Track One

TRACK ONE: RAMONES- I JUST WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO

Throughout their time, the Ramones, were quite the prolific songwriters. In only a few short years, the band managed to write so many songs. Having four people in the band that had something to say be it musically or lyrical was quite profound.

By the time the Ramones hit their fourth album, they were tour de force. Their impact left an undeniable mark and impression on the kids and more. Their album Road To Ruin, was released in September of 1978. While it has gone on to become a fan favorite, and my favorite Ramones album, this record didn’t quite sell well. This was also the first album without Tommy Ramone, who was replaced by Marky Ramone. You can hear the difference in playing style between Tommy and Marky.

The first song on Road To Ruin is my all time favorite Ramones song, “I Just Want To Have Something To Do.” The song kicks off a truly great album. The mid tempo vibe the song has gives it a very different approach than being super fast. “I Just Want To Have Something To Do” is one of those songs that hits just right. There’s a frustration in the lyrics and Joey Ramone’s vocals deliver it with precision. There’s way the song is slower allows the listener to truly hear the subtle nuances that Johnny, Dee Dee and Marky play with. Johnny especially on guitar. His signature downstroke style of play shines through on this song in a great way.

Ramones are legendary for all the right reasons. Their album catalog is astoundingly good and full of great songs that have gone overlooked. Road To Ruin is a great example of a band experimenting with different styles all the while keeping their roots.

Now you have something to do by listening to “I Just Want To Have Something To Do.”

Ramones- I Just Want To Have Something To Do:

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: THE OWLING- INTRAVENOUS FLOW

Late last year, I introduced you all to the band The Owling. Their debut album, You Don’t Bow, You Will Learn” hit me out of nowhere and was a perfect end note to the year. Now, Kal Michael (guitar/vocals) and Art Quanstrom (drums), have kept their creative flow going and have released a new EP titled, Intravenous Flow.

Intravenous Flow is quite the perfect title for this release. Clocking in at just about twenty five minutes, the way this EP plays out really feels more like an album. The title track, “Intravenous Flow” starts things off and truly does have quite the flow. The delicate nature of the guitar creates a warm texture against the ambient cymbals and drums, while the vocals float on top. In a way there’s a post punk tinge to go along with the doom riffs and thunder drums. “Hollowed” is quite possibly my favorite song by The Owling. There’s a really cool almost Neurosis vibe to this song and it’s one of those really great slow burn songs. And then comes the cover song you didn’t know you needed, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mama I’m Coming Home.” I quite enjoy this version. The way it pays homage to the original but, sways more into Sabbath territory is treat. Closing out this record is an acoustic version of “Intravenous Flow,” And what I said prior still stands, this one truly is THE delicate one.

I haven’t had the chance to see The Owling live yet but, I sure will soon. These songs live are going to be huge! The Owling aren’t just the a typical doom/insert other genre here band. When you listen you hear substance and depth. Something that is truly missing from so much rock music these days. Take your time with this record and really listen.

The Owling Online HERE

BY: Brian Lacy

The Owling- Intravenous Flow:

The Owling- You Don’t Bow You Will Learn:

TRACK ONE: LINKIN PARK- PAPERCUT

More often than not, track one’s set the tone for the album and give a pretty interesting insight into what is to come. When you go back to Linkin Park’s debut album, Hybrid Theory, “Papercut” really does set the stage for the rest of the record. To this day, “Papercut” is still a live staple in Linkin Park set lists for a reason. The song itself combines elements hip-hop, metal, and drum and bass and melodic vocals. Both Mike Shinoda and the late Chester Bennington have said this song is one of their favorites in the bands catalog. The video for the song is a bit fun and a bit “huh.” Just remember that it was made in the early 2000’s and yeah hahaha. I personally to this day have always had a soft spot for this track. And now with Emily Armstrong on vocals, the song has a whole new life and sounds like a brand new song. Seriously, you can’t go wrong with “Papercut.”

Linkin Park- Papercut:

Linkin Park- Papercut (with Emily Armstrong):

TRACK ONE: SEPULTURA- REFUSE/RESIST

This year the Cavalera brothers went on tour to celebrate their album, Chaos A.D. This is my all time favorite Sepultura album. I love this record. It’s heavy, brutal, full of great ear candy moments, and the mix on it is superb. I honestly thought when I was a kid and even today, that if Sepultura had kept expanding upon this sound and style by adding just a tinge of melody, they’d have been global giants! But that’s a topic and subject for a whole other time. Instead lets focus on track one of Chaos A.D. and that is “Refuse/Resist.” There are so many great track one’s and this song is definitely one of them. The groove on this song is beyond awesome. Interestingly, “Refuse/Resist” was the fourth single to be released from this album. It’s still a live staple to this day, even in Sepultura now, as well as with Max and Igor when they tour. Another fun tidbit is the beginning intro features the heartbeat of Max’s then unborn son, Zyon, who now plays with Max in Soulfly. You really can’t go wrong with Chaos A.D. and to have “Refuse/Resist” kick it off?! Now that’s a banger!

Sepultura- Refuse/Resist:

TRACK ONE: SOULFLY- EYE FOR AN EYE

I’m sure for a lot of you starting the week off can be a bit of a struggle. Dragging ass is never a fun way to start the day or week off. This morning I was having one hell of a time just getting out of bed and a song popped in my head and then I put said song on and I was awake. If you haven’t heard Soulfly’s “Eye For An Eye” off of their debut self titled album, this one will surely wake you up. And as a track one, yeah this is a banger out of the gate! The first album is chock full of great songs and the rhythms are really what takes the album to different heights. Drummer Roy Mayorga and bassist Marcello Rapp, have instant musical chemistry right away. “Eye For An Eye” is one of those classic songs. Crazy too that it’s over 25 years old now! This song also features Dino Cazares of Fear Factory as well as former Fear Factory vocalist, Burton C. Bell. So start your day/week off with this hellblazer of a track one!

Soulfly- Eye For An Eye:

TRACK ONE: RADIOHEAD- PLANET TELEX

For a couple weeks now, I’ve been on a huge Radiohead kick. They are seriously one of those bands that every time you go back and listen to, there is something else to fall in love with. The other day, I was sitting around just listening to The Bends and I couldn’t help but restart the first song, “Planet Telex” at least 5 times. There is something really special about this song and how it really starts off the album. The way Radiohead has experimented over the years is astonishing in its own right. When you listen to The Bends, you can start to hear them moving in varying directions and “Planet Telex” is one of those sweet moments. The shoegaze mixed with psychedelia and alternative rock is magical! It’s one of those songs that you don’t want it to end.

Radiohead- Planet Telex:

Track One: Down- Temptation’s Wings

I thought I’d start off the new year with a great song and a killer track one to boot. I will never forget the first time I heard this song. I was 13 years old and I was chatting with one of the guys who worked at the Tower Records in my town. I recall our conversation swinging toward Pantera as I was also looking to get their live album that was out. The guy said instead of getting the 101 Proof album I should check out this other album which had Philip in it as well. The guy even went and put the CD on in the store and then a couple moments later, the CD was in my hand and in my discman back in the car on the way home. From that point on I’ve been a huge Down fan. So much so that I prefer listening to Down over Pantera. Yes it’s true but, that’s for a whole other topic for another day. The first song, “Temptation’s Wings” is one of those track one’s that the moment you first hear it, you already know you’re going to like what’s to come and the want for more just grows and grows. Interestingly, this song dates back to about 1990/1991 when Down first came to fruition. It’s got this great Sabbath meets Zeppelin vibe with a great bit of Southern Rock charm. Put it this way, I would put this song in my top 25 favorite track one’s! Looking forward to seeing Down in 2025 and having a new album out later this year. If you aren’t familiar with Down, you should rectify that and quick!

Down- Temptation’s Wings:

Down- Down I- NOLA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG82oeXCclA&list=OLAK5uy_kj_nOYGgi9xj7tZ-yxXZ6pWH90CL_sw3o

Track One: Helmet- In The Meantime

The other day Helmet announced new tour dates. That got me excited as I haven’t seen them in quite some time. Naturally, I did what I always do when I get excited about a band or music news, I put Helmet on. Meantime, their breakthrough album which features the classic “Unsung,” is one of those albums that when you put on, it fuels the day. The first track “In The Meantime” is one of those album openers that does more than sets a tone, it’s also a hard charger that has been ripped off countless times as it’s such a classic. Meantime was an album that has stood up to this day. The influence the band and album has had on music since its release is uncanny. Start your day off with this banger!

Helmet- In The Meantime:

Track One: The Replacements- Hold My Life

I recently saw that The Replacements are putting out a super deluxe version of their album, Tim, and of course that peaked my interest. The new edition features a remastered version, remixed version, alternate versions/demos as well as a live album from 1986. When I went back and listened to this album, I forgot how much I enjoyed it. There really was something magical about The Replacements. The first song on Tim, “Hold My Life,” is one hell of a track one. The song captures the feelings of alienation and despair while at the same time is rather poetic in a modern sense. I highly recommend taking a listen their album Tim, it’s truly one of those albums that when you listen, you can hear the influence in so many bands. And one other fun side note, Tim was produced by none other than Tommy Erdelyi aka Tommy Ramone!

The Replacements- Hold My Life:

Track One: Alice In Chains- Rotten Apple

One of my all time favorite albums to put on to end a night or to fall asleep to is Alice In Chains, Jar Of Flies. It’s an absolutely astonishing album or EP. No matter how many times I put it on, I always get swept away by the first song, “Rotten Apple.” I love the way it starts the record and the way it just takes over is magical. This is a great example of how the first song on your album sets up the rest. This is a perfect song. Layne’s lyrics and vocals on this song are pure, raw and honest. Not to mention the harmonies with Jerry. Plus musically, this song is just so damn good. Just as the words and melody hit you, the music pushes and pulls you along the wave. Simply put, “Rotten Apple” is one of the best track one’s of all time.

Alice In Chains- Rotten Apple: