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Song of the Day 11/30/2024
"Maggie's Farm" - The Blues Band
An original Bob Dylan song that (as you probably already expected) has been covered a ton of times. Most versions I have heard have been decent though nothing can beat the original in my opinion, even if Rage Against the Machine comes close. One band that does a damn good go at it is the Blues Band. If you are so bold to name your band the Blues Band you better back that statement up with some damn good blues. Well, they backed it up with this track right here today. "Maggie's Farm" is a song that can be sung throughout the ages, so long as there are the wealthy and/or ridiculing bosses then these lyrics will still ring true. The Blues Band brings some serious electric blues into the picture, something that Bob Dylan's lacked even if this song is revolving around the "blasphemy" of him steering away from the acoustic folk song, though I ain't gonna tell that tale since we are focusing on the cover from the Blues Band (see Newport Rock Festival 1965). This is the song that keeps the band in the history books, while they have plenty of other damn good songs this will be the one to survive the test of time and it is easy to see why. Their 1980's work has plenty of great blues standards and their original work is equally as enjoyable. It is crazy that a band with this many albums can be so easily overlooked in the modern day, though I suppose blues music never really had its full heyday under those spotlights and in some ways that is what keeps it great and humble. One of those genres that never really moved up and never really moved down, it has its place in the background of almost all modern music. I always wonder what will be the next big "sound" since rock had its day and rap still is holding on today but what will come next? What will be new and fresh enough to take over the speakers of a nation? Pop will never die and will always keep chooglin' at the top of the charts as it always has and always will but who will rival them? Who will speak for the future generations? I hope it is something good, there are plenty of genres just waiting to be the next big thing and have been fighting behind the scenes for decades now. It would be swell if rock music could take the world again, but how can you hope for that when rock has almost had everything done. They have interbred with all the genres and have beat up the same chords for well over 50 years. Anyways, check the song out and while you are at it give the original a spin and see which you like better. Enjoy!
Year Released: 1980
Album: Ready (1980)
Genre: Blues rock
Mood: Energetic (as far as blues go)
Perfect For: Getting ready for work, Mellow drives, Waking up, Having a stressed smoke
Where To Next: "Too Late" - Totta's Bluesband
Rating: 7/10
An original Bob Dylan song that (as you probably already expected) has been covered a ton of times. Most versions I have heard have been decent though nothing can beat the original in my opinion, even if Rage Against the Machine comes close. One band that does a damn good go at it is the Blues Band. If you are so bold to name your band the Blues Band you better back that statement up with some damn good blues. Well, they backed it up with this track right here today. "Maggie's Farm" is a song that can be sung throughout the ages, so long as there are the wealthy and/or ridiculing bosses then these lyrics will still ring true. The Blues Band brings some serious electric blues into the picture, something that Bob Dylan's lacked even if this song is revolving around the "blasphemy" of him steering away from the acoustic folk song, though I ain't gonna tell that tale since we are focusing on the cover from the Blues Band (see Newport Rock Festival 1965). This is the song that keeps the band in the history books, while they have plenty of other damn good songs this will be the one to survive the test of time and it is easy to see why. Their 1980's work has plenty of great blues standards and their original work is equally as enjoyable. It is crazy that a band with this many albums can be so easily overlooked in the modern day, though I suppose blues music never really had its full heyday under those spotlights and in some ways that is what keeps it great and humble. One of those genres that never really moved up and never really moved down, it has its place in the background of almost all modern music. I always wonder what will be the next big "sound" since rock had its day and rap still is holding on today but what will come next? What will be new and fresh enough to take over the speakers of a nation? Pop will never die and will always keep chooglin' at the top of the charts as it always has and always will but who will rival them? Who will speak for the future generations? I hope it is something good, there are plenty of genres just waiting to be the next big thing and have been fighting behind the scenes for decades now. It would be swell if rock music could take the world again, but how can you hope for that when rock has almost had everything done. They have interbred with all the genres and have beat up the same chords for well over 50 years. Anyways, check the song out and while you are at it give the original a spin and see which you like better. Enjoy!
Year Released: 1980
Album: Ready (1980)
Genre: Blues rock
Mood: Energetic (as far as blues go)
Perfect For: Getting ready for work, Mellow drives, Waking up, Having a stressed smoke
Where To Next: "Too Late" - Totta's Bluesband
Rating: 7/10
Song of the Day 11/29/2024
"Stray Bullets" - The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello)
I have dabbled here and there into the Nightwatchman, the alter ego to one of the most phenomenal guitarists the world has ever seen, Tom Morello. Tom Morello made his stand alongside the powerhouse Rage Against the Machine and his guitar has graced countless albums with all sorts of styles and musicians. He is a damn good guitarist and he uses his guitar and pedals to make some of the craziest noises a guitar could make and keep you captivated. A visionary and one of those guitar gods that deserve every ounce of praise he gets and is fully himself. The Nightwatchman is an odd project but a good project, not everything is straight cut, sometimes you get an acoustic onslaught and then other times you get a strange folk rock folk punk gem like this song here. "Stray Bullets" is the one of best known tracks from the Nightwatchman and you can easily tell why once the song kicks on into the chanting. A good enough story though an odd one, typically there aren't too many forsaken soldier songs that show up on my doorstep though leave it to Tom Morello to write a song like that. After the character in the story loses his friends and direction he questions why they are even in Iraq anyhow. It ultimately leads to mutiny and insubordination and the song comes to a close. I found the track when doing my new music Fridays and it was the first one to show up on the "discover weekly" playlist Spotify gives you. Right when I saw who it was by I knew it was that kind of day, so I listened to a couple more but "Stray Bullets" stayed with me all day and I knew it was to be the next Song of the Day. An all around good song with a immensely catchy chorus that gets stuck in my head. Another damn good find to add to my collection and I was glad to take another stab at the Nightwatchman and walk away with some quality songs. If you need a place to go for activism or cleverly put anti-war tracks then check out most of what Tom Morello puts out and obviously Rage Against the Machine. I will say it once and I will say it again, he is a visionary and easily one of the best guitarists and performers to grace this third stone from the sun.
Year Released: 2011
Album: World Wide Rebel Songs (2011)
Genre: Folk punk, Folk rock
Mood: Catchy
Perfect For: Casual listening, Having a drink
Where To Next: "What's Left of the Flag" - Flogging Molly
Rating: 7/10
I have dabbled here and there into the Nightwatchman, the alter ego to one of the most phenomenal guitarists the world has ever seen, Tom Morello. Tom Morello made his stand alongside the powerhouse Rage Against the Machine and his guitar has graced countless albums with all sorts of styles and musicians. He is a damn good guitarist and he uses his guitar and pedals to make some of the craziest noises a guitar could make and keep you captivated. A visionary and one of those guitar gods that deserve every ounce of praise he gets and is fully himself. The Nightwatchman is an odd project but a good project, not everything is straight cut, sometimes you get an acoustic onslaught and then other times you get a strange folk rock folk punk gem like this song here. "Stray Bullets" is the one of best known tracks from the Nightwatchman and you can easily tell why once the song kicks on into the chanting. A good enough story though an odd one, typically there aren't too many forsaken soldier songs that show up on my doorstep though leave it to Tom Morello to write a song like that. After the character in the story loses his friends and direction he questions why they are even in Iraq anyhow. It ultimately leads to mutiny and insubordination and the song comes to a close. I found the track when doing my new music Fridays and it was the first one to show up on the "discover weekly" playlist Spotify gives you. Right when I saw who it was by I knew it was that kind of day, so I listened to a couple more but "Stray Bullets" stayed with me all day and I knew it was to be the next Song of the Day. An all around good song with a immensely catchy chorus that gets stuck in my head. Another damn good find to add to my collection and I was glad to take another stab at the Nightwatchman and walk away with some quality songs. If you need a place to go for activism or cleverly put anti-war tracks then check out most of what Tom Morello puts out and obviously Rage Against the Machine. I will say it once and I will say it again, he is a visionary and easily one of the best guitarists and performers to grace this third stone from the sun.
Year Released: 2011
Album: World Wide Rebel Songs (2011)
Genre: Folk punk, Folk rock
Mood: Catchy
Perfect For: Casual listening, Having a drink
Where To Next: "What's Left of the Flag" - Flogging Molly
Rating: 7/10
Song of the Day 11/28/2024
"When You Close Your Eyes" - Night Ranger
I love collecting songs that I know are great to wake up to, I find very few if only 1 a month if I am lucky. Half the time I am on a whole different plane when trying to wake up for the day. Though there are moments that are made even when waking up when great songs are playing. Thanksgiving morning, when my body and brain still didn't fully realize I have a random day off, this song came rolling around and had to get stuck in my head in the first few minutes of waking up. Throughout the day I gave it a couple of other good listens and each time I enjoyed it through and through. Night Ranger did a great job of mixing the 80's pop sound with a hardish rock sound, not in the same way that the glam/pop metal bands did it. Night Ranger is a lot more approachable and unlike many of those bands that came out of the scene, they are perfect for daydreaming and driving at night. Most of their hits are pure 80's gems that are perfect for driving through city lights which is what I was doing when I fully settled on it being the song of the day for the holiday. I have never been all too fond of Thanksgiving, when you get older it is more exciting to have an extra day off than it is to gorge on food. I typically have a long drive home with a buzz and a damn full belly, driving and being overly full is something I tend to avoid but due to the holiday I allow it. This one was a more chill Thanksgiving for better or worse but I still showed up home with only 45 minutes to chill out and get to bed and honestly I am not even sure how. While winding down I gave the song another listen through. A great rock ballad that doesn't grow all too stale even with its repetitive manner. The 1980's weaponized repetition throughout a lot of the greats from that decade. Some would take that as a negative but I have always said that repetition is its own art form, it makes the song work wonderfully for being just background noise or something to listen to while reminiscing or thinking things through. The track doesn't impose on itself in the slightest and has proven to be a worthy song for each part of the day. I still stand by the opinion that it sounds best when first waking up and also sounds best when driving through desolate streets that are usually bustling during night time. Night Ranger's Midnight Madness is seemingly crafted for the city. With this song, their huge hit "Sister Christian", and their equally impressive "(You Can Still) Rock in America" the album comes in with some power and I highly suggest giving some of the songs a roll when going to play around downtown no matter where you live (granted that there is a downtown area somewhere). I think the mood was bolstered by how damn dead it was downtown, I could stare up at big buildings and miss a light cycle and nobody would have given a shit. I was caught up in my own head from the stress of visiting with family and the mellow feeling that fills a man when behind the wheel at night (except for you psychos that wanna go fast as sin for no reason).
Year Released: 1983
Album: Midnight Madness (1983)
Genre: Rock
Mood: Romantic
Perfect For: Reminiscing, Day dreaming, Driving around city lights, Waking up
Where To Next: "Rockin' Into the Night" - 38 Special
Rating: 8/10
I love collecting songs that I know are great to wake up to, I find very few if only 1 a month if I am lucky. Half the time I am on a whole different plane when trying to wake up for the day. Though there are moments that are made even when waking up when great songs are playing. Thanksgiving morning, when my body and brain still didn't fully realize I have a random day off, this song came rolling around and had to get stuck in my head in the first few minutes of waking up. Throughout the day I gave it a couple of other good listens and each time I enjoyed it through and through. Night Ranger did a great job of mixing the 80's pop sound with a hardish rock sound, not in the same way that the glam/pop metal bands did it. Night Ranger is a lot more approachable and unlike many of those bands that came out of the scene, they are perfect for daydreaming and driving at night. Most of their hits are pure 80's gems that are perfect for driving through city lights which is what I was doing when I fully settled on it being the song of the day for the holiday. I have never been all too fond of Thanksgiving, when you get older it is more exciting to have an extra day off than it is to gorge on food. I typically have a long drive home with a buzz and a damn full belly, driving and being overly full is something I tend to avoid but due to the holiday I allow it. This one was a more chill Thanksgiving for better or worse but I still showed up home with only 45 minutes to chill out and get to bed and honestly I am not even sure how. While winding down I gave the song another listen through. A great rock ballad that doesn't grow all too stale even with its repetitive manner. The 1980's weaponized repetition throughout a lot of the greats from that decade. Some would take that as a negative but I have always said that repetition is its own art form, it makes the song work wonderfully for being just background noise or something to listen to while reminiscing or thinking things through. The track doesn't impose on itself in the slightest and has proven to be a worthy song for each part of the day. I still stand by the opinion that it sounds best when first waking up and also sounds best when driving through desolate streets that are usually bustling during night time. Night Ranger's Midnight Madness is seemingly crafted for the city. With this song, their huge hit "Sister Christian", and their equally impressive "(You Can Still) Rock in America" the album comes in with some power and I highly suggest giving some of the songs a roll when going to play around downtown no matter where you live (granted that there is a downtown area somewhere). I think the mood was bolstered by how damn dead it was downtown, I could stare up at big buildings and miss a light cycle and nobody would have given a shit. I was caught up in my own head from the stress of visiting with family and the mellow feeling that fills a man when behind the wheel at night (except for you psychos that wanna go fast as sin for no reason).
Year Released: 1983
Album: Midnight Madness (1983)
Genre: Rock
Mood: Romantic
Perfect For: Reminiscing, Day dreaming, Driving around city lights, Waking up
Where To Next: "Rockin' Into the Night" - 38 Special
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/27/2024
"How Will I Laugh Tomorrow (Video Edit)" - Suicidal Tendencies
The amount of the songs that are chosen for the website while eating at Sonic is a little shocking. I have come to appreciate the vibe that Sonic offers, the vision of the drive-in diner types is kick ass and it is a shame that there are hardly any left or so far as Utah goes. Though admittedly there doesn't have to be a time and place for Suicidal Tendencies, the band always takes the main stage no matter what I am doing. This is a slower style than typical ST so if you are someone new to the band do keep that in mind. One of the "depressed" songs from the band which is hardly shocking knowing their band name. While the more depressing lyricism is typical in the band there are few slower ones that have the vibe and everything or at least up until 2:10 when the band goes to its normal sound. Suicidal Tendencies are one of my all time favorite bands, one of the bands that have followed me for the majority of my life. Also the band I have seen live the most, they always put on a good straight forward show and typically they have cheaper tickets even with them being a pretty well known name. I chose the version off their fourth album Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Deja Vu. An album that still holds up today though in my opinion comes off a little weaker in comparison to the releases that surround it. I chose the "video edit" version of the song from the Controlled by Hatred side of the album. The "heavy emotion version" always feels hollow, sort of what the song might have sounded like if they weren't a metal band. The version we chose today is without a doubt the ultimate version of the song from this album but there is no beating the original version from the previous album. A good amount of the songs were covered from the band that guitarist (1988-now) Mike Clark had before joining up with Suicidal Tendencies, No Mercy, and while I can find some tracks on YouTube there aren't too many places to find the originals now. This is kind of a bastard child album made up from lots of different places including No Mercy, Los Cycos, and previously unreleased material and rereleases like this track here. Like mentioned before not every song on the album is the best but the ones that are make up for the rest.
Year Released: 1989
Album: Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Deja Vu (1989)
Genre: Crossover Thrash
Mood: Depressing
Perfect For: Being stressed out, Being annoyed with life's circumstances
Where To Next: "The Years of Decay" - Overkill
Rating: 7/10
The amount of the songs that are chosen for the website while eating at Sonic is a little shocking. I have come to appreciate the vibe that Sonic offers, the vision of the drive-in diner types is kick ass and it is a shame that there are hardly any left or so far as Utah goes. Though admittedly there doesn't have to be a time and place for Suicidal Tendencies, the band always takes the main stage no matter what I am doing. This is a slower style than typical ST so if you are someone new to the band do keep that in mind. One of the "depressed" songs from the band which is hardly shocking knowing their band name. While the more depressing lyricism is typical in the band there are few slower ones that have the vibe and everything or at least up until 2:10 when the band goes to its normal sound. Suicidal Tendencies are one of my all time favorite bands, one of the bands that have followed me for the majority of my life. Also the band I have seen live the most, they always put on a good straight forward show and typically they have cheaper tickets even with them being a pretty well known name. I chose the version off their fourth album Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Deja Vu. An album that still holds up today though in my opinion comes off a little weaker in comparison to the releases that surround it. I chose the "video edit" version of the song from the Controlled by Hatred side of the album. The "heavy emotion version" always feels hollow, sort of what the song might have sounded like if they weren't a metal band. The version we chose today is without a doubt the ultimate version of the song from this album but there is no beating the original version from the previous album. A good amount of the songs were covered from the band that guitarist (1988-now) Mike Clark had before joining up with Suicidal Tendencies, No Mercy, and while I can find some tracks on YouTube there aren't too many places to find the originals now. This is kind of a bastard child album made up from lots of different places including No Mercy, Los Cycos, and previously unreleased material and rereleases like this track here. Like mentioned before not every song on the album is the best but the ones that are make up for the rest.
Year Released: 1989
Album: Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Deja Vu (1989)
Genre: Crossover Thrash
Mood: Depressing
Perfect For: Being stressed out, Being annoyed with life's circumstances
Where To Next: "The Years of Decay" - Overkill
Rating: 7/10
Song of the Day 11/26/2024
"Big Takeover" - Bad Brains
Bad Brains is one of the best and most innovative to come out of the 1980's hardcore punk scene. Their easy melding of multiple sounds is something to marvel at! Any punk fan that hasn't listened through their iconic self-titled debut shall take themselves outside and whip themselves now please. A place where I come back to time and time again for some fast as hell punk gems. While the band has a bit of an acquired taste to some, it found a happy home in my ears and playlists. For today I chose the reissue version of the song from their follow up album Rock for Light and while I typically prefer the real raunchy versions that fill their debut there is a track here or there that I do prefer the versions on this album and "Big Takeover" is one of those. I mean if you listen to them side by side some casual listeners might not catch the difference (aside from the intro) but it is certainly there, some other tracks show it off better like "Attitude". I think the peculiar vocals coming from H.R. (Paul Hudson) shines much better on Rock for Light which some may honestly argue is a negative standpoint but not me. I love their brand of punk and later dub infused kick assery. Balls to the wall punk rock that has you feeling damn pumped no matter what you are doing. The first time I heard the Bad Brains I was blown away, I couldn't tell if it was great or not quite great at all. It is kind of like a mosquito bite, it is damn refreshing to scratch though you know you shouldn't like it. But no matter what you do you are back scratching that damn thing again. Maybe not the best metaphor but what do you do. Bad Brains are damn good and are worth every ounce of fame and lasting appeal that came from the band. Through their successful career they influenced an uncountable amount of people. Their execution is damn brutal which isn't saying much since they hail from a hardcore genre but in comparison to most of the others, their brand is break neck! They are one of those bands that you can always pick out as soon as a song starts (especially from their 1980's work). I am hoping there is a reader out there today that finds this band today! I mean most punks recognize the album art of their debut but how many have sat down and gave it a full listen? If that is you then this is a calling! A message from god! Listen to this shit riggghhhht now! Amen!
Year Released: 1983
Original: 1982
Album: Rock for Light (1983)
Genre: Hardcore Punk
Mood: Breakneck
Perfect For: Skating, High octane activities, Ramping up a night, Not standing still
Where To Next: "Abolish Government/Silent Majority" - T.S.O.L.
Rating: 8/10
Bad Brains is one of the best and most innovative to come out of the 1980's hardcore punk scene. Their easy melding of multiple sounds is something to marvel at! Any punk fan that hasn't listened through their iconic self-titled debut shall take themselves outside and whip themselves now please. A place where I come back to time and time again for some fast as hell punk gems. While the band has a bit of an acquired taste to some, it found a happy home in my ears and playlists. For today I chose the reissue version of the song from their follow up album Rock for Light and while I typically prefer the real raunchy versions that fill their debut there is a track here or there that I do prefer the versions on this album and "Big Takeover" is one of those. I mean if you listen to them side by side some casual listeners might not catch the difference (aside from the intro) but it is certainly there, some other tracks show it off better like "Attitude". I think the peculiar vocals coming from H.R. (Paul Hudson) shines much better on Rock for Light which some may honestly argue is a negative standpoint but not me. I love their brand of punk and later dub infused kick assery. Balls to the wall punk rock that has you feeling damn pumped no matter what you are doing. The first time I heard the Bad Brains I was blown away, I couldn't tell if it was great or not quite great at all. It is kind of like a mosquito bite, it is damn refreshing to scratch though you know you shouldn't like it. But no matter what you do you are back scratching that damn thing again. Maybe not the best metaphor but what do you do. Bad Brains are damn good and are worth every ounce of fame and lasting appeal that came from the band. Through their successful career they influenced an uncountable amount of people. Their execution is damn brutal which isn't saying much since they hail from a hardcore genre but in comparison to most of the others, their brand is break neck! They are one of those bands that you can always pick out as soon as a song starts (especially from their 1980's work). I am hoping there is a reader out there today that finds this band today! I mean most punks recognize the album art of their debut but how many have sat down and gave it a full listen? If that is you then this is a calling! A message from god! Listen to this shit riggghhhht now! Amen!
Year Released: 1983
Original: 1982
Album: Rock for Light (1983)
Genre: Hardcore Punk
Mood: Breakneck
Perfect For: Skating, High octane activities, Ramping up a night, Not standing still
Where To Next: "Abolish Government/Silent Majority" - T.S.O.L.
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/25/2024
"Pandora's Box" - Aerosmith
Aerosmith has countless timeless albums ranging from the arena rock sound of the 1980's to the hard rock age of guitar god age of the 1970's to the clean hard rock of the 1990’s. They don't have a single studio album that isn't worth your time, sure maybe some aren't the best album out there but they're still worth the time I assure you. As for their prime years from 1973 - 1993 there isn't one bad album, most of those albums are filled with great songs! In my opinion I don't know if there is any other album from their discography that can beat their sophomore album Get Your Wings (bet you can guess where they got that name from). My favorite stage of the band, a wondrous melding between their blues sound and their hard rock sound. Also my favorite stage for their logo, do me a favor and give that logo a stare and tell me what you see. Aerosmith holds one of the most special places in my heart, I am a massive fan and they are one of the bands I cry I never got to see play live in their prime. They are kick ass and I love Steven Tyler's lyricism, one of those bands that are chock full of sex, sex, a little dope annnnd more sex! Though this tracks lyrics mainly came from drummer Joey Kramer, the same man behind the bands name. A fun song that is as lusty as it is groovy, an all around great track from an album that is made 100% of quality tracks. Aerosmith is actually the first band that sent me on a quest for knowledge. When I was 8 or so I became obsessed with the band. I was too young to understand "Walk This Way" but I fell in love as soon as I heard the track. If it wasn't for Aerosmith I am not sure if I would have dedicated my life to rock n roll. "Walk This Way" was a turning point in my musical taste, and a turning point on how I spend my downtime. After that I noticed their album logo changed, then that made me wonder why it changed and then I found that their sound changed around the same time. Why would they do that? Oh.. rock was changing... rock changes.... who… changes it? Annnnnnnd 18 years later here I am still ranting and raving about rock n roll and Aerosmith. Maybe another band would have had me doing that same thing but I am honestly so glad it was Aerosmith because the band has so many great songs I could fill up a notebook. One of those great songs is "Pandora's Box", a fun song that is another to get stuck in your head with its simplistic set up and execution. Simplistic doesn't mean the band isn't pushing out some quality rock at full power, through and through one of the best on the album. I cannot say for sure that the song is written about a woman named Pandora and her um... box but I wouldn't put it past the band in the slightest, it is right down their alley especially during this time period of the band and rock music. While the lyrics are a touch misogynistic in a weird way it honestly compliments the sinful aspect of Aerosmith and their sex obsessive bad boy persona. You don't get the nickname "The Bad Boys from Boston" for nothing, nor do you get to one of the highest points of fame as a musician without a little bit of shock appeal and groupies. A quality track and one that I cherish, I am glad to have finally got Aerosmith on the song of the day section. I kick myself for not starting the section with one of their songs in homage to their impact on my life. I strongly recommend this album for any rock fans, especially those that dig Aerosmith but haven't taken the time to give this album and their debut a full spin aside from "Dream On" & "Same Old Song and Dance". For those that want to take a peek into the inner soul of Caleb, this is one of the first places to look. Love this album!
Year Released: 1974
Album: Get Your Wings (1974)
Genre: Country Rock, Country Pop, Country
Mood: Lusty
Perfect For: Having a beer, Sex, Casual listening, Taking in the city
Where To Next: "Parasite" - KISS
Rating: 8/10
Aerosmith has countless timeless albums ranging from the arena rock sound of the 1980's to the hard rock age of guitar god age of the 1970's to the clean hard rock of the 1990’s. They don't have a single studio album that isn't worth your time, sure maybe some aren't the best album out there but they're still worth the time I assure you. As for their prime years from 1973 - 1993 there isn't one bad album, most of those albums are filled with great songs! In my opinion I don't know if there is any other album from their discography that can beat their sophomore album Get Your Wings (bet you can guess where they got that name from). My favorite stage of the band, a wondrous melding between their blues sound and their hard rock sound. Also my favorite stage for their logo, do me a favor and give that logo a stare and tell me what you see. Aerosmith holds one of the most special places in my heart, I am a massive fan and they are one of the bands I cry I never got to see play live in their prime. They are kick ass and I love Steven Tyler's lyricism, one of those bands that are chock full of sex, sex, a little dope annnnd more sex! Though this tracks lyrics mainly came from drummer Joey Kramer, the same man behind the bands name. A fun song that is as lusty as it is groovy, an all around great track from an album that is made 100% of quality tracks. Aerosmith is actually the first band that sent me on a quest for knowledge. When I was 8 or so I became obsessed with the band. I was too young to understand "Walk This Way" but I fell in love as soon as I heard the track. If it wasn't for Aerosmith I am not sure if I would have dedicated my life to rock n roll. "Walk This Way" was a turning point in my musical taste, and a turning point on how I spend my downtime. After that I noticed their album logo changed, then that made me wonder why it changed and then I found that their sound changed around the same time. Why would they do that? Oh.. rock was changing... rock changes.... who… changes it? Annnnnnnd 18 years later here I am still ranting and raving about rock n roll and Aerosmith. Maybe another band would have had me doing that same thing but I am honestly so glad it was Aerosmith because the band has so many great songs I could fill up a notebook. One of those great songs is "Pandora's Box", a fun song that is another to get stuck in your head with its simplistic set up and execution. Simplistic doesn't mean the band isn't pushing out some quality rock at full power, through and through one of the best on the album. I cannot say for sure that the song is written about a woman named Pandora and her um... box but I wouldn't put it past the band in the slightest, it is right down their alley especially during this time period of the band and rock music. While the lyrics are a touch misogynistic in a weird way it honestly compliments the sinful aspect of Aerosmith and their sex obsessive bad boy persona. You don't get the nickname "The Bad Boys from Boston" for nothing, nor do you get to one of the highest points of fame as a musician without a little bit of shock appeal and groupies. A quality track and one that I cherish, I am glad to have finally got Aerosmith on the song of the day section. I kick myself for not starting the section with one of their songs in homage to their impact on my life. I strongly recommend this album for any rock fans, especially those that dig Aerosmith but haven't taken the time to give this album and their debut a full spin aside from "Dream On" & "Same Old Song and Dance". For those that want to take a peek into the inner soul of Caleb, this is one of the first places to look. Love this album!
Year Released: 1974
Album: Get Your Wings (1974)
Genre: Country Rock, Country Pop, Country
Mood: Lusty
Perfect For: Having a beer, Sex, Casual listening, Taking in the city
Where To Next: "Parasite" - KISS
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/24/2024
"Drivin' My Life Away" - Eddie Rabbitt
Nobody is going to sway me away from thinking this is one of the best country songs to date! Perfect through and through, a classic for drunken singalongs, or for driving singalongs, or for drinking and driving singalongs (just kidding, don't do that kids). Anyways, this was an early love of mine before I got into country aside from Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson when I was 13. It is so damn catchy that it will stay in your head for hours after hearing it. Even if country music got bent over by disco and pop music and lost its rootsy soul I cannot say there weren't some songs that came out of that period of country that weren't plain brilliant. This here is one of those examples, I mean it is hardly a country song really but its roots are still a touch there. From this same album is Eddie Rabbitts other legendary hit "I Love a Rainy Night" which is also criminally catchy. “Drivin’ My Life Away” always makes me want to hit the road, with or without a destination. It has the soul and spirit of a hardy drive, ambition hiding behind every highway exit. I tend to avoid the trucker country, though I would be a damned liar if I didn't say there were too many damn good ones that I kiss and caress as much as I can. Truckers are built into American mythology, much like the bikers of the 1960's and the outlaws from the days of the wild west. We love to romanticize the idea of a lonesome traveler doing his best against all odds to get his truck to the lot in time. Taking little pills and flipping off toll booths as they live the American dream and make their money under the stars and stripes. Maybe at one point that may have been accurate for some though the modern variation is far from it. There is still a little bit of soul but in all my years in warehouse and shipping and receiving I have yet to meet the trucker types that we see in Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and Convoy (1978). Truth be told it is kind of a kick ass theme though, so sometimes I like to pretend it's true while driving down the highway and seeing all the kick ass diesels hauling their load. Sometimes I get to see them for a long time too when they fight each other up a hill for a couple of miles and block off traffic. While the real image might not match the mythology I still have loads of respect for the truck drivers of today, I couldn't imagine driving through those terrible conditions in winter and to have stupid drivers trying to off themselves in front of 50,000 pounds. I try no matter what to give them their room and let them in whenever I get a chance, sometimes I even get the ol' hazard flash of thanks. Anyways, back on track! "Drivin' My Life Away" is great! If you don't believe me then give it a spin and see how fast you're gonna be tapping that foot. One of those addictive songs that have you adding it to the queue over and over again!
Year Released: 1980
Album: Horizon (1980)
Genre: Country Rock, Country Pop, Country
Mood: Fun
Perfect For: Driving down the highway, Driving down your own street, Driving all the byways, Driving in the heat
Where To Next: "The Girl on the Billboard" - Del Reeves
Rating: 10/10
Nobody is going to sway me away from thinking this is one of the best country songs to date! Perfect through and through, a classic for drunken singalongs, or for driving singalongs, or for drinking and driving singalongs (just kidding, don't do that kids). Anyways, this was an early love of mine before I got into country aside from Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson when I was 13. It is so damn catchy that it will stay in your head for hours after hearing it. Even if country music got bent over by disco and pop music and lost its rootsy soul I cannot say there weren't some songs that came out of that period of country that weren't plain brilliant. This here is one of those examples, I mean it is hardly a country song really but its roots are still a touch there. From this same album is Eddie Rabbitts other legendary hit "I Love a Rainy Night" which is also criminally catchy. “Drivin’ My Life Away” always makes me want to hit the road, with or without a destination. It has the soul and spirit of a hardy drive, ambition hiding behind every highway exit. I tend to avoid the trucker country, though I would be a damned liar if I didn't say there were too many damn good ones that I kiss and caress as much as I can. Truckers are built into American mythology, much like the bikers of the 1960's and the outlaws from the days of the wild west. We love to romanticize the idea of a lonesome traveler doing his best against all odds to get his truck to the lot in time. Taking little pills and flipping off toll booths as they live the American dream and make their money under the stars and stripes. Maybe at one point that may have been accurate for some though the modern variation is far from it. There is still a little bit of soul but in all my years in warehouse and shipping and receiving I have yet to meet the trucker types that we see in Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and Convoy (1978). Truth be told it is kind of a kick ass theme though, so sometimes I like to pretend it's true while driving down the highway and seeing all the kick ass diesels hauling their load. Sometimes I get to see them for a long time too when they fight each other up a hill for a couple of miles and block off traffic. While the real image might not match the mythology I still have loads of respect for the truck drivers of today, I couldn't imagine driving through those terrible conditions in winter and to have stupid drivers trying to off themselves in front of 50,000 pounds. I try no matter what to give them their room and let them in whenever I get a chance, sometimes I even get the ol' hazard flash of thanks. Anyways, back on track! "Drivin' My Life Away" is great! If you don't believe me then give it a spin and see how fast you're gonna be tapping that foot. One of those addictive songs that have you adding it to the queue over and over again!
Year Released: 1980
Album: Horizon (1980)
Genre: Country Rock, Country Pop, Country
Mood: Fun
Perfect For: Driving down the highway, Driving down your own street, Driving all the byways, Driving in the heat
Where To Next: "The Girl on the Billboard" - Del Reeves
Rating: 10/10
Song of the Day 11/23/2024
"Doormat" - No Doubt
We have talked No Doubt before on this website but I have a gut feeling there will be plenty more where that came from. No Doubt has slowly but surely become a part of me and my playlists, while I have dug their hits from Tragic Kingdom as much as the next guy for most of my life it wasn't until these last 2 years that I started getting further into the band and finding more to appreciate. I chose this song while doing an album review on this here website for their debut self-titled album. I won't copy and paste what I said there (well maybe a little bit) so if you wanna know more about the album then jump over there. While the album didn't walk away with the best rating, I still found a good handful of quality tracks that were jam packed with fun, which is something you can almost always expect from No Doubt and all the variations of ska in general. This album didn't really gather any attention when it first came out, it took the release of their third album Tragic Kingdom to grab the masses and have them come back to give the album a listen. In a time when the kings were depressive grunge, indie rock and the varying forms of alternative metal there wasn't too much of a place for ska on the radio even if the genre itself was doing damn good with its ska punk at the time. No Doubt was damn original with a cleaned-up sound (not nearly as clean as their later work) and Gwen Stefani doing what she does best with an energetic as hell style that is pleasant to the ears and makes a puppy want to pounce.
Year Released: 1992
Album: No Doubt (1992)
Genre: Ska
Mood: Energetic
Perfect For: Casual listening, Fun nights with friends
Where To Next: "Life Won't Wait" - Rancid
Rating: 7/10
We have talked No Doubt before on this website but I have a gut feeling there will be plenty more where that came from. No Doubt has slowly but surely become a part of me and my playlists, while I have dug their hits from Tragic Kingdom as much as the next guy for most of my life it wasn't until these last 2 years that I started getting further into the band and finding more to appreciate. I chose this song while doing an album review on this here website for their debut self-titled album. I won't copy and paste what I said there (well maybe a little bit) so if you wanna know more about the album then jump over there. While the album didn't walk away with the best rating, I still found a good handful of quality tracks that were jam packed with fun, which is something you can almost always expect from No Doubt and all the variations of ska in general. This album didn't really gather any attention when it first came out, it took the release of their third album Tragic Kingdom to grab the masses and have them come back to give the album a listen. In a time when the kings were depressive grunge, indie rock and the varying forms of alternative metal there wasn't too much of a place for ska on the radio even if the genre itself was doing damn good with its ska punk at the time. No Doubt was damn original with a cleaned-up sound (not nearly as clean as their later work) and Gwen Stefani doing what she does best with an energetic as hell style that is pleasant to the ears and makes a puppy want to pounce.
Year Released: 1992
Album: No Doubt (1992)
Genre: Ska
Mood: Energetic
Perfect For: Casual listening, Fun nights with friends
Where To Next: "Life Won't Wait" - Rancid
Rating: 7/10
Song of the Day 11/22/2024
"Baby I Don't Care" - Carl Mann
You take a rock, you take a beat, you take a boogie, you make it sweet. Time for some rock-a-beatin' boogie! Rockabilly is a sound I truly cannot get enough of, it is such a fun style that has you bopping along without you even noticing. I mean how could you not?! It is a simplistic rhythm that has your toes aching after tapping the damn things, luckily their songs are typically damn short since if they went a little longer my toes would be bloody stumps. One of the finest names from rockabilly is Carl Mann, a musician that really needs a ton more love modernly. His main hit, a cover of Nat King Cole's "Mona Lisa", has plenty of attention but a good portion of his catalog is mighty fine. The late 1950's into the early 1960's was such an odd time for rock music, it pretty well died and got eaten by pop music before flourishing back when 4 kids from Liverpool showed up, and even when they did pop still reigned. Though there were still plenty of less large musicians pushing forward pure rockin' music and one of those is Carl Mann who did just as well with the rockers as he did with the country fans. I mean just listen to this track and you will see why his name survived into the early 1960's and equally why it didn't hit the mainstream when getting drowned by the outstanding R&B that came out of that time and the crooners. Carl Mann was one of the last champions to hail from Sun Records, that Sam Phillips was surely a visionary and fundamental to rock and roll progression in the United States. This song has that rockabilly swagger I have grown to adore, it ain't a song about being heartbroken it is about not caring and going to paint the town after a break up. Kind of a rude song to some but I think it is a song of vindication and strength, no use in cryin' when you could be highflyin’. If you are a fan of early Elvis or Johnny Cash or cannot get enough of the killer Jerry Lee Lewis please take the time to hear some of the lesser known names in rockabilly and country music, you will not be disappointed!
Year Released: 1960
Album: Like, Mann (1960)
Genre: Rockabilly, Rock n Roll
Mood: Fun, Boppy
Perfect For: Getting ready before hitting the town, Casual listening, Summer mellow drives
Where To Next: "Put Your Cat Clothes On" - Carl Perkins
Rating: 8/10
You take a rock, you take a beat, you take a boogie, you make it sweet. Time for some rock-a-beatin' boogie! Rockabilly is a sound I truly cannot get enough of, it is such a fun style that has you bopping along without you even noticing. I mean how could you not?! It is a simplistic rhythm that has your toes aching after tapping the damn things, luckily their songs are typically damn short since if they went a little longer my toes would be bloody stumps. One of the finest names from rockabilly is Carl Mann, a musician that really needs a ton more love modernly. His main hit, a cover of Nat King Cole's "Mona Lisa", has plenty of attention but a good portion of his catalog is mighty fine. The late 1950's into the early 1960's was such an odd time for rock music, it pretty well died and got eaten by pop music before flourishing back when 4 kids from Liverpool showed up, and even when they did pop still reigned. Though there were still plenty of less large musicians pushing forward pure rockin' music and one of those is Carl Mann who did just as well with the rockers as he did with the country fans. I mean just listen to this track and you will see why his name survived into the early 1960's and equally why it didn't hit the mainstream when getting drowned by the outstanding R&B that came out of that time and the crooners. Carl Mann was one of the last champions to hail from Sun Records, that Sam Phillips was surely a visionary and fundamental to rock and roll progression in the United States. This song has that rockabilly swagger I have grown to adore, it ain't a song about being heartbroken it is about not caring and going to paint the town after a break up. Kind of a rude song to some but I think it is a song of vindication and strength, no use in cryin' when you could be highflyin’. If you are a fan of early Elvis or Johnny Cash or cannot get enough of the killer Jerry Lee Lewis please take the time to hear some of the lesser known names in rockabilly and country music, you will not be disappointed!
Year Released: 1960
Album: Like, Mann (1960)
Genre: Rockabilly, Rock n Roll
Mood: Fun, Boppy
Perfect For: Getting ready before hitting the town, Casual listening, Summer mellow drives
Where To Next: "Put Your Cat Clothes On" - Carl Perkins
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/21/2024
"The Drugs Don't Work" - The Verve
We have had a lot of fun songs this month! Some for the partiers and some for the dreamers. Though now we gotta bring the mood down with a sad song, not super sad mind you but still enough to humble the playlist. "The Drugs Don't Work" is one of the leading singles off of the Verves critically acclaimed and ESSENTIAL album Urban Hymns. An album that is worth a listen to any time of the day, especially if you are in a somber mood. For a band that only released 3 albums in their prime and came back 11 years later for their fourth album they seriously left an imprint. They’re one of the most respected and innovative artists to come out of the 1990's. Their first two albums are neo psychedelic masterpieces but in comparison to this album they fall a little short in my opinion. This album hits home every damn time and it is in songs like "The Drugs Don't Work" that they pull it off. The song is a depressing one but a damn hollowing beautiful one! Two accounts about the song that I can find is that it is either about singers, Richard Ashcroft, father passing away or the other where Ashcroft said it was related to his drug usage. Either way no matter what the song is about it is a sorrowful tune that I can never get enough of! It was released the day after the death of Princess Diana giving more emotion behind the song for our British brethren. For those dealing with loss or addiction this is a damn good choice of song to vent your sorrow. I have always been the sort to listen to sad music when I am sad, not sure if it is the healthiest thing to be doing but I cannot help it. I wanna ramp it up violently so it can come back down fast. Now that it is getting colder it is time to bust out some of the melancholy songs since they always hit best when it is a lazy shade of gray. When the streets are quiet from the snow and the nights are brighter and much more desolate. My favorite time of year is just about upon us! Songs like "The Drugs Don't Work" are perfect for gloomy days, if you find yourself lonesome and bored just give this album a spin and go for a drive. Sit in a Walmart parking lot and just watch all the strangers living their life and internally bitching about how much they hate the grocery store. Enjoy!
Year Released: 1997
Album: Urban Hymns (1997)
Genre: Pop Rock, Alternative Rock, Britpop
Mood: Sorrowful
Perfect For: Sitting and thinking, Midnight drives, Snowy nights, Feeling sad
Where To Next: "Champagne Supernova" - Oasis
Rating: 10/10
We have had a lot of fun songs this month! Some for the partiers and some for the dreamers. Though now we gotta bring the mood down with a sad song, not super sad mind you but still enough to humble the playlist. "The Drugs Don't Work" is one of the leading singles off of the Verves critically acclaimed and ESSENTIAL album Urban Hymns. An album that is worth a listen to any time of the day, especially if you are in a somber mood. For a band that only released 3 albums in their prime and came back 11 years later for their fourth album they seriously left an imprint. They’re one of the most respected and innovative artists to come out of the 1990's. Their first two albums are neo psychedelic masterpieces but in comparison to this album they fall a little short in my opinion. This album hits home every damn time and it is in songs like "The Drugs Don't Work" that they pull it off. The song is a depressing one but a damn hollowing beautiful one! Two accounts about the song that I can find is that it is either about singers, Richard Ashcroft, father passing away or the other where Ashcroft said it was related to his drug usage. Either way no matter what the song is about it is a sorrowful tune that I can never get enough of! It was released the day after the death of Princess Diana giving more emotion behind the song for our British brethren. For those dealing with loss or addiction this is a damn good choice of song to vent your sorrow. I have always been the sort to listen to sad music when I am sad, not sure if it is the healthiest thing to be doing but I cannot help it. I wanna ramp it up violently so it can come back down fast. Now that it is getting colder it is time to bust out some of the melancholy songs since they always hit best when it is a lazy shade of gray. When the streets are quiet from the snow and the nights are brighter and much more desolate. My favorite time of year is just about upon us! Songs like "The Drugs Don't Work" are perfect for gloomy days, if you find yourself lonesome and bored just give this album a spin and go for a drive. Sit in a Walmart parking lot and just watch all the strangers living their life and internally bitching about how much they hate the grocery store. Enjoy!
Year Released: 1997
Album: Urban Hymns (1997)
Genre: Pop Rock, Alternative Rock, Britpop
Mood: Sorrowful
Perfect For: Sitting and thinking, Midnight drives, Snowy nights, Feeling sad
Where To Next: "Champagne Supernova" - Oasis
Rating: 10/10
Song of the Day 11/20/2024
"Beatin' the Odds" - Molly Hatchet
One of the finest bands to come out of the southern rock scene of the 1970's into the 1980's. I would pen them as a "harder Lynyrd Skynyrd", I mean to back that claim up I might add that they were highly inspired by them and both had their start in Jacksonville, Florida. While a harder, faster and sleazier sound in comparison to Skynyrd there is a shit load of similarities. One of the first things that grabbed me (and equally confused me) about Molly Hatchet is their album art which uses pieces from my all-time favorite artist Frank Frazzetta (this album's art is what he did for sword and sorcery legend Conan the Barbarian). Honestly the album arts don't really ever match for most of their albums aside from No Guts... No Glory. This is the first album to feature Jimmy Farrar on the microphone, and while I adore their work with first vocalist Danny Joe Brown, that is when Molly Hatchet is at their full glory, Jimmy Farrar still does a great job. Makes it feel a little less swampy and a lot more hard rocky. The album holds some gems from their discography but the best track on the album is easily the title track "Beatin' the Odds". A straight for the throat rocker and one that I utilized on Wednesday. I had a ton to do at work and needed to get off early to meet my girlfriend at the doctor (we are going to be parents! just kidding) so I had that haste boiling up from under my skin. Looking like Ed from Ed, Edd n Eddy running around with my head hardly staying on my shoulders. That is when this song kicked in and gave me that boost I needed to get it all finished up, and finished up I did by far faster than typical and I owe it to the robust rocker we have here today. Molly Hatchet hacked their way to being one of the best-known names in southern rock. Songs like "Flirtin' with Disaster", "Whiskey Man" and "Dreams I'll Never See" are through and through southern rock classics. If you are someone who likes honky tonks but aren't one for bright lights and country music then I suggest jumping into Molly Hatchet, plenty of thrills and enough varying sounds throughout their prime years to satisfy about any kind of rocker and even some country fans.
Year Released: 1980
Album: Beatin' the Odds (1980)
Genre: Southern Rock, Hard Rock
Mood: Robust
Perfect For: Working quickly, Labor, Listening to at your local dive bar
Where To Next: "Road Fever" - Blackfoot
Rating: 7/10
One of the finest bands to come out of the southern rock scene of the 1970's into the 1980's. I would pen them as a "harder Lynyrd Skynyrd", I mean to back that claim up I might add that they were highly inspired by them and both had their start in Jacksonville, Florida. While a harder, faster and sleazier sound in comparison to Skynyrd there is a shit load of similarities. One of the first things that grabbed me (and equally confused me) about Molly Hatchet is their album art which uses pieces from my all-time favorite artist Frank Frazzetta (this album's art is what he did for sword and sorcery legend Conan the Barbarian). Honestly the album arts don't really ever match for most of their albums aside from No Guts... No Glory. This is the first album to feature Jimmy Farrar on the microphone, and while I adore their work with first vocalist Danny Joe Brown, that is when Molly Hatchet is at their full glory, Jimmy Farrar still does a great job. Makes it feel a little less swampy and a lot more hard rocky. The album holds some gems from their discography but the best track on the album is easily the title track "Beatin' the Odds". A straight for the throat rocker and one that I utilized on Wednesday. I had a ton to do at work and needed to get off early to meet my girlfriend at the doctor (we are going to be parents! just kidding) so I had that haste boiling up from under my skin. Looking like Ed from Ed, Edd n Eddy running around with my head hardly staying on my shoulders. That is when this song kicked in and gave me that boost I needed to get it all finished up, and finished up I did by far faster than typical and I owe it to the robust rocker we have here today. Molly Hatchet hacked their way to being one of the best-known names in southern rock. Songs like "Flirtin' with Disaster", "Whiskey Man" and "Dreams I'll Never See" are through and through southern rock classics. If you are someone who likes honky tonks but aren't one for bright lights and country music then I suggest jumping into Molly Hatchet, plenty of thrills and enough varying sounds throughout their prime years to satisfy about any kind of rocker and even some country fans.
Year Released: 1980
Album: Beatin' the Odds (1980)
Genre: Southern Rock, Hard Rock
Mood: Robust
Perfect For: Working quickly, Labor, Listening to at your local dive bar
Where To Next: "Road Fever" - Blackfoot
Rating: 7/10
Song of the Day 11/19/2024
"Read My Mind" - The Killers
The Killers amount of quality radio friendly pop washed rock hits always astounds me. I can listen through an album I didn't ever hear of and half of the songs I have heard my whole life. Granted this album isn't one of those, I grew up alongside this album so I knew most of the tracks pretty well before I even considered myself a fan. I recently learned that their album cover to 2021's Pressure Machine was taken at a spot that is roughly an hour out from my house so maybe this weekend I will go and see it. Though I figured I should listen to some more of the band and revisit some of those that I have dug for a good while such as "Read My Mind" a super poppy alternative rock song that leaves you day dreaming of running away in the night to a new city. One of those essential 2000's songs, if you had ears during that decade there was no way you missed this song if you turned on the radio. Much like what I talked about in the choice from 11/18 there is typically a reason behind the big time songs, that doesn't mean other songs don't deserve it more, but those that were chosen always have a certain thing behind them. That thing is being able to get behind it easily, not everything has to be progressive or filled with 3 minute guitar solos. Sometimes a straight forward pop song is the way to go for people to appreciate your music and make it a part of them. Growing up in Utah the Killers is one of the only bands that everyone seems to know, even if they are a Las Vegas band Brandon Flowers spent a good chunk of his childhood in Utah, namely Nephi where that aforementioned album cover was shot. He is a damn fine entertainer and a fun singer, one of those vocalists you can always pick out of a bag. He is a good singer and a stand up lyricist, I am not one to agree that their song "Somebody Told Me" is one of the best songs penned but still there is some quality writing in the Killers. I don't know if people still make that statement about "Somebody Told Me", I read it awhile back and was like naaaah but still there’s no doubting it’s a great song and well written but I don't know if beating Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, etc. is as easy as writing about meeting someone at a club with a discoesque beat in the background. Anyways, "Read My Mind" is a song for dreamers and a song for life’s romantics. Out of the good handful of songs I listened through of theirs that day this is the one that I had to play twice in a row since it is so damn enjoyable! Maybe you will agree, well either way here it is, you know what to do now. Give it a play!
Year Released: 2006
Album: Sam's Town (2006)
Genre: Pop, Alternative Rock
Mood: Pure
Perfect For: Dreaming, Casual listening
Where To Next: "Rebellion (Lies)" - Arcade Fire
Rating: 8/10
The Killers amount of quality radio friendly pop washed rock hits always astounds me. I can listen through an album I didn't ever hear of and half of the songs I have heard my whole life. Granted this album isn't one of those, I grew up alongside this album so I knew most of the tracks pretty well before I even considered myself a fan. I recently learned that their album cover to 2021's Pressure Machine was taken at a spot that is roughly an hour out from my house so maybe this weekend I will go and see it. Though I figured I should listen to some more of the band and revisit some of those that I have dug for a good while such as "Read My Mind" a super poppy alternative rock song that leaves you day dreaming of running away in the night to a new city. One of those essential 2000's songs, if you had ears during that decade there was no way you missed this song if you turned on the radio. Much like what I talked about in the choice from 11/18 there is typically a reason behind the big time songs, that doesn't mean other songs don't deserve it more, but those that were chosen always have a certain thing behind them. That thing is being able to get behind it easily, not everything has to be progressive or filled with 3 minute guitar solos. Sometimes a straight forward pop song is the way to go for people to appreciate your music and make it a part of them. Growing up in Utah the Killers is one of the only bands that everyone seems to know, even if they are a Las Vegas band Brandon Flowers spent a good chunk of his childhood in Utah, namely Nephi where that aforementioned album cover was shot. He is a damn fine entertainer and a fun singer, one of those vocalists you can always pick out of a bag. He is a good singer and a stand up lyricist, I am not one to agree that their song "Somebody Told Me" is one of the best songs penned but still there is some quality writing in the Killers. I don't know if people still make that statement about "Somebody Told Me", I read it awhile back and was like naaaah but still there’s no doubting it’s a great song and well written but I don't know if beating Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, etc. is as easy as writing about meeting someone at a club with a discoesque beat in the background. Anyways, "Read My Mind" is a song for dreamers and a song for life’s romantics. Out of the good handful of songs I listened through of theirs that day this is the one that I had to play twice in a row since it is so damn enjoyable! Maybe you will agree, well either way here it is, you know what to do now. Give it a play!
Year Released: 2006
Album: Sam's Town (2006)
Genre: Pop, Alternative Rock
Mood: Pure
Perfect For: Dreaming, Casual listening
Where To Next: "Rebellion (Lies)" - Arcade Fire
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/18/2024
"Balls to the Wall" - Accept
Man, you would have to live under a rock to not have heard this heavy metal anthem. There are times that I find some of the songs that hit a massive fame a bit boring. Not because I am the coolest guy that always keeps his collar up, it is probably since I have heard it so many times it is easy to just push the skip button. Though like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Enter Sandman" if you just chill for a second and take the song in again it shows why this song is played so damn much. I love Accept, but admittedly I have avoided this song for a long time. Not the album though since Balls to the Wall is a fucking kick ass album, one of the best metal albums to come out of 1983 hands down. Though the title track is what most people know, it is where I started when I was like 9 and I honestly was blown away by the song and also the album. Since then, I have been through every Accept album and always make time for anything new they put out. They are relentless in their pursuit of keeping up a pure and great metal sound even after all these years. They are an often-unsung hero of the early days of metal, playing somewhere between true heavy metal and stuff that is still approachable from the outside and can easily play on MTV without mothers and grandmothers pissing blood from their noses. I was listening to music at work and this song came on, I reached for the phone to skip it but stopped myself. I have skipped it for so long in my life that it felt like the first time again, aside from knowing all the words by heart. Man, this song really ruled my ears for a hot minute when I first got it onto my MP3 player all those years back. I loved the rebellious songs especially ones that had that well known 1980's "all together now" chorus that had you banging your head. It is easy to see why this song became a trademark anthem for heavy metal music, it is damn good and damn easy to get sucked into. Lyrically the song holds up well but it is the performance that gets me, the straight forward anthem type of song that moves into this slowed down chanting and drums beating trance before blowing back up. Udo Dirkschneider is a damn enjoyable vocalist, what AC/DC might have sounded like if they went... well... balls to the wall. Like a good portion of Accepts work he is a damn underrated vocalist and metal icon. I was glad I stopped for a second to listen to the song again, I have fallen back in love with it all again as if I was back in the days of riding a bicycle and plotting ways to gather money for more AAA batteries for my MP3 player. Simpler days, I don't think any kid really understands what life has in store for them even if they think they do. They are content with having some headphones, heavy metal and a bicycle. Wish there was a way to rechannel that existence. I will take this great song that has so many memories wrapped around it though, probably the closest I can get. Bang those heads sucker!
Year Released: 1983
Album: Balls to the Wall (1983)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Mood: Proud, Comical
Perfect For: Physical activities, Riding bikes, Riding motorcycles
Where To Next: "Breaking the Law" - Judas Priest
Rating: 8/10
Man, you would have to live under a rock to not have heard this heavy metal anthem. There are times that I find some of the songs that hit a massive fame a bit boring. Not because I am the coolest guy that always keeps his collar up, it is probably since I have heard it so many times it is easy to just push the skip button. Though like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Enter Sandman" if you just chill for a second and take the song in again it shows why this song is played so damn much. I love Accept, but admittedly I have avoided this song for a long time. Not the album though since Balls to the Wall is a fucking kick ass album, one of the best metal albums to come out of 1983 hands down. Though the title track is what most people know, it is where I started when I was like 9 and I honestly was blown away by the song and also the album. Since then, I have been through every Accept album and always make time for anything new they put out. They are relentless in their pursuit of keeping up a pure and great metal sound even after all these years. They are an often-unsung hero of the early days of metal, playing somewhere between true heavy metal and stuff that is still approachable from the outside and can easily play on MTV without mothers and grandmothers pissing blood from their noses. I was listening to music at work and this song came on, I reached for the phone to skip it but stopped myself. I have skipped it for so long in my life that it felt like the first time again, aside from knowing all the words by heart. Man, this song really ruled my ears for a hot minute when I first got it onto my MP3 player all those years back. I loved the rebellious songs especially ones that had that well known 1980's "all together now" chorus that had you banging your head. It is easy to see why this song became a trademark anthem for heavy metal music, it is damn good and damn easy to get sucked into. Lyrically the song holds up well but it is the performance that gets me, the straight forward anthem type of song that moves into this slowed down chanting and drums beating trance before blowing back up. Udo Dirkschneider is a damn enjoyable vocalist, what AC/DC might have sounded like if they went... well... balls to the wall. Like a good portion of Accepts work he is a damn underrated vocalist and metal icon. I was glad I stopped for a second to listen to the song again, I have fallen back in love with it all again as if I was back in the days of riding a bicycle and plotting ways to gather money for more AAA batteries for my MP3 player. Simpler days, I don't think any kid really understands what life has in store for them even if they think they do. They are content with having some headphones, heavy metal and a bicycle. Wish there was a way to rechannel that existence. I will take this great song that has so many memories wrapped around it though, probably the closest I can get. Bang those heads sucker!
Year Released: 1983
Album: Balls to the Wall (1983)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Mood: Proud, Comical
Perfect For: Physical activities, Riding bikes, Riding motorcycles
Where To Next: "Breaking the Law" - Judas Priest
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/17/2024
"Let It Burn" - Avatar
I am sure Alesha will be glad to see this song here, it is one she introduced to me after all. I mean I have heard Avatar well before but it didn't grab me fully as some bands do. Well, that was until this song was played maybe a year or so back, I mean how could any self-respecting rocker or metalhead turn away? It is hook filled and an overall good time from a band that has a hard on for circus themes. I have yet to get too deep into the band but so far, I have found a couple of songs that I enjoy, not sure why they didn't grab me the first time around but sometimes it is better to be grabbed by a band when you are supposed to instead of forcing it. Anyways the song kicks off superbly and it sounds pretty good in my truck with the subs and decent speakers which is exactly when I chose it. My lady wanted to choose a song so naturally I let her, I am typically not too stingy about sharing the aux cord especially in the name of expansion. I thought she was going to play a song from Not Enough Space, a band she has sort of been into as of late, but then a well familiar intro took off and I was pleased to hear Avatar playing across the speakers right as we jumped off the interstate. I ain't the type to come into a gas station parking lot blaring music, my truck isn't that lifted nor is my ego, but I do like it sort of loud with the windows up. Makes that little exciting adventure feeling flair up, same with my bladder hence why the gas station was our stop. While it was the only time it played that day it did its job at creating a moderately memorable moment. Avatar is a band that I gotta get more into and I don't think I can wait until the 2000's to start my deep dive, like so many bands I just need to find the time away from my other projects to give them a full go.
Year Released: 2012
Album: Black Waltz (2012)
Genre: Hard Rock, Alternative Metal
Mood: Juiced
Perfect For: Driving fast, High energy activities, Online video games
Where To Next: "1000hp" - Godsmack
Rating: 8/10
I am sure Alesha will be glad to see this song here, it is one she introduced to me after all. I mean I have heard Avatar well before but it didn't grab me fully as some bands do. Well, that was until this song was played maybe a year or so back, I mean how could any self-respecting rocker or metalhead turn away? It is hook filled and an overall good time from a band that has a hard on for circus themes. I have yet to get too deep into the band but so far, I have found a couple of songs that I enjoy, not sure why they didn't grab me the first time around but sometimes it is better to be grabbed by a band when you are supposed to instead of forcing it. Anyways the song kicks off superbly and it sounds pretty good in my truck with the subs and decent speakers which is exactly when I chose it. My lady wanted to choose a song so naturally I let her, I am typically not too stingy about sharing the aux cord especially in the name of expansion. I thought she was going to play a song from Not Enough Space, a band she has sort of been into as of late, but then a well familiar intro took off and I was pleased to hear Avatar playing across the speakers right as we jumped off the interstate. I ain't the type to come into a gas station parking lot blaring music, my truck isn't that lifted nor is my ego, but I do like it sort of loud with the windows up. Makes that little exciting adventure feeling flair up, same with my bladder hence why the gas station was our stop. While it was the only time it played that day it did its job at creating a moderately memorable moment. Avatar is a band that I gotta get more into and I don't think I can wait until the 2000's to start my deep dive, like so many bands I just need to find the time away from my other projects to give them a full go.
Year Released: 2012
Album: Black Waltz (2012)
Genre: Hard Rock, Alternative Metal
Mood: Juiced
Perfect For: Driving fast, High energy activities, Online video games
Where To Next: "1000hp" - Godsmack
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/16/2024
"The End" - The Doors
Hooray! Finally the Doors make their debut into the song of the day portion of AintNoisePollution. Honestly I am shocked it took this long into doing this for them to appear, but what a grand entrance they make with the long and strange "The End". One of the best songs from the Doors but maybe not the best place to start with them, especially if you came here from "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" or "Love Her Madly". This is a psychedelic rock masterpiece, 11 1/2 minutes of pure joy and music that has you breaking out of your skin into the astral plane. Jim Morrison is infamous for so many things, he led a life of rock star debauchery but one thing you can never say about him is he writes shit lyrics. Even his lyrics and poems that lack he can easily sell it with his natural born all consuming performances behind that microphone. The whole band paints a very surreal picture of what the man is talking about, with the Freudian philosophy aside there are some good lyrics here and once again Jim Morrison does a damn good job of selling that strange miraged image of the multiple parts to this song. I chose this song while showing my lady the masterpiece film Apocalypse Now, one I love and think everyone should watch once in their lifetime. The intro to the movie has this song playing and what a way to start a movie! It pretty well explains the feeling that consumes that movie, which is simply strange and a bit stressful. Such a good and well shot movie, each scene is something special and has you completely hooked! Give it a play sometime if you haven't yet, it is legendary for a reason. I have loved this song for such a long time, the Doors self titled was one of the first albums I listened to when experimenting with psychedelics and I cannot suggest it enough. "The End" is fucking intense and I cannot think of any albums that have a better final track than this song, it is damn good and while it is sort of a longer song it doesn't lose your attention, if anything it demands you to take it allllll in. It ramps up throughout the song until all you are left with is chaos and Jim Morrison saying "fuck" more times than I think any other song in the 1960's if not in most of rock. Once the chaos chills out you are wooed for the last minute and a half into realizing you just took in some pure art. A well put together song that is really hard to beat, a song that has you staring at nothing after for a little bit too long. Shit moves you inside and out, as does most of this album. If you haven't taken the time to take this album in please do so, I know I always say this shit but I really really mean it this time. Anyone who loves music should see what the Doors is all about and there are few finer places to start than their debut.
Year Released: 1967
Album: The Doors (1967)
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Mood: Mystical
Perfect For: Staring off into space, Drooling, Getting high, Sitting at an overlook, All of those combined
Where To Next: "1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be) - Jimi Hendrix
Rating: 10/10
Hooray! Finally the Doors make their debut into the song of the day portion of AintNoisePollution. Honestly I am shocked it took this long into doing this for them to appear, but what a grand entrance they make with the long and strange "The End". One of the best songs from the Doors but maybe not the best place to start with them, especially if you came here from "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" or "Love Her Madly". This is a psychedelic rock masterpiece, 11 1/2 minutes of pure joy and music that has you breaking out of your skin into the astral plane. Jim Morrison is infamous for so many things, he led a life of rock star debauchery but one thing you can never say about him is he writes shit lyrics. Even his lyrics and poems that lack he can easily sell it with his natural born all consuming performances behind that microphone. The whole band paints a very surreal picture of what the man is talking about, with the Freudian philosophy aside there are some good lyrics here and once again Jim Morrison does a damn good job of selling that strange miraged image of the multiple parts to this song. I chose this song while showing my lady the masterpiece film Apocalypse Now, one I love and think everyone should watch once in their lifetime. The intro to the movie has this song playing and what a way to start a movie! It pretty well explains the feeling that consumes that movie, which is simply strange and a bit stressful. Such a good and well shot movie, each scene is something special and has you completely hooked! Give it a play sometime if you haven't yet, it is legendary for a reason. I have loved this song for such a long time, the Doors self titled was one of the first albums I listened to when experimenting with psychedelics and I cannot suggest it enough. "The End" is fucking intense and I cannot think of any albums that have a better final track than this song, it is damn good and while it is sort of a longer song it doesn't lose your attention, if anything it demands you to take it allllll in. It ramps up throughout the song until all you are left with is chaos and Jim Morrison saying "fuck" more times than I think any other song in the 1960's if not in most of rock. Once the chaos chills out you are wooed for the last minute and a half into realizing you just took in some pure art. A well put together song that is really hard to beat, a song that has you staring at nothing after for a little bit too long. Shit moves you inside and out, as does most of this album. If you haven't taken the time to take this album in please do so, I know I always say this shit but I really really mean it this time. Anyone who loves music should see what the Doors is all about and there are few finer places to start than their debut.
Year Released: 1967
Album: The Doors (1967)
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Mood: Mystical
Perfect For: Staring off into space, Drooling, Getting high, Sitting at an overlook, All of those combined
Where To Next: "1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be) - Jimi Hendrix
Rating: 10/10
Song of the Day 11/15/2024
"California Dreamin'" - Eddie Hazel
A good while back I was asked to find songs that resembled "Maggot Brain" from Funkadelic and while I was stoked to help someone along musically I also was silently screaming. That is like someone saying "can you help me with some math" and dropping advanced algebra in front of you. Well while I took my sweet time about it I found myself with some time and inspiration to give it a swing. For anyone that knows that song it is very... itself. There really aren't too many songs that aren't directly written to be ode to the song that are close to it. So I gathered some songs to wet that guitar tranced whistle of the listener and hopefully they scratch that itch. I figured one of the best places to start is to look into the man behind the guitar, the criminally underrated guitarist (or so far as rock is concerned) Eddie Hazel. I honestly have dabbled here and there with this album but not as deep of a dive I took to compile some songs. His cover of the Mamas and the Papas legendary "California Dreamin'" fucking blew my socks off! Such a great song, smooth and funky, deep yet accessible, like the original but so damn far away, a rocket in space meets the dust kicked up by a bluesman. The song is smooth, like smooth enough that it instantly drops your heart rate. I am damn glad I listened through some of the album and especially glad that this song consumed me for a whole 24 hours. The first thing that grabbed me is the albums name, Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs, if that ain't one of the best album names out there call me Huckleberry. Damn good and the album matches the title, and also the strange yet fitting album cover. Well hopefully the songs I gathered hit the same as the flawless "Maggot Brain" though I have still yet to hand over the list. Even if the list isn't appreciated, or even wanted since that was what feels like months ago, at least I compiled some great and complimentary songs and once again at least I found some more songs to obsess over and annoy my loved ones with. I am like that kid with the toy that just wants you to hold it and marvel at its plastic sheen. I don't even feel annoying or bad about it either, especially when it is about songs of this caliber! So dear reader, yes you, pull out that phone (shit, you might already be on it!) and give the song a listen. It is worth your time, and if you haven't heard the aforementioned "Maggot Brain" give that a listen too though be warned it is a touch peculiar.
Year Released: 1977
Album: Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs (1977)
Genre: Psychedelic Soul, Funk, Rock
Mood: Smooth Buttered Buscuits
Perfect For: Kicking your shoes off and kicking on some jams
Where To Next: "Cosmic Slop" - Funkadelic
Rating: 9/10
A good while back I was asked to find songs that resembled "Maggot Brain" from Funkadelic and while I was stoked to help someone along musically I also was silently screaming. That is like someone saying "can you help me with some math" and dropping advanced algebra in front of you. Well while I took my sweet time about it I found myself with some time and inspiration to give it a swing. For anyone that knows that song it is very... itself. There really aren't too many songs that aren't directly written to be ode to the song that are close to it. So I gathered some songs to wet that guitar tranced whistle of the listener and hopefully they scratch that itch. I figured one of the best places to start is to look into the man behind the guitar, the criminally underrated guitarist (or so far as rock is concerned) Eddie Hazel. I honestly have dabbled here and there with this album but not as deep of a dive I took to compile some songs. His cover of the Mamas and the Papas legendary "California Dreamin'" fucking blew my socks off! Such a great song, smooth and funky, deep yet accessible, like the original but so damn far away, a rocket in space meets the dust kicked up by a bluesman. The song is smooth, like smooth enough that it instantly drops your heart rate. I am damn glad I listened through some of the album and especially glad that this song consumed me for a whole 24 hours. The first thing that grabbed me is the albums name, Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs, if that ain't one of the best album names out there call me Huckleberry. Damn good and the album matches the title, and also the strange yet fitting album cover. Well hopefully the songs I gathered hit the same as the flawless "Maggot Brain" though I have still yet to hand over the list. Even if the list isn't appreciated, or even wanted since that was what feels like months ago, at least I compiled some great and complimentary songs and once again at least I found some more songs to obsess over and annoy my loved ones with. I am like that kid with the toy that just wants you to hold it and marvel at its plastic sheen. I don't even feel annoying or bad about it either, especially when it is about songs of this caliber! So dear reader, yes you, pull out that phone (shit, you might already be on it!) and give the song a listen. It is worth your time, and if you haven't heard the aforementioned "Maggot Brain" give that a listen too though be warned it is a touch peculiar.
Year Released: 1977
Album: Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs (1977)
Genre: Psychedelic Soul, Funk, Rock
Mood: Smooth Buttered Buscuits
Perfect For: Kicking your shoes off and kicking on some jams
Where To Next: "Cosmic Slop" - Funkadelic
Rating: 9/10
Song of the Day 11/14/2024
"Anemone" - The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Another band that is new to me that I kick myself for not finding sooner! When going through 1995 I found some good tracks but the two albums I have gone through for 1996 have left me mighty impressed, especially their fourth album Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request which is in reference to the Rolling Stones 1967 psychedelic gem Their Satanic Majesties Request. In a lot of ways I can feel that album in this album too, sound wise it has that haunting yet mystical psychedelic feeling that that album has, but naturally a little cleaner due to it coming 29 years later retro but doesn’t make a thing out of it. It was a trip listening through this album, especially since due to traffic and caffeine I was already teetering on that "anxiety passy outty hit the floory feeling...y". Though in a lot of ways I couldn't ask for a better and more fitting album for that feeling, am I driving? Floating? Laughing? Dying? There were plenty of tracks that impressed me but none impressed me more than this song here, "Anemone". Is that how you spell that strange sea thing? No wonder Nemo had a hard time saying that shit. Anyways, now that I listen to it again as I type this out I dig it even more. I am only four albums into the band and while I am left impressed I have learned to not expect the same sound in a row, it was maybe a week prior when I first listened to their third album Take It from the Man! and was like "oh they are going for a 1960's influenced garage rock sound, nice" and then a week later here was this album and I had to double check it was even the same band. I love that though, nothing like a good variety to keep everyone on their toes and their ears in your pocket, much like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, is it gonna be hard rock or psychedelia? The intro track to this album "All Around You" gets you ready for what you are about to take in. While it is a goofy song, I do love albums that set themselves up proper. Well I can easily say that The Brian Jonestown Massacre made a pretty good impact on me since first listening to them a couple months back, I am excited to take more in and integrate more of their great songs into my playlists and ultimately in my heart.
Year Released: 1996
Album: Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request (1996)
Genre: Neo-Psychedelia, Psychedelic Rock
Mood: Floaty
Perfect For: Rolling up some goodies, Mellow drives at night with city lights, Lazy nights at home
Where To Next: "Colored Sea" - Velvet Meadow
Rating: 8/10
Another band that is new to me that I kick myself for not finding sooner! When going through 1995 I found some good tracks but the two albums I have gone through for 1996 have left me mighty impressed, especially their fourth album Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request which is in reference to the Rolling Stones 1967 psychedelic gem Their Satanic Majesties Request. In a lot of ways I can feel that album in this album too, sound wise it has that haunting yet mystical psychedelic feeling that that album has, but naturally a little cleaner due to it coming 29 years later retro but doesn’t make a thing out of it. It was a trip listening through this album, especially since due to traffic and caffeine I was already teetering on that "anxiety passy outty hit the floory feeling...y". Though in a lot of ways I couldn't ask for a better and more fitting album for that feeling, am I driving? Floating? Laughing? Dying? There were plenty of tracks that impressed me but none impressed me more than this song here, "Anemone". Is that how you spell that strange sea thing? No wonder Nemo had a hard time saying that shit. Anyways, now that I listen to it again as I type this out I dig it even more. I am only four albums into the band and while I am left impressed I have learned to not expect the same sound in a row, it was maybe a week prior when I first listened to their third album Take It from the Man! and was like "oh they are going for a 1960's influenced garage rock sound, nice" and then a week later here was this album and I had to double check it was even the same band. I love that though, nothing like a good variety to keep everyone on their toes and their ears in your pocket, much like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, is it gonna be hard rock or psychedelia? The intro track to this album "All Around You" gets you ready for what you are about to take in. While it is a goofy song, I do love albums that set themselves up proper. Well I can easily say that The Brian Jonestown Massacre made a pretty good impact on me since first listening to them a couple months back, I am excited to take more in and integrate more of their great songs into my playlists and ultimately in my heart.
Year Released: 1996
Album: Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request (1996)
Genre: Neo-Psychedelia, Psychedelic Rock
Mood: Floaty
Perfect For: Rolling up some goodies, Mellow drives at night with city lights, Lazy nights at home
Where To Next: "Colored Sea" - Velvet Meadow
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/13/2024
"Bad Is Bad" - Huey Lewis & the News
For those that read these regularly I apologize for not posting for a week, it has been a busy one but we are here now so lets get rocking. "Bad Is Bad" is sort of a rude song honestly but I do love me a story telling song. Following the day of our character as he finds more and more that bad is truly bad. While there are times that I love guitars that sound like chainsaws, I am presuming that Huey Lewis doesn't like it at all. There are times I cannot fully convince myself that lyrically he doesn't mean bad as in awful. I mean the all you can eat soul stew straight up says that it is the baddest in the land, not the wisest marketing if they don't mean it in a positive way. That and when he says he could only stand a dollar's worth maybe it isn't that the quality is poor just that he couldn't eat it all, besides if something was gross I probably wouldn't eat half of it before deciding it is gross. Then when he finally goes back uptown to see his squeeze it is another good and bad situation. She leaves a note of admiration but is also cheating so obviously a negative though I still cannot fully tell if it is positive or negative. Maybe I am missing something, one of those slang or sayings that just didn't keep up with the time or something though typically I can get it so maybe I am thinking too deep into the lyrics. This is an underrated 1980's track, and a forgotten gem from Huey Lewis & the News discography. It holds up next to some of their biggest hits, if not better than some of them. It keeps a steady and fun pace through its playtime and that damn chorus gets stuck in my head for hours, if not the "ah-dit-dit-dit-dit-dit-doo-wop". Sports is one of those legendary albums that most rock fans (especially of the softer rock taste) should own or listen through. I have come back countless times and always have a good time with the originals and the covers that make up the album. If you haven't heard half of the songs from the album in your lifetime you would have to live under a rock. Huey Lewis & the News were an original band, not original in the way of making something new, more original in the way of perfecting the line between pop and rock music and making it theirs.
Year Released: 1983
Album: Sports (1983)
Genre: Rock, Pop Rock
Mood: Mellow
Perfect For: Casual listening, Taking a walk
Where To Next: "Double Life" - The Cars
Rating: 8/10
For those that read these regularly I apologize for not posting for a week, it has been a busy one but we are here now so lets get rocking. "Bad Is Bad" is sort of a rude song honestly but I do love me a story telling song. Following the day of our character as he finds more and more that bad is truly bad. While there are times that I love guitars that sound like chainsaws, I am presuming that Huey Lewis doesn't like it at all. There are times I cannot fully convince myself that lyrically he doesn't mean bad as in awful. I mean the all you can eat soul stew straight up says that it is the baddest in the land, not the wisest marketing if they don't mean it in a positive way. That and when he says he could only stand a dollar's worth maybe it isn't that the quality is poor just that he couldn't eat it all, besides if something was gross I probably wouldn't eat half of it before deciding it is gross. Then when he finally goes back uptown to see his squeeze it is another good and bad situation. She leaves a note of admiration but is also cheating so obviously a negative though I still cannot fully tell if it is positive or negative. Maybe I am missing something, one of those slang or sayings that just didn't keep up with the time or something though typically I can get it so maybe I am thinking too deep into the lyrics. This is an underrated 1980's track, and a forgotten gem from Huey Lewis & the News discography. It holds up next to some of their biggest hits, if not better than some of them. It keeps a steady and fun pace through its playtime and that damn chorus gets stuck in my head for hours, if not the "ah-dit-dit-dit-dit-dit-doo-wop". Sports is one of those legendary albums that most rock fans (especially of the softer rock taste) should own or listen through. I have come back countless times and always have a good time with the originals and the covers that make up the album. If you haven't heard half of the songs from the album in your lifetime you would have to live under a rock. Huey Lewis & the News were an original band, not original in the way of making something new, more original in the way of perfecting the line between pop and rock music and making it theirs.
Year Released: 1983
Album: Sports (1983)
Genre: Rock, Pop Rock
Mood: Mellow
Perfect For: Casual listening, Taking a walk
Where To Next: "Double Life" - The Cars
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/12/2024
"If You Don't Like Hank Williams" - Kris Kristofferson
Rest in peace Kris Kristofferson, I know it has been a little bit but still it is kind of sad. Namely what is sad is all of Willie Nelson's songs about how he will be the last man standing seemed to speak true. Well so far as most of all the outlaws from the days of yesteryear that have moved on to that range in the sky. Kris Kristofferson has one of the strangest careers in country music, both musically and career wise he went here and he went there but for the most part no matter what direction he went we were met with a good time. While in comparison to his friends in the music world his career grew a little stale around this time, especially since Kris Kristofferson's sound never really rolled with the country stars nor did it with folk or soft rock. One good thing about that is he was free to do just about what he wanted. At this stage he was still married to pop and R&B icon Rita Collidge and also was going Hollywood in the film A Star is Born with Barbara Streisand. So easy to say he had a lot going on so maybe his albums not reaching the top of the charts was a good thing or halfway expected. Still, he was a known and respected name in country music for the songs he wrote and plenty of the songs he had recorded since 1970. I have always viewed him as one of country music's finest songwriters, and there are a ton of songs of his that I love with all of my being and show off his skill with a pen wonderfully. I honestly didn't mind the album this song came off of, Surreal Thing, though admittedly there were a couple of songs that I could take or leave. The crown jewel from the album is a song all about music and the love of it fittingly titled "If You Don't Like Hank Williams". A great song that speaks even louder today since the style of Hank Williams and the country stars of the 1940's into the 1950's has taken a hard plunge. I love that style but it aged poorly, but some may argue that the aging is what makes it so damn compelling. The song sounds like Kris Kristofferson had one too many which in some ways compliments the chaotic feeling of the song which by the end falls into a fit of naming off some of the best artists to date. I get behind everything Kristofferson says in the song, you can kiss my ass also if you don't like Hank Williams. A great way to end the album and a great song overall, I love songs that pay dues to other artists, not only because it helps people like me track their roots but also since it makes genres and scenes feel like big families. Still, even if Kris Kristofferson was seemingly losing his creative touch during this time, he still made damn sure to put a couple great tracks on each album. Following this album he had relatively good acclaim with his work with then wife Rita Collidge up until he helped thrust the country supergroup the Highwaymen into the light. A great musician and one that is a true shame to see pass, but time waits for no one.
Year Released: 1976
Album: Surreal Thing (1976)
Genre: Country
Mood: Intoxicated
Perfect For: Casual listening, Taking notes for budding music lovers, Having a drink
Where To Next: "Bob Wills Is Still the King" - Waylon Jennings
Rating: 7/10
Rest in peace Kris Kristofferson, I know it has been a little bit but still it is kind of sad. Namely what is sad is all of Willie Nelson's songs about how he will be the last man standing seemed to speak true. Well so far as most of all the outlaws from the days of yesteryear that have moved on to that range in the sky. Kris Kristofferson has one of the strangest careers in country music, both musically and career wise he went here and he went there but for the most part no matter what direction he went we were met with a good time. While in comparison to his friends in the music world his career grew a little stale around this time, especially since Kris Kristofferson's sound never really rolled with the country stars nor did it with folk or soft rock. One good thing about that is he was free to do just about what he wanted. At this stage he was still married to pop and R&B icon Rita Collidge and also was going Hollywood in the film A Star is Born with Barbara Streisand. So easy to say he had a lot going on so maybe his albums not reaching the top of the charts was a good thing or halfway expected. Still, he was a known and respected name in country music for the songs he wrote and plenty of the songs he had recorded since 1970. I have always viewed him as one of country music's finest songwriters, and there are a ton of songs of his that I love with all of my being and show off his skill with a pen wonderfully. I honestly didn't mind the album this song came off of, Surreal Thing, though admittedly there were a couple of songs that I could take or leave. The crown jewel from the album is a song all about music and the love of it fittingly titled "If You Don't Like Hank Williams". A great song that speaks even louder today since the style of Hank Williams and the country stars of the 1940's into the 1950's has taken a hard plunge. I love that style but it aged poorly, but some may argue that the aging is what makes it so damn compelling. The song sounds like Kris Kristofferson had one too many which in some ways compliments the chaotic feeling of the song which by the end falls into a fit of naming off some of the best artists to date. I get behind everything Kristofferson says in the song, you can kiss my ass also if you don't like Hank Williams. A great way to end the album and a great song overall, I love songs that pay dues to other artists, not only because it helps people like me track their roots but also since it makes genres and scenes feel like big families. Still, even if Kris Kristofferson was seemingly losing his creative touch during this time, he still made damn sure to put a couple great tracks on each album. Following this album he had relatively good acclaim with his work with then wife Rita Collidge up until he helped thrust the country supergroup the Highwaymen into the light. A great musician and one that is a true shame to see pass, but time waits for no one.
Year Released: 1976
Album: Surreal Thing (1976)
Genre: Country
Mood: Intoxicated
Perfect For: Casual listening, Taking notes for budding music lovers, Having a drink
Where To Next: "Bob Wills Is Still the King" - Waylon Jennings
Rating: 7/10
Song of the Day 11/11/2024
"At Dawn They Sleep" - Slayer
I love everything Slayer, they are after all my favorite metal band (if you don't count Black Sabbath that is). I love their later heavy as hell sound and their core thrash metal sound but I do honestly have a very special place in my heart for their early extreme metal sound that shows off an early black metal and death metal sound before that scene fully spawned. In the end the album is thrash metal through and through but there is no denying it was heavier than most anything else at the time in the thrash scene. Slayer typically outshines the other names in thrash when it comes to heaviness, with their sound that always borderlines on pushing over into a more extreme genre. Hell Awaits is a favorite album of mine from their kick ass discography, from the haunting "Hell Awaits" as the intro track to its final song "Hardening of the Arteries" there is so much to love while still keeping to the core Slayer sound of that time. "At Dawn They Sleep" I think is the most impressive track on the album, with its just a little over 6-minute playtime they bring you to multiple different parts of hell as the band relentlessly kicks your ass. One of those songs that have you headbanging as if you were possessed and lyricism that is great, and like most of Slayer's work, those lyrics are criminally underrated. The whole band fuses together to create this hellish landscape. The drum work of Dave Lombardo never ceases to impress the hell out of me and if you need any more convincing as to why he is one of the best in the trash metal game (if not metal in general) check out his solo project Grip Inc. You don't get to as high of a spot in the metal world without the whole band being something special, while this album might not show it off as much as the essential Reign in Blood there is still so much in the album and songs like this one to leave you ripped apart. I chose the song at work this time around, there are times when a song kicks off and I cannot help but to audibly say "damn" and this was one of those moments. Raise those horns!
Year Released: 1985
Album: Hell Awaits (1985)
Genre: Thrash Metal
Mood: Diabolical
Perfect For: Headbanging, Playing loud and proud, Sin
Where To Next: "Fallen Angel" - Possessed
Rating: 8/10
I love everything Slayer, they are after all my favorite metal band (if you don't count Black Sabbath that is). I love their later heavy as hell sound and their core thrash metal sound but I do honestly have a very special place in my heart for their early extreme metal sound that shows off an early black metal and death metal sound before that scene fully spawned. In the end the album is thrash metal through and through but there is no denying it was heavier than most anything else at the time in the thrash scene. Slayer typically outshines the other names in thrash when it comes to heaviness, with their sound that always borderlines on pushing over into a more extreme genre. Hell Awaits is a favorite album of mine from their kick ass discography, from the haunting "Hell Awaits" as the intro track to its final song "Hardening of the Arteries" there is so much to love while still keeping to the core Slayer sound of that time. "At Dawn They Sleep" I think is the most impressive track on the album, with its just a little over 6-minute playtime they bring you to multiple different parts of hell as the band relentlessly kicks your ass. One of those songs that have you headbanging as if you were possessed and lyricism that is great, and like most of Slayer's work, those lyrics are criminally underrated. The whole band fuses together to create this hellish landscape. The drum work of Dave Lombardo never ceases to impress the hell out of me and if you need any more convincing as to why he is one of the best in the trash metal game (if not metal in general) check out his solo project Grip Inc. You don't get to as high of a spot in the metal world without the whole band being something special, while this album might not show it off as much as the essential Reign in Blood there is still so much in the album and songs like this one to leave you ripped apart. I chose the song at work this time around, there are times when a song kicks off and I cannot help but to audibly say "damn" and this was one of those moments. Raise those horns!
Year Released: 1985
Album: Hell Awaits (1985)
Genre: Thrash Metal
Mood: Diabolical
Perfect For: Headbanging, Playing loud and proud, Sin
Where To Next: "Fallen Angel" - Possessed
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/10/2024
"Walk a Mile in My Shoes" - Joe South
A hidden gem for country, folk and rock music, while it was covered by many big names there aren't any that beat the original from Joe South. The song isn't overproduced or anything like that, just straight shot peaceful music with a damn good message. A song that seemed to have its message go in one ear and right out the other upon release since the lyricism still holds up today and so many people need to hear this stuff. Those type of people probably wouldn't be listening to this kind of music anyways. The type that might use "Born in the USA" as a patriotic song. It blows my mind the amount of people that don't actually listen to a song, they are hearing it but for some strange reason it just doesn’t compute. Humans are so damn strange, there is a massive portion of people that just seem... dumb. Now I am not saying I am the smartest person to put shoes on but what I am saying is that I try to live the lyrics that are in this song. I don't even have to actually try, it seems to come natural and it is so damn odd that it doesn't come natural to everyone. Why am I not very hateful? Nature or nurture? I am getting off topic again dammit, back to the music! Joe South is an underrated musician, he put out some impressive hits in the early 1970's and his brand of lyricism has never let me down through the multiple albums I coddle. It is risky business to meld country and folk, there are very few names that made a successful run out of it. Folk country was a popular sound for country music in the late 1960's and early 1970's but the ones that made it were musicians that leaned more on a country sound or were bound for glory with business executives eating all their revenue and patting them on the back. Joe South might not have made a giant name for himself (though he still had a couple of moderately successful albums) but some of the songs and singles he put out left a nice impression on country music. Not only "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" but in his other hit songs like "Rose Garden" and the ever wonderful to hear played no matter who does it "Games People Play". Not to mention the impact that some of his songs had on rock music like "Hush" which Deep Purple later knocked out of the ballpark. In a day and age that we need equality and sympathy we really need more singers like Joe South, a message of love and unity instead of this disgusting money hungry hate mongering that is the world of today. Wish I could have lived in a time period when I could be proud to call myself an American, if there ever was a period like that.
Year Released: 1969
Album: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home? (1969)
Genre: Rock, Folk Country
Mood: Carefree
Perfect For: Picnicking, Peaceful days at home, Summer drives, Chores
Where To Next: "Eve of Destruction" - The Turtles
Rating: 8/10
A hidden gem for country, folk and rock music, while it was covered by many big names there aren't any that beat the original from Joe South. The song isn't overproduced or anything like that, just straight shot peaceful music with a damn good message. A song that seemed to have its message go in one ear and right out the other upon release since the lyricism still holds up today and so many people need to hear this stuff. Those type of people probably wouldn't be listening to this kind of music anyways. The type that might use "Born in the USA" as a patriotic song. It blows my mind the amount of people that don't actually listen to a song, they are hearing it but for some strange reason it just doesn’t compute. Humans are so damn strange, there is a massive portion of people that just seem... dumb. Now I am not saying I am the smartest person to put shoes on but what I am saying is that I try to live the lyrics that are in this song. I don't even have to actually try, it seems to come natural and it is so damn odd that it doesn't come natural to everyone. Why am I not very hateful? Nature or nurture? I am getting off topic again dammit, back to the music! Joe South is an underrated musician, he put out some impressive hits in the early 1970's and his brand of lyricism has never let me down through the multiple albums I coddle. It is risky business to meld country and folk, there are very few names that made a successful run out of it. Folk country was a popular sound for country music in the late 1960's and early 1970's but the ones that made it were musicians that leaned more on a country sound or were bound for glory with business executives eating all their revenue and patting them on the back. Joe South might not have made a giant name for himself (though he still had a couple of moderately successful albums) but some of the songs and singles he put out left a nice impression on country music. Not only "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" but in his other hit songs like "Rose Garden" and the ever wonderful to hear played no matter who does it "Games People Play". Not to mention the impact that some of his songs had on rock music like "Hush" which Deep Purple later knocked out of the ballpark. In a day and age that we need equality and sympathy we really need more singers like Joe South, a message of love and unity instead of this disgusting money hungry hate mongering that is the world of today. Wish I could have lived in a time period when I could be proud to call myself an American, if there ever was a period like that.
Year Released: 1969
Album: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home? (1969)
Genre: Rock, Folk Country
Mood: Carefree
Perfect For: Picnicking, Peaceful days at home, Summer drives, Chores
Where To Next: "Eve of Destruction" - The Turtles
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/09/2024
"The House Jack Built" - Metallica
Oh no! It is the infamous Load album from Metallica, I am not one of those bandwagon jumpers that hate on later Metallica. I love it all (maybe aside from Lulu and half of St. Anger) and Metallica does an outstanding job when doing a heavy metal thrash sound and does an equally great job with a more clean-cut hard rock sound, Load is a stand-up album and I am not afraid to say it. If you were around for the shift, I respect your distaste for the album but all those fools that showed up to the party late such as myself don't have all too much ground to act betrayed by this album, especially when the album has a good handful of great songs such as a personal favorite of mine "The House That Jack Built". It was a good move for Metallica to switch up its sound, those that didn't got left behind in the 1980's with a cocaine problem. Some of the thrash bands got harder and then some of the bands went a more mainstream way, and when you are already damn well off like Metallica was then it is worth the risk to experiment with other sounds. Metal has always been a drama fest, those people hate those people, they didn't do their hair the right way, they liked Electric Light Orchestra, their early work is the only good stuff, that singer looks like he showers! I am a proud metalhead but sometimes I hate the culture, the culture is what built metal but is also damn toxic half the time. Anyways, we are here to talk of the biggest name in all of heavy metal, the almighty Metallica! A band that started out with the nickname of "Alchoholica" so is it all that shocking they have a song about being addicted to just that and other goodies? The song is damn underrated for Metallica, I find it to be one of the best from the album with a damn catchy chorus and a great atmosphere. It feels slightly haunted, not in the Mercyful Fate kind of way but a soul that is damned and trying to claw for freedom. Damn good lyricism that is simple to take in but still leaden enough to make its impact. In a lot of ways that statement works for the whole song. So if you are one of those dorks that hate anything after And Justice for All or their self titled (the black album) then give the album another go and mainly songs like this one and my favorite from the album "Hero of the Day". Think of it as a spin off band of Metallica, a softer version of the band that doesn't try too hard and is just some quality hard rock, because that is exactly what it is.
Year Released: 1996
Album: Load (1996)
Genre: Hard Rock
Mood: Burdened
Perfect For: Drinking, Casual listening, Driving and playing it loud
Where To Next: "Trust" - Megadeth
Rating: 8/10
Oh no! It is the infamous Load album from Metallica, I am not one of those bandwagon jumpers that hate on later Metallica. I love it all (maybe aside from Lulu and half of St. Anger) and Metallica does an outstanding job when doing a heavy metal thrash sound and does an equally great job with a more clean-cut hard rock sound, Load is a stand-up album and I am not afraid to say it. If you were around for the shift, I respect your distaste for the album but all those fools that showed up to the party late such as myself don't have all too much ground to act betrayed by this album, especially when the album has a good handful of great songs such as a personal favorite of mine "The House That Jack Built". It was a good move for Metallica to switch up its sound, those that didn't got left behind in the 1980's with a cocaine problem. Some of the thrash bands got harder and then some of the bands went a more mainstream way, and when you are already damn well off like Metallica was then it is worth the risk to experiment with other sounds. Metal has always been a drama fest, those people hate those people, they didn't do their hair the right way, they liked Electric Light Orchestra, their early work is the only good stuff, that singer looks like he showers! I am a proud metalhead but sometimes I hate the culture, the culture is what built metal but is also damn toxic half the time. Anyways, we are here to talk of the biggest name in all of heavy metal, the almighty Metallica! A band that started out with the nickname of "Alchoholica" so is it all that shocking they have a song about being addicted to just that and other goodies? The song is damn underrated for Metallica, I find it to be one of the best from the album with a damn catchy chorus and a great atmosphere. It feels slightly haunted, not in the Mercyful Fate kind of way but a soul that is damned and trying to claw for freedom. Damn good lyricism that is simple to take in but still leaden enough to make its impact. In a lot of ways that statement works for the whole song. So if you are one of those dorks that hate anything after And Justice for All or their self titled (the black album) then give the album another go and mainly songs like this one and my favorite from the album "Hero of the Day". Think of it as a spin off band of Metallica, a softer version of the band that doesn't try too hard and is just some quality hard rock, because that is exactly what it is.
Year Released: 1996
Album: Load (1996)
Genre: Hard Rock
Mood: Burdened
Perfect For: Drinking, Casual listening, Driving and playing it loud
Where To Next: "Trust" - Megadeth
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/08/2024
"S.O.B." - Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Isn't it odd how you can spend all your day finding songs and artists and still somehow miss so many bands and songs?! It is even more odd when the artist is damn successful and somehow they just slip through your fingers time and time again. Well as I probably say every damn Friday, this is the day I go a little further trying to find songs and artists that flew under my radar, sometimes I find a handful of songs sometimes I find nothing. This Friday I found a couple goodies but none compare to the diamond I found in "S.O.B."! I cannot believe I somehow missed this band up until now, there are so many quality songs! I wonder how this feels when people strike oil in Texas (but like... musically? Ear oil! No, that sounds gross.... Ear gold!). I get a little excited when I find a song that is GOOD, since I have been doing this for a long long time now I am finding it harder and harder to find bands and songs which scares me, but it is bands like Nathaniel Rateliff & the Sweats that remind me there will always be new bands that seem to be kissed by the gods with appeal. The song has some serious energy, lyrically it is decent enough and matches the overall vibe of the song. The barroom feeling mixed with the rock sound of the early 1960's, the gospel sound and lastly the little early R&B and Soul feeling comes together like a train wreck that sends money, bags of weed and Joe Cocker albums everywhere. I was unloading a truck by hand at work when this song came on and I had that dude in the truck hold on for a second so I could add this to my prime picks playlist and add a couple more songs to queue, luckily the guy is cool and you don't need to ask him twice to take it easy for a second. I am new to the band, screaming baby new to the band, so I cannot tell you all too much you cannot learn from googling it for yourself. I am damn excited to get further into the band and this album to gather some more goodies for the collection though.
Year Released: 2015
Album: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (2015)
Genre: Rock, Soul
Mood: Fun
Perfect For: Drinking, Heading out to the bars
Where To Next: "Find Yourself" - Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Rating: 9/10
Isn't it odd how you can spend all your day finding songs and artists and still somehow miss so many bands and songs?! It is even more odd when the artist is damn successful and somehow they just slip through your fingers time and time again. Well as I probably say every damn Friday, this is the day I go a little further trying to find songs and artists that flew under my radar, sometimes I find a handful of songs sometimes I find nothing. This Friday I found a couple goodies but none compare to the diamond I found in "S.O.B."! I cannot believe I somehow missed this band up until now, there are so many quality songs! I wonder how this feels when people strike oil in Texas (but like... musically? Ear oil! No, that sounds gross.... Ear gold!). I get a little excited when I find a song that is GOOD, since I have been doing this for a long long time now I am finding it harder and harder to find bands and songs which scares me, but it is bands like Nathaniel Rateliff & the Sweats that remind me there will always be new bands that seem to be kissed by the gods with appeal. The song has some serious energy, lyrically it is decent enough and matches the overall vibe of the song. The barroom feeling mixed with the rock sound of the early 1960's, the gospel sound and lastly the little early R&B and Soul feeling comes together like a train wreck that sends money, bags of weed and Joe Cocker albums everywhere. I was unloading a truck by hand at work when this song came on and I had that dude in the truck hold on for a second so I could add this to my prime picks playlist and add a couple more songs to queue, luckily the guy is cool and you don't need to ask him twice to take it easy for a second. I am new to the band, screaming baby new to the band, so I cannot tell you all too much you cannot learn from googling it for yourself. I am damn excited to get further into the band and this album to gather some more goodies for the collection though.
Year Released: 2015
Album: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (2015)
Genre: Rock, Soul
Mood: Fun
Perfect For: Drinking, Heading out to the bars
Where To Next: "Find Yourself" - Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Rating: 9/10
Song of the Day 11/07/2024
"One Headlight" - The Wallflowers
Who doesn't know this 1990's classic? I am always impressed by how catchy choruses seem to be the ticket to having a timeless classic. This song is a pure joy to sing along to, a pure joy to drive to, a pure joy just to listen to in a dark room. Singer Jakob Dylan sure took a note from his father (One of the biggest names in music ever, BOB DYLAN) on how it isn't always about how good you sing but how you sing it. People don't always want operatics, there are times when a fun singer is needed much like Bob Dylan was in his folk stage and much like his son Jakob is in this song. I chose the song while stuck in some serious ass traffic, what would take 40 minutes on a normal day turned into damn near 2 hours of staring at the same taillights. I started on the freeway when it was light and then got out of the same town by the time the sun was completely gone. How the hell do you California people do it? I like traffic, especially at night, it has a special mood, but I wouldn't enjoy it every day. Anyways, I am still going through album to album for rock of 1996 and it was this album's turn to kick on. I am well familiar with that hollow guitar intro and was glad to hear it kick off after listening though the odd (and my first taste) debut album of a band called Super Furry Animals. Nothing wrong with the album but the stress of traffic was getting to me and I needed some comfort. I have known "One Headlight" for what feels like my whole life but I cannot say I ever went past that strangely. I figured it was a good time as any to listen through the album and honestly... I was sort of let down by it. While I tend not to judge an album completely until I give it three full listens I honestly thought the album would be more worthwhile. I mean it has decent critical acclaim and I know the album is respected in some circles but I honestly could have taken it or left it. It could be the classic case of setting the bar too high though, especially with having their massive main hit forefront and center on the album makes it so all the other tracks seem a little lacking. I think I need another listen though since I must have missed something or I was too distracted driving to fully hear it. Nonetheless, when it comes down to "One Headlight" there is plenty to love. It has a great atmosphere that holds your attention the whole time, a fucking great chorus, and lastly lyricism that is damn good and the way that Jakob Dylan sings those lines really sends it home.
Year Released: 1996
Album: Bringing Down the Horse (1996)
Genre: Alternative Rock
Mood: Hollow
Perfect For: Long drives, Short drives, This drives, That drives
Where To Next: "Hey Jealousy" - Gin Blossoms
Rating: 9/10
Who doesn't know this 1990's classic? I am always impressed by how catchy choruses seem to be the ticket to having a timeless classic. This song is a pure joy to sing along to, a pure joy to drive to, a pure joy just to listen to in a dark room. Singer Jakob Dylan sure took a note from his father (One of the biggest names in music ever, BOB DYLAN) on how it isn't always about how good you sing but how you sing it. People don't always want operatics, there are times when a fun singer is needed much like Bob Dylan was in his folk stage and much like his son Jakob is in this song. I chose the song while stuck in some serious ass traffic, what would take 40 minutes on a normal day turned into damn near 2 hours of staring at the same taillights. I started on the freeway when it was light and then got out of the same town by the time the sun was completely gone. How the hell do you California people do it? I like traffic, especially at night, it has a special mood, but I wouldn't enjoy it every day. Anyways, I am still going through album to album for rock of 1996 and it was this album's turn to kick on. I am well familiar with that hollow guitar intro and was glad to hear it kick off after listening though the odd (and my first taste) debut album of a band called Super Furry Animals. Nothing wrong with the album but the stress of traffic was getting to me and I needed some comfort. I have known "One Headlight" for what feels like my whole life but I cannot say I ever went past that strangely. I figured it was a good time as any to listen through the album and honestly... I was sort of let down by it. While I tend not to judge an album completely until I give it three full listens I honestly thought the album would be more worthwhile. I mean it has decent critical acclaim and I know the album is respected in some circles but I honestly could have taken it or left it. It could be the classic case of setting the bar too high though, especially with having their massive main hit forefront and center on the album makes it so all the other tracks seem a little lacking. I think I need another listen though since I must have missed something or I was too distracted driving to fully hear it. Nonetheless, when it comes down to "One Headlight" there is plenty to love. It has a great atmosphere that holds your attention the whole time, a fucking great chorus, and lastly lyricism that is damn good and the way that Jakob Dylan sings those lines really sends it home.
Year Released: 1996
Album: Bringing Down the Horse (1996)
Genre: Alternative Rock
Mood: Hollow
Perfect For: Long drives, Short drives, This drives, That drives
Where To Next: "Hey Jealousy" - Gin Blossoms
Rating: 9/10
Song of the Day 11/06/2024
"Majesty" - Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian turned into one of the most successful and well... powerful names in the power metal scene. They are often regarded as one of the most influential names in power metal, and their style was one of the big shifting points in heavy metal history, especially for power metal. Though we aren't talking about that Blind Guardian quite yet, first we have to introduce its unpolished and quick as a blade first album Battalions of Fear. While the album certainly still has that Blind Guardian sound it is more washed in the speed metal onslaught and fury, a sound that I in some ways prefer in comparison to the band's more well-known sound. I went a year or two as a Blind Guardian fan until I went back to their first two albums, more than content with the swords and sorcery that fills the band's legendary albums like 1998's Nightfall in Middle-Earth and 2010's At the Edge of Time. Once I started up their debut and "Majesty" kicked off I got the chills man, I was struck by this damn album and its face melting instrumentals and instant metal classics like the one we are talking of today. I cursed myself for not taking on this album earlier, child Caleb would have adored it but better late than never. It is a speed metal masterpiece and I don't mean that lightly, I have listened to it a handful of times from start to finish and each time I end up galvanized. I chose the song while driving to get nachos with my precious Alesha. This is the kind of metal she usually isn't fully drawn to, maybe their later work but not the speed metal sound. Though even as it carried on it seems she even had a good time along the song, if it can suck in someone who has a proven distaste for this brand of metal then I would call it a win. That or she was doing it mockingly... but I don't think so this time. Sometimes I wonder if she tries making a song special that day for me just to see if it shows up on the website. Nonetheless, Blind Guardian put out a great debut and songs like "Majesty", "Battalions of Fear" and "Guardian of the Blind" prove its raw power.
Year Released: 1988
Album: Battalions of Fear (1988)
Genre: Speed Metal, Power Metal
Mood: Glorious
Perfect For: Casual listening, Driving, Playing Video Games
Where To Next: "Against the Wind" - Stratovarius
Rating: 9/10
Blind Guardian turned into one of the most successful and well... powerful names in the power metal scene. They are often regarded as one of the most influential names in power metal, and their style was one of the big shifting points in heavy metal history, especially for power metal. Though we aren't talking about that Blind Guardian quite yet, first we have to introduce its unpolished and quick as a blade first album Battalions of Fear. While the album certainly still has that Blind Guardian sound it is more washed in the speed metal onslaught and fury, a sound that I in some ways prefer in comparison to the band's more well-known sound. I went a year or two as a Blind Guardian fan until I went back to their first two albums, more than content with the swords and sorcery that fills the band's legendary albums like 1998's Nightfall in Middle-Earth and 2010's At the Edge of Time. Once I started up their debut and "Majesty" kicked off I got the chills man, I was struck by this damn album and its face melting instrumentals and instant metal classics like the one we are talking of today. I cursed myself for not taking on this album earlier, child Caleb would have adored it but better late than never. It is a speed metal masterpiece and I don't mean that lightly, I have listened to it a handful of times from start to finish and each time I end up galvanized. I chose the song while driving to get nachos with my precious Alesha. This is the kind of metal she usually isn't fully drawn to, maybe their later work but not the speed metal sound. Though even as it carried on it seems she even had a good time along the song, if it can suck in someone who has a proven distaste for this brand of metal then I would call it a win. That or she was doing it mockingly... but I don't think so this time. Sometimes I wonder if she tries making a song special that day for me just to see if it shows up on the website. Nonetheless, Blind Guardian put out a great debut and songs like "Majesty", "Battalions of Fear" and "Guardian of the Blind" prove its raw power.
Year Released: 1988
Album: Battalions of Fear (1988)
Genre: Speed Metal, Power Metal
Mood: Glorious
Perfect For: Casual listening, Driving, Playing Video Games
Where To Next: "Against the Wind" - Stratovarius
Rating: 9/10
Song of the Day 11/05/2024
"No Time to Lose" - Shakin' Street
Another hidden gem from the up-and-coming heavy metal scene in 1980. Shakin' Street had a shorter run but some of the songs they put out can be put next to some of the best from 1979 & 1980. Fabienne Shine is a fun singer and her voice is one of the best parts of Shakin' Street, just flat out rock fever that makes her always seem to be having a blast behind that microphone. Fabienne isn't the shocker musician on this album though, we have Ross the Boss (Ross Friedman) on guitar, the same Ross that helped found not only the early punk band the Dictators but also the legendary mighty as hell heavy metal band Manowar. Shakin' Street isn't all too far off from the Dictators, while still rooted in the heavy metal sound coming out of 1980 there is without a doubt a heavy leaning in punk rock. Shit is fun to listen to like a good majority of the songs that came off the band's debut Vampire Rock and their self-titled that we are sampiling today. When I was going album by album trudging through the golden era of true heavy metal I was damn glad to find a female lead group, there were few since metal has always been a cock show. Anyone could join in during the early days of metal, truly a lawless time for music and the late 1970's going into the 80's was a time for mass expansion that could let bands like Shakin' Street come with force and have a voice. While they didn't survive the ever troublesome long run into stardom it doesn't mean that they didn't leave their own little mark on heavy metal. Not only was it rare to have a female ran band but also to have a French heavy metal band make their way to the shores of the United States. I mean we already had Trust that did alright in the United States which lead to Anthrax covering their hit "Antisocial" for their 1989 kick ass album State of Euphoria. So Shakin' Street, namely Fabienne Shine, coming along wasn't the most shocking, it is odd to think that the French played their hand in the real early days of heavy metal, nobody really talks of that. Modernly we got Gojira out of France and many other great groups but forget there were many dedicated to the glory of heavy metal at the start. We always talk of the UK and the US being the hub for metal but often forget there is some diabolical shit rising out of so many different countries, I wonder who will have their heyday next. Anyways, if you are someone who wants a truly deep dive and slight history lesson in the starting years of heavy metal you gotta check out this song and band. I was glad to have come across them years back and have made sure to give "No Time to Lose" a special place in a couple of playlists.
Year Released: 1980
Album: Shakin' Street (1980)
Genre: Heavy Metal, Punk Rock
Mood: Energetic
Perfect For: Having a beer, Rocking out
Where To Next: "C'mon Let's Go" - Girlschool
Rating: 8/10
Another hidden gem from the up-and-coming heavy metal scene in 1980. Shakin' Street had a shorter run but some of the songs they put out can be put next to some of the best from 1979 & 1980. Fabienne Shine is a fun singer and her voice is one of the best parts of Shakin' Street, just flat out rock fever that makes her always seem to be having a blast behind that microphone. Fabienne isn't the shocker musician on this album though, we have Ross the Boss (Ross Friedman) on guitar, the same Ross that helped found not only the early punk band the Dictators but also the legendary mighty as hell heavy metal band Manowar. Shakin' Street isn't all too far off from the Dictators, while still rooted in the heavy metal sound coming out of 1980 there is without a doubt a heavy leaning in punk rock. Shit is fun to listen to like a good majority of the songs that came off the band's debut Vampire Rock and their self-titled that we are sampiling today. When I was going album by album trudging through the golden era of true heavy metal I was damn glad to find a female lead group, there were few since metal has always been a cock show. Anyone could join in during the early days of metal, truly a lawless time for music and the late 1970's going into the 80's was a time for mass expansion that could let bands like Shakin' Street come with force and have a voice. While they didn't survive the ever troublesome long run into stardom it doesn't mean that they didn't leave their own little mark on heavy metal. Not only was it rare to have a female ran band but also to have a French heavy metal band make their way to the shores of the United States. I mean we already had Trust that did alright in the United States which lead to Anthrax covering their hit "Antisocial" for their 1989 kick ass album State of Euphoria. So Shakin' Street, namely Fabienne Shine, coming along wasn't the most shocking, it is odd to think that the French played their hand in the real early days of heavy metal, nobody really talks of that. Modernly we got Gojira out of France and many other great groups but forget there were many dedicated to the glory of heavy metal at the start. We always talk of the UK and the US being the hub for metal but often forget there is some diabolical shit rising out of so many different countries, I wonder who will have their heyday next. Anyways, if you are someone who wants a truly deep dive and slight history lesson in the starting years of heavy metal you gotta check out this song and band. I was glad to have come across them years back and have made sure to give "No Time to Lose" a special place in a couple of playlists.
Year Released: 1980
Album: Shakin' Street (1980)
Genre: Heavy Metal, Punk Rock
Mood: Energetic
Perfect For: Having a beer, Rocking out
Where To Next: "C'mon Let's Go" - Girlschool
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/04/2024
"Anticipation" - Carly Simon
I guess if your last name is Simon you are just bound to be a damn good singer and lyricist. A beautifully sung song from one of the best female musicians that graced rock music in the 1970's. The song was written while she waited for Cat Stevens to take her on a date, it took a whole 15 minutes to bust out a zinger while she strummed on her guitar. I need to start writing songs on my cigarette breaks, maybe it would be a good alternative to smoking but I don't think it would be powerful enough to overtake my sweet sweet nicotine. Anyways, I dig how she wrote the song while waiting for a date, and it is even better when it is Cat Stevens of all people. She sure had a type, men who had some serious soul and musicianship. Carly Simon would marry soft rock balladeer and folk picker and singer James Taylor in 1972, the couple would stay together for 11 years. Talk about a power couple! None the less Carly Simon needs no man, especially when she can put out songs like this! I chose the song while driving in this damn cold, pulled up to my house to find out that there is leaking ceilings and fucking live wires flipping out in the ceiling, damn glad I stopped off home before running off to the bar. I was really diggin this track while driving home, and after I informed property management I really dug the song while on the way to the bar. I love the excitement feeling you get when restarting a song, it is like reading a book again and getting excited for all the good parts you know are coming up. The song is great, has a perfect confused yet enamored feeling through it with a little kiss of that new love feeling. A great rock ballad that holds you the whole time the song plays, there are many different moods this song can match. From a woman that had a ton of great hits ranging from rock to folk to pop I am not sure if any can beat "Anticipation" in my opinion. The song is written and put together brilliantly, the type of song you can listen to for an hour straight and still find more to enjoy.
Year Released: 1971
Album: Anticipation (1971)
Genre: Rock, Soft Rock
Mood: Lovingly Confused
Perfect For: Casual listening, Getting coffee at a cafe
Where To Next: "Walking Man" - James Taylor
Rating: 8/10
I guess if your last name is Simon you are just bound to be a damn good singer and lyricist. A beautifully sung song from one of the best female musicians that graced rock music in the 1970's. The song was written while she waited for Cat Stevens to take her on a date, it took a whole 15 minutes to bust out a zinger while she strummed on her guitar. I need to start writing songs on my cigarette breaks, maybe it would be a good alternative to smoking but I don't think it would be powerful enough to overtake my sweet sweet nicotine. Anyways, I dig how she wrote the song while waiting for a date, and it is even better when it is Cat Stevens of all people. She sure had a type, men who had some serious soul and musicianship. Carly Simon would marry soft rock balladeer and folk picker and singer James Taylor in 1972, the couple would stay together for 11 years. Talk about a power couple! None the less Carly Simon needs no man, especially when she can put out songs like this! I chose the song while driving in this damn cold, pulled up to my house to find out that there is leaking ceilings and fucking live wires flipping out in the ceiling, damn glad I stopped off home before running off to the bar. I was really diggin this track while driving home, and after I informed property management I really dug the song while on the way to the bar. I love the excitement feeling you get when restarting a song, it is like reading a book again and getting excited for all the good parts you know are coming up. The song is great, has a perfect confused yet enamored feeling through it with a little kiss of that new love feeling. A great rock ballad that holds you the whole time the song plays, there are many different moods this song can match. From a woman that had a ton of great hits ranging from rock to folk to pop I am not sure if any can beat "Anticipation" in my opinion. The song is written and put together brilliantly, the type of song you can listen to for an hour straight and still find more to enjoy.
Year Released: 1971
Album: Anticipation (1971)
Genre: Rock, Soft Rock
Mood: Lovingly Confused
Perfect For: Casual listening, Getting coffee at a cafe
Where To Next: "Walking Man" - James Taylor
Rating: 8/10
Song of the Day 11/03/2024
"Ripple" - Grateful Dead
I love the Grateful Dead, they always set the chill mood but still leave enough space to impress you. "Ripple" is a bona fide classic from their practically flawless discography. Right when that intro kicks off I just wanna kick my shoes off and kick my feet up. American Beauty is one of my all time favorite albums, an album completely full of quality songs that all match the same great atmosphere we are hearing here. "Ripple" is one of the band’s biggest hits and still stands as a timeless folk rock classic. The song is damn pretty and is always welcome to come grooving into my ears as it has grooved its way into my heart. I have so many memories around this album and songs like "Ripple". If I ever move out of Utah, I know for sure this band is gonna be the one to always make me homesick, I almost feel I wasn't fully living until I got into the band. I can never tire of them and they are one of the only bands I would consider getting a tattoo for. The lyricism and poetry of Robert Hunter always gets me, sometimes it borders on imposing on itself but overall his lyrics are outstanding. I own the lyrics book for the Grateful Dead and sometimes after a hard day I like to crack it open and give it a read. Most of the Grateful Dead words written by Robert Hunter are more than just lyrics, stuff is pure poetry that always uplifts the soul and sometimes even has you questioning yourself. I love music that makes you introspective, inspires you as much as it humbles you. If you are someone looking for a good album I cannot suggest American Beauty enough. While the album isn't for everyone, there is no denying its power and impact. Just a chill album that doesn't try too hard to be what it is not. Anyways, a classic Grateful Dead song and one that anyone getting into 1970's rock should certainly give a swing.
Year Released: 1970
Album: American Beauty (1970)
Genre: Folk Rock
Mood: Calming
Perfect For: Sittin' and Thinkin', Going on a hike, Calming drives on dirt roads, Daydreaming
Where To Next: "Never Found the Time" - America
Rating: 9/10
I love the Grateful Dead, they always set the chill mood but still leave enough space to impress you. "Ripple" is a bona fide classic from their practically flawless discography. Right when that intro kicks off I just wanna kick my shoes off and kick my feet up. American Beauty is one of my all time favorite albums, an album completely full of quality songs that all match the same great atmosphere we are hearing here. "Ripple" is one of the band’s biggest hits and still stands as a timeless folk rock classic. The song is damn pretty and is always welcome to come grooving into my ears as it has grooved its way into my heart. I have so many memories around this album and songs like "Ripple". If I ever move out of Utah, I know for sure this band is gonna be the one to always make me homesick, I almost feel I wasn't fully living until I got into the band. I can never tire of them and they are one of the only bands I would consider getting a tattoo for. The lyricism and poetry of Robert Hunter always gets me, sometimes it borders on imposing on itself but overall his lyrics are outstanding. I own the lyrics book for the Grateful Dead and sometimes after a hard day I like to crack it open and give it a read. Most of the Grateful Dead words written by Robert Hunter are more than just lyrics, stuff is pure poetry that always uplifts the soul and sometimes even has you questioning yourself. I love music that makes you introspective, inspires you as much as it humbles you. If you are someone looking for a good album I cannot suggest American Beauty enough. While the album isn't for everyone, there is no denying its power and impact. Just a chill album that doesn't try too hard to be what it is not. Anyways, a classic Grateful Dead song and one that anyone getting into 1970's rock should certainly give a swing.
Year Released: 1970
Album: American Beauty (1970)
Genre: Folk Rock
Mood: Calming
Perfect For: Sittin' and Thinkin', Going on a hike, Calming drives on dirt roads, Daydreaming
Where To Next: "Never Found the Time" - America
Rating: 9/10
Song of the Day 11/02/2024
"Look But You Can't Touch" - Poison
Open Up and Say... Ahh! is a classic from the pop washed side of Glam Metal. Truth be told I have never been blown away by this album especially in comparison to their debut Look What the Cat Dragged In and the follow up to this album Flesh & Blood. Though I will not deny that there are plenty of memorable tracks on the album, it is mainly found in the singles that came off the album and this track right here "Look But You Can't Touch". A bad boy rockin song with a decent set of good time lyrics, a theme that is almost expected from Poison and the reason I tend to come back often to listen. Sadly the band's image sort of hinders the lyricism but at the same time I am looking at it from 2024 eyes. I think some of the issue with the album is just how powerful the hits are from it, their immensely famous "Nothin' But a Good Time" and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" pretty well set the bar well too high for the band to hit it again. Then their cover of Loggins and Messina's "Your Mama Don't Dance" alongside the power ballad "Fallen Angel" pretty well fills any of the gaps left over. It is a shame the other tracks don't hold up to the hits but at the same time I cannot blame them, those four songs are immensely powerful. "Your Mama Don't Dance" is the first Poison song I heard and was like "damn... this is good shit". Pretty sure because that one song I made it a point to get their greatest hits from FYE (before media stores all bowed to the changing times). I think I was with my dad and he did not like my choice of CD, not because he was a god fearing man that wanted me to get an ABBA CD but mainly because I chose Poison which he called all sorts of names, most not very politically correct today. I didn't care though, brought it home and ate up that CD over and over again. I am still a proud Poison fan even if they are target number one for some metal elitists. If it is good I will give it a listen, simple as that. Nonetheless, by the time I was getting into playing full albums as a kid this album was one of the first places I went, and while I know some tracks are lacking I tend to come back often enough, if not just picking out the good songs like this one. Just good time music, heavy enough to get your heart up a little bit but mellow enough to be approachable by anyone.
Year Released: 1988
Album: Open Up and Say... Ahh! (1988)
Genre: Glam Metal, Pop Metal
Mood: Good Timing
Perfect For: On the way to the bar, At home parties with your cat, Casual listening
Where To Next: "Push Push" - Cinderella
Rating: 6/10
Open Up and Say... Ahh! is a classic from the pop washed side of Glam Metal. Truth be told I have never been blown away by this album especially in comparison to their debut Look What the Cat Dragged In and the follow up to this album Flesh & Blood. Though I will not deny that there are plenty of memorable tracks on the album, it is mainly found in the singles that came off the album and this track right here "Look But You Can't Touch". A bad boy rockin song with a decent set of good time lyrics, a theme that is almost expected from Poison and the reason I tend to come back often to listen. Sadly the band's image sort of hinders the lyricism but at the same time I am looking at it from 2024 eyes. I think some of the issue with the album is just how powerful the hits are from it, their immensely famous "Nothin' But a Good Time" and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" pretty well set the bar well too high for the band to hit it again. Then their cover of Loggins and Messina's "Your Mama Don't Dance" alongside the power ballad "Fallen Angel" pretty well fills any of the gaps left over. It is a shame the other tracks don't hold up to the hits but at the same time I cannot blame them, those four songs are immensely powerful. "Your Mama Don't Dance" is the first Poison song I heard and was like "damn... this is good shit". Pretty sure because that one song I made it a point to get their greatest hits from FYE (before media stores all bowed to the changing times). I think I was with my dad and he did not like my choice of CD, not because he was a god fearing man that wanted me to get an ABBA CD but mainly because I chose Poison which he called all sorts of names, most not very politically correct today. I didn't care though, brought it home and ate up that CD over and over again. I am still a proud Poison fan even if they are target number one for some metal elitists. If it is good I will give it a listen, simple as that. Nonetheless, by the time I was getting into playing full albums as a kid this album was one of the first places I went, and while I know some tracks are lacking I tend to come back often enough, if not just picking out the good songs like this one. Just good time music, heavy enough to get your heart up a little bit but mellow enough to be approachable by anyone.
Year Released: 1988
Album: Open Up and Say... Ahh! (1988)
Genre: Glam Metal, Pop Metal
Mood: Good Timing
Perfect For: On the way to the bar, At home parties with your cat, Casual listening
Where To Next: "Push Push" - Cinderella
Rating: 6/10
Song of the Day 11/01/2024
"Lord of the Upside Down" - Spite
It has taken me a long while to get into the "core" side of heavy metal, but year by year, day by day, I am finding a song here or there to cherish. I have known of Spite for some time, I know they were a heat seeker type of band when their 2017 album Nothing Is Beautiful came out to play. I have tried their songs a couple of times a year and while I dig it there isn't enough to fully suck me in and keep me there... until today! Finally something flipped in the ol noggin and I found some stuff to love from their 2022 album Dedication to Flesh. I listened to this song like 5 times so it was only natural that this was the chosen song of the day. Deathcore is so damn intense that by the middle of the song my buzz is gone from it and I get slightly bored, hence why it has been hard to get further into the genre for me. I am not talking shit, because I can recognize it is a kick ass style and a style I know I will inevitably fall head over heels for but sometimes it takes me a little bit to get fully into some genres, to find some intro band that leaves it mark much like Bathroy was for black metal and Morbid Angel was for death metal. I could through and through see Spite being the one to push me over the deathcore cliff, but for now I take it slow and easy and enjoy the intense and heavy beating this song gives. Blast beats that will mush your brain and a heavy and wicked atmosphere that keeps your nipples hard. I chose it when doing my traditional new music Fridays and decided to listen to an hour or so of Deathcore. I saw the familiar name Spite as one of the first songs on this playlist and figured I might as well spend half that dedicated hour with them, luckily for me I walked away with this gem. I wonder if my girlfriend would like it. It is close to the sound she likes, but maybe a little heavier than her usual choice. Also if I suggest it or show it to her she will say "...ew" but then a month later be playing it when she picks me up in her car and act like it never happened, just watch! Just Kidding! Ha! Ha! (shhhh... she might be reading this). Anyways, it is a good song for those that like the more "core" side of metal music, and even if you just like some heavy shit no matter the genre or what have you then I bet you will dig it. Check it out!
Year Released: 2022
Album: Dedication to Flesh (2022)
Genre: Deathcore
Mood: Intense
Perfect For: Physical activities, Fast paced gaming, Scaring your mama
Where To Next: "Forgiveness is Weakness" - Whitechapel
Rating: 8/10
It has taken me a long while to get into the "core" side of heavy metal, but year by year, day by day, I am finding a song here or there to cherish. I have known of Spite for some time, I know they were a heat seeker type of band when their 2017 album Nothing Is Beautiful came out to play. I have tried their songs a couple of times a year and while I dig it there isn't enough to fully suck me in and keep me there... until today! Finally something flipped in the ol noggin and I found some stuff to love from their 2022 album Dedication to Flesh. I listened to this song like 5 times so it was only natural that this was the chosen song of the day. Deathcore is so damn intense that by the middle of the song my buzz is gone from it and I get slightly bored, hence why it has been hard to get further into the genre for me. I am not talking shit, because I can recognize it is a kick ass style and a style I know I will inevitably fall head over heels for but sometimes it takes me a little bit to get fully into some genres, to find some intro band that leaves it mark much like Bathroy was for black metal and Morbid Angel was for death metal. I could through and through see Spite being the one to push me over the deathcore cliff, but for now I take it slow and easy and enjoy the intense and heavy beating this song gives. Blast beats that will mush your brain and a heavy and wicked atmosphere that keeps your nipples hard. I chose it when doing my traditional new music Fridays and decided to listen to an hour or so of Deathcore. I saw the familiar name Spite as one of the first songs on this playlist and figured I might as well spend half that dedicated hour with them, luckily for me I walked away with this gem. I wonder if my girlfriend would like it. It is close to the sound she likes, but maybe a little heavier than her usual choice. Also if I suggest it or show it to her she will say "...ew" but then a month later be playing it when she picks me up in her car and act like it never happened, just watch! Just Kidding! Ha! Ha! (shhhh... she might be reading this). Anyways, it is a good song for those that like the more "core" side of metal music, and even if you just like some heavy shit no matter the genre or what have you then I bet you will dig it. Check it out!
Year Released: 2022
Album: Dedication to Flesh (2022)
Genre: Deathcore
Mood: Intense
Perfect For: Physical activities, Fast paced gaming, Scaring your mama
Where To Next: "Forgiveness is Weakness" - Whitechapel
Rating: 8/10
