The Music Banter Members' Journals Monthly Update Thread

[Trollheart]

It's a well-guarded secret, but if you sail right out to the horizon, then sail west for a full day, east for another full day, then neither east, west, north or south for another two days you will eventually come to an island which is on no map known to man. Only the very brave or the very foolhardy attempt to visit here, but if you have the right stuff and decide to land on the island's shores, and make your way inland for about three miles you will see as you go a gradual increase in warning signs that scream things like “No Trolls on pain of death!” and “Zero Tolerance Area for Spam.” Cresting the rise of the last hill you will find yourself looking down into a valley which is as quiet and undisturbed as anything that Time may have forgotten. If you're very lucky, and very quiet, you may catch a glimpse of the residents of Journaltown busily going about their daily tasks, muttering to themselves, tapping ipads or nodding their heads, those heads crowned with large expensive headphones.Step lightly, and respect their privacy (no photographs or videos please) and you may be invited to view the Jobs Board in the centre of town, where each member of Journaltown posts his or her articles, and where they often hint at what they intend to do next. Do be careful though, because though they seem like quiet, unassuming little creatures these Journalads and Journalettes are subtle and quick to anger, and will turn upon anyone who gets in the way of their work. But if you're prepared to abide by the rules here and give them their space, you may witness wonders and have tales to take back with you on the long voyage home....Now that he's introduced us to the prog rock phase of his childhood, Anteater is moving on to the influences that bore on him with regard to Heavy Metal in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...n-dollars.html, with bands like Scorpions and Deep Purple featuring prominently.Continuing the Heavy Metal theme, Briks has been trying out “Chunks of Metal” (TM, all rights reserved Briks Enterprises MMXIV) with Amon Amarth, Blizzard of Oz and Bon Jovi, to name a few, the last of whom he dealt with very harshly! There will be blood at dawn, I tells ya! Catch his impressions by heading on down to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.htmlDJ is back! Taking http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...chameleon.html for the first time in quite a while we find him talking about Sixx AM and a festival in Austin called the SXSW, which apparently can give rise to some of the next big things in music. Interesting.

Pop quiz, hotshot! What do Lou Reed, Zara McFarlane and Restiform Bodies all have in common? They're all on http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ening-log.html, as well as a whole lot more.

Which takes us to Ki, and he's listening to, among others, Riverside, Black Sun Aeon and The Foreshadowing in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html while some of the latest to make it onto the list on http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...le-albums.html include Radiohead and the Beatles! Hope you've got your safehouse sorted, man!

http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ly-review.html is going great guns since its startup last week, with Pet Sounds checking out songs by Buddy Holly, Smokey Robinson and Jackson Browne, as well as one selected by our man Briks. All getting very exciting in there! Oh, did I mention a six-foot American alligator?

Here I sound a note of caution: our Sara, known to us as the Phanastasio has been in a bad place and if you read her latest entry in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-ashland.html it makes tough and upsetting reading, rather like Steph's entry a few months back. But like that sad article you really should read this one. I think she's ok now but applaud her for having the courage to put such personal stuff on the internet. All I can do is send my best wishes, which I'm sure are echoed by everyone here.


There's a rare update from PsycheDub Dude in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ool-stuff.html where he's talking about an acoustic guitarist called John Butler. I say rare: his last update was September of last year!

I think that girl secretly enjoys reviewing bands with hard-to-spell or obscure names just to make it tough for me! Oh well. Silenzio is this week looking at Steve Moakler, Ludovico Einaudi and Cage the Elephant (see what I mean?) in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...mix-music.html

A new journal this week comes to us courtesy of Tristesse, who is the one http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...tristesse.html apparently. Looking first time out at the Fratellis, Kenickie and rather a lot of Katy Perry! Wouldn't we all like to do that?

There are, as ever, big things planned for my journals, to be revealed soon(ish), but for now I'm starting a new section called “Klassic Korner: Classic Albums I HAVE heard” and kicking it off with Floyd's undoubted timeless classic “Animals” in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html while in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html there are intros for “Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy” and, um, “The Apprentice”. Shut up: it's my journal, see! Also some Supernatural to keep you going. Big, big things are on the horizon! (yeah you say that every week Trollheart! No, I mean it this time! Yeah, believe it when we see it etc.. You just wait etc you'll eat your words mutter mutter...)

1981 continues to throw out great albums by great bands as Unknown Soldier delves into Saracen, Van Halen and Praying Mantis to name but three. All can be found as ever in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html

The epic is finally up! Urban has completed his review of the Doctor Who TV movie and it is well worth reading. If you haven't yet sampled the delights of http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...who-thing.html now would be a great time to start. He's also got some really interesting music crossover stuff from the sixties: people knew how to cash in back then. Uh...

And so we come to this week's

I thought long and hard about awarding this to Sara's entry in her journal this week, but decided in the end that would only be cheapening what she went through. Yes, I know to say such a thing is private when she has written it in her journal might seem a contradiction, but to my mind those who know her will read her account there, and I don't believe it would be right for me to sensationalise it here, even though it easily wins the contest for this week. Instead, have this.

To be honest, I'm not that impressed with the post per se --- it's great but why should it be picked as post of the week, you ask? Well, just read the intro, that's all I have to say. As they used to remark in Marvel Comics, 'nuff said!

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds

Good evening, fellow Music Banterers. As you probably didn't notice, I neglected to post last night. I will not elaborate on the reasons, except for saying that it involved a six-foot American alligator. However, the track's lyrics really weren't worth reviewing. Here they are, see for yourself. But without further ado, I present tonight's program...

Time to Pretend - MGMT

To me, these lyrics are about the rock star lifestyle, "Make some music, make some money, find some models for wives" and how it comes with its own baggage. "The models will have children, we'll get a divorce, we'll find some more models, everything must run its course." How many times has that happened? This is why I don't think I'd want to be a star. The story is always the same in the end. Divorces, affairs, drugs... pretending to have a decent life. I challenge somebody to show me a rock star with one marriage. I'm sure there are a few, but I honestly can't think of one. The song ends with a Jimi Hendrix reference: "We'll choke on our vomit and that will be the end."

Apparently, they're actually about the life cyle of the praying mantis. Hmm.

I'll give them a 7/10. Not life-changing, but not a turn-off, either. I don't think I could write better lyrics myself.

Tomorrow, I review Sunny Day Real Estate's Song for an Angel, as requsted by Briks. Hopefully, no reptilian creatures will delay it. But for now, I wish you a good night.

So we end on something of a sombre note and can only wish Sara aka The Phanastasio a speedy recovery and a happier time ahead. We're all thinkin' of ya girl.

Well, it's a long way back to your home so you had better get started. Though here's a thought: why not stay? Houses are cheap and the place is very friendly once you get to know us, and we're always looking for good writers. Something to consider before you decide to rejoin the rat race...

If you decide not to join our little community we hope you'll stop by again soon and that you continue to enjoy reading our journals. Till next week at the same time,
Toodles!

[Pet_Sounds]

Thanks, Trollheart! I certainly wasn't expecting that; in fact, I thought that was my worst write-up yet. But the alligator bit is 100% true. Do remind me to tell you about it sometime....

[Plankton]

*shakes head*

Apparently my journal doesn't count.

[Trollheart]

Sorry about that man: checked the last page and it was just comments. Forgot to go further back. Will include it in this week's with an apology.

(Still, if you updated regularly this wouldn't happen!)

[Psychedub Dude]

Haha yeah I know im a lag with the journals my bad but thanks for the shout out Trollheart

[Trollheart]

Hard to believe we're already into the last update for March: doesn't seem that long ago that I was talking about the last update for February and the first for March combined. Now we're a quarter of the way into the year already. Doesn't time fly? And yes, I know I'm late again...


So what's been happening down at Journaltown, as March draws to a close and ushers in April, and we get closer to summer again?

Anteater continues his journey back into childhood, looking at the music that influenced him when growing up in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...n-dollars.html, with this week's subject being electronic music. So bands like Tangerine Dream. Thievery Corporation and Enigma are the order of the day

while Briks is more a metal guy --- sometimes --- and is looking at Pentagram, Bathory and, um, the Beatles? Wander on down to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html to find out what it's all about.

And we have a new journal! But not just any journal, oh no. Frownland, of all people, is giving us the benefit of his, ah, eclectic taste in music. Why not spend some time http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...wnapilago.html with him? This first week you'll be listening to the music of Peter Brotzmann... hey, I told you his taste was eclectic!

There's always something interesting in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ening-log.html: you'd wonder how Goofle gets the time to listen to all this music? Perhaps he's running the same multi-tasking software that allows my brain to keep so many journals going at ... ah. I've said too much. Just pretend the last few seconds didn't happen okay? As for Goofle, music abounds as I say: Freddie Gibbs, Maroon 5, CunnyLinguists, St. Vincent, Kylie, Bast ... the man never stops!

http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ly-review.html is in full flow now, and this week Pet Sounds is dissecting the lyrics from such artistes as Sunny Day Real Estate, Joan Jett, Coldplay and Gloria Gaynor. Interesting to say the least.

And now a special mention for, and apology to, Plankton, whose journal entry I somehow missed out last week. So to redress this I'm posting it this week. So what's it [ur]http://www.musicbanter.com/members-journal/63955-chum-bucket.html[/url] you ask? Another part of his story on the road to becoming a great guitarist, with artistes like Rush, Metal Church and Yngwie Malmsteen featured, and a chilling look into what could have been a very short future for the guy...

Another cool acoustic guitarist featured in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ool-stuff.html, where Psychedub Dude introduces us to Japanese virtuoso LonlonJP

while Silenzio tells us about Orquestra de Enrique Jorrin, World's End Girlfriend and Nils Frahm in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...mix-music.html.

And now to me. I've been trying to give some love to the journals that I've been neglecting while I concentrate on my two main ones, so this week sees the return of http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html, with reviews of albums from The War on Drugs and Cloud Nothings, while in the usual spot there's a lot happening at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html, with reviews of albums by When Bitter Spring Sleeps and Verbal Delirium, as well as a new section called “Trollheart's Bookshelf”, featuring great or just my favourite writers, and kicking off with the master of the macabre himself, Edgar Allan Poe.

More Babylon 5 for you in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, and a brand new, never-before-seen (so far as I know) feature being planned for there soon, so stay tuned. Not happy with five journals on the go, I've started another one, but this one was necessary as I fall into http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...azz-blues.html, where I finally get to explore the genre I've had no time for, with a review to start off of the classic Miles Davis album, “Kind of blue”.

Unknown Soldier sees us out this week as 1981 continues to bring to the fore great bands and also incite hot debate in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html. Featured acts this week include Van Halen, Venom and Raven. Aw! Shoulda done Vardis, then we'd have had the three “V”s!

Notable absences this week from Ki, Urban and if anyone knows the whereabouts of The Batlord please buy him a ticket home to Journaltown! We miss his crazy writing here!

To complete my apology for overlooking his post last week, Plankton is this week's

Originally Posted by Plankton

Chapter 6 - They Call Me The Breeze

Upon awakening, I found myself staring blurry eyed out the window of the Trailways Bus. The one thing I noticed right off is that something had happened to the road. I couldn't see anything but mist and the tops of some of the trees, and it appeared as if the bus had somehow transformed into a small low flying aircraft (which would have been fine with me given the circumstances), but after further investigation I found that we had swerved to avoid hitting something and just missed tumbling off the side of the Rocky Mountains. Most of the other passengers were asleep, and the few that were still awake at 3am were too distracted to notice how close we had just come to our demise. I checked my trusty Walkman to discover that I had fallen asleep to side B of Grace Under Pressure by Rush, and after some soul searching combined with checking my pants for any bodily fluids that may have expelled from being awakened to such a traumatizing site, I turned the cassette over and pressed play.

After quitting our dishwashing jobs and collecting our last paychecks, a friend and I decided we were going to be Rock Stars. A simple plan. Take our money, buy one-way bus tickets from Chicago to L.A., get in a band and become famous. What aspiring 19 year old guitarist hasn't thought about this scenario. We were bound to make it happen. For myself, I was escaping the clutches of my family, who were hell bent on getting me into the military. I had taken the ASVAB, and had scored high enough that I had recruiters coming out of the woodwork, namely Air Force recruiters which are of the smart, and snidely sort. I wasn't having any of it. As for my friend Ed, he was coming from a life of alcoholic parents, and daily beatings. The physical, as well as the psychological types of the kind. I had been teaching Ed guitar for the most part, as I could play Fade to Black, and he couldn't, so was the natural selection of guitar players as to what the hierarchy was. We found our environment despicable, so we made an attempt to change it, and we managed to do just that. Whether it was for the better, or for the good remains to be scene at this point, but what sticks with me are my musical companions I took with me on this fateful journey... well besides Ed. I had left most of my possessions at home, save for my guitar, some clothes, my Walkman, and a few select cassettes.

Rush, Metal Church, and Yngwie Malmsteen were the only connectors that would tie me back to my home. It had been a day and a half of a 3 day ride, and I was already home-sick.

Hope that sorts us out, man. We cool?

And that brings to a close another journal update thread, the last for March. Only 289 shopping days to Christmas you know! OW! Ok, ok, I'm going...

Till next week at the same time (hopefully on time)
Toodles!

[Key]

It's unfortunate but I just don't have much time to post a whole lot. Plus, not a whole lot of motivation to keep my journals going at the moment.

[ladyislingering]

Originally Posted by Ki

It's unfortunate but I just don't have much time to post a whole lot. Plus, not a whole lot of motivation to keep my journals going at the moment.

same, same, same.

seriously it seems like all I ever listen to these days is ABBA and T. Rex.

because I'm working all the damn time and I need some cool shit to keep me groovy.

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Ki

It's unfortunate but I just don't have much time to post a whole lot. Plus, not a whole lot of motivation to keep my journals going at the moment.

Not a problem man: you've done more work than most in the recent past. I just remarked upon it because of that very fact. But you take a break. Your journal is definitely popular though so I hope you get back to it at some point, before I steal all your new ideas!

[Plankton]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Hope that sorts us out, man. We cool?

Absolutely Mr T. I know it's quite a bit of work, and some things will fall through the cracks. I had no problem with being skipped last week, as it's perfectly understandable. I was just giving you some grief.

Keep on keepin on my friend.