Daft Punk Random Access Memories Unboxing Video

Words. I has none.


Random Access Memories drops on May 17th, which can not arrive soon enough.

Joe Satriani Unstoppable Momentum Album Review

It has been a while since a new album has grabbed my ears in such a way that I literally can't stop listening to it after the first listen. Such is the sonic momentum of the veraciously named Unstoppable Momentum, the latest solo album from guitar legend Joe Satriani. After numerous listens this week, it is clear this album deserves accolades including "album of the Summer" and "instrumental rock album of the year". There is one further distinction which sets this album apart from Satriani's oeuvre; one specific to those whose ears are unfamiliar with his music.

Photo Gallery: Valora - Live at 118 West Studios

Valora, on stage at 118 West Studios

Southern California alt-rockers Valora recently played a gig at 118 West Studios in Ventura County; a professional recording studio facility with a performance space bigger than many clubs in LA/OC. Check out the pictures of Valora after the jump.

Well Worth the Wait in Line: Record Store Day at Salzer's

Record Store Day Morning Outside Salzer's Records

This year's celebration of Record Store Day was an excellent example of a rule I learned from friends when I was in high school. Perhaps "rule" is a bit pedantic, since it is something they did which was meant to enhance an already fun thing. Either way, it is something I've tried to do each year on the holiday for music lovers, the artists who create music and the people who run the stores some us still dare to haunt.

May The Funk Be With You - A Guide To the World of Star Wars Disco

Happy Star Wars Day! And May the Fourth be with you! To celebrate this year, lets take a journey back in time, to the music revolutionnshared by Star Wars; the Disco era. The collision of these two pop culture phenomenons occurring near simultaneously resulted in some awesome and dubious mash ups, before the term mash up was even a thing. Start with the above video featuring James Last and his Orchestra, performing a live rendition of Meco's discofied Star Wars theme, then come inside Chalmun's discotheque for some other galactic funk.

Reign in Peace... Jeff Hanneman

The heavy metal community has lost one of its most important guitar players. Jeff Hanneman, founding member of Slayer, passed away yesterday at the age of 49. While the music he helped create may not appeal to all, or even most, listening tastes, his impact as a composer, lyricist, guitarist and especially as a progenitor of the thrash metal genre, is undisputed.

Russian Guitarist's Stellar Cover of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky"

In the not too distant past, hearing a quality cover version of a popular song was an exceedingly rare thing. With the proliferation of creative and legitimately talented individuals in the YouTube-era however, we get to hear interesting re-imaginings of songs almost as soon as they gain a modicum of popularity. Such is the case with a stellar, acoustic guitar cover of Daft Punk's hot new single, "Get Lucky," as performed by Russian guitarist and YouTube sensation, Igor Presnyakov.