Unsung Masterpieces: Red Hot Chili Peppers- One Hot Minute
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The year is 1995 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to release their follow up to Blood Sugar Sex Magik. John Frusciante left the band and was replaced by Dave Navarro. By adding Dave Navarro, the Chili Peppers sound changed rather drastically. The lyrics grew darker, exploring the perils of drug use, depression, grief and many other themes along those lines. Navarro also added a heavier approach with his style of guitar playing. Granted this album was a bit of a detour from what the band had put out with Blood Sugar, One Hot Minute has become an album that with age, has become a true unsung masterpiece in the bands catalog. The history of the making of One Hot Minute is quite the story. Anthony Kiedis had relapsed, thus causing a slow down in the writing and recording of the album. But the end result was something special. Songs like “Warped,” “Aeroplane,” “My Friends,” “Tearjerker,” “One Hot Minute,” and “Transcending” are stellar compliments to a very underrated album.

One thing I’ve noticed over the years listening to the album is that Dave Navarro really brought something  special and different to the band. He brought a different style to the band than what John Frusciante did, leaving a signature mark on the one album he did with the band. Interestingly, One Hot Minute isn’t an album that the Chili Peppers visit often. In fact they have even come out to say that “We don’t really feel that connected to that record anymore. No special reason, not to say we would never play those songs but we don’t feel that emotionally connected to that music right now.” Which is quite sad, considering how good the album really is. Hopefully there will be a time again that they revisit some of these songs.

What do you think of One Hot Minute?

 

Red Hot Chili Peppers- One Hot Minute:

 

 

 

 

Ultimate Set List: Stone Temple Pilots

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I had the pleasure of seeing Stone Temple Pilots a few times in my life. When I saw them Scott was always on his game. The one thing that kind of bothered me about the show was the set list. The songs that were chosen to play were mainly just the “hits.” I had hoped that each time they would play some deep cuts, but that didn’t happen. Even though Scott has left us, here is what I would have loved to hear at a show.

Here are the rules:

Rule 1: maximum 25 songs

Rule 2: What line up of the band would it be

Rule 3: Where would you want to see the show

Lineup: Scott, Dean, Robert, Eric

Venue: El Rey Theater

Setlist:

Meatplow
Vasoline
Lounge Fly
Interstate Love Song
Still Remains
Pretty Penny
Silvergun Superman
Big Empty
Unglued
Army Ants
Kitchenware & Candybars
Down
Trippin On A Hole In A Paper Heart
No Way Out
Dead & Bloated
Plush
Creep
Crackerman
Sin
Piece Of Pie
Where The River Goes
Atlanta

Band Of The Week: And We Are Them

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And We Are Them, one of the first bands to be featured as Band Of The Week, just put out a new track called “Confirmation” off their upcoming E.P. entitled A Subtle Tyranny. The band whose influences include Quicksand, Thrice, No Knife and many others permeate through this new song. And We Are Them have a knack for coming up with songs that are energetic and full of melody. Each of their releases have shown great growth and ability as songwriters and a dynamic band. The conviction in which the song is sung and played is astounding. I think they’ve really upped their game with this new track. It’s a great play off their previous EP City Of Ghosts. If you haven’t checked out And We Are Them, now is your chance. And We Are Them are the kind of band that put their all into their music and it shows with every note played.

 

And We Are Them- Confirmation:

 

City Of Ghosts:

 

Align:

 

The Swindle:

 

 

 

 

Cover Thursday: A Perfect Circle (Marvin Gaye)- What’s Going On

I woke up in the mood to listen to A Perfect Circle. While listening, I had the strange want to listen to their eMotive album. When I got to their version of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” I thought this is the one I’m posting for the week. The original is still amazing and will hold for generations to come. A Perfect Circle did a solid job with it. It’s quite interesting how much a song written in the 70’s still resonates with the world today.

 

A Perfect Circle- What’s Going On:

 

Marvin Gaye- What’s Going On:

 

 

Soundtrack Only Songs: Filter- Jurassitol

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There is no need for a lengthy post. The music does all the talking needed. It’s still a shame that they had to make a sequel to The Crow, and that they are trying to remake it. The only good thing about the second crow movie was the soundtrack, which we’ve already talked about. On that soundtrack though, Filter released a “soundtrack only song” in “Jurassitol.” Enjoy some classic Filter!

Filter- Jurassitol:

 

Introducing The Audioeclectica Podcast

Without further ado, I would like to introduce you to the first episode of the Audioeclectica Podcast. This has been in the works for a little while now. And now it’s here for you all to enjoy. Joining me on the show is my really good friend Ryan. He and I discuss lots of topics from the new Killswitch Engage, Deftones, Los Angeles venues, Motley Crue ending, and so much more. Take a listen and tell your friends!

Enjoy,

Brian

 

The Podcast:

Video Rank: Rage Against The Machine

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Since last week I’ve been on a pretty big Rage Against The Machine kick. While going back and listening to the albums, it got me thinking about all their videos. So here is a ranking of their videos for you to enjoy.
Bombtrack:


Bullet In The Head:


Killing In The Name:


No Shelter:


Renegades Of Funk:


Bulls On Parade:


Freedom:


Testify:

Guerrilla Radio:


Sleep Now In The Fire:

 

Band Of The Week: Bloody Knives

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Remember the days when you’d be out shopping for music and an album cover and or a bands name would grab your attention compelling you to check it out? Then when you put it on you are completely blown away. I recently came across this weeks band of the week Bloody Knives, after seeing a poster for their upcoming tour, and it totally had the “I must check this band out” effect. Bloody Knives hail from Austin and mix parts electronic, post punk, shoegaze, rock, industrial and psychedelia. Think Death From Above 1979 slowed down just a tad and My Bloody Valentine. Their newest single “Reflection Lies” from their upcoming release is awe inspiring. Their use of psychedelia takes you on a journey while listening. The moody vibes they put out through their music are euphoric and have a power to put you in a musical trance. Their previous work, especially their releases Death and Disappear are raw and unrelenting. Bloody Knives are one hell of a band and deserve to be on your radar!

 

Bloody Knives- Reflection Lies:

 

Bloody Knives- Death:

 

Bloody Knives- Disappear:

 

https://www.facebook.com/thebloodyknives

 

Worst Cover Songs: Zac Brown Band (Rage Against The Machine)- Killing In the Name Of

Oh jeez here we go again. What and Why? Not to mention they have a fiddle. I was laughing pretty hard when I found this version. The one positive thing I can say is, actually nothing. This is pretty bad.

Zac Brown Band- Killing In The Name Of:

Unsung Masterpiece: Rage Against The Machine- The Battle Of Los Angeles
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The year is 1999, people are starting to get hysterical over Y2K and Rage Against The Machine are about to release their final album, the very underrated unsung masterpiece, The Battle Of Los Angeles. Debuting at number one on the billboard charts, the twelve songs on the album are armed with heavy influence from George Orwell’s 1984, making for some very eerie foreshadowing statements on what the future will bring us. Songs like “Testify,” Guerrilla Radio,” “Sleep Now In The Fire,” “Voice of the Voiceless,” and a few others have direct quotes from the book, and go on to mention more Orwellian terms. The album kicks off with 3 songs of explosive rage (pun intended haha) with “Testify,” “Guerrilla Radio,” and “Calm Like A Bomb.” Then the album shifts for a song with “Mic Check.” “Sleep Now In The Fire” takes the album back up a few notches with anger and fury, leading us into one of the best songs on the album “Born Of A Broken Man.” The next couple songs musically, tend to lean towards showing off Tom Morello’s talents with a whammy bar and a fuzz pedal. Lyrically though “Born As Ghosts” and “Maria” are strong and angry, showing off Zach De La Rocha’s venomous lyrics. “Voice Of The Voiceless” has strong connections to a favorite of the band in Mumia Abu Jamal, as well as 1984, as I mentioned above and has a bit of a funk vibe to the music. “New Millennium Homes” is a solid song, with a cool groove, that perfectly sets up my favorite Rage Against The Machine song appears on The Battle Of L.A., “Ashes In The Fall.” Lyrically and musically, Ashes brings something different to the table. This is along the same lines as how epic some songs on the first album were. The song also brings a brilliance to how tight and good Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford are together. Tom Morello’s guitar work especially in the bridge section and the ending highlight his talents even more. Closing out the album is “War Within A Breath” which picks up where Ashes leaves off, then finishes with a fury of signature Rage.

The Battle of Los Angeles to me is the second best album the band put out. In terms of songwriting and passion, this album soars above Evil Empire. Tom Morello, Brad Wilk, Tim Commerford and Zach De La Rocha were magical together. They were able to create awareness and invoke the youth to open their eyes and stand up. Something that is missing from music today. Battle is an album that upped the game a bit more for the band. Their albums stand the test of time. Keeping in mind that the band hasn’t released anything new since 1999, not much has changed in the world, making their albums more relatable than ever.

 

Rage Against The Machine- The Battle Of Los Angeles: