Here we are, Avid Reader, as 2012 ends and I’m trying to compile my list of favorites to share with you. I listened to plenty of albums this past year, I still missed a ton, but of the albums I told you about here are my favorites and some shout outs. All of these would be great as gifts for folks or to add to your own collection.
Frank Ocean – Channel Orange – this album came out of nowhere and took no prisoners. If you haven’t picked this up then what are you waiting for already? Soul music
A Few Leftover
by J Frazzetta December 10th, 2012 | Music Opinions
Looking at the albums left on my desk to review, it would appear that my eyes were bigger than my ears this year and as usual I picked up more albums than I budgeted time for. No matter, Avid Reader, I’m going to share the last few new ones I have with you here.
Yeasayer, Fragrant World – at first listen this album did not do much for me. After a few more spins, my opinion hadn’t changed too much so I put it down. I picked it up again to find that there are a few shining moments in
Yeasayer, Fragrant World – at first listen this album did not do much for me. After a few more spins, my opinion hadn’t changed too much so I put it down. I picked it up again to find that there are a few shining moments in
What Does “Alternative” Mean Anymore?
by Louise November 16th, 2012 | Music Opinions
It seems like the term "alternative" gets thrown around quite a bit nowadays. Some columnists use it as a synonym for "indie," a term that is used quite liberally as a descriptor of an artist who is recognized as having a style that is not particularly mainstream. (What's that you say? I use the term indie? Guilty as charged.) Indie at least has a definition implied from its root, independent, which refers to the fact that the artist operates without major corporate funding or producers. (The definition of indie has also evolved over the years, but that's a whole
Post-What?
by J Frazzetta November 9th, 2012 | Music Opinions
Over the last few months I’ve been pulled deeper and deeper into the worlds of Post-Punk and Post-Rock. So much so that I have almost forsaken coming back to the surface to listen to anything new unless I have to, in which case I will give a new album some spins and submerge back to the murky depths. I can already see you making a face, Avid Reader: what is post-punk and post-rock? Allow me to explain them to the best of my understanding, and I’ll even provide some examples. A few are tough to find but well worth the searching.
Pick any typical
Pick any typical
Getting Unplugged
by Jason Lightner November 2nd, 2012 | Music Opinions
As one whose musical enjoyment typically involves heavily distorted guitar, the gnashing teeth and screams of a tortured vocalist, and lots of crash cymbals, I've always looked to the heavy stuff to give me my jollies. When I kick back, I usually grab my Ibanez electric and plug into my Line 6 amp and crank up the distoriton. Lately, however, I've been turning to my Yamaha acoustic guitar to unwind.
I'm not sure what it is, exactly, that precipitated this sudden change. I suppose it could be old age creeping up on me, or it could be a newfound respect
I'm not sure what it is, exactly, that precipitated this sudden change. I suppose it could be old age creeping up on me, or it could be a newfound respect