mySpace music trail-The Crazies Will Destroy You

I’ve stepped away from the mySpace music trails for a few weeks. Here’s why:

I went to Vermont and Boston for over a week. Then I came back and immediately went back to school. I’m in five computer science courses now, trying to leverage my accounting background, my web development background, and my interest in making the world a better place by making office environments more efficient. The moral of the story is I took time off from writing my Walnotes music reviews. Traffic didn’t stop coming to the site though so I guess I’m doing alright.

Now, the reason for this specific Walnotes is because a friend’s band is playing on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at Annie’s Social Club. The venue is located at 5th and Folsom in San Francisco. I think they’re penciled in to go on at 10:30pm. The show starts at 9pm so go see some live music.

It took me awhile to get hooked on The Crazies. I saw them play in early August and they sounded good. Then I spent a day editing the video I made of their show. Throughout the editing I grew to like them more and more.

Artist #1 – The Crazies Will Destroy You

The first song that came up was (A Song For The Girl). This song makes me think of The Pixies. It might be the bass lines. Or maybe it’s the twist in the lead singer’s voice. The delivery is working for me. I have to admit that this song got past me the first many times I heard it. This time I’m noticing the guitar work, solos and rhythm, are actually interesting. Sometimes I find even Santana’s guitar solos lose my interest. Not so here. Give it a listen.

(Harold Ray) is the second song I listened to.  It reminds me of something the Ramones might sing.  No, that’s not it.  I can’t put my finger on it.  Something straight out of the late 80’s punk scene possibly?  Help me out here.  I like how it’s in your face.  Then they jam out and get louder and louder and more wall-of-sound on your ass.  Did I mention that the chorus has been stuck in my head for at least a week?

OK.  At the end of (Harold Ray) there’s one funny voicemail.  Dirty.  Very dirty.  LOVE IT!

(Sex Friend) is the third song for me.  It starts out sounding like a generic rock song.  Not my favorite style, I have to admit.  It sounds good.  And the lyrics are humorous.  It’s even got great backup vocals.  Just not my style.  One thing that I do like about is the enthusiasm with which the singer sings it live.  That actually matters to me more than the song, believe it or not.  When he sings this song he has so much passion behind it that it’s hard not to sing along or at least stand up and take notice.  Kudos for that.

The last song is actually the first song on their playlist.  I saved (Rabbitdog Lizardsnake) for last because it’s their big hit.  It has all of the elements of a hit song.  Enthusiasm is one of the many high points of hearing this song live.  The melody is ear catching.  The lyrics are worthwhile.  The rising action heading into the chorus draws me in.  I LOVE it when a song changes tempo and shows rising action.  The drum work is noteworthy on this track too.  All the way around this song is working for me.  Check it out for yourself.

OK, I’m not doing a real trail tonight.  I have class in 7 1/2 hours.  that means 6 1/2 of them are going to be devoted to some sort of eyes closed, sleep-like action.

mySpace music trail – Madelia, Tremble Low

I’ve been interested in doing video work for awhile. My first attempt at recording a live show was for the band Madelia. My friend Trevor is in the band so I had an “in”. The lighting was really low and I didn’t get the best recording. It’s available on my YouTube channel still if you want to see it.

The video didn’t work out so well but I got better with experience and now I’m selling my services to anyone who wants their band recorded, edited and saved for them. Contact me if you’re interested.

Artist #1 – Madelia

(Wither) is the first song. The sound is tight on this track. It reminds me of The Cure mixed with early 90’s grunge. Not such a band combination. The drum work totally hits the mark. The rockin’ out instrumental jams are on point. And the production value shows there was serious thought put into it. Not a bad piano outro either.

(Cherry) is the next track I listened to. This is actually the first song I heard from Madelia when I first discovered them. They were competing in some radio contest here in San Francisco. If they got the most plays they’d win something. I don’t think they won. They should have. This song carries similar professionalism and sound quality as in (Wither). I love the singer’s delivery. It’s catchy. It’s atypical. It’s a strong argument for airplay. And damn those drums are working hard!

The third song is (Chords). It starts off quieter but you can tell there’s going to be more coming. Bryan is the lead singer. I don’t know if he’s trying to do it be I swear he sounds like Robert Smith of The Cure. I’m not sure what to say about (Chords) except that it’s another quality tune. Absolutely you should check it out.

The last track, (Departures), starts out with that rock anthem style intro. It doesn’t get fast and powerful though. Stylized, yes, but not overly powerful. I really like the mixed intensities and multi-textured flow Madelia brings to the table. I don’t feel like I’m just listening to another rock band. I feel like I’m listening to fine art. If you dig the style this is a good example of how high you should shoot in band practice. Rock on Madelia!

To keep this mySpace music trail moving I’ll pick Tremble Low from Madelia’s top friends. Awesome, they’ve got great colors on their page. And their description says “Minimalist, Melodramatic Popular Song”. How can you go wrong?

Artist #2 – Tremble Low

(Bindle Stiff) is the first song. I love bass driven songs. The Pixies knew how to do it and it seems like Tremble Low does too. This song starts out as a slow rambler then mildly shifts into a passionate outburst. The production quality is really good. I can dig it.

YES! (Wish Me Well) is another bass driven song. I’m liking this band. The tempo is mid-paced to start. I wonder if it’ll stay that way. There’s a melodic shift a minute into it. Good stuff. I like that you can hear the enunciations of the singer. I’m still awful at transcribing lyrics but for those who aren’t he makes it easier for you to pick them out.

(Searchlight) is the third song. This song is less bass heavy. Still there but not quite as strong. I like the guitar strums. It gives it that feel you don’t get from stead rhythm guitar. The effect is cool too. I would put this song into the cafe friendly category. I’d love to hear it while playing computer at a cafe with a mocha on my table. The mood resonates and lingers with you too.

The last track is (Shock). It starts out sounding more like a typical rock song. Drum driven, guitar rhythmed, “heavy mellow” sound. The song keeps going with the same sound throughout. It’s tight but I prefer the first three songs. Style preference is all. They sound good doing what they do.

I think I’m done for the day. I need to get off my ass and do something. I’ve been editing The Crazies Will Destroy You’s live video footage all morning while writing my Walnotes.

I started today’s mySpace music trail with Madelia. They’re a band my friend is in. Check them out if you haven’t already. They sound really good on their mySpace page.

From Madelia’s top friends I found Tremble Low. They’re self-described as “heavy mellow”. The name fits. They don’t overpower you with their heavy sound. Nor do they put you to sleep with their mellow sound. But they mix them well.

I’m out.

mySpace music trail – Lil’ Red, Heather Lauren, Iron and Wine

I went to see my friend’s band last night. The Crazies Will Destroy You played a solid show at Ireland’s 32. They play again August 29th.

As I start my mySpace music trail today I was trying to find my other friend Heather Lauren’s mySpace page. I guessed wrong and went to Lil’ Red’s page instead. www.myspace.com/heatherlaurensong vs. www.myspace.com/heathersings. So now I have a dilemma. Do I start my Walnotes review with Heather or Lil’ Red? I guess I’ll start with Lil’ Red.

Artist #1 – Lil’ Red

(Hollywood) is the first song. It’s a ballad giving fair warning of the woes of pursuing a career in Hollywood. The song is actually quite decent. It sounds good, and the lyrics are meaningful, although bordering on cliche. “They never told you” about the challenges of making it in Hollywood? Come on now. Who are you kidding? Everyone knows that the town is filled with wannabee stars with big dreams and plenty of gumption to try to compete for a place in The Walk of Fame. Good luck to ya!

(Honeybee) is the second track. It’s a raucous little number. I like it. Potent and a change of style from the standard delivery of (Hollywood). There’s a bit too much rhyming, but whatever. The singer rocks out and sounds good doing it. The instrument solos are quick and to the point. The whole thing works for me.

(Harmony) is third on the list. The tone is set right off the bat. It’s a mid-paced song about longing, or love, for a boy. “You give me butterflies inside. And all I want to do is get next to you…” I have to admit that this could be another cliche song from Miss Lil’ Red but it’s not. She was able to escape the trap and write a soft love song. I feel relaxed listening to it.

(So Blue) starts off a capella. I love a capella music. There’s a rawness about it that puts the emphasis on the words and delivery. Oh wow. The whole song is a capella. It’s a short one too. Great choice for your mySpace presence Lil’ Red! You’ve got a ballad, a rockin’ out song, a love song set to looped beats, and an a capella tune. Something tells me you’re really trying to show the record producer’s you’re multi-talented. Remember to sing and make music for you. You can sell yourself but don’t sell yourself out.

Artist #2 – Heather Lauren

(Sense of Me) is the first song. It’s a beautiful song about self identity and purpose. “I’m lost and everything seems like a sign. I might be crazy. I know that I’m blind.” This is an award winning Heather Lauren original. It’s one of those songs you’d hear in the background of a romantic comedy when the female lead is trying figure out what she’s doing with her life. Good stuff!

(Out of the Child) is the second song. It’s a piano driven piece. “There’s something unbridled and tameless that compels me on.” I love it when Heather puts her pen to the paper. The chorus on this song is moving. I even like the minimalist piano work. I’m a sucker for minimalism with potency though. Fo the lyric delivery and the mood set with the piano I really like this song. Heather, this is another song I’d expect to hear in a film or TV show someday.

(Jezebel) is the third track. This is a song by Iron and Wine. I sure hope Iron and Wine is in Heather’s top friends. I would love to listen to his mySpace page next. Now, back to the covered version. It’s top notch, a jazzy interpretation with an upbeat air to a sullen song. The harmony in this piece is beautiful.

Unfortunately Heather Lauren only has three songs on her page. You can check her live performance out at www.youtube.com/walnotes. I had the opportunity to video record her CD release party.

From Heather Lauren’s top friends I’ll choose YES!!!!! She does have Iron and Wine in there. His music is unreal!

Artist #3 – Iron and Wine

(Boy With A Coin) is the first track. How do I describe this? Modern folk rock is the genre but it’s so much more than that. Mr. Sam Beam has a singing style and voice that could instigate world peace. Not too mellow, not too harsh. He hits the sweet spot right in the middle. And the multi-layered instrumentation adds so much texture your berber rug feels ashamed.

(Naked As We Came) is the second song. This is one of his more famous songs. It’s a soft, beautiful, mid-paced acoustic guitar driven tune. I would love to go camping and invite Iron and Wine to my campfire.

(Jezebel) is the third song. Ooooooh! I don’t think I’ve ever had this in my mySpace music trail before, a cover and an original in the same Walnotes. The song itself is righteous in it’s own right. Iron and Wine delivers it with a breathy, subdued, folk style. I love how the guitar (or banjo) rhythm makes me bob my head as if I’m agreeing with every word he sings. Amen!

(Sodom South Georgia) is the last track available right now. I’m pretty sure it’s a banjo driving this one. The breathy style is back too. I consider it Iron and Wine’s signature. Instantly you recognize it when you hear it. This song is soft and beautiful. I really want to write something about the meaning of the lyrics but nothing’s coming to me. It’s about death and rebirth, but it feels to me more like it’s about remembering someone who died happy. “Papa died smiling wide as the ring of a bell.”

I think that’s it for today. Three artists is enough.

Today I started my mySpace music trail with two Heathers. Both of them live in LA and are pursuing music careers. I think they should meet up and play a show together.

Lil’ Red was first. Her mySpace page showcases her broad range of styles. I really liked the a capella tune.

Heather Lauren was next. I actually included her a couple weeks ago but it wasn’t a real Walnotes review so I was compelled to plug her again. She sings music that you will someday hear in the background of films and TV shows.

From Heather Lauren’s top friends I found Iron and Wine. I knew his music before and really wanted to listen to it. His style, voice and delivery strike me the right way.

Until next time…be well.