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.

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.” Read the rest of this entry

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. Read the rest of this entry

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.”

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. Read the rest of this entry

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 Read the rest of this entry

Thanks for the introduction CK. I’m glad to post for you, it’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 “pursue individual interests,” I’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 bands’ first solo project on October 23rd, oddly titled, “Elect The Dead.” He has been pushing his project almost overwhelmingly on Myspace.com.

Although only two singles have been released, it’s obvious that this album will not sound much like System at all. Serj amuses with Read the rest of this entry

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 Read the rest of this entry

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.