It was a light week last week. I just dropped off these CD's with Natalie earlier today and met Robin (the boss of my boss) and filled out my first official form for volunteers. Now that my name is on record somewhere this feels less like a dream and more like a real situation. I was a bit overwhelmed by the idea that this seemingly innocent exploration into the world of non-profit radio might actually carry me away on some vocational adventure. Am I ready for that? I think so. I hope so. I've had the expression of a kid in a candyshop for eight weeks since Mark first got me involved with KRCB and once next year starts, I'm going to have to grow up a little. Natalie's been more than helpful in my transition from clueless, yet avid music listener to the position of official Music Director. Check this out: Natalie sends out weekly e-mails to everyone* and this time she mentioned me by name:
Here's an excerpt of my interview with Robin:
"So which kind of music do you find yourself most familiar with?" Robin--I could see from all of her pictures around her cluttered office--has a librarian's grace mixed with first-grade teacher charm. She is intimidating whereas Natalie is inviting. She is business when Natalie is gut. She spent the first few moments flipping through her desk drawers looking for a form I had to fill out while Natalie rambled on about how much she liked me and appreciated what I was doing for the radio station. She made more references to a "Tim" character I've yet to meet who has agreed that my reviews are very helpful. So basically this was the first thing Robin asked me after Natalie went quiet.
Whatever's going on here--whatever it is I'm getting myself into--it's started.
Anyway, here's what I reviewed for Natalie this week. Nothing great. Mostly singles. This is the last batch before next year, however, because the next month is down-time for the industry. Whatever that means. I won't be back at KRCB until January 9, 2009. Unless Mark gets me down there on a Saturday for some observing time--he called today to congratulate me on getting my own mailbox.
MOON AND MOON
VII Acts of an Iron King
Score: 2 out of 5
Well this was interesting. This was… I don’t know… It was kind of like a “story” in the way that Pink Floyd’s RADIO KAOS album was a story. Only instead of having an album of good songs to back up the story, this is an odd compilation of narration, sound effects, and some lyrical parts. Part of me wants to make references to MEATLOAF. Very bizarre. Definitely a little too strange for our preferences.
FRANZ FERDINAND
Ulysses (Single)
Score: 4 out of 5
I always like Franz Ferdinand. This isn’t my favorite song of theirs, but they haven’t changed their sound and that’s commendable (because I like their dance-tempo stuff a lot). I think this song is about drugs or relationships or both. A good little track.
I liked:
“Ulysses”
THE FRAY
You Found Me (single)
Score: 2 out of 5
Sorry, FRAY, but this is pretty bad. However you want to put it, this is GREY’S ANATOMY music, and I’ve never even watched that show. This is montage music. It sounds like Nickelback meets Coldplay meets Edwin McCain. I’ve always thought that, though. Albeit there is a huge fanbase for this kind of music but it comes across as recycled material.
STUCK ON AM #6
Live From Radio K
Score: 4 out of 5
Only because it’s a compilation have I given this a 4. It was a very entertaining listen, though only a handful of songs really caught my attention.
I liked:
“Connect the Dots” - Lucy Michelle and The Velvet Lapelles
“Speak to Me Bones” - Land of Talk
“Over and Over” - Lookbook
“Hallelujah” - The Helio Sequence
FLOBOTS
Stand Up (Single)
Score: 2 out of 5
Mediocre hip-hop. That’s as much as I can say considering it was one song.
RATHBONE
A Life Transparent
Score: 3 out of 5
Okay stuff. Not great. Not dull. Pretty standard sound overall, but it’s a well-produced sound. It’s mellow poetry put to guitar-and-drums. More hits than misses.
I liked:
“Dream The Day”
“If I”
“Lost And Found”
WELCOME WAGON
Welcome To The…
Score: 2 out of 5
Well it wasn’t horrible. It’s like the brother-sister dymanic of THE WHITE STRIPES met with the indie-soundtrack quality of KIMYA DAWSON and then got really involved with Jesus.
*I don't know who "everyone" is, yet, but I know they're out there...
Neat.Next year you will meet Chris, who will be assuming most of my duties as
Music Director over the next months.
Here's an excerpt of my interview with Robin:
"So which kind of music do you find yourself most familiar with?" Robin--I could see from all of her pictures around her cluttered office--has a librarian's grace mixed with first-grade teacher charm. She is intimidating whereas Natalie is inviting. She is business when Natalie is gut. She spent the first few moments flipping through her desk drawers looking for a form I had to fill out while Natalie rambled on about how much she liked me and appreciated what I was doing for the radio station. She made more references to a "Tim" character I've yet to meet who has agreed that my reviews are very helpful. So basically this was the first thing Robin asked me after Natalie went quiet.
"I guess I've been mostly into the indie stuff," I say. Then, even though it's a risky push for a particular humor, I add with a shrug: "Since Garden State."The form I filled out was me officially signing up as a Volunteer. For EXPERIENCE I wrote: 21 years of listening to music. For INTERESTS I wrote: Honestly? Everything. But I wasn't concerned about what I wrote. Natalie sold me better than any salesman I've ever heard. And I think Robin could see a little of that from our brief interview. She gave me a mailbox and signed me up for an e-mail. I've been promised the desk across from Wendy.
Robin and Natalie laugh.
I swear Natalie gives Robin a See? I told you he was good head-nod.
It's then that I know I'm golden.
Then Robin asks: "Do you follow triple-A?"
This makes no sense to me whatsoever.
"Triple-A?" I look to Natalie for guidance.
Natalie says, "Adult alternative... Adult..."
Robin tries, "Contemporary adult. Adult...?"
"I don't even remember what it stands for," Natalie says with a laugh.
That makes me feel better.
Natalie says, "Coldplay. Uh, Maroon 5."
"Oh," I say. "Coldplay. I know Coldplay."
"Adult contemporary," Robin states.
"Triple-A," I repeat. "Coldplay. I got that."
"Yeah," Natalie adds. "Beyonce would be triple-A."
"Oh, okay." It's a wider genre than I figured.
"Stuff you'd hear more on the radio," Natalie says.
"Mainstream," she says.
And Robin adds, "Basically what we need is someone who knows all kinds of genres. Someone who can help in all areas."
Natalie says something good about my taste.
And Robin says, "Well that's good. That's good."
While I just sit there and smile and nod.
Whatever's going on here--whatever it is I'm getting myself into--it's started.
Anyway, here's what I reviewed for Natalie this week. Nothing great. Mostly singles. This is the last batch before next year, however, because the next month is down-time for the industry. Whatever that means. I won't be back at KRCB until January 9, 2009. Unless Mark gets me down there on a Saturday for some observing time--he called today to congratulate me on getting my own mailbox.
MOON AND MOON
VII Acts of an Iron King
Score: 2 out of 5
Well this was interesting. This was… I don’t know… It was kind of like a “story” in the way that Pink Floyd’s RADIO KAOS album was a story. Only instead of having an album of good songs to back up the story, this is an odd compilation of narration, sound effects, and some lyrical parts. Part of me wants to make references to MEATLOAF. Very bizarre. Definitely a little too strange for our preferences.
FRANZ FERDINAND
Ulysses (Single)
Score: 4 out of 5
I always like Franz Ferdinand. This isn’t my favorite song of theirs, but they haven’t changed their sound and that’s commendable (because I like their dance-tempo stuff a lot). I think this song is about drugs or relationships or both. A good little track.
I liked:
“Ulysses”
THE FRAY
You Found Me (single)
Score: 2 out of 5
Sorry, FRAY, but this is pretty bad. However you want to put it, this is GREY’S ANATOMY music, and I’ve never even watched that show. This is montage music. It sounds like Nickelback meets Coldplay meets Edwin McCain. I’ve always thought that, though. Albeit there is a huge fanbase for this kind of music but it comes across as recycled material.
STUCK ON AM #6
Live From Radio K
Score: 4 out of 5
Only because it’s a compilation have I given this a 4. It was a very entertaining listen, though only a handful of songs really caught my attention.
I liked:
“Connect the Dots” - Lucy Michelle and The Velvet Lapelles
“Speak to Me Bones” - Land of Talk
“Over and Over” - Lookbook
“Hallelujah” - The Helio Sequence
FLOBOTS
Stand Up (Single)
Score: 2 out of 5
Mediocre hip-hop. That’s as much as I can say considering it was one song.
RATHBONE
A Life Transparent
Score: 3 out of 5
Okay stuff. Not great. Not dull. Pretty standard sound overall, but it’s a well-produced sound. It’s mellow poetry put to guitar-and-drums. More hits than misses.
I liked:
“Dream The Day”
“If I”
“Lost And Found”
WELCOME WAGON
Welcome To The…
Score: 2 out of 5
Well it wasn’t horrible. It’s like the brother-sister dymanic of THE WHITE STRIPES met with the indie-soundtrack quality of KIMYA DAWSON and then got really involved with Jesus.
*I don't know who "everyone" is, yet, but I know they're out there...
