Archive for the ‘MusicGeek.org’ Category

Track Review: Chris Cotton – “Going Home”

Chris CottonChris Cotton
The Big Sea
“Going Home”

Chris Cotton – “Going Home” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/chris_cotton_-_going_home.mp3]

“Going Home” is shocking in its immediacy: a track from Chris Cotton’s latest, due out September 2nd on Little Fish Large Pond Publishing. This vintage-style piece, recalling some of the earliest recorded American folk music, is a refreshing blast from distorted guitars and whining vocals. There’s something strangely enthralling about anachronistic music, isn’t there?

Video: They Might Be Giants at TED2007

They Might Be Giants performing at TED2007.Okay, this video might be a little old — don’t ignore it for that reason, please. Besides, if old counts as around a year and half ago, I suppose there’s plenty I ought to ignore instead of give some attention. At any rate, it’s apparently the earliest the band’s performed (or so they claim) and is full of witty banter. The video’s embedded below, but for your convenience, here’s a link: They Might Be Giants at TED2007. TED (Technology Entertainment Design), a conference taking place in Monterey, California, features all sorts of interesting speakers and performances, many of which are available at their official site, TED.com.

The site includes a great MP4 download for those looking to watch this extravaganza on their favorite media device.

Plus, there’s a great performance of Apollo 18 favorite, “Fingertips,” that’s not to be missed. The video’s embedded after the jump. (more…)

Track Review: The Ritz – “It’s The…” from The Night of Day

The Ritz - The Night of DayThe Ritz
The Night of Day
“It’s The…”

Content warning: Lyrics involve use of the ever-ominous “f” word. I don’t mind.

The Ritz – “It’s The” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/theritz-itsthe.mp3]

My first thought, after hearing this track from the debut album from The Ritz? I was impressed, honest. The combination of bass-heavy beats with string samples and a nice use of stereo rapping (Elliott Smith influence, maybe? Likely not.) is fairly evocative and engaging. My only real complaint? The bass is mixed a bit too heavily, as it ends up slightly excessive and punchy on my well-balanced headphones (Sennheiser HD 485s, nothing too expensive,) distracting from the rest of the track, a well-mixed hip-hop introduction track.There’s nothing too adventurous about this track, but its efficient execution bodes well for the full release, due out August 19th.

Review: The Luke Mulholland Band – Further

further_album120.jpgThe Luke Mulholland Band
Further
2008

The Luke Mulholland Band opens their 2008 release Further with a nice drive, but about 13 seconds in, I realized something: I’ve heard all this before. Not these exact lines or chord progressions — I think — but as competent as this group might be, fronted by a young guitarist currently attending the Berklee College of Music, there’s not a lot here that’s honestly original to catch the ears of interested listeners. (more…)

New to MusicGeek

Oh, faithful readers! I hope you have noticed the new music player up top. It’s filled with music posted here, and could make some good listening while you read. Of course, you can still use the individual track audio players, as well. There will be more improvements in the coming days, but I thought you might want to know that things are a little in progress right now.

Released This Week: Inquiet – Inq Beyong

Inquiet - Inq BeyongInquiet
Inq Beyong
Brother Sister Records, August 15, 2008

Inquiet – “Fresh Flesh” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/2008-inquiet-fresh-flesh.mp3]

Inquiet is an experimental pop group from Australia: That’s not a phrase you hear too often in many musical circles, especially those in the northern hemisphere. That’s got little to nothing to do with the musical quality here, to be honest. (more…)

Released This Week: The Telepathic Butterflies – Breakfast in Suburbia

The Telepathic ButterfliesThe Telepathic Butterflies
Breakfast in Suburbia
Rainbow Quartz, 2008

The Telepathic Butterflies – “Telescope” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/telescope.mp3]

One thing is made clear from the opening track of Breakfast in Suburbia: The Telepathic Butterflies (what a name!) are rooted in a 1960s pop aesthetic, their apparent influences a combination of the usual suspects: The Beach Boys and The Beatles, most notably, with a nice dose of surf rock playing out in the guitar tones. There’s enough of a psychedelic inflection in the music produced by the duo that citing Barrett-era Pink Floyd wouldn’t be completely off the mark, either.

(more…)

State of the Music Geek: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

As you may or may not have noticed, there’s been quite the absence of new material coming from the MusicGeek.org camp. I can’t help but feel wholly responsible for this — MusicGeek.org is, after all, a site I run. I won’t go into reasons or make excuses: I will, however, say that running a site like this is sometimes hard work, and I’ve neglected it. I will be posting more here about new, interesting music (or at least, I will think so,) and it is up to you readers to do any reading that may or may not take place. Do expect, however, to see more reviews (especially in the new section, Released This Week) and fewer spotlights, but don’t expect two to three posts a day: I’ll post when I can. That should be fairly often, but in the case it isn’t, I’ve covered my proverbial ass.

Much thanks to those friendly PR people (and less thanks to those pesky ones) for supplying me with an influx of music I might not have heard otherwise. They are a vital part of this site: Music PR is a difficult business (I imagine) and not terribly respected. Those of you I’ve worked with regularly, you’ve been very helpful, and I am looking forward to continuing my work with you.