Forum: Finding Music on MySpace

I wanted to do a feature on artists that I have discovered through MySpace. The only problem is that I haven't really discovered any solely through the site. MySpace is great for finding out more information about bands you already know. I like that I can hear 4 or 5 songs from an artist that I may have read about elsewhere. It's great for finding out more about my local music scene, but I've usually heard about these bands elsewhere, as well, and looked them up on MySpace to hear more.

However, I wanted to discover a band on the mega-site from scratch. I did a few searches and it's just so damn massive. I get discombobulated. I don't know where to begin or where to stop. Is there a thing as too massive of a selection? I never thought there was before, but I am beginning to wonder.

I think I may try sticking to the networking side of MySpace. Look up a band that I know I like and then see what bands they have on their top friends. But is that cheating? Did I discover that band solely through MySpace or did I find them because a band I already liked recommended them?

I'm gonna keeo trying, dammit. I'm determined to find something on my own with no connection to any band I currently listen to. We'll see how long it takes.

How do you find bands on MySpace or do you run into the same problems as me? I'm anxious to hear your thoughts.

Forum: Valentine's Day Music

I could go on and on about love songs. Even though I'm happily married now and enjoy a nice happy upbeat love anthem, I spent a good portion of my high-school and college days alone in a candlelit room listening to The Cure, so I'm well versed in the other kind of "Love" song as well.

While I would love to hear from you about your like or dislike for "Love Songs," I really just want to suggest the perfect music for Valentine's day. Whether you are recently betrothed or longtime lovers, lonely-and-looking or broken beyond repair, there is one type of music that covers all angles of love. That, my friends, is sweet soul music.


I suggest you invest in the wonderful box set Beg, Scream, and Shout: The Great Big Box of 60's Soul (but good luck because I just found out that it's out of print). This 6 CD testament of Soul is perfect for lovers and loners alike. Soul music runs the gamut of love songs and you are bound to find at least 5 or 6 songs that describe to near perfection how you feel about love at any given moment.

Here's an embarrassing small sample of the great many you'll find on the set:

• "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)" - Otis Redding
• "I'm Your Puppet" - James & Bobby Purify
  
• "La La Means I Love You" - Delfonics
  
• "Who's Lovin' You"- Jackson 5
  
• "7 Rooms of Gloom"- The Four Tops
  
• "Lipstick Traces on a Cigarette"- The O'Jays
  
• "A Fool in Love"- Ike & Tina Turner
  
• "I Was Made to Love Her"- Stevie Wonder
  
• "The Cheater"- Bob Kuban and the In-Men
  
• "Yes, I'm Ready" - Barbara Mason
• "When Somethings Wrong with My Baby"- Sam & Dave
  
• "It Tears Me Up"- Percy Sledge
  
• "Girl Watcher"- The O'Kaysons
  
• "I'm in Love"- Wilson Pickett

So whether you are with a loved one or alone, put some soul music on this Valentine's Day and let the music help you through the day, no matter of you may feel about it.

Forum: Singles vs. Albums and the Power of Hunky Dory

A great man once said "Greatest hits albums are for housewives and little girls." I completely agree and think the same thing can be said of DIY collections as well. In this day of digital downloads with pick and choose playlists, the single rules again. I'm sure there are plenty of people who take an artist they like, browse their albums on the internet and download only the songs they know and love. However, there is a vital part of music appreciation that is dying with this practice-- the record, the LP, the album. The true test of an artist.

Take an artist like David Bowie. You can go through his albums and pick out the songs you recognize, songs you can hear anytime by turning on the old FM in your Toyota Corolla. However, to truly experience the artistry and honest-to-god genius of Bowie and to understand and appreciate his evolution you must explore him album by album.

You couldn't pick and choose a few select scenes from the Godfather and pretend to know and appreciate the film. You have to absorb it in its entirety and ride the wave to be strongly affected by it's ending and thus prepared to take in the sequal. Why should an album be treated any differently than a film?

So let's go back to David Bowie. If you own a collected hits CD, throw it out. If you only have a couple singles in your iTunes, delete them. Then get yourself a copy of Hunky Dory, 40 minutes of alone time, and listen. It's one of those albums that has you increasing the volume with each song as it builds on itself one tune after another, not realizing how loud you actually got until you enter the car later or change it to another song.

Songs you would never hear on a Greatest Hits album, songs like "The Bewlay Brothers," "Quicksand," and "Oh You Pretty Things" will quickly become your favorites. More importantly you get a slice of time from an album, a lyrical through-line, a musical theme that gives you a richer listen. Even hits like "Changes" and "Life on Mars" will take on new meaning in the context of the album, giving them an importance that is lost on the radio or with single play.

Better yet, it leaves you wanting to explore more. Where did he go after this? What came before? Did he ever revisit this sound? You'll buy more albums, you'll find more gems, and after about 6 or 7 albums you just might begin to understand the power of "a body of work."

ODDS & ENDS

• The official David Bowie website-- bowieNet, if you please.
• Look at the sweet movies Bowie's been in.
• I found this badass site, savethealbum.com, after I wrote this post.