Growing up, I learned a lot about music from my dad. He started me off very early on a path of rock, metal, and blues. I can't say he was always right but there were many areas where he was dead on. I remember hearing George Thorogood as a kid and loving the energy and … Continue reading half a boy Half a Man
First impressions aren't everything. I know, that may not seem quite right, but I can promise you it's true. When I first saw this tape I had no idea what it was. Jeffertitti's Nile? What the hell is that? Based on the album art I expected to hear something far out, similar to Funkadelic. I could at … Continue reading The Electric Hour: Time Well Spent
The Beatles are the most prolific and inescapable band of the 20th century. Their influence is unsurpassed by nearly anyone in the music world. (I'll maybe give you The Stones) The Beatles' catalog has been heard, analyzed, interpreted, and meditated upon for over fifty years. Many of my peers would consider The Beatles to be … Continue reading Magical Mystery Tour
This tape is quite possibly the most '80s thing I have ever heard. Before I get into the sonic qualities at play here, that must be made clear. The Glove takes every cheesy element of '80s pop/anti-pop and milks it for all it's worth. There is a healthy dose of synths and echo filled instrumentation … Continue reading The Glove: Doesn’t fit in
Woody Guthrie. The man's name is a statement in itself. Woody was able to create a legacy that is as seemingly endless as the highway. His guitar strumming accompanied his vocals delivered in a plain and simple fashion. Woody was able to speak the truth in broad strokes while painting mental pictures with precision. His … Continue reading Songs by Woody: Cisco Houston Sings the Songs of Woody Guthrie
We're in the full swing of Fall! As we have entered another season, we welcome another tape to the CTEP! Autumn is a time of introspection as the world slows down to squeeze the remaining sweetness out of the golden days before winter. I have compiled what I believe to be a mixtape that perfectly … Continue reading Mix Just In: Fall 2017
The junkyard. The Dead Zone. The scrap heap. The junk drawer. The clearance section. The bargain bin. Whatever you call it, this is an area we can all somewhat visualize in our minds. A section of a shop (I suppose this extends beyond record shops) that is full of stuff that nobody is buying because … Continue reading New Stuff: Bargain Bin Classics
You've found something cool, something so rad that you knew you were going to buy it the moment you saw it. You excitedly threw the tape into your deck and as the sound waves first washed over your ears, you realized that something was wrong! "What the hell is this?" For me, it was the … Continue reading What the Hell is This? Supersexy Swingin’ Sounds
This one is particularly exciting! This is an album I have enjoyed throughout my life; Ace Frehley's Trouble Walkin'. I have never owned this album in any format and I was thrilled to have found it. Unfortunately, side A is fairly worn but is still listenable. Luckily, side B is alive and well, which includes the title … Continue reading The Space Ace Delivers!
Johnny Mainstream's 2016 EP Basement Trash is actually a gem! This four track release employs themes of sun soaked struggle, drinks with friends, drinks alone, and sarcastic honesty. The songs blend elements of folk, indie, punk, and Americana to create a sound both intimately genuine and infectiously catchy. The EP kicks off with a bang from … Continue reading Basement Trash: Worth Looking Through
