It’s not just some Beastie Boys minus the Vocal track. Without the 90′s style rapping in the background, the emphasis is shifted onto the composition of the pieces. It ranges from calming upbeat to mello-stoner to awkward sweetness.
I think it’s best to describe the essential mix as PBS and Adult Swim’s music composers getting together, having a nice night on the town, eventualy empregating each other, and deciding to keep the child. This album is that Child.

It’s easy to imagine any of these tracks appearing on an indie movie or short of some kind. Essentially because  it’s great background music. If you need that mellow occasion music or just want to relax in the drivers’ seat for a long drive, this is your album.

~Llama With Headphones

The movie itself isn’t bad. In fact, it’s about on the same par of Oliver Stones’ “The Doors”. Yet I really didn’t like The Doors film either. Gary Oldman was great. He captured Sid’s stage persona with quite a flair. But as soon as they introduce the ill-fated Nancy Splurgeon… the film goes downhill.

Just listening to Nancy’s screeching throughout the movie would make Gandii want to pull out a Chainsaw and hack her into pieces. And she doesn’t stop. Ever. She Just keeps going on with it all.

I don’t care so much for the historical inaccuracies  as it helps the film. Any Sex Pistol’s fanatic and Wikipedia can point it all out. it doesn’t take away from the real story, that is what’s left of it.

My Recommendation: Watch it once, complain, write an inane blog post about it, and watch it again just to make fun of it. It’s not great, or horrible, just mediocre biopic with whining.

~Llama with Headphones

So as a favor to help somewhat odd songwriters with various musical influences, here’s a few hints and tips to help those compositions out.

Have a sense of some Unity: You can have as many wild solos, massive breakdowns, and screaming that you want. But if it doesn’t flow, it’s all just some noise. Sure, you may enjoy the composition, but it’s going to be the public that ends up buying the record. Give the audience a subtle hint when a transition occurs, then thrash away.

Repetition: If you have a simple riff, don’t be afraid to repeat it once, or twice, or for the most of the song. When something is repeated, whether it be drum beat or vocal line, it engraves itself into the audience’s mind. Result? Remeberance.

Don’t overuse Repetition: Remember “Seven Nation Army”? Although I love the White Stripes for their uniqueness, but once that tune is lodged into your ear, there is no escape. In the same way, you don’t want to give your audience earworms.

Experiment with Different scales: Contrary to popular belief, there are far more scales than the minor pentatonic. Give a little mystery with some whole tone or different modes.

In fact, music theory never hurt anyone: If you have the chance, take a course in some basic music theory. Who knows? Someday your professor might whip out a chord progression you’d haven’t thought of.

And above all, don’t stop Writing: If the ideas never come down to the paper, then it never sees the light of day. Write, record, scribble on a napkin if you have to.

That’s all for now. Any Questions? Then feel free and ask.

~Llama with headphones

Perhaps the story of the Conchords, Bret and Jermane, sounds o so familiar to another acoustic duo of the Tenacious kind, but what they bring is that suttle humor with the most bizarre lyrics ever. Covering everything from Robots taking over, Love at first site, Love making, Faking French, Rap Battles, Issues in the City, Life in the city, and David Bowie… the list goes on. But for some reason, it’s not too much to take in.

The only letdown in the album is the exclusion of some other Conchord songs that have made it into our hearts like “Albi the Rasist Dragon” and “Jenny” are nowere to be found. Otherwise, the album is pretty nice. If you don’t buy it for the sound, buy it for it’s Groovy CD artwork.

~Llama with Headphones

This is an recommended listening list covering all the Weezer albums to date. It shouldn’t be the end all guide to Weezer, but it’ll help.

Step one: Baby Steps with Make Believe and Green
You’ll eventually want to get this one out of the way ASAPish. Sure, you have some more than catchy tunes, but the fact is that these Albums are in the lower end of Weezerology. Very little depth, and even less edge. The only exception is the ever-so-lovable song “Hash Pipe” which sidetracks the from the love song theme of Green. Use these albums to soak your feet into Weezer’s melodies and musical ways. And if you can’t manage to listen all the way through Make Believe, don’t feel bad. At this day, I cannot listen all the way through Make Believe.

Step Two: Absorb with Red and Malidroit
Once you have the basic Weezer out of the way, you’re ready for some intermediate stuff. The popish melodies stay intact, but the sound becomes more complex. I recommend treating yourself to the Red Album before moving on to Malidroit. Any way you listen to them is a-ok by me. But don’t stop with just one listening. Do a few more and absorb the Weezer sound before heading into the big leagues.

Step 3: Jump into Blue, then Dive into Pinkerton
The final step, after getting a solid backbone from the previous albums, is to dive into the best. Some might be saying, “Why not listen to the Best First?” Sure, you can do that. But without having a backbone from the other Weezer albums, stomaching the first two can be quite a hassle. It’s like developing a fine taste. Once you’re in with Blue and Pinkerton, you really don’t want to leave. You’ll see why many fans yearn for the older sounding Weezer. But be not deceived: although Pinkerton and Blue are excellent album, they are part of an era that may not see the light again. Rather than morn in the loss of their early years, take time to enjoy some of the other albums as well. Except Make Believe. Just one Listen is good enough for that.

I hope this helps the potential Weezer fan or the music loather. Don’t take this guide to extreme heart, for everyone develops their own taste. Yes… some even place Make Believe as their Number one.

~Llama With Headphones

“Hey, I think Zooey Deschanel is pretty cute?”
“Who?”
“Er… Zooey? She’s an actress.”
“What she been in?”
“Almost Famous?”
*Blank Stare*
“Hitchhiker’s Guide?”
*Another Blank Stare*
*Sigh…* “She’s that one girl from elf.”
“Ahhh! Oh yeah, she’s cute.”

So don’t be incredibly surprised that you haven’t heard her album with fellow musician M. Ward. This is the story of She and Him, Volume One. An independent album that you wouldn’t really expect from your usual actor turned musician or vice versa. But where many star albums fail, Volume One brings us to a nice happy place with smooth melodies, delightful duets, and an aura of peace.

Perhaps it’s just clever marketing or something else that gives it a simplistic edge. From the title track, “Why do you let me stay here?” you are instantly settled down and filled with the urge to finish the album all the way through. And who wouldn’t? Zooey’s classy and distinct along with the retro vibes of the album create and amazing atmosphere that is lost in today’s realm of “make everything epic” recording mindset.

In final words, Just listen to this. It’s not epic, but it doesn’t need to be. If you’re interested in learning more about the album, visit the link Below.
She and Him, Volume one At Amazon.com

~Llama With Headphones

Overlooked guitarist Number 5:Andres Segovia
Quite possibly the most important figures to the world of guitar players yet overlooked by many modern players. Known for his teaching methods and classical styling, he delivered quite an appetite for classical guitar. But what puts him on this list? Segovia despised the electric guitar with a passion. When the ever so popular Beatles claimed him like a father to their music, he retorted with “They’re my illegitimate children then.” Still, props for being a purist.

Overlooked Guitarist Nuber 4: Chainsaw, Prince of Karate
It’s hard to take any musician that dresses up in spandex superhero outfits seriously. Perhaps that’s why the surf/ska/new wave styling of Aquabat’s guitarist Chainsaw are shoved under the radar. With some although cheeky sounding riffs with excellent playing and the ability to fend off giant Lobsters and the Powdered milk man all at once makes for a great guitarist. Sadly, he left the band in 2005 but left with some awesome work on “Charge”.

Overlooked Guitarist Number 3: Tsuneo Imahori
He may not be a household name in the mainstream, but Tsuneo has made his mark in the world of Japanese animation. As one of the cheif composers for Trigun and the Gungrave series (Both the Anime and video games) his style ranges from Led Zeplin inspired riffs to Western standoff scores and emotional acoustic arrangements. Even if you dislike anime, Tsuneo’s western influence will have you wanting more.

Overlooked Guitarist(s) Number 2: Alex Turner And Jamie Cook
Just because your band is popular, doesn’t quite mean that some of the band members aren’t overlooked. Take the Arctic Monkeys for example. They have gotten quite acclaim from both US and the UK. But ask anyone to name the duo responsible for those uptempo synergistic riffs you’ll get blank stares. Alex and Jamie have put together with their duel guitars some of the most catchy and heart-pounding music of this time. Need Proof? Just listen to “Whatever it is you say I am It’s Not.”

And the Number One Overlooked Guitarist:
Kevin Wasserman AKA Noodles
What can be more overlooked than a guitarist with awesome ability, well known songs, but is passed over for ones like Buckethead? Noodles, aside from being the oldest member of the Offspring, has created a legacy of concrete guitar sounds from “Come out and Play” (That little Egyptian riff) to the awesome melodies of the Americana Album. Yet some consider the Offspring’s sound is more generic punk, Noodles in all of his guitar excellency is highly overlooked. In short, he just Rocks.

There you go. Here’s the list, now go ahead and argue. And have fun>
~Llama With Headphones

Chinese Democracy is by no means a Guns and Roses Album. It may not have any of the same lineup from the 90′s but it has isolated itself from anything that could be close to the synergy of GnR. Think of it like Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” and instead of just firing the drummer, Roger went and canned Gilmour and the rest, brought in John Osborne and Micheal Nesmith, and decided to release it in 2001. The album is essentially just Axl Rose with some guests here and there. I honestly think the album should have been called “Axl Rose and Pals Presents Chinese Democracy.”

Even though it isn’t a GnR album, it’s still good. The first few tracks have that 2002-05 sounding nu metal thing going on. And then we have those slightly piano tunes in the vein of November Rain. But it does sound good altogether. Each musician’s contribution, maybe for the exception of Axl, was extremely well put together. Need proof? Just listen for buckethead’s trademark work in the title track.

In short, this isn’t your Grandfather’s GnR. In fact, it isn’t your fathers, stepfather’s, long lost brother’s, Third and twice removed cousin’s, or anyone’s for that matter. But I like it.

~Llama With Headphones

This time I present to you…
Zombie Bazooka Patrol
Zombie Folk rock from Nashville

It was a late Summer night of 2006. Me and my girlfriend were off to see this band that we’ve only seen the myspace for. Now, you can’t really judge a band by their myspace, but when you advertise your band with smoke machines, strobe lights, and zombies, there is potential. Or otherwise a good laugh.

However, this band gives far more than a concert. It is a zombieriffic experience. As the name states, the band is made up of a patrol of zombies. The bazooka has something to do with video games. As of now, there are 5 members including the two from the original lineup.:
Spy Zombie: Mandolin
Toxic Zombie: Acoustic Guitar
Soul Zombie: Drums
Lieutenant Zombie: Bass
Sezure Zombie: Electric Guitar
Now, imagine all of these zombies singing rockish, folk like hits describing their extravagantadventures of zombietransformation, battling against their Nemeses: Timejon (A guy that can travel through time and do whatever), Shaina, and Pirate Pharaoh, and just life in the zombiehood. Combine that with some excellent sync and playing, and you got an excellent band.

There are two things about this band that give them their flair (besides the fact that they are all zombies). One, They know how to get an audience involved. There are very few bands that I know for a fact that can incorperate the audience into their act. It’s the 360 degrees of entertainment that could make or break a band.
Two, I have always had a heart for concept artists, no matter how bizzare. Sure, they’re tale is no Coheed or Cambria, but it is a greatly done mythology with constant foes and friends and endless battles. It’s like the aquabats, only less new wave and more undead.

I highly sugest you give these guys a look. If you want some more info or some of their clippage, visit their myspace page http://www.myspace.com/zombiebazookapatrol.

~Llama With Headphones.

For those of you just tuning in, I was describing earbuds. In today’s iPod world, they’re the standard when it comes to portable music. They are the best thing since the innovation of toast. But not to insult the glorious invention of toast, that last statement was meant to be sarcastic.

Using earbuds to listen to music is just as enjoyable as walking on a freshly paved blacktop right after the fresh pavement is set. And barefoot.

I’m sure many that are reading this are having thoughts like,

• “I love my earbuds! They’re so portable and cool!”
• “It’s just music, it doesn’t matter what you listen to them through.”
• “Or prehaps even, “Earbuds are the way of today. Stop living in the past.”

Okay, so maybe people do like earbuds. So that is why I plan to convert your ways. What else would you expect from the Llama with Headphones?

Reason #1 not to wear Earbuds.
You’re putting a tiny plastic thing in your ear.
Simple logic: If you stick something in your ear, it could hurt the ear drum. There is the ever-so-popular theory that states if you clean out your ears with a cotton swab you should be careful not to stick it too far.
So let us forget the safety of our eardrums and shove these little plastic bulbs in our ear. And while we are at it, we’ll have Mr. Pink come along and chop off our ears.
Which leads us to reason #2…

Reason #2 not to wear Earbuds.
You’re putting a tiny speaker in your ear.
The principle of headphones is a speaker right against your ear. So theoretically if you put the speaker close to your ear drum as possible, you should hear the best result. Er… no. Sound waves need some time to pass and not directly into your ear. Sound waves going into the ear at that rate equals loss of hearing.
Also, since you are hearing sounds through a tiny speaker, you loose sound in the registers. I’m not talking about the barely noticeable sounds of the 20 hz and the 20 khz. 

Reason #3 not wear Earbuds.
They’re hard to see.
Suppose you want to talk to a dear friend who just so happens to be on the other side of the walkway. You wave, nothing happens. You call their name, nothing happens. Then they look over by chance and see you. So they pull out their ear bud on the left ear, wave, and then get back to listening to Ben Folds.
Honestly, what is the point of wearing hard to see ear buds with nothing but a string to give you a clue? It’s like the wearer is ashamed of listening to music. And why should you be ashamed to listen to music? Music is not a horrible stain like (insert name of cult here) that you wish to keep a secret from other people. Let people know you’re listening to music rather having to rely on a shadow on a colored background to do it for you.

Reason #4 not to wear earbuds.
They are uncomfortable beyond belief.
Sure, you can add all the rubber and gelish things you want, but earbuds don’t compensate for all ears. Put in the earbud, adjust it a bit, adjust it some more because you’re not hearing the music correctly, adjust it again because it’s pushing on a side of the inner ear, and then someone comes along and asks you a question in which you need to pull out the bud and answer the question. Then you have to go through all the long effort to put the earbud back in.
It’s just inconvenient.

In short, I don’t like earbuds. Hard to get the right tone out of them and hard to fit in the ear. Just give me a pair of headphones and I’ll be alright. And you should be to.

And before I forget, there are actually high quality earbuds on the market, but If you’re still willing to stick a plastic coated speaker in your ear, go ahead… I won’t stop you.