Yearly Archives: 2003

Durst Watch was one of my favorite parts of the site, but unfortunately the main writer of it can’t continue his obligations. Instead of keeping it on life support like some John Ritter sitcom, we’re shelving it until Charlesworth finishes grad school, is unemployed, and has all the time in the world to dedicate to it.

In the mean time, he’s still involved in his sports site, The Sports Frog.

Here’s a round-up of some of the best stories, features, and message board activity that you might have missed last week on the site.

On the eve of the new Strokes album, The New York Times does a large write-up about the current NYC music scene. Here is the summary: the new Strokes album is nothing new, the scene as a whole is nothing new, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Oneida are the only bands in town doing something interesting. Read it.

And yes, I just oversimplified the article.

Before Nirvana went all R.E.M. on the song “All Apologies,” it was a bit more rough around the edges. Slatch has an mp3 of the original, Steve Albini mix and you can download the MP3 here.

Aimee Mann is re-releasing her album “Lost in Space” with a bonus CD. Here’s the story. This is one of the many trends in music that I hate.

A band releases an album, the fans buy it. A year later the album is re-released with a second disc of b-sides, live albums, videos, whatever. So what’s a fan to do? Re-buy the album or just pass it up forever?

Now, what would be a better option is to re-release the new version with the double disc, but also offer that new material as a seperate purchase at a reduced, EP price. This way everyone gets the new music, and everyone wins.

On the other side of the spectrum, something I do like is when band’s release best-of compilations and offer an additional disc of b-sides. I want more of that.

We’re starting our monthly Bourbon St. concert series this Saturday, October 18, and I really think you should come.

Check it out:

Representing Columbus OH: Ken Gould and Jon Chinn

Maybe you know Jon from his band, Pretty Mighty Mighty. Maybe you know him as one of the main dudes at Workbook Studio. Or probably, you know him as one of the best singer/songwriters in Columbus.

Ken Gould is slowly making Columbus his home, after working the San Francisco scene for some time. His new album comes out next year and boy is it a good one.

Represneting New Jersey: Sleep Station and Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer

What does CMJ have to say about Sleep Station?

Sleep Station?s frontman, Dave Debiak, is a skillful storyteller with a talent for creating original concept albums that are jampacked with potential pop-rock singles. 2002?s Runaway Elba-1, for example, found the band examining a heart-rending futuristic love affair between a cybernetics engineer and a female android, fastened in pretty, effortless melodies. This time, the sci-fi centered band takes on outer space, as its third full-length release, Hang In There Charlie, presents a fictional tale of two astronauts abandoned in space. Opening track ?Fading Out? places the listener in the spaceship, floating across the universe accompanied by a placid, hopeful theme; subsequent tracks musically travel through the trials and evils the cosmic travelers encounter with a growing sense of anticipation. ?Flight-1? stands out as the strongest composition, quivering in a warm guitar climax, but with spouts of stillness, spaceman chatter, emotive vocal dustings and an overall sense of nostalgia and sympathy, Sleep Station succeeds in offering a sincere full record of celestial proportions.

What does Chip Midnight (Swizzle-Stick, donewaiting.com, Columbus Alive) have to say about Zolof the Rock and Roll Destoyer?

Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer’s CD, Jalopy Go Far, has been my “go to” CD all summer. If I’m in a good mood, I pop it in and sing along. If I’m in a bad mood, I pop it in and sing along. It’s the most infectious CD I’ve heard all year — bright, sunny, bubbly pop with a vocalist who sounds like a peppy punk rock cheerleader and a band that sounds equally influenced by Superchunk, The Rentals, That Dog, and Velocity Girl.

Hope to see you there!

Download it here. Excitement bubbles in your brain.

2003 is the year that I fell in love with Death Cab for Cutie. Better late than never, right?

Anyway, the band is currently on tour supporting their amazing new album, Transatlanticism, and with that comes a bunch of links worth your time. So get your mouse clicker ready.

First off, check out the merch guy’s tour diary here. It looks like he’ll be writing about every stop. Fun read.

Barsuk’s site has two MP3s from the album available for you to download. The New Year is one of my favorite tracks from the album, and is best enjoyed loud. You can also download Title and Registration. More DCFC MP3s found here.

Finally, you can buy the album from Amazon.com using this handly link or you can discuss the album with us here, in our message board.

NME.com is saying Damon Albarn of Blur recorded some back up vocals for the new Strokes album, but in the end they didn’t make the cut.

That new Strokes album is a goodie. Play it loud.

The question on everyone’s mind right now: who or what is Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer? Luckily, that link has the answers.