: ROCK & REVIEW - Music News & Review

A Look Behind Hawk & Dove

2013-04-17T02:04:00Z

The indie rockers, Hawk and Dove, have brought rock back to Brooklyn. "Hawk and Dove have been described as the Loudest quiet band you have ever heard." They are creating a Rock sound that has never been heard before. They have done this by mixing beautiful ballads and thunderous stoner grooves that makes a psychedelic rock sound like no other. It was 12 years after their first meeting, at a summer camp, they figured out their passion for music was the same, so they started playing and writing. With Brian curling lyrics and with john's angular guitar plays shards of glass that bind and repel us. Ever so often you can hear alittle david bowie come out. I recently had a chance to ask them a few questions.

Charles Willis -What got you started with your love for music?

Elijah Miller: Music was always in my family. My grandmother is a wonderful folk musician with a few children’s records under her belt, and she had me singing onstage with her at the Philly Folk Festival when i was 5 or 6 years old. My mother is also a phenomenal singer and guitar player who sang in the house every day. We had instruments set up in the living room when i was a toddler and the whole family would make music.

John Kleber: My father was phenomenal blues guitarist and banjo player so I grew listening to Flatt and Scruggs and Bill Monroe as well as the blues legends like John Lee Hooker and Robert Johnson. My mom loved all of the '50s and '60s classics like Elvis and Buddy Holly, the Beatles and the Beach Boys, and I am sure she is the reason why I have the lyrics to the entire Motown catalog memorized. At this point that music is in my DNA. Though I studied saxophone in elementary school, I never got very far because my school had a terrible and uninspiring music program. It wasn't until I got my first guitar when I was 14 that I really became obsessed with music. I practiced hours and hours every day and played in a band that rehearsed constantly which eventually allowed me to turn music into my job for several years.

CW: Tell us briefly how the Band came to be? (Are you a comic fan?

EM: John and I became friends at summer camp about 20 years ago, and then reunited by a chance meeting in a brooklyn bar in 2006. At the time I was just starting to make music the number one priority in my life and John had been playing in different bands for many years. I was honing my writing and stage fright skills at open mics a few days a week and john came out to see me play a number of times before we decided to embark on this journey. We have been slowly adding to, and crafting the sound with a group of amazing musicians that today, make up the best group of people we’ve ever played with. AJ Sauseville, our drummer and John have been playing music together since 1998. Joan Chew covers both our string section with her violin and the rhythm section playing bass. Max Hodes adds stunning accents and articulation with his tenor guitar, vocals and bass playing (when joan is holding a bow,) and both he and our newest keyboard playing member Caitlin sing harmonies as two karaoke nerds at heart.

CW: What inspired the name Hawk and Dove?

EM: Hawk and Dove was a name John had been tossing around in his head as a band name for a little while before it was taken on by this project. We are also comic book fans, and Neil Young fans (he has an album called hawks and doves), and that bar in DC fans... but i think the name was really taken on because it reflected our deeper intention of attempting to perform a musical and emotional dichotomy. Our loud and quiet moments, our soothing and abrasive moments, are all sort of attempts to perform this idea.

JK: I was aware of the comic book but it was never one that interested me. In general I have always liked the connotation of the Hawk and Dove. When it occurred to me to use it as a name it was because it reflected the sound of the music I want to make and, most importantly, it was the only band name I had ever come up with that wasn't completely embarrassing.

CW: Where did the inspiration come from that helped you cultivate your first fulll length album?

JK: It's not easy to talk about what inspires an album. We both drew on countless sources, and we spent literally hundreds of hours developing these songs, building and tearing them down before we even put any tracks on tape. Overall, the album took us more than a year to make. The entire process was incredible and difficult and powerful and inspiring in its own right. I would venture a guess that when one works on any work of art that requires the kind of emotional and intellectual effort demanded by an album, the process itself can be the source of inspiration.

CW: What is the meaning behind the album title. "This Yesterday Will Never End"?

EM: It's funny, it seems so apparent to me, though many people ask about the meaning, but it really means exactly what it sounds like I think... The origin of the album's name came from a late night moment of exasperation, a statement made by John in the midst of a very challenging month. He said it out loud, and I wrote it down because I loved how articulate and unique the combination of words he had come up with were. And it immediately conjured for me, in a simple statement, a greater challenge we all struggle with about the yesterdays that continue to follow us through our own lives, starting in a way, with our earliest decisions, but then also much further back, both generationally and culturally. And that is one of the main themes i was trying to investigate with the words in this record, so we felt it really fit, as a frame with which to hold these songs.

JK: I tend to come up with a lot of what my high school vice principal called "ambiguous phraseology". It almost goes without saying that I was frequently disciplined for such lexical hijinks.

CW: Elijah, Where do you go with your writing the lyrical story to your songs?

EM: I often write my songs around a specific image, or scenario in my head, or something i’ve heard about - or dreamt up in a country house, or on another planet in space, or grabbed a slice off from a piece of memory... and then i do my best to most accurately describe that image or scenario. And if it’s a scene that really has inspired me, then there’s a good balance of emotional reaction and logistical explanation. Every one of my songs are about something very specific, and if it’s not a physical image, sometimes it’s just an idea, or a kind of reaction that i want to understand further, and the process of writing is sometimes just an attempt at clarity.

CW: John who are some of the musicians who help direct your melody creations?

JK: I believe my melodic inspiration comes from music I absorb subconsciously. I definitely find a lot of inspiration in simple motifs and repetition. I think the music that most influences my process is that which is buried deep in my memories from childhood; lots of Motown, Soul and Bluegrass.

CW: What has been your favorite moment of being a part of Hawk and Dove

EM: My favorite times with this band are on stage when our musical vision is, in that moment, being realized. When we're connecting with the audience and we're all performing together in a way that feels deeply intimate and untroubled. That's why I keep coming back... and enjoying my day.

JK: It is really a joy to play in a band I believe in after all these years. It has been such an amazing experience writing and performing music that people connect to on an individual, visceral level. I think that we don't make music that is meant to be enjoyed only one way; it can be interpreted and discovered and debated; in this way, the music almost becomes a collaboration with the listener. Being a part of such a process and hearing what people take away from it is extremely rewarding. I also just really like to rock hard and play my guitar loud and this band lets me do that.

CW: If i were to borrow your ipod, who would find it there?

EM: I survive on a steady flow of Waits, Dylan and Cohen as inspiration for lyrical and metaphorical imagery. But I never go long without checking back in with Nick Cave, Gillian Welch, Earth, Nina Simone, the Beatles, Wilco, Harry Nilsson, Lou Reed, CAN...

JK: These days I have been listening to a lot of modern rootsy folky stuff like Brown Bird, Phosphorescent, Sufjan Stevens, Wilco, and Will Oldham. I also spend a ridiculous amount of time with guitarists like Mark Ribot and Bill Frisell and early John McLaughlin. I also can't get enough Tinariwen or Earth or the Grateful Dead. And I have to admit, I am a sucker for a good pop song. My guilty pleasure is Kimbra.

CW: What is the future for Hawk and Dove?

EM: The future of Hawk and Dove is to really just continue to compose and perform our sound until we can't anymore. Sharing it with more and more folks in a live setting as often as we can. Though at the rate we've been working, there's no end in sight and we're very excited about it.

Michael Sweet on Stryper's "Second Coming"

2013-03-25T08:03:08Z

Let's be honest, when the hairspray is washed out and the eyeliner wiped away, 80's Metal has very few bands that could truly stand on the merit of their music alone. Exploding at the advent of MTV era, "hair metal" focused all things visual, and as a common side-effect, the music became secondary. One of the few exceptions is Stryper. While visually striking in their signature yellow and black gear, it was apparent from the very first song on the first EP, The Yellow And Black Attack, Stryper proved they were a band with something to say, lyrically and musically. Stryper's bold Christian message could not have made it any easier to emerge from crowded 80's L.A. metal scene, but on the strength of a tight two-guitar attack and even tighter vocal harmonies, emerge they did. Stryper's first three releases, The Yellow and Black Attack, Soldiers Under Command, and To Hell With the Devil were all very successful, the latter achieving platinum sales status. Fast Forward to 2013. The band is back, with all four of its original members and a new deal with Frontiers Records. Before looking to the future (a new all-original album is on the horizon), Stryper have taken some time to relive the past a bit, re-recording some favorite tunes from their first 3 albums. I briefly spoke to Michael Sweet, lead vocalist and guitarist, about Stryper's "Second Coming."

Nathan Garcia - I am a huge fan and have been since The Yellow and Black Attack, so, a lot of these songs are historical and sacred to me and other long-time Stryper fans. My first reaction to the idea of re-recording these songs for Second Coming was that it could a bit “sacrilegious” to a die hard STRYPER fan - How did you come to the conclusion that these songs should be re-recorded?

Michael Sweet - These songs are indeed historical and almost classic in a sense to Stryper fans. Which is all the more reason we felt the need to re-record them. Some of those songs were recorded when I was 20 years old, almost just a kid. I've grown a lot as a musician - we all have. And we've never felt we were able to give a lot of those songs the attention they deserve. We've grown as people and musicians and we wanted the opportunity to showcase that through some of our classic favorites. I'm really please with the way it turned out.

NG - STRYPER recorded 5 albums in that 1983-1990 era, yet Second Coming includes no tunes from In God We Trust or Against The Law. What fueled this decision?

MS - Maybe it could mean a Second Coming Volume 2? Who knows? Haha. It really goes back to what I was saying earlier - We were still really young when we were making those first 3 albums. We just felt those songs really deserved a second chance, so to speak. Each album throughout my career holds a special place, and certain fondness, but our first couple of records I really just love the songwriting and vibe on those, but just felt they never got the production, or musicianship, they deserved. In God We Trust and Against The Law - we were older, we had come into our own a bit more by that time, and I just didn't feel as strongly about re-making the songs on those albums.

NG - Tim Gaines returned a couple years ago as a full-time member, what does it mean to you to have him back in the band?

MS - Tim is a part of what made Stryper. He's an incredible musician so to have him involved in the re-making of the songs he was such a part of in the beginning feels really good.

NG - Lets talk a little bit about the production aspect of Second Coming. Yellow and Black Attack and Soldiers Under Command were recorded to Analog Tape, To Hell With The Devil was recorded to Digital 1” Tape on a Mitsubishi X-850 (I believe), Where was Second Coming recorded and how was the recording approach and process different this time around?

MS - We made most of Second Coming at Spirit House in Massachusetts, where we also recorded Murder by Pride and Reborn. We've been getting great sounds out of that studio. I record a lot of the vocals at the studio in my house, something I of course wasn't able to do 25 years ago. That can be a good and a bad thing. It's great because I get to spend more time with them, but it's bad because just down the hall I have all my household chores staring me in the face. Haha. There are more interruptions and distractions when I record at home - but I do enjoy the ability to be able to sing and work at a comfortable pace and not feel rushed.

NG - The guitar tones on Second Coming are pretty massive. Did you pull out any of the old gear (guitars/amps) to record guitar tracks or did you go with your most recent setup?

MS - We used most of our current gear on this album. Thank you for saying that about the guitar tones. I'm a stickler for guitar tones and often obsess over getting what I feel is just the right tone. The best way I can describe the tone of this album is that it sounds like a grown-up version of Stryper. We've matured. Our tones have improved. Our playing has improved. And I think all of those elements from our growth over the past 25 years comes together nicely on this album.

NG - You have maintained your voice so well all these years. As a fan, I was concerned that it might be tough to tackle a lot of the more extreme vocal elements, but on ‘Second Coming’, you’ve nailed it. How do you do it????

MS - Thanks. To refer back to the question about how this album was recorded - I had more time to work on the vocals. Thank you again for the kind words, but you're right - in some cases it was tough re-creating some of these vocal parts. I'm pleased with how my range has sustained over the years, but it's not what it used to be. I put a lot of effort, and time, in to making sure I gave it my all vocally on this album. I also got a lot of laundry done in between takes so I could rest my voice... Haha.

NG - There are two new songs on Second Coming, “Bleeding From the Inside Out” and “Blackened” are they a glimpse of what’s to come with the Second Coming of Stryper?

MS - To some extent, yes. I'm working on the next studio album now, writing and laying down scratch tracks. This next album will be all new original songs and will also come out on Frontiers. It's gonna be a real rocker.

SECOND COMING ~~will be available tomorrow March 26, 2013~~ is out now!

Stryper - Second Coming

2013-03-13T08:03:24Z

Stryper's Second Coming arrives March 26, 2013

I left the promo copy of this disc on my desk putting off listening to it though I wanted to hear it real bad.
I had not listened to any of the samples the band had released because I feared what I would hear.
(Re-recording veritable golden and platinum classics is a cardinal sin).

I was cringing hoping it wouldn't be bad or embarrassing, but as I plugged in and cranked my monitors up - my jaw proceeded to fall through the floor.

Though Second Coming is not without it's flaws - considering this band was shot and left for dead as a relic of the 80's glam metal industry that fell the night 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' hit the airwaves - it's a wonder it's even here at all.

This is an amazing album.
These aren't thoughtless rips of their own classics, they've been meticulously re-produced and lightly re-arranged keeping the spirit of the originals while sharpening the teeth. These songs have been handled with care - right through stacks of tubes, modern processing gear, and cranked up way past 11.

Check back soon for the full review....

Who stole the show at the Grammys

2013-02-11T10:02:36Z

One of the biggest nights in the music industry happpen for the 55th time last night. THE GRAMMYS. I will start this little post by saying that it was one of better cast of performers than I have seen in a long time. They were all on their A Game. I feel, in my opinion, that two performances that stole the show were FUN. and the tribute to Bob Marley. Let me say this as well that my opinion does not take away from all of the top performances of the night. The coolest feature, prop, or wardrobe would have to go to Carrey Underwood. That growing, projected flower on her dress was...How should I say...AWESOME. Well I am a tech geek as well so of course i digged it. The only bittersweet moment for me of the night was the BEST NEW ARTIST CATERGORY. I was pulling for the Lumineers, BUT I am happy FUN. won. Here is a list of the winners.

Record
Lonely Boy, The Black Keys
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Kelly Clarkson
We Are Young, fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
WINNER: Somebody That I Used to Know, Gotye featuring Kimbra
Thinkin Bout You, Frank Ocean
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Taylor Swift

Song (goes to writer)
The A Team (performed by Ed Sheeran)
Adorn (Miguel)
Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen)
Stronger (Kelly Clarkson)
WINNER: We Are Young (fun.)

Best new artist
Alabama Shakes
WINNER: fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean

Pop vocal album
WINNER: Stronger, Kelly Clarkson
Ceremonials, Florence + The Machine
Some Nights, fun.
Overexposed, Maroon 5
The Truth About Love, Pink

Dance/electronica album
Wonderland, Steve Aoki
Don't Think, The Chemical Brothers
> Album Title Goes Here <, Deadmau5
Fire & Ice, Kaskade
WINNER: Bangarang, Skrillex

Rock album
WINNER: El Camino, The Black Keys
Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay
The 2nd Law, Muse
Wrecking Ball, Bruce Springsteen
Blunderbuss, Jack White

Alternative album
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser …, Fiona Apple
Biophilia, Björk
WINNER: Making Mirrors, Gotye
Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, M83
Bad As Me, Tom Waits

R&B album
WINNER: Black Radio, Robert Glasper Experiment
Back to Love, Anthony Hamilton
Write Me Back, R. Kelly
Beautiful Surprise, Tamia
Open Invitation, Tyrese

Rap album
WINNER: Take Care, Drake
Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1, Lupe Fiasco
Life Is Good, Nas
Undun, The Roots
God Forgives, I Don't, Rick Ross
Based On A T.r.u. Story, 2 Chainz

Country album
WINNER: Uncaged, Zac Brown Band
Hunter Hayes, Hunter Hayes
Living for A Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran, Jamey Johnson
Four the Record, Miranda Lambert
The Time Jumpers, The Time Jumpers

Americana album
The Carpenter, The Avett Brothers
From the Ground Up, John Fullbright
The Lumineers, The Lumineers
Babel, Mumford & Sons
WINNER: Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt

Pop solo performance
WINNER: Set Fire to the Rain (Live), Adele
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Kelly Clarkson
Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen
Wide Awake, Katy Perry
Where Have You Been, Rihanna

Pop duo/group performance
Shake It Out, Florence & The Machine
We Are Young, fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
WINNER: Somebody That I Used to Know, Gotye featuring Kimbra
Sexy and I Know It, LMFAO
Payphone, Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa

Dance recording
Let's Go, Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo
WINNER: Bangarang, Skrillex featuring Sirah
Don't You Worry Child, Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin
I Can't Live Without You, Al Walser

Traditional pop vocal album
Christmas, Michael Bublé
A Holiday Carole, Carole King
WINNER: Kisses on the Bottom, Paul McCartney

Rock performance
Hold On, Alabama Shakes
WINNER: Lonely Boy, The Black Keys
Charlie Brown, Coldplay
I Will Wait, Mumford & Sons
We Take Care of Our Own, Bruce Springsteen

Hard rock/metal performance
I'm Alive, Anthrax
WINNER: Love Bites (So Do I), Halestorm
Blood Brothers, Iron Maiden
Ghost Walking, Lamb of God
No Reflection, Marilyn Manson
Whose Life (Is It Anyways?), Megadeth

Rock song (goes to writer)
Freedom at 21 (performed by Jack White)
I Will Wait (performed by Mumford & Sons)
WINNER: Lonely Boy (performed by the Black Keys)
Madness (performed by Muse)
We Take Care of Our Own (performed by Bruce Springsteen)

R&B song (goes to writer)
WINNER: Adorn (performed by Miguel)
Beautiful Surprise (performed by Tamia)
Heart Attack (performed by Trey Songz)
Pray for Me (performed by Anthony Hamilton)
Refill (performed by Elle Varner)

Traditional R&B performance
Lately, Anita Baker
WINNER: Love on Top, Beyoncé
Wrong Side of a Love Song, Melanie Fiona
Real Good Hands, Gregory Porter
If Only You Knew, SWV

R&B performance
Thank You, Estelle
Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.), Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Ledisi
I Want You, Luke James
Adorn, Miguel
WINNER: Climax, Usher

Urban contemporary album
Fortune, Chris Brown
Kaleidoscope Dream, Miguel
WINNER: Channel Orange, Frank Ocean

Rap performance
HYFR, Drake featuring Lil' Wayne
WINNER: N----- In Paris, Jay-Z and Kanye West
Daughters, Nas
Mercy, Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz
I Do, Young Jeezy featuring Jay-Z and André 3000

Rap/sung collaboration
Wild Ones, Flo Rida featuring Sia
WINNER: No Church in the Wild, Jay-Z & Kanye West featuring Frank Ocean and The-Dream
Tonight (Best You Ever Had), John Legend featuring Ludacris
Cherry Wine, Nas featuring Amy Winehouse
Talk That Talk, Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

Rap song (goes to writer)
Daughters (performed by Nas)
Lotus Flower Bomb (performed by Wale featuring Miguel)
Mercy (performed by Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz)
The Motto (performed by Drake featuring Lil' Wayne)
WINNER: N----- In Paris (performed by Jay-Z and Kanye West)
Young, Wild & Free (performed by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars)

Country solo performance
Home, Dierks Bentley
Springsteen, Eric Church
Cost of Livin', Ronnie Dunn
Wanted, Hunter Hayes
Over, Blake Shelton
WINNER: Blown Away, Carrie Underwood

Country duo/group performance
Even If It Breaks Your Heart, Eli Young Band
WINNER: Pontoon, Little Big Town
Safe & Sound, Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars
On the Outskirts of Town, The Time Jumpers
I Just Come Here for the Music, Don Williams featuring Alison Krauss

Country song (goes to writer)
WINNER: Blown Away (performed Carrie Underwood)
Cost Of Livin' (performed by Ronnie Dunn)
Even If It Breaks Your Heart (performed by Eli Young Band)
So You Don't Have to Love Me Anymore (performed by Alan Jackson)
Springsteen (performed by Eric Church)

Producer (non-classical)
WINNER: Dan Auerbach
Jeff Bhasker
Diplo
Markus Dravs
Salaam Remi

Adam "MCA" Yauch - Forever Will Be Missed

2012-05-09T02:05:24Z

If You Can Feel What I'm Feeling Then It's A Musical Masterpiece
If You Can Hear What I'm Dealing With Then That's Cool At Least

Now my name is M.C.A. I've got a license to kill
I think you know what time it is it's time to get ill
Now what do we have here an outlaw and his beer
I run this land, you understand I make myself clear

We stepped into the wind he had a gun, I had a grin
You think this story's over but it's ready to begin

Strictly Hand Held Is The Style I Go
Never Rock The Mic With The Panty Hose
I Strap On My Ear Goggles And I'm Ready To Go
'Couse At The Boards Is The Man They Call The Mario

These are MCA lines in three of my favorite Beastie Boys songs. I really looked up to the beastie boys. Why do you ask? Seriously, you have to ask that. Three White Guys who got respect in the rap industry. That is big. This is worth looking up too. There was not a happening place in the world in the 80's,90's, 2000's and today where you will not here the vocal poetry of MCA, ADROCK, and MIKE D. These guys new how to bring life through there music. There is also not a teenager in the world who can not relate to the poetic masterpice of "You got to fight for your right to party"...Wow I just stepped back into high school for a moment. Ok. Now I am back. The beastie boys will always have a special place in the hip_hop Culture. More importantly, Adam Yauch will for it was his vision. You knew it was going to be greatness when two opposites of the music world collided. Of course we all know they started out as a punk rock band from brooklyn, new york in 1979. But what you may not know that they started doing hip_hop because of a prank call they pulled on an Ice Cream Shop. The song became such a huge hit in the undergound dance club when it released. This caused to pursue a new musical love, Hip Hop. The found a student at NYU, Rick Rubin, you may have heard of him..OF COURSE YOU HAVE. He is one of the most sought after producers in music still today and he started Def Jam Recods. Rick was brough on to be their Live DJ for shows. WHAT, ARE YOU SERIOUS? Yes I am. When Licensed to Ill came out, it took the industry by storm in the 80's. With songs like Slow Ride, Paul Revere, Fight For Your Right, Brass Monkey, and No Sleep till Brooklyn and producer, Rick Rubin, this album was the first Hip Hop album on the billboard charts and it stayed there for five straight weeks. The album has sold over 9 Million Copies since it first releases. Well 9 Million and 1, i am going to go by it again, now. MCA has inspired and will continue to inspire people in the music industry. REST IN PEACE

The Republic Tigers - The Infidel

2012-04-27T06:04:52Z

The Republic Tigers are way underrated. Hailing from KC here is the song "The Infidel" from No Land's Man

The Republic Tigers - The Infidel - Lyrics

As of late
I don't believe
My open eyes
Not because it's so surprising
It's because they've shown me what
I want to see
Even when it can't be true
Much as I can tell
I'm an infidel
I'm an inconsequential shot
So I ask myself
Am I an infidel
'Cause I don't believe
That my calluses are ever
Gonna leave
Now you're gone
I can't believe
The things I hear
Not because they're so damn piercing
It's because they whisper
What I want to hear
Even when you can't mean it
Much as I can't tell
I'm an infidel
I'm inconsequential shot
So I ask myself
Am I an infidel
'Cause I don't I don't believe
Everything that I tells me
Now I know when the lighting will break
'Cause it all starts to ache
Before the clouds are in view
Now I know when a flood will occur
Because my eyes start to blur
Before the waters immerse us
Much as I can tell
I'm an infidel
I'm an inconsequential shot
So I ask myself
Am I an infidel
'Cause I don't believe
That my calluses are ever
Gonna leave

Free Jars of Clay Download

2011-10-28T03:10:42Z

Get your free download of Gather and Build by Jars of Clay.

http://noisetrade.com/jarsofclay

Pioneer Music Tap

2011-09-11T05:09:24Z

The new Pioneer Music Tap means two more ways to avoid Spotify while embracing the full glory of Apple AirPlay, Pioneer Air Jam and a whole lot more.

Your favorite podcast or internet radio station is easily accessed via the units' WiFi or Ethernet connections. You can enjoy Pioneer's own Air Jam iOS app or go the intended Apple AirPlay route to easily relay your media collection from your iTunes bank on your main computer to anywhere within wired or wireless range. The units are DLNA 1.5 compatible so there are actually quite a few more server/client options that are a possible if the Pioneer or Apple offerings don't suit your needs.

An included 2.5" color screen is flanked by a red-LED clock and output to larger screens is possible with the composite video output. FM is the only OTA option on these babies but there are also USB and line connections available. (The Japanese market units include support for DVD/CD media, have an HDMI A/V output and ROCK an additional color option: 'shiro' or white) Finally, there is the obligatory iPod dock hidden behind a push tray system that's useful should you need to charge your iOS device while listening to Jeff Grant's Rambling Podcast. And yes, you can certainly use Spotify with this system, but with the simple elegance that is Apple's AirPlay, why would you want to pay more to do so?

Two flavors of this sleek new digital music center land in stores this October. $400 for the silver-clad, normally aspired unit (the X-SMC3-S) and $480 for the Kuro-black, Elite model (the X-SMC4-K). The Elite model includes optional Bluetooth support which requires the Pioneer AS-BT200 adapter that itself can retail for as much as $100 making the total for full functionality a little pricy. In our opinion the Bluetooth adapter should be built in and/or included.

Visit Pioneer
The Pioneer Music Tap Press Release Follows:

Pioneer Music Tap Systems Incorporate Airplay
Pioneer Music Tap Systems Feature Network Compatibility for Wireless Music Streaming

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today expanded its family of Apple AirPlay®-compatible products with the launch of two networked AirPlay music systems called Music Tap. Available in Pioneer ($399) and Elite® ($479) branded models, the Music Tap systems offer music lovers more ways to access and enjoy their music throughout their entire home regardless of where or how the music is stored. With AirPlay, enthusiasts have complete access, control and playback of their entire iTunes music library through their Music Tap system connected to the home network, wirelessly or using Ethernet. Both Music Taps feature built-in WiFi™ to enable wireless music connection using AirPlay, DLNA® 1.5, vTuner™ Internet radio, Pioneer's proprietary AirJam app for iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad® and a 2.5-inch full-color LCD display.

"By incorporating AirPlay into more of our product lines, first with audio/video receivers and now with Music Tap, Pioneer is making it possible for consumers to quickly access and listen to their iTunes® music library throughout the home," said Chris Walker, director AV marketing and product planning for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "These new systems are great additions to any room or office. Although they're compact, they produce 'larger-than-life' sound, and because both models are also equipped with a wireless connection, multiple units can be easily placed in different rooms."

AirPlay Connectivity

* Music Tap systems enable users to quickly and easily enjoy all their music content with song information and album art simultaneously displayed on a connected monitor/TV. AirPlay requires iTunes 10.1 or later, or iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch (2nd, 3rd or 4th generation) with iOS 4.2 or later. Using Apple's Remote app on iPad, iPhone or iPod touch also enables users to control, browse and access their iTunes music library on a Mac or PC and play it through Music Tap. Apple's Remote App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone or iPod touch at www.iTunes.com/appstore/.
* Connection to Music Streaming Services – In addition to the music saved in an iTunes library, the Music Tap systems support AirPlay-enabled apps like PANDORA® Internet radio, iHeartRadio® and other music streaming service apps, giving consumers access to a virtually endless playlist.
* Crystal Clear Sound – Music Tap's Apple Lossless capability ensures that users will always enjoy high-quality audio with no degradation in sound quality when listening to music encoded with this high-resolution format.
* Music Throughout The Home – Music Tap is a great addition to an AirPlay-enabled Pioneer AV receiver for music in any room of the house. Using iTunes 10.1 or later on a Mac or PC, users can wirelessly stream their music to multiple Music Tap systems throughout the home.

Additional Network Features

* DLNA 1.5 Certified – Music Tap's DLNA 1.5 Certification allows consumers to stream their music wirelessly via a home network from any DLNA 1.5 Certified device. Users can conveniently enjoy high-resolution audio playback with support for FLAC and WAV files from DLNA certified networked device in the home.
* vTuner™ – Pioneer adds vTuner Internet radio to Music Tap for endless music entertainment. With vTuner, users have access to more than 16,000 Internet radio stations around the world. From the on-screen display, users can choose from different genres, station locations or simply search for specific stations.
* Air Jam – First introduced as a feature in its line of AV receivers, Pioneer's free Air Jam app is also available in the Music Tap systems (optional AS-BT200 Bluetooth adapter required for the Pioneer model). The Air Jam App is available from the App Store on iPad, iPhone or iPod touch or at www.iTunes.com/appstore/ and connects up to four Apple devices via Bluetooth® to create a collective playlist for playback on Music Tap. Once linked, each user can cue songs from their own music libraries to create the shared playlist. Each connected device also displays the list of songs added by all users and which device a song plays from. The Air Jam App conveniently stores the lists of songs created for each session for future purchases at the iTunes Store.

Functionality and Design

* The Music Tap systems are "Made for iPhone and iPod" and come with an integrated pop-out dock for playback and charging.
* For a high quality listening experience, the music systems are equipped with a 2-channel digital amplifier to deliver clean and powerful audio to any room. Dual full range drivers in a passive radiator enclosure produce clear crisp high frequencies complemented by deep, accurate bass. The Pioneer Elite model has been tuned by Pioneer's renowned TAD director of speaker engineering, Andrew Jones. In addition, the Elite model incorporates built-in Bluetooth and includes a two-year warranty.
* Both AirPlay music systems offer an auxiliary input for connecting other audio devices with a mini jack (headphone) output. For added convenience, both models also feature a USB port located in the front of the system. USB devices such as hard drives, thumb and flash drives with MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC LPCM, and FLAC files can all be accessed using the included remote control.

For added convenience, both systems feature a control app for iPod touch, iPhone and iPad, available on the App Store.

Pioneer Music Tap systems will be available to consumers in October 2011.

Obama Administration Raids Gibson Guitar Factory, Stops American Workers

2011-09-07T01:09:05Z

Recently, the Obama administration raided three U.S. factories of the Gibson Guitar Company (well-known for their Les Paul and Epiphone lines) on grounds it was using illegal wood in the manufacture of it's guitars. In an extensively planned and coordinated effort, armed federal agents from the Department of Justice raided the manufacturing facilities forcing workers out and taking with them paperwork, computers and wood samples, including guitars. Gibson is no stranger to the Obama Administration's heavy hand on legitimate U.S. businesses and has seen similar raids in the past. Gibson is currently in legal wranglings in an effort to get property back from a similar heist that occurred in 2009.

The Obama DOJ is claiming violations of the Lacey Act an obscure conservation act signed into law by President William McKinley on May 25, 1900 intended to protect endangered domestic plant and wildlife and recently amended (under President George Bush's watch) by the 2008 Farm Bill to include a broader range of plants and animals and even the 'unauthorized importation and transformation' (read: local manufacture, importation of finished product is 'ok') of commodity wood used in the manufacture of everything from furniture to musical instruments. Misapplication of this law is not only affecting Gibson's current operations, but also the domestic furniture industry and anyone who owns any Gibson guitar (or other item) made with the offending wood. Even classic models made decades ago. Confiscations can take place at border crossings, airports and even guitar shows where owners can be asked to account for the origin and legality of every wooden part. Obviously this is something that most will not be able to comply with as there is no way to be 'certified compliant' to the Lacey Act and enforcement in this case is far beyond the reach of the original intent of the law.

We suspect this has less to do with the false and decidedly foolish allegations of the use of illegal wood, and more about the Obama Administration's connections with a certain Gibson competitor who is facing tougher times. Could it be that Jeffery Immelt, President Obama's 'Jobs Czar' has had a small bit to play in this situation? Immelt's company, GE Capital has been the major source of funding for Gibson competitor Taylor Guitars who has seen a sharp downturn in profits due to the economy and stiff competition from low-waged foreign sources such as Korea, Taiwan and China. In addition to encouraging Taylor Guitars to outsource it's manufacturing, something that thankfully has not yet happened, GE Capital is now tied to thug tactics and attacks on local competitors.

Illegal wood or not, this is not the way to get Americans back to work. Surly an Administration in dire need of a good jobs report can find a less disruptive way of dealing with illegal wood allegations, one in which keeps Americans working while responsibly following up on legal matters. According to Gibson CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz, the DOJ said this could all go away if they made their guitars in Madagascar. For a company like Gibson who has a rich American history, this is not an option. (Besides, Gibson already makes many of it's lower-end non-Gibson branded products overseas.) If this is how Obama plans to 'fundamentally change America' we're going to be playing the blues on some crap Kaman Montana guitars (now owned by Fender) for some time to come...

It should be noted that Gibson uses the same wood from the same suppliers as it's competitors. Some point to the obvious and seemingly only difference that the Gibson CEO is a Republican, while his competitors are Dems. Gibson can also avoid this situation by sourcing it's wood from the U.S., but forestry laws are getting tougher and this would raise the cost of the final products significantly. In most cases 'African' and 'Indian' rosewood and ebony raw materials are just not available from domestic suppliers.

Armed agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Homeland Security raided Gibson's corporate headquarters and two factories On August 24th and 25th in connection with an on-going investigation that began in Texas. The Gibson Guitar Company has not been charged with any crimes, including in relation to DOI/DHS activities in 2009.

The Hawk In Paris - Free EP

2011-09-06T12:09:10Z

You have a few more hours to get this incredible EP for free. If you like electronica, then you should get this. If you like Dan Haseltine, then you should get this EP. Get it now.

http://noisetrade.com/thehawkinparis

Mr J. Medeiros - Neon Signs

2011-09-01T08:09:52Z

Mr J. Mederious song "Neon Sign" is a song that you would finding passing through the graded grill of a speaker making the heads bob at a night club in LA or New York. This song has nice ambient groove with some lyrics that bring the Hip-Hop vibe that we all know so well Mr. J. Wait, how am I suppose to know that name. Well if you follow Hip-Hop or Song Writing you would know that he was the Mastermind behing The Procussions. He has written songs for Pidgeon John, one of the most notable emcee from LA in underground scene. I highly recommed downloading this track becuase it has nice mix of an ambient/Trance/hip-Hop vibe. Will keep your body moving.

Watch the Neon Sings video under our featured video of the week on the homepage.

Itunes- http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/neon-signs-single/id436916133

mrjmedeiros.com

Shinobi Ninja, The new fuse of hip-hop/rock?

2011-08-25T05:08:21Z

So I get cd's ever so often from this cool video servicing company called, RiveVideo (www.rivevideo.com) and then the call ever so often to do a traffic update, Seeing what I played and if I would play this. Well they mention to me about this band they would like to push real hard and I said sure Ill add them now, since it is on my mind. You know I have seen good, bad and the ugly when working with indie bands and their videos. Wow!!! It has been awhile since I have been Wowed (i am sure this is not a word, but lets just go with i) by a band and this band wowed me. SHINOBI NINJA. Their song "Rock Hood" was just plain Hype. Sick. and anyother new cool word that means dope!!! I truly wanted to get out of my seat put on some ole 80's atheltic shorts, pull my socks up and just rock.

Could they be the next Beastie Boys...Well they have a good starting point, They are from brooklyn and they do party-rock. With putting out good music, on itunes, they have completed two national tour this year. They played shows at the warp tour, 311's pow wow fest and nerdapalooza.

I have not seen them live, They came to dallas in march, Wish I would of known that back then...Anyways I know they put on a good show. Anyways check out their video Rock Hood on our Homepage under the feature video spot.

thanks. more about Shinobi Ninha comin soon.

write for ROCKandREVIEW

2011-06-23T05:06:03Z

We need writers. People who love music and want to write about it. Topics can range from music in tech and computers to new releases to album reviews to concerts and interviews.

Bring it on!

Local Musician turns Filmmaker

2011-05-18T10:05:45Z

Singer/Guitar Leader of Black Lines Silver Wings, Andy Lohrenz, is gearing up to direct is first feature film called " Suburbanite" this summer. Andy's day job is running lights and pulling dollies for indie films across the US, but his hobby is fronting a band called Black Lines Silver Wings. This films is a suspense thriller about a decent family man that has decide how far he will go to protect his family. Please click on the following link and see how you can be involved in making this film and getting your names in the credits.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1394338637/suburbanite?ref=search

Maximum Huge - New Comedy Band

2011-04-26T09:04:59Z

I have been in contact with a new comedy band that has been in the works for several months now. I have been watching as an elaborate world and story has been crafted for the combined sake of music and comedy. I am really quite stunned how well this has been coming together. They are called MAXIMUM HUGE.

They are seeking to release a full E.P. this summer with companion videos that detail the love life of the lead singer Jeff in a form quite similar to Goldilocks and the Three Bears. One girl comes on too strong, one not at all, and one just right. The first song, 'Quicksplitz,' introduces us to his first romantic interest -- a psychopath stalker girl from the internet.

YOU CAN VIEW THE VIDEO HERE!

The second song shows us a girl who gives him the cold shoulder even though he in enamored with her. Later in the E.P., the third girl manages to like him "just enough." In between these songs are other silly reflections that Jeff has with his band. It is really a great concept.

They also have recorded several other comedy songs that will be released outside of the main E.P. (entitled The Quick Fix). The band is based out of Fort Worth with some seasoned talent from the area. The music is not necessarily the most technical, however it is filled with hooks and catchiness. Further, the lyrics are just downright comedic genious at times. Much of the time you will find yourself smirking and giggling at ther tounge in cheek lines that littler each song.

If you end up liking them and want to help them out, they informed me that anyone can help donate at their indiegogo.com page. Apparently HD video and lighting is expensive to use....

The band plans to be highly active this summer, so keep your ears to the ground at these places: