Blues Rock is one of the healthiest genres for this generation and will continue to be; “Blues Rock” being an operative term because it takes more work to find rock with out blues than with. Thanks to the first wave being the 60s with The Rolling stones, The Beatles (Revolver era), and of course (oh of course) The Jimi Hendrix Experience, it hasn't really had time to slow down. Dire Straits in the 70s, (later) Queen holding it on a thread in the 80s, jam bands like Blues Traveler with a 90s revival, and without question the 00s blues duo explosion (Thank you so much, The Kills, Black Keys and White Stripes). So now that we are in the 10s, what is the status of the genre and how does this apply to Stray Suns?
Simply writing off any band past the 60s straight blues rock is an insult to the genre. Somehow this genre has been able to keep copycats and simplifiers in the background in ways other forms of rock have failed. Thanks to the big three duos (mentioned above) every two piece band thinks they’re a prime blues rock group and every classic rock band thinks they’re Jimi Hendrix. Keeping my rant at bay, I can successfully say Stray Suns is ready to meet the expectations of their predecessors. Every new blues rock bands needs to meet a set of requirements (most of these apply to other genres as well.
Stray Suns Report Card ([x]=check [_]=nope (you don’t have to read this)
1. Originality: there are many different styles to pull from but you need to know the difference between copying and influences [x]
2. Clear Influence Outside of Blues: (the White StripesAC/DCd the hell out it) [x]
3. Actual Emotion: fake whininess is the reason why music gets simplified too much to handle [x]
4. Disrespect the Hell Out of Your Inspirations: Do you really think music would go anywhere if we stuck to any “rules”. [x]
4. Screw Rules: Blues is as much of a statement as it is a form of music but it’s creators didn't care if anyone liked what they did, they just expressed their feelings strait to record. [x]
This is that part you put in your press kit v V Stray Suns is a blues rock band and there is no question about it but they also managed to take the heart of grunge and crush in between their guitar strings. At times Jake’s vocals sound creepily similar to Eddie Vedder’s and every once in awhile you’ll hear a Stone Temple Pilots sounding riff sneak its way into the mix. Live they play out like you would expect jam bands like Blues Traveler would. Thanks to all the 90s influence is part of the reason that their version of Blues Rock is so hard to pin down and that’s what I’m looking for to start off the next decade of blues rock. I’m definitely a fan and that’s saying something because I’ve only heard them live and the three demos they’ve put on soundcloud. After seeing them live and knowing that they have more songs I have to ask... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
"Get ready to drop some money on the 21st. There are some great releases here."
For those of you that don't know record store day is one of the coolest days for music nerds like us. Record store days are in a lot of trouble because of online piracy and sails and weather or not you agree with it or not it does take one of the coolest places to hang out. On the 21st of April artists will release limited edition releases in an attempt to bring people back to their stores. This is my wishlist and I hope you guys are ready to drop some money on that day. (ps. wishlist means there is no way in hell I'm getting all this shit)
All it took was for me to hear that PiL was coming back for their first release in 20 years. On record store day too OMG. It's good to see Johny Rotten back like this.
Fuck what he wants to be called. He'll always be Johnny Rotten to me
I'm not sure why everyone is hating on the new single because I thought it was great (a lot better than "Suck it and See" at least -_-) + plus it's purple god damn it! Yes the guy in the video is Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols. In other words it's not a pun ^
This track right here, this track right here... Yep I'm so hoping to find this 13 min epic on one sided vinyl. Really James Murphy from "LSD Sound System" and Andre 300 of "Outkast"! Converse I'm impressed.
This band is intent on releasing B-Side after B-Side of post break up material (recorded while still a band) but really it's all great stuff so I'm not gonna act like I don't want this vinyl that looks like a black mint.
Given that the last album that he put out was composed of all ukulele song it makes seance that he would cover some songs of his/Pearl Jam's album "Yield". There are some classics on that thing but it would be awesome to here him try to cover "Once", "Blood" or "Got Some" on that thing but "Wishlist" should be good (I bet that little thing sounds good on a live recording).
If nothing else their remix LPs have always been interesting if not entertaining but this one should be more interesting than any other remix LPs. On Panda Bear's last album "Tomboy", which is a recommended listen, he used a computer program that filter his already recorded tracks int random orders and in some cases blended them in weird and interesting ways. In ways this kind of mixing is what made the album a week listen but I'm still interested in hearing this used on random Animal Collective songs. + I want this artwork so bad
Death Grips IS the most original MC in Hip-Hop right now. I don't know anyone, who would call him Hip-Hop, who does not agree. He's releasing the first pressing of his new album on Record Store Day so it's a must grab.
I've never really been a big fan of Clash Remixes, the sound of those two words scares the crap out of me, but this thing does have an official re-recorded instrumental on it so it should be worth it.
The Near Impossible Idea Of Left Over Money (AKA Suggested)
1. M83 - Mirror
I'm a fan but not a big enough one to listen to an etched vinyl of an unreleased from an artist I kinda like.
I'm not big on re-issues but this is the first single he released during the onset of his solo career starting with the album "Ram", which outside of the wings sound on some of the songs, I consider to be amazing.
I'll admit it. I'm not at all fond of the idea of remixing these songs and haven't listened to the album but I'm a die hard so it's defiantly not (I mean maybe).
There's nothing wrong with wanting some good old 60s rock/brit pop in your life right? I mean this band is what would've happened if "The Beatles" never passed "Pleas Pleas Me" so there's some nice song writing to look forward to.
ps. Yes I know they didn't write it but I love their version of (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone.
