For about two years now I’ve been working with a fantastic LA based indie/pop band named The Monthlies. Over the past few weeks we’ve been putting the finishing touches on their upcoming EP titled “Horror Flick“, which will include a very cool version of Dexys Midnight Runner’s ‘Come on Eileen’. If you search YouTube for this song you will see that several groups have covered it, but most versions are similar to the original. Not this one!

The Monthlies, in doing what they do best, have put their own unique spin on this 80′s pop standard. I won’t say much about what you’re going to hear other than if you are expecting an updated rehashing of the Dexys version you’re in for a big surprise. We hope you enjoy The Monthlies version of ‘Come on Eileen‘ and please leave a comment below if you’d like to share your thoughts with the band.

[See post to listen to audio]

The Monthlies are…
Wes O’lee – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Jana Bonderman – Lead Guitar
Chris Hall – Bass, Backing Vocals
Nick Miller – Drums

If you like what you hear check out their MySpace page for more songs and a video of their last single, Hip Girl.

While there is no shortage of interest in the album cover medium, there’s no obvious web page out dedicated to the world’s first record cover. I’m apparently I’m not the only one looking for it (See: “Anyone have a scan?“) I’ve seen scattered images from articles about Steinweiss but I’ve not found anything resembling a Shrine.

Such a noteworthy artifact in the history of mass media screams for its own page. Google returns 300+ results for the phrase “Sgt Pepper’s Album Cover” but nothing definitive for the phrase “First Album Cover.” Here’s my humble stab at such a page.

For the complete history of the album cover and its creator, just hit Wikipedia or pick up a copy of “For the Record.” Alex Steinwess, a then 23 years old designer, convinced Columbia’s suits to create the first true album cover. Until then, 78s were sold in generic sleeves.Recently, I came across an apparently original edition of this album and was able to pick it up for almost nothing. Someone unwittingly dumped it onto eBay for chump change. I mean, if they’d known what they had, I would’ve at least expected the auction to include “World’s First Album Cover!” and a reserve price of $100, $500, who knows? Instead, I picked it up for less than $30.

I have been eager to get it posted for all the graphic designers, media theorists and vinyl enthusiasts out there googling “steinweiss +first album cover.” I wanted to get these images out into the world for broader circulation.

Read the entire article and see more shots of this album cover at undependent.com

GET OVER IT!

We are at the beginning of a major paradigm shift in audio formats and you better come along for the ride or you’re going to be left by the wayside. Very few people listen to music on a “hi-fi” system while sitting on a couch in their living room these days. Unfortunately, for the time being, those $50 speakers connected to your computer are the most common reference monitors in the world. It’s sad, yes, but it is the reality. So if we can all stop complaining and work together to get through this change I think we’ll have a much better audio solution when we come out on the other side.

This, of course, is my opinion. What do you think?

Scientists believe they are a step closer to curing tinnitus after they have found what could be the root cause of ringing in the ears.

Studies show hearing loss can go hand-in-hand with over-excitable nerves within brain areas that process sound. This uncontrolled nerve activity causes the noises that plague people with tinnitus and appears to be down to gene changes, Neuroscience reports. And it raises the hope of treatment by silencing nerve activity, experts say.

Read the entire article here

Studio Projects C1 Microphone

The Studio Projects C1 Microphone is a GREAT mic for the money!  I wasn’t sure about ordering one of these C1’s until after I tried out their Studio Projects B1 mic which was a very nice mic.  The comparisons of the C1 to the Neumann 87 are somewhat accurate, who is really going to ever say that the Neumann is not superior to the SP C1?  Any studio that has shelled out over $2000 cash for the Neumann is always going to be a bit bias!  But, the C1 costs 199.00…  Anyway, If you need an extra mic laying around your studio for instrumentals and especially Oud, I say give this a try!

VMS