Sell Out Records - A Music Review Blog

  Today, we're diving into the gritty grooves of NOFX's paradoxically titled "They’ve Actually Gotten Worse Live." This isn't just another NOFX live record; it's an experience, a bootleg-style journey, and a testament to the band's enduring raw energy. A Bootleg Feel with Studio Quality – The Sound of NOFX Live Unpolished Gold : "They’ve Actually Gotten Worse Live" feels like stumbling upon the best NOFX bootleg you never knew existed. It's raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically NOFX. Sound Quality : While the title suggests a downgrade, the sound is anything but. It’s the perfect blend of audience energy and clear instrumentation, making you feel like you're part of the crowd. Setlist Surprises – A Mix of the Rare and the Classic Deep Cuts and Classics : Expect a mix of hidden gems and iconic tracks. This album isn't just a rehash of their greatest hits; it's a deep dive into ...

 

2016 has been quite the year for music, and it’s just beginning. The Holstered is a band that I spoke about on this blog in the past . Well, they are back in action for 2016, and they have released their first rocking single from their upcoming album. The song “Outer Space” takes the psychedelic 1970s punk rock, garage sound and turns it to 11. It’s a catch song that brings about themes that are straight out of the garage punk era of the past. Fans of Iggy Pop, The Cramps, and Buzzcocks are going to be absolutely delighted with “Outer Space” as it has a definitive punk rock, retro feel. You’re going to be lost in the easy going guitar riffs, the soothing guitar solo elements, and of course the lyrical subject matter that will transport you back to a simpler time. This is a rocking track that continues The Holstered’s sound and yet improves on it in many ways. The band truly knows how to push that retro, punk, button, and it’s definitely something that you have to listen to right ...

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Lemmy of Motorhead fame died yesterday. He was 70 years old. Rest In Peace. Perhaps we will see you one day. Rock of Ages, show mercy! Haven't listened to Motorhead lately? Pick up some records, support the band.

The year is ending, and that means that we once again will unlock the vault and pick out 10 of the best records of 2015. A ton of music was released this year, and a lot of it I covered, and a lot of it I didn’t. There was so much that you may find yourself wondering what was the best. Then again, you may not even know that I exist, and that’s fine too. Whatever the case is, here are the top 10 records in no particular order of 2015. These are chosen by popularity, frequency of play, and my criteria of randomness. Murs “Have a Nice Life” The first major record I recommend as the best, is none other than this one from Murs. Murs signed to Strange Music and dropped what very well may be the best hip hop record that Murs has put out in a long time. Every track on this one is a banger, and the music videos are absolutely grand. If you have yet to listen, go for it, it’s an incredible record with a lot of attention to lyricism, unique beats, and high quality production. Order it her...

Jars of Clay "Much Afraid" - Available Here  Even though Jars of Clay received platinum certification for “Much Afraid” , and was at the eight spot on the Billboard charts when this came out, this album was seen as disappointing for a lot of fans. I wasn’t so quick to judge it. I was 14 years old when this came out, and I needed something to help me through a life in the suburbs. My family moved 40 miles north of Los Angeles to a place that I was unfamiliar with. The home was in shambles emotionally, with abuse running rampant, and this record had me comforted. We stopped going to church, but I held a spiritual element to my world, and the words of Jars of Clay seemed to fit holes in my proverbial bucket. It’s a softer record than their previous one, and while the singles that they put out had electric guitar, it was the lyrical and spiritual blends that made this one a stand out for me in my collection, at the time. A lot has changed since I first heard this record, but ...

Amoeba posted an update to their "What's In My Bag" series. This is a video in which Bootsy Collins, famed bass player from THE FUNK, talks about what he's picking up at Amoeba Records. Check it out below.

The Goo Goo Dolls "A Boy Named Goo  Let’s rewind to the year 1995. It’s the year that I purchased an alternative rock record in cassette form that would end up breaking over time. It was none other than the Goo Goo Dolls release “A Boy Named Goo” . The band was riding high on the release of “Naked”, but I picked up the record when I first saw the movie “Angus”. If you remember that movie fondly, you know that these guys had a track on the record that would go platinum. Right? I think it went platinum, I’m not sure. Whatever the case is, “A Boy Named Goo” is a strong contender for the best alternative record of 1995 in my opinion. It embodies the slick production, and killer guitar work with distortion, solos, and vocals that were prominent at the time. Even though I’m not a fan of the band’s work past this album, this record had me tripped up and my cassette tape was on replay non-stop. The opening track alone is enough to get any rock fan interested, as the guitar work is s...

Buddy Rich The Roar of  '74 Rare Vinyl NM $200 + this has moved to jdune.com

Max Roach Drums Unlimited (LP) 1966 Drums Unlimited” is one of the key releases from the Max Roach catalog of records. It came out in 1966 via Atlantic Records, and it’s one of the essential records that you should be purchasing right now. There are 6 total tracks in the original vinyl release, and an extra take when you pick up the Rhino Records reissue on CD. This is a rare one, and it’s one of the better records that you’re going to hear for melodic, logical drumming. Even though there is some improvisation on the record, it’s really good overall, focusing on Roach’s killer drumming approach. “Drums Unlimited” isn’t going to break the bank, go ahead and buy it by clicking here .

Max Roach is one of the most iconic jazz musicians. He died in 2007, but before he left us, he worked in civil rights, education, and created some of the most iconic jazz records of all time. People talk about his influence in bebop, but I like to stick to the defining line of just jazz. In the coming posts, I will be recommending you listen to and pick up some of his best iconic jazz records, as I’m finding them to be quite amazing. You can learn more about Max Roach via WIKI Here .

One of the most amazing things that you will find in music is jazz. I didn't agree with that notion at first, but as I got older, I had a new found appreciation for jazz records. Today, I find a lot of penny records, and love the sound. I wanted to write about jazz, so here is my humble attempt to discover, and promote jazz for people that may not have heard the cool sounds. This blog covers jazz, ska, swing, big band, and the likes.

The So So Glos come at you fast. They are the type of band that has so many records, they get thrown into the punk rock discount bin. That’s not bad. I found some incredible 7” vinyl in these clearance bins. Funny thing, that’s where I first discovered Blink 182’s “Cheshire Cat”. With the 2014 release of “Blowout” This band of misfits, assuming they aren’t PHD students, put down 11 tracks of punk rock iconography that is going to get your feet tapping. If the band is pursuing a PHD, maybe they aren't misfits. Or maybe they are, what do I know? I'm just a dude trying to review a record. All kidding aside, “Blowout” is a garage punk recording that features a lot of that DIY spirit. You can hear it from the fuzz and noise that comes through the recording. It is not polished and it’s not a million dollar recording, but it doesn’t have to be. It shouldn’t be. The band goes through the songs in such a manner that you get the full passion of what they are doing. From the heavy ba...

It was last July that I first was introduced to Susto. If you didn’t read my review of their release from last year, then you need to go see it now. I’ll wait. Go HERE . I am a fan of music. I’m a fan of Susto, and now that I’m in the Midwest, I may be able to finally see them perform. But before I get to a show, I wanted to review their latest release. They have a live record out called “Live From The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame” and I love it. That’s right, this release came hitting hard, under the radar of most, but it’s such a powerful live performance. If you’re familiar with the songs from the previous record, then you already know some of these. However, there’s subtle touches, guest performers, and a live, living room feel to the record that makes you reminisce a little. You’re going to want to pour yourself a shot of whiskey, because this will put you in an introspective mood. When you hear the powerhouse of “Black Jesus featuring Johnny Delaware”, "County...

I remember driving from Palms Springs back to Culver City when my friend laughed at me for wanting the latest 311 record. At the time, “Sunset in July” was popular, and they had preorders for the new record that included vinyl pressings and lots of good stuff. I got laughed at. The notion that I would want to pick up a 311 record was beyond their frame. I didn’t order it. Fast forward to this morning, and I have found an incredible example of how great the band is. I don’t need to preach to the choir of fans that love 311. But if you haven’t really invested in the band’s catalog since they released “Down” in the 1990s, you need to really go back and check out some of their records. Case in point, “311 With the Unity Orchestra” from 2014 . This is a record that was recorded live on 311 Day in New Orleans. That’s a day when they go out and play to their massive fan base. The band has been doing that showcase since, well, since I can remember actually. On this record, you will get 9...

Christian music can be laughable . Millions of people dismiss it. I don’t. I don’t dismiss anything, I love music, and if it’s defined as “Christian” so what? I want to hear whatever the musicians have to say, and play with. Plus, if they truly praise the “creator of music” wouldn’t they have some incredible tracks? Whatever the case is, I have always had a love and hate relationship with Jars of Clay. They put out some amazing records, then put out some things that didn’t really hit me as hard. The band put out one of the best records ever with “The Long Fall Back To Earth” . That thing is a stellar record that is deeper than the genre, and absolutely worth everyone’s attention. They really broke through with that, and have evolved as artists. With the “Closer EP” , they put out a taste of past and present, and really positioned themselves with a taste of their full length. Usually, when you get the EP ahead of the LP, you end up with 4 or 5 songs that are supposed to make you exc...

Roxanna is an artist I caught up with through the release of “Exotica” and I’m flabbergasted. How did I not hear about her before? She has released one of the infest records here, and her vocals are second to none. They are sultry, they fill the room with emotion, and they focus on so many layers that I had to stop writing for a moment to just get lost in the words. Love, passion, loss, dreams, art, and so much more cycle through with the songs that you hear on this recording. You will not find a dull moment here, or a wasted note. There’s just so much passion that comes through with the songs, and it’s really something operatic at times. I loved the flow of the tracks, and the starting point “Only You” got me hooked. I love female vocalists, but there was something that Roxanna does on this record that really shines beyond my favorites. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but she figures out a way to connect with me on a visceral level. That connection is what makes music so worthwhil...

Mark Morrison’s latest single pushes the boundaries of hip and R and B with one of the best singles I’ve heard in a long time. Morrison’s vocals are as bold as ever, and are paired with Erene, Devlin, and Crooked I. He brings about an inspirational push here, and it’s something that is going to be an anthem for those that need a push in esteem and confidence because the lyrical content is uplifting and unique. From the opening beats through the midsection of this track, you are treated to a myriad of styles with a flair for the beauty and grace that comes through on the lyrical vision that is given to the listener. Around the two minute point this track truly gets incredible and brings about a fusion of hip hop and R and B that works on a lot of levels. The rapped verse brings an incredible point, and you truly get roped into the whole thing. Another verse comes in at around the three minute mark and you seriously start to bounce. The lyrical balance here becomes a mainstay and it ...

Jana Pochop’s voice brings about a new vision for me upon hearing “When Your Soul Leaves Your Body”. Perhaps it’s the subtlety of the song structure, perhaps it’s the vocals on the track, or maybe it just hit me at the right time. The song is a good starting point to her latest release “Throats are Quarries” as it spins a good tune on this 5 song EP. Jana plays acoustic guitar and provides vocals on this recording which is very much an eclectic mix. It’s simple, to the point, and on par with some of my favorite Neko Case songs. “Throw You Forward” brings about an emotional connection with me, and speaks to a poetic side that I lost along the way. It’s a good song that ties up how I feel about this record, that I hope gets more attention. The music is acoustic, folk, with a rock tinge, and truly is one that is accessible by all music fans. You forget that you’re listening to an independent artist as you look to the radio dial to see the station you’re on. That’s the magic of this re...