CD Universe Blog

Wow – we got a lot of responses!  Thanks guys!  The response was so positive that we are definitely going to have more of these.

And to add to the general happy vibe around here – we have two winners instead of one! Both were within one CD of the actual count in the bag – which was 199 CDs.  Congrats to Mark and Jan Christian – their guesses were 198 and 200 respectively.

Please send your email addresses and/or contact information to marketing@cduniverse.com and we will get your $25 gift certificates out to you.

And a BIG thank you to everyone who participated – if you didn’t win this week, come back next week for another contest!

Hey guys!  You're going to see some new activity here in the coming weeks.  We're ramping up for the holidays and we want you all to be involved.

There's going to be contests, giveaways, coupons…all kinds of cool stuff.  Hopefully, we can all have a little fun during what is usually a stressful time (HOLIDAYS!).

To kick things off we have a game for you…a riff on the "How many jellybeans are in the jar?" game.  But we used CDs… And a trash bag.  Because we are all class.

So you can see the picture below – the soda can is to give you some perspective. How many CDs are in the bag?

Click image to view fullsize:

First closest guess wins a $25 gift certificate to CDUniverse – good for anything on the site.  Use it to buy holiday gifts or get something for yourself – whatever you want!

Post your guesses here in the blog comments by 12:00 a.m. Friday and we'll announce the winner later that day.

Good luck!

Got a handful of previews for new music Tuesday! Check out a song from these well-known artists and their brand new releases! This week we have tracks and albums from Jeff Bridges, Chimaira and the Jay-Z/Kanye West collaborative effort Watch The Throne.

Coming straight of his Academy Award Winning turn as down-n-out country singer Bad Blake in Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges has released a collection of 10 country/folk/blues tunes. The production shines in the more-than-capable hands of T-Bone Burnett (Walk The Line, Raising Sand, O Brother, Where Art Thou?). While he might not have the most distinctive voice, fans of Jeff "The Dude" Bridges, and Americana fans will find this album an engaging good time!

Check out the official video for What A Little Bit Of Love Can Do here.

Check out our product page here.

For their 6^th album, The Age of Hell, Cleveland’s Chimaira came off of their biggest lineup change yet, and are none the worse for it. The Ohio boys play a mean mix of groove/death metal and are an integral part of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. The Age of Hell finds the band angrier than ever – vocalist Mar Hunter’s spew is especially venomous – while the rest of the band conjures sounds that are equal part elephant march, equal part speed demon shred.

Check out the official video for Year Of The Snake here.

Check out the product page here.

Finally we have the long-awaited joint effort from hip-hop monsters Jay-Z and Kanye West. Unsure whether or not their combined effort could possibly eclipse the sum of their parts, the music community at large has been fragmented on what to expect. By utilizing classic soul samples as a foundation, Kanye and Jay-Z have stuck to their roots and lavished upon that foundation whip-smart rhymes and honest lyrics. Neither outshines the other, lending this project all the more credence since it was a true collaboration and not just a vanity project for two mega stars.

Check out the official video for Otis here.

Check out the product page here.

Top 5 Iron Maiden Album Covers for a single that is.

Our tenth Summer of Rock artist Iron Maiden are just as famous for their galloping licks & fantastical lyrics as they are for their iconic mascot Eddie. Having graced the cover of pretty much every one of their albums covers, and almost always appearing in their live shows Eddie might as well be considered the seventh member. Today we present to you the 5 coolest iterations of the living dead madman – from singles covers only.

Derek Riggs did all but one these covers – four of them feature his signature emblem somewhere in them. Melvyn Grant, who has also done the artwork for a few others of their albums, did The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg.

The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg: The lead single off of Maiden’s 14^th studio album, A Matter Of Life And Death, the artwork features Eddie very fittingly digging up the grave of the titular deceased! This is all things metal – an old stone grave, skulls hanging from a tree and a full moon in the dark night!

Check out Matter Of Life And Death here.

Run To The Hills: One of their best-known songs from their best-known album, Number Of The Beast features artwork that is all things evil. A flame licked sea of mutants and monsters – the obvious minions of hell, all looking on as Eddie attempts to slay the devil himself! This is made all that much cooler since on The Number Of The Beast Single, we get to see who won – not that we didn’t already know he would.

Check out Number Of The Beast here.

The Trooper: Another fan super favorite, the artwork for Piece Of Mind’s The Trooper rocks because it’s about as literal a depiction of a song as these covers get. Eddie decked out in his red coat with slain soldiers at his feet as the hooded Reaper looms in the background with his scythe ready to collect the dead.

Check out Piece Of Mind here.

Twilight Zone: Another close literal depiction of the songs theme; Killer’s Twilight Zone features Eddie as an apparition haunting a woman who doesn’t take notice. Featuring one of the earliest versions of Eddie, this cover has a lot going on if you look close enough – The death card, the shattered clock, the Egyptian Idol under the desk, the Eddie picture signed to Charlotte – all nods to future works which makes this a super cool, very clever piece of Maiden artwork.

Killers is currently out of stock but you can click here to see what other albums Twilight Zone appeared on.

Stranger In A Strange Land: While the album art for Somewhere In Time is easily one of my favorites – there’s many an Easter egg to find in that one alone – it’s the single cover artwork for that albums Stranger In A Strange Land that takes the number one spot here. The style is reminiscent of the 1981 animated movie Heavy Metal and manages to sneak in a couple more hidden images – the death card is present once again, the digital clock reads 11:58, almost all the characters feature hieroglyphics of some type. What I personally like about this one though, is what it doesn’t reveal. This single image could have so many potential back-stories that it’s fun to imagine what just happened, or what is about to happen. Plus, a futuristic Eddie looking a whole heck of a lot like a Wild West Clint Eastwood is just too cool!

Check out Somewhere In Time here.

We’d like to thank www.ironmaidenwallpaper.com for being the source for these images!

What's you favorite version of Eddie?

Formed in 1965, just as the Hippie movement was gaining a foothold in the American consciousness, The Grateful Dead became the spokesmen for an entire generation of youth. Their staying power and longevity must be marveled upon at least, if not genuinely praised. Fronted by Jerry Garcia – with Bob Weir, Phil Lesh and Mickey Hart rounding out a definitive lineup – The Dead undeniably invented the Jam Band genre. In the process they won over legions of fans that would follow them round the county from show to show to “turn on, tune in, drop out” – earning them the moniker “Deadheads”!

Known for heavy drug intake and, most notably, for largely improvised live shows consisting of long jam sessions on already established tunes. There is a whole community of Deadheads who record, collect and swap alternate takes and versions of Grateful Dead shows – a prime example of the fans loyalty.

Now, while I can recognize and appreciate the influence of the Grateful Dead and of their accomplishments, I have to admit that they are not my cup of tea. I don’t actively dislike them, like some other bands out there; they just do nothing for me. The point I’m getting to is that I don’t want to do blog post for something I’m not familiar with. So, I’d like to enlist you guys to help me out on this one.

I know they have a bazillion albums, songs and live pressings/recordings – so narrowing it down will be a chore – but what we want from you is your top 5 favorite Grateful Dead songs. Let us know in the comments here on this blog or on Facebook. Let’s keep it nice and polite but don’t be afraid to get passionate.

Make sure to share with your fellow Deadheads so they can get in on the fun too. Top 5 Favorite Grateful Dead songs… and Go!

Got a handful of previews for new music Tuesday! Check out a song from these well-known artists and their brand new releases! This week we have tracks and albums from Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jim Croce and Keb’ Mo’.

On How I Go, Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s first Roadrunner Records release, the modern bluesman has kept things simple and true. It’s no easy task keeping the blues interesting so many years into its mammoth lifespan, but Kenny and his band – which includes Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon, formerly of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble – carry the torch proudly!

Click here to check out Never Lookin’ Back, the newest single from the album How I Go.

Click here to purchase the album.

While his recording career was tragically short, the small body of work Jim Croce left behind has remained as popular as ever. Jim Croce “Original Albums Plus” is 2-disc collection that includes his last 3 albums in full, a slew of posthumous bonus tracks as well as full lyrics, liner notes and more. An essential must have for fans old and new.

Click here to listen to Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels) – a classic Croce track.

Click here to purchase the album.

It must be a blues kind of Tuesday as we have a release from another renowned blues musician. Keb' Mo' is an accomplished blues guitarist as well as vocalist and has even got the harmonica and banjo down pat. Like so many others before him, old Keb’ worships at the alter of Robert Johnson, but instead of simply replicating and miming Johnson, Mr. Mo’ used him as the building block for a career and sound that is all his own!

Click here to check out a video of him performing We Don’t Need it off his latest release, Reflections.

Click here to purchase the album.

Talk about serendipity, Geddy Lee, lead singer of Rush, this weeks Summer of Rock artist is celebrating a birthday today. Frontman for what is easily Canada’s most famed and accomplished band, Geddy is a renowned bassist, vocalist and even lays it down on the keyboard! Check out his bass action in these killer solo videos below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dptj4dMuS1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dptj4dMuS1w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plVBV_0JN_I

When it comes to an artist with such a vast canon of music, it’s difficult – and maybe even pointless – to try to pin down his top 5 albums or songs. Plus, I’m sure it’s been done before. Instead, today I’m going to take a look at the top 5 covers of other artist’s material.

Here are the 5 best songs that Bowie covered and really made his own!

“I’ve Been Waiting For You” – Originally by Neil Young

Watch on Youtube.

Now this is how you bring things full circle – one Summer Of Rock artist covering another. Bowie recruited Dave Grohl to lay down the licks and released it on his 2002 album Heathen.  Purchase album here. 

“Cactus” – Originally by the Pixies

Watch on Youtube.

Bowie’s caterwaul lends itself perfectly to this subtle yet powerful cover of a killer Pixies tune. Purchase album here.

“God Only Knows” – Originally by The Beach Boys

Watch on Youtube.

What sounds at first like an odd mix, Bowie covering The Beach Boys? – Ends up working well as David adds his unique voice and sensibilities to this classic tune! Purchase album here.

“Waiting For The Man” – Originally by The Velvet Underground

Watch on Youtube.

NYC heroin chic meets space rock oddity! Throw Mick Ronson on guitar and you’ve got a manic, madcap tune that pays homage to the original yet remains it’s own animal. Purchase album here.

“Across The Universe” – originally by The Beatles

Watch on Youtube.

And there you go – one world famous Brit covering a beloved song from four of the most famous Brits of all time. It’s only fitting that Major Tom himself would cover such a joyful tune about all the beauty contained in our Earth and beyond. Only someone like David Bowie could have done justice to such a Beatle favorite – and that accomplishment, along with many, many other factors, is why he is one of our Summer Of Rock artists. Purchase album here.

Top 5 Black Sabbath Songs

While Black Sabbath helped lay the bluesy groundwork for what later became heavy metal, their true legacy is the evilness they presented in their imagery, lyrics and overall sound. Presented here is my pick of their top 5 songs of all time. Now lists are subjective, and they have a huge catalog to choose from, so if you think I missed any biggies feel free to let know in the comments.

Symptom of the Universe: One of the speediest Sabbath songs, it features some of Iommi’s best guitar work and is, once again, all about supernatural elements and the genesis and reclamation of our own universe. This blistering epic slows it down though and ends with Ozzy hollering over a mystical, fingerpicked fadeout.

Appears on: Sabatoge. Click here to purchase.

Solitude: As close to ‘pretty’ as a Sabbath song can get – Solitude is a somber lament of loneliness and loss. Replacing the diabolical sounds found in most of their songs with emptiness and woe, Solitude gets you right in your soul. Instead of destroying it, like so many other Sabbath songs, this one leaves the listener drained of hope.

Appears on: Master Of Reality. Click here to purchase.

The Wizard: Showing their blues roots, The Wizard opens with a clear, lone harmonica wail before the full accompaniment kicks in and knocks you off your stool. 42 seconds in and Iommi is picking you back up with a short but sweet mini solo. Easily one of his strongest vocal performances, Ozzy comes bursting in with his own howl, belting out a tale of a butt-kicking wizard who just keeps on walking, leaving defeated demons and the like in his wake.

Appears on: Black Sabbath. Click here to purchase.

Electric Funeral: Proof positive that Iommi is the master of evil-as-all-hell riffing – Electric Funeral is one menacing tune. Nowadays it’s easy to get this kind of sound in the studio – back in the day though, it took real chops to pump out a riff with such sinister power. Ozzy’s searing images of a post-apocalyptic world plagued by nuclear fallout and a literal hell on earth get coupled with Sabbath’s signature sound. Geezer’s Bass really shines here as well.

Appears on: Paranoid. Click here to purchase.

Black Sabbath: Here it is – arguably the first heavy metal song of all time. Dark, brooding, menacing and just genuinely frightening! This 6+ minute beast started it all – stormy intro, sparse vocals, one of the evilest riffs ever – many a metal head was terrified but inspired by the looming doom present here.

Appears on Black Sabbath. Click here to purchase.

Disclaimer: you may have noticed I went with all Ozzy era songs because – as powerful a voice as Dio had, he just never really did it for me. He’s not bad he’s just… meh. The classic lineup is the one true Sabbath lineup. Period. If you don’t agree, feel free to tell me about it in the comments.

To honor our third Summer Of Rock artist, we are taking a straight-ahead approach and highlighting Neil Young's 5 best albums. This musical maverick is one of rock's greatest mainstays and these are easily his greatest works.

Harvest – Neil's fourth solo album, Harvest, produced the huge hit "Old Man", and was a bit of a departure from his previous work. Featuring more of a country flair, Harvest included guest appearances by a number of his former band mates in Crosby, Nash and Stills, as well as other famous artists of the day in James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. Time has proven the original detractors of the album wrong, as Harvest is now considered a classic rock masterpiece and one of Young's strongest albums.

Purchase album here.

Tonight's The Night – Coming off of the tragic death of two close friends at the hands of drugs, Tonight's The Night is an album of unrelenting darkness and desolation. Harsh and grating, somber and maudlin, Tonight's The Night runs the gamut of swirling emotions that come with dealing with a severe loss. Another record that debuted to lukewarm reviews, Neil Young's eighth album is another gem in his vast recording catalog and proves that he is "The Godfather of Grunge"!

Purchase album here.

Rust Never Sleeps – It's a gamble for any artist to debut a new album in a live setting, but for someone like Neil Young, and with material of this caliber, the payoff was his for the taking and Rust Never Sleeps is certified more classic rock classic. Displaying the dichotomy that would define his career, the album is split in two, with one side being all acoustic, the other, all electric. This 1979 masterpiece also produced two versions of the hit single Hey hey, My my, a staple of classic rock radio.

Purchase album here.

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - With iconic artwork, the debut of Crazy Horse and the hit song Cinnamon Girl – among others – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere is one of Neil Young's finest moments. This outing finds more muscular guitar work than previously seen and a slight dip into the pop rock pool, to everyone's delight, even the critics. By not straying too far from what dedicated fans came to expect, on this album Neil was able to rope in hordes of new fans while cashing in none of his artistic integrity.

Purchase album here.

After The Gold Rush – Released during the most prolific period in his career, After the Gold Rush finds Neil Young stripped down to his essential strengths with his most solid release up to that point, and arguably ever. After the Gold Rush produced the hit songs "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", "When You Dance I Can Really Love" and "Southern Man" – an indictment of the South's dark past that prompted a response from Lynyrd Skynyrd in the form of Sweet Home Alabama. Hindsight is always 20/20 – critics didn't immediately "get" the album, but so many years later it is a much-loved record and appears on many a list of top albums of all time – as it should be.

Purchase album here.