© the other press Culture December 10, 2003 One Ear to the Ground— A one-time Column Justin Ray Culture Critic It’s time to say goodbye. After seven straight semesters of Douglas, I’m moving on to other schools, and pos- sibly other student papers. But music will go on, Music will never stop coming, despite the television com- mercials that imply otherwise. In fact, there is an overwhelming abun- dance of great music to find. Technology has made recording music, or even creating it from scratch, accessible to even the poor student. There are now so few barri- ers to publishing your own CD that anyone who wants to can. Consider a computer “tracker” program that I recently found: Renoise. Renoise is virtually all you need to write and record an entire song using memory based samples, or by controlling MIDI gear. And Renoise is “free.” Of course, trackers are best used for electronic music, but this is just an example. Self-publishing could be more of a threat to the music industry than Napster ever was, except that the average consumer is still willing to let the profits of a few dictate what he or she will listen to. Why do you think you keep hearing the same old bands on the local rock stations? Arent you sick of hearing Nickelback twenty-seven times a day? In only a four hour period? The bands you hear all belong to the same major labels, who handpick the bands likely to be “the most prof- itable.” Ever heard of Vincent Van Gogh? Did you know that none of his paintings sold, and that he lived in poverty? We are fortunate that cor- porations do not control the art world, nor the music world. They only seek to profit from it. If we have any real interest in the artistry of music, we will try to ignore the cor- porate Music World, and seek out the Van Goghs of our time. As I bid adieu to The Other Press, I leave you with one final suggestion on where to start looking for good music: . Dear Santa... Amanda Aikman Culture Editor Dear Santa, I have been a very good culture editor all year. I sat still and took my beating when Managing Editor Kerry Evans found a dangling modifier in my Bright Eyes review, I agreed to dress up like an idiot—a German idiot no less—for the Other Press Oktoberfest pub night, and I faithfully absolved a multitude of grammatical sins in “Fanboy's Corner” each week. I’ve been so good in fact that I have not even received any hate mail. J.J. McCullough on the other hand, well I’m not saying he deserves a lump of coal or anything, but... What do I ask of you in return for my good behaviour? I imagine world peace is overrated, and I’ve already got my two front teeth—but if you hap- pen to have a few CDs kicking around in that sack of yours I'd be happy to take them off of your hands. Turns out I’ve been so busy being good that I haven't had time to purchase some of the quality releases of 2003. And what the heck, since it’s the season of giving and good will and all that, feel free to share the wealth and toss a few of these titles to my loyal OP readers out there too. The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow How could the Shins possibly follow up their universally adored 2001 debut Oh, Inverted World? By putting out another universally adored album of course. This time around things are a little more acoustic, but their poppy, soaring, Kinks-meet-the-Beach Boys feel is still enough to make you simulta- neously laugh, scream, and believe you can fly. The Postal Service, The District Sleeps Alone Tonight What do you get when you mix Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Dntel’s Jimmy Tamborello? Pure, beautiful, sugarcoated electro-pop. Diabetics, keep your distance. This album also features a cover of The Flaming Lips “Suddenly Everything Has Changed.” A Flaming Lips cover?! Please Santa, I'll be good all next year too. Iron and Wine, The Creek Drank the Cradle Oh man, why didn’t I buy this CD when it came out? It’s supposedly fabu- lous—imagine a sparser, less-angsty Lou Barlow record with Americana and country influences. If you're in the market for an intimate album of well-writ- ten, beautiful songs then this one’s for you. American Analog Set, Promise of Love The eight songs on this album showcase the captivating, swirling, enigmatic, and heartbreakingly beautiful music of one of the greatest bands you've prob- ably never heard. But just like Jimmy Stewart got the opportunity to bilk the town of Bedford Falls out of their hard-earned money in /ts A Wonderful Life, you too can have a second chance. Go buy this album. The Decemberists, Her Majesty The Decemberists The Pitchfork review of this album described it as an “unclassifiable American original” with melodies that “are so perfect and words so substantial that it reminds you how much slack you cut most other bands.” And Pitchfork never says anything nice about anybody, so you can imagine how amazing these guys would have to be to illicit that kind of praise. A unique and inspired blend of strings, analog synths, classic folk-pop sensibilities, and songs about pirates ensures that this album deserves a priority position on your 2003 Holiday Wish List. Talking Heads, Once in a Lifetime Okay, maybe I haven't been this good, but come on Santa, cut me some slack. Id like to see you eat one of Opinions Editor Kali Thurber’s omelettes (trust me they are highly overrated), or listen to the Other Press Graphics Guru Trevor Hargreaves drone on about how musicians need to sell out and cater to the masses. I’ve paid my dues, dear Santa, oh how I’ve paid my dues. So now it’s time for a little retribution. This first-ever Talking Heads box set with over 50 tracks on three CDs, previously unreleased rarities, DVD with the out-of-print video compilation Storytelling Giant, 80-page booklet with band history written by all four founding members, and super spiffy packaging will do just fine thank you. eo Page 12 e http://www.otherpress.ca