product review
Product reviews and how-to's of rising music merchandise, CDs, albums, concerts, and more.
Experimental?
Does experimental music involve the giving up of music? To answer this question both music and experimental music needs to be defined. Composer Elliot Schwartz (n.d) defines music as ‘the organisation of sound and time’. Similarly, composer Larry Austin (n.d) uses the word sound rather than harmony in his definition: ‘music is wanted sound’. The use of the word ‘sound’ is interesting as John Cage (n.d) said that the ‘more meaningful term; the organisation of sound’ should be used rather than the word music when talking about all music not played on ‘18th and 19th century instruments’, suggesting all post 19th century music is experimental music. However, the definition of experimental would contradict this suggestion. The dictionary definition of experimental is ‘involving a radically new or innovative style’, suggesting that experimental music is music that involves new and innovative ideas, for example, Royal Blood (band) can be considered experimental music as it features the use of heavy processing and FX to create a full rock band (four - five piece) sound from a two-piece band (drums and bass guitar). This definition of experimental music is heavily linked to John Cage’s use of non-traditional instruments and prepared piano, for example, in the piece ‘Water Walk’ (1960), which features heavy use of items not considered to be instruments (radios, water, a bath etc.) to create the sonic content of the piece.
By CHEM USERS7 years ago in Beat
Review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming The Beatles: 7 of X
Been a bit since I posted a review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming the Beatles, mostly because this is not a book to be rush-read or even normally read (whatever pace that might be), but savored, and also because I've been writing some science fiction, and there's also the lure of the cool water and soft beach of Cape Cod Bay. But I wanted to record a few words about Sheffield's chapter on "Ticket to Ride", about as rich and satisfying an extended analysis you can find of a Beatles or any worthy song.
By Paul Levinson7 years ago in Beat
#OverloadMondays: New Releases From Big Boi, DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz and More
Okay so here's some of what happened last week (6/12-18). DJ Khaled is known for bringing together some major heat, or “major key(s),” in music. This week he brought together Rihanna and Bryson Tiller for his new joint “Wild Thoughts” - watch the video above. This is the latest taste for the upcoming album Grateful, to which his son Asahd is the executive producer for. Asahd doesn’t talk yet, but he's producing albums. This kid is good, I wish I were him. Produced by Khaled and Nasty Beatmakers, as well as co-written by PARTYNEXTDOOR - watch the video below. Khaled is taking over this summer for sure.
By Sadé Sanchez7 years ago in Beat
Amazon Music vs. Pandora
Many have heard of and interacted with Pandora's internet radio sensation, but just last January, Amazon has attempted to enter into the internet radio craze itself with Amazon Music Unlimited, which they are offering free 30 day trials here right now. So, which one is better? Well, I started my own free trial to see what the big deal was.
By Daniel Johnson7 years ago in Beat
Rhonda & Daryle Go 'Above And Beyond' - Duet Album "American Grandstand" Out In July
Late August last year, "Queen of Bluegrass" Rhonda Vincent announced on her Facebook page that she's recording a duet album with 90's traditionalist Daryle Singletary and posted the above picture of them both in the recording studio.
By A. Michael Uhlmann7 years ago in Beat
What Are You Listening To?
Music has the power to lift our spirits when we are feeling down. If you are looking for something to make your hips move and your feet groove, or you want to boost your mood, look no further. I have found music to be very therapeutic, when it comes to helping with stress management. I have compiled a playlist, of my personal favorites for coping with a serious case of the blues.
By Nicole (Nikki) M.7 years ago in Beat
Review of Bryson Tiller's 'True to Self'
I’m randomly listening to Bryson Tiller’s debut album TRAPSOUL, thinking, "Damn, just one more month.” Then with a simple tweet notification, my wishes were granted. We’ve been waiting for this for what seems like forever, and I have a few things to say about True to Self.
By Sadé Sanchez7 years ago in Beat
Fender Toronado: Not to Be Confused With Grandma's GM Oldsmobile
This is not to be confused with your Grandma’s old boat of a car, the GM Oldsmobile Toronado! This is a guitar folks. This is one breed of guitar that has both confused and interested me at the same time. When it first came out a few years ago, it caught my eye because it, at first glance, looked like an alternate version of the Jazz Master. But let me say straight up that a Jazz Master it is not... and to be fair, nor was it intended to be.
By Mark Darnell7 years ago in Beat
Review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming The Beatles: 6 of X
Rob Sheffield makes the case for Ringo in the next chapter of his stellar Dreaming the Beatles, putting the question regarding Ringo as whether he was an all-time genius drummer who made the Beatles possible, or "a clod who got lucky, the biggest fool who ever hit the big time". Sheffield puts his chips on the genius.
By Paul Levinson7 years ago in Beat
The Worst Song to Ever be Created
Sometimes, bad music happens to good bands. Elvis Presley infamously sang "Confidence" as part of a children's movie he filmed in the late 60s. Chuck Berry's song, "My Ding-A-Ling," was his only solo hit - and also happened to be a several minute long joke about his ding-a-ling. Even Paul Simon had a gaffe or two under his belt.
By Skunk Uzeki7 years ago in Beat
Review of Rob Sheffield's Dreaming The Beatles: 5 of X
Rob Sheffield's short chapter in his Dreaming the Beatles (actually, they're all short, which is good) is about "It Won't Be Long," and is about as fine a piece of music journalism, or rock 'n' roll analysis, or whatever you want to call it, as you can find. It's a holographic sample of why the book as a whole is so enjoyable and important.
By Paul Levinson7 years ago in Beat