I get on my soap box this week about the record industry and that I want to help you, the artists and not the major labels. We're creating an independent music family of artists and listeners - that's what we're about.
Also, I'm trying to beat the heat by doing different things including wearing as thin clothing and attending films such as Transformers 2.
I have also got some interviews in the works with Justin Andrews, Sierra Alpha, and Zach Prather who leads off the show this week with a great blues tune. Check it out!
In Love :: Freak :: Zach Prather
www.myspace.com/zachprathersbluesexpress
Closed System :: All the Other Animals :: Skeletons with Flesh on Them
www.myspace.com/skeletonswithfleshonthem
Beer Olympics :: Pot Music :: The Lancashire Hotpots
www.myspace.com/thelancashirehotpots
The Men Behind The Man :: Cloud Sounds Split 7 Inch :: The Generalissimos
www.cloudsound.co.uk OR www.myspace.com/generalissimos
Need :: Chicago Acoustic Underground Sessions :: Brian Walker
www.brianwalkerlive.com
Time Keeps Tickin' Away :: Nothin' Better Than This :: Brother Dan Palmer
www.nothingbetterthanthis.com
Come Hither :: Superhero :: Sierra Alpha
www.sierraalpha.co.uk
Drama :: This World Fair :: This World Fair
www.thisworldfair.com
Lie To Me :: ... and I am the song of the drunkards :: Justin Jones & The Driving Rain
www.justin-jones.com
Haunting :: Transplant EP :: Justin Andrews
www.myspace.com/justinandrewmusic
Home :: Ulysses :: Goh Nakamura
www.gohnakamura.com
My Voice Is Gone :: The Chester Sessions :: Tom Howie
www.tomhowie.com
It's Not Working :: Studio/Live EP :: Nerys Joseph
www.myspace.com/nerysjosephmusic
Yaddadimean? :: American Pie :: Poach Stevens
www.myspace.com/poachstevensofficial
Puppies n' Kittens :: Sam Squared
www.samsquared.net
Have a great week!
~JW
Friday, July 3, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Episode 50: Nifty Fifty
Finally, the Nifty Fifty Playlist!
DC Corey came back along with Minneapolis band Junebug to make the new intro for this milestone episode 50! Thanks to everyone for your continued support, and special thanks to Junebug for the new intro song "Poet".
Another special thanks to the Association of Music Podcasting for their support. Need more podcasted music, head over there.
There's some great tunes on the show this week as the new tunes keep rolling in. It's looking to be a great year for independent music. Cheers to all of you with the new music.
That's all. Well... except for the MUSIC!
Poet (Who Didn't Know It) :: Share :: Junebug
www.myspace.com/junebugx
Colours :: Stack Of Fears :: Brenn
www.myspace.com/brennmusic
Good Morning Sunshine :: Oh The Places You'll Go :: Lights Out Dancing
www.myspace.com/lightsoutdancing
City Lights :: Moon :: J Minus
www.jminus.com
Take It To Dance (Acoustic) :: Pure Heroes EP :: Sierra Alpha (Free Download!)
www.sierraalpha.co.uk
Bundle of Nerves :: Karl Culley
www.myspace.com/karlculley
Wedding Song :: Andrew Morris
www.myspace.com/andrewmorris
It's Called A Job :: Werk :: Poach Stevens
Werk :: Werk :: Poach Stevens
www.myspace.com/poachstevensofficial
Baltimore :: Who Invited Roger :: The Clintons
www.clintonsband.com
Raining in Baltimore :: Deb Felz
www.myspace.com/debfelz
Gravity :: Chicago Acoustic Underground Sessions :: Brian Walker
www.brianwalkerlive.com
The Same Place :: You Got To Tell Me/The Same Place :: Modern Cliches
www.myspace.com/moderncliches
Shady Lady :: The Hired Guns :: The Sales Brothers
http://thesalesbrothers.com
Sunday :: Palmistry :: The Handful
www.myspace.com/thehandful
If It Aint Gonna Happen Now :: Demo II :: Onions
www.myspace.com/onionsband
Have a great week!
~JW
DC Corey came back along with Minneapolis band Junebug to make the new intro for this milestone episode 50! Thanks to everyone for your continued support, and special thanks to Junebug for the new intro song "Poet".
Another special thanks to the Association of Music Podcasting for their support. Need more podcasted music, head over there.
There's some great tunes on the show this week as the new tunes keep rolling in. It's looking to be a great year for independent music. Cheers to all of you with the new music.
That's all. Well... except for the MUSIC!
The Justin Wayne Show Episode 50: Nifty Fifty
Poet (Who Didn't Know It) :: Share :: Junebug
www.myspace.com/junebugx
Colours :: Stack Of Fears :: Brenn
www.myspace.com/brennmusic
Good Morning Sunshine :: Oh The Places You'll Go :: Lights Out Dancing
www.myspace.com/lightsoutdancing
City Lights :: Moon :: J Minus
www.jminus.com
Take It To Dance (Acoustic) :: Pure Heroes EP :: Sierra Alpha (Free Download!)
www.sierraalpha.co.uk
Bundle of Nerves :: Karl Culley
www.myspace.com/karlculley
Wedding Song :: Andrew Morris
www.myspace.com/andrewmorris
It's Called A Job :: Werk :: Poach Stevens
Werk :: Werk :: Poach Stevens
www.myspace.com/poachstevensofficial
Baltimore :: Who Invited Roger :: The Clintons
www.clintonsband.com
Raining in Baltimore :: Deb Felz
www.myspace.com/debfelz
Gravity :: Chicago Acoustic Underground Sessions :: Brian Walker
www.brianwalkerlive.com
The Same Place :: You Got To Tell Me/The Same Place :: Modern Cliches
www.myspace.com/moderncliches
Shady Lady :: The Hired Guns :: The Sales Brothers
http://thesalesbrothers.com
Sunday :: Palmistry :: The Handful
www.myspace.com/thehandful
If It Aint Gonna Happen Now :: Demo II :: Onions
www.myspace.com/onionsband
Have a great week!
~JW
Friday, June 19, 2009
Episode 49 - Special Special
There's some great tracks on this episode and some special ones too.
But... before I get any further I want to thank my new friend Colin and the Ouroboros Podcast. He spent a bunch of time plugging the JW Show on his, so go have a visit with Colin if you're interested in hearing not only some more great music, but his insights into independent music videos AND all sorts of other geo-political things going on including cycle racing! If you were at the Mongolian Barbecue he'd be a "highly recommended" sauce.
I also want to tell you about one of the special track that we have this week. Coming to us from Perseverance Records is the R&B stylings of The Sales Brothers. This appropriately titled record, Hired Guns, marks the first of the brothers' own recordings - back in 1978. ("Whoa! That's like 30 years ago!" Just wait...
These two brothers were one of the most solid rhythm sections (drums and bass) in the industry back in the 70s. Playing with the likes of Iggy Pop, David Bowie, and many more. When it came to be their time they decided to play their true love, R&B. After producing this great record some 30 years ago, on the eve of taking over for the Blues Brothers on Saturday Night Live - a ticket to stardom - Tony had a near fatal car crash and ended up in a coma. Luckliy he survived the coma and recovery, but the tapes from the album ended up in the back of a closet not to be unearthed for 30 years. Until now...
Robin Esterhammer, CEO of Perseverace Records sent me the link to The Sales Brothers amid a few other film soundtracks and as l listened to the great music I read this story. Amazed and moved by both the music and the story I put them on for you. I truly hope you enjoy it and if you get a chance, slide on over to http://www.myspace.com/thesalesbrothers and have a listen for yourself. If you sign up for the newsletter, they send you a free track! How great is that?
As for the rest of the playlist - it's packed with good stuff. Enjoy!
We're switching to releasing the shows on Tuesday... I'll talk more about that on, well... on Tuesday!
S.O.S. :: An Ocean in the Air :: LoveLikeFire
www.myspace.com/lovelikefire
World Machine :: Superhero :: Sierra Alpha
www.sierraalpha.co.uk
Shoot to Kill :: Vibe Recordings Studios :: The 66
www.myspace.com/the66uk
Art of Living :: Twilight :: Via Dove
www.viadove.com
Hey Man :: Stranger in Nowhere Land :: Alex Apodaca
www.myspace.com/alexapodaca
Dont Be Silly Joe :: The Ruskins :: The Ruskins
www.myspace.com/theruskins
Diggin' a Hole :: Concrete Class :: The Lonely H
www.myspace.com/thelonelyh
Someone's Gonna Lose :: The Hired Guns :: The Sales Brothers
thesalesbrothers.com
I Want To Be A Dancer :: Cloud Sounds Records Double A Side :: Onions
www.myspace.com/onionstheband OR www.cloudsounds.co.uk
Violence :: How Did it Get to This? :: We Rock Like Girls Don't
www.myspace.com/werocklikegirlsdont
An Immediate Loss Of Air :: Replace, Rewire :: Wellness
www.myspace.com/wellnesstheband
Pollinating Toes :: Big Black Hole And The Little Baby Star :: Sean Hayes
www.myspace.com/seanhayes
Giggle :: Natasha Davies
www.myspace.com/natashadavies
When I Am Gone :: Falls EP :: Sparrow House
www.myspace.com/sparrowhouse
jackson pollock :: The Pin-Up Girls
www.myspace.com/thepinupgirlsmusic
No Shows In April :: The Library EP :: Robots & Butterflies
www.myspace.com/robotsandbutterflies
Daydream :: Daydream :: Robin Stine
www.myspace.com/robinstine
Have a good week! See you on Tuesday...
~JW
But... before I get any further I want to thank my new friend Colin and the Ouroboros Podcast. He spent a bunch of time plugging the JW Show on his, so go have a visit with Colin if you're interested in hearing not only some more great music, but his insights into independent music videos AND all sorts of other geo-political things going on including cycle racing! If you were at the Mongolian Barbecue he'd be a "highly recommended" sauce.
I also want to tell you about one of the special track that we have this week. Coming to us from Perseverance Records is the R&B stylings of The Sales Brothers. This appropriately titled record, Hired Guns, marks the first of the brothers' own recordings - back in 1978. ("Whoa! That's like 30 years ago!" Just wait...
These two brothers were one of the most solid rhythm sections (drums and bass) in the industry back in the 70s. Playing with the likes of Iggy Pop, David Bowie, and many more. When it came to be their time they decided to play their true love, R&B. After producing this great record some 30 years ago, on the eve of taking over for the Blues Brothers on Saturday Night Live - a ticket to stardom - Tony had a near fatal car crash and ended up in a coma. Luckliy he survived the coma and recovery, but the tapes from the album ended up in the back of a closet not to be unearthed for 30 years. Until now...
Robin Esterhammer, CEO of Perseverace Records sent me the link to The Sales Brothers amid a few other film soundtracks and as l listened to the great music I read this story. Amazed and moved by both the music and the story I put them on for you. I truly hope you enjoy it and if you get a chance, slide on over to http://www.myspace.com/thesalesbrothers and have a listen for yourself. If you sign up for the newsletter, they send you a free track! How great is that?
As for the rest of the playlist - it's packed with good stuff. Enjoy!
We're switching to releasing the shows on Tuesday... I'll talk more about that on, well... on Tuesday!
The Justin Wayne Show, Episode 49: Special Special
S.O.S. :: An Ocean in the Air :: LoveLikeFire
www.myspace.com/lovelikefire
World Machine :: Superhero :: Sierra Alpha
www.sierraalpha.co.uk
Shoot to Kill :: Vibe Recordings Studios :: The 66
www.myspace.com/the66uk
Art of Living :: Twilight :: Via Dove
www.viadove.com
Hey Man :: Stranger in Nowhere Land :: Alex Apodaca
www.myspace.com/alexapodaca
Dont Be Silly Joe :: The Ruskins :: The Ruskins
www.myspace.com/theruskins
Diggin' a Hole :: Concrete Class :: The Lonely H
www.myspace.com/thelonelyh
Someone's Gonna Lose :: The Hired Guns :: The Sales Brothers
thesalesbrothers.com
I Want To Be A Dancer :: Cloud Sounds Records Double A Side :: Onions
www.myspace.com/onionstheband OR www.cloudsounds.co.uk
Violence :: How Did it Get to This? :: We Rock Like Girls Don't
www.myspace.com/werocklikegirlsdont
An Immediate Loss Of Air :: Replace, Rewire :: Wellness
www.myspace.com/wellnesstheband
Pollinating Toes :: Big Black Hole And The Little Baby Star :: Sean Hayes
www.myspace.com/seanhayes
Giggle :: Natasha Davies
www.myspace.com/natashadavies
When I Am Gone :: Falls EP :: Sparrow House
www.myspace.com/sparrowhouse
jackson pollock :: The Pin-Up Girls
www.myspace.com/thepinupgirlsmusic
No Shows In April :: The Library EP :: Robots & Butterflies
www.myspace.com/robotsandbutterflies
Daydream :: Daydream :: Robin Stine
www.myspace.com/robinstine
Have a good week! See you on Tuesday...
~JW
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Episode 48: New Myspace
Officially moving to the new Myspace this week (www.myspace.com/thejustinwayneshow) created quite a bit of buzz around the music community over there. What sprung up was lots of new music and tracks for you to hear.
We have also just been accepted to the Association of Music Podcasting and in the next few weeks we'll be expanding our presence over there as well. Heck, you may even begin to hear some promos from other AMP members on this show as well. Looking for more music podcasts? Head over to http://musicpodcasting.org.
Here's the playlist for this week. Enjoy!
We have also just been accepted to the Association of Music Podcasting and in the next few weeks we'll be expanding our presence over there as well. Heck, you may even begin to hear some promos from other AMP members on this show as well. Looking for more music podcasts? Head over to http://musicpodcasting.org.
Here's the playlist for this week. Enjoy!
The Justin Wayne Show, Epsode 48: New Myspace
player
Superhero :: Superhero :: Sierra Alpha :: www.sierraalpha.co.uk
Seven :: Sun :: J Minus :: www.jminus.com
Lexington (Joey Pea-Pot with a Monkey Face) :: Bone Palace :: Ballet Chiodos :: www.chiodos.net
Ohio :: Dirty Birds :: Kat Flint :: www.myspace.com/katflint
Buddha Blues :: Jake Jantzer :: www.myspace.com/jakejantzer
Londontown :: Stack Of Fears :: Brenn :: www.brennmusic.com
Factory Song :: All the Other Animals :: Skeletons with Flesh on Them :: www.myspace.com/skeletonswithfleshonthem
Empty Streets :: Nothing Broken Nothing Damaged :: Bad Dream Good Breakfast :: www.myspace.com/baddreamgoodbreakfast
What does it take :: Nell Bryden :: www.myspace.com/nellbryden
Long Way Down :: ... and I am the song of the drunkards :: Justin Jones & The Driving Rain :: www.justin-jones.com
Eddie's In Like, But Betty's In Love :: Jenny James :: Jenny James :: www.myspace.com/jennyjamesmusic
Talkin' Ten Lost Years :: Canada Needs You Vol. 2 :: Mike Ford :: www.mikeford.ca
Library Page :: Let's Express Our Motives: An Album of Under-Appreciated Job Songs :: The Barmitzvah Brothers :: www.myspace.com/thebarmitzvahbrothers
Back to Life :: Trading Voices :: Trading Voices :: www.jminus.com
King of Something :: Dizzy American :: Ryan Rebo :: www.myspace.com/ryanrebo
Meth Is The New America :: So Begins The Test Of A Man :: Small Towns Burn A Little Slower :: www.myspace.com/smalltowns
All Signs Point To Yes (Try, Try, Try) :: Alarm Bell City :: The Apple War :: www.myspace.com/theapplewar
Cheers folks. Have a great week!
~JW
Monday, June 1, 2009
Episode 47: 1000 Songs and Counting
It's a special show marking 1000 songs added to our playlist here on The Justin Wayne Show. Why is this important?
This podcast, because of its independent nature, searches far and wide for songs to play that are not owned by some communications conglomerate. We don't care if you're trying to get there - or trying to make money at what you do - just that you haven't sold your musical souls yet.
It takes time. Any independent podcaster goes through this process of seeking out, finding, listening, liking, emailing, waiting, waiting, emailing again, waiting, downloading, redoing the ID tags, and finally playing it on the show.
We also get stuff submitted which is usually a blessing. If you're looking to submit there's a info portion about it in the sidebar, just scroll down.
As for this week's show I tried to cram loads into it so enjoy!
This podcast, because of its independent nature, searches far and wide for songs to play that are not owned by some communications conglomerate. We don't care if you're trying to get there - or trying to make money at what you do - just that you haven't sold your musical souls yet.
It takes time. Any independent podcaster goes through this process of seeking out, finding, listening, liking, emailing, waiting, waiting, emailing again, waiting, downloading, redoing the ID tags, and finally playing it on the show.
We also get stuff submitted which is usually a blessing. If you're looking to submit there's a info portion about it in the sidebar, just scroll down.
As for this week's show I tried to cram loads into it so enjoy!
Slow Down Jessica :: The Ruskins :: The Ruskins :: www.myspace.com/theruskins
Little Slickers :: The Globes E.P. :: The Globes :: www.myspace.com/globesmusic
Going Out West :: Concrete Class :: The Lonely H :: www.myspace.com/thelonelyh
Long Time :: ...and I am the song of the drunkards :: Justin Jones & The Driving Rain :: www.justin-jones.com
Not What We're Designed For :: All the Other Animals :: Skeletons with Flesh on Them :: www.myspace.com/skeletonswithfleshonthem
White Lines & Red Lights :: The Story and The Song :: Between The Trees :: www.myspace.com/betweenthetrees
Waiting for You :: EP :: This World Fair :: www.thisworldfair.com
Fits of Tears :: Studio/Live EP :: Nerys Joseph :: www.myspace.com/nerysjosephmusic
Giggle :: Natasha Davies :: www.myspace.com/natashadavies
Jail :: My Side Hurts :: John Mclellan :: www.clintonsband.com
The Player :: Here's Some Music :: Jake Rowan :: www.jakerowan.com
The Ballad Of Timothy Leary :: four-track mind :: Phillip Flathead :: www.myspace.com/phillipflathead
Chosen Ones :: Share :: Junebug :: www.myspace.com/junebugx
Singer :: Concrete Class :: The Lonely H :: www.myspace.com/thelonelyh
Faker :: Second Power :: Sam Squared :: www.samsquared.net
Shop :: Onions III :: Onions :: www.myspace.com/onionstheband
Monday Morning Love Situation :: The January Transfer Window :: Jointpop :: www.myspace.com/jointpop
Take You for a Ride :: Live at Twangfest 2008 :: Caleb Travers :: www.myspace.com/calebtravers
Have a great week!
~JW
Monday, May 25, 2009
Episode 46: Viewing and Reviewing
Yes. I have been viewing and reviewing bands, the website, the new facebook page, and Star Trek 9. Busy, busy...
I have finished and posted a review of the recently released pop/punk EP, The Way We Play by Dropout Year. Have a look, take a read. View it and review it! Dropout Year Review Link
New Facebook page. Go over there and become a fan! Get in on the discussion about the new website: Justin Wayne Show Facebook Link
And the new Myspace page has been up for awhile but if you haven't been there yet to become friends: www.myspace.com/thejustinwayneshow
There are so many social networking sites these days! I'll let you know when I am twittering... *sigh* The work on the dot com continues, keep an eye here until we start the big move to our new, shiny domain.
There will be more reviews getting posted this week as I have some spare time. I'll let you know on the show next week how far I've gotten.
Alrighty. Business taken care of. Here's this week's playlist.
As You Wish :: The Way We Play :: Dropout Year
www.myspace.com/dropoutyear
You Need Vegas :: Wide Eyed Kid
www.myspace.com/wideeyedkid
Broken Compass :: Oh The Places You'll Go :: Lights Out Dancing
www.myspace.com/lightsoutdancing
Scream Scream :: Wake Up, Thunderbabe :: The Battle Royale
www.myspace.com/thebattleroyalemusic
Milo of Kroton :: Cutaways
www.myspace.com/cutaways
Replace, Rewire :: Replace, Rewire :: Wellness
www.myspace.com/wellnesstheband
Cold Blues :: Concrete Class :: The Lonely H
www.myspace.com/thelonelyh
El Radio :: Steel to Dust EP :: Anchor Down
www.myspace.com/anchordownportland
She Just Wants to Call Me an A**hole :: Dirty, Dirtier, Dirtiest :: The Dirty T's
www.myspace.com/thedirtyts
Hangman :: Ulysses :: Goh Nakamura
www.gohnakamura.com
Baltimore :: Who Invited Roger :: The Clintons
www.clintonsband.com
Clarke County, OH :: Transplant EP :: Justin Andrew
www.justinandrew.com
Fairview :: Dear Juliet :: Dear Juliet
www.myspace.com/dearjuliet
Thrift Store Owner :: Let's Express Our Motives: An Album of Under-Appreciated Job Songs :: The Barmitzvah Brothers
www.myspace.com/thebarmitzvahbrothers
What Do You Get For the Man Who Has Nothing? :: Happy Birthday :: The Burning Hell
www.myspace.com/mathiaskom
I Won't Go :: Trevor Larkin
www.myspace.com/trevorlarkin
Catch Me Jumping :: The Silent Generation :: The Dimes
www.myspace.com/thedimes
Bots :: The Future's Looking Grim :: Yea Big + Kid Static
www.myspace.com/yeabigkidstatic
Cheers! Happy May bank holiday number 2!
~JW
I have finished and posted a review of the recently released pop/punk EP, The Way We Play by Dropout Year. Have a look, take a read. View it and review it! Dropout Year Review Link
New Facebook page. Go over there and become a fan! Get in on the discussion about the new website: Justin Wayne Show Facebook Link
And the new Myspace page has been up for awhile but if you haven't been there yet to become friends: www.myspace.com/thejustinwayneshow
There are so many social networking sites these days! I'll let you know when I am twittering... *sigh* The work on the dot com continues, keep an eye here until we start the big move to our new, shiny domain.
There will be more reviews getting posted this week as I have some spare time. I'll let you know on the show next week how far I've gotten.
Alrighty. Business taken care of. Here's this week's playlist.
As You Wish :: The Way We Play :: Dropout Year
www.myspace.com/dropoutyear
You Need Vegas :: Wide Eyed Kid
www.myspace.com/wideeyedkid
Broken Compass :: Oh The Places You'll Go :: Lights Out Dancing
www.myspace.com/lightsoutdancing
Scream Scream :: Wake Up, Thunderbabe :: The Battle Royale
www.myspace.com/thebattleroyalemusic
Milo of Kroton :: Cutaways
www.myspace.com/cutaways
Replace, Rewire :: Replace, Rewire :: Wellness
www.myspace.com/wellnesstheband
Cold Blues :: Concrete Class :: The Lonely H
www.myspace.com/thelonelyh
El Radio :: Steel to Dust EP :: Anchor Down
www.myspace.com/anchordownportland
She Just Wants to Call Me an A**hole :: Dirty, Dirtier, Dirtiest :: The Dirty T's
www.myspace.com/thedirtyts
Hangman :: Ulysses :: Goh Nakamura
www.gohnakamura.com
Baltimore :: Who Invited Roger :: The Clintons
www.clintonsband.com
Clarke County, OH :: Transplant EP :: Justin Andrew
www.justinandrew.com
Fairview :: Dear Juliet :: Dear Juliet
www.myspace.com/dearjuliet
Thrift Store Owner :: Let's Express Our Motives: An Album of Under-Appreciated Job Songs :: The Barmitzvah Brothers
www.myspace.com/thebarmitzvahbrothers
What Do You Get For the Man Who Has Nothing? :: Happy Birthday :: The Burning Hell
www.myspace.com/mathiaskom
I Won't Go :: Trevor Larkin
www.myspace.com/trevorlarkin
Catch Me Jumping :: The Silent Generation :: The Dimes
www.myspace.com/thedimes
Bots :: The Future's Looking Grim :: Yea Big + Kid Static
www.myspace.com/yeabigkidstatic
Cheers! Happy May bank holiday number 2!
~JW
Review: Dropout Year - The Way We Play
Album: The Way We Play
Artist: Dropout Year
Release Date: April, 2009
Author: Justin Wayne
Date: 25 May 2009
Aren’t we glad the Dropout Year didn’t drop out last year? After hard years at the University of Hard Knocks’ Maryland campus they’ve produced this rich, thick, eight-song EP, The Way We Play. The airtight production on the album allows easy listening while at times falling into the drone of the commercial, pop/punk, top-forty onslaught. However, it does rise to the occasion several times showing not only the big labels what they’ve been missing but giving a shiny reward to the die hard fans that have been so faithful to them for so long and through so much.
Early last year, after two EPs and appearance on a Quickstar acoustic compilation Chill Out, their bassist/lead singer left the band in early 2008 and it looked as though Dropout Year might have succumbed to their own self-fulfilling prophesy. However, their manager Steve Reter stepped up from co-songwriter to lead singer and things began to fall back into place. If this wasn’t enough lemonade from lemons they found Dan Ciarrocchi as their new bass player and the music slammed back onto the tracks. Dan clicked immediately with Steve and consequently has been credited with co-songwriting credits on The Way We Play. The result: a refreshing take on the pop/punk genre. Dropout Year, locked and loaded once again, is ready.
Looking to be a great soundtrack of the summer, this EP holds its golden nuggets for the later tracks on the album. “This Notebook” is a great way to lead off the album but seems to shout ‘play me on commercial radio’. The next few sing-a-longs are meat for the fans but when the disc hits track five, “Pretty You,” the gears really shift.
The slow ballad on the album, “Pretty You” relates to how time can stretch, even over four minutes, when you realize that you truly love someone. Perhaps the most carefully crafted song of the eight-song EP it speaks to the fans who pleaded with the band to, “write more acoustic songs that make my heart melt,” after their participation on Chill Out. The evidence collected from this song points to Dropout Year’s growing maturity in tackling issues in their songwriting that don’t just pander to their core 15-year-old girl audience, but to that all important adult crowd looking for quality music during the long hours of commuting time.
The last two tracks pack a lovely punch as well, with “Change Today” having a slight second entendre, as the band’s change is now blindingly evident. Following it and finally at track eight is possibly my favorite song on the album, “As You Wish.” Its lyrics, “there’s no need to wear makeup when you wake up and I’m where you are” sing a delightful message that we should be happy with who we are at this moment. The musical complexity of the verse contradicts the simple, arm-raising chorus highlighting its sentiment and a nice button, sewing up the end of this EP.
When the album finishes, play it again. You’ll hear phrases, double-meanings, guitar licks, and production buried under layers that require more than just one take. Do a double-take or even a triple-take. You can find the album on
Dropout Year’s webpage at www.myspace.com/dropoutyear and they are an easy find in the iTunes directory. A great return to album writing instead of single writing, Dropout Year’s The Way We Play should be listened to from first to last for maximum enjoyment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
