Location scouting for 2091: Approx.
Filming, Editing and Music by Jay Bovino. Uncompressed mp3s are free
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Passing By
Some more holiday footage to some more nice music
Music, Editing, Filming by Jay Bovino. Uncompressed mp3 free if you ask nicely
Music, Editing, Filming by Jay Bovino. Uncompressed mp3 free if you ask nicely
Friday, October 15, 2010
My Top 9 Albums of the 90's
I was recently listening to Nevermind by Nirvana, and it got me thinking about the 90s - and more specifically music of that decade. From that thought, I started to think what my favourite albums would be of that said time period. The 1990's were a strange time, the last decade of the 20th Century saw major changes in not only music but in society, technology, and politics. Musically, hip-hop morphed from the 70s New York scene into the huge money-making machine it is today. Artists such as Nas, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube were all massive. Alas, hip-hop doesn't trump rock for mine, therefore you will not see a hip-hop album on this list (sorry hip-hop fans.. I will say though that Illmatic by Nas is my favourite hip-hop album of that era). I also grew up during the 90s - from the ages of 3-13. Even though I didn't get to listen to most of these albums till after the 90s were finished, I can look back on them as being a part of my childhood.
Note on selection: As I was scrolling through my iTunes library, filtered for the 90s, I noticed that there were certain bands that featured with a few albums; some bands that are my favourite of all time. Therefore I placed a selection criteria on myself that only one album per band was allowed, otherwise this list would have only 2-3 bands. There is no other caveat, just for the music to be awesome!
Note on selection: As I was scrolling through my iTunes library, filtered for the 90s, I noticed that there were certain bands that featured with a few albums; some bands that are my favourite of all time. Therefore I placed a selection criteria on myself that only one album per band was allowed, otherwise this list would have only 2-3 bands. There is no other caveat, just for the music to be awesome!
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Death Of Pop Music
Pop music (the concept, not the style) runs on the momentum of the relationship between radio stations, MTV and the record companies. As a song is released, the big companies (EMI, Sony etc) give these songs to the pop stations (Nova, 2Day FM, MTV etc). The radio or TV station plays the song repeatedly, giving the impression that it is popular, regardless of whether it is or not. Almost all of this music is in the same style (currently this is RnB and female fake rock (Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus (to name but a few))). This ideology goes back to the days when radio was king, and besides jazz clubs, the only music you could hear was through the airwaves. In the 1960's though, bands started to play gigs and rock clubs began surfacing, sometimes even allowing a band to survive without radio play (Led Zeppelin didn't release singles in the UK). When punk arrived in the mid 70's, live shows were the whole deal for these bands and they proved that a whole subculture of music could exist without the need for radio. Still, at this time, the most popular music was out there due to radio exposure. But when MTV reared its ugly head in the 80's, kids wanting to find good music would only have to see what was on heavy rotation to find out what to like. It was, dare I say, too easy to discover new music.
As of the early 00's, the music on pop radio was of little merit and was now supported by American Idol. This hellish show made millions of people believe that this was normal music, furthering the illusion that besides pop music, there really isn't much out there. This is not to say that great music can't survive, but it is always going to be harder on good artists when there are a large portion of people in the world that don't know better. These people, the viewers of Idol and the listeners of Nova, I believe would be listening to better music if this shit wasn't so easily available. These people (most people) obviously enjoy listening to music, or else they wouldn't be tuning into these stations and getting these records in the first place, so now imagine a world where they had to seek it out. I honestly believe they would seek it out, because music is an amazing thing that most of us want in our lives, hence the existence of a huge industry making money off feeding these poor misguided souls such easily accessible songs.
Now to the point of this article... I think the record companies are in their last years. More and more people are downloading music for free. Yes, alot of the music being downloaded is the crap that's on the radio, but what about the day when almost nobody buys music anymore, leaving the industry to die. If the companies don't exist, and therefore are not creating this bad music in such large quantities, will bad music just become another genre to seek out on the internet?
I have faith in people, and I truly do think most people just don't know the difference between what they like and don't like and will just take what is given. So if left to their own devices, with no corporation to tell them what to like, will the misguided masses seek out the type of music that is currently being pumped through ad nauseam??
If all music becomes equal in exposure, and (unless a friend burns you something) the only way to hear music is by seeking it out, will the next generation really want to go to the sites playing music akin to Akon, or will they follow their heart and listen with their own ears?
Perhaps it will mean the death of pop music after all.
- Lee (while not listening to T-Pain)
As of the early 00's, the music on pop radio was of little merit and was now supported by American Idol. This hellish show made millions of people believe that this was normal music, furthering the illusion that besides pop music, there really isn't much out there. This is not to say that great music can't survive, but it is always going to be harder on good artists when there are a large portion of people in the world that don't know better. These people, the viewers of Idol and the listeners of Nova, I believe would be listening to better music if this shit wasn't so easily available. These people (most people) obviously enjoy listening to music, or else they wouldn't be tuning into these stations and getting these records in the first place, so now imagine a world where they had to seek it out. I honestly believe they would seek it out, because music is an amazing thing that most of us want in our lives, hence the existence of a huge industry making money off feeding these poor misguided souls such easily accessible songs.
Now to the point of this article... I think the record companies are in their last years. More and more people are downloading music for free. Yes, alot of the music being downloaded is the crap that's on the radio, but what about the day when almost nobody buys music anymore, leaving the industry to die. If the companies don't exist, and therefore are not creating this bad music in such large quantities, will bad music just become another genre to seek out on the internet?
I have faith in people, and I truly do think most people just don't know the difference between what they like and don't like and will just take what is given. So if left to their own devices, with no corporation to tell them what to like, will the misguided masses seek out the type of music that is currently being pumped through ad nauseam??
If all music becomes equal in exposure, and (unless a friend burns you something) the only way to hear music is by seeking it out, will the next generation really want to go to the sites playing music akin to Akon, or will they follow their heart and listen with their own ears?
Perhaps it will mean the death of pop music after all.
- Lee (while not listening to T-Pain)
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Why Pig Destroyer Is Awesome
The beauty of Pig Destroyer lies in their simplicity. 1 Singer, 1 Guitarist, 1 Drummer. From that you get a wall of sound more "brutal" than what most metal bands who have twice the instrumental power can come up with.
Pig Destroyer's 2007 album, 'Phantom Limb' is the album I'm most familiar with and was the first one I heard. It's a delightful mix of death metal, grindcore (often call deathgrind) and I think I can feel a thrash influence in there somewhere (I've never been good at/big on defining metal beyond one sub genre to be honest).
From Phantom Limb, Thought Crime Spree:
That song is doesn't have a what I'd consider a blast-beat it's just very heavy on the double-bass drumming. This uncharacteristic of grindcore (perhaps why I chose it as an example), but does exemplify the incredible sound that Pig Destroyer produce with only 2 (or 3 including vokills) instruments.
I regressed through their discography, hearing 2004s 'Terrifyer' only once or twice and then settling on 2001s 'Prowler in the Yard'. The difference in production is noticeable, 'Prowler in the Yard' sounds quite unpolished. The songs are also a lot shorter and sharper, this is the grindcore sound that we're all a lot more familiar with. Here is the beginning of this album, one of my favourite album openings of all (read along with the lyrics).
From Prowler in the Yard, tracks 1 and 2, Jennifer/Cheerleader Corpses:
Jennifer wrestled her friend playfully to the ground infront of the snowcone stand and began licking at the girls eyeballs, as if they were sugar cubes. Their bodies convulsed and flailed with an almost seizure like intensity. At times their pale limbs seeming to shift back and forth from one torso to the other. A crowd gathered almost immediately to watch these two girls tie and untie their bodies like a pair of pit-vipers. They were confused, or concerned, or shocked, or aroused, or all of the above. But no-one dared interfere with the performance. Jennifer's long ashen hair hung down concealing the girls face like a curtain around a hospital bed. No one had any idea that the girls eyes were revolving under her ruby tongue. "This is disgusting, it's pornography" exclaimed a pasty slut white woman in a fur coat, vanilla ice-cream smeared across her double chin like a money shot. Counting a balding professor type in his mid-forties, his left hand stuffed crassly down the front of his pants "No, no, no. This is beautiful, this is art."
I can't help but think that opening is analogous to metal in general. To some it is a grotesque evolution of music, to others it is art. I was going to say that PD may not have evolved, but merely refined. After listening to a few of the tracks from the earlier album - 'Prowler in the Yard' and comparing it to later tracks, I can say that they have evolved in every sense. The music is more mature, it interacts with the lyrics (from Phantom Limb - "Mood swings like an axe, into those around me" and bang the music shifts), the album art work is incredible rather than somewhat predictable.
Pig Destroyer is on of my favourite bands. The only person who has read this that may have a chance of liking them will be Dean.
- Dogman
Pig Destroyer's 2007 album, 'Phantom Limb' is the album I'm most familiar with and was the first one I heard. It's a delightful mix of death metal, grindcore (often call deathgrind) and I think I can feel a thrash influence in there somewhere (I've never been good at/big on defining metal beyond one sub genre to be honest).
From Phantom Limb, Thought Crime Spree:
That song is doesn't have a what I'd consider a blast-beat it's just very heavy on the double-bass drumming. This uncharacteristic of grindcore (perhaps why I chose it as an example), but does exemplify the incredible sound that Pig Destroyer produce with only 2 (or 3 including vokills) instruments.
I regressed through their discography, hearing 2004s 'Terrifyer' only once or twice and then settling on 2001s 'Prowler in the Yard'. The difference in production is noticeable, 'Prowler in the Yard' sounds quite unpolished. The songs are also a lot shorter and sharper, this is the grindcore sound that we're all a lot more familiar with. Here is the beginning of this album, one of my favourite album openings of all (read along with the lyrics).
From Prowler in the Yard, tracks 1 and 2, Jennifer/Cheerleader Corpses:
Jennifer wrestled her friend playfully to the ground infront of the snowcone stand and began licking at the girls eyeballs, as if they were sugar cubes. Their bodies convulsed and flailed with an almost seizure like intensity. At times their pale limbs seeming to shift back and forth from one torso to the other. A crowd gathered almost immediately to watch these two girls tie and untie their bodies like a pair of pit-vipers. They were confused, or concerned, or shocked, or aroused, or all of the above. But no-one dared interfere with the performance. Jennifer's long ashen hair hung down concealing the girls face like a curtain around a hospital bed. No one had any idea that the girls eyes were revolving under her ruby tongue. "This is disgusting, it's pornography" exclaimed a pasty slut white woman in a fur coat, vanilla ice-cream smeared across her double chin like a money shot. Counting a balding professor type in his mid-forties, his left hand stuffed crassly down the front of his pants "No, no, no. This is beautiful, this is art."
I can't help but think that opening is analogous to metal in general. To some it is a grotesque evolution of music, to others it is art. I was going to say that PD may not have evolved, but merely refined. After listening to a few of the tracks from the earlier album - 'Prowler in the Yard' and comparing it to later tracks, I can say that they have evolved in every sense. The music is more mature, it interacts with the lyrics (from Phantom Limb - "Mood swings like an axe, into those around me" and bang the music shifts), the album art work is incredible rather than somewhat predictable.
Pig Destroyer is on of my favourite bands. The only person who has read this that may have a chance of liking them will be Dean.
- Dogman
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Gig Review: Band Of Horses (Enmore Theatre - 29.07.10)
 |
| Frontman Ben Bridwell rockin out. |
Lorraine and I walked in to find a typical indie crowd, chilling out with the opening act, lounging on the floor sipping their beverages. Band Of Horses came on stage to a raucous applause. They seemed extremely casual, not rushing into anything, but not taking too long either. Ben waltzed up to the mic and announced, "Hey Sydney, we're Band Of Horses, we're here to play some songs, and here's one of 'em". They opened with one of my favourites, The Great Salt Lake from their debut record. I had been dreaming of hearing that song live, and it didn't disappoint. Is There A Ghost? was next up, from their 2007 album Cease to Begin - another fav of mine.
Throughout their set they spread out the set-list across all three albums nicely, with a few covers in there as well. One notable cover was Chest Fever by 'The Band' (I only knew that by looking it up), but after hearing both versions they did it real justice. A special mention should go to Ryan Monroe, their keyboard-guitarist and backup vocalist. He wrote and performed Older from their new album, Infinite Arms, and they played it at the gig. Boy that guy can play piano!
It was their last club show on their tour down under, and you could tell they appreciated having a packed Enmore Theatre to be the venue for it. Band Of Horses are one of those bands that are so easy to listen to, and their albums get richer with each spin. And after waiting 4 years to see them live, I wasn't let down.
- Russell
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Music – part 1 of ?
"Music sweet music, I wish I could caress" - Jimi Hendrix
Do you ever get that thing happen to you where you feel totally inspired to do something awesome, artistically or whatever and you start or are about to start and then you realise that you are undertaking something quite epic, at least on a personal scale, and you fear that you won’t do it justice so you just give up and leave it unfinished? Or worse still you just don’t do anything...you don’t even start it? Sucks ey? I get it plenty, I write a 15 page short story and then ditch it cos it isn’t perfect. I avoid writing about Arrested development cos I want to do a 3 part epic on how much I love it. With that in mind I present Music – Part one of question mark...exclamation mark
So yeah the other day I was cruising Venice Beach with Luke and Jay, lapping up the Sun and the cool vibe of this alternative beach strip. Early on Jay and I walk and this black guy stops us and shoves his CD in our face. The guerrilla sales tactics pays off, leaving us ambushed and bewildered and slow to react. Before we know it Jay has headphones on and I am putting on a set from some other rapper. I listen along and find that the music isn’t so bad. The guy talks to me and says he is touring with Big Day Out later this year and he turns out to be genuinely interesting. I figure I will buy his CD for a few bucks to help support fellow a aspiring musician. He asks my name and signs the CD. As he does so, he explains he works on donations, the CD is free. Jay’s rapper, however, is about 30 seconds ahead with the scam than me and my rapper. He is at the point where he explains that he “usually gets around $15-20.” Jay politely offers $5, it’s all he can spare, and he’s gotta get lunch and catch the bus back. “Yeah like I said I usually get around fifteen to twenty dollars,” he says a tad more forcefully. So the veil is lifted from my innocent head as I turn back to my guy who is frowning at the $5 bill in my hand. We offer to return the Cds, but then they are already signed with our names, like their sigbature suddenly makes this 50c disc a vintage piece of music history.
It’s hard to describe the disappointment that swept over me as I accepted that I had been hustled out of what turned out to be $15 (standard price), but i think my rapper could tell. Our conversation which included me congratulating him on his success and wishing him well for his tour down under dissolved into to me nodding and just wanting to get away from these guys as he pocketed my dough.
In the end it wasn’t that bad as we left feeling impressed by their scamming abilities and with a solid quote for the rest of our holiday but I guess the ultimate disappointment for me is that these guys are artists and musicians. I was into the music and, more importantly, the feeling of comradery of a musician struggling to make it. His success and his story were interesting and I’m glad we got the chance to share it, but it all became a hoax when his true motive showed through. It should be the love for music and expression and creativity and a strong desire to share those things with people that drives a musician. Like Jay pointed out, instead of inspiring and finding new listeners they are just pissing off potential fans. Compare what they do to a story Lee told me about giving some random guys a lift home and bypassing $10 for a promise that they visit the Vienna Circus facebook page. I know which musician has a clearer idea of the power and importance of music.
- Eden (while listening to Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd)
PS. We listened to the CD and it sucked balls
Do you ever get that thing happen to you where you feel totally inspired to do something awesome, artistically or whatever and you start or are about to start and then you realise that you are undertaking something quite epic, at least on a personal scale, and you fear that you won’t do it justice so you just give up and leave it unfinished? Or worse still you just don’t do anything...you don’t even start it? Sucks ey? I get it plenty, I write a 15 page short story and then ditch it cos it isn’t perfect. I avoid writing about Arrested development cos I want to do a 3 part epic on how much I love it. With that in mind I present Music – Part one of question mark...exclamation mark
So yeah the other day I was cruising Venice Beach with Luke and Jay, lapping up the Sun and the cool vibe of this alternative beach strip. Early on Jay and I walk and this black guy stops us and shoves his CD in our face. The guerrilla sales tactics pays off, leaving us ambushed and bewildered and slow to react. Before we know it Jay has headphones on and I am putting on a set from some other rapper. I listen along and find that the music isn’t so bad. The guy talks to me and says he is touring with Big Day Out later this year and he turns out to be genuinely interesting. I figure I will buy his CD for a few bucks to help support fellow a aspiring musician. He asks my name and signs the CD. As he does so, he explains he works on donations, the CD is free. Jay’s rapper, however, is about 30 seconds ahead with the scam than me and my rapper. He is at the point where he explains that he “usually gets around $15-20.” Jay politely offers $5, it’s all he can spare, and he’s gotta get lunch and catch the bus back. “Yeah like I said I usually get around fifteen to twenty dollars,” he says a tad more forcefully. So the veil is lifted from my innocent head as I turn back to my guy who is frowning at the $5 bill in my hand. We offer to return the Cds, but then they are already signed with our names, like their sigbature suddenly makes this 50c disc a vintage piece of music history.
It’s hard to describe the disappointment that swept over me as I accepted that I had been hustled out of what turned out to be $15 (standard price), but i think my rapper could tell. Our conversation which included me congratulating him on his success and wishing him well for his tour down under dissolved into to me nodding and just wanting to get away from these guys as he pocketed my dough.
In the end it wasn’t that bad as we left feeling impressed by their scamming abilities and with a solid quote for the rest of our holiday but I guess the ultimate disappointment for me is that these guys are artists and musicians. I was into the music and, more importantly, the feeling of comradery of a musician struggling to make it. His success and his story were interesting and I’m glad we got the chance to share it, but it all became a hoax when his true motive showed through. It should be the love for music and expression and creativity and a strong desire to share those things with people that drives a musician. Like Jay pointed out, instead of inspiring and finding new listeners they are just pissing off potential fans. Compare what they do to a story Lee told me about giving some random guys a lift home and bypassing $10 for a promise that they visit the Vienna Circus facebook page. I know which musician has a clearer idea of the power and importance of music.
- Eden (while listening to Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd)
PS. We listened to the CD and it sucked balls
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wait Your Turn
I wrote this song when I was 17, and it's interesting to see what I was feeling back then. This song was written for the first incarnation of Vienna Circus in January 2005. I've always been proud of this song.
WAIT YOUR TURN
I can feel it (I can feel it)
Pumping though my veins
I know this feeling I know this feeling
Makes me fire and fire again
Get me noticed (get me noticed)
Because I don't think that I
Would be the lowest man to ever walk
The lowest man to ever walk
The lowest man to ever walk the earth
I can't find my way
To what I want to say
I just think that I
Will be the one to cry
I'm just thinking of me
As who I want to be
And maybe I will learn
To never wait my turn
I think I mess up (I think I mess up)
Because I don't love myself
Am I no better (am I no better)
Than the ones I never help
Didn't get the memo (get the memo)
Of how everything should be
Do I not listen or am I
Just the one who understands
Just the one who understands
The only one who understands my way to be
I can't find my way
To what I want to say
And now I know that I
I won't live to die
And if you're thinking of me
As who I want to be
I know that I will learn
So you just wait your turn
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Rhythm Guitar. Fuck Yeh.
I love playing guitar. I love the power I wield. Although I am in the process of becoming a better lead player (solos, riffs etc), I am first and foremost a rhythm guitarist and I get most satisfaction out of playing chords in my own unique (cough..Townshend..cough) way.
My style of playing is sort of like waves. I will strum a chord, letting it open itself to the fullest sound. And just at the peak of the wave, another strum will come crashing down on top of it. And sometimes, I like to have multiple strums crashing down in quick succession, once again like a bunch of heavy waves toppling over each other. It's a beautiful feeling. This is different in that it is not always on the beat, and almost always not repetitive. Often, right before my next strum, I will cut the sound off for a split second, leading to that much more of a powerful sound when the next chord hits. That's awesome.
I love my guitar, and I hope to build a collection over my lifetime. I am very picky about my picks. I like soft-medium picks that you can bend fairly easily, because they offer the chance to strum really fast when need be. But the pick still needs to be hard enough to really give me that FUCK YEH power I was talking about before.
I used to play bass, and that holds a different kind of power. As I play more lead guitar I find that holds something else beautiful and strong. Lead and rhythm each hold a unique kind of power. I'll leave it up to the current wielders of those swords to explain someday, but for now all I can say is that being a rhythm guitarist gives me a kind of catharsis I can't find anywhere else, where I am the ruler of a kingdom inhabited by six strings willing to surrender to my command.
- Lee from Vienna Circus
My style of playing is sort of like waves. I will strum a chord, letting it open itself to the fullest sound. And just at the peak of the wave, another strum will come crashing down on top of it. And sometimes, I like to have multiple strums crashing down in quick succession, once again like a bunch of heavy waves toppling over each other. It's a beautiful feeling. This is different in that it is not always on the beat, and almost always not repetitive. Often, right before my next strum, I will cut the sound off for a split second, leading to that much more of a powerful sound when the next chord hits. That's awesome.
I love my guitar, and I hope to build a collection over my lifetime. I am very picky about my picks. I like soft-medium picks that you can bend fairly easily, because they offer the chance to strum really fast when need be. But the pick still needs to be hard enough to really give me that FUCK YEH power I was talking about before.
I used to play bass, and that holds a different kind of power. As I play more lead guitar I find that holds something else beautiful and strong. Lead and rhythm each hold a unique kind of power. I'll leave it up to the current wielders of those swords to explain someday, but for now all I can say is that being a rhythm guitarist gives me a kind of catharsis I can't find anywhere else, where I am the ruler of a kingdom inhabited by six strings willing to surrender to my command.
- Lee from Vienna Circus
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Album of the Week: Get Wiser
Get Wiser
Soldiers of Jah Army
Get Wiser is the fourth studio album by the reggae band, Soldiers of Jah Army that was released in January 2006.
Tracklist:
1. "Open My Eyes" - 5:08
2. "By My Side" - 4:12
3. "My Life Alone" - 4:02
4. "Faith Works" - 5:04
5. "What Would?" - 3:35
6. "Strong For Them" - 5:19
7. "Can't Tell Me" - 5:23
8. "Be Aware" - 4:10
9. "I've Got Time" - 5:09
10. "Sorry" - 4:51
11. "Bring Back Truth" - 7:08
12. "You Don't Know Me" - 4:25
13. "911" - 4:50
14. "Devils" - 8:58
Why I Chose This
Before I get into why I really like this album, I'll give you the story of how I came to first hear it. It was a Friday night about 2 months ago, and I walked from work on George St to Oxford St to meet up with a friend. After getting some delicious Indian food, we struck up a conversation with two middle-eastern men outside a pizza store, one of them was the owner. As he was telling us about his financial troubles (and with me standing on Oxford St getting people to come into his store), three of Anna's friends walked by with no plans of their own as well. Naturally, we bought a box of goon and drank it outside the pizza store. Cut to an hour later, and I was feeling the awesome effects from cheap cask wine. We strolled across the road to the Oxford Art Factory, and danced for a further two hours. Sitting on the curb at about 2:30 am having what we thought to be the last cigarette of the night, a small car pulled up next to us, inside were 4 Brazilians asking for a light. The night had just begun.
"Hey, you guys wanna come back to house in Bondi? - we have driiiinks and the smookes" - as soon as he mentioned that he had Jean-Claude Van Amsterdam my tiredness strangely disappeared, and before I knew it I was wedged in between two Brazilian dudes in a little hatch-back flying down Oxford St towards Bondi. We arrived at their house and greeted their many roommates. It was an awesome double story old house on Bondi Rd, with stuff everywhere as they were moving the next day. I followed Fuad (our driver, who I later found out had drank a bottle of whiskey before picking us up) into the living room - and continued to watch as he packed a large colourful apparatus with whacky tobaccy. If you ever want a combination to make you really happy, drink lots of goon and breathe in lots of what this guy gave me.
"Music!", Fuad requested as he fulfilled his own request by plugging in his ipod into large speakers that were standing on the floor. My ears were ready for a musical treat, and I was waiting in keen anticipation on what this dread-locked Brazilian would grace me with. The track "I've Got Time" begun, and I was instantly in love with this album. Fuad had Get Wiser on repeat the whole night, the perfect way of introducing me to reggae music. That night before I passed out on his mattress (with 3 other people next to me), I lent over and swiped a glance across the ipod screen, noticing that all the tracks were in Spanish (where's Eden when you need him!!) - luckily the artist was in English so I entered it into my phone so as not to forget.
Whenever I feel like chilling out, this is the perfect album. It has some serious soul power. After listening to it for about 7-8 times, I downloaded another reggae classic - Bob Marley & The Wailers' 1977 album Exodus. I could do a whole album of the week on that album alone because it is like God is cumming in my ears; it is a thing of beauty. Peace be with you all.
- Russell
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Song Review: Break On Through (To The Other Side)
I often look to music as an inspiration for how I live my life. Many bands, albums, songs and lyrics have helped me get through tough times, inspired me to do something or guided me in my growth as a person.
Recently I have found myself quoting the title of this Doors song as it rings true to so many aspects of life. Whenever we set out for a goal in life, there is a certain level we wish to attain, a point in the possible future that is so desirable. However, to get there the work needed is often daunting and challenging, and often much too intimidating.
I remember the first few weeks and months that I started learning bass. I was exceedingly shit. It hurt my hands to stretch so far, my fingertips suffered through calluses and my mind was constantly at odds with itself balancing the perfect mix of desire and composure to improve my skills. The frustration of learning theoretically where my fingers need to go and then trying to get them to do it; then getting them to do it faster; then getting them to maintain consistent sound levels. All this while resisting the urge smash my bass to pieces.
To achieve my goal though I needed to just break on through to the other side. This lyric is so vivid in describing what it takes. Jim Morrison lets us know it will be tough, that what it takes. The lyric isn’t
Buy a ticket at the booth,
hop onto the train,
Take a nap,
Read the news,
Get off at The Other Side Station!
Get off at The Other Side Station!
It’s not that easy. You can’t just ask a barrier to move politely; you gotta break it. You can’t go around the obstacle; you gotta go through it. And 'The Other Side' sounds almost anonymous, an unkown qulaity and yet it appears more intriguing to name it such.
I feel the song deserves more than just a celebration of its title lyric as well. The verses can easily hold their own.
You know the day destroys the night,
night divides the day,
Tried to run,
Tried to hide
Break on Through to the Other Side!
Break on Through to the Other Side!
Vivid imagery that seems simple and complex at the same time. The lyric is sung which such force and passion, and the riff is so driving that the listener is given a belief in their own ability, a desire to break on through.
Whenever you feel like a task is becoming too much for you I recommend giving this song a listen allowing Morrison’s reckless passion to empower you.
- Eden (while listening to The Doors by The Doors)
Recently I have found myself quoting the title of this Doors song as it rings true to so many aspects of life. Whenever we set out for a goal in life, there is a certain level we wish to attain, a point in the possible future that is so desirable. However, to get there the work needed is often daunting and challenging, and often much too intimidating.
I remember the first few weeks and months that I started learning bass. I was exceedingly shit. It hurt my hands to stretch so far, my fingertips suffered through calluses and my mind was constantly at odds with itself balancing the perfect mix of desire and composure to improve my skills. The frustration of learning theoretically where my fingers need to go and then trying to get them to do it; then getting them to do it faster; then getting them to maintain consistent sound levels. All this while resisting the urge smash my bass to pieces.
To achieve my goal though I needed to just break on through to the other side. This lyric is so vivid in describing what it takes. Jim Morrison lets us know it will be tough, that what it takes. The lyric isn’t
Buy a ticket at the booth,
hop onto the train,
Take a nap,
Read the news,
Get off at The Other Side Station!
Get off at The Other Side Station!
It’s not that easy. You can’t just ask a barrier to move politely; you gotta break it. You can’t go around the obstacle; you gotta go through it. And 'The Other Side' sounds almost anonymous, an unkown qulaity and yet it appears more intriguing to name it such.
I feel the song deserves more than just a celebration of its title lyric as well. The verses can easily hold their own.
You know the day destroys the night,
night divides the day,
Tried to run,
Tried to hide
Break on Through to the Other Side!
Break on Through to the Other Side!
Vivid imagery that seems simple and complex at the same time. The lyric is sung which such force and passion, and the riff is so driving that the listener is given a belief in their own ability, a desire to break on through.
Whenever you feel like a task is becoming too much for you I recommend giving this song a listen allowing Morrison’s reckless passion to empower you.
- Eden (while listening to The Doors by The Doors)
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Music and Memory
Clair de lune, by Claude Debussy:
Claire de lune simply is a beautiful song, I adore it. It's impact is strengthened by the lifetime of association I have with it. My late Grandmother used to play it (she was an accomplished pianist and singer) and I used to hear it a lot in general, whether it was my Mum playing it on CD or just hearing on the radio. I heard the song a few months back for the first time in a year or so and was taken by how beautiful it is, then when I watched that video I was truly lost and fighting back tears. When I hear this song I think of my Grandmother and my Mother. Claire de lune is the most beautful song I've ever heard.
This leads me to music and how it can take you back to the past. When I listen to System of a Down I think about many things - HELD was in its adolesent prime, and Smash Bros Melee was all the rage, and apparently jew fros were too. SOAD doesn't just bring back one specific memory, but memories of a time, of a period of my life - and that is very powerful.
What songs take you back?
- Dogman
Claire de lune simply is a beautiful song, I adore it. It's impact is strengthened by the lifetime of association I have with it. My late Grandmother used to play it (she was an accomplished pianist and singer) and I used to hear it a lot in general, whether it was my Mum playing it on CD or just hearing on the radio. I heard the song a few months back for the first time in a year or so and was taken by how beautiful it is, then when I watched that video I was truly lost and fighting back tears. When I hear this song I think of my Grandmother and my Mother. Claire de lune is the most beautful song I've ever heard.
This leads me to music and how it can take you back to the past. When I listen to System of a Down I think about many things - HELD was in its adolesent prime, and Smash Bros Melee was all the rage, and apparently jew fros were too. SOAD doesn't just bring back one specific memory, but memories of a time, of a period of my life - and that is very powerful.
What songs take you back?
- Dogman
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Patience
When I first listened to Kanye West’s third album Graduation I was a big Kanye fan. However, I wasn’t immediately impressed by what I heard. But my disposition towards Kanye’s work at the time caused me to be more patient. I gave it a few more spins and eventually found myself enjoying it. This state of mind was also fairly brief as not long after that I realised that I hadn’t listened to it for some time and didn’t plan on listening to it ever again.
- Eden (while listening to Keep It Like A Secret – Built To Spill)
Monday, March 29, 2010
Album of the Week: Moving Pictures
Moving Pictures -
Rush
Moving Pictures is the most well known and commercially successful album by Canadian prog-rock band Rush, it was released in February 1981.
Tracklist
- "Tom Sawyer" – 4:31
- "Red Barchetta" – 6:10
- "YYZ" – 4:23
- "Limelight" – 4:20
- "The Camera Eye" – 10:59
- "Witch Hunt (Part III of Fear)" – 4:44
- "Vital Signs" – 4:46
Brendon Giles said to me one day, "hey man listen to this, you can see where Opeth got the intro for Deliverance from!". I popped one of his head phones in my ear and clearly heard it, Opeth's Deliverance uses a similar intro to Rush's YYZ (ok, it's a ripoff). Awesome. I only heard this album a handful of times back then in High school and I really liked it. When I saw "I Love You, Man" for the second time just a couple of weeks ago, I knew this had to be my next AOTW. Enjoy!
- Dogman
AotW Home
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Alex Chilton R.I.P.
I discover new bands all the time. Some pass by me and I may never hear them again, and some stick around for a while. But only a few enter my heart the way that Big Star have. I discovered this amazing band in late 2008 and have been obsessed ever since. Alex Chilton is the lead singer, songwriter and he died of a heart attack a week ago. I have been thinking about him everyday since, and have been pretty messed up from it actually. I really didn't expect it to affect me the way it has. Big Star toured until the end of Chilton's life, and I know it sounds selfish but I really wanted to see them live and now I won't be able to. Waaaa. I just can't believe how lucky I am that those three albums exist, they'll stay with me forever. I'm not going to do a big write up on them because I would have to talk about every single track and I can't imagine talking about one and not another.
Alex Chilton, my hero, I'm sad you are gone, but I'll never stop listening to your songs. You were my age when you made them, and I'll always feel connected to you. Thank you for being a part of the runaway train that is rock and roll, I love you for it.
Watch The Sunrise
NPR story on Big Star from February 2010
- Lee
Alex Chilton, my hero, I'm sad you are gone, but I'll never stop listening to your songs. You were my age when you made them, and I'll always feel connected to you. Thank you for being a part of the runaway train that is rock and roll, I love you for it.
Watch The Sunrise
NPR story on Big Star from February 2010
- Lee
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Album of the Week: Pablo Honey
Pablo Honey -
Radiohead
Pablo Honey is the debut studio album by the English alternative rock band Radiohead, released in February 1993.
Tracklist
- "You" – 3:29
- "Creep" – 3:56
- "How Do You?" – 2:12
- "Stop Whispering" – 5:26
- "Thinking About You" – 2:41
- "Anyone Can Play Guitar" – 3:38
- "Ripcord" – 3:10
- "Vegetable" – 3:13
- "Prove Yourself" – 2:25
- "I Can't" – 4:13
- "Lurgee" – 3:08
- "Blow Out" – 4:40
When I decided to give Radiohead a go (probably one of the greatest ideas I have ever had mind you) I made an effort to listen to them chronologically. So first up was Pablo Honey and I listened to it once, maybe twice and then heard The Bends. The Bends instantly blew me away and with OK Computer and Kid A to follow, I didn't really take the time to look back ( I actually ended up looking too far forward and hearing In Rainbows next but that's not the point). The point is that I love everything that they produce and in the last few weeks I decided I should go back and give Pablo Honey a real chance. If nothing else it will provide an interesting insight into the early sounds and styles that helped mould Radiohead into one of my favourite bands.
- Eden
AotW Home
Friday, February 12, 2010
Metal - My Old Friend
So I was 11, in the 6th grade, king of the school for the first time. I was slowly forging a musical identity, allowing myself to be influenced by just about everyone close to me (namely Rob Barton and Phil Abraham in this case). Rob was listening to Metallica, Phil to Pantera and Metallica. I wanted to listen to Metallica because my friends were, they listened because their brothers were. One weekend I was at Cherrybrook shops with my Mum and I got her buy me Metallica: Reload – I believe this was my first CD. Or was it Metallica: Ride the Lightning. Either way, I had both and enjoyed both fully, complete as albums (as best an 11 year old can). I remember lying on the floor of my bedroom listening to the crushing guitars, destructive drumming and loving it every minute of it. I’ve got to say I really loved Ride the Lightning, that album was and is one of the heaviest, catchy and most masterfully written albums I’ll ever hear.
After primary school came high school and with high school I lost my passion for metal for a few years, but in the 10th grade that all changed. Most teenagers use the music they love to define who they are to a degree, the term ‘Metalhead’ is a good example of this. To say you’re a Metalhead is really something, there is no mistaking what you mean – you listen to and you love METAL. In the 9th grade I had been watching CKY with Dean, there were some cool tracks on some of their videos (namely Puritania by Dimmu Borgir). So when I met Brendon Giles in year 10 it was a pretty big deal, he showed me some new bands that finally rekindled the flame and I fell in love once again. Soon enough I would consider myself a proud Metalhead.
Metal has some of the finest musicians you’ll ever hear if you allow yourself. There is a misconception that all the lyrics are gory and evil, this is not the case. Some bands are philosophical, and rather insightful, others are political, and then there are bands whose lyrics are so disgusting I take my hat off to them for being so creative. Rhapsody have created their own world, with its tales woven through their albums. There is even a band that have a song sung entirely in Black Speech - in fact there a many bands inspired by Tolkien in metal.
Great lyrics are abundant in metal (though perhaps hard to understand). Psycroptic, Australia’s premier Technical Death Metal band has some nice work. A favourite passage of mine:
You awaken and you're shaken by the dim reality that
becomes you, and consumes your mind
That death is real and you will soon hold it in
An embrace so tight you can't let it go.
You want to believe in something higher...
Social derision...blindfolded vision...need for decision...
Nothings eternal...belief is infernal...your god is internal.
You may not exist soon so enjoy it while you can.
The thing is, these are just young guys like us penning their thoughts to music.
I’m always impressed by just how good some metal musicians are at playing their instruments. George Kollias from the Egyptian themed Death Metal band Nile plays the drums unlike anyone I’ve ever heard (I’ve seen him live… wow). George perfectly exemplifies the double bass drum rolls and the blast-beat drumming that gets my heart rate up. Watch the first two minutes for a taste: George Kollias. Guitar work can be equality as impressive, yet still being catchy (for some!). Check out this guy playing the bass section from song called Finite, the band is Origin (I think the real bassist for the band uses/used a fretless bass) : Origin – Finite: Bass .
These days I only listen to a metal album once every few weeks and I don’t seek out new material. I get the feeling that in time I’ll fall in love again.
To finish this off I’d like to post a track by Metallica off their 1984 album, Ride the Lightning. In fact I’m going to post the title track. It’s a vivid story of a being put to death in the electric chair. Although there aren’t that many words for a 6 + minute song, they truly are some of the most well written lyrics I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. The song is heavy as fuck too.
- Dogman
After primary school came high school and with high school I lost my passion for metal for a few years, but in the 10th grade that all changed. Most teenagers use the music they love to define who they are to a degree, the term ‘Metalhead’ is a good example of this. To say you’re a Metalhead is really something, there is no mistaking what you mean – you listen to and you love METAL. In the 9th grade I had been watching CKY with Dean, there were some cool tracks on some of their videos (namely Puritania by Dimmu Borgir). So when I met Brendon Giles in year 10 it was a pretty big deal, he showed me some new bands that finally rekindled the flame and I fell in love once again. Soon enough I would consider myself a proud Metalhead.
Metal has some of the finest musicians you’ll ever hear if you allow yourself. There is a misconception that all the lyrics are gory and evil, this is not the case. Some bands are philosophical, and rather insightful, others are political, and then there are bands whose lyrics are so disgusting I take my hat off to them for being so creative. Rhapsody have created their own world, with its tales woven through their albums. There is even a band that have a song sung entirely in Black Speech - in fact there a many bands inspired by Tolkien in metal.
Lord Worm. Former vocalist for Cryptopsy, he is probably my favourite vokillist/lyricist. I was at this show.
Great lyrics are abundant in metal (though perhaps hard to understand). Psycroptic, Australia’s premier Technical Death Metal band has some nice work. A favourite passage of mine:
You awaken and you're shaken by the dim reality that
becomes you, and consumes your mind
That death is real and you will soon hold it in
An embrace so tight you can't let it go.
You want to believe in something higher...
Social derision...blindfolded vision...need for decision...
Nothings eternal...belief is infernal...your god is internal.
You may not exist soon so enjoy it while you can.
The thing is, these are just young guys like us penning their thoughts to music.
I’m always impressed by just how good some metal musicians are at playing their instruments. George Kollias from the Egyptian themed Death Metal band Nile plays the drums unlike anyone I’ve ever heard (I’ve seen him live… wow). George perfectly exemplifies the double bass drum rolls and the blast-beat drumming that gets my heart rate up. Watch the first two minutes for a taste: George Kollias. Guitar work can be equality as impressive, yet still being catchy (for some!). Check out this guy playing the bass section from song called Finite, the band is Origin (I think the real bassist for the band uses/used a fretless bass) : Origin – Finite: Bass .
These days I only listen to a metal album once every few weeks and I don’t seek out new material. I get the feeling that in time I’ll fall in love again.
To finish this off I’d like to post a track by Metallica off their 1984 album, Ride the Lightning. In fact I’m going to post the title track. It’s a vivid story of a being put to death in the electric chair. Although there aren’t that many words for a 6 + minute song, they truly are some of the most well written lyrics I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. The song is heavy as fuck too.
- Dogman
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Album of the Week: All The Pain Money Can Buy
All The Pain Money Can Buy
Fastball
All The Pain Money Can Buy is the second album by Austin, Texas band Fastball. It was released on March 10, 1998.
Tracklist:
- "The Way" – 4:17
- "Fire Escape" – 3:21
- "Better Than It Was" – 2:48
- "Which Way to the Top?" – 3:50
- "Sooner or Later" – 2:39
- "Warm Fuzzy Feeling" – 1:55
- "Slow Drag" – 3:37
- "G.O.D. (Good Old Days)" – 3:31
- "Charlie, The Methadone Man" – 3:17
- "Out of My Head" – 2:32
- "Damaged Goods" – 3:02
- "Nowhere Road" – 3:25
- "Sweetwater, Texas" – 3:53
Why I chose this:
I remember my art teacher trying to warn me off drugs (and good music) by telling me that Fastball was the name of a concoction of drugs. I guess he'd never heard of reverse psychology, because all I could think was, Cool! Not only do these guys write amazing songs, but they take good drugs too!
With beautiful harmonies, great musicianship and actual songs (a rarity nowadays), it's one of those albums that is equally great with headphones laying by the pool or blasting out of the car with the windows down.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Revolver
One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three Four!
Stepping out from the sliding doors at work I pressed play, descending the steps two at a time. As the music kicked in with its familiar beat I felt like skipping all the way to the station. Hamish and I had just talked about this song, Taxman, earlier as we discussed the fact that everything is taxed. Complaining about taxes? I think I truly am getting old. Death and taxes, right?
Forgetting that I was usually a self conscious guy (am I the only person as self conscious as I am?) I sang out the harmonies and played air drums, air guitar and air bass (I’m pretty good at air bass). I was almost oblivious to the few people who were still walking around the street light-lit streets. Almost.
I bought a slice of Veggie Pizza and walked toward the station. There was something special about my mood. I attributed it to having finished work and listening to the Beatles. Eleanor Rigby caressed my ears with her tale of woe. I heard the kebab shop guy laugh in the background as he shared a joke with his co-worker. At the taxi stand the drivers hovered around the third car from the front, chatting about stories from the day. At the entrance to Hornsby station a mulleted man in singlet and shorts (no footwear) hugged his faux-blonde girlfriend. She had big tits and enough cleavage to make sure everyone knew about it. As I entered the station I turned to look at all the lonely people and caught my reflection in a shop window. Poetic, right? It was gonna take more than that to bring me down, though. I winked at my reflection and continued on, boarding the train just as Father McKenzie dusted off his hands.
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