Come Join The Ripple Effect Facebook Page - Your Source for Tons of Excellent Free Music!

Yeah, yeah, we know.  Although we've had a Ripple Music Facebook page going for some time with some 1300 friends joining us, it took us a while to get around to launching a true Ripple Effect FB page.

But the wait is over.

Best of all, we're making a conscious effort not to make the FB page a carbon copy of The Ripple.  Occasionally, we  may cross-promote some really cool news, or tour dates, or reviews, but for the most part we're planning on making the Ripple FB page a real companion to The Ripple Effect.

And primarily, that means your source for some truly excellent free music!  Yep, we're gonna use that forum as our place to upload all the links that come in to some great free albums, singles, compilations . . . whatever.  As long as it's good music, it's free, and it's legal, we'll get it up on the Ripple FB.

So far, we've already posted links to the killer Tsurumi Records free compilation, the latest awesome set from Exploding in Sound, Stoner rock nirvana from the Soda Shop, a Canadian Death Metal compilation and a single from the brand new band, Bowery Beasts.  All free.

So pop on over to Ripple FB.  Friend us.  Tell all your friends (please) and just wait to see what's the next free album we giveaway.

And, as always, drop off your thoughts, comments, suggestions.  We really do listen to our waveriders and want to make this community as fun as possible.

Cheers,

The Ripple Effect Gang.

Neon Trees- Habits

Some friends never learn. “There you go messin’ with my mind” and tell me that a debut album can’t be awe-inspiring and awesome. Neon Trees’ song “In the Next Room” does make a valid point and I wish to do the same. Neon Trees is one of the best new bands around. For my 2010 Best Music List, Neon Trees had the #1 song with “Animal” and Habits was the #6 album of the year. I still stand firmly behind those two decisions.

Now I wish I could say I have been following Neon Trees for years or that I knew about them when they were just a simple rock quartet from Provo, Utah, but that’s not the case at all. The first time I heard about them was from Spin Magazine and Mark Hoppus, co-founder, bassist and singer of Blink-182 as well as bassist/lead singer for +44. Back in March 2010, Hoppus praised the band and picked them as Spin’s “Band of the Week” at South by Southwest (SXSW). He said that the band hit him right away and he “listened to [them] four times in a row” after a “journalist pal” tipped him off.

I share a similar feeling. It’s somewhat difficult for me listening to a new band because I find it very challenging. It’s a tricky thing to explain, but I will do my best. There have been bands I have put all my love and passion into following them, only for them to breakup within a few years. Then there are the bands I “casually” enjoy for a few years when they are just a small “indie” band before they blow up and become the new “it” band. Even though I have listened to “that band” for years I feel like I have joined the bandwagon by saying “Oh, yeah I have been listening to them for years” because I have never been entirely passionate about them. One way or another it feels like I’m coming across as a pretentious music aficionado and I don’t want that at all.

It’s hard to explain, but I digress. Since March 2010 I kept hearing about Neon Trees and just kept putting off listening to them despite hearing things about them constantly. Eventually over summer I heard their single “Animal” and was completely enamored by it. However, it wasn’t until an appearance on the premiere episode of “A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus” as the first guest/musical act on the show did I immediately buy the album the next day. Ever since buying Habits I have listened to the album at least once a week starting Friday, September 17th, 2010.

Neon Trees is composed of Tyler Glenn (keyboards/lead vocals), Chris Allen (guitar), Branden Campbell (bass guitar/ vocals) and Elaine Bradley (drums/percussion/vocals). This quirky quartet reaffirms my belief that you can be successful and still be an alternative band in today’s music scene without compromising your sound.

Habits kicks off with the sensational “Sins of My Youth.” The opening of “Sins of My Youth” gives a preview of the chorus with Tyler Glenn singing “I’ve got these habits I cannot break” accompanied by killer keyboards before bursting into the actual song. Sweet guitar riffs transition into smooth drumming with Glenn’s sweet voice fueling this appealing and amazing album. The band is reminiscent of OK GO and The Killers (especially from their Hot Fuss days).

The other day I was in a coffee shop hanging out with friends when “Love And Affection” came on the radio. I started singing along with three complete strangers while my friends were shocked. That’s the beautiful and brilliant thing about Neon Trees- they create catchy, crazy, yet charismatic songs filled with “love and affection,” which leads me to their hit single and my favorite song of 2010.

“Animal” is the lead single off Neon Trees’ debut album Habits and has currently peaked at #13 (as of this writing, during its 22nd week) on the Billboard Hot 100. The high intensity, catchy chorus and titillating talent that emerges from this song makes this album a must buy. I was immediately hooked with the opening lyrics, “Here we go again/ I kind wanna be more than friends/ So take it easy on me/ I’m afraid you’re never satisfied.” This song reeks of coolness and you can’t just listen to this song once. It’s infectious, irresistible and inspiring music that makes you want to get up and dance to it as you sing along the entire time.

“Your Surrender” doesn’t shy away from its roots of post-punk, dance-pop and classic 80s music. Feeling reminiscent of Depeche Mode, INXS, The Strokes and other contemporary bands that incorporate several different musical backgrounds, Neon Trees crafts creative catchy slick songs possessing awesome choruses. Everything is well-balanced and focused. There is nothing wrong with creating irresistible pop music.

And “1983” is another perfect example of that. Besides “Animal” this is one of my favorite songs of 2010 and an astonishing song that will hook you onto Neon Trees. This song is beyond catchy. Words can’t describe how addicting and amazing it truly is. One of the things I love most about “Girls And Boys In School” is how the opening hooks you immediately. This song embodies more of that post-pop punk feel kind of like The Virgins and like all the other songs on the album is super awesome.

After listening to “In The Next Room” I felt like listening to classic 1930s jazz music and the Stray Cats. Opening with an awesome bassline, “In The Next Room” progresses into a savy, sophisticated song and is also reminiscent of The Cure’s “The Lovecats.” Neon Trees metamorphosizes genres and decades flawlessly to create a sound that is all their own.

The album concludes with “Our War” and is the cherry on top. Although only eight songs, don’t disregard this phenomenal debut album. This debut demonstrates the slick sound that awaits the future for music fans. Neon Trees are a breath of fresh air in a mostly dreary, dry mainstream music scene. They are like a new wave, alternative pop, post-pop punk, dance-pop, indie pop and most importantly, a kick ass rock band that makes excellent music. Their upbeat unique sound solidifies them as a band worthwhile to watch.

Recently I even offered several music aficionado friends, who thought about buying the album, a personal money back guarantee that they would be entertained, engaged and enjoy every minute of Habits. If not I would gladly refund their money. Since I made that offer, all those specific friends gladly took me up on the offer and came back satisfied thanking me for my recommendation. Habits is that good!


--Mr. Brownstone

Buy here: Habits
Buy here vinyl: Habits [Vinyl]

Buy here mp3: Habits

The Budos Band - III

Staten Island’s finest instrumental Afrobeat band went into the studio for their new album with the intention, according to their bio, of making a psychedelic, doom-rock record but admit that it came out sounding like a Budos record. That’s not a bad thing at all considering that The Budos Band are one of the best musical units around regardless of category. The creatively titled III is their third album and picks up where the first two left off, but do contain some darker grooves.

Album opener “Rite of the Ancients” is The Budos doing business as usual – upbeat, funky and tighter than hell. Excellent horn charts, powerhouse grooves and hypnotic guitar lines weave in and out of the overall sound. “Black Venom” is up next and is indeed named in tribute of Black Sabbath and Venom. It’s a darker groove than standard Afrobeat and the organ is way up front and mysterious sounding. Unfortunately, there are no musical references to any of Venom or Sabbath’s classic material but here’s hoping they cover “Angel Dust” and/or “Supernaught” soon.

For a bunch of guys from Staten Island, NY they can get downright exotic sounding on jams like “Mark Of The Unnamed” and “Raja Haje.” And I thought the most exotic thing you could get on SI are some decent rice balls. The album is paced very nicely with faster ones like “Unbroken, Unshaven” mixed up with slower ones like “Nature’s Wrath.” 11 songs in 38 minutes is just the right amount of time for a band like this. It leaves you wanting more and will have you reaching for their other two albums since no one else really sounds like The Budos Band. The only dud on the album for me is the Beatles cover “Reppirt Yad” (read it backwards). On previous albums they’ve done creative remakes of Sly’s “Sing A Simple Song” and the Temptations’ “My Girl” but this one kinda bores me. It doesn’t help that I’m not really a Beatles fan and don’t ever need to hear that song ever again but, hey, it’s the last song on the album and easy enough to skip over. It will probably help sell them a few copies, so more power to them.

The Budos are an outstanding band that should appeal to anyone with a pair of ears. Some of the guys pull double duty with the incredible Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and record for the consistently funky Daptone Records. As good as the records are, the live show is even better and a lot of fun. Let’s hope the next one is a double live album (recorded in Brooklyn at Southpaw, naturally).



--Woody

Buy here: The Budos Band III
Buy mp3: The Budos Band III

Buy from Daptone Records:  Here


http://www.thebudos.com/

A Sunday Conversation With Moth Circus

Big, brash, loud, and heavy.  That's Moth Circus.  But most important in Ripple world, they do all that without ever losing their groove.  Manic, groovy metal, that's just the way I like it and that's just the way these Norweigian madmen bring it.  Naturally, we cleared off some space on the red leather Ripple interview couch, popped open some cold ones and couldn't wait for the circus ringmaster, Alien Ken, to stop by and enlighten us in the way of the Moth.

When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary to your ears.


What have been your musical epiphany moments?


The first "rock" band I listened to was Roxette (Swedish pop band from the 80`s). I thought that was the most heavy music I have ever heard.  And then i got into this great Norwegian band called Ingenting. (Not to be confused with the Swedish band [ingenting]). They inspired me to pick up my guitar so I owe them a lot. Great band. I`ve been listening to them for 15 years straight, and I`m still not tired of it!  And then of course i discovered Nirvana.... Then there was no turning back! hehe . The latest artist that made my jaw drop was the first time I heard Buckethead. That guy is a genius and i love him. The guitar work he did in Guns n Roses Chinese Democracy is awesome... I love that record.



Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?


The music always comes first. Usually it starts with a riff and then I just build on it from there. I tend to bring a complete song to practice and then me and Johnny work together on the lyrics and vocal melody. We both carry around a lot of notebooks with various ideas and then exchange ideas and deep deep poetry.. hehe.



Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?

I really love David Lynch`s movies and i get a lot of inspiration from them. But my main motivation is the burning desire to make a change, to educate and inspire. I do not hold all the answers but I have something that needs to be said! Other inspiration sources for me are Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, EBE, Tanya Hansen and the menstruation in my morning coffee.



Genre's are so misleading and such a way to pigeonhole bands. Without resorting to labels, how would you describe your music?


We play Alien/Coffin rock like no other bands do. hehe.. We try not to get stuck in genres. If we think its sounds good then its okey. Way to many bands find a recipe and (ab)use it way to much... All their songs sound the same... I HATE that....



What is you musical intention? What are you trying to express or get your audience to feel?


My musical intention is to inspire to make a change. I hope the audience gets a good feeling when they come to our shows or listen to our record. Open your mind........But don't let your brain fall out.



In songwriting, how do you bring the song together? What do you look for in terms of complexity? Simplicity? Time changes?

How do I bring the song together? Work, work, work and lots of dr pepper to keep me focused.  I never think about complexity or simplicity or anything like that when I make a song.  Its all about the feeling and what I think fit the song. I love the simplicity of Nirvana, but I also love the complex things Buckethead does...



The business of music is a brutal place. Changes in technology have made it easier than ever for bands to get their music out, but harder than ever to make a living? What are your plans to move the band forward? How do you stay motivated in this brutal business?

Spend a lot of time on the internet trying to make new connections. Myspace and Facebook are great places to spread your music and gain new fans. I find it really important that Moth Circus is a band that finds new paths, not necessarily follow in other people`s footsteps. I just try to do my best all the time and I`m really thankful for every new fan we get.



Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?

Hehe... Call our drummer Glenn for lots of cool stories.




What makes a great song?

It has to have a hook. Something to hold on to.




Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?

The first song I wrote for Moth Circus was "Death Living". I remember playing the lead riff for the others and Glenn burst out "We cant play that shit, it sounds like Iron Maiden!!!!". Hehe... He changed his mind. The lyrics are about abuse, and the track will be remastered for our upcoming record.



What piece of your music are particularly proud of?

I wrote an instrumental song for my grandfather for his birthday last year. I could see that it made an impact on him and that means a lot to me. He is one of the few persons whom have never judged me and always stood by my side no matter what. Moth Circus-wise I`m proud of all the songs but right my favorite is "Little Lo" from the upcoming record.



Who today, writes great songs? Why?

Dave Grohl writes good songs. He has the focus on the good melody and I like that. I also have to mention Axl Rose and the Chinese Democracy record. I think its one of the best rock albums to come out in the last decade.



Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?

 I still enjoy the CD



We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. When we come to your town, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?

You know, there aren't many record stores left around here. Almost everybody is downloading illegally and I think that's a shame. But there is an old school record store that's still going strong. It`s called Record World and has lots of weird and obscure things that you don't find anywhere else. If you have seen the movie "High fidelity" you`ll get the idea


Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?

Thanks a lot for your support. Don't forget to visit www.mothcircus.com. Stay clear of drugs and keep watching the skies... The truth is out there.....

Ripple News - Powerpop Singer/Songwriter Todd Wright Releases 40 songs in 40 weeks for charity

This is the sort of project that the Ripple Effect loves to get behind, and a great late-Christmas present for you--free music!!!

Powerpop singer/songwriter Todd Wright has committed himself to release a free track download every Wednesday for 40 weeks with the 40th track released on his 40th birthday. All in an effort to raise awareness for Diabetes... Currently 9 weeks into the 40 x 40 project, you can learn more at:

http://www.orangepopsongs.com

The project originally started out as a musical midlife crisis of sorts, but after the first week took on a greater goal... to raise awareness to find a cure for Diabetes. Its a feel good story of a singer/songwriter paying it forward, hopefully with a little help from the interwebs we can make a difference in the fight against Diabetes. Cameron (8) and Bella (10), two children who are the inspiration for the project, both suffer from Juvenile Diabetes.

Now, we've seen projects before where artists flood the interweb with inferior product in the name of industriousness. 365 songs in 365 days, or what not, and in truth, the songs always sound like they were written and recorded in one day. That's not the case here! To begin with, Todd is a seasoned singer/songwriter who has written and shared the stage with such artist as Lucy Woodward, Toby Lightman, Pat McGee, Butch Walker, Better Than Ezra and others, and all those songwriting chops come to play here. Just check out the free downloads already available, including the Ripple Favorite, "Down With Me." This is strong, compelling songwriting, well-produced sound, and dynamite performances. Damn, around here we have a hard enough time just writing a song review every week, much less the actual song!

The first 8 tracks of the project can be streamed @:

http://www.orangepopsongs.com/store.

And here's the link to all free downloadable tracks:

http://www.orangepopsongs.com/songarchive

Feel free to spread the word. All individual tracks have their own embed code and are shareable across social networking sites.

Hear some great music, and if you can, donate to help support a good cause. All proceeds go to help fight juvenile diabetes.

Ripple News - The Ripple Effect is Thrilled to Help Bring you Hypno5e and The Metal As Art Tour - New Tour Dates Added

Yep, here at the Ripple we're just giddy about this. After all this is the very first tour we've had a hand in sponsoring and the line-up is leaving us drooling in little fanboy puddles.

To make things even better, HYPNO5E has just announced additional US tour dates to their headlining run on the METAL AS ART Tour. HYPNO5E will be teaming up with REVOCATION (Relapse Records) and THE BINARY CODE for the month long run. A list of updated tour dates is below.

The new HYPNO5E album is in the works, and all instruments are complete. The band is currently out in South America working some samples for the new album, and will be returning to France soon to track vocals. Stay tuned for additional HYPNO5E US tour dates to surface in the near future. The band has a big tour machine plan in the works. . .

The METAL AS ART Tour has a whole host of sponsors that we couldn't be more thrilled to be working with, including Ultimate-Guitar, MetalSucks.net, SMNnews, Metal Injection, Killer Tours, Metal Review, Team All About The Music, Tones Of Death, Roxwel, and Ed Stone Rockwear who’ll be giving away exclusive METAL AS ART t-shirts to two lucky winners at each show.

For your chance to win METAL AS ART tickets, head over to KillerTours.com: http://www.killertours.com/contests


January 6 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory

January 7 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock

January 8 - Buffalo, NY @ Broadway Joe’s

January 9 - Akron, OH @ Annabell’s Bar and Lounge – FREE

January 10 - Mt. Clemons, MI @ Hayloft

January 11 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle – FREE

January 12 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar (w/ LYE BY MISTAKE)

January 13 - Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic Lounge

January 14 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Conservatory

January 15 - Dallas, TX @ The Lounge on Elm

January 16 - San Antonio, TX @ Zombies

January 17 - Austin, TX @ Red 7

January 18 - Amarillo, TX @ War Legion

January 19 - Gallup, NM @ Juggernaut

January 20 - TBA

January 21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Ultraviolet

January 22 - Ramona, CA @ Ramona Mainstage

January 23 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Parish

January 24 - Sparks, NV @ New Oasis

January 25 - Portland, OR @ Ash Street Saloon

January 26 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven

January 27 - Spokane, WA @ The Cretin Hop

January 28 - Boise, ID @ Gusto’s Bar

January 29 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Outer Rim (w/ GAZA)

January 30 - Denver, CO @ Lion’s Lair

January 31 - Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge

February 1 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

February 2 - Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room

February 3 - Nashville, TN @ The Muse

February 4 - Cincinnati, OH @ Dirty Jacks

February 5 - Baltimore, MD @ Otto Bar

February 6 - Trenton, NJ @ The Championship



To whet your appetite, HYPNO5E’s debut, Des Deux L’une Est L’autre, can be streamed in its entirety at the band’s official myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hypno5e

Also, make sure to check out the official METAL AS ART myspace: http://www.myspace.com/metalasart

Read what the folks are saying about Hypno5e:

Metal Underground -

“From breakdowns behind classical female vocals to gut-wrenching screams and syncopation, the band covers more ground than Rambo ripping through a jungle… A surrealistic venture through several genres of haunting ass-kickings, because this is an album meant to frighten, impress, and envelope the listener.”



The Ripple Effect -

“Experimentally proggy, technically over the head, and brutal all at the same time, these guys hear music in their own unique way and aren’t afraid to stretch their sound to distant and, as of yet, unimaginable dimensions... This is the type of album that will make you question all that you know, or think that you know, about music… ”



Rock Freaks -

“Sludge, death metal, electronica and dark ambiance meet under the umbrella of progressive rock to envelope the listener in an oppressive, obscure soundscape that juxtaposes the beautiful with the grotesque in a seldom-heard-before way.”

Ripple News - The Ripple Effect is Thrilled to Help Bring you Hypno5e and The Metal As Art Tour - New Tour Dates Added

Yep, here at the Ripple we're just giddy about this. After all this is the very first tour we've had a hand in sponsoring and the line-up is leaving us drooling in little fanboy puddles.

To make things even better, HYPNO5E has just announced additional US tour dates to their headlining run on the METAL AS ART Tour. HYPNO5E will be teaming up with REVOCATION (Relapse Records) and THE BINARY CODE for the month long run. A list of updated tour dates is below.

The new HYPNO5E album is in the works, and all instruments are complete. The band is currently out in South America working some samples for the new album, and will be returning to France soon to track vocals. Stay tuned for additional HYPNO5E US tour dates to surface in the near future. The band has a big tour machine plan in the works. . .

The METAL AS ART Tour has a whole host of sponsors that we couldn't be more thrilled to be working with, including Ultimate-Guitar, MetalSucks.net, SMNnews, Metal Injection, Killer Tours, Metal Review, Team All About The Music, Tones Of Death, Roxwel, and Ed Stone Rockwear who’ll be giving away exclusive METAL AS ART t-shirts to two lucky winners at each show.

For your chance to win METAL AS ART tickets, head over to KillerTours.com: http://www.killertours.com/contests


January 6 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory

January 7 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock

January 8 - Buffalo, NY @ Broadway Joe’s

January 9 - Akron, OH @ Annabell’s Bar and Lounge – FREE

January 10 - Mt. Clemons, MI @ Hayloft

January 11 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle – FREE

January 12 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar (w/ LYE BY MISTAKE)

January 13 - Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic Lounge

January 14 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Conservatory

January 15 - Dallas, TX @ The Lounge on Elm

January 16 - San Antonio, TX @ Zombies

January 17 - Austin, TX @ Red 7

January 18 - Amarillo, TX @ War Legion

January 19 - Gallup, NM @ Juggernaut

January 20 - TBA

January 21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Ultraviolet

January 22 - Ramona, CA @ Ramona Mainstage

January 23 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Parish

January 24 - Sparks, NV @ New Oasis

January 25 - Portland, OR @ Ash Street Saloon

January 26 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven

January 27 - Spokane, WA @ The Cretin Hop

January 28 - Boise, ID @ Gusto’s Bar

January 29 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Outer Rim (w/ GAZA)

January 30 - Denver, CO @ Lion’s Lair

January 31 - Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge

February 1 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

February 2 - Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room

February 3 - Nashville, TN @ The Muse

February 4 - Cincinnati, OH @ Dirty Jacks

February 5 - Baltimore, MD @ Otto Bar

February 6 - Trenton, NJ @ The Championship



To whet your appetite, HYPNO5E’s debut, Des Deux L’une Est L’autre, can be streamed in its entirety at the band’s official myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hypno5e

Also, make sure to check out the official METAL AS ART myspace: http://www.myspace.com/metalasart

Read what the folks are saying about Hypno5e:

Metal Underground -

“From breakdowns behind classical female vocals to gut-wrenching screams and syncopation, the band covers more ground than Rambo ripping through a jungle… A surrealistic venture through several genres of haunting ass-kickings, because this is an album meant to frighten, impress, and envelope the listener.”



The Ripple Effect -

“Experimentally proggy, technically over the head, and brutal all at the same time, these guys hear music in their own unique way and aren’t afraid to stretch their sound to distant and, as of yet, unimaginable dimensions... This is the type of album that will make you question all that you know, or think that you know, about music… ”



Rock Freaks -

“Sludge, death metal, electronica and dark ambiance meet under the umbrella of progressive rock to envelope the listener in an oppressive, obscure soundscape that juxtaposes the beautiful with the grotesque in a seldom-heard-before way.”