May 8th, 2006, I typed my first letter as a Tapehead.  I had no readers at the time, no real idea for or understanding of self-promotion.  Honestly, I didn't really understand how to "blog."  I just knew I wanted to write about music I'd either purchased or heard about in as opinionated, appreciative and, at times, caustic a way as I could.  I wanted a voice in the ever-widening world of music criticism, which meant having a very distinct moniker.  My wife, (then-fiancee), came up with "Letters From A Tapehead," and I liked it because, in few words, the name conveyed who I was and what I wanted to do.  So, on May 8th, armed with a name and an idea, I pulled together a rather weak introduction .  My first review was on Death By Sexy... by Eagles of Death Metal .  There've been many since and I've hopefully improved. A couple turning points ensued, the first of which was the PC Magazine article where I was featured as one of the best 100 blo...

To all the Moms, May you all have an amazing Mother's Day full of good meals, pampering and the comfort of friends and family.  And, may your children NEVER ask you this question. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Many years ago, a good friend of mine (Thanks, Pierre ) had a spell cast upon him by one MF Doom , rap eccentric extraordinaire, the likes of which was large and strong enough that it necessitated an exchange of artistic wealth. In simpler terms, I received two MF Doom care packages in the mail. The first package was a copy of Vaudeville Villain , which was bred by Doom’s alter-ego, Viktor Vaughn . I’m not sure where the alter-ego was necessary as MF Doom’s propensity for comic book “geekery” and lyrical abstraction is alive and well in the observation and flow of Vik Vaughn. Vaudeville Villain , though, was exceptional. The production is what you want out of any hip-hop album: invention and magnetism, an outright hook that draws you in and keeps you engrossed. Doom’s on-point, though monotone, delivery is both sluggish and agile. Somehow he manages to coax the laziest syllables out of his mouth in a very exciting way. It’s paradoxical. I particularly enjoyed “Lickupon”’s u...

#2: The Beatles Abbey Road (2009 remaster) Capitol/Apple Released: 2009 One of the more perfect B-sides in rock n’ roll history? I know that the famed medley of songs on the flipside of Abbey Road were mostly works in progress, both Paul McCartney and John Lennon stringing them together to create the album’s charged opus and The Beatles ’ monumental farewell. To think that Let It Be could very well have been the band’s final album, it’s remarkable that personal, creative and professional differences were cast aside long enough to send the group off in a better, more memorable way. #3: Mad Season Above Columbia Released: 1995 I held a spotlight on “Wake Up” about a year ago , momentarily held in a nostalgic grip that brought up a healthy amount of old feelings. Not memories; just feelings. It’s possible that Above just hit me at the right time. I don’t remember the album receiving much in terms of favorable reviews. In fact, I remember thinking that I was...

New Hella single! Zach Hill is proving himself to be quite the prolific force of creative and abstract nature. He released his solo album, Face Tat , last year, aided Marnie Stern with HER self-titled third album , put out a mixtape and has a full-length planned this year for his experimental hip-hop group, Death Grips , and now the first Hella album in four years. We salute you, Zach. "Untitled," (named that because NONE of the album's songs have a title), is available at Stereogum . All link and information is courtesy of the Us/Them Group. Hella release song from first new album in four years, coming in August Legendary experimentalist duo, Hella have released the first track from their newly completed fifth album, due out August 2011 on Sargent House. Though neither the songs nor the album have been titled yet, the band has made the track available to fans today via Stereogum . Check it out HERE . Hella also invites people to create their own vid...

Sons of Tonatiuh ’s self-titled debut was an album I’d slated to review but it, unfortunately, slipped through my grasp. Still, it’s a good album if you dig progressive-tinged sludgy metal. The band released a video for the song, “Consumed,” and it goes a long way in demonstrating the type of music Sons of Tonatiuh creates. The band will be touring this Spring. All information below is courtesy of Earsplit PR. SONS OF TONATIUH: Band Unleashes New Video + Spring Tour Dates Announced Atlanta-based sludge collective, SONS OF TONATIUH, recently unleashed a video for "Consumed," the third track off their self-titled debut full-length. The video was produced by Apocalypse Productions on their home turf. To check out the merciless crush that ultimately defines this band, shift your peepers on over HERE . Commented drummer Tim Genius : " Do yourself a favor: When making a video, don’t choose the longest possible song you might have.... unless you plan to test your ...

There are transitions employed by Empty Space Orchestra , a progressive quintet from Bend, Oregon, that stink of raw devotion for the likes of Frank Zappa and King Crimson .  Somehow, the band can rock progressively with zero pretension, just a confidence that theirs is a worthwhile dynamic that focuses more on power than mathematics.  No doubt the time signatures take center stage, but there's no academia here.  This is fun for them, and you can hear it. Look/listen to the links below which, along with the info, come courtesy of Us/Them Group.  Empty Space Orchestra are releasing their self-titled debut on May 10th. Empty Space Orchestra takes post-prog-noir-space-metal virtuosity on tour following album release next week  "They rock in an In the Court of the Crimson King -era King Crimson kind of way but with a sound all their own. These guys (and gal) have a kind of talent rarely seen outside of jam-band/festival circles." -- SSG Music "Part jazz...