NAM:LIVE! -- Critic's Darling, Media Whore (NSFW)

NAM:LIVE! is not just an album, its part of a multi faceted creative effort known as the Church of Nam that spans images, the printed word, music and performance art. With a goal of world (media) domination, the creator of NAM:LIVE!, Bronxx and his crew, have chosen a provocative metaphor for their art – religion.

According to Bronxxx, the man behind NAM:LIVE!, "Once upon a time, an artist's work was commissioned directly by the fans, known then as patrons. Since those glory days, corporations have positioned themselves as the middle person between the artist and the audience, creating a monopoly that serves to homogenize artistic output and limit what the audience is allowed to see and here."

Homogenized artistic output is what I think about when I hear a group like Train; euphonic, vaguely familiar and about as memorable as Wonder Bread. NAM:LIVE's sound, style and method can't be pigeon holed. Its a rich gumbo of rock, rap, R&B, soul and funk - and very tasty indeed.

Take a listen, here and here.

One of my favorites songs, Born to Rock, is an autobiographical song about Bronxxx experiences with a record label. He describes the absurd crazyness of the commercial music business; the fact that they don't really know what they're doing (as far as picking great talent) and their reliance on copying styles and genres in a misguided effort to make "safe" picks - which just results in bland boring heard-something-just-like-it crap. Its no wonder music sales are down.

Production values on the album are good. This is an electronic album, there is little air or soundstage in the recording. Dynamic range, frequency range and EQ sound great.

Buy NAM:LIVE! here.

[via: Fleshbot]

UPDATE: Welcome NAM:LIVE Blog visitors.