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.

Love is many spendored thing but when there is music involved, the heart strings really sing. St. Valentines is back and its time to let these acoustic music masters do there magic.

Grab some wine, lower the lights, and press play now.

[audio:http://musicgoat.com/podcast/mmp014_acousticvalentine.mp3]
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Here are the songs heard on this podcast and links to each artists website. Check them out.
Adam Schmitt – “The Morning After” (Minnesota’s Own)
Jason Moss – “Face My Fears”
Uncle Seth – “Little Pieces”
Peasant – “Stop For Her”
Lo/Fi Pioneer – “Roses”
Edwin Derricutt – “Cold as Ice”

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

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. Read the rest of this entry

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.
[audio:http://musicgoat.com/podcast/mmp012_undercoverhippy.mp3]
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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

I have been waiting to share this music with you for awhile now and I’m excited to hear what you think. This edition of the Melting Pot podcast features three songs from a great new artist named Ethan Stone.

Thanks to Jersey Todd, I discovered his music a few months ago. I am seriously digging it and I know you will too.

Before we get there though I wanted to show you Read the rest of this entry

I was immediately smitten with the smooth and throaty acoustic riff on the song “I Found Out.” You just can’t help but feel better while listening to this song and you’ll love the upbeat finish.

As great as “I Found Out” is, it was only the beginning. Every song delivers. He makes a startling announcement in the next song song “Son of God” and we all can relate to the feelings expressed on “Breakdown.” “2005 Malaise” should either reaffirm, or make you think long and hard about, what’s really important. The lackadaisical “Plain Fuzzy Sunday” relaxes and sooths. “Mona” just rocks. “Human Condition” is emotional and overflowing with raw honesty.

Ultra smooth vocals throughout, combined with soaring acoustic guitar, deliver a contagious vibe and lyrics to savor. These guys can flat out write music.

These tunes are best served outdoors, beer in hand.

Bottom line, EP or not, it is rare to find albums as complete as “You Are Beautiful.” Solid CD from top to bottom. You’ll never find yourself with your finger on the fast forward.

I’ll be pimping this thing to all my friends and if you get moving, you can be the first to introduce it to yours. You can hear and buy this awesome collection of songs on their MySpace page or CD Baby.

From time to time I am going to offer up some music that makes me, for one reason or another, all bubbly inside. I will call these periodical offerings the True Goat Music series.

Basically, I just wanted to do my part to help you feed your music player with a steady toe-tapping, groove healthy diet. Also, staying true to the Musicgoat mantra, I will be recommending old and new music from genres and styles all over the map.

Here you go…over the last month or so these are a few artists that have made my spring in Minnesota the beez kneez. Read below and see if you anything fits.

Donovan Frankenreiter – Move By Yourself – I saw a write up on him on iTunes last spring and I remembered his name from when I saw him open for Jack Johnson on the “On and On” tour. I picked this album up and it didn’t leave my cd player for at least a month.

Outside of his original acoustic sound he has a serious 70’s style groove going on all over this this album. When listening to this album you get the feeling that Donovan is a pretty laid back guy, someone who is taking life in stride by stride. He will translates that feeling to you flawlessly since many of the songs are perfect 10’s on the infectious scale. With the grooves and attitude gushing out of Donavan you can’t help but get the feeling that he doesn’t have any problem getting laid.

Favorite song is Fool. Straight blues baby. This album is best served with a lot of sunshine and a hacky sac (cocktails optional).

Matisyahu – Live At Stubbs – If you like your music with a bit of reggae, a dash of hip hop, and spiritual overtones for some unlikely inspiration, than you will dig this.

Check out “Chop ‘em Down” and be careful, this song is sticky. My 4 year old song was walking around the house for days humming this. Note to beatbox fans everywhere, you have to check out his song entitled “Beatbox.” The things the guy can do with a mouth and mic.

Coolest part about this album you get it as a free music download, right now, at a site called eMusic
. Serve with good friends and a nice relaxed outdoor setting.

Van Halen – Fair Warning – I don’t mention them because they are back in the news but because they are just damn good. The album you never hear about flat out rocks from start to finish.

You might have to be a guitar player to truly appreciate some of what I think is Eddies best work, if not take my word for it. Meanstreet and Hear About it Later both rule. Unchained and So This is Love will put you in the mood to party. If your not cruising around in your car on a sunny day serve with cold beer, some buddies and and some good looking women.

That does it for this addition of True Goat Music. Grab some new music from the artist above and put them into heavy summer rotation. You won’t regret it.