Author: audioeclectica

Underrated Albums: Depeche Mode- Songs of Faith and Devotion

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Depeche Mode is one of the most intriguing bands of the last 30 plus years. They have never been a band to keep making the same album. They’ve experimented and evolved in a way that is truly astounding. Each album stands out on it’s own. Some are better than others but the true essence of Depeche Mode is in each of their releases. Which brings me to their 1993 album Songs of Faith and Devotion. Following up an album like Violator is never easy but, this is Depeche Mode we are talking about. They followed up their breakthrough album with a record that took chances and showed just how really diverse Depeche Mode is.
Songs of Faith and Devotion is the eighth studio album in the bands catalog and it’s one of their more darker and aggressive albums. This album would be produced by Flood again and was recorded in a rented home which the band built a studio and live and worked in. This album saw the band become very interested in the alternative music that was taking over. Bands like Jane’s Addiction and Soundgarden have been mentioned as key inspirations for the albums sound and style. The making of the album was quite difficult. Growing tensions among band members and drug addiction had caused some very trying times for Depeche Mode. Despite all this, Songs of Faith and Devotion is one of the best pieces of work the band has ever put out. Songs like “Walking In My Shoes,” “I Feel You,” “Condemnation,” In Your Room,” “Rush,” and “Higher Love,” just further prove that this album is truly remarkable. Even with the addiction issues, Dave Gahan’s vocal performances on this album are beyond stellar. Martin Gore, in my opinion, outdid himself with the songs he wrote on this album. Perhaps the growing tensions within the group especially the most strained between drummer Alan Wilder and Gore, helped to make some of the bands best songs. The following promotional tour for the album, The Devotional Tour, would be regarded in the bands history as their most “debauched” rock tour ever. This tour would also be the catalyst for the long break the band took afterwards before they would begin work on their album, Ultra.

Depeche Mode’s catalog is full of so many great albums. Violator is always going to be the one that the “masses” reach for but, the deep fans know there is more than just “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy The Silence.” Personally for me Songs of Faith and Devotion is in my top 3 favorite Depeche Mode albums (the other two are Music For The Masses and Exciter). There is something truly beautiful about how all the negativity that surrounded the making of this album created a record that surpassed an expectations that people would have. For almost 40 years now, Depeche Mode has proven you don’t need to make the same record twice. Taking chances and evolving in a way that still keeps the essence of the band in tact, has always been key to the bands success, and Songs of Faith and Devotion cements that fact.

Depeche Mode- Songs of Faith and Devotion:

Songs of Faith and Devotion Documentary:

Band Of The Week: Tombstones In Their Eyes

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The other day while I was sifting through my list of bands to check out, there was a band name that caught my eye and raised my curiosity level. That band is called Tombstones In Their Eyes and they are radical! Based in Los Angeles, this psychedelic rock band has crafted a sound that is part psychedelic, part stoner rock, mixed with a bit of shoegaze and ambience. Tombstones In Their Eyes are expressive not just in the soundscapes and riffs they create but in the way the vocals, lyrics and melodies all come together. At times while listening you get sucked into a trance that resembles a lullaby. It’s truly a visceral listening experience. Their 2017 EP Fear is so damn good. It’s the perfect end of night album or for a soothing drive on an open road. On their newest EP Nothing Here, the band gets even grittier and the songs hit like a ton of bricks but, in a way that is still calming to your senses. Tombstones In Their Eyes is a band that has a real knack for creating great music and art. It’s real and full of life. Check them out!

 
Tombstones In Their Eyes- Nothing Here EP:

 
Tombstones In Their Eyes- Fear EP:

Cover Song: Jane’s Addiction (Led Zeppelin)- Whole Lotta Love

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This past week I’ve been on a Jane’s Addiction kick. While further delving into their early career, before Nothing’s Shocking, I came across a very interesting cover they did of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” They really made the song their own in a way that only Jane’s Addiction could. Dave Navarro’s playing and little additional leads to the song are outstanding. Stephen Perkins nails the Bonham feel but adds a bit of a funkier vibe to it, Eric Avery is so damn steady and loose that it just comes natural for him and of course the vocals from Perry Farrell are so uniquely his. This is just a really well done and fun cover. Enjoy!

 
Jane’s Addiction- Whole Lotta Love:

 

Memorable TV Performances: Every Time I Die on Jimmy Kimmel

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Back in 2007 while riding high on the release of their very kick ass album The Big Dirty, Every Time I Die performed the song “We’rewolf” on Jimmy Kimmel Live. This was a very intense performance for a couple reasons, 1, they performed on the inside stage which is rather tiny but right up the ally of the guys in the band. 2, the audience that was watching them probably had no idea what they were in for and 3, this was the first time ETID had performed on a late night TV show.

 

Every Time I Die- We’rewolf on Jimmy Kimmel Live:

 

Album Review: The Black Queen- Infinite Games

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Ever since I first heard The Black Queen‘s debut album Fever Daydream, I’ve been hooked. The Black Queen are a revelation among a sea of imposter bands of the genre. Greg Puciato, Josh Eustis and Steve Alexander have created a sound that is inspired and deep. The lush ambient landscapes and 80’s synth wave driven music along with the exceptional vocals and lyrics have made The Black Queen a real force to be reckoned with.

Their new album Infinite Games is superb from start to finish. From the moment “Even Still I Want To” begins all the way to the closing track”One Edge Of Two,” you as the listener get the full album experience. Songs like “Thrown Into The Dark,” “No Accusations,” “Your Move,” “Lies About You,” and “Spatial Boundaries” will instantly grab you. Then there are other songs like “Impossible Condition,” “100 To Zero,” and “Porcelain Veins”  that really go deep and take you on a bit of a journey. The album is dark and brooding yet sensual and seductive at the same time.

The combination of the three of these men, Josh, Greg and Steve is astounding. What they have created not only extends on what they started with Fever Daydream but, on Infinite Games, they have created an album that transcends the norm of what synth wave music is as well as paying homage to the bands/artists that have influenced and inspired them without making it a straight derivative of those works. Greg Puciato not only is one of the best frontmen of the last century but he undeniably has one of the best voices as well. His ability to go from The Dillinger Escape Plan to The Black Queen not only shows his versatility as a vocalist but also as a lyricist. The lyrical content explores different emotions and themes that he wouldn’t normally get into while in Dillinger, thus making this a visceral and impassioned adventure.

The Black Queen is calling and you need to make it a point of delving into this album, as well as Fever Daydream.

Overall Rating: A

 
The Black Queen- Infinite Games:

The Black Queen- Fever Daydream:

Guest Vocalist: Perry Farrell

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One of the most unique vocalists in rock music is without a doubt Perry Farrell. Since his days in Jane’s Addiction to Porno For Pyros and everything else he’s done, Perry is one of those vocalists that when you hear them, you know it’s them. Over the years Perry has lent his vocals to quite a few other bands songs. Here is a few for you to wet your beak on!

 

Perry Farrell- Hot Lava (from The South Park Album):

 

 

 

Perry Farrell and Exene Cervenka of X- Children Of Night (from Stoned Immaculate):

 

 

 

Paul Oakenfold- Time of Your Life (from Bunkka):

 

 

The Nightwatchman- Shake My Shit (from The Fabled City):

 

 

Andy Bell of Erasure- Honey If You Love Him (from Non-Stop):

 

 

Thievery Corporation- Revolution Solution (from The Cosmic Game):

 

Band Of The Week: Primitive Weapons

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The post-hardcore genre has grown by leaps and bounds. This genre has fast become one of the most prominent ones in heavy music. There is a band from New York that is leaving their mark and giving post-hardcore a more melodic/space rock tinge, and that band is Primitive Weapons. The bands newest material is expansive and full of heaviness without giving up on their roots. Two songs “Keep The Lights On” and “Normalcy Bias” have been released from their upcoming album, Surrender Yourself. These songs show the growth and evolution of a band that is more than just your run of the mill post-hardcore band. The mix of hardcore, metal, and melody is what is making Primitive Weapons a force to be reckoned with.

 

Primitive Weapons- Keep The Lights On:

 

 

Primitive Weapons- Normalcy Bias:

 

 

Primitive Weapons- The Future Of Death:

Cover Song: Billy Idol (The Doors)- L.A. Woman

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Back in 1990, Billy Idol released his fourth solo studio album entitled Charmed Life. The album featured the hit single “Cradle Of Love.” That song went on to win multiple awards for it’s video which was directed by David Fincher. There was another song on the album though, that got a lot of attention, and that was Billy’s cover of The Doors classic, L.A. Woman. His version was shorter than the original and it also had a bit of a different vibe but, it was still one of those covers that stood out for being unique and still honoring the original. The video for the cover was also directed by David Fincher. L.A. Woman is one of my all time favorite songs by The Doors, and ever since I heard Billy Idol’s version when I was a very young kid (think I was 6), I’ve loved it even more. By the way, Billy Idol is still a badass and continues to rock the stage and release great rock music.

 

Billy Idol- L.A. Woman:

 

 

 

Billy Idol- L.A. Woman (album version):

 

Anticipated Albums: Cult Leader- A Patient Man

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A couple years back while at a Dillinger Escape Plan show, I got to witness the beautifully devastating band Cult Leader. I was totally blown away by them. Their set that night was intense and hypnotic, leading me to coin a new sub-genre, hypnotic hardcore. Their 2015 album Lightless Walk, is one of the best metallic hardcore albums in the past decade. So naturally, when Cult Leader released their new song “I Am Healed” from their up coming album, A Patient Man (out November 9th via Deathwish Inc), I got all giddy. Picking up where they left off with Lightless Walk, this new album is shaping up to be something brutal and devastating yet full of surprises. Speaking of surprises check out the next single “To: Achlys,” what an amazing song!

 

Cult Leader- I Am Healed:

 

 
Cult Leader- To Achlys:

 

 

 

Cult Leader- Lightless Walk:

Classic Soundtracks: Spun

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Way back in 2001 after the break up of The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain formed a new band called Zwan. There was two sides to the band and the more acoustic based side was called The Djali Zwan.  Then in 2002, Billy was approached by visionary director Jonas Akerlund to create the music for his upcoming film Spun. A slew of original songs were written by Billy, as well as different approaches to a variety of other songs like a very stripped down version of Iron Maiden’s “The Number Of The Beast.” The film would go on to become a sort of cult movie but, the soundtrack is one of those sought after items for many fans of Corgan’s. These songs have taken on a life of their own and really helped to give a vibe to the film.

 

Spun Soundtrack: