Radio Free Hipster Ep. 93: Elegant Mess

This is another one of those shows that kind of came together on its own. That means, for the uninitiated, that I am now wholly mortified because it was just too easy.

Normally assembling a podcast is all about trial and error. It's kind of like Tetris; I have to find the right place to put each song so as to achieve proper cohesion.

But this time I just took my list of prospective tracks, split it in half and then started building all off-the-cuff and shit in one continuous action. So either A) the songs in this show fit together so effortlessly that you have no choice to enjoy the finished product or B) I totally fucked up.

Either way, please let me know what you think.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 93: Elegant Mess [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 47.8 MB Running Time: 52:13

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Ah, the noble theme song! 

Track 1: Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backfire – "Creep"
Shael and company released this track to celebrate reaching the first financial benchmark of their new Kickstarter campaign. Feel free to contribute if you haven't yet passed them some dough. 

Z's 1st interlude: "Being an independent musician is expensive hobby."
And I love each and every one of you, you poor, destitute bastards! 

Track 2: Illbotz – "It's Illbotic (Super Mario Remix)"
Illbotz's Big Perm proves a point: you can make a great rap name by simply adding the word "big" to any noun. 

Track 3: Insane Ian – "MvL (feat. Odd Austin and TV's Kyle)"
This track is the new single from Insane Ian and the MusicIAN's recently released The Last Arcade. It's one of my favorite Dementia Music releases of late. 

Track 4: King Pheenix – "Anarchitype Rush (feat. Thunderball and MadHatter)"
KPX straight killed it at Nerdapalooza! If you haven't already, peep his Hero vs. Villain album over at Scrub Club. 

Track 5: Disney Pulp Fiction dialog / Mega Ran Zero – "The Resistance"
The incongruity of a Mega Man Zero song and a comedic redub of Pulp Fiction is readily apparent. And yet I couldn't help but combine the two. 

Track 6: The White Licorice – "The Birds and the Beedrills"
For anyone who may've missed this when it made the rounds last week, the original YouTube vid can be found here. 

Track 7: Pokemon dialog / krhym3.574r.0n3 and Doc Awkward – "Pokemon PIMP"
As featured on Scrub Club's Noncents Vol. 11. 

Z's 2nd interlude: "Pokemon-themed debauchery."
I find the fact that there are two totally different songs that rely on the names of Pokemon as sexual innuendo to be both horrifying and delightful. 

Track 8: virt – "10th"
This take on the Doctor Who theme may prove to be your new favorite. 

Track 9: Glenn Case – "Here Comes Your Man (feat. Rachael Layne)"
Glenn's recently started extracting the audio from his continuing Acoustic Song a Day video project. He's passing the tracks on to me, and I, in turn, plan to play them for you. It's a pretty sweet little system we have worked out here. 

Track 10: Bazuuka Joe – "Keep Flyyin' (feat. Jod1)"
In case you missed it, I reviewed Joe's new Roll A Twenty release The Red Pill  last month. 

Track 11: Kabuto The Python – "Rap Loogies (feat. Fatty Goodness)"
A pocket-sized serving of musical awesome from Kabuto's Ill Ron Hubbard. 

Track 12: Dale Chase – "Mississippi Mud (feat. Billy Fee)"
I'll be including more info regarding Dale's new album Limit Break in a write-up later this month, but for the time being just consider this reason enough to download a copy of your own. 

Track 13: DJ TOPCAT – "Folsom Prison Gangstaz (Eazy-E vs. Johnny Cash)"
The best Johnny Cash mash-up since "Johnny Cash Rules Everything Around Me." 

Z's final interlude: "The energy in this show has been all over the place."
I think that's my favorite thing about this edition of RFH. It really is quite eclectic. 

Track 14: Lou Reed – "Walk on the Wild Side (Holtoug bootleg)"
Typically I restrict my included bootlegs to the oddly ironic or the inherently nerdy, but I think this one succeeds be just being an amazingly chill interpretation of a classic rock radio standard by Denmark's Holtoug.

I've been talking a lot about my upcoming 100th episode. More specifically, I've been stressing over what to do with it.

The good news is I think I've settled on a concept. The bad news is I'm gonna need your help. But I'll save that for another day.

For now, friends and neighbors, let us simply relax and ride out the waning summer. I think we deserve a dash of relaxation after all the nerdy work we've done in recent months.

The Fine Art of Gimmickry

Just call me Mr. Gimmick.

I spent a lot of time over this past weekend listening to Kabuto the Python's Ill Ron Hubbard. As I said before, it's a really enjoyable effort, despite some obvious stitching. But the thing that stood out to me on these post-review (read: casual and relaxed) listenings had much more to do with a recurring lyrical motif.

You see, throughout the album, Kabuto and company speak out against the notion that the Python is merely a gimmick. This admonition struck an immediate chord with me, and, unfortunately for you, precipitated the following sermon.

Gimmick is a word that's tossed around a lot in my "line of work." Wizard Rock, for example, is blasted by outsiders for employing a simple gimmick of overzealous fandom, and Beefy once felt motivated to quip that nerdcore itself is "not a fake genre or a parody." More to the point, California hip-hopper Satellite High once called out the whole of nerd rap on a track entitled – wait for it – "Working a Gimmick."

So, in summation for those of you with short attention spans, gimmicks are bad. When we hear the word we think of the publicity stunt. The ruse. The bait and switch.

We typically see a gimmick as a crutch for weak flows or sketchy songwriting, an easy excuse that insulates an act or artist against the rigors of otherwise mandated quality control. To put it bluntly, we tend to view it as a fucking cop-out.

But we're wrong.

In professional wrestling, a gimmick is an athlete's persona, his distinguishing traits, and it's the most important tool in helping the wrestler get "over," or accepted by fans.

What – wrestling talk not good enough for you? Fine then, let's get esoteric.

A gimmick isn't a moat that protects your castle from attack. A gimmick is an open gate. It's an in-road. It invites company into your antechamber.

Wow. That metaphor was dense.

All I'm saying is that a gimmick in and of itself isn't a bad thing. In fact, every artist has a gimmick. Some may have exceedingly clever ways of concealing this, but, at its core, it's all simple gimmickry.

Maybe your gimmick is that you wear iconic glasses or have weird hair. Perhaps it's that you smoke lots of weed or have been shot a whole fucking bunch of times. Maybe it's a reliance on a particular vocal motif or an emphasis on a continued lyrical theme. Maybe your gimmick is an attachment to a particular style or artistic subset. Either way, your gimmick is important because it's yours. It may make you easily attached to or paralleled with others who share a similar slant, but it provides an easy jumping-off point for your own creativity and, more importantly, an easy point of entry for fans.

If your gimmick is your whole act, then, yes, you have a serious problem with creativity and an obvious deficit with regard to credibility. But if you have the chops to back that gimmick up, to surpass your own obvious niche – like Kabuto or Kirby Krackle or 8 Bit Weapon – then you've truly succeeded as an artist.

In an oft-cited scene from MC Frontalot's own documentary Nerdcore Rising, Jello Biafra warns "Be careful with your own stereotype; it could become a prison." And he would know, because he too has a gimmick.

Jello was the poster boy for an entire generation of anarcho-punk thinkers and thus a man firmly rooted in an easily recognized stylistic box, but he has managed to channel the energy of the purposefully limited genre of hardcore punk into a number of disparately stylized projects over his 30+ year career. He's an artist with a gimmick, sure, but he has leveraged his gimmick. He has made the most of it.

In closing I'd just like to say, all honest-like, that I have a gimmick, and I'll gladly admit it. I am a diminutive southerner that is very obviously overly focused on his own inherent nerdery. I'm a smart-ass writer who channels the things I absorbed throughout my formative years from studious cats like Bill Hicks and have spent the larger chunk of my adult life leaching from geek luminaries like Jerry Holkins through a distinctly rural filter.

My hope is that I manage to properly convey this particular device across a number of projects and mediums in ways that you may not completely expect. Because if you can use your gimmick to divert the audience's attention slightly, and then surprise them with even more stellar (if still specialized) output, well then, my friend, everybody wins.

"I used to be a somebody in this town. Now, everybody has a gimmick. I was going to show them all. And I did."

The Riddler, Batman: Hush

The Tasty Trio

Though it never seems to reach a drought level, there is an oddly cyclical nature with regard to new album releases. Sometimes they trickle in a proper pace apart and other times gush forth as if from some unwieldy spigot. I currently find myself heavily into one of the latter periods.

You might think of it as the musical equivalent of the rainy season.

Reviewing all of these new projects is well outside my abilities both as a writer and as a master of space-time – Shit, even a Time Lord can only find so many hours in a day!

Still, over the coming weeks I will make an honest effort to spotlight each new album to truly move me. A few of these will take the form of regular, structured reviews, while others, like today's offerings, will take a slightly less refined approach.

With that said, here are three special selections that are currently getting solid love on my iPod.

King Pheenix – Hero vs. Villain

I'm a little weary of concept albums in general and hip-hop concept albums specifically. They often take a solid idea and over-inflate it, bartering artistic integrity and natural cohesion for sheer length and pageantry. King Pheenix's new Hero vs. Villian sidesteps this by keeping itself to a tight 8 song cycle.

An odd story set in a not-too-distant future where hero and antihero vie for control in the long shadows of a sinister corporation, it's a compelling tale with heavy geek appeal. It doesn't exactly start off with KPX's best flows, but by the time the title track rolls around (three songs in) you've really got to try hard not to feel the energy.

The album seems to lose some steam on a few of the choruses, and the connecting skits do a great job at pulling together the plot but may prove distracting to those just looking to head-bob. Still, joints like the highly aggro "Traitor" and Scrub Club posse cut "Anarchitype Rush" (wherein MadHatter brings the pain while my boy Thunderball momentarily steals the show) are instant classics.

With a closing act that's both epic and enigmatic, it sets itself up for a second chapter that will no doubt channel the same sort of comic book storytelling with an even more polished lyrical sheen. And I can't help but look forward to the next installment of Pheenix's Multiple Personality Theater.

Kabuto the Python – Ill Ron Hubbard

Boasting what is easily the best title of 2010, Kabuto is back with a half-hour of power cobbled together from the remaining scraps of a full-length salvaged from not one but two catastrophic hard drive failures. Despite its highly abridged length it's gotten a serious pop from the community, specifically from my comrade-in-arms Tha Mike who passed to me the following missive:

"Look I'll be honest with you, I consider myself quite the Kabuto aficionado and the majority of everything he has released to date ranges from a good track to I-listen-to-it-multiple-times-daily. Then the Ill Ron Hubbard album was released and after listening to it anxiously and quickly like a kid opening a Hanukah gift, my first reaction to it was I thought he could have done a much better job.

Then I listened again, and again, and again and I started picking out some of the brilliant lines or images that Kabuto creates with his genuine and genius wordsmithness. I can't compare Kabuto the Python to any other artist in the world... past or present but if Parseltongue was a work of art, then this is a masterpiece of Sistine Chapel proportions."

Those are some strong words from the big guy, and I agree to a point. Ill Ron Hubbard is a diminutive beast sporting some of Kabuto's cleverest rhymes to date, and it somehow even manages to pack in a mega-dose of his smart-ass swagger into such a small package.

Still, the very nature of the project means that there are noticeable seams. "Origin Story" and "Rap Loogies," a pair of the album's strongest contenders, seem heavily truncated, and the chorus joke on "Swaggerjacking" wears thin almost as quickly as the quirky hook of "Reggaeton Song."

By far, the most interesting aspect of Ill Ron Hubbard has to be the simple act of Kabuto being Kabuto. The bane of Rhyme Torrents newbs and the most sought-after collaborator of the nerd rap elite, he exists to take the piss out of nerdcore by elevating the craft. And elevate it he does.

Despite its rough edges, cuts like "Reference Desk" and "Blue Harvest" skewer geeky hip-hop by turning its own motifs against it in a way that not only succeeds but shines. And its closing trio "American Song," "What It Do" and the title track combine big beats and lyrical gymnastics that find Kabuto entering an entirely new plane or peculiarity.

There are some undeniable issues with Ill Ron Hubbard, but, much in the same way that summer action flicks only seem outlandish when the popcorn wears off, you'll likely be having too much fun listening to the goddamn thing to notice. And the listening is the important part.

Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backfire – Ultimate Songs from the Pit

I'm gonna cheat a bit and include this one in my list. Obviously USftP hasn't been release yet, so what I'm currently vibing to is a rough mix that's only available to me due to whatever vague journalistic clout I possess.

That being said, this album, much like Epic Beard Man, is a motherfucker.

I was a big fan of the original (cassette-only) release of Songs from the Pit and the Nerdapalooza re-release, swollen to nigh epic proportions with b-sides and alternate takes, was a nice addition, but the 16 tracks of the Ultimate edition truly sound like the project in its adult form.

Old classics like "How to Fire a Gun" and "The Other Side of Memphis" have a nice, new coat of digital paint, but the fact that the original six tracks (the piano-only redux of "Asian Kids Have All the Best Moves" and the cover of "Chinese Ninja Warrior" didn't make the cut) are supplemented with 10 more chip-rock charmers really makes for an appealing package.

Highlights include the crunchy "Boot Straps," the pitch perfect electro-funk deconstruction of faux-nerd pinups "Hobby Model," the amazingly robust "Haters Unite" and off-time banger "Rarest of Elements."

Shit, I could actually go on about this one for another couple thousand words, but I'll cut my impressions short if only to urge fans of Shael and his various musical projects to contribute to this album's Kickstarter support project. He and the Double Ice Backfire sound tighter than ever, and, assuming the fanbase can provide the appropriate capital for its proper mixing and mastering, this could well be their I Fight Dragons-style success story.

The guys are only around 700 bucks short of their initial goal, and every little bit helps. Surely the promise of quirky alterna-rock power ballads with titles like "Personal Space" is enough to motivate you to chip in.

The Coming Gamepocalypse

Contrary to popular belief, Nerdapalooza isn't the only charitable musical geek-out going. In fact, next Saturday, August 14th, my friends from Extra Life Houston are pulling together games, music and madness for the best of causes in the form of Video Game Armageddon.

Yes, kind of like "Video Armageddon" from The Wizard. Only with more awesome. And less Fred Savage.

Part retro game tournament, part concert and all party, VGA is an 18-and-up event hosted at Houston's Numbers, sponsored by Extra Life and benefitting The Children's Miracle Network and the Texas Children's Hospital. Doors open at 7 o'clock in the PM, with the music kicking off at 7:15. And, when I say music I fuckin' mean it!

Local legend and nerdcore pioneer MC Router will be on-hand as will Shoelace, Jus Coz, Sievert, Dirk Strangely and the Hatchetmen, and my main man Jonny Nero Action Hero. All leading up to the night's headliner, my other main man Dr. Awkward.

All this for the crazy-low price of 10 bucks, and the first 250 people in get a free $5 gift card from the fine folks at Games Plus.

And speaking of the games, the preliminaries of the gaming tournament kick off this Friday at Joystix from 9:00 PM to close, and continue Saturday at Player 1 Video Games from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. The semifinalists will duke it out at the event-proper leading, of course, the triumphant conclusion wherein the finalists will face each other on stage with a secret game.

To the winner go the spoils, and in this case said spoils are provided by ThinkGeek and Geek Soap. I believe we can safely assume our winner will be both properly entertained and sweet-smelling as a direct result.

As for regular attendants, costumes are encouraged, with the best one netting tickets to an as-yet unnamed upcoming music festival. So clearly there is something for everyone.

Please come out, support a good cause and give proper love to all my peeps (Jonny, Awk, Jesus from Space City Nerd, et al.) Oh, and take lots of pictures. I have a working theory that everything is actually the exact same size in Texas as everywhere else in the world, and I need photographic evidence to back up my claim.

Shaking the Cave

Nerd music is my business, and business is good. Too good, truth be told.

There was a time when a nerdcore artist couldn't drop a demo without me knowing about, but that was long ago and in a world that was noticeably smaller. Nowadays I catch stuff as I can. Sometimes I am what you might call an early adopter (such as with Seattle's native sons Southside and the fell prince himself Schaffer the Darklord), other times I am almost unforgivably late to the party.

Such is the case with Bazuuka Joe. He's a cat I recognize more by name than by output. Still, when I got a chance to snag an early review copy of his new full-length, the first from burgeoning nerdcore label Roll A Twenty Records, I knew enough to jump on that shit.

The Red Pill kicks off with the inspired words of Larry Fishburne (in the form of "The Choice…") before easily transitioning to the album's first song "24-A-Pop Revisited." It's a throwback to Joe's original "24-A-Pop" with some added lyrical firepower from The Ranger and Fatty Goodness. The production also sounds significantly brighter, and it really starts the album off with a bang. This trails into a solid follow-up, the disc's title track. "The Red Pill" hits hard with a sharp beat and it really allows Bazuuka Joe to display his unique verbal skills.

"Come Equipped" brings us into the real meat of the album with the help of Scrub Club's King Pheenix. Joe's flow isn't quite up to par with the previous offering, but KPX (seemingly channeling Bubba Sparxxx mid-verse) adds a nice secondary vocal texture that helps pull it together. "Revenge" is an early high point that eschews the album's recurring theme of technological apocalypse in favor of a true nerdcore anthem. Rather than drop Thundercats references or rewrite Star Wars as hip-hop allegory, it instead sharpens social awkwardness and unbridled nerd rage into a perfect point.

Things quickly head back to the Matrix with "Zion, Hear Me!" I'm always a little weary of songs so firmly centered on that property – I've never really been a fan – but Joe manages to make the narrative relatable even to us outsiders by layering movie samples, an old school beat and an atmospheric lead. It actually contrasts nicely with the hopelessness of "Revenge," and paves the way for "The Last Human City." It's a joint that kicks off like a frenetic anime theme song, but struggles a bit in its verse transition. Still, once Bazuuka Joe starts spitting, things get back up to speed. Despite his lack of a snappy stage name, contributor Chris Williams tosses in some fantastic rhymes with an understated swagger aided by perfectly layered vocal multi-tracking.

While the ending of "The Last Human City" feels a tad forced, "Keep Flyyin’" brings in the high end that, coupled with an addictive vocal hook and a delicious guest verse from Jod1, make it another instant classic that packs hip-hop spirit to spare. "Built 4 This" pulls in delicate keys and a heartfelt spoken-word affirmation to kick shit off, but it's Joe's own story, delivered in well-paced verse, that drives this powerful track home.

"DarkSideClassic" once again switches gears with an oddly placed voicemail rant about critical cinematic failure Legion before getting all aggressive with "Wreckless." This one doesn't quite hit the high water mark lyrically-speaking and the guest vocals (this time provided by A-Dub), while soaked in character and on-mic dramatics, aren't exactly my favorite of the album. Still, Black Contingency Productions pulls things together so beautifully on the instrumental end that it comes through as a smoothed-out banger that can't be denied.

The Red Pill starts its final decent with "To the Fullest," a pledge of allegiance to the nerdcore nation. Though not as dynamic as some of the album's other offerings, it's a sentimental favorite that boasts a tight guest spot from Deafinition, a silky-smooth beat and Joe's promise to never "pull a Lars or a chris." It's an earnest love song to both nerdcore as a style and hip-hop as a lifestyle that should easily hit the mark with geeky heads.

The final track, "The Gong Show," pulls in equal parts high-end funk and laid-back flow to end an album like it ought to be ended: with props to all those who offered support along the way. Alternating between loving shout-outs and some of the project's sharpest couplets, Joe ends The Red Pill as it began, with a variation on a theme. Just as "The Choice…" isn't your typical album intro and "DarkSideClassic" is far from the expected mid-album skit, "The Gong Show" succeeds as an album-closing shout-out joint by fucking with the formula. It's a concept that Joe carries throughout the disc, and it helps to make for a truly satisfying listening experience.

Though the heavy reliance on guest rappers both from within the Roll A Twenty roster (Fatty Goodness) and without (most notably Scrub Clubbers like The Ranger, Deafinition and KPX) seemed an odd choice for the breakthrough full-length of both a fresh new face in nerdcore and a brand new netlabel, it's hard to argue with the results. Plus, when you've got an artist like Bazuuka Joe, a guy who can hold his own next to practically any collaborator, it doesn't hurt to diversify. Further to his credit, Joe not only raps well, but writes with genuine insight and conviction. Whether he's channeling his inner fanboy or pondering his culture, Bazuuka Joe does it with both power and finesse. And in the end, it truly helps to set him apart as an artist and to establish a lofty benchmark for Roll A Twenty.

As for me, I find myself in the fortunate position of being a brand new Bazuuka Joe convert just waiting for more. Take The Red Pill when it drops tomorrow to see what I mean.

"Do you know how it feels to have to put on a mask and / hide your true self 'cause you might get your ass kicked?"

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 92: A Change of Pace

I am making a concerted effort to stop talking about Nerdapalooza. At least for a while.

I mean, I've said a lot, but I could say more. Still, I think it's time we move on to other issues.

Wait – what else has been going on?

Seriously, though, this episode of Radio Free Hipster serves as my transition from full-on festival mode back to… whatever the hell it is that I do under regular circumstances.

So kick back, relax and enjoy the tuneage.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 92: A Change of Pace [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 44.7 MB Running Time: 48:49

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
The show theme is my one perfect constant in a ever-changing world. 

Track 1: 8bit bEtty – "crimson dreams (8bit bEtty vs Doctor Popular vs crashfaster)"
You've played KnifeTank, right? It's only, like, the best game ever. 

Z's 1st interlude: "A double dose of his Beefyness."
Much like money and RAM, you can never have too much Beefy.

Track 2: The Bossfights – "Frontalots"
Probably the single greatest moment of Nerdapalooza 2010 was The Bossfights' live reveal of this track. 

Track 3: G3RST – "Love Exploder (Jefferson Airplane vs. Tenacious D)"
It's been a long time since The D has graced this podcast. Too long, I'd say. 

Track 4: Molly Lewis – "Poker Face"
There are a ton of nerd (and non-nerd) covers of "Poker Face," but none are like Molly's. 

Track 5: Half Baked dialog / mc chris – "i heart drugs"
mc chris isn't exactly renowned for his filk-style parody tracks, but this one is surely a keeper! 

Track 6: Sci-Fried – "Don't Phase Me Bro"
There's the slightest hint of Suicidal Tendencies "Institutionalized" in this one. 

Track 7: Injury – "Above the Clouds"
I decided to say fuck convention and use lengthy instrumentals, which I usually reserve for mid-set pieces, as closing tracks. I think it really gives this ep. a different feel. 

Z's 2nd interlude: "The lovely and talented Injury."
Starla was one of the many amazing artists I met at this year's Nerdapalooza. 

Track 8: Girl Talk – "Once Again"
As I mentioned in-show, this one's for my pal Data Vortex. 

Track 9: Phoenix Wright dialog / My Parents' Favorite Music – "For Beatrice"
It's so good to have Steffo back!!! 

Track 10: HDninja – "The Romero-Hyrule Disconnection"
Damn. I really should've saved this one for Halloween… 

Track 11: The Blues Brothers dialog / The Megas – "Sunglasses at Night"
I've gotta give it up for The Megas' new Sparked a War EP. It really makes me look forward to their new album. 

Track 12: funky49 – "Fireflies Remix"
My only concern with funky49 joining Emergency Pizza Party was that it might preclude him from doing his own solo work and crafting his amazing remixes. This track puts my mind at ease. 

Z's final interlude: "And musical convalescence."
In truth, I am only now recovering from Nerdapalooza weekend. 

Track 13: Matt Ryd – "Romeo and Juliet"
I would be totally content with ending every episode with a Matt Ryd cover. And yet I resist. All in the name of variety.

I think I'm going to me doing un-themed shows throughout August. September will no doubt feature some drunken podcasting, I'll bust out the Halloween crap-tacular in October and we'll wind the year down in December with the regularly scheduled tomfoolery.

Somewhere in there I may do a Star Trek themed show, but I make no promises.

Also, if my calculations are correct, I should hit episode #100 in November. I still have no idea how to commemorate this milestone, so feel free to float me some suggestions.

The Good, the Bad and the Noisy

"Hi, Hex!" image by @datavortex

I've already shared much of my experience from this year's Nerdapalooza festival, but now it's time to get down to the all-important brass tacks. Nerdapalooza 2010 managed to succeed on many levels, but it was not without its shortcomings. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these stand out as the very elements that will likely define the event in years to come.

So, y'know, I'm going to talk about 'em.

But since I'm a southern gentleman, we'll kick this off on an encouraging note. I know I've already gushed well past the point of propriety, but to hell with it. Here's more:

While the event has always been strongly linked to the nerdcore hip-hop movement, Nerdapalooza 2010 was all about the rock. From the stripped down guitar pop of returning act Marc with a C and the rock star swagger of local legends Sci-Fried to the more exotic flare of Seattle's Kirby Krackle and the undeniable genius of The Protomen, the guitarist-to-MC ratio was much more favorable than at 'Paloozas past. And to say that everyone rocked the fuck out at this year's show would be… well, fairly accurate. Even ZeaLouS1 got in on the action with his new rap/rock fusion group The Bossfights, a sonically staggering blend of hip-hop and thrash that only sounded sweeter with the added vocal prowess of Dr. Awkward.

This latest iteration boasted a more diverse lineup than ever before, and not just with regard to geek rockers. Chip music, dementia music (compliments of the always-inspired FuMP) and even Wizard Rock were well represented alongside the stellar grock and nerdcore of Nerdapalooza 2010. This variety, a hallmark of Hex's original vision, finally found fair footing, and with it came an undeniable sense of textural satisfaction, a genuine feeling that nerd music was represented across the full breadth of its beautiful spectrum. And woven into a quilt of sonic awesome.

But the bands themselves are only as impressive as their performances. Luckily, the most remarkable element of the entire weekend was the sets themselves. From fledgling nerdcore rapper MC Cool Whip at the pre-party and early-risers HDninja at the show proper, all the way to closing sets from the likes of the venerable MC Frontalot, the music was truly at the center of the Nerdapalooza experience. And many of the acts never sounded better, in spite of a number of notable obstacles.

The first logistical hurdle with which nearly every Nerdapalooza artist was forced to contend was the event's unfortunate scheduling delays. When I tell you that day one was, at one time, over 3 hours behind schedule, do not mistake that statement for my trademark embellishment. Still, in what could have been a really bad scene, the Nerdapalooza crew, the legions of fans and the artists themselves pressed on in a showing of genuine nerdy brotherhood.

Unfortunately, things were further hampered by sound issues of the highest order. Faulty mics, tinny backing tracks and flaky monitors were just a few of the problems that sought to sour otherwise phenomenal performances. The sound man is truly the punching bag of rock 'n' roll, and longtime musical allies like The HT and Marc with a C were forced to bear the weight of knowing stares as they attempting to coax the master mixing board back from the brink on numerous occasions.

Possibly the only thing more disturbing than the sound problems themselves were the mixed reactions they elicited from attendees. First-timers were shocked and a little perturbed, but returning fans often seemed to pass both this and the scheduling delays off as unfortunate but expected elements of the overall Nerdapalooza experience. That is a genuinely unfortunate association for such an esteemed event.

Still, my take is slightly different; I see these issues as (admittedly lingering) growing pains. As the event continually matures in size and scope, there are certainly apt to be unfortunate side effects. Nerdapalooza as we know it has undergone such growth that much of the spontaneous, informal nature evident in the early years has dissipated, but well before opportunities for flawless, patently professional execution have become readily available. It is as if you and your Tuesday night poker buddies suddenly found yourselves managing a Vegas casino. You have the heart and potentially the know-how, but the resources and true tricks of the trade only await at the end of a long chain of hard-fought battles of trial and error.

Please don't misinterpret the above statement as allegations of the dread sellout syndrome. The sense of community is still alive and well at 'Palooza, but a measure of that intimacy has been necessarily bartered for a somewhat broader appeal. And while Nerdapalooza 2010 may have presented more new faces than old friends, it still managed to be the geeky lovefest it has always promised.

And to return from my recent sojourn into ham-fisted metaphor and imaginary compound words, let me simply restate that Nerdapalooza has grown. And it should continue to do so. But it is impossible to grow without changing.* This was evident even in the most pedestrian elements of Nerdapalooza 2010: the venue layout itself.

The Orlando Airport Marriott convention center was perfectly sized for this year's crowd, but its setup was telling of the transformation inherent in the event. Easy access to restrooms, smoking areas and chill space were welcome additions, but they smacked of the old-style convention.

You see, bands play at a convention, but it is not their scene. It is noisy and oppressive with its poor sound and droves of passersby, and this year's Nerdapalooza had a distinctly con-style layout. With 2 stages situated on opposite sides of a large room bisected by a healthy merch area, it was a fan's dream come true. You could easily wander around unfettered by concerns of when, who or where and simply drink in the experience. Unfortunately, it was significantly harder on the performers. The one-room setup and back-to-back performances left little opportunity for sound checks and, worst of all, it encouraged listeners to abandon a set early so as to snag prime floor space for the following act. This unwittingly played against the unifying element of Nerdapalooza by putting bands in an odd and indirect form of competition with each other.

Now, I certainly don't have all the answers to these woes, and if I sound critical in this final analysis it is only because I am a critic. I cannot stress this enough.

I'm certainly not knocking the job that the Nerdapalooza crew – from coordinators like Hex and Masu all the way to the volunteers that are the life's blood of the event – did at this summer's festival. Anyone with even the vaguest comprehension of the kind of work that it took to literally make a weekend of unbridled nerd culture appear out of thin air has got to appreciate the institution that Nerdapalooza has become on nothing more than the sheer will and slick sweat of these fine men and women. But it is here that we arrive at the underlying question of this missive.

What is the shape of the Nerdapalooza of tomorrow?

As it currently exists Nerdapalooza is part concert, part convention and part family reunion. It is a happy hodgepodge of disparate elements that is as messy as it is memorable. But how long can it exist unfettered by more conventional confines? Trapped in some odd limbo between the overwhelming vigor of PAX and the understated community of MAGfest, Nerdapalooza is in a class by itself. And whether the scales shift one way or the other (or continue to defy definition by splitting the difference) is anybody's guess.

All that I can say is that I look forward to Nerdapalooza 2011 and beyond. Not because it affords me my one weekend a year free from domestic obligation or even because it continually showcases the bands I want to see in an environment free from pretension or ego, but because I know there will always be a place for me. As a journalist. As a minister of the nerdy gospel. As your average geek on the street.

Nerdapalooza is a circus funhouse of energy and noise and excitement. It is scarcely controlled chaos tempered with the occasional bought of tedium. But, most importantly, it is home.

*Check out Wil Wheaton's recent Techland missive concerning Comic-Con for keen observations concerning the difference between the evolution of the nerd spectacle and the perceived devolution of nerd culture.

Above & Beyond

I fucking hate award shows. Seriously.

All those lame-ass setups and the institutionalized hyperbole: they just aren't for me. And don't even get me started on the generally unworthy recipients!

Still, I love the concept of recognizing excellence, in whatever form it may take. This is why I will now outline my personal picks for Nerdapalooza 2010's Best in Show. Of course, since this is Hipster, please! I won't be relying on your more pedestrian categories.

No, this time around we're keeping shit nerdy with plenty of allusions to Xbox Live.

On with the show:

The Nerd Up Award: HDninja
"Hey, HDninja, you guys get to kick off Nerdapalooza with the very first set of the festival. Y'know, no pressure or anything. Just you guys. On stage. In front of a crowd that's expecting you to set the pace for the entire event to follow. Also, um, due to some scheduling problems we are gonna put you on a couple hours late. So folks might be kinda antsy. Oh, and one of your mics isn't gonna work. That's cool right?"

EMPulse Record's HDninja had the deck stacked against them – they were the very first performance of the festival on a day that had already proven itself a logistical nightmare. Plus, pretty much everyone in the crowd, myself included, were zombified from a late night of partying. Yet somehow, when the first note of the hook from "Carformer" hit, suddenly everything was okay. Well played, my ninjas. Well played.

Best Merch: T-Shirt Bordello / Nerdapalooza / Scrub Club
Nerdapalooza 2010 succeeded on a number of levels, not the least of which involved sponsors and merch. Both were in abundance this year, and added an interesting classic convention feel to the proceedings. So much so that's it's hard to quantify who did it best. In the end, I have to recognize a trio of fine merch-slingers.

The first is easily Jacksonville's T-shirt Bordello. Not only was their booth stocked to the nines with amazing tees – I managed to snag one of their swank TARDIS shirts myself – but owner Don Myers actually rocked a full zombie ensemble for the entire first day.

Not to be outdone, Nerdapalooza's own merchandise output was once again uniquely satisfying. Again relying on the talents of the one and only MadKiwiX, this year's logo design revealed an amplifier array behind the classic logo that, as hex put it, "looks like they've been back there the whole time."

And the first of many props to the Scrub Club family comes as a direct result of MadHatter's amazing (and unexpected) bead sprite art. Amongst the anticipated stickers and sampler discs, Hatter presented a fine selection of tributes to classic 8-bit gaming as well as pieces commemorating comic and nerd television icons.

Worst Merch: Those Goddamn Foam-Ball-Missile-Thingies
I love you, Cloudspace. Really I do. I mean, not only do you provide both hexWarrior and Nina with day jobs, but you also pulled out all the stops to support Nerdapalooza proper. Unfortunately, your choice of swag – those weird hybrid Nerf footballs/heat-seeking missiles – were like some kind of biblical plague on the show floor!

Show me a man who wasn't beaned in the noggin by a Cloudspace-branded foam ball, and I'll show you a dude who wasn't at Nerdapalooza 2010.

Chillest Set: Kirby Krackle
When I heard that Kyle from Kirby Krackle was doing a solo acoustic set at this year's festival, I was a little bummed. How could it possibly live up to the cranked-up, full-on comic book rock of their two studio albums?

Even with my undying faith in Kyle's skills, I could've never dreamed how effortlessly the Kirby Krackle bangers translated to this minimalist interpretation. KK wound down a hectic evening in style, and without losing any of their trademark geek rock substance.

The Iron Man Award: Marc with a C
Marc with a C is a longtime Nerdapalooza staple, and this year he proved himself to be a genuine trooper to boot. Somehow between working the sound boards, guesting with other artists and otherwise running about the event like the proverbial headless chicken, Marc was still prepared to rock a solid Sunday evening set for us. What he wasn't prepared for was to take a spill two songs in and sever a tendon. Live on stage.

Miraculously, not only did he finish the show, but this slightly less mobile than usual Marc still managed to keep the crowd entertained. "Bounce! Bounce! Bounce!" indeed.

The Rock Out with Your Spock Out Award: Sci-Fried
Sci-Fried transitioned from one of my most anticipated acts of Nerdapalooza 2010 to one of the brightest highlights of my festival experience within the span of about a song and a half. And while I was a little worried that their style would be lost on a crowd of nerdcore hip-hop heads, they easily commanded the audience with their blend of balls-out arena rock and southern-fried geekery. But their true claim to fame – even more so than their earnest, irony-free enjoyment of sci-fi schlock and Motley Crue-style antics – was the moment when they literally brought the house down.

In a nod to their rock 'n' roll roots, the band distributed beach balls to the audience and encouraged them to bat them around with extreme prejudice. Half a set and one broken chandelier later the inflatables were retired, but a nerd rock story for the ages had already been written.

Breakthrough Artist: The Bossfights
I can't exactly tell you what I expected from ZeaLouS1's new hybrid outfit The Bossfights. All I can say is that as high as my hopes were, even those paled in comparison to the grandeur of the actual listening experience. Blending searing vocals, machinegun guitars, punk rock energy and the slightest hint of funk rhythm, they are truly the breakthrough artists of 2010.

From the moment the guys hit the stage, under cover of darkness with the sounds of helicopters in pursuit, I was mesmerized. In a set that included everything from plasma grenades to a special MC Frontalot tribute track, it's hard to pick a defining moment. So instead I'll say that if you missed a second of the action you did yourself a grand disservice.

Best Stage Energy: Scrub Club and Emergency Pizza Party
When funky49 told me the Emergency Pizza Party set slated for early Sunday morning was church-themed, I told him he was full of shit. And then I saw the choir robes. And the pizza box crucifixes. And Sir-Up's bible.

In an event that could only be described as a musical conversion, EPP blessed us with the power of shine. But when they turned the stage over to their Scrub Club brethren, I assumed the sermon was over. That is until MadHatter unleashed the "Christian Side Hug" upon and unsuspecting audience.

What followed was a spiritual experience, to say the least.

Best Worst Cover Song: "Wannabe" as performed by MC Cool Whip
I was both congratulated and chided throughout Nerdapalooza weekend for my cover song challenge. It seems that tracks like the aforementioned "Christian Side Hug" were both the highlight and the bane of many an audience member's festival experience.

But surely no track was more divisive than MC Cool Whip's pre-party rendition of The Spice Girls' "Wannabe."

Tell us what you want, Whip. What you really, really want.

Best Best Cover Song: "Mr. Roboto" as performed by The Protomen
On the other side of the coin, of course, were the covers that everyone loved. And among them all none stood so high as The Protomen's impeccable interpretation of this Styx classic.

After a much-delayed, truncated set played sans-Panther on Saturday, attendants were delighted to learn that closing headliner MC Frontalot had agreed to push his performance up to allow for a second appearance by our favorite freedom fighters. As a result, "Mr. Roboto," though certainly no stranger to the band's setlist, was an unexpected surprise that closed out Nerdapalooza 2010 with a bang.

Best Support Artist: Kids / Bar2-D2
Nerdapalooza is about the artists and the fans, but often that blurry line between the two is all but ignored. You see, there are some individuals who are at once both and neither. They are the special guests. At Nerdapalooza 2010 this important position was held down by our most diminutive brothers and sisters.

Children played a delightful part in both the Emergency Pizza Party and Krondor Krew sets and a tiny back-up man of another kind – a special R2-D2 styled cooler – helped keep me and the Sci-Fried crew properly hydrated throughout a long, hot weekend.

The Gandalf the White Award: My Parents' Favorite Music / The Adventures of Duane and BrandO
This year's festival saw not one but two triumphant returns to the stage. Saturday afternoon, Steffo of My Parents' Favorite Music came out of retirement with an energetic set that incorporated dancing control pads, physical challenges and a Phoenix Wright costume. And Sunday saw a recently reunited The Adventures of Duane and BrandO tear up the stage to the mutual delight of nerdcore and VGFM fans alike.

FYI: If I was giving away an award for best hugs, these two acts would have to split that one too.

The Superfan Award: Datavortex
And while I'm celebrating the acts of Nerdapalooza, let me pause to also acknowledge a fan without peer. My boy Datavortex, a rabid supporter of nerd music and vigilant defender of our culture, deserves a special shout-out for all he brought to this year's event.

No, not what he literally brought! Although, now that you mention it…

I'm referring instead to the fact that not only did Data make a significant financial contribution directly Nerdapalooza (via their Final Boss program), but he also personally saw to it that both myself and Dr. Awkward could muster the scratch to make the trip down.

He's truly a pillar of our community.

The Schaffer the Darklord Award: Dr. Awkward
Each year, Nerdapalooza sees one artist show up everywhere. He's the guy rocks his own set, and then pops in for guest spots in practically everyone else's. Those of us in the know call this "pulling a Schaffer."

This time around, as STD himself made his mark (Aren't I clever?) between his own amazing performance, his hyping of the Epic Win burlesque crew and his brilliant guest spot on MC Frontalot's "Nerdcore Rising." And yet he was still somehow out-Schaffered by the one and only Dr. Awkward.

Doc commanded the stage during a solo set Saturday afternoon, brought the religion with his Scrub Club comrades MadHatter and Kabuto the Python Sunday AM and then knocked shit out of the park as part of The Bossfights that same evening.

The next generation of nerdcore has truly arrived. With a vengeance.

Missed Opportunities

Photo by: @awfulwaffle73

Let's assume for a moment that you are the one reader of this blog not already sick of hearing me go on and on about Nerdapalooza.

Yes, I fully understand that I am proceeding under a false pretense here, but the truth is I have an awful lot of shit to share about last weekend's event and only a handful of places at which to do so. Bear with me.

Just like in 2008, my post-Nerdapalooza coverage will be broken up into a number of posts. There's this introductory piece, of course, as well as a forthcoming GeekDad post wherein I examine what this year's festival tells us about the future of the franchise. In addition to these I also envision a special superlatives post, in which I'll shout out some of the festivals most epic moments and players, and a final piece of critical analysis where I'll break the thing down from start to finish.

But before I get mesmerized by my own grand schemes, let me cut to the chase here.

I experienced a lot of exciting and amazing things at Nerdapalooza 2010, but the further I get away from the event the more things I notice that I neglected to do. Some of them were things that merely eluded me at the time, ideas that I didn't even have until well after the fact, while others were on the proverbial list but never quite materialized.

I have selected ten specific examples. Like you do.

1. Big Up @starlainjury
   I expected to meet a lot of folks at Nerdapalooza 2010, but ThaSauce mainstay and regular Shael Riley collaborator Injury wasn't one of them. ThaSauce's table was located directly beside the GeekDad booth, but we only spoke briefly on day two and I didn't fully realize who she was until shortly before Shael and I went on our hot dinner date. At any rate, if you're reading this, Starla, yours is one of the most intriguing voices in the VGM scene.
2. Stooge it Up with @datavortex
   Are Data's folks big Three Stooges fans? Been meaning to ask him that shit for years, and planed to do so in person at this year's event. We actually spent tons of time hanging out over the weekend, but for some reason I never remembered to bring it up.
3. I'm @DKaine / You Know Me
   David Kaine does nerdcore karaoke. Hell, he even performed "I'm On a Boat" during the open mic. This is a fascinating idea which I planned to discuss with him at length. And then I totally flaked and forgot.
4. Hatcore
   I packed a pair of epic hats to wear at the event: my Cthulhu tuque from GrapevineFires and the cunning hat @freakapotimus made me. Yet I never even took them out of my suitcase. #hatfail
5. Play Matchmaker
   B-Type loves the States and wants to stay. My solution was simple: get hitched. I tried half-heartedly to find him a paramour over the length of the festival, but eventually I just decided on Colon:P. I mean, they were together all the time anyway.
6. Bring the Chain
   Finding out the Scrub Club Records table was located directly behind GeekDad's was a treat. Receiving my own Scrub Club medallion from MadHatter was a genuine thrill. Sadly, I could never find an appropriate chain, and thus I had to settle for carrying it in my pocket all weekend.
7. Swappin'!
   I got to talk a bit with both GeekPeekPost's @thelotech (who actually interviewed me) and my sister-in-arms Game Music 4 All's @chibi_ma on Sunday, but failed to orchestrate the meetings of the minds I had originally planned. Bottom line, ladies, I think we need to replace next year's Podswap with a Blogswap. :)
8. Mistaken Identity
   On the subject of GM4A, my pal Genoboost was conspicuously absent this year. I totally should've pretended to be him. I'm sure B-Type would have backed me up.
9. All These Damn Stickers
   I'm convinced that this last batch of Hipster, please! bumper stickers is multiplying. I kept giving the things away by the handful, but I swear I somehow have more now than I did when I left.
10. Sleep
    Yeah. I… uh… pretty much didn't sleep the entire weekend. Apologies to anyone who attempted to talk to me only to find me wholly incoherent. I'm an old man, and don't do well without 7 or 8 hours worth of regular sleepy-time.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 91: The Sound of One Hand Washing

At this point in the game you are either packing your bags for Nerdapalooza 2010, or you are silently weeping in the corner.

Thankfully, I am among those fortunate enough to make the pilgrimage down to Orlando this year. It's taken some doing – and no small amount of funding from you, you magnificent bastards – but I am even now finalizing my travel itinerary.

Still, whether you're joining us or not, I thought you might enjoy another special Nerdapalooza-themed episode. It features my pals hex and Masu, two cats with whom I can assume you are already quite familiar. It was a great opportunity for us to talk about this year's event and to reflect on previous incarnations of the world's premiere nerd music festival.

But mostly it was just an excuse to laugh. A lot.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 91: The Sound of One Hand Washing [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 84.4 MB Running Time: 1:32:11

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Beefy won't be coming down for 'Palooza 2010. And I'm still really bummed about that. :(

Track 1: MC Frontalot – "Tongue-Clucking Grammarian (live at Nerdapalooza 2009)"
Can we expect another amazing live album to come out of this year's festival? One can only hope! 

Z's 1st interlude: "My old pals."
It is assumed that I am attending Nerdapalooza for the music. The truth is I'm going down to see all my friends. The music is merely a fortunate cover.

Track 2: Marc with a C – "Bounce Bounce Bounce"
In case you missed it, I reviewed Marc's newest earlier this week.

Track 3: The Protomen – "The Hounds"
I look forward with rapt anticipation to seeing The Protomen live!

Track 4: Kirby Krackle – "Can I Watch You"
The same goes for Kirby Krackle. In fact, I will go so far as to say they are my most anticipated new act.

Track 5: Random – "Boss Battle Metalman (The Megas Remix)"
Like hex said, we will have both Ran and The Megas in the house. Cross your fingers.

Z's 2nd interlude: "This ain't your first rodeo."
The guys have been holding down the proverbial fort re: the Nerdapalooza festival for years, and I think it's only gotten better with age.

Track 6: Schaffer the Darklord – "A Lot like Me"
Will STD steal the show at a 3rd consecutive Nerdapalooza? My sources say yes.

Track 7: Ministry of Magic – "Accio Love"
There's a really solid Wrock lineup at this year's event, so bring your house scarves,

Track 8: The Adventures of Duane and BrandO – "Guerrilla War"
Attendees will also be fortunate enough to catch the reunion of The Adventures of Duane and BrandO! 

Track 9: Emergency Pizza Party – "Shine Avenue"
It wouldn't be Nerdapalooza without EPP.

Track 10: Krondor Krew – "New Edition"
I largely watched Krondor Krew's set at Nerdapalooza 2008 through the doorway to the next room. This year, however, I will be both front and center.  

Z's 3rd interlude: "For those who've been living under a rock."
You rock-dwellers can find all the pertinent info concerning the event right the fuck here.

Track 11: Yip-Yip – "Audacity Beach"
With Yip-Yip, hex and the Nerdapalooza organizers have managed to do the impossible: they found a nerdy band that was totally new to me.

Track 12: The Great Luke Ski – "Dementia Revolution (feat. MC Lars)"
Luke and a number of his FuMP brethren will be on-hand to dispense with the Dementia music at 'Palooza 2010.

Track 13: Random Encounter – "Still More Fighting (live at Nerdapalooza 2008)"
Random Encounter had a solid set back in '08, though it was plagued by some sound issues. I have every confidence that this year will be their time to shine. 

Track 14: Sci-Fried – "Saturday Night On SyFy"
Sci-Fried is another new act I am really looking forward to checking out live. They have a very classic sound that differentiates themselves from most other geek rockers. 

Holy shit! A 4th interlude?!: "BYE, I'M HEX!!!"
Wait – did that muthafucker talk over my outro?! ;)

Track 15: George Hrab – "Think for Yourself"
It's good to see the skeptical community represented this year as well. I'm not exactly sure what George will bring to the stage, but I'm sure I'll dig it.

And that's it, kids. I'm afraid that's all the blogging I plan to do on this side of things. So, until I return from Orlando and regain my bearings, I bid you farewell.

If you're going to be at Nerdapalooza, be sure to holler atcha boy. And if you're a little uneasy diving into the event-proper without sufficient backup, feel free to come down for our poolside meet-up at 9:30ish on Saturday. It'll be like a can of instant friends!

For those of you who won't be joining us, please keep the internet safe while we're away. And watch my Twitter feed for my < 140 character event updates.

You know how I do.

Pop Goes the Record

Pop music has gotten a really bad rap. I blame Britney Spears. I blame The Archies. I blame M.

Wait – no. Not that last one.

Whereas once pop music, a simple derivative of the phrase "popular music," plainly described radio-friendly songs with distinct youth appeal, it has now become cultural shorthand for radio-friendly songs with distinct youth appeal and absolutely no inherent artistic merit. And that's a goddamn shame.

Because, from the very dawn of the age of the modern songwriter, pop has been a viable musical force. From Small Faces and Big Star to Cheap Trick and The Replacements, pop has proven itself to be just that: modern music. A rejection of classical tropes and high-minded motifs in favor of the understated strength of verse-chorus-verse. A music not necessarily low in substance, but rather high in charm.

And though proud pop fans like me have found ourselves forced to explicitly state our leanings with descriptors like indie pop or guitar pop or Townshend's classic power pop, we know the importance of the strong hook. Of the sing-along chorus. Of the lead riff.

Marc with a C is a lot like me. He's a man unafraid of exposing his pop leanings. But unlike me, Marc does so within the bounds of the art form itself, and his recently released Pop! Pop! Pop! is an 11-track pledge of allegiance to the Empire of Pop.

The album kicks off with the tuneful "Holly Vincent," a pop ballad in the style of any good guitar-based ditty named after a girl. Of course, this one is named after the frontwoman of punk-poppers Holly and the Italians. It makes a number of clever references to her 1980 breakthrough song "Tell That Girl to Shut Up," all the while touting the global appeal of a solid pop offering.

From there things stay in that distinctly upbeat vein with a brighter take on RetroLowFi's "Fighting For Love." It's a track that still loses me a bit on the chorus, but remains a well-metered charmer in spite of it. And follow-up "Joe Henry" drops the volume and ups the ante with bright, beautiful chorus harmonies and minimalist, last-minute percussion.

"Ammonia," another song with which I'm familiar due to its inclusion on his RetroLowFi collection, is an otherwise lackluster They Might Be Giants-style vocal track saved by phenomenal instrumentation, which plays perfectly into another RetroLowFi track, "As the Bombs Fell." It comes through as an album highlight, even among the other pop treasures that similarly balance angst and honesty in equal measure.

"Roll The Tape" marks the album's midpoint with vocal swagger and lyrics centered on the folly of a sure-thing. "Medicine Head," however, slows it down and dwells on the uncertainty of the un-medicated life, a topic that should resonate with a lot of us. "Winter Colors" keeps that string of somberness flowing, though it occasionally plods and again resorts to some clichéd lyricism.

"If You Loved Me" remains on the lower end with regard to tempo and manages to sound uniquely intimate, though it's not exactly Marc's best vocal delivery of the album. Still, it plays perfectly into follow-up "The Audience Is Listening," another not-so-subtle journey into the mind of the artist that breaks the cardinal rule of pop by extending past the five minute mark. More so, it also challenges multiple musical conventions by evolving into an acerbic spoken-word piece at irregular intervals.

Pop! Pop! Pop! returns to form with album closer "Just Stop Trying." Its double-time chorus punctuated by old school staples like who-who-whos and the all-important vocal countermelody really help to end the album with a bang.

With only minor shortfalls, Marc with a C's latest offering channels the pop music of our past into a shiny new version for tomorrow. It starts strong, gets a little mopey slightly after the midpoint and then pulls out all the stops for an 11th hour turnaround. Like the best pop, it challenges lyrical conventions in a manner both subtle and charming (by mining the artist's own experiences and attitudes), while at the same time making you sway with a healthy hooks and never-abused percussion.
If you're a fan of pop, in any of its myriad of forms, then Pop! Pop! Pop! is for you. But unlike those pop anthems of yore, it's freely available at retrolowfi.com.

Welcome to the future.

"Pop, pop, pop goes weekend radio."

Pleased to Meet Me

Even though it's still a week away and I'm not exactly, y'know, involved in the festival, Nerdapalooza has taken up the bulk of my focus and energy of late. Still, I'm hoping to hatch a least a couple more posts – specifically a new podcast and an album review – before I begin my long trek down Orlando-way next Friday.

But before I tend to those tasks, I find myself in need of your input, faithful readers.

At Nerdapalooza 2009 there was a special, informal event known as the Hipster, please! Meet-and-Greet. Yes, I am well aware that I didn't attend Nerdapalooza 2009, let alone my own meet-and-greet, but that's neither here nor there.

My question is simple; would those of you in attendance like to do something like this again this year?

Let me be straight with you: this isn't at all about meeting me. That shit is laughable. Rather, it's just about tying in with some folks before the event to hang out, introduce ourselves and maybe make some new friends.

Because of this year's extended performance schedule – 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM both days – finding a time to meet-up before the day's events is a bit of a daunting task, but if those of you in and around the Orlando Airport Marriott are interested, I am more than willing to get up a little early so we can convene and shoot the proverbial shit.

If any of you folks are down, just leave a comment and we'll hash out the details. And if not? Well then I'll just see you inside. :)

SUCKer MCs

Let's face it, Seattleites, after this weekend's rousing Independence Day festivities, you have absolutely nothing going on. By now you've had a couple days to sober up, to recuperate, to tend to your various firework-related wounds, and now you're back on the prowl for quality entertainment.

In that case, this is your lucky night!

This very evening, Tuesday 6th, big things are going down at The Rendezvous, where SUCK Films is commemorating their 3rd anniversary by hosting a night of nerdcore hip-hop. Show up at 7:00 PM to view your requisite shitty movie, and then hang around for amazing follow-up performances from Sea-town heavy-hitters Beefy, Billy the Fridge and Death*Star. This also marks the stage debut of my main medic Captain Spalding, so please give him some extra love.

Cap's gonna be celebrating the release of his new album Manual Override and Billy will have his newly revealed Lusty Lady memorial tees in stock, so be sure to bring ample scratch for the merch table.

And pick up an extra of each for your old pal Z! ;)