Rags To Radio - With Gratitude (My band's 2nd EP)

[rage patton]

So, as most of you here know, I am in a band. We are called Rags To Radio. Last year we released our first EP and I put it up here for everyone to listen to. The feedback I got was awesome. So, thank you to everyone who gave both compliments and constructive criticism. Both of those helped during the writing and recording process of this EP.

So, give it a listen and tell me what you think! Click on the cover and it will take you to the download!



Tracklisting:

1. Cat Bones
2. Cup Of Tea
3. Gallows Humor
4. Farewell Fairweather
5. Cheats

If you want to criticize the EP, or certain parts, or a certain song, please do. I do ask though, please offer constructive criticism. Please don't just say "It sucks." Good constructive criticism helps more than you know and we appreciate it.

Also, if you have anything good to say, we would love to hear that too of course!

I don't know if any of you are feeling overly generous, but, if you are, please head on over to our bandcamp page: http://ragstoradio.bandcamp.com/

Here, you can purchase our EP for $3. That is, only if you feel like it though. No need to. I am appreciate that you were interested enough to click on this thread and, hopefully, give my EP a listen.

Oh, and here are the three biggest criticisms we recieved about our last EP and what we did to fix 'em.

1. Our drummer: We took your advice. We fired him and got a new one. Our new drummer is killer and since we have joined the band, we have become 10 times the band we were.

2. Recording Quality: Our first EP was recorded in our friends shack and mastered by his dad whose last experience master was on analog in the 70s. This one was recorded at two professional music studios and mastered by a pro as well.

3. All the tracks started with a guitar intro: We fixed that as well. 2 of the tracks don't start with a guitar intro.

Anyways, thanks guys! Can't wait to hear your feedback.

[rage patton]

Oh, and if any of you are interested, we also have t-shirts for sale.





A couple boardies here have bought shirts before, so I figure I might as well offer them. If you want one, just PM me. They are $15 (+ shipping). If anyone wants a physical copy of the EP too, those are $5. If want a t-shirt and/or EP, let me know!

Thanks again for listening!

[TomAz]

Does your band sounds like Steely Dan?

[rage patton]

We sound like pretty much the oposite of Steely Dan. There are plenty of little imperfections on the album and, I think, they help give it character. Plus, it is very not smooth.

[TallGuyCM]

Does your band sounds like Steely Dan?

They in no way sounds like them.

[rage patton]

I think that will be our new slogan. Rags To Radio: Sounds absolutely nothing like Steely Dan.

[rage patton]

It is a Wednesday night and I know you are all bored. C'mon. Give it a listen. Its 5 songs and 15 minutes long. I also see that 8 people have downloaded the EP so far. What are your guys' first impressions?

[TallGuyCM]

Just put it on...will report back in a bit...

Edit: Oh and you should edit the first post and mention that clicking on the album cover leads to the download site. Took me a little while to figure that out.

[rage patton]

Awesome! Can't wait to hear what ya think, Chris.

[psycobetabuckdown]

Listening right now, and so far it's way better than the fucking Dead Weather.

Nah seriously though I like it so far.

But seriously I don't like the Dead Weather.

[rage patton]

Haha, well I am glad you like it! ...why bring up the Dead Weather though? I am slightly confused.

[psycobetabuckdown]

You know, garage rock and all that jazz. I think they're the flag bearers, aren't they?

Don't mean to stutta, stutta.
^like that part

[clumsy342]

while I wouldn't compare it to Dead Weather, I would compare it to Band of Skulls, who I think sound like the DW should've sounded more like.

[rage patton]

Hahaha. Our singer/guitarist idolizes Jack White. I thought Gallows Humor reminded me of a more Raconteurs-y song. But Dead Weather works too. I will take that as a compliment.

while I wouldn't compare it to Dead Weather, I would compare it to Band of Skulls, who I think sound like the DW should've sounded more like.

I'll take that as a compliment too.

[psycobetabuckdown]

while I wouldn't compare it to Dead Weather, I would compare it to Band of Skulls, who I think sound like the DW should've sounded more like.

I have to say it's about time for me to give BoS a chance. I always assumed they were a low-rent Band of Horses, for no good reason.

As for Jack White idolizing, I'm not surprised because I hear it a little, although that's not to say he doesn't have his own voice. When I made the DW comment I hadn't heard tracks 3-5 yet.

Anyway I have now and I like it, no criticism here. I'm not ready to buy your t-shirt but maybe someday...

[rage patton]

Cool dude! Thanks for giving us the time man. I am glad you enjoyed it. And I didn't mean to put the t-shirts up there to pressure anybody haha. I figured I would just put em up to let people here know they are available.

[TallGuyCM]

I really liked the EP, Josh. Great bass chops on Cup of Tea, especially.

I definitely don't see much Dead Weather comparison, the music reminded me more of the Specials-influenced late 90s bands that were all the rage (no pun intended) when I was in high school.

[rage patton]

Specials influenced? I won't deny, ska and reggae definately have an influence on my bass playing, but our guitarist and drummer don't even listen to ska. What bands are you thinking of?

But I am glad you like the EP! Thanks for taking the time. Cup of Tea was my favorite song to record and it is also my favorite song to play live.

[TallGuyCM]

Specials influenced? I won't deny, ska and reggae definately have an influence on my bass playing, but our guitarist and drummer don't even listen to ska. What bands are you thinking of?

No specific bands, maybe it's because I was listening extra close to the bass playing.

[psycobetabuckdown]

Singer = Jack White/Daryl Palumbo offspring, yeah?

[Alchemy]

I dig the EP, Josh! "Gallows Humor" was my favorite one. I think it would be cool if there was some distortion on the guitar in it. Maybe... I definitely get the Jack White vibe going on with the singer pretty heavily. It isn't a bad thing for me, though. "Farewell Fairweather" is another cool one. Sometimes I am reminded of Jet, that song they had, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" I think it's "Cup of Tea" that makes me think of that song... Um, you guys sound better than that, though.

[JClemy]

Sounds great! I really like it.

[rage patton]

No specific bands, maybe it's because I was listening extra close to the bass playing.

Maybe haha. Either way, I am glad you like my bass playing.

Fun fact: I never played bass in my life until I joined this band. I have been playing for just over 2 years now.

Singer = Jack White/Daryl Palumbo offspring, yeah?

Had to google who Daryl Palumbo is. Glassjaw eh? I havent listened to them much, so I guess I will have to check em out to see what you mean.

I dig the EP, Josh! "Gallows Humor" was my favorite one. I think it would be cool if there was some distortion on the guitar in it. Maybe... I definitely get the Jack White vibe going on with the singer pretty heavily. It isn't a bad thing for me, though. "Farewell Fairweather" is another cool one. Sometimes I am reminded of Jet, that song they had, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" I think it's "Cup of Tea" that makes me think of that song... Um, you guys sound better than that, though.

Another new slogan. Rags To Radio: Better than Jet.

But seriously, I am glad you guys are digging the tunes.

[rage patton]

This is just a bump for anyone who hasn't downloaded/listened to the EP yet. Thanks again guys!

[liquidsnake28]

Ok Josh, I'm listening and you know I'll be completely objective.

So far, yeah, this dude wants to be Jack White, which isn't a bad thing necessarily

[liquidsnake28]

Ok, I listened to all of them and just like I said, too much Jack White influence. It really is overbearing. However, good job man. This is not bad at all, solid bass playing. Props.

Also though, like I have said in the past - terrible band name. You really should change it.

[york707]

I really like the EP. Good energy, good tunes. Cup of Tea is my favorite and is definitely making it onto my workout playlist.

Comparing their singer to Jack White indicates that the person doing the comparison hasn't listened to music very widely - the vocal delivery is very common in garage/trashy/60s/fuzz rock.

Also: did you guys record with a click track? If not, you should maybe consider it just for recordings. (Edit: I realize doing so is the antithesis of the style of music you play. It's just the rhythm player in me that's thinking that)

[tessalasset]

Bought a copy. This better be good, Josh!

[paulb]

downloading now man! Cant wait to hear it!

[psycobetabuckdown]

Had to google who Daryl Palumbo is. Glassjaw eh? I havent listened to them much, so I guess I will have to check em out to see what you mean.

Oh well either check out Head Automatica or Glassjaw's big singles, because on most of their album tracks he's just screaming. That's not the comparison I meant to make.