McFly, just because they're trending on Twitter

Farce the Music Sells Out #2

I don't really know how to properly describe Amber Dust's sound or tell you what genre they're in. They're kinda folk-pop with some Americana and country-ish undertones and their songs have a nice warm glow about them. Most of them are fairly laid back in tempo and smooth as waxed butter. Something like that.... all I know is I really like 'em and they're extremely talented. I even know one of the dudes in the band and he's alright when he's off the Jack Daniels and mini-thins. Did I mention they're also generous? You can get both their debut album and their follow up EP for free at their website 24/7. Maybe if enough people jet over and grab their tunes, the boys will get off their posteriors and release the already-recorded next full Amber Dust album. Give 'em a try!

Check out their sound here (cool Danzig cover along with my two favorite Amber Dust songs, "Tear it Down" and "An Unfamiliar House" are all on their player!): http://www.myspace.com/amberdustmusic

Free full-length album and EP available here:

http://www.amberdustmusic.com/discography.html

Rock & Hard Rock Honest Album Covers

31 Country Music Themes: 4-6

This is the second edition of a new Farce the Music series entitled "An Illustrated Guide to the 31 Most Commonly Used Thematical Elements in Contemporary Country Music Songs" (or "31 Country Music Themes" for short). This is by no means an all-inclusive documentation of all the themes used in modern commercial country music... only 99.85% of it. I will post themes two to four at a time, usually once a week, until the list is complete. I hope you enjoy, and I hope your future listening enjoyment is ruined because you try to think of the exact corresponding theme and illustration every time you hear a song on country radio!

John Rich's Songwriting Tips #11

Save your "Bluebird songs" for ... hell, don't write 'em. If it ain't broad enough to land a 757 on that sumbitch, it ain't worth the effort. Don't mess with cutesy stories, multi-syllabic rhymes... or multi-syllabic words for that matter. And complicated concepts never sold a record in Nashvegas baby. Let Gaydiohead tackle that crap. The only message I wanna convey is the one Lulu in Bessemer, Alabama wants to hear droning in the background of her puke green 1999 Nissan Quest while she's running to the Little Caesar's to pick up a nutritious supper for her three fat younguns. Always remember: KISS - Keep it simple sh*thead.

*Not actually written by John Rich.