End Of Album Songs

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:

SONGS THAT SHOULD BE PLAYED LIVE: DEFTONES- MOANA

Ever since Deftones released their new album Private Music a couple months back, it’s been in constant rotation. It’s a really good album. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should! It’s the album that should’ve come after Koi No Yokan. If you want to read more about Private Music, you can check out my review here. Earlier this week, while in the beginning stages of putting together an Ultimate Set List for Deftones, I realized how many great songs they have that don’t get played live. And there are a bunch. One track in particular that I’ve always gravitated to is the final song on their 2003 self titled album, “Moana.” According to setlist.fm, this song has only been played live twice and both happened in 2004. That must change (no pun intended)! “Moana” is one of those signature Deftones songs with the ambience, heavy guitars, pulsating rhythms and those oh so sweet vocals! So, I’m putting it out in the universe that “Moana” needs to start getting it’s time to shine!!

Deftones- Moana:

ALTERNATE VERSIONS: STONE TEMPLE PILOTS- ATLANTA

Today would’ve been Scott Weiland’s 58th birthday. Scott was one of those talents that truly had a gift of song. The way he wrote lyrics, conjuring sweet melodies, and his performances, there was no denying Scott was one of the best. With it being Scott’s birthday, why not highlight one of my all time favorite Stone Temple Pilots songs, “Atlanta.” This song is absolutely divine. There’s moments throughout the song that makes it feel like The Doors are a part of the song. And I do LOVE The Doors. I still remember the first time I heard this song when I bought the CD and got it home. I wound up putting “Atlanta” on repeat for at least a good hour. It’s also one of the best ending the night songs as you pull into the garage or parking spot. STP has always had a knack for writing great songs with a vibe. “Atlanta” is a great example of that! Happy Birthday Scott!

Atlanta (Through The Eyes/Ears Of Robert, Dean and Eric):

Atlanta (Live On Craig Kilborn):

Atlanta (Acoustic Version):

Atlanta (Album Version):

End Of Album Songs: Poison The Well- Crystal Lake

Poison The Well’s third album and major label debut, You Come Before You, is one of the best heavy albums of the new millennium. I remember the summer of 2003 when it came out and how it was a shotgun blast of WOW! I was already into the band via their previous album, Tear From The Red and was very much anticipating You Come Before You. As much as I liked Tear From The Red, and it’s a a banger, You Come Before You always had a bit more to it. The natural evolution of the band showed through on YCBY and the live show at this time too was on another level. A few years back when Poison The Well announced their reunion I was beyond stoked and the LA show they played was top notch. As we come up on 20 years of You Come Before You, I’ve gone back and to the album and keep reminding myself why it’s so good. I could and probably will do a whole piece about the album but, right now I just want to focus on the final song on the album, “Crystal Lake.” It’s one of those end of album songs that encapsulates the record and leaves a bit of a trail of impending things to come. The song itself is ferocious and it’s teeth really sink in from the moment Chris Hornbrook’s drums start. Then as soon as it’s over, you feel compelled to start the album over!

Poison The Well- Crystal Lake:

Poison The Well- Crystal Lake (Live At Warped Tour 2003):

By: Brian Lacy

End Of Album Songs: Cave In- New Moon

Yesterday I saw a post that Cave In’s album Jupiter is now 23 years old. It’s absolutely crazy how fast time is flying by. I remember when this album came out and going to Tower Records during my lunch break in High School to buy it. I’ve listened to this album hundreds of times over the years and I’d more than likely say that Jupiter is my favorite Cave In album. That being said, there is one song I’d like to pinpoint as a standout and that would be the final song on the album, “New Moon.” It’s one of those songs that in the context of the whole album encapsulates what an epic record Jupiter is. The way the song starts as this delicate piece and ends with quite a ruckus is quite the testament to the band as writers and musicians. “New Moon” has only been played live a handful of times (9 according to setlist.fm). I did finally get to hear it live at the Caleb Scofield Tribute show in LA back in 2018 and it was absolutely beautiful. Songs like this that end powerful albums should be celebrated as such.

Cave In- New Moon (Album Version):

New Moon (Live At Roadburn, 2018):

New Moon- Live 2002:

End Of Album Songs: Metallica- Inamorata

On every Metallica album since Ride The Lightning, there has been at least one song that is a bit of an outlier. Now, this song is not always the heaviest track, instead it’s the one that raises your curiosity and shows a different side of the band. Going through the band’s catalog you have songs like “Fade To Black,” “Sanitarium,” “Bleeding Me,” “Halo On Fire” and a few others I could mention. The new Metallica album, 72 Seasons has one for damn sure with “Inamorata.” This track is absolutely one hell of an end of album song but, it’s also one of Metallica’s more epic tracks in a long time. The new album is quite a killer one and this track is the icing on the cake! Take a listen to this gem!

Metallica- Inamorata:

End Of Album Songs: Pixies- Gouge Away

For the past few weeks I’ve been on a big kick of listening to the Pixies. In my deep dive into their catalog, I’ve come to the conclusion many others have as well that Doolittle is one hell of an album and highly influential to so many bands. There really is something special about this album. One day in the near future I will put it all into words but, for right now I just want to focus on the absolute perfection of the final song on the album and that is “Gouge Away.” Every time I hear this song, I don’t want it to end. Sometimes I wish it had a 10 minute solo in the middle of it just because this song is so damn great. Interestingly this song is based on the story of Samson and Delilah. Some think Frank Black is referencing his relationship with bassist Kim Deal, as Frank represents Samson and Kim, Delilah. Other’s think it has to do with heroin addiction. Either way, this song is one hell of a gem and ends Doolittle in perfect fashion. Cheers to the Pixies and their absolute classic album, Doolittle!

Pixies- Gouge Away (Album Version):

New Release: Centershift- Fade Away

One of my favorite albums of 2022 was Centershift’s A Different Shade Of Color. It’s one of those albums (notice how I said ALBUM) that takes you on quite the journey musically, lyrically and tells a pretty potent story. The way the album flows, gets into the nitty gritty of life and all its trials and tribulations. I have a few favorites off the album but, there is one song in particular that I’ve had a deep affinity for and that is the closing track, “Fade Away.” Through the darkness of this song and the lyrics, you find a sense of hope and light within that connects on a deeper level. “Fade Away” is one of those songs that will sit with you and make you contemplate life and how you can get through the moments that can tend to keep you down. The visualizer for this song is absolutely stunning and it takes the song to another dimension as you are captivated by the way the music, lyrics, melody and visuals encompass everything. Enjoy this!

Centershift- Fade Away:

Centershift- A Different Shade Of Color:

SPOTIFY


APPLE MUSIC

End Of Album Songs: Turbid North- Time

Earlier this year I was introduced to the band Turbid North and their absolutely fantastic album, The Decline. It’s one of those albums that the more you listen to it you find all these really cool nuances to it and it makes each listen another journey all on its own. Ever since I was little, I’ve had this thing where I fully immerse myself in an album with headphones on and just let it take me places. Turbid North’s The Decline is one of those perfect headphone albums. There are so many songs on this album that have left a lasting impression on me and I will get to that in a future article but, at this moment in time (pun totally not intended), the song that I want to delve into a bit more is the final song on the album, “Time.” This song packs one hell of a walloping punch. At one moment you get lost in the ambience and fog of post metal and then like a punch to the face it goes off into a ferocious wall of heavy metal and grind. I love when songs and bands embrace all that they are inspired by and deliver a song/album that is all encompassing. “Time” is one hell of a song and way to end the album. I might be a little late to the Turbid North party but, there is no doubt in my mind that this album deserves to be shared and showcased among the best of 2023!

Turbid North- Time:

Turbid North- The Decline: