Posted July 30, 2010 by Matt at 2:15 pm · Filed under General, Local Art, Music News (general), Places
Just wanted to say farewell to probably the greatest record store I ever found, and I barely knew thee…. and you will be missed dearly.
Twisted village was a great shop for outsider music. There was definately a friendly atmosphere and it seemed that they always had something I wanted. I only regret not giving them a ton of more money.
I picked up the Alexis Taylor (of Hot Chip) solo record there last year, so I will leave you with some of that… a great tune called Baby (not the Justin Bieber song)…
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Posted July 19, 2010 by Matt at 9:36 am · Filed under General
…and so it came to pass that the first annual Grinding Tapes Mix swap was a huge success.
Thanks to everyone who participated. You should either have your mixes in hand soon or swing by 18 Lovett St. Beverly to pick them up.
Midyear update coming soon…
Much love <3 Grinding Tapes.
Posted May 5, 2010 by Matt at 1:00 pm · Filed under General, Music News (general), New Releases
One thing that has me excited lately is the prospect of new music from Damien Jurado.
Damien has been one of my favorite artists for a very long time. A couple of years ago it was a real treat to get to see Elijah open for him at Gordon College.
His new record is going to be called Saint Bartlet and he is currently posting a song a week on his myspace in preporation for the new release. Another exciting element is that the record is produced by Richard Swift in his National Freedom Studio. (I covered Swift a little while ago in my Lost Classics series) Apparently Damien and Richard played everything on the record themselves, so there is a little bit of that funky old time Swift flavor in the online single “Arkansas” here:
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Posted April 23, 2010 by David Ells at 1:30 pm · Filed under General
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Featuring Frank and Sue Albani from the Soule Homestead
Middleboro Midday is an AM radio show in Middleboro, MA that covers events and people from the local area. Hosted by Ed Rand, the show has a charming local feel to it while also showcasing Ed’s sense of humor and interest in pop culture. Grinding Tapes was featured last week in a very entertaining episode.
Posted April 22, 2010 by Jason at 8:00 am · Filed under General
We had a great time on our friend Ed Rand’s radio show last weekend. If you didn’t catch it while it was on the air, you can hear the whole show here!
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Also, make sure to become a fan of Ed on Facebook!
Posted March 31, 2010 by Matt at 6:06 pm · Filed under General
As you may have noticed that Grinding Tapes just had some promotional compilations made up.
If you did notice this, you may have been wondering, “What are they going to do with those discs?” Well, the answer is: a lot of things. But one of those things, for you guys, our beloved fan base, is shipping them out to you in the mail via a mix swap.
What’s a mix swap? you ask?
A mix swap is a social music lovers very best friend. Some of you may remember it as a long standing tradition of the Social Indie Group on Facebook (run by our friends Sarah, Rena, and Dianica).
This is how it works- you send us 3 mix CDs (They can be three of the same mixes, three individual mixes or two of the same and… you get the idea) and $7. This is to cover shipping of your returned mixes and the cost of a GT promo compilation. If you want to save a couple dollars, you can send just $5 and we’ll instead include a stripped-down copy of promo CD without all the cool artwork. This summer, we will send you 3 hand-crafted mix CDs from 3 other participants, and 1 Grinding Tapes promotional comp!
This is a great way to hear new music, meet new people and support your favorite very independent Boston record label!
The more people the better, so join up soon and start making your mixes! The first day we will accept submissions will be night one of our upcoming two-night Cambridge Armory showcase (4/16). You can bring your mixes right down to the show! The final day for accepting mixes will be June 15th.
If you are participating by mail, please send your mixes and $5 - $7 to:
Matt Lacorazza, 11 Plum St., Chelmsford, MA 01824
Also, get in on the Facebook event.
Good luck and happy mixing!
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Posted January 19, 2010 by Matt at 3:57 pm · Filed under Film, General
Albums of the Year:
1. Thee Oh Sees - Help:
Two things are magical about this release. Well, honestly, way more than two things are magical about this release. I wrote a blog post about it earlier this year that you should read if you want to hear the album described (or read it described, I’m sure you understand my meaning). But let me sum up it’s position at number one on my list by saying this: 1. I guess this just taught me that I could follow my own beat, without anyone’s recommendation I could pinpoint what I like and pull it off the shelf and throw it in my player and be satisfied for months. Musical enjoyment independence and freedom you could say. 2. This firmed up the fact in my mind that albums like Jay Reatard’s Blood Visions had started. An album doesn’t need to be by Radiohead or TV on the Radio to be solid gold.
I know that all sounds gushing and the like, but the point is, not only was this my favorite album of the year, it changed the way I see the music enjoying experience. It’s not for everyone, but it’s certainly my favorite.
2. Converge - Axe to Fall
I think this is my favorite Converge record. I didn’t spend much time with No Heroes and Jane Doe will forever be their defining moment, but this absolutely gorgeous. The best heavy metal release not only of the year, but of my recent memory, good start to finish, time and time again. A thinking man’s grind album.
3. Kurt Vile - God is Saying This to You…/Violators EP/Childish Prodigy
Kurt is my most listened to new artist this year for sure. Ever since Dusted magazine turned me on to Constant Hitmaker at the end of last year. This guy totally slayed 2009, and I don’t care what any major publication says, all three of these releases are worthy of an album of the year nod. I went by myself and waited 6 hours to see the guy earlier this year, and I still have no ounce of anger for him. (Not that that was his fault. He and the Violators were amazing once they went on, and he was a very nice dude to talk to afterward). Any other year this guy would have been #1. Totally owning bedroom folk with God is Saying This to You? and then hitting the major indie circuit with a well developed trippy/bluesy rock one two punch on Childish Prodigy. Totally awesome year, and I’m looking forward to many more.
4. DOOM- Born Like This
What can I say. DOOM is amazing. Best rapper going for sure. A wealth of clever and intelligent word play. And then there’s the guest spots (rock solid) and the production (right up there with Madvillainy). I’ll wait another 5 years if it means something this good.
5. Animal Collective - Merriwether Post Pavillion
This is everyone else’s number one. I know why. Insane amounts of continuously progressing originality, a record that even your girlfriend could like. I love it too guys. They haven’t made a misstep yet. So what, it’s still my number five.
6. The Points North - I Saw Across the Sound
And this isn’t just because I work here. (You don’t see any other amazingly solid Grinding Tapes albums listed here. Although you can and should find them listed HERE.) This album was the soundtrack to my home life this year. Chris, Regina, and Dylan made the album that defines what I think of when I’m in Boston, and well, I’m loving being in Boston. They have earned every accolade coming to them, and many more.
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7. Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
I love these guys. The introduction of the piano, solid. The production nod from Rick “the mad monk of major label music” Rubin certainly didn’t hurt either. Tuneful. Undeniable.
8. The Black Crowes - Before The Frost…
It’s the Black Crowes, I’m a sucker.
9. Dawes- North Hills
Rock Solid Country Rock.
10. Ganglians- Monster Head Room
Very Underrated. Solid group of influences. Definitely a promising debut.
Honorable Mentions:
Best Artwork and Packaging: Elijah Wyman - tiny mtns
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Most Impressive on Just One Listen: Tune-Yards - Bird Brains
Should have gotten more spins: Mos Def - The Ecstatic, Pissed Jeans - King of Jeans, Maxwell - Blacksummersnight
Movies of The Year:
1. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Oh boy, do I love Roald Dahl. Oh boy, do I love Stop Motion Animation. Oh Boy, do I love Wes Anderson. Oh Boy, Oh Boy do I love it when everything goes right.
2. Coraline
I have been watching a lot of kids movies lately I feel. this one was the most rock-solid. An enormous triumph for 3-D animation AND storytelling.
3. A Serious Man
The Coen Brothers best since No Country for Old Men. That’s not saying much I guess. But I would put this in their Top 5 ever. So dry, hilarious, interesting and moving. Their second best comedy effort. Second only to The Big Lebowski.
4. District 9
Awesome action. Stomach turning plot and effects. But most importantly, amazingly relevant Sci-Fi storytelling.
5. Watchmen
This is based on the best graphic Novel I’m aware of. It gets a million points just for not disgracing its namesake. But on top of that, man does this film got style.
6. I Love You, Man
Interesting twist on the romantic comedy formula. Surprisingly well executed. Amazing improv from Paul Rudd and Jason Segal. Better than you ever thought it was going to be.
7. Drag Me To Hell
I love scary movies. But only if I can laugh on the way out of the theater. Thanks Sam Raimi. R.I.P. Spiderman 4.
8. Moon
Only this low on the list because I hyped myself out of my mind and only would have been satisfied with Alien meets 2001 meets Blade Runner. Duncan Jones and Sam Rockwell made an amazingly simple, subtle and mind-blowing movie. Not bad for a start. His next one will probably fulfill my every heart’s desire.
9. Star Trek/Up
Star Trek was the best reboot summer blockbuster since Batman Begins. Totally fun. Maybe a little bit of a guilty pleasure. But damn if that wasn’t the most clever way to reboot one of the best series ever.
Up, on the other hand, continued the legacy of Pixar after Wall-E changed it forever last year. Incredibly interesting general direction, but a few things were hauntingly Disney.
10. Zombieland
Just amazing comedy, with Zombies. This, not Adventureland, is the best Michael Cera movie that he wasn’t in. Totally fun and gratifying.
(note- these last three bored me at times, or fell short of my high expectations, but still that certain “I don’t know what” that makes them worth mentioning)
11. Where the Wild Things Are
Again, my hopes were to high. The only way I would have been satisfied is if this was Charlie in The Chocolate Factory meets Adaptation meets well, exactly what the visuals were.
12. Inglorious Bastards
Lots of good performances. Amazing dialogue. Totally gratifying ending. I could have done with a little more Brad Pitt and a little more Inglorious Bastards.
13. Limits of Control
Art house. I won’t get this fully until there is a text book written about it.
Honorable Mentions:
Most Game Changing Movie of the Year- Avatar (and not half bad either)
Most Amusing- Step aside Hangover, I choose G-Force.
(To be fair: Movies I have yet to see: The Messenger, The Informant, Bad Lieutenant, In the Loop, Hurt Locker)
Comic Book Series of the Year:
1. Daredevil
Issue 500 carried the best series of Superhero comics into the next decade for sure.
2. Secret Warriors
Best new comic last year, interesting team of good guys, menacing bad guys, tons of fun that is sure to keep on giving.
3. X-Factor
I’m not even caught up, I’m just loving it.
4. Batman and Robin
Grant Morrison almost makes up for Batman R.I.P.
5. X-force
Despite a few stupid cross overs, this potentially mindless slash-fest was the best X-book this year. Awesome art. Consistently good writing.
Yeah, I’m a dork, so shoot me.
Posted January 4, 2010 by Jason at 8:30 am · Filed under General
We are very proud to tell you that The Boston Globe has selected The Points North’s I Saw Across the Sound as one of their top 10 local releases of 2009! Awesome!
Posted January 3, 2010 by Matt at 1:04 pm · Filed under DIY, Film, General
Posted December 31, 2009 by Jason at 11:59 pm · Filed under General
Albums released early in the year often fade out of memory and miss out on well-deserved slots on end-of-year lists. Bruce Peninsula’s A Mountain is a Mouth, however, was just too remarkable to forget about. Here is what we said about it back in March:
Bruce Peninsula is one of my new favorite artists. I heard their song, “Steamroller” on WERS at like 1:00 in the morning last week and immediately went to their website to buy their debut album, A Mountain Is A Mouth.
Bruce Peninsula is folk that isn’t afraid to get loud and noisy. Singer Neil Haverty’s voice isn’t necessarily pretty, but it’s unmistakably earnest and entirely unignorable. The most immediately noticeable element, however, is the gospel choir that instantly gives each song an epic quality.
I know that 2009 is still very young, but I honestly believe A Mountain Is A Mouth is a solid contender for album of the year.
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Honorable Mention: Mew’s No More Stories…
Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou are two of my very favorite movies, but 2007’s The Darjeeling Limited left me wondering if Anderson had peaked with Tenenbaums. Fantastic Mr. Fox, based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl, is Anderson’s first stop-motion film, and the visual presentation is simply gorgeous. This, combined with Dahl’s endearing writing-style (not just for kids) and Anderson’s hilarious retro quirkiness makes this my favorite movie of 2009 and one of the best moves I’ve seen in a very long time.
Anyone still mourning Arrested Development’s untimely demise should find solace in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s dysfunctional family. Dennis, Mac, Charlie, Dee, and Frank (played by Danny DeVito) are all varying degrees of manipulative, incompetent, pathetic, and vain and manage to find new and hilarious ways to engineer their own downfall each episode.
Honorable Mention: 30 Rock (season 4)
I always get a little nervous when someone tries to remake any kind of classic with a modern twist, but Nintendo has pulled it off beautifully with New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The key update was not to graphics or level design—frankly, they could have just as well left those the same as the NES or SNES Mario games. Rather, the most important inclusion is the 2 to 4-player simultaneous cooperative gameplay, which is both super-fun and relentlessly addictive.
Honorable Mention: Smash Bros. 64 (rereleased on Wii Virtual Console)
