January 29, 2004

Shamless Plug

On the way to work yesterday morning, GF and I heard the most incredible song. Tears for Fears originally wrote and recorded “Mad World,” but this was a cover by Gary Jules. Gary’s version is very organic and played at half the speed of the original (maybe even 1/3 speed). It’s a stark contrast of the original – that GF knew it was a Tears for Fears song surprised me. (Although it shouldn’t.)

Aside from thinking that Gary needs a new stage name (Gary Jules makes me think of Gary Glitter), we both instantly wanted to hear more of this guy. We found out that Gary’s latest album is "Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets." So when GF was out running errands last night, she stopped in at our local independent cd shop to check on it. They didn’t have it, but said they could order it … for $35.00! It seems that although Gary is American (based in LA), this album is an import.

She didn’t order it, but when she got home I checked online. Amazon has it for 34.49 (plus shipping). Surely someplace should have it cheaper – I mean, this is the internet, right? Not only did I find it cheaper ($14) – I found it better. Better you say? How's that? Check out CdBaby.

Here’s some of what they say about themselves:

CD Baby is a little online record store that sells CDs by independent musicians.
[In•de•pen•dent: (adj.) Not having sold one's life, career, and creative works over to a corporation.]
We're just a few people (details here) in a cool Portland, Oregon, CD warehouse that looks like a playground. We listen to every CD we sell before we sell it, so we can help you find other albums you'll like.
We only sell CDs that come directly from the musicians. No distributors. Musicians send us CDs. We warehouse them, sell them to you, and pay the musicians directly.
Cool thing: in a regular record deal or distribution deal, musicians only make $1-$2 per CD, if they ever get paid by their label. When selling through CD Baby, musicians make $6-$12 per CD, and get paid weekly.
In business, and thriving, since March 1998. We're the largest seller of independent CDs on the web.

I’m impressed beyond words.

Support Indy musicians. They rock!

p.s. If you haven't heard "Mad World" by Gary Jules - click here to listen to a 2 minute clip. Nevermind that it's a mp3...

Posted by Clancy at January 29, 2004 6:58 PM
Comments
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Is this the same "Mad World" song from "Donnie Darko"? I loved that song!

Posted by: Helen at January 30, 2004 4:55 AM

I believe they should rename this song 'seminal classic'. I am glad others apreciate it too.

abs x

Posted by: abs at January 30, 2004 6:18 AM

Yup it's the self same tune from Donnie Darko and was the UK's xmas number one which annoyed a lot of people who wanted something bouncy happy and festive (aka cr@p) ... heehee

Posted by: Rob at January 31, 2004 9:00 AM