45rpm Radio / Number 3

It's that time again, time for the 45rpm Radio / Podcast! This week, it's more than just the Smashing Pumpkins. In fact, I packed more music into this podcast than ever before, so sit back and enjoy!

[Link] 45rpm Podcast 3

This week's show is (again) in M4A format, due to it being created on a Mac, and due to the fact that I haven't found a program to encode from M4A to MP3.

If you download this, and have an encoder, and want to... oh, I don't know, be a nice guy or girl and encode this for us, that would be awesome. Just post it in the comments for this post, and we'll give you some credit!

45rpm Podcast / the Ducer!

Sorry for the delay on this week's podcast, but all is explained on the show. Also, beware, this is in M4A format, but we're working on getting a MP3 version up.

One more thing, no streaming of this one yet, you'll have to download it.

[Link] 45rpm Podcast 2

An Open Letter to the Record Industry

Dear Record Industry,

Hey there. You don't know me, but I'm a pretty big fan of yours. Let me rephrase that, you didn't know me, that is, until last week. I think you know who I am now, and you know what? Whatever. It's cool. Let me introduce myself... my name is Justin Peterson, and I've been a huge supporter of yours since the age of 11. It's true!

My first tape, yes, a cassette tape, was 'Achtung Baby' by U2. It was great, but I'm sure you already know that. I played 'One' at least two times every night before I had to go to bed.

My first CD, when your industry lumbered into the not-as-of-then-titled Digital Age of music, was 'Gish' by the Smashing Pumpkins. It could have also been Nirvana. I don't remember. It was 1991-ish. Again, I was young. I think both of those bands did pretty good for your business... But who's counting?

I look fondly back on my days in middle school, sitting by the radio at night, waiting for my favorite song to come on so I could press 'record' on my boom-box. Sometimes we would call into the radio station and request songs, back when radio stations had real DJ's and could pay what they wanted... all good things come to an end though, I suppose.

It was fun making mix-tapes of all the new singles and trading them with friends in school. Getting to hear a new band I didn't know about, and then waiting later that day so maybe the DJ would mention when the album was coming out. See, back then, we didn't have the internet to go and look up new bands and find out album release dates... we just sat by the radio, or read a copy of Rolling Stone in 7-11 during the summer before getting kicked out back into the summer sun.

Those were the days.

Things are easier now, or at least, were. Napster came out of nowhere! It was amazing, being able to download a song, or maybe a whole album that you didn't have... but that rarely happened, since we were all on 36k modems.

And then that jerk from Metallica ruined it all for us. He's a jerk. I don't like him. Complaining to you and to our Government that the music fans were taking money away from him. The nerve! Why should he be cheated out of a few more million dollars? When you're rich, you can never have enough money, and when people steal from you, man, you get pissed off. Like I said, he's a bitch. Oh, what? I didn't mention he was a bitch?

Well he is. Still is, too. And a jerk. And a pansy. You saw the movie, you know what I'm talking about.

And then, Recording Industry, you got all righteous on us! Why, people were sharing music, turning kids on to a whole mess of bands they had never heard of. Mom's, Dad's, brothers, sisters, everyone was trading music. It was a great time! No one was getting hurt.

So, what did you do? You turned on the fans. You didn't just slap a few hands, oh no. You starting SUING! How very American of you! And everyone was a target!

The 12 year old girl with three Britney Spears songs? SUED!

The 62 year old man with some Dean Martin? SUED!

The 17 year old kid with a Metallica album downloaded? SUED! AND SUED AGAIN!

Now, listen... I get it. No, really, I do. The black and white version of the issue is simple. Music was stolen, people broke the law, they got into trouble. It's not that insane. If you steal a beer from Circle K, well, you get into trouble too.

But there's a grey area here too, and Big Business and the Government aren't too fond of the grey area. They frown upon it. Because things aren't simple in the grey area.

You, R.I (do you mind if I call you that?), wonder why... Why is the industry going down? Why can't we turn a buck? Why why why?

Your reason? Online illegal downloading. SURE! Why not? It's an easy target, kids are getting cd's for free and not buying them anymore, so go ahead... point the finger at them. This must be the reason why things are bad. So sue them! Take away their money! Good idea... this will show them that they should buy albums.

Oh, but wait. They don't have money anymore, because you took it from them. And you also took their love of music (I'm sure it was in the court papers somewhere that you 'had to').

But... what if? What if it's NOT illegal downloading that's causing your industry to slid, R.I? What if it's something else? And what could it be? You know, we are American's after all. And after awhile, American's do one thing REALLY great... we learn the truth about things.

Take George W Bush for example. He's your friend, right? Well, more than half this country thought he was great! They even re-elected him. But, they soon realized, just like the rest of us knew, that he is and was and will always be a giant ass-clown. It's true. It said so in Wikipedia.

Take Oil and Gas for another example. Most of us, even way back in the 70's, knew that this was a bad road to be on, and something had to be done. Well, most of America can see the light now, but, you know, we're American's, it took a little long, and now we must pay the price, literally. But it's okay, because eventually things will work out... or we'll all just die. Either way, someone wins.

And now look at the Music Industry.

For the longest time, we had one choice... if we heard a song on the radio, we bought the cd. Even if it was the only good track on the album, we had no other choice. SURE, we could buy singles, but those cost 10 bucks for a song, and for a few more dollars, we could get the whole album. There is bound to be another good track or two on there... right? No, really... right?

Then came Napster. Bearshare. Limewire. Kazaa.

If we got lucky, we might be able to download a few tracks from an upcoming album before it was to be released in stores... see what the artist had to offer.

You know what we found out?

Most albums are filled with pure shit. (This fact is also on Wikipedia).

Now, instead of paying the 18.99 (On Sale, no less!) at FYE for the new DMX album, we could just download the single and the remix of the single for free, save our money, and take out lady-friend out to Arby's for a nice dinner.

The American Buying Public FINALLY got smart. They stopped buying into your shit.

Sucks, I know, but again... we are American. It's our way!

And now you're all pissy, R.I. Record sales are down down down. Single sales? Why, those are on the up and up! iTunes is making you a boat-load of cash! People are actually buying those one or two songs an album, instead of downloading them. Good for you, you're big business wheels might actually be turning!

But you're still upset with people downloading music. And now it's worse, because these things called 'Music Blogs' are just popping up everywhere. And even WORSE yet, they're giving away few tracks from up and coming new artists, underground acts that you have no hand in (it's very Punk of them), and on an occasion or two, some new tracks from a major label release... like, oh, I don't know... Pearl Jam.

This upsets you. However, I'm at a loss as to why. I mean, these people are doing a good job at hyping albums and bands before they come out. Don't you pay people to do that? Aren't they called A&R men? What are they doing these days?

So, because this upsets you, something has to be done.

Why, I have a good idea! Let's sue some more! Theaten! Bully! Sue!

AGAIN, why are you scared of these Music Bloggers? THEY'RE DOING THE JOB OF AN A&R MAN FOR FREE!!

FREE!!!!!

You're bleeding money, why not save some?

But again, this is all in the grey area. You don't see too clearly into this area. You can't tell the difference between the guy who's giving away the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album for free on his blog and the guy who's giving fans 2 tracks (and one of those is on the radio, for free!) and hyping the album and telling people to buy it the day it comes out.

You just can't tell them apart. Maybe you need glasses.

I agree that giving away an unreleased album isn't fair. It only encourages a person NOT to buy the album at dirt cheap prices Tuesday at Best Buy.

But you know what, R.I? That person who downloaded the album and didn't buy it on Tuesday? He wasn't going to buy it ANYWAY, ever. So no skin off your back really.

However, what about the girl who downloaded the two tracks from Such-and-Such music blog? Well, she only has 2 songs. She might not have ever liked the RHCP, and those two tracks might not have changed her mind. In which case, still no skin off your nose.

...oh, but, what if... what if she downloaded the two sample tracks, and said "Hey, you know what? I'll give that album a chance!"

What of her now?

Without the sample tracks, she wasn't buying anyway. But she liked what she heard, and for 10 bucks at Target, she decides to pick it up Tuesday.

Looks like it's a win-win situation!

... what's that? Oh, what about the person who downloads the album early? Yes, what about them?

Well, in most cases, not all, but some, that person who goes out of his or her way to download a leaked album PROBABLY likes that band. They probably are a huge music fan, one who buys cd's every Tuesday. In fact, they're such a huge music fan, they just can't WAIT the two months left until said album comes out... they need it NOW.

That person will buy the album they downloaded for free each and every time.

Yes, they will actually buy the album!

Now, I don't want to upset you, but this last Tuesday, I, myself, bought 4 albums that I had previously downloaded months in advance. I didn't need to, really, because I had them on my iPod, but since I'm such a music fan, I like to support the indie music stores and the artists.

Don't be mad. :(

I guess what I'm trying to say is this...

You need to stop putting out shitty albums. You need to stop telling us what's cool, and paying off MTV and VH1 and shoving bands and artists that YOU know are crap down out throats. We're tired of it. And it shows, right?

Once you do this, maybe you'll see an upswing. Bring up quality, you bring up quantity sold. It's pretty simple. My sister knows that. She's 5.

And stop just calling everyone who's ever downloaded a song, or an album, for free, a criminal. We're not.

Mosy of us... we're music fans. And we love music. And we want everyone to be as excitied as we are about music. Don't make us hate you, or hate music, because you can't afford to piss off too many more of us. We're all you have.

And you're all we have.

I need to go, I'll write you back soon, I promise.


Yours Truly,

Justin Peterson
Music fan

Let's Impeach the President

Neil Young's new album hit the internet today (in steaming format only), "Living With War". Recorded in about two weeks, starting at the end of March, and finally receiving a final mix a week or two ago.

That choir you hear on each track? 100 singers, recorded over 12 hours. And you might also hear some ELECTRIC guitar, which is always nice to hear from Mr. Young...

Available (I assume) on most Digital Music services this coming Tuesday (May 2), and in stores shortly thereafter... probably the following week or so.

Here's the tracklisting...

01: After the Garden
02: Living With War
03: the Restless Consumer
04: Shock and Awe
05: Families
06: Flags of Freedom
07: Let's Impeach the President
08: Lookin' for a Leader
09: Roger and Out
10: America the Beautiful

[STREAM] Neil Young Living With War

[LINK] Neil Young . com

Album Review: The Flaming Lips - At War With The Mystics

First let me start off by mentioning that I've never been a big Flaming Lips fan, most likely because I haven't given one of their previous albums a full listen. Sure I've heard a Lips song here and there from different commercials and movie soundtracks, but I've never really embraced their sound. At War With The Mystics, should it be a window into the music and style of the Flaming Lips, really shows me what I've been missing.

"Free Radicals" the second track on the album, has an all too eerie sense of Prince. Say whaaaat? I always thought the Lips were just a psych-rock band.. boy was I wrong. Diversity is a quality many bands do not embrace, the Flaming Lips on the other hand do just that on this album, embracing many different styles from funk to electronica. Tracks like "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion" and especially "Vein of Stars" take you on a tranquil spacey trip, music you can get lost to. The album impresses me when it mixes between luscious soundscapes, electronic beats, funky guitar riffs, and some good ol' foot tappin music that just might make you want to get up and dance. From the outside looking in, I can't compare this with any of the other previous Flaming Lips releases, but this album alone had provoked me to dig deeper into their collection to find out what I've been missing all these years.

[MP3] Free Radicals
[MP3] Vein of Stars

45rpm Radio: ON HOLD

No new Podcast/Radio/Audioblog (whatever you want to call it!) today. It's my fault, really. But I have a good excuse though. I'm in the process of switching over from my old PC to a brand new iMac, and the process is taking a little bit of time.

This includes buying all new recording equiptment for the iMac. Before, I was using a Line6 GuitarPort, which I used for recording demos of me and my friends, and more recently, the 45rpm Podcast.

But, sadly, the GuitarPort doesn't work on Mac's. However, I do have a M-Audio Firewire Solo on it's way, which will sound even better than the GP. But it's not here yet.

HOPEFULLY... hopefully... I can get a Podcast up in the middle of the week, and then another one next Friday, just to make up for the lack of one today. This is all a good thing though, because it's going to sound even better with the new equiptment, so just hold tight!

Sorry for the delay, kids.

Under the Covers

Ahhh... the 60's. If there is any one time I could travel back to, this would be it. Everything was nicer, cleaner. The bands and music were better. It was quite the time to be alive... or, so I hear at least (as I was born in 1981, the year that MTV was launched, and ruined music forever)

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs (singer / guitarist of the Bangles) want to take us back to those long past, but never forgotten, summer days of the 60's.

On their album Under the Covers: Vol 1 (using the fake band name, 'Sid & Susie') they cover such ground from the Beatles and the Beach Boys (surprise surprise!) to Neil Young (two tracks on the album), the Mamas & Papas, the Who, Bob Dylan and more. Some of the tracks are known, others are hidden gems.

For those of you who aren't in the 'know', or just didn't listen to alternative rock radio in the 90's, Matthew Sweet brought us 1991's "Girlfriend". Pop-Rock at it's best, kids.

[LINK] Sid & Susie on Myspace

LINKS REMOVED (Because I don't want to be ass-raped by uh... you know who... )

[MP3]SID & SUSIE CINNAMON GIRL (Neil Young)
[MP3]SID & SUSIE SUNDAY MORNING (the Velvet Underground)

Pumpkins-a-Go-Go

Straight from PITCHFORK (but can you trust them?)

"Smashing Pumpkins Reunion Is a Go"
Amy Phillips reports:
"It's official, the Smashing Pumpkins are currently writing songs for their upcoming album, their first since 2000. No release date has yet been set, but the band plans to begin recording this summer."

Well, there you have it-- the latest update on the Smashing Pumpkins reunion, taken straight from the band's official website. That's all. Nothing else to report, sorry!

No, we don't know who exactly is in the band now, although we assume it's some combination involving Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain, since Billboard.com reported earlier this year that the pair signed a management deal under the Smashing Pumpkins name."

So there you have it. Most of that was already known, but hey, it's good to hear something.

I believe Melissa Auf der Maur also has stated that Billy was working ONLY with Jimmy on the 'new' Smashing Pumpkins. Which is okay with me, because that's really the heart and soul of the band anyhow...

[LINK] the Offical Smashing Pumpkins website (it's back!)

[MP3] the SMASHING PUMPKINS
"Machina II / the Friends and Enemies of Modern Music"

(the link takes you to a site where you can download all 25 tracks for free!)

ADVANCE WARNING: Pearl Jam

Let me first state that I might not be the best person to review the new record by Pearl Jam. The reason for that statement lies in the fact that I happen to love Pearl Jam. They're one of my all time favorite bands.

I went to middle school in the early 90's, so I grew up with the Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Soundgarden... and of course, Pearl Jam.

Some of my favorite memories revolve around music, and this is no exception for PJ.

I remember buying "Vitalogy", PJ's third album, and listening to "Better Man", and my Mom came in the room and asked, "What is he saying? 'Butter Man'? What does THAT mean?" Good times, trust me.

So, what does Pearl Jam have left to say after more than 15 years in business?

Quite a lot actually.

It seems that the four years it took them to write and record this album (the longest time between albums for them) and entering into a new recording contract has allowed the band to create their best album in years.

2002's "Riot Act" seemed to find the band at their most overtly political, with songs that blasted then (and still current) president Bush ("Bushleager", "Green Disease"), however, "Pearl Jam" (cleverly self-titled... perhaps a sign of a creative rebirth?) finds them JUST as political, if not more so, especially on "World Wide Suicide" and "Gone", where Vedder sings "When the gas in my tank feels like money in the tank", you know exactly whom he's targeting.

This album, for some reason, reminds me a lot of "Vitalogy", as most of the songs are heavily guitar-driven. It also feels like a lost classic album that they recorded years ago, but are just now putting out. It's exciting and familiar all at once. No song on this album is wasted, everything is in it's right place.

The aggressive songs are aggressive, and the slower songs are beautiful. Eddie Vedder and co. seem to be on some sort of a mission, as they sound refocused and re-energized. It's also refreshing to see a band that has maintained their integrity over the years, and have never once compromised or apologized for what they've done or stood for.

I don't think that this album will win them any new fans, but I really hope it will... hopefully some kid will pick this album up and find out that there's more to music than just screaming about hating your life and your parents and girlfriends.

But the longtime fans? This is what they've wanted for years.

LINKS REMOVED AT REQUEST OF RIAA
[MP3] PEARL JAM "Life Wasted"
[MP3] PEARL JAM "World Wide Suicide"
[MP3] PEARL JAM "Marker in the Sand"

45rpm: Now on the Air

The 45rpm Music Blog not enough for you? Need even MORE excitment? Well friend, you've come to the right place... welcome to the FIRST installment of the 45rpm Audioblog.

On this week's show, we have new Pearl Jam, the Raconteurs, the Format and many more.

This is a few days late, due to... uh... things (i.e, I went to Universal Studios yesterday)... but expect this to be uploaded EVERY Friday. Each week, we'll have new bands for you to sink your teeth into (or is that your ears?)... In any case, enjoy!

[MP3] 45rpm Audioblog / 04.23.06