Eclectic Vibes - December 2009

by Andrew Frey

SellABand.com

SellABand.com

Sell A Band Dot Com
Everyone knows that the music industry is in major turmoil. The lesson of marketing and managing the outcome of your band has never been more important. Sell A Band dot com is here to give bands an interesting alternative to signing away their musical souls to corporate leeches. Most of these bands are unknowns from all parts of the globe hoping to catch a break and get the support they need, but others are faces from the past. In fact, the current top band is Public Enemy. They have raised the most at the moment but are also seeking the most ($250K).  Members to this site are dubbed “believers” and can then pledge $ to a band by purchasing “parts” in their band of choice. Potential perks for investing in your fave group include free downloads, CDs, and revenue sharing. I was made aware of the site through one of its hard working success story bands called Lunic.

By successfully meeting their goal the band, headed by singer songwriter Kaitee Page, has been able to bring their newest, “Love Thief” into reality. Their style of easily accessible female fronted poppy rock with violin struck a chord with enough people (and their $) that they have been able to take another step on their musical success journey. Bravo!

I see this as a valuable site for musicians because it forces upcoming artists to work through many of the details that they may not have thought of when planning their trek to success and mega selling albums. Plus it gives fans the power to directly support an artist. Based out of Amsterdam and currently boasting over 3000 artists plus an impressive track record of having more than $2.5 million invested into past and current projects the future of your band could be bright on Sell A Band dot com

 

 


MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 - Incomprehensible thru 10 - Total Clarity

Chinese Stars - Heaven On Speed Dial

Chinese Stars - Heaven On Speed Dial

Chinese Stars

Album title: Heaven On Speed Dial
Record Label: Anchor Brain Records
Rating: 9

Dissonant lubrications disjoint and realign at the sadistic whim of these overlords of musical funk-dissonance. Join this scramble for stability amidst the charming yet volatile excursions into dangerous anti-pop melodies grinning with smart ass punk taunting vocals.

(3685) Page Views

The Chinese Stars online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Heaven On Speed Dial from Amazon


EOTO - Fire The Lazers!

EOTO - Fire The Lazers!

EOTO

Album title: Fire The Lazers!
Record Label: Sci Fidelity Recordings
Rating: 10

Immediately engulfing the listener in a womb of intensely perplexing otherworldly sounds “Fire The Lazers!” drinks from a dazzling selection of galaxy shaking electronic riffs and drum kit dips. The robust bass spectrum sounds rub and tickle your ears and body with a special nonchalant fervor. Michael Travis and Jason Hann (both String Cheese Incident alumnist’s) have birthed another quirky recorded masterpiece while maintaining their improvisational live performances.

(3575) Page Views

EOTO online:
WebsiteWiki




Fall Of Troy - In The Unlikely Event

Fall Of Troy - In The Unlikely Event

Fall Of Troy

Album title: In The Unlikely Event
Record Label: Equal Vision Records
Rating: 9

An unpredictable subterfuge of punk, jazz, noise and progressive rock that has resulted in a surprisingly fresh and interesting offering. The emotional and edgy vocals are mixed only slightly with screemo. This highly charged trio from Mulkilteo, WA is ready to rocket to success.

(3300) Page Views

The Fall Of Troy online:
WebsiteWiki

Download In The Unlikely Event from Amazon
Purchase In The Unlikely Event on Amazon



Heavy Trash - Midnight Soul Serenade

Heavy Trash - Midnight Soul Serenade

Heavy Trash

Album title: Midnight Soul Serenade
Record Label: Big Legal Mess Records
Rating: 8

Surfing through clever escapades into bluesy vintage rock as well as smirking garage punk sojourns. These creative juices again stratified by musical comrades Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray reek of dark mirth and flavorful kitsch.

(3239) Page Views

Heavy Trash online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Midnight Soul Serenade from Amazon
Purchase Midnight Soul Serenade on Amazon



Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment

Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment

Adam Lambert

Album title: For Your Entertainment
Record Label: Octjay Records
Rating: 10

Without a doubt, one of the most amazing singers and performers to burst upon the musical scene in a long time, Adam rocked the boat and keeps it rocking. Utilizing, but not smothered by industry greats, we are given a great spectrum of Adam’s styles ranging from banging dance to soundtrack to ballads

(3262) Page Views

Adam Lambert online:
Website

Download For Your Entertainment from Amazon
Purchase For Your Entertainment on Amazon



Leaves' Eyes - Njord

Leaves' Eyes - Njord

Leaves' Eyes

Album title: Njord
Record Label: Napalm Records
Rating: 7

Regal and fully manifested gothic operatic metal. The ever entrancing Liv Kristine along with her brethren from the mighty band Atrocity has crafted another musical feast of myth and legend from the Norse land. Orchestrating a new level of fantasy and delight.

(3455) Page Views

Leaves' Eyes online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Njord from Amazon
Purchase Njord on Amazon



Ziggy Marley - Family Time

Ziggy Marley - Family Time

Ziggy Marley

Album title: Family Time
Record Label: Tuff Gong Worldwide
Rating: 10

Bob’s eldest son switches gears and focuses his good grooving reggae melodies towards the youngsters. Friend and family guests here include Rita Marley, Paul Simon, Willy Nelson, Jack Johnson and more!  Did you see him singing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

(3217) Page Views

Ziggy Marley online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Family Time from Amazon
Purchase Family Time on Amazon



Cathy-Anne McClintock - Cathy-Anne McClintock

Cathy-Anne McClintock - Cathy-Anne McClintock

Cathy-Anne McClintock

Album title: Cathy-Anne McClintock
Record Label: 37 Records
Rating: 8

Tumbling past her tenure in country band Tumbleweed, this singer songwriter enlists Tim O’Brien to enrapture a more folksy element of the modern country spectrum with her charm. Not my usual territory, but something caught my eye.

(4016) Page Views

Cathy-Anne McClintock online:
Website

Download Cathy-Anne McClintock from Amazon
Purchase Cathy-Anne McClintock on Amazon



Passafire - Everyone On Everynight

Passafire - Everyone On Everynight

Passafire

Album title: Everyone On Everynight
Record Label: Law Records
Rating: 10

A refreshingly colorful approach to utilizing the reggae vibe and riffs while expanding the overall flavor with jam, funk, prog and hard rock. Hooks that slide into your mind and sincere lyrics that pacify or antagonize as needed.

(3161) Page Views

Passafire online:
Website

Download Everyone On Everynight from Amazon
Purchase Everyone On Everynight on Amazon



Slavic Soul Party - Taketron

Slavic Soul Party - Taketron

Slavic Soul Party

Album title: Taketron
Record Label: Barbes Records
Rating: 9

Meet the horny side of New York’s Balkan musical revolution which also includes Gogol Bordello and Balkan Beat Box. Brandishing a barrage of briskly driven Balkan rhythms the songs are funneled through their impressive 9 piece horn section formulating highly danceable jazz, funk and folk exercises.

(3296) Page Views

Slavic Soul Party online:
Website

Download Taketron from Amazon
Purchase Taketron on Amazon



Suit Of Lights - Bacteria

Suit Of Lights - Bacteria

Suit Of Lights

Album title: Bacteria
Record Label: Visiting Hours Music
Rating: 1

I don’t get this. Good quality (well paid?) musicians (including Trevor Dunn) playing the most flaccid, poorly produced alt-pop crap you can imagine. As a bonus, the album cover is forgettable, blaze and unreadable. Wow does this suck!

(3228) Page Views

Suit Of Lights online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Bacteria from Amazon
Purchase Bacteria on Amazon



Charles Walker Band - Used And Defiant

Charles Walker Band - Used And Defiant

Charles Walker Band

Album title: Used And Defiant
Record Label: Ehlona Records
Rating: 10

Tight, classy kick ass blues from Milwaukee, WI. Deep grooving, high energy music propelled by the charismatic vocals of Miss Shanna Jackson and expertly supported by 4 seasoned career musicians including songwriter and bandleader Charles Walker himself. Music to season your soul with.

(3364) Page Views

The Charles Walker Band online:
Website


Purchase Used And Defiant on Amazon