The Music Banter Members' Journals Monthly Update Thread

[Trollheart]

Apologies for the lateness of the update, but as some of you may have heard, I was without internet access for most of last week, so am way behind in just about every way. I had intended to read everyone's journals more thoroughly, to be able to give a better flavour of what everyone is writing about, but last week put the kibosh on that. However from this week I will do my best to keep up with everyone's writing. If anyone is planning anything special they would like to advertise, let me know and I'll include it in the update. If it becomes popular I may make a regular "Watch this space" or "Coming soon" feature out of it. Not surprisingly, I'll be pushing my own journal in this capacity, so don't miss the chance to let your readers know what you're planning --- provided you know, of course! I know some people just get drunk, stick on a funny hat and trust to luck (what do you mean, why am I wearing that funny hat --- hic!?) but anyone who is planning out sections or features can preview them here at their discretion.

Anyway, enough waffle (mmm... waffles!) from me, let's see what you've all been up to while I was staring at my monitor with "connection not found" blinking at me and screaming NO INTERNET! NO LIFE! NO HOPE! Okay, okay, I wasn't screaming, as such: it was more a high-pitched shriek...

The (one and only, accept no cheap imitations!) Batlord has been continuing his look at Electric Wizard's early incarnations, and also had a visit from Madball's lead singer, where they had, ah, a difference of opinion. He's still recovering. Read all about what happens in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...t-schemes.html and while you're there, don't forget to check out his other journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html where he's wrapping up his first foray into the world of Country with Steve Earle and moving on to the Pixies.

Continuing his dissection of prog rock, you really have to read http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html, where Big Ears shows us all (yeah, me too!) how it's done with an almost scholarly appreciation of my favourite genre. I'll be reading this one avidly! He also throws in a review of a Budgie album, presumably just for fun!

Goofle11 is enthusing over Death Grips in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-sessions.html --- and it's NOT "The money store"!!

There's a welcome return for Ki's lady after a brief absence, and in her jounral http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html Ladyislingering is looking at those overlooked genius, Sparks. Personally I only know the one song, well, two, but if you're like me then she'll soon set you straight with an eclectic selection and some very funny videos!

Having found the pressure of reviewing albums he wasn't really interested in (we can't all be Jackhammer!) too much, Powerstars has ditched his original journal and in his new one http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html, he's going to review the albums that he wants to. Good idea, man! Great to see his first review is one of my favourite bands, Bon Jovi's new one which, I must admit, I have yet to listen to. He seems to like it though, so the signs are good... nice review, Powerstars.

Looking back at some serious http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ychedelia.html, PoorOldPo features Gong and the late great Syd Barret, definitely worth a look.

I may have missed his previous entry but Psychedub Dude is talking about his favourite funniest music videos and his top video game heroes this week, and http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ool-stuff.html is where you'll find his work.

I haven't listened to any of scleaves' music, but in his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-career.html it's certainly provoking debate! Whether it's good or bad you can judge for yourself by checking it out...

There's some pretty psychedlic stuff being laid down in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...album-day.html, and an interesting little side-discussion on Bob Seger, which I really must read once I get a chance. Screen13 seems to certainly have an eclectic and interesting varied musical taste, so he's fitting right in here.

Now, like I say I'm using the excuse that I was offline most of the week to explain why my journals have been so poorly updated, but though I've plenty of stuff written in advance and ready for publication, once I got back online I didn't want to bombard the friendly mods with fistfuls of entries, so this is the best I could do. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html there's another section to my piece on Rory Gallagher, on http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html there's another part to season one of Babylon 5, and I've managed to crowbar in an entry on http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html too, where I'm reviewing another album by a band who are rapidly becoming my favourite Spanish metal band, Saratoga. Much more to come this week, I promise!

And once again Unknown Soldier leads us out, where http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html takes us deep into 1975, with reviews of albums by Deep Purple, Sabbath, Montrose and Rainbow! NOW we're cookin' with gas!

And so on to our Showcase for this week.


It would seem only appropriate that, as he won the award for best journal 2012 (fume, fume!) I should point you in the direction of Janszoon's wonderful and creative http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...e-all-die.html, which has sadly slipped to the second page now, where it has no right to be, but it's finished now and journals that are no longer updated sadly slide down the pecking order. I'd like to propose a motion though that this be stickied either in the journals section, or, more appropriately, Editors Pick? Anyway, it's a stunning journal and well deserved its award (fume, fume!) so here I present just a small snippet from it, for those of you who have not yet read it, and for those who have, and want to re-read it. THIS is how it's done!

Originally Posted by Janszoon

25. Land of the Loops—Bundle of Joy (1996)

When you first hear the news that the Earth-Moon collision is imminent this will be a good album for you to turn to for solace. Its warm cocoon of somewhat trippy lo-fi beats will be a comforting thing to wrap yourself up in as you await your impending doom.

Released in 1996 by Boston-area loop dude Alan Sutherland, this little gem of an album has never really received the recognition it deserves in my personal opinion. This is great rainy day music, something fairly uncommon among turntablists and beatmakers in the mid-90s. That's not to say it's a downer by any means—it's actually pretty happy and upbeat—it's just that it's filled with that reassuring nesting feeling you get sitting inside with a cup of hot chocolate when it's crappy outside. And there's something so incredibly innocent about it, that's one of the album's big draws for me. It always seems to conjure up vague childhood memories of summer storms and coloring books.

It's appropriate that the one single released from this album was entitled "Multi-Family Garage Sale" because there's something about the aesthetic of this album that is very garage sale like. A sizable chunk of the samples, for example, seem to be from old children's records or in some cases maybe even actual old toys. And when Sutherland isn't kicking it pre-school he's grabbing some pretty random samples from all over the place—retro sci-fi sound effects, a snippet of Motorhead, wobbly old answering machine messages, you name it. All of this is mixed together with a decidedly indie sensibility that was very much at odds with other beat-oriented music of the same era.

While I was writing this review, what started off as sunny late spring morning has gotten dark and cloudy, threatening rain. I think that's my cue to put on Bundle of Joy and get out the coloring books.

(Video is "Multi family garage sale" by Land of the Loops)

And so, later than intended, that's the update for this week. Again, apologies for the lateness of the hour, but sometimes your path is strewn with cowpats from the devil's own satanic herd, and there's nothing you can do about it. See you next Sunday at the proper time for the next update. Till then, keep writing (if you are) and don't feel shy about starting up if you feel you would like to.

Toodles!

[Unknown Soldier]

Shiiiiiit I wondered what happened to you last week! Hell you don't know Sparks.....this is a band (duo) with more than twenty albums. As for whether you'll like them I don't know, they're kind of too much off the wall for you perhaps.

[ladyislingering]

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Shiiiiiit I wondered what happened to you last week! Hell you don't know Sparks.....this is a band (duo) with more than twenty albums. As for whether you'll like them I don't know, they're kind of too much off the wall for you perhaps.

What I try to tell people about Sparks is that they've covered so many genres that anyone can find at least one of their albums to be to their liking; if you have an offbeat sense of humor, an appreciation for bizarre wordplay, and a whole lot of patience, they're a uniquely fulfilling duo.

Furthermore, the fanbase (though small) is filled with genuinely kind, interesting people. Nobody is turned away from the group for any reason; I've never witnessed any weird "you're not a real fan" elitism or bullying within the fandom.

Long story short, Sparks fans are the nicest freaks you'll ever know.

[Trollheart]

We're into a new month already, amazingly, and the sun is beginning to show its face, even here in rainy old Ireland, so summer will hopefully soon be on its way. Over here that's three days in July with maybe the August bank holiday weekend if we're lucky, but hey, it's something to look forward to.

Something else to look forward to is a bunch of new updates to our members' journals, and as ever we go from A to Z, jumping over any of the letters inbetween that don't refer to members. Some of these entries have a definite sense of summer, while some, well, don't, but they're all worth checking out. We have returns for those long thought vanished off the face of the Earth, journal-wise, and even some new-ish journals, so let's get to it, shall we?

Our favourite lord of bats seems to be getting a little confused, as in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...t-schemes.html he's featuring a review of Death's "Human", which is all well and good, but it's in the style of his other journal. Time to clear those flying mice out of your belfry, my friend! Speaking of http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html, this time he's listening to The Jesus Lizard and Velvet Underground. Oh, and Nico too. Though he doesn't seem to like her...

Big Ears is continuing his dissertation on Atomic Rooser, as part of his guide to progressive rock, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html: check it out.

Bob is back! No I an NOT joking! After almost a year --- that's right, I said a YEAR --- away, he's back with http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...oise-rock.html and he's looking at a band called The Means. And they sure sound mean. Welcome back bob: don't leave it so long next time, huh?

Ki has shut down his journal. But don't panic: he's opening up a whole new one. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html he's already looking at his favourite game soundtracks (me, I haven't played anything since Doom II --- Halo what?) and introducing a section he calls "Song of the day", which he says will be interchangeable with the same section in his lady's journal. Sounds interesting. I like crossover episodes! Stay tuned: this could be good!

If you don't want a song stuck in your head avoid Ladyislingering's http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html, where she's trotting out her favourite earworms, among other songs she likes. I didn't heed the warning, and now all I can hear in my brain is I EAT CANNIBALS, FEED ON ANIMALS! Somebody HELP ME!!!

The Dog has become the Lion! At least, that's according to Mankycaant, and he'll explain more in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-abroad.html, so hurry along there now: his writeups are always worth reading, and you'll kick yourself if you miss this one!

In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html, the starry one is reviewing one of Queen's less respected albums, the disco-influenced "Hot space". Expect some harsh words, and it deserves them!

Screen13 has music from The McCoys, Terry Knight and the Pack (did you know they became Grand Funk Railroad?) and the unGoogleable ? and the Mysterians. Good stuff there Screen, and though the sixties ain't my bag I'm sure you're evoking memories for some around here! Check it all out in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...album-day.html

Bitesize has again had to take one for the team, as I've run out of pre-written material for it and need to get working on some more, but there's still plenty to keep you entertained over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html where I continue to pay homage to the late great Rory Gallagher, talking about another album that changed my life, while also reviewing albums by China Crisis and Suzi Quatro. If television is more your thing then come to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, where I'm beginning my reviews of the Onedin Line and throwing in another movie I love.

With a serious review of Thin Lizzy's "Fighting" as well as Nazareth's "Hair of the dog", http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html could be just the thing you need to cure that hangover you're suffering from. Or not. Either way, there's some powerful writing and oracle-like wisdom to be had from Unknown Soldier, as he continues to dissect rock music from 1975.

And finally, there's an odd conversation going on over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-stuff.html -- well, when isn't there? --- but this is really weird. Seems to concern Charlotte Church, the Fall and, er, Dana... Head bemusedly in Urban's direction to see what it's all about.

Now, before I get to this week's Showcase, I'd just like to set the record straight, because there are some people who are going to be saying "why wasn't my journal included? I updated this week!" Well yes, but some people are just putting up YouTube vidoes and while this is fine, and they're completely entitled to do that, I prefer to direct visitors towards those journals that are being a little more creative. I'm not getting at those who only put up YouTubes, but really, if you want people to read your journal and you're not just doing it as a sideline, interesting thing but don't care if people visit, then you need to draw visitors and the only way to do that is to have something for them to read, laugh at, be informed by, be entertained by. It's just a friendly piece of advice: put a little more thought and creativity into your journals and I'll certainly encourage people to go there and read what you've written.

But for now, any updates that consist purely of YouTubes with a line or two won't be included on the update. Maybe it'll give you the impetus to get those creative juices flowing. Maybe you'll sulk like a child in the corner. Maybe you're already loading a shotgun and buying a ticket to Dublin. You're not, are you? Come on, guys, I'm just doing my job here!

Anyway, that's the line I'm taking. Proper updates will be mentioned, one-liners won't. Oh, and as I think you already know, the update has to be by the author. Comments by others, including smilies, YouTubes or graphics don't qualify.

With that in mind, it's on to this week's Showcase.
And as he's been away for so long it seems only fair we should throw the spotlight on bob. And so we will.



This was the first real entry in his journal, written all the way back in November 2011. You know, again it's not my thing but this guy knows his noise rock!

Originally Posted by bob.

it begins....

Cop $hoot Cop

cop shoot cop formed in 1987 in New York City...originally a trio consisting of Tod A (Bass, vocals), David Ouimet (keyboards,sampler) and Phil Puleo (percussion).....Jack natz later joined as another Bass player and Ouimet was replaced with Jim Coleman on samplers....and Steve McMillen was added for their final release (Release) as their only guitar player

cop $hoot cop released four proper albums, six Eps, and four singles in their 9 year career....all of their albums are very much worth looking into....and honestly were extremely hard to find....until the internet came....still these album are highly collectable and very much out of print....their first single "Piece man" came splattered with real pigs blood!

there seems to be some question about the origin of their name....as to whether it has to do with cops killing each other....or (and what i prefer) the complete redundant behavior of a junkie....cop(drugs) shoot(drugs) cop(drugs).....

i would be willing its a little from a and b....but from what i can tell no one from the band has ever really stated exactly what their name is all about

for all but one album (their last) they did not have guitar....but rather a high end and a low end bass....actually the album i'm going to review....their debut full length Consumer Revolt is said to be the only rock album in the history of music to consist of two bass players, two samplers, and one percussionist (i saw that because he mainly banged on found objects)....i can honestly saw that only this band could pull that off this good....and although i do very much enjoy their last album....it really is nothing compared to the others and is more like a typical 90s alt rock band with witty lyrics....and lyrics is something that really stands out with this band....dark humor, sarcasm and the typical NYC attitude.....Tod A is an amazing writer....which in my opinion he carried over to his next band Firewater

Consumer Revolt (1990)
"Low.Com.Denom." - 2:21
"She's Like A Shot" - 3:46
"Waiting for the Punchline" - 3:46
"Disconnected 666" - 2:18
"Smash Retro!" - 1:42
"Burn Your Bridges" - 5:01
"Consume" - 1:09
"Fire in the Hole" - 3:15
"Pity the Bastard" - 4:11
"Down Come the Mickey" - 3:26
"Hurt Me Baby" - 1:46
"System Test" - 2:33
"Eggs for Rib" - 5:03

first and foremost out all the albums i plan on reviewing in this thread....this album is the closest to an "industrial" sound...probably due to the insane drumming (often on what sounds like sheet metal and or shopping carts) and the extensive use of samplers.....still this is noise rock at its best....

right from the get go you can tell that this album is unique.....the bass playing is unlike anything i've ever heard and the drumming is ordered and chaotic at the same time and Tod's feverish vocal ramblings are just perfect....by the time She's Like A Shoot (a wonderful love song comparing a woman to heroin) starts you realize that you've been transferred into the filthy streets of NYC and are now experiencing all those things mommy and daddy tried to shelter you from....its the next track that does it for me.....Waiting For The Punchline is a perfect example of falling into a misanthropic madness.....both lyrically and musically.....seriously by the end of the song....and the amazingly great lyric "when insomnia is just another word for to much on the mind"....tension could be cut with a knife



next is the equally disturbing all sample song Disconnected 666....which is in all honestly the first Cop Shoot Cop song i had ever heard....having seen it on a 19 generation vhs copy of Richard Kern's short films....the short film is amazing


and straight into the pounding, angry Smash Retro....a wonderful song about letting the past just die (specifically the hippie movement)....next up is the Burn Your Bridges....which once again takes you down a loathing trip into despair......seriously great example of the amazing drumming....and you can see influence from other bands that were around at the time specifically Foetus and maybe a bit of Swans.....Consume is another interesting all sample "message".....Fire in The Hole sounds as much like Neubauten at their craziest as it does a thundering noise rock song....the percussion is just amazing on this track....and really helps along the disgusted lyrics...then comes my favorite track on this album....and probably my favorite Cop Shoot Cop song....and the title of this thread....Pity The Bastard.....just pounding like a hammer to your head....and almost psychotic horror moments.....this is a prime example of just what this band is capable of.....the jarring bass mixed with intense nonsensical percussion....and Tod's insane man ramblings....almost as if he were a crazed schizophrenic yelling back at the voices....just superb

and straight into Down Come The Mickey....which is in all honesty the track that closed this album for me as being the "essential" cop shoot cop album.....Hurt Me Baby is simply their take on the Culture Club hit....and System Test sounds more like a broken industrial machine that has gone mad and has been unleashed on the city.....the albunms ends with the surprisingly groovy Eggs For Rib....an almost fun song and truly fitting end to such a despondent album

hope you check this one out....there really is nothing that sounds like this album

(Note: Videos are "Disconnected 666" and "Down come the mickey")

So that takes us to the end of this week's update, the first for May. Remember, if you would like to start a journal there's literally nothing stopping you. Make a thread in the section and once it's approved you're officially a member of Journal-Land. But remember to update it as often as you can, cos once you slide off page one you may as well be a record by Leonard Cohen, as Neil once complained in "The Young Ones". The journal section is a place where you literally have to make sure you're always on top!

Mind you, you'll be doing well to achieve that, as I am ALWAYS updating! No, I have no life. Still, if you're up for the challenge...

Till next week,
Toodles!

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Either way, there's some powerful writing and oracle-like wisdom to be had from Unknown Soldier, as he continues to dissect rock music from 1975

Anybody reading this, might actually think of me as being smart.

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Anybody reading this, might actually think of me as being smart.

Don't worry. I would never do that.

[Trollheart]

It's Sunday (maybe) it's whatever o'clock, and time to take our usual trip to Journal Land and see what the busy inhabitants have been getting up to over the last week. Look at them all: you can just see if you look closely enough --- but not too closely! They scare easily --- little faces, pale from lack of sunlight, sitting at little desks strewn with empty crisp packets, bottles of energy drinks or water, stubbed-out cigarettes in the ashtrays of those who smoke and piles of CDs, like dangerously toppling Leaning Towers. This is where it all happens, this is where the magic is made. But be quiet if you want to observe them: some of them will run away like Trollheart or Big Ears, while others like the Batlord will come out angrily with a shotgun or baseball bat in hand, to enquire what the heck you think you're doing, spying on him (though he'll use much more colourful langauge than that!), and still others will just shut their curtains and jealously guard their creations.

But if you're very quiet, and don't disturb them, you can take a look at what these industrious little frustrated authors have been scribbling over the past seven days. Stick close now, and please, no cameras... No, no camcorders either.

It's to the Batlord we go first, and don't mind those signs he has up saying KEEP OUT THIS MEANS YOU MOTHERFUCKER! Just be quiet and don't startle him. Very carefully and softly, let us enter http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...t-schemes.html, where it seems we find the Batlord is indeed sitting on his throne, but far from hatching any evil schemes, this time he's sad about the state of metal, and how it's being commercialised. Aw. NO DON'T GO NEAR HI--- Oh-kayyy.. does anyone know that guy's next of kin? I warned you, don't mess with these guys. No, there are no refunds. Insurance? Are you crazy? Let's try his other journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html. Ah, this is more like it! He's listening to the Replacements, the Stones and the Sonics, as well as Judas Priest and Doctor Feelgood. Nice!

This one should be safe anyway: http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...an-corner.html, where CanwllCorfe is making up for lost time by writing a lengthy entry about his entire development of music down through his life. It's so good it's been chosen for this week's Showcase!

The Crossover has begun! In Ki's journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html he's featuring his Songs of the Day as well as those of his better half, Ladyislingering, and also looking at new releases due from Sabbath, Sigur Ros and Daft Punk. Mmmm.

And of course that brings us to said journal, where the lady is certainly lingering over many videos of songs that impress her, remind her of times or feelings, or that she just likes. You can catch it all in her http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html.

Powerstars is looking at what must be Paul McCartney's first solo album, which apparently has a lot of demos on it. Sounds interesting though. You can check it out at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html.

That brings us to my humble abode. Step 'cross the threshold, weary traveller, and rest your head. That'll be a tenner please. Coffee? Another fiver. Hey, we're all hurtin' from this financial meltdown y'know: gotta make it where ya can! Anyhoo, in my main journal, through here, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html you'll find reviews of albums by Jaki Graham, Nine Stones Close (who?) and a 200-word review of Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell", while over there, if you want to sit down in front of the TV, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html has the third episode of Love/Hate and beginning a new series, the superb House of Cards trilogy. No, NOT the Kevin Spacey one! This is the real deal! I've even had time to update http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html with a review of one of Tank's early albums. More to come soon! Don't forget to pay your tab on the way out. Thank-you-come-again!

Now, whatever you do don't disturb Unknown Soldier: he has a serious amount of work to do and all those facts and figures don't jsut write themselves you know! Deep into 1975 in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html he's looking at albums by UFO and Alice Cooper, with more to come in the days ahead no doubt. No, leave him alone! Don't touch that green bubble: that's what's allowing him to communicate with the music of the seventies, and even the slightest touch could .... oh crap! Look, let's just get out of here before he notices ---- RUUUUNNNNNNN!!!!!

Quick! In here! We can take refuge in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-sound.html --- he'll never think to look here! Oh look: Zero is talking about Ethereal Wave, isn't that interesting? Don't look out the window, US is passing and if he sees us --- phew! Looks like he went past. Man, he looked mean!

So let's just take a moment to settle our nerves, and read the Showcase for this week then, shall we? As already mentioned it comes from CanwllCorfe, and it is in fact this week's entry in his journal.



CanwllCorfe has been writing his journal on and off for four years now, though there have been large hiatuses, the most recent being a year-long gap since last March... Nevertheless, as Urban once pointed out, it's quality not quantity we look for here, and you certainly get the former in this journal. Here's this week's stunning contribution.

Note 1: I know I said at the beginning that these would be short extracts, but you can't shorten this, and you won't be able to deny the quality of the writing once you read it.

Note 2: I also know I said I'd refer to, but not post, the YouTube videos used, but there are so many here it's not gonna happen. Just go to the guy's journal: you won't be disappointed.

Originally Posted by CanwllCorfe

The Beginning

Back before I had a say in what I was listening to, all I had was the radio. Being a little kid, I lacked the seniority to choose and the knowledge on how to use it. I do remember liking certain songs though. These just being a few of them.


The other big influence was what my brothers listened to. For whatever reason, I don't really recall what my older brother liked. I assume he shared a lot of taste with my younger brother, or vice versa. I enjoyed most of it as well, but not all of it (I don't think I was too keen on Nirvana). It was primarily made up of stuff like Deftones, Counting Crows, Korn, Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, 2Pac, and Snoop Dogg.

Developing Taste

The first sort of "separation" from what I was brought up with was my fondness for Native American music. Funnily enough, what I was buying was actually New Age music created by Germans.


Despite this, I actually do recall liking New Age as well, though at the time I had no idea what it was called. Enigma - The Return of Innocence is one track that definitely comes to mind. I remember also looking forward to the Pure Moods commercials.

To this day I still thoroughly enjoy Native American music, but finding real stuff online is tricky. Either it's an album of short, badly recorded songs from Pow-wows, or having to buy full on CDs for $15 + shipping. Without previews, that's a scary proposition. It probably wouldn't be if I wasn't poor.

Nowadays I have an affinity for most world folk music. I have a particular proclivity for African choir music, Bulgarian choir music, throat singing, and monk chanting. You know, the usual. Of course, this is just a small sampling. There's tons of stuff I like that falls outside of this, like the few Raï albums I have, Bhangra, Kapela ze wsi Warszawa, etc. The list goes on and on man. On and on. Man.

Getting Darker

Around the late 90s my brother had bought a Rage Against the Machine album. I had heard some aggressive stuff prior to that, but for some reason it struck a chord with me. From that point I started developing a like for aggressive music. My first purchase was actually Mudvayne's L.D. 50. I almost bought a Slipknot C.D., but I never got into them. I listened to it a LOT. I loved the fact that it was aggressive, but then some songs had light passages as well, like -1. Headbangers Ball on MTV 2 had opened up my eyes to what else was out there Metal-wise.

I don't know how, but that first episode I watched was filled with songs I ended up liking. It actually made me want to keep watching it in vain, just to hear those songs again. Funnily enough, I don't really remember liking any other songs from any of the other episodes. There was one song that struck me in particular though. It was the last one played.



Naturally I would go out and by Unhallowed immediately. It my first foray into "extreme" metal. The aggression and speed were so perfect. I loved it. Soon after this I would get into Rammstein (I remembered Du Hast from when I was a kid). One fateful day, I would bring Rosenrot into school. My friend said that Rammstein had started getting into Black Metal (in hindsight I realize how much bullshit that is). Hm... Black Metal? What's that? Well, needless to say, I was hooked. And not even with normal Black Metal, but DSBM, Blackened Death Metal, etc. Go Satan lol.

Techno Tim

My earliest memories of Techno were hearing small bits of it on the radio. Strangely, my dad's girlfriend seemed to listen to it a lot. At the time I didn't think much of it, but I don't know of many 40 year olds that listen to Electronic music. Well, not here in the U.S. of course.

The songs from that era were quite popular so I'm sure you're all quite familiar with them. What is Love?, Mr. Vain, This is Your Night, Where Do You Go (My Lovely)? I Wanna Know My Lovely By The 90s Hit Group No Mercy, Rhythm of the Night, Be My Lover, Rhythm is a Dancer, Better Off Alone, etc. The first one that made any impact on me was Blue Da Ba Dee. My sister even bought the cassette! :O

On Saturday Nights my dad would take us to the mall. On awesome nights he would take us to Lehigh, which is further away, but it's also bigger. Those nights we'd put on 106.9 and listen to all of the Techno they'd play. After hearing stuff on the radio, my sister decided to buy the Trance Classics CD (on the Moonshine label). If you're wondering why she did most of the buying, she's older than me, so she had that kind of power in the world.

With that CD it changed everything. We knew exactly what we liked. Once we got internet, forget about it. We made mix CDs all the damn time with whatever we could find. To this day I check up new Electronic releases online. Usually every other day, sometimes a few days in a row, or sometimes only once a week. It allllll depends.

Evolution of my Electronic Tastes

For quite awhile, I stuck to Trance. I had figured that's all there was, and then all that other weird stuff I'd download on accident. The first kind of stuff I heard and enjoyed that wasn't Trance, was Hardstyle. I only liked a select few tracks though, this being one of them.



When Tech Trance came out, I hated it. Hated it. They had those nice breaks I loved in MY Trance (Uplifting/Epic), but the melodies weren't nice at all! They were distorted and dark. No thank you. Slowly but surely I would develop a taste for it, but only for a small number of tracks (same story with Hardstyle), like Tiesto - Traffic.

In 11th grade metal shop class, my teacher loved Techno. He was in his 50s too, so that was awesome. This one kid always complained about it... until he heard Traffic. He asked me to keep playing that song. I converted him in a short period of time. Knowing what he liked, I gave him a mix CD of Tech Trance. I enjoyed doing it, but I hated the stuff I put on there. He, of course, loved it. One day he even asked to borrow my MP3 player to listen to it all. Now we're close friends and is just as into it as I am. He, like me, wants to DJ it.

Now, to abbreviate the further progression:

A few years after that conversion, we started getting into this weird stuff called Electro House. A song called Christopher Francis - Crystals in the Heaven (Electro VIP Mix) would be the first song I downloaded. Shortly after that came the creation of Trash Electro, which is far more aggressive, distorted, and awesome.



In around 2010 or so, we got into this Dubstep stuff. The first song being Bar 9 - Piano Tune. We enjoyed this guy named Skrillex, as well as random other tracks, like Richie August - Side 2 Side, Baconhead - Wookie, Kanedubstep & Budzak - Jabba, etc. After hearing a lot about "true" Dubstep, I would look into an artist called Burial. Holy. ****. The next time I found myself in an FYE I purchased Untrue and fell in love. Now, as for Pop Dubstep, I would grow to not like it so much, but I think Johnny still has a fondness for it.

In 2011 I was trying to broaden my horizons as much as possible, so when someone posted a Techno mix on Basenotes, I decided to check it out. Not so much piqued my interest, but out of nowhere I heard some insanely heavy kickdrums. I thought that was just in Hardstyle? The track was Tommy Four Seven's Sor.



It took some getting used to. There was no breaks, there was no real "melodies", at least what I think of as melodies, so at first I wasn't too keen on it. Little by little though, I would find myself listening to it more and more. Now I think it's one of my favorite Electronic genres, and is one I check up on more than any other.



So, this gives some insight to how I got to where I am now. There was quite a bit of discovery in 2011, but it all happened the same way. Like The Tallest Man on Earth, for example. I saw the album cover, thought it was interesting, downloaded it, enjoyed it. Same story for Sigur Ros - Takk, Hammock - Kenotic, and Arms & Sleepers - Warm. I found Modern Classical in that era too, thanks to Richard Skelton.

Okay then, everybody here? Headcount. Hmmm. Yes, other than him. Well, he should have read the t&c more carefully. No, he wasn't covered by insurance. Well, only one loss this time, getting better. Hope you all enjoyed your trip through Journal Land this week, and remember you too can join these hallowed ranks by, er, making a thread in the journal section. Who knows? Next time we could be looking at YOU through a window, or it could be YOU setting your dog on us and telling us to fuck off and leave you alone! You've got to dream! You've got to hold on to the dream!

Till next Sunday
Toodles!

[Trollheart]

Just want to say thank you to all my viewers, as the Playlist of Life has just passed one hundred thousand views, a true milestone! Thanks again and I hope to continue entertaining you for another hundred thousand at least!

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Just want to say thank you to all my viewers, as the Playlist of Life has just passed one hundred thousand views, a true milestone! Thanks again and I hope to continue entertaining you for another hundred thousand at least!

I wish I never f*****g reminded you now.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

I wish I never f*****g reminded you now.

Oh believe me, I needed no reminding! I've been watching that sucker climb since Christmas, had the insane hope that I'd hit the magic number before then. Goddamn you all, where were you when I needed you?