Title Tracks

TITLE TRACKS: SYLOSIS- A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME

For the past year, there’s been a band that’s been in constant rotation through my stereo. They are also one of those bands that have gotten better and better with each album. The band is Sylosis and while I’m quite enjoying their new album, The New Flesh, it’s their previous album, A Sign Of Things To Come that’s been the one on constant rotation.

While it’s not as thrashy as their earlier albums, Sylosis really moved into this new territory with a seamlessness that really just goes to show how much evolution has been achieved through the years to this point. The title track “A Sign Of Things To Come” almost feels like it should have been track one. The push and pull of melodic aspects into barreling heaviness brings you to attention. Vocally it’s got bite and an attitude that spits venom. Musically it’s grabbing without being overly catchy. The sum of all the parts together make this a great song. The live versions of it too add even more grit to an already punishingly beautiful song.

Sylosis- A Sign Of Things To Come:

Sylosis- A Sign Of Things To Come (Live):

TRACK ONE: SOILWORK- STABBING THE DRAMA

The way a first song on an album hits can make or break a record. The impact of track one has to connect on many levels and when all those parts are properly put together, they make for one hell of a song to open up an album. In 2005, Sweden’s Soilwork, released their sixth studio album, Stabbing The Drama. The first song on the album is also the title track and once this song starts, you know there is no turning back. The groove of the song immediately pulls you in. Then the heavy riffs and in your face vocals up the ante. The chorus soars with a great melodic sensibility. When you hear “Stabbing The Drama” there’s an urgency to the song. It’s one of those songs that you want to put on repeat but also, can’t wait to hear the rest of the album. And believe me, you’ll want to listen to the whole album. It has to be said too that Soilwork are in the top five all time of Swedish bands for me. Go liten to Soilwork!!!

Soilwork- Stabbing The Drama:

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:

Title Tracks: Placebo

Placebo_(Logo)

If there’s one band that has the title track down, it’s Placebo. Since their inception in the mid 90’s, Placebo has been one of the most consistent bands to release quality albums and songs. They are also one of my all time favorite bands and their live shows are always stellar. Throughout the years, my appreciation for Placebo has grown stronger and stronger for their willingness to evolve and stay true to themselves without compromising their artistic integrity. Take a moment and explore these gems.

Without You I’m Nothing:

 
Sleeping With Ghosts:

Meds:

 

 
Battle For The Sun:

 

 
B3:

 

 
Loud Like Love:

 

Title Tracks: Deftones

Deftones_(Logo)

Deftones have a long history of making quite complete albums. There are a couple that are a little disjointed but, for the most part are rather perfectly sequenced. Their artistry and evolution is something that many bands from their era should have taken a cue from. They’ve managed to stay relevant by pushing themselves as songwriters and performers as well as incorporating other elements into their sound to separate themselves from their peers. On these few title track songs, Deftones, really encapsulated the sound of these albums with these songs.

Deftones- Around The Fur:

 

Deftones- Diamond Eyes:

 

Deftones- Gore: