God Zeus' Domain: Music

Break Out The Hard Stuff, Baby!

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 21:55:21 GMT

So here's the news that we've (I've) all been waiting for! Well not news anymore actually, since I'm listening to them right now! They're back bitches! WOXY is back, and oh how we've (I've) missed them. So people, fancy a go at some real music? Sick of the steady diet of crap your local radio station keeps spewing? Wanna hear me talk less about WOXY.com? Then head on over to their website and have a listen. (Still missin' Barb though)

We’re back!

And it feels fan-freakin-tastic. It was way too quiet around here for too long. To kick things off right, we have a ton of Lounge Act sessions lined up for the next few weeks and beyond.

So what's changing? Not a lot right away. All the good stuff you've come to expect is all right here... Mike and Shiv, the boards, live Lounge Acts and lots of great music. It's now completely free to listen, and we'll be jacking up the quality of our streams even higher within the next couple weeks.

What can you expect for the future? We're working on opening up additional WOXY Live Lounge studios around the country in order to bring you more live Lounge Act sessions. Next month, you're going to be able to program your own radio station over at La La using tracks pulled from the massive WOXY.com music library. And that's just the beginning.

While you're listening to the sweet, sweet WOXY, make sure to head over to see our buddies at La La, register for an account and check out what they have going on. La La members are pretty crazy about their music, so we're all going to get along quite well.

Tune in, kick back and enjoy the music.

- Mike, Shiv and Bryan Jay

Who's Crazy Now Huh?

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 19:53:17 GMT

WOXY.com lives...

Could it be true? Does lightning strike the same place twice? Apparently it does. It is indeed the real deal — WOXY.com will be back on-the-air soon and better than ever! Seems like we're proving ourselves to be master escape artists in eluding the icy depths of the deadpool. We're ready to kick out the jams and hope you are, too. In the meantime, please do join us on the boards, and if you haven't done so already, make sure you sign up for our email list to the right.

More details very, very soon...

- Mike, Shiv and Bryan Jay

(Now if I can only transfer some of the faith I have for WOXY to other things in my life, things would be a whole lot better)

CD Roundup Volume 3

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 18:43:05 GMT

Not originally what I wanted to blog about, but it’ll do. It’s Reading and Leeds Festival weekend. What the hell am I doing in London? Next year for sure…that’s a personal promise! On to the business at hand. Half-assed reviews of CDs I’ve recently purchased.

Think Differently - Wu-Tang Meets Indie Culture

It’s no secret…I love the Wu Tang! They are debatably the greatest rap group to ever exist! (Yeah, I went there… ) Despite popular belief, all of the Wu’s members aside from the late O.D.B, are still well alive and kicking. This album sees some crazy collaborations between various Wu members (GZA, RZA and U-God) and indie/underground rappers and DJ’s such as Del The Funky Homosapien, MF Doom, Planet Asia, Ras Kass and a multitude of others (obviously I eh know dem). Nasty tight beats, biting rhymes and a tribute to O.D.B later and what we have here is a modern day classic. GET IT!

Wu-Tang Meets Indie Culture Samples

Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam

Listening to this album was like hearing an old, familiar friend. A friend that, in times past, would sometimes talk smack, swear around your parents and do other many other things that just make think, “man…have you forgotten who you are?” Well I’m happy to report that since Yield, Pearl Jam has not only sobered up, but they’ve consistently been working their way back into my good books (not that they ever really left my good books to begin with) with each album since. Their single ‘World Wide Suicide’ didn’t exactly spark any interest from me (still doesn’t), but thankfully, there are many other tracks on this album that did get me fired up. There’s a bit of old and a bit of new on here, but either way, it’s a must-pick-up for the real fans out there!

So, where does this leave my Pearl Jam album ranking so far?

Ten (The unattainable height)
Vs
Pearl Jam
Riot Act
Vitalogy
Binaural
Yield
No Code (Rubbish album)

Pearl Jam Samples

DJ Muggs Vs Gza The Genius - Grandmasters

Purchased two days after the Think Differently album on the recommendation of a friend back in Trinidad. No need to mention that it was a good week that week (music wise). Here we have another Wu/underground DJ collaboration, that does well to playing to both their strengths. Tracks like ‘Unstoppable Threats’ and ‘Those That’s About It’ whisk you back to the glory years of the Wu, with their razor sharp lyrics and well produced beats. Besides, guest appearances from the Rza, Masta Killa and Reakwon? There’s no way you can go wrong. Another must buy for the SERIOUS rap fan. Mainstream rap fans need not apply.

Various Artists - Trojan Box Set: Dub - Vol 2

3 CD compilation of nothing but head bobbin’, waist shakin’ , body skankin’ 70’s and early 80’s dub grooves. This would go down as one of my best cheap-o finds in a while. I’ll also use this opportunity to educate the young ‘uns. The modern bullcrap you call dub isn’t dub. That’s more dancehall (or even a distant strain of it) if anything. Under the reggae banner, you have subsets like rockers or lovers rock, roots, ‘binghi dub, ska, dancehall…and much more. So you won’t find any Beenie Man or Elephant Man or Scare Dem Crew or whoever else is around these days…I dunno and don’t care really.

What you would find in this fine collection however, are names like Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, The Upsetters, Junior Mervyn…(ok so that’s all I know). As an extra bonus, you do get excessive echo chamber and flanger effects, sultry basslines, that scratcher instrument (what is that, an Afro comb on a cheese grater or something?) and organs o’ plenty! Good ‘dance down Babylon’ times people!

Trojan Box Set: Dub - Vol 2 Sample

Now, if you’ll excuse me…I have a rug here that’s just begging to be to cut.

CD Roundup Volume 2

Tue, 09 May 2006 17:59:17 GMT

Sick of what you're listening to? Well perhaps I may stroke your interest with these?

Architecture In Helsinki – In Case We Die

An Australian band most definitely on the ‘yeyo’. Think of this eight member band as having a ‘callaloo’ sound. Their tubas, trumpets, flutes, pianos, guitars, triangles, cowbells, electronic sounds and spritey vocals (there’s much more in there eh) come together to produce a seriously psychadelic/indie pop feel. There are some great ‘fuzzy feelings’ to be had when the ‘childlike’ beats and vocal harmonizations enter your ear (and lodges itself in the back of your brain). It’ll be there for a while…enjoy it!

Architecture In Helsinki Samples

LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem

Always wanted to get my hands on this album, since the first time I heard ‘Daft Punk Is Playing At My House’ off Woxy. It’s infectious, addictive indie electronica at its best. I really dig the kinda ‘nasal sounding’ vocals that appear on most of the tracks. They’re perfectly placed with and between the basslines, pops, clicks and a host of other sounds I won’t even try to describe here. I know they were nominated for a Grammy last year…not sure if they got it tho. Still, first time effort and Grammy nominated? Not bad…not bad at all!

LCD Soundsystem Samples

Danger Doom - The Mouse And The Mask

I could rave on and on about how great this album is. Actually, here’s said rave…
Danger Doom is the triumphant combination of DJ Danger Mouse and rapper MF Doom. Danger Mouse (also the name of an old school Brit cartoon character) is the man behind the last Gorillaz album, while MF Doom (has numerous other aliases), is a big name in the underground rap circuit. This album plays to both their strengths. Fantastic beats, witty vocals and great guest spots by the likes of Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah and C-Lo to name a few. What could possibly top all this? Why, the inclusion of Adult Swim characters here and there. “You know Master Shake’s rappin’ is the sh!t!”

Danger Doom Samples

David Bowie - Hunky Dory

Ahh yes, good ole 70’s glam rock with good ole 70’s androgynous star David Bowie. I have a great respect for Bowie…he’s survived generations, kept reinventing himself and stayed relevant through out it all. How many other early 70’s stars are still around now? Ok, well how many are still around and are actually worth a damn?
This album featured Bowie at the height of his glam days. Equipped with his high pitched falsetto voice and a range of seriously pre-disco 70’s rock instrumentals to intimate violin and piano numbers, all equates to the fact that no REAL Bowie fan should be without this in their collection.

David Bowie Samples

British Sea Power - Open Season

I heard about this band a few years ago, checked out their stuff and thought it was really good. Sadly, they drifted out of my mind since then, till I was thumbing through the discount rack in a dodgy store in Shepherd’s Bush. After the first listen, I realized why there’s been such a buzz about these guys through indie quarters (worldwide). The album is a stark contrast to their first release (a nice noisy post punk affair). It’s well produced, straight forward indie rock offering featuring some great easy listening tracks with one or two upbeat numbers (for fans of the 1st album probably). I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to anyone seeking the best the British indie scene has to offer.

British Sea Power Samples

Later...

Sat, 06 May 2006 00:28:22 GMT

(Oh, What's A Jools To Do?)

Later…With Jools Holland. Now here’s a show that cost me a lot of sleep when I was back home (when used to air it anyways). I would never forget the Foo Fighters’ studio destroying performance of ‘Monkey Wrench’! Man, great times!

The thing I don’t get with Jools is, well basically to me…he’s a bit of a 'square'. He’s so damn prim and proper, it hurts to watch sometimes. A band will rock their asses off and he’ll just clasp his hands and say “marvellous” (with no real excitement whatsoever). This awkwardness is only rivalled by his interviewing skills. Take for instance tonight’s show (first of this year’s season) featured Pearl Jam. Yes Pearl Jam doing a show AND giving an interview (someone check hell for ice).

Pearl Jam’s new album (great by the way) features an avocado on the cover. Jools, equipped with album in hand, asks lead singer Eddie Vedder about the ‘pear’ on the cover. Eddie chuckles and says, “Oh the avocado?” Jools has a chuckle as well. There’s a NOTICABLE awkward pause. The moment of mass steupsing was now at hand. He asks Eddie Vedder, lead singer of the mighty Pearl Jam, “So do you think the avocado or pear is a fruit or vegetable?” WTF MAN!…WHY? Vedder, who appeared visibly thrown off, simply said “I don’t really care!”. Put dat in yuh ruddy gap Jools…or as the Trini’s would say, put dat in yuh pipe and smoke!
Needless to say, the interview was ALL about music after that.

The Spinto Band was also on the show! I’m impressed…they’re really making the rounds now. A Barfly mainstay, the Brighton festival and now this. Really good going by the lads. Not too good that the crowd didn’t know who they were AND they played before Pearl Jam. I’m sure at the end of it, folks may be like, “Spinto who?”

The others on the line up for the night were Jamie Foxx (not a fan of his music), The Zutons (aside from one or two songs, I’ll pass), Jenny Lewis (I dig the stuff Woxy plays) and Corrine Bailey Rae (that ‘put your records on’ song was stuck in my head for a day or two).

Still, a big thank you should go out to Mr. Holland and his team for entertaining the likes of me and many others time and time again. (Weird moments aside)

STEEEEUPS!!!

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 19:18:55 GMT

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY!?!?!

An Error Has Occurred

Sorry, this event is currently inaccessible.

Been seeing this lovely display of text and graphic since 6:03pm.

London is d WORST for getting concert tickets! It's like some kinda competition or race...where only the 'fittest high speed internet connections' and 'F5 punching index fingers' win.

Arctic Monkeys' extra tour date tickets went on sale from 6pm. I was ready. I logged in, and kept pressing F5...waiting...anticipating...getting ready. Well this made as much sense as voting for PNM or UNC. In the end, you wind up screwed....and you used up precious moments of your life in the process.

That's still half the battle tho. The dates for these shows are months away! That show isn't till mid April. The Editors gig, isn't till May. I've been told for the bigger bands like Radiohead, you gotta get those tickets almost 10 months in advance.

I find this distressing. Who KNOWS what could happen in that space of time. You may have to work late, or you could get a nasty case of the runs that night, or you could be dead....and your ticket is wasted!

I'm don't have commitment issues eh (take note ladies), but this is ridiculous!

Well its well after 7 now, and lamer bands have sold out in 15 minutes or less. There's NO HOPE at this stange. I give up!

Alt+F4

CD Roundup Volume 1

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 03:48:40 GMT

Right, I tried to refrain from my usual music rambling, but I can't. I'm a huge music lover. Can't even imagine a day without listening to some good music! 'Good' being a relative term here of course...what's good for me isn't always good for you...but I don't give one arse, so...let's kick this list off shall we?

Johnny Cash - The Very Best Of The Sun Years

30 tracks of old timey goodness. I'm not that versed in rockabilly and old country and western, so I can't join the bandwagon of people saying he has such a unique voice. He coulda sound like a Alvin the chipmunk for all I care, it's his lyrics and delivery I dig. This man could write a tabanca tune like no other. There's something about that deep standing bass sound of these old timey tunes that I love.

I saw you walking by his side, heard you whisper all those lies,
And I couldn't keep from crying.
You sang him love songs tenderly, that should have been for you and me,
And I couldn't keep from crying.
I saw his eyes drinking your charms, while he held you in his arms,
Him with all his wedding ways, rules your heart now in my place,
I stood and watched him steal a kiss, from two lips I know I'll miss,
And I couldn't keep from crying.

Hear what, after a song like that, just slide that razor across your wrists! Good CD, I recommend it!

Johnny Cash - Samples

Stereolab - Margerine Eclipse

Ahh, Stereloab. If you ever need a case study for 'Perfect blend of upbeat electronica, romantic melodies, alt rock and french lyrics', I would recommend this band. Check our Air for another great example. First heard about them on woxy.com. All it took was one song, and I ordered their 1996 album Emporer Tomato Ketchup (yeah, have to order all my stuff, since no one in Trinidad ever had anything I liked). So, once I got here I decided to pick up their last offering. Not disappointed at all! I'm currently learning French, so someday my love of this music will definetly grow. If you're one of the people that would think, "If I cyah understan' what dey sayin, why d hell am I listening to it?", I would then assume you are an ass. (I could name many songs in english that make no sense)

Stereolab - Samples

The Clientele - Strange Geometry

Here's a band I would consider to be my ultimate definition of lo-fi. The Clientele have a distinct Brit feel about them. They have a dreamy, 60's, scratchy reel to reel recording system thing going, that somehow feels so refreshing in this day and age of studio mods and enhancements. When you listen to this album, you literally feel so light hearted...it's impossible to not smile and nod. No band since Travis has had such an effect on the I. A must get for the serious music lover!

The Clientele - Samples

Sunny Day Real Estate - The Rising Tide

A great indie band. An excellent emo album. Now, when I say emo, I doh mean that musty smelling dog fur crap that passes for emo these days. A distinct feature of this band, is the singer's unique falsetto voice. Music wise, they have a powerful modern rock presense like Foo Fighters. You know...a powerful sound without being harsh and loud, yet when the time comes for mellowing out, best believe they can tone it down.

Sunny Day Real Estate - Samples

The Von Bondies - Pawn Shoppe Heart

I have a big love of garage bands. There's something about the raw, unpolished sound of a garage band that makes it all worth it. The Von Bondies did a song called C'mon C'mon, that glued itself the top-left side of my brain. At the time I didn't know it was them...so that drove me crazier! Did my research, downloaded a few tracks, and decided it was worth my £. It's loud, it's in your face, it's fun! A nice mix of 2 girls and 2 guys...always liked the vocal contradiction of a guy shouting, and a girl singing. Check out The Ponys and The Subways for more!

The Von Bondies - Samples

I'll close off this round up with...(you tired reading, I tired typing)

Sigur Ros - Takk

Not since Radiohead's - Kid A, has an album drop kicked me through the atmospheric electonica window. Slow violins, pianos, flutes, bells, xylophones, weird noises layered over soft indie rock. That still doesn't even scratch the surface of how great this band is. Each track has a life of it's own. They each feel like different legs of a long, weird journey thru some unknown land. Most of the songs are long, but interesting. If you're one for short songs, look away! Sigur Ros is from Iceland apparently. I say apparently cause they may as well be from ice planet Hoth, cause they sound so unearthly. Two good things Iceland has given us...Bjork and Sigur Ros! (was going to make a retarded joke about Iceland giving us ice cubes, but I'll refrain...oh wait...)

Sigur Ros - Samples

London v Zeus

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 02:18:41 GMT

Well, despite my greatest efforts, my first concert was UB40. On the plus side, I didn't pay a thing...and as a true Trini...free ting always taste, sounds and is better!

It was a wembley tho, so I did get to see the new wembley stadium! once my undiscovered footy talent blooms, i'll let you guys know when i'll be playing there

Another good from this show was that it was a sold out. Why is that good? 'Cause I got to use my now 'seasoned City Gate' tactics on these Brits. Thousands of people rushing for the tube? 4 degree weather? Night-bus schedule I wasn't aware of? Is that your best london? Is...that...your...best?????

Then I got to Stratford station....where it was sooo freakin' windy!!. 4 degrees is bad...4 degrees with wind is numb toes and fingers, stinging cheeks, dry eyes and silent curses under breath. London, you may have won this time...and the times before...and may continue to win in the future, but I will layer and I will drink tea, and I will hug radiators...and I will imagine I'm warm.

OK I'm scewed.