pick only one, I would have to say Joni Mitchell. When I was young I wore her albums out playing them and I think every songwriter today is indebted to her.

Since your album is called We Sail, where would you sail to and who would you go with?

I use sailing as a metaphor of course, and given that, I guess I am happiest voyaging through life with my beautiful family. I love to travel, but the people I want by my side the most are right here in my home. I guess I live in a houseboat after all.

You can listen to her music at www.MaggieBaird.com or www.myspace.com/MaggieBairdMusic.

Cheers,

Sheena

Top Twenty List of Music Review Blogs

Corey Koehler — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:21:54 +0000

: Image by Bright Tal via Flickr

Today, I wanted to share a post with you from a blog I’ve been checking in on lately. The blog is Slowcoustic and they recently did a post which points to another post from a blog called ClickTicket. These posts list what they feel are the Top Twenty Music Review Blogs.

I figured some of you might be looking for a little more in music review department, because, as I’ve admitted in my latest podcast, I am not the most frequent blogger on the planet. (note: the fact that 500+ of you stick around points to the fact that I am possibly the luckiest music blogger on that same planet).

Oh and if you’re wondering why I am sharing the Slowcoustic version of the story – rather than serving it up straight from the ClickTicket tap – it is because I think Slowcoustic’s version gives you a little insight as to what kind a blog Slowcoustic is (since they were on the list themselves).

Its like watching an awards show, many times I think it is more interesting to hear how the artist goes about accepting an award than it is to hear the announcement itself (does that make sense?). I think you will be left with the same impression I was left with, Slowcoustic is appreciative, humble and not afraid to prop up fellow blogs. In other words, good people!

One last thing, without knowing fore sure what the criteria for this top 20 list are, I figured I’d throw in a few that I would consider in mine. If you are into hard rock and metal check out Hard Rock Hideout and Rock My Monkey are both very solid.

Any hey, if there are any that you know of that are on not on this list but you might put in your top 20, please, share in the comments below. Maybe we’ll have enough to put together a Musicgoat top twenty.

Music Review: Introducing Amy Heffernan

S. Felix — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:08:34 +0000

Guest post: “Lets give a warm welcome to Sheena Felix. Sheena is librarian that is infatuated with rowdy music. She enjoys sticking it to the man, refuses to listen to commercial radio and loves all things Indie. Sheena is always on the lookout for music that is unusual and a bit weird.”

Allow me introduce you to an album that has been in my regular rotation the last few months by the name of Being Awesome. Being Awesome is the first full-length release from Amy Heffernan.

What I love about Amy Heffernan is that she makes pop music that I can admit to liking without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. The whole album is addicting guitar-driven pop and great for singing along to without making you feel as if it was made for a teenager.

From the first banjo lick on “Being Awesome” you can tell the album is going to be fun. The song has some true to life lyrics like “take my keys, cuz later you’ll be driving my drunk ass home” and “if I looked any hotter, I’d be hooking up with your boyfriend.” No doubt, if you enjoy drunken debauchery you can relate to what Amy is talking about. The other great album on the album is “Can’t Wait.” It is an ode to summer and the perfect song to play when you’re driving to the beach.

But Being Awesome is not just about the awesome times, it also has its fair share of love songs and break-up songs. What I like most about said songs is that Amy never plays the lovesick victim. Listen to “The Word” and you’ll know what I’m talking about. You can tell the song came from a person that is far from a first crush and capable of feeling real pain.

What also makes its way onto the album is a cover of Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance” only the song is guitar-driven instead. If Lady GaGa isn’t your style, but the catchy melody has gotten into your head, play this version and satisfy your craving. I think you’ll like it better.

Being Awesome is a standout album because it is one that the rest of us can relate to. Amy serves up real emotions from a mature perspective with a rich musical backdrop. Plus, she doesn’t take herself too seriously, what more do you want?

Check out Amy Heffernan on MySpace!

Music Review: Metal ala Deflagration and Acoustic Rock ala Rob Anthony

Corey Koehler — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:20:59 +0000

Well I have a few gems for you this week. I have a new metal band that I have been listening to for the past month (and should’ve told you about long before today). And an artist who was on a previous podast that has released a masterpiece of intimate and inspiring acoustic rock. Here ya go.

Deflagration “A Call To Arms” (Metal)

This stuff is damn heavy and breaks some new ground ta boot (I can’t quite pinpoint it but you’ll see what I mean). I’ve been listening before and during my workouts for over a month now and this stuff gets me really – and I mean REALLY – jacked up (which reminds me, try not to listen around your buddies that drink whiskey, unless you are looking to break up a fight).

Anyway, they kind of remind me of the band Pro-Pain (I think its the singing). Oh and don’t just take my word for it. I’ve shared their stuff with some of my live and bleed metal buddies and here are their comments;

Mark on Facebook – “Dude! I checked out Deflagration and it was awesome! Thanks!”

Bob on Facebook – “I like them. They sound different. I like the sound though. I might have to get the CD.”

My favorite tunes are “Split Wide” and “Color and Ash”. Bottom line, if you are a metal fan, you are gonna like these guys. These tunes will fit nicely in a playlist along side Slayer, Testament, Exodus, Metallica, Slipknot and many of the newer bands of that ilk. Check them out on MySpace or CDBaby.

Rob Anthony – “While the World Sleeps” (Acoustic Rock/Americana)

Speaking of metal, Rob Anthony is an ex-thrasher who has learned how to turn it up by turning it down. He has crafted a great acoustic album.

Even though I know it’s borderline heresy in the indie world, I’ve been listening a decent amount of top 40 rock, country and adult contemporary lately as part of my songwriting self-education. The stuff on this release could EASILY go toe to toe with almost anything on the pop charts. The top-notch songwriting is both timely and timeless.

His performance is very personal and very intimate. He will tap your psychy and bleed the emotion out of you on nearly every tune. There is really no way to pick a few favorites because I love pretty much every tune on the disc. And for all of you cover tune nuts, you will want to check out his take on the DePeche Mode tune “Personal Jesus”.

Bottom line, if you haven’t heard him, you are missing out. Check him out on the official Rob Anthony Site or on CDBaby. Then tell everyone you know because he deserve to be heard. Oh and be on the lookout for an interview with Rob in the near future. We’ve been in contact and are trying to find some time in our schedules.

Music Review: Jennifer Dixon, the Face of Alternative Country’s Uncompromising Future

treadmarkz — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:31:54 +0000

Guest post: Treadmarkz is my brother-in-law, a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and the author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com.

Some Country music purists would probably say that anything that warrants the name “Alternative Country” is not really Country. But ultimately it is the domain of the fan to judge what an artist is or is not, to them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Jennifer Dixon.

A little country sensibility with a style that hovers along the cusp of blues, pop, jazz owing to a stint on Memphis’ legendary Beale Street, and nearly a decade in Nashville, her new CD, “2 Years” is the fruit of experience. She did not come out of nowhere.

Which makes it all the more uncanny that she has been labeled “un-Nashville.”

The intro to “A Little You For Me” sounds like a nod to “I Lie Around” by Paul McCartney and Wings. But this Norah Jones-like tune comes from the heart of a woman who has given all she can give to the world, yet she finds she’s got a little more left for her man if he’ll meet her halfway. Like “I Lie Around” it never really takes off. It threatens to, repeatedly. But when it comes down to it, it’s just right.

“Too Tired To Care” is Dixon, having been there, done that and not doing it again regarding love. When she starts to hear the same old lines, she is just that, too tired to care. It is a mellow funk romp with a lyric delivered in focused rapid fire, highlighted with some sultry vocal inflections.

“Easy Goodbye” seems to be a follow up on the same theme in that, having heard it all before, its easy to let go and move on. These two tracks are the most un-Nashville of the bunch. One can picture many of today’s top female vocalists flagrantly over-doing “Easy Goodbye”, robbing it of its symbolic ease. One of its greatest features is that the musicians, while doing some top-notch work, back off and let the vocals shine.

With these tracks what you get is a many-tiered cynical view of love. In that respect, “If You’re Looking For An Angel” is refreshing. Just when you are expecting something like “Strong Enough” by Cheryl Crow, it turns into something closer to “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt in its vulnerability. For instance, in the chorus, Dixon sings “If you’re looking for an angel…” Having heard a couple of these songs, one may be surprised to hear her continue with “here I am.” It’s sweet, its comforting, and it demonstrates that with a few gentle, sincere words, yes, women can make men, dare I say it, swoon.

Love Me Back” delivers the very subtlest hints of the smoky vocals of Natalie Merchant or Melissa Etheridge, yet tips the scales with those well-executed vocal inflections again.

Dixon finally brings the thunder with “I Need a Man.” It’s gritty, harkening back to Tanya Tucker, matching the vocal strength of Carrie Underwood. Here Dixon is laying it all out on the line as if to say “This is what I need, damn you!”

Four of these tracks can be heard on her homepage www.jenniferdixon.net, and one is featured in the indie film “Shattered”.

Tips for Winning a “Battle of the Bands”

Susan — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:22:46 +0000

Guest post: Susan Kemman resides in South Park (no kidding), is a Prog music nut and is the Assistant Director of - and talent scout for – the The Highest Independent Music Tour in the World, The South Park Music Tour. Take it away Susan!

The Summer will be brimming with competitions, festivals, tours and holiday bashes; many opportunities for getting your Band a gig or a little name recognition. Talent Searches, Tours and Battle of the Bands pay out prize money or comps equal to what you would earn at a gig, ALL for just a one hour performance. Networking with the Bands and Industry people at these Events can offer tremendous earning potential by breaking you into new Venues.

Here are some simple tips to get an edge over your competitors:

1. Play original songs. You’re allowed only one cover song and it’s got to be perfect.
2. Your song should have basic structure. Like in writing; intro, body and conclusion.
3. Songs shouldn’t be longer than 5 minutes.
4. Play for your allotted time or less, but never more.
5. Move. Everyone in the Band needs to be active at the same time.
6. Your timing needs to be impeccable. It proves a Band is well rehearsed.
7. Spend very little time with sound checks; one song only with minor quick adjustments if absolutely required.
8. Get the audience moving. Play your hottest beats and most gut punching riffs from song one and don’t stop.
9. Demonstrate your instrument or vocal talent with a solo. Have a focus song. 45 seconds of fame.
10. Try to go last in the line-up, leaving a lasting impression.

These competitions not only put cash in your hand but promote your Band. You will need to register early or go through an acceptance process with small fees to be a performer. They’re usually sponsored by radio stations, sound companies or huge corporations. Seek out Talent Searchs, Tours and Battle of the Bands to compete and “be seen” in your area. No matter how small the Venue; if you come out as the winner, it’s a feather in your cap so toot your own horn and post that big win on your message boards.

New Cover Songs Featuring Prince, Deftones and… It’s a Surprise!

Corey Koehler — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:23:11 +0000

If you are a sucker for good (or at least interesting) cover songs, then check these out. Here are a few of the good – and not so good – that I’ve come across lately.

First, you’ll want to check out Prince doing “Crimson and Clover”. Even though I am a Prince fan and fellow resident of the great state of Minnesota, I still like Joan Jetts cover better.

Next, I’m not a huge Deftones guy but I thought this was pretty cool. Here they are doing a cover of The Cars “Drive” on YouTube.

And Finally, here’s a question for you. What do you get when you mix the Beatles and Metallica with a dash of Spinal Tap and pinch of Weird Al Yankovich? If you said Beatallica than you must have known already because there is no way in hell anyone else other than Beatallica could come up with such a wacky concept.

With song titles like “Sgt. Hetfield’s Motorbreath Pub Band”, “I Saw Her Thrashing There”, “Leper Madonna” and “A Garage Dayz Night”, Beatallica conjure up one of the most powerful marketing force known to man… curiosity. How could you possibly do anything else until you hear at least one of those tunes. I couldn’t.

After listening, the truth is, I don’t know what the hell to think. I do have to hand it to the lead singer, Jaymz Lennfield, the dude has the Hetfield “yayaaaaa” down. And I gotta give them credit for being so damn original at not being, original. Either way, I bet they are having a pretty good time. Props to my brother-in-law, Treadmarkz, for introducing me.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony Thoughts

Corey Koehler — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:06:01 +0000

Did you get a chance to watch the Rock Hall induction ceremony last night? I saw the first and last half of it because my wife wanted to watch a movie. Hopefully I can catch a re-run so I can check out the Run DMC portion of the show.

I figured I would take a few minutes to share my thoughts and get a conversation started to see what you thought.

First, it is always cool to see dudes at that age still getting the job done. Little Anthony and the Imperials were fun to watch – My 2 year daughter was even shaking her butt a little. It was one of the times were I knew that I heard the songs before but didn’t know who did them – now I know.

Being a metalhead – and other than the fact that I started feeling old – I really enjoyed the Metallica portion of the show. The big softy in me thought it was great to see Jason Newsted jamming with them. He deserves the recognition since he was part of the group during some of it most significant work.

I also think it was cool to hear Jason and Robert to give props to their old bands Flotsam and Jetsam and Suicidal Tendencies respectively.

I loved Flea’s speech. I kinda felt the same way when I heard “Fight Fire with Fire” for the first time.

During his speech, James Hetfield mentioned a ton of other bands that he thought should be in the Rock Hall. Bands like Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Judas Priest and Motorhead. Not only do I agree but I think you make a case that anyone of those bands should be in there before Metallica, Jeff Beck or Run DMC (who I think should be in there BTW). But, I’m sure like most things, its all political. Wha-da-ya-do?

I was kind of hoping that maybe Rod Stewart would surprise us and so a tune with Beck but nothing. The “Immigrant Song” was pretty cool and I really dug his band. They really get into it. And how about the chick playing bass. She can groove.

Jimmy Page – who is starting to look a bit like George Washington – sure likes to talk about himself and seems to come off as being a dick. Don’t get me wrong, he is a legend and I am a huge Zeppelin fan but I’m just saying. Maybe it was to tv guys drooling all over him. Those guys acted like 13 year olds teeny boppers in the presense of the Jonas Brothers.

Like I said, I regrettably missed Run DMC but hopefully I will get a chance to check it out in the near future. If you watched the show, let us know what you thought about the festivities in the comments below.

Music Review: Stoner Metal Grunge, Some Outlaw Country and the Record Label that Pimps Them

Corey Koehler — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:28:26 +0000

I normally don’t review multiple bands from the same record label but when I stopped by the Small Stone Recordings website, I was side tracked for a few hours and ended up burning up about thirty bucks on downloads, so I figured why the hell not. Here’s a word or two about a label and a few of the bands that you should check out.

The Label

Based out of Detroit, Small Stone – for the most part – represent bands that are of the stoner rock ilk, but, they aren’t afraid to mix it up – one of my favorite finds, happens to be country.

They have stood the test of time and have been putting out their brand of music since 1995. In an April 2008 article on Metromix, the founder Scott Hamilton explained that he wanted to model the label after Sub Pop. He also defined stoner rock as being “just a really amped up version of classic rock” with “a bunch of fat guys with beards in the crowd.” You gotta love the honesty.

The Bands

Here are some of the bands that caught my attention. And, to give you sort of a jumping off point, I’ve listed a tune or two from each (which by the way have made it into heavy rotation on my iPod).

Oh and just so you know, you can buy the cd’s on Small Stones site and if you are the mp3 type, everyone of these artists – and the tunes listed – are available for immediate download on emusic (which means you can get them for free if you don’t have an emusic account).

Anyway, check these bands out;

Roadsaw - If you are fan of early Soundgarden circa “Louder Than Love” – or just grunge in general – you need to check these guys out. I love vocals and the smooth grind that is present throughout.

I think your best bet to get a feel for what these guys can do is to get started with “Up To You” and “It’s Your Move”.

Whitey Morgan and the 78′s – WARNING: When combined with good weather, good booze and good friends, the music of Whitey Ford could leave you with a splitting headache and a pissed off boss.

This band takes a well needed and refreshing approach to old school country. They easily slip into all of the elements of 70′s era outlaw and all of their tunes will make Waylon, Wille and Bosephus fans very, very happy (and a little jagged).

I recommend that you download the whole album but if you are only going to stick your toe in the water, make sure you check out “Crazy” and “If It Ain’t Broke”.

Mos Generator – The riff heavy tunes that these guys are laying down are immediately addictive. The tune “Acapulco Gold” – which could easily be the love child of Steely Dan and Monster Magnet – documents a love affair of the smokin kind. And “Wizards of the Prophecy Pen” is a well produced tune that could very easily be an early Sabbath tune. Grab them!

There, now you have some stuff too listen to as we all wait for summer. Remember, all of this stuff is on eMusic for immediate download and if you are still doin the CD thang, check out the Small Stone online store.

Beatles Rock Band Set To Go British Invasion on Your Video Game Console in September!

treadmarkz — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:24:28 +0000

Guest post: Treadmarkz is my brother-in-law, a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and the author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com.

Well, clearly the beef between Apple Corps and Apple Computers that started a while back is still bitter as ever, and unfortunately this will deny listeners who live and die by the iPod access to the Beatles music. But, lo! Here it is! The Beatles Rock Band arrives in stores on September 9th!

The upcoming release of the Fabs’ foray into the gamer world is exciting for me. Because it is yet another confirmation of what I have been telling the Musicgoat for years: the Beatles, as a cultural phenomenon, will never – yes I said Never – die.

If I had an Xbox, Playstation or Wii, I would definitely shell out the $99.99 to get myself an imitation McCartney violin bass, or a Harrison twelve-string Rickenbacker which is included for use with the game. I would have liked more information on what specifically is included in the Special Edition. For $249, you want to know, and you want time to save up for it if it is what you want. I am sure it is not worth it unless you get an imitation Beatles sitar, Moog synthesizer, harmonium, tape loop machine, wind machine, and calliope, so I can play the Beatles’ studio-era music to the full effect.

But even if not, wow, music in video games has come a helluva long way since the Mario Bros theme song, huh?

Music Review: The Talented Lubriphonic and Their “Soul Solution”

Corey Koehler — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:18:52 +0000

If you are anything like me, then you know that there is nothing like the feeling – a small buzz even – that you get when you pop in a new CD and realize immediately that you have stumbled onto to something that you just have to share with everyone. That is what happened to me today.

Early this morning, like any other morning lately, I reluctantly drug my ass out of a warm bed, shuffled my son through our pre-dawn sleepwalk and then headed out the door to what was looking like a long day at work.

I was tired, it was freakin cold and the snow was falling (again). I turned the key in the ignition, backed out of my driveway and this began to play…

Pssst…press play

Song is: Lubriphonic – “Walls”

…Out from the speakers came this mental massage and the feeling of “everything my friend…is gonna be alright.” That massage and that reassurance were provided by a band called, Lubriphonic on their release entitled “Soul Solution.” Like an old freind sitting next to me in the car, that CD hung out with me for the remainder of that day – and the next – and then made its way to these pages.

The band – based out of Chicago – is loaded with road tested musicians who have toured with the likes of Koko Taylor, Buddy Miles, The Ohio Players and Lenny Kravitz.

These pros have put together a disc that has a little bit of everything. If you dig soul, blues, classic rock, great guitar, a little bit of funk and a soaring horn section, you will lap this up.

Oh and I can’t forget to mention the soulful “i’ve been there” vocals, the ultra-nimble fingers that make the guitar and bass flow and groove, and man, the acoustic tunes on this disc are about as honest, as comfy and as real as it gets.

I like almost all of the tunes but make sure you check out “Rain Keep Falling”, “Walls”, “Chalk Talk, “Mexico City Blues”, and “Soul Solution.” I would also recommend ordering the CD so that you can hear the bonus live tunes. They are well worth the wait!

So there you have it, a music review for you and a great start to the day for me. Thanks Lubriphonic!

Now, do yourself a favor, go download ALL of the tunes on “Soul Solution.

Bring the Live Music to You with a Concert in Your Home

Corey Koehler — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:08:29 +0000

Ever thought about hiring an artist or a band to come and play right in your living room? If so, today is your lucky day. Over the last few days, I have stumbled upon three websites that are making it their mission to hook up artists with people like you that are willing to try something different for their next party or social gathering. Those three sites are; PrivateConcerts.com, ConcertsInYourHome.com and MPTrax.com.

Now I didn’t see John Mayer, Springsteen or Metallica looking for work on any of the sites – not that most of us could afford their services anyway – but, if you look listen around, you will find some talented artists for some pretty reasonable prices. And I imagine the talent pool will only get better as the popularity of these sites grows.

I think it is a great idea for both the fans and the artists. Hell, as soon as I get my music up and running, you can bet I will be throwing up a profile on one or all of these sites. I mean, how cool would it be to be invited into someones home to party with someones closest friends AND get paid?

So next time you are looking for a live music fix, why go out to the club or coffee shop? Hop on to one of these sites and then hire yourself a capable musician to entertain you – and your pals – right in the comfort of your own home.

Check Out the E Town Podcast

Corey Koehler — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:03:00 +0000

As I prepare my next podcast – which will feature acoustic music by the way – I just wanted to share another great podcast with you. I discovered a few weeks ago and is headed for the blogroll. The name of the podcast is E Town. Their moto is “Music. Ideas. Community.”

I just love the format of the show. It is recorded in a theatre in front of a live audience – the sound quality is impeccable. It features interviews and short sets by two different artists that come from separate backgrounds and influences. At the end of the show the two artist – who may have never met – get together for an impromptu jam on some cover tune.

Some of the bigger names that I’ve heard on the show are Ben Harper, Steve Earle and Jakob Dylan. But, you will – without a doubt – find yourself Googling some of the other names that you hear. All the artists on E Town are top notch.

Other than the music, there something which also makes the show stand out. Each show they give an “Echievement” award to someone who is out there making a difference in the world. Some of the things that these everyday individuals are accomplishing in the name of helping out their fellow man are unbelievable. Inspiring to say the least.

Overall, here are all the words that come to mind when I think E Town; mellow, laidback, thought proving, feel good, inspiring, acoustic, absorbing. It is just a great show to listen to if you just want to kick back or be inspired (and who doesn’t want that). Also, the fact that it is live in front of a studio audience gives it a warm, personal and ambient quality just sucks you in.

Now do your soul a favor and check out E Town.org.

Music Review: Extreme is Back With a Guitar Lovers Feast

Corey Koehler — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:30:28 +0000

I was flipping through eMusic the other day when I noticed a new release by an old favorite of mine, Extreme. I was a little apprehensive at first but figured what the hell, I’ll download it. Boy am I glad I did. Here is a quick review.

The title of the release is “Saudades De Rock“. In the opening line on the track “Slide” Gary Cherone sings “Find a groove and then drop the hammer.” That pretty much sums up most of the tunes on the release.

One of the reason i was a fan of Extemes music was because I am a sucker for good guitar. I always loved Nuno’s guitar work and this release did not do anything to change that. He is one of a seemingly dieing breed of guitarists who can dance over the fretboard, navigating a path of tasty grooves throughout every song.

The whole CD is about what you would expect from Extreme if you were a fan of some of the their popular stuff like “Pornograffitti” and/or “Three Sides to Every Story” but they do venture into new territory and pull it off well.

Bottom line, if you love active guitar, meaty grooves and solid songwriting, this is a no-brainer.

FEED YOUR POD! If you are interested in downloading any music – including the stuff discussed in this post – while at the same time supporting Musicgoat.com, click on the image above or use either of the following Musicgoat-friendly links: eMusic, Amazon.
THANKS and YOU ROCK!

MMP033 – The Christmas Music Show I Swore I’d Never Do

Corey Koehler — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:52:35 +0000

Yep, I swore I would never do one of these but hell, why not. These songs are just to good not to share.

Also, I figured it would be an great opportunity for you and I to sit down and have a holiday beverage together.

Lets do it. Grab something to drink, press play and have yourself a merry Christmas.

Click Button To Play | Right-Click To Download

Here are the songs heard on this podcast and the links to each artists website;
Geoff Smith – “Some Christmas Higgin and Kissin”
Winzenreid aka Hollywood Drunks – “Here Comes Santa Claus”
Skid Row – “Jingle Bells” (Monster Ballads Christmas)
Tom Kiefer of Cinderella – “Blue Christmas” (Monster Ballads Christmas)
My. Vegas – “Hey Santa”
Rockosaurus Rex – “Auld Lang Syne”

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

MMP031 – Indie Rock and Powerpop Pick Me Up

Corey Koehler — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:00:08 +0000

Are you looking for a quick jolt of music induced motivation? Of course you are.

Check out the wave of energetic goodness that these bands are offering up.

Press play NOW!

Click Button To Play | Right-Click To Download

Here are the songs heard on this podcast and the links to each artists website;

The Maine – “Everything I Ask For” (get it free on eMusic)
Second Dan – “Running Out of Feelings” (get it free on eMusic)
Career Club – “Old Fashioned” (get it free on eMusic)
Wake of the Titan – “Maybe Tomorrow”
Dawn Delete – “June 21″
ISM – “Sacred Cows”

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

Your 13 Step Guide To Becoming a Beatles Fan

treadmarkz — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:12:20 +0000

Guest post: Treadmarkz is my brother-in-law, a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and the author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com.

I am sure you have heard all the hubbub, but maybe you never quite knew what it was all about, this thing, this MANIA called the Beatles. If you have been thinking of getting into the Beatles (and I mean really into the Beatles, not just buying their latest Greatest hits compilation) this is not the Beatles’ Top 12 Best Albums, and I am not reviewing each album. This is just the order you need to buy them in, in order to feel the full effect of what they did.

The chronological order in which they were originally released seems like the most sensible way to do it. But this isn’t sensible. If you get into the Beatles you have to be prepared for a little disjointedness and things that come out of left field. You don’t have to follow this guide exactly, and as you will see, I give you opportunities to make your own choice. Also, this is just the original Beatles Music we are talking about here, not Let It Be…Naked, or the Love Album. Having said that, I give you…The List:

1. Rubber Soul, 1965: This is the album that really showed the progression starting to happen. The two previous albums showed a little bit of experimentation, but it was more superficial, whereas the progress the Beatles made on Rubber Soul had some substance. Better lyrics and more interesting innovations musically. But the main reason why this is the first Beatles album you need to get is that this shows where they had been and where they were going, musically.

NOTE: If you are going to get the Beatles Past Masters I & II albums (compilations of songs that are not on their albums), and I recommend you do, I think you should get them at this point. They will help guide you through.

2./3. A Hard Day’s Night, 1964/Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band, 1967: Okay here is where you get to make a decision on your own. No matter which of these two you choose first, these are the next two albums you need. You will find out quickly from Rubber Soul what you like about the Beatles. So if you liked the poppy, peppy, happy songs from Rubber Soul (mostly Paul’s) then your next move would have to be A Hard Day’s Night. It is the first Beatles album which was composed entirely by the Beatles themselves. No cover tunes. A big step for the Beatles and mankind.

If you found that in Rubber Soul you got more from the down-tempo, more thoughtful songs (mostly John’s) then I would move forward and make your second pick Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band. This is where the progress they were making on Rubber Soul completely came into fruition. Though John did not do as much on Pepper’s as on Rubber Soul, it was his infusion of Bob Dylan-like lyrics into the Beatles repertoire which strongly affected the music on Pepper’s.

4. Revolver, 1966: If your last pick was Pepper’s, you will want to know how they got from Rubber Soul to Pepper’s. It was a hell of a jump, musically, but with Revolver you get to fill in the blank, while still getting a taste of pre-Rubber Soul moptop from Paul. However, if A Hard Day’s Night was your last pick, then Revolver will serve the purpose of blowing your mind. Get ready.

5. Abbey Road, 1969: Simply the Beatles final recorded album giving generations of rockers something to strive for. This is the benchmark.

It was important that you get a taste of every era of the Beatles music before we move on. Now that you have, with the core of the band’s progressive era covered, you need an album that can show you everything that the Beatles were capable of. And I think from country, to reggae to hard rock to classical, we can only find the answer in….

6. The Beatles, aka The White Album, 1968: The Beatles was an album that, like Rubber Soul, gives listeners a chance to decide what they really like about the Beatles. Did you like the straight up rock songs, or did you like it when they tried something unusual for pop/rock? Well the White Album gives you a little bit of both with a splash of something new…Heavy Metal! This is the album that brought us “Helter Skelter” but it also has a few other head-bangers like “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey”, “Birthday” and “Yer Blues” which is really metal-blues. So if you are hooked on the Beatles, and at this point you should be, then you are probably ready for a double album. Go for it. You will not be disappointed.

7. Help!, 1965: Time to cool it down again. Time for something a little more predictable yet captivating. Help! came out just months before Rubber Soul, where we started. This one is just full of great songs, and I think that is what we need right now. “Yesterday”, “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” “Help!” and “Ticket To Ride” are all essentials and they are all here. This album will prove that song after song about love can still be interesting! And if you like it, then…

8. Beatles For Sale, 1964: Now we are really getting back to the moptop days. But this one is interesting because, just like Help!, it shows of the Beatles country/folk chops, without losing that pop flair. There are a lot of cover songs on here as there will be for the remainder. But the Beatles self-penned songs are introspective, and you are able to put yourself in the story. For the first time the Beatles really “take you there” on Beatles For Sale.

9. Let It Be, 1969: We don’t want you to delve too far back into the catalogue. You should probably now pick up Let It Be. Though it is often considered the Beatles most disappointing album, that is only because of what they had done in the few years leading up to Let It Be. They had changed the entire definition of rock music with Revolver and Sgt. Pepper!! So of course it was disappointing for fans to hear them going back to their roots, which is exactly what this is. But you will still get a little taste of psychedelia from “Across the Universe” and “I Me Mine”.

And if that is what you liked…

10. Magical Mystery Tour, 1967: It is kind of like the Beatles trying to expand on the concept of Sgt. Pepper’s but not quite getting there, but it is chock full of great singles, much like the Help! album, but much weirder. “All You Need Is Love” and “I am The Walrus” are on this one, and it is the only place you will get “Strawberry Fields Forever” or “Penny Lane” unless you’ve already got the “1″ album. And if you do, I hope this list has helped you take your Beatles listening further.

11./12. Please Please Me/With the Beatles, both from 1963: The beginning of the Fab Four. These albums show you where the Beatles came from. On these two albums, which really could be considered Vol. 1 and 2 of the same album, they bring you covers of the music that they loved when they were a struggling bar band, and they bring you their hand-written songs in which they use what they learned from the music they loved. To me, it really doesn’t matter which of these two you get first.

13. Yellow Submarine Songtrack, 1999 or the Yellow Submarine Soundtrack: It is up to you which one you get, but there is a huge difference. Either way you are only getting four songs that you haven’t already heard before. But the difference is this: The Soundtrack has the four songs you have never heard before, along with the song “Yellow Submarine” and “All You Need Is Love”, and rest is instrumentals by the George Martin Orchestra, if you are into that. The Songtrack on the other hand, has the aforementioned four “new” songs, and 11 other random songs taken from Rubber Soul to Magical Mystery Tour which appear in the film. It is a nice mix and you can get your fix of a couple of different eras in Beatles music without having to switch CDs.

Welcome to Beatledom, my friends. Enjoy!

Music Review: Hip Hop Atmosphere Style

Corey Koehler — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:22:21 +0000

Here’s some music you need to check out. The group is Atmosphere and they are an Indie Hip Hop duo from Minneapolis.

I’ve been trying to get permission – for a few months now – to play some of their stuff on the podcast but haven’t had any luck. Today I was soaking them in while riding in my car and figured it was time I said something via a quick post.

Their latest release “When Life Gives You Lemons, Paint That Shit Gold” offers up a little something for everyone and you can tell they’ve been at it for awhile (this is their fifth full length album). The sound quality is top notch, the rhymes are heartfelt and thought provoking. These dudes are seasoned pros.

Overall, the release deserves at least a listen from anyone with a wide music pallet. And if you are a hip hop diehard (Dubz!), just download “When Life Gives You Lemons” now….trust me.

Check it out and if you agree or disagree, let us know in the comments below. Oh, and if you are not sure where to start, give my favorites a listen; “Yesterday”, “Guarantees”, “Wild Wild Horses”, “The Waitress”, and “In Her Music Box.”

MMP026 – Big Blender Featuring T.H. White, The Black Ghosts and The Brew

Corey Koehler — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:03:25 +0000

Have you ever heard of Jack LaLanne? You know the juice guy, the guy that takes every freakin kind of fruit or vegetable and throws it in a blender to make some super healthy, nutrient rich liquid concoction?

Well todays episode is the music equivalent to one of his creations, but, instead of fruits and vegetables, I used classic rock, crunk, downtempo, rap, indie pop, and a few others styles to make you one earlicious dose of music goodness.

Press play now and indulge (for best results, use headphones).

Click Button To Play | Right-Click To Download

NEW! Have a comment, request or review of your own that you would like played on the show? Call (206)202-7672 now and leave a message.

Here are the songs heard on this podcast and links to each artists website;
T.H. White – “Private People” (get it free on eMusic)
Easy Way Out – “High Life”
The Brew – “Here to Change Things”
Black Velvet Elvis – “The Girl With Strawberry Hair” (get it free on eMusic)
Get Back Loretta – “Dreams Got Scattered”
The Reveals – “Want You Back”
The Black Ghosts – “Repetition”
The Dares – Love Me When I Leave”

Stop by my iTunes page now, tell me what you think by posting a comment and then subscribe.

Other podcasts mentioned in this show;
Take The Easy Way Out Podcast
Crunk Rock Radio

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

Check Out Cross Canadian Ragweed ASAP

Corey Koehler — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:47:17 +0000

I don’t have ton of time to give an entire review of the Cross Canadian Ragweed show I attended last night at the House of Rock in Eau Claire, WI but I just wanted to let you know that they were great. Great songs, great energy, great playing and just an all around great show. After seeing them live I am a believer and a big fan.

They seem like pretty cool guys and genuinely appreciative of everyone that came to the show. They reminded me of why I play music and why I need to get my ass out and play more.

So anyway, get your ass over to their website and – if at all possible – find a live show in your area and go check them out ASAP. Take your wife, girlfriend or both and grab a few buddies because you will have a good time. You just can’t beat live music.

In the meantime, grab a CD or download a few tunes. They have a pretty deep catalog but a good start would be there newest release “Mission California.” It doesn’t have a bad song on it.

P.S. I want to thank Jason from Mudstone Music for turning me on to these guys and for inviting me to the show.

MMP020 – Finger Lickin Blues, Barbecues and Spotted Cow

Corey Koehler — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:05:12 +0000

Spring is here and summers on its way. If you are like me that means grillin and chillin. In this episode I’ve cooked up a music playlist that include a few ingredients perfect for this occasion – blues and beer.

And for a few ideas on what you can put on the grill, check out the BBQ tips over on my buddy James’ blog, DoubleDanger.

Anyway, get the brew flowin and your mojo goin. Press play now.

Click Button To Play | Right-Click To Download

NEW! Have a comment, request or review of your own that you would like played on the show? Call (206)202-7672 now and leave a message.

Here are the songs heard on this podcast and links to each artists website;
Seth Walker – “Change My Way” (get it free on eMusic)
James Travis – “Goin Downtown Tonight”
Boo Boo Davis – “Tell Me What To Do” (get it free on eMusic)
Chris Juergensen – “Born To Love You (Live)” (get it free on eMusic)
Johnny Nicholas – “Sleeping with the Devil”
Guitar Jack and No Slack – “Angel of Mercy”
LA Big Daddys - “The Night Time”
Doug MacLoed – “Comin Your Brand New Day” ( get it free on eMusic)
Doug MacLoed – “What You Got Ain’t Necessarily What You Own” (get it free on eMusic)

Other links mentioned in the show:
New Glarus Brewing Company makers of Spotted Cow.
PodcastAnswerMan helps make this podcast sound better and better.
MudStone Music introduced me to James Travis.

Stop by my iTunes page, tell me what you think and subscribe now.

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

Concert Review: Airbourne and Endeverafter Flat Out Rock

Corey Koehler — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:49:12 +0000

I just wanted to share a few quick thoughts with you concerning the Airbourne and EndeverafteR show I attended the other night at The Rock Night Club in Maplewood, MN.

The guys from EndeverafteR were polished and extremely entertaining. Throughout the show all I was thinking was “these guys get it.” Speaking as a child of the 80′s hard rock/metal scene, these guys could hang with the best of them.

They brought great energy and were able to sound as close to “record quality” while maintaining that live feel and without sounding canned. Props to the guitar players for their precision guitar harmonies – very cool to hear live!

Next up, Airbourne. Before I continue, read this quote by drummer Ryan O’Keeffe – which I found on Airbourne’ website – discussing their approach to live shows

“It comes from growing up in Warrnambool [Australia] and being pissed off with people telling us that all the bands we listened to were old and we should be playing Blink-182. So we always go onstage and try to prove a point about how good rock ‘n’ roll is.”

After witnessing this angst first hand, all I can say is WOW! They must be pretty pissed off. Airbourne bring an intensity that I can’t remember seeing at a live show in a long, long time – if ever. Myself – and everyone else – I went with were completely jacked up after the show.

Now I hate to bring up the AC/DC comparison but I couldn’t stop thinking of how much lead singer-guitarist Joel O’Keeffe reminded me of a combination of both Bon Scott and Angus Young rolled up into one ass kicking, rock God.

He was singing, playing guitar and keeping the energy level high between songs. Hell, the man went from the stage to the bar – on the opposite end of the club – to get himself get a beer, open it himself and rock out on the bar all without missing a beat.

Headbanging was commonplace. Whipping their heads around non-stop. In fact we actually joked about how it was their heads were still attached to their heads.

Bottom line, they worked their ass off on every song and put on one hell of a show. They have raised the bar – for future live shows – really, REALLY high. Thank you Airbourne.

Possibly the most amazing part of the night was the fact that I only paid $8 for the ticket. In fact – after such a great show – I almost feel like I owe them. I would easily pay quite a bit more than that to see either of them again.

If they are coming anywhere near you get your ass to the show. Trust me, you will not regret it.

Update: I was fortunate enough to get my audio review of this show played on the Rock and Roll Geek Show (one of my favorite podcasts and highly recommended). Go listen to the EndeverafteR and Airbourne review on the Rock and Roll Geek Show now.

MMP019 – Modern Pop Rock Radio featuring Duran Duran

Corey Koehler — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:51:03 +0000

Strap on those earbuds, turn up the volume and let these great artists take you to a higher place.

Press play now.

Click Button To Play | Right-Click To Download

NEW! Have a comment, request or review of your own that you would like played on the show? Call (206)202-7672 now and leave a message.

Here are the songs heard on this podcast and links to each artists website;
Brother Love – “Turn It Up”
JTX - “Party Like A Rockstar”
Munk – “Dirty Work”
Duran Duran – “Falling Down”
Running Still – “Ordinary” and “My House”
P. Hux - “My Friend Hates Me” (get P. Hux’s older stuff for free on eMusic)

Other links mentioned in the show:
Accident Hash
Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

MMP018 – Hard Rock Hell Yeah featuring Fu Manchu

Corey Koehler — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:58:07 +0000

Question: what do muscle cars, tribute bands, flesh eating fish and charity have in common?

Answer: they are all a part of one kick ass, hard rockin’ podcast.

Press play now so you can hear how they all come together.

Click Button To Play | Right-Click To Download

NEW! Have a comment, request or review of your own that you would like played on the show? Call (206)202-7672 now and leave a message.

Here are the songs heard on this podcast and links to each artists website.
Muscle Car – “Hell Yeah Lets Rock”
Adrenaline Factor – “Boozin Susan” (download this tune free on eMusic)
Dirty Angels – “Dirty Riddle”
Piranha – “Snake Eyes”
Fu Manchu – “Hung Out To Dry” (download this tune free on eMusic)
The Evil Queens – “Means to An End” (download this tune free on eMusic)
Hollywood Roses – “My Deceit” (download this tune free on eMusic)
The Failures – “Cheese Motherfucker”

Other links mentioned in the show:
Rockin Benefits – More information about that Rockin’ for Big Brothers Little Sisters .
HeavyAsHell.com – Promote your band, your favorite band or just hang out.

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

Off night…
Note to Fu Manchu; I screwed up when I announced your song. I should have said “Hung Out to Dry” but I said “Means to an End.” I owe you one. Also, note to Adreneline Factor; I screwed up when I didn’t mention your name or the song (At least its in the show notes right?) I owe you one too.

You Music Review: Breaking Laces

Corey Koehler — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:08:53 +0000

It is almost impossible to keep up with all of the review requests I get. Most of the time I just take a quick listen to see if there is anything I can use in my podcast. If it is really good, I will write something if I REALLY think it is worth it. But today I want to give you the chance to participate.

Starting with this post I to give you the opportunity to read and hear the music review requests I get from artists. I’ll call it the “You Music Review.”

Here’s how me can do it, Rather than me spending hours upon hours writing about why I like it and why you should, why don’t I let you play the roll of reviewer. I will post a portion of the review request on the blog, you can check it out and then – love it or hate it – put your comments below.

To make it interesting I will be posting requests from different genres. For those of you interested in doing a more full scale review I have a bunch of CD’s at home that I could send you to review.

Today I start with a request from Mike Farley at the Micheal J. Media Group to review the band “Breaking Laces;”

Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn based alt-pop band Breaking Laces teamed up last year with San Francisco-based music company Fuzz.com. In addition to managing the band, Fuzz.com has introduced a revolutionary platform for artists to market and digitally promote their music. As a result, on March 18, Breaking Laces will release its new live album, Live at Seaside Studios, exclusively on Fuzz.com using the Fuzz ”Mixtape.” The Laces’ album in Mixtape format, which is a digital rendering of a cassette tape, will be available exclusively on Fuzz.com. The album features songs that the Laces have never before released including brand new tracks, live versions, and rare tunes requested by the band’s illustrious street team.

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Fans can sign up at Fuzz.com and purchase the entire album or individual songs which can be played on their mp3 players or burned to a CD. The Mixtape is a 3D, fully customizable audio player that can be shared via email through a link or easily embedded into any web page.

The idea for the album came about last summer when Breaking Laces entered the studio to film some promotional footage and record a jam session to inspire new ideas. They hired Seaside Studios to record their session and had Spare Key Productions film the creative process. Video clips are available on the band’s MySpace and Sonic Bids pages. Interestingly, what started as a jam developed into a full-blown live release as the band was surprised by how well the recording came out. “It’s funny what can happen when you get friends together, have a few beers, and just hit the record button,” they said. “It’s not live from a venue, but there are no overdubs and no fancy Pro Tools edits. It’s just the Laces doing what we do best—making our music. We hope the fans will appreciate the raw recordings that were all done in one take.”

Breaking Laces will be performing during SXSW for the “Brooklyn To Austin Indie-Rock Showcase: Party on the Patio at Spiro’s Amphitheatre,” on Saturday, March 15. The showcase will take place from noon. to 6 p.m, with the Laces expected to take the stage at 1 p.m.

There you have it. Check them out and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Also, if Fuzz.com sounded like something you want to look into, look me up. I put up a Fuzz profile under the name Musicgoat on there the other day.

You don’t want to miss the next review, post or podcast. Subscribe to the Goat now for the all time low price of free. You can subscribe to Musicgoat.com by email – and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it – or you can subscribe in your feed reader or on your home page. Either way you get all the kick ass content from the Goat fast and easy. Don’t understand this whole subscribing thing? Check out this short video on RSS. Isn’t technology great?

The Beatles’ Studio Revolution of 1962

treadmarkz — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:03:56 +0000

Guest post: Treadmarkz is a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com

Buddy Holly wrote his own songs. Chuck Berry wrote his own songs. Little Richard wrote his own songs. Paul McCartney and John Lennon, being devoted followers of all three, began writing their own songs early, and often. McCartney wrote rough versions of “I’ll Follow the Sun” and “When I’m Sixty-Four” in about 1957. And many of the originals from the Beatles first album were written by John and Paul around that same time. They knew that it set them apart from the other up-and-coming bands.

But rock n’ roll had changed drastically by 1960. Holly was dead, Berry was in jail, Little Richard had become a preacher, and Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll himself, had become a balladeer, more interested in making movies than creating a movement. Rock n’ Roll was in trouble. Balladeers singing already-proven hit songs were running the charts. Nothing new was happening!

Fast-forward to September 1962. The Beatles had just been brought in to record their first professional single at Abbey Road Studio. In June of that year, during their audition, they had brought in a number of original songs that they intended to show off. After playing them all, producer George Martin did not think any of them were strong enough to be a single. He also did not like their drummer, Pete Best.

When the Beatles came back in September with Ringo Starr on the skins, Martin suggested a song called “How Do You Do It?” written by Mitch Murray, a professional songwriter. So the Beatles came in and recorded the song. But they knew it did not suit them. They insisted on having another go at a song they had submitted in June, “Love Me Do”, and they continued to argue for it until they got their way.

Their first single, “Love Me Do” was their own song, as was it’s b-side “P.S. I Love You”. Gerry and the Pacemakers went on to success of their own with “How Do You Do It?” but not as much success as the Beatles. The Beatles version of the song can be heard on the Beatles Anthology 1 CD, disc one.

The version of “Love Me Do” recorded on Sept. 4 would become the Beatles first single, but another version would be recorded for the Beatles first album, Please Please Me a week later. It seems that Martin did not like Ringo’s drumming either, at this point, and brought in a professional session drummer, Andy White.
Many fans now point out how painfully simple and repetitive “Love Me Do” is. This may be true, but the Beatles had taken creative control from day one, and went on to inspire generations of musicians to sing their own songs, and do your own thing. September 4, 1962 is certainly the day “The Sixties” began, at least for rock n’ roll.

Airbourne Kicks Ass

Corey Koehler — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:39:00 +0000

For those of you who have the slightest taste for great hard rock, you need to check out the band Airbourne ASAP. They kinda look like AC/DC, they kinda sound like AC/DC, and they effing rock like AC/DC (maybe even more as of late).

From the first song through the last they don’t let their foot of the pedal. Hard driving, king size cockrock with a capital C. I am addicted.

Download the whole thing because every song kicks ass. Trust me.

For those of you in Twin Cities area – or in the upper midwest – these guys will be at The Rock Nightclub in Maplewood, MN on the April 12th with another great new band EndeverafteR (check out podcast 015). That should be a great show and I am not going to miss it. In fact I am going to buy six tickets right now.

If anyone wants to hook up at the show or ride up with me let me know. I’d like to get nice group together. And with tickets only being $8 measly dollars there should be no excuses. Hell maybe we can get a few rooms and really party.

Lets try to hook up a caravan and ride up there together.

Music Review: The Prog Metal Sounds of the Daughters of Fission

Making Music of the Future with the Rendezvous II Laser Harp

Corey Koehler — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:20:55 +0000

Here’s an example of some of the cool stuff you can see when hanging out at sites like Mixx. It is a video of a gentleman by the name of Stephen Hobley. He is play an instrument called the Rendezvous II Laser Harp.

I bet you have never seen anything like this before. It is like something out of a science fiction movie.

No related posts.

5 Great Artists on MySpace Music That You Haven’t Heard

Corey Koehler — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:46:55 +0000

Over the past few months I have discovered a some damn good music on MySpace. Today, I want to share five of my favorite discoveries with you.

If you are wondering how I picked them I can only say there is no rhyme or reason, no new or old, and no discretion concerning Indie or mainstream. No real boundaries at all. These are just a bunch of songs that I heard that caught my attention. Check them out.

Walk of the Earth
Self described: Reggae/Ska/Dub (I would add acoustic rock)

Thoughts: Good harmonies. Fun. The kind of band you’d want at a beach party or around the campfire. Shades of Jamaica, the Chili Peppers and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones when they put down the acoustics. Also noticed they were from Ontario, Canada. Been seeing that a lot lately. The new hot-bed for talent.

Songs to check out: “Stolen”, “Broke”, “Gotta Go”

Running Still
Self described: Alternative/Rock/Pop (accurate)

Thoughts: They have a very modern, very polished sound with some great songs. Not sure what it is exactly but I just like them and I’m sure many of you will too.

Songs to check out: “Ordinary” and “My House”

Dave Kilminster
Self described: Rock (add blues, spanish, acoustic)

Thoughts: Good stuff across the board. He explores a number of different styles and pulls them off easily. Each song below has something for everyone. And just in case you need a little street cred, note that he was featured in Guitar Player magazine and performed with the almighty Roger Waters in 100+ shows.

Songs to check out:”If the Moon”, “Angel”, “Aragon” and “Harkness”

Liz Longley
Self described: folk/acoustic/pop (accurate)

Thoughts: In all honesty, I am hard to please when it comes to women artists. Outside of Stevie Nicks, a few Madonna tunes and handful of other sirens, I don’t own more than 20-30 songs – out of thousands – performed by women (long story).

Anyway, Liz does to me what hundreds of other women artist don’t, and that says something. Maybe its the acoustic, maybe its the honesty in her voice, I really can’t put my fingers on it. I just know that she is special. She has that cute, honest as hell, girl next door thing going on and its memorizing. I can listen to her for hours.

Songs to check out: “Whats Livin For” and “If You Want Me To”

Robot Lords of Tokyo
Self described: Groove metal soaked in whiskey, blood and napalm. (You just can’t beat that…they took the words right out of my mouth)

Thoughts: I mentioned them in a post about six months ago but I feel the need to mention them again because they just kick ass. Go check them out and then go buy the CD on CD Baby. Every song is good.

Songs to check out: All of them but start with these three. “Numb”, “Belly Full of Greed”, “Knock ‘Em Dead Kid” (Motley Crue cover)

That should do it for now but stay tuned. There are an estimated three million artists promoting their music on MySpace so I’m pretty sure that I will come across a few more at some point.

MMP012 – Meet The Undercover Hippy

Corey Koehler — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:01:52 +0000

Every so often an artist comes by and grabs you. Well, that happened to me a few weeks back. In this episode I introduce you to the laid back, thought provoking tunes of The Undercover Hippy.

Press play now and mellow out with the Undercover Hippy.

Click Button To Play | Right-Click To Download

You can learn more about The Undercover Hippy and purchase his music by visiting these sites;
The Undercover Hippy’s Website (Check out the free MP3’s)
The Undercover Hippy on MySpace
Purchase music by The Undercover Hippy

Here are The Undercover Hippy songs heard on this podcast.
“Snap Back To Reality”
“Work ‘Til You Die”
“Home In You”

The Undercover Hippy and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network

Entertaining Beer Commercial From Amstel Light (Video)

Corey Koehler — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:54:08 +0000

I had this video sent to me by a friend today. I thought I would pass it on since it is worth a chuckle or two.

At first I thought it was a little far fetched but then I showed it to my wife. Apparently it isn’t as far off as I thought. She’s such a kidder!

I’ve never had an Amstel Light but I think it is time I did. Perhaps the next podcast. Viral marketing at work.

Discover the Best New Cover Songs on Coverville

Corey Koehler — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:44:28 +0000

If you’ve listened to my podcasts then you know my fondness for good cover songs. If you share that fondness, then you will be all over this site I found. This site is called Coverville.

They have podcasts and articles focusing exclusively on the lovable music retreads. So far I’ve heard very cool versions of The Cults “She Sells Sanctuary” and Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open the Door” on episode 414.

I also read an eye opening – yet not surprising – article shedding some light on some of the shady practices of American Idol.

This is solid Musicgoat reading and listening material. I am already a subscriber and you can bet I will be adding it to my blogroll.

Hmm…all covers, all the time. Damn! Now why didn’t I think of that?

Stop by and check out Coverville today.

A List of the Worst Cover Songs

Have a Cigar You’re Gonna Go Far

Corey Koehler — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:51:36 +0000

Many times the music experience involves more than just the music. Perhaps You like to have a drink or three while listening. Maybe you like to listen while surfing the web. Or maybe you are one of those who likes to puff on something…like a cigar. If you like the latter then this post is for you.

While listening to a PodshowAnswerGuy Podcast today I heard a gentleman promoting his blog about cigars. The site is Cigarjack.net. You should check it out.

I am not a cigar guy my self – since I have have trouble committing to anything that takes more than 5 minutes to smoke – but I have plenty of friends that are. When they get together they can go on for hours talking about all things stoggy so I am betting that most cigar smokers would be all over a blog like Cigarjack.

Lets Give a Big Musicgoat Welcome to…

Music Review: John Legend – Live at SOB’s

Corey Koehler — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:39:49 +0000

I have been seriously ignoring my eMusicaccount for sometime now. So the other night, I figured it was time to get back in there and take a look around. I found a ton of great music and today I am going to tell you about one artist in particular;.

You may have heard of Mr. Legend. He has won five Grammy’s, has a platinum record and has worked with superstars such as Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West and Jay-Z. He has quite a resume’ and for good reason.

Before he hit the bigtime his name was John Stephens and he recorded a live album that I am excited to share with you. It is an indie release by the name of “Live at SOB’s.” This album is a treat.

For starters John Legend is truly gifted. He is all soul and a great vocalist. He sings each song with passion. He can improvise and riff without overdoing it like many other soul singers.

Every song on the album is above average. The songs you should start with are “Set It Off,” “Alright” and, my favorite, “Lifted.”

As far as the production goes, it is solid. Usually live albums are hit or miss but this one delivers. The highs are crisp, the lows right where they need to be for the groove heavy music. Plus, the live band in a live club setting really creates an a great ambiance.

Anyway, I don’t want to spend to much time trying to describe it because it must be heard to be truly appreciated. Go check out “Live at SOB’s” now while I go look around for some of his newer stuff.

Best served with… a relaxed, chipper mood. Listen as you get ready to out on the town, to start the night off when hosting a casual get together with friends or when you just need to lighten up a bit.

Looking for Music to Fit Your Mood

Corey Koehler — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:44:48 +0000

A good friend of mine sent me a link to a very cool music website called Musicovery. Not only can you select music by genre but you can also select it by mood, hits and non-hits.

After playing with it a little while I can see that it is fairly accurate. That said, it still doesn’t replace a smooth voice and/or intuitive sense of a skilled DJ.

Anyway, I have always felt that mood is a great way to categorize music and this site is definitely a step in the right direction. Kudos to the person who came up with the idea.

WAIT! Are you going through a break-up or missing your Ex? Click Here
because this could help.

The Music of Apocalyptica: Thrash Metal Without Guitars (Video)

Corey Koehler — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:29:06 +0000

If you are a fan of metal music, classical music or even both, then today is your lucky day. I was surfing around and came across this video by a band called Apocalyptica doing a cover of Metallica’s “Fight Fire With Fire.”

Now this isn’t your everyday local cover band version either. These dudes put a whole new spin on it. First, as you watch the video, you’ll notice that there are no guitars. Next, you’ll notice that the music is still just as heavy.

I searched around and noticed that Apocalyptica did a few other metal classics like Metallica’s “One” and Savatage’s “Hall of the Mountain King.” You will want to check them out as well.

As you would expect, being a musicgoat, I’m a big fan of this kind of stuff. It opens up doors for fans of one style of music to another style of music.

Hell, this is about as cool as when Pat Boone did “In a Metal Mood.” One minute I’m tapping my toe to “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin” Pat style, the next thing ya know I’m checking out Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett and really digging it.

Anyway, check out the video. I’m going to see were I can download some of this stuff.

Serj is coming!

Brice — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:52:17 +0000

Thanks for the introduction CK. Iâ€™m glad to post for you, itâ€™s an honor. Ok, my first entry into the Goat, so here we go. I feel no pressure. (Yea, right.)

Now that yet another of my favorite bands has decided to â€œpursue individual interests,â€ Iâ€™m left again to wonder what the future holds for myself musically. I look to Serj Tankian (lead vocalist, System of A Down) to heighten my interest immediately.

Serj is unloading the bandsâ€™ first solo project on October 23rd, oddly titled, â€œElect The Dead.â€ He has been pushing his project almost overwhelmingly on Myspace.com.

Although only two singles have been released, itâ€™s obvious that this album will not sound much like System at all. Serj amuses with his unique banter of catchy phrases and vocal prowess that has made him into one of the top lead men in music today. Not only can Serj hang with the best of them vocally, he has an artistic advantage due to his experiences in the industry. He knows what sounds good and what people want to hear. He mixes his talents beautifully, all while speaking his ever so opinionated mind. A lot of people can â€œsing,â€ but itâ€™s those who can incorporate voice, rhythm, harmony, and the occasional scream that end up with a true masterpiece.

Although â€œThe Unthinking Majorityâ€ single was an immediate hit with fans and critics, it was leaked out by an unidentified source. Serj later played it off by saying, â€œI released this song due to the chaos of our world today. There are a lot of problems that we all must deal with immediately.â€ Serj always has an issue with something in our government. Although I love the guy like no other, it tends to piss me off a bit that he can never keep it shut. After all, Iâ€™m not interested in â€œDixie Chickâ€ opinions, I just want to rock!

The second and final single that was released is titled, â€œEmpty Walls.â€ It has a catchy feel to it from the start and it never loses its interest. It always makes me feel like Iâ€™ve heard it years ago, but yet I still find myself listening to it. Of the two singles, I feel this is the strongest. Although Serj has only given us a limited peek at his project, it sounds like itâ€™ll be a well-deserved Top 10 seller. Strong opinions aside, as we all have them, I look forward to the album more than I did before the release of the â€œIllusionsâ€ by GNR in 1991.

Two weeks ago Serj announced his plans for a small tour to promote his album and hopefully jumpstart his solo career. It all starts off here in good oldâ€™ Chi-town at the Vic Theatre on Friday, October 12th. Yes, I was online with Ticket master at the moment they went on sale! Serj does not plan on playing any System songs, but hopefully with a little heckling we can get a stellar version of â€œSugarâ€ rocking the small theatre into a madness that has yet to be seen.

After the Chicago show, Serj heads to Canada for a one night show in Toronto, then comes back to the states for 7 shows to fill up the October calendar. Starting November 3rd, he heads overseas, teaming up with the Foo Fighters for a total of 6 shows in Manchester, New Castle, Dublin, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Manchester.

Finally, Serj wraps up his small tour in cities with larger arenas, such as London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Although Serj plans a larger scale tour in the near future, he has yet to release any of these dates. Iâ€™ve heard rumors it will consist of some pretty big names, but weâ€™ll just have to wait and see.

So mark your calendar for the 23rd of October. I guarantee an enjoyable album that will be listened to for years to come.

No related posts.

Some Great New Heavy Metal and a Very Metal Observation

Corey Koehler — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:57:31 +0000

As much as I love heavy metal music I really haven’t talked about it a whole lot on the Goat. Today, in the spirit of metal, I just wanted to share an observations, a cool new song from a legend and kick ass band you need to check out.

First, an observation. I don’t know what it is but I’ve noticed that the older I get the better Iron Maiden gets. The other day I was running and listening to my iPod. I was listening to a playlist I like to call Metal Stew when the “Flight of Icarus” came on. Great song and another example of Bruce Dickinson being an awesome singer. The guy has range and can hang on to a note forever.

Next, a cool new song. I’ve been down on Ozzy’s new stuff for, give or take, the last 10 years. And after watching him on his reality series I was a little turned off. However, the so”I Don’t Want to Stop” is just freakin contagious. I’ve been into it for a few months now but I finally downloaded it the other day and I can’t stop listening to it. A good old fashioned heavy metal riff, classic vocals and very inspiring lyrics.

Last but not least, kick ass band. Last spring I was surfing around on CDBaby and I found a band called the Robot Lords of Tokyo. These guys are the shit. I finally ordered the CD a few weeks ago and there hasn’t been another CD in my Alpine since.

They do a very cool version of Motley Crue’s “Knock’em Dead Kid.” I was a little skeptical when I saw the title of the song because lets face it, there is no one like Vince Niel and the song and I go waaaaay back. I’m alway leary of someone messing with a classic. However, they nail it. They make it there own and much more brutal. This version would’ve no doubt incited a few more fights back in the day.

Anyway, check them out the Robot Lords on CDBaby or stop by and visit them on MySpace. If you don’t you’ll be missing out because every song on the CD is excellent (there is no need to forward past any of them). It’s Best new CD I’ve heard since the last Stone Sour.

Nano Review 003 – A Jazzed Up Organ and Smooth as Silk R & B

Corey Koehler — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:07:06 +0000

When I decided to start this blog I had one thing in mind; share good music (regardless of genre) with you and everyone else I know. I wanted to thoroughly explore the world of music and let you come along for the ride. I knew starting this blog would give me the opportunity to do that and more.

With that said, let me tell you about some cool ass music that until recently was outside of my box (and maybe even yours). Here goes;

Dan Fogel (self described – Jazz, Swing)- Organs aren’t just for baseball stadiums, hockey arenas and churches anymore. Dan Fogel show’s you how damn cool an organ can sound in the hands of a pro.

I loaded his CD “15 West” my car stereo and ended up listening to it for a few days. This stuff is relaxing and yet upbeat. It may have even prevented a little road rage on the way to work the other day. It really puts me in a great mindset to start off the day (ending the day too).

I’m not much of a Jazz guru (it just sounds good to me), but if you want the opinion of one, here is a link to a review of his album “15 West” on the Jazz Times. You would be missing out if you didn’t give Dan Fogel a listen.

Best served with a good food, good conversation, maybe a good book and stressful commutes.

Donnie Williams (self described – R&B, Soul, Rap, Gospel ) – If you like smooth-relaxing-feel-like-makin-love Soul and R & B then Donnie Williams “Just Like Magic” will not disappoint. Donnie sings his stories with inspiring feeling and sincerity. He also has a great voice to go along with a ultra-smooth helping of R & B and soul backing tracks.

This guy was booted off of American Idol for getting a DUI (that he may have not have even gotten…I’m confused too). It was a tough break for him and, in my opinion, for them also.

For more information here’s another review of Donnie Williams in the Daily Republic. You can also check him out on CD Baby.

Best served with mellow evenings, moments requiring inspiration, wine, lingerie, and good lovin.

Make sure you check them out. Each of them can be what is missing from the “best served with” moments described above.

FYI – With the amount and variety of music coming in on a weekly basis there is no way I can really sit down and get to know the songs (and genres) good enough to give the artist a proper assessment. So what I am going to do from now on with these nano reviews is spend a little time to assess what music clicks with me (and/or my friends “in the know”) and then just pass my favorites along to you with a few obnservations.

One thing I won’t do is pretend I know a lot about the styles of music I am going to share with you. I am just going to tell you about a few artists that are making music to my ears and then provide you with a link to that music and reviews from their peers. As always, the Goat is here for you brotha’s and sista’s.

Beer Talk: Rolling Rock Green Light

Corey Koehler — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:38:56 +0000

You know I like talking beer and I wanted to share one of my recent favorites. It is called Rolling Rock Green Light.

I found it one night when I decided I wasn’t in the mood to spend sixteen bucks for a twelver of Newcastle. It caught my eye and $9.59 later I was on my way home.

It comes in a bottle, as most good beer does, and is very light and refreshing (cheesy but true). Almost comparable to Heineken.

As a side benefit, for those of you like to keep the midsection to a minimum, Green Light clocks in at 91 calories and 2.6 carbs. Good old fashioned semi-guilty free drinking. What could be better?

This is the first beer in the history of me that has made me want to drink it at home by myself on a non-party, non-social type night. Rolling Rock Green Light almost calls to me every time I walk past the fridge in the garage or just before I sit down to do a podcast.

So anyway, I think you get the picture. Time to get out there and see what I’m talking about. If you like light beer, get your ass to the liquor store and pick up a twelver of Rolling Rock Green Light.

Music Review: The Prog Metal Sounds of the Daughters of Fission

Corey Koehler — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:07:57 +0000

I am a big fan of all kinds of music but, back in the day, it was metal that caught my attention first. After weeks of listening to a ton of great music from other genre’s, I have to admit, I was a little excited when I received a review request from a metal band.

The Daughters of Fission bill their sound as a mix of rock, alternative and progressive but I will go ahead and throw them into the metal bin as well.

You can hear elements of Tool and Dream Theater (Stereomud even came to mind on a couple occasions). I would not put the Daughters of Fission in the same category instrumentally or compare them talent wise just yet, but they have a good start on developing a sound that uniquely their own.

Here are a few songs I was really into. Don’t let the opening piano on “behind the primates” fool you this song this song rocks hard. Probably my favorite in the album. The song “torso of…” has sort of an 80′s new wave thing going on and is probably the best tune vocally. The final cut “ape’ is just over a minute long but it packs a serious punch. Pure old school thrash and I love love it.

Every songs is solid and worth a listen if you appreciate rock or metal. The sound quality of the music is excellent (props to the production team). Only suggestion would be to involve some more lead guitar by adding some solos and fills. There were many songs where some solid lead guitar could have brought the songs to a higher level but it was nonexistent.

But don’t take my word for it, go see for yourself. You can check them out on MySpace or if you’d like you can download the DRM free high quality version of “Abandonatomy” free of charge on eMusic now (click on buy above).

Serve with headphones while surfing the web or playing video games. Also would be good mixed in a play list and turned up when having a few beers with your metal buddies.

A List of the Worst Cover Songs

Corey Koehler — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:44:26 +0000

Behold, another entertaining find for you in the wonderful world of music. Here’s a site that lists some of what they think are the worst covers song ever. Not sure why “Layla” made the list but Olivia Newton-John doing the Johnny Cash classic “Ring of Fire” certainly belongs. For the record I would like to [...] Related posts:

Music Review Plus: Nick Daugherty Learns A Lesson

Corey Koehler — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:24:16 +0000

Do you have dreams? Better yet, do you have the balls to chase those dream? Well a guy Nick Daugherty did and I wanted pass his inspiring story on to you.

While listening to the Musicians Cooler podcast. I heard the host, Dave Jackson talk about this musician that decided it was time to become proactive in making his dream of getting a recording contract a reality. I had to investigate.

What I found was a year long journal of the trials and tribulations of aspiring musician Nick Daugherty. Nick decided, a little over a year ago, that he would begin seeking out a record deal and he gave himself a year to do it. This journal, found at Nick’s Journey, was a brilliant way for Nick to share his experiences with the world and, at the same time, keep himself accountable to his pursuit.

You can follow along with him as his proactive approach, belief in himself and an insatiable willingness to learn help all of the pieces for his dream fall into place. From the bits and pieces I’ve had the time to read, he was able to put together a band and assemble a network of trustworthy individuals to help him out.

Find out what he learned on his journey and whether or not he got his wish then be sure to check out his music.

The first song I checked out entitled “1000 Times Tonight” had me thinking “ladies… lookout!” I bet this song could melt just about any woman. Hell, under the right circumstances like a first date, anniversary, romantic surprise, etc you could really fan the flames with this tune. I just know there are love scenes everywhere just begging for a song like this.

Next up was “Can’t Say I Love You Anymore.” If you are going through a breakup, Nick offers up a remedy and some hope. I have been there myself, so trust me when I tell you it will ease your pain.

Finally, “Out Of My League” is as sincere as they come. A humble admission in the presence of complete admiration.

Overall, every song is offers up great lyrics, crisp acoustic guitar and haunting, heartfelt vocals! You’ll love his voice.

You can find these songs on Nick’s music page.

Whether you are a musician, music fan, entrepreneur or human being you will appreciate Nick Daugherty’s story. He is a musician who decided it was time to be proactive in the search for his dream. His story is inspiring and a great life lesson for us all. He reminds us all that dreams are not something that come looking for us but something we must actively seek out. Now go and see if he got that record deal.

The Everyday Weekender Has More of What You Need

Corey Koehler — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 03:08:00 +0000

You and I both know that great music goes great with weekends. Today I wanted to tell you about a site that celebrates the weekend everyday (A mindset which I am sure you could get used to).

Besides having a great name and a very cool image (when you get there look to the top left of your browser next to the page title) Everyday Weekender has an original theme and it is filled with great content. There are great articles about the goods and activities you might want to enjoy along with some of that great music you hear about on the Musicgoat. Things like good beer, poker, horseshoes and great food. There is also a nice helping of sports and finance stuff.

For those of you who have a a website, blog or any type of link to promote he will help you spread the love by increasing your page rank and exposure if you review his blog.

Stop by and check it out.

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