Yesterday, Troy (aka, Smooth, aka Clarence Nice, aka Mr. Q.P.T.), who is not only one of our frequent "posters" here on the Indie Ear Blog, but is also a revered and well respected member of the 'zine world (which were basically blogs before blogs existed), commented on Weezer's newly unveiled album cover (left). He mentioned how Rivers Cuomo's "country" look doesn't seem to be as smooth as Jack White or Beck's transition into western-wear.

When done correctly, a cowboy hat and rockmount shirt (worn with a hint of irony) seems like an ideal wardrobe choice for any indie artist. If not done correctly--you could very well bring to mind the stereotypes of a Jeff Foxworthy punch line.

If I wasn't familiar with Weezer's music, their new album cover--featuring a mustached-Rivers Cuomo, an extra-hairy Brian Bell, a prep-school dapper Pat Wilson, and a tattooed-out Scott Shriner--could lead me to believe that they were either Larry The Cable Guy's house band or our generation's answer to the Village People.

However, over the years I've developed an uncanny talent of being able to look at an album's artwork and determine what kind of music is contained within it.

Let's see how good you are:

By Jim Shearer in IT'S LIKE THAT | Link | Recommended (5)

Tags: Album Covers

Whenever I think of the word "bass" (the sound, not the fish), I automatically hear Public Enemy's Chuck D in my head, distinctly proclaiming, "B-B-BASS!" His voice has been sampled so many times, even if you don't know who Chuck D is, you might be familiar with the "B-B-BASS" snippet. As a nation, bass is something that we embrace. When teenagers are looking to buy their first automobiles, they could give a crap about how many cylinders are in the engine or if the vehicle has front or rear-wheel steering. All that matters is if the car has a boomin' system. If so--sold!

By Jim Shearer in IT'S LIKE THAT | Link | Recommended (1)

Tags: B-B-Bass, Dresden Dolls, It's Like That, Mates of State, Matt & Kim, The Black Keys, The Kills, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

There's no doubt about it that the music industry is riddled with corporate sponsorships, which when used correctly can produce great results. Just look at South by Southwest, which is the ultimate example of the union between corporate sponsorships and music. SXSW would be unable to survive without the help from well-known companies, and to be honest, we music fans enjoy this marriage, because it usually means free stuff for us!

There comes a time when this sponsorship goes too far--when it affects the music. Lately (for some unknown reason) Camel Cigarettes has been sponsoring concerts. Can you see the irony? A cigarette company sponsoring concerts where you are not even allowed to smoke indoors. Even if you ignore that obvious fact, Camel sponsored shows are always completely under sold. This happens because Camel buys up almost all of the concert tickets to give away, yet no one knows how or where to obtain these golden tickets, so what usually happens is the poor saps who actually bought tickets (the die-hard fans) are the only ones there.

By Sarah Pesin in IT'S LIKE THAT | Link | Recommended (1)

Tags: Camel, Camel Joe, It's Like That

Sometimes I forget to realize that not everyone knows about SXSW. Maybe some people think it's a vacation resort that hands out oval decals? Maybe they think it's a sport? Possibly an airport? Before you get SXSW confused with OBX or LAX, let me be kind enough to explain (and fear not my friends, no question is a stupid question. I promise not to roll my eyes at you like the kid in tight jeans working the CD section at Best Buy):

By Jim Shearer in IT'S LIKE THAT, SXSW 2008 | Link | Recommended (4)

Tags: 101, It's Like That, SXSW

This week, Mark Lanegan and Greg Dulli released The Gutter Twins' debut album, Saturnalia (Sub Pop). Here's an MP3 of their single, Idle Hands.

In a post a couple weeks back, I promised a good Mark Lanegan story. Well, here goes:

By Jim Shearer in IT'S LIKE THAT | Link | Recommended (2)

Tags: Gutter Twins, It's Like That, Mark Lanegan, Queens of the Stone Age, Screaming Trees

Yesterday I bit. Yep, I bit for one of those news teasers posted on Yahoo. The headline read: "Maxim Apologizes for Review." I just had to click on the story. A music critic apologizing for an album review? Are you kidding me? That's like Bill O'Reilly pledging support for Barack Obama, or a New York Yankees fan applauding the Boston Red Sox' World Series victory last October. A holier-than-thou-I-know-more-about-music-than-you critic actually conceded defeat. For real?

By Jim Shearer in IT'S LIKE THAT | Link | Recommended (3)

Tags: Black Crowes, Maxim, Warpaint

The lineup for the 2008 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival (June 12-15) was recently announced. One act in particular caught my eye. It wasn't Jack Johnson, Pearl Jam, or even Kanye West -- it was Metallica. Yes, Creeping-Death-Bell-Tolling-Damage-Incorporated Metallica.

Since its humble beginnings in 2002, Bonnaroo (in many music circles) has been referred to as "the hippie festival". Each year, I'd watch as my hippie friends and back-pack hip-hop comrades would leave home and venture down south to Manchester, Tennessee. For three days and nights, they would camp out with thousands of strangers on a 700-acre farm of mud. During the day, they could catch their favorite band jamming out on 15-minute songs, then cap off the evening by twirling some glow sticks in one of Bonnaroo's dance tents. Hemp jewelry stands, amateur drum circles, burrito booths--sounded like a great time to me. That's why I'd always decline the invite, and wait from the comforts of my own apartment to hear all about their mud-drenched Bonnaroo experience. Surprisingly, everyone always seemed to have a good time (despite having to drop their #2's in a porta-john and going a weekend without taking a shower).

By Jim Shearer in IT'S LIKE THAT | Link | Recommended (11)

Tags: Bonnaroo, Metallica