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Features

Crawdaddy!

Welcome to a rundown of what our features are all about. This list will continue to grow as we continue to put issues out, so stay tuned.

Feature Story: Typically, these will be long and although topical, also perhaps out of left field. Crawdaddy! was known for having essay-like articles where writers could really stretch. Realizing this doesn't happen much anymore in rock criticism, either on the printed page or on the internet, we felt that we had to harken back to the old-school approach here.

Classic Vantage: Not only do we get to shed light on Paul Williams once again, but with the help of Rock's Back Pages, it's here where we get to republish vintage rock articles from various publications and notable writers from the heyday of rock criticism.

The Switchback: Almost any band that comes out today is compared to a band of the past. And, while that happens for good reason, it's here that we are taking the approach a step further, holding two bands up to each other to debate their likes and differences. The hope is that we can give fans of the older bands or musicians a new artist to appreciate.

Introducing: With freelancers strewn about the country, Crawdaddy! has our ears to the ground, ready to bring those musicians who are ready to break to the masses. Whether they're packing venues in their hometown or setting across the nation to tour, we're out there finding up-and-coming talent for you to enjoy.

Livin the Dream: You've heard stories about bands rising to fame, but always after the fact. In this column, Ryan Wasoba of So Many Dynamos gives us the play-by-play as the band tours, records, and perseveres to give you an insider's view on the music industry.

Crate Digger: This feature is a place reserved for music fans to geek out over albums considered rare gems and oddities. Again, we hope to broaden people's taste, and remember perhaps forgotten bands that, even if for only one album, had an impact on their peers and the music scene as a whole.

The Cheat Sheet: Young bands are being discovered and discussed long before they even get around to releasing a record. Music critics and bloggers are constantly bickering with one another. Record labels merge and fold and engage in heated legal battles every single day. There is no shame in falling behind. On the last Wednesday of each month, we'll provide a recap of the events of the previous month.

Origin of Song: It's in a riff, a lyric, a vocal styling... the notion that you've heard it all somewhere before. But where? It is here where we'll seek out and discuss the origins of such matters.

Lit Snippet: Many books come out each year deconstructing rock music: the musicians, their albums, their songs, their showering habits, and their other habits. It's here where we'll take an excerpt of a book for you to check out before you make the purchase. As of now these will exclusively feature the venerable 33 1/3 series, which picks apart an album by a band or musician. In the future, we hope to include more rock books of all varieties.

Riot Gear!: This column provides you with enjoyable commentary and informational bits about the gear and gadgets that makes the music you hear, exploring everything from amps to MP3s.

The Smoke-Filled Room: By definition this means a place for conducting negotiations, effecting compromises, and devising strategy. This column is here to provide social commentary on political happenings in the music industry and beyond.

My Life Is The Road: Columnist Dinky Dawson shares tales and tips for the trade based on years he's been an audio engineer and production consultant for many of the biggest names in music.

Ex Post Facto: The idea here is that we'll take a look at a given album at least a year after its release. The idea is to consider a record after it’s had time to mature, after certain critical expectations have been lifted; to see how an album stands up on its own feet and how it stands up over time.

Tell Em Man: It is here that we will present to you interviews with high profile musicians of years gone by. Expect commentary from the likes of David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Keith Richards and many more.

It Shows:
 Crawdaddy! editors spend all of their time working on the magazine anyway, so they figured they should go all the way, taking work into their personal evening hours by going out to shows and reporting back on what they are seeing in the Bay Area, a very special music town. From local favorites to more notable artists, they'll review a selection of shows every two weeks.

Over A Beer: Oftentimes, as music lovers, we find ourselves in the depths of analytical discussions about music. These conversations range from the mundane to the insightful, from intimately personal to sweeping commentary. These kinds of talks, of course, usually always occur over a beer.

Twist Of Fate: This column's main intent is to regale you with tales of how certain songs, albums, riffs, basslines, and the like, magically came to be.

Our Guru Emeritus: This is a recurring column by Paul Williams. He'll probably write about whatever he wants, because who are we to say. The title "Guru Emeritus" is taken from old issues of Crawdaddy! where, on the masthead, this is what Paul was typically called after he left his initial post as editor.