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A little off topic

July 14th 2008 01:46
Now I'm not sure if this post falls entirely within the scope of this blog, but its something I need to vent about.

So I went down to JB Hi-Fi yesterday to buy the latest Dark Lotus album, if you haven't heard of them, I won't bother explaining about them, but anyway. I get out to the car, open the album to play it, and half of the little teeth in the center that hold the CD in place are broken. Now, if this was just one CD, I wouldn't mind so much, but it seems like more than half the CDs I buy lately, from ANYWHERE, have a number of broken teeth in the center. This means that the disc is able to move around inside the case, and potentially get damaged.


So I have to wonder. Is this increasing occurrence due to bad handling practices, cheaper materials used in manufacture of the cases, or am I just unlucky?

I suspect its probably a combination of the first two. But in any case, I don't like the fact that my CD could potentially be scratched before it's even out of the shrink-wrap. I also don't think that I should have to put up with damaged merchandise when I've payed for a brand new item.

Now I'm sure there are some of you thinking "Whats the big deal? So long as the CD still works it's fine right?" Well, when white goods get scratched or dented, it gets called a "factory 2nd" and gets discounted, even though the actual inner workings run the same. So why should I be forced to continually pay full price for a CD in its case if the case is damaged?

It's not like I'm asking to get it for $5, all I want is a couple of $$ off if the case is damaged. Seems fair to me, since it's not in brand new condition.
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Previews

June 28th 2008 08:56
Welcome back to another episode of "Metal Beats" (insert killer riff here)

I'm your host Dan "Seraph" Black. Todays topic is "Previews"

Now, for those of you not familiar with the concept as it relates to music, let me explain. A "Preview" is when a band releases either snippets of songs, or a couple of full songs, from an up-coming album in an attempt to get people hyped up about the coming album.

Personally, I think it's a great idea, but it does have its flaws. Let me elaborate...

Now the GOOD things about previews is that they give the public a taste of what is to come. This is great, especially if it has been more than 2 years or so since the band's last release *cough*Metallica*cough*. It lets people know that the band is very nearly ready to unleash upon the world their latest batch of fury-in-a-can.


Some of the FLAWS in the preview idea are that they often release one of the best songs from the album, leaving less tracks for people to be totally blown away by, and I often find that I'll get a preview track, play it to death, then be sick of it by the time the album comes out. The other major issue is the often, people will form an opinion of the whole album based on the one song that is released.

Maybe I'm nit-picking, but thats how I see it.

Now, as we speak, Slipknot have released one preview track from their up-coming album already, with the first single soon to follow before the album drops in August. From what I've heard of this preview, entitled "All Hope is Gone", it is very much taking things further in the direction of "Vol. 3". While "All Hope is Gone" would indicate that the band are heading down the heavier road again, there is still a lot of that "Vol. 3" sound in there. I very much am looking forward to hearing the rest of this album.

Also, for those of you that don't know, Metallica have been releasing preview videos for their new album, featuring audio snippets of new songs, plus studio footage of the band recording and rehearsing sections of the new material. I feel this is a slightly better approach than actually releasing full tracks, as it gives a broader view of the album, and really leaves people wanting a lot more. While I will stop short of saying that this album will redeem Metallica in the eyes of many who have turned their backs after Load, ReLoad, and St Anger, what I'm hearing is definitely a step in that direction. I think this album will win them back a lot of old fans, and perhaps even bring in some newer ones.

So there you have it. Previews. Slipknot fans keep an eye out through late August/early September, Metallica fans keep an eye out in what I expect will be late September.

So until next time, remember, "Rock out with your..." hhmmm... probably shouldn't say that version... Lets just say "Hang out with your whang out" and leave it at that shall we?

Comments welcome

Dan
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Musicians...

June 21st 2008 16:34
So hey, I figure if I'm doing a music blog, I should say something about musicians eh?

I myself am a musician, and hence, you might think I'm biased. Well... for you non-musicians out there, let me be the first to say:

Yes! Musicians ARE arrogant and ignorant!

Ok, so maybe not quite, lol.

Time for a general breakdown of your stereotypical musicians:

Vocalists: Now, vocalists are often portrayed as arrogant and self-centered. After all, most of the time, the majority of the focus is on them, why shouldn't they be? Often, they are also seen as knowing little about actual music terminology, and often missing their cues. "How can you tell there's a singer at your door? He can't find the key and he doesn't know when to come in." See? Classic vocalist stereotypes.

Guitarists: These happy fellows are usually seen in a similar light to the singer. They are the kings of the stage, especially Lead Guitarists. When they are playing the solo, they... are... God... Also, they are broke criminals "How do you get a guitarist off your porch? Pay for the pizza" "What do you say to a guitarist in a 3 piece suit? Will the defendant please rise" And so on...

Bassists: My specialty Now, bass players are the "hangers on" of the band. No one really takes any notice of them, and they are usually hidden up the back near the drummer. Usually viewed as drunks that have no need for musical ability as all they do is follow the guitar on one string. "How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb? One, but the guitarist has to show him how first"

Drummers: Ahhhh drummers... The butts of countless jokes about a lack of intelligence. Drummers don't need to understand music, or even speech. They are brainless cavemen who hit things with sticks, and unfortunately, they are under the false impression that that louder they play, the better they are. They also sleep with anything that moves. "Why is a drum machine better than a drummer? You only have to punch the information into a drum machine once, and it won't sleep with your girlfriend"

Of course, all these are stereotypes. I know plenty of singers whose egos are in check, and who understand music. Almost every guitarist I know is humble and law abiding (well, if you exclude the pot use...) Being a bass player myself I know that I do more than just follow the guitar. I create a solid base for the song together with the drums. And I know plenty of intelligent dru... well I know a coup... I know one... OK so I don't know any drummers that are rocket-scientists... But most of the drummers I know do manage to keep it in their pants the majority of the time.

So now that you've been introduced to the musicians you are most likely to encounter in a Metal band, feel confident that you'll know how to handle each one of them! Stroke the Singer's ego! Buy the guitarist a drink! Get the drummer a root! And for GOD'S SAKE take notice of the bass player!!



Comments and jokes welcome,

Dan
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Local bands

June 17th 2008 01:40
Hey everyone,

Today's topic is local bands. I'm sure some of you find the time to go down to venues in your area and support local music. To you I have one thing to say... THANK YOU! [ Click here to read more ]
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Top ten?

June 14th 2008 14:55
Hey again

So I was thinking, those of you out there who read this must be forming some opinion about me by now, so I figure I should try to find out a little bit about you! [ Click here to read more ]
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Hello again everyone,

Now I know that this album came out last year, but I figured I'd review it anyway since it is one of the best Metal albums I've heard in a long time


[ Click here to read more ]
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Hello again everyone. It's time for my first album review. I'll probably do one every so often.

Today's review is the brand new album from Disturbed, "Indestructible


[ Click here to read more ]
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Music soothes the savage Beast

June 4th 2008 07:08
As I may have mentioned before, or if I haven't mentioned it, maybe you've figured it out. I'm a Metal head. That's not to say I don't enjoy other styles of music. Quite the opposite. I greatly enjoy certain classical pieces among my broad and varied music library.

Now, many people hold the belief that Metal music is just for people of low intelligence, low income, or low class. Many of these same people also find themselves getting angry when they are subjected to Metal music. They therefore believe that if it happens to them, it MUST happen to everyone that listens to Metal music, right? After all, just look at the crowd at any Metal concert these days and you'll see thousands of people, mostly young men, thrashing around angrily, throwing themselves against one another, and screaming for no apparent reason


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OK, what is with all the fuss about bands doing something different?

It seems to be that every time a band decides to take their new album in a different direction that it is greeted with cries of "sell out". We're talking Korn, we're talking Slipknot, we're talking ICP, we're talking Kid Rock, we're talking (hed) PE, and of course we're talking Metallica


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So here we are...

May 29th 2008 05:31
Greetings Everyone,

I guess I should give you all a little background on myself


[ Click here to read more ]
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