Wow, got an app so I can post from my phone. Let's bring back With Teeth Exposed!
Today's Playlist:
Try Me = Self Defense Family
Blissfucker = Trap Them
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Monday, January 28, 2013
music of the year: 2012
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to top my music purchases of
2010; I had acquired close to 70 albums that year. It was a perfect storm of
great sales, great releases from bands I know and a flood of great music from
bands I’d recently discovered. I even wrote in my opening that the amount of
albums I bought in 2010 doubled any of the previous years.
So like every year the way I present the albums, of said
year, have changed…a bit. Similar to
2010 where I did a straight forward numerical list and still keeping with the
tradition of listing a few greats from previous years, that will all be the
same but, everything will be drastically shorter. So, I present to you the top
12 of 2012 and a couple honorable mentions. Enjoy.
12. Murder by Death – “Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon”
Great album, I even just listened to it today with my wife
but, I got the album so close to my cutoff on doing these lists that I really
didn’t have the time to fully appreciate it. I’m sure it will be on next years
Top Albums not from 2013 list.
11. Lamb of God – “Resolution”
This was my first metal album of 2012 and my first Lamb of
God album since Ashes of the Wake.
Resolution was a great way to start out the year and rekindle a love for
a band I thought was lost to me.
10. Between The Buried And Me – “The Parallax II: Future
Sequence"
I always love Between the Buried and Me and I’m always
excited for their new albums to come out. But, sometimes their albums take time
for me to fully absorb which is not a bad thing; it’s actually a quality that
makes for some of favorite albums of all-time. Look for this one to creep into
a musical list of mine in the future.
9. Grizzle Bear – “Shields”
An album mixed with tracks I immediately fell in love with
and tracks I’ll full in love with down the road Shields is the perfect mix of
Grizzle Bear's Veckatimest that I devoured from the beginning and Yellow House
which I savored over a long period.
8. High on Fire – “De Vermis Mysteriis”
It was a long road without some new
metal from the time Resolution dropped until April when High on Fire came to
save me. This is one of those albums I’ll put away and forget, like a fool, and
then one day play it and remember how truly great De Vermis Mysteriis is. I
know this album will grow with me over the years and like all the albums I hold
in high regard change and hold different meaning at different times in my life.
I look forward to rediscovering this album again and again.
7. Converge – “All We Love We Leave Behind”
I’ve always liked Converge but this is the album that made
me love them, and now those previous Converge albums have a whole new meaning
to me now. It was a fluke I even picked up this album considering I was looking
for The Parallax II (Number 10 on the list) but I’m so thankful I stumbled
across it. This is simple a powerhouse of a hardcore album and shows a band
growing and expanding with the miles they’ve worn not the other way around.
6. Rise and Fall – “Faith”
Faith is the first album on this list from a band that I’ve
never talk about before. I discovered Rise and Fall off Deathwish Inc. and
instantly wanted their album. A raw hardcore experience that kept me going
through some long training runs, Faith was on a constant loop this summer. But,
it was months later when I heard the song Escapism and it felt like my first
time hearing it, I knew then that Faith wasn’t an album I’d forget or simple
remember for the one or two heavy songs on a workout mix but truly an album
that would stand the test of time.
5. mewithoutYou – “Ten Stories”
It’s beautiful and a rare thing in modern music to grow
along side the bands we love. Comparing mewithoutYou’s first album A to B: Life
along side their latest album Ten Songs would be almost impossible without
placing the three albums in-between navigating where they started to where
they’re at. Ten Stories tells the tail of a 19-century traveling circus crashing
in the hills of Montana
and all the intertwining folly and fancy that takes place. Over the tens years
of creating music mewithoutYou’s lyrics have grown from literal depictions of
life to imaginative folk tails that still manage to create as much gravitas as
any of their earlier works.
4. The Chariot – "One Wing”
Not very often can a band catch lightning in a bottle, so to
speak, with me from album to album. When a band releases an album that
completely engulfs me like The Chariot did with Long Live the follow up has to
contend with regular expectations along side the mammoth expectations of their
predecessor which most often doesn’t end well. But, One Wing holds it’s own
against Long Live and comes away a unique piece of music blending melodic yet
gritty tracks like Speak, thought provoking moments in Cheek and even pushing
the boundaries of how a song should be presented in First.
3. Every Time I Die – “Ex Lives”
I dig anything new by Every Time I Die and although I wasn’t
the biggest fan of their previous two efforts, The Big Dirty and New Junk
Aesthetic, I was excited for Ex Lives.
And all of my excitement paid off from the opening track all the way
through to the closing track. Ex Lives has all the ingredients that make a
great Every Time I Die album from the blistering dueling guitars, thought
provoking lyrics, and song structures equally melodic as they are maniacal making
such a beautifully thunderous noise. I love every minute of this album and love
that an Every Time I Die album is being played as much as Last Night in Town,
Hot Damn and Gutter Phenomenon.
2. Deftones – “Koi No Yokan”
Just like with The Chariots One Wing I was a bit nervous
when I first listened to Koi No Yokan after the Deftones completely knocked it
out of the park with their previous album Diamond Eyes. But, once again, I was pleasantly
proven wrong. Diamond Eyes is often compared to the Deftones second album
Around the Fur and I would dare compare Koi No Yokan to their third release
White Pony. Both albums are melodic and heavy and both albums show the band
growing together and exploring what they can do musically yet keeping pure what
the Deftones do great. And similarly to White Pony this new album, Koi No
Yokan, will age well. But, I don’t mean
to simple say that Koi No Yokan is a rehash of White Pony just as much as
Diamond Eyes wasn’t a rehash of Around the Fur. It’s just refreshing to see a
band release a seventh album and ignite a passion as hot and fresh as the music
they where releasing more than a decade ago.
1. Baroness – “Yellow and Green”
I was a bit late to the Baroness party and it was really
hard to pick a number one album for 2012 with a Deftones album in the mix. I
finally had to figure it out by the amount of plays for each album in my iPod.
And, Baroness’ Yellow and Green (double album) destroyed albums from summer even though I
bought Yellow and Green in November. I think Yellow and Green was the right
Baroness album to discover at the right time. They where often put into my
amazon.com list because of bands like Mastodon but I never really gave them a
look until now and, I’m thankful I did. Yellow and Green is a double album full
of heavy rock songs wavering from smooth melodies and layers of metal and even
stripped down rock. Yellow and Green has me belting lyrics like “Take me too a
lazy Sunday morning,” rocking out to Take My Bones Away and felling
introspective with Twinkler and that’s just Yellow. Another big bonus is Green,
after I’ve exhausted Yellow I have another masterpiece waiting for me and after
a few weeks off I’ve begun scratching the surface.
Honorable Mentions of 2012
Motorhead – “The World is Ours Volume 2: Anyplace Crazy as
Anywhere Else"
What can I say, it's Motorhead, they're live and they play Rock'n Roll...loud.
Mumford and Sons – “Babel”
Got this album way to close to my cut-off and couldn't give it a fare shack. Look for this one, definitely, next year.
Over the past few years I've notice that I've delved into musical history and plucked out a band to fall in love with. Even though I may know their popular work I take it many steps further and really become a fan. In 2010 the band was Motorhead, last year it was The Talking and Heads and this year it's Thin Lizzy. Which leads us into...
Music of the year not from 2012
3. Fucked Up – “David Comes To Life”
2. Voodoo Glow Skulls – “Southern California Street Music”
and no surprise if you've read the previous paragraph...
1. Thin Lizzy – “Vagabonds Of The Western World”
This year of music could simply be summed up as a year of
discovery and future discovery.
Considering the amount of albums I know I’ll pick back up in the future
I’m confident I’ll be writing, sharing and recommending these albums far in to
the future. Like I stated previously, some of my favorite albums aren’t ones I
love right off the bat but sometimes are albums that take longer to uncover all
the little moments that truly make up a great musical work. What ever 2012
lacked in numbers it more than made up for in quality.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Music for the Masses: 0003
My lovely wife and I were at the mall, that wretched place, for a bit today and I remembered that F.Y.E. was having a used media sale. I saw this a couple weeks back when I picked up The Chariot's One Wing but I digress. So, I mentioned this to my wife and being a huge music person too we decided to swing by and see if there where any good CD's to pick up and, oh where there. I piked up Shadows Fall Threads of Life and Motorheads Snake Bite Love, just a couple of great bands to fill the holes in my collection. I also picked up RZA's Bobby Digital which I remember coming out when I was a senior in high school. There was a lot of great hip/hop coming out in that time and I always regretted pacing this one up but, now I have it. I also pick up a CD from a band my partner at Side Quest Comic turned me on too.
It's a rare and splendid treat when someone introduces me to new music. The bands called the Meat Heads and they're an old-school punk/alternative band. My friends and I where up north canoeing over summer and we needed some tunes but we all had iPods and no one had a way to hook them to a busted-old stereo so, we had to resort to actual Cd's. I love physical media but I don't carry it with me anymore. But, my comic brethren did and had a Meat Heads CD (in my drunken state I don't remember the title) but I dug what I was hearing and when I saw one of their albums today I had to pick it up. I added Meat Heads No Joke! to my CD stack.
Side Bar: The thrift stores, Sal, and Goodwill are going to be on my radar a bit more when looking for some music scores. I picked up Voodoo Glow Skulls South California Street Music a few weeks back and it is a great ska album by a fantastic band. I haven't picked up one of their albums since Firme and it's great to hear that they haven't let up in the twelve years since then.
Oh, yeah...I'm back!
It's a rare and splendid treat when someone introduces me to new music. The bands called the Meat Heads and they're an old-school punk/alternative band. My friends and I where up north canoeing over summer and we needed some tunes but we all had iPods and no one had a way to hook them to a busted-old stereo so, we had to resort to actual Cd's. I love physical media but I don't carry it with me anymore. But, my comic brethren did and had a Meat Heads CD (in my drunken state I don't remember the title) but I dug what I was hearing and when I saw one of their albums today I had to pick it up. I added Meat Heads No Joke! to my CD stack.
Side Bar: The thrift stores, Sal, and Goodwill are going to be on my radar a bit more when looking for some music scores. I picked up Voodoo Glow Skulls South California Street Music a few weeks back and it is a great ska album by a fantastic band. I haven't picked up one of their albums since Firme and it's great to hear that they haven't let up in the twelve years since then.
Oh, yeah...I'm back!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
music of the year 2010 part 2 of 2
Lets get to the music.
Albums 15 - 1.
15. Fucked Up “Couple Tracks”
I listened to Fucked Up’s The Chemistry of Modern Life a lot at the beginning of this year and when I found out that they released a collection of rare tracks from 7” and 12” vinyl from 2002 to 2009 I knew picking this album up was a great way to get to know the bands earlier works. This is fantastic album for new and old fans of Fucked Up. Year of the Ox EP is also a great album that came out this September.
14. Acid Tiger “Self Titled”
Another one of the bands found off Deathwise Inc., Acid Tiger, is a hardcore super group of sorts featuring members of United Nations (among other accolades). They’ve been described as a progressive rock/punk hybrid, which is true, but they are completely unique in the same breath. The seven track album has powerful and expedient rock/punk/hardcore songs but with track like Big Beat and Feel it stretch the bands progressive range while the diamond on this record is easily the nine-ish minute political and environmentally relevant Death Wave. I hope to hear more from this mash-up of talent.
13. Murder by Death “Good Morning, Magpie”
Murder by Death’s Red of Tooth and Claw ruled the roost last year when it came to a non metal or hardcore album that I played the most. Saying I was excited for their follow up would be an understatement. I’m definitely not disappointed with Good Morning Magpie but it isn’t the bands strongest effort, but it doesn’t really need to be. A solid album and even if I could skip a few tracks there is still about half the album that I love.
12. United Nations “Never Mind the Bombing, Here’s Your Six Figures”
This is the album that started my love affair with Deathwish Inc. I’ve been a huge fan of United Nations since their self titled release back in 2008 and once I found out the band was releasing a four song vinyl EP I had to find it, which led to me finding Deathwish Inc. and about six other new bands. United Nations’ Never Mind the Bombing, Here’s Your Six Figures is a gigantic work in a small package. Four powerful songs that demand to be listed to multiple times, but that’s okay. There are only four songs and worth every listen.
11. Johnny Cash “America VI: Ain’t No Grave”
Being raised on Johnny Cash his passing was a dark day in my family. Picking up some of the American recordings at the beginning of this year was a sad moment knowing I was completing the last of the work from the man in black. Then when Valentines Day came and my awesome girlfriend preordered America VI for me it was a very bitter sweet moment. A fantastic moment of new Cash but the final blow of knowing that this album was truly Johnny Cash’s last new work. A haunting album that is hard to listen to because of the lingering weight of his passing yet equally poetic and magical. Country Album of the Year.
10. High on Fire “Snakes of the Divine”
Three years after Death is This Communion the fiery three-piece from Oakland California create an album that can transport you to the early days of metal and still trample new ground. In the times of what ever trending genre mash-up it’s nice to see a real metal band kick as much ass as these guys.
09. The Roots “How I Got Over”
The greatest band in late night returns to form with a hip-hop masterpiece. Critically hailed as the groups best work too date How I Got Over feels like the closing of one chapter and a new chapter beginning for The Roots. To me Things Fall Apart is still the greatest Roots album but How I Got Over is right on it’s tail. Hip-Hop Album of the Year.
08. End of a Year “You are Beneath Me”
Once again a band off Deathwish Inc. enters the countdown. End of a Year is one of those amazing bands that break every mold and label. Being able to blend in with punk and hardcore and still stand out like a flashlight in a dark room End of a Year are truly a monster of their own creation. Just listen to them. Any more descriptions by me will ruin their good name more than I’ve already done.
07. Coliseum “House with a Curse”
If High on Fire brings thrash, doom and stoner metal to an era not representing those styles then the same can be said for what Coliseum does for puck and hardcore. The raw feeling of recording an album live and with art and breath has been lost on this age of Pro Tools. It’s great to still hear a band plug in and lay down raw aggressive yet polished work that will sound just as good live as it does in your car.
06. The Chariot “Long Live”
We call them The Chariot. The Chariot bring a flavor and an experience all their own to their work and to the stage. From the cover art to the liner notes and even taking the CD out the images of The Chariot live feel like and experience of not-so organized chaos yet there is a beauty to the madness. Long Live is the album that all future Chariot albums will be judge against.
05. The Dillinger Escape Plan “Option Paralysis”
The Dillinger Escape Plan has always amazed me how they could switch from machine gun fire guitar assaults to ambient and melodic moments of grace. From the opening of the album with Farewell, Mona Lisa’s punishing the listeners as well as the band and then Widower growing the range of this unique hardcore juggernaut. Their best work to date. Album art of the year. Special die cut flaps overlapping take you on a journey to the album just like the album itself. One of the many reason physical art is still better than digital media…at least to me. Album art of the Year.
04. Daughters “Daughters”
The best way to describe Daughters is: manic and melody. It is rare a band can make something sounds so frantic on the surface and hid melody beneath it. Sound as if everyone is playing something different yet blending together perfectly. It’s like a great chef tasting a dish as a whole and still being able to pick out the ingredients. Daughter is still a young band releasing only their third full length album and with some lineup changes I hope they come back soon.
03. The Black Keys “Brothers”
It’s been six years since discovering The Black Keys one night trolling the onDemand music video selection. Six years since watching 10 A.M. Automatic off the Rubber Factory album. Brothers feels much like a collection of tracks (well, that’s obviously what an album is) and less like an album going into one direction, sound or idea. It is safe to say that a long time fan of the Black Keys will find portions of this album that sound similar to their previous works plus new sounds that the two piece have yet to previously make. It’s a bit bitter sweet knowing that this is the album that thrust the Black Keys into mainstream stardom and knowing that some uptight yuppie can add some cherry picked collection of Keys tracks to their 2010 jams mix. But, what ever. Brothers is a fantastic album and should be enjoyed by old and new fans alike.
02. Norma Jean “Meridional”
Winning the album of the year award (from me) in 2008 Norma Jeans vs. the Anti Mother was an epic effort from the band while redefining the bands sound without losing anything that makes Norma Jean the aggressive band of a generation. I was excited for their follow-up Meridional but a bit worried that it would fall flat for some reason. I was proven completely wrong. Meridional takes what was laid down with vs. the Anti Mother and pushes further. Leaving behind the guest appearances that were prominent (although fantastic) on Anti Mother Norma Jean is the focus of this album and again create a long lasting piece of art and their next greatest album. Metal Album of the Year.
01. Deftones “Diamond Eyes”
It’s no lie that the Deftones is my favorite band so it might be easy to assume that I would naturally give them the number one spot automatically. If you think that; you’re wrong. The Deftones self titled fourth album and the follow-up Saturday Night Wrist were slouch albums by no means but they definitely showed a band lost between the old and a new direction. Turning into a band where each member would record their own parts to the puzzle without any real cohesion the Deftones probably wouldn’t have lasted too much longer. Then with the tragic accident of bass player Chi the likelihood of the band seems even bleaker. Yet the band persevered and shelved their completed sixed album Eros in respect for their friend, band mate and brother Chi and recorded a completely new album. I don’t know if it was the shared tragedy of Chi bringing the band back together and tighter than ever or just the natural progression of their style but Diamond Eyes is the bands best work since Around the Fur. Diamond Eyes has a way of transporting the old fans back to the era of Adrenaline and Around the Fur and also to new unexplored areas. The band hasn’t been this tight and energetic in years and I hope they keep it up and Chi recovers soon. Seeing these guys perform live in Grand Rapids at the Orbit Room and sharing that moment with my lovely fiancée, who got us the tickets, was easily one of my greatest concert experiences. Album of the Year.
Albums 15 - 1.
15. Fucked Up “Couple Tracks”
I listened to Fucked Up’s The Chemistry of Modern Life a lot at the beginning of this year and when I found out that they released a collection of rare tracks from 7” and 12” vinyl from 2002 to 2009 I knew picking this album up was a great way to get to know the bands earlier works. This is fantastic album for new and old fans of Fucked Up. Year of the Ox EP is also a great album that came out this September.
14. Acid Tiger “Self Titled”
Another one of the bands found off Deathwise Inc., Acid Tiger, is a hardcore super group of sorts featuring members of United Nations (among other accolades). They’ve been described as a progressive rock/punk hybrid, which is true, but they are completely unique in the same breath. The seven track album has powerful and expedient rock/punk/hardcore songs but with track like Big Beat and Feel it stretch the bands progressive range while the diamond on this record is easily the nine-ish minute political and environmentally relevant Death Wave. I hope to hear more from this mash-up of talent.
13. Murder by Death “Good Morning, Magpie”
Murder by Death’s Red of Tooth and Claw ruled the roost last year when it came to a non metal or hardcore album that I played the most. Saying I was excited for their follow up would be an understatement. I’m definitely not disappointed with Good Morning Magpie but it isn’t the bands strongest effort, but it doesn’t really need to be. A solid album and even if I could skip a few tracks there is still about half the album that I love.
12. United Nations “Never Mind the Bombing, Here’s Your Six Figures”
This is the album that started my love affair with Deathwish Inc. I’ve been a huge fan of United Nations since their self titled release back in 2008 and once I found out the band was releasing a four song vinyl EP I had to find it, which led to me finding Deathwish Inc. and about six other new bands. United Nations’ Never Mind the Bombing, Here’s Your Six Figures is a gigantic work in a small package. Four powerful songs that demand to be listed to multiple times, but that’s okay. There are only four songs and worth every listen.
11. Johnny Cash “America VI: Ain’t No Grave”
Being raised on Johnny Cash his passing was a dark day in my family. Picking up some of the American recordings at the beginning of this year was a sad moment knowing I was completing the last of the work from the man in black. Then when Valentines Day came and my awesome girlfriend preordered America VI for me it was a very bitter sweet moment. A fantastic moment of new Cash but the final blow of knowing that this album was truly Johnny Cash’s last new work. A haunting album that is hard to listen to because of the lingering weight of his passing yet equally poetic and magical. Country Album of the Year.
10. High on Fire “Snakes of the Divine”
Three years after Death is This Communion the fiery three-piece from Oakland California create an album that can transport you to the early days of metal and still trample new ground. In the times of what ever trending genre mash-up it’s nice to see a real metal band kick as much ass as these guys.
09. The Roots “How I Got Over”
The greatest band in late night returns to form with a hip-hop masterpiece. Critically hailed as the groups best work too date How I Got Over feels like the closing of one chapter and a new chapter beginning for The Roots. To me Things Fall Apart is still the greatest Roots album but How I Got Over is right on it’s tail. Hip-Hop Album of the Year.
08. End of a Year “You are Beneath Me”
Once again a band off Deathwish Inc. enters the countdown. End of a Year is one of those amazing bands that break every mold and label. Being able to blend in with punk and hardcore and still stand out like a flashlight in a dark room End of a Year are truly a monster of their own creation. Just listen to them. Any more descriptions by me will ruin their good name more than I’ve already done.
07. Coliseum “House with a Curse”
If High on Fire brings thrash, doom and stoner metal to an era not representing those styles then the same can be said for what Coliseum does for puck and hardcore. The raw feeling of recording an album live and with art and breath has been lost on this age of Pro Tools. It’s great to still hear a band plug in and lay down raw aggressive yet polished work that will sound just as good live as it does in your car.
06. The Chariot “Long Live”
We call them The Chariot. The Chariot bring a flavor and an experience all their own to their work and to the stage. From the cover art to the liner notes and even taking the CD out the images of The Chariot live feel like and experience of not-so organized chaos yet there is a beauty to the madness. Long Live is the album that all future Chariot albums will be judge against.
05. The Dillinger Escape Plan “Option Paralysis”
The Dillinger Escape Plan has always amazed me how they could switch from machine gun fire guitar assaults to ambient and melodic moments of grace. From the opening of the album with Farewell, Mona Lisa’s punishing the listeners as well as the band and then Widower growing the range of this unique hardcore juggernaut. Their best work to date. Album art of the year. Special die cut flaps overlapping take you on a journey to the album just like the album itself. One of the many reason physical art is still better than digital media…at least to me. Album art of the Year.
04. Daughters “Daughters”
The best way to describe Daughters is: manic and melody. It is rare a band can make something sounds so frantic on the surface and hid melody beneath it. Sound as if everyone is playing something different yet blending together perfectly. It’s like a great chef tasting a dish as a whole and still being able to pick out the ingredients. Daughter is still a young band releasing only their third full length album and with some lineup changes I hope they come back soon.
03. The Black Keys “Brothers”
It’s been six years since discovering The Black Keys one night trolling the onDemand music video selection. Six years since watching 10 A.M. Automatic off the Rubber Factory album. Brothers feels much like a collection of tracks (well, that’s obviously what an album is) and less like an album going into one direction, sound or idea. It is safe to say that a long time fan of the Black Keys will find portions of this album that sound similar to their previous works plus new sounds that the two piece have yet to previously make. It’s a bit bitter sweet knowing that this is the album that thrust the Black Keys into mainstream stardom and knowing that some uptight yuppie can add some cherry picked collection of Keys tracks to their 2010 jams mix. But, what ever. Brothers is a fantastic album and should be enjoyed by old and new fans alike.
02. Norma Jean “Meridional”
Winning the album of the year award (from me) in 2008 Norma Jeans vs. the Anti Mother was an epic effort from the band while redefining the bands sound without losing anything that makes Norma Jean the aggressive band of a generation. I was excited for their follow-up Meridional but a bit worried that it would fall flat for some reason. I was proven completely wrong. Meridional takes what was laid down with vs. the Anti Mother and pushes further. Leaving behind the guest appearances that were prominent (although fantastic) on Anti Mother Norma Jean is the focus of this album and again create a long lasting piece of art and their next greatest album. Metal Album of the Year.
01. Deftones “Diamond Eyes”
It’s no lie that the Deftones is my favorite band so it might be easy to assume that I would naturally give them the number one spot automatically. If you think that; you’re wrong. The Deftones self titled fourth album and the follow-up Saturday Night Wrist were slouch albums by no means but they definitely showed a band lost between the old and a new direction. Turning into a band where each member would record their own parts to the puzzle without any real cohesion the Deftones probably wouldn’t have lasted too much longer. Then with the tragic accident of bass player Chi the likelihood of the band seems even bleaker. Yet the band persevered and shelved their completed sixed album Eros in respect for their friend, band mate and brother Chi and recorded a completely new album. I don’t know if it was the shared tragedy of Chi bringing the band back together and tighter than ever or just the natural progression of their style but Diamond Eyes is the bands best work since Around the Fur. Diamond Eyes has a way of transporting the old fans back to the era of Adrenaline and Around the Fur and also to new unexplored areas. The band hasn’t been this tight and energetic in years and I hope they keep it up and Chi recovers soon. Seeing these guys perform live in Grand Rapids at the Orbit Room and sharing that moment with my lovely fiancée, who got us the tickets, was easily one of my greatest concert experiences. Album of the Year.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
music of the year 2010 part 1 of 2
Now in it's third year and a tradition I look forward too, my favorite music list. If you've been following my previous music of the year awards I've changed things from 2008 to 2009 and this year is no exception.
Will the two previous years awards shared a similar format this year I'm completely reinventing my list and going with a straight forward top 20 list format. I think the new format will be easier to read and a bit more traditional. Although I kinda think lists are a bit ridiculous because how can you really quantify the difference between a 6 and a 5. But, I'm going for it anyway. I really like this new format and hope everyone reading does too.
So here is the list format. There are two lists. The first list is a straight forward list of 10 albums I liked that weren't released in 2010 and that is in no particular order. Just 10 albums I dug.
The second list is a top 20 list of my favorite albums of 2010 that were all released in 2010. And for the very few that have read my lists before you'll see a few familiar awards pop up.
I hop you enjoy part one of my favorite music of 2010.
I purchased close to 70 albums this year, doubling any previous year, let get started.
Top 10 not from 2010
01. Darkest Hour “The Eternal Return”
02. Danzig III “How the Gods Kill” Rediscovered Album of the Year
03. Horse the Band “Desperate Living”
04. Obits “I Blame You”
05. El Michels Affair “Enter the 37th Chamber”
06. Dr. Dooom “Dr. Dooom 2”
07. Blakroc “Blakroc”
08. Fucked Up “The Chemistry of Common Life”
09. Motorhead “Ace of Spades”
10. Mariachi El Bronx “El Bronx”
Here is the first part of my two part list of top 20 album of 2010. 20-16
20. Against Me! “White Crosses”
Easily the bands most mainstream and polished albums to date and although some punk and hardcore grit is polished off, from start to finish this album is chalk full of poetry, life and puck rock anthems.
19. Bleeding Through “Bleeding Through”
I listened to Bleeding Through's previous album Declaration a lot at the beginning of the year and was pumped for the bands next effort. Their self titled release is great and the band is doing what they do best I just wish I could have gotten into this album a bit more than I did. Still a great listen.
18. The Bled “Heat Fetish”
Anything new by The Bled is great. Having gone through quite a few line up changes in the past few years it's fantastic to see this band persevere and create new material. A great album but it kinda got lost in everything else that came out this year. There is still a "Pass the Flask" or "Found in the Flood" or even better left in this band. I hope to hear more from them in the future.
17. Wu Massacre “Wu Massacre”
It's been quite a few years since the Wu ruled the hip hop scene but the Wu hasn't come close to falling off. Although not their finest work Wu Massacre is a solid effort from Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon and a great addition to the work put out in the past couple years by the Wu alumni.
16. Carpathian “Wanderlust”
My first album from Deathwish Inc. but definitely not the only band representing that label on this list year. It can be said that Deathwish hosts a lot of bands I listed to this year. Hailed as a stand alone work and not just an EP place holder between albums Carpathian's Wanderlust EP was a great introduction to dark, melodic and crushing hardcore band that I will following now for a long time and I think you all should too.
Will the two previous years awards shared a similar format this year I'm completely reinventing my list and going with a straight forward top 20 list format. I think the new format will be easier to read and a bit more traditional. Although I kinda think lists are a bit ridiculous because how can you really quantify the difference between a 6 and a 5. But, I'm going for it anyway. I really like this new format and hope everyone reading does too.
So here is the list format. There are two lists. The first list is a straight forward list of 10 albums I liked that weren't released in 2010 and that is in no particular order. Just 10 albums I dug.
The second list is a top 20 list of my favorite albums of 2010 that were all released in 2010. And for the very few that have read my lists before you'll see a few familiar awards pop up.
I hop you enjoy part one of my favorite music of 2010.
I purchased close to 70 albums this year, doubling any previous year, let get started.
Top 10 not from 2010
01. Darkest Hour “The Eternal Return”
02. Danzig III “How the Gods Kill” Rediscovered Album of the Year
03. Horse the Band “Desperate Living”
04. Obits “I Blame You”
05. El Michels Affair “Enter the 37th Chamber”
06. Dr. Dooom “Dr. Dooom 2”
07. Blakroc “Blakroc”
08. Fucked Up “The Chemistry of Common Life”
09. Motorhead “Ace of Spades”
10. Mariachi El Bronx “El Bronx”
Here is the first part of my two part list of top 20 album of 2010. 20-16
20. Against Me! “White Crosses”
Easily the bands most mainstream and polished albums to date and although some punk and hardcore grit is polished off, from start to finish this album is chalk full of poetry, life and puck rock anthems.
19. Bleeding Through “Bleeding Through”
I listened to Bleeding Through's previous album Declaration a lot at the beginning of the year and was pumped for the bands next effort. Their self titled release is great and the band is doing what they do best I just wish I could have gotten into this album a bit more than I did. Still a great listen.
18. The Bled “Heat Fetish”
Anything new by The Bled is great. Having gone through quite a few line up changes in the past few years it's fantastic to see this band persevere and create new material. A great album but it kinda got lost in everything else that came out this year. There is still a "Pass the Flask" or "Found in the Flood" or even better left in this band. I hope to hear more from them in the future.
17. Wu Massacre “Wu Massacre”
It's been quite a few years since the Wu ruled the hip hop scene but the Wu hasn't come close to falling off. Although not their finest work Wu Massacre is a solid effort from Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon and a great addition to the work put out in the past couple years by the Wu alumni.
16. Carpathian “Wanderlust”
My first album from Deathwish Inc. but definitely not the only band representing that label on this list year. It can be said that Deathwish hosts a lot of bands I listed to this year. Hailed as a stand alone work and not just an EP place holder between albums Carpathian's Wanderlust EP was a great introduction to dark, melodic and crushing hardcore band that I will following now for a long time and I think you all should too.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
music of the year awards '09
While watching Headbangers Ball I thought it was fitting to finally blog/post my albums of 2009. I usually stop buying music around early December to make the Holiday shopping easier but this year I did have a few albums sneak in more towards mid-December, and they are all welcome. So, lets start the close of 2009 with my album picks of the year.
If you have read last years blog/post you'll notice I kept some of the same format but them added some stuff and subtracted some stuff. I may be moving towards a perfect award system or it just may be the year that determines the final list. As last year I don't really talk about each album, I know I should, I will make it a point, time permitting to talk more on each category. But, if you have any questions or want a response feel free to post a reply. Anyway, lets do this.
Music Awards 2009
Sponsored by With Teeth Exposed
This list was compiled from 47 albums purchased or downloaded legally.
Metal/Hardcore Album of the Year
Mastodon “Crack the Skye”
Honorable Mention
The Chariot “Wars and Rumors of Wars”
The Black Dahlia Murder “Deflorate”
Between the Buried and Me “The Great Misdirect”
Rock/Alternative Album of the Year
Murder by Death “Red of Tooth and Claw”
Honorable Mentions
Yeah Yeah Yeahs “It’s Blitz!”
mewithoutYou “It’s All Crazy!, It’s All False!, It’s All A Dream!, It’s Alright!”
Rise Againts “Appeal to Reason”
Folk/Country Album of the Year
Star Anna “Crooked Path”
Honorable Mentions
The Avett Brothers “I And Love And You”
Hip Hop/Rap Album of the Year
The Roots “Rising Down”
New Artist (too me) Album of the Year
Grizzly Bear “Veckatimest”
Honorable Mentions
Okkervil River “The Stage Names / The Stand Ins” (Two Albums)
Grizzly Bear “Yellow House”
Rediscovered Album of the Year
Mastodon “Leviathan”
My brother introduced me to Mastodon in early 2000 right before we left for a Poison the Well show. It was a few year later that I moved away from burned copies or mix cd's with their music and bought their Blood Mountain release and then Remission. Once I got Crack the Skye right when it dropped and loved it I knew I had to complete the collection and get Leviathan. Having their new release plus rediscovering music my bro introduced to me and I fell in love a few years back was the perfect combination that kept Mastodon almost constantly played this year.
Honorable Mention
Ghostface Killah “Ironman”
Most Played Track of the Year
(tie)
Bowie Poison the Well “II/III”
Ghostrider Rollins Band “The Crow”
Album Art of the Year
(tie)
The Chariot “Wars and Rumors of Wars”
Hand printed and numbered, you can 't beat that innovation and craftsmanship and DIY attitude that's been the backbone for hardcore music and what keeps the love for it strong.
The Black Dahlia Murder “Deflorate”
A new album with a metal cover that could hold strong when metal covers were at their best when albums were still on vinyl and the thirteen year old boy that just discovered metal would just stare at the cover while listing to the album. I sat in the Best Buy lot for a good moment just admiring this cover.
Album of the Year
Poison the Well “Tropic Rot”
Honorable Mentions
Mastodon “Crack the Skye”
Murder by Death “Red of Tooth and Claw”
Poison the Well is one of my all-time favorite groups, a title only shared with the Deftones. And as exciting is having one of my favorites putting out some new work and being almost certain it was a shoe-in of my album of the year there is also a lot of room for disappointment. Not because of the work but because of the anticipation and hype placed of the new album. But, Poison the Well delivered and not only meet my crazy notions but blow them away. They are my number one album, if that means anything, not because of my love for the band but because they put out a great album, one that will be listened too and loved like new and old down the road.
Metal of 2009
There were five metal albums nominated or won my silly awards this year.
Mastodon “Crack the Skye”
Poison the Well “Tropic Rot”
The Chariot “Wars and Rumors of Wars”
The Black Dahlia Murder “Deflorate”
Between the Buried and Me “The Great Misdirect”
2009 was a great year for metal. Here are ten albums that should be honored. The other ten, in no real order, metal or hardcore albums that should be listened too, bought and worshiped.
1. Zao “Awake”
2. Dethklok “Dethalbum II”
3. Job for a Cowboy “Ruination”
4. Gwar “Lust in Space”
5. Every Time I Die “New Junk Aesthetic”
6. Despised Icon “Day of Mourning”
7. Bury Your Dead “It’s Nothing Personal”
8. Behemoth “Evangelion”
9. Austrian Death Machine “Double Brutal”
10. The Banner “Frailty”
If you have read last years blog/post you'll notice I kept some of the same format but them added some stuff and subtracted some stuff. I may be moving towards a perfect award system or it just may be the year that determines the final list. As last year I don't really talk about each album, I know I should, I will make it a point, time permitting to talk more on each category. But, if you have any questions or want a response feel free to post a reply. Anyway, lets do this.
Music Awards 2009
Sponsored by With Teeth Exposed
This list was compiled from 47 albums purchased or downloaded legally.
Metal/Hardcore Album of the Year
Mastodon “Crack the Skye”
Honorable Mention
The Chariot “Wars and Rumors of Wars”
The Black Dahlia Murder “Deflorate”
Between the Buried and Me “The Great Misdirect”
Rock/Alternative Album of the Year
Murder by Death “Red of Tooth and Claw”
Honorable Mentions
Yeah Yeah Yeahs “It’s Blitz!”
mewithoutYou “It’s All Crazy!, It’s All False!, It’s All A Dream!, It’s Alright!”
Rise Againts “Appeal to Reason”
Folk/Country Album of the Year
Star Anna “Crooked Path”
Honorable Mentions
The Avett Brothers “I And Love And You”
Hip Hop/Rap Album of the Year
The Roots “Rising Down”
New Artist (too me) Album of the Year
Grizzly Bear “Veckatimest”
Honorable Mentions
Okkervil River “The Stage Names / The Stand Ins” (Two Albums)
Grizzly Bear “Yellow House”
Rediscovered Album of the Year
Mastodon “Leviathan”
My brother introduced me to Mastodon in early 2000 right before we left for a Poison the Well show. It was a few year later that I moved away from burned copies or mix cd's with their music and bought their Blood Mountain release and then Remission. Once I got Crack the Skye right when it dropped and loved it I knew I had to complete the collection and get Leviathan. Having their new release plus rediscovering music my bro introduced to me and I fell in love a few years back was the perfect combination that kept Mastodon almost constantly played this year.
Honorable Mention
Ghostface Killah “Ironman”
Most Played Track of the Year
(tie)
Bowie Poison the Well “II/III”
Ghostrider Rollins Band “The Crow”
Album Art of the Year
(tie)
The Chariot “Wars and Rumors of Wars”
Hand printed and numbered, you can 't beat that innovation and craftsmanship and DIY attitude that's been the backbone for hardcore music and what keeps the love for it strong.
The Black Dahlia Murder “Deflorate”
A new album with a metal cover that could hold strong when metal covers were at their best when albums were still on vinyl and the thirteen year old boy that just discovered metal would just stare at the cover while listing to the album. I sat in the Best Buy lot for a good moment just admiring this cover.
Album of the Year
Poison the Well “Tropic Rot”
Honorable Mentions
Mastodon “Crack the Skye”
Murder by Death “Red of Tooth and Claw”
Poison the Well is one of my all-time favorite groups, a title only shared with the Deftones. And as exciting is having one of my favorites putting out some new work and being almost certain it was a shoe-in of my album of the year there is also a lot of room for disappointment. Not because of the work but because of the anticipation and hype placed of the new album. But, Poison the Well delivered and not only meet my crazy notions but blow them away. They are my number one album, if that means anything, not because of my love for the band but because they put out a great album, one that will be listened too and loved like new and old down the road.
Metal of 2009
There were five metal albums nominated or won my silly awards this year.
Mastodon “Crack the Skye”
Poison the Well “Tropic Rot”
The Chariot “Wars and Rumors of Wars”
The Black Dahlia Murder “Deflorate”
Between the Buried and Me “The Great Misdirect”
2009 was a great year for metal. Here are ten albums that should be honored. The other ten, in no real order, metal or hardcore albums that should be listened too, bought and worshiped.
1. Zao “Awake”
2. Dethklok “Dethalbum II”
3. Job for a Cowboy “Ruination”
4. Gwar “Lust in Space”
5. Every Time I Die “New Junk Aesthetic”
6. Despised Icon “Day of Mourning”
7. Bury Your Dead “It’s Nothing Personal”
8. Behemoth “Evangelion”
9. Austrian Death Machine “Double Brutal”
10. The Banner “Frailty”
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
metal: the universal language
First, summer is over. Bummer. And now we can begin. I've had a love hate relationship with chain stores, Best Buy, and the way they've abandoned physical music. Actual CD's. Only stocking too few copies of good music and braking the bank on crap. And you need four rows and a kiosk of G&R's waist of ten years? Okay? Every week Pop and Hop-Hop (Love lots of Hip-Hop that's not on the radio) dribble gets prime shelve space and supply while actual good music gets barely ten copies. Now I know that everyone thinks their music selection is better than everyone else so I know this argument can be combated by a simple; uh-huh. But, I digress I could bore all with many arguments on modern music and the business but I will end here...
The real post is how of all music genres metal seems to be a universal language among people. Once you find out some is into metal, real metal not that radio-rock-friendly-crap but, real metal. A friendship is formed even if you don't agree on all your discussion topics you know you just meet someone else like you that walks among the world. I met a metal friend today and at a time when I was going to abandon all hope for the yellow tag and start a long trek to find music elsewhere which where I live would cause much headache. Even among my close friends I am alone on talking about metal and my list of metal heads is my brother who lives out of state and my wonderful girlfriends brother. So I am glad to find a new metal friend.
Metal I've grabbed of recent:
Black Dahlia Murder "Deflorate"
Bury Your Dead "Nothing Personal"
Every Time I Die "New Junk Aesthetic"
Job For A Cowboy "Ruination"
The real post is how of all music genres metal seems to be a universal language among people. Once you find out some is into metal, real metal not that radio-rock-friendly-crap but, real metal. A friendship is formed even if you don't agree on all your discussion topics you know you just meet someone else like you that walks among the world. I met a metal friend today and at a time when I was going to abandon all hope for the yellow tag and start a long trek to find music elsewhere which where I live would cause much headache. Even among my close friends I am alone on talking about metal and my list of metal heads is my brother who lives out of state and my wonderful girlfriends brother. So I am glad to find a new metal friend.
Metal I've grabbed of recent:
Black Dahlia Murder "Deflorate"
Bury Your Dead "Nothing Personal"
Every Time I Die "New Junk Aesthetic"
Job For A Cowboy "Ruination"
Friday, May 29, 2009
music for the masses: 0002 & supplies
In the celebration of my birthday over the passed week I used money and gift cards to feed the beast and snag a major amount of music over the past week or so.
- The appetizer was when I went out a grabbed:
Mastodon Leviathan
Protest the Hero Kezia
- Then from my awesome girlfriends parents:
Ray Lamontagne Trouble
- The main course was yesterday when I snagged four cd's for under $35:
Ray Lamontagne Till The Sun Turns Black
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest
Side Bar: I downloaded Grizzly Bear's Yellow House at the beginning of the year. These guys are moving closer to the top of my favorites list...if I had one that is.
Walls of Jericho Redemption
The crowning jewel one of my favorite bands:
mewithoutYou It's all crazy! It's all false! It's all a dream! It's alright
- For dessert my order from amazon came in with:
Ghostface Killah Ironman
This leads me to the rest of my delivery today and the rest of my post:
I started a side column or side bar...what ever it is, that has the art supplies I use and where I get them from. I've been ordering KRINK inks for a bit now and have found the perfect place to order from. The last place wasn't good at all. They took about a month to get the order to me and when it arrived I had one tube that was smashed and one was the wrong color. But, I found a new great place and put links to all the places I buy from and the supplies I use. Enjoy.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
on the work desk: 0002
"Slow and steady wins the race." A quote common among my group of friends and taken from our long time friend and former cross country coach. A quote that applies to running and drinking and most recently the completion of my comics and other art adventures.
This is page 5 of The Skateboard Diaries and the page that I've given the most and has taken the most from me.
I finished page 6 in the time it took me to simply draw (in pencil) page 5. And though there are tiny mistakes in each panel this page was a hurtle to overcome as much as it was a learning experience.
I still have the first two pages to complete (scenery) that I hope to complete this coming week so I can scan, color (black, white and shades of gray), add text, and design the finished book with cover and back cover. A simple six page mini comic that has taken some time to complete. But it is a learning process and I'll be better for it and a bit closer to make my hobby and passion a career.
Other News:
I picked up The Chariot Wars and Rumors of Wars and have enjoyed listening to it today with a bit of Deadliest Catch (the show) while finishing page 5 (the above image). I am looking forward to listening to The Chariot's new work for a long time to come.
This is page 5 of The Skateboard Diaries and the page that I've given the most and has taken the most from me.
I finished page 6 in the time it took me to simply draw (in pencil) page 5. And though there are tiny mistakes in each panel this page was a hurtle to overcome as much as it was a learning experience.
I still have the first two pages to complete (scenery) that I hope to complete this coming week so I can scan, color (black, white and shades of gray), add text, and design the finished book with cover and back cover. A simple six page mini comic that has taken some time to complete. But it is a learning process and I'll be better for it and a bit closer to make my hobby and passion a career.
Other News:
I picked up The Chariot Wars and Rumors of Wars and have enjoyed listening to it today with a bit of Deadliest Catch (the show) while finishing page 5 (the above image). I am looking forward to listening to The Chariot's new work for a long time to come.
Friday, March 27, 2009
the metal will strike you down with a vicious blow
When my brother and soon-to-be sister in-law where up this way last week I lamented to my bro, another big music junky, that I have yet to buy a metal album this year. I've picked up some great stuff over the past few months like: Okkervil River The Stand Ins and Murder By Death Red of Tooth and Claw. Both amazing albums among other notable albums but it was weird that I had yet to gravitate towards my biggest musical drug; metal.
Sense bringing up the fact that I have yet to purchase a metal album last week the metal has rained in on top of me. And I bask in it. Last week I grabbed a rare gem, or two, Best Buy had a set of the first and second albums by The Sword: Age of Winter and Gods of the Earth for the price of one album (14.99). Then my Amazon order arrived bringing me Ligeia Bad News and The Banner Frailty. And again two nights ago I found out at Ferret Music that one of my favorite bands Poison The Well is dropping their new album June 16th and because I can't get enough of them I downloaded their singles I/III and II/III which I have been really enjoying. And finally today I grabbed Mastodon Crack The Skye, listening to it and loving it as I type this.
Hope to have more in depth review of all this great music later and I have a bunch of design and art to talk about too. I just needed to share.
Sense bringing up the fact that I have yet to purchase a metal album last week the metal has rained in on top of me. And I bask in it. Last week I grabbed a rare gem, or two, Best Buy had a set of the first and second albums by The Sword: Age of Winter and Gods of the Earth for the price of one album (14.99). Then my Amazon order arrived bringing me Ligeia Bad News and The Banner Frailty. And again two nights ago I found out at Ferret Music that one of my favorite bands Poison The Well is dropping their new album June 16th and because I can't get enough of them I downloaded their singles I/III and II/III which I have been really enjoying. And finally today I grabbed Mastodon Crack The Skye, listening to it and loving it as I type this.
Hope to have more in depth review of all this great music later and I have a bunch of design and art to talk about too. I just needed to share.
Monday, December 22, 2008
music of the year awards '08
I don't really like top (insert number) lists so I created ten awards for albums this year. I will use this frame work for other lists in the future.
I could easily talk about my choices on each of these albums but that will take far to long. So I am hopping that people make comments and we can get some music conversations going.
This list was compiled from 37 bought or downloaded (legally) albums.
Enjoy!
Metal/Hardcore album of the year:
Protest the Hero “Fortress”
Honorable Mentions: Maylene and the Sons of Disaster “II” /// Century “Black Ocean”
Rock/Alternative album of the year:
The Black Keys “Attack & Release”
Honorable Mentions: Moros Eros “Jealous Me Was Killed By Curiosity” /// Against Me “New Wave”
Folk/Country album of the year:
Blanche “Little Amber Bottles”
Honorable Mentions: The Watson Twins “Fire Songs” /// Johnny Cash “At Folsom Prison”
New Artist of the year:
Ra Ra Riot “The Rhumb Line”
Honorable Mentions: Dillinger Escape Plan “Ire Works” /// United Nations “United Nations”
Down Loaded album of the year:
Junior Kimbrough “God Knows I Tried”
Classic Album Re-bought/Rediscovered of the year:
Unkle “Psyence Fiction”
Honorable Mentions: Metallica “Master of Puppets”
Most Brutal Album of the year:
Despised Icon “The Ills of Modern Man”
Honorable Mentions: Austrian Death Machine “Total Brutal”
Most Talked About/Recommended Album of the year:
Austrian Death Machine “Total Brutal”
Artists New Band Album of the year:
Cavalera Conspiracy “Inflikted”
Honorable Mentions: Scars on Broadway “Scars on Broadway”
Album of the year:
Norma Jean “-vs- The Anti Mother”
Honorable Mentions: Protest the Hero “Fortress” /// The Black Keys “Attack & Release”
I could easily talk about my choices on each of these albums but that will take far to long. So I am hopping that people make comments and we can get some music conversations going.
This list was compiled from 37 bought or downloaded (legally) albums.
Enjoy!
Metal/Hardcore album of the year:
Protest the Hero “Fortress”
Honorable Mentions: Maylene and the Sons of Disaster “II” /// Century “Black Ocean”
Rock/Alternative album of the year:
The Black Keys “Attack & Release”
Honorable Mentions: Moros Eros “Jealous Me Was Killed By Curiosity” /// Against Me “New Wave”
Folk/Country album of the year:
Blanche “Little Amber Bottles”
Honorable Mentions: The Watson Twins “Fire Songs” /// Johnny Cash “At Folsom Prison”
New Artist of the year:
Ra Ra Riot “The Rhumb Line”
Honorable Mentions: Dillinger Escape Plan “Ire Works” /// United Nations “United Nations”
Down Loaded album of the year:
Junior Kimbrough “God Knows I Tried”
Classic Album Re-bought/Rediscovered of the year:
Unkle “Psyence Fiction”
Honorable Mentions: Metallica “Master of Puppets”
Most Brutal Album of the year:
Despised Icon “The Ills of Modern Man”
Honorable Mentions: Austrian Death Machine “Total Brutal”
Most Talked About/Recommended Album of the year:
Austrian Death Machine “Total Brutal”
Artists New Band Album of the year:
Cavalera Conspiracy “Inflikted”
Honorable Mentions: Scars on Broadway “Scars on Broadway”
Album of the year:
Norma Jean “-vs- The Anti Mother”
Honorable Mentions: Protest the Hero “Fortress” /// The Black Keys “Attack & Release”
Monday, September 1, 2008
ghetto blast from the past
Summer is winding down, oh the agony of it all, and after a wonderful Labor Day with my girlfriend and her family I was relaxing for a minute at my house when I heard a song on the TV, some Brit show called Freaky, that I haven’t heard in a long long time. The song was Cyclone by the Dub Pistols off there 98 release Point Blank and hearing this song I was inspired to go through my ever growing CD collection and upload some of those albums from an era in my life I haven’t listened too in years. It’s weird and quite tranquil how hearing a song not listened too in years can bring back memories as vivid as when they happened. With only having my iPod for two-years there are a few, an understatement, albums that I haven’t got around to uploading. I just needed that little spark to motivate me into rediscovering these albums from about ten years ago when my DJ aspirations were at there highest.
I grew up on metal, hardcore and hip hop from the 80’s and have always stayed true to those roots, especially my metal and hardcore roots. But you have to adventure outside of your musical comfort zones every now and again to discover some amazing new music. Around the mid 90’s me and my brother started to listen to DJ Shadow who was mixing jazz and blues melodies with hip hop beats and some ambient sounds from electronic music. From DJ Shadow we started to find new music not necessarily the same sound but in that same vein like Roni Size, Hive, DJ Spooky and many more.
I’ve stayed into DJ Shadow but some of the other albums and groups have fallen out of favor. So I am uploading Dub Pistols Point Blank and Freestylers We Rock Hard some great albums I found on accident that I haven’t listened too in about ten years. I might take a trip back into that era over the next couple of days and see how things go.
I also uploaded Hive Working With Sound and I’ll see what I can do about Devious Methods. Hey, I may even try and conjure up some Roni Size, Tricky, or Q Bert…I may even resurrect some aspirations.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
music for the masses 0001
I’ve picked up a couple new albums yesterday and with music being one of my passions I figured I would make it a point to spread the good word of music now and again. But, before I get into my musical purchases from yesterday I will chat a bit about some albums I have been getting into over the past few weeks.
I picked up the third full length by Norma Jean titled -vs.- The Anti Mother and Fortress by Protest The Hero. I grabbed these albums the week Norma Jean’s album hit shelves, yes I bought a physical disc, which was also the week I was getting ready to leave for
I have been a big fan of Norma Jean ever since I picked up O’God the Aftermath Christmas of 05. There second release Redeemer was a great album and I was surprised to see that they already had a new offering out; pleasantly surprised. Anti Mother continues the growth, in good ways, and the continued sound of Norma Jean. They manage to add some wonderful melodies to their signature hardcore sound in this album without changing what makes Norma Jean so great. There is a lot of nuance in this album that takes a few listens to completely appreciate; which is a good thing. I like when I can listen to a song a bunch and hear something new every time. Just two nights ago I thought I heard Chino Moreno’s voice on Surrender Your Sons…. And after reading the liner notes I found out that not only is Chino on Surrender Your Sons… but he is also on Robots 3 Humans 0 another favorite track of mine; the power of owning a physical copy of the CD. I am a huge fan of the Deftones and of
The other album I grabbed was Fortress by Protest The Hero. This was a band that a few months back my Brother, another big metal and music fan was pushing in my direction. The final push was watching Sequoia Throne on Fuse OnDemand. I figured after watching the video every night for a week it was a good bet I would dig the band. Fortress is an awesome album and I am starting to really dig Protest the Hero and very soon go out and find some more of there stuff. Most of the albums I have bought this year where from bands I already am into, there’s been maybe a few others that weren’t, and Protest the Hero is a great band and will probably be my most influential find this year. I love finding or suggested new music especially when it is as good as Protest the Hero. The bands style of metal is a blend of the tight and complex style of Between The Buried and Me with hardcore vocal ranges mixed with melodic vocals of a Rob Halford. Discover Protest the Hero and you won’t be disappointed.
The final album I have been into I grabbed at the beginning of the month and it is called Austrian Death Machine Total Brutal. An album dedicated to the classic lines of Arnie. Let me start by saying that I am not that into “funny” music just because it doesn’t really last but this album is awesome; it is funny and it sounds great. From the vision of As I Lay Dying front man Tim Lambesis this is a testament to the love of the Governator and to metal. With song titles ”Get To The Choppa”, “It’s Not a Tumor”, and “Come With Me If You Wont To Live” this album will entertain for years to come and everyone should be able to sing along from the beginning to the end of the album. Tim wrote and performed this masterpiece and brought along friends to help tighten sounds and add brutal guitar solos when needed. I can not tell enough people about this album…BUY IT NOW! This is definitely a slice of culture and an album that will gain in popularity over time and be something passed around among friends of Arnies and metal. I still can’t believe sometimes that this album exists and I am so glad that it does and I can’t wait until the next one…if there will be one.
So, any way I picked up SlipKnot All Hope Is Gone and Scars On Broadway self titled release. I will have more on them shortly but the above should tide you over.
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