Unsung Masterpieces: Smashing Pumpkins- Adore
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The process of following up a career defining album is a very serious task. The amount of pressure that is put on a band to follow that up with a great deal of success is overwhelming. The Smashing Pumpkins follow up to Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness, Adore is one of the most daring and intriguing albums in the bands discography. Recorded following the death of Billy Corgan’s mother and his divorce, this was a significant change of style from the bands guitar driven albums. Adore saw the band venture into more electronic territory. This was in part to drummer Jimmy Chamberlain being fired from the band before the recording process. Instead the drums on the album were cut from drum machines and the assistance of drummer Matt Walker who toured with the band following Chamberlains release. During this time as well, the bands image shifted toward a more darker gothic sensibility.

Adore is the type of album that when you first listen to it, you are taken aback by it. There is a purity and solemnness to it, that delves even deeper than the bands previous works. Songs like “To Sheila,” “Crestfallen,””For Martha,” exhibit this notion. The more electronic driven songs like “Ava Adore” and “Perfect” show some similarities to classic Pumpkins material. Then there are songs like “Tear,” “Appels & Oranjes,””Pug,” “Behold! The Night Mare,” that show an added maturity to Billy Corgan’s writing.

Adore was obviously not the album that fans of the band wanted, but it was necessary to reinvigorate the band to come to terms with their issues. Over time, Adore has been one of those albums that with time and age has truly become a wonderful album. It really has a sense that if you’ve lived life and been through hell to an extent, then this album will really hit the mark. Take it for another listen, and you’ll see what I mean.

Smashing Pumpkins- Adore:

Op Ed: My Profound Musical Memories

My Profound Musical Memories

It’s really late right now and I just finished watching Almost Famous. Sitting there watching Cameron Crowe’s love letter to music, it got me thinking I should write a love letter to music and show appreciation to certain people that helped guide me on a musical journey. So without further delay, I share with you my musical memories.

My first absolute memories of music is being in the car with my parents. When driving with my mom and dad is when it really started. We would drive in either their dark gray Mazda RX-7 or silver Mercury Cougar.  My dad then puts the tape in the stereo and out comes “ You know a day destroys the night/Night divides the day/try to run/try to hide/ Break On Through To The Other Side.” The Doors were one of my absolute first loves and has played a huge part in my musical chemistry. I would go on to read every book about them to really understand what they were all about. Jim Morrison was and always will be one of my most profound influences in how I write lyrics and poems. My dad was really into The Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane and tons of other great music from the sixties and seventies. Adding to those bands was my moms love of The Velvet Underground, Neil Young and Led Zeppelin. Granted I was way too young to appreciate The Velvet Underground at that time, there was something strange and mysterious about their music that captivated me. Lou Reed was such a masterful story teller in his songs. There was something truly poetic about the way he wrote. Sure he wasn’t a good singer, but neither was Bob Dylan and both of them were able to connect on such a level that is hardly touched.  Even to this day when I’m out with my parents, I can put all the albums on that they showed me, and it brings me back to when and where I was when I first heard them. Not to mention all the stories that both of them have of when and where they were, really make musical memories that you can not replicate. Those stories are some of the best things to hear.

The other moment that really changed everything happened when I was three. My parents were having work done to our house and the guys that were doing the work would play their music. One day I heard the song that set everything in motion. “Shot through the heart/ And you’re to blame/ Darling you give love… A BAD NAME.” I was blown away. I had to have this, only I didn’t know who it was. I would soon be told it is Bon Jovi. The next thing I know I’m at The Wherehouse with my mom buying Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet. I must have listened to that tape over a thousand times and wore it out! Of course then I had to have everything Bon Jovi, all other albums, all their videos, magazines, assorted other odds and ends and of course I wanted to be Jon Bon Jovi. The walls of my room were covered with posters of Bon Jovi. My first concert would of course be Bon Jovi. It was in 1989 at the Forum in Los Angeles. I was four going on 5 and my parents asked what I wanted for my birthday and I said I wanted to see Bon Jovi. Then it happened. I was with my mom and dad seeing my favorite band. It was during the New Jersey tour that I went. I still have the t-shirt from that show. Mine is quite too small to wear now, but my mom had bought a bigger extra one and as the years have gone on I’ve rocked that shirt to every Bon Jovi concert I go to. And That concert changed my life

A few years back, my wife took me to Outside Lands festival in San Francisco. One of the main headliners for that year was Neil Young. In all my years Neil was on my list of bands/people I needed to see before they/or I pass. So on the first night of the festival, it happened. Neil Young on stage and the tears of joy started coming. There out in the audience, standing next to my girl, I watched and listened in awe of Neil Young rip though so many of my favorite songs. I remember also as soon as the show was over and calling my parents and telling them how amazing Neil Young was and to thank them. That was such great musical moment in my life that without my mom and dad showing me so many great bands, I would have missed out on seeing someone in concert that would have a lasting effect on me.

My wife causally listened to music before she met me. She hadn’t really been to many shows or heard certain albums. Needless to say, I saw a perfect opportunity to pass along my musical knowledge to her. It’s truly a wonderful feeling to be able to pass along what you were taught about music from your parents to people that really soak it up and get as excited as you do about certain albums. Sure there are some that don’t always connect with her, but she sees it for what it is and appreciates it. Being able to explore different genres with her and take her to concerts and see bands she never in a million years would have ever heard of or listened to is exhilarating. One of the biggest bands that she has really grown to love is Nine Inch Nails. Her love and appreciation of them makes me really happy. Not only are they my favorite band, but now hers too. This sure makes things easy when it comes to asking what should we listen to. I proposed to her at a Nine Inch Nails concert and at our recent wedding we walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of “The Fragile” by Nine Inch Nails. Not something you would see at a normal wedding. It was perfect for us though. Over the years and all the albums and concerts, it’s still great to still give her albums to listen to and hear what she thinks of them as she listens for the entire album for the first time and take her to concerts that will leave her speechless.

I wasn’t an easy kid to raise, and got grounded a lot. Even with all the times I was grounded, my parents never took away my music. Music was always my saving grace. It has been the one constant in my life that has truly allowed me to be me and express myself. Through all the genres and phases I’ve been through, music has been there to guide me. It didn’t matter what I was going through, I always had a soundtrack to accompany me. Over the years I’ve gone back and looked at my collection and asked myself why did I buy this? Then take it over to my stereo put it one and listen, trying to remember what was it about this band that made me buy their album. Then I remember how old I was, where I was when I first heard the song that made me want to buy it, and who I was friends with at that time.

Its quite interesting to look back on all this and realize that some of my favorite memories involve going to a record store and buying a new album. I have a ritual when I buy a new album. I immediately have to open it and look at the booklet and skim through it. and then if its a cd I have to listen. Then when I get home, I grab my pillow and headphones and head right for my stereo and begin to listen over and over, just soaking it all in. As I lay there reading the lyrics and liner notes, I delve into the songs with each listen, finding my favorite songs and loving every minute of it. I love listening to music. There is no better feeling than hearing a great album that takes you on a journey that soothes everything and puts you in a space that is all your own

Mom and Dad- Thank you for sharing your music with me. You started me on my journey and let me pursue what I wanted to do with music. They say it’s got to start somewhere, and what better place than at home. Oh and there is nothing wrong with long songs anymore.

Alisa- Thank you for letting me share my musical wisdom and collection with you. You have helped me continue on my musical journey and allowed me to keep pursuing my musical ambitions. I can’t wait for us to pass on our music tastes to our kids. Just try to limit some of that silly stuff you listen to.

Album Review: Sidewave- Glass Giant

a1133937347_10When I first started Audioeclectica the main goal was to spread the word about great music and bands. Sidewave was one of the first bands I wrote about and have had the pleasure of watching them bloom into a great band. From their first show till now, Sidewave has grown by leaps and bounds. Now the band has released their debut album Glass Giant and it is a tremendous album that really captures the bands essence. Sidewave incorporates the right amount of influence and individuality to make this debut stand out. Their mix of influences includes Siamese Dream era Smashing Pumpkins, Hum, and Shiner.  Mixed by Aaron Harris (Palms, ISIS, Puscifer), the epic, bombastic sound of Sidewave, fits perfectly in with the resurgence of 90’s rock. The songs go from heavier to spacey, to delicate, in a way that allows a gradual flow to the album. Songs like “Lace,” “Supersonic,” “Illusion Of Light, and “This Is Who You Are,” are all standouts on Glass Giant. The foursome of Phil Golyshko (Vocals / Guitar) William Collins (Guitar / Synth), Matthew Russel (Bass / Vocals) Brandon Dickert (Drums / Vocals) have created music that can help bring this music back to the forefront. Do yourself a favor and check out this album. It’ll be well worth your time and money!

Sidewave- Glass Giant:

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Wild Throne- Harvest Of Darkness

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People’s attention spans have dwindled over the years, making it no easy feat these days to be able to create an album that holds your attention throughout the entire length of it. Though there are still people out that are such fans of music and understand that albums are a necessary part of life and need to be listened to as a whole. Wild Throne has just released their debut album and it is a tremendous slab of righteous heavy rock. Their unique blend of influences, of The Mars Volta, At the Drive- In, Mastodon and Judas Priest has made their album Harvest Of Darkness one of the best debut albums I’ve heard in a very long time. A few days ago I wrote about bands not having the sense of “Danger” in their music. Wild Throne understands the concept and made something with a great deal of substance that it pushes boundaries of what can be done these days. From the first thump of the drums on the song “Harvest Of Darkness” to the last note of “Trans,” Wild Throne captivates you and inspires throughout their album. There isn’t one song on this album that needs to be skipped. Joshua Holland, Noah Burns, and Jeff Johnson are one hell of a team and it shows in every song. The production and recording was done by Ross Robinson. Ross was able to get such great performances out of these guys. This album is for sure going to be on a lot of top 10 lists at the end of the year. I know it will be in mine. Do yourself a favor and go buy this album. You won’t be sorry.

Scale of 1-10: 9.5

Wild Throne- Harvest Of Darkness:

https://www.facebook.com/wildthrone

By: Brian Lacy

A Second Look: Baroness

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There are times when I hear a band at first and write them off for sounding too much like another band I really enjoy. Over the years I’ve come to the realization that in doing so I’ve missed out on a lot of great music when it first arrived. When I first heard Baroness right after they released the Red Album, I totally passed them off as a Mastodon wannabe band. Even going as far as calling them Mastodon Light. Then something in my head changed when they released their follow up The Blue Album. They finally developed a blend of influences to make it their own. Then as bands do they progressed and created a double album of everything they enjoy. A lot of fans dropped them when they released the Yellow and Green album, due to its more laid back nature and mellowness. Yet for myself, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it made me really start to love Baroness. Now in 2015, the band are gearing up to release their newest album The Purple Album. Following a huge ordeal with a bus accident a few years back, it took time for the guys in the band to get back in the swing of things and work thorough all of the pain and agony they endured. Recently, they released the first single from the new album entitled “Chlorine & Wine.” It’s an epic of sorts that tells a story of what they all went through during their time away from music. If this is an inclination of what is to come for Baroness, I’d say they are truly paving their own path and making something they truly believe in.

Chlorine and Wine:

Making of Purple Part1:

Yellow and Green Album:

The Blue Album:

The Red Album:

https://www.facebook.com/YourBaroness

http://yourbaroness.com/

Album Rank: Queens Of The Stone Age

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I just started listening to Queens Of The Stone Age again after some time away from them. But while in my mode of listening to everything of theirs it made me think that I should do an album rank of their albums. So here we go from not the best to the best!

Lullabies To Paralyze:

Like Clockwork:

Rated R:

Queens Of The Stone Age:

Era Vulgaris:

Songs For The Deaf:

Op Ed: What Happened To The Danger

I love music. I don’t know where I would be if certain bands had not existed. Growing up I had posters all over my walls of the bands I loved, from Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Metallica and so many more. When I was young there was something really special about what was happening with music. I was lucky enough to get into music at a really young age. Being able to listen to what was coming out during the late 80’s and when the Seattle music came out guns blazing, really helped to shape my musical taste and understanding. One thing that I noticed during that time was a sense of danger. Being able to standup to “THE MAN,” and just letting it all go on stage really had a dramatic impact on the time. Just like in the late 60’s and early 70’s there was such a powerful message behind the music, that led to the danger aspect of things.

Sure there are bands that have theatrics and things of that nature, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the actuality of being real and expressing ones self in a fashion that is uninhibited. Take a band like Pearl Jam for example. They have always stood by their principles and haven’t strayed from what they wanted to do. Not to mention during their early years their shows were unpredictable. Same with a band like Nine Inch Nails and Neil Young. They have carved out careers that add that element of danger by bucking the trends and what’s been expected of them.

The newer bands of today don’t quite grasp the notion of “Danger.” There are so many out there that just play it safe and try to make it seem like they “Get it.” The sad reality is that they don’t, and you can see if in everything they do. Yes, the music business is in a state of emergency, but that doesn’t mean you have to forget your principles. There has been a resurgence of love for 90’s rock as of late, which is great, but if the main aspects of what those bands created are ignored by the bands of today, it seems like just fluff. A lot of the bands that carried the torch for so long are coming back, and showing these newer bands the right way to do things.

One of the best things I’ve seen since I started this site, is that a majority of the bands I’ve written about get it and are trying to break out to spread that around. Remember it’s ok to get a bit crazy and go nuts.

Band Of The Week: Spiralarms

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In a day and age where bands try to capture a throwback sound, there are very few that can actually hit the mark. Luckily there is a band in the bay area that does, Spiralarms. The band was formed a few years back. The original incarnation was Tim Narducci, Craig Locicero, James Walker and Eric Kretz. I was lucky enough to see this lineup when they first came out. Over the years the line up has changed but the one constant is the music is still pure rock n roll. With influences ranging from Black Sabbath, Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, Down, Alice In Chains, Pink Floyd, QOTSA, and Kyuss, it’s no wonder Spiralarms packs quite the punch. The band has released two albums and are working on a follow up. And now with the lineup of Tim Narducci – Vocals/Guitar, Craig Locicero – Lead Guitar, Cornbread – Bass/Vocal, Brad Barth – Keyboards, and Andy Galeon – Drums, The sky is the limit!!!

https://www.facebook.com/spiralarmsband

Cover Thursday: Incubus (Soundgarden)- Black Hole Sun

I’m still on an Incubus kick. And while on this kick I looked into the band a lot to see what I missed over the years of not being a fan of theirs. During my research I stumbled upon this cover they did of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.” It’s nothing special, but it is a solid rendition. So here you go!

Incubus- Black Hole Sun: