It’s our summer vacation! We’re off doing things that podcasters do on their time off — but don’t say that we left you without any content! Matt, for instance, has started a new bi-weekly interview series, the first of which aired this past Tuesday. You can check out the new blog page at CC: Autographs or follow it on iTunes .
Welcome to the first edition of Crash Chords: Autographs, hosted by Matt Storm. This brand new series takes the “analysis” portion of our primary podcast (CCP) and aims it squarely at the guests, i.e. an “artist’s analysis”. No, this isn’t therapy, it’s a loose and informal interview format that releases guests from the constraints of self-promotion or a dedicated album, and opens the door to… anything their heart desires. This week, we begin with a double feature. Join Matt and Mawk (Mark Young) of Hed PE for the first half, and then Matt and Spider One of Powerman 5000 for the final lap. Both artists are on tour together this August, and both have released brand new albums. So be sure to check out Evolution and Builders of the Future, and of course, the latest content from Crash Chords.
Checking in on one of the mellowest pop rock bands of the last decade, we simmer down to discuss Coldplay’s latest LP, Ghost Stories. Afterwards, join us in a discussion on unconventional vocalists! More often than not, inflection and artistic flare will win over classical training. But in the world of rock, where a singer’s humanity is paramount, how much can an artist get away with? When does novelty fail in the face of effort?
You won’t find us around today… we’ve gone Phishin’! Yes, the veteran jam band, Phish, is still at it with more studio LPs, live albums, and compilations than we can even keep track of. Today, however, focuses specifically on Fuego, the most recent of those studio releases. So be prepared to jam out to the album, jam out to the review, and finally, jam to a discussion on jamming! The art of cumulative improvisation has the power to both entrance and discourage audiences, perhaps because of that fine line between inspiration and gibberish. Fine as it may be, let’s explore that line.
(hed)p.e. is a group that I latched onto very tightly in my high school years. They were one of the earliest “heavy” bands I listened to (not counting classics like Megadeth and Metallica). Needless to say, without dating myself any further, they’ve been around a long time. On July 22, their brand new record, Evolution, is coming out on Pavement Records. This is the (hed)p.e.’s tenth full-length studio album.
Welcome to Crash Chords: Season 3! We have plenty else in store for you this year, but of course our album reviews continue to be the meat and potatoes. Today’s review looks at Jack White, formerly of The White Stripes, and his burgeoning solo work. His latest, Lazaretto, is a medley of ideas inspired by his own writings when he was 19 years old. Join in the analysis! Then, as a taste of what’s to come, we feature a special phone interview that Matt had the pleasure of arranging with Mawk (Mark Young) of (hed) p.e. Visit directly at 2:14:54.
Well we’ve made it. That simple third digit marks the beginning of our third year. We’ve come a long way since the podcast first aired on 7/3/2012, with many memorable reviews, topics, guests, and most of all the discussions that were born out of each. Today’s episode, much like our 50th Ep., features a full discussion in lieu of an album review—this time to talk about yours truly: the hosts, the podcast, its origins, its process, and its future. We hope you enjoy this 3-segment podcast as it serves to provide our listeners with an insight to our critical reasoning, and to the passion that we employ on a weekly basis. Could we do any less? For of course, music is life… and life is good.
For want of ballads, or if laments in need, just hearken; it’s the return of Joe Rude, indeed! Recalling his first appearance in Ep. #36, we step away from karaoke this time to further discuss J. Robert Coppola’s professional life as an actor-combatant. But first, to business. Our guest-picked album review is of the spirited yet sorrowful Celtic sort: Virginia-based Carbon Leaf’s Ghost Dragon Attacks Castle. After that, the spotlight’s back on Joe to discuss the New York Rennaissance Fair, theatrical realism, and the modernization of the stage.
KISS is a band that needs no introduction. Their new record “KISS 40: Decades of Decibels” is a 40-year retrospective of this epic and talented band. It’s chock full of goodies including studio favorites, live tracks, and both previously released and unreleased demos. The mix of live, studio, and demos gives the album a variety unlike that of other anthologies.
