Month: October 2017

Live Review: Less Art at The Echo

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One of the best things about being a music nut is the feeling you get when you hear an album, and while in the midsts of listening you start to imagine the band live and how much more of an impact the songs have when played live. Last night I got to witness that amazing feat as Less Art took the stage and stole the entire show. The forceful magnitude in which they played and performed left me and the rest of the audience in a state of awe.

Performing songs from their stellar debut album Strangled Light, Less Art was everything I had hoped they would be live. The intensity of each member as they played through songs like “Diana The Huntress,” “Optimism As Survival,” “Pessimism As Denial,” ” Wandering Ghost,” and my favorite track “Shapeshifter” was impeccable. Riley, Ed, Ian, Jon and Mike all proved that this band is a serious venture in the way they played and performed. I wish they were able to play longer, that’s how good they were.

Being a fan of all these guys other bands, it’s a very cool change of pace to see them get their creativity out in a band like this. Less Art is different and a very welcome kind of different. They have created an album that stands out in the post-hardcore genre. I really hope that they have the chance to make another album and tour again. If you are a fan of post-hardcore music, you MUST SEE LESS ART!!!

 

Less Art- Strangled Light (BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!!):

 

 

Band Of The Week: King Woman

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Art and music go together like peanut butter and jelly. It’s just the right combination and it works out perfectly. When you have people that are inspired they are able to create something that stands out and inspires others. Recently I was introduced to King Woman, a band that evokes so much of what I love about music these days. The transcendental and psychedelic prowess of their music creates an aura of power and desire that is stunning as it is dark. I read somewhere that compared King Woman to Black Sabbath with Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star fronting the band. That’s a pretty damn good way to describe what you are about to hear.

The debut album Created In The Image Of Suffering is full of doom rock, and sensual vocal melodies that will leave you with goosebumps and a feeling of warmth. The album was recorded by Jack Shirley, who recorded Oathbreaker’s masterpiece Rheia. So you know that this album is powerful and sounds brilliant. Being able to create music that is artful isn’t easy but, King Woman definitely harnessed the will to make something substantial and worth while.

 

King Woman- Created In The Image Of Suffering:

 

King Woman- Manna:

 

King Woman- Deny:

 

 

 

Anticipated Albums: 10 Years- (How To Live) As Ghosts

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In a couple weeks the band 10 Years will release their new album (How To Live) As Ghosts. This new album is shaping up to be quite a tremendous album for the band. Rather than self producing as they did on their previous two releases, they chose to work with Tennessee native and the very in demand Nick Raskulinecz. From the two songs released so far, “Novacaine” and “Burnout” you can tell there is a fire burning inside these guys again. The new album comes out October 27th!

 

10 Years- Novacaine:

 

10 Years- Burnout:

 

 

Unsung Masterpieces- Alice In Chains- Alice In Chains
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When you look back at Alice In Chains’ discography, most people tend to look at Dirt and Jar Of Flies as the bands masterpieces. Facelift is often looked as a great album as well. Their self titled and final album with Layne is often overlooked. The album, most commonly referred to as “the tripod” album due to the three legged dog on the cover, is quite possibly one of the deepest and darkest albums the band has ever written.

This album is truly a remarkable record filled with all the things you know and love about Alice In Chains. In a way, it has a bit of a Jar Of Flies vibe to it with the way the acoustic layers are put in, as well as the signature heavy sound. Something else that I’ve always held in high regard about this album is that Layne wrote all the lyrics for the album minus three songs (“Grind,” “Heaven Beside You,” and “Over Now,” all of which Jerry sang lead on). Before this album was recorded, Layne spent his time working with Mike McCreedy on the Mad Season album.

I remember first hearing this album when it came out in 1995 and I was hooked, and that’s not just because “Again” was a rad song. There are so many great songs on this album that have truly become timeless classics like “Sludge Factory,” “Shame In You,” “Brush Away,” “Head Creeps,” “God Am,” and “Frogs.” Though Alice In Chains never toured on the record, probably due to Layne’s increased drug use, some of these songs were performed live during their Unplugged performance. My favorite of these songs done at that time has to be “Sludge Factory.” What a great song that is. I really wish the band would play more from this album live these days. Layne’s performances on these songs are absolutely remarkable. He’s always had a knack for creating great vocal melodies but on this album he really set a standard for how it should be done.  Something else about this album that I’ve always loved is the way it flows. The themes of depression, isolation, drug use, anger and death are all found throughout but, the way the arrangement of the songs are on the album, really leaves a lasting impact the way all the emotions hit you.

I highly recommend you all taking some time and re-introduce yourself to this unsung masterpiece. Not only will it leave you with a sense of awe but, it will add another level of love for Alice In Chains.

 

Alice In Chains- Self Titled:

 

 

 

 

B-Sides: Alice In Chains

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Alice In Chains wasn’t the type of band that had many b-sides from their albums. The box set that came out, Music Box, was filled with two new songs, all the songs you know and love and demo versions of a lot of their songs (some of which were never properly recorded). On it as well were a few songs that were left over from the Facelift and Dirt era. The following are those songs that were written and recorded at that time.

 

Alice In Chains- Killing Yourself:

 

Alice In Chains- Lying Season:

 

Alice In Chains- Fear The Voices:

 

Alice In Chains- Social Parasite:

 

Alice In Chains- Whatcha Gonna Do:

Cover Comparison: Avenged Sevenfold vs Limp Bizkit (Pink Floyd)- Wish You Were Here

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I really don’t understand why this keeps happening. There seems to be a trend nowadays of taking a classic song and then a very unoriginal/uninspiring takes said song and absolutely ruins it. Recently, Avenged Sevenfold released a cover of the classic and very profound “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. I don’t even need to say anymore but, I have to say that this is probably one of the worst covers I’ve ever heard. Their version reminded be that Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit and Johnny Reznick from the Goo Goo Dolls did a really bad version of this song too.

So which one is worse?

 

Avenged Sevenfold- Wish You Were Here:

 

Fred Durst, Johnny Reznick, and Wes Borland- Wish You Were Here:

 

Here’s a good cover version… At least Scott Weiland can sing it properly.

Velvet Revolver- Wish You Were Here:

 

Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here:

Band Of The Week: Child Bite

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There are a slew of bands in the underground that really seem to be getting the “passion” and “art” elements that are missing from mainstream music. When you are inspired rather than influenced it shows in the music that is created and the performances while on stage. A while back when I went to see Superjoint, there was a band that stole the show and left me really intrigued. That band was Child Bite. Their inspired blend of Faith No More, The Jesus Lizard, Black Flag and Mr. Bungle is unique and much needed in music today. Their most recent album Negative Noise is 12 songs full of unbridled art rock, alternative, and post punk. Child Bite are a band that when you see them live, it all makes sense. Child Bite packs a ferocious bite of enigmatic energy and ignites like a molotov cocktail. Do yourselves a favor and check out this band!

 

Child Bite- Negative Noise:

 

Child Bite- Vermin Mentality:

 

Child Bite- Ancestral Ooze:

Songs In Film/TV: Metallica in Zombieland

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Zombieland was a really fun movie. I still watch it a lot when I want a good laugh with a side of violence. I’ll never forget seeing it in the theater and then the opening credits started rolling and Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls” begins. What a great way to open the movie.

 

Zombieland Opening Credits:

Must Own Albums: Interstelar- Resin

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Remember how I said that 2016 was a great year for music? Well I still can’t take certain albums from last year out of rotation. Among all the great albums released, there is one that I’ve really dug from first listen. I’m talking about the album RESIN by Interstelar. The band’s ability to write such great songs really keeps you engrossed in listening. The way they are able to mix the stoner/doom genres with bits of classic rock and sludge is pure art. I’ve heard so many “stoner” bands over the years but, not many can even come close to how good Interstelar is.

Every song from beginning to end on Resin not only rocks but emits a vibe that puts you in a bit of a trance and lets you escape through the music. From the moment the chunky riffs in “sILO” starts, you know feel the groove. “Resin” is one of those epic songs that could be on the first Down album. “High Horse” is an absolute gem. It’s ballad-esque feel really showcases the bands songwriting ability. “Hold It” is a sharp rocker that would be perfect for a road trip mix. “Opposite Daze” is a bit of an experimental song but doesn’t stray far from the sound of the band. There is a definite influence of The Cult on this song. “Armada” is damn near mind blowing. Listening to the song there is a bit of a Tool vibe that really helps to guide along the sludge. “Behold” brings the album back around to the “ROCK” and it’s done with such grace. It’s the perfect flow of songs. Closing out the album is “Sequoia,” a more solemn song that has bits of a psychedelic feel the way the guitars come in and out.

Singer Jason Kothmann has a voice for the times and harks back to an era that is based on feeling. The guitar work by Kothmann and Gary Gladson is on par with that of the classic bands of the genre but also, they add a bit of a modern twist with their tone. The rhythm section of  P. J. McMullan on drums and Joe Puccio on bass are so in the pocket it’s as though you are feeling each beat and pulse. Not only is Interstelar a great band of musicians but their album is one that needs to be in every music fans collection.

Orders for the album on vinyl are available HERE

Take A Listen Below:

Interstelar- Resin:

 

Interstelar- High Horse (Video):

End Of Album Songs: The Doors

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A while back I was starting to compile a list of the best end of album songs. During this process I noticed how big the list was and it got a bit overwhelming. So, I thought I’d make this a category instead, that way you all can truly enjoy all the great songs in small doses rather than be bombarded by them all.

For the first one, I present to you all the great end of album songs by The Doors. They were true masters of making an “album” and knew just the right way to end it too. Every one of their albums had a great closing song.

 

The Doors- The End (from The Doors):

 

The Doors- When The Music’s Over (from Strange Days):

The Doors- Five To One (from Waiting For The Sun):

 

The Doors- The Soft Parade (from The Soft Parade):

 

The Doors- Maggie McGill (from Morrison Hotel):

 

The Doors- Riders On The Storm (from L.A. Woman):