The Altsounds Concentrate | Sunday 24th November 2008
I am Quaid.
The guy with the suitcase, the mask, the money, the message from Hauser. All of that was set up by Chris.
I'm not sure what Chris can do at this point to top himself. Every week it seems there is some new feature or something he has perfected on the site. I think next week I'll be telling you about the special coding he created that makes your computer grow arms and give you a back massage while you surf Altsounds. But that's next week. This week it's all about the new and improved Altsounds TV.
Altsounds TV has seen many incarnations over the years, but this latest version will knock your socks off. Big, sexy high quality videos in a smooth player guarantee that no matter what you're watching, it will sound good, look good and be professional. Don't get me wrong, I love watching Youtube clips of idiots getting hit in the balls and the Rick Astley videos disguised as something else. But when I'm looking for music, I just want music, and I don't really want to sift through 100 versions of the same thing looking for the one high quality copy.
While you're surfing through music videos, live footage, artist interviews and bonus behind-the-scenes footage, don't forget to check out the original Altsounds sessions. There are artists hanging out in the studio all the time and Chris ninja records them for exclusive Altsounds features. What is 'ninja recording?' Taping people after telling them you're not taping them. Chris has his 5th degree black belt in covert footage. Check out the great video packages he's put together of exclusive original studio performances, interviews and what artists are like when they think no one is watching. (Pretty sure our lawyers had us pull all the hidden camera footage from the bathrooms, but there is still plenty that got past the censors).
The Inside Scoop
Want to learn more about your favourite bands and artists? The inside scoop is here to save your ass!
The All-American Rejects guitarist Mike Kennerty
"We're on the wall between Woody Guthrie and Color Me Badd. It's a very distinguished honor."
All too often kids pick up instruments with the hopes of becoming rich and famous, only to find out that goal is nothing more than a fantasy for all but a select few. The road to stardom is lined with the bodies of unlucky dreamers that have been chewed up and spit out by the exclusivity of reality. The further an artist travels down that road, the more depressing it can be as the faces on the bodies grow increasingly familiar. Artists you've known, liked, and even played with never quite made it to the velvet finish line.
Despite popular opinion among music elitists, there is no formula for success. There is no right way or wrong way to make it. Some artists sprint down the path, easily bypassing any obstacle. Some scratch and claw their way along for years, fighting hard for every opportunity. Others, like The All-American Rejects, casually stroll along, occasionally locking arms and skipping merrily down whatever path they come across. They didn't start down this road looking...
READ MORE
Chali 2na
"I'm not going to pick up someone's shorts and show you his doo doo streak"
I don't know much about rap or hip hop. I'm a southern white girl, so what has popped up on my radar over the years is the same bullshit party rap everyone has heard. You down with OPP? No, not really. (Hey, that rhymes, too!)
Years and years ago, I saw Ozomatli perform. It totally opened my eyes to a whole new world of music. I had never in my life heard someone flow like Chali 2na. Since then, I have loved everything the man has touched. Jurassic 5 remains my absolute favorite hip hop act. They're in another orbit.
Seriously, this is the coolest motherfucker I've ever talked to.
You've been an outspoken critic of George Bush and the so-called War on Terror. As we prepare for a regime change, are you optimistic that we can turn things around?
Yeah, I'm optimistic. It's already a change that America has allowed a minority to be president. At one end of the spectrum in America's history, we were less than a human being. Now we're commander-in-chief. That's an amazing change...
READ MORE
Music That's Hot
With a plethora of music to sieve through below is the cream of this weeks ever abundant musical crop.
Her Space Holiday - XOXO, Panda And The New Kid Revival [Album]
Mush
It is generally quite easy to tell whether or not an album is good. You can listen to it a few times and perhaps occasionally add some songs into mix CD's you make for friends, or you can listen to a few tracks, decide it was a mistake and take it back to the store you bought it from. Her Space Holiday’s XOXO, Panda and the New Kid Revival however, is neither of these two options, because it is neither good nor bad. It is in fact outstanding, so much so that you become captivated by the melodies and lyrics so much that you loose track of time. Every time I find myself putting on XOXO, Panda, I find myself utterly mesmerized by it. Then again being a massive fan of Californian pop, I might be a bit biased.
After having been around for 12 years, Her Space Holiday will be leaving behind the computer for a more analogue approach to XOXO, Panda and the New Kid Revival, as well as replacing the glooming overtone of previous albums for a more up tempo feel good vibe more akin...
READ MORE
Adversary - Singularity [CD]
Trustkill Records
'Singularity' is the debut release from Virginia’s metal heavyweights Adversary. This album is released through the well know metal/hardcore label, Trustkill, who have recently been under fire for their dispute with Orange County’s Bleeding Through over apparent lack of funding. So if you are wondering how does Adversary get the money for a release and seasoned pros Bleeding Through does not? Well it’s because Adversary recorded 'Singularity' before signing to Trustkill. Whether Trustkill contributed at all, who knows, but all I know is that they probably got a great deal for this hungry young quintet.
So lets get down to the music. 'Singularity' is a very vast creation with lots of levels. The vocals are outstanding with an adequate range of screams, hardcore shouts and singing, which means the sound never becomes repetitive or dull. The whole sound of 'Singularity' is drenched in influence but in a collective way, so that it is hard to attribute single parts to one influence...
READ MORE
Kelli Ali - Rocking Horse (Album)
One Little Indian Records - Out 24th Nov
Kelli Ali hails from Birmingham for the uninitiated but to listen to this album you certainly won't be thinking of endless motorways, traffic jams, and Frank Skinner (sorry I need to brush up on my Birmingham knowledge) instead you'll be floated above the clouds to some-sort of fantasia where we are all at peace, we have no war, we have no poverty, we have no damn credit-crunch instead in it's place where we have genetically made unicorns and we all own one, everyday meals consist of candy-floss, and everyone has a smile like a frickin' rainbow (upside-down of course)... now maybe this isn't everybody's idea of happiness but listening to this album you'll be able to conjure up your own little idea of heaven this is the magic of 'Rocking Horse'.
Written over the last few years as Kelli embarked upon a journey across California and Mexico 'Rocking Horse' is infused with the idea of being on the open-road and living a free life, it's full of dreams, hopes, and wonder; but then I gue...
READ MORE
Music That Is NOT!
If you like shit and you like toast then you will LOVE the utterly shit covered toast that is demonstrated below.
Runon Fragment - Runon Fragment (Album)
P3
Runon Fragment's self titled second album reminds me of walking into a bar to discover a local band playing and quickly turning round to walk straight back out. Not because I don't want to listen to live music but because I know how every song is going to sound. Based in LA, Runon Fragment could be described as a rock band with elements of grunge, a generic description for generic music.
There's nothing really on this album that makes you want to take an interest in the band. There's nothing that makes you want to go see them live. Almost all the songs regurgitate riffs and then there's the cliched solo that makes no impact on the song at all. This is evident on the second track 'Reunion' which does have some promise with a nice clean guitar part but just as you feel the song is about to kick into a chorus it does nothing, leading me to think that I just listened to the chorus and didn't even realize. The next track, 'Birthday' however does have a chorus and it shows a better...
READ MORE
The News Wire
Have your finger on the musical pulse every week by checking out the Top Ten biggest news of the past week
Keep your eye out next week for the introduction of Altsounds Teleport, the latest feature from Altsounds that teleports you directly to concerts all around the world. Although it's bound to cost thousands of Altsounds dollars, you can easily build up frequent teleporter miles. Had a little too much fun to remember enough show details for a review? That's no longer a problem, what with Altsounds Memory. With one minor surgery, you can install a port into your brain where memories are easily downloaded into a video file. Put that Altmemory through the Altsounds Video Editor and create a documentary film taken straight from your brain to be featured on Altsounds TV!!
IS THERE ANYTHING HE CAN'T DO?!
The future is now.
The guy with the suitcase, the mask, the money, the message from Hauser. All of that was set up by Chris.
I'm not sure what Chris can do at this point to top himself. Every week it seems there is some new feature or something he has perfected on the site. I think next week I'll be telling you about the special coding he created that makes your computer grow arms and give you a back massage while you surf Altsounds. But that's next week. This week it's all about the new and improved Altsounds TV.
Altsounds TV has seen many incarnations over the years, but this latest version will knock your socks off. Big, sexy high quality videos in a smooth player guarantee that no matter what you're watching, it will sound good, look good and be professional. Don't get me wrong, I love watching Youtube clips of idiots getting hit in the balls and the Rick Astley videos disguised as something else. But when I'm looking for music, I just want music, and I don't really want to sift through 100 versions of the same thing looking for the one high quality copy.
While you're surfing through music videos, live footage, artist interviews and bonus behind-the-scenes footage, don't forget to check out the original Altsounds sessions. There are artists hanging out in the studio all the time and Chris ninja records them for exclusive Altsounds features. What is 'ninja recording?' Taping people after telling them you're not taping them. Chris has his 5th degree black belt in covert footage. Check out the great video packages he's put together of exclusive original studio performances, interviews and what artists are like when they think no one is watching. (Pretty sure our lawyers had us pull all the hidden camera footage from the bathrooms, but there is still plenty that got past the censors).
The Inside Scoop
Want to learn more about your favourite bands and artists? The inside scoop is here to save your ass!
The All-American Rejects guitarist Mike Kennerty
"We're on the wall between Woody Guthrie and Color Me Badd. It's a very distinguished honor."
All too often kids pick up instruments with the hopes of becoming rich and famous, only to find out that goal is nothing more than a fantasy for all but a select few. The road to stardom is lined with the bodies of unlucky dreamers that have been chewed up and spit out by the exclusivity of reality. The further an artist travels down that road, the more depressing it can be as the faces on the bodies grow increasingly familiar. Artists you've known, liked, and even played with never quite made it to the velvet finish line.
Despite popular opinion among music elitists, there is no formula for success. There is no right way or wrong way to make it. Some artists sprint down the path, easily bypassing any obstacle. Some scratch and claw their way along for years, fighting hard for every opportunity. Others, like The All-American Rejects, casually stroll along, occasionally locking arms and skipping merrily down whatever path they come across. They didn't start down this road looking...
READ MORE
Chali 2na
"I'm not going to pick up someone's shorts and show you his doo doo streak"
I don't know much about rap or hip hop. I'm a southern white girl, so what has popped up on my radar over the years is the same bullshit party rap everyone has heard. You down with OPP? No, not really. (Hey, that rhymes, too!)
Years and years ago, I saw Ozomatli perform. It totally opened my eyes to a whole new world of music. I had never in my life heard someone flow like Chali 2na. Since then, I have loved everything the man has touched. Jurassic 5 remains my absolute favorite hip hop act. They're in another orbit.
Seriously, this is the coolest motherfucker I've ever talked to.
You've been an outspoken critic of George Bush and the so-called War on Terror. As we prepare for a regime change, are you optimistic that we can turn things around?
Yeah, I'm optimistic. It's already a change that America has allowed a minority to be president. At one end of the spectrum in America's history, we were less than a human being. Now we're commander-in-chief. That's an amazing change...
READ MORE
Music That's Hot
With a plethora of music to sieve through below is the cream of this weeks ever abundant musical crop.
Her Space Holiday - XOXO, Panda And The New Kid Revival [Album]
Mush
It is generally quite easy to tell whether or not an album is good. You can listen to it a few times and perhaps occasionally add some songs into mix CD's you make for friends, or you can listen to a few tracks, decide it was a mistake and take it back to the store you bought it from. Her Space Holiday’s XOXO, Panda and the New Kid Revival however, is neither of these two options, because it is neither good nor bad. It is in fact outstanding, so much so that you become captivated by the melodies and lyrics so much that you loose track of time. Every time I find myself putting on XOXO, Panda, I find myself utterly mesmerized by it. Then again being a massive fan of Californian pop, I might be a bit biased.
After having been around for 12 years, Her Space Holiday will be leaving behind the computer for a more analogue approach to XOXO, Panda and the New Kid Revival, as well as replacing the glooming overtone of previous albums for a more up tempo feel good vibe more akin...
READ MORE
Adversary - Singularity [CD]
Trustkill Records
'Singularity' is the debut release from Virginia’s metal heavyweights Adversary. This album is released through the well know metal/hardcore label, Trustkill, who have recently been under fire for their dispute with Orange County’s Bleeding Through over apparent lack of funding. So if you are wondering how does Adversary get the money for a release and seasoned pros Bleeding Through does not? Well it’s because Adversary recorded 'Singularity' before signing to Trustkill. Whether Trustkill contributed at all, who knows, but all I know is that they probably got a great deal for this hungry young quintet.
So lets get down to the music. 'Singularity' is a very vast creation with lots of levels. The vocals are outstanding with an adequate range of screams, hardcore shouts and singing, which means the sound never becomes repetitive or dull. The whole sound of 'Singularity' is drenched in influence but in a collective way, so that it is hard to attribute single parts to one influence...
READ MORE
Kelli Ali - Rocking Horse (Album)
One Little Indian Records - Out 24th Nov
Kelli Ali hails from Birmingham for the uninitiated but to listen to this album you certainly won't be thinking of endless motorways, traffic jams, and Frank Skinner (sorry I need to brush up on my Birmingham knowledge) instead you'll be floated above the clouds to some-sort of fantasia where we are all at peace, we have no war, we have no poverty, we have no damn credit-crunch instead in it's place where we have genetically made unicorns and we all own one, everyday meals consist of candy-floss, and everyone has a smile like a frickin' rainbow (upside-down of course)... now maybe this isn't everybody's idea of happiness but listening to this album you'll be able to conjure up your own little idea of heaven this is the magic of 'Rocking Horse'.
Written over the last few years as Kelli embarked upon a journey across California and Mexico 'Rocking Horse' is infused with the idea of being on the open-road and living a free life, it's full of dreams, hopes, and wonder; but then I gue...
READ MORE
Music That Is NOT!
If you like shit and you like toast then you will LOVE the utterly shit covered toast that is demonstrated below.
Runon Fragment - Runon Fragment (Album)
P3
Runon Fragment's self titled second album reminds me of walking into a bar to discover a local band playing and quickly turning round to walk straight back out. Not because I don't want to listen to live music but because I know how every song is going to sound. Based in LA, Runon Fragment could be described as a rock band with elements of grunge, a generic description for generic music.
There's nothing really on this album that makes you want to take an interest in the band. There's nothing that makes you want to go see them live. Almost all the songs regurgitate riffs and then there's the cliched solo that makes no impact on the song at all. This is evident on the second track 'Reunion' which does have some promise with a nice clean guitar part but just as you feel the song is about to kick into a chorus it does nothing, leading me to think that I just listened to the chorus and didn't even realize. The next track, 'Birthday' however does have a chorus and it shows a better...
READ MORE
The News Wire
Have your finger on the musical pulse every week by checking out the Top Ten biggest news of the past week
- The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Ready Sophomore Album, Lonely Road, Feb. 3
- MYSPACE MUSIC TO PREMIER RADIOHEAD'S THREE NEW VIDEOS STARTING NOVEMBER 21
- Thousand Foot Krutch One of Three Winning Bands in Taco Bell Contest
- The Secret Machines Reveal Psychedelic New Video For "Atomic Heels"
- Linkin Park - "Road To Revolution" Released November 24th
- INNERPARTYSYSTEM ANNOUNCE UK HEADLINE DATES in early 2009
- Paramore to release live DVD/CD - The Final Riot
- JEFF BECK: PERFORMING THIS WEEK LIVE AT RONNIE SCOTT’S JAZZ CLUB
- Motley Crue and Hinder join forces
- The Saw Doctors UK Tour
Keep your eye out next week for the introduction of Altsounds Teleport, the latest feature from Altsounds that teleports you directly to concerts all around the world. Although it's bound to cost thousands of Altsounds dollars, you can easily build up frequent teleporter miles. Had a little too much fun to remember enough show details for a review? That's no longer a problem, what with Altsounds Memory. With one minor surgery, you can install a port into your brain where memories are easily downloaded into a video file. Put that Altmemory through the Altsounds Video Editor and create a documentary film taken straight from your brain to be featured on Altsounds TV!!
IS THERE ANYTHING HE CAN'T DO?!
The future is now.
