Rock ‘n’ Roll Wikipedia

It’s conceivable that at the world’s end we will find ourselves in the midst of a fiery duel between Google and the holy Wikimedia Foundation. I try not to think about it too much because picking a victor seems as futile as trying decide who would win in a battle between Batman and Superman. Google is definitely strides ahead in using portable and mobile devices to leap out of the constraints of my laptop. In fact, I find I text Google more than I text half of my friends. Yet, recently, my heart has been falling into the hands of Wikipedia.

(Note: I know that it is strange to compare a search engine with a non-profit encyclopedia but they are both massive suppliers of information and two of the top 10 most visited websites for 2007)

I have been using Wikipedia to fill my head with random knowledge for years. Thanks to Wikipedia I know about radioisotope rockets, Edward Leedskalnin’s coral castle, and far from everything in-between. However, I have been putting Wikipedia to a new use lately; I have been using the gentle white giant to find out about music. How uncool, right? Well, let’s consider it.

Due to their surprisingly well regulated encyclopedic writing standards, Wikipedia is the most bullshit-free and least opinionated digi place to learn about tunes since the early days of Epitonic. I am not saying there is anything wrong with opinionated music sites. In fact, I bask in Pitchfork’s conceitedly assertive reviews more frequently than I remember to eat breakfast and I thrive on every moment of it. That said, sometimes I just want clean cut facts and thats when my love steps in.

A simple search will frequently unveil an overview, history, and discography for nearly any somewhat noteworthy band regardless of what label they were signed to or how many records they sold. Genre links are conveniently placed for finding similar artists and the overview often contains links to their contemporaries. The discography section is utterly amazing. Not only can you see everything they have ever released in a clean manner, you can click on albums to view individual tracks and see credits, track lengths, and positions on charts all around the world for singles. The best part is that you don’t have to see a single advertisement during this process. For an example click here.

Often I’ll hear about a band from a friend and then hop on Wikipedia to learn more. Hours later, I will find I know the history of not only that band but of 20 other bands in their specific music scene. Is it perfect? No. Although there are regulations and most band pages follow them, some pages fall below my quality standards. From time to time you will find factual errors and typos. This is frustrating yet to be expected from a user updated website. Luckily, sources are typically cited so if all else fails, you can still use Wikipedia as a dandy diving board to leap to other relevant sites.

My biggest complaint is that you can rarely listen to the music you are reading about. I know there would probably be legal issues with putting music samples on a site like Wikipedia but it sure would be helpful. I suppose for now we have to settle for the sometimes clunky process of downloading the artists on our favorite P2P sites to decide if we like their music. It may or may not be legal, but using the internet to catch wind of bands you would never have heard about otherwise sure isn’t morally wrong.

Check it: Wikipedia /

Bad Weather California

It’s not uncommon to hear critics of mainstream hollywood-centric musical acts complain that the record charts are constantly smothered by musicians with big personalities and a substance halfway in-between flour and fluff for music. One can easy become disheartened and believe musical quality and integrity exist solely in a world devoid of artistic personality. Knowingly or not, Denver’s Bad Weather California is poised to prove these skeptics wrong. Singer-songwriter Chris Adolf births engaging, personality filled sets that flow more like a conversation with a close friend than a traditional rock show. In fact, his rambling in-between songs can often be so intriguing that the showgoer hardly notices that he has stopped playing until, like a practiced indie-rock ninja, he leaps back into his heartfelt songs plowing though tales of love, politics, religion, and celebrations of strength and life.

Chris Adolf’s trembling yet familiar voice rings of authentic passion with every word he sings. This level of authenticity would be impossible to fake and he seems well aware. Although, Bad Weather California (FKA The Love Letter Band) has been crafting songs and performing for years, Chris rarely plays his old hits. The songs that matter to him and the songs that are relevant now pour out and his small yet dedicated fanbase seems to appreciate his approach.

In recent months, Bad Weather California has sprouted into a four piece band, but don’t expect to hear them playing their songs as they are found on the most recent and wordily titled album, Fear Not My Brothers, Fear Not My Sisters, For I Have Seen The Future. The band’s live show celebrates its life as a separate entity with a meandering trek through western soundscapes, engaging, energetic folk-punk inspired vocals, and hip-shaking dance-rock grooves. At times the songs seem as easily distracted and curious as an ADHD child’s daydreams, but, against all odds, they tend to form a uniquely cohesive whole. Despite the menagerie of musical changes, experiments, and sonic curiosities in BWC’s live show, the listener rarely gets left behind.

Check it: Bad Weather California /