The Neurons - Dance
David Hoffman and Paul Adams, aka The Neurons, have produced a stunning, gorgeous, inventive, highly listenable fusion of alternative rock, world, electronica, jazz, and even hip-hop (they like to call it “World Jazz Hop”) in Dance. They use a variety of popular and exotic instruments, some of them created by The Neurons themselves! Each track is in its own world. Strangely, the title track is the weakest. This is one of my favorite albums that I’ve posted about so far.
The files are available as 128kbps MP3. If you like the album (trust me, you will), please support the artist by buying the album on CD.
Am I mistaken, or is only the first track a free download? The rest are *.m3u playlist files.
Comment by Orestes — August 16, 2005 @ 8:47 pm
Whoops! Thanks for the catch, I’ll have to fix that and provide direct links to all the files!
Comment by Luke — August 16, 2005 @ 9:17 pm
EXCELLENT.
Comment by Critico — August 17, 2005 @ 1:02 am
Paul Adams here. 1/2 of a Neuron.
Just going through stats on my web host. Lotsa folks hitting this album on this blog. It’s an interesting time. For those of us trying to make a living playing music, I wonder how offering the free music will lead to sales at a later date? We’re in the middle of a huge change in music delivery. Sony caught actually paying to get airplay means the majors have some fear. We all know what sells product is $$ and promo. They are top dogs at selling w/ sophisticated advertizing techniques, and yet they pay to be heard. Like Nixon having Watergate despite his “trouncing” of George McGovern
Comment by PAUL ADAMS — August 18, 2005 @ 12:15 pm
Paul Adams! My humble blog is honored by your presence. It is my intention to encourage support of the artists posted here by linking to where readers can buy the album, if they like the music. I’m sorry I forgot to do that with Dance. I’ve fixed it now.
The topic of the changing financial and distribution structures of the music industry is a popular one, and better analyzed elsewhere. But I will throw out a few thoughts. Radiohead’s Kid A was hugely pirated on Napster before it’s actual release. Upon release, it hit #2 on Billboard with hardly any prescient press and no marketing campaign. Most analysts attribute this partially to the extensive pirating of the album before its release. Alas, it doesn’t always work that way!
I think it was wise of you to offer Dance free in 128kbps MP3. This is high-quality enough to let people know how good your music is, but will encourage audiophiles to actually purchase the CD to get it in full WAV quality. Had you offered the album in FLAC or 320kbps MP3, there may not have been any reason for anyone to buy your CD, except to support you as an independent artist.
Good luck making money in this tricky and changing music industry! Thanks for offering Dance for free, and for dropping by Free Albums Galore.
Comment by Luke — August 18, 2005 @ 2:32 pm
Thanks for your reply and changes. I think this is a very interesting time for delivery of music. First, the ability to write notes on paper. Then the ability to record on plastic, rubber, wire and tape. Now, this. The paradigm may not be exact in it’s impact, but I think it’s close.
In looking at my “stats” I noticed something that has me stumped. I did an album called FLUTE MEDITATIONS FOR DREAMING CLOUDS (http://www.pauladams.org/music.html#Flutemeditations)that hasn’t been officially released (I have a collection of Native American Flutes I wanted to utilize). One of the songs there has gotten more than 4x the hits of Wild Men From Borneo (From THE NEURONS.). I don’t know how this happened. An m3u is up at the site and Hearts of Space played it but I can’t figure out how this happened. Oh well, an interesting mystery
Comment by PAUL ADAMS — August 23, 2005 @ 1:12 pm
Superbe !!!
Le cd “the Neurons” est un magnifique album digne d’être cité
dans les 10 meilleurs cd de l’année 2005. Il faut le faire connaître et le diffuser en lieu et place des radios qui nous servent des soupes indigestes . Bravo et merci pour ce disque.
Comment by Gabriel — September 2, 2005 @ 7:06 pm
I wish I knew French. Americans are terrible at being ignorant of other languages. I am guilty. Sounds like you liked it though.
I need to get in touch w/ the moderator of this blog. I want to talk about blogs and get an education. Can you send me an email?
Thanks
paul adams
Comment by PAUL ADAMS — September 4, 2005 @ 5:03 am
I thoroughly enjoyed this album. The melodies take me on wonderful musical journeys, and the songs are truely well crafted and beautifully written.
An outstanding collection, of some of the best I’ve heard from Paul Adams, and I’m a big fan.
Stephen
Comment by Stephen Foster — September 4, 2005 @ 11:29 am
wow! never knowing what is next…what instrument, what style, what country the vibe will take you to. there are red and purple ribbons dancing all along the turquoise water where the silouette of each instrument waits patiently to errupt against the sunrise. truly a vacation from the norm…makes me want to play my tamborine…obvious these guys are real players…and that they had a great time making this album!
Comment by laini — September 5, 2005 @ 12:05 am
This music is so much fun! So happy! The best reviewers of this music really are the dancers because that’s what the music makes you want to do - DANCE! The sound of Dave’s trumpet and Paul’s pennywhistle together offers us a new feeling in our cells!
Pauls vocals are even a bit Peter Garielish in their layering.
Like the two notes of a train whistle, Paul and Dave get your attention to make you want to get up and dance!
Comment by Mark Smith — September 9, 2005 @ 7:41 pm
My preference is for the most part classic rock. however, I really enjoyed the Neurons!! I especially liked the first cut, but the entire disc was a great collection of alternative music. I am now a fan!! John Klockau
Comment by John Klockau — September 15, 2005 @ 3:48 pm
I love it! Outstanding Paul & Dave. From the mysterious tropical wilds to peaceful melodies, jazz commingled by gentle diamonds, and amazing sounds throughout. The drums/the beat makes you tap your hands and feet on whatever you can! Soundsaitions for sure. All of your albums are amazing - produced by such talent! Wow!
Comment by Rhonda Osbourne — September 16, 2005 @ 8:27 pm
I have been a devoted fan of Paul’s since the late ’80’s (starting with Various Waves) Not only does he write, build his own instruments, plays the instruments, records and mixes everything, but, most important, everything he produces is extraordinarily unique with gorgeous orchestration and haunting melodies He is, without question, one of the most original, unpredictable and talented artists I have ever heard He has an uncanny gift for combining nature and man’s earthly rhythmns His collaboration’s with David Hoffman is the ribbon that decorates the entire gift Thank you so much, guys John
Comment by John Golden — September 21, 2005 @ 2:52 am