Alex Arrowsmith - Update Your Blog

Alex is perfect for eartaste – he may have even invented the concept himself if we waited a few more weeks. His messages include – “Are you ready to start a revolution? Alex Arrowsmith will bring the musical dipping sauce” &“Alex Arrowsmith slurps musical coffee.” So, right away we know we’re in for fun. The song? “You never update your website! How can we be friends when you neglect to write! So, don’t neglect your blog! Don’t ignore your blog!” Great tune, great fun & pure up-to-date pop! Thanks, Alex! Shoutouts to Hills Of The Mind & Elysium. Alex Arrowsmith

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Alex Arrowsmith - Missile Silo

I’m so glad the Alex comes around once in awhile to sing me back to surreality. “In the ice creamed flavored future I have my own missile silo. And everyone you know has a missile silo.” Okay, maybe it’s not surreal, perhaps it’s prophecy. With everyone hating their neighbors for things they express out loud, it’s not that hard to imagine that Alex is on to something. But, then when we find out there’s a steak house in each missile silo I’m finding myself wandering around to look at the hummingbirds. Oops, nope, that’s another cool song. Well, at least I can admire his gas station jacket. Oops, that’s another album. I still want to share that with anyone who hasn’t found the last Alex album I talked about. Anyway, back to wandering through this song. “I’ll make a scientist out of scraps of tissues.” Hmm, enough scientists so we can put them to work creating new drugs to destroy our livers and kidneys. Ah, heck with it, dance and sing! “I’ll make a man out of you! I’ll throw you a perfect siesta!” Thanks Alex! Shoutout for Hummingbird, “one more trip to the birdfeeder.” Alex Arrowsmith

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Alex Arrowsmith - Pass By Palestine

Kinda funny. Alex put out this record, and then 7 years after forgetting about Palestine, I stuck a teeny tiny mp3 player with a built-in speaker under Bush’s pillow with this song looping on it. The President wakes up and says “wait, I don’t want to forget Palestine”. So the past few weeks Bush made some noise about Palestine for the first time in his life. Not that he’s being real about it, but at least that teeny speaker we stuck under his pillow worked on his subconscious in a very small way. Of course, it could just be true he has a very small subconscious. We know he has no conscience whatsoever. Oops, giving away state secrets when I’m supposed to be talking about music. Wonder that.

“I’ve lost all the blood flow to my heart. And on top of this, the lawn mower won’t start.” Funny the things we thing about when our blood doesn’t run smooth. “I’ve been the same since the day you married. You wanted a life so quite unburied. It’s no surprise to me that I’m dead, and on top of this the cats are overfed. And if I ever leave earth I have to remember life like this. Don’t want to forget to pass by Palestine.”

Alex has allowed me to keep my sanity for over a year now. Thanks, bud. Don’t know what I need it for, but I’m thankful to be able to tell folks that this album, which I discussed way back two months ago is finally available for your consumption. If you don’t buy a copy today, what can I say, you’re a loser. Alex’s last album was in the top 23 of 2007, and unless a bunch of really cool people suddenly become musicians, I have no problem guessing that this new album will top the list of 2008. How can I say that so early in the year? Well, listen to these shout-outs - Going Insane For The McCain Campaign & a song you BETTER NOT play while driving - High Speed Chase (I got my 3 cylinder 30 HP Geo up to 90 while listening to this)! Oh there’s more cool stuff on this album, but just in case you can’t find your credit card to order from CD baby at the moment, I’ll tell you about a few more songs on a few weeks. Keep that wallet closer to your computer, loser. If you clicked on the link below & bought your copy before reading this far, you are an excellent person.

Alex Arrowsmith

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Alex Arrowsmith - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Special note from Alex:

Hey Rich, long time no type! Just wanted to alert you to a new video of a new song that you might like: "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."

It should be on my next album, Public Domain Rainbow, coming out...sometime. It's mostly finished, it's just a matter of getting the funds to do a bigger release than I've done yet.

Hope you enjoy! Best, Alex

Coulda saved two hours of my life if I had listened to the song instead of watching the two hour movie. The song is great fun either way.



Reviews of Alex Arrowsmith on Eartaste

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Alex Arrowsmith – Nuke (from Missing Briefcase)

“I feel good every time you test a weapon.” Yep, good old fashioned patriotism. Kill ‘em even before they think about killing you – just in case. “I’m so glad that I grew a third eye.” Gotta make sure you can see the truth, right? Nuke ‘em. What good is the world anyway? “If you wanna claim Palestine, you’re gonna need an expert web design.” Lots of people making bucks off this, so why not some poor old web designer? Nuke ‘em. Nuke ‘em good. Does Alex have his tongue deep in his cheek? Dunno. Not sure I do either. Some days I think a strategically placed nuke atop the white house would do this entire globe some good. Course I could probably be tossed in jail for saying such a thing in public. Oh well, maybe my tongue is deep in my cheek. Let’s hope so anyway.

Back to reality – Alex Arrowsmith has rocked my world and helped me view the globe from many perspectives, and I am very happy that his music has become an integral part of my listening pleasure. I won’t repeat all the cool characters he’s written about that have enriched my life. Click here for tastes of that.

I will say that this new album rates up there with the rest of his classic output. He is into indie rock for the long term, and that is indeed a pleasure to know. This new album is called Missing Briefcase, which sounds like the scenario of what it’ll be like when the President loses his. Or simply the one that got lost when the rabbit was running into the hole too fast and forgot which hole he left it at. Life happens. Click here to see his other thrilling albums.

Some of the shoutouts on Missing Briefcase are Eternal Return (“Messing with time and space is as easy as it sounds because I’ve been in love with you before”) and The Zaps (“My mind is out of phase, it stays in a daze”). I’ll write more about the rest of the fun tunes on this album in January, 2008 or before I can’t help myself (like tonight). “My mind is incomplete.” In the meantime, stayed tuned at Alex’s World.

PS: Do not listen to High Speed Chase while driving. I got my purple 3 cylinder Geo Metro all the way up to 76 MPH without thinking while listening to this tune. Just imagine if I had 4, 5 or 6 cylinders!

PPS: If it's not obvious about my tiny comments about talking about the rest of this album at a later date: what that means is that this entire album is worth your ears taking the time to taste over and over. Some very cool stereo effects, as well as tasty guitars when needed, and "Elvis Presley coming back for more." Goodnight. All is well.

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Alex Arrowsmith - Gas Station Jacket

“Are you ready to start a revolution?” Well, it’s Thursday, why not? Alex returns to Eartaste with another wild, woolly and completely joyful dance CD that’s guaranteed to turn your ears into marvelous music eating apparatuses. Wasn’t even sure that was a word, but spell check accepted it. “Gary keeps staring at my gas station jacket – Rich kid, bad, and he’s pining for Sarah.” Gary is also wanting to play in a rock band, but “he’s never heard of Iggy Pop or Velvet Underground.” But, we find this out in a very non-judgmental way. Cause, why after all, doe a guy join a band? To get Girls! And, Sarah is a Girl! You have to listen to the song to find out what Sarah feels about all this adoration. Thanks, Alex, for keeping my ears full of desserts! Shoutouts for Verb Unit and the marvelous song completed in two takes, Wolverine Trapped In A Safe Deposit Box. My life is richer for having learned how to change keys like a locksmith. And if you want to know why and how the Wolverine got stuck in this predicament, you’ll just have to visit CDBaby and get your own copy of this fun-filled 31 song CD. Alex Arrowsmith

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Alex Arrowsmith - I Hope You're Crushed By Something Heavy

“More and more I see you stain your soul/Godless life, cartoons, and rock and roll!” Woo! I don’t really know how to spell woo, but, I love the way Alex says it. Wait a minute, wasn’t I talking about Alex yesterday? Yeah, well, deal with it. This guy both cracks me up and makes me want to listen to his wit and wisdom over and over, so I wanted you to suffer through, oops, I mean, hear more of his take on life. “Satan waits for you under my Chevy/so I hope you’re never crushed by something heavy!” Alex Arrowsmith

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Alex Arrowsmith - The Bevel Collector

Yes, I know, some of you are quick and you’re thinking this guy is my brother-in-law by now. Nope. Never heard of him before this week. Sad about that too, because he’s had other albums out that, if they are this good, well, I missed out on a lot. Anyway, here Alex is again - the third time this week. And – the Bevel Collector is one you want for your collection. It’s jumpy, it’s tasty, and it’s funny. It’s actually about collecting bevels. “I have one that looks like Netanyahu” – it’s funny, trust me. Look it up. Netanyahu even loves coedogs! shoutouts: Corndog Shaped Like California & All I Have To Do Is Hurt You Alex Arrowsmith

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Alex Arrowsmith - Alien Jump Rope Party & Surgeon

These two songs do not remind me of zappa except in the aspect that to describe the songs will not ever do them justice. Even sharing the lyrics could give away the whole party. Okay, I’ll share a bit – Alien Jump Rope Party begins with a warning of “Siesta and a fiesta on an alien mother ship.” All the things that happen on your regular alien mother ship journey happens here, including the dreaded probe. Anyone who has taken one of these trips will not be surprised, but the rest of us are in for a true joy ride. The best I can say is you can “party hardy” to this, even dance for short bursts, much like your favorite alien. Surgeon. Well, what can I say? Let’s just say the surgeon forgot to wash his hands. The rest you absolutely have to hear for yourself. What? You’re waiting for the inevitable shoutout? Why? Wasn’t that enough? Okay, to be honest, the entire album is a shoutout. But that doesn’t work too well for my autistic friends who read this every day, so since you insist, I’ll shoutout the oddio dance tunes that’ll keep your party smiling – Rap How I Wanna Rap & Who Got The Huh? Alex Arrowsmith

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Eartaste: The 23 Top Albums of 2007

I will stand by every single I've reviewed this past year. I still love listening to every song. Albums, though, are another whole animal. To be able to listen to a full set by one artist, well, they just have to be extremely special for me to enjoy them. I have many albums in my collection, of course, but end up bookmarking favorite cuts off albums and listening to them over and over. It's a rare pleasure to find an album that holds together listen after listen, and provides a full enjoyment for these ears. My plan was to select the best 23 albums of the year. I know, a bit corny, one indie release per month, and one major release per month. Also, I figured 24 albums would give approx 24 hours of pure pleasure. In the final run-through, I couldn't find more than 23. I had no desire to list an almost-ran, as that wouldn't be fair to the absolute best. 15 are indie (I couldn't decide if Tiny Masters was on a major label, so I decided to include them as major label), and 8 major label releases. I list them now because if you are looking for Christmas gifts for a friend or relative that loves music, I will stand by all of these.

These are listed in the order they appeared on eartaste. All are equal favorites, so give them all a #1, or 5 stars, or however you rate your albums.

The Histrioniks - About This Girl
Alex Arrowsmith - Applewine
Roy Davis - Grey Town
Talia Segal - Nonprophet
Ben Godwin - Skin And Bone
Koopa - Blag Steal and Borrow
Mooney Suzuki -Have Mercy
Rickie Lee Jones - The Sermon On Exposition Blvd
The Red Button - She's About To Cross My Mind
The Aggrolites - The Aggrolites
Threshold - Sum Blues
Swampdawamp - Swampdawamp
Kemp Harris - Edenton
Bowling For Soup - The Great Burrito Extortion Case
Noise626 - An Infinite Shade of Gray
Landonband - Defying The Stereotype
Smug - Freshly Stained
Evan Page (Screaming Mee-Mees) - No Ordinary Girl
Tiny Masters Of Today - Bang Bang Boom Cake
Olivea Watson - Way Down Deep
Patti Scialfa - Play It As It Lays
John Fogerty - Revival
Ray Davies - Working Mans Café

If your music-loving friend stays current with every new release they can get their hands on, chances are they'll have many of the above. If you want to buy a gift that'll last a lifetime of appreciation, you'll never stop hearing thanks if you gift wrap any one of these expensive box sets:

Motown Complete Singles Vol 1
Motown Complete Singles Vol 2
Motown Complete Singles Vol 3
Motown Complete Singles Vol 4
Motown Complete Singles Vol 5
Motown Complete Singles Vol 6
Motown Complete Singles Vol 7

Northern Soul Story Vol 1-4

Vol 1 Twisted Wheel
Vol 2 Golden Torch
Vol 3 Blackpool Mecca
Vol 4 Wigan Casino