Sell Out Records - A Music Review Blog

The first thing that I noticed from Midnight Mosaic’s release of “Fire Work” is the bass. The bass hits you across the neck with reverberating melody before going into a full frenzy of musical prowess. Track 1 is a definite good choice for an opener on this one. Recording with a good sound design, you fully get the instruments working together before the vocals kick in and treat you to some powerful framework. The first thing I thought of was Red Hot Chili Peppers, as the bass guitar really does well to create a good starting point. It then flows with the percussion and guitar, and of course the vocals that are not to be compared with too many other bands, as it flows through highs, lows, signing, speech and so much more. It’s eclectic, and it’s definitely a good example of rock vocals. You will definitely find a lot of good points on “Fire Work” where the vocals of A.t. Hunte is definitely a mix between Michael Tait, Corey Glover, and Anthony Kiedis. That’s about as well as I can...

While the world is watching the Grammys, Esoteric and Stu Bangas completely blows away the competition with talent. I reviewed “Machete Mode” on this website here , and you missed it, because you were too busy calling me a “punk rock” reviewer. The point of this update though, is to showcase an interesting array of clips with some incredible music. Stu Bangas does beats that are samples and creative experiences from movie soundtracks and more. Some of his work is exactly what you would expect from a 1980s horror flick. Esoteric takes the world of wrestling and pop culture and splits your head open, old school. This video is a line by line comparison chart of the lyrics that Esoteric pushes down and it’s incredible. You’re not going to find another rapper right now that blends this type of lyrical comparisons in such a neat billfold. The use of classic wrestling speaks volumes to me, and possibly you. You can read more about “Machete Mode” according to what I said about it here , a...

In a landscape full of poorly constructed music, and icons that have no real musical prowess, artists are sometimes relegated to doing things outside of the norm. Tiffini Truth is an example of  what true artists can do, pushing the elements of art, design, video and sound. With her latest “Industrial Blues Grinder”, she completely turns the world upside down with a flow of art that will shock you to your core. That is not a bad thing, it’s an absolutely beautiful thing, and it most definitely woke me up. With the first single, “Sinner” she introduces you to the sounds, lyrics, and visual performance that most will not be ready for. Not since I first saw Karen Black’s videos in a “Disinformation” DVD have I been so intrigued. The juxtaposition of Tiffini Truth’s images define so many underlying messages. Whether you take them as religious or you take them as something else, you will be hard-pressed not to be moved, and perhaps even fall in love with the imagery. She uses all ele...

 Sprightly Moans puts together an eclectic blend of music, and does so in such a daring manner. You get that from the first sounds of "Demos III", their latest release, and while it may be short in songs, it proves to be an emblem of creative music. It’s a powerful performance piece that is hard to classify in one genre. Sure, it’s easy to say it’s rock, but it also has moments of indie, symphony, folk, and a touch for the dramatic here and there. You don’t hear this kind of passion in a lot of artists, which is why the album fits so well with me. Not since I first heard Bradley Hathaway perform at Tomfest, have I heard such a unique mix of passion and poetic lyricism. Sprightly Moans provides a good wall of noise on “Blushes all Around”. Some may liken it to MeWithoutYou, and others may hear shades of Pedro The Lion, with a louder “White Stripes” tenacity on guitars. On “I Wanna Be Afraid” the band really stretches a bit, rolling through a variety of sounds and rhythms y...

The role of the bass guitar is more than just the low end sound. It plays between melody and rhythm. In regards to metal and rock music, you are going to find that some players and teachers consider the instrument a part of the overall big picture. In the analogy from David Ellefson of the rock guitar method , he discusses it as a brick and mortar option in construction. In that framework, you will find that it’s a matter of bricks and the bass is the mortar that glues two bricks together. So the drummer will be one brick and the guitar will be another brick. Between those two things is the electric bass guitar. The role of the bass in metal is to be the glue that helps push the sound. Listen to a song without that, and you will not have bricks that are essentially glued. Or look at it in a math equation. 1 + 1 The equation there showcases another way of looking of the role of bass guitar in metal music. 1 guitar and 1 drum set is put together by the + symbol. Or another analogy. A san...

Jay Neezy’s latest mixtape “Ambition” showcases a good sense of style, rhyme, and a flow that is definitely worth checking out. This independent rapper flows through a lot of different bars and doesn’t copy anyone. He has a way with words and he flows through a lot of different words fast, slow, and with a good sense of timing. A lot of times these mix tapes are far from being very good, but that’s not what you get here. It’s interesting to hear the beats, sounds, and rhymes that Jay Neezy pushes. You will find that the topics are personal, and he knows how to time the words just right. Balancing fast and slow rhymes with beats that are organic and produced by a variety of producers is the name of the game here. A bouncy sound that is definitely on par with a lot of the best rappers on the scene right now. You can easily compare this to other rappers like Drake, but there’s something that is done here that you aren’t hearing on the radio. Perhaps the coolest thing on this, aside ...

Face to Face is one of my favorite punk rock bands ever formed. Their documentary really showcased how hard their life was trying to put out music. “Big Choice” was an incredible release at the time, and it sounded like it was recorded in a cave, but who cares, it was fast, it was punk, it was catchy. It was put out in 1994 and was originally released through Victory Music, not to be confused with Victory Records. The band put this album out eventually got put out through A&M Records, however it was an awful experience. The record has a lot of great songs, and for being a sophomore record, still rocks as hard as it did when I first heard it. I bought the cassette tape when I was a kid. I used to listen to my Walkman non-stop. Regardless, this record is awesome, and it features some of the best hits from the band. Songs like “A-Ok”, “You Lied”, “Disconnected” and “Bikeage” all point to greatness. The re-recorded “Disconnected” is sometimes heard on rock radio, to this day. The...

For those that are on one side of the bass guitar debate, you should look at this video. Mike Dirnt plays the track "Redundant" on MTV Live, and is not playing an acoustic bass, he's doing guitar work. I just thought it was a cool video, and a step away from the bass guitar a bit. I will be moving to another band, and artist in the coming days, so no more talk of Green Day and Mike Dirnt. Green Day - Redundant Live @ MTV

When you hear the words “independent” rock, you immediately either imagine the emo and indie crowd. Some may even have visions of the late 1990s hardcore revolution that saw huge growth in several markets. So when I tell you that the band Yes Way is a rock and roll independent band, you may get the wrong idea. These guys are putting together traditional rock, ok, maybe not “traditional” in the sense that there is a standard, but something worth listening to none the less. Yes Way has done something cool here, they’ve infused straight forward rock sounds with blues into a driving force on “Double Bubble Toil and Trouble”. If you were to go back in time when rock radio featured bands like Cheap Trick, Thin Lizzy, and what are now known as classic rock icons, you would find these guys fitting in really well. They have tapped into the iconic vein of straight forward rock and could definitely fit in between early Aerosmith and even classic AC/DC, which is not easy to do. A lot of band...

I completely blanked on this record, and no one really told me about it. I had to dig a little deep to get to listen, and once I did, I was completely impressed with the song structures, arrangements, and overall production value of this band. The Evening Rig combines elements of all my favorite bands and yet does something brand new at the same time. They aren’t a hardcore outfit, or a metal band, so if you pegged me as someone that only talks about those genres, you’ve completely missed on a lot of the content that I’ve been writing. NO THANKS to those applicants that promised to write and didn’t deliver. That’s for another story. The Evening Rig released “Nothin To hear Here” and as I stated, it is the best album that no one told me about, and something you haven’t heard yet. At first listen, you are going to immediately hear shades of The Get Up Kids and their more mature sound, but then you peel away that label and you get things from 238, Vampire Weekend, Cobra Skulls, The ...

Scan Hopper is a band out of Texas and they have put out what very well may be the best indie EP I’ve heard this year so far. It’s fascinating to hear bands bring together so many different sounds in their music and that’s exactly what this band does. Not satisfied with just one style or one label, the EP showcases a great diversity and range. From the opening track “The Bridgeses” to the end result on “In My Brain”, there is something for everyone on this release. Even though it’s an EP, it feels so much fuller. It reminds me of a lot of the records being put out by Deep Elm and Jade Tree. A little bit of Jets to Brazil and American Football layered through arterial soundscapes of guitar, and electronic options, bringing together an eclectic release of music that you’re not going to want to miss. It feels so much bigger, and so much more important. It’s simple, and yet so complex in that classic dichotomy that great bands can deliver. It’s not all one sided as you get into a new...

When I got my first bass guitar, I was 15 years old. I purchased 3 bass guitars in my life, and each one was more expensive than the last. If you are looking at purchasing a guitar, you most likely want to start with an electric bass guitar . With that in mind, follow a few steps below so that you can get a good deal. Set Your Budget Low If You’re Learning If you are still learning, and you are NOT an expert, than you will want to set aside no more than $100. I say this because you don’t need a vintage Fender electric bass guitar. You don’t need anything overpriced, because you’re learning. I know, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s 100% true. When you master the notes, chords, and you are an excellent player, then spend your money on something nice. However, when you’re learning start with something standard, non-expensive. No more than $100! Order Online I suggest that you order your electric bass guitar on amazon.com . Today, for instance, I found one for $69 with free sh...

We've been discussing Mike Dirnt's signature bass guitar for a bit, and while I can't review it myself, I did find a good review for those that are looking to learn more about the guitar. This precision precision bass is one of the premier Fender signature releases that has come through in a long time. GAK out of the UK decided to review this in HD and you get to hear about the size, sound, and style of this option. If you want to order it, you can purchase it from amazon and get it delivered by clicking here . Otherwise, check out this video review and then go to your local shop. I for one will be looking into it on amazon . What do you think? Let me know.

DJ Hans really did something special on this EP, he completely blew away with this release. It’s a mix of dubstep sounds and children’s nursery rhymes and classic songs. I know, this may sound insane, and at first glance I didn’t know what to think, but it most definitely presents a mix that works so well, but only in the hands of an expert DJ. There are a lot of releases that try to mix genres and they fail often. However, DJ Hans has found a way to mix two very different forms of music and yet does so with class and precision. I definitely did not expect the creativity found on this record. It’s professional, it sounds great, and it truly deserves getting a lot more attention. For kids, for adults, for anyone that likes music, listen to this, and you’ll be impressed with the way it’s layered out. You’ll here classics done in a new way. “Wheels on the Bus”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, and more are done here in such a cool manner. It’s this type of creativity that inspires...

Mike Dirnt talks about his precision bass guitar in the following video. He talks about the sound and what went into making the Fender option that is his signature guitar. On a side note, I personally played a Fender Jazz Bass/Precision Bass Combo, and Mike’s item wasn’t released yet. I like the sound of his signature edition and it’s definitely worth checking out if you have the money. You can buy the Mike Dirnt Signature Precision Bass Guitar by clicking here . Mike Dirnt also talks about the amp that is also in conjunction with Mike Dirnt’s ideas. The Fender Bassman goes great with the precision bass that he has out. To further explain it, here’s Mike talking about the signature sound and design. My friend had a Fender electric guitar and a standard Fender amp, but it wasn’t as good as this one. The distortion, gain, pedal and interesting buzzes are mentioned, which I can testify to hearing in a live setting. I think it sounds great, it’s loud and really is a great overall option fr...

Green Day is one of those bands that has a lot of polarizing opinions thrown at them. I love them, and have dedicated some time to reviewing, listening, and trying to pay attention to their form and style as a musician myself. I usually talk about bass guitar on this blog, and though it’s still a new site, I still want to work within the framework of bass. When learning bass guitar, you’re going to hear that the drummer and the bass player in bands are really tight. So with that in mind, check out this drum chronology of the band’s music from their humble beginnings to the latest options. Bass guitar players pay attention to the drum kick and the style that shifts. Often times if the bass guitar is out of sync with the way the drums are played, you will definitely find structure can be tough. I know it’s punk rock, and I know this is a drum video, but it’s definitely worth watching for all musicians. Check out the Chronology of Green Day’s drums and then pull out your bass and make a v...

One of the coolest things I’ve seen on youtube to date, in regards to music has to be this amazing drum chronology done by Kye Smith in high definition. The talented drummer goes through all the drumming types that Green Day has across all of their records and does it with such precision and ease that I’m completely blown away. If you are a fan of music, punk, and Green Day, this is the exact type of inspiration that should move you. I used to watch bass guitar videos and wished I could play like Mike Dirnt, so this comes with a sense of wishing I had youtube when I was learning bass. You’ll be amazed, check this out, and start learning drums.

buy this record here One of my personal favorite bands, and one of the best bands to see live is none other than Less Than Jake . I’ve managed to see them play a few times and have been a fan of their mix of ska and punk since I was a teenager. I first heard them on Pezcore and have since progressed to hearing them transition from a lot of different levels, including their releases on major labels. They returned last year with “See The Light” which is coming through Fat Wreck Chords and it sounds incredible. From the start Less Than Jake present a polished sound. The band has been together for so long, and it is evident on the tracks that are presented. “Good Enough” really sets the mood with a powerful horn blast, and bass lines that walk all over the fret board. I’ve always been a fan of the bass guitar sound of ska, and LTJ really does a great job of making it prominent here again. Roger produced this one, so it may be why it not only sounds like that original punk edge soun...

Music today is either garbage or it catches your attention. That’s how I see it, and if it doesn’t catch your attention, that’s fine, throw it in the garbage. Someone else may like it. Avant Grade comes flying through the hallways of Sell Out Records (this site) and presents an urgent piece of music, with equal parts rhythm and layered electronic sounds. As of late, ambient music has been getting a lot of attention on the blog because artists are fearlessly pushing it out. Avant Grade creates an interesting mix here, putting in elements of all sorts of sounds without the pretense. You don’t have that annoying underlying retrograde tuning, but instead you get a nice bounce and presentation. From percussion to the keyboard sound, there’s a cycle of sounds that really works well. It’s poppy, it’s dreamy, it’s somewhat poignant and reactionary. You will be hard pressed not to repeat this song over and over again, as it really introduces so much to the mind’s eye, without every really...

Dr. Sounds has been pushing buttons, playing keyboards and delivering an incredible ambient sound since 2009. With the release of “Sounds From Future” the artist takes you on a journey that will catch you off guard. Not since I heard Kavinsky’s release from last year “Outrun” has ambient music sounded this intriguing. It starts with a tone and meditation and drives through areas of the mind with such ease. You’ll swear you’re back playing Mist and exploring new areas of jungle, and fog. This is not just electronic, in fact it’s not techno. A lot of people immediately assume that this is going to be a bouncing dance mix like that of a club, and while there are variations on the theme it’s not that. This is an all different experience that you will be exploring. The sounds found here mix traditional and ambient noises, or rather soundscapes. It’s not “noise” as much as it is an exploration on theme. It’s hard to really denote where Dr. Sounds is going in this release, and that’s a go...

If you call yourself a music fan and you haven’t either purchased a copy of “Dookie” or at least heard the songs from the record at nausea, then you probably aren’t much of a music fan at all. The band sold as many records as Michael Jackson did, making this mid 1990s record one of the most famous of all time. However, upon the original release through Reprise and Lookout Records the LP/Vinyl version was just standard (amongst some other color options) and that didn’t sit well with the band or the fans. Sure, they bought the record, but after some time it was necessary to release an 180g Vinyl lp of “Dookie” . That’s what I got my grubby hands on recently and am posing it here for you to consider purchasing. The record, first of all, is considerably heavier, and sounds 100 times better than the original release. Features This record is 33 1/3 LP and it is 180 grams of wax. If you’re a collector or just prefer to listen to music on wax, then this is for you because it is considerab...

Mike uses Fender A lot of people want to talk bad about Green Day , but I've always enjoyed their music. In this video, their rigs are explained, mainly the guitars and different set ups that create the live experience. Mike Dirnt's bass rigs, cabinets, and sounds are impressive here. You'll find that he doesn't use a lot of effects, in fact, he uses NONE . He plays straightforward precision bass guitar, and uses Fender's only. Fender custom makes the Mike Dirnt guitar and it's a precision bass, much like the standard punk option. It's not "down tuned" or anything special outside of being a signature sound and style that the band is known for. As I posted yesterday in my update about the song "Warning", the band has some unique bass lines and provides an interesting look into punk and pop bass guitar work. This video shows off the rigs they are using. If you want to buy a Mike Dirn't signature bass guitar from Fender, you can do so ...

“The Shift (Personal Freedom Response System)” is an iconic and vibrant spoken word record that was released on January 4th. It brings about a collection of tracks that are both urgent and powerful. They bring together an iconoclastic viewpoint in such a poetic manner, without being hip hop or rap. It’s a spoken word anthem of thoughts that stream through to your mind’s eye, in such an interesting fashion. You’ll find that listening to this is an experience, it truly shifts your senses and opens you up to a whole new way of thinking. The thing is, that some things aren’t as new as you may think, they are trapped inside you and me and everyone else that has grown comfortable. Comfort isn’t always the enemy, but it is when you realize that there is so much more outside of the daily hum drum routine that you may be trapped in. It’s that message that comes out clear from the start, and highlighted through the words of Mikhail Tank on this release. The artist moves through thoughts an...

I caught wind of this free track from Flaunt and it pushes together a mix of old, new, and future all into one track. The ambient mix of jazz, rock, and hip hop is incredible. It mixes a lot of elements to work into something that is eclectic, beautiful, and thought provoking. You will find it hard to resist the song and melodies that are created with such veracity. It’s intrinsically beautiful, and flows through several different stages, all while creating a landscape of semi sonic sound. As far as alternative music is concerned, this is poetry in motion, bringing together interesting components to present a new touching and enigmatic world. You’ll be hard pressed not to love this, as I found it compelling, and intrepid. It’s daring, it’s layered, its well worth your time. If that doesn’t grab you at first hand, than you will definitely want to look at this music video for the track, as it will definitely wake you up from your stupor right now. It got me, and that’s hard to do. ...

Love them or hate them, you are going to have an opinion on the band Green Day. I love them, and that has gotten me into some heated arguments with blow hards that say my taste in music sucks. I don’t believe them, but that’s something that I have to deal with on my own. Green Day released “Warning” in 2000. A lot of people hated the album because it wasn’t the same style as their break through “Dookie” and they got a lot of flak for it. I think it’s an amazing example of punk rock ethos meeting song writing structure from back in the day. It’s also very mature for a punk rock recording. Now, for the purposes of this blog, Green Day’s title track for their 2000 release, is a bass guitar gem. Mike Dirnt plays the bass on this, as he always does for the band, and you get a sense of his style without getting hit in the head. In the music video below you get a sense of the bass line that repeats alongside the three chords that Billie Joe plays. Turn up the bass boost on your mp3 player an...

Cover bands are not always grand. I’ve seen a lot of bands try to emulate great artists and have come painfully short of getting anywhere near a high quality reflection. This is especially true with sites like youtube, and it’s sad. But there are a few great ones, and one recently caught my attention, and I was completely floored with how pitch perfect they really were. The band is Simply Diamond, and they are a Neil Diamond cover band, that completely does it right. From the look, the sound, and the song structures, you will swear it’s Neil himself. I couldn’t believe the sound quality as it really does sound quite well. It’s such an interesting thing to see and hear, and you will definitely find it to be haunting. Long time Neil Diamond fans will definitely enjoy the performance and sound of Simply Diamond. It’s a fitting tribute, and one that is far better than many others. It’s evident in the video found below: Even if you were to listen to a Neil Diamond record, or watc...

The 90s were an interesting time to be alive. If you loved music, you got pummeled in the face with all the different styles that you could possibly imagine. Unlike any other time, it seemed like you couldn’t get away from the distortion pedal music that filled the airwaves. That is where the year 1995 lands, a mix up of distorted ideals, where Gen X started to realize that their lives couldn’t be so extreme forever. Amidst all that realization came out a movie that had every teenager (including myself) completely blown away. It was the best movie no one saw, and it was right along the same lines as “The Mighty Ducks” and even better, the soundtrack was incredible. That movie, and that soundtrack is none other than “ANGUS” . The movie aside, this film had an incredible soundtrack of music from Reprise Records, and to this day is the #1 alternative music soundtrack ever created. I say that, no one else may agree, but it went Gold, and by now it’s probably platinum. I even bought the...

What some might see as a departure, others will peg as an evolution, and that’s closer to what you get on “Great! Now We’ve Got Time To Party!” from Figures of Light. This is an interesting release that has this artist spreading its wings and showing that the definition of proto-punk isn’t really going to stop them from creating incredible pieces of music. It’s this type of ethos that gets many bands in trouble, because they aren’t going to be put into a single box or style. This genre shifting release still holds something for the old school fan, but is very well rooted in the new. At first, you will definitely think that this is just an ambience filled record, and it most certainly has that vibe on the opening track, but if you stick with it, you realize that there’s more to come. It’s in the second song “Ninety-Nine (Featuring Stuart Pendergast)” that you start to get a feel for the talent that Figures of Light pushes. The wailing guitar riffs is coupled with a vibrancy that is ...

Throwaway that polished recording from modern punk rock rebellion. They are giving a bad name to the genre, and really, Broadway? Come on, get that out of here. Figures of Light shows the youngsters how it’s done with their 2012 release “Drop Dead”. The 15 tracks that are showcased on this record is an example of what punk rock was and is today. They may refer to themselves as proto-punk, but it’s once again so much more. It’s not just one genre, its garage, surf, rock, alternative, and nostalgic all in the same breath. From the opening track of “My Box Rocks” and the follow up “Fifteen Minutes of Fame”, you get something that fits so well in nearly every decade of punk and alternative from 1970 forward. Even with songs like “Alice” you can see that original rock sound that started to blossom in the late 50s and start getting kids in trouble in the 1960s. This is not just a retrograde record or something that nostalgia freaks are going to be pushing around as one of those “cooler” ...

Ask any punk rocker or alternative rock music fan about breaking stuff on stage, and they will probably tell you about the time they saw Kurt Cobain break an amp on MTV, or The Who playing amidst an explosion, and they may be cool moments in rock history, but that seems to pale in comparison to smashing television sets during a live show. Oh, some may want to raise their hands and tell me about the 80s, but you’ll be told to shut up and sit down. The lesson here is that Figures of Light already did it, and did it well. Not only that, they managed to stay in the game and create a collection of punk rock in the vein of the definition, unlike many others. With the release of “TV Smashing Concert Live at Rutgers” you get their live set which essentially invented the notion of smashing everything to pieces live. The coolest thing about this record is simple, it’s raw. It’s more raw than even “Ramones: Live and Raw” and rivals a ton of live records. Not only is it a prime example of thro...

Wait, do punk rockers still skate? I know I do, and this record is one of the albums that will be playing on my headphones while I flow through the streets of Pomona on my skateboard. Figures of Light are probably one of the coolest artists I’ve heard in a while. They lean heavy on the punk rock ethos and bring out a slew of tracks that range from noise to polished punk rock and hardcore fury. On “Lost and Found” you get 12 blistering tracks that range from the mighty career path of this proto-punk band. If you say you’re a fan of punk, and I know a lot of people do, this is a record that you absolutely have to get. It features demos, live tracks, instrumentals, and even some hardcore pounding metallic hardcore bliss thrown in for good measure. You will definitely feel as though you’ve gotten into a time machine and went back to 1970s UK punk rock birthing places, or even CBGB in New York to hear the opening act of a Ramones show. It’s that type of feel that you get here, with a va...

The proto-punk band Figures of Light is perhaps one of the better genre bending artists to come through this site in a while. In their previously reviewed album, you get a feel for their electronic side, and that’s what listeners most likely figure would be the case for this one, but that’s where worlds collide. You don’t really get that, you get another dose of creativity, this time in the vein of 1970s garage rock and punk rock fuzz. “Too Many Bills, Not Enough Thrills” is definitely a record that will have punk rock enthusiasts playing this over and over again. From the beginning track of “Too Many Bills, Not Enough Thrills” you get a sense that this is a different record, with full scale production getting toned down. This is not one of those “polished” and overproduced rock records with some suit and tie wearing producer trying to tweak the soundboard. Instead, you get the same kind of punch in the mouth style that made Iggy and The Stooges famous. You can easily fit this alon...