COVER SONG: METALLICA (KILLING JOKE)- THE WAIT

Ah yes the elusive cover song. My it’s been a long while since there was a cover song article on Audioeclectica. The musical landscape these days has so many cover songs that there needed to be a moratorium on talking about them. Seriously, how flooded did things get with all the covers that were coming out?! It feels like there needs to be a bit of a refresher when it comes to cover songs. The point of a cover is to make it your own and that more often than not doesn’t happen. Thankfully there are some bands out there that know how to do it right, like Metallica. Back in 1998, Metallica released their double covers album, Garage Inc. Across two CD’s, Metallica paid tribute to the bands that inspired them from Black Sabbath, Diamond Head, The Misfits, Discharge, Thin Lizzy, Motorhead and more. The cover of Bob Seger’s “Turn The Page” is one of the best covers of all time. But there has always been one cover on this album that has been a favorite of mine and that is their version of Killing Joke’s “The Wait.” Originally this cover was included on Metallica’s 1987 Garage Days EP. The Killing Joke version appears on their 1980 debut album. When you hear “The Wait” by Killing Joke, you can instantly tell that this band inspired and influenced Metallica. In fact you more than likely have heard this song used in countless films and TV shows. Let’s get cover songs back on track! Here’s a great way to start it off!!!

Metallica (Killing Joke)- The Wait:

Killing Joke- The Wait:

Metallica- The Wait (Live 1998):

THOSE 90’S SONGS: LIT- MY OWN WORST ENEMY

I’m constantly intrigued by songs of a certain era that live on. You know what I’m talking about. Those songs you heard on the radio that were so popular that they became a part of the whole time. The 80’s and 90’s especially have a ton of these types of bands/songs. What’s even more interesting is the albums these songs are on, most often are pretty damn good and the deeper cuts are what makes it even better over time. One band that has become a mainstay for one hit, though they actually had other hit songs, is Lit. Their 1999 album, A Place In The Sun, produced the songs “Zip-Lock” and “Miserable” but, the one we all know most is “My Own Worst Enemy.” The instant this song starts it’s infectious. The hook is right there in the riff and then the chorus just always explodes into a singalong. Still to this day, if this song gets played at a bar, a concert or just hanging out, it always brings out a good time. I still get a silly smile on my face when this song comes on. “My Own Worst Enemy” would go on to be number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Charts as well as being the top song played on Modern Rock Radio for all of 1999. The song to this day is double platinum (sales of over 2 million) and stands as a testament to a time of 90’s rock music that is still alive and rocking. Fun fact too, “My Own Worst Enemy” is one of the most sung karaoke songs in the United States. Lit is still out on the road touring and making memories with their classics.

Lit- My Own Worst Enemy:

NEW RELEASE: SLOW CRUSH- QUE DU NOIR / HALLOWED

I’m completely enthralled by the band Slow Crush. Their style of shoegaze has struck the right chord with me. The way they mix the heaviness with the dreamy is stellar. More bands that are in this style should take note of how Slow Crush makes those dynamics work. If you haven’t already, I highly suggest you listen to their album, Thirst, it’s truly a modern masterpiece and a blueprint for modern shoegaze. Today though, Slow Crush released 2 new songs called “Que Du Noir / Hallowed” and it’s been on repeat all morning and will be throughout the rest of the day and week. The songs are dreamy and full of lush soundscapes and textures that makes you feel like you are swimming. The lyrics are quite deep but feel alive at the end. These new songs have a fun aspect to them with one song with one sung in english and the other in french. Both of them are stunning with the one in french being a tinge more mystical. Slow Crush starts a US tour this week. Be sure to catch them if you can. I know I’m going to try to! Enjoy!

Que Du Noir:

Hallowed:

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: HELD.- CONSTANT TENSION

A couple of days ago one of the most exciting new bands, Held., released a new song that has been on constant repeat on my stereo. The song is called “Constant Tension” and oh my is it intense. Songs like this that really tug at your heartstrings are exciting and build into a danger that is lacking in music today. The post-hardcore aspect of the song mixed with the raw vocal makes this an unbeatable track. This trio of Douglas Robinson, Sal Mignaro, and Josh Eppard is explosive and rich in passion. I’m very much looking forward their debut album, Grey, which is out on May 15th!

By: Brian Lacy

HELD.- Constant Tension:

MEMORABLE TV PERFORMANCES: SEVENDUST ON CONAN O’BRIEN

The year is 2000 and like many others at the time, I stayed up to watch Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Long before YouTube, we had to stay up late to watch the bands we like on TV. Late Night with Conan O’Brien was one of the first late night shows to really celebrate heavier bands on TV. Also at this time in music, rock music was soaring and on top of the world. Back in April of 2000, Sevendust made their late night TV debut on Conan’s show. The band was riding quite high off the release of their second album, Home. “Denial” the first single made a strong impact on so many. I still dig that song to this day. The band’s second single “Waffle” had a little more of a melodic sensibility to it. Both “Denial” and “Waffle” charted on the Billboard Modern Rock and Mainstream Charts. The performance of “Waffle” on Conan though was one of those that made people pay attention. I believe I still have this recorded on a VHS tape with a ton of other late night performances. Home is still a great album and these two songs are still live staples for the band. Here’s hoping the new Sevendust album, ONE, is back to what we all love!

Sevendust- Waffle (Live On Late Night With Conan O’Brien 04.19.2000):

ALBUM RANK: THE CURE

Ever since I was a little kid (which was a long time ago), I’ve been a fan of The Cure. That might seem weird to some but hey, it was the late 80’s and I was very into MTV. I mean, how could you not be intrigued by a band where the singer has crazy hair and wears red lipstick?! Anyways, The Cure has been one of those bands who constantly push themselves to new territory and boundaries. The lyrical content has shaped the lives of so many for well over forty years. Musically, the influence is heard in oh so many bands you love. If you’ve really never listened to The Cure, here’s what I’d like to think is quite the definitive ranking of their fourteen studio albums! Enjoy!

(more…)

SONG(S) OF THE WEEK: XCOMM- HOT PURSUIT / ONE AND NOTHING

XCOMM ARE THE REAL DEAL! I’ve been stoked on this band since I heard them a couple years ago. Already they’ve hit the ground hard with two banger releases in “Reasons” and “Fake I.D.” Now here we go with more and one in particular that is damn good! That’s right two songs in one! The video for them as well is fun, inquisitive, and very much them. Way to hit another one out of the park Dean Karr! The first song “Hot Pursuit” continues their hardcore/punk style with gritty vocals and charging riffs. The second song though is the one that’s going to put them over. “One And Nothing” is one hell of a great post-hardcore song. Not only does this show that each member has chops but, it shows they can write! Ross Robinson really got great things to come out of XCOMM. Really look forward to what is to come for these lads! Enjoy XCOMM!!

By: Brian Lacy

XCOMM- HOT PURSUIT / ONE AND NOTHING:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: TRAUMA RAY- CARNIVAL

What is going on with shoegaze these days? When did this subgenre become such a phenomenon? I’ve been trying to find the point of origin and it’s quite complex. Instead of trying to figure out all that at the moment, why not just enjoy the best of what’s out there. The ones that have really left a mark on me have done just that. These select bands and albums have not just found their way into constant rotation, they’ve separated themselves from the pack well enough to make a lasting impression on the genre and era. Trauma Ray is one of those bands and their latest release, the EP, Carnival, absolutely cements that.

Carnival is one of those perfect EP’s that is a burst of creativity. By opening up the writing to be more collaborative, the vast expansive inspiration is aplenty here. This unlocked a whole other world for the band to travel in. What’s interesting too is these influences are cast without biting off a duplicate rendition. If you’ve heard the bands debut, Chameleon, you can definitely hear the wings stretching here. In a way it reminds me of the band Brand New and how the more open collaboration made the band even better. What Carnival does across five songs and twenty five minutes makes you fall into a trance of lush soundscapes, dreamy vocals, riffs and melodies that caress the delicate and at times intense rhythms. The use of not just shoegaze aspects is another treat. Like many of the other great bands of this genre, there is more to Trauma Ray. Other sounds and styles like metal, alternative, sludge, doom, grunge, ambience all play a part in making this one stand out release. Each song takes on a bit of a life of its own with the way the influences shine.

It’s very refreshing to hear a band like Trauma Ray taking the sum of their parts and realizing making a record that not only showcases the individual effort but pushes the band forward into making great music. Carnival is for sure a ride and one worth riding over and over again.

Buy Carnival HERE

By: Brian Lacy

TRAUMA RAY- CARNIVAL:

Hannibal (Music Video):

UNSUNG MASTERPIECES: SLOW CRUSH- THIRST

When a genre explodes, finding the standouts becomes imperative. Over the last few years “shoegaze” has come to the forefront of modern music. Depending on what subgenre of shoegaze you listen to shows you where the inspiration comes from. Deftones and The Smashing Pumpkins in particular have struck a chord with the younger generation. That being said let me shift this to the other side of the equation. Through all my listening and searching I believe I found one of the best albums of this new era of shoegaze. The band is Slow Crush and their album, Thirst is astounding.

Slow Crush’s album Thirst is haunting, seductive, heavy, whimsical and more. Every time I put this album on I’m completely swept away by the intensity. Across ten songs and forty minutes there isn’t one moment on this album that doesn’t fit. As much as this album is shoegaze focused, there is so much more to it. First there is an undercurrent of Black Metal running through the album. There are also elements of stoner rock, alternative rock and dream pop. Sonically, Thirst is explosive, etherial and atmospheric. The vocals will sweep you off your feet and take you on a trippy journey. They crawl under your skin and give you those chills that make you pay attention. Musically too, the intricate web of layers showcases the varied influences of the band. Being able to pull in heaviness into delicate structures is not an easy thing to do. While certain moments are crushing, the more airy ones are what captivates. The hypnotic nature of the songs and production is another part that makes Thirst such a masterful album.

For each listen, you find something new to love and discover. One of my favorite parts of this album is the ending of the second song “Covet.” The use of saxophone at the end of this song is sublime. What a great part and addition to the song. It feels like a David Bowie moment that fits perfectly. It’s almost like the band steps into another world with each song. As a listener it’s rather liberating to hear an album like this. It’s not everyday you get to hear an album that ups the game of a genre. Slow Crush have defined their sound and style with Thirst. Do yourself a favor and take some time with this album and let it take over!

Overall Rating: A

By: Brian Lacy

Slow Crush- Thirst:

END OF ALBUM SONGS: JOY DIVISION- DECADES

Well today Joy Division was again nominated for the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame. Why they have not been inducted yet is beyond me. We all know how messed up the voting is as well as the ones that get in. Joy Division is without a doubt one of the most influential bands of the last 40 plus years. Which brings me to today’s article. The song “Decades,” the closing song off of their other masterpiece, Closer. Each time I listen to this album and when I get to this song, I’m compelled to repeat it at least four times. The eerie vibe mixed with the synths create a lush soundscape to go along with what would become “goth rock” is astounding. You can hear on this album especially the back half of it where the band was heading. Here’s to Joy Division finally getting their due!

Joy Division- Decades: