I’ve been sick for many days now and I barely have the energy or cognitive ability to even post this, but I wanted to post it while it’s fresh in my mind:

I really only listen to one radio station, and during the week it’s all talk radio - great to have on in the background while I work at my desk. On the weekends they turn to music. Not your ubiquitous corporate-sanctioned top-40, adult-contemporary, golden hits of the 60s-90s fare, but a great mix of things that weren’t exactly hip for its time (Depeche Mode, The Cure) and emerging Indie bands who are just starting to make a name for theirselves. But I digress…

While listening to the station yesterday they played a song I had never heard of by a band I had never heard of.  The lead singer’s rapping over a typical rock beat with the addition of horns and strings was catchy, and despite my usual (bad) habit of just listening to the tune and not listening to what the singer has to say, I paid attention to the lyrics. There is a strong message here and there’s a number of ways to interpret it so I won’t bias your conclusion by stating mine. One thing I will divulge is that this band, Flobots, is decidedly political in their messages. Nearly every song on their 2007 album “Fight With Tools” is easily identified as being anti-war.

Fight With Tools is the Flobots’ first album and can be purchased from Twist ‘n Shout.

Beatswamp got some love today from professional arteest Grant Gould over @ http://www.grantgould.com :

Grant is a decorated pencil-slinger who’s line work has received much praise since he quit his day job and became a full time artist. I met him on the internet a few years back and have been consistently felled by the power of his strokes (and not in a gay way!) ever since. Some of the projects he’s worked on include:

Trading Card Credits:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Topps)
Indy 4: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Topps)
Iron Man (Rittenhouse)
Indiana Jones Heritage (Topps)
The Lord of the Rings: Masterpieces II (Topps)
Heroes (Topps)
Halo (Topps)
Marvel Masterpieces (Upper Deck)
Star Wars 30th Anniversary (Topps)
DC Universe: Legacy (Rittenhouse)
The Lord of the Rings: Masterpieces (Topps)
Marvel Heroes: Complete Avengers (Rittenhouse)
The Lord of the Rings: Evolution (Topps)
Star Wars Ep.III Revenge of the Sith (Topps)

 

Other Work Credits

The Wolves of Odin (TBA)
‘Lost Ate My Life’ Book Cover (ECW Press)
Wrestler Illustrations (Pro Wrestling Torch)
SPT Presents #3 Cover (Still Playing with Toys)
Abyss Pinup (Red 5 Comics)
Midknight Pinup (Red 5 Comics)
Super Real Pinup (Super Real Graphics)
Star Wars 30th Anniversary Art Print (Lucasfilm)
Cartoon Pitch Character Designs (PH)
Oddly Normal Tales (Viper Comics)
Mutants & Masterminds: Hero High (Green Ronin)
Josh Howard Presents: Sasquatch (Viper Comics)
LOST Creative Team Commission (Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse)
Character Concept & Design (Project Whitecard Inc.)
Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse Pinup (IDW Publishing)
Mutants & Masterminds: Ultimate Power (Green Ronin)
Children of the Grave Pinup (IDW Publishing)
Oddly Normal Pinup (Viper Comics)
Production Artist/Designer (Marshall Field’s/Macy’s)
Graphic Artist/Packaging Dept. (Target Corp.)

 

Dude’s got talent! I appreciate him dropping a link to us

 

Grant, buddy - this track is dedicated to you and the exceedingly envious life you’ve built for yourself. It’s about a young girl named Lucy who spent her every waking moment drawing. She drew, drew, and drew, to a point that some would say was to the detriment of all other facets of her existence. She created art until her hands were gnarled and useless, but she wasn’t “living her dream”, as you’ll hear in the lyrics - she had become what she desired. It’s a linear tale of a strong life chosen, where passion and living become the same thing and are expressed in great abundance, from inception to death. It’s probably one of my all time favorite songs. I hope you get a kick out of it.

 

 

Aesop Rock - No Regrets

 

Buy this album on iTunes!