Moments that change history, are not often created by the actions of many, but by the voices of few. During the 1960s, the United States found itself divided; many artists wrote and protested over the issues of social and racial inequality, poverty, politics, and war. Among these artists, one man rose to shake the foundation of society, and give a voice to the voiceless. Bob Dylan’s 1964 album The Times They Are a-Changin’ marks his third studio album, and the first one to be comprised with only original songs [1]. Within The Times They Are a-Changin’ Dylan blends his eccentric and distinctive melodies with these social conflicts plaguing the 60s. This feeling of political uproar can be heard most prominently on track one’s “The Times They Are a-Changin’” where Dylan’s uplifting folk rhythm, along with the timbre of his acoustic guitar and harmonica, brings the protest marches and civil rights rallies right to the listener. While The Times They Are a-Changin’ follows a narrow texture of guitar and harmonica throughout its ten tracks, this does not in turn make the songs feel flat and uninspired, but instead ropes the listener in, refocusing their ears on the message behind Dylan’s lyrics. Track three’s “With God on Our Side” for example, follows a fairly simple form, but where the song shines is beneath the lyrics, where we find a message about the inevitability of war, and that when one enemy dies, another is just around the corner. The Times They Are a-Changin’ also carries a number of songs addressing the racial conflicts that were present in the 60s such as “Only a Pawn in Their Game” and “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll”; each of which evoke powerful emotion that came with the struggle for social equality. Overall, Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are a-Changin’ is truly an album that stands for something more than just music. Behind the harmonies is the idea that one’s voice can conquer any army or nation. As we carry on with our everyday lives in a socially and politically divided America, if you feel that there is no hope of moving forward, remember Bob Dylan, remember this album,  and remember that the times they are a-changin’.

[1] Wikipedia. “The Times They Are a-Changin’.” Last Modified March 1, 2012. Accessed March 21, 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times_They_Are_a-Changin%27

Alice in Chains had to work harder than ever to create this album “Black Gives Way to Blue”, mostly because they were without their lead singer, Lane Staley and had taken a 14 year long break. Against the odds, they released this album on September 25, 2009 sounding better than ever. The band retains the grunge sound that they mastered with Staley in the 90’s but now have a more polished sound making a new use of low chugging guitar riffs and moaning vocals.

The track “Check My Brain” begins with a distorted, rough beehive-like guitar riff that blasts throughout the whole song. The song was voted the rock song of the year and can be used to see the evolution of Alice in Chains. The song features a singing style by William DuVall that is unique yet his sound is similar to that of Staley. Another song “A looking in View” also has a very heavy guitar riff in the intro that breaks out in a louder more intimidating chugging. The track is considered one of the heaviest we’ll hear from Alice in Chains, with the lead vocalist forcefully yelling his lyrics. The album gets softer however with tracks such as “Your Decision” which features softer vocals, guitar and slower rhythm. The most unique song on this album is “Black Gives Way To Blue” which is sung as a ballad by Jerry Cantrell. He poured his heart and soul into writing the song. The track has great harmony with a smooth texture that’ll make anyone listening feel the pain and sadness of Cantrell. The song is interpreted to be about close friend Staley, who passed on April 5^th, 2002. The track features a piano played by Elton John, introducing a new sound for the band.

With tracks like those, this album can be considered heavy and soft rock at the same time. It showcases the talent of this group to create such a range of sound. Fans of Alice in Chains should own this record, as a testament to the band’s resilience and courage to keep on playing and creating music after the tragic death of their friend and lead vocalist Lane Staley.

Drop whatever you are doing, head to your local purveyor of compact discs and slap twenty dollars on the counter for a copy of Pantera’s Far Beyond the Great Southern Cowboys’ Vulgar Hits! Released in 2003, this compilation album provides an accurate sampling that spans Pantera’s entire career. From the macabre epic “Cemetery Gates” to the don’t-tread-on-me metal masterpieces “Mouth for War”, “Walk” and “5 Minutes Alone” Pantera delivers a complete aural assault. For any newcomer to metal, this album contains some of the genre’s most well known classics and is a frontrunner of the “take no bull” attitude that heavy metal embodies.

One need only listen to the high level of musicianship as well as the melodic and lightning fast guitar solo on “Cemetery Gates” to realize that this isn’t your average garage band. Vinnie Paul and bassist Rex Brown create a solid rhythm on which “Dimebag” Darrel Abbot is free to create haunting guitar melodies. Vocalist Philip Anselmo harmonizes with the guitar arrangement during the last gasps of the track by reaching a string of chilling high notes. The band’s dark, brooding timbre can be heard in the unsettling shuffle of “Walk”, a song that might incite the listener to unconsciously start banging his head to the pulse of the music. Pantera’s impeccable musical form can be heard on the vicious masterpiece “Mouth For War”. The power chord riff gives one the feeling of flying. It progresses into a rapid, machine-gun fire conclusion that shakes the windows and rattles the walls. Anselmo performs his best banshee impression and belts it out. The effect will raise the hair on your arms.

This album is a must have for any man, woman or child who claims to love metal. The second disc alone is worth purchase with ten music videos and two live songs. The Best of Pantera is an excellent investment and staple in any respectable metal fan’s collection.

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Special thanks to the Center for Social & Environmental Justice for extending the invitation across state lines!

Bringing you a broad array of his favorite indie/dance electro-pop/rock tunes, Taylor is committed to providing listeners with the freshest beats out there. Tune in, hipsters, this show is for you.

A native to Vancouver since birth and terribly bored of its weather, Taylor is eagerly seeking to get the heck out of here and pursue his interests in filmmaking somewhere in a sunny, faraway place. In the meantime, Taylor enjoys watching movies and meeting new people to chum with.

I met Jimi Evans, lead vocalist of Throwback Suburbia, about 10 years ago.  He was fronting The Red Sector, a Portland area quartet whose sound was something approximating a futuristic, synth-infused alternative rock.  What caught my attention at the time, aside from the black vinyl pants and eye makeup, was how the band’s tunes were simultaneously edgy and remarkably catchy.  Much of the credit for this deft combination is probably attributable to the slick production and infectious riffs courtesy of guitarist Kevin Hahn.  And yet, what sets The Red Sector apart from the hundreds of local bands I’ve seen over the years is undoubtedly the uniqueness of Evans’ voice.  It has that all-too-rare commodity in rock and roll:  a distinctiveness that leaves a lasting impression.  The fact that he’s an incredibly nice, down to earth guy doesn’t hurt his cause either.

10 years on, the vinyl pants have long been traded in for smart suits.  Shot Glass Souvenir, Throwback Suburbia’s third album (and admittedly the first that I’ve heard), is a confident, unapologetic pop record.  The opening track (one of my favorites on the album), “Give and Take”, kicks off with a “Byrds” inspired guitar part that threw me into an instant time warp.  From the start, the band demonstrate mastery in navigating the finer details of a classic pop song’s structure and texture, indeed feeling like a “throwback”.  In doing so, their obvious passion and studio precision keeps them safe from falling into the trap of coming off as a rehashed “retro” group.  In fact, for all its homage to bygone decades of popular music, Shot Glass Souvenir feels remarkably fresh in its approach and delivery.

This album is full of pop gems.  Another of my favorite tracks, “Sinking Feeling”, stands out with its loose, open feel.  As the track kicks off with some brilliantly simple quarter notes on what sounds like an over-compressed bass, one hears drummer Mike Collins, whose flawless, tasteful performances are a highlight of the record, really open the tune up.  Evans’ vocals soar through the second chorus, and then, with a clever twist, the band spins us around again, trailing off into a bridge reminiscent of “The Police”.

It’s probably evident by now that I’m impressed with this album.  The only weaknesses I hear are really side effects of strengths.  When you’ve got 5 talented musicians all contributing and collaborating, which seems to be the case with Throwback Suburbia, sometimes it’s difficult to know when to let off the gas pedal.  With that said, there is some occasional overplaying, resulting in a sonically crowded field at times, and a bit more high-pitched organ than I’m keen to indulge over 40 minutes.   Luckily, the band seems to have an awareness of this.  “Side Effects”, a surprisingly stark, piano driven, 50s-style ballad makes for a beautifully effortless sounding tune near the record’s end.   What one also hears in this song is some experimentation with lo-fi sensibilities, which this reviewer hopes the band will continue to explore across future endeavors.

Band:  Throwback Suburbia
Album:  Shot Glass Souvenir
Website:  http://throwbacksuburbia.com

Podcast

Best of Welcome Back Cougar, Part I (Download)

Best of Welcome Back Cougar , Part II (Download)

Hosted by Moriah and Jimmy Kramer

List of songs (in order of presentation)

Sleigh Ride – KT Tunstall

Oh Holy Night – Eisley  Free Download

All I Want For Christmas is You – Michael Bublé

Cinnamon & Chocolate – Butterfly Boucher

Winter Wonderland – A Fine Frenzy

Little Saint Nick – She & Him

Silent Night – Sixpence None the Richer

Blue Christmas – A Fine Frenzy

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – Nina Postolovskaya

All My Bells Are Ringing – Lenka

Jingle Bells (Feat. The Puppuni Sisters) – Michael Bublé

Red Ribbon Foxes – A Fine Frenzy

Do You Hear What I Hear (Feat. Patrick Wilson) – Mary McBride

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – She & Him

I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Holly Conlan

Holly Jolly Christmas – Michael Bublé

The Christmas Waltz – She & Him

Carol of the Bells – Anna Maria Mendietta

Silver Bells – Alice Smith

Christmas Time Is Here – A Fine Frenzy

Cold December Night – Michael Bublé

Mistletoe – Colbie Caillat

Frosty the Snowman – Fiona Apple

March of the Wooden Soldiers – Stevan Pasero

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Michael Bublé

White Christmas (Duet with Shania Twain) – Michael Bublé

Winter Night – Little & Ashley  Free Download

Wish You Well – A Fine Frenzy

Angels We Have Heard On High – Sixpence None the Richer

Maybe Next Year (X-mas Song) – Meiko

Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) – Michael Bublé

Snowflakes – Jeremy Fisher

Very Merry Christmas – Dave Barnes

Christmas Day – She & Him

Winter Song (with Ingrid Michaelson) – Sara Bareilles

Ave Maria – Michael Bublé

Oh Come Emmanuel –Aliqua

Silent Night – Michael Bublé

The Christmas Song – She & Him

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Michael Bublé

Winter Wonderland – Kate Havnevik

Winter Winds – Mumford & Sons

Wish List – Neon Trees

My Only Wish – Jessica Simpson

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Michael Bublé

I’ll Be Home For Christmas – She & Him

The Heartache Can Wait – Brandi Carlile

Blue Christmas – Nicole Atkins

Sleigh Ride – She & Him

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – She & Him

My Boots – LIGHTS

My Dear Acquaintance (Happy New Year) – Regina Spektor  Free Download

Your free downloads are available on Amazon.com’s mp3 store.

Notable Albums from the Special

Christmas by Michael Bublé

Oh, Blue Christmas by A Fine Frenzy

A Very She & Him Christmas by She & Him

The Hotel Café presents… Winter Songs by Various Artists

Gift Wrapped: 20 Songs That Keep On Giving by Various Artists

The Grace of Dawn by Sixpence None the Richer

Other Holiday Albums recommended by Radio by Moriah

Bing Crosby: Christmas Classics by Bing Crosby

(RED) Christmas EP by The Killers

Christmas Eve and Other Stories by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

This Warm December, a Brushfire Holiday, Vols. 1 & 2 by Various Artists

Let it Snow, Baby… Let it Reindeer by Relient K

Hear the Bells EP by Vanessa Carlton

Christmas with the Rat Pack by Rat Pack