So, you may be asking why the hell I would use a title like, “All Hail Sigur Ros!”

It really is simple. Even though they are not among my favorites, I do consider them talented, and I do let their songs play from time to time on Pandora. Still, the reason I wrote that title is the concept of Sigur Ros. I am in love with the concept.

Maybe it is because I play guitar. Maybe it is because I like classical music so much. Maybe it is a lot of things. But when I listen to music, the lyrics just do not mean a whole lot to me. I seldom pay attention. I just like the flow. Sigur Ros manages to turn the voice into another instrument. It adds to the overall feel and spirit of the tune. They came up with their own language called Vonlenska, translated as Hopelandic. This is a bit from Wikipedia.

Vonlenska is a term used to describe the unintelligible lyrics sung by the band, in particular by Jón Þór Birgisson. It is also commonly known by the English translation of its name, Hopelandic. It takes its name from “Von”, a song on Sigur Rós’s debut album Von where it was first used.

Vonlenska is a non-literal language, without fixed syntax, and differs from constructed languages that can be used for communication; it lacks grammar, word meaning, and even distinct words. Instead, it consists of emotive syllables and phonemes; in effect, Vonlenska uses the melodic and rhythmic elements of singing without the conceptual content of language. In this way, it is similar to the use of scat singing in vocal jazz. The band’s website describes it as “a form of gibberish vocals that fits to the music”.^[21] Most of the syllable strings sung by Jón Þór Birgisson are repeated many times throughout each song, and in the case of ( ), throughout the whole album.

I love that!

All too often songs are from up and coming stars that have not lived a lot. I am not interested in their take on the world. Often artists have an agenda, I have no interest in that. Love songs? Give me a break.

Yes, some songs do have great lyrics, but even then I can take them are leave them. Songs for stage and musicals are the exception.

Making the voice another part of a song without me having to think about anything is just a grand idea. I don’t want to know what upsets Chester Bennington–which is obviously a lot, anymore than I care what is bothering Eddie Vedder. Britney, my head hurts just anticipating what may come out of her mouth.

Even when I catch myself thinking of songs, songs that I actually know the lyrics, I still come up with my own internal elevator music version in my head. (my in-head EM is kickass, seriously)

I do wish I liked Sigur Ros more. What I am really wishing is that more bands would follow their lead and produce some “voice as instruments” songs.

The music is where all the emotion is for me.

 Still, I will always listen to Bowie, or Reznor, or Pink Floyd, and many others, lyrics and all. Old school punk is also great. Lots of raw anger. Raw I can take. Most others, meh.

Give me gibberish any day. Seriously.

(And yeah, I understand this is a weird stance from someone who loves music so much, but life is sometimes strange)

Check it out and enjoy.

For me, Bowie does very little wrong, I just love the guy.

Cheers,
Eban

I tell you, one thing I hate is bad customer service. Normally, bad customer service happens when you are getting less service than you paid for, ignored when you need answers, or are being over charged for a service or product. Or maybe even a combination of all the above.

My customer service situation last night was totally different. I was actively trying to drop $1500 to $2000 on a new TV setup, and the teenagers working in the store would not take my freakin money!

First, the girl at the counter referred me to the guy, all teenagers. Even the supervisor was a teenager, and kept butting in while we were trying to get our tv. After finally getting the guy to admit they had the TV we wanted, he called to the warehouse to have it brought out. He then disappeared as someone else was bringing it out.

We waited for 15 minutes, then we tracked him down. At that time another teenager showed up and clerk #1 told him to get our TV. At that time clerk #1 left the department. Clerk #2 however did not get our TV, he went to two young guys looking at much cheaper TV’s and started to goof off with them. Obviously they were friends.

We could not get his attention, so we went to the female again. She did not remember us. By this time we had been waiting for over 30 minutes. Clerk #2 told the girl that he had 2 TV’s to get and he was helping the two guys as well.

WE HAD PICKED OUT OUR TV 15 MINUTES BEFORE THOSE TWO JACKOFFS EVEN SHOWED UP IN THE STORE!

Well, we walked without a TV. We were bitten in the ass by trying to save around $400 to $500 dollars. Instead of going to a proper store, where we would have been treated well and got a better set, we went to Target at Triangle Town Center in Raleigh. Beware of that store, as any store that throws away $1500 to $2000 in sales in this financial climate is very suspect.

Now, on to the fun stuff, the news roundup!

CHAKUKALAKA!!!!!!!!

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From Blabbermouth

Guns N’ Roses Guitarist /bumblefoot: Abnormal Title Track Available for Free Download

Get Bumblefoot’s title track from his solo album free. Isn’t it weird that the hired musicians that work with AXL can actually get music out to the public? And in under 1000 years!

AXL should take note. Write the tunes, record them, mix them, release them. See, no need to work on an album that started when you are young and finally gets released as you get membership to the AARP.

Shadows Fall Members Rock ZOOM Portable Recorders

Watch this vid. These ZOOM units rock. If I ever replace my trusty iRiver it will be with one of these units. Now, after writing that, I need to go and reassure my iRiver that it is in fact irreplaceable.

Oh, the life I lead.

Chris Caffery Checks in From the Studio

Solo Chris. If you like Savatage, or even his guitar work with Trans Siberian Orchestra, then this should fit well into your collection.

UFO Guitarist To Guest On New Destruction Album

That would be Vinnie Moore, and man, can that guy shred! The new Destruction album will be called D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.

Remind me to give them a cock-punch for all those damn periods! OK, just kidding, no man deserves a cock-punch, even for overdone periods, but maybe a throat shot? Anybody?

Alright, no violence over punctuation.

Kiss Announce California Concert

It will be at the Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa in Keyseyville, California on august 31st

Slipknot: European Festival Appearances Announced

I hope to see Slipknot this time around. I mean, the word was they were not getting along, were tired of slipknot, and the last album was their curtain call. Now, they are getting along, they say they are re-energized, and they are not quitting anytime soon.

I really want to hear what a happy to be around Slipknot album sounds like! I just hope there is no crooning, just not their thing, ya know!

Stormlord: Another New Song Posted Online

Go to their Myspace page for the new acoustic track “The Castaway”

Scars On Broadway Confirmed For Germany’s Area4 Festival

This is the new band from Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan from System of a Down. It is good to be in Germany on August 29-31, no?

Mike Muir and Rocky George Perform Together For the First Time in 13 Years.

Check that out. Brings back memories of the good old Suicidal Tendencies days.

It would have been great if Trujillo could have jumped up on stage as well, eh?

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From Angry Ape

Flo Rida- Elevator (Feat. Timbaland)

Well, at least Timbaland isn’t Guesting on a stupid Lindsay Lohan album, Oh Wait, he did. Nevermind.

Beck Airs Brand New Track Online

Beck and Danger Mouse, man, this album could be epic! Go check out the track from the ultra-undercover new album.

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From Spacelab

Annuals Label-Collective Goes National

The label from North Carolina act the Annuals called Terpsikhore is going nationwide. Good to see success for the small guys, eh? Screw the big labels.

These Are Powers-Taro Tarot

A review

Daedelus Makes “Love to Make Music To”

That has to be one of the best titles I have seen in a long time! You can do some streaming at the Spacelab site as well.

Bumbershoot Festival Gets Band of Horses, The Black Keys, and More

Here are some of the acts, The All-American Rejects, Paramore, Band of Horses, The Black Keys, Sons & Daughters and Estelle

Mark your calendars for August 30 – September 1 at the Seattle Center.

Man, they should book Abney Park!

As for Paramore, well that Hayley Williams is cute. But saying that, as she was born the year after I graduated high school, makes me feel a bit like a dirty old man. Sort of like that scumbag Jerry ” I love 17 year olds while I am in my 40′s” Seinfeld. But still, she IS cute.

Video: Portishead-The Rip

This is a band that I hate that I like them. Did that makes sense?

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From The New York Times Technology Section

Netflix to Sell a Device for Instantly Watching Movies on TV Sets

Uhm, I already have that service through my computer thank you. No need for another $99. OK, Not everyone has an LCD or Plasma that can also act as a monitor, but come on people, get to the store and by one. What is this, 2007 or something? Geez. Just don’t go to Target.

I watch all of my TV now through my computer to our LCD sets. With Joost, Netfix, Hulu, Veoh, ABC.com, and an ever growing selection of other channels, just about everything is there.

I get a kick out of people buying things like LOST from the iTunes Store while ABC.com streams for free, in full screen, with HD as an option.

Crazy man, just crazy.

OK, I know you want it on your iPod, so be it. Put the free stuff on the POD and watch your main shows for free on the set.

By the way, I have never seen an episode of LOST. Go figure.

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From Aversion

Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty Still Collaborating

Is there any good that come of this? Really.

Talented but troubled Pete, along with talentless but troubled Winehouse, plus all the drugs their money can buy?

Why do I see jail in the future instead of an album and tour? Am I just being a pessimist?

Liz Phair to Perform Exile in Guyville

Finally, just 15 years after the original release, and after trying to produce something good since, Phair finally realizes it is all about Exile in Guyville after all.

The performance will be June 25th at the Hiro Ballroom in New Yourk to celebrate the June 24th re-release of the album with bonus material.

David Bowie Musical Not Going Ahead

That sucks, it could be good. Bowie was made for stage. His whole life has been a sort of trippy, dramatic performance. I mean that in a good way. Bowie totally rocks!

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Photo Credits
Slipknot wrist band, Adbi__Ocean Yohama
Target__j.Reed
Mick Thompson-Slipknot__Garrette
Liz Phair__Web__I had to, the tits Man!

Technorati Tags: Liz Phair, Liz Phair tits, Mick Thompson, . Slipknot, David Bowie, Pete Doherty, Amy Winehouse, Target stroes, Netflix, Portishead, video, zoom, Paramore, Hayley Williams, Daedelus, Beck, Danger Mouse, Mike Muir, rocky George, Suicidal Tendencies, Scars on Broadway, Daron Malakian, Stormlord, KJiss, Vinnie Moore, Chris Caffery, Savatage

I also talk about the re-release of Bowie’s 1972 concert.

And the biggie, Independent musicians and bands that absolutely suck at self promotion. A lot of these artists work their asses off online to promote their music. But sometimes it is better to work smarter than harder. The majority of the bands that I want to cover here are missing the key element, the basis for most promotion, a blog or a news feed that offers subscription.

Enjoy!

Well, get ready for a dose of Bowie crack.

No, not like plumbers crack, I mean the addict kind.

David Bowie, Live Santa Monica ’72, is being released on June 30th, 2008, as both a CD and as an 2 disk LP. I am already getting excited!

There was also a Live Santa Monica 1972 released in 1995.

The set will have 18 songs recorded at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium from October 20th, 1972. This was the Ziggy stardust tour.

Bowie says:

This would be around the tenth American show for us and you can hear that we are all pretty high on ourselves.” Bowie tells NME, “We train wreck a couple of things, I miss some words and sometimes you wouldn’t know that pianist Mike Garson was onstage with us but overall I really treasure this bootleg. Mick Ronson is at his blistering best.

Get ready for this release, it should really kick some butt. Hopefully not a butt full of plumber’s crack though.

Here is the track listing

‘Introduction’
‘Hang On To Yourself’
‘Ziggy Stardust’
‘Changes’
‘The Supermen’
‘Life On Mars?’
‘Five Years’
‘Space Oddity’
‘Andy Warhol’
‘My Death’
‘The Width Of A Circle’
‘Queen Bitch’
‘Moonage Daydream’
‘John, I’m Only Dancing’
‘I’m Waiting For The Man’
‘The Jean Genie’
‘Suffragette City’
‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide’

Technorati Tags: David Bowie, Ziggy stardust, 1972, Santa Monica, Live. tour, cd, lp, album, mick ronson, thin white duke, re-release