Oh My EMI

Ok Go.
Pink Floyd.

What do those names have in common? They are all signed under the EMI label! Well...were. See, Here's the thing. First, EMI didn't want Ok Go's music videos being embedded into blogs and the internet. Who doesn't remember their first video "Here It Goes Again" with the best use of exercise equipment ever! People theorize that at least 40% of their fan base came from that viral video. Now their big brother label took the "viral" out of the video. Ok Go wasn't having it, and after a very public fight, EMI backed off and let the superstar group's videos be posted where ever people damn well pleased!

Now, a judge ruled last Thursday that EMI selling songs individually via digital mediums was a breech of the contract signed with Pink Floyd about not letting their music be sold in a way that takes away from its original format. They told to stop it and pay for Pink Floyd's legal fees. Their troubles with Ok Go resurfaced when the band decided to cut ties with EMI/Capitol the day before this judges ruling. Citing lack of creative control as the reason for their departure, they are in the process of forming their own label, Paracadute* Recordings. Here's to Ok Go and sending a warning out to all labels who try to control their artists! And if anyone was wondering,based on the new videos they're coming out with, I think they'll be just fine


*I believe this translates to "Suck It EMI". Don't quote me on that tho.

New Release: Drive-By Truckers

About a month ago, I was sitting on the computer poking around RCRDLBL (like I do almost every day of my life) when I stumbled upon a song called "This Fucking Job". A single off Drive-By Truckers upcoming album The Big To-Do, the song is about exactly what you think it's about, an anthem for those who hate their job. Let's face it, even if you do love your job, you have days when you just go home thinking that sucked. They managed to channel this frustration into 298 seconds of upbeat rockabilly bliss.

"Drag The Lake Charlie" is a great song about a couple friends who are dragging a lake to find their friends body. They hope they find him drown otherwise his girlfriend is going to kill everyone. It's another great example of the hillbilly in this record. The Lead vocals has a rasp and strain reminiscent of Tom Petty, and the whole album is light rock sprinkled with hillbilly lyrics creating almost a comedic album. The record comes out this Tuesday (March 16) so be sure to have that pocket change ready, because you're going to want to pick it up!

Full Track List:
(Bold indicated the best of the best)

1. Daddy Learned To Fly
   
2. The Fourth Night Of My Drinking
   
3. Birthday Boy
   
4. Drag The Lake Charlie
5. The Wig He Made Her Wear
6. You Got Another
7. This Fucking Job
   
8. Get Downtown
9. After The Scene Dies
10. (It's Gonna Be) I Told You So
11. Santa Fe
12. The Flying Wallendas
13. Eyes Like Glue
    

Local Spotlight: The Good Things

Upbeat, sometimes trippy, and definitely infectious, The Good Things writes solid music. The B-side to the newest (and from what I can tell, first) single first caught my attention when a friend handed me a CD and said "so my friend has this band, and I listened to it, I really like it." The simply titled "My Wife" starts out as a very upbeat bright tempo, so much so, it reminds me of early Beatles. This tempo stays throughout the song, with the addition of lyrics that will contradict the cheer (without saying too much, he's not a fan of his wife) of the music. It's a brilliant rendition of the "happily sad" category of songs that are starting to make their way mainstream. I strongly encourage you to go to their website where you can download their single for free.

With pop overtones and a Motown soul, The Good Things delivers.

At a Show...

I just recently went to a pop/punk/hardcore show with a few friends looking for some fun. What I came to find, was not only fun, but one of the best shows I, myself have been to in a while. Thrown in the mix of the lineup was my good friend Jesse Vadala's band With The Punches (if you don't know who they are, you should really look up them on iTunes!!) When I was first told by Jesse they were playing a show with Four Year Strong, I was speechless, and ecstatic! I couldn't wait to grab my tickets, and go! They put on an amazing show, but what else is new? With The Punches is full of catchy beats, sweet breakdowns, and verses that everyone can sing a long to. Not only do they have fun on the stage, but the fans themselves prove every show that this is where the passion lies.

In the music business, the real bands are picked out from the chumps in the sense of the crowd. If a band is not passionate about what they do, the fans sense this. They are like wild conniving animals, waiting for a band to throw them something catchy...something they can relate to...or sing a long to. With The Punches delivers this, plus so much more. They have definitely given back to their fans, in a sense not many other bands have done. If you'd like to check them out, feel free to look at their Myspace: With The Punches

Who The Hell Is Sam?!

Welcome to "Spin It Again, Sam"

This blog is representative of the authors and their collective taste for great music. We want to cover everything and shockingly, we mean it. Vinyl, digital singles, radio edits, remixes, live tracks. absolutely everything. Okay, great, but you're probably wondering who is Sam? The title is derived from the famous Casablanca movie misquote, "Play it again, Sam". Sam, in our case is the club DJ. the local radio station. that guy at your favorite bar who keeps putting money in the jukebox. Sam is even your iPod. The point is Sam is everywhere, and from the local unsigned to the industry legends, we want to introduce you to the best music so you can keep telling Sam to spin it again!