Smashing Pumpkins mastermind Billy Corgan definitely knows how to write a sonic epic.
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, his two-disc opus from 1995, remains a modern alternative rock classic—spawning multiple hits and a journey that was definitive for an entire generation. You'll never forget that "Zero" shirt or the "1979" video…Given the breadth, scope and vision of Corgan's work, he might as well be rock 'n' roll's equivalent of Tchaikovsky. There's always a symphonic, orchestral and cinematic thread tying together Corgan's music. Siamese Dream had it, and his most recent studio release Zeitgeist exhibited the same progressive cohesion. However, Corgan's releasing his most epic work to date right now with Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, 44 new songs, released one-at-a-time forming a larger vision. Released via the band's official site for free, the tracks are classic Pumpkins—haunting, hypnotic, heavy at times and simply undeniable. "Widow Wake My Mind" and "A Stitch In Time" show just how diverse Corgan is, while "A Song for a Son" is one of the legend's most poetic and pensive offerings.
The Smashing Pumpkins visionary sat down with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino for an exclusive interview about how crucial "the song" is for Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, the importance of social networks, what an honor it'd be to work with Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino and why the world can always thankfully just go back to Shakespeare.
Given the engaging, visual nature of the songs, if Teargarden By Kaleidyscope were a movie, what would you compare it to?
I would say if Teargarden were to be a film, it would be best served as directed by the great Russian director Tarkovsky. I wish it was more like Alice in Wonderland, but alas I have not had a life so charmed.
Do these 44-songs tell one complete story?
I don't feel like a single life tells only one story. So in that way my album will tell many different stories about my life.
How important is it for artists to tell stories sonically?
I don't think it is important at all. Many great rock songs are more like perfect snapshots of a moment in time that can never be reclaimed, only visited.
The Teargarden songs have a pronounced poetry lyrically that's very poignant. Where you reading a lot while you were writing?
Usually when I'm writing lots of songs I can't read, which drives me crazy because I love to read. I find these days I am writing a simpler lyric, which I am OK with but I would prefer to be writing more like F. Scott Fitzgerald instead.
Are there any authors or works of literature that are especially inspiring to you?
Shakespeare and Bob Dylan I find are always best when trying to goad oneself into a higher level of written communication.
Did you go into recording Teargarden with all 44 songs completed?
So far I've written something like 50+ songs but I think many of them are good but not great. My guess is many of the good ones won't see the light of day, and I'll just have to write more in the hopes of besting what I have. I would prefer if every song were great from now on.
"A Song for Son," "Widow Make My Mind" and "A Stitch in Time" all standalone wonderfully, but at the same time, they share the same spirit. Would you say that's the case?
I agree with that, and thank you for the compliment. They all, I feel, are born of the same 'wandering bard, folkish' root. I might be a closet hippie.
Do you have a favorite song from these Teargarden sessions? It almost seems like the songs blend the classic distorted psychedelica of Gish with the epic nature of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
There is a song called "Spangled" that I love very much that is sitting in a box waiting to come out. It is not often that the songs I love are the ones others love. but this one might be one of those. It has one of my favorite lines I think I've ever written, something about butterflies not being able to make it in the movies. As far as the mix of distorted psychedelia in the music with the epic quality of say the Mellon Collie album, that is probably true about it re-appearing. It is kind of surprising to me because it is a sound I thought I had lost for good but it seems to have organically re-appeared to support these songs. I love the sound a lot and it is exciting to be in this amusement park of fuzz and blurry colors again.
Your guitar playing and lyrics align so seamlessly. Do you feel like you speak through both at the same time?
I would say with 25 years and counting behind me I communicate best when my guitar playing is well married to my voice and whatever it is I am trying to say. I learned to sing by playing lines on the guitar and so maybe that's where that all comes from?
In some ways, do you feel like you're bridging the gap between the modern and classic methods of releasing an album with Teargarden? You're embracing the online platform of sending out a song at a time, but you've certainly created an intricate whole vision with the entire record.
I think we are back to the old way of connecting with people, which is one song at a time. And maybe it isn't such a bad thing that you are as only as good as your last song. It is exciting to be more in the moment with the songwriting and recording. I'm sure I'll make some funny choices about what should or shouldn't come out, but I want to see if I can reach a level that the old way of releasing didn't seem to afford me.
How crucial are online tools such as Facebook, Twitter and Myspace to music? Do you feel like they bring fans closer to the music or make the experience more impersonal?
The social networks, as they are known, are fantastic places to connect the dots between something exciting and how to gain quick access to it. If people are finding friends and, even in some cases, husbands and wives and partners online, then music would naturally be a part of the way that they would share who they are.
Are there any Teargarden iPod or iPad apps in the works?
It has been discussed but someone tried to tell me that it was a mixed bag, that stuff. I am not tech savvy enough to know what is and isn't cool in that world.
How do you stay so prolific? Are you constantly finding new avenues of inspiration?
I believe the source of all creativity comes from the same place that keeps the Sun hot and the Earth spinning. In essence since each moment is unique in our lives there is always something new to discuss.
The visual aesthetic of The Smashing Pumpkins has always been so unique and unforgettable. Do you have ideas for the stage show, album covers and video concepts when you're writing the songs or do the songs dictate that aesthetic once they're complete?
I have tons of ideas but often times I don't have the support or resources around me to help me make them real. I wish I could do all that I dream of.
If you could work with any director on scoring a film, who would you want to collaborate with and why?
I would be honored to work with Quentin Tarantino or Martin Scorcese in that capacity because they use music in very important ways in their films. Woody Allen as well.
What's on your playlist right now? Who are you listening to? Also, have you seen any movies that were particularly inspiring as of late?
I mostly listen to Fred Astaire and Vaughn Monroe these days, if any one wants to look them up. As far as movies, I mostly watch movies from the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
What inspired you to come up with the "open audition" online process for the band?
The open process of audition seems to me to be the best way to say that The Smashing Pumpkins as a band is really about creating an opportunity, and trying to find whoever out there might be most drawn to that opportunity. It has more to do with faith and the laws of attraction than music in many ways.
What's next for you?
I am currently writing a long-form story version of the old myth of Medea that will be published in book along side a story by my friend Claire Fercak. Once I finish that, I am writing a spiritual memoir that would be finished next year. Also planning a tour with the Pumpkins, which is exciting.
Showing posts with label Alternative Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alternative Rock. Show all posts
Soundwave 2010 - Jimmy Eat World
Shortlisted as the most popular band among the acts at Soundwave Festival 2010, Jimmy Eat World are a live act made for Soundwave and after coming out of recording sessions 2 weeks prior to Soundwave week and managing their sidewaves as well did not disappoint anyone, except for those My Chemical Romance fans that solely bought tickets to see them, but that's another story.
Following Jane's Addiction, Jimmy Eat World were the first 'night' set and what better way to start off by getting the crowd into it with one of their many sing-a-longs - Sweetness. Though the set was mainly predictable, this opener was probably not as fans were expecting A Praise Chorus to open (which evidently came right after), but for the majority of the people at Soundwave, they did opt for a majority of Bleed American songs with remnants of their other records - which left most fans satisfied.
Definitely not the loudest set imaginable for Jimmy Eat World, with at least 4 tracks from my favourite record - Clarity, it really wasn't the best set to mosh too, although it did make Faith No More louder than first imagined. So maybe there's a positive eh? JEW followed radio favourite Let It Happen and Always Be from their newest record - 2008's Chase This Light. JEW apoligised and damn right so for not touring down under for the promotion of Chase This Light, but made up for it even more (as much of a lie as it was although I have to admit that the crowds this year were probably near 50000) by telling Sydney that this is the best place they ever played. I'll leave it up to you to decide.
Vintage were waiting for vintage tracks this didn't take long with Lucky Denver Mint up next yet, we were still waiting for a louder track!! Nevertheless, people at Eastern Creek with their special other had a good time and it made it even better with 23 from Futures. JEW expresses their emotional all here making it a memorable set.
But surely Short. Fast. Loud. didn't sponsor the event for this old school crap right? You betcha! Get It Faster finally started to get spme speed and sound into fans early and the pit finally started to have some hardcore energy that I was waiting for. No Sensitivity emerged and those that hadn't the song weren't sure if it was really them, but it sufficed for a little buffer song, before more from Futures - Work and Futures following and the crowd began to get some life, peaking in the right time for the last 30 mins of the set!
Though Jimmy Eat World's enegy was not like many other bands before, their ability to write such a wide range of songs was won over fans instead of their stage banter and antics, like Jane's Addiction or AFI before them. somewhat lifeless to what some of their records sound like but the music up close and personal is infinitely better than paying 20 bucks for a CD.
Down the stretch is where Jimmy Eat World like to excel, we aren't disappointed with the latter parts of their Soundwave Sydney Set. Starting off the finale with their single from Chase This Light – Big Casino begins the loudness and rocking attitude we had been waiting for and fans really knew what was to come, or at least hope! Blister, their popular track from Clarity set the pit off, and then followed by Hear You Me and their energy was really starting to peak; but as the clock was winding down and fans actually didn't know how many songs were left due to the timing problems earlier in the day (possibly due to Alexisonfire?), overdrive turned on and volume set to 11 – Bleed American starts to blast before crowd favourite – Pain and as JEW announce good night and farewell to Sydney, there could only be one song left – unless there was an encore (which had not happened so far at the festival and if could happen I guess right?) The Middle began to rock the house down and the radio hit from 2001 made it a very successful set for JEW and most fans weren't too disappoint, except for a lack of Futures track, but that could always wait for the sideshow at UNSW Roundhouse on Tuesday. Near perfect Music Festival set and I am personally glad that they got to play 23, so all in all a very successful outing for Jimmy Eat World – 8/10.
Following Jane's Addiction, Jimmy Eat World were the first 'night' set and what better way to start off by getting the crowd into it with one of their many sing-a-longs - Sweetness. Though the set was mainly predictable, this opener was probably not as fans were expecting A Praise Chorus to open (which evidently came right after), but for the majority of the people at Soundwave, they did opt for a majority of Bleed American songs with remnants of their other records - which left most fans satisfied.
Definitely not the loudest set imaginable for Jimmy Eat World, with at least 4 tracks from my favourite record - Clarity, it really wasn't the best set to mosh too, although it did make Faith No More louder than first imagined. So maybe there's a positive eh? JEW followed radio favourite Let It Happen and Always Be from their newest record - 2008's Chase This Light. JEW apoligised and damn right so for not touring down under for the promotion of Chase This Light, but made up for it even more (as much of a lie as it was although I have to admit that the crowds this year were probably near 50000) by telling Sydney that this is the best place they ever played. I'll leave it up to you to decide.
Vintage were waiting for vintage tracks this didn't take long with Lucky Denver Mint up next yet, we were still waiting for a louder track!! Nevertheless, people at Eastern Creek with their special other had a good time and it made it even better with 23 from Futures. JEW expresses their emotional all here making it a memorable set.
But surely Short. Fast. Loud. didn't sponsor the event for this old school crap right? You betcha! Get It Faster finally started to get spme speed and sound into fans early and the pit finally started to have some hardcore energy that I was waiting for. No Sensitivity emerged and those that hadn't the song weren't sure if it was really them, but it sufficed for a little buffer song, before more from Futures - Work and Futures following and the crowd began to get some life, peaking in the right time for the last 30 mins of the set!
Though Jimmy Eat World's enegy was not like many other bands before, their ability to write such a wide range of songs was won over fans instead of their stage banter and antics, like Jane's Addiction or AFI before them. somewhat lifeless to what some of their records sound like but the music up close and personal is infinitely better than paying 20 bucks for a CD.
Down the stretch is where Jimmy Eat World like to excel, we aren't disappointed with the latter parts of their Soundwave Sydney Set. Starting off the finale with their single from Chase This Light – Big Casino begins the loudness and rocking attitude we had been waiting for and fans really knew what was to come, or at least hope! Blister, their popular track from Clarity set the pit off, and then followed by Hear You Me and their energy was really starting to peak; but as the clock was winding down and fans actually didn't know how many songs were left due to the timing problems earlier in the day (possibly due to Alexisonfire?), overdrive turned on and volume set to 11 – Bleed American starts to blast before crowd favourite – Pain and as JEW announce good night and farewell to Sydney, there could only be one song left – unless there was an encore (which had not happened so far at the festival and if could happen I guess right?) The Middle began to rock the house down and the radio hit from 2001 made it a very successful set for JEW and most fans weren't too disappoint, except for a lack of Futures track, but that could always wait for the sideshow at UNSW Roundhouse on Tuesday. Near perfect Music Festival set and I am personally glad that they got to play 23, so all in all a very successful outing for Jimmy Eat World – 8/10.
08 March 2010
Comments: (0)Labels: Alternative Rock, Bleed American, Futures, Hardcore, Jimmy Eat World, Live Act, Soundwave 2010
Story of the Year - The Constant
Alternative Metal rockers Story of the Year come out with a new record for 2010 and isn't the title fitting - The Constant. Anything but, is the new album with their variety of influences of styles mixing some hardcore, funk metal and alternative rock as well as the presumptious emo-pop lyrics gives fans new hope and especially Australian fans - a solid act for Soundwave Festival 2011. Yes that's right. i have already been looking. And wouldn't we also love Jimmy Eat World to come back soon, especially given that Aussie fans know of a new and in recording album to be released over the new future. But that's another story altogether.
The Constant opens with The Children Sing and it proves to be an epic and suitable opening track to the record. A great pop-metal track with accompaniment from some children makes it a fun and great sing-a-long for the live stages. But the next track really shows what Story of the Year bring to the table - The Ghost of You and I, a shoe in for their live single of the album. Using great melodies with a bit of the old 'short, fast and loud' treatment to make their point as the songs transitions into what fans love - Emo-Rock lyrics mixed with some alternative metal melodies as they are 'longing for daylight'.
To The Burial presents us with a slower but more epic and just as loud track indefinitely leave us with moments of screamo and hardcore in our ears. A bit of punk-rock follows the opeing chorus and every other chorus to keep us in our seats, the pop and radio friendly feature of this track makes it really the lowlight of the record.
The Dream Is Over shows us Page Avenue saga Story of the Year which all listeners will love with the under-melody and the lyrics are the subtle but most important part of the track - they just know how to put our feelings into words, who really wants to wake up from a dream?
Are we looking for more vintage Story of the Year? You bectcha! Time Goes On and so do Story of the Year as their new record looks to invograte old fans who are still stuck on Page Avenue. Interesting lyrics as well as how we choose to interpret them but they sit down and realise that lives came and gone but time still goes on.
The Constant finish with a speed-metal/hardcore track that's title doesn't have the best intentions, but that's we love them isn't it? Eye For An Eye really shows why Story of the Year have produced such commercial success - their ability to be different from other alternative-metal/post-hardcore groups and present such varying material with a vast array of influences, but still able to keep their core music writing styles to please old fans and still keep their fan base growing.
7/10
The Constant opens with The Children Sing and it proves to be an epic and suitable opening track to the record. A great pop-metal track with accompaniment from some children makes it a fun and great sing-a-long for the live stages. But the next track really shows what Story of the Year bring to the table - The Ghost of You and I, a shoe in for their live single of the album. Using great melodies with a bit of the old 'short, fast and loud' treatment to make their point as the songs transitions into what fans love - Emo-Rock lyrics mixed with some alternative metal melodies as they are 'longing for daylight'.
To The Burial presents us with a slower but more epic and just as loud track indefinitely leave us with moments of screamo and hardcore in our ears. A bit of punk-rock follows the opeing chorus and every other chorus to keep us in our seats, the pop and radio friendly feature of this track makes it really the lowlight of the record.
The Dream Is Over shows us Page Avenue saga Story of the Year which all listeners will love with the under-melody and the lyrics are the subtle but most important part of the track - they just know how to put our feelings into words, who really wants to wake up from a dream?
Are we looking for more vintage Story of the Year? You bectcha! Time Goes On and so do Story of the Year as their new record looks to invograte old fans who are still stuck on Page Avenue. Interesting lyrics as well as how we choose to interpret them but they sit down and realise that lives came and gone but time still goes on.
The Constant finish with a speed-metal/hardcore track that's title doesn't have the best intentions, but that's we love them isn't it? Eye For An Eye really shows why Story of the Year have produced such commercial success - their ability to be different from other alternative-metal/post-hardcore groups and present such varying material with a vast array of influences, but still able to keep their core music writing styles to please old fans and still keep their fan base growing.
7/10
Jane's Addiction News
History has a habit of repeating itself and not for the first time, founding member Eric Avery has walked out on Jane's Addiction. Claiming the "experiment is at an end," the remaining members of the band have vowed to continue and have drafted in the bottom-end services of erstwhile Guns N'Roses and Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan.
Having completed an Australian tour in Perth on Monday (Mar. 1), Avery announced on Twitter that his days with Jane's Addiction were over.
"That's it with equal parts regret and relief," he wrote.
It's been clear that all hasn't been well within the band. In addition to using his Twitter account to count down the days of the Australian tour, the bassist had been absent from recent group shots as well as revealing that he wasn't a part of the writing process.
The response from Jane's Addiction has been cryptic to say the least, with singer Perry Farrell writing, "Slipping out of that shell of a past. Wow we're on to something faster now. And so worth the wait." No, we're not sure what that means either.
Avery previously quit Jane's Addiction in 1991 and he refused to take part in their first reunion of 1999-2004. His place was then taken by a succession of bassists including Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea.
Jane's Addiction are reported to be writing new material with Duff McKagan which is likely to form the basis of the follow-up o 2003's 'Strays'. Avery is thought to be pursuing a solo career.
Having completed an Australian tour in Perth on Monday (Mar. 1), Avery announced on Twitter that his days with Jane's Addiction were over.
"That's it with equal parts regret and relief," he wrote.
It's been clear that all hasn't been well within the band. In addition to using his Twitter account to count down the days of the Australian tour, the bassist had been absent from recent group shots as well as revealing that he wasn't a part of the writing process.
The response from Jane's Addiction has been cryptic to say the least, with singer Perry Farrell writing, "Slipping out of that shell of a past. Wow we're on to something faster now. And so worth the wait." No, we're not sure what that means either.
Avery previously quit Jane's Addiction in 1991 and he refused to take part in their first reunion of 1999-2004. His place was then taken by a succession of bassists including Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea.
Jane's Addiction are reported to be writing new material with Duff McKagan which is likely to form the basis of the follow-up o 2003's 'Strays'. Avery is thought to be pursuing a solo career.
Soundwave 2010 - Paramore
Paramore's energy especially from Hayley WIlliams and her ability to command the stage like a dance floor still with mic in hand shows their ability to become the newest pop-rockers of the world.
Opening with Josh and the distorted electric guitar oppf the opening song of their 40 minute set - Ignorance really encapsulated the crowd - until Hayley takes the stage. Paramore's ability to write short, fast and loud songs for the popular culture of the Western World sees them take the crowd by storm with their 4th disc - Brand New Eyes. Anger and happiness cross in Hayley's voice and image with the iconic lyric from the new record - 'Ignorance is your new best friend.'
Following in a 35 degree day out at Eastern Creek in Sydney, it doesn't bother them although Hayley still has to ask the crowd if they are ok in the blistering heat, and they following with other classics from Riot which all fans were hoping for - and they weren't disappointed. Crushcrushcrush and That's What You Get were some older singles from their breakthrough record, and this following with the inevitable popular tracks from Brand New Eyes, which made No. 1 in Oz, and even Hayley doesn't know how it happened.
After a break and the introduction as well as the short but sweet banter from Hayley WIlliams - 'This is gonna be a fun set, it already is... So let me ask you a question, and there is no right answer, 'No' is acceptable... Who has our new record?' (screaming, yelling). They continue with Careful and Let The Flames Begin and set the crowd on fire with Pressure - the classic track from their first record, All We Know Is Falling.
Is there another track to top the already fantabulous set? You fucking better believe it. for those rare Twilight fans out there, Paramore's Decode deom the soundtrack set fans wild and with limited time left, we all knew what tracks were remaining. Misery Business followed and the crowd all joined in with Hayley's true dancing 'moves' coming out when Josh started banging the guitar solo.
With energy at a peak in the pit, what could be left? Brick by Boring Brick, the radio hit on Triple J and a crowd favourite with full participation for the whole song. Fans couldn't wait for the final 30 seconds of the set as we all chanted - 'Pa da pa pa da pa pa da!'
Opening with Josh and the distorted electric guitar oppf the opening song of their 40 minute set - Ignorance really encapsulated the crowd - until Hayley takes the stage. Paramore's ability to write short, fast and loud songs for the popular culture of the Western World sees them take the crowd by storm with their 4th disc - Brand New Eyes. Anger and happiness cross in Hayley's voice and image with the iconic lyric from the new record - 'Ignorance is your new best friend.'
Following in a 35 degree day out at Eastern Creek in Sydney, it doesn't bother them although Hayley still has to ask the crowd if they are ok in the blistering heat, and they following with other classics from Riot which all fans were hoping for - and they weren't disappointed. Crushcrushcrush and That's What You Get were some older singles from their breakthrough record, and this following with the inevitable popular tracks from Brand New Eyes, which made No. 1 in Oz, and even Hayley doesn't know how it happened.
After a break and the introduction as well as the short but sweet banter from Hayley WIlliams - 'This is gonna be a fun set, it already is... So let me ask you a question, and there is no right answer, 'No' is acceptable... Who has our new record?' (screaming, yelling). They continue with Careful and Let The Flames Begin and set the crowd on fire with Pressure - the classic track from their first record, All We Know Is Falling.
Is there another track to top the already fantabulous set? You fucking better believe it. for those rare Twilight fans out there, Paramore's Decode deom the soundtrack set fans wild and with limited time left, we all knew what tracks were remaining. Misery Business followed and the crowd all joined in with Hayley's true dancing 'moves' coming out when Josh started banging the guitar solo.
With energy at a peak in the pit, what could be left? Brick by Boring Brick, the radio hit on Triple J and a crowd favourite with full participation for the whole song. Fans couldn't wait for the final 30 seconds of the set as we all chanted - 'Pa da pa pa da pa pa da!'
Confirmed Act 4: Faith No More
After being out of the business for 10 years, the legendary alternative rock/metal supergroup Faith No More have reformed for a 2009 European Tour which has extended past that one continent and onto the rest of the world – inlcuding their beloved Australia. Making an appearance, is not enough – they're the premier headliners and deservingly so for their contribution to alternative rock during the 80s. Will we see a bigger set of headliners that Soundwave 2011? I darn hope so because it would be a pretty massive feat to champ over Faith No More, Jimmy Eat World and Paramore!
1.Midnight Cowboy
2.The Real Thing
3.Land of Sunshine
4.Be Aggressive
5.Caffiene
6.Evidence
7.Surprise! You're Dead!
8.Last Cup of Sorrow
9.Ricochet
10.Epic
11.Midlife Crisis
12.RV
13.The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
14.King for a Day
15.Ashes to Ashes
16.Just A Man
17.Chariots of Time
18.Stripsearch
19.We Care A Lot
20.Pristine
1.Midnight Cowboy
2.The Real Thing
3.Land of Sunshine
4.Be Aggressive
5.Caffiene
6.Evidence
7.Surprise! You're Dead!
8.Last Cup of Sorrow
9.Ricochet
10.Epic
11.Midlife Crisis
12.RV
13.The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
14.King for a Day
15.Ashes to Ashes
16.Just A Man
17.Chariots of Time
18.Stripsearch
19.We Care A Lot
20.Pristine
20 February 2010
Comments: (0)Labels: alternative metal, Alternative Rock, faith no more, Soundwave 2010
OK Go News
If any band knows the power of viral videos, it’s OK Go. Five years ago, the band broke through when clips for “A Million Ways” and “Here It Goes Again” (the “treadmill” video) were passed around the Web. The band assumed the same would be the case for the first two videos from its new Of the Blue Colour of the Sky album (for “WTF” and “This Too Shall Pass”). But that was before the music business began groping for any additional ways to generate income in light of plummeting CD sales.
Thanks to a 2006 agreement between Google and the major labels, the two clips are officially confined to MySpace and YouTube and can’t be posted anywhere else. In the Google arrangement, which was renewed with the labels last year, the four majors receive at least 50 percent of ad revenue based on streams of videos on YouTube.
OK Go’s response? Go around the system. In an open letter to fans posted on the band’s site on January 18, singer-guitarist Damien Kulash explained the situation — and then provided a code so that bloggers and fans can embed both videos on their own sites. “We’ll put ‘em up anywhere we can,” says Kulash. “Our label is unlikely to start suing us for putting our videos up.” OK Go plans to make at least four more videos from Of the Blue Colour of the Sky, including one in which Kulash will be thrown across a room in a giant slingshot.
According to Kulash, OK Go didn’t realize the restrictions until angry fan e-mails began arriving at the band’s Website. “It’s kind of a stupid decision,” says Kulash. “It doesn’t matter all that much to me if people are passing around our videos on one platform over another. But if the casual person who just wants to stick it up on their Facebook page can’t embed it, they send you a nasty comment and move on. You’ve just lost the two to 200 people who might have read that page.”
Although EMI declined to comment (but did not dispute Kulash’s claims), a YouTube spokesman confirms that the label made the decision to prevent those particular videos from being embedded elsewhere. OK Go manager Jamie Kitman says the band asked the label if they could skirt around the rules. “But they said, ‘That’s the policy — what can we do?’” he says. “It’s unthinkable to us that they wouldn’t want to spread videos virally, but they have a corporate policy.”
Kulash says he understands the industry’s rationale. “As fucked up as the industry is, it does provide investment money for bands,” he says. “For them to continue to do that, they do need some income.” But he also says that’s about all he comprehends about streaming videos and additional income. “Basically I have no ******* idea how it works. The last accounting we saw said that for 600,000 streams, we got $31. How can that be worth this?”
Thanks to a 2006 agreement between Google and the major labels, the two clips are officially confined to MySpace and YouTube and can’t be posted anywhere else. In the Google arrangement, which was renewed with the labels last year, the four majors receive at least 50 percent of ad revenue based on streams of videos on YouTube.
OK Go’s response? Go around the system. In an open letter to fans posted on the band’s site on January 18, singer-guitarist Damien Kulash explained the situation — and then provided a code so that bloggers and fans can embed both videos on their own sites. “We’ll put ‘em up anywhere we can,” says Kulash. “Our label is unlikely to start suing us for putting our videos up.” OK Go plans to make at least four more videos from Of the Blue Colour of the Sky, including one in which Kulash will be thrown across a room in a giant slingshot.
According to Kulash, OK Go didn’t realize the restrictions until angry fan e-mails began arriving at the band’s Website. “It’s kind of a stupid decision,” says Kulash. “It doesn’t matter all that much to me if people are passing around our videos on one platform over another. But if the casual person who just wants to stick it up on their Facebook page can’t embed it, they send you a nasty comment and move on. You’ve just lost the two to 200 people who might have read that page.”
Although EMI declined to comment (but did not dispute Kulash’s claims), a YouTube spokesman confirms that the label made the decision to prevent those particular videos from being embedded elsewhere. OK Go manager Jamie Kitman says the band asked the label if they could skirt around the rules. “But they said, ‘That’s the policy — what can we do?’” he says. “It’s unthinkable to us that they wouldn’t want to spread videos virally, but they have a corporate policy.”
Kulash says he understands the industry’s rationale. “As fucked up as the industry is, it does provide investment money for bands,” he says. “For them to continue to do that, they do need some income.” But he also says that’s about all he comprehends about streaming videos and additional income. “Basically I have no ******* idea how it works. The last accounting we saw said that for 600,000 streams, we got $31. How can that be worth this?”
Confirmed Act 2: Paramore
After only a limited time in the popular music industry, the alternative rock group, Paramore, have taken the world by storm, with a suprisingly similar composition of band members to Blondie. Nevertheless, their success is accentuated by the female vocals, giving a different but vibrant shock to the standard listener. Their 2009 hit album, Brand New Eyes, puts it among the Top 10 rock albums of 2009 and deservingly so, get the nod with a 45 minute set at Eastern Creek Raceway at Soundwave 2010. Again, hopefully to promote their new record as widely purchased as it was by Australians, their new catchy track will rock Australia this summer with singles and “should-be” singles Ignorance, Turn It Off and Playing God. I'm very interested to see what else they might pull out for Australia.
1.Ignorance
2.crushcrushcrush
3.That's What Your get
4.Looking Up
5.Careful
6.Let The Flames Begin
7.Never Let This Go
8.The Only Exception
9.Pressure
10.For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic
11.Where The Lines Overlap
12.Decode
13.Misery Business
14.Brick By Boring Brick
1.Ignorance
2.crushcrushcrush
3.That's What Your get
4.Looking Up
5.Careful
6.Let The Flames Begin
7.Never Let This Go
8.The Only Exception
9.Pressure
10.For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic
11.Where The Lines Overlap
12.Decode
13.Misery Business
14.Brick By Boring Brick
Confirmed Act 1: Motion City Soundtrack
Well all the bands that are coming, particularly the bigger acts will have a problem since their dilemma of trying to mix the old and the new stuff, seeing that most of they had a new album in the last 18 months. None more so than Motion City Soundtrack. They have flown under the radar for quite some time in the alternative rock and pop-punk world yet their stage presence, stage antics and ability to lyrically write fantastic songs bodes well for 2010. After releasing their newest record, My Dinosaur Life, in late January 2010, this will surely be the majority of the act with such poppy and catchy track as Worker Bee, Delirium, Her Words Destroyed My Planet, Stand Too Close and Disappear, they essentially could cover the whole 40 minute set with the new album... but they won't. Of course there will be moments of the older stuff while fans love and obviously some new fans will enjoy the set due to the increasingly poppy yet meaningful lyrics and music by Motion City Soundtrack.
1.Worker Bee
2.The Future Freaks Me Out
3.My Favourite Accident
4.Broken Heart
5.Delirium
6.This Is For Real
7.When “You're” Around
8.Pulp Fiction
9.Motherfuckers
10.Last Night
11.A Lifeless Ordinary (Need A Little Help)
12.Even If It Kills Me
13.Attractive Today
14.Stand Too Close
15.Perfect Teeth
16.Her Words Destroyed My Planet
17.L.G. FUAD
18.Disappear
19.Everything Is Alright
1.Worker Bee
2.The Future Freaks Me Out
3.My Favourite Accident
4.Broken Heart
5.Delirium
6.This Is For Real
7.When “You're” Around
8.Pulp Fiction
9.Motherfuckers
10.Last Night
11.A Lifeless Ordinary (Need A Little Help)
12.Even If It Kills Me
13.Attractive Today
14.Stand Too Close
15.Perfect Teeth
16.Her Words Destroyed My Planet
17.L.G. FUAD
18.Disappear
19.Everything Is Alright
13 February 2010
Comments: (0)Labels: Alternative Rock, Motion City Soundtrack, Pop-Punk, Soundwave 2010
The Get Up Kids - Something To Write Home About
So, this is a pretty good record I must say and after purchasing the 10th anniversary CD/DVD with a live performance of the entire album, this will be a good band to check out if you are attending Soundwave Festival 2010, pending the timetable annoucement (I know there's gonna be at least one clash because the lineup is so AMAZZZIINNG!!).
Opening with Holiday, it sets a punk-inspired alternative rock album with some easily identifiable pop-punk sounds. The vocals give their genre away, and some pop-punk rhythms help us rock out to the track. And gee... wouldn't we all like to be on a holiday right now?
Here, come out the alternative rock of TGUK with Action & Action with a pop-punk riff mixed with a synth and keyboards. This style follows with several tracks, Red Letter Day, the uptempo Ten Minutes and I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel...
Evidently, we see the influence that TGUK have on many modern bands, and following on from the gothic rock and metal scene in the 80s, they form the backbone of the second wave of Emo, as cited by pop-Emo group - Fall Out Boy.
But of course, any great album needs to have contrast and change, to make those singles and iconic songs on the record stand out. We are introduced to this lower tempo indie rock through Valentine and even more so with Out of Reach with its soothing acoustic guitar, which is very well recorded with the emphasised bass notes and slides.
The lyrics throughout the album, make it a very enjoyable and meaningful album, shown in Out of Reach - "Out of sight. Out of mind. Out of reach... Start over..." Even in the high tempo punk inspired Ten Minutes, "It's like I've fallen in love, while I just fall apart." lyrics have a strong role in the song.
Beautifully, the album's end starts with a cover of The Cure's Close To Me, which I would almost listen to instead of the original, except that they are missing one key factor - Robert Smith's vocals. Finally, Something To Write Home About ends with a maginificent outing track. It begins with its beautiful piano arpeggios and faint electric guitar. Lyrics clearly want to be heard, and the assurance given that I'll Catch You means that we'll always have Something To Write Home About.
7.5/10
Next, I'm feeling towards AFI's new record Crash Love.
Opening with Holiday, it sets a punk-inspired alternative rock album with some easily identifiable pop-punk sounds. The vocals give their genre away, and some pop-punk rhythms help us rock out to the track. And gee... wouldn't we all like to be on a holiday right now?
Here, come out the alternative rock of TGUK with Action & Action with a pop-punk riff mixed with a synth and keyboards. This style follows with several tracks, Red Letter Day, the uptempo Ten Minutes and I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel...
Evidently, we see the influence that TGUK have on many modern bands, and following on from the gothic rock and metal scene in the 80s, they form the backbone of the second wave of Emo, as cited by pop-Emo group - Fall Out Boy.
But of course, any great album needs to have contrast and change, to make those singles and iconic songs on the record stand out. We are introduced to this lower tempo indie rock through Valentine and even more so with Out of Reach with its soothing acoustic guitar, which is very well recorded with the emphasised bass notes and slides.
The lyrics throughout the album, make it a very enjoyable and meaningful album, shown in Out of Reach - "Out of sight. Out of mind. Out of reach... Start over..." Even in the high tempo punk inspired Ten Minutes, "It's like I've fallen in love, while I just fall apart." lyrics have a strong role in the song.
Beautifully, the album's end starts with a cover of The Cure's Close To Me, which I would almost listen to instead of the original, except that they are missing one key factor - Robert Smith's vocals. Finally, Something To Write Home About ends with a maginificent outing track. It begins with its beautiful piano arpeggios and faint electric guitar. Lyrics clearly want to be heard, and the assurance given that I'll Catch You means that we'll always have Something To Write Home About.
7.5/10
Next, I'm feeling towards AFI's new record Crash Love.
21 October 2009
Comments: (0)Labels: Alternative Rock, Emo, Holiday, Indie Rock, Pop-Punk, Soundwave 2010, TGUK, The Get Up Kids
Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking
Jane’s Addiction is the symbol of alternative rock through the late 80s and early 90s and Nothing’s Shocking is their Led Zeppelin IV – a masterpiece which encompassed all the skills of the band and defined their roots and musical style. Namely, this record revolves around a lot of funk and metal – inspired mainly by Dave Navarro and Perry Farrell. However, neither of the two singles released received the credit or fame like they deserve.
Opening with Up The Beach, it provides a silent and overdriven guitar extended guitar chords to follow – reminding me of the 70s psychadelic and prog rock. Some beautiful phrases of guitar mixed with the occasical Farrell lyric present an ideal opening track showing what Jane’s Addiction is – at least musically at first.
Ocean Size is like Up The Beach, even with a similar title, at first. Soft soothing acoustic guitar arpeggios until the rock gods come crashing down – with heavy percussion, lyrics and guitar riffs. Throughout the song, Farrell contrasts it with Navarro’s acoustic guitar track to his typical metal inspired solos. A beautifully wriiten song with contrasting styles through the song – typical of Jane’s Addiction.
Following we have Had A Dad and we are introduced to the funk metal that Jane’s Addiction is known for. Fast tempo, with a catchy riff and goes right into guitar solos early on in the track. Lyrically, it is why I love Farrell and Jane’s Addiction with pauses in the track for the occasional yelp or caw.
Ted, Just Admit It… is slower with a ‘cool’ bassline and Farrell uses very strange sounds instead of those usual English words in the beginning of the track. Reminding me of funk jazz with a rock theme to it, we have very unique guitar licks with no real structure and is in real contrast to the repeated lyric ‘Nothing Shocking’ much like the album cover – two naked Siamese twins which is, well quite shocking to the normal human, but of course we are talking about Jane’s Addiction here.
Setting the tone for the album, it follows with several other tracks of similar style before we reach Mountain Song, the first single of the album, although the video clip was not initially released due to explicit content. A strong and catchy bassline, which really shows what alternative rock is and should be – hard rock and punk inspired music and uses some very good melody and the guitar effects make it even better – with overdrive and some short delay, I could listen to the track all day.
Idiots Rule follows and uses some more funk inspired guitar solo introductions with trumpet, and this really does make it alternative with extra and unneccesary instruments, well at least we thought that before. A strong bassline with a hint of slap makes it unnoticed due to the other instruments present but listen with good equipment, it makes it so much better.
Jane Says – the other single on the album, opens with the acoustic chord progression mixed with Farrell’s unique voice and this follows through the whole track making in more contrast and showing that Jane’s Addiction is more that fret-bashing and funk-metal solos. Although Farrell’s voice is so powerful that it almost takes over instead of the guitar.
Closing with Pig’s in Zen makes a good album an amazing album. Metal inspired riffs with short licks make it a great song to rock out to and even though Farrell’s lyrics are quite overpowering, the fantastic bassline and guitar takes over – just like all rock bands should. Cannot wait for February, 2010 – Soundwave is gonna go off!!!!
8/10
Upcoming review… I’m leaning towards The Get Up Kids or another minor act on the Lineup. Any requests?
Opening with Up The Beach, it provides a silent and overdriven guitar extended guitar chords to follow – reminding me of the 70s psychadelic and prog rock. Some beautiful phrases of guitar mixed with the occasical Farrell lyric present an ideal opening track showing what Jane’s Addiction is – at least musically at first.
Ocean Size is like Up The Beach, even with a similar title, at first. Soft soothing acoustic guitar arpeggios until the rock gods come crashing down – with heavy percussion, lyrics and guitar riffs. Throughout the song, Farrell contrasts it with Navarro’s acoustic guitar track to his typical metal inspired solos. A beautifully wriiten song with contrasting styles through the song – typical of Jane’s Addiction.
Following we have Had A Dad and we are introduced to the funk metal that Jane’s Addiction is known for. Fast tempo, with a catchy riff and goes right into guitar solos early on in the track. Lyrically, it is why I love Farrell and Jane’s Addiction with pauses in the track for the occasional yelp or caw.
Ted, Just Admit It… is slower with a ‘cool’ bassline and Farrell uses very strange sounds instead of those usual English words in the beginning of the track. Reminding me of funk jazz with a rock theme to it, we have very unique guitar licks with no real structure and is in real contrast to the repeated lyric ‘Nothing Shocking’ much like the album cover – two naked Siamese twins which is, well quite shocking to the normal human, but of course we are talking about Jane’s Addiction here.
Setting the tone for the album, it follows with several other tracks of similar style before we reach Mountain Song, the first single of the album, although the video clip was not initially released due to explicit content. A strong and catchy bassline, which really shows what alternative rock is and should be – hard rock and punk inspired music and uses some very good melody and the guitar effects make it even better – with overdrive and some short delay, I could listen to the track all day.
Idiots Rule follows and uses some more funk inspired guitar solo introductions with trumpet, and this really does make it alternative with extra and unneccesary instruments, well at least we thought that before. A strong bassline with a hint of slap makes it unnoticed due to the other instruments present but listen with good equipment, it makes it so much better.
Jane Says – the other single on the album, opens with the acoustic chord progression mixed with Farrell’s unique voice and this follows through the whole track making in more contrast and showing that Jane’s Addiction is more that fret-bashing and funk-metal solos. Although Farrell’s voice is so powerful that it almost takes over instead of the guitar.
Closing with Pig’s in Zen makes a good album an amazing album. Metal inspired riffs with short licks make it a great song to rock out to and even though Farrell’s lyrics are quite overpowering, the fantastic bassline and guitar takes over – just like all rock bands should. Cannot wait for February, 2010 – Soundwave is gonna go off!!!!
8/10
Upcoming review… I’m leaning towards The Get Up Kids or another minor act on the Lineup. Any requests?
20 October 2009
Comments: (0)Labels: 80s, Alternative Rock, Dave Navarro, Funk, Funk Metal, Jane's Addiction, Led Zeppelin, Metal, Perry Farrell
The Cure News
‘DISINTEGRATION’ COMES OF AGE?!!
THE REMASTERED ‘DISINTEGRATION’ ALBUM (21ST ANNIVERSARY EDITION) WILL BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE IN SPRING 2010 ON UNIVERSAL AND RHINO IT WILL BE AVAILABLE AS PART OF A 3CD DELUXE EDITION, AS A SINGLE CD AND ON DOUBLE VINYL THE 3CD DELUXE EDITION WILL COMPRISE:
CD1 - DISINTEGRATION
01 PLAINSONG
02 PICTURES OF YOU
03 CLOSEDOWN
04 LOVESONG
05 LAST DANCE
06 LULLABY
07 FASCINATION STREET
08 PRAYERS FOR RAIN
09 THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU
10 DISINTEGRATION
11 HOMESICK
12 UNTITLED
CD2 - RARITIES (1988 – 1989) ALL PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED VERSIONS (* PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SONG)
01 PRAYERS FOR RAIN -RS HOME DEMO (instrumental)-04/88
02 PICTURES OF YOU -RS HOME DEMO (instrumental)-04/88
03 FASCINATION STREET -RS HOME DEMO (instrumental)-04/88
04 HOMESICK -BAND REHEARSAL (instrumental)-06/88
05 FEAR OF GHOSTS -BAND REHEARSAL (instrumental)-06/88
06 NOHEART -BAND REHEARSAL (instrumental)-06/88 *
07 ESTEN -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88 *
08 CLOSEDOWN -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
09 LOVESONG -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
10 2LATE (alt version) -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
11 THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
12 DISINTEGRATION -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
13 UNTITLED (alt version) -STUDIO ROUGH (instrumental)-11/88
14 BABBLE (alt version) -STUDIO ROUGH (instrumental)-11/88
15 PLAINSONG -STUDIO ROUGH (guide vocal)-11/88
16 LAST DANCE -STUDIO ROUGH (guide vocal)-11/88
17 LULLABY -STUDIO ROUGH (guide vocal)-11/88
18 OUT OF MIND -STUDIO ROUGH (guide vocal)-11/88
19 DELIRIOUS NIGHT -ROUGH MIX (vocal)-12/88 *
20 PIRATE SHIPS -(RS solo) ROUGH MIX (vocal)-12/89 *
CD3 - ENTREAT PLUS RECORDED LIVE AT WEMBLEY ARENA 1989 REMIXED BY RS 2009 (* PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED PERFORMANCE)
01 PLAINSONG *
02 PICTURES OF YOU
03 CLOSEDOWN
04 LOVESONG *
05 LAST DANCE
06 LULLABY *
07 FASCINATION STREET
08 PRAYERS FOR RAIN
09 THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU *
10 DISINTEGRATION
11 HOMESICK
12 UNTITLED
THE SINGLE CD WILL BE THE 12 TRACK ALBUM, AS WILL THE DOUBLE VINYL …AND IT IS LIKELY A REMASTERED VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL 8 TRACK ‘ENTREAT’ LIVE ALBUM WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE… THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE REMASTERED CURE STUFF IN 2010… INCLUDING MIXED UP 2… THE CURE @ THE BBC BOX SET… IN ORANGE AND SHOW ON DVD… AND… ONWARDS!
THE REMASTERED ‘DISINTEGRATION’ ALBUM (21ST ANNIVERSARY EDITION) WILL BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE IN SPRING 2010 ON UNIVERSAL AND RHINO IT WILL BE AVAILABLE AS PART OF A 3CD DELUXE EDITION, AS A SINGLE CD AND ON DOUBLE VINYL THE 3CD DELUXE EDITION WILL COMPRISE:
CD1 - DISINTEGRATION
01 PLAINSONG
02 PICTURES OF YOU
03 CLOSEDOWN
04 LOVESONG
05 LAST DANCE
06 LULLABY
07 FASCINATION STREET
08 PRAYERS FOR RAIN
09 THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU
10 DISINTEGRATION
11 HOMESICK
12 UNTITLED
CD2 - RARITIES (1988 – 1989) ALL PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED VERSIONS (* PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SONG)
01 PRAYERS FOR RAIN -RS HOME DEMO (instrumental)-04/88
02 PICTURES OF YOU -RS HOME DEMO (instrumental)-04/88
03 FASCINATION STREET -RS HOME DEMO (instrumental)-04/88
04 HOMESICK -BAND REHEARSAL (instrumental)-06/88
05 FEAR OF GHOSTS -BAND REHEARSAL (instrumental)-06/88
06 NOHEART -BAND REHEARSAL (instrumental)-06/88 *
07 ESTEN -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88 *
08 CLOSEDOWN -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
09 LOVESONG -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
10 2LATE (alt version) -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
11 THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
12 DISINTEGRATION -BAND DEMO (instrumental)-09/88
13 UNTITLED (alt version) -STUDIO ROUGH (instrumental)-11/88
14 BABBLE (alt version) -STUDIO ROUGH (instrumental)-11/88
15 PLAINSONG -STUDIO ROUGH (guide vocal)-11/88
16 LAST DANCE -STUDIO ROUGH (guide vocal)-11/88
17 LULLABY -STUDIO ROUGH (guide vocal)-11/88
18 OUT OF MIND -STUDIO ROUGH (guide vocal)-11/88
19 DELIRIOUS NIGHT -ROUGH MIX (vocal)-12/88 *
20 PIRATE SHIPS -(RS solo) ROUGH MIX (vocal)-12/89 *
CD3 - ENTREAT PLUS RECORDED LIVE AT WEMBLEY ARENA 1989 REMIXED BY RS 2009 (* PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED PERFORMANCE)
01 PLAINSONG *
02 PICTURES OF YOU
03 CLOSEDOWN
04 LOVESONG *
05 LAST DANCE
06 LULLABY *
07 FASCINATION STREET
08 PRAYERS FOR RAIN
09 THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU *
10 DISINTEGRATION
11 HOMESICK
12 UNTITLED
THE SINGLE CD WILL BE THE 12 TRACK ALBUM, AS WILL THE DOUBLE VINYL …AND IT IS LIKELY A REMASTERED VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL 8 TRACK ‘ENTREAT’ LIVE ALBUM WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE… THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE REMASTERED CURE STUFF IN 2010… INCLUDING MIXED UP 2… THE CURE @ THE BBC BOX SET… IN ORANGE AND SHOW ON DVD… AND… ONWARDS!
Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift Part 3
Comes A Time
A relaxing song, with slow tempo and soothing guitar arpeggios and melodies. I mean, the lyrics and great and work really well with his tone of singing. “Comes a time when you can’t judge no more” talks about the fact that there is a point in life where we become the lone figure and we are the ones being judged instead of judging other people to me.
In the Mirror
An up tempo song relative to the previous track, it sets into the mood of the song soon with lyrics coming in within the opening bars. The double tracked guitar lines work well with the simple percussion as the lyrics and recurrent rhythm melody, “I need a reminder of what I’m doing, I need a reminder that I’m human” tells me that once in a while we’ve gotta stop living and just see what we’ve done. What mistakes we’ve made, what bad choices we’ve made, because that essentially means that we are human.
Armies Walk
Soft guitar introduction with another simple bassline and percussion works well, but not a huge fan of this track, it seems more like a filler track and doesn’t really tell its own story.
Imaginary Friends
A great way to finish the album, we see a strong overdriven rhythm guitar lead the way of the final track of the album, as his soothing voice contrasts the melody with its strangely high range as he tells us, ” Today, don’t want no one to tell me how it ends, meaning that he just wants to be alone and we need times like this in our lives.
A true indie rock record.
7/10
A relaxing song, with slow tempo and soothing guitar arpeggios and melodies. I mean, the lyrics and great and work really well with his tone of singing. “Comes a time when you can’t judge no more” talks about the fact that there is a point in life where we become the lone figure and we are the ones being judged instead of judging other people to me.
In the Mirror
An up tempo song relative to the previous track, it sets into the mood of the song soon with lyrics coming in within the opening bars. The double tracked guitar lines work well with the simple percussion as the lyrics and recurrent rhythm melody, “I need a reminder of what I’m doing, I need a reminder that I’m human” tells me that once in a while we’ve gotta stop living and just see what we’ve done. What mistakes we’ve made, what bad choices we’ve made, because that essentially means that we are human.
Armies Walk
Soft guitar introduction with another simple bassline and percussion works well, but not a huge fan of this track, it seems more like a filler track and doesn’t really tell its own story.
Imaginary Friends
A great way to finish the album, we see a strong overdriven rhythm guitar lead the way of the final track of the album, as his soothing voice contrasts the melody with its strangely high range as he tells us, ” Today, don’t want no one to tell me how it ends, meaning that he just wants to be alone and we need times like this in our lives.
A true indie rock record.
7/10
Comments: (0)
Labels: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Love, Mirror, Nada Surf, Reflection, The Weight Is A Gift
Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift Part 2
What Is Your Secret?
I love this song. I really do. Mix of simple guitar chords and piano melodies offer great assistance to the lyrics of the song. He really just states the reality of life that everyone has secrets and although they’ll always come out, he’d given up on finding out that kind of shit proven as he says “I don’t care about you anymore, people don’t care anymore.”
Your Legs Grow
Alright, this songs uses lots of dubs and works well with the song vocals. Essentially all he says is that he looks forwards and not backwards… ain’t that true bout love. Also, love it and saying that forget the bad stuff cos “Your Legs Grow”.
All Is A Game
This a is great song and sometimes i go way too deep for this one. Again, i love this kind of unique guitar tone he uses, slightly overdriven but still gets the clean and almost acoustic. Anyway, going deep for the time being, he really puts it right – “Is the weight of your own life too much for you?” and this line ties in with the album title: The Weight Is A Gift. Too right.
Blankest Year
This song became pretty famous after i listened to it, and really all he says is ’screw life, i’m gonna have fun.’ This is a true indie rock song with that rhythm guitar and well selected percussion. Ultimately, this track is just laid back and a really fun song to sing to – “Oh… Fuck it, I’m gonna have a party!”
I love this song. I really do. Mix of simple guitar chords and piano melodies offer great assistance to the lyrics of the song. He really just states the reality of life that everyone has secrets and although they’ll always come out, he’d given up on finding out that kind of shit proven as he says “I don’t care about you anymore, people don’t care anymore.”
Your Legs Grow
Alright, this songs uses lots of dubs and works well with the song vocals. Essentially all he says is that he looks forwards and not backwards… ain’t that true bout love. Also, love it and saying that forget the bad stuff cos “Your Legs Grow”.
All Is A Game
This a is great song and sometimes i go way too deep for this one. Again, i love this kind of unique guitar tone he uses, slightly overdriven but still gets the clean and almost acoustic. Anyway, going deep for the time being, he really puts it right – “Is the weight of your own life too much for you?” and this line ties in with the album title: The Weight Is A Gift. Too right.
Blankest Year
This song became pretty famous after i listened to it, and really all he says is ’screw life, i’m gonna have fun.’ This is a true indie rock song with that rhythm guitar and well selected percussion. Ultimately, this track is just laid back and a really fun song to sing to – “Oh… Fuck it, I’m gonna have a party!”
Comments: (0)
Labels: Alternative Rock, Burden of Life, Indie Rock, Nada Surf, Secrets, The Weight Is A Gift
Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift Part 1
Wow, great album. Their best album. Easily. Caws’ unique voice and lyrical writing shows the band’s prowess in developing into one of the better indie/alternative independent artists out there a well as his accompaniment from Elliot and Lorca on drums and bass.
Concrete Bed
The opening track is fitting with their love-based album The Weight Is A Gift and its predominant lyric “To find someone you love, you gotta be someone you love” shows its deep yet simple meaning – Only your OWN heart knows what it wants you know? There’s no stopping that. The musical composition is excellent as well, showing their new and unique version of indie rock with great rhythm acoustic guitar.
Do It Again
This song is another great rhythm song and I felt that when listening to this album, this song made it as a really good driving track. It has the album title’s lyric – “maybe this weight was a gift” and it makes so much sense; having a burden on your shoulders is a good thing, whether it be love or a friendship, it’s worth it. Funny as it is my friend actually interpreted as literal weights in the gym so now I get to tease him. Clearly, he’s what I would call a music person.
Always Love
This again is a good song, which still hasn’t demonstrated as of yet, their unique indie sound but is my personal favourite track on the record as it really sums up choices in life in a few lines – “To make a mountain of your life is just a choice.” Composed well with the soft guitar tone and then an overdriven verse as it simply compares those two great opposing emotions – hate and love with great assistance by Elliot on percussion. Be careful kids, this choice is between having a hill or Everest on your shoulders.
Concrete Bed
The opening track is fitting with their love-based album The Weight Is A Gift and its predominant lyric “To find someone you love, you gotta be someone you love” shows its deep yet simple meaning – Only your OWN heart knows what it wants you know? There’s no stopping that. The musical composition is excellent as well, showing their new and unique version of indie rock with great rhythm acoustic guitar.
Do It Again
This song is another great rhythm song and I felt that when listening to this album, this song made it as a really good driving track. It has the album title’s lyric – “maybe this weight was a gift” and it makes so much sense; having a burden on your shoulders is a good thing, whether it be love or a friendship, it’s worth it. Funny as it is my friend actually interpreted as literal weights in the gym so now I get to tease him. Clearly, he’s what I would call a music person.
Always Love
This again is a good song, which still hasn’t demonstrated as of yet, their unique indie sound but is my personal favourite track on the record as it really sums up choices in life in a few lines – “To make a mountain of your life is just a choice.” Composed well with the soft guitar tone and then an overdriven verse as it simply compares those two great opposing emotions – hate and love with great assistance by Elliot on percussion. Be careful kids, this choice is between having a hill or Everest on your shoulders.
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