End Of Album Songs

END OF ALBUM SONGS: JOY DIVISION- I REMEMBER NOTHING

No matter how many times I’ve listened to Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures, I always find something new to love about it. For a long time I’ve been really getting into all the sounds and instruments they used on this album and live. Which brings me to today’s article. The final song on Unknown Pleasures, “I Remember Nothing.” This song, is truly remarkable. The dissonance and space throughout the whole song is stunning. From the way the drums and bass are so subtle yet at the same time, chilling. Then you add in the vocals and the delivery and how that sits like a cloud. The use of synthesizers on here is stark but poignant. And then you add in the added effects of smashing bottles in such a timely manner that, it in an eerie way almost “brightens” the mood. Call me crazy but, there’s something really intense about all this. Without a doubt, Unknown Pleasures is an absolute perfect album. It’s in my top 25 of all time and it’s not leaving there ever!

Joy Division- I Remember Nothing:

TITLE TRACKS: TOOL- UNDERTOW

I have an interesting theory on title tracks. More often than not, the title track on an album is a deeper cut, towards the end of the album. My theory is that the “title track” is a bit of a summation of what the album encompasses. It could be musically, lyrically, thematic or the all around tonality of what the album is about. There are quite a few bands that do this on a consistent basis and I quite enjoy it. One of those bands is Tool. They have successfully done this three times (Undertow, Aenima and Lateralus). As much as I love “Lateralus” I really have to say “Undertow” might just be the best of the three. The song itself has a lot of different vibes to it. You have the heavy aspects, the syncopated rhythms, but the more progressive elements mixed with a bit of psychedelia puts this one over. “Undertow” is a song you can get lost in and it’s placement in the album sequence really lets the song become its own entity. I’m glad to see that “Undertow” made it back into the set list the past few years. More songs off of the album itself need to be played live. Less Fear Inoculum and more of the songs not played enough!!

Tool- Undertow:

ALTERNATE VERSIONS: STONE TEMPLE PILOTS- ATLANTA

Today would’ve been Scott Weiland’s 58th birthday. Scott was one of those talents that truly had a gift of song. The way he wrote lyrics, conjuring sweet melodies, and his performances, there was no denying Scott was one of the best. With it being Scott’s birthday, why not highlight one of my all time favorite Stone Temple Pilots songs, “Atlanta.” This song is absolutely divine. There’s moments throughout the song that makes it feel like The Doors are a part of the song. And I do LOVE The Doors. I still remember the first time I heard this song when I bought the CD and got it home. I wound up putting “Atlanta” on repeat for at least a good hour. It’s also one of the best ending the night songs as you pull into the garage or parking spot. STP has always had a knack for writing great songs with a vibe. “Atlanta” is a great example of that! Happy Birthday Scott!

Atlanta (Through The Eyes/Ears Of Robert, Dean and Eric):

Atlanta (Live On Craig Kilborn):

Atlanta (Acoustic Version):

Atlanta (Album Version):

NEW RELEASE: FACT PATTERN- FINGERS TO THE FLAME

Fact Pattern is one of the bands that since I started Audioeclectica, I’ve been quite enjoying. They are one of the few bands that label themselves “industrial” that actually sound like that. Their most recent album, The Same Outcome, came out late 2024 (review to follow soon) and it’s uite the gem of an album! One of the things I have always liked most about Fact Pattern is their use of melody in their songs. Rather than it be this pummeling drilling, there’s an ambient/atmospheric undertone throughout and vocals that capture the lyric very well! Their latest single/video “Fingers To The Flame” is one hell of a track and it also happens to be the album closer. Really excited for what is coming up with Fact Pattern. They are a very visceral live band as well so you should check them out!!!


Fact Pattern- Fingers To The Flame:

End Of Album Songs: Cave In- New Moon

Yesterday I saw a post that Cave In’s album Jupiter is now 23 years old. It’s absolutely crazy how fast time is flying by. I remember when this album came out and going to Tower Records during my lunch break in High School to buy it. I’ve listened to this album hundreds of times over the years and I’d more than likely say that Jupiter is my favorite Cave In album. That being said, there is one song I’d like to pinpoint as a standout and that would be the final song on the album, “New Moon.” It’s one of those songs that in the context of the whole album encapsulates what an epic record Jupiter is. The way the song starts as this delicate piece and ends with quite a ruckus is quite the testament to the band as writers and musicians. “New Moon” has only been played live a handful of times (9 according to setlist.fm). I did finally get to hear it live at the Caleb Scofield Tribute show in LA back in 2018 and it was absolutely beautiful. Songs like this that end powerful albums should be celebrated as such.

Cave In- New Moon (Album Version):

New Moon (Live At Roadburn, 2018):

New Moon- Live 2002:

End Of Album Songs: Metallica- Inamorata

On every Metallica album since Ride The Lightning, there has been at least one song that is a bit of an outlier. Now, this song is not always the heaviest track, instead it’s the one that raises your curiosity and shows a different side of the band. Going through the band’s catalog you have songs like “Fade To Black,” “Sanitarium,” “Bleeding Me,” “Halo On Fire” and a few others I could mention. The new Metallica album, 72 Seasons has one for damn sure with “Inamorata.” This track is absolutely one hell of an end of album song but, it’s also one of Metallica’s more epic tracks in a long time. The new album is quite a killer one and this track is the icing on the cake! Take a listen to this gem!

Metallica- Inamorata:

End Of Album Songs: Pixies- Gouge Away

For the past few weeks I’ve been on a big kick of listening to the Pixies. In my deep dive into their catalog, I’ve come to the conclusion many others have as well that Doolittle is one hell of an album and highly influential to so many bands. There really is something special about this album. One day in the near future I will put it all into words but, for right now I just want to focus on the absolute perfection of the final song on the album and that is “Gouge Away.” Every time I hear this song, I don’t want it to end. Sometimes I wish it had a 10 minute solo in the middle of it just because this song is so damn great. Interestingly this song is based on the story of Samson and Delilah. Some think Frank Black is referencing his relationship with bassist Kim Deal, as Frank represents Samson and Kim, Delilah. Other’s think it has to do with heroin addiction. Either way, this song is one hell of a gem and ends Doolittle in perfect fashion. Cheers to the Pixies and their absolute classic album, Doolittle!

Pixies- Gouge Away (Album Version):

End Of Album Songs: Radiohead- The Tourist

Radiohead’s OK Computer is an absolute masterpiece! We already know that. If you’ve never heard the album, you must be living under a rock or in a deep hole. It’s truly one of those albums that will be talked about for centuries. I’m sure you’ve all heard “Paranoid Android” and “Karma Police” as those two have been radio staples for years. There is a specific track on the album that I’d like to highlight and that is the final song on the album, “The Tourist.” This song, every single time I hear it, puts me in this fun trance that takes me away from where I am for a few minutes and I get so immersed in this song. The way it’s written has this “space” to it where the notes, chords, drums, synths, vocals, all hit you in these really interesting moments. There’s something else about “The Tourist” that I have always loved and that while the song has a delicate feel to it, there is a heaviness to the emotional pull that grabs you. Thom Yorke has even said about “The Tourist” “That song was written to me from me, saying, ‘Idiot, slow down.’ Because at that point, I needed to. So that was the only resolution there could be: to slow down.” Which when you think about where Radiohead was at in their career at this point makes a lot of sense. Also, one more thing that I love to do with this song is as it ends, is have Kid A cued up and that little dig at the end of “The Tourist” flows ever so perfectly into “Everything In Its Right Place. Give that a fun try when you get the chance, it’s quite the trippy little nuance!

Radiohead- The Tourist:

Radiohead- Everything In Its Right Place:

End Of Album Songs: Queens Of The Stone Age- I Think I Lost My Headache
Queens of the Stone Age – I Think I Lost My Headache Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

The album Rated R by Queens Of The Stone Age is impeccably extraordinary. I still remember hearing this album in the summer of 2000. It was the perfect album for that time and has remained a favorite of mine for many years. One of the things I remember most about the first time I heard this album was the closing song “I Think I Lost My Headache.” The trip of this album is quite a journey that, when you get to this song, it really encapsulates it. Songs like this especially one albums such as Rated R, make a pretty fun and interesting statement.

Queens Of The Stone Age- I Think I Lost My Headache:


End Of Album Songs: Weezer- Only In Dreams

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Usually when I write about end of album songs, I include all the songs the band has made to end albums with but, on this one I really want to focus on just this one. I’m still to this day floored by how great the ending of Weezer’s debut album (The Blue Album) is. The song “Only In Dreams” is quite possibly one of the best album closers of an album from the 90’s and in general. The middle section and the dynamic shift of the song is truly spectacular. It’s gradual build that hits with that guitar solo is stunning. Plain and simple, this song is EPIC!!! While listening to this song, you can also tell that there is a direct influence to The Pixies which, Weezer has never shied away from. No matter what though, “Only In Dreams” is the type of song you can start your day off with or end your night and it’s just perfect!

 

Weezer- Only In Dreams: