Disclaimer: This, and every issue, has been slightly modified from it's original version to fit the format of the new Underground Music Monthly site. Also, these issues are 10 years old or older. These links are likely no longer active. Enjoy the silly reading.

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I don't know if I'd say music pyramid is the best new music on the planet... yet. Their selection is not quite big enough for that as of right now. However, there are very many positive things to say about this up and coming new online CD store. They have been very quick to respond to any email correspondence I've had with them, first of all, and I think they would be equally quick to respond to any independent artist. They are also pretty generous as far as music stores go.

We'll start by talking about the generosity. By signing up with music pyramid, you will retain a bigger percentage of the sale price than with any other online (or real world for that matter) CD store I have found. The artist retains 75 percent of the CDs list price. So, if the CD sells for $10, the artist gets $7.50. Looking around I have noticed $10 is pretty much the industry average for independent CDs on sale. CDBaby.com even suggests a retail price of $10. With them, you'd get $6 of that $10. There is one difference between the two CD stores devoted to independent music as far as profits goes, though. Music pyramid has a $19.95 monthly fee, and a $25 setup fee. However, if you mention that you are signing up with them because of this article in Underground Music Monthly, then the setup fee will be waived. If you aren't going to sell any CDs for the month, then you still have to pay the $19.95. However, if you sell 50 CDs in a month, that $19.95 turns into just 40 cents per CD, and you end up make $7.10 profit on a CD that sells for $10. That's very nice. To continue in the generosity area, music pyramid has a referral program. Basically, if you get another band to put their CD into MusicPyramid.com, you make $50. These are the kinds of things that really help you make a career out of music. It is rare to make enough money from just selling CDs to live, but the $50 referral can help you in that direction.

Not only is MusicPyramid.com generous, but they are very easy to navigate, and the pages load extremely quickly. I am very impressed by the load time actually. They have found the near perfect balance of imagery, simplicity, and speed. Each page has a very easy to use navigation menu on the left, with categories, and the other pages that make up the site. The combination of speed and ease-of-use is a very positive aspect for the consumer. There is no frustration involved in waiting a long time to buy a CD. The ordering process is pretty quick as well. They have a form which asks for method of shipping (air or ground), shipping and billing addresses, and method of payment. They accept Visa and Mastercard, and charge $2.50 for shipping and handling. They will also add the ability to accept Discover sometime next year.

Music pyramid not only thinks of the consumer, but the musician as well. They dedicate a full page to each CD, including press statements, images, and RealAudio soundclips. The only problem I have with the RealAudio soundclips is that they are downloadable soundclips instead of streaming. I have spoke to them about that, though, and they said they will either have streaming RealAudio or MP3 files, but do not have them yet. Other than that, I have no problems with MusicPyramid.com at all. They are definitely worth looking into, especially if you are not in an online CD store yet.

Marksman Nears What Rap Should Be

Point Blank by the Marksman is different than most rap you've probably ever heard. First of all, he's white, but Everlast has proven that does not matter, and the Marksman just adds more evidence to that fact. Secondly, he speaks from his heart. Most rap out there is either on a major label, or is trying to attract a major label. That means they'll make what they think will sell, even if they're lyrics are all fake. If for no other reason, the Marksman's honesty in his lyrics makes his CD worth listening to, if not buying. It doesn't have the appeal to listen to at mindless parties where everyone is drunk. Instead, Point Blank is a CD to listen to when you are sick of the studio gangsters, and all those CDs that have pages of lyrics, but still say absolutely nothing.

The Marksman also deserves a lot of respect for writing and producing his own CD in his own home studio. I look forward to his next CD because I know his producing abilities will only improve, and his music will likely evolve into something great. I hope he gets the chance to release another album.

He opens the CD will the title track, Point Blank. As the listener hears the lyrics in the song, he or she starts to wonder if he's cocky like every other rapper, but after about 30 seconds, you know he's not. He just has a lot of confidence, which is very important to anyone trying to do anything. The first track is also where you realize he is speaking from his heart, and does have some true words of wisdom.

As the CD continues, the beats get phatter, and you can tell he put some time into his music. He doesn't just loop a beat like a lot of rap. This is most evident in the third track, Hear The Flow. In Hear The Flow is where you hear the Marksman at his best vocally. He flows with the beat very well, and anyone listening to the song begins to bob their head.

Point Blank has it all, between dynamic beats, and intelligent lyrics, to humor found in Peace Of What, the fourth track on the eleven track CD. If you want to know more about the person, then Peace Of What is the track to listen to. He reveals his birthdate and nationality, as well as his religious belief. The track continues with a cool beat, and more good rapping.

The last track I want to mention specifically is track five, The Darkness. You feel like you're walking down a pitch black alley, paranoid about vampires jumping out and biting your neck. The tempo is much slower than any other song on the CD, and the lyrics get even stronger than on the earlier tracks.

So, if you want intelligent rap, with more than just a looped beat, then Point Blank by the Marksman hits the bullseye.

Pseudonym Has Produced Delight

by Rachel Miller

    The thrill-laced Friday afternoons, full of sun. The high school dance in the gymnasium, everything is alive, the music, the sweat, the smiles. Pseudonym's latest contribution to the world of sound is the Beach Boys having tea with U2 in a nut shell. Unique and upbeat songs burst forth happily from your speakers with the same elation a young child leaps forth from bed on Christmas morning to open brightly wrapped gifts. Pig Tail World is an album full of tunes with lyrics perfect for the afternoon ride home from class or school. These are the songs you'll be singing along with every time. The tunes are an uplifting break from the grim Goth trends and repetitive rap anthems.   Music fans can revisit a forgotten emotion-joy.

    The album is a bargain buy with thirteen stellar tracks sure to inspire a grin and a tapping foot. Listeners are prompted by the invisible force of a smooth, sassy bass line to lend their voices to every chorus. The lead singer is a blue collar angel with a voice destined to please the masses. Masterful composition lends to effortless and efficient bliss.

    "Crashing", the first tune on the album, is abrupt and eye opening like the enthusiastic first chimes of your favorite alarm clock. You are awakened by an adrenaline pumped super groove destined to move you with urgency through your day and to the forbidden fun awaiting you on the
other side.

"Pig Tail World" , the title track, is worthy of applause. The lyrics are much like the spice of diversity, welcomed and needed by today's world. An anthem for the thrill-seeker, a brilliant song that is deserving of attention. Summer nights mix with high paced beats and make a drink sure to knock you off your feet and into the music store begging for more!

Things slow down with, "Throw Some Love My Way". We're reminded there is a dark side to every moon, even the brightest ones in our skies. A swinging guitar cradles you through the darkest avenues of this sweet and somber ballad.

Pseudonym has produced delight. This is an album to play when you're needing a grin to get you through the longest days of the week. The album is a friend, an optimist, a hopeless romantic here to save your day, and your music collection!

Drist Has A Mixture of Musical Styles

By Carrie Wagner

Trapped underneath a spider web full of aggression. walking through a black room with your eyes shut. These words fit the band Drist. Drist has a mixture of musical styles. They are combination of bands such as Metallica, Tool, Black Sabbath, Korn, and the early screams of Nirvana. But they are a band like no other. I say this because Drist guitar riff's are highly powerful. In simple definitions they know how to play the guitar. The sound takes you inside a world where everything can be breakable. It is loud, fast, dark and rivoting. If your spitting with aggression you can scream right along with the music. If you feel like banging your head and feeling a bit dark and angry, it's the music for you.

There sound it a bit overpowering over the lyrics. The loud guitar allowed the lyrics and the meaning of the song to be covered up with black powder. But your eyes are still awaken with the feeling that there's a man at the mic, with a brilliant voice trying to be understood. You get a taste of
the density of the man behind the lyrics in the song Star Burn. With words of aggression that all of us at one time of our lives wanted to scream. I was thrashing my head along the mixture of the sound. It fits my dark side, the one that is closed to touching my inner aggression at life, it made me want to throw a fire ball from my soul. It the type of the music, that you can thrash your car around with, the type that you play after you broke-up with your significant other, but it can also be the type of music to clean your house to. At these times put Drist in the CD player, and get ready to go into a metal adventure. But if you want to snuggle in front of the fire, with a good book or the one you love, play some Kenny G or some jazz.