// Category Archive for: Music

Original Versions: Now It Can Be Told!

By Christian Lipski

Anyone who has spent any time listening to the radio or watching movies will know that we have entered the Era of the Cover. Bands are starting out by covering old popular songs—no songwriting effort needed. Hollywood has run out of ideas and is pillaging concepts from old movies, TV, toys, video games, theme park rides, etc. The thing is, this has been happening for a long time, though not at the incredible rate it is now. A lot of the songs you love were originally recorded by other artists! Now it can be told!!
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Things That Thrilled Me In 2009: By Allison Anders

Allison Anders is a filmmaker, director, music fan, and lover of life. She has written/directed Gas Food Lodging, Grace Of My Heart, Sugar Town, and Things Behind The Sun. She is also the founder of the Don’t Knock The Rock film and music festival. Currently, she is working on a follow up to her film Mi Vida Loca called Smile Now Cry Later.
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Rowland S. Howard 1959-2009

By Julie Finley

I had recently paid my respects towards Rowland S. Howard’s latest album, Pop Crimes. . . as it was my favorite record of 2009 (and probably one of my favorite albums of the entire decade!) With reluctance I need to pay my respects in the way I wish I never had to, but. . . Rowland has unfortunately passed away.
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The Best Albums Of My Decade: By Less Lee Moore

In an editorial called “An Argument Against Year End Lists” Dusted‘s Ben Tausig calls them both “viscerally disgusting” and “overdone” and accuses those critics who write them of being lazy.

Point taken, Mr. Tausig.
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Top Ten Of 2009: By Shiny Around The Edges

Our Top Ten List of 2009 consists of things we’ve listened to, watched, and read throughout the year that have made an indelible impression. It is either hopelessly out-of-date or incredibly prescient depending on your personal politics. In no particular order:
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Top Ten News Stories of 2009 That Could Be Songs By Lovecraftian Apocalypse-Mongering Rock Band The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets

By Toren Atkinson of The Darkest Of The Hillside Thickets
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Best Of 2009: By Jim Campilongo

Jim Campilongo is a fantastic guitarist and songwriter and has been called “an American treasure” by Billboard Magazine.
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Do They Know It’s MIDI?

By Less Lee Moore

Since after nearly thirty years I still remain somewhat obsessed with Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” single (despite how ridiculously offensive it is), naturally I was overjoyed when Megashaun pointed me in the direction of a MIDI version of the song.
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Best Of 2009: By JG Thirlwell

Mainly I listen to classical, contemporary composition, soundtracks, and prog rock, and I spent most of the year writing new music of my own.
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Best Of 2009—Top Ten Albums: By J Howell

It’s worth noting that there are several records that may’ve made the cut if I’d have had more time to get to know them a little better by year’s end; this year’s TV On The Radio and Califone records come to mind, as well as Tom Waits’ Glitter and Doom Live. And since the release date of Jim Campilongo’s Orange was moved to February 2010, I guess it’ll just have to go on next year’s list. Furthermore, though it came out in ’08, I didn’t pick up a copy of Giant Sand’s proVISIONS until early this year, and it’s pretty amazing. Check it out!
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