Nine Black Alps Watch

On Monday, Nine Black Alps released their debut album Everything Is. Read more from the band below:

The time has come for us to release our debut album 'Everything Is'. It's out today (6/13) in fact, available from all good record stores on CD and LP. To promote it, we'll be doin' a bunch of instore gigs around the UK this week, so check out the 'shows' alp for one near you. Oh, and please note that the London HMV Oxford Road show is now at 6pm.

Also, according to their website, Louis Pattison claims that Manchester is the "new Seattle.":

Manchester is the new Seattle, if Everything Is, the debut album from Nine Black Alps is anything to go by: the work of four young men clearly well versed in the thick, stamped-pedal distortion and angst-wracked sentiments popular in the days of grunge, the raging likes of "Shot Down" and "Not Everyone" should be instant manna for a generation that still holds Kurt in such saintly regard.

Whether or not Manchester spawns a wave of grunge-revial is yet to be determined. One thing is for sure though: Nine Black Alps rocks.

Foo Fighters, Weezer Eyeing Fall Tour

Modern rock heavyweights Foo Fighters and Weezer are in talks to team for a fall tour, Foos leader Dave Grohl said this morning (June 14) on "The Howard Stern Show." The trek is expected to get underway in September, although sources say details may not be finalized until next week.

The Foos' new double album, "In Your Honor," hits stores today. The group's only scheduled North American show will come Saturday (June 18) at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, N.M., where it will entertain an invite-only crowd of winners of a contest sponsored by online music service Rhapsody.

New Dredg Album Due June 21

One week from today, Dredg will be releasing a new album entitled Catch Without Arms. The follow-up to 2002's El Cielo, Catch Without Arms is Dredg's third LP on Interscope Records. Having already heard some demos for this album, I would say the new material sounds quite promising. The band is currently playing shows in support of the new record.

Audio and video for the song 'Bug Eyes' is already available to preview on the band's temporary website

The Killers vs. The Bravery: Update

Well, I guess my original post took Brandon Flowers' quotes out of context. Here is the quote in its entirety. According to the discussion group, the interview is from Q magazine:

And most of the controversy is peddled by Flowers
himself. It has been difficult to keep up with the
number of bands he has tongue-lashed this past year, but
they include Dallas prog-rockers Secret Machines ("total
assholes") and Canadian noiseniks The Stills ("bitchy
and pretentious"). His most recent victims are New
York's The Bravery, who mine similar UK influences to
his own.

"I've never actually said anything bad about anyone who
didn't deserve it," he says mischeviously, "but,
occasionally, it is brought on by jealousy. When I hear
a good song, it really does piss me off. But as far as
the Bravery goes..." Here, he falters. "Look, I'm not
supposed to be doing this any more but, well, you're
poking me and so I'll say this: to me, The Bravery just
aren't real. I've heard that the keyboard parts are all
pre-programmed, and that singer can't reach the high
notes on [recent single] An Honest Mistake. I can reach
those high notes."

In response, The Bravery have accused Flowers of kicking
them off a succession of UK tours because he feels
threatened.

"They said that?" says Flowers, eyebrows twitching.
"That's funny, really funny."

Album Review: Foo Fighters - In Your Honor

3.0 out of 5 stars


After spending about the past week and a half listening to In Your Honor I must say that the album has grown on me somewhat. The double disced, two-genred album comprises of 20 tracks. 10 are acoustic, and 10 other ones contain electric guitar and are quite raucous. Yet, while I have learned to stomach this album, I am not going to lie and claim it is the Foo Fighters' greatest work. To be sure, there are a number of good songs spread throughout the two compact discs, but a good number of the rest serve merely as simple filler. Perhaps, if some of the fat were cut, and the entire album were cut down by 8 or 9 songs, the CD would pack a much more powerful punch.

Overall, In Your Honor is an album that screams mediocrity. It isn't terrible. It isn't great either. There are a few shining moments, though, with Norah Jones collaborating with Grohl in "Virginia Moon". "Cold Day in the Sun" provides welcome refuge from Dave Grohl overkill with drummer Taylor Hawkins singing on that track. In addition, "No Way Back" is an upbeat anthem reminiscent of the post-Cobain neo-grunge the Foos initally became so famous for.

Aside from the ten or so songs where the Foos really shine, the other half of the album sounds like Grohl and Company are only going through the motions. As a fairly large Foo Fighters fan I hate having to say this, but I must: save yourself the dissapointment and don't worry about shelling out the cash to purchase this album. It will only leave you more homesick for the musically vibrant mid-90s of ten years ago--a time when the Foos truly shined and were in their element.

Foo Fighters In Your Honor torrent file

Classic Pink Floyd Lineup to Play Live 8

Organizers of the London Live 8 concert said Sunday that the British rock band Pink Floyd would perform with its classic lineup at the July event for the first time in more than two decades.

Guitarist David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason, bass player Roger Waters and keyboard player Richard Wright have not performed on stage together since 1981.

The group, which achieved major success with their 1973 album "Dark Side Of The Moon," will join musical acts including Elton John, Madonna, Paul McCartney and Coldplay at the anti-poverty concert in Hyde Park on July 2.

"Like most people I want to do everything I can to persuade the G-8 leaders to make huge commitments to the relief of poverty and increased aid to the third world," Gilmour said.

Steve's Retro Song of the Week: The Jam - "Town Called Malice"

Kicking it off with a Motown styled bass riff, back beat and pipe organ, The Jam's "Town Called Malice" sounds almost like a Supremes song at first. The immediate introduction of Paul Weller's vocals, however, proves otherwise. One of the most popular British punk bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s, The Jam garnered little success in the states. Yet, only 3000 miles across the pond called the Atlantic Ocean, they became near superstars in the UK. Epitomizing the minimalism of new wave punk, "Town Called Malice" should be a regular staple of any early 80s alternative rock compilation.

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

Better stop dreaming of the quiet life -
Cos it’s the one we’ll never know
And quit running for that runaway bus -
Cos those rosey days are few
And - stop apologising for the things you’ve never done,
Cos time is short and life is cruel -
But it’s up to us to change
This town called malice.
Rows and rows of disused milk floats
Stand dying in the dairy yard
And a hundred lonely housewives clutch empty milk
Bottles to their hearts
Hanging out their old love letters on the line to dry
It’s enough to make you stop believing when tears come
Fast and furious
In a town called malice.

Struggle after struggle - year after year
The atmosphere’s a fine blend of ice -
I’m almost stone cold dead
In a town called malice.

A whole street’s belief in sunday’s roast beef
Gets dashed against the co-op
To either cut down on beer or the kids new gear
It’s a big decision in a town called malice.

The ghost of a steam train - echoes down my track
It’s at the moment bound for nowhere -
Just going round and round
Playground kids and creaking swings -
Lost laughter in the breeze
I could go on for hours and I probably will -
But I’d sooner put some joy back
In this town called malice.

"Town Called Malice" ED2K link.

Steve Audio: Weekend Recap, The Dead 60s and Greg Biffle

**Disclaimer: I have no idea why I thought the name was Ken Mitger. The name the woman said was Greg Biffle. I'm not so sure I resemble him, but who knows.

Arabic Music the Next Big Thing?

Here is an interesting article that I lifted from www.Contactmusic.com

Veteran rocker BRIAN ENO thinks music is ready for a whole new sound - and he's tipping Arabic tunes to move mainstream.

The 57-year-old star, famed for his flamboyant outfits as Roxy Music's synthesizer wizard, believes the new melodies will come from the Arabic world.

He says, "It's completely commercial, totally Arabic and totally viable for this world, just like the blues completely suffused the music of the early 1960s, woke it up and got it out of CLIFF RICHARD and all this sort of thing and made it kind of dirtier and rougher and more lively and sexy.

"I think Arabic music is a similar prospect.

<> "I'd love it if American kids were listening to Muslim music. Wouldn't that piss their parents off?"

Eno then promptly signed a lifetime recording contract with Al Jazeera Records...just kidding.

Flaming Lips on Wedding Crashers Soundtrack

The Flaming Lips have contributed a new song to the summer comedy "Wedding Crashers" starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. The song, "Mr. Ambulance Driver", is said to head up a stellar line-up of music from the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Bloc Party, Spoon, and Death Cab For Cutie. The soundtrack is scheduled for release on July 12.
"Mr. Ambulance Driver" is expected to be on their new album, At War With the Mystics, which is due sometime next February. This will be the band's 12th studio album.

Artist Spotlight: 10 Years

Modern rock radio has begun to see a climb from a Knoxville, Tennessee band known as 10 Years, due to their ambitious new single 'Wasteland.' With an upcoming debut album on Universal Records, the quintet has hit the road, touring with the likes of Seether, Crossfade, and No Address. Fans of Chevelle may find the band to be of interest. Dates for the rest of June include:

Sat June 11th Scene Pavilion Cleveland, OH
Friday June 13th Pop's Sauget, IL
June 14th Rocketown Nashville, TN
June 15th The Foundry Dayton, OH
June 17th Val Air Ballroom Des Moines, IA
June 19th Bricktown Live Oklahoma City, OK
June 22 In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT
June 23 Mesa Theatre Grand Junction, CO
June 24 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO
June 25 Canyon Amphitheatre Lubbock, TX
June 26 Concrete St.. Pavillion Corpus Christi, TX
June 28 La Villa RDallas TX
June 30 Corral Nightclub El Paso, TX

To listen to 'Wasteland' and find more information on the band, visit the 10 Years website

Devil Meets Songwriter at Crossroads: Offers Development Deal

Thank-you to Adam.Zero for drawing attention to this news story:

Nashville songwriter Luke Powers, known for his quirky takes on popular culture in songs such as "I Saw John Kennedy Today" and "Cover Song" (a paean to the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper album cover), has recently released "Driving with my Demon in the Deep South." The song is available in mp3 format for free download at www.phoebeclaire.com .

The song resulted from an actual occurrence when University professor Powers was driving alone to a southern literature conference on a rain-soaked Alabama night. "Lots of lightning flashes," he recalls, "twister weather."

Powers quickly got lost in the ganglia of Alabama backroads. Rain rendered the road-signs unreadable. But he continued south, driving by instinct. Near midnight with no motel in sight, he reached a lonely crossroads in a not-so-proverbial middle of nowhere.

"It was a four-way stop," he says. "Just the type of place where Robert Johnson had sold his soul to the devil."

Read the rest of the article here.

Steve Audio: Why I Won't Be Able to Contribute This Weekend

An Audio Message From Steve

Hey guys. I decided to test out audioblogger, the free service that lets you post audio directly to your Blogger account via the telephone. Don't I have a sexy voice? :)

The Killers vs. The Bravery

The following is verbatim from the Killers discussion list found at http://groups.yahoo.com. Apparently, there is some sort of feud between The Killers and The Bravery. Did The Bravery really steal The Killers' sound, is Brandon Flowers overly egotistical or is everything just a mere publicity stunt? You be the judge:

The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers has finally given the reason behind his hatred of The Bravery - he is jealous of them. The singer has been involved in a long-running spat with the New York electro rockers, originally slamming them for copying his style. But he now admits he simply becomes angry when he hears his rivals are doing well. He says, "I've never actually said anything bad about anyone who didn't deserve it, but occasionally it's brought on by jealousy. When I hear a good song it really does p*ss me off."

Whomever posted this claimed they lifted the story from KDGE, but when I went there I wasn't quite sure where to look, so I haven't seen the story for myself. Who knows if it is true?

Ex-'Idol' Prays for Soul of Some Chick Named Betty

Ok, first of all, I haven't watched an episode of American Idol since its first season. This might be because I personally feel the show is everything that most quality music stands against... or it might just be that it sucks. But, there are obviously many who feel quite the opposite from me, since the show has continued to garner large audiences for four whole seasons.

Just recently I ran across the name of an up-and-coming New York City band that goes by the name Pray for the Soul of Betty. Through my curiosity of this unusual name, I searched out a couple tracks by them, and quickly learned that the band is fronted by a singer named Constantine Maroulis. If that name sounds familiar, it is because Constantine was recently a top 6 finalist on the fourth season of American Idol. A little surprised (and disheartened), I reconsidered whether I really wanted to listen to the band. However, upon reading that the band was established prior to Constantine's appearance on 'Idol' and already had a large underground following, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and checked out a couple tracks.

The first I wasn't all that impressed by, but the second track struck a definite chord with me. Titled "Suicide", the song takes a build-up approach and mixes modern alternative/hard rock with classic rock roots. It's a track that I could definitely see getting some commercial success - and now that Constantine has captured the attention of millions, I wouldn't rule anything out just yet. I may not have witnessed Constantine's praise-worthy performances on 'Idol', but I wouldn't say his vocal work with 'Betty' is anything particularly outstanding. His vocals provide an appropriate level of balance to the music, and the songwriting is strong enough that "Suicide" is quite painless. I admit to feeling a little guilty recommending music from an American Idol contestant, but the music is really quite disconnected from what you would come to expect from someone like Clay Aiken. Plus, I've listened to this track a half-dozen times in the last couple hours, so I figured it was worth writing about.

Pray for the Soul of Betty just released their self-titled album May 10. To check out more and hear audio clips(unfortunately not including "Suicide"), go to Pray for the Soul of Betty

Gavin Rossdale Has a New Band??

Well, I had no idea that Bush's frontman was embarking on a new side project. I had no idea he was no longer with Bush either. Anyway, the new band, Institute, consists of Helmet / Orange 9mm guitarist Chris Traynor, bassist Cache "Utah Slim" Tolman, formerly of Civ, Rival Schools and exploratory jazz metalloids Iceburn and drummer Charlie Walker (Chamberlain, Split Lip).

Gavin describes the group as "muscular," an ambiguous term that conjures up images of both Henry Rollins and Slayer at the same time. Who knows what the hell he means. Page Hamilton, of Helmet, is producing the album which is slated for release in autumn. The first single is entitled "Bulletproof Skin." Wow, that is MUSCULAR!!

So Rossdale decided that if he were to return to rock's front lines, he'd have to do so in drastic style. Forget about going the tender route of the softhearted solo troubadour — in the words of brusque celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, it was time to turn it up a notch.

"I didn't want to do a softer record than Bush, because I thought that would be maybe more expected," Rossdale said. "I thought what would be cooler would be to do something a little bit heavier, a little stronger. I wanted to make a more forceful record."

Inside Velvet Revolver's Comic Book Obsession

In another splendid artistic move, Scott Weiland and the boys of Velvet Revolver have added a song to the soundtrack for the upcoming summer superhero flick, Fantastic Four. This marks the second time VR has participated in the soundtrack to a superhero movie - the first being 2003's not-so-incredible HULK. Perhaps they missed the boat on the Elektra soundtrack and are trying to make up for it?

VR's track, 'Come In Come On', will be joined by music from such acclaimed acts as Chingy, Simple Plan, and Alter Bridge. Stay tuned for a July 5th release date on the soundtrack, and a July 9th theatrical release.

In Your Honor Preview

I've had a chance to spin the Foo Fighters' new double disc, and I am not quite sure what I think yet. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I heard Dave Grohl say someplace he thought it was his best work ever. Who knows, that could have been hearsay, but whenever I hear an artist make gradiose claims about his/her latest piece I am almost always disappointed.

I guess I need some more time to let all the songs soak in before I do an indepth review. Either way, I wouldn't say the album "sucks" by any means. I do wonder, however, if the masses would have been better served if rather than releasing a double album the Foos would have picked and chosen the best ten to twelve songs instead of releasing all twenty at once. But then again, Grohl is the musical genius, and I am merely an amateur music connoisseur.

Stay tuned for a more indepth review of In Your Honor soon...

Steve Finds Out What Reggaeton Is

After a little research I disovered that Reggaeton is:

a blend of reggae, hip hop and rap that originated in Puerto Rico during the late '90s. The lyrics are mainly in Spanish and the leading proponents of the style include Inocentes MC, DJ Blass, Las Guanabanas and Tribal Clan.

Although I can't say I've heard any Reggaeton first-hand, I think it's safe to say that Steve thinks Reggaeton probably sucks.

Radio Riding the Growing Reggaeton Wave

Okay, I just read an article on Reggaeton and how it is sweeping the nation. But please, could somebody please explain to me what the hell Reggaeton even is?!?!?!

The growing force of reggaeton is amply displayed on this week's Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, with four of the top 10 releases falling under the genre.

That sales drive continues to carry over to radio, with the recent switch of three major pop stations to a reggaeton/hip-hop format within a week of each other.

In Los Angeles, Spanish Broadcasting System's sole pop station, KXOL, is now called "Latino 96.3 FM." The station's tag line is, "Radio reggaeton y hip-hop too," a nod to listeners' hunger for all things reggaeton- and hip-hop-oriented.

In New York, Univision Radio switched pop/tropical station WCAA to reggaeton/hip-hop. The station is now called La Kalle ("the Street"). And in Puerto Rico, SBS changed pop station WODA to reggaeton.

"It's the format of the future," says SBS executive VP of programing Bill Tanner, who initially was skeptical of reggaeton's potential in Los Angeles.

"But it was when we began to hear it in the streets of Los Angeles -- basically every car that drives by is playing reggaeton, (and) the reggaeton concerts here are selling out night after night. Then we started to do our own in-house research, and it just keeps coming out as a big winner."

Concert Review: Mindless Self Indulgence

Mindless Self Indulgence has been one of my favorite politically-incorrect bands for the last half-decade. Recently, I had the chance to see them perform live for my fourth time. A few years ago, when I saw them for the first time, I was already a big fan of the music, but did not know what to expect from a live show. Would they live up to the maniacal image that I had built in my head? The answer to that question can be found in the three subsequent shows I have attended since then. My first experience felt like I was witnessing a living cartoon, leaving me practically speechless at the end. That show was definitely at the top of all the concerts I have been to. And so, anytime the band has played within the state, I have made it a priority to attend.

This most recent performance was no exception. With the recent release of their third full-length studio album, You'll Rebel to Anything, the band has been touring the US and Canada once again. The venue that had been booked was one that I had attended several times in the past, and knowing the large size of the place, I was somewhat surprised to hear that this was going to be the location. And I was right. The venue was definitely too big for this type of show. Despite their large underground following, MSI was not able to fill even a third of the large ballroom. This did not stop them from a high energy performance, however. In the past, I had seen them play in the back of a bowling alley and at a small danceclub, so having a high ceiling and a largely vacant room was a little hard to get used to. But, like most shows I've been to, if you put yourself in the front row, you feel like the place is packed, regardless. The first opening act, Super 8bit Brothers, comprised of two members from Chicago's Tub Ring, were funny for about five minutes, singing songs entirely about videogames over electronic beats and sound effects. One song towards the end was a "serious song...about when youre playing your favorite videogame and you're about to beat the last level and your significant other calls and you have to decide whether you are going to pick up the phone and press pause, or keep playing the game." This was probably my favorite song in their set. The next opener, SMB, stepped things up from there by actually playing instruments. Hailing from the Twin Cities, SMB's chaotic circus metal caused a moshpit for a good portion of their set. The band's musicianship was impressive, whether or not their sound was appreciated by everyone.

After a build-up of anticipation through the night, MSI finally took stage and the energy in place skyrocketed. Opening with the edgy fan-favorite, "Faggot", the band erupted into an hour long set of sub-3 minute songs that nicely pieced together tracks from their full catalog. All of my favorites from the new album were played, as well as many of my favorites from past albums. True to form, the band also played a couple of their unreleased strongholds, such as "Animal." Singer Jimmy Urine bounced around stage in his typical caffeinated form, stopping between songs only to antagonize the audience and security guards, or make fun of himself. Steve Righ?, MSI's guitarist, recently underwent partial hip replacement for damages likely sustained through his reckless stage antics over the years; and so, was unable to attend. Filling in, was Tub Ring keyboardist/Super 8bit Brother Rob Kleiner. Rob did his duty on guitar, playing energetically while jumping and headbanging from time to time, but never really filling the outrageous role that had been left by Steve. At most MSI shows, the interactions between Steve and Urine are half of the entertainment, but with Steve gone, Urine never really interacted with the band in the same way. That's not to say that the show was at all uninteresting.

Jimmy Urine is perhaps one of the most chameleon-like frontment I've seen, adapting his entire environment into every show. At random times during songs, he would leave the stage altogether, and return with a prop that he happened to find backstage. At one point, he disappeared only to return a minute later by rolling across the stage on an equipment dolly. Then he punched himself in the face several times and fell on his back...singing all the while. At another point, he came back with a large white sheet, which he morphed into many costumes, including not only a ghost, but also a toga which found him quoting Julius Caesar mid-song. He also performed with various props that he had brought along, including a disco ball and a stuffed wolf hide that he pretended was still alive for a couple songs until later dropkicking it from the stage. Bassist LynZ strutted around in her short Catholic school girl skirt and pigtails while various hormonal teens shouted such romantic lines as "I want to drink your sweat" from the audience.

Newer tracks like 'What Do They Know?' and 'Stupid MF' proved to have instant success with the audience, just like the classics 'Pussy All Night' and 'Bitches.' The band departed the stage halfway through the show, allowing Urine to perform an a cappella version of their first album's Method Man cover 'Bring the Pain.' Later, with instruments in hand, their cover of Rush's 'Tom Sawyer' also had the crowd singing along. Like their other shows, the last song ended abruptly and the band walked off stage, not returning for your typical encore, but only to stay and sign autographs for anyone who stuck around after the show. Mindless Self Indulgence seems to make every effort to stay and meet fans, sign autographs, and take as many pictures as they possibly can in a short time.

Overall, it is difficult to compare an MSI show to any other show, or even to other MSI shows, because much like snowflakes, no two are ever alike. A different venue on a different night will bring out a whole new variety of creativity that is sure to be a one of a kind experience, and probably the most entertaining thing you've seen all day.

Last Night When I Was a Rock Star

Last night I had sort of an interesting, music-related dream. I was onstage for an arena tour, filling in for lead vocals in the band Weezer. I'm not sure why it was Weezer of all bands either. Most of the songs I didn't even recognize as part of their repertoire. In the dream all of this seemed perfectly normal and comfortable, despite not really knowing how to sing or play most of the songs. I found myself randomly making up intricate guitar parts that sounded nothing like the song the rest of the band thought we were playing, and when I'd forget the words, I'd just flail around or scream into the microphone. One time my amplifier wasn't working, so I just stopped singing and playing and bent down to fool with the wiring for awhile. When the problem was finally resolved, I ran across stage, fell to my knees, and leaning back with my head to the floor, just started making up a solo to the song. Yes, I definitely had stage presence, even if I had no clue what I was doing most of the time. And the best part? No matter what I did, the crowd seemed to think it was the greatest thing ever done in rock history. Sometimes the band seemed confused as to just what I was doing, but somehow, everything meshed together - even when I would play a slow riff to an upbeat song. I was charismatic, so it was ok. The audience could be heard after the show, discussing what an "act of pure genius" it all was. Apparently I had pulled it all off with flying colors. But I didn't have time to celebrate - I was far too busy escaping the clutches of thousands of adoring fans.
Dreams for me are generally sketchy and hard to make any sense of, but if I could make a guess as to the meaning of the dream I had last night, I would have to say it was just reaffirming my lifelong notions that I was born to be a rock star.

Steve's Retro Song of the Week: U2 - Two Hearts Beat As One

Like an incurable venerial disease, it is true the Retro Song of the Week has lain dormant for the past few weeks. Yet, in much the same way herpes guarantees its hosts breakouts from time to time, I, too, can guarantee all our readers that my feature will never ever be totally irradicated. Just when all of you think the piece is dead, it will pop up when you least expect it--kind of like now. With that said, I apologize for the down time. :)

This week's feature is U2's powerful anthem 'Two Hearts Beat as One.' Cut in 1983, the tune appeared on War along with other noteworthy tracks 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and 'New Years Day.' Part post-punk experimentalism, part new wave synth, 'Two Hearts' could easily have been performed by the Clash or, in a much softer fashion, Simple Minds. However, while this song never made it to The Breakfast Club soundtrack, the song still blasts.

Borrowing from the late-1970s pogo scene, lowly bass riffs introduce the song. Soon thereafter, The Edge's groovis-ridden guitar chords enter the scene, setting the stage for Bono to do what he can do best: wail! Juxtaposed with the strangely danceable back beat set up by the rest of the band, Ireland's number one celebrity exposes his soul with his yearnful singing. Overall, the song is both powerful and jamworthy.
====================================================

I don't know
I don't know which side I'm on
I don't know my right from left
Or my right from wrong
Say I'm a fool
You say I'm not for you
But if I'm a fool for you
Oh, that's something
Two hearts beat as one
Two hearts beat as one
Two hearts...

Can't stop the dance
Honey, this is my last chance
I said, can't stop the dance
Maybe this is my last chance

Two hearts beat as one
Two hearts beat as one
Two hearts...

They beat on black, beat on white
Beat on everything don't get it right
Beat on you, beat on me, beat on love

I don't know
How to say what's got to be said
I don't know if it's black or white
There's others see it red
I don't get the answers right
I'll leave that to you
Is this love out of fashion?
Or is it the time of year?
Are these words distraction
To the words you wanna hear?

Two hearts beat as one
Two hearts beat as one

I try to spit it out
I try to explain
The way I feel
Oh, yeah
Two hearts

I can't stop the dance
Maybe this is my last chance
I said I can't stop the dance
Maybe this is my last chance
I said don't stop the dance
Maybe this is my last chance
I said can't stop the dance
Maybe this is our last chance
Maybe this is my last chance

U2- War ED2K link: U2.-.War.[1983][EAC-Flac-Covers][PuCeBoY][VU.&.Grupo.Eshock.YDM].rar

Third Strokes Album Due In January

"The Strokes are nearing the finish line on their as-yet-untitled third studio album, due in late January via RCA. The group has recorded 14 songs for consideration, three of which were co-produced by longtime collaborator Gordon Raphael, while the rest were produced by David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Fiction Plane). Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Rage Against The Machine) will handle mixing.

The new album is the follow-up to 2003's 'Room on Fire,' which didn't stray far from the rambunctious rock'n'roll of the Strokes' 2001 debut 'Is This It.' But its sales dropped off significantly; 'Room on Fire' moved 563,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, while 'Is This It' has shifted more than 998,000."

Ted's Song of the Week - 06/01/2005

Speed of Sound
Coldplay
X&Y

Here's a great song that will unfortunately probably end up on one of those "Now" CDs. The first single off of Coldplay's X&Y doesn't disappoint as it lulls the listener into a euphoria of piano-driven soft rock. Vocalist Chris Martin continues to impress with his songwriting abilities and always intriguing lyrics. The album hits stores June 6.

Lyrics:

How long before I get in?
Before it starts, before I begin?
How long before you decide?
Before I know what it feels like?
Where To, where do I go?
If you never try, then you'll never know.
How long do I have to climb,
Up on the side of this mountain of mine?

Look up, I look up at night,
Planets are moving at the speed of light.
Climb up, up in the trees,
every chance that you get,
is a chance you seize.
How long am I gonna stand,
with my head stuck under the sand?
I?ll start before I can stop,
before I see things the right way up.

All that noise, and all that sound,
All those places I got found.
And birds go flying at the speed of sound,
to show you how it all began.
Birds came flying from the underground,
if you could see it then you'd understand?

Ideas that you'll never find,
All the inventors could never design.
The buildings that you put up,
Japan and China all lit up.
The sign that I couldn't read,
or a light that I couldn't see,
some things you have to believe,
but others are puzzles, puzzling me.

All that noise, and all that sound,
All those places I got found.
And birds go flying at the speed of sound,
to show you how it all began.
Birds came flying from the underground,
if you could see it then you'd understand,
ah when you see it then you'll understand?

All those signs, I knew what they meant.
Some things you can invent.
Some get made, and some get sent,
Ooh?
Birds go flying at the speed of sound,
to show you how it all began.
Birds came flying from the underground,
if you could see it then you'd understand,
ah, when you see it then you'll understand?

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

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

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."

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."

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

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)

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.

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)

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.'

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

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."

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"

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.

Pick These Up

For part two of 'Pick These Up' I'm only doing a single-album review, but it is definitely an album I've been listening to a lot lately...

Hood
Outside Closer

New listeners to Hood's music may be tempted to draw some comparison lines to such an album as Radiohead's Kid A; however, it should be noted that Radiohead was the later of the two to experiment electronically. Since 1991, the Leeds, England sextet known as Hood has released seven full-length albums, but didn't crack the American market until 2001. On Outside Closer, Hood follows the post-rock aesthetic and infuses elements of electonics with traditional instruments such as piano, acoustic guitar, strings, and drums. Mixing lo-fi with hip hop and classical brings you somewhere near Hood. The songs on Outside Closer layer simplistic guitar plucking with lush violin arrangements and electronic glitches reminiscent of a computer shorting-out. Thin vocals add to the delicate melancholy, setting bleak winter scenes of contemplation. On the seven minute"Any Hopeful Thoughts Arrive", the guitar and drums build to a breathtaking (yes, i did use the word breathtaking) violin finish. The electronic glitches are most prevalent on "The Lost You," which is also the most upbeat song on an album of slow, somber dreamscapes. The lyrics are generally abstract, as seen in the intricate, accordian-laced track, "The Negatives...":

”The Negatives are added but it’s not enough, and if you know the feeling you’ll get beaten up, you need to go to the furthest place from your house, stand there a while and make sure you’re broke…I tried to walk to town but I got so lost…reassure me.”

Although one or two tracks in the latter half aren't as outstanding as the rest, Outside Closer as a whole is a gorgeous album - for the rainy sunday afternoons and chilly winter mornings that find you wanting to lay in bed all day.

Key Tracks: "The Negatives...", "Any Hopeful Thoughts Arrive", "The Lost You"

Upcoming NIN Album Arouses Buzz

I have read a number of reviews lately of the upcoming NIN album, "With Teeth," and I must say I have heard only good things. Combined with the album reviews, I had the pleasure of listening to not only 'Bite the Hand that Feeds', but 'Every Day Is Exactly The Same,' a totally kick-ass song that was reminiscent of Trent's 1989 debut, as well.

And although Yours Truly is experiencing somewhat of a transitional period in the financial department, I may have to scrounge up just enough funds to purchase the record when it is released on Tuesday.

Let's just say I am actually excited for the first time in a long time for an upcoming record release. Time will only tell if my high expectations are justified.

Ted's Song of the Week - 04/27/05

F**k Me For Free
Recover
This May Be the Year I Disappear

The emo foursome, Recover, wastes no time assaulting the eardrums with this song that probably won’t hit the radio. Vocalist/Guitarist Dan Keyes illustrates his feelings of pain and disgust while the rest of the band shows a remarkable amount of versatility to complement him. “F**K Me For Free” may not offer the deepest of lyrics, but it compensates with great harmonies and an impressive spectrum of sound for any listener to appreciate. A must hear for fans of Taking Back Sunday and the Used.

Lyrics:

you did it to me, so now i do it back
give me disease, give me a heart attack
all my plans are tentative, i'll die for you but i won't live

oo we can go anywhere - oo we can go in an ambulance
oo we can do anything - oo we can do it right now

you did it to me
so now i do it back
you did it to me
so now i do it back

fuck me free. i want my money back
love is so cheap, such a worthless trap
all my friends are fake as thieves
i dug for them in what we need

oo we can go anywhere - oo we can go in an ambulance
oo we can do anything - oo we can do it right now

can you come home - can you come right now
can you come home - can you come right now

i'm not good enough, im not clean anymore
im damaged up, i want to come home
but i'm not good enough, im not clean anymore
im damaged up, i want to come home

oo we can go anywhere - oo we can go in an ambulance
oo we can do anything - oo we can do it right now, right now

Mudvayne Debuts at #2

Amazingly enough Mudvayne's latest record, 'Lost and Found,' debuted at #2 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart this week. Only Mariah Carey finished ahead of the thrash metal group. And, in even more pure mind boggleness, it is the first time I have noticed in awhile that a rock group has surged ahead of 50 Cent. Either it was a slow week in other genres of music or rock is on the upswing. Hopefully, it is the latter. Peace.

Velvet Revolver Joins Ozzfest

Velvet Revolver will join the bill for the final seven dates of this summer's annual Ozzfest tour. The group's first show will be Aug. 23 in Albuquerque, N.M., and it will remain on the bill through the Sept. 4 finale in West Palm Beach, Fla. Ozzfest will be headlined by Black Sabbath and also feature Iron Maiden, Rob Zombie, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and Black Label Society.

Here are Velvet Revolver's Ozzfest dates:

Aug. 23: Albuquerque, N.M. (Journal Pavilion)
Aug. 25: Dallas (Smirnoff Center)
Aug. 27: Houston (Cynthia Woods Music Pavilion)
Aug. 28: San Antonio (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
Aug. 31: Nashville (Starwood Amphitheatre)
Sept. 2: Charlotte, N.C. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
Sept. 4: West Palm Beach, Fla. (Sound Advice Amphitheatre)

Happy Birthday Steve!

The Lonely Note staff would like to extend warm "Happy Birthday" wishes to fellow contributor and audiophile, Steve. Have a good one, buddy - and keep on rockin' in the free world!

Doves Pull Out Of Coachella

U.K. rock act Doves has been forced to cancel its appearance this weekend at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., as vocalist/bassist Jimi Goodwin is suffering from severely strained vocal chords.

Pick These Up

It's been quite some time since I last wrote an album review, and in that time I have been listening to a lot of new music. Instead of a single album review this time, I am doing a multialbum discussion to highlight some of my favorite albums released within the last few months. For my first installment, I'm going to talk about two of the albums I've been listening to alot since about February.

Death From Above 1979
You're a Woman, I'm a Machine

Death From Above 1979 have not only put out one of the hardest rocking albums of 2005, but also one that is catchy enough to stick in your head for weeks on end. Consisting of only two members, a bass player and a drummer/vocalist, DFA1979 stomp out loud, meaty hooks with unrelenting dance-punk energy for a solid half hour on You're a Woman, I'm a Machine. The Canadian duo churn out 11 tracks of pounding rhythm accompanied by the occasional synth, and capped by the whisper-to-a-scream style vocals of drummer/vocalist Sebastien Grainger. Rarely does a two person band rock as hard as DFA1979 (think a faster, drum and bass version of Local H). These guys bring the wailing, the funky basslines, the high-hat crashing, and the indie rock flare that is needed this year. The lyrics are intelligent, short, and sweet. Take this verse from 'Black History Month', one of the album's mellower tracks:

"Do you remember a time when this pool was,
a great place for waterwings and cannonballs,
a nice place for astrologists and blow up dolls,
and on, and on..."

Part new wave, part punk, part metal, this album is definitely worth checking out.
Key tracks: 'Blood on Our Hands', 'Black History Month', 'Romantic Rights'

Low
The Great Destroyer

Low has been playing the indie circuit for more than a decade, having released 7 full-length albums since 1994. The Duluth, Minnesota trio's slo-core sound has been synonymous with a minimal aesthetic for years, but the deeper production on The Great Destroyer finds the band exploring new intricacies within themselves. The album ranges from slow-burning acoustic numbers to eerily brooding ones. Tracks like "Monkey" and "Pissing" revel in the dark side, "Broadway(so many people)" creates a soft ballad, and "Everybody's Song" drags your heart around at minimum speed. A main theme on the album is about getting older, which makes sense for a band that has been playing together since grunge was king. Cold and beautiful, the band's sound could be compared to the winter weather of their hometown. The male/female whispers play nicely off one another over the drowned-out echoes of guitar and synth. The lyrics at the end of the album's final track, 'walk into the sea', really tie the whole concept together:

"Time's the great destroyer,
Leaves every child a bastard,
But when it finally takes us over,
I hope we float away together"

Subtle and cathartic, The Great Destroyer is a thoughtful look at life and death from the perspective of aging rockers.
Key Tracks: "Monkey", "On the Edge of"


...stay tuned for a follow-up post to Tae's "Pick These Up"

Scalpers Go High Tech

There is an interesting article on scalping, and how it is becoming increasingly difficult to buy tickets legitimately to popular shows.

"Check out these prices: Nine Inch Nails on April 27th at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco, with a face value of $35.50, now up to $407 at ticketliquidator.com; Audioslave on April 30th at the Roseland Ballroom in New York, originally $35, $177 at stubhub.com; and U2, whose tickets hit $1,500 apiece last month on eBay until the band recently lowered demand by adding more shows."

Ted's Song of the Week - 04/20/05

Straight To Video
Mindless Self Indulgence
You'll Rebel To Anything

Mindless Self Indulgence has finally released their much anticipated album, You'll Rebel To Anything, which makes this contributor a very happy man. "Straight To Video", the album's third track, is only one of many that i could have chosen for the song of the week, but I thought i would give a shout out to what may be a testament to the band's personal growth. While MSI is not your typical radio-friendly band, "Straight To Video" could be one of the few tracks to make it to the airwaves. Haunting synthesizers, steady beats, and the Marilyn Manson-esque vocals of lead singer, Jimmy Urine, create a song of angst and torment.
Other tracks to consider: "What Do They Know?", "Shut Me Up".


Lyrics:

All aboard
Hit the road
All the bullshit
Can't be ignored
It's hard to place
In my face
No emotion

All the problems make me wanna go
Like a bad girl straight to video
Little darling welcome to the show
You're a failure played in stereo

Hiney-ho
Here we go
No solution
Strong undertow
Quite unfair
Quite a pair
No box office

All the problems make me wanna go
Like a bad girl straight to video
Little darling welcome to the show
You're a failure played in stereo

I'm never noticed
No, never noticed
You're so amazing
So amazing
I'm never noticed
No, never noticed
You're so amazing
So amazing

All aboard
Hit the road
All aboard
Here we go

All the problems make me wanna go
Like a bad girl straight to video
Little darling welcome to the show
You're a failure played in stereo

I'm never noticed
No, never noticed
You're so amazing
So amazing
I've never said it
No, never said
You're suffocating
Suffocating
I'm never noticed
No, never noticed
Your beauty's fading
It's F-f-fading

Fred Durst Video Interview

While I'm not the biggest Fred Durst fan in the world, I found this video somewhat hilarious. Check it out here. (Windows Media Player link).

Audioslave Itching To Debut New Tunes

This post is dedicated to regular Lonely Note visitor, Joey K:

With the track listing nearly finalized for its May 24 Interscope/Epic release "Out of Exile," Audioslave hits the road tomorrow (April 14)in Las Vegas for a 19-date North American tour. Guitarist Tom Morello hints that aside from new material, fans may be treated to a few gems from band members' erstwhile outfits Rage Against The Machine and Soundgarden.

Written last spring and summer and recorded last fall and winter, "Out of Exile" represents a wholesale change for Morello, who decided against his normal recording modus operandi of walking into the studio with "20 great riffs." Instead, he relied on spontaneity and eliminated self-censorship when recording his guitar parts.

Ted's Song of the Week - 04/13/05

Black and White Town
The Doves
Some Cities

The Manchester trio known as the Doves have done it again with a style all their own. "Black and White Town" has the catchiness of a favorite jingle and the intensity of a jackhammer as it bangs its way into your head. I especially enjoy the duality of piano and drums in this tune. This looks to be the Doves' finest work, so add it to your library ASAP.

Lyrics:

Here comes the action
Here it comes at last
Lord give me a reaction
Lord give me a chance
You should follow me down
In satellite town
There's no colour and no sound
I'll be ten feet under ground
Gotta get out this black and white town

Here comes some action
Put sound in my life
Gotta get out to get compensation
Gotta get out to get this to play

Well, leave me alone
Boy, you try to find your way in this world
You better make sure you don't
Crack your head on that pavement now
My god this is sick
It's been plaguing me now
This is a dangerous place now
This is a dangerous place

You should follow me down
In satellite town
There's no colour and no sound
I'll be ten feet under ground
This black and white town

New Band: 22-20s

On XM's Album Liberation on channel 47, the featured band this week is the 22-20s from England. While their album isn't new, with its true release back in the fall, they are gaining increased notoriety here in the states.

The song I heard was entitled "22 Days," and although it didn't really do much, in my mind at least, to separate itself from the current slew of garage-punk-revival bands, it was still good; a somewhat paradoxial statement I realize.

In any event, if you are bored and looking for some new music to buy, steal or try-before-you-buy, you may be interested in them enough to check them out.

Pete Doherty Followup: Charges Dropped

A few months ago I detailed that Pete Doherty of the Libertines had been charged with robbery and blackmail. According to BBC Radio, it appears those charges have been dropped. Keep on rocking in the free world Pete!

The Crown Prosecution Service told us they decided not to take the case to trial because they didn't have enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

In the Studio: Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode, a pioneering force in electronic rock since the early 80's, is back in the studio again for a follow-up to 2001's Exciter. Last year's extensive Remixes 81-04 collection found overseas success, and should put the band in a prime position for another hit recording. The new album, which has not yet been titled, is slated for a release date this fall.

Sevendust, Korn Working on New Material Despite Losing Guitarists to Christ, etc.

I know what you've been thinking. The Lonely Note has been looking particularly lonely lately. Occasionally, even a master literary icon like myself can be overcome with bouts of unproductivity. After an extended absence in contributions, I decided I had better get my act together; not only for the sake of all my devoted fans, but to pull my weight among my L.N. colleagues. Oh, wait. You mean you didn't notice I was gone? ...All of that aside, I wanted to update the site on a couple of news features that aren't exactly hot off the press, but were deemed to be mentionable...by me.

Back in December, Sevendust guitarist/songwriter Clint Lowery abruptly left the band mid-tour for "personal issues", and it was unclear as to whether he had any plans of returning. The band, who tour harder than pretty much anyone else in the music business, decided they owed it to their fans to finish the remainder of their scheduled shows sans-Lowery. The latest update is that the band is still working together, despite Lowery's departure. Within the last month, the band has announced that they are not only working on new material, but that are doing so with a new guitarist - Sonny Mayo of Snot fame. The two bands had been friends for some time, and after the tragic death of Snot vocalist Lynn Strait in December of 1998, Mayo went on to play with Amen and (hed)p.e. Sevendust worked with members of Snot to record the hit song "Angel's Son" for a tribute album titled Strait Up. For now, Mayo appears to be a permanent replacement for Lowery. Lowery had been the chief songwriter for many of the band's best known songs throughout the years. Although it's unfortunate to lose the musical and stage talents of Clint Lowery, fans can still expect a good show from Sonny Mayo. The band has posted new coast-to-coast tour dates, with 15 shows planned for April.

In other "guitarist departure" news, Brian 'Head' Welch shocked fans by leaving Korn to pursue his born-again Christianity. Welch, who has struggled with drug addiction, decided in February to part ways with Korn after more than a decade of working together. The remainder of the band plans to continue with new material for a September follow-up to their recent Greatest Hits album. Welch has adopted the "Jesus" look, and is planning to pursue a career in Christian music, with an album already in the works. For more information, visit the official Korn site here and definitely the new Brian Welch site, Head to Christ (and a quick shout-out to Lonely Note reader Joe K. for the original heads up on this one. thanks man).

Auf Der Maur Gets Busy On Sophomore Album

Melissa Auf Der Maur has finished writing the material that will make up her sophomore album for Capitol. After hunkering down at a family home in Cape Cod, Mass., to get ideas on tape, the artist tells Billboard.com she will spend the next "five or six weeks doing pre-production so I can be ready to record by June 1."

Pearl Jam Halfway Home On New Album

Pearl Jam is progressing on its eighth studio album in Seattle. Guitarist Mike McCready tells Billboard.com the band has "about 20-25" songs in the hopper, comprising "some ballads and some pretty harder stuff, and some Who-ish type-stuff."

In addition, McCready says Pearl Jam is approaching the project from a new angle. "How we're recording it is a first," he says. "We've been recording for awhile, and then we'll sit down and listen to the songs and then take a couple of weeks off, come back and re-record them and add stuff. We generally just go in, do some demos and record."

McCready Guitars for Chron's Benefit

Friday, April 8th, Pearl Jam guitarist Mick McCready will be leading a benefit concert at the Showbox for the Northwest chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. McCready himself has dealt with the agonizing stomach disorder since 2003.

The artist will anchor the U.F.O. tribute band Flight To Mars at the show, which will also feature Lee Rude and the Train Wrecks and Left Hand Smoke, which has played at two prior CCFA benefits in Seattle. Earlier in the day, McCready
will serve as the featured speaker at a CCFA luncheon at Seattle's Westin.

Flight to Mars, named after what McCready describes as a "rickety, old crappy ride" at the Seattle center, pays homage to British band UFO, a group that rose to fame in the mid-1970s.

Ted's Song of the Week - 04/06/2005

Stronger
Trust Company
True Parallels

Most bands worry about the sophomore slump, but Trust Company has proven there is nothing to worry about with the release of True Parallels. The album kicks off energetically with their first single, "Stronger". Clocking in at just under three minutes, Stronger is a metallic blend of thrash and melody, thus appealing to a wide range of listeners and giving this band the attention it deserves.

Lyrics:

Can you save me
Will you fail me now
It's almost over cause you've faded out, again
Will you break me
When you're holding me down
I will escape you and I'll

I'll push you closer to the ground
Cause you're the one that's going down

And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away
You're so far away
And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away, since you crawled away

Never gonna save me
You just shut me out
And now it's over cause I'm stepping out, again
Never gonna break me
Just try and hold me down
I will escape you and I'll

I'll push you closer to the ground
Cause you're the one that's going down

And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away
You're so far away
And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away, since you crawled away

You want to tear me down
You want to hold me down
You can't control me now
You cannot take me out
You cannot save me now
Because I'm stronger now

And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away
You're so far away
And I am, stronger now
Since you crawled away, since you crawled away [repeat]

You want to tear me down
You want to hold me down
You can't control me now
You cannot take me out
You cannot save me now
Because I'm stronger now

Staind New Album Due this Summer

While perusing Staind's website, I saw that a new album is coming out this summer.

Aberfeldy - Young Forever

5.0 out of 5.0

Emulating the folksy, Berkeley sound of the 1960s, Aberfeldy's "Young Forever" is the embodiment of mellow. Like the first soothing drag of a marijuana cigarette, the music on this particular disc slowly transports your soul to planes beyond the 4th and 5th dimensions; aka to another time and another place. Whimsical? Yes. Mystical? Of course. Just another album to get trippy to? Not so much. This Aberfeldy masterpiece is much more than that.

A bit chamber pop heavy at times, cheap keyboard sounds serve as an appropriate back beat to the love-heavy, drug tinged lyrics on several of the tracks. The male and female harminization is quite present on many of the tracks as well, and add a sort of utopian element to the disc, as both man and woman work seamlessly together to create brilliant and beautiful sounds. Additionally, "Young Forever" is full of experimentation all throughout, indicated by the use of alien voices and spacey synth-pop keyboard ditties.

Make love, not war seems to be the overall thesis of this record. Saturated with total positivity, "Young Forever" possesses the power to lift even the biggest Grinch into a pleasant mood. Simply, this is an ultimate feel good-album whose purpose serves as a breath of fresh air to those increasingly inundated by news of dying Popes, questionable wars and a recent slew of natural disasters. Genuinely good natured, "Young Forever" is an audio commune of sorts--the 2000s version of 1960s Vermont.

Some notable tracks include:

01 A Friend Like You, 03 Love is an Arrow, 10 Heliopolis by Night