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Counter Culture Recommended Listens..
We're starting to a new thing regarding Music Reviews. Starting in 2008, we are reviewing only up and coming artists! That's right, we are here to support artists who have the talent but not the main stay crowd. As always, these will be chosen based upon on our personal strict criteria. First and foremost, they are albums by artists that we feel comfortable advising you to spend your hard-earned money on. That doesn't mean that there are one or two good songs on them, but that these albums have cool beats from beginning to end.
Counter Culture is starting 'Music Friday.' Every Friday night from 8pm-10pm Counter Culture will give local musicians/bands a venue to show off their talent. Any genre of music from Indie to Metal is welcome. If you are interested please call or stop by the store anytime during business hours to sign up. It's first come first serve.
Counter Culture also wants to recognize Artists by starting 'Local Artist of the Month'. Every month a different local Artist will be able to display and sell several pieces of their art in our store. If you are interested please call or stop by the store anytime during business hours to sign up. It's first come first serve.
Enjoy these albums and please let us know what you think.
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Myspace
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Criminal Shift - Young Machines
A famous author once advised not to despise anyone because of their youth. Criminal Shift is a perfect illustration of why we should heed this advice. This youthful band is relatively new (coming together in March 2007), but their songwriting and performances are well beyond their collective years. Hailing from Plano, TX, Criminal Shift is an indie rock quarter with interesting perks as each member has a classically trained background. They are fun, high energy, and their EP, Young Machines, is definitely worth the buy. The band is aggressively building a fan base; performing in several Dallas clubs as well as supporting national touring acts including The Eastern Conference Champions (Suretone), The Films (7Hz), and The Secret Handshake (Triple Crown).
Favorite tracks on their EP include ‘Go’ and ‘Electric Shoes,’ but they are consistently solid in everything they do. Their diverse musical background allows for a blend of various styles/techniques that few bands have the ability or the imagination to pull off. It is easy to tell why Dallas area booking and PR groups such as Third String PR, Greenlight PR, and Shoottokill PR have already snatched this band up. True music fans should do the same. |
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Band Website 1
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FREDDIE BRUNO - (aka. Freddie B)
A Christian Hip-Hop artist hailing from Forney, TX (FORNEY??!). Definitely not what you think when you picture Gospel Rap! We support artists who sacrifice commercial profits to remain true to their passion, and this is Freddie B to the core. One of our favorite quotable is "...album after album, but making nothing but love." Word has it that his "Not Legal for Trade" EP was delayed in release, resulting in Freddie B. offering burnt copies through MYSPACE! We love the heart, but such an artist deserves better. Not only is Freddie Bruno a sought-after local producer, but he is also a member of several crews including PHONETIC COMPOSTION and the super crew, DEEPSPACE 5.
Listening to his recent work makes one wonder about the plight of Freddie Bruno. There is much more feeling and the songs demand actual listening as opposed to being background driving/club beats. This may be a turn off for some, but not for those who like gaining a personal feel for artists. Although Freddie Bruno does not slam his faith in the listeners' ear, his references to spiritual things mixed with a raw style might seem odd to the stereo-typical hip-hopper (as well as church-goers). But hip-hop has roots in blending raw reality with a positive message and Freddie B consistently does a good job. |
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Band Website 1
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SYME - Swing Swing
Syme almost immediately gained national attention and respect from the music industry as well from a rapid growing fan base. They were proclaimed as 1 of 7 "CMJ bands you need to go see" by NYU Washington Square News. Although we haven’t seen them in concert, the band's live performances are known to be breath taking. They played shows with other favorites such as Ra Ra Riot, Jukebox the Ghost, and were booked for SXSW in Austin.
Syme hails from the Bergen region in Norwa and is a five piece band specializing in creating huge sounds with simple synth figures, guitars, and almost perfect harmonies. Their full-length debt, "Swing Swing" is very well done as is their 2006 remix EP "Modern Love." We can see why they self-promote as "'pysch-y" with "thinking-man's pop." They have an unqiue sound that is far from typcial, and thier homeland should be very proud.
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Multimedia
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Astra Heights - Good Problems
Assumptions be damned - Astra Heights are not "Latin rockers." Sure, they might be four Hispanic brothers (and a half-Greek, half-Chinese lead guitar player), but their ethnicities have precious little to do with the music they make. A single listen to their latest, Good Problems, and it's easy to see that these guys are a lot more Liverpudlian than Latino. Borrowing from a tapestry of British music - the brit pop of Blur and Suede, the lighter-waving arena rock of Oasis, the tight harmonies of the British Invasions's brightest - it's no wonder the band has been getting tons of spins on WEQX and KROQ, and just landed the Single of the Week spot on itunes. They are worth checking out!
Until Next Time,
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