Album Anniversary: The Cure- Disintegration

Image

This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Cure’s landmark album Disintegration. Released on May 2, 1989, Disintegration was a return to the more gothic nature of the bands roots. These 12 songs make up a cohesive album that tells the tale of a tortured soul (Robert Smith) and all his trials and tribulations. Originally Robert wrote all the songs alone and thought that if the rest of the band didn’t like the songs, he would go on and record them as a solo album. Luckily the other guys did enjoy them.  This album has a personal connection with me as it had helped me through some interesting times. There are so many gems on this album, it’s hard to not listen to the entire album (Even if “Pictures of You and “Lovesong” are beyond overplayed). My personal favorite has always been “Fascination Street.” There is just something so gripping about that song that resonates with me.

The Cure have gone on to be one of the most influential bands. The honesty that Robert Smith conveys is copied at astronomical amounts in the alternative music world. The band themselves helped to create such an unique sound infected with melody and anguish.

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Spirit In The Room

Image

The use of electronics has become very prominent in music as of late. Some bands have really been able to utilize it in in a great way. One of those bands is Spirit In The Room. Dennis Sanders who has also been involved with Wes Borland’s Black Light Burns leads this collective. The use of electronics doesn’t hinder from the actual music, if anything it adds an extra element of darkness to the music. There are elements of rock, post-punk, synth pop, and a goth vibe similar to the music of The Cure. Dennis has a voice that shows the vulnerable side of himself all the while being uninhibited. Spirit In The Room opened up for Crosses on their Southern California dates. They also just released their debut EP The Holy Phobia part 1. From the looks of the live videos their live show looks very entertaining.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/spiritintheroomsounds

https://soundcloud.com/spirit-in-the-room

 

By: Brian Lacy

Bands That Should Come Back: Isis

Image

There is a saying that it’s best to go out on top, and in 2010, Isis did just that. Having released a great album Wavering Radiant, the guys in Isis decided to go their separate ways. Over the course of their career they released quite a few albums, EP’s, and splits. Two of their albums 2002’s Oceanic and 2004’s Panopticon are genre defining albums and regarded as classics in heavy music circles. Isis was a band that helped to expand the genre in which Neurosis and Godflesh made. Their use of conceptual themes in their lyrics made the albums stand out even more especially Panopticon. During their live shows the use of lights mixed with the rhythmic nature of the songs and the use of ambient sounds made their live show a truly intriguing experience. I was lucky enough to have seen Isis on their final tour. All the members have since gone on to other projects. One of the most prominent of those project is Palms which features 3 of the members of Isis and Chino Moreno of Deftones. All in all Isis was truly a great band that still had so much left to share with the world musically. Only time will tell if there will ever come a time when they will reconvene and form again.

 

Oceanic:

 

Panopticon:

 

By: Brian Lacy

Amazing and Must Own Albums: Portishead- Live At Roseland Ballroom

Image

Live albums are tricky. They can be amazing or wretched. There are quite a few that are absolute gems. Kiss Alive, Led Zeppelin The Song Remains The Same, Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous, and The Band The Last Waltz are just a few of them. In 1997 an innovative band took their sound and performance to the Roseland Ballroom in New York and created one of the best live albums ever. The band in question is Portishead, who with only two albums under their belt, delivered a spectacle. Accompanying Portishead that evening was the New York Philharmonic. The mixture of their music and the addiction of the stringed instruments added even more of a psychedelic trip vibe. Certain songs in their catalog really stood out that night such as “All Mine,” “Mysterons,” “Over,” “Glory Box,” and my personal favorite “Roads.”

This album is another one that is a must in any collection. As a side note this album is great for romantic evenings with your loved one!

In Honor Of Layne Staley

Image

It has been over 12 years since the death of Layne Staley. I was always more of an Alice In Chains fan than a Nirvana fan. So in 2002, when it was announced that Layne was dead, it hit me pretty hard. Over the years there have been many songs written about Layne, a few of which I’d like to share with you all, as well as the great MTV Unplugged performance. Layne had such a unique voice and wrote straight from the heart. His ability to connect with people through his pain and struggles, provided so much help to those in need. Layne is forever missed and never fogotten.

 

Alice In Chains: Black Gives Way To Blue

 

Pearl Jam: 4/20/02

 

Staind: Layne

 

Alice In Chains: MTV Unplugged

Band Of The Week: Dekades

Image

Shoe gaze, Psychedelia, loud bombastic art rock, these are just a few of the ways to describe the sound of Dekades. This awesome foursome have combined all the above into something driving and pulsating. Fronted by Arden Fisher, her hypnotic voice invokes quite a range of emotions in the lyrics she sings. The guitar work provides lush soundscapes before erupting into melodic rumbling. The rhythm section is extremely tight. The bass lines thump in such a lovely way with the beat of the drums. Their most recent release features 4 songs of sheer enjoyment. Dekades are fast becoming a talked about band in the Los Angeles music scene and it’s very well deserved.

 

 

http://dekadesofficial.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Dekadesofficial

http://dekades.bandcamp.com/

 

By: Brian Lacy