Quick Jams… And By Jams, I Mean Thoughts
1. It pains me to write this, but after two listens, I’m not impressed at all with AFI’s Decemberunderground. The only word that immediately comes to mind is “sterile,” and that’s not a good one. And what’s up with Davey’s new/artificial screaming voice? Yeeeesh…
2. Speaking of AFI, I wandered into a Hot Topic in the DC area on Monday and the moment I stepped into the store, the stereo began to blast “THROUGH OUR BLEEDING WE ARE ONE!” It was loud. So loud that it made my head hurt and made me want to flee to a quieter location, like the men’s department in Macy’s. It was a dark moment.
3. “Hopelessly Devoted To You Vol. 6″ is basically the blueprint for how “physical” label samplers are going to have work if they plan to survive/coexist in the digital download age. Two CDs, one of with a bunch of unreleased and rare tracks from some of Hopeless’ newer bands, the other with 22 “classics” from the Hopeless catalog (no HECKLE though, booooo), and a full-length bonus DVD with 27 videos. I haven’t viewed the DVD yet, but the CDs are mostly great and the pairing of oldies from the original Hopeless acts provides great contrast to where things have moved in punk rock.
4. I seriously need to read this book…
5. My brother is in New Orleans this week on business. He relayed the following message earlier: “We drove through the 9th Ward earlier today. It was a total mess but kinda fascinating. There are thousands of cars abandoned everywhere.” Hmmmm….. see #4.
6. Two bands you’re going to be hearing a lot about from zine writers in the coming months, if not already: END OF A YEAR (Revelation) and UNITED STATES (Iron Pier). The second generation of “Revolution Summer” music has arrived…
7. Free full-length streams from Napster.com that I recommend (reg. required – it’s free!):
88 FINGERS LOUIE – Behind Bars
REACH THE SKY – Open Roads and Broken Dreams [EP]
