Beats Per Minute: Betty Moon

Betty-Moon-hellucination-album-cover.jpg

I really enjoy when I get a new band/artist in my inbox to check out. I listen to everything that gets sent my way. Sure there are things that I don’t like but, then there are things that I come across that I enjoy and definitely think that those of you that read Audioeclectica would enjoy too. Recently one of those artist that was intrigued by is Betty Moon. Betty has a new album out called Hellucination and the first single from that, “Crazy” is quite the infectious track. You might have even heard Betty’s music featured in a variety of television shows and films including Californication and Dexter. The thing that intrigued me most about this was that it wasn’t your run of the mill pop or electronic music. Musically, it’s poppy and full of hooks but, there is real depth to the words and it’s not superficial. Betty has a very sultry yet raw voice to go along with a rock n’ roll attitude, which helps to separate her from the rest of the pack.

Betty Moon- Crazy:

 

 
Betty Moon- Save My Soul:

 

Songs In Film: Motorhead- Ace Of Spades in Grosse Pointe Blank

MPW-116004.jpg

Grosse Pointe Blank is one of the best films of the past 25 years. It’s funny, heartfelt, violent and all around great. Plus the soundtrack to the film is superb. This movie is one of those that you can watch constantly just for fun. It’s also one of those that when it’s on, most people tend to watch it no matter how far in the movie already is. John Cusack is perfect as Martin Blank. I was recently watching the movie the other night and there was a scene I made a note of and had to present it here. Motorhead’s “Ace Of Spades” was featured in the movie in one of the coolest scenes. Check it out!

Motorhead- Ace Of Spades in Grosse Pointe Blank:

 

 

Those 90’s Songs: The Flys- Got You (Where I Want You)

68d944847ae1098561709e43d746aec0.jpg

Towards the late 90’s there were so many bands on rock radio that had “that” song that you will always remember. You might not recall the name of the band or the song but, the melody or riff is something that has stuck in your head for a long time. One song that is like that for me is “Got You (Where I Want You)” by The Flys. I’ve always remembered the song title but never the band name. You might even recall the song being featured in the movie, Disturbing Behavior, starring Katie Holmes and James Marsden. No matter what, this is one of those 90’s songs that will always take you back to that time.

 

The Flys- Got You (Where I Want You):

 

Great Music Videos: Radiohead- Paranoid Android

maxresdefault.jpg

When Radiohead released their album OK Computer back in 1997, it marked a change for the band not just in their evolution but, this album cemented the band as one of the best. I personally still remember hearing the album and when it was over, I had to listen to it again because it was so different and good. “Paranoid Android” was one of the songs upon first listen that I gravitated towards and then when I saw the video, it all clicked for me. Interestingly, the first version of the song was over 14 minutes long . When it came to the video Thom Yorke has said of it, “When it came time to make the video for that song, we had lots of people saying, ‘Yeah, great, we can have another video like “Street Spirit,” all moody and black and dark.’ Well, no. We had really good fun doing this song, so the video should make you laugh. I mean, it should be sick, too.” That pretty much sums up what the final video would become. The video, although edited for MTV, was a mainstay for a long time and is still highly regarded as one of the best videos of the 90’s and in Radiohead’s catalog. It’s a stunning video with so many underlying themes in it that, no matter how many times you watch it, there is always something else to discover.

 
Radiohead- Paranoid Android:

 

 

 

Band Of The Week: Northlane

a3238340307_10.jpg

Australia has produced some very awesome bands over the years. From AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, INXS, and Silverchair. Well now they have another one to add. I’d like to introduce you to Northlane. The band formed in 2009 and has released 5 studio albums including their latest, Alien, which is one hell of a great album and is on my top list for 2019. The band got their name from a song called “North Lane” by the band Architects which appeared on the latter’s album Ruin. Over the years, the band worked to define their sound and through a few lineup changes, it appears they have finally found all the right pieces. Their new album Alien, finds the band evolving a bit more than previous albums and on this one, they have embraced the more experimental and alternative side of what they are capable of. Throughout the album you can find traces of industrial, prog, and even a little EDM. It’s the album that will lead them into the next part of their career. From the live footage I’ve seen of Northlane, they sure seem to have a very energetic and pulsating show. It’s been fun to listen to Northlane starting with this new album and then going backwards and seeing how much they really have progresed. They are definitely one of the newer bands worth checking out.

Northlane- Alien:

List: Best UK Bands

audioeclectica-radio-logo

The other day I was hanging out with a friend and I presented him with a question, who are the best UK bands of all time. So, we sat there for a few minutes and created a list that pretty much sums up the best bands from the region. There are so many bands from that area but, the impact the ones on this list had made them the standouts. This list is in no particular order as well. And your input is always greatly appreciated to make this list complete.

01) The Beatles
02) The Rolling Stones
03) David Bowie
04) The Who
05) Pink Floyd
06) The Kinks
07) Led Zeppelin
08) Cream
09) Joy Division
10) Sex Pistols
11) The Clash
12) Radiohead
13) Depeche Mode
14) The Cure
15) New Order
16) Black Sabbath
17) Iron Maiden
18) Motorhead
19) Judas Priest
20) Oasis
21) Placebo
22) Blur
23) The Smiths
24) The Cult
25) Oceansize

Album Review: Tool- Fear Inoculum

tool-fear-inoculum-single

Tool’s new album is one of the most anticipated albums ever. The drama and hype surrounding this album have been astounding. Even the rumors about this album have given it all sorts of life before anyone even heard a single note. Finally, after 13 years of waiting, the long anticipated album has arrived. The big question though is, was it worth the wait? Well, in the next few minutes of you reading this, you will get my opinion on that.

I still remember hearing Tool for the first time and thinking this was really cool. The first song I ever heard was “Sober” and the video was pretty stimulating to watch. Undertow was obtained a few days later and after that I was hooked. When Aenima was released that changed everything. That album is a masterpiece straight up. Then 5 years after that, Lateralus was unleashed on the world and that left one hell of a lasting impression on everyone. 10,000 Days though, was a record though that took a long long long time to really get into but, one it finally clicked, it made sense. Especially the song “Right In Two.”

Now here we are, thirteen years removed from 10,000 Days and Fear Inoculum has finally arrived. The thing is though, was 13 years too long? Yes, yes it was. Allow me to further explain. When a band takes this long to release an album, one would expect the record to be truly masterful, evolved and takes things to another level. Each song on Fear Inoculum feels as though it was obsessed over, torn down and rebuilt to try and create a substantial song but, that amount of detail and agonizing over has provided a bloated sense that these songs are more than just a glorified wank fest.  Instead, what was released was a self indulgent piece of art that is so wrapped up in its own ego that it’s truly hard to really get to the nitty gritty of what is there. It’s not that the album isn’t good, it is, it’s just that this album is drab and feels uninspired. I’m all for long songs. I love listening to an album that really takes you on a journey. This album however, only takes me on a journey to fall asleep.

That’s not to say there aren’t moments of brilliance on this album. The odd time signatures are aplenty and the Tool sound is ever prevalent. The song everyone seems to be so jazzed about is “7empest.” That song if you were to really cut the fat out of it has the potential to be one of the most legendary Tool songs in their catalog. That song really has some defining moments for the record.  Fear Inoculum is definitely an album that, with the right amount of patience and time, one can come to really enjoy. This is not a casual listen type of album. As with every Tool album, there is a depth to it that takes time to unravel and decipher. This album not only has those elements but there also seems to be another level that they went to that isn’t quite easy to digest. Among the other gripes I have with the album is Maynard’s vocals. It’s as though his vocals were just placed in spots without the right amount of attention needed to truly highlight the singer. All the time spent working on the actual music and not having Maynard in the room really takes away from what this album could have been. Danny Carey is truly a drum champion but, even his parts on this album just like guitarist Adam Jones, tends to go on and one a bit too long and tend to drone on with no end point. That’s not to say they aren’t good at what they do, they just needed to reign it in a bit more and be more concise about the length of parts. My other issue is not having enough moments for Justin Chancellor to shine. On the previous couple albums, Justin had been at the forefront of many of the songs but, on this one he too seems to have taken a back seat and because of that, the album loses a bit of the aura it should have with Justin’s bass tone and playing. The production on the album though is stellar. Sonically it does sound good and it’s mixed very well.

As I mentioned above, it’s not that this album isn’t good, it is but, it’s just rather drab and boring. I know there are a ton of you out there that think this is the be all end all of albums in 2019 but, it’s really just hype. After 13 years, this is the best that they could do? Maynard was even quoted in a recent interview that the album could have been released 8 years ago. I will continue to go back to this album and see if my mind changes about it. I’ve listened quite a few times and even with each listen, I still find myself wanting to reach for a pillow and just drift off to sleep. One other thing, I do find it quite interesting that both the Tool and A Perfect Circle albums have been quite underwhelming. Is it possible that after all this time both bands have lost the fire that once drove them?

Overall Rating: B-

 
Tool- Fear Inoculum:

 

Live Review: Korn and Alice In Chains at FivePoint Amphitheater

Alice-in-chains-korn-featured.jpg

The summer concert season has long been full of great shows. Going back to the late 90’s and early 2000’s with things like Ozzfest and Warped Tour, along with the other fun package tours, summer concerts have always been a great experience. A few months back, there was a summer tour announced that seemed a bit strange at the time but, made sense. That tour was Korn and Alice In Chains.  When bands share the same management or booking agent (Korn and Alice share the same management) it sometimes really makes a lot of sense to pair the bands on the roster together. When you think about it, you get the sense that it doesn’t fit but, let me be one of the ones to attest to it, it sure does. This evening was quite a fun and awesome one.

 
I missed the first band, The Fever 333. I think they only got like 20 minutes to play too. Following them was Underoath. I’ve never really been a fan of them but, they really put on a good show. They brought the energy and seemed really stoked to be a part of this tour. I had seen them many years ago on Warped Tour and they were very energtic then as they are now. I have to say though, the bass player Grant Brandell and keyboard player Chris Dudley were really going for it all night. As I was listening to the band, I couldn’t help but think that, if Grant and Chris had a side project, I bet it would be something quite cool.

As the sun began to dim, Alice In Chains took the stage. This would be my 9th time seeing Alice In Chains and they didn’t disappoint. Seeing them in an outdoor venue is a totally different experience than when they are playing indoors. There’s an energy that is summoned as they play that inhabits any venue they play but, with the breeze, sunlight, and moonlight as backdrops, it makes seeing and listening to the songs totally something else. Beginning their set with “Angry Chair,” I knew that this was going to be a great performance from them. They wasted no time, just hitting all the right notes as they ran through songs like “Again,” “Man In The Box,” “Check My Brain,” “Stone,” and “We Die Young.” Certain songs though really stood out like “Them Bones,” “Dam That River,” “Love, Hate, Love,” “Would,” and “Nutshell.” William DuVal really knocked it out of the park on those. During “Nutshell” Jerry asked the crowd to turn the lights on their phones and shine them bright for Layne Staley and Mike Starr. When you looked around as that song played, it was a beautiful sight to see. Alice was their usual awesome selves this evening and didn’t disappoint. Getting to hear three of my top 5 favorite songs by them too really made it awesome especially, “Love, Hate, Love.” That song is so damn good.

The headliner for the night was Korn. I haven’t seen them live in over 12 years, so this was quite exciting to see. As the lights dimmed and the feedback began, the curtain dropped and they came out with a bang as they played “Here To Stay.” Which is one hell of a song to open up the show with. “Blind” and “Divine” followed and they sounded stellar, specifically “Divine” which is one of my all time favorites. Other choice cuts played were “Make Me Bad,” “Rotting In Vain” and the new song “You’ll Never Find Me” which sounded killer live. Of course the fan favorites like “Got The Life,” “Freak On A Leash,” and “Falling Away From Me” were played too. Korn has been going at it pretty much non stop just about 25 years and they are constantly bringing it. Its quite awesome to not see a band for a long time and then when you do, you realize they haven’t lost a step at all. Jonathan Davis sounded great as well as the rest of the band. Seeing Munky and Head back on stage again is fantastic. They really do compliment each other so well. It didn’t really work without them both. I also have to mention that Ray Luzier has added some much needed depth to the songs with the way he plays. Plus he’s an absolute beast on the kit and was a great choice as their drummer.

What a fun and great show. Both Alice In Chains and Korn were on top of their games and it’s no wonder why they were put together on this tour. You get a best of both worlds vibe when you are there. It was a varied crowd too which made people watching all that much more fun. I’m quite looking forward to the new Korn album, The Nothing and their upcoming tour. I have a feeling it’s going to be a good one. And Alice In Chains, what else can I say about this band that I haven’t already. They really are masters at what they do and those songs… Those songs are so damn good, it’s like they have a life of their own. The only thing I wish about the evening was that both Alice and Korn played longer. All in all it was a great evening with great songs, good vibes, and great company.

Alice In Chains Set List:

01) Angry Chair
02) Man In The Box
03) Check My Brain
04) Again
05) Them Bones
06) Dam That River
07) Stone
08) Rainer Fog
09) No Excuses
10) Nutshell
11) Love, Hate, Love
12) We Die Young
13) The One You Know
14) Would?
15) Rooster

Korn Set List:
01) Here To Stay
02) Blind
03) Divine
04) Rotting In Vain
05) You’ll Never Find Me
06) Twisted Transistor
07) Shoots & Ladders (with Metallica One at the end)
08) Got The Life
09) Make Me Bad
10) Somebody Someone
11) Freak On A Leash
Encore

12) 4U
13) Twist
14) Coming Undone (with Queen We Will Rock You)
15) Falling Away From Me

 

By: Brian Lacy

 

Cover Song: Placebo (Depeche Mode)- I Feel You

maxresdefault.jpg

This post is quite awesome as it features two of the best UK bands of all time as well as two huge favorites of mine. Back in 1999, Placebo released a cover they did of the great Depeche Mode song “I Feel You.” Originally the song was released as a fan club-only cassette in 1999, as well as a bonus track on the American edition of Placebo’s album, Black Market Music. Later on in 2003 as part of a bonus disc for Sleeping With Ghosts, it was released again. Depeche Mode is not an easy band to cover and do it well but, Placebo did it justice and the way Brian Molko sings, he really made it his own. I thoroughly enjoy both versions and each has their own vibe. I think you’ll enjoy this.

Placebo- I Feel You:

 

 
Depeche Mode- I Feel You:

 

Great Music Videos: Liam Gallagher- One Of Us

maxresdefault.jpg

Today, I got a notification about a new video for Liam Gallagher’s “One Of Us.” I’ve already heard the song a couple weeks back and loved it. This video though, takes it to a whole other level. It’s been a long time since a video has moved me but, this one got me. Liam’s new video was written and directed by Peaky Blinders creative duo Steven Knight and Anthony Byrne, so you know there is some depth behind this. And oh boy, does it have that. If you are unaware of the long going feud between Liam and his brother Noel, you should definitely look into that before watching this video. What a poignant and powerful video and statement. Enjoy this song and video.
Liam Gallagher- One Of Us: