Author: audioeclectica

My Favorite Songs: Portishead- Roads

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This new topic will just explore my all time favorite songs of all time. It’s going to be quite fun. I’ll be making a playlist to coincide with this topic on Spotify, as the list goes on.

There are certain songs in every band’s catalog that really mean something special to me. I’m sure many of you out there feel that same notion too, when you hear “that” song. Those songs can take you back to a place or moment, or even just fit the mood and vibe perfectly where you are at. To this day, anytime I head the song “Roads” by Portishead, I get this overtaking feeling of warmth and peace. It’s such a perfect song and it’s so soothing that even if it’s a really shitty day, this song makes it all that much better. I still remember hearing the song 25 years ago while I was listening to Portishead’s first album Dummy. The instant this song came on, I was taken aback and it drew me in. The trip-hop classic has and always will be one of my all time favorite songs. Everything about this song is perfect. The music is subtle and sparce, creating this distant yet warm sensation that wafts over the listener. And the vocals, oh those vocals, are the type that will give you chills in the best way possible. Beth Gibbon’s voice is utterly outstanding on this song (just as it is on all the other Portishead songs). “Roads” is the perfect end of the evening song as you are just getting home or winding down. There have been bands that have covered this song but, it’s impossible to get it right, and it should be forever left to Portishead to play this song. Thankfully in 2008, I had the pleasure to finally see Portishead live and when they played this song, it was a dream come true and one performance that I will not only remember but, cherish as well.

Portishead- Roads (from Dummy):

 

 

Roads Lyrics:

Oh, can’t anybody see
We’ve got a war to fight
Never found our way
Regardless of what they say
How can it feel, this wrong
From this moment
How can it feel, this wrong

Storm, in the morning light
I feel, no more can I say
Frozen to myself
I got nobody on my side
And surely that ain’t right

And surely that ain’t right

Oh, can’t anybody see
We’ve got a war to fight
Never found our way
Regardless of what they say
How can it feel, this wrong
From this moment
How can it feel, this wrong

How can it feel, this wrong
From this moment
How can it feel, this wrong

Oh, can’t anybody see
We’ve got a war to fight
Never found our way
Regardless of what they say
How can it feel, this wrong
From this moment
How can it feel, this wrong

 

You Might Have Missed: Planes Mistaken For Stars
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There are so many bands that are always under the radar that are far beyond great. These bands all tend to do it purely for the love, passion and desire to create. More often than not, these are the groups whose albums go on to influence and inspire countless other bands to form. One band that fits the former part of this equation is Planes Mistaken For Stars. This band is truly one of the best bands you probably missed over the years and when you really take a listen to them, you hear so many of your newer favorites in what they do. By mixing, rock with metal, post hardcore and punk, among others, Planes Mistaken For Stars breathed new life into the rock world and it’s many sub-genres. Over the course of their career they’ve released 4 full length studio albums (Fuck With Fire (2001), Up In Them Guts (2004), Mercy (2006) and Prey (2016), along with a slew of singles and EP’s (Knife In The Marathon (2000) and Spearheading The Sin Movement (2002).

I was first introduced to this band when a friend gave me the Spearheading The Sin Movement EP and from that point I was hooked. The first chance I got to see these guys live I jumped at the chance. I believe it was at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles but, I can’t remember who they played with. Their live show was intense and full of vigor. It’s something that is often still replaying in my mind. One of the coolest things about Planes Mistaken For Stars has always been their evolution. Rather than be tied any one genre, they’ve always explored different territories with a subtle approach. While listening to them you get all sorts of different elements from stoner rock, to space rock and even a bit of prog thrown in there. Not to mention that the rhythms, riffs, and tones emitting from former and current members really drives this ship. Lyrically and vocally is something else that makes them stand out. Gared O’Donnell has a real knack for writing very thoughtful and thought provoking words and melodies that are striking and makes his raspy voice come alive in a way that most singers in post hardcore/emo/rock bands could only wish for.

Planes Mistaken For Stars are a band that while overlooked, those that knew/know of them hold them in high regard because they are that damn good. Having  played among punk peers and hardcore heavyweights, and newer emerging acts, NOW, is as good a time as any to go listen to them get out there and see this band live. They are truly one of the best kept secrets in rock music and deserve to be applauded as such!

Sadly on November 25, 2021, singer/guitarist Gared O’Donnell lost his battle with cancer. What was unexpected though was in 2024 the band announced a final album, Do You Still Love Me? which features songs written and recorded with Gared before his passing.

Planes Mistaken For Stars:

Fuck With Fire:

 

 

Up In Them Guts:

Mercy:



Prey:

Do You Still Love Me?:


Knife In The Marathon:

Spearheading The Sin Movement:

Alternate Versions: Pearl Jam (The Who)- Love Reign O’er Me (Live)

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This alternate version is also a cover and one of the best covers I’ve ever heard. The studio version Pearl Jam did of The Who’s “Love Reign O’er Me” is really good but, this performance is what really does it in. After watching and listening to this version, it’s obvious that this song is now Pearl Jam’s. The performance is from the 2008 VH1 Rock Honors; The Who.

Pearl Jam- Love Reign O’er Me:

 

Secret Songs: Deftones- Damone

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On Deftones second album (and my personal favorite) 1997’s Around The Fur, it didn’t just have one hidden track, but two. After the final song “MX” finishes, there’s about 15 minutes of silence before there’s a 20 second skit/recording called Bong Hit, which is exactly what it sounds like. Some 13 minutes after that, though, “Damone” begins and the rest is history! This song shouldn’t have been a hidden track. It’s too damn good not to be included in the original sequence of the album. No matter what though, Deftones really knocked it out of the park with this one!

Deftones- Damone:

 

 

Deep Cuts: Planes Mistaken For Stars- To Spit A Sparrow

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There are certain bands that have way too often been overlooked. Planes Mistaken For Stars in one of them (look for a full piece on that coming soon). Through the bands career, they have been one of the best heavy rock bands around. They have the grit to go along with the piss and vinegar that makes heavy music something that is truly great. On their 2006 album Mercy, there is a song on that record called “To Spit A Sparrow” that is absolutely remarkable. It’s one of those songs that is distinctively akin to what this band is but, it also shows how great of songwriters they are.

Planes Mistaken For Stars- To Spit A Sparrow:

 

Cover Song: He Is Legend (Third Eye Blind)- Wounded

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He Is Legend is one of the most underrated bands around today. Their new album, White Bat, is one of the best albums of 2019, and I’ll get to that in a later post. While on a big kick of listening to them, I came across this gem of a cover they did of Third Eye Blind’s song “Wounded.” This is an interesting take on the song and they did something cool with it.
He Is Legend- Wounded:

 

 
Third Eye Blind- Wounded:

 

Album Review: Seizures- Reverie of the Revolving Diamond

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There are bands that come around every so often that are truly inspiring and remarkable. More often than not, these bands never get the due they deserve because of the genre they are a part of as well as not playing by the generic norm of the industry. And that’s what makes heavy music truly great. There are no rules to abide by and there are no compromises when it comes to making the type of music and albums these bands want to make. There’s a band from Orange County, CA, that have been carving their own path for some time and with the release of their new album, they have cemented themselves as torchbearers for a genre and have set a standard for what’s to come from this style of music.

Reverie of the Revolving Diamond by Seizures, is an album that is truly outstanding and genre defining. The ability this band has to mix metal, jazz, punk, atmospheric sounds as well as deep and poetic lyrics is something that should not be overlooked by anyone. The instant that the first song “Mazarine” begins, you are immediately drawn into the soundscapes and almost psychedelic undertones. “The Cycles Unnumbered” unleashes a fury of off time playful chaos and delicate jazz scales directly into the rush of blood to your head of “In A Valley Of Twilit Meres.” “Toxophola” is one of the more experimental songs on the album but still maintains the ferociousness that resonates through the entire album. This song also features Keith Barney (of Eighteen Visions/ex Throwdown). “The Ponds You Dried Yet Still You Stare” is one of my favorite songs on the album. It has everything I love about this band all wrapped in one song. Listen and you’ll hear why. “Atollian” continues to expand upon the atmospheric undertones of the album and keeps it tasty as a sweet transition right into the decimating “Of Indigo and Seven Crows.” “Severnaya” provides a really cool interesting vibe as it serves as an entry into “Bedlam Blues” which is the most straight forward song on the album but not in the way that defers from the spastic nature of the album. “On Saturine Shores” is another moving interlude of sorts. These little atmospheric jazz breaks in between songs give the album and listener a breath in between sonic assaults. Closing out the album is “Eru” and this song is epic and like “The Ponds…” this too has a bit of everything that Seizures has to offer and then some.

Seizures have released an album that stands up with the best albums as their contemporaries and the ones that inspired and influenced them.  They have a sound and style that is ferocious and brutal yet delicate and oddly soothing. Reverie of the Revolving Diamond is an album for today as much as Calculating Infinity by The Dillinger Escape Plan was 20 years ago. The band live is a whole other beast as well. I’ve only had the pleasure of seeing them once but, they truly left a mark on me and I’ve been anticipating this album since I saw Seizures. Do yourself a favor and take a chance on something that might (well it probably is) out of your comfort zone and discover what this band has to offer. This album is definitely in my top ten of the year as well.

Seizures- Reverie of the Revolving Diamond:

 

By: Brian Lacy

Those 90’s Songs: 311- Beautiful Disaster

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Back in 1997, 311, released Transistor, the follow up to their break through self titled album. There was one song on the album that has always been a favorite of mine.  The song is “Beautiful Disaster” and it rocks. The intro is beyond recognizable anytime you hear the first few notes and the vibe the song emits, has this flow to it that is perfectly 90’s but, still sounds fresh today. Interestingly, “Beautiful Disaster” was the third and final single released from the album.

311- Beautiful Disaster:

 

Band Of The Week: Drug Church

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Remember the days of reading the liner notes and seeing the list of bands that are thanked and then checking out the ones you didn’t know? It’s always a pleasure and fun to come across bands that people in other bands you dig like. Not too long ago, I saw a posting on Instagram from Riley of Thrice talking about the band Drug Church. So, I did what I do, and checked them out. Needless to say, I enjoyed what I heard. Drug Church is a post-hardcore band hailing from upstate New York. Their sound is a mix of hardcore punk, alternative rock and a tinge of grunge. Think of it like this, if Black Flag (Rollins era), The Jesus Lizard and In Utero era Nirvana all somehow made music together, you’d get a pretty close resemblance to what Drug Church sounds like. The band was started by Self Defense Family singer Patrick Kindlon. Since their inception, they have released three full length studio albums, and a handful of EP’s and singles. Their most recent album, Cheer, is one of the coolest albums I’ve heard in a long time. It’s a very focused and powerful album as well as experimental. Cheer is the type of album that will leave you wanting to go right back to the first song after its over. The lyrics that accompany the music are smart and and thought provoking with enough of a sarcastic approach to make them really stand out. From the live videos I’ve seen of the band, they are one of the more exciting bands to see live. A band like Drug Church is a much needed breathe of air in a musical climate of today that is dominated by so much manufactured crap. So, do yourself a favor and take a listen to this great band!

Drug Church- Cheer:

 
Drug Church on Audiotree:

 

 

Alternate Version: Alice In Chains- Nutshell (Unplugged)

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There are certain songs in a bands catalog that no matter how many times you’ve heard it, you always get that same feeling wafting over you. That happens to me every time I hear the MTV Unplugged version of Alice In Chains “Nutshell.” This version is quite astounding. Opening the show with this song too was something special. It’s truly one of those magical music moments that will give you chills. “Nutshell” is in my top 5 favorite Alice In Chains songs of all time and this version just might eclipse the studio version for me.

 
Alice In Chains- Nutshell (MTV Unplugged):