Mama, I’m Swollen.
2009 Wed 4 Mar
One of my favorite bands, Cursive, and their record label, Saddle Creek, is sticking it to the music biz. On March 1st, they started running a video that counted $1 to $10 on their myspaces and websites. Clicking on the video (seen here http://cursivearmy.com/03/images/counter_once.gif) sent you to their store where you found out that their new album, set to be released on March 10th, is being offered for $1 on March 1st, $2 on March 2nd, and so on, until the 10th, where it will be st at $10.
The offer includes a MP3 version of the album and a CD + download card of the album, which would be sent to you on the 10th. Finally, they offer the new LP version to be pre-ordered for it’s release in May. This also comes with an MP3 card and a bonus digital card of unreleased songs and videos ($15).
I purchased the MP3 Version and preordered the LP. This way, I get the alblum before it’s out for $3, and I’ll be getting the goodie-packed vinyl sent to me in May…all for $18.
The reason I love this is because, ultimately, it is taking money away from iTunes. Don’t get me wrong, daddy loves the iTunes, but the sheer idea of it, as well as the business behind it is sickening and unfair. Saddle Creek and Cursive figured out a way to get, at least for most Cursive followers, to buy the album, reguardless of the medium, straight from the source before iTunes could get their greasy hands on it. It’s like a legal, illegal download. Now that is punk rock.
The album, “Mama, I’m Swollen”, is another gem from Cursive. Cursive is one of those bands, and I mean this in the least pretensious way, that you either get or you don’t. “Mama, I’m Swollen”, stays true to that. The book to the album is, what appears to be, a long poem, of sorts, written by front man Tim Kasher. Listening to the album while reading the poem is interesting as the album follows the poem..not word for word…but closely.
Anyway, it’s very interesting, and, as I said, good. I’ve listened it to it twice through and I give it a 8/10…the songs creep on ya after a while though, so I’m sure I’ll change my mind.
“Caveman” and “From the Hips” are the highlights for me thus far.
-Sean
