I am addicted to Bomb the Music Industry! (BTMI!). It's the only music currently in my iTunes library. What once was a 100 GB mosaic of the world's most impressive artists now contains 463.1 MB of America's most passionate young professional artists, led by the talented Jeff Rosenstock. It's really not enough to say that he's talented. He is the primary artistic influence behind the band, a singer/songwriter who demonstrate to his audience that the priority is the message not in the music itself, but in the way the music is delivered to the audience. But the music is stellar and the lyrics contain remarkably thoughtful sentiments. Each album is a story within the context of Jeff's inspiration. While this is obvious for many artists during their period of creation, it makes this specific work very personal because of an unabashed emotional release. Jeff's also very fortunate because he has the voice. It's the voice that when strained, drunk, or processed through a PC microphone would overwhelm the listener with its presence and sincerity. As far as similar vocalists who are an example of this, Greg Graffin and Mike Yannich come to mind in the punk world.
It's evolved punk rock. Punk rock has lingered with the '77 crowd, hardcore redux, or misdirected angst in the form of recycled 80s messages. This is a fairly accurate assessment of about 80% of today's punk rock. Publications such as Razorcake and the latest movement with bands that focus on the punk rock ethos have been positive. I suppose that by this time in the post I should issue a disclaimer or two (since this is so stream-of-consciousness).
I praised Jeff a lot in the opening paragraph. The rest of the band (anyone who has every played with Jeff as a part of BTMI!) has done a tremendous job supporting this act. Their current efforts are not overlooked.
It's important to not overestimate this work. I've been listening to (possessed by) BTMI! for the last 3 months. I realized that I missed them play in Phoenix and I honestly think that it was the biggest disappointment of my summer. I saw them the summer before and it was probably 120 degrees in the box they played. Very memorable. They were great, but I wasn't as huge a fan then.
What I'm going through right now is a phase, and BTMI! is perfect for that phase. So I feel that I resonate very well with the lyrics and the overall message. It's great stuff. Maybe when I'm 30 I won't feel the same way. But to be honest, as I approach objectivity, I only fall further in love with this band, their message, and their passion for music and all things fun. It's an exciting time for an exciting band to be playing so hard and so often.
Their music is free. Their message is honest. What more do you want from a band?
Download their FREE music here for FREE:
http://www.quoteunquoterecords.com/btmi.php
And donate while you're at it.
I haven't donated yet because my debt has a nice wide shadow over everything else in my life. Great excuse, right? I'll give money once I can support myself. So I thought I'd write a short blurb of support. They are letting their message get to the folks who couldn't afford their message otherwise.
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