Holiday season is upon us! Sorry I haven't posted in a week, too much to do. Since we're in a festive mood, I thought something upbeat would be appropriate. I had to be careful which Fall Out Boy song I should pick since they sound so happy even when singing about breakups and bad things!
I totally, but totally flew over their first album. Didn't want to buy it, thought it was girlie bubble-gum music. Earlier this year I heard a short snippet from the song "I Don't Care" and thought, "That ain't bad at all!" So I dragged myself to the closest HMV record store (no shameless plug here, I assure you), picked it up and now, the band that took its name from a Simpsons' fictional character in the fictional cartoon series Radioactive Man has been a regular in my iPod since.
Why pick Tiffany Blews? Vocals, rhythm, energy, lyrics, hooks... pick whatever you like, it's just a fun song. Fapp Out Boy is great driving music.
The first time I heard this guy was as a young camp counselor. One of the other counselors had just come back from the UK, her father was a diplomat that was appointed there. She turned me on to many different artists that don't necessarily cross the Big Pond. John Martyn was one of those. I was instantly hooked. Suddenly, much less music from him and then, recently, I had learned of his passing and the troubling life he led. His struggle with addictions, amputated of both legs because of the life he led. I felt a twinge in my heart.
I'm sharing with you a more obscure song from his album Cooltide. The emotion he could bring out in a song is wonderfully transparent in Same Difference. Thank you, John, for the worlds you've dragged me to.
I'm stoked! I learned today that Circa Survive is coming out with a new album in early 2010 (if not late 2009..... w00t!!!) I suppose I'll be posting something new from them soon enough. For now, a song from their previous album.
There's something about this band that makes it one of my favourite in the past decade. Is it Anthony Green's vocals? Is it the almost lyrical guitar sound? Is it the pounding and relentless rhythm? All of the above, man! The sound is so tight yet you can feel they are not holding back. The band toured with so many big names such as Thrice, Rise Against and Billy Talent, they deserve a place of their own. I'm hoping Anthony Green foray into the solo album "had-to-do-it" project gives the band new ideas because it would be a shame for such a talented group of musicians to simply copy their last album.
While I patiently wait for their new album, this is the opening song for their second CD called On Letting Go.
When the rumour came out about a new "super band" came out, I was sceptical. Most of the earlier bands had some appeal, but you just knew it wouldn't last because of the huge clash of egos. Them crooked Vultures got a lot of buzz because of who the members were. Dave Grohl, drummer of the defunct band Nirvana and founder of Foo Fighters; Josh Homme, the founder and last member remaining in the band Queens Of The Stone Age; John Paul Jones, bassist for the legendary band Led Zeppelin.
Grohl is not a newcomer to extra-curricular projects. He played drums on Queens Of The Stone Age's album Songs For The Deaf with Josh Homme and toured with the band to promote the album. He also played with Tenacious D... among other projects.
So, Grohl has already worked with Homme. Where does Jones come from in all of this? It's reported that, 2005, Grohl was already working on this match up. Following that, rumours. No big hooplah, just more hearsay. Something like, "Hey guys, did you hear about Grohl jamming with Homme and Jones in the back of the garage?" Results? Cut out the big egos and put three guys playing music and having fun doing it. Grohl admitted he doesn't know how long the band will be together. He just wants it too be fun. When the fun is over, so is the band.
The album is noteworthy because the styles and influences of the three members can be felt throughout with the predominance of one or the other in each song. The song I am highlighting is great to listen to for the nostalgic boomers who were turned on by Cream. Not a copy, far from it, but close enough to appreciate the punch a three man rock band can generate.
This tune is from my good friend Robert Marchand a.k.a. bobbyfreeze a.k.a. Distinct Society. This is one creative guy. Distinct Society is just one of the many genres Bob has delved into. He has created soundtracks for many various projects, and (he'll kill me when he reads this) he was one of the creative engines for a local Montreal band of the 70's called "Et cetera". Since, depending on my mood, I'm into the dub/electronica/drums&bass/etc... scene, this one kicked in nice on my iPod. A bit reminiscent of DJ Shadow, Kid Loco and others, it has a great groove... very listenable!
This song is not commercially available, so thanks for sharing, Bob.
This band is fun to listen to. Nothing huge, nice arrangements. The "alternative" genre(is it really a genre or just a catch-all) is too wide for the new bands coming out these days. Other sub-genres such as "emo" also include bands that don't fit in a spot yet. That's what I like about today's music. It doesn't necessarily fit in the classic pigeon holes. Whoever says there is no good music out these days hasn't listened to these bands/artists.
Strange name, but, nonetheless, great music. I percussion is your thing, this is a very original CD from a very original lady. Lyrically, this CD is plainly beautiful. Without the percussive overtones, it would still have been a good album, but the strength of the arrangements support it with enough emotion to make it addictive.
Throwback to the 80's! The good part of the 80's! Quite a refreshing sound and a great album to play through and through. Not that I should be comparing, but this sounds like the gool old days of Tears for Fears' The Hurting. I could just as well be posting To Lose My Life instead of Death; hard choice. Enjoy...
