I love finding multiple versions of covers and trying to figure out what one is better. I’ve always had an admiration for the Beastie Boys and “Sabotage” is one of my favorite songs of theirs. So when I came across these versions by Cancer Bats and Korn/Slipknot I had to share with you all and see what one you thought was best.
Cancer Bats:
Korn/Slipknot:
Beastie Boys:
When you think of Muse you think of vibrant live shows with lots of lights and lasers. Not to mention the direction they went in after their breakthrough album Absolution. Shedding their Radiohead tendencies, Muse delved deep into their love of Queen. On their now seventh album Drones, Matt Bellamy and company took their love of all things Queen and added more guitars to it. Produced by Robert “Mutt” Lange (Def Leppard Pyromania and Hysteria, ACDC Back In Black), Drones is nestled deep in its concept and the arrangements are very tight, but the lyrics suffer. While the band has always been top notch musicians, the lyrics come across as high school and very conspiracy theory like.
There are a few saving graces on the album though. The song “Psycho” is an extremely heavy rocking song that I dare say should have been the first single instead of “Dead Inside. “Dead Inside” is your typical standard song you would expect from Muse nowadays. “Psycho” brings back that intensity that was found on Absolution and Showbiz. “Mercy” has an Ours-esque vibe in the vocal melody. One of the biggest things I noticed in listening to the album was the guitar style that Matt is playing with now. It’s as though he is trying to replicate Tom Morello’s sound and bring it to the Muse fold. Sadly though his attempt falls flat. This is very noticeable on the songs “Reapers” and “Defector.” One of the other highlights I found amongst the album was the song “Aftermath.” There is a really sweet melody that goes along with the song and the guitars sound like they are a part of a Cure song, making this one of the more enjoyable songs on the album. Album closer “The Globalist” starts off with an Ennio Morricone type opener, then proceeds to slow things down almost to a halt.
All in all the album as a whole is very underwhelming. I really enjoyed the albums Showbiz and Absolution. I wish they would go back to their Radiohead tendencies but with a heavier feel. Drones tries to show a more mature side of Muse, but it doesn’t quite get there. This album was supposed to be a more “back to basics” album, sadly their idea of basic isn’t what this turned out to be. Here’s hoping Muse gets back to what they started off as and they stop trying to go over the top with all their grandiose and Queen like vibe.
Psycho:
Dead Inside:
Reapers:
Mercy:
By: Brian Lacy
Last night I was sitting at home watching TV and out of the blue Guns N Roses Estranged popped into my head. Then I proceeded to look up the video for the sing, which got me thinking about all their videos. So I thought today would be ideal to do a top 10 ranking of their best videos.
10) Live And Let Die:
9) Since I Don’t Have You:
8) Sweet Child O’ Mine:
7) Welcome To The Jungle:
6) Paradise City:
5) You Could Be Mine:
4) Patience:
3) Don’t Cry:
2) Estranged:
1) November Rain:
A good friend of mine recently directed this video for Los Angeles based band Fidlar. These garage punks are gearing up to release their second full length album simply titled TOO. Stay tuned for more about FIDLAR in the coming weeks!
FIDLAR- 40oz On Repeat:
I really enjoy when friends of mine recommend bands to me. Recently, my friend Josh of with Our Arms To The Sun (a band that you all should listen to) told me about this band MAL. After giving them a listen I really enjoyed what I heard. These guys have the ability to mix genres and make something genuinely creative. Blending their love of alternative rock, stoner rock, and progressive rock, MAL has been able to create music that is captivating to listen to. This three piece band really digs deep in their craft. Their newest song Acqua Macabre is part Rush, Tool, and Failure. Musically these guys really know their instruments and know to go from quiet to loud at the right time. I really look forward to seeing what these guys do.
Acqua Macabre:
https://www.facebook.com/malsongs
https://www.reverbnation.com/malsongs
By: Brian Lacy
I love Neil Young. He is amazing. His voice, lyrics and music is mind blowing. While this isn’t the original Guns, this is still quite awesome to hear. Axl sounds great on this song and mixed with Neil it’s like they are one person. Check it out!
Guns N Roses with Neil Young- Don’t Let It Bring You Down:
I’ve really been enjoying doing this feature. It makes me go back and listen to bands/albums I haven’t listened to in a long time. Not to mention that it’s quite fun to research what other collaborations certain singers have done. Since I did an album rank of Korn yesterday I thought why not do a guest vocalist feature on Jonathan Davis and share the songs that he guested on.
Sepultura- Lookaway (Roots):
Orgy- Revival (Candyass):
Deadsy- Sleepy Hollow (Deadsy):
Limp Bizkit- Nobody Like You (Significant Other):
Videodrone- Ty Jonathan Down (Videodrone):
Strait Up- Take It Back (Strait Up):
I don’t know why but I’ve been in a mood lately to listen to Korn. Though I’ve mainly just listened to the first album. So I thought I’d rank all their albums since I’ve been on a Korn kick.
See You On The Other Side:
The Path Of Totality:
Take A Look In The Mirror:
Korn III- Remember Who You Are:
The Paradigm Shift:
Untitled:
The Serenity Of Suffering:
Untouchables:
Follow The Leader:
Life Is Peachy:
Issues:
Korn:
In the time that I’ve been writing my little blog, I’ve come across quite a few bands that have given me hope in the future of music. One of those bands is Dekades. These goth rockers have been beyond consistent with all the material they have put out. On their newest EP, the band has stretched out past the norm of most goth/Post Punk bands. They have upped the groove and added another dimension that packs a bit more bounce. The rhythm section of Chris Cano on drums and James Carter on bass have a real knack for pushing the groove to the forefront while guitarist Josh Benson provides dynamic structures upon which multi-instrumentalist Matt Shores applies his ambient textures and all this is tied together with vocalist/guitarist Arden Fisher vocal delivery and conviction. Dekades is definitely a band to be on the lookout for.
By: Brian Lacy
The Pacific Northwest is fast becoming a haven for music again. There is a scene brewing up there that is emitting very creative and worth while music. One of those bands is Dust Moth. Combining the influences of hard rock, and shoe gaze, they have created something that is part Deftones (the more ambient White Pony material) and early Smashing Pumpkins. Their 2014 EP Dragon Mouth is six songs of hypnotic energy and leaves you wanting more. Take a listen and you’ll hear what I mean.
https://www.facebook.com/dustmothband
By: Brian Lacy
