After work Tuesday I made my way down Franklin Ave to do something I have not done in a while, which was buy a new CD. The band that has caused this cataclysmic event was none other than Yeasayer. After snooping around the Electric Fetus, I finally asked one of the hipsters who work behind the counter to put his skinny jeans and ironic T-shirt to work and help me find my CD. He was ever so kind and ventured off to the bowels of the store to find a newly arrived copy of All Hour Cymbals, the debut CD from the aforementioned band that had piqued my jaded interest. The seed that had set off this desire was the first single from this album, the magnificent 2080. It first reminded me heavily of Animal Collective, but soon had me thinking of a mix between AC and TV on the Radio, which to me is a satisfying musical wet dream. The song had so much......tribal drums, far out vocals, rhythm, soul and an outro that peaks at just the right point. It builds and builds with chanting vocals until it maxes out near the 4:30 minute mark and ends with children singing the chorus. Great shit.
There were many reasons to buy this record, but I have embraced on a new musical mantra. If I like a CD and it is on a independent or at least semi-independent label....I will support them by purchasing their CD. If a band puts a CD out on Capital, I will lose no sleep over finding their music from other sources(screw you RIAA). Now be certain that I will not avoid or boycott bands who are on major labels, and I do not think of this as an unavoidable character flaw, I just don't make a lot of money, so I am not going to support the Grey Goose habits of square record execs who try to promote "music" when they also put out Britney Spears, Nickleback, Fergi and other products that insult me(and they should insult you too). My point is, you do not need a major label. If you want to be rich and famous, then it is a different story, and I would not be against the argument that wanting these things are contrary to the entire spirit of music(and art in general), but I am not actively engaging in a "indie cred" contest. If Interpol wants to get their videos on MTV and play Madison Square Garden, good for them. I just will not be buying their CD(but I will download the hell out of it....what can I say, they make some good music). Back to my point. The reason I decided to spend $12 on the Yeasayer CD were three fold. 1.They rock
2.They are on an independent label (We are Free) that supports new and different music. If I support them, their label can help promote other bands who are as interesting and diverse as Yeasayer.
3.I really do want to support musicians, and major labels do not support musicians(except the 10% who sell 5 million copies). I know that Yeasayer is not getting all $12 from my cd purchase, in fact I would assume they don't even get half of it, but I would bet that they are getting 4-5 times more from my cd purchase than Interpol would have gotten had I bought their $12 cd(at Walmart, yuck).
Walking to my car on the cool fall afternoon brought back many memories, albeit mostly foggy images from days long passed. I had an excited feeling in my stomach, and hands casually fingered the CD case that was still wrapped in the womb of plastic. I sat in my car and unwrapped the CD (seriously though, I forgot how annoying opening a CD is....free advice, don't open them while driving down Franklin during rush hour with your knee guiding the wheel, you will almost destroy the dirty beatnik biker who feels there bike is as important as your car and deserves an entire lane) and put it in for the drive home, excitedly listening to each new song and reading the packaging (again, wait until you get home, 94 is for driving folks, not reading who plays trombone of song six of your new Yeasayer CD). I felt good about what I did and think I will continue (in moderation, I really am poor), although as much as it was enjoyable.....having $15 and a burned copy would be pretty sweet too....oh well. I'm working on it.
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