Stream Battles Latest Effort: La Di Da Di

Experimental rock giants, Battles, have made their third studio album, La Di Da Di, available to stream online via NPR music ahead of its September 18th release.  Battles hope to continue their streak of cult album successes following up their 2011 release Gloss Drop.  The band has been critically acclaimed since its inception and has an accrued album score of 75 out of 100 on universal ratings site, Metacritic. Battles is touring extensively in support of their latest effort and I will have the opportunity to review their set on October third in the First Avenue mainroom in Minneapolis, MN. Stay tuned for more Battles updates.

UPDATE: NPR streams are taken down when the album is released. If you enjoyed the album, you can purchase it here.

New Music Blog Utilizes Rhetorical Analysis and Criticism to Delve Deeper Into The Live Format

    The Setlist Snob is a new music blog focused on live performances.  The blog will feature live music news, reviews and exclusive media tailored to live music lovers.  I, Cameron Mielke, am setting out to breakout beyond typical album format driven music coverage.  My mission is to evaluate live performances and report on any stage show antics that prove to be newsworthy.  In my opinion, truly entertaining  artists master both the art of the album format as well as appealing to their audience in the live performance.  Personally, my opinions of artists have always taken into account the live show because it is a vital portion of my process of listening and analysis.  Artists often use the stage as a platform to share their views. These views can be brilliant or long winded given the context.  My hope for this blog is to gain a wide enough audience to be able to show artists that the people really care about the live format.  Raising awareness will hopefully push artists to be as well rounded as they can be.

Stream Mac Miller's Major Label Debut: GO:OD AM

Mac Miller's major label debut on Warner Brothers Records is now available to stream via NPR ahead of the September 18th release. This is Mac Miller's third studio album and first since 2013's Watching Movies With the Sound Off. Since then, the Pittsburgh MC signed to Warner Brothers in October 2014 for a $10 million record deal. Miller's previous effort was met with critical acclaim, but failed sell very well because J. Cole and Kanye West both dropped their albums Born Sinner and Yeezus respectively on the same day. GO:OD AM is slated to have a better market reaction due to the visibility with Warner Brothers and the lack of unfortunate coincidence. Miller will be touring in support of his latest effort commencing with a home stand in Pittsburgh on September 20.  The tour spans Europe as well as North America and I will be fortunate enough to catch him at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis, MN on October 18th.  I will be covering his live show soon after that. Stay tuned and enjoy the new album.

UPDATE: NPR streams are taken down when the album is released. If you enjoyed the album, you can purchase it here.