Deep Cuts

END OF ALBUM SONGS: JOY DIVISION- I REMEMBER NOTHING

No matter how many times I’ve listened to Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures, I always find something new to love about it. For a long time I’ve been really getting into all the sounds and instruments they used on this album and live. Which brings me to today’s article. The final song on Unknown Pleasures, “I Remember Nothing.” This song, is truly remarkable. The dissonance and space throughout the whole song is stunning. From the way the drums and bass are so subtle yet at the same time, chilling. Then you add in the vocals and the delivery and how that sits like a cloud. The use of synthesizers on here is stark but poignant. And then you add in the added effects of smashing bottles in such a timely manner that, it in an eerie way almost “brightens” the mood. Call me crazy but, there’s something really intense about all this. Without a doubt, Unknown Pleasures is an absolute perfect album. It’s in my top 25 of all time and it’s not leaving there ever!

Joy Division- I Remember Nothing:

TITLE TRACKS: TOOL- UNDERTOW

I have an interesting theory on title tracks. More often than not, the title track on an album is a deeper cut, towards the end of the album. My theory is that the “title track” is a bit of a summation of what the album encompasses. It could be musically, lyrically, thematic or the all around tonality of what the album is about. There are quite a few bands that do this on a consistent basis and I quite enjoy it. One of those bands is Tool. They have successfully done this three times (Undertow, Aenima and Lateralus). As much as I love “Lateralus” I really have to say “Undertow” might just be the best of the three. The song itself has a lot of different vibes to it. You have the heavy aspects, the syncopated rhythms, but the more progressive elements mixed with a bit of psychedelia puts this one over. “Undertow” is a song you can get lost in and it’s placement in the album sequence really lets the song become its own entity. I’m glad to see that “Undertow” made it back into the set list the past few years. More songs off of the album itself need to be played live. Less Fear Inoculum and more of the songs not played enough!!

Tool- Undertow:

DEEP CUTS: HIGH ON FIRE- KING FOR DAYS

My friend and podcast co-host Justin, recently went to Sacramento to the Aftershock festival (Check out his recap HERE). While he was there and we were chatting he mentioned he was going to check out High On Fire. Both of us haven’t seen them in a long time and Justin said they were fantastic. So naturally, while chatting about the band, I had a song pop in my head and it’s been playing on repeat and it’s a perfect deep cut! High On Fire if you don’t know are one hell of a band. They are one of the best at Stoner/Sludge Metal while at the same time having elements of Thrash and Doom. The song I’m focusing on comes from their 2012 album De Vermis Mysteriis, and it’s an epic track too, “King For Days.” Clocking in at a little over seven minutes, “King For Days” gives you quite the spectrum of awesomeness. Enjoy this track and check out more of High On Fire.

High On Fire- King For Days:

DEEP CUTS: NINE INCH NAILS- PLEASE

Those that know me know I’m a GIANT Nine Inch Nails fan. I could write pages about why they are my favorite band but, I’ll save that for another day or even for a future podcast episode. The Fragile is my all time favorite album. Ever since it came out in 1999 it has yet to leave my constant rotation and it’s one of those albums I find is a warm blanket record. There are so many great songs found throughout the album. There is maybe one song that I skip (Star Fuckers Inc.) but, for the most part I don’t. The other day while listening to the full album, I found myself stuck on one song in particular and that would be the song “Please.” This song is so damn good and one of those that I wish would be played live a lot more. One of the other cool things about “Please” is the layers and textures of the instrumentation found throughout. And for those of you like me that are rabid NIN fans, depending on what version you have (CD or Vinyl) part of the song “10 Miles High” can be found at the beginning or the end of the song. Since Nine Inch Nails are touring again and I will be at both Los Angeles shows in Sepetember, lets put this out in the universe and see if we can make it happen “PLEASE!!!!!”

Nine Inch Nails- Please:

Deep Cuts: Stone Temple Pilots- Adhesive

There are certain albums in a bands catalog that often times get over looked. One such album that I’ve found has gone overlooked and is quite underrated is Stone Temple Pilots third album, Tiny Music… From The Vatican Gift Shop. If you were to ask me my favorite STP album, I’d immediately say Purple would be it with Core being a close second. Though the more I delve into Tiny Music, the more it keeps moving up the ladder and is fast becoming my second favorite STP album. There are a plethora of great songs on the album with one in particular that always seems to grab me, and that song would be “Adhesive.” Each time I listen to this song I get swept away by it. The vocals and melody of Scott is otherworldly. Musically, Robert, Dean and Eric created a whole vibe with this song. It’s one of those songs that you can listen to at any time and it just feels right.

Stone Temple Pilots- Adhesive:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=LKF1EANgkcs%3Fsi%3D32HltjgGrscgrbyt

Deep Cuts: Nine Inch Nails- La Mer

My all time favorite album is The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails. It’s an absolute masterpiece and then some. Truly, it’s one of those albums that the more you listen, it always sounds impeccable. There are a batch of song I could focus on for this topic but, I thought I’d pin point one song that I’ve always had a deep admiration for and that song would be “La Mer” which can be found as Track 11 on Disc 1. “La Mer” is a really poignant song within the whole of The Fragile. The song itself was conceived during a very dark period in Trent’s life. While on stage in 2009 he disclosed that he had rented a house at the time of the making of The Fragile, on an ocean with the external intent to write some music, but in reality had contemplated suicide there. This song was the only song to come out of that time and place. He still feels strange playing it live because it serves as a reminder of this period. And each time it’s played live there is a feeling that sails from the stage to the audience that gives you chills when you least expect it. There are a few different versions of the song with each one giving you a bit of a different listening experience and vibe. I highly recommend checking the other ones out.

Nine Inch Nails- La Mer (Album Version):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dcIOInVS7jo%3Fsi%3DF-snkdQlgLxhfEJC

La Mer (Alternate Version found on Deviations I):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=vbjBRoizGgY%3Fsi%3DQTLPOZDAyao_g9Wb

La Mer (Jerome Dillon & Keith Hillebrandt Mix):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=KfGOxWYYEVY%3Fsi%3Dp-Aa36QfD48z_07k

Deep Cuts: A Perfect Circle- The Noose

I quite enjoy waking up with a song in my head. How it gets there is a story for another time. This morning I woke up with an instrumental part in my head and it didn’t take long to figure out what song it was. “The Noose” by A Perfect Circle is the song that started things off this morning and what a great track it is. It’s one of those songs that not only captivates you as your listen but, the lyrical content makes you think too. The Thirteenth Step is a concept album that pulls from the different aspects and perspectives of recovery and the 12 steps. “The Noose” definitely pulls from the step of making amends. It’s quite a song both lyrically and musically. This is one of those album/deep cuts that make an album strong and prove that a band is more than just the singles they release. One can hope that if A Perfect Circle regroups, and get back into writing/recording, that they find their way back to where they left off on The Thirteenth Step.

A Perfect Circle- The Noose:

The Noose (Live):

Deep Cuts: Deftones- When Girls Telephone Boys

The other day I saw that it’s the 20th anniversary of Deftones 2003 self titled album. I remember the day it came out, it was also the same day as Metallica’s St. Anger! When I went to listen to the album, it’s been quite a minute since I have, I quickly remembered an old favorite song and went straight for it and that song would be “When Girls Telephone Boys.” This song is one hell of a gem. It’s got everything I like about the band in one and live?! Oh, it’s a beast that goes off! I’m just gonna keep it short and simple, enjoy this song!

Deftones- When Girls Telephone Boys:

Deep Cuts: Stone Temple Pilots- Sin

The other day I was watching/listening to a great interview Rick Beato did with Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots. As soon as that interview was over, I immediately went into STP mode and started with Core all the way to the final album with Scott. While listening to all these great songs and albums, I went back to Core when it was all done because there has always been a song on that album that to me has never gotten the due it deserves. The song I’m talking about is “Sin.” This track is right smack in the middle of the album and it’s a truly remarkable song. Then when you combine the instrumental track “No Memory” before “Sin” it makes for one hell of a combination. “Sin” is one of those songs in the STP catalog that shows just how good of a band they really are. From Scott’s vocals, lyrics and melodies on this one, to the sort of behind the beat but right in the pocket drums of Eric Kretz, then you have the bass parts by Robert DeLeo that adds this really cool pseudo jazz/70’s rock element that makes the guitar work of Dean DeLeo brighter, plus the guitar solo towards the end is just so perfect for the song. A song like “Sin” is a perfect deep cut. It’s also one of those songs I wish got played live more, it’s that good!

Stone Temple Pilots- Sin (Album Version):

Stone Temple Pilots- No Memory/Sin (Live 1993):

Rick Beato Interview with Robert DeLeo:

Deep Cuts: Type O Negative- Burnt Flowers Fallen

Since today is Valentine’s Day how about a little Type O Negative to go with the day! Type O Negative are seriously underrated. Their catalog is seriously top notch and like a fine wine/scotch/whiskey their albums/songs only get better with age. I’ve had this internal debate for a long time about what my favorite album of theirs is and each time, I always wind up with October Rust as my go to. You’d probably be surprised by my second favorite being World Coming Down. That album is masterfully dark and beautiful. October Rust though, that album really does it for me when it comes to Type O. To me, this album seemed a bit more focused on songs and songwriting and it truly shows. The deep cut that I find as my go to more often than not is track 9, “Burnt Flowers Fallen.” I love this song. It’s dark, dreary and the right amount of goth bits to it that lets the melody shine. Not to mention the middle section of the song… WOW! Enjoy this Type O Negative deep cut!

Type O Negative- Burnt Flowers Fallen: