The A to Z list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. N is here and needs help to complete the list. As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list. These are in no particular order as well.
01) Nine Inch Nails
02) Neurosis
03) Nirvana
04) New Order
05) N.W.A
06) Graham Nash
07) Night Verses
08) Nas
09)
10)
There are a lot of bands out there that catch a lot of flack. Sometimes it is justified and others well it’s just unwarranted. Recently,while putting together some topic ideas for an upcoming podcast and radio show (stay tuned for that!!!), a thought crossed my mind. Why do people hate on Godsmack so much? I will admit that their name isn’t the most original and at times the lyrics are a bit juvenile but, Godsmack are a band that is absolutely necessary. Think of them more as a gateway band into heavy music. Godsmack are a really solid hard/heavy rock band, mixing bit of Alice In Chains and “Black Album” era Metallica. They emit a sense of accessibility and melody, that sometimes gets lost in translation as you delve into heavier genres. For someone that is young and is starting to get into “rock” music, a band like Godsmack is a great place to start.
The reason I mention all this and single out Godsmack, is because of how good their second album Awake is. They really stepped up their game from their debut. The sound of the album kept a “raw” edge to it, without sounding too polished. The songs were riff heavy but with a ton of groove to them. For a second record, the band shows a sense of maturity throughout the music written. You can tell on the first single “Awake” that they were trying to separate themselves from being lumped into the “nu-metal” tag, by adding guitar solos, and the song being 5 minutes long. “Sick of Life” and “Greed” are solid rock songs, minus the lyrics. Other tracks on the album like “Mistakes,” “Trippin,” “Forgive Me,” “Vampires,” “The Journey,” and “Spiral” really make this album as good as it is. The production on this album was top notch as well.
Godsmack delivered a solid heavy rock album, and continue to do so. Over the years, the juvenile lyrics have subsided and matured. Awake showed a range of songwriting. Songs that weren’t all about depression and hopelessness. Instead themes of reincarnation, and rebirth were very prevalent. The band also has a secret weapon in bassist Robbie Merrill. He has a feel to the way he plays that stands out. Guitarist Tony Rombola, is a student of the 70’s and early 90’s. He’s able to blend those two together just as Jerry Cantrell, but on a simpler level. Sully Erna, on this album started to come into his own. It wasn’t until their fourth album though, that he really found his own voice. The drums on this album are something else to be intrigued by. Tommy Stewart laid down some really great grooves. Though I will say, Shannon Larkin has really taken the songs from the first two albums and made them his own. He’s a true underrated drummer, that should get a ton more credit.
Say what you want about them but, know this, without bands like Godsmack, generations of kids wouldn’t get into heavier music. Take a listen to Godsmack’s Awake and just appreciate the music if anything.
Godsmack- Awake:
The time has almost arrived for one of my favorite bands to release their new album. With Our Arms To The Sun, have one hell of an album for you all. Their latest (upcoming) release, Orenda, is a journey that takes you beyond the normal realms of concept albums. Produced by Buzz Osborne of The Melvins, the 10 songs that make up Orenda, are unrelenting and full of unrivaled passion. The first single “Macrocosm-Prometheus” is a great way to show what With Our Arms To The Sun is all about. Musically, the band is tight and precise. The vocals and especially the lyrics, make them stand out among their peers.
I highly recommend this band to everyone. They are the type of band that restores hope in the future of music.
You can pre-order the album now through PledgeMusic below:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/withourarmstothesun
Check out Macrocosm-Prometheus:
We are only a couple weeks into the new year and there is already an album released that will be in the top ten for the year. Code Orange’s new album Forever is the album I’m talking about and it will leave you pumped and begging for more. They have managed to transcend the hardcore genre and evolve into a dangerous force to be reckoned with. Let me further explain what I mean. While still keeping true to their hardcore roots, Code Orange has grown by leaps and bounds as songwriters that understand that there is more to music than just being “heavy.”
Starting off the album with the title track “Forever,” it’s chunky and crushing, providing a punch to the gut. “Kill The Creator” is a thrashy meets hardcore song that really shows the bands understanding of dynamics. “Real” is a doom meets hardcore track that continues the assault. “Bleeding in the Blur” is a dark and dreary song that shows another side of the band. This is one of those chance taking moments and it really pays off. “The Mud” is another track that continues to take a chance and pays off as well. “The New Reality” is what the bands origin was founded on. “Spy” continues to show off the evolution of the band. When “Ugly” kicks in you know you’ve gotten to a point in the album that ties it all together. “No One Is Untouchable” is back to the roots. “Hurt Goes On” is a moody and explosive song. There are bits of an industrial feel to the song as well. I personally think this should have been the album closer. “Dream 2” explores more genre bending and evolution and presents an interesting way to close out the album.
Code Orange have really stepped up their game. Their previous album I Am King, was a statement, and Forever is a full on call to arms. I personally love the way the album flows. It doesn’t feel like anything is out of place. Forever is an album through and through. The evolution of this band is showing that heavy music can come in many forms and still be pummeling. I will say this , if you have a member in the band that has a real “singing voice” use it and don’t be afraid of it. Melody is a great thing, and in this band, it really adds more depth. One more thing, if this is the way the band is evolving, I would love to see them work with a producer/engineer like Joe Baressi (Tool, Every Time I Die, Isis, Nine Inch Nails). I really think Joe could get great tones and songs out of the band.
Thank you Code Orange for doing your part to evolve and be yourselves.
Overall Rating: A
Forever:
Kill The Creator:
Bleeding In The Blur:
Portishead is one of my all time favorite bands. There is something so captivating about their music, that it almost hypnotizes you and takes you on a vision quest. Recently one of my favorite newer bands of the last few years, O’Brother, covered Portishead’s song “Silence” from their album entitled Third. The guys in O’Brother really nail the space and dynamics that the music presents, along with the vocal performance by Tanner Merritt.
Check it out and enjoy!
O’Brother- Silence:
Portishead- Silence:
Since Metallica released Hardwired… To Self Destruct, I haven’t been able to take it out of rotation. In fact I don’t think I’ll be able to for quite some time. Because they have a new album out I thought, why not update the album rank of Metallica.
Keep in mind, this is just my personal order of how I see it.
What would be your order?
10) St. Anger:
09) Reload:
08) Death Magnetic:
07) Load:
06) Kill Em All:
05) Black Album:
04) Hardwired… To Self Destruct:
03) And Justice For All:
02) Master Of Puppets:
01) Ride The Lightning:
Today marks the one year anniversary of David Bowie’s passing. Instead of going on and on about all the deaths in 2016, I thought I’d just share some covers of David’s songs, as a celebration of him.
Remember… “Heroes Get Remembered but, Legends Never Die!”
Smashing Pumpkins (well Billy Corgan and others)- Space Oddity:
The Cure- Young Americans:
Marilyn Manson- Golden Years:
Bauhaus- Ziggy Stardust:
Last year I started making a list of all the best bands in the alphabet. Well the list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. M is here and unlike the past few letters this one should be less difficult to complete. As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list. These are in no particular order as well.
01) Metallica
02) Mastodon
03) Motorhead
04) Marilyn Manson
05) Massive Attack
06) Mad Season
07) Ministry
08) Meshuggah
09) Minor Threat
10)
A few months ago when The Dillinger Escape Plan came through town on their recent tour, they brought with them Cult Leader as an opener. I had really been looking forward to seeing them. After listening to their latest album Lightless Walk, I knew I was going to be in for a treat. Needless to say, their performance left me in awe, and inspired. Cult Leader is the type of band that will steal the show, and leave the audience in a state of astonishment.
Formed in 2013, following the break up of their former band Gaza, Anthony Lucero, Casey Hansen, and Mike Mason decided to continue to make music together. They then recruited Sam Richards to join them. After spending time working on new music and releasing two EP’s, Nothing For Us Here and Useless Animal, it was time for the band to begin work on their first full length. Lightless Walk was produced by Converge’s Kurt Ballou. The album is a righteous slab of metal, hardcore and punk with bits of ambiance properly placed to give the songs the proper dynamics they need to be powerful. With songs like “Great I Am,” The Sorrower,” “A Good Life,” “How Deep It Runs,” and “Lifeless Walk,” it’s no wonder that Cult Leader has become one of the best bands in the genre of heavy music. Their live performances are intense, aggressive and hypnotic. I highly recommend seeing Cult Leader when they come though your town.
Take a moment and expand upon your musical palate… Listen to Cult Leader!!!
Cult Leader- Lightless Walk:
Cult Leader- Live (10/30/16 @ The Regent Theater with The Dillinger Escape Plan):
The Doors, one of my all time favorite bands, have just celebrated quite the milestone. Their debut album has just turned 50. Yes, I just said 50 years old. That would be 50 years of influence, inspiration and legacy. Over the years, The Doors self titled debut has sold over 20 million copies, been ranked as number 42 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time personally I think it should have been higher), inclusion in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. They have also been credited as one of the pioneers of psychedelic rock. The album was recorded in 6 days at Sunset Sound studios in Hollywood with producer Paul Rothchild and engineer Bruce Botnick. Some interesting facts about the recording of the album is that the album was recorded on a four-track tape machine. The drums and bass (Larry Knechtel was brought in to add some extra “oomph” to the songs, as well as add another layer to Ray Manarek’s Fender Rhodes piano bass) on track one, guitar and organ on track two, vocals on track three, with the fourth being used for overdubs.
For me personally, The Doors first album is sacred to me. This was truly an “album.” Back in the 60’s and 70’s a lot of albums came with a bunch of filler songs, but there isn’t one ounce of filler on this album. The order of the songs beginning with “Break On Through (To The Other Side)” all the way to “The End” has a flow that breathes life into those listening. The “vibe” that the album puts out is astonishing. Jim Morrison’s words and voice strike a chord within, making you think and feel something deep in your consciousness. Robby Krieger’s style of guitar playing melded classical with jazz and rock. He perfectly complemented drummer John Densmore’s Latin and jazz feels. On a side note, I truly believe that John Densmore is one of the most underrated drummers of all time. And then there is Ray Manzarek who provided so many extra layers and melodies to The Doors’ songs.
The Doors will always be to me, one of the most important bands ever. Their legacy, mystique, willingness to explore music and evolve, and words, are the works of legends. Their catalog alone, though only six albums, is uncompromising. Even their out there work on The Soft Parade and dabbles into more “pop” styled songs, can’t be shot down. The Doors were masters of their craft, instruments and words. There is a reason why their legacy will be everlasting.
So, let us all take a moment and celebrate a truly great band and album. Open your mind and take in the 44 minutes and 48 seconds of greatness that is The Doors first album.
The Doors- The Doors:
