Steve Nagel – Page 7 – Crash Chords

Articles posted by Steve Nagel (Page 7)

CCP Ep. #229: Amaterasu by Corima

The groundhog has seen its shadow… and in that shadow… lurks CORIMA. If you’ve never heard of the ‘Zeuhl’ genre, then—just for the moment—spare yourself from culling through the 11-album discography of Magma (the genre’s progenitor), and instead dive into Amaterasu, the third album by a vibrant and imaginative group based out of L.A. Taking after the jazz/prog leanings of its Zeuhl predecessors and the fully-enabled “anything goes” attitude of the RIO (Rock in Opposition) movement, Corima is all about fusion, yet also free of inhibition. The result: a two-piece, multi-movement concept work called Amaterasu. In this episode, we begin with an overview of Zeuhl before taking off on a roller coaster of an album analysis.

CCP Ep. #228: Two Changes by Beatrice Dillon & Rupert Clervaux

Time to put on your computer & electronic music caps. Fusing the instincts of two overseas composers, Beatrice Dillon & Rupert Clervaux, Two Changes (an album released through Paralaxe Editions) is a two-track experience like no other. From techno, to ambient, to industrial, to the jazz noir finishings of pocket trumpetist Eben Bull, Two Changes offers a little bit of everything with no shortage of spectacle, and occasionally, stupefaction. And so, after another pre-album preamble, concerning electronica and track length, @0:18:42 we explore and assess the inner-workings of Two Changes‘ only pieces, “The Same River Twice” and “A Different River Once.” Join along!

Ep. #64 – Feat. Ngozi Anyanwu

Today Matt welcomes playwright, actor, and producer Ngozi Anyanwu. Writer of the play Good Grief, which starts its run in LA at the end of February, Ngozi is also one of the producers of the NOW AFRICA: Playwrights Festival. She has also acted in Mysteries of Laura, Limitless, and Law & Order: SVU just to name a few. With Matt, Ngozi chats about how Good Grief came to be and also how she began writing—specifically playwriting. They chat about the origins of the NOW AFRICA: Playwrights Festival, the changing landscape of the arts, and the similarities and differences between her many talents.

CCP Ep. #227: Chambers by Chilly Gonzales

Feeling classy? We’ve got quite the episode in store for you today. First, we’re switching things up by placing our topic—a multi-pronged preamble for today’s album—before the analysis instead of after. As a grand introduction to Chambers by Chilly Gonzales, we properly thank Doug Ferguson of the Music A to Z Podcast for recommending it, we talk a bit about their podcast, a bit about Chilly himself, and for our topic we address our own experiences with classical music over the years and reflect on the nasty habit of classical “avoidance”. At last, once we’re all warmed up, starting approx. 20 mins. in we begin to tackle Chambers, an album of twelve bite-sized neo-Romantic works featuring Chilly at the piano accompanied by Hamberg’s Kaiser Quartett. So sit back, dive in, check out the Music A to Z Podcast (as well as Doug’s last request), and indulge in the vast multiverse that is music and those who love discussing it.

CCP Ep. #226: 57th & 9th by Sting

Welcome to our “official” inaugural episode of 2017! To kick off the year, we’re looking at a well-known pillar of the music industry: Sting and his twelfth solo album since departing The Police (and first solo rock album in more than a decade), 57th & 9th. In an outward and inward-looking album where Sting takes a hard look backwards and a hard look at his surroundings at the same time, how does 57th & 9th fare as a work of art? Press play and contribute! Also, @1:57:35, we turn in our New Year’s “homework”, assigned to us back in ep. #222. In a frenzied search for weird and wild forms of art, we discuss six music genres that appeal to us—or repel us—in style or concept, all in an attempt to stump our colleagues. What niche genres do you find appealing?

Ep. #63 – Feat. Cyn Factory Burlesque

Today Matt welcomes the core members of Cyn Factory Burlesque, producers/performers Mary Cyn, Sarah Tops, and Johnny Caligula, and performer Dick Move. All hailing from New York, New York, the guests share their stories on how Cyn Factory started and how each member joined the group. Mary chats about the other shows she has produced including Original Cyn and Epic Win Burlesque; Dick and Johnny chat about how they found their dynamic in sharing the stage as hosts; and they all share some of their favorite moments from performing at The Bier Baron in Washington, DC, their self-proclaimed home away from home. And so, from the future of Cyn Factory to their connections in the industry, here’s presenting Matt Storm and Cyn Factory Burlesque.

CCP Ep. #225: The 2016 Year in Review

Well, it’s been one hell of a year, and one hell of a week! Today we bring you the last episode of our 5-day series, our annual broad look at a year’s worth of albums analyzed. These ‘year in review’ episodes represent our most cherished opportunity to shower additional praise, to re-analyze, to reiterate, and occasionally to rectify our past weekly instincts. Though we try our damnedest, it’s impossible to fully digest albums on a week-to-week basis, so we’re constantly re-examining. We’ll start off with our rating changes, head over to our category prizes, take on the ever-so-maligned booby prizes, and then of course share with you our top picks. We have high hopes for 2017, high hopes for music, and high hopes for all of you! Thank you for another great year and we hope to see you next week.

CCP Ep. #224: The Outtakes (V)

It’s time for that silly annual tradition of ours. See, although we do our very best to publish the tightest episodes we can muster, make no mistake: the magic wand of editing has had a generous hand in that. That being the case, for just one episode a year, let’s take a peek behind the curtain and gawk at the flubs, the blunders, the oversights, and the outright insanity. To thee we bare ourselves! Enjoy.

CCP Ep. #223: ‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’ OST by The Lonely Island

It’s day three of our five-day event series with today’s episode marking the last entry in our 2016 review season. We thought we’d end the year nice and light, dabbling into some comedy, some satire, and of course, some obnoxious pop music. Join us as we follow the rise and fall—and rise again—of protagonist Conner4Real in the summer comedy flick, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. With the film and its original soundtrack both written by members of the The Lonely Island (who also star in the film), we’re keeping to our goal of incorporating more cross-media material… and by gum it doesn’t get more cross-media than that! Join us as we stroll through the film, wade through its myriad of cast members, and address the successes and pitfalls of both film & soundtrack as works of comedy. Enjoy!

CCP Ep. #222: Scattering by Progger

A “prog” band named Progger — oy, now we’ve heard everything! Indeed, after hearing the Austin-based band’s latest project Scattering (an album that sprung from a collaboration with the band’s newest New York-based members) our horizons have been markedly broadened. Incorporating elements of jazz, prog, funk, and a hefty dose of name-your-poison, Scattering is no aperitif; it’s the full meal. So join us for an in-depth analysis of this gripping work and also for a brief preview on some New Year’s homework: the ultimate mystery genre game. Let’s dig deep and ring in 2017 with shock & awe.

Music is Life… and Life is Good!