Newfoundfreedom

Nice. I'll keep an eye out for that. 

Nice one Mike. 👌

I'll try to give it a listen this evening. 😁

I'd personally go with the Fender Rumble 2x10. Although I have no experience of the others. But I've played through the Fender. They're lightweight, powerful, built like tanks, and in my experience just sit at that sweet spot in the mix where they cut through nicely, even without excessive volume. 

My two penn'orth for what it's worth. 

They can keep rolling them out in wheelchairs as far as I'm concerned. 

They're still better than 99.99% of the cr@p so called "music" that's being released now. 

I've never heard of this kind of thing. 

I'm intrigued. 

Sounds similar to a "teacher" I had many years ago. 

When I said I wanted to learn bass (or rather, improve. I could already play but knew zero theory.) He said I should start by learning the guitar first because bass is based on (pun intended) what the guitar is playing. Now, there is some logic in this, but it's totally unnecessary to actually be able to play the guitar to understand chord structure. I lasted 3 lessons, learned pretty much nothing then gave him the boot. 

I think he was basically just a guitarist who thought he knew enough to go out and teach other people. Your guy sounds of the same ilk. 

As others have said, I'd give this one a swerve. 

31 minutes ago, miles'tone said:

Firstly Jon and Jo my heart felt condolences to you both...

I had lost my enthusiasm too, due to family bereavement and the free-fallout that followed. 

My advice is to find some new music to inspire you that is in the now and has no memories attached.  It's a fresh step forward. 

I recently found out that this young lad exists - Ren. He's inspired the hell out of me. I recommend checking him out if you haven't heard of him. Maybe you have - I've only just crawled back out from under my rock after all. 

 

There's no bass on this one and there is swearing, but it's well placed.

 

 

 

I've been listening to Ren for the past few months. It should be everything I hate about music on paper. Any kind of urban/ rap / hip hop normally has me running for the hills. But the guy is exceptionally talented and so much more than that. Mixing amazing guitar playing and vocals with superb lyrics. 

Hi Ren was the first track of his I discovered, and the lyric " Some people know me as hope. Some people know me as the voice that you hear when you loosen the noose on the rope" absolutely destroys me every time I hear it. 

Been there, and that voice saved my life. Literally. 

I can't even imagine what you've been through. But I'm currently looking after my Mum who has terminal cancer so every day is a mental and emotional battle for me right now. I haven't played with my band since about April. It just feels so wrong to do something enjoyable at the moment given the circumstances. 

Having said that, I've just set up my spare room as a small studio to keep me sane through the winter months. I generally struggle with the short days and long nights anyway at this time of year, even without what's currently going on. 

My plan is to keep myself mentally occupied by giving myself the goal of learning to play drums and keys to a basic / proficient level by next summer. Of course that all depends on circumstances. 

Absolutely nothing wrong with taking time out, especially with what you've been through. But it could also possibly help to give yourself a goal or challenge to help get through the long days. 

Either way. I wish you well. 

Just giving the album a second listen over a couple of beers. So, thoughts for the second time around ( in no particular order ).

The first track A New Parade" is very jangly and off key. This was probably an artistic choice by the band. But I can't help feel that it's a very bad introduction to a new album and a new band. Maybe it should have been later in the album once you get the general "vibe". For me it's a very bad choice for an opening track. 

Nothing to do with the album or the band. But the streaming quality is much better on Tidal in true hi-fi than YouTube where the compression leaves a lot to be desired.

The album art makes my brain itch. No idea what it's supposed to be or what it represents. 

These seems to be some odd time signatures happening with the drums in a couple of tracks which I really like. 

The vocals are too "mumbly". Which is not necessarily a criticism of the singer who does a decent enough job, although he's not the greatest vocalist I've ever heard. I just wish it popped more in the mix.

Overall I really like it and I think I'll have to have a listen to band's other albums. 

1 hour ago, chris_b said:

 

Leave it out altogether.

I'm no longer in a covers band and highly doubt I ever will be again. So it's no longer an issue. 😉

2 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 

The song wasn't complete when Bill Withers went into the studio, so he sang the "I know's" until he could record that verse later. Afterwards everyone said keep it. It doesn't bother me when it's done right. Trouble is most singers make a mess of it.  I know it's difficult when your toes are curling, but blame the singer not the song.

In this case the singer was my wife so it's more than my life's worth. 😂

Besides. My hatred comes from the original version. We actually shortened the "I know" section in our version. Which was an improvement. But it's just a really crap part of an otherwise decent song. 

When I was in a covers band I used to love playing "Ain't No Sunshine". 

I really love the chilled out vibe and the bass line. But I absolute detest the "I know, I know, I know........" Part of the song. It goes on for way too long and would make me cringe every time we played it. 

38 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

 

Chortle. 

 

My mum knew a guy who was at DHL when it was a smallish operation here, just expanding into Europe, so mid-late 1970s. 

 

He was always on the lookout for 'smart, intelligent kids' to courier documents to New York/Boston and back; flight there, cab (or picked up from the airport) into Manhattan, wait for documents to be signed, overnight somewhere if necessary, cab back to airport, fly home.  It was cheaper to fly and pay a 14/15 year old rather than an adult and cheaper as you weren't on the payroll.

 

Foolishly I never took his offer up, but a friend of mine did it quite a few times; he'd just throw a Monday or Friday sickie from school (he'd fly out early Friday morning and be in Manhattan around lunchtime), 'grumbling appendix' was the main reason given, all with his parent's approval!  He'd take orders for records, so he'd come back with a rucksack of vinyl and always had loads of ready £££.  He claims to have popped his cherry on one trip.  What a life. 

 

I envy him to this day and he still has his appendix!

 

 

 

 

That sounds so cool! I'd love to have done that! 

34 minutes ago, Mykesbass said:

Liked this from the off. The 'something not quite right' sound reminded me of Jonathan Richman. Started to drag a bit at Neighbours and World's Gone Mad, then came back much stronger. 

 

You're the Light stand out track on first listen.

 

Love the way the drums have been recorded - can actually hear the bass drum as you would acoustically, not a huge over processed thump. 

 

Pressure is on the random generator for next week!

Yeah I agree. Several of the tracks have a "live recording" feel to them that you can hear especially with the drums. It makes a nice change from over processed or drum machine tracks we hear so often now. 

Thoughts after the first listen. 

My initial reaction to the first track was, oh God that sounds awful. Something sounded out of tune or off key to my ear. Whether this was an artistic choice, a genuine pink torpedo up, or my listening skills I don't know. It will be interesting to see if I feel the same on subsequent listens. 

By about track 3 I was really starting to get the feel of the band. Very reminiscent to me of a lot of the Indie stuff that was around in the early 90's. 

By the second half of the album I was tapping my feet and really getting into it. 

I can see this one being a real grower. I've already added it to my library on Tidal. Looking forward to listening to it again, next time with headphones (as opposed to sound system) for a more immersive experience. 

It's a definite thumbs up from me. 👍

Ok. Drum roll...............

And the winner is......

Lunglight by The Shaky Hands. 

Bandcamp

https://theshakyhandspdx.bandcamp.com/album/lunglight

Spotify

Apple Music

https://music.apple.com/bg/album/lunglight/289937827

YouTube

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mXabWDHTNlQozeNovb8gqvHuSdroZBI4o&si=m0zrssY_NFCZ1n13

Tidal

https://tidal.com/album/19117087

Hopefully shouldn't be too challenging a listen for me this one. 

Please feel free to post links to any other streams you find on your service of choice. 

Enjoy. 😉

Ok guys and gals. It's D Day. 😁

I'll be rolling the dice for the first time this evening. Probably around 5 o'clock UK time.

Fingers crossed it's nothing too challenging for the first outing. 🤞

11 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

Is there a crossover of things on bandcamp and other streaming services?

From playing with the app it seems to list all the streaming services where the album is available. 

But ultimately it's up to the actual artist where they're streaming the album. So some might be on Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and everywhere else you can imagine. 

Others might only be available on a single streaming service. 

The reason I initially mentioned using only albums on Bandcamp is because it's free and everyone has access at the click of a link.

If people have to faff around signing up to different steaming services (even if it's free) it might put them off participating. 

However. For those who have access to any of the paid streaming services I will post the links (as and where available). 

I'll list whatever links come up with the album, then people can use their steaming platform of choice. 😁

Two days to go until the first selection!

What's it gonna be?

Scandinavian Death Metal? Freeform Jazz? Insipid Insipid 90's Pop? 

Anyone getting worried yet? 😂

3 hours ago, sandy_r said:

 

 

'Bolt-on' neck

 

Vampyre guitar

 

Supplied with 'Fright' case

 

...is Halloween due, by any chance?...

 

The price is definitely terrifying!

2 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

You could do Spotify - that's free and probably has a larger selection than Bandcamp.

 

Also IIRC you can only stream each track a certain number of times (3?) on Bandcamp without buying it.

I tried Spotify (I don't have an account) and it would only play a few seconds sample of each track on the album. 

I like the Bandcamp idea because it's a good way of supporting smaller artists. 3 listens should be enough to decide whether or not you like an album. And if anyone decides to then buy the album is a win win. 

People are of course welcome to stream the album on which ever service they have available. 😁👍

2 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

It really could be anything, although if it has to be available on Bandcamp that will limit the choices.

 

I've just done 5 SHFLs and got a very eclectic mix of classical music, avant garde, electronica, pop, and a film sound track...

Yeah. Unfortunately there will be some suggestions that pop up that aren't on Bandcamp. Which is why I said the first suggestion available. To make it work I want to make sure it's free and accessible to everyone. Some people won't have access to paid steaming services. 

33 minutes ago, toneknob said:

I'm in. Do I have to listen to it more than once if I don't like it?

 

Along a similar vein a few years ago I made a bet with myself to listen to an album that I'd never listened to before every day for a year (familiar artists were allowed but the more off my usual piste the better). I'd already won the bet by early December and carried on until close to Christmas (I think I gave myself a week or two off)

 

You don't have to do anything you don't want. 

I'm planning on giving each album at least 3 goes through during the week to at least get a bit familiar with the material. 

37 minutes ago, Crusoe said:

"And the first album will be... Spiceworld by The Spice Girls" 😄

You never know. It's in the hands of the Gods. 😂