This version can be found on the soundtrack for the David Fincher version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. It’s quite a haunting take on the original Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music version. Both versions are great. It’s all a matter of preference!
How To Destroy Angels- Is Your Love Strong Enough?:
Bryan Ferry- Is Your Love Strong Enough?:
Both of these albums are amazing. They each possess something great and powerful. Alice In Chains and Nirvana were so different from each other musically, yet were able to reach the same generation. The voices of Layne Staley and Kurt Cobain are without a doubt, pure, honest and as real as real can be. This is one of those debates that is really hard to pick one. It all depends on what camp you land in.
The Alice In Chains unplugged album to me is my favorite. When the band went in to perform this, it had been quite a few years since Alice had last performed live. Layne even jokes during the show that this is the best show they’ve played in a few years to which Jerry Cantrell replies Yeah it’s the only show we’ve played in a few years. Granted Layne was high as a kite during the filming, he was pretty much spot on throughout (though he did flub up the beginning of “Sludge Factory”). The set list they chose for the night was perfect and each song brilliantly executed. Opening with “Nutshell” was outstanding and closing with a new song “Killer Is Me,” was another great choice.
The Nirvana unplugged album has been hailed as the best of the series. I wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s the best of the series, but I will say it is the best thing that Nirvana ever did. I love the fact that they did what they wanted to do and played what they wanted as well. Their cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World,” is one of my favorite covers ever and one of the best covers of all time. The set list they chose was great as well. The version of “Pennyroyal Tea” is haunting as well as the closing song of Leadbelly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” with that scream at the end, which still sends me chills when I hear it.
Both albums are great in their own right. I still always will pick the Alice In Chains album, but if I’m ever in the mood to listen to Nirvana I always pick the unplugged.
Where do you stand?
Alice In Chains- Unplugged:
Nirvana-Unplugged:
By: Brian Lacy
When I get an album one of the first things I look at is who produced and engineered it. Recently an album came across my email that sounded intriguing to me. Ross Robinson’s name was listed as the producer on the album. I’ve been a fan of a lot of the albums that Ross has done in the past. Specifically his work with Korn, At The Drive In, The Cure and a newer band Wild Throne. So needless to say my curiosity was peaked. The album I’m talking about is Soko’s new album My Dreams Dictate My Reality. This album is quite a departure from most of the stuff that I listen to, but it also was a nice change of pace. Soko’s album is soaked in early 80’s new wave influence, somewhat reminiscent of The Cure started out as. The first song on the album “I Come In Peace” has an almost electro Mazzy Star vibe to it, making it the perfect lead off song for the album. There are also moments when there are bits of post punk a la a Joy Division vibe especially on the title track. This is definitely something different to my ears, and it totally fits the alternative music climate that has taken over the radio waves today. If you are looking for an album chock full of early new wave sounds, this is one of those albums for you. Also on a side note, it’s nice to hear Ross Robinson spread his wings and show his versatility as a producer.
Soko: My Dreams Dictate My Reality-
By: Brian Lacy
There is something really special when the main songwriter of a band takes the reigns of their own musical path. Noel Gallagher of Oasis fame has done that once again on his newest album Chasing Yesterday from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. This 10 song album is the perfect setup to spring and summer. There are those trademark melodies that made Oasis songs really shine, but also the signature (and highly underrated guitar tones) of Noel. Leading track “Riverman” starts the vibe of the album off right. It has a sweet melody that allows the listener to get the idea of where the records mood will take them. “In The Heat Of The Moment,” is a rocker. There is also a subtle dance element to this song that makes you want to move. “Lock All The Doors,” is one of those songs that would fit perfectly on an Oasis album. Noel’s voice on this track really shows his ability to lead a rocking song. Not to mention the guitar solo, is simple yet stellar. This is easily one of my favorite songs on the album. “The Dying Of Light,” is a really pretty ballad. This is one of those songs that had that trademark Oasis melody. “You Know We Can’t Go Back,” is another of the more rocking songs on the album. It also is my favorite track on the album. The catchy chorus that comes with it, not to mention the driving beat really carries this song.
Noel Gallagher has really left his mark with this album. It’s the first album to be produced as well as written by Noel and features a much broader array of instrumentation than ever before; the result is a diverse layered album, that draws from a range of different genres and influences. Oasis will always be the standard fallback, but Noel really shines on this effort.
Scale of 1-10: 8.5
In The Heat Of The Moment: Video
By: Brian Lacy
Socionic is a genre bending band with influences ranging from Tool, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, the very underrated Porcupine Tree and soundtrack maestro Clint Mansell. Their music is a classically heavy, all the while adding a melodic sense that carries their artistic vision throughout their songs. You can tell from listening that this band is extremely passionate in how their music sounds and is delivered. Their recent EP release Identity, was produced by Rhys Fulber (Fear Factory, Frontline Assembly, etc) and helps to show their knack for the aggressive side of modern metal and the dark contrasts of industrial. These guys have a sound and the music to really go far. Socionic is currently gearing up to release a new album this year.
Socionic: Epiphany
Check out their music on Reverb Nation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/socionic
https://www.facebook.com/socionic
By: Brian Lacy
Scott Kelly of Neurosis has one of my favorite voices of all time. There is something beautifully haunting about his voice that resonates with what he sings. Scott’s version of this Joy Division classic is awesomely beautiful!
Scott Kelly- Atmosphere:
Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour fame has one of the best voices in rock music. He’s lent out his voice a lot over the years. Here are a few songs you might not have known Corey was featured on.
Requiem- From the Strait Up album:
Biohazard- Domination
Damageplan- Fuck You
Roadrunner All Stars- The Rich Man
Travis Barker: On My Own
The early 2000’s were a very interesting time for music. There was an explosion of different genres and people were still buying music. Amongst the influx of bands to come out around this time, there was one that really stood out. One Side Zero is who I’m talking about and their stellar debut album, Is This Room Getting Smaller is an album that went unnoticed by the masses, but had a great impact on those that did hear it. Is This Room Getting Smaller was released in 2001 and produced by Jim Wirt and mixed by David Bottrill. The band toured relentlessly with bands like Incubus, 311, Sevendust, Soulfly and many others. They even appeared on the classic HBO show Reverb. The album itself is one of those listen in its entirety experiences. It really tells a story and captivates your range of emotions. Songs like “Instead Laugh,” “Holding Cell,” “New World Order,” “Eight,” “Never Ending,” and my personal favorite “Tapwater,” deliver in a harmonious melodic hard rock nature. The music really fits perfectly with the lyrical tone and voice of singer/guitarist Jasan Radford. His voice has the range of smooth and sultry to ravenous. Guitarists Levon Sultanian and Brett Kane really shine on their playing and tone. Bassist Cristian Hernandez plays perfectly in the pocket with drummer Rob Basile. I could really go on and on talking about this band. I’ve seen them so many times live and they never disappointed. Perhaps this will help get them to play shows again!!!
Sadly they were lumped into the “nu metal” genre, even though they are far from that. Had that not have happened and their label really dug their feet in the ground to push One Side, they could have gone on to a very illustrious career. Their debut album is still stands as a perfect testament to the time it came out. The way it connects with the listener and what it carries on from there. Do yourself a favor and listen to this album start to finish. You won’t be sorry!
One Side Zero- Is This Room Getting Smaller:
New World Order on Reverb:
Instead Laugh on Reverb:
Shed The Skin on Reverb:
By: Brian Lacy
I really enjoy talking to my friends that are musically inclined and have discussions about this and that. One of the constant things that always comes up is who we think are overrated in terms of players, bands, etc. Today I thought I’d focus on creating a list of those that are overrated guitarists. I’m not saying they aren’t good players, just that they aren’t all that “Great.” Keep in mind that this is just my opinion and it’s ok that you don’t agree…I won’t get mad! I’m sure there are others as well, so go ahead and add them in the comments.
1. Slash
2. Eddie Van Halen
3. Dimebag Darrell- Pantera
4. Kerry King- Slayer
5. Kirk Hammett- Metallica
6. Synster Gates- Avenged Sevenfold
7. Zacky Vengence- Avenged Sevenfold
8. Pete Townshend
9. Joe Perry
It’s truly great to have bands coming out that really get what it means to write pure honest songs, and make music that has real meaning and depth. Enter Chicago’s Sweet Cobra. The band was founded in 2003, and came charging out the gates with the fury and passionate qualities of their hardcore/noise-rock/metal roots mixed with a more straightforward rock delivery. Over the course of their career, Sweet Cobra has played with bands such as Pelican, Russian Circles, Coliseum, Black Cobra, Doomriders, The Life And Times, Young Widows and many more. Sweet Cobra toured relentlessly throughout the beginning of their career and released a myriad of recorded material, including three LPs, 2004’s Praise through Seventh Rule Recordings, 2007’s Forever through Hawthorne Street Records, and 2010’s Mercy on Blackmarket Activities, not to mention splits with Doomriders, Young Widows among others. Sadly, tragedy struck in 2009 when second guitarist Mat Arluck lost his ongoing fight with cancer. Sweet Cobra went on as a three piece and pushed forward, playing shows, constructing new material, and exploring new sounds. Now in 2014 the band is gearing up to release Earth through Magic Bullet Records. The band’s triumphant new LP was recorded and produced by Matt Talbot of Hum and Kurt Ballou of Converge, and also features guest musical contributions from each artist. This album is sure to be a sonic blast of genuine awesomeness.
https://www.facebook.com/sweetcobra
By: Brian Lacy
