The term “Supergroup” is so over used these days, but in this case it really is quite spectacular. I present to you Vanishing Life. This band is made of of Walter Schreifels of Quicksand/Rival Schools, Rise Against guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Autry Fulbright of …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, and drummer Jaime Miller also of Trail Of Dead but also Snot, and The Start. So far they have only released a 7″ with two songs, but those songs are badass. This band has the right amount of raw energy that made all their other bands who they were but the combination of all these guys together makes something that is exploding with melody and breathes in new life to rock music that is desperately needed. The band has already played this past years SXSW festival. Hopefully they have a full length out soon, because this band is awesome!
Depeche Mode is not an easy band to cover. Lots of bands try to just duplicate what Depeche Mode did rather than make it their own. In 1997, In Flames did a cover of Everything Counts. It’s a very interesting version. Take a listen.
In 1998 Far released what is considered by many to be one of the top 10 influential albums of the “emo” movement in music, Water and Solutions. This record and band attracted a strong cult following in the late 1990s, due to the single “Mother Mary” and the band touring with long time friends in Deftones and Incubus. The album itself had a more melodic sound and richer fuller production by macshop” href=”#”> thanks to Dave Sardy, who was the producer on this album. The lyrical subject matter of Jonah Matranga and his vocals stretched from the raw screams to a more soulful singing voice, thus providing a real sense of intimacy for the listener to relate the words to. Musically the band has always been on point. Shaun Lopez distorted guitar and his remarkable tone is highly influential. His knack for creating a driving riff with the right amount of melody is often replicated but never quite the same as he does it. The rhythm section of John Gutenberger and the hard hitting drums of Chris Robyn were as tight as tight can be. John’s bass bellowed with the right amount of thump to push Chris’s heavy playing into the heights of the right amount of heaviness needed to fit with Shaun’s playing and Jonah’s vocals.
Sadly, not long after they released Water and Solutions, the band broke up. Though in 2008, the band reformed for a handful of US dates, and also a small UK tour. And in 2010, released a new album At Night We Live via Vagrant Records. At Night We Live is a solid album, and not just a throwback. Again though in 2011 it was announced that Far would not be be getting back together as there was just “too much drama.”
Far is one of those bands who will always be recognized for the great work they did, the material they put out, and the bands they influenced. And those of us who were fortunate to see them will always know that for sure.
When a band is 7 albums into their career, there comes certain expectations for said bands new albums. Sometimes some of the albums released don’t quite hit the right mark, while others go on to leave a lasting impression and inspire others. In the case of Incubus, their career has had quite a few twists and turns. They have managed to put out two really solid albums, 1999’s Make Yourself and 2004’s A Crow Left Of The Murder, while the rest of their catalog is hit or miss, though they have some songs that are really good from those other albums. Incubus’s latest offering Trust Fall (Side A) is 4 songs and 20 minutes of hit and miss. The first song Trust Fall, could almost fit on A Crow Left Of The Murder musically. The vocal melody from Brandon Boyd is very strong and convincing. The rest of the band is really together on that track. In fact after hearing that song you think this could be a really good sign of things to come. Then “Make Out Party” happens. The verse’s have a very obnoxious vocal melody that is cringe-worthy. The chorus is very formulaic, and just doesn’t do anything special for the song. The first single and third track “Absolution Calling,” is catchy as can be for the band. It’s got a groove to the beat and bass line that follows a very catchy melody. At first listen to this song, you wonder what happened to the Incubus of old, but it does grow on you quite fast. Sadly the EP ends with “Dance Like You’re Dumb” a song that is just awful. This songs makes it seem like Mike Eizinger has spent too much time hanging out and working with electronic artists.
So of the four songs, only two of them are worthy, leaving this “Trust Fall” pretty much a Trust Fail (pun totally intended). For the most part I’ve always enjoyed Incubus. Even on this albums that were misses over the years, I’ve found songs that I can listen to. I don’t know what they were thinking with this one. This EP was also self produced, so the lack of having a producer around seems like that made all the difference. Had they gone back to work with Brendan O’Brien (Who has done all their albums since A Crow Left Of The Murder), this newest release could have ended up differently.
In the late 90’s Marilyn Manson released two albums that cemented his place in the rock world. His breakthrough album, Antichrist Superstar came out in 1996. This album was produced by Trent Reznor at Nothing Studios in New Orleans. The album was was met with a slew of controversy and excitement. It should also be noted that this was all part of a “rock opera” trilogy. Even though Antichrist was released first, it is the final installment of the trilogy. Holy Wood is actually the first. Antichrist had a real heavy industrial edge to it, along with a raw mentality that allowed it to have a cool, sinister and taunting feeling. There are so many songs on the album that are standouts besides just “The Beautiful People.” Songs like “Tourniquet,” “Irresponsible Hate Anthem,” (Which is the albums opener), “Cryptorchid,” Antichrist Superstar,” are all standouts.
Then in 1998, Manson released Mechanical Animals. This album has a much different feel to it that comes completely from left field. I’ve always sort of felt that Mechanical Animals was his David Bowie album, in the way his persona and the music changed. Originally, The Dust Brothers were going to collaborate with Manson, but nothing really came of those sessions. Later on Manson’s friend, Billy Corgan served as an unofficial music consultant for the band during these early stages. After playing a few of the early songs for him, Corgan advised the band that “This is definitely the right direction” but to “go all the way with it. Don’t just hint at it.” When it was time to go into the studio Michael Beinhorn was chased to produce that album. Beinhorn whose credits include Soundgarden’s Superunknown, was wrapping up work on Hole’s Celebrity Skin album before coming aboard for these sessions. Musically this album is a deep departure from Antichrist, but it is also one of the most thought provoking albums of Manson’s career along with his newest album The Pale Emperor. Songs like “The Dope Show” and “I Don’t Like The Drugs,” are fun and catchy and a typical singles, but then when you really delve into the album you come across songs like the very impressive “Coma White,” “The Speed Of Pain,” “Dissociative.” Those songs really make an impact on a entirely different level.
As you all know I’m a huge Trent Reznor fan, and you would think because of that I would pick Antichrist over Mechanical, but I actually like the songs better on Mechanical thought I love the production on Antichrist better. I think Michael Beinhorn is a horrible producer that does too many things to make it sound polished and compressed. So my pick for this debate is Mechanical Animals. Can you imagine what Mechanical would have sounded like had Trent done this one too?
One of the reasons why I started this blog was to show people that there is so much good music out there that is going unnoticed. And this category of band of the week does just that. This week I bring you Sensory Station from San Diego. This four piece has a really cool vibe that mixes ambience and hard rock in a Pink Floyd meets Tool sort of way with a dash of Explosions In The Sky. Their debut album, Open Your Eyes, was recorded and mixed by Aaron Harris (of Isis/Palms). From the videos they have posted online, their live show looks like it is chock full of energy and invigorating performances from each of the band members. Check out Sensory Station!!!!
Led Zeppelin is a very hard band to cover and do justice. There has only been a select few over the years that are worth while. A friend of mine pointed out this cover that the fabulous blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa did. While the vocals aren’t the greatest, the arrangement is great! Joe really nails Jimmy Page’s tone and compliments his style. So here is Joe Bonamassa’s cover of Tea For One from the underrated album Presence.
Pearl Jam has been one of the most constant bands to release albums and tour all the while staying honest to themselves. They don’t mind putting out albums that may not go over well with the masses, but as long as they are keeping it real, that’s all that matters. Here is the ranking of all their studio albums from not their best to their best.
It’s really crazy to think that it has been ten years since I turned 21 and Nine Inch Nails released With Teeth. I remember the day it was released very well. It was the day of my 21st birthday (May 3rd). A few weeks before I had attended a listening party for the album and was very excited to know that it would be coming out on my birthday, added incentive of sorts. I remember putting the cd on in my friends car and blasting the ever living guts out of it, thinking to myself wow, this sounds great.
Originally the album was to be called Bleedthrough and was a concept based on the exploration of “loss and possible discovery of self, along with alternate layers of reality and perception set inside a nightmare you can’t seem to wake up from; with lots of feedback”. Not long after though Trent stated that the name was changed because “it was supposed to be about different layers of reality seeping into the next, but I think some people were thinking about blood or a tampon commercial”. “‘Bleedthrough’ is no more,” Reznor wrote in a message posted on nin.com, “as the songs and concepts matured, the focus and theme of the album shifted somewhat–leaving me feeling that title was inappropriate. Or you could just say I changed my mind. Yes, the new album has a title and track list, and no I’m not telling you what it is yet”. During the writing of the album Trent began to realize that the songs didn’t fit in to the concept and could stand alone without the need for an all encompassing concept. It was during this time that Trent was also heavily inspired by the use of more analog electronic effects and instruments, specifically tape delay and modular synthesizers, The drums on the album are courtesy of Josh Freese and Dave Grohl.
To me, With Teeth is as close as Trent will get to going back to that “RAW” feeling like he did with Broken. There are so many great songs on this album. The live versions of these songs translate so well. I had the opportunity to see them during this album and it was a great show. Songs like “You Know What You Are,” “The Line Begins To Blur,” “The Hand That Feeds,” “Beside You In Time,” and “Right Where It Belongs,” still stand out to me from those shows. I just wish Trent would play “Getting Smaller” at more shows!!
With Teeth stands up 10 years later and sounds fresher than most of the generic rubbish that is being churned out these days. Trent always stays true to where he is at in his life. This album truly represents getting his life in order and reflecting on the past as to not fall back down that trail again. With Teeth is and was the logical next step in the evolution of Nine Inch Nails. Here hoping that evolution continues!
Since announcing their return in 2014 I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Failure a bunch of times. Each time I’ve seen them my level of excitement grows, and I’m continuously left in awe and with the feeling of inspiration. May 1st at the Ventura Theater left me with that feeling and then some. The bands 90 minutes set was roaring, filled with all the songs that I love, and to top it off they played three new songs from their upcoming album The Heart Is A Monster. The first of the new songs “Hot Traveler” was the first song of the set, and it really got things going. The song itself seems like it picks up right where Fantastic Planet left off. Of the two other new songs “Mulholland Drive,” was a really sweet and pleasant song that evoked the sensibility of say “The Nurse Who Loved Me.” The other new song “Counterfeit Sky” was a classic Failure song that had all that you’ve come to love about the band. The crowd was really into the set as well. Seeing them in Ventura as opposed to Los Angeles, presented a different vibe that was seemingly in a more relaxed setting that allowed the band to be a bit more free in what they chose to play and how they interacted with the crowd.
Ken Andrews voice is pristine and really conveys the lyrics in such a way that it leaves chills up your spine (in a total good way). Greg Edwards ability to create the most simple guitar leads yet make them so intricate and vital is astonishing. Kellii Scott is one of the most underrated drummers I’ve ever heard. He plays with such passion and intensity.
The only bad part of the night was the opening band. First off there should have been no opening band. Just give Failure 2 hours to play and let them do what they do. This opening band called Hy Brazil, was terrible. These guys have no clue what they want their music to be. The only intriguing thing about them was that they had a harp player in the band. The singer was embarrassing, humping the microphone stand like he was Steven Tyler in the 80’s, and trying to sing like he had pipes. Enough about that band, they didn’t deserve the chance to open for Failure.
Failure delivered exactly what you would expect them to do and then some as always. Thank you Ken, Greg and Kellii for another great night of music and inspiration and on my birthday weekend is a major plus!
Failure Setlist:
1. Segue 4 (new segue)
2. Hot Traveler (new song)
3. Frogs
4. Another Space Song
5. Counterfeit Sky (new song)
6. Saturday Savior
7. Segue 3
8. Dirty Blue Balloons
9. Pillowhead
10. Undone
11. Stuck On You
12. Macaque
13. Mulholland Drive (new song)
14. Heliotropic
Encore:
15. The Nurse Who Loved Me
16. Smoking Umbrellas
17. Daylight
The term “Supergroup” is so over used these days, but in this case it really is quite spectacular. I present to you Vanishing Life. This band is made of of Walter Schreifels of Quicksand/Rival Schools, Rise Against guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Autry Fulbright of …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, and drummer Jaime Miller also of Trail Of Dead but also Snot, and The Start. So far they have only released a 7″ with two songs, but those songs are badass. This band has the right amount of raw energy that made all their other bands who they were but the combination of all these guys together makes something that is exploding with melody and breathes in new life to rock music that is desperately needed. The band has already played this past years SXSW festival. Hopefully they have a full length out soon, because this band is awesome!
AUDIOECLECTICA 