A note from the editor…
There was a time when I thought that music reviews were lame.
That no one could tell me what to listen to; I’d figure that out on my own. I also thought that music and entertainment journalism was stupid and a waste of time.
Granted, I am still stubborn, but I have come around to the benefits of music reporting and the importance of CD Reviews, and even recommendations. I did, at one time, pride myself on finding all breaking new music on my own, happy to be the “first” to discover it. But there’s always someone that will hear about it first, and pass it on to someone else, and that is the beauty of it.
Everyone hears about a new band or artist from someone else, who in turn has learned about them from another person. That is how new music catches on. Even with CD Reviews, you may not always agree with or like who the writer is talking about, but it will draw your attention to them. Checking out CD Reviews can be a great thing for one’s music collection. I, personally, have learned about a lot of great artists by reading what another person has said about them, and for the most part, I have been better off.
Everyone I listen to has somehow been turned on to me by another person, whether I know them or not. I think Nellie McKay is a genius, and I read about her in a column John Mayer wrote. Charlotte Martin enlightened me with the music of the Cocteau Twins, and though they may be a band of the past, are still awesome and I am forever grateful to her for mentioning them to me. And then she did it again with Snow Patrol, one of my current favorites. I first read about Bright Eyes and Rachael Yamagata (this month’s artist spotlight) in a magazine, as well as several others. The point: don’t overlook CD Reviews just because you think you have everything under control. I totally trust your musical judgment, but you never know what might be out there that you have yet to become accustomed to.
That said, check out this month’s reviews of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, AM, Future Soundtrack for America and Rachael Yamagata. We also have Yamagata in our artist spotlight this month and she has some pretty important things to say, so tune in to that. In addition, we have interviews with Todd Martin, David Garza, Joe Beleznay, Michael Celedon and Concept: Bravery.
This month also holds a special feature: our ode to Drummer’s section. Check in with some of our favorite drummers—Jordan Elder (Graham Colton Band), Laurie Jenkins (Howie Day) and Brian Factor (Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers)—to see how they got their start and what advice they have for you drummers out there.
Speaking of Kellogg, Stephen Kellogg was so kind to write this month’s Sound Check guest column, and I highly recommend that everyone take a look at it. If anyone’s in the need of some inspiration to get off their bum’s and do that thing that they’ve really been trying to do, then this column is for you.
We also have some great show reviews and our grab bag contest is still in affect, so check that out.
Also, I know you’re probably being bombarded with this, but if you get a chance, please check out our link to www.musicforrelief.org where you can donate money to a variety of charities for the Tsunami Relief Fund. Any amount is sufficient, and despite what you think, every little bit really does count. And while you’re in that giving mood…in this month’s headliners we have featured Matt Nathanson and Musicians on Call. I know that there are a lot of you out there with old CD’s that are in good condition, and that is just what Musicians On Call is looking for! So that old Spice Girls CD you have? Okay, I know you still want to keep that one…but the Aqua one? Yeah, you can get rid of that! And it’s for a good cause! Musicians On Call is a GREAT charity and in need of CD’s, and I am sure you have plenty of them sitting around that you don’t listen to anymore. So check out the article and if you have any questions about donating, do not hesitate to email me, and I will point you in the right direction!
Thanks for tuning in!
Until next month…
Nicole Roberge