CCP Ep. #123: Sonic Highways by the Foo Fighters

For our final album of the year, we look at Sonic Highways, a special project by the Foo Fighters, featuring eight tracks recorded in eight studios in eight different cities, all to commemorate—you guessed it—their eighth album. The project also serves as a companion to their HBO television series, Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways, which debuted on October 17th, 2014. Also stick around for a followup conversation on music idolatry: the types of idols we venerate, and the responsibilities that go with it.

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Ep. #11 – Feat. SkyBlew

Perhaps underrated in the dark corners of music criticism is the importance of spreading positivity in the medium. Thankfully this necessity is not only considered, but passionately realized by today’s guest, SkyBlew, the 23-year-old rap prodigy who lives by the slogan, “I don’t rap… I paint the Sky Blew.” With the release of his new record, SkyBlew’s UNModern Life, he conveys this philosophy in a variety of ways, from the album’s smooth tones and warm imagery to his heartfelt lyrics about overcoming setbacks. With Matt, SkyBlew discusses the theme of positivity and how surprisingly rare it is across multiple genres. He also celebrates his passions by dabbling in nerdcore, which he expresses to Matt along with his influences, his aspirations, and a deep love for anime. All this and how the artist got his start in today’s uplifting interview!

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CCP Ep. #122: Seeds by TV on the Radio

What is Art Rock? Well, we won’t be answering that question today, but we will be examining the latest work by a band to whom the genre has often been attributed. Listen in and hear how TV on the Radio’s Seeds stacks up against the work that propelled them out of Brooklyn and into the public eye. Then, stick around for a discussion on the nature of “excusing” bands’ artistic choices. What are the challenges that artists face deeper in their careers?

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CCP Ep. #121: An Evening with Circadian Clock

As we’re nearing the end of the year, we’ve made this week’s episode a special one. For only the second time in CCP history, we devote an entire episode to a full-band interview in lieu of our usual album analysis. Peering deep into the local NYC rock scene, we unveil to you the vibrant and hair-raising ensemble known as Circadian Clock. With their trescendent melodies, backed by a formidable punch, Circadian Clock is poised to take NYC by storm, having released an EP last year called Someone Out There Loves You After All and a music video for their single, “Brightside”. They are currently working on an LP, slated for release next year. Rarely confronted by a band with such extensive and expansive musical roots, join us in hearing how these veterans of live performance forged their tight and incomparable sound.

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Ep. #10 – Feat. Erik Neff

This week on Autographs, we bring you the one-on-one between Matt and the Dallas-based Country Rock artist, Erik Neff. Not long ago in Crash Chords history, Neff’s debut LP, At the End of the Day (released Nov. 10th), was featured in a written (and raving) record review titled “Subtle Revitalization” by writer and CCP co-host, Steve Nagel. To prod behind the art, Matt interviews Neff on how his sound has molded over the years, on his touring ambitions, and on the mutual benefits of having a music and modeling career. Also listen in for Neff’s take on covers, and finally on—you probably didn’t guess it—football!

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CCP Ep. #120: This Is All Yours by Alt-J

Happy Thanksgiving from Crash Chords! (If today’s album & analysis should find its way into your extra-long weekend, we’ll be giving plenty of thanks indeed.) Ripe for the picking, we look at an album that debuted at #1 in the U.K. this September, the plaintive This Is All Yours by the English band Alt-J (or “∆”). Then, following the album, we briefly discuss the impact of varying an album’s style as opposed to its mood.

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CCP Ep. #119: In Conflict by Owen Pallett

And then the orchestra met the synthesizer… and it was good. Today we feature a special fan-chosen album for our weekly analysis, courtesy of Heather S. (@wildflowerfever). The album is called In Conflict, by the composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist, Owen Pallett. Then we take some time to discuss the particulars of an upper echelon rating system. Why are things harder to rate the closer they come to true exceptionalism?

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Ep. #9 – Feat. Ryan McCombs of SOiL

The “two-time” lead singer of the band SOiL joins Matt today, namely, Ryan McCombs. Formed in 1997, SOiL’s latest album, Whole (August 2013) is the first album since 2004 to again feature the vocals of the reincorporated McCombs. Ryan, who had left the band in 2004, discusses this departure, his interim work with the band Drowning Pool, and his eventual return to SOiL. Matt also prods into Ryan’s infuences and his vocals origins, finally spurring a discussion on the changing landscape of the Metal and Heavy Rock scene.

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CCP Ep. #118: Hungry Ghosts by OK Go

Today we find out what happens when Indi Power Pop goes electronic! However you choose to categorize them, the four-piece rock band OK Go is clearly dabbling into new areas with their latest album, Hungry Ghosts. Early in Crash Chords history, Matt had the priviledge of conducting an interview with OK Go’s drummer, Dan Konopka, while also reviewing their previous release, Of the Blue Colour of the Sky. For their new album however, we administer the unadulterated CCP treatment, so hop on board and share your own opinions! Following that, we shift to a more lighthearted topic: quite simply, the nature of “rocking out!” Can this primal urge ever mingle freely with the stoic world of critical analysis?

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CCP Ep. #117: The Physical World by Death From Above 1979

Death From Above 1979 rages on! For those who can recall their only LP back in 2004, You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine didn’t just hit the shelves — it broke them. Conceived in the seamy cracks between Punk, Indi, Metal, and Noise Rock, the self-propelling bass/drum duo has returned a decade later to wreak more havoc on its fans. Their new album is called The Physical World; join us as we talk it out, break it down, and try to convey its fearsome nature. As such is the case, our final discussion touches upon the meaninglessness of “strength in numbers” when dealing with music.

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