Cheap Mp3 Downloads: “Monolith” release by “O.Lamm”

I found this screen sharing app (mocha VNC lite) that seems to do a better job than the one mentioned previously (it said that it wouldn’t show the desktop). It is a full screen sharing program (ie, shows the desktop and anything else that one needs) that allows the user to zoom (making the screen large enough) and type. I have problems dragging stuff using osx 10.4.11, but it says that 10.5 is the one supported and should work perfectly on that. The only downside is that the refresh rate to the screen on the ipod is very slow for certain things like coverflow; although, it seems to make the computer respond instantly. While the remote app is better for itunes, what this app can do is change the midi output settings on a mac. All in all, a pretty neat app to check out.

Cavan

Cheap Mp3 Downloads: “Burn Everything” track by “Xdeathstarx” - Cheap Mp3 Downloads

This solo album by the ridiculously prolific former Guided by Voices leader, with help from instrumental accomplice Todd Tobias, features another ten songs of standard Pollard-isms — vaguely British, Robyn Hitchcock

In a unique show of solidarity, ALL radio stations in Mumbai played the song “Maa Tujhe Salam”, sung by AR Rahman, at 8 p.m. today on their respective wavelengths! Now ain’t that something? Good to see that they let go of their constant endeavor to hog the limelight and take such a step — I hope our news channels too take note of this and do something similar.

In another more widely covered act, thousands of citizens took to the street across the metros in India to demand action against the terrorists and to express solidarity with the victims of this attack. Read more on this here.

I just can’t help being skeptical of such ACTS - taking out demonstrations has the means to catch attention but I believe to elicit some sort of action from our thick-skinned politicians, it’s going to take something more than this! By now, our netas have tackled the aftermath of so many terrorist attacks that such “peaceful” demonstrations will not more than scratch the surface! History shows that we are pretty tolerant and lack muscle — from the Bombay bomb blasts in 1993 to the bomb blasts in the Mumbai local trains and the attack on the Parliament (not to mention several other instances of similar horrendous terrorist strikes, quite a few in 2008) we have been happy enough simply to put a bold, tough stance early on only to soften our “tough” stance as time goes by. We have been waving our “List of 20 most wanted terrorists” in front of Pakistan for several years — yet have we done anything beyond mere demonstration to show that we are serious about what we want. I think not.

What will it take to wake up the Government and get them to swing into action — actions that will not let terrorism rear its ugly head again and again? How many more lives need to be sacrificed for us to see some justice being done, our security being enhanced, our lives being secured? For how long do we carry on like this? It’s good that Mumbai and along with it, the rest of India, has an indignant streak, a get-on-with-life spirit — else how will we survive and continue our struggle in the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps, with a sword hanging perpetually over our heads?

Preaching about what is wrong with our system is a thing taken for granted these days — heck, I do it, you do it, the news channels do it all the time, with or without any due reasons. Now what can we do to show that this time, yes THIS TIME, we mean action! Action that is not only immediate but also long-term — while we are used to live under the lengthening shadow of fear and insecurity, let us make an effort to ensure that the next generation does not need to put up with the atrocities like we did.

Thinking of what the radio stations did made me think of what more could we do. A possible idea doing the rounds in my head is this: Could our newspapers join hands and launch a major campaign directed against terrorism? Times of India has in the past taken the lead and launched campaigns like “Lead India” (2007) and “Teach India” (2008) initiatives. Now can the newspapers come together, join hands and announce a war on terrorism? They say that a pen is mightier than a sword — time to put the old proverb to test, what say India??

Even as I’m writing this piece, I’ve received a mail from Network 18 announcing the launch of a platform “to express our frustration and helplessness”. Check the site here. I’m withholding my comments on this new endeavor for the time being.

Cheap Mp3 Downloads: “It Aint Me ” track by “Slim Thug U.G.K. Cory Mo” - Cheap Mp3 Downloads

Sound of Urchin is a New York based band that has garnered much attention on the tour circuit, after the well-received Diamond (2005). The band members - Tomato (lead vocals, drums), Doo Doo Brown (bass), Rev. B-Ill (guitar) and Seahag (guitar) - have an enthusiastic approach to blending various musical styles, sounding sometimes like the Foo Fighters, other tracks set to a late 80s vibe, and an overall bonhomie that helps set the mood, particularly in live sets.

Their latest as-yet-unreleased album is Rejoice, quite appropriately touted as ‘the Return of the Rock Album’, which premiered at SXSW this year. The rhythms and vocals are well-produced, along with consistently good lyrics. It feels at times like a gospel-rock set, but there’s more here than just that.

“Jesse Tenser” begins with an extended riff on the guitars, before launching into a rant on the impact of fame on the self (you’ll remember everything you haven’t done/was it that bad or sometimes fun?Did you ever think it would come to this) The stanzas are interspersed with some impassioned fretwork that enlivens the song. The vocals go up a few notches as the song progresses before culminating in a pensive note on how ‘it takes you back to selfish acts/and just won’t let you be‘.

“Dig” keeps the tempo up, a strong thrash-metal beginning gives way to the driving urge that makes human achievement possible and keeps one going (I don’t care as long as I can get it/Wheels are turning/I am burning/Can’t you see it’s a part of me). The thrashing riffs never let up, and the vocals are expertly mixed through the chords, although not quite able to overpower them.

“Shake The Magic Eight Ball” lets the magic roll, friends, feeling and all. The bass and rhythm guitar vie for attention, and Tomato’s leads from the front.

“Go To Your Room” has a catchy rhythm and fun lyrics,(”I’m hurt/I’m hurt/…/Go to your room/I’ve had it/And don’t come out till 7/I’m tired/…You’re rude and ugly and pretty disrepectful/You take up all my time/and suck up all my juice“) I intend to play this for my kids the next time they rip the place up with their antics. I love the ‘What did I do to deserve this?” riff. Best song on the album - “Black Helicopters Over Brooklyn” status? We’ll see.

“The Last From Me” eases the pace somewhat. Its pretty vacuous, though, for all the nifty beats. The final third somewhat redeems the track, but not entirely.

The segue into “Oh My God” is redeeming (pun intended). This is the space the band occupies best. Frenetic strumming, drums, and strong vocals - “satisfaction is guaranteed” I’d love to try this song on Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but doubt I could pull it off.

“Rejoicing The Majesty”, from the title sounds suspiciously like another Redeemer track. part of the Vatican Top 10. The lyrics don’t change the impression (time to get closer to your sweetness/…Desire/…/reach for the unknown/) and the track covers the gamut of any self-respecting thrash-metal godhead song.

“Don’t Walk Me Down That Road” is a rather more traditional rock gospel track,  I find the imagery memorable (”and then I get that feeling/my heart has a ceiling/and I can’t find the words to speak/…/I can’t get my breath to breathe/“) The lust for life is portrayed well (the forces of evil gently judge my soul/but I won’t go/the floor keeps calling me to come on down/but I’m living my life like I never did before/and I want more/) and if you believe there’s more to life than the heat and noise, this song will make you feel that other side all too close.

“I’m Not Surprised” retreats to familar territory. The extended refrains don’t seem overlong, rescued as they are by guitar solos.

“Rite To Fire” stays strong, with something resembling an 80s vibe.

“The Rooster Says Good Morning” seems to keep at the same pace. It’s another light track, saying much but not quite getting to its goal, going ‘on and on/and up and down/and round and round‘.

?Hag” is a great track, in the league of some of the best metal anthems around. Its instrumental, building the pace and giving room to all the instruments to blossom on the soundstage. The rhythm guitar enters late in the piece, and yet is the crowning achievement to this masterful number. (*****)

“A Better Place” gives one more chance to build and maintain the heavy pace, providing meaty support to the compelling lyrics. One of the longer songs on the album, it doesn’t lose pace along the way.

“Disappointment Has Come Upon Me” seems to take a breath at the beginning, and then returns to strong guitar work with a somewhat cheesy ‘la la la’ refrain. 

“All Reality Has Changed / Nosferatu” is a good book-ender, taking its time to settle into its pace, and deserving of a few listens. The second half (Nosferatu?) is a thrash-metal playfest, never easing up.

The final track “Living Well Lady” sounds like a concert outtake, and quite different from the rest of the album. The piece barely begins and ends, almost an afterthought.

Overall, a good effort, worth the listen, and will help cement the already strong cred of Sound of Urchin in their fanbase. Will it be a breakout album? Perhaps, it should resonate with rock fans, at the very least.

Cheap Mp3 Downloads: “Climbing Up The Walls (Fila Brazillia Mix)” track by “Radiohead” - Cheap Mp3 Downloads

RCA Label Group is on a roll. The No.1 albums company in the UK last year, the label broke four new artists to platinum (300,000 sales) and beyond. This success was acknowledged by the industry earlier this month when RCA Label Group won the prestigious Record Company Of The Year award at the Music Week Awards.

Now RCA Label Group is to host the first ever RCA Live 1 event at IndigO2 on Wednesday 28th May. RCA Live 1 will feature performances from our up and coming roster including The Script, Sam Beeton and SugaRush Beat Company, in addition to already established acts Sandi Thom and the events headliners The Hoosiers.

“RCA had an outstanding 2007, and we believe 2008 could be even better” says Craig Logan, RCA Label Group Managing Director. “We intend to break some great new acts this year and RCA Live 1 is an opportunity to see these acts play alongside some of our more established acts. It’s going to be a great night.”

Doors 7pm, more info at www.rca-live.co.uk.

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