Friday, May 27, 2005

Steve Has a Rock and Roll Epiphany

The following is not really a review in so much as it is Steve just blabbing to the world about his favorite album of the moment. So, sit back, and enjoy his meandering ramblings.

Since Ted detailed the new White Stripes single in his last "Song of the Week" feature, I have been inspired to listen to some more of the candy-caned crew lately. To be honest, outside of the White Stripes' land of singles, I wasn't real familiar with the band. So, like any good, ignorant newbie, I decided to check out the band's most commercially successful album, Elephant. I know, I know, I know--I can hear some of you hardcore WS fans screaming that buying and making judgements based off of the band's most popular album (thus far) is akin to rock and roll poseurdom. ---Kinda like not ever listening to Soft Parade or Doors self-titled, but buying The Doors' Greatest Hits instead, and allowing only that compilation to suffice as complete understanding of the band.

Frankly, the choice to listen to Elephant came down to logistics more than anything else: none of my other roommates had a copy of any of the Whites' other albums. Despite all of these fallbacks, however, I must say that I was blown away. I mean, maybe I've been living under a musical rock lately and am a little behind on my Garage Rock Revival (Album was released in 2003), but this album is pure genius! And to be sure, it is certainly better to discover great music now, rather than later. Why do I love this album so much you may ask? For one, there is no filler! To borrow from Sum 41: the disc is all killer and NO filler. The disc is also full of experimentation, minimalistic drumming, catchy guitar hooks, total distortion and off-the-wall vocalizations, all complimenting itself within the context of indie rock. In sum, you can listen to this album from start to finish and not feel bored. Every song has its own unique twist, whether it is Meg White singing softly, the song about squirrel nuts or the goofy rock opera on the last track. But, if I had to use one word to describe the entire essence of this very powerful album it would have to be VIGOR. The album is tightly wound from beginning to finish.

So, if any of you folks are looking for a good, solid rock album to listen to this holiday weekend, try Elephant on for size. And to you already established White Stripes fans, I apologize.
And don't worry, "Steve's Retro Song of the Week" will soon return. ;)

FYI: My favorite song to jam out to on Elephant probably has to be 'Ball and Biscuit.'

White Stripes - Elephant ED2K link

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Ted's Song of the Week - 05/25/05

I know it has been quite a while since this site has seen Ted's Song of the Week. I would have to blame this on an extreme case of laziness brought on by Summer break. However, this is not an excuse for my lack of writing, so i hope to make up for the segment's absence by presenting a number of songs to our faithful readers. Enjoy!



Blue Orchid
The White Stripes
Get Behind Me Satan

This song explodes like a firecracker. I first heard it a few weeks ago and was instantly a fan. Jack White sheds any trace of his recent country dabblings to give the rock world a piece of his mind. Give it a listen if you want to get the adrenaline pumping.

Lyrics:
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue

Something better than nothing
Something better than nothing, it's giving up
We all need to do something
Try keep the truth from showing up

How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?
How dare you
How old are you now, anyway?

You're given a flower
But I guess there's just no pleasing you
Your lips tastes sour
But you think that it's just me teasing you

You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue

Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway
Get behind me
Get behind me now, anyway

You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid turned it blue





L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)
Kasabian
Kasabian

A great addition to any chill-out mix, "L.S.F." is good for the casual drive or simply as background music. This song, along with the rest of the album, has been in my regular rotation for the past couple weeks. Kasabian is a great new electronic-rock band who have listed their influences as Primal Scream, DJ Shadow, and the Beatles.

Lyrics:
I'm on it, get on it
The troops are on fire!
Ya know I need it, much closer
I'm treading just a little more
Step on it, electronic
The troops are on fire!
I'm much deeper, a sleeper
Waiting for the vinyl trip

Come on it, get on it
I'm carving thru a letterbomb
I need it, like potions
These drugs are just an hour away
Come on it, electronic
A polyphonic prostitute, the motor's on fire
Messiah for the animals

Ahhh, oh come on!
We got our backs to the wall!
Ah!
Get on!
And watch out!
Before you kill us all!





The Truth
Limp Bizkit
The Unquestionable Truth, Pt.1

Here's a band that has had considerable problems over the past couple years. Replacement guitarists, Durst's temper-tantrums, and the slow death of rap-metal have brought Limp Bizkit to its knees. However, there is still some life in this band. "The Truth" sounds like a cross between the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against The Machine after a long night of drinking. The instrumental portion is pretty solid and fairly catchy, but Durst somehow taints the song with his usual rants. Chronologically, this album should have been made sometime between "Three Dollar Bill, Y'all" and "Significant Other". A very raw and hard-hitting album. Too bad they had to wait so long to return to their roots.

Lyrics:
You can't sleep, you're restless
and slightly obsessed with falling too deep
and malfunction, you're a virus
who's intention is fucking up something
You're a crater
on the face of a problem much greater
It's the violence, or lack thereof control
Body and soul, digging a hole
Is the blood stainless?
Enjoy the pain with accepting your grief
Are you finished?
Dumb fucking question, don't let yourself fall asleep
Ressurect the intention
Once your vision is now mass-produced,
Imagine the insults a blessing
imagine accepting the truth

Imagine accepting the truth
Imagine accepting the truth
imagine accepting the truth
Just imagine accepting the truth
Imagine accepting the truth

The pendulum swinging
Hypnosis is taking control, now you linger
on a shadow of a doubt
Have you really figured what you're all about?
Don't trust your instincts
Just open the chamber where you keep those darkest regrets
All the things you've done wrong
Rebellious at heart all along
Is your leader a voice?
Somehow you replaced all your game with a debt
Now the payback's a bitch
Why owe your life to a bitch?
Absolutely pathetic
and regret it when told you are made of mistakes
Imagine the insults a blessing
imagine accepting the truth

Imagine accepting the truth
Imagine accepting the truth
imagine accepting the truth
imagine accepting the truth
Imagine accepting the truth

Now speak to your leader!
Now speak to your leader!

Your father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, deliver us from evil, deliver us from evil
Your father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, deliver us from evil, deliver us from evil
Our father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, deliver me from evil, deliver me from evil
Our father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, deliver me from evil, deliver me from evil

imagine accepting the truth
Imagine accepting the truth
Imagine accepting the truth
imagine accepting the truth
imagine accepting the truth
Imagine accepting the truth





An Honest Mistake
The Bravery
The Bravery

"An Honest Mistake" is possibly one of the most addictive songs of the year. I have found myself blasting this song repeatedly without suffering from overplay. The Bravery find themselves in good company as they join the ranks of the New Wave rock bands that have ruled the radio lately. The past couple years have spawned bands (The Killers, The Rapture, Franz Ferdinand) who have breathed new life into New Wave, and many of these groups have found success commercially. Therefore, It wouldn't surprise me if The Bravery become huge in the coming months.

Lyrics:
People
They don't mean a thing to you
They move right through you
Just like your breath
But sometimes
I still think of you
And I just wanted to
Just wanted you to know
My old friend...
I swear I never meant for this
I never meant...

Don't look at me that way
It was an honest mistake
Don't look at me that way
It was an honest mistake
An honest mistake

Sometimes
I forget I'm still awake
I f*** up and say these things out loud

My old friend...
I swear I never meant for this
I never meant...

Don't look at me that way
It was an honest mistake
Don't look at me that way
It was an honest mistake
An honest mistake

Don't look at me that way
It was an honest mistake
Don't look at me that way
It was an honest mistake
An honest mistake





Betrayal
The Black Maria
Lead Us To Reason

"Betrayal" is a good listen for the heartbroken and bitter. With a sound similar to My Chemical Romance and Brand New, The Black Maria are a fledgling band with a lot of potential. This song took a little while to grow on me, but it turned out to be one of my favorites for the moment. Plus, I'm kind of a sucker for the occasional piano ending.

Lyrics:
I love you used to say
It's all in your head.
You're a paranoid picture,
You're a photograph...

Exposed by the light,
When you step outside,
Burnt by the sun,
That's in your eyes...

But when I saw it in my face,
In this mirror that needs to break,
Something bothered me and left me to feel...

Betrayal, Betrayal
It rips right through me
How you lie right to me
Betrayal, Betrayal
Will world make more sense?
Once you mean nothing to me...

It's on the cutting room floor
Footage of this mess,
Flimed then packaged and ready to sell...

Betrayal, Betrayal
It rips right through me
How you lie right to me
Betrayal, Betrayal
Will this world make better sense?
Once you mean nothing to me...

You used to live in a memory
Now those pictures are burning...now
You're a memory,
A fingerprint on the film,
You're a shadow in the sun,
Now it's your time to burn...

Betrayal, Betrayal
It rips right through me
How you lie right to me
Betrayal, Betrayal,
Will this world make better sense?
Once you mean nothing to me...

One day, you'll coming crawling back
To the same place I've been

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

The Vines Return To The Studio

The Vines have entered a Sydney studio to begin recording their third album. According the Australian rock act's official Web site, 15 songs have been prepared for the sessions, which will be overseen by producer Wayne Connolly (You Am I, Youth Group).

The news will come as a relief to fans fearing the Vines may have been finished, following last November's revelation that frontman Craig Nicholls suffers from the neurobiological disorder Asperger Syndrome."

Monday, May 23, 2005

The Darkness Splits With Bassist

"British rock act the Darkness has split with bassist Frankie Poullain, citing 'musical differences.' According to a statement issued today (May 23) on the band's official Web site, a replacement will be announced in the coming months.

Poullain played bass on the Darkness' debut album, 'Permission To Land' (Must Destroy/Atlantic), which went on to international mainstream success."

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Audioslave - Out of Exile


3.0 of 5 Stars

Don't get me wrong. I am a fairly huge Audioslave fan. Growing up, I fell in love with Soundgarden, and I loved to blast some Rage in order to release some steam. When components of the two bands amalgamated a few years ago into the supergroup Audioslave, I was ecstatic. In fact, I still remember the pangs of anticipation I experienced as I first heard the musical build-up to their debut single 'Cochise;' the part right before the explosive guitar just let loose with the juice. (You know, the crunchy noise that is played while Cornell and Rage-sans-De La Rocha are silently riding the elevator up to the roof of that tall edifice in the music video). I thought the first album was good, and have held a dormant craving for version 2.0 for the past year or so.

When I heard that a sophomore album was about to be released a few months ago I once again grew excited, wondering if the first single of the new album, Out of Exile, would be just as dynamic as 'Cochise' was when Audioslave was released a few years ago. Imagine my disappointment when I finally was able to hear 'Be Yourself.' An audible Aesop's Fable, I felt the tune more appropriately belonged on a NOW-YOU-KNOW segment of an animated "GI JOE" episode. Not only were the lyrics rather weak and junior, but the whole musical experience of that single was saturated with boredom.

Fortunately, upon listening to the remainder of the album, 'Be Yourself' is not indicative of the rest of the record. Thank God (Allah, Yahweh, Great Spirit, INSERT DEITY HERE)!! Instead, most of the album is fused with the raw energy and musical prowess inherent of old school Rage and Soundgarden---a saving grace for the true fan, believe me!

To be honest, I wouldn't say that the album is real single-heavy, which might explain the awkwardness of 'Be Yourself' having been released to radio. Instead, most of the songs are deeper and more relevant to the advanced listener. This is not to say that the album is lacking in hooks or catchiness. Rather, Out of Exile, seems to be more fully experienced by actively listening for the whole plethora of sounds on noise-canceling headphones, as opposed to cranking it on a moderate-quality stereo system. (Think of Pink Floyd's Dark Side and the hundreds of different sounds you here on headphones versus Wal-Mart speakers). And for a band whose members have already achieved massive success in their former groups, not producing a lot of radio friendly tracks is OK. With Out of Exile, art is produced for art's sake, rather than for massive rotations on Clear Channel radio stations---or so it seems.

Frankly, when you get down to it, Out of Exile isn't going to blow anybody away, and might not even attract juvenile or other beginner listeners. But for the seasoned rock fan and children of the nineties, Out of Exile serves its purpose. In other words, if you want to know what a really, really, really good rock band is capable of producing, buy/steal/borrow this record. If your goal is to find an album full of Appetite for Destruction-esque arena hits look elsewhere....or just stay tuned for record number 3 from these guys.

(Notable tracks include: 'Out of Exile,' 'The Curse,' and 'Your Time Has Come.')

Audioslave - Out of Exile Torrent File Audioslave - Out of Exile ED2K link

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Pet Shop Boys New Album!

A guilty pleasure of mine is 80s synth-pop. It is no wonder, then, that I was somewhat ecstatic to discover that Pet Shop Boys will be releasing a new album on July 5th titled "Back to Mine." According to Amazon.com, it looks as if the new record will be a double-disc set. All I can say is WICKED!

Album Description
This 2 CD set features a mix from both Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. Neil Tennant’s idea when compiling the CD was to create a sequence of music late-night listening, Sequencing electronic, ambient, classical and pop music. Chris Lowe on the other hand has chosen songs about love, friendship, sex, religion, hope and despair., starting with early 80’s electro through Italian disco, rock, gospel and ending of course with classic Dusty. DMC. 2005.

Goldfrapp Sets September For New Album

UK ultra-chilled-out-electronica group, Goldfrapp, has slated September 20th as the date they will unveil their new album, entitled "Supernature." In addition to the new album, a number of new tour dates have been announced:

Aug 1: Alicante, Spain (Camelot)
Aug. 13: Andalucia, Spain (Creamfields)
Aug. 19: Hasselt-Kiewit, Belgium (Pukkelpop Festival)
Aug. 20-21: Chelmsford, England (V2005 Festival)
Aug. 26: Paris (Rock en Seine)
Aug. 27: London (TDK King's Cross)
Sept. 3: Dublin (Electric Picnic)

Monday, May 16, 2005

Damon Albarn Extends the Olive Branch

Following in the footsteps of recent band reconciliations like the Pixies, Damon Albarn of Blur is trying to lure Graham Coxon back to the fold. According to NME.com, Albarn says he’s “waiting for Graham to talk to me again."

"I'd love to see if we could make another record. I miss playing live in something that I grew up in. I do feel it's a shame that we didn't stick to it. Hopefully, we'll play together soon. As musicians, we need to spread peace and love.”

Both Albarn and Coxon have been occupied with non-Blur endeavors as of late. Albarn has been busy with the Gorillaz while Coxon is busy launching a fairly successful solo career. Albarn shouldn’t hold his breath, though, as Coxon told NME earlier this year that a Blur reconciliation is, “Not in the cards.”

Liam Set for Gang Film Role

OASIS bad boy Liam Gallagher is wanted to play a villain in a new gangster film, starring Robert Carlyle.

Producers will talk to Liam, 32, who has never acted before, ahead of the band's sell-out Edinburgh gig today. Carlyle is lined up to play convicted Glasgow gun-runner Paul Ferris in $14 million (British Pounds) film The Apprentice.

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Steve's Retro Song of the Week: Journey - Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'



This week's retro revisit is Journey's 'Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'.' This 1979 break-up tune is quite bluesy, featuring pub-like piano and Steve Perry's bar-crooner-like vocals. Tadly tinged with vengeance, not only is there taunting ("na na na na"), but the lyrics call to the woman in question to not get too comfortable with her new beau, as karma will more than likely cause her to be dumped in the same way she, herself, dumped the narrator of the song. Of all the songs in the Journey catalog, this is, without question, one of my favorite Perry-belted tunes.

--------------------------------------
You make me weep and wanna die
Just when you said we’d try
Lovin’, touchin’, squeezin’ each other

When I’m alone all by myself
You’re out with someone else
Lovin’, touchin’, squeezin’ each other

You’re tearin’ me apart
Every day, every day
You’re tearin’ me apart
Oh what can I say?
You’re tearin’ me apart

It won’t be long, yes till you’re alone
When your lover, oh, he hasn’t come home
Cause he’s lovin’ oo, he’s touchin’,
He’s squeezin’ another

He’s tearin’ you apart
Every day, every day
He’s tearin’ you apart
Oh girl what can you say?
Cause he’s lovin’, touchin’ another
Now it’s your turn, girl to cry
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na


Journey's Greatest Hits Torrent File Journey - Evolution ED2K Link (Emule, Edonkey, etc)

Friday, May 13, 2005

Nine Inch Nails Debuts at #1 on Billboard Albums Chart

Nine Inch Nails' With Teeth made a stunning debut at number one in its first week, ousting Mariah Carey, Rob Thomas and 50 Cent. The Boss (Bruce Springsteen for the layman) debuted at number one last week with Devils & Dust and fell slightly to number five for the current week.

I have acquired a copy of With Teeth and have been listening to it in full lately, and I must say that I do enjoy the record. While there are a few tracks I'm not too fond of, there are several other strong ones that carry the album nicely. (Notably 'Everyday is Exactly the Same,'Sunspots,'and 'All the Love in the World.'

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Anthrax to Reform with Classic 80's Line-up

"I can relate to how some see the situation, Benante says. But this is strictly a reunion that we wanted to do at this time, and nothing more. I originally wanted to do something with both Bush and Belladonna. I want everyone to know that. But Bush decided not to be a part of it because his wife just had a baby and he wanted a little time out for that. So in the meantime, we're currently on this reunion.

I'm sure everybody wants to know what is going to happen here and what's going to happen there, but I don't know what to tell people. We're just taking baby steps at the moment. Our whole summer is booked doing the reunion shows and that will probably last right through to the end of the year. After that, I don't know what will happen!"

Those who are sceptical of the band's reunion claim it's nothing more than a money-making exercise. It's a suggestion Benante scoffs at.

Rock megastars Rolling Stones announce world tour

There's no trying to escape it, the news of the new Rolling Stones tour seems to be in every music/news publication you turn, online, paper or otherwise. Will Mick and the gang be rocking well into their 70s?? Check back in ten years ;)

The Rolling Stones, well into their fifth decade of playing rock 'n' roll, on Tuesday announced a global tour that will stretch into next year and laughed off suggestions that it would be a farewell tour.

"We never say this is going to be our last tour. We never think about it. We take each tour as it comes," singer Mick Jagger, 61, told a news conference at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

"I think that's a trap to try and get people to buy your tickets and say, 'Well, I'll never see them again."



Steve's Retro Song of the Week: The Beach Boys - Caroline, No




This week's blast from the past is 'Caroline, No' by the Beach Boys. A great lead-in into 'Hang on to Your Ego', Pet Sounds's final track, this bemoanful ballad evokes feelings of regret about a romantic relationship gone downward. An all too often occurring scenario, this song sentimentally details in music the feelings all of us go through as we come to the realization that we are no longer in love with a person who we were once head over heels for. It is this sort of universality that makes the song timeless.

FYI for you: At the tail end of the fade out, Wilson recorded his pet dogs barking wildly as a passing train thunders down the tracks, truly incorporating his own "pet sounds."

=================================================


Where did your long hair go
Where is the girl I used to know
How could you lose that happy glow
Oh, Caroline no

Who took that look away
I remember how you used to say
You'd never change, but that's not true
Oh, Caroline you

Break my heart
I want to go and cry
It's so sad to watch a sweet thing die
Oh, Caroline why
Could I ever find in you again
Things that made me love you so much then
Could we ever bring 'em back once they have gone
Oh, Caroline no

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Foos Rock Hard, Sing Softly On New Album

"The Foo Fighters present two distinct sides of their musical personalities on 'In Your Honor,' which offers one disc each of electric and acoustic songs. The 20-track project is due June 14 via RCA; first single 'Best of You' is No. 5 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart in just three weeks.

'Can you hear me? / Hear me screaming?,' asks frontman Dave Grohl at the outset of the rock disc's first tune, 'In Your Honor,' during which Rush-style guitar work eventually gives way to the speed-metal riffage of Grohl's Probot side project."

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Justin Hawkins Solo Album Confirmed

Darkness frontman Hawkins is set to release a solo album rumoured to hit shop shelves before the end of 2005. Expected to be released two months after the new Darkness LP, the record, ’British Whale’, is reported to be “less rock” than the band’s previous output.

“It’s a lot less rock than the band stuff,” Hawkins told The Sun. “There’s a lot more synths. I suppose you could call it luxurious rock"

Sunday, May 01, 2005

Steve's Retro Song of the Week: Todd Rundgren - Hello It's Me



In an effort to provide balance and remain true to our slogan of eclectic tastes and styles, I will be providing 'Steve's Retro Song of the Week.' Because in order to truly understand the present we must familiarize ourselves with the past, 'Steve's Retro Song of the Week,' combined with the more contemporary oriented 'Ted's Song of the Week' will allow for a true variety in the musicology we present to our readers everyday.

This week's Retro Song of the Week is Todd Rundgren's 'Hello It's Me." One of Rundgren's best known hits, 'Hello It's Me' first garnered mass appeal on his double-disced rock masterpiece, Something/Anything?. Although the song first appeared on the debut record of Rundgren's former band, Nazz, 'Hello It's Me' didn't become a hit until several years later, and even after it appeared on Something/Anything? its success was by no means instant. In fact, it took nearly a year after that album's release before 'Hello It's Me' became canonized as one of rock and roll's greatest hits.

Many critics, upon the release of this particular single, pigeon-holed the tune as nothing more than a male version of a song off of Carole King's Tapestry. And while the song is piano heavy and laden with deep emotion, Rundgren incorporates more jazz and more brass than King, solidifying his own identity in the rock world. Additionally, true to Rundgren's form, this song is by no means indicative of the other songs contained on Something/Anything? nor of other songs he has created during the course of his career. Keep in mind, Rundgren's diverse tastes and abilities have allowed him to produce not only 'Hello It's Me,' but 'Can We Still Be Friends' and the goofy 'Bang the Drum All Day' as well. Also, some FYI for you: Vickie Sue Robinson, who provides backup vocals on 'Hello It's Me', later sang 1976's disco classic 'Turn the Beat Around.'

Other songs of note on Something/Anything? include: 'Couldn't I Just Tell You,' 'It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference,' & 'I Saw the Light.'

-------------------------------------------
LYRICS:

Hello, it's me I've thought about us for a long, long time
Maybe I think too much but something's wrong
There's something here that doesn't last too long
Maybe I shouldn't think of you as mine

Seeing you
Or seeing anything as much as I do you
I take for granted that you're always there
I take for granted that you just don't care
Sometimes I can't help seeing all the way through
It's important to me that you know you are free

'Cause I never want to make you change for me

Think of me
You know that I'd be with you if I could
I'll come around to see you once in a while
Or if I ever need a reason to smile
And spend the night if you think I should

June 14 to be a Dark New Day

As a sort of follow-up to my article regarding guitarist Clint Lowery's departure from Sevendust, I thought I would post about his "new" band, Dark New Day.

Dark New Day is somewhat of a supergroup that actually formed long before any of the members joined their respective bands. Growing up, Clint and his brother Corey Lowery (Stuck Mojo, Stereomud) played music with good friend and guitarist Troy McLawhorn (DoubleDrive). Later on, while in a band together, they began playing with singer/bassist Brett Hestla (Virgos Merlot, tour bassist for Creed) and drummer Will Hunt (Skrape, Tommy Lee). The five musicians eventually parted ways, but impressively each went on to achieve various successes within the hard rock music community. After twelve years, the friends decided it was time to play together as a whole once more.
In regards to Lowery's sudden departure from longtime-band Sevendust, he writes on the Dark New Day website:

"When the Dark New Day project came to be I had full intentions on recording on the new Sevendust record. But because of the attention, focus, and dedication it takes to exist in both entities, and both bands deserve, it was decided that Sevendust and I end our musical ties. I wish them nothing but the best and was thrilled to hear Sonny Mayo was hired on."

If you go to Dark New Day's website you can read much more about the band and listen to about 5 new tracks from their upcoming June 14th release Twelve Year Silence.