David Gray
David Gray seems to have come from nowhere, but apparently he wasted no time in putting together a web site for his loyal fans to come and get the latest on this U.K. singer/songwriter. Actually, after a poke around this site you will find out if you didnt all ready know, that David Gray has been around for a long time, and is the quintessential example of never give up. A very well done site that gives the user plenty of opportunities to download live versions of songs, (and this means the whole song, not just a thirty second clip) see many different photos of David doing what he does best, and loads of other material that keep this site interesting and inviting.
(host: http://www.davidgray.com/)
R.E.M.
R.E.M. seems to be one of those bands that never gets out of date, and never loses their coolness. This Website proves that to be true in more ways than one could imagine. R.E.M. give us a color collage of sounds and pictures in this feast for the eyes. With twenty years and fifteen albums under their belt, one would expect that R.E.M. would have no shortage of material for their Website, and this is definitely the case. However, at the entrance to the site there is an option for the user in which you can choose either the lo-fi version, if you have a slower computer, or a hi-fi version with those of us equipped with Flash, DSLs, etc. The day of death for the dial up connection is drawing nearer and unfortunately the lo-fi version of this site is not nearly as much fun as the hi-fi. If youve been searching hi and low for that R.E.M concert t-shirt youve been kicking yourself for not buying at the show, there are plenty of opportunities to purchase various pieces of R.E.M merchandise here too.
(host: http://www.remhq.com/)
Coldplay
All in all a very good site. Not a whole lot of extraordinary stuff here, but this site is a great stop especially if you are a fan of the band. Tour journals give us a look into what its like to play shows with such unlikely stage partners as Limp Bizcit, and what its like to shoot a video in one of Londons rougher neighborhoods. Some of the clips of this bands earlier demo songs are also downloadable from this site, giving us a glimpse into the seminal stages of the Coldplay sound. You must have or be willing to install flash in order to view the home page and this would probably be a little frustrating with a 56k modem, but if youre willing to be patient, its worth the wait.
(host: http://www.coldplay.com/home.shtml)
Blink 182
Really not that much to see here. Lots of photos that can be blown up to the size of your screen, but I would have expected a much more exciting and interactive site from a band of such magnitude. There are links to hear interviews with the band, and lots of opportunities to sign the Blink 182 mailing list but not a whole lot else. Blink 182 does seem to have a great appreciation for their fans, but these San Diego punk rockers web site seems to be lacking something.
(host: http://www.blink182.com/index2.html)
King Missle/John S. Hall
Im sure many who read this will be tossing the name King Missile around in their head trying to figure out why they know that name from somewhere. Well reach way back into your brain and see if you can remember the college radio classics Detachable Penis and Jesus Was Way Cool. King missile built up a small but loyal cult following in the late eighties/early nineties. I guess most people thought that after these couple of semi-hits the band had just drifted off into the what ever happened to? file. While that is partially true, after paying a visit to this web site one finds that singer, poet, and writer John S. Hall has much more up his sleeve. This site tells us that John has written books, published poetry, and even been featured on a P.B.S. special. This site is not especially exciting, but I was glad I stopped by just to learn a little about John S. Hall and his exploits.
(host: http://www.columbia.edu/~yt23/index.html)
Guided By Voices
Im not sure whether to call this a web site or a brilliantly written novel. O.K. so maybe thats a bit of an exaggeration, but this is a very stand out site. Considering the fact that this band has been around since the early eighties and has averaged 2-3 records per year, I guess its no surprise that this is such a mammoth web site. One is left awe-struck by the sheer volume of material that this Cleveland band (or project, depending on who you ask) has given us. From looking at this site it seems that the band has spared no expense in logging in every detail of their existence in the last twenty years. From pictures of the members as young kids, to a list of frequently asked questions about the band (who knew Robert Pollard was an elementary school teacher up until 1996?), various set lists from their shows over the years, and a plethora of colorful information that will keep fans and non-fans alike fascinated by the perseverance and sheer love of music that this band exudes on their informative web site.
(host: http://www.guidedbyvoices.com/welcome.html)
The Eels
The amount of humor on this site really surprised me. I had always thought of The Eels as being a relatively humorless band with a very dark out look on life. This site really lets you see a real, and often-funny side of the band that Im sure many never knew was there. This site also allows you to download video clips and links up with artist direct for music, merchandise, etc. It seems to be lacking a little something, but it does serve its purpose of letting the fans feel a little closer to the band.
(host: http://www.artistdirect.com/)
Radiohead
What would one expect from one of the music worlds most technology obsessed bands? Nothing less than a web site that instantly puts the viewer into a hyper state of sensory overload. Yes, Thom York and Co. have left nothing to the imagination with this ladle-full of computer stew. It seems it would take at least a full millennium to search out every nook and cranny of this site. From the most trivial info on the band, to a link to Thom Yorks personal tour diary, its enough to make any Radiohead junkie O.D. This site even includes scathing reviews of the bands own music (not the usual everythings wonderful in our world band web site) and a healthy dose of the Radiohead bitterness that fans have come to know and love. This site is definitely worth stopping bye whether you love, hate, or have never even listened to these U.K. brats. Just make sure you have plenty of time and a jumbo cup of coffee in order to experience this web site in the generation-zero fashion it was meant for.
(host: http://www.radiohead.com/)
