Receive 1-2 credits in RHET 107 – Practicum In Journalism by working on the Music Blog, for WOBC News, or in Public Affairs. Contact pd@wobc.org or news@wobc.org.

Click here to apply now to host a weekly radio show on WOBC this Spring! No experience is necessary and all are welcome to apply. The deadline for submissions is 11:59pm on Friday, Feb. 10th. The schedule will be posted at 8am on Sunday, February 12 outside WOBC. The mandatory all station meeting will . . . → Read More: Spring 2012 Application]]>

Click here to apply now to host a weekly radio show on WOBC this Spring! No experience is necessary and all are welcome to apply. The deadline for submissions is 11:59pm on Friday, Feb. 10th. The schedule will be posted at 8am on Sunday, February 12 outside WOBC. The mandatory all station meeting will be held at 9pm on Sunday, February 12 in King 106. King Hall is located at the corner of Professor Street and West College Street.

For more information, attend an information session on Tuesday, February 7th, 5-6pm at the Oberlin Public Library.

It’s hard to believe that Charles Bradley’s debut album No Time for Dreaming was released in 2011. As soon as the first track “The World (Is Going Up In  Flames)” hits your ears, the sound of 1960′s soul is immediate. Bradley’s voice is reminiscent of the gritty, pining voices of Otis Redding and Percy Sledge. Yet unlike . . . → Read More: Review: Charles Bradley – No Time for Dreaming]]>

It’s hard to believe that Charles Bradley’s debut album No Time for Dreaming was released in 2011. As soon as the first track “The World (Is Going Up In  Flames)” hits your ears, the sound of 1960′s soul is immediate. Bradley’s voice is reminiscent of the gritty, pining voices of Otis Redding and Percy Sledge. Yet unlike these artists, Bradley got his big break in 2002 at the age of 54, while the others hit big in the 1960′s while in their late twenties. In some ways, this late break gives Bradley the opportunity to incorporate his entire life story into his work, whether he sings of true love in “Lovin’ You, Baby” or his life long struggles in “Why Is It So Hard?”. A must listen for any lover of soul and blues.

- Anais S.

In 2002, Tom Waits released Blood Money along with Alice. Both albums are based off of plays that were adapted by theater director, Robert Wilson. Blood Money is based off the socio, political play called “Woyzeck”, which was originally written by the German poet, Georg Buchner in 1837. The premise of the . . . → Read More: From the Vault: Tom Waits – Blood Money]]>

In 2002, Tom Waits released Blood Money along with Alice. Both albums are based off of plays that were adapted by theater director, Robert Wilson. Blood Money is based off the socio, political play called “Woyzeck”, which was originally written by the German poet, Georg Buchner in 1837. The premise of the play revolves around a true story of a German soldier who is driven to insanity by strange army medical experiments and problems with infidelity, which ultimately drove him to murder his lover. The songs that Waits wrote with his wife, Kathleen Brennan, were for an avant-garde production of “Woyzeck”, which was directed by Robert Wilson. The play was premiered in November 200 at the Betty Nansen Theater in Copenhagen, which won the Danish rendition of the Tony award for “Best Musical”.

Tom Waits – Another Man’s Vine

The first track, “Misery Is the River of the World”, initiates the album with a dark, gloomy march with the use of sporadic marimba and clarinet. “Everything Goes to Hell” continues with dark themes of humanity through a misanthropic disposition. The song has a gentle groove with the prominent use of baritone sax and bongos. “Coney Island Baby” shifts to a major key, having more of a slow pace with a bar-sound piano. The next track, “All the World Is Green” is arguably one of Waits’ most outstanding pieces. Not only is this the highlight of the album, but it captures a sweet and beautiful side of Waits’ song writing. The use of the somber clarinet behind the marimba is a beautiful contrast and allows the audience to transport to an atmosphere that is smoky and captivating. The lyrics revolve around the longing of a more beautiful life with a loved one. “God’s Away on Business” continues with what the first track introduced of a dark march. “Another Man’s Vine” slows the pace once again with dynamic flow between the piano and brass instruments. “Knife Chase” is an instrumental that seems to run in circles with a feeling of apprehension throughout it. “Lullaby” is one of the mellowest tracks off the album, carrying a mood of sadness. “Starving in the Belly of a Whale” is another fun march with prominent use of the electric guitar. “The Part You Throw Away”, is another highlight from the album with the perfect use of pizzicato from the cello and violin. “Woe” is another slow pace track continuing with the themes of “All the World Is Green”. “Calliope” is another instrumental reminiscent of crooked circus music. “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” closes with another circus, festival sound.

This is the third time Tom Waits collaborated with theatre director, Robert Wilson. Tom Waits seemed to have a taste for musical interpretations of theater performances. Although the album does not come with a score, the pieces can be enjoyed and interpreted through its lyrics and instrumental performances. Overall, this is not the strongest of Waits’ albums, yet it gives a different listen for the audience. It could be viewed as a concept album, since the songs follow one particular story.

- Amirata Mahallati

Can’t get enough end-of-the-year lists? Thought so. Here’s the “Best of 2011″ by former DJ Sexxx Luther and former Music Director Matthew Lionel Orenstein of their blog Bathroom On The Right:

Now seems to be as good a time as any to look back on the year in . . . → Read More: “Best of 2011″ by Bathroom On The Right]]>

Darlings - Warma EP (Famous Class)

Can’t get enough end-of-the-year lists? Thought so. Here’s the “Best of 2011″ by former DJ Sexxx Luther and former Music Director Matthew Lionel Orenstein of their blog Bathroom On The Right:

Now seems to be as good a time as any to look back on the year in music that was. Best-of lists can be divisive things — I never agree with anyone else’s, most likely no one will agree with mine. The hope here is that you’ll check out some of these records that you haven’t yet. So, here’s my two cents.

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A short documentary about musician and WOBC DJ Rip Smops. By Jenny Miller, Arielle Edelman, and Sam Phillips.

WOBC News Editor: The news editors are responsible for the production of WOBC news segments and ensuring that . . . → Read More: Apply for WOBC Staff Spring 2012]]>
WOBC is now accepting applications for the following staff positions for the Spring. To apply, submit a statement detailing why you feel you would be good for the position. Email statements to wobc@oberlin.edu by January 31.

WOBC News Editor: The news editors are responsible for the production of WOBC news segments and ensuring that WOBC news segments are released daily. A new editor will have experience with sound editing software (Pro Tools, Logic, Audacity, etc) and be prepared to train reporters in how to conduct interviews, write scripts for stories, and edit audio. The news editors are responsible for assigning stories which are expected to cover events on and off campus. News editors should expect to commit ten hours or more to the position per week. You can receive Practicum in Journalism credit for this position. This is a paid position (inquire for details).

Outreach Director: The Outreach Director’s main priorities are to build connections with the Oberlin and Lorain County communities, to seek additional alumni support for WOBC, and to increase the station’s listenership.  The Outreach Director works to develop relations with WOBC alumni and produces a newsletter to send to alums. The Outreach Director is also responsible for coordinating partnerships with local businesses and organizations, and for organizing public events like the annual block party.

Music Librarian: The Librarian is responsible for keeping the WOBC music library organized and accessible. The Librarian should be familiar with WOBC’s music collection and work to keep WOBC’s digital record of music accurate and up to date. The Music Librarian holds a weekly workgroup and is responsible for taking initiative to maintain the library as well as initiate new projects to improve it. The Music Librarian organizes and runs the Filing Party each semester.

Punk Director: The genre director is primarily responsible for processing new music in their genre that the station receives and managing their genre’s section of the music library. Genre directors lead a workgroup of station members to process new records and file old records within their genre. The genre director is responsible for posting regularly about new music in their genre on the WOBC blog. Genre directors are also expected to recruit DJs to apply to shows within their genre, work with the Promotions Directors to raise awareness about their genre and assist the Program Director in evaluating applications within their genre. Knowledge of musical styles in a particular genre and familiarity with the community of musicians and aficionados of that genre on campus is a plus in this position.

WOBC News 12_12_2011

WOBC DJ Rip Smops (Smops Weekly Radio, 2pm on Tuesdays) is the subject of a documentary by Oberlin College students Sam Phillips, Jenny Miller, and WOBC Promotions Director Arielle Edelman.

RIP SMOPS: THE SOUND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR premiers on Friday, December 16 at a Cinema Studies screening in West Lecture Hall in . . . → Read More: Rip Smops Documentary]]>

WOBC DJ Rip Smops (Smops Weekly Radio, 2pm on Tuesdays) is the subject of a documentary by Oberlin College students Sam Phillips, Jenny Miller, and WOBC Promotions Director Arielle Edelman.

RIP SMOPS: THE SOUND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR premiers on Friday, December 16 at a Cinema Studies screening in West Lecture Hall in the Science Center, located on West Lorain Street in Oberlin.

Watch the trailer here: