Failure’s amazing, influential, and must own album Fantastic Planet is full of so many great things. One of the best things about the album is the video for the song “Stuck On You.” This song was released as the first single from the album and reached #23 on the US Alternative Chart as well as #31 on the US Mainstream Rock Charts on Billboard. The video itself is something special. Released in 1997, the video resembles and pays homage to the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. The video was directed by Ken Andres along with Phil Harder who has worked on videos for bands like The Afghan Whigs, Low, Incubus, Local H and Prince to name a few. “Stuck On You” is one of those songs that is super catchy but, also a timeless song, just like the video.
I’m sure most of you are like me and get all giddy when you hear a band you really like do a cover of another band you like and that cover is really good. During their recent tour with Pop Evil, Black Map has been doing pre-show meet and greets and mini acoustic sets. At their show at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, Black Map’s Ben Flanagan (bass/vocals) and Mark Engles (guitar/vocals), pulled out a surprise cover of Failure’s “Stuck On You” and it turned out great. Check it Out.
The 90’s were such a great time for rock music. There had been a revolution of loud guitars, heavy bass, thundering drums and meaningful lyrics. There was also a lot of epic masterpieces that went unnoticed. One album in particular was Failure’s “Fantastic Planet.” Ken Andrews (Vocals/Guitar/Bass), Greg Edwards (Bass/Guitar/Percussion/Piano), and Kelli Scott (Drums) produced a very honest etherial album. Space-rock themes course through the album’s lyrics, as well as various indirect references to drug addiction, drug-related experiences, and prostitution. There are also lush textures that guide the listener on a seductive path throughout the listening of the album. Fantastic Planet features so many great songs that it makes it hard to pick just one stand out track. Songs such as Saturday Savior, Sergeant Politeness, Smoking Umbrellas, Pitiful, The Nurse Who Loved Me and Stuck On You are the most common. Though other songs such as Dirty Blue Balloons, Blank, Pillowhead and Daylight, compete at such a high level that it’s hard to skip any of the songs. The album was self produced by Failure and engineered by Ken Andrews at their own studio. During the touring cycle for Fantastic Planet, Troy VanLeeuwen was brought on to add more guitar to the live sound. After only 3 albums together Failure parted ways with each other. Ken Andrews went on to start the bands Year Of The Rabbit and ON, as well as become a well sought after producer/engineer. Greg Edwards formed Autolux, a very experimental yet rocking band. Kelli Scott went on to play with Veruca Salt and other bands. Troy VanLeeuwen went on to play with A Perfect Circle and now with Queens Of The Stone Age. The amount of influence Failure has had on today’s bands is very noticeable. Failure seemed to be on to something way before “it” was time for it to come to the forefront of the masses. Luckily for everyone that has become a Failure fan over the years can rejoice. Failure are back and ready to claim their place!
AUDIOECLECTICA 