After nearly nine years, I'm no longer at Red Hat. Feels weird to type that, but it's true. I joined in August 2013 to work in the Open Source and Standards office (now OSPO) when the company was fewer than 6,000 people, Jim Whitehurst was CEO and everybody thought OpenStack was going to be the … Continue reading So long, Shadowman
Author: Joe Brockmeier
Editor, writer, communications expert, former community manager, open source enthusiast, music nut, and cat guy. Not necessarily in that order.
Spotify isn’t the (only) bad guy here…
I've got a few bones to pick with Spotify, but "fake artists" isn't one of them. Since I've been critical of Spotify's business model of late, I figured I should be fair and give a counter-point to the "Fake Artists Problem Is Much Worse Than You Realize" post making the rounds. The Gist of the … Continue reading Spotify isn’t the (only) bad guy here…
Why we’re cancelling Spotify…
After a family discussion yesterday, we all decided to cancel the family plan for Spotify. The Neil Young / Joe Rogan thing wasn't the reason, but it was the event that kicked off the discussion and made it easier to say goodbye to a service we've used together and enjoyed for years. We didn't cancel … Continue reading Why we’re cancelling Spotify…
Instrumental throwdown: Check these out
A question popped up yesterday on Ask Metafilter for recommendations of instrumental rock, pop, electro, whatever "just no vocals" from the past 5 years. Highly recommend checking out the entire thread, but I thought I'd post my own responses here for posterity. Many of these have been featured here before, but many haven't. Great stuff … Continue reading Instrumental throwdown: Check these out
Saturday sounds: Nightmares on Wax, Buckethead
Two discs from the back catalog to talk about today, In a Space Outta Sound by Nightmares on Wax and Forgotten Library from Buckethead. In a Space Outta Sound (2006) by Nightmares on Wax (★★★) The entire album is a fantastic trip, but "I Am You" is a must-listen cut that brings a lot of … Continue reading Saturday sounds: Nightmares on Wax, Buckethead
Time-traveling with Billy Thorpe’s “Children of the Sun”
Yesterday I was watching the first episode of Fargo season two and got a little trip back to the 70s. The episode features a hefty snippet of Billy Thorpe's "Children of the Sun," a song I don't think I've heard or thought about since the 80s. What a ride. It was a little unsettling to … Continue reading Time-traveling with Billy Thorpe’s “Children of the Sun”
“Sextant” by Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock recorded 31 albums during his stint with Columbia Records & CBS/Sony Japan from 1972 to 1988. I know this because it's on the copy of the back of the box set, Herbie Hancock: The Complete Columbia Album Collection 1972-1988. I picked up the set as an impulse buy while record shopping in NYC … Continue reading “Sextant” by Herbie Hancock
5 essential rainy day albums: The Jayhawks, Sarah McLachlan, Khruangbin, Johnny Cash and The Cure
It's Saturday and the sky has finally opened up over Durham. After a really good deluge this morning, it's dreary, drizzly and a perfect day to stay in and listen to records. To make the most of it, you have to choose the right music for the mood. Lucky for you, I've got five suggestions … Continue reading 5 essential rainy day albums: The Jayhawks, Sarah McLachlan, Khruangbin, Johnny Cash and The Cure
August 2021 Bandcamp Friday suggestions: ZENKA, Information Society, Harmony Woods, The Robotic Hands of God & more
Once again, Bandcamp Friday is upon us. It's a good time to snag anything you've had your eye on from Bandcamp, and if you haven't had your eye on anything? Well, I have suggestions! Each single or album has a rating, using a modified Robert Christgau scale. Also check out my earlier recommendations from March. … Continue reading August 2021 Bandcamp Friday suggestions: ZENKA, Information Society, Harmony Woods, The Robotic Hands of God & more
A little metal, a little post-rock: King Woman and Vasudeva
How do you rate music? I mean, actually express a rating for music? I have a post brewing on this topic, I think I've written about it previously, but the whole "five star" rating thing just doesn't work for me. Right now I'm adopting a modified Robert Christgau rating system, but expect that to mutate … Continue reading A little metal, a little post-rock: King Woman and Vasudeva