Ah, How Good It Feels To Unwind!

By Kyle C 

(Somewhere, 20XX): It's five o' clock. As the shift comes to a close the all-too-familiar feeling of lethargy begins to creep its way up your spine, akin to the insect which you're pretty sure was on your shirt earlier. Unfortunately, the end of your shift does not complete your day; and the remnants of what you thought would be a nice evening by the fire begin to crumble apart before you. In disappointment and despair you find the urge to escape; to free yourself from the hectic monotony of the city without having to sacrifice time. The double espresso mocha latte dark roast may keep your body going, but the real healing comes from putting your mind at ease.

With a thousand things to do and no time to do it, feeling groggy and glum, you press on. But, fear not brave city dweller! For in this society of ultimate convenience in which we live brings us the tool for the job! 

You must realize by now I'm talking about an MP3 player, right?

You didn't?

Oops.

Maybe that's because people take for granted what lies in their pockets. With smart phones stocked and upgraded as frequently as Yao Ming hurts his left foot, one can be less than wowed by being able to play Spice Girls on the go. What many might not realize are the benefits of being able to surround yourself with music at any given time! To use a pair of great headphones, to not only drone out the screaming baby on the screeching T but also envelope your mind in pleasure infused melodies can not only be relaxing, but also galvanizing.

You could be on a ten minute walk or a half hour bus ride. You could be painstakingly shopping for jusssst the right belt buckle, or caught in line at the local taxidermist. Are those possibilities too cliche? Either way, the golden opportunity unfolds before you to encompass yourself in another brilliant mind's creative export. With the bark of the outside world put to the squelch, a connection is made with you and the artist. 

What you think and envision during your favorite album can be a thing of wonder. A beautiful picture painted with the brush of the artist, but with your own hands. Every track has a message; a feeling and and underlying emotion that when brought forth can lead you to explore your thoughts in clear and concise way. Your mind follows the flow of the piece, and before you know it, you've forgotten your woes and proceed in restoring your vigor and happiness.

You are not encumbered by your music, and as such, will find personal listening can be utilized as a wonderful break from reality. With the right mindset and the right playlist anybody can arrange quiescent time to themselves even while shoulder to shoulder with every person you never wanted to meet. 

Close your eyes, allow your mind to wander, and experience for yourself the magic that sound waves can provide when used properly. Just because you're in a hurry doesn't mean you have to stress. Instead relax inside the confines of your own mind and let your burdens float away.

Rock and Roll is dead. D-E-D dead.

by Evan Z

On May 16th, the final nail was driven into the rock music scene here in Boston. It was announced that Clear Channel, who owns the popular Top 40 station, as well as the top and only hip-hop station in town, acquired the last true bastion for new rock and alternative music in the city, 101.7 WFNX. Having grown up listening to 'FNX, it was a crushing blow not only to myself, but to many others in the area, including those who have roots in Boston. Facebook groups have sprung up in support of the station, and Twitter has exploded with outrage and frustration (to wit: #OccupyWFNX). 

While the outpouring of support for the station is wonderful to see, I’m a realist. I understand that this is business, and that the radio audience size isn’t what it once was. So I want to take a few lines to express my gratitude and love for the station and personalities that became such a large part of my daily life.

Since the demise of 104.1 WBCN in 2009, WFNX became my home for all things rock in Boston. The radio personalities became friends. A little over a year ago, I was lucky enough to take part in “My Song is Better than Your Song”, a contest held on Thursday mornings where two people would choose a song, and have the listeners vote on a winner for the day. Getting to sit in the ‘FNX studios in Lynn was a dream come true. Being able to joke and hang out with former morning show host Fletcher and legendary newsman Henry “Fresh” Santoro was quite the experience. Meeting the beautiful Ms. Julie Kramer, after years and years of listening to her through my speakers, was an equally wonderful moment. These people who I’d been listening to…who had kept me entertained for hours on end, playing songs that would mark moments of my life, both good and bad…were just as incredible in person as I they were through my speakers. There were no gimmicks, just regular people who loved music, and loved sharing that with listeners - amazing people who now find themselves out of jobs due to a buyout.

When WBCN went off the air, I was heartbroken. But the loss of 'FNX cuts like a knife.   The Rock is dying in this town. We gave the world Aerosmith, The Dropkick Murphys, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Lemonheads, Letters to Cleo, Guster. The lifeblood of new music to permeate the skin, to sink into the blood of countless people and make them FEEL something…is gone. Tenacious D said that you cannot kill the Metal. Unfortunately in this instance big business has killed it dead in Boston. 

In the last few years WFNX turned me onto Passion Pit, Florence and the Machine, Mayer Hawthorne, Neon Trees, The Naked and Famous, The Temper Trap, Silversun Pickups, and countless more to mention. You know that Gotye song “Somebody that I used to know” everyone quotes on Facebook and Twitter?  Well I heard it on FNX months before everyone heard it on pop stations. Foster The Peoples “Pumped Up Kicks”?  Same story. Thanks to FNX I heard that song hundreds of times before it hit Top 40. And how about Adele?  She was being played on 'FNX before all the awards. Now new music has zero outlet in this town.  There are three rock stations left: one has no DJ’s and is automated,  one still plays Nu-Metal, and the other plays enough Pink Floyd and Zeppelin that you’d think you were an extra in “Dazed and Confused”.  Welcome to the machine indeed.

I eagerly await the final concert that will be played under WFNX’s banner, the Seaport 6, in a month or so. After the past two summers and their epic Clambakes on Lansdowne Street, it’s nice to see a change of venue for our last party. I hope to see some of my favorite FNXers there to enjoy one last collective rock out as a group. In the words of Julie Kramer, it’s going to be filled with nothing but happiness and good karma. 

I want to thank Julie, Henry, Fletcher, Adam XII, Jim Ryan, D-Tension, Paul Driscoll…all the DJ’s that made my life better, that made me feel like apart of a family.  My days aren’t the same without Henry’s news in the morning, Julies Leftover Lunch in the afternoon, XII’s Undercover at 5pm, and Jim Ryan calling his mom for no reason at night.  You will all be missed my friends. 

Finally, I leave you with these words from “I Still Believe” by Frank Turner, being played now on WFNX (soon to be picked up by a Top 40 station near you!). Thanks for reading, and long live the rock.

And I still believe in all the Saints, in Jerry Lee and Johnny and all the greats.   

And I still believe in the sound, that has the power to raise a temple and tear it down. 

And I still believe in the need, for guitars and drums and desperate poetry.

And I still believe that everyone, can find a song for every time they’ve lost and every time they’ve won.

So remember folks, we’re not just saving lives, we’re saving souls, and we’re having fun.

Now who’d have thought, that something simple as rock and roll would save us all.

Now who’d have thought that after all, something so simple, something so small, who’d have thought, that after all, it was rock n’ roll?

Inspired

35 Brattle St | March 2012

Long before our store opened, an enterprising student sparked an incredible community response with a simple question on our window - Who Inspires You? 


Hundreds of post-it note answers later, with answers ranging from friends and family to celebrities to sports to things we can't mention in public, WE were inspired. 


Because that is what our store is about - we're inspired by music and sound and technology and all the amazing ways they intersect.


We all listen to different music, but did you know we all hear music differently too? That's why we believe it's critical to find the mobile products best suited for your ear and your musical tastes. Many people tend to maximize volume on a basic pair of earbuds - we have products to maximize your sound quality. 

Come in and see us - our staff is dedicated to finding a custom sound solution for you. Whether you're a musician, commuter, athlete, gamer, student, or all of the above - we've got the best products for anyone who wants to improve the experience you have listening to music every day.


We also believe in the power of community to help support a small business. Our neighbors in Harvard Square have been awesome, stopping by to say hi, bring welcome gifts, and fill us on all the local news - thanks to the crews at Concepts, The Tannery, Flat Patties, and Goorin Bros.


By the way, if you're looking for the post-it notes, we saved them. They'll be on display soon, and we'll also be continuing the project online and in store. Right now you can enter to win a free pair of Sennheiser RS 120 wireless headphones - join us on Facebook and tell us what music inspires you on this post.

Sound Lion is more than a store - we are community members and lifestyle advocates. Watch this space for reports on local bands and clubs, events in Cambridge and Boston, in store happenings (like our Def Jam Rapstar battles this weekend), and most important - valuable tech writing on sound quality, music, hearing, and more.

Stay tuned...