Wednesday, May 05, 2004
This video consists of a road trip up through the NW with an RV full of skaters. It is made in documentary format which is both good and bad. It gets a little slow, but the the DVD moving around to the action is easy. Notably Pat Duffy makes a comeback. When was the last time you heard the name Pat Duffy? Well, after this video you'll remember it. I Hear he is ruling the next TW video as well. In addition to Pat Duffy's comeback Danny Way has a ton of footage as well. If you're a street skater you need to skip this video for sure because there is so little street action. If you live in the NW or are into pools and crazy parks then you need to check out this video. If after watching "Are You Alright" you feel the desire to move to the NW just remember it rains for more than half the year here.
posted by jered bogli 2:11 PM
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Black Eyes - Cough
If the first Black Eyes album was a 6 on the crazy music o'meter the new release ranks up around 8.5. They took their style and added more chaotic trumpet layed up over the solid rhythm section. The bass and drums are the same driving anchor on this album, very intriguing and fun while having an underlying darkness. The standout tracks for me are False Positive due to the quickness and kinda call and response feel give it a Beastie Boys flavor, it is also pretty lyrically interesting to me, at times I think of the Clash when it comes to the lyrics. Scrapes and Scratches is one of the more chaotic tracks on the album, and despite the screechy second vocals I like the track. On first listen the album is way less accessable than the first album, but there is so much greatness happening in here if you give it a chance.
Dischord Records
Oregon Bike Map
You can get this map free from ODOT. The map has most of the major and secondary state roads marked according to traffic volume as well as indicating hill grade and direction. The colors indicate volume of traffic as well as shoulder width. It has city details for Portland,the Wilamette Valley, Salem, Springfield, Medford and Pendelton/LaGrande. Wind direction is listed in faint grey which is a nice feature to have. The map seems to also have a good handle on available campgrounds and makes an attempt to list towns with bike services. Many roads are not colored indicating they don't have information on the road, however the map notes if there isn't information on the road it is a fair assumption that the road is lightly traveled. If you're a serious biker or even plan on doing some casual touring this map is a great resource and starting point. They also publish a map of the Oregon Coastal Route which is another great resource if you're riding the coast. Email: Charlotte.L.KING@odot.state.or.us
posted by jered bogli 11:51 AM
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Soulside - first LP
Dischord has re-released the first Soulside Lp. This was originally released on Sammich Records. I'm not even sure who still remembers Soulside or 7 league boots for that matter. At anyrate when I was growing up Soulside was one of my favoirte bands...what was it Trigger, that was the second Dischord LP and that tape still gets tons of play, and the first one on Dischord Hot Bodygram or whatever - fucking rules too. This first album who's name I have forgotten and the CD is out in my car and it is cold and wet out there and I'm warm and sitting by a fire right now with some yummy green tea and a tofuti too too so there isn't any chance I'm going to get that disk just to reference a name, nor is there a chance I'm going to end this meaningless run on sentence... oh... This is a great re-release and I'm glad I have it, I'm claiming 80% of the songs are really good, the other 20% you can tell it was early on in the history of Soulside. Overall you get a healthy fix of Bobby Sullivan's distinctive vocal stylings and it is well worth it.
Dischord Records
Shudder to Think - curses, spells, voodoo, mooses
This is another Dischord re-release of a Sammich disk and for gods sake why make me relive the horror that was Studder to Stink. I hated this band as a kid and I was thinking as I put this disk in my CD player "maybe I was just young and I didn't understand what they were doing...maybe I'll love it now." NOPE - this is still one of the worst bands I've ever heard.
Dischord Records
posted by jered bogli 8:33 PM
Chainbreaker #2
The second issue of Chainbreaker brings us all more bicycle inspiration. In case the name left you wondering Chainbreaker is a bike zine brought to us from a woman’s perspective. Shelly has put together another great issue. Inside you have pieces on how to make a bike powered blender that accompanies a piece on a shop in Guatemala that builds all sorts of bike powered machines. There is a piece on Shelly’s travels to India and the bike culture in India, especially rickshaws. Personally I’m wanting to get something like a rickshaw…something I can comfortably haul a carload of groceries in…mmmm. There is a summer vacation story on working at a bike shop in Ireland and a bike circus summer vacations story that took the writer all over northern Europe on tall bikes doing shows at Red Cross shelters – pretty rad stuff, though I wanted more from that piece, more stories about the experience. There is writing about the ills of the vice-grip and writing exhalting the ball bearing that almost got me psyched enough to rebuild my headset and hubs…I’ll just put that off till after winter…they still feel ok. There are tons of other great little stories and informational bits in this gem. If you like (em) you’ll love this, if you like Leapfrog you’ll love this. Somehow this zine really manages to impart Shelly’s passion for bikes. Order it now.
Chainbreaker
621 North Rendon
New Orleans, LA 70119
posted by jered bogli 8:30 PM
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Alexisonfire
It that Thursday style scremo with the metal influence that is so popular these days. I’ve been listening for six songs and I don’t think it is at all bad – quite the contrary it is rather good. My issue is that this release does nothing to advance the genre of metallic scremo. If you’re a fan of Coheed and Cambria, Thursday, and the mass of other bands in that style than this would be a great addition to your collection. Oh yeah, the cover is hot – “school girls” fighting – hot…
Equal Vision Records
93 Million Miles
I’m not sure what to call this, but I’m sure it is great. Half way through the first song, I clicked import and moved it on over to the ipod! Bear with me on this one – One Day gets me thinking of the first Get Up Kids 7” (pre-doghouse) in terms of sincerity and that sloppy sweet vocal style. “Trademarks” is hyper political lyrically and has great piano and that same sincere vocals layered in with some perfect dark melodic back up vocals. The guitar and bass are all clean, but dark and brooding, the vocals often come across as the lighter poppier element, until the heartfelt strained parts kick in – This is a damn fine CD and I figured out what makes it so damn fine – it is apparently a short lived side project of some of the folks from Refused and International Noise Conspiracy. Hell yeah!
Simba Recordings
Q and not U – book of flags single
This band is the future – so good it hurts, so sincere, so able to pull off a blending of styles most lesser bands would fail at. X-polynation for instance has piano that will bring you back to the early days of MTV, on top of this is the signature driving rhythm and chaotic vocals that Q and not U always bring. Book of flags gets me thinking of the Clash. Now I’m a huge Clash fan, but these guys may be doing the Clash better than the Could do the Clash all while dropping some sweet poppy back up vocals that take you back to the 80’s. I can’t say enough good.
Dischord Records.
Moneen – are we really happy with who we are right now?
Uh…It is on Vagrant so you know exactly what to expect. ONE TRICK PONY.
Vagrant Records
Ultimate Fakebook – before we spark
Go back to (em) #15 and read the review I gave this bands previous release. Multiply that by 10,000. Words can not accurately describe how awful this band is – fuck, kids are starving in far off countries and somebody here has the money to put out this swill. Glad we bombed the fuck out of Iraq to steal their oil so we can put out Cds like this – it is music like this that makes me hate humanity.
Initial Records
American Nightmare…oh I mean Give Up the Ghost – background music
People dig this band. It sound like generic hardcore recorded so everything sounds the same. I don’t get it. Sure it isn’t bad, but it isn’t great…maybe I need to see them live.
Equal Vision
Helicopter helicopter – wild dogs with x-ray eyes.
Despite a cool looking cover Initial puts out another stinker. This is the kind of shit you’d expect from Vagrant. Even more so you’d expect to hear this on your major market “rock” station. I’d last maybe two days if this was all I was allowed to listen to…after 48 hours I’d take my own life.
Initial Records
Roy – Tacomatose
Maybe I’m partial to the title, maybe this doesn’t suck. Nope, this is some decent mellow rock stuff. I guess it is going to stay in the keep pile and we’ll see if I listen to it some more.
Initial Records
Bear vs. Shark – right now you’re in the best of hands
OOOh, you remember Archers Of Loaf? I’m reminded of them, but maybe a bit more chaotic and loud – yeah! Loud, noisy, good quite parts, good pretty parts, nice and solid!
Equal Vision Records
DankoJones – born a lion
It says in the press release it is straight up rock and roll. True. Unfortunately the cover is one of the worst this year, lyrically the disk is contrived, so contrived and basically this does nothing to move rock and roll forward – unless you think using the best parts of Forginer is a good thing.
Simba
Criteria – en garde
I fully expected this CD to suck, yet it does not. In fact this is a damn fine CD. It is a rock and roll cd, yet it steps it up a notch and give me something new and somewhat inventive to listen to. I’m not sure it is great, but it is certainly a keeper and I’m thinking it will make it onto my ipod as well. What makes it so good is that is plays on a lot of pop conventions vocally and melodically, while keeping the guitars and bass very post hardcore oriented, some chugging and janga janga janga parts in here – nice!
Initial Records
Tyrades
The press release says this is Chicago’s only punk band – uh…ok. Yeah, they are a punk band, snotty vocals and some music that isn’t quite your typical punk. I’ve kept in the ol’ CD player for the duration of the disk and have enjoyed it. Worth checking out for sure!
Broken Rekids
Christiansen – Stylish Nihilists
Somebody was telling me this band use to be good – I’d never have guessed it because this album put me to sleep at record speed. Actually I’m lying. I put this in the CD player cursing myself for even giving it a chance – what a fucking dumb title, and played out cover shot. Anyway, my roommate had to run into work and I said “hey, I’m bored and could use a laugh.” Nope, I just got frustrated, I kept skipping ahead a track to try and find something good – fast forwarding in hopes of a redeeming moment – Nope. Christ, why does this stuff that sounds like “college rock” landing in my P.O. box and why doesn’t anyone send me good hardcore aside from the folks at Ed Walters and Prank. This is terrible.
Revelation Records
Lungfish – love is love
There is so little point in reviewing a Lungfish record. You either love them or you hate them. I’ll point out that overall this album seem slower than the last few albums. In addition to slower it seems a touch “poppier” than Lungfish has ever sounded…more major chords or something. I finally saw Lungfish and was blown away. Even if you hate Lungfish you may be well advised to go see them live for the pure power and passion that flows forth. The downside was on the opposite side of the stage was this group of people who obviously took Lungfish too seriously and were doing that weird jerky dance crap where you look like you’re having a seizure – yeah, there powerful, but come on the whole “oooh we’re possessed by the music” thing is lame. Oh yeah, the record. I’m excited I have it…but I love Lungfish.
Dischord Records – duh.
posted by jered bogli 8:24 PM
Monday, June 16, 2003
Helicopter Helicopter - Wild Dogs with X-Ray Eyes
80's radio rock - Not so good.
Initial Records
Ultimate Fakebook - Before We Spark
You may remember the review I gave the other initial release by this pop punk powerhouse - yes, it was the worst record I heard in the year 2002. This record is not as bad. The reason it isn't as bad is at least they try mix it up, layer the sound, use some samples and drum loops etc. Despite this, and while not being as bad as the previous release you're better off spending your money on...basically anything else. Another waste of plastic - buy this record and you increase our dependency on oil and thereby you are a terrorist and your phone will be tapped and despite being born in Amerikkka you will be held with out charges and tortured to see what you know about other terrorist shit bands operating in what use to be known as the United States and from hence forth will be known as the Imperial Holdings of the Bush Junta. UH...yeah - so don't by this one.
Initial Records
Give Up The Ghost - Background Music
This is American Nightmare - not like Split Lip became Chamberlin and became the worst band in human creation. This is American Nightmare, the same album as before, but with a different name for the band due to some legal shit, Unlike Sleeper...uh I mean Serpico these guys didn't get mad cash to change their name. It is oldschool hardcore. It isn't bad, but it doesn't move me either, I guess the kids love these guys so you should to. Don't listen to me I'm a cranky old man who hates 99% the shit "the labels" put out. Just go with what "the kids" say cause they have to be right...I mean it was years ago when hardcore was about thinking for yourself,now it is about wearing the right uniforms and fitting in. Speaking of how shitty hardcore is what is up with hardcore dancing? Fucking eh' these dipshits have been doing the same moves since Hatebreed was known as Jasta 14, the same fucking moves since 1990 - lets move on, lets invent some new moves...oh wait we can't cause we wanna be oldschool, wait we can't cause doing something new might cause us to be cast out from our ridgid clique - fucking hardcore.
Equal Vision Records
Uwharria - Fury In the Foothills
Fuck yeah - Thanks Slave for doing a great zine and thus far doing great records!!! Ok so oldschool is in, and this fits in cause it sounds like the Bad Brains with blazing metal riffage and weird vocals that indeed remind me of HR, but minus any lame ass rasta shit and homophobia that accompanies that stupid rasta shit. Oh and the other good part is all the songs are about nature and protecting the land. This album fucking blazes and makes me super happy. Instead of getting the Ultimate Fakebook you should buy two of these!!! I love it, I love it!!
Slave
Dead Things - ...because sometimes you just want to ride your bike to the show...
Fuck yeah again!! Thanks again Slave!!! Ok, so remember M Blanket? It is like that but with more dirt and backwoods feel. Loud, fast, dirty. Maybe it sounds like M Blanket or Crimpshrine for a dirty reference and occasionally dropping in the hooks of Avail or something like that. It gets better because the vocals are dual male female vocals - so good, lot of yelling and screaming and singing and sincerity. And there is more because the album is about riding your bike! Hellls YEEEEah BIKES!!! BIKES RULE and so do the dead things - get this one!!!
Slave
Minor Threat - First Demo Tape
Yep, now out on CD - gotta get it cause it rules, cause you need it to complete your record collection, cause you need it to know just how bad bands like Ultimate Fakebook suck, or how not quite right Give up the Ghost have it. Basically you can't go wrong here and being on Dischord you won't get ripped off paying a bizillion dollars for a single.
Dischord records
Next up is a bunch of reviews from our friends at Magic Bullet records who sent a great package of records - remember records!!!
posted by jered bogli 11:41 AM
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Leapfrog issue # 9
Another fine installment of Leapfrog. Inside you get the usual installment of columns, some reviews and features. Features huh...Like an interview with surly, a piece about playing cat and mouse with stalker drivers, the Dirt Rag Punk Enduro, an indepth review of a bag by an australian brand Crumpler and a piece about "wheels against war". Not the longest read in the world, but a great read none the less.
Iheartbikes issue #1
I'm gonna call it the Frequency of bike magazines. A bike mag about great writing, personal writing, travel stories and all the "real" stuff that makes you love to be on your bike!!! The mag is printed on quality paper, with great color and an overall quality feel, far more quality that all the other bike magazines put together and multiplied by 10. The cover price is a steep $13.00, but well worth it to support this indy bike endevor. The one downside is the design doesn't quite do the publication justice, other than that the mag is top notch, especially if you're like me and you don't give a shit about reading a review for some three bizillion dollar free ride bike or the latest other adamantium tech widget.
posted by jered bogli 4:51 PM
Sunday, April 27, 2003
Elliott - Song in the Air
Raise your hand if you had high hopes for this album. Well, be prepared to be letdown. I guess if you love instrumental rock like in a Cave In vein then you should love this, but if you liked earlier elliott then I'm guessing this isn't for you. It isn't for me - yeah, it's pretty, it is well crafted, the songs feel really great, the title is dead on - the whole album feels like a "song in the air", which apparently isn't that cool. The album could use some grounding, all around it feels too floaty and environmental for my tastes. The band has been all downhill since they got rid of Jay.
Oh well. They can't all be winners.
revelation records
posted by jered bogli 7:52 PM
