All posts by Matthew Callan

Tuneage

Golden Anniversary for Kind of Blue

Fifty years ago today, Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue was released. It’s an album everyone says is one of the greatest ever made. It is also one of those rare occasions where everyone is right.

There’s probably been more words written about this album than there are notes played in the sessions. So there’s not much more you can say about it. All I know is, I’d put up with a million Kenny G’s to listen to this album. I could listen to “Blue in Green” a million times and still be astounded by Bill Evans.

It never ceases to amaze me how unbelievably ahead of the curve Miles Davis was, throughout his entire career (well, until the 80s, anyway). Who in music today is so far in front of everyone the way he was? No one. Not even close.

Videocracy

Low-Hanging Video Fruit, William Shatner Edition

Running on some low batteries this morning, folks. While I wait for inspiration to hit, enjoy this synth-filled remix of William Shatner talking about mountain climbing.

Thanks to bigplastichead for alerting me to this via tweet.

Tuneage

How to Earn an Express Ticket to Hell, the Victory Records Way

Do you remember Victory Records? You might not have ever heard of them if you didn’t run in punk/hardcore circles at some point in your life. During my college years, they were most known (to me, at least) for being the home of the completely humorless militant straight-edge/eco-centric band Earth Crisis. They were not a one-note label, however. Their roster extended to cover all variety of suck.

I have not given Victory Records a second thought in many years, but apparently they still exist. And are still run by a fucktard of the highest order.

As you may have heard, Matador Records founder/Can’t Stop the Bleeding blogger Gerard Cosloy’s home in Austin burned down last week. As someone who’s enjoyed the fruits of both that label and that blog, I was saddened by the news. Plus, based on the posts at CSTB, I believe he’s a Mets fan, so the man’s suffered enough the last few years.

It’s an awful event, the kind that inspires pity even among people who might hate you. Even Deadspin, which Cosloy took shots at over the years (and vice versa), wrote a brief post sending their condolences when the news broke. Because despite the fact that Cosloy was not a fan of Deadspin’s editor emeritus, you have to be a special kind of asshole to not offer sympathy to someone who just lost everything he owned.

Tony Brummell, Victory Records head honcho, is just that kind of asshole. In a situation where most people would offer their thoughts and prayers–or at the very least say nothing at all–Tony found the strength within him to send Cosloy a one-word email that said KARMA.

Why such hostility? Because Cosloy called out Victory Records for weird/shitty business practices. I suppose this offended the Great Hardcore Gods in the sky, who then did smite him for his insolence.

I’m pointing this out so if anyone is out there is considering a bulk purchase of the Snapcase back catalog, or you wanna pick up some old L.E.S. Stitches 7 inches, you may want to spend your hard earned deaux elsewhere. And if you’re so inclined, you can check out this blog post at Chunklet, where the Victory Records haterade is being poured in full force.