Black Whales, “Origins”

Posted on 09. Sep, 2009 by Author in Album Review, Music

Black Whales
Origins
Mt. Fuji
Seattle-based rock ‘n’ rollers Black Wales satisfy straight-ahead ears with their most recent EP, Origins. Black Whales bring stripped-down, rawness that many bands strive for, and execute this very naturally. The title track of the EP illustrates an arrival of the verge to a major event. Yet no matter what the outcome, or how dire it’s portrayed, nothing really changes afterward and it might as well be the next written piece of fictional literature rather than the factual headline. For fans of The Strokes or The Killers, Black [...]

24 Satellites “24 Satellites”

Posted on 04. Sep, 2009 by Author in Chico Music

24 Satellites
24 Satellites
Self-Released
In a fairly short amount of time, 24 Satellites been able to release two albums effortlessly demonstrating the true ways of playing rock ‘n’ roll. After an introduction of reverse reverb, “Girl Without A Name” supplies a retro folk feeling with acoustic guitar work sounding similar to Zeppelin’s “The Battle Of Evermore” and vocal harmonies reminiscent of The Byrds; not too shabby to start. “Don’t Turn Your Back On Me” shifts gears a tad by providing a mellow, but danceable tune that could be slotted in the alt-country [...]

Synthesis Weekly Reviews — Rick Estrin and the Nightcats: “Twisted”

Posted on 06. Aug, 2009 by Author in Album Review, Music

Rick Estrin and the Nightcats
Twisted
Alligator
Rick Estrin and the Nightcats plow onward with Twisted, their latest installment of blues, rock and jazz. At 60 years old, Estrin is a vintage musician, and his voice and zesty harmonica lead the Nightcats’ throwback sound. Twisted is nostalgic music of another era, channeling classic stylings while eschewing most influences of the latter portion of the last century. “Earthquake” is an old surf guitar number with a groove so solid that it belongs on vinyl. “Takin’ Out My In-Laws” has a goofy rockabilly swing [...]

Pete Townshend’s original Rickenbacker 330 12 string on eBay

Posted on 09. Jul, 2009 by spencer in Art, Idiocy, Music, Paid

IF you read this blog and have no idea what to do with your truck-load of extra cash, will you please stop fucking around and buy me Pete Townshend’s original Rickenbacker 330 12 string? Will ya?
Who knows if it’s really authentic or a well done hoax, but if Pete didn’t get awesome and smash it, the guitar must be a real beauty to play.

You have the rarest of rare opportunities to bid on a piece of genuine rock n’ roll history. This is a 1964 Rickenbacker [...]

Vitamin String Quartet – Performs Radiohead’s “In Rainbows”

Posted on 08. Jul, 2009 by Author in Album Review, Music

Vitamin String Quartet
Performs Radiohead’s “In Rainbows”
Vitamin
The Vitamin String Quartet is known for instrumentally altering complete albums from Coldplay to Good Charlotte. In their latest release, the VCQ takes the original composition of Radiohead’s In Rainbows and adds a little twist with some violin, viola and cello, while dropping the lyrics, and creates an incredible reinterpretation of the album. One can’t help but imagine that the group fell into an orchestra pit to shape the beautiful love child that is Vitamin String Quartet. The sound is epically cinematic and great [...]

Synthesis Weekly Reviews: “White Lies for Dark Times” by Ben Harper and Relentless7

Posted on 01. Jul, 2009 by Author in Album Review, Music

Ben Harper and Relentless7
White Lies for Dark Times
Virgin
Ben Harper’s musical career has been filled with much praise and prestige. Whether it be his certified gold solo album Fight for Your Mind or his groundbreaking Live From Mars with the Innocent Criminals, Harper has enjoyed the luxury of much-deserved critical acclaim. His new album, White Lies For Dark Times, with Texas-based backing band Relentless7 should be received with similar enthusiasm to prior efforts. “Number with No Name” kicks the album off with a danceable bluesy swagger led by crafty guitar work [...]

Sexy Rock ‘n’ Roll: John’s Children

Posted on 13. May, 2009 by spencer in Music

Marc Bolan’s old band before T. Rex: