Open Road - Info

Same format as the last few (gee whiz, a real trend!). This week the 5 year strong Consumable from Editor Bob Gajarsky (and cast of dozens) and another two short takes at the end.

Subscription Instructions:
Address: consumable-request@westnet.com
E-mail Body: subscribe consumable

WWW location:
http://www.westnet.com/consumable/

Contact Information:
Bob Gajarsky,
Consumable Online,
409 Washington St. #294,
Hoboken, New Jersey 07030

Cost: Amazingly Free

Review

Content - 5
This is the oldest on-going music reviews e-zine on the Net - just recently celebrating 5 years of publication. Every issue is packed full of reviews, news, interviews and tour dates for all your favorite "alternative" bands.

A consistent publication of any kind that's lasted for 5 years is really something. One that lasts 5 years on the Net and hasn't compromised quality or information is fabulous. Editor Bob Gajarsky must have one hell of a commitment level to keep it going as strongly as he obviously has.

The amount of info that's fed every two weeks via this publication is huge. The music reviews are detailed and compelling covering excellent bands that tend to get short shrift from much of the main stream press. Due to Consumable, over the past 3 years, I've been introduced to such bands as Son Volt and the Squirrel Nut Zippers, found out recently that Jason & the Scorcher's have a new album out, and made plans to fly to Vancouver or Seattle to see many of my fave groups.

Now you may say, "but this info can be had from many other good magazines out there like CMJ, Raygun et al." I say, "but not on-line, not e-mailed to my stoop every two weeks, and not nearly as eclectic."

Writing Quality/Style - 5
Style varies slighty depending on who writes the reviews or who conducts the interviews. Overall the writing quality here is extremely high, very well edited and neatly presented. This isn't shipped out by an angst ridden group of 16 year-old kids (not that angst ridden can't be done well). You'd never know that Consumable was a co-operative e-zine with its high quality and consistency.

Regularity - 5
Not exactly every two weeks, but damn good enough.

Extras - 4
All the proper e-mail bits are here: un/subscribe info, contact info, copyright info, site link and staff list. The site provides a searchable index of the past 5 years, so you should be able to find the older reviews in a flash.

Overall - 5
Consumable is nothing short of phenomenal. High quality, well presented, co-operative and informative. My thanks to Bob and the all contributors over the past 5 years.

Subscription Instructions:
Send a blank e-mail message to: crypto-gram-subscribe@chaparraltree.com

WWW location:
http://www.counterpane.com

Contact Information:
Bruce Schneier - schneier@counterpane.com

Cost: extremely free!

Subscription Instructions:
send a blank message to bze-bcbnews-on@mail-list.com

WWW location: N/A

Contact Information:
visit: rbgold@btl.net

Cost: Free