Eclectic Vibes - August 2008

by Andrew Frey

Feel Good Festival in Amherst, Wisconsin August 8-10, 2008

Feel Good Festival in Amherst, Wisconsin August 8-10, 2008

Feel Good Festival
Festival going is a fun activity and with the gas price sting, the closer they are the better. So with that in mind, perhaps you would enjoy a close getaway Aug 8-10 to the Portage Count Fair Grounds in Amherst, WI. Max Ink favs “Reptile Palace Orchestra” are headlining on Friday evening plus there will be vendors, workshops and lots more. My favorite unknown band name at the festival is “Screaming Snopek Strawberry Daydream.”  feelgoodfestival.org

Nas on Cobert Report:
Straight up, I am not a rap fan. That being said, I saw a most amazing and articulate rapper on the Cobert Report on 7/23. It seems that “Nas” is in the forefront of a movement coordinated by ColorOfChange.org (a 450,000-member grassroots organization that focuses on issues of importance to the Black community) that points out how FOX (and Rupert Murdock, etc) are disturbingly racist. In fact, the organization (along with www.moveon.org) has gathered over 600,000 signatures for a petition delivered to FOX.

“FOX poisons the country with racist propaganda and tries to call it news,” said Nas.

The incendiary single called “Sly Fox” taken from his new album (which is unnamed because Nas wanted to call the album the “N” word but it got struck down) that he performed on the show converted me to a fan. He may need to bump up his personal security for his lyrics and actions, but I gotta say, he is really taking the bullshit by the horns.


MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1- Dorf-Nards thru 10 - Indamncredible

8889 - Zoology

8889 - Zoology

8889

Album title: Zoology
Record Label: Self Released
Rating: 6

Singer/songwriter styled alt/indie rock from Madison. This follow-up to their MAMA winning debut album finds a well-defined, well-thought through chunk of moody alt music. For my ear candy I prefer a bit more intensity and cleverness.

(3779) Page Views

8889 online:
Website

Download Zoology from Amazon
Purchase Zoology on Amazon



Ron Hacker - Mr. Bad Boy

Ron Hacker - Mr. Bad Boy

Ron Hacker

Album title: Mr. Bad Boy
Record Label: Maximum Folk
Rating: 7

This live solo show recorded at Famous Dave’s BBZ & Blues in Minneapolis highlights a scrumptious soulful attack of raw, bare-boned Delta blues from a bluesman of adequately checkered past and gruff, gritty vocals.

(3725) Page Views

Ron Hacker online:
WebsiteWiki




Melvins - Nude With Boots

Melvins - Nude With Boots

Melvins

Album title: Nude With Boots
Record Label: Ipecac Recordings
Rating: 8

Repeating the lineup of their prior release, King Buzzo and crew blast through a perky platter of lowbrow musical adjectives and adverbs to arise victorious and refreshed after the 872nd year of the band’s existence. Viva La Melvins!

(3588) Page Views

The Melvins online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Nude With Boots from Amazon
Purchase Nude With Boots on Amazon



Mock Orange - Captain Love

Mock Orange - Captain Love

Mock Orange

Album title: Captain Love
Record Label: Wednesday Records
Rating: 8

Casting an indie rock aura for meters in all directions, this tried and true band has weathered thru a lawsuit from George Lucas (for their Dead Droid Record Label) and come out crafty, quirky and generally plucky.

(3460) Page Views

Mock Orange online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Captain Love from Amazon
Purchase Captain Love on Amazon



Opiate For The Masses - Manifesto

Opiate For The Masses - Manifesto

Opiate For The Masses

Album title: Manifesto
Record Label: Century Media
Rating: 3

Well-promoted, catchy commercial pop metal. I guess if you listen to that there hard rock radio, you will have built up a tolerance to this type of music. I grew up on metal, but I cannot stand how ho-hum metal has generally become. Blugnuts!

(3806) Page Views

Opiate For The Masses online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Manifesto from Amazon
Purchase Manifesto on Amazon



Rosa Passos - Romance

Rosa Passos - Romance

Rosa Passos

Album title: Romance
Record Label: Telarc
Rating: 7

Sultry and intimate female vocals sparkle and shine, complimented by mellow smooth jazz and bossa nova ripples. This Brazilian native takes time to explore matters of the heart as she expands upon her three decade career. A little mellow for me, but she’s a great singer!

(3801) Page Views

Rosa Passos online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Romance from Amazon
Purchase Romance on Amazon



Scifi - Scifi

Scifi - Scifi

Scifi

Album title: Scifi
Record Label: Coma Gun Music
Rating: 10

Spaced out, mostly non-vocal jam rock that finds footholds in the jazz, funk, soul and techno world. At times the floaty jazzy grooves have whisked me off to a distant planet of fuzz, love and murmur. Delightful!

(3654) Page Views

Scifi online:
Website




Straight Line Stitch - When Skies Wash Ashore

Straight Line Stitch - When Skies Wash Ashore

Straight Line Stitch

Album title: When Skies Wash Ashore
Record Label: Koch Entertainment
Rating: 8

Taking the sound of today’s popular aggressive metal-core, attaching a bit of their own style, then adding the intense and dynamic female vocals of Alexis Brown has propelled this band to lofty new heights.

(3527) Page Views

Straight Line Stitch online:
Website


Purchase When Skies Wash Ashore on Amazon



Natalia Zukerman - Brand New Frame

Natalia Zukerman - Brand New Frame

Natalia Zukerman

Album title: Brand New Frame
Record Label: Weasel Records
Rating: 8

It is a bit of a conundrum how the daughter of a flutist and a violinist manages to find herself producing tantalizing bluesy guitar rock driven by her husky vocals. Her Americana attitude intermingles with a country and folk backbone while being complimented by the Willy Porter production.

(3608) Page Views

Natalia Zukerman online:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Brand New Frame on Amazon