Help the kids and help your ears: The FTM Holiday Mixtape

Farce the Music is known for venom, sarcasm, snark and criticism. That's how it is and how it shall always be. However, in real life, I'm a nice guy who really doesn't actually hate any of the people I hate on… and I want to use FTM's audience to do something good for a change.

I love kids. I love my kids mostly, but all of them in general and in my opinion, the worst crimes of humanity are those against children. The recent scandals at Penn State and Syracuse weighed heavily on my heart and reminded me that I've always wanted to help out a children's charity. Now's the time.

Help out abused and neglected children by donating to Childhelp and I'll donate some good music to your ears!

…well, I, with help from 18 gracious singers and bands who've been kind enough to donate their songs for the 2011 Farce the Music Holiday Mixtape. (It's not holiday songs, just a holiday mixtape)

This mixtape features great songs from Drew Kennedy, Mike Ethan Messick, The Rankin Twins, Bart Crow Band, Fifth on the Floor and more! There are also several exclusive unreleased songs, including ones from John Moreland and Robert Earl Reed.

Also, for the first time ever, hear Fenixon - the 1996 collaboration between Waylon Jennings and Shooter Jennings. It's a Waylon meets Nine Inch Nails version of the song "Outlaw Sh*t." How badass is that?

All you have to do to get this awesome compilation of 18 songs is donate $5 or more to Childhelp. That's a heck of a deal. Help kids and help yourself.

There are only 2 steps:

1. Go here to donate at least $5: Childhelp

Make sure to enter your email address and you'll receive a thank you email from Childhelp. (It doesn't have any credit card info - I checked - so you won't be giving FTM access to extra Christmas spending money)

2. Forward the thank you email to farcethemusic@gmail.com and I'll reply with a link to download the FTM Holiday Mixtape. It's that easy!

Make sure to thank any and all of the artists on this compilation if you get a chance. They were all very helpful and willing to do what they could for this effort and I applaud them.

A track listing with short descriptions follows. Now go help the kids!!!

FTM Holiday Mixtape

1. Bart Crow Band - Back Down

From their 2008 release, Desperate Hearts, Bart Crow Band gives us this catchy, sly country rocker full of attitude.

2. Larry Hooper - Blue Truck

Great tune from Larry's new album, Between Here and the Stars.

3. Travel by Sea - Glimpse of Day

A band that started out as a collaboration of artists who'd never met in person, Travel by Sea submits this steel guitar-laden gem from their most recent album Two States and the Blindness that Follows.

4. John Moreland - The Future Unfolds

The first exclusive track on the mixtape, The Future Unfolds is an unreleased track from the ever busy Oklahoma singer-songwriter. It's hardly typical outtake quality as you'll hear. John's latest album with his new band The Dust Bowl Souls is called Everything the Hard Way.

5. Robert Earl Reed - Something Wicked

Another unreleased song, Something Wicked is the soulful title cut from the forthcoming album by Mississippi singer-songwriter Robert Earl Reed.

6. Drew Kennedy - Stars in California

From his critically acclaimed album, Fresh Water in the Salton Sea, FTM pal Drew Kennedy sings of soul-searching travels.

7. The Rankin Twins - Million Miles (Acoustic)

A bouncy, catchy tune from The Rankin Twins' recent EP, Silver Lining.

8. The Toby Wayne Band - Strangers

Oklahoma's The Toby Wayne Band gives us this sad lament of a country song, co-written by yours truly and Nashville songwriter Skip Black.

9. 2 Steps Back - Off Romancing

From Lovers & Fighters, 2 Steps Back rocks on this catchy tune that keeps getting stuck in my head.

10. Jeremy Steding - Arkansas Rain

The only song on the mixtape actually set during the holiday season, Arkansas Rain picks through the ruins of a broken relationship. From Jeremy's excellent 2011 album, I Keep on Livin', but I Don't Learn.

11. Ali Dee - World's Gone Crazy

Texas Women alum Ali Dee submits her catchy single World's Gone Crazy. The slickest song you'll hear on this comp, but it's far more interesting than your typical song this commercial sounding. Thanks Ali!

12. Rich O'Toole - Urban Disgrace

Rich donates this awesomely depressing tune from his 2008 album, In a Minute or 2.

13. Josh Grider - Crazy Like You

Josh shows Nashville how to write a female-friendly country song without pandering to the lowest common denominator. From Million Miles to Go.

14. Austin Collins - Bridge Street Lullabye

From Roses are Black, FTM pal Austin Collins gives us this introspective alt-country ballad.

15. Kasey Anderson - Sooner/Later (demo)

An exclusive demo from Kasey's 2010 album, Nowhere Nights. His 2011 release with The Honkies, Heart of a Dog, is one of FTM's favorite albums of the year.

16. Fenixon (Waylon and Shooter Jennings) - Outlaw Shit

Now this is cool… from the semi-mythical unreleased collab between Shooter and his dad (you may have heard of him) in 1996 called Fenixon, here's an industrial-rock meets country take on "Outlaw Shit."

17. Fifth on the Floor - Last Night in Memphis

Southern rockers Fifth on the Floor give us this awesome song from 2009's The Color of Whiskey.

18. Mike Ethan Messick - So Little Left To Lose

The mixtape ends on a decidedly country twang, with Mike's well-written and expertly played song from his 2011 album, The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday.

Honest ACAs logo

Yeah, so I posted this last year too... so what? It's still true.

John Rich's Songwriting Tips #55

Hey y'all. It's been a while huh. Well, I've got a little time here in the airport, so I thought I'd crap out a new songwriting tip for you. If you're a world traveler like Mr. Big Bad Too-Drunk-to-Fly here, you may wonder where in the hell you can find time to write your latest hit that sounds like everybody else's but with the words arranged differently. Well, airport bars are a f**king wonderful place to jot down sh*t on napkins while you hit on stewardesses and college girls. I just wrote this about an hour ago: "Hot little number from Arizona State/headin' home for holiday break/I'd like to take her in the lavatory/Give 'er a mile high ride on 'old glory'." Hell yeah, there's a patriotic anthem bitches! You never know when a brilliant idea like that might pop into your head. Huh huh, I said head. Man, the mixed drinks at airport bars are strong as a mother. I ain't drunk though, dumb ass stewardess and pilot. That's the last time I fly Southwest…oversensitive f*cks. Where was I? Oh yeah, you can write while you're waiting in the terminal too… I like to just pretend to write mostly, so people won't ask for my autograph or take pictures with me. Get that sh*t out of here, you can buy my autograph on E-bay like all the other peasants. Well, my limo from Nashville should be here in 12 hours or so, so I gotta get a little more drinking in before then. Later, turdburglars.

*not actually written by John Rich

Awkward Gary Levox Photo of the Week

Okay, these have finally started to all look alike to me... let me know if I repeat myself.

Top 10 Alternate Titles for Eric Church/Brantley Gilbert 2012 Tour

With the announcement of the 2012 Blood, Sweat and Beers tour featuring Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert and some guys they found at the local pool hall, FTM pondered some more fitting titles for said tour.

Top 10 Alternate Titles for Eric Church/Brantley Gilbert 2012 Tour

10. Aviators and Wallet Chains

09. Affliction Presents: Outfauxs 2012

08. Bud, Regret and Tears

07. The Axe Fratlaws Tour

06. At Least We're Not Rascal Flatts

05. Craftsman Presents: Tools Across America

04. Kicking Ass and Dropping Names

03. DUIs and STDs

02. Blood, Sweat and Vinegar & Water

01. Spin Hank Like a Top World Tour

YouTube Gems: JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound

From their album Want More, here's JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound with their cool, soulful cover of Wilco's "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart."

Top Ten Shortest Books by Country Artists III

10. Shit That Worries Me - Willie Nelson

09. Good Times With Mike - Tim McGraw

08. How To Have Fun on a Sunday Night Without Watching a UFC Pay-Per-View - Brantley Gilbert

07. Artists Not Eligible for Best New Artist Award - Country Music Association

06. How Not to Sully Your Legacy - Hank Williams Jr.

05. Sane, Sober, Lucid Days - Mindy McCready

04. How Many F*cks I Give - Billy Joe Shaver

03. Stuff I Actually Know About Girls - Scotty McCreery

02. How to Distinguish Yourself in Country Music - Hunter Hayes

01. Items I Can Reach on the Top Shelf - Justin Moore

Mike Curb is a Tool

After reading this article, I applied the honesty filter in Photoshop to this old Mike Curb Congregation album cover.

Tim Beats Curb

While FTM isn't usually a fan of Tim McGraw's music, we're a fan of artistic freedom and fair treatment. Suck it, Curb Records.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i1n_WKRnQqp7nYTzlsOXA8DLbXKg?docId=d8d131b76eec47fabbe03620fd09e7fa

More Damn Quails!

Enjoy! (I want to fight whoever's talking over this!)

Justin Moore says...

New Dierks Bentley Album Cover Revealed

Out Today: New Dixie Chicks Blu-ray

5 Albums You Probably Missed But Shouldn't Have

by Kelcy Salisbury

I'm sure everyone has at least one favorite "obscure" album, whether it's a little known effort by a well-known artist or the masterpiece album of their favorite underground band. Here are five relatively unknown albums that should be in your collection, in no particular order.

1) Billy Joe Shaver - Tramp On Your Street

Billy Joe's songwriting is in fine form here with versions of Georgia On a Fast Train & Live Forever included along with When The Fallen Angels Fly, a hauntingly personal heartbreaking story with a seed of hope included, and the autobiographical title track. What really makes this album the crown jewel of Shaver's discography is the blazing guitar work of his son, Eddy Shaver. Eddy Shaver was one of the great guitar players of his generation, who tragically died much too young. If you want to hear him at the height of his powers take a listen to this one.

2) Corb Lund & The Hurtin' Albertans - Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer

Chris LeDoux's strong western sensibilities and sense of humor meet strong musicianship and perfectly suited vocals to the subject matter. Highlights are Ian Tyson's turn on The Rodeo's Over, and the raucous romp of Good Copenhagen.

3) High On Fire - Surrounded By Thieves

Sludge Metal masters churn out 8 of their heaviest tunes in front of a live crowd (given the title maybe they should have recorded in a prison). The energy of the live performance surpasses their studio efforts, in my opinion. Standout tracks are Hung, Drawn and Quartered along with The Yeti but this is as album that needs to be listened to straight through.

4) Black Lab - Passion Leaves A Trace

90s rock fans may recall Black Lab hitting the charts in the late 90s with Wash It Away & Time Ago from their standout album Your Body Above Me. What you may not realize is that they are still around and making good music. They may have been mislabeled in the 90s post-grunge movement, thus they weren't the easiest band to market, making them another casualty of the downturn of the music business. Regardless, Passion Leaves A Trace features strong lyrics over mostly shimmery Bowie influenced arrangements. Essential tracks are Ghost In Your Mind & Pictures of People.

5) Reckless Kelly - Bulletproof

This may be the most well known album on this list, but it's also such a great album that I felt I HAD to include it. There are a few albums that come out each year (if we're lucky at least) that are so good, regardless of genre, that it should be mandatory that anyone who claims to love good music own them. This is such an album. Again, it should be listened to as a whole, but if you're so broke you can only buy a few songs pick up Ragged As The Road, American Blood, How Was California, Mirage, and Godforsaken Town. If Godforsaken Town doesn't tug at your heartstrings you are not human.

Hopefully you haven't heard of at least one of these albums and you'll find something in here to enjoy. Until next time.

Awkward Gary Levox Photo of the Week

Senseless Censorship IX

A Song for Black Friday

If you're out there wrestling around for $2 waffle makers, this is the song for you.

YouTube Gems: Johnny Cash

Happy Thanksgiving!

Top 10 (Country Music-related) Things to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving

10. That there aren't two Jason Aldeans. Oh wait…. That there aren't three Jason Aldeans.

09. Jamey Johnson

08. That Colt Ford isn't getting much airplay (yet)

07. Elizabeth Cook

06. iPods/satellite radio so we don't have to hear this if we don't want to

05. Ray Wylie Hubbard

04. That radio will have to stop playing "If I Die Young" eventually

03. That Willie, Merle, Ray Price and Loretta are still with us

(this is #1 in spirit if not digit)

02. Hellbound Glory

01. That Gary Levox isn't coming to our Thanksgiving dinner

Y'all Have to See This (Brantley Gilbert fans are morons)

I never thought I'd lower myself to the level of starting a flame war on a YouTube comment thread, but here we are. In my disgust at Brantley Gilbert's "Country Must Be Country Wide" hitting #1 on the charts, I made the comment on the video thread that "Brantley Gilbert is crap. Country music is dead." What followed and continues still, are some of the dumbest comments I've ever read on the Interweb. You can either click on the jpegs below and read along or go to this YouTube video and start reading the comments on about page 4 or 5. Someone actually said Brantley Gilbert has more talent (in his toe or something) than Hank Sr. There should be an IQ test for procreating.

Lyrics Illustrated: Thompson Square - I Got You

Review: The Damn Quails - Down the Hatch

First of all, I'd like to welcome Kelcy Salisbury ( @slingblade322 ) into the fold as an occasional reviewer and possible regular contributor to Farce the Music! His debut piece is a review of my current favorite album of 2011.

The Damn Quails - Down the Hatch

by Kelcy Salisbury

A great man (I’ve heard the quote variously attributed to Kris Kristofferson & Guy Clark) once said that there are two ways to write great lyrics. One is to write about “uncommon things in common words”. The other is to write about “common things in uncommon words”. As a music fan I’ve always leaned strongly on the lyrical quality of the music when choosing between what I consider good or bad. Of course good music requires strong playing and solid arrangements but that’s just the cover charge. To actually get in the club and make an impression, it had better have some serious lyrical weight.

I’m happy to report that the Damn Quails debut album, Down The Hatch, delivers on all counts. Most great songwriters excel at either common themes in uncommon words, or vice versa, to reference the previous quote one last time. The lyrical strength of the one-two punch that is Damn Quails songwriting is that they can pull off either type of writing with equal aplomb.

But there is much more here than just great lyrics and well crafted songs (I may be labeled as a heretic, but I’m looking at you Bob Dylan and you too, Neil Young when I say this). The performances, both vocally and musically more than hold up their end of the bargain and actually enhance the lyrics of each song.

Now, at this point in time the Quails are one of the most buzzed about bands in this region of the country and possibly in all of independent/Americana/Red Dirt music, so I’ll spare you the biographical information, but let me just say that I haven’t heard a duo that works this well together since at least Foster & Loyd, again risking being burned at the stake for heresy I actually prefer the Damn Quails to any musical duo I can recall hearing since the height of the Waylon & Willie collaborations and truthfully the Damn Quails are more of an actual duo than those efforts ever were. The third person whose contributions cannot be overstated is producer and Oklahoma music kingpin Mike McClure. The production is spot-on throughout the album. After about two dozen spins I can’t hear a single spot where I felt like the production was flawed or lacking, yet the album never loses it’s organic feel. It’s truly a remarkable achievement.

My personal favorite feature of the Damn Quails music is the interplay in vocal styles as they trade off lead vocals from song to song. Gabriel has a voice that vaguely reminds me of a celtic singer I heard once at a bar in Canada. Random I know, but I could definitely imagine him singing some Chieftains cover songs on a lark. Byron has what feels like a more classic country/folk voice to me. Neither voice is incredible on it’s own, though both are certainly very good. It’s the interplay of the two, and the changing styles from one song to the next that really give the album such a uniquely wonderful vocal quality.

Musically, there is plenty to love. The guitar work on opening track, Better Place To Stop, and Parachute both stand out to me but every song has great instrumentals, even a touch of organ in places. There is not a weak link musically on the entire album.

Lyrically every song is exceptional, I suspect everyone who listens closely will have a different favorite and will possibly change their minds about what that favorite is after each listen. Each song evokes the emotions of the story being told as the lyrics are perfectly blended with the instrumental arrangements to paint a picture that words alone simply cannot do. My personal favorites on the album are Fools Gold, Parachute and California Open Invitation but I don’t skip a single song any time I listen and I doubt I ever will.

If you can buy only one song on this album, save your money until you can buy the whole thing. A true piece of art deserves to be seen/heard the way it was intended to be, as a whole and this is a truly great piece of art. I simply have nothing negative to say about it.

Finally, this is deservedly the most buzzed about band out of the musical hotbed that is central Oklahoma in quite a while and (with all due respect to Jason Boland & The Stragglers whose Rancho Alto is incredible and all the other acts who put out great work this year) I am willing to state that this is the best record of the year, regardless of genre. It’s simply that good.

Justin Moore says...

Awkward Gary Levox Photo of the Week

Yelawolf - Radioactive

Yelawolf's major label debut, Radioactive, is out today. FTM's a big fan of Yela's rural southern angle on hip-hop. His previous releases were full of classic rock and country influence with lyrics about the darker side of southern living. Think Drive-by Truckers for the rap set.

When he signed with Eminem's Shady Records in 2010, I was pretty excited for him. Of course I was a little apprehensive as well, concerned that his signature sound might get swallowed up by the corporate machine. I erred on the side of anxiousness though, knowing Yelawolf's talent and story (he's a half-white, half-Native American former professional skateboarder from the deep south) will make for a groundswell of support and bring true talent back to mainstream rap.

I'd be lying if I said Radioactive lived up to my expectations. I was naively hoping for something groundbreaking - a Nevermind of rap maybe - bringing his small town gutter sound to the mainstream. Unfortunately, it sounds more like the mainstream was brought to him.

Radioactive is still a very strong album with a few great and mostly good tunes. All the rap skills are there. The lyrics are generally excellent. The beats are solid and the production isn't overdone ….for the most part.

When the album sticks to Yelawolf's strengths it's at its best. "Grownin' up in the Gutter" is an angry rocked up rant which argues that hard times are everywhere, not just the ghetto. "Let's Roll," mines Yela's classic rock influences with an unabashedly catchy arena anthem, with a strong chorus from Kid Rock.

Where the record drops off is when Yela gets away from his meat and potatoes. The tracks that echo B.O.B. are definitely skippers. "Good Girl" is one "for the ladies," but I'm not sure even they will enjoy the annoying chorus and mixed messages. "Made in the USA" is a fairly well-written protest track completely torpedoed by a Debbie Boone meets Lee Greenwood hook. It's so sappy, it destroys whatever message Yelawolf wanted to impart.

Drop a little of this pop filler (which in fact isn't filler - I'm sure "Good Girl" will be released as a single to move a few units) and replace it with a couple more classic rock influenced bangers and Radioactive would be a little closer to that classic I wanted. Still, Yela's way above most of the rest of rap right now. He actually writes songs, not just barking out brags around a chorus. Let's hope his next album gives more of his unique southern perspective.

YouTube Junk: Brantley Gilbert

This song just hit #1 on the Mediabase charts. I usually try to keep the language in check around here, but fuck this motherfucker. Any song that has "country" in the title but begins with the words "Go ahead and crank this song up"... well, you know it sucks. Gilbert has now replaced his dad, Jason Aldean as FTM's #1 enemy.