Lala..no more?

To my surprise and dismay it would appear that the online music source LaLa will cease to exist past May 31st, 2010.  I recommended readers to check out this resource for online music; you could build a catalog of music on a off site server without comprimising your own computers memory or deal with iTunes 5 computer library transfer rule (5 times and then you need to re-purchase your iTunes library) not to mention the nuisance of having to upload all of your current CD collection, again.

Their website does inform current members that your library will remain intact with the site going forward but they are not taking any new subscribers; in addition current members may not purchase music any longer, even if they have a credit to their existing account. 

The plus side? Well, if you already have an account with LaLa (and have  uploaded music in the past you can continue to listen to that rotation as much as you like), but don’t expect to build upon that library, cuz you can’t going forward.  According to the website, if you had a credit on your account (what they term “wallet”) they will reimburse you with an iTunes card (ironic, eh?).

Why and iTunes card and not something else?  Well, it would appear that Apple has positioned itself to consume LaLa and it’s streaming technology.  LaLa’s intention was basically to kill the Mp3 and move forward with a more versatile format; that format has been played close to the chest between LaLa and Apple’s Iphone; however that app is currently not available.  It would seem that LaLa had plans to release music for around .10 per song, undercutting Apple’s iTunes (currently .69 – $1.29 per song depending); although the LaLa format might have lower sound quality, it presented a clear and present threat to iTunes…so Apple purchased LaLa and kept the development team intact.

Supergrass @ Ronnie Scotts – “Mary”

I thought that a week of Supergrass performances would be appropriate during my coping with their recent decision to break up. This version of “Mary” is very good, probably one of the most fun versions I’ve been able to find; again the sound quality is superb. I would love to know if bootlegs of these shows exist in MP3 or CD format. Let us know if you have it and hook us up here at HiFi Central.  Let the Supergrass tribute continue, enjoy!

Rush Movie- “Beyond The Lighted Stage: A Documentary”

Yes, it’s true!  Announced today the movie “Beyond The Lighted Stage” is a documentary on the legendary Canadian band Rush.  Although they have been around for over 30 years and have had a very faithful fan base, they have largely been and underground non-mainsteam rock band, so this movie is well deserved in many ways.

I’m not sure where the movie will be playing specifically, but I would assuming checking your local independent movie house for sure.  This movie will be released around June of this year; this will happen at the same time of their 2010 “Time Machine” Tour. 

The movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was received very well; as if there was a doubt?  Finally the mystique of the band will be lifted and fans can rejoice that these guys finally are getting their due.

This will be an incredible movie and I have supplied a trailer for you to see; looks like fun!

Let us know at HiFi what you think!

HiFi celebrates 10,000 hits!

 HiFi Central wanted to personally thank all of you for reading our blog on a daily or weekly basis.

10,000 hits in less than a year for a blog that no one knows about unless they Google some random topic is not too shabby, now only if we could get one to actually subscribe…ugh.

Thanks out there!

Supergrass @ Somerset House 2005

I felt that a tribute to Supergrass was due; especially since they are officially breaking up for good.  This clip from a show at Somerset House (UK) is one of my favorites; would be great if anyone knows if a recording was made available to the general public; the sound quality is excellent. I will miss these guys greatly.

Dream Theater – Systematic Chaos (2007)

If you have been following this blog over the past few months you may have noticed a slight evolution in the interest of a band called Dream Theater.  In March I posted a video of lead guitarist John Petrucci performing at The G3 guitar tour in Tokyo (performing his solo work – Damage Control); then I came upon a video of the band in the studio recording the blistering composition The Dark Eternal Night and posted that in April.   Yes, I have to admit that I really like what this band is doing.

The Dark Eternal Night  is off a 2007 album called Systematic Chaos, which as it turns out was a change in direction for the band; it resulted in a much harder album than prior releases.  So, I decided one day while in Boston to pick up a used copy for $7 at my favorite music store  in the whole wide world..the one and only Newbury Comics. 

As with all albums one song  normally tends to create an unfair expectation and at times,  disappointing result of what the rest of the album actually sounds like, often leading to regret, bitterness, and overall resentment for spending the money.  Not this album, although it will take the listener a few times (in my case at least 10-12 listens to and from work to the entire album for it to really grow on my ear) I now play it quite regularly.  It is a solid album with a few somber moments (appropriately placed); it is simply just a fun addition to my music collection.

Clearly Dream Theater is influenced heavily by  bands like Rush, Queensryche, and even a bit of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer; this can be reflected in the bands complex and unorthodox time changes, blistering and catchy tempos, and compositions that make one shake their head in disbelief.  Dream Theaters songs focus around the normally geeky stuff like science, fantasy, and the human condition.  There are three songs on the album that veer off from those subjects and focus on themes like “meaningless war “(Prophets of War) and the other two on “redemption” (Forsaken) and “forgiveness” (Repentance).

The album is not a  bubblegum metal album, nor is the band. Like Rush, the members of Dream Theater are what they term “musicians musicians”. Although the members of Rush are not classically trained (at least that I know of) the members of Dream Theater all attended Berklee College of Music; meeting there initially and forming a band called Majesty, that then evolved into Dream Theater.

I have not taken the plunge and purchased any other of their albums released earlier or later than Systematic Chaos, but I’m up for the challenge.  If you are a DT fan and think there is one album in particular (or several) that would compliment this introductory album, please comment and let us know.

The band has recently announced a world tour with Iron Maiden..should be awesome!  Please let us know if you go.

Dream Theater’s Systematic Chaos gets 4.0 out of 5 stars.

Supergrass…no more

It is a sad day in music with the recent news that the British group Supergrass will cease to exist after 17 years making wonderful music.  I’m stunned and dismayed mainly due to the fact that they have been working diligently on the much anticipated album Release Of The Drones; I guess this may not happen since there is no official word from the bands website.

The band will be performing 4 shows in the UK and Europe as farewell performances; a nice gesture but still very dissapointing.  A a formal farewell tour would be the least they could do for their fans; but perhaps they simply have reached a critical mass and feel ending it amicably rather than on the road is a better way to go.  I had a sneaking (and sinking) feeling that things were odd when lead singer Gaz Coombes and drummer Danny Goffey formed a side project called The Hot Rats, touring the globe whilst supposedly recording the new album. 

The bands website claims that “musical differences” lead to the decision to disband; but I’m thinking there is more to the story than just that; perhaps I’m still trying to cope with the concept of no more Supergrass albums.

If any of the members happen to come across this blog, please do respond in kind and consider a proper farewell tour for us US fans who are feeling rather deprived and are in mourning.

Makes one wonder “what went wrong”, eh?

If you are in the UK or France, get your tickets while they last…I’m sure these shows will sell out quickly.

Tuesday 8th June – Barrowland, Glasgow 

Wednesday 9th June – Academy, Manchester 

Thursday 10th June – Brixton Academy, London 

Friday 11th June – La Cigalle, Paris

The Hatters – Madcap Adventures of the Avocado Overlord (1994)

Once again I’ve felt compelled to enlighten readers about a band that you most likely have never had heard and as a result is a simple low down dirty shame. 

Although one reason you may not have heard of these guys is due to their first album taking the award for “Worst named album in history” the aptly entitled The Mad Cap Adventures of The Avocado Overlord (1995), the album name and album cover were (and still are) simply unappealing and completely failed to hit the target audience that this band would have appealed.  The only reason I was able to discover these guys was due to a friend who worked as a college DJ at SUNY Plattsburgh and pushed their CD my way begging me to give it a listen.  Honestly, I would have scoffed at listening or buying this album if using the proverbial “judging the book by the cover”.  

However, thanks to my friend this truly has remained one of my favorite albums.   In turn,  I’ve turned many an audiophile into a fan as well.   You should be able to find this album for about $3 used these days, trust me you won’t regret your purchase.

The album begins with the song Sacrifice, a soulful song that establishes a deep groove and does a very good job introducing the bands sound.  It is the perfect opener and preps the listener for the next song Bring That Wagon Round.  Wagon is a mellow song that has a nice bass line that compliments the piano along with Adam Hirsch’s vocals.  All three compliment each other and the song just flows just the way it should; the listener can tell right away that these guys work well together and clearly everything seems to be just happening naturally. Dig The Ribbit was the one song that seemed to gain the most amount of noteriety for the band, the bass line and the mellow Hammond B-3 organ just create a groove that makes you shake your head to while enjoying every note, again, the lyrics are well  placed and the song is just absolute fun to groove along with every note.  Madness of The Green takes us back to slower pace, with mellow and smooth tempos and an organ in the background that just keeps things together.  Found With Your Drawers Down brings us right back to where Dig The Ribbit left off and gets the listener back into album at full momentum once again, the bridge in the song is a clever mix of classic jam band, background party noise, and even a twist of some Latin influenced rhythms, the guitars at the end take us out with a good Allman Brothers feeling.  The middle of the album features songs like I Could Be The One, For Tomorrow, and Bad Side; although good in their own right they are more filler for the album, but nothing specifically mind-blowing persae.

The album picks up with the song Empty Handed, this is all Allman Brothers influenced.  The beginning does a great job of setting the tone slowly and builds into a great song.  You Ain’t Comin’ Home brings us back into a mellow setting with some steely guitar and slow soulful vocals once again by Hirsch, the song eventually picks up tempo and really establishes this album as solid, well written, and a keeper.

The highlight at the end of the end of the album is Sip Of Your Wine with featured guest cameo by Blues Travelers’ John Popper.  The song is fun and goes on for awhile, I’m sure this was awesome to see live and I’m sure they took it in many directions when they toured together.

The Hatters were a culmination of both Allman Brother’s and Black Crowes influenced southern rhythm and blues.  They would be catagorized with bands like Blues Traveler, The Spin Doctors, Government Mule, The Tragically Hip, and the long forgotten and short-lived band Xanax 25 (where are you guys?).  Avocado Overlord is a solid album that is one of those rarities where nearly every song is a winner, the album is still as fresh today as it was when released over 15 years ago.  The second album You Will Be You is decent as well however, Avocado Overlord is just such a fun and clever album.

If you would like to learn more about The Hatters there is a nice piece by band member Billy Jay Stien (keyboards) that reflects his thoughts and feelings about this incredible ride with the band, click here.

If you catch word of a reunion, please contact us here at HiFi Central!

The “Art” of the Music Business

Over the past few years my wife and I have been collecting art by artists like Phil Frost, Shepard Fairey and Dave Kinsey.  Granted all three are not up and coming artists and are quite established in the contemporary art world , their art has spurred a generation of others to create and express their creativity in a myriad of mediums.

Although the “rock art poster” is not a new concept, the gradual evolution has produced some very impressive and clever designs that most of the general public never get to see, or further, consider collecting as reputuble art worthy of hanging on our walls at home (other than our college dorms or first apartment with college buddies). The  indie music art world actually is worth considering and now is the time to take advantage of limited edition signed artwork for a steal. 

The toughest part of collecting limited edition prints is first: “where to look” and second:  “timing”.  It is quite common these days for an artists website to crash due overwhelming response to a monthly release.  These releases are often at random times, in the afternoon between 12:00 -5:00 during work hours when most of us do not have the luxury to keep hitting the “refresh page” button on our computer.  Those of us who have attempted to purchase prints by Shepard Fairey or KAWS know how frustrating this process is and how disappointing when the next refreshed page reflects SOLD OUT in bold letters.  It’s often the recipe for the budding collector to feel cheated and quickly become bitter about collecting all together.

Luckily, there is a great resource where you can snag incredible prints at very low prices of your favorite bands or perhaps designs that you like but have never heard of the band. The website is through a record store chain in Boston called Newbury Comics. 

Newbury Comics is a store like no other and is a mecca for indie music lovers, toy collectors, not to mention comic books and graphic novels fresh off the press.  It’s a culmination of music store, comic book store, Spencers Gifts (although not as cheezy or commercially repulsive), and clearly something unto itself that has no classification that I can figure out.  Part of their website is devoted to  limited edition posters; the selection is simply mind blowing.  You can browse either by  your favorite band or have fun as I do and check out the various prints by alphabetical order.  Some prints are sold out or out of stock, however, a large amount are still available for purchase.

I also like that Newbury Comics provide direct links to the artists websites, so if you want to learn more about the artist and what more they may have to offer it’s just a click away.  This is how I learned about an artist named Dan McCarthy who’s artwork my wife and I avidly collect; although we collect his nature inspired prints he has done prints for Iron and Wine, Calexico, and Sonic Youth.

Another fun artist is Dan Stiles, he is one of my favorites and has a very unique style about him; his prints sell out quite quickly but there are still some you can grab.

Many of the prints that are offered in the Newbury Comics sites are very limited in production, some prints are limited to 25, 50 or 100, and the prices range from $40 – $125.  Signed limited edition art is fun to collect and often appreciates in value rather quickly, so if you are a budding collector, have limited funds, need real artwork, and have walls that need love, consider checking into this and tell us what you think.

You can check out the Newbury Comics print collection by clicking here, enjoy!

Mountain Jam VI – 2010 Line Up

Ah yes, as the spring birds make their voices heard and the flowers begin to peek out from their long winters nap it’s time once again for the summer festival announcements and this year seems off to a very impressive  start. 

I am a self-admitted jam band fan since high school loving any project involving Warren Haynes and/or Dickey Betts; so I’m sure that the 6th Annual Mountain Jam Festival will be well worth the trip. 
This year’s line up is very impressive and also focuses around the 70th birthday of Levon Helm has been contributing the music scene.  Helm will be joined by a who’s-who of musicians ranging from Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Ray LaMontange (If don’t know who this guy is you need to, very talented!), Steve Earle, and many others.

On other stages or at other times during the festival the line up is equally as impressive and I’m pleasantly surprised at the assortment and variety of artists appearing.

Alison Krauss & Union Station
Les Claypool (Primus, Oysterhead)
Matisyahu
Dave Mason
Toots & The Maytals
The Drive-by Truckers
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Yonder Mountain String Band

These are just some of the bands performing that weekend, there are too many bands to list so check the line up link on the main page.  The Mountain Jam website has a nice free player that lets you listen to an assortment of the artists performing, so if you’re not familiar them initially you can get a better idea of what to expect.  The headling act is Warren Haynes’ Government Mule.  I saw Government Mule and Black Crowes about 10 years ago at The Orpheum Theater in Boston, personally I was not impressed but I would imagine that over 10 years they’ve developed their sound. 

Yes, the pricetag in this economy for the plain old one-day ticket is a costly $79.00; tough if you married with kids like me, but perhaps worth the cost for a full day of music and sunshine (if the weather cooperates, always a risk with outside festivals!).  If you are in the New York City area or from Upstate New York where HiFi Central is located, Hunter Mountain (where the Mountain Jam is held) is a very easy drive up or down I-87  and is nestled in among the sleepy Catskills Mountains. 
I am still hoping that one year a reunion of The Hatters (an Allman Brothers-esque band that faded away in the mid-90′s) might happen at Mountain Jam, but I’m not holding my breath.

If you would like more information about this fun summertime festival check it out by clicking here: Mountain Jam VI