We’re predominantly an audio-medium website at present. Below are a mix of our [currently] two regular series, the Crash Chords Podcast (CCP) and Crash Chords: Autographs (CCA):
– The Crash Chords Podcast (CCP) airs every Thursday at noon EST.
– Crash Chords: Autographs (CCA) airs every *other* Tuesday at noon EST.
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Prepare to ease yourself into the creamy lo-fi world of Beck. After a six-year hiatus, Beck has returned to making studio albums. This week, we’ll be reviewing his highly-praised Morning Phase. Then, on the topic frontier, we sidle back over to an old favorite: cinema — only this time in regards to its bite-size self-portrait, the trailer! Join us in uncovering just what variety of music makes a good trailer flow… or better yet, sell.
You might know him as an actor and a comedian, but don’t forget about that banjo! That’s right, grammy-award winning musician Steve Martin has teemed up with Edie Brickell (of Edie Brickell & New Bohemians) for an original roots and bluegrass album called Love Has Come for You. This album review is brought to us by our guest (another folk talent, singer-songwriter, actor, and member of the Waysties), Sarah Bisman Storm. Stick around for an interview on her musical background, some treat performances, and a hefty discussion on folk theater.
Hope the title isn’t too much for you, because you can expect no less from their music. The seasoned post-rock ensemble, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra (a.k.a. the band of too many a.k.a.’s) has released their bold new LP, F*** Off Get Free We Pour Light On Everything. You know the drill; now let’s dissect this behemoth! Then, for our topic, we wander into the fiery ring of copyrights vs. fair use. Don’t miss this great debate!
It’s back to flannels, patches, and malcontent for this week’s episode. Our review confronts the latest punk release by Against Me!, a cathartic work bluntly titled, Transgender Dysphoria Blues. We also take some time in the beginning to discuss the Olympic Opening Ceremony, and for our topic we cover the influence of activism in music over the years (for better or worse).
In the mood for some satirical gibberish? Who isn’t. That’s why we’re pushing forward with more reviews of comedy music albums. This week we chose The Wack Album by The Lonely Island (the comedy Hip-Hop troupe composed of former SNL staff & cast members, Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg, and Jorma Taccone). Then stick around for a brief intro to the use of satire in art. Conversely, stay tuned for a future discussion on the use of music to a comedic end.
This week we take a trip into… well, suffice it to say, we take a “trip”. After forty-eight years of burrowing down the rabbit hole, the Brazilian psychedelic rock band, Os Mutantes, has released their tenth studio album (their second since reuniting in 2006). The album is called Fool Metal Jack, and we’re putting it to the panel! Then, from artistry to controversy, we get into a broad discussion on the impacts of psychedelics and hallucinogens on music creation.
You might know him from System of a Down. Or perhaps you know him from his solo work. Well now we’re all privileged to know him as… a classical composer? Yup. Serj Tankian wrote a symphony. It’s his first symphony, titled Orca, and you can bet we’re reviewing it! Then afterwards, be sure to catch our little discussion on the cross-pollination of various aesthetics. Can music directly influence our other tastes, like literature, art, décor, or even food?
Today we explore the layered worlds of Glitch-Hop and Chillwave with an album called Vapor City by Machinedrum. This album review is brought to us by today’s guest, the talented rapper, Hops. Afterwards, stick around for an interview and learn how Hops cultivated his knack for wordsmithing. In fact, stay a bit more and you may find a treat to close us out.
We’re kicking off the year with a common thread by tackling the most influential Pop/Rock songwriter ever to bridge the Atlantic: Sir Paul McCartney. Join us in this review of his new album, New. And don’t go away! You’ve probably heard the phrase, “They don’t make ’em like that anymore!” We’ll be discussing just what fascinates people about music from bygone times. Is it just that pesky nostalgia at work, or something more fundamental? These and more unquenchable queries in a brand new year of Crash Chords!
Strap yourselves in! This episode is for all the completists out there. It’s our long-awaited 2013 Year in Review! We’ll be divvying up the year’s music into select categories, awarding trophies and booby prizes. It’s also our annual opportunity to express our outstanding hopes, surprises, corrections, and rationalizations. This is the final word, folks — for now.
