Newest Industry Presents - Flatbasset Radio: Episode #39 (w/MinneSarah)

I need some time in the sun-shee-yine...

Hello, podcast fans!  Welcome to Flatbasset Radio: Episode #39!

For those of you who are unaware of the Flatbasset Radio format, here's what you're looking at: TCDroogsma is our resident MP3 junkie. As you've probably noticed in his Songs Of The Week column, he's not always the most positive music fan. In an effort to prove that he is, in fact, a fan of music, we give him an hour each week to play the songs he's digging and talk a little bit about them. Once he's recorded his podcast we put it right here on the website for free to stream and/or download!

For the second straight week TCDroogsma ventured to St. Paul to share co-hosting duties with MinneSarah.  Along the way they discuss the new Twin Cities "It Boy," the origin of Madison, Wisconsin, the career of Las Vegas' greatest band, their "radio personas," the power of rock n roll duos, songs to soundtrack mowing the lawn, the sexiness of Norah Jones, lessons learned from "Family Guy," a great show that's coming up this weekend, why you probably shouldn't come to Flatbasset Radio for the latest in hip-hop, whether or not 1994 was the pinnacle of human evolution, how rock bands no longer aim for universal appeal, and whether or not Oasis was better than The Beatles!  All that plus your Cover Of The Week & Flatbasset Flatclassic!

You can download the podcast for free by clicking the episode's title or stream the episode by clicking on the Mixcloud player below.

Flatbasset Radio: Episode #39

Flatbasset Radio: Episode #39 by Tcdroogsma on Mixcloud

01. Frankie Teardrop - Raiders
02. ¡Mayday! & Murs - Brand New Get Up
03. The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It
04. Father John Misty - Trouble
05. Ian Brown - Golden Gaze (Single Version)
06. Jazz Spastiks (w/Apani B Free) - Move
07. Royal Blood - Little Monster
08. Jacuzzi Boys - Be My Prism
09. Young Thug (w/Maceo) - Picacho
10. Painted Palms - Forever
11. Oasis - Rock 'N' Roll Star

There you have it, music fans! Enjoy!

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma).  Previous episodes of Flatbasset Radio are archived on his Mixcloud page.  Stop by Flatbasset Radio's Facebook Page & give it a "Like" if you have the time.



 

For more MinneSarah be sure to give her a follow on Twitter (@MinneSarah).  She can also be found right here on Newest Industry filing reports out of St. Paul for our Big Day Out column







For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog. 

Songs Of The Week #95: TCDroogsma

Rotary Downs, Nathaniel Rateliff, Sturgill Simpson, & Atmosphere...

Well hello again, MP3 fans! Welcome To Songs Of The Week #95!

For those of you who are new to the SOTW column, here's the story:  TCDroogsma and MinneSarah are both fans of The Current's Song Of The Day podcast.  They're also both opinionated and have access to computers.  Seeing an opportunity to let them indulge in their MP3 habit and put them to work writing reviews we created the Songs Of The Week column.  Over a year later later and here we are.

Unfortunately, this week MinneSarah took the week off due to what could kindly be called "Current-based fatigue."  Trust us, her words were considerably more harsh.

As always, we strongly suggest that you follow this link and subscribe to the podcast yourself.  It's free and it's fun for the whole family!

To that end, once you've given each song a spin or two, feel free to cast a vote for your favorite song of the week in the poll to the right side of the page.  The artist who accrues the most votes wins the validation that comes from winning an anonymous internet poll, arguably the loftiest height to which a modern musician can aspire.

So... Droogsy... thoughts?

01. Rotary Downs - Flowers In Bloom (from the album Traces)

 
TCDroogsma:

     Rotary Downs is a five-piece out of New Orleans, but "Flowers In Bloom" bears little of the Big Easy's trademark musical sounds.  Instead we're treated to a galloping indie rock number that sounds a lot like British shoegaze.  The song hinges on an enjoyable descending guitar riff that spirals into psychedelics during the chorus.  Vocally lead singer James Marier sticks to a calm yet forceful delivery, never flying off the edge, but definitely controlling the tone of the track.  When the song finally breaks down with about a minute left, it's a welcome turn, with Marier's vocals finally standing front and center while the band ambles their way out the door.

Final Score: 3/5

02. Nathaniel Rateliff - Nothing To Show For (from the album Falling Faster Than You Can Run)

 
TCDroogsma:

     Kudos to Nathaniel Rateliff.  By definition he's a singer/songwriter and a straight reading of the lyrics to "Nothing To Show For" would definitely back that up.  In the song Rateliff is confused about both himself and his generation.  "A wave could carry you away, leave you somewhere else, leave you in the flames..." is a line that's both vague and completely relateable.

     Now, if you've been reading this column for the past 94 weeks you'll know I'm not too high on the singer/songwriter vibe.  However, from the first chorus Rateliff abandons the stereotype of "sensitive singer" that such lyrics typically call for.  Instead he and his band work up a racket of guitar, drums, and organ.  Perched on top of this teetering sound is Rateliff's voice, worn in & angry at the confusion, as if he knows the answer is right in front of him, but he just can't see it.  "Nothing To Show For" is a textbook example of a song that plays to its performers strengths, becoming greater than just the sum of its parts.

     (Bonus half point for the dog in the picture.  Can't argue with that guy.)

Final Score: 4/5

03. Sturgill Simpson - Turtles All The Way Down (from the album Metamodern Sounds In Country Music)

TCDroogsma:

     Like Nathaniel Rateliff, Sturgill Simpson is a singer/songwriter by definition.  Unlike Nathaniel Rateliff, Simpson steps in every landmine that comes with the title.

     Simpson's out of Kentucky and is attempting to carry the torch for the "outlaw country" sound that traces back to Merle Haggard & Johnny Cash (and is thoroughly beloved by the type of MPR jerk-offs who claim to "love old country music" but are disgusted by the actual sound of new country music).  Simpson makes references to drugs, the devil, Jesus, & hell, proving that he's at least read the first chapter of An Idiot's Guide To Being A Rebel Country Artist.  Unfortunately, "Turtles All The Way Down" loses the plot from there.  There's reptile aliens, journeys to the center of the mind, all kinds of other random shit that , "Might make you go crazy...might make you go sane."  All the while the song is wrapped up in a very straight-forward country skiffle.  Frankly, I kind of wish this song was just about turtles.

Final Score: 1/5

04. Atmosphere - Bitter (from the album Southsiders)

TCDroogsma:

     I was a little surprised to find this song waiting for me.  "Bitter" came out at least a month before it was posted here as a SOTD track.  I remember playing it back on Flatbasset Radio: Episode #33 back in the first week of March.  I guess there's no sense rushing to play the new Atmosphere single when you're busy commissioning craft beer & Actual Wolf songs.

     As such, I've already spent a week with "Bitter's" parent album Southsiders as an album of the week.  I bring this up because the song takes a somewhat different tone within the context of an album as opposed to a stand alone single.  As a single a couple of things stand out:

     First, the live band is nowhere to be found (and thank God).  This is an Ant beat the core.

     Second, Slug's taken on an almost sing-song tone with his rapping.  Nowhere near the sound of Chance The Rapper, Yung Thug, etc..., but the delivery is more than Slug's previous presets of either "angry" or "celebratory."

     And that's the third thing - "Bitter" is a shot at the local scene that's not comfortable with the worldwide success Atmosphere's found.  However, in delivering the message that too many other people are bitter about Slug & Ant's success, Slug himself comes off as bitter.  He's far too smart of a lyricist not to realize what he's doing here.

     Which is why the song works significantly better within the contest of the album.  Southsiders is the most autobiographical Atmosphere record since You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having.  Throughout the album Slug paints himself as a relatively content 40-something.  I realize that sounds like anathema to most rap fans, but to those of us who are easing through our 30's (which I suspect is still a large chunk of Atmosphere's fans), it's a refreshing take on hip-hop.  To that end "Bitter" comes off almost as a reminder that you can't please everybody all the time and that no matter how successful you may be at your job, people will still bitch.  Much like a young Slug pushed people to choose their own path back on tracks like "The Bass & The Movement," "Bitter" is a song for those of us who chose a path back then and are now faced with the prospect of never reaching that goal and the prospect of abandoning the path for the comforts of adulthood.  Slug's reminding us that no matter how far you go down that path, it's never easy.

Final Score: 4/5

Well there you have it, MP3 junkies!  Another week's worth of songs downloaded, reviewed, & filed away!

As always, please keep in mind that neither Newest Industry nor our contributors are in any way affiliated with the artists above, The Current, or MPR.  We're just music fans with laptops and a bit too much time on our hands.

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma).  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry hosting our free weekly podcast Flatbasset Radio









For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.


 

Newest Industry Presents - Flatbasset Radio: #38 (w/MinneSarah)

You heard that we were great, now you know we're lame...

For those of you who are unaware of the Flatbasset Radio format, here's what you're looking at: TCDroogsma is our resident MP3 junkie. As you've probably noticed in his Songs Of The Week column, he's not always the most positive music fan. In an effort to prove that he is, in fact, a fan of music, we give him an hour each week to play the songs he's digging and talk a little bit about them. Once he's recorded his podcast we put it right here on the website for free to stream and/or download!

This week's episode TCDroogsma heads over to St. Paul to reunite with his estranged co-host MinneSarah & play some summer jams!  Along the way they discuss the cruelty of summer in Minnesota, seasonal drinking habits, the work ethic of 90's pop bands, European weather patterns, the cinematic tour-de-force that is Good Burger, haggling over the price of an EP, pronouncing English bands with Minnesota accents, how to pass time when summer hits its bad stretches, MinneSarah's favorite Nashville band, the struggle to cast a vote in the 2002 election, how context turns a good song into a "summer jam," and reminisce about the first time they saw one of their favorite bands and  seeing that band again last weekend!  All that plus the Cover Of The Week & Flatbasset Flat Classic!

You can download the podcast for free by clicking the episode's title or stream the episode by clicking on the Mixcloud player below.

Flatbasset Radio: Episode #38
 

Flatbasset Radio: Episode #38 by Tcdroogsma on Mixcloud

01. National Bird - In Summer
02. Vic Mensa - Orange Soda
03. Art Brut - Alcoholics Unanimous
04. Sugar Ray - Day 'N' Nite
05. Klaxons - Echoes
06. Poolside - Slow Down
07. F. Stokes - Gots To Save You
08. The Streets - Roof Of Your Car
09. The Thermals - Now We Can See
10. Har Mar Superstar - Freedom Summer
11. Bad Cop - The Wind
12. Local H - All The Kids Are Right

There you have it, music fans! Enjoy!

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma).  Previous episodes of Flatbasset Radio are archived on his Mixcloud page.  Stop by Flatbasset Radio's Facebook Page & give it a "Like" if you have the time.



 

For more MinneSarah be sure to give her a follow on Twitter (@MinneSarah).  She can also be found right here on Newest Industry filing reports out of St. Paul for our Big Day Out column







For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.

Songs Of The Week #94: TCDroogsma

HTRK, Architecture In Helsinki, The Family Crest, The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger, & Actual Wolf...

Well hello again, MP3 fans! Welcome To Songs Of The Week #94!

For those of you who are new to the SOTW column, here's the story:  TCDroogsma and MinneSarah are both fans of The Current's Song Of The Day podcast.  They're also both opinionated and have access to computers.  Seeing an opportunity to let them indulge in their MP3 habit and put them to work writing reviews we created the Songs Of The Week column.  Over a year later later and here we are.

Unfortunately, this week MinneSarah took the week off due to what could kindly be called "Current-based fatigue."  Trust us, her words were considerably more harsh.

As always, we strongly suggest that you follow this link and subscribe to the podcast yourself.  It's free and it's fun for the whole family!

To that end, once you've given each song a spin or two, feel free to cast a vote for your favorite song of the week in the poll to the right side of the page.  The artist who accrues the most votes wins the validation that comes from winning an anonymous internet poll, arguably the loftiest height to which a modern musician can aspire.

So... Droogsy... thoughts?

01. HTRK - Blue Sunshine (from the album Psychic 9-5 Club)

 
TCDroogsma:

     Australia hasn't had a great run here on SOTW.  Most of the song's coming out of the land down under have been clunkers (Alpine, Connan Mockasin) while only a couple of stellar entries from The Veils really leveling things out.

     Enter HTRK.  HTRK evidently stands for "Hate Rock" though initially I held out hope that it perhaps stood for "Hat Trick," a turn of events that would have easily garnered "Blue Sunshine" another half point.  As it stands, "Blue Sunshine" is the sort of atmospheric electro-jam that's all the rage today.  The best of those songs either lean on a heavy hook at some point or on some sort of fragility.  Unfortunately "Blue Sunshine" doesn't go either direction.  It's strengths lie in some very well put together, slow burning synths and a just a touch of reverb. The lyrics, however, bring nothing to the table, which is no sin if there's a good hook.  Unfortunately, not only is the hook not very good, it's essentially non-existent.  I can't give the song less than 2/5 because it's clear that it would be a thoroughly enjoyable downbeat instrumental.  However, the most prominent part of the song (the vocals) are also its weakest link.  Kind of a shame.

Final Score: 2/5

02. Architecture In Helsinki - I Might Survive (from the album Now + 4Eva)

 
TCDroogsma:

     I saw Architecture In Helsinki at the 400 Bar back when "Heart It Races" was all the rage.  They put on such an ubpeat, positive, energetic show that it was almost a little sickening.  Maybe the fact that I'm a dyed-in-the-plaid Midwesterner who bleeds cynicism kept me from throwing myself into the show, but it was all just a little too much.

     Here on "I Might Survive," the band is still pretty damn upbeat, though the hook of, "I'd rather be with you than alive..." certainly has some dark undertones.  The band has evidently abandoned the "kitchen sink" approach to their songs, however, as "I Might Survive" is a slick, streamlined poppy number.  The song glides along enjoyably with some technicolor horns providing the real punch.  I can say with 85% certainty that I won't see the band live again (as they're clearly still just too damn happy), but at least they seem to have settled into crafting songs that stand on their own, without five shiny, happy people giving them the hard sell.

Final Score: 3/5

03. The Family Crest - Beneath The Brine (from the album Beneath The Brine)

TCDroogsma:

     According to the internets, The Family Crest is the brainchild of Liam McCormick (the one up above that looks like Pete Wentz & Win Butler procreated).  His idea was to write a few songs and then put out ads for musicians, with the goal being to get as many musicians as possible.  Evidently it didn't matter if these people could play instruments or not.  The idea was to create an operation that was wholly inclusive no matter how rudimentary somebody's musical knowledge may be.

     On the one hand, then, "Beneath The Brine" is surprising in that it's a very well crafted, well performed single.  The song features a whole orchestra's worth of dramatic string turns, percussive flourishes, and group vocals.  Unfortunately, all of that work is in the service of a song that is just not very good to begin with.  McCormick's vocals aim for "sweeping & epic" and land at, well, Pete Wentz meets Win Butler.  It's comically dramatic.  McCormick's lyrics are a pretty straightforward want-the-girl, can't-have-the-girl tale that would likely sound kind of insufferable regardless of the musical style they were wrapped around, but hearing them built into this sort of symphonic grandeur leaves the whole thing sounding like an exercise is excess more than a genuinely exciting idea.

Final Score: 1/5

04. The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger - Animals (from the album Midnight Sun)

TCDroogsma:

     There are several certainties in life.  Death.  Taxes.  The fact that it's completely unfair to compare Sean Lennon's work to his father's.  This is all just part of the deal.  Unfortunately for Sean, he seems to go out of his way to make music that bears all the hallmarks of his dad.

     Now, let me note first that "Animals" is clearly a Sean Lennon jam.  Back in the late 90's he built some nice songs out of heavy, fuzzed out bass and solid hooks (as was the style at the time).  Here we are some 15 years later and he's still got the bass cranked to 11 (which is a compliment).  The chorus' hook hits loud & heavy.  Unfortunately for poor Sean, he spends large chunks of the song using his voice to produce nasally "Aaaahhhh's" which, I hate to say, sound exactly like his dad's work on "A Day In The Life."  Throw in the fact that he plays the same sort of half-assed mysticism card ("Do you believe what you read in the tea leaves?  Messages from Jesus in the crease upon the grilled cheese?") and the song starts to sound like the work of somebody who's genuinely trying to write a John Lennon parody song.  Sorry, Sean.  I know you can't choose your parents, but you don't have to seek out their shadow to stand under either.

Final Score: 2.5/5

05. Actual Wolf - Thinking Of You (from The Current's Beer EP)

TCDroogsma:

     The last time we reviewed Actual Wolf was in SOTW #59.  Both MinneSarah & I thought that "Victims & Things" was a pleasant, though inconsequential song.  Since then Actual Wolf (Eric Pollard) has taken the time to slowly pull his dick out of The Current's mouth & decamped to Nashville.  At the time it seemed like a bold move for an artist who was genuinely starting to build an MPR-sponsored following here in the Twin Cities.

     Well, turns out their isn't much risk involved when The Current continues to pump you up as a "local artist" when you don't actually live here.  Evidently you can have your country-fried cake and eat it too.  Savvy move, Wolfy.

     "Thinking About You" comes hand in hand with The Current's new custom-brand beer (which reminds me, stop asking me for money you custom-beer-creating bastards) and that seems appropriate.  "Thinking Of You" is straight autopilot for a Nashville tunesmith.  The song skiffles along on the same country twang you've heard a thousand times while Pollard wades slowly into the shallow end of country music history for the melody.  Frankly, I can't imagine a song being as slight as "Thinking Of You."  And that's really the word for it: slight.  Pollard opens the song by singing, "I woke up from a dream," and that seems appropriate because I'm sure he could toss off shit like this in his sleep.

Final Score: 0/5

Well there you have it, MP3 junkies!  Another week's worth of songs downloaded, reviewed, & filed away!

As always, please keep in mind that neither Newest Industry nor our contributors are in any way affiliated with the artists above, The Current, or MPR.  We're just music fans with laptops and a bit too much time on our hands.

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma).  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry hosting our free weekly podcast Flatbasset Radio









For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.

Songs Of The Week #93: TCDroogsma

Kelis, Fear Of Men, Truckfighters, Fujiya & Miyagi, & Haley Bonar...

Well hello again, MP3 fans! Welcome To Songs Of The Week #93!

For those of you who are new to the SOTW column, here's the story:  TCDroogsma and MinneSarah are both fans of The Current's Song Of The Day podcast.  They're also both opinionated and have access to computers.  Seeing an opportunity to let them indulge in their MP3 habit and put them to work writing reviews we created the Songs Of The Week column.  Over a year later later and here we are.

Unfortunately, this week MinneSarah took the week off due to what could kindly be called "Current-based fatigue."  Trust us, her words were considerably more harsh.

As always, we strongly suggest that you follow this link and subscribe to the podcast yourself.  It's free and it's fun for the whole family!

To that end, once you've given each song a spin or two, feel free to cast a vote for your favorite song of the week in the poll to the right side of the page.  The artist who accrues the most votes wins the validation that comes from winning an anonymous internet poll, arguably the loftiest height to which a modern musician can aspire.

So... Droogsy... thoughts?

01. Kelis - Cobbler (from the album Food)

TCDroogsma:

     A few months back I received my bi-monthly e-mail from the label Ninja Tune that included a link to download a single from Kelis' upcoming album Food.  I don't know enough Kelis songs to say whether or not I like her, but I figured I'd throw it on my weekly playlist and find out what the story was.

     That single was a song called "Jerk Ribs," a horn-stuffed, Motown-type workout that I found so enjoyable that I played it on my Flatbasset Radio podcast that week.  It seemed like the famously-difficult-to-pigeonhole artist had found a new home rapping herself up in the music that inspired her.

     I suppose it's possible that spending a week with such an enjoyable single would make it tough for a second single to stand up, but I couldn't help but be disappointed with "Cobbler."  Those rich, funky horns are gone, replaced by some shuffling percussion & afro-beat style horns that comes off like the most forgettable Dave Sitek song you've ever heard.  Kelis' whispery, melody-averse crooning brings almost nothing to the table, lacking enough mystery to create atmosphere and enough ooomph to sell an almost non-existent hook.  Even the breakdown (which features Kelis "hitting notes she never sings") feels forced.  I don't know if The Current ever embraced "Jerk Ribs," but "Cobbler" sounds like just the kind of mundane, sorta-indie, sorta-R&B that is right in their wheelhouse.

Final Score: 1.5/5

02. Fear Of Men - Waterfall (from the album Loom)

TCDroogsma:

     Remember last year when I couldn't stop ranting like a lunatic about Veronica Falls & their single "Teenage?"  I think we've finally found this summer's sequel to "Teenage's" youthful, innocent charm.

     Where "Teenage" lived in a world of the trivial teenage infatuation presented through the eyes of "this is life and death!" teenagers, Fear Of Men present the grown up sequel.  The guitars are excited, yet controlled.  There's a synth line that hints at the melancholy lurking underneath the chorus' repeated call of "I'm not alone in this..."  This is an "adult pop" song in the best possible sense.  A world of excitement, sadness, longing, & hope delivered in a way relatable to everybody who knows what it's like to be overcome by those feelings all at once.

Final Score: 4/5

03. Truckfighters - Prophet (from the album Universe)

TCDroogsma:

     As I spent the week with "Prophet" I kept stumbling across the same adjectives to describe Truckfighters. "Stoner Rock."  "Desert Rock."  "Metal."  I was kind of surprised by this.  The band owes an obvious debt to Queens Of The Stone Age, but just give the song a spin.  They may love Josh Homme, but it sure sounds like they enjoyed Room On Fire & First Impressions Of Earth as much as Rated R.

     Lead singer Ozo comes out crooning like a smitten Julian Casablancas during the verse before lashing out like... well... a bitter Julian Casablancas in the chorus.  The band around him works up a Polvo-esque fuzzy/precise racket right up until the chorus, when they snap into place like Albert Hammond & Fab Morretti in their prime.  Basically, this is what The Strokes would sound like if they adopted Josh Homme as a guitar player (which is awesome).  I'm sorry to be so redundant, but just listen to it!  There are no other conclusions to be drawn here. 

Final Score: 4/5

04. Fujiya & Miyagi - Vagaries Of Fashion (from the album Artificial Sweeteners)

TCDroogsma:

     Fujiya & Miyagi have built a career out of creating subversive electro songs that wouldn't be out of place in a packed European club or on Mogwai's tour bus.  "Vagaries Of Fashion" fits nicely with their work in the past, continuing their winning streak of sneaky hooks, sneakier lyrics, and an overarching feeling of suspense that gives the impression that they know something you don't.

     "Vagaries Of Fashion" opens with the lines, "You keep pickin' the scabs 'round the edges 'till it bleeds crimson red, cracks concrete grey..."  Pleasant stuff, to be sure.  The song goes on to add all kinds of guitar lines, blips, & bloops, but stays anchored on singer David Best's vocals.  With him crooning slyly throughout, the song never gets too high or too low, never completely revealing itself.  It's a clever trick and it allows "Vagaries Of Fashion" to be better with every spin.  Even when you know what's coming next, it's still exciting.

Final Score: 4/5

05. Haley Bonar - No Sensitive Man (from the album Last War)

TCDroogsma:

     Damn!  Haley Bonar's really changing the game these days.  Where she used to be the Twin Cities sappy, boring, female counterpart to Jeremy Messersmith, Bonar evidently got bored with that folk sound this time around (and not a moment too soon).

     MinneSarah & I discussed the the track "Last War" way back in SOTW #78.  While that song was also a dramatic departure from the Bonar of old, I lamented that the new synth-heavy sound left Boanr's voice lost in the mix.  Well, here on "No Sensitive Man" the synths have been replaced by some buzzy guitar work while Bonar's vocals are the star of the show.  Bonar's voice has a rougher, more worn in sound than it used to and frankly, it suits the song perfectly.  Evidently Bonar's boredom with folk music also extends to the kind off "sensitive, artistic, fawning" men you meet when you play folk music for a living.  "Once you loved his hippie ways... but now you want to cut off all his hair, see what he's made of, wipe his tears away..." God bless you, Haley Bonar.

Final Score: 4/5

Well there you have it, MP3 junkies!  Another week's worth of songs downloaded, reviewed, & filed away!

As always, please keep in mind that neither Newest Industry nor our contributors are in any way affiliated with the artists above, The Current, or MPR.  We're just music fans with laptops and a bit too much time on our hands.

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma).  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry hosting our free weekly podcast Flatbasset Radio









For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.

Ten & Six With Mike Otto: The 2014 Draft Class

The future's looking bright... and wouldn't I be exactly what it's lookin' like...

Well, hello again, Vikings fans!  Welcome to a special mid-summer edition of Ten & Six!

Mike Otto's spent most of the offseason sipping drinky drinks in exotic locations, but his love for The Purple hasn't wavered.  In a fit of draft-based excitement he abandoned the easy life of the non-blogger, busted out his computer, and got back to work.

Mikey, what'd you think of this year's draft for YOUR Minnesota Vikings?

With the Vikings 2014 draft now in the rear view mirror and all the picks signed to new deals of varying lucrative value, I think it's an appropriate time to take a look at the new guys most likely to make the final roster.

I have a good feeling about this draft class. I really believe The Vikings might have picked up a couple future Pro Bowlers, but before we start fitting anybody for HOF jackets, let's have a glance at what they potentially bring to the table. From top to bottom, lets roll!

Round 1: Pick 9

Anthony Barr

Linebacker - UCLA

6'5", 255 lbs.

Physically, Barr is a freak of nature. In terms of experience at his current position, though, he only has 2 years. Barr switched from full back to 3-4 OLB his Junior year and never looked back.

In 2012, he battled through a concussion and a broken finger to start all 14 games, recording 83 tackles (21 for loss), 13.5 sacks, 5 pass break-ups, 4 forced fumbles, a blocked kick and a safety. He also did the world a favor and dealt a season ending blow to then USC QB Matt Barkley. Not too shabby for your first year playing a new position. His senior year was no different, it started with a concussion in fall camp but it didn't cause him to miss a start. In 13 games at ROLB he tallied 65 tackles (20 for loss), 10 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and a pass break-up.

Barr represents an immediate upgrade at LB for the Vikings and barring injury should easily replace Chad Greenway as the best LB on the roster. After losing Jared Allen in free agency, Barr's ability to get into the backfield and after the QB was highly coveted by Spiel, Zim and Zyg. That sounds like an awful Vegas act if I ever heard one. Can't wait to watch this guy play.

Round 2: Pick 32

Teddy Bridgewater

Quarterback - Louisville

6'2", 214 lbs

In 3 years starting at Louisville Bridgewater completed 68% of his passes for 9,817 yards, with 72 TD's compared to 24 INT's. Gaudy numbers no doubt somewhat inflated by inferior competition. Worth noting, when given a chance to play top ranked SEC defenses in bowl games, he dominated them as well.

Though he is a bit lean and lanky, he only missed one start in college due to a fractured wrist and sprained ankle he sustained in a triple OT loss against UCONN (Ugh...). He finished that game with aforementioned injuries, leading a furious comeback only to fall shirt in OT. Undeniably, a very gutty performance.

Bridgewater is really a student of the game. He ran a pro-style west coast offense at Louisville. He recognizes the blitz very well, anticipating where it will come from and making necessary adjustments. He has the ability to step up into the pocket and keep eyes downfield in the face of pressure. He's not much of a threat to run, looking very awkward in the open field. Last year against Cincinnati, his game was noticeably affected by cold, windy conditions. Struggles to drive the ball through wind. Desperately needs to bulk up. Would like to see him add at least 5 pounds of muscle or durability could be an issue.

Bottom line, the Vikings got great value snagging Bridgewater at 32. Six months ago, if you had told me my favorite team would land a top ten defensive talent AND Teddy Bridgewater, I would have told you to lay off the dope. He is a gamer, he works hard and wants nothing more than to perfect his craft. He has a few big hurdles to jump. The slight frame, smaller-than-ideal hands and questions about his arm strength. We need patience with this guy, he's just 21 years old, (born in 93?!? Jesus...) so let's not freak out if he doesn't win the starting job right away. Now if he marries a blonde ESPN reporter and starts staring down receivers, TIME TO FREAK THE FUCK OUT!

Round 3: Pick 72

Scott Crichton

Defensive End - Oregon State

6'2", 273 lbs

Long arms and a lean, muscular build. Can get under a tackles pads and drive them back. Quick off the snap with decent technique puts him in good position to make plays. Probably would have benefited by going back to Oregon State for his senior year. Dominated by double teams. Seems to lack a plan when rushing the QB. Can get sucked into the line and lose containment. A raw talent that will require a lot of coaching and patience. Cocluded his 3 year career with the O-State Beavers (there's a joke somewhere in there) as the leader in forced fumbles (10) and 3rd in sacks (22.5). Revealed at the combine that he left school a year early to support his family. His mother works 2 jobs and his father still works even though he has an amputated leg (life is hard, kids). Rooting for this guy. He's at least 3 years and 15 pounds of muscle away from being a starter in this league.

Round 3: Pick 96

Jerick McKinnon

Running Back - Georgia Southern

5'9", 209 lbs

Was really an everyman for GSU. Mainly an offensive threat, but did tally 2 INT's and a handful of tackles at cornerback over his college career. 2012, his best year in college by far, he really broke out, starting 14 games, 4 at running back and the final 10 at QB (figure it out Georgia Southern) rushing for 1,817 yards and 20 TD's on 269 carries and going 20-49 for 597 yards with 7 TD's compared to 3 INT's through the air. Throw in one catch for 15 yards and you really have one impressive, bullshit division II college football performance.

Great athlete. Top 5 performer in 7 combine drills. Bench presses twice his weight and squats 3 times his weight (damn, dude!). As mentioned before, he has good versatility, he has superb work ethic, and finishes every run hard, always falling forward for a couple extra yards. Solid, efficient cut blocker. More than likely will get very limited touches his first year, filling the extra blocker roll on passing downs for the Vikings. Not elusive at all, looks hesitant and stiff at times. Hopeful he can become a solid 3rd down/spell back for AP in the years to come.

Round 5: Pick 145

David Yankey

Offensive Lineman - Stanford

6'6", 315 lbs

Very good size. He is one big fella! Projected to go in the 2nd-3rd round, finding him in the 5th was really a steal. Versatile. Played both tackles and guards in college and had success at every spot. Smart, dependable and durable. Can be effective in a short pull from either guard spot. Does not overpower defenders, stiff technique at times, once he is beat, he does not recover. 100% certain he will play guard for Vikings, barring injuries to the tackles. Won't get any style points from that position, but will generally get the job done. Great value pick and a great addition in terms of offensive line depth. 

Round 6: Pick 182

Antone Exum

Cornerback/Safety - Virginia Tech

6'0", 213 lbs

Besides having one badass name, Antone Exum adds depth to the Vikings secondary, having played full college years at both safety and cornerback, and having success at both challenging positions. Starting all 14 games in 2011 at safety he tallied 89 tackles (5 for loss), 10 pass break-ups and 1 INT with 1.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Antone moved to CB in in 2012 and in 13 starts tallied 48 tackles (2 for loss), 16 pass break-ups, 5 INT's with 2 forced fumbles. Good balls skills and body control, thickly defined muscle packed onto his 6 foot frame. Used as an effective gunner and jammer on special teams in college. Average quickness and burst, would struggle in jump balls against NFL receivers. Needs coaching on technique, likes to do things his own way (which won't work in the NFL). Extremely confident, bordering on cocky, likely will face a reality check. Had arthroscopic knee surgery to clean up damaged ligament cartilage in the off-season, which made him slip in the draft. Must prove he still has the same physical presence he flashed in college. Not fast/athletic enough to play CB in the NFL. Vikings will use him as a safety/special teams beast. 

Late Round Flotsam Projects

CB Kendeall James (pick 184), DT Shamar Stephen (pick 220), LB Brandon Watts (pick 223), CB Jabari Price (pick 225) will all, in a best case scenario, be practice-squad bound. Worst case scenario, look for some new Metro Transit bus drivers on your favorite routes come September.

Overall, a very impressive draft class on paper, I'll get back to you in two years mmmmmmmkay?

Enjoy the summer everybody, keep it weird. 

There you have it, football fans!  Lots of potential on both sides of the ball.  Don't worry if you can't remember these names tomorrow - you'll know them well by 2018 when the Vikings become the first team to play in a Super Bowl it's also hosting!

Sorry, got carried away with the optimism.  It's the offseason.

For more Mike Otto be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters).  The line between sad & entertaining runs awfully thin during the offseason.  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry contributing to our Trendsetting column.

For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.