To Woodstock co-founder, Michael Lang , Though raised on your generation's music, I'm obviously not from your generation. Understanding the happenstance behind the original Woodstock Festival, and the monumental effect it's had on rock n' roll history, I congratulate you on your 40 year legacy. I have to admit, though: it's really hard to give a shit about it. As I've stated already, I'm obviously not of your generation. I was born too late for disco thankfully, but I got to see the corporate machine's assimilation of culture and counterculture during the 80s, and witnessed the peace and love generation's willingness to abandon its philosophy and cash in. This of course led to the disaffected and disillusioned youth brigade that I was a part of and it didn't help when you decided that Woodstock should be attempted again in 1994, this time with Pepsi's help. I was halfway through college when the next Woodstock was awash in flame and...

A veritable sea of hits began with Ellie Greenwich, who passed away yesterday at the age of 68 . "Leader Of The Pack" ”Da Do Run Run” Without trying, you've heard at least a dozen of her songs, her name synonymous with "girl groups," and a pre-lethal Phil Spector . Farewell to a hit machine. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

For any fans of Bon Iver , Justin Vernon is in collaboration mode. Apparently, before For Emma, Forever Ago was released, Vernon and the band, Collections of Colonies of Bees had recorded what will be released in late September as Unmap . Publicity photo for the Bed, Bath & Beyond Monks The album’s first single, “Island, IS,” is a catchy dogpile of guitar loops with minor tonal alterations. Vernon provides the song’s harmonies vocally, contrasting the somewhat utilitarian nature of the backdrop. I know that I’m not making the song sound too exciting, but if you’re familiar with Vernon’s ability to make just about anything sound ethereal and angelic, you can give “Island IS” a listen and be intrigued. It’s a simple song, but it brims with nuance. I like this song better than anything on Vernon’s Blood Bank EP. ”Island IS” Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Subhumans Bluurg/Southern The Day The Country Died (Reissue) From The Cradle To The Grave (Reissue) Released: 5.26.09 Time Flies/Rats (Reissue) Worlds Apart (Reissue) Released: 6.16.09 EP-LP (Reissue) 29:29 Split Vision (Reissue) Released: 7.14.09 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Dusted Angel The Thorn EP Corruption Recordings As Sleep and Sabbath come to mind, the heavily weighted arms of guitarists Eric Feiber and Scott Stevens forceful in their expression, Dusted Angel (featuring former members of SST homebodies, Bl’ast ) aren’t necessarily slugging their way into new territory. But, their three song 7,” The Thorn EP, is nevertheless magnetic riff-wise, the result of its indisputable allegiance to Iommi . The production isn’t quite there, but the music compensates. Dusted Angel - The Thorn Tournament Years Old Forcefield Records Sort of machined like Big Black , sort of six-strung like The Jesus Lizard or Mission Of Burma , debut LP from the Brooklyn pseduo-metallic Tournament is fascinatingly modern for owing so much to the scathing and abrasive indie rock of yore. Their riffs are like repetitious bouts of something hurtful or antagonizing, doomed or melancholic phrases that you can’t help but listen to while knowing full well that blissful ignor...

It hasn't happened too often recently: The instant I hear a song and it makes me bark aloud, "Fuck yeah!" Not that I couldn't find a more eloquent and less profane way to explain Experimental Dental School and their music, but the instantaneous gratification warranted a less intellectual reaction. And, now that it's out of the way, I can better articulate my opinion. What caught me by surprise about XDS was that, first off, they're a duo. Second off, I like their combination of Deerhoof -ian wonder (the lalalalas of "Royal Fantasy Snow") and modernized King Crimson intensity. Maybe Crimson's a stretch, but the riffs have that acid rock energy minus the big band refinement. Garage prog? The album's called Forest Field and I'll have a review up in a week or so. In the meantime, feast your ears and agree with me: "Royal Fantasy Snow" "Basement Fever" Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Limbs Seeds On Stone Self-released Released: 3.09 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

“Splintered Bridges,” one of a two-song 7” by all-girl garage rockers, The Splinters , is what you’d come to expect from any band categorized as “garage” or “lo-fi:” quick, catchy and energized. I can imagine that some would consider the Phil Spector -esque doolang of The Splinters a tired device now that the Vivian Girls are getting press, but “Splintered Bridges” is blessed with attitude and a degree of defiance that’s kind of charming. I can imagine that the four of them have probably seen Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains more than a few times. It certainly sounds like they have. The album is out on Double Negative records. ”Splintered Bridges” Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Ninety percent of my record collection would never have existed and I’d have nothing to write about: This would be me without you. This is a heavy, heavy loss for rock n’ roll, unless everyone wields a Gibson in the afterlife. Here’s hoping. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

A couple days ago, I was in the car heading somewhere, and listening to KYW News. Radiohead earned 60 seconds: enough time to discuss Harry Patch , the last living UK veteran to have fought during World War I. He died recently at 111 years of age, having lived long enough to see humankind catapult itself into technological heights that we now take for granted. And, as we’ve evolved, humanity still can’t seem to get along without war. Patch was a pacifist, and had only begun discussing his war experiences about ten or eleven years ago. Thom Yorke was apparently moved by an interview he’d heard, and decided to write a song about Harry. According to Yorke, “The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me. It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death.” “Harry Patch (In Memory Of)” was written by Yorke and composed by Jonny Greenwood , sort of in the same vein as his There Will Be Blood work, though less sinister. The song is a...

Sorry to all for my silence. Be sure to see some updates within the next couple days, including new reviews in No Ripcord . Apologies once again, Letters From A Tapehead