Headphones time

We get a lot of requests from aspiring contributors who want to review music, but the answer is always the same. No. We like writing reviews because it's easy and fun.

This afternoon, Eric and I divvied up CDs to review for GR42. It's a weird process that you'd never be able to discern by reading the mag. First, we go through the tub of CDs and take out all the junk. For example, we remove the releases with crummy packaging or terrible names, as well as major label things that we would never listen to. Actually, maybe it's easier to say what we do pick: labels and bands we already like, intriguing cover art, funny band or album names. We're a little more lenient with Asian or Asian-American artists, but that doesn't guarantee placement. Then there are the total random ones. If there's a CD with the word "Watsonville" on it, I might give it to Eric because he has family from there. If there's something with a picture of a rabbit on it, he might throw it in my pile because I had a pet bunny for a while. In the end, there is no strategy and we review whatever we want. Too bad most of the CDs really suck.

It's been noted that we don't really tear apart CDs in our reviews, and a lot of that has to do with the selection process. The really bad stuff is weeded out right away. And then if I start listening to something that's terrible, I'll just stop listening. No time for crap, and no space in the mag for easy shit talking.

Driving home, I listened to a few of the CDs. So far, so good. I like the new Bell-Rays a lot. A friend of mine described them as Aretha Franklin singing for the MC5, and that's pretty right-on. I already know the new Monsters Are Waiting is great. Currently, they're my favorite L.A. band, and I had them send the CD to me as soon as I got their email blast annoucing it was coming out. Also, I'm stoked about the newest release from Spider & The Webs (pictured) because I bought the CD after their amazing set at the Smell last month. Tobi Vail from Bikini Kill and Chris from Dub Narcotic Sound System and COCO--what else can I say?