Face the Facts

Well, I made it farther than I did the last time around, but I still have to throw in the towel... sort of. This venture is just way too exhausting and time consuming to keep up, at least if I want to do more than a single line a night.

However, I am still committed to the 365 album idea, just done in  a much simpler fashion. So, from here on out I will be posting on my facebook page, a video from the band I am listening to that day. The video will be a song from the album I have been listening to that day.

Sunny day real estate- diary

Mudhoney - Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge

While Nirvana tapped into the mainstream and were being touted around the world as the kings of Grunge, the true emperors were not so quietly, but happily back in Seattle sitting upon their rightful thrones.  Their Album, Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, has always been by far my favorite of the bunch. I can still remember waiting anxiously for it's release and having my friend's grandmother drive us down to Music Plus (of was it already Wherehouse, by that time?) to finally get my hands on it.

While their previous work was exceptionally good, I enjoyed this album above the rest because it began to venture a way from the fuzzy distorted sounds they helped bring about. You're actually able to listen to the band mature as musicians right in front of your stereo. This is not to say they got rid of the sound altogether, but rather refined it into a garage, blues rock sound.

If your a fan of the 90's rock explosion labeled "grunge" and haven't put this album on your rotation, well... repent! The go and make it right.

Jimi Hendrix- Axis: Bold as Love

We'll so far, along our trip (actual and musical) we have gone through some sounds of the Bay Area, Portland, and Olympia. We are now traveling through the wonder that is Seattle, Washington and in my mind there is no better place to begin than with Seattle's native son Jimi Hendrix.  

Dr. Suess once said, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

I guess that's the best way to describe the short lived Jimi Hendrix Experience. With only three albums under their belt before Jimi was tragically taken from our musical souls, we are left with the black hole of a question, "what could have been?" Sadly, this is too often the question encompassing The Jimi Hendrix Experience, rather than a fond embrace of the beautiful trilogy The Experience has passed down to generation after generation.

Axis: Bold as Love probably did not have the pizazz of his first effort Are You Experienced?, But Hendrix accomplished and built upon his early success his second major recording. Within the album he experiments with rock, blues, some jazz, and ventures into the arena of psychedelic with songs like if 6 was 9. My favorite song is of course, Castles made of Sand and She's So fine, but these are most peoples favorites. so I don't think I'm offering any new insight.

If you have never, or have rarely listened to The Jimi Hendrix Experience, then do yourself a favor and get this album. It's an American classic by the man who in my opinion, single handily (alright he used both hands) changed the face of Rock and Roll, became the face of the 60's, and is still by far one of the greatest, if not THE greatest guitar players in modern music.

Nirvana - Bleach

It's funny how after the fact, so many people love to criticize this band and talk about how overrated they were. Yeah, I don't know, maybe to some extent people jumped on the Grunge bandwagon, but I still remember this album and Nevermind with the fondness of youth.

I still remember the first time I heard this album, I had been trading music with a newfound friend. When one day he handed me this record to listen too, I thought this was a joke at first. Prior to this album he had given me a wide selection of Punk albums to check out and now here he was handing me a metal album. I was confused, to say the least. Nevertheless, I went home and sat on my bedroom floor and popped the tape into the stereo. I hadn't heard anything out there sounding quite like this, I mean there were some unquestionably great bands during that time (ex. Pixies, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.- the list could go on), but this was familiar and unique at the the same time. I know some of you will point out the endless grunge bands already on the scene starting with Mudhoney and working your way down, but I didn't know about them. I lived in a small farming town just outside of LA. It didn't take long for the others to follow suit, but this was the band, the album that opened the Seattle Music door for me.

That first time I listened to "Bleach" was like listening to a deconstructed rock record. Distorted guitars, the heavy pounding drums (which I found out later was enlarge part was due to Dale Crover of the Melvins), the melodic whines and scratchy screams of Cobain, was a stripped down minimalist approach to the "rock" being peddled over the airwaves. The glaring juxtaposition between Nirvana and the Warrants, Skid Rows, and Ugly Kid Joes only helped to expose the artificial pseudo-rock that  LA radio stations like Pirate Radio were force feeding us. We were starving for something new and creative in the Rock world. Bleach was the ground work for that change.

Funny, I haven't listened to the album in so long, I forgot what an inspiring album this was to me. From their first single Love Buzz, to the pop driven About a Girl (the only song he ever wrote for his then long time girlfriend), to the frenzied Negative Creep, the album delivers unpolished rock hits.

A funny story-  A short time after hearing this album, Nirvana was touring for their upcoming Nevermind album, and were headlining a show in LA at the Palladium. By this time I was sold on the band, so with two of my friends in tow, we went to the show. After, a couple of bands played, (if I recall correctly Redd Kross and Hole... Not too sure about Redd Kross, but I really want to say so), three guys, walked out on the stage; The guitarist a dorky, short haired blond guy with holes in his the knees of his jeans; the bassist another short haired, towering giant with no shoes; and the a long haired drummer who hid his face behind the hair, slightly resembling cousin it. I was confused. I read the bill, I knew which bands were playing, and the name of this band was nowhere to be seen.  The only picture I had ever seen of the band up to this point was the one on the cover of " Bleach" so you could imagine that I was expecting big haired, jean jacket rocking rockers. Thus, I turned to my friend Jason and asked "What band is this?" He shrugged and then the music started.

Melvins - Houdini

How does one get back at a Jerk of a supervisor? How about starting a sludge metal band and naming it after your nemesis, forever ranking his place of Honor amongst world's worst bosses. Thus, cementing his name with dirtiness, like John for the commode or Peter for...well, you get the point. That's the story behind the naming of the Melvins.

Anyhow they aren't the Godfathers of Sludge for nothing. The music is slow, methodic,  and heavy with Dale Crover pounding his skins to oblivion. It's not for everyone, but there are a few of you who will dig on every riff, drum kick, and guttural stanza King Buzzo belts out.

On an interesting side note, the first bass player for the band was Lori Black, AKA "Lorax". She is the daughter of Shirley Temple.

Old Time Relijun - Catharsis In Crisis

It took me  awhile, but this band has finally started to grow on me. When I was looking at bands from the Portland area to listen to while on our road trip, OTR was one that had a lot accolades. I am pretty sure that I would have loved this band 15 years ago when I was going through my John Spencer Blues Explosion faze. But these days,  my musical appetite has changed somewhat. I  have lost my teenage angst as one friend likes to tell me. 

But as I said, it's starting to grow on me, but I don't think the song I listed is quite in line with the rest of the album... well, it might, but I don't think it actually captures there musical talent the way songs like Garden of Pomegranates does.  

The music is a abstract punk nod to Mississippi delta-blues with the only constant of the band frontman Arrington de Dionyso's bizarre, spastic and scratchy vocals.

Beat Happening - Dreamy

Here was the unique thing about Beat Happening, the band rotated instruments and vocal duties. Some might say this was done because none of the members had mastered their instruments and others claim it was unique artistic inspiration. That is left up to the listener to decide. What the band offers is simple chord strumming, backed by  crude drumming, on top of Calvin Johnson's deep basso vocals that cover there lack of a bassist. When Calvin is not fronting the band, Heather lewis sweet naive vocals. It minimalist indie rock of the 90's.

Bikini Kill- The CD Version of the Firs Two Records

When I was about 17 years old, my girlfriend at the time decided she no longer wanted the esteemed title. I found out days later that she dumped me for a Carnie (short for Carnival worker). Did you hear what I just said, I was dumped for a CARNIE! Of course, I was devastated. I mean who wouldn't be? To be left for a carnival worker is only slightly better than her dumping me for a homeless squatter with no respect for hygiene... only slightly.

A short time thereafter, someone put this tape on in my car. It was the first time I heard the song Carnival and from that day forward my heart has been intertwined with Bikini Kill. No matter how we differ on politics and ethics, I will be forever grateful to BK. It was like someone reaching out there hand to an abuse victim and telling them, "Hey, it's gonna be alright. I've been there too." For the first time, I understood this was a national epidemic, young girls falling for the swooning dirtiness of Carnie Charisma.

So there it is, there's my story of why I still love Bikini Kill. 

As for the record, well it's as the Title suggest a couple of EPs  meshed together. It's upfront, in your face, vulgar, female leftist liberal, punk at its finest. 

Sleater-Kinney -Call the Doctor

Alanis Morissette was so much cooler when she was in a punk rawk band. I mean her voice goes so much better with intense three chord riffs.

What? What do you mean Alanis Morissette wasn't in a punk band?!!! That's not her singing. You lie.

I suppose, that might be a slight exaggeration and since both Alanis' break out album and Sleater- Kinney's sophmore effort came out at roughly around the same time, it's hard to point fingers at who stole whose style, if anyone did at all. Maybe, it was just the sounds of the time, but to me Morissette and Tucker had some striking vocal similarities.

I have already reviewed SK once on my now defunct freshman effort of this blog, so I will simply say, I love riot grrrl music. Sleater-Kinney though they might have come on the tail end of fad, they were probably one of the best representations of it. But, let's not get lost in titles. These girls rocked and were a great punk band. You should have them on you playlist.

Kimya Dawson- My Cute Fiend Sweet Princess

Let’s start with this, I’ve never heard a Moldy Peaches record (of which Kimya Dawson was apart). Also,let’s be up front here, the first time I ever heard a song by the woman was in the movie Juno. Yes, I am quite aware I now have no street cred. However, I did take my family to the local record store to see her play, if that restores any dignity I had. The music is upbeat and bouncy, sort of along the lines of kids jingles, while her songwriting is depressing. This was her early work, lo-fi, anti-folk and darkly emotional. Somehow Kimya found a way to strike the balance and it seems to work well for her. Probably not for everyone, the album takes sometime to settle into and enjoy. But it’s rather stirring and hard to put out of your mind, once it’s sunk in.

On a side note, have you ever seen the commercial with the little housewife having the TV gangbangers over for tea and telling them that she is blocking their show from her families house? Pretty clever. But, it's also how I've come to feel about Kimya Dawson's early work. While I admit it's great artistically. It's just way too vulgar to be playing around my kids. I leave it up for you to decide, and I'm sure there are plenty of other bands you can point out to me and state, "but you like them!" Granted, nevertheless, I dropped her some "thumbs" because I can only listen to her when I am alone and then most the time I turn on something else.

Portugal. The Man- Satanic Satanist

I heard of this band previously, but in light of Coachella they seemed to be more on my mind. So, I finally picked up a couple of albums, but despite all the accolades I’ve heard about this band, I didn’t have very high expectations. I thought it would be along the lines of the standard indie / Emo that is flooding the market, but Man! was I wrong. Satanic Satanist is probably one of my favorite new pick ups in a while. I am not quite sure how to describe the album, so I stole some one else's words:


"Imagine The Pixies calling up 311 (don’t ask) and inviting them over to Frank Black’s manse to throw a Sly and the Family Stone appreciation party. But half-way through the gala, evil cousins Ween crash in and send the whole night flying off course. And yet, somehow, impossibly, it all works, like a good magic trick."


I might have substituted Ween for Oasis but you get the point.

The Decemberist- The Crane Wife

I have a tendency to get stuck on an album, making it hard to move on to a band’s other work, which is one reason why I am trying this musical escapade. Case in point, is The Decemberist’s record The Crane Wife. I’ve had this album for quite some time, but have rarely gotten beyond a song or two before returning to Picturesque, not because I actually prefer the album over this one, but because I already know most of the songs on Picturesque. And since I already know the songs why move on when I could just sing along.

The Crane Wife is the band’s fourth LP and their first on a major label. I think most people wondered if what made the Decemeberist special would get lost or smothered in the big budget production of a major label. My opinion is that is simply not the case. The Decemberist rose to the occasion and put out an amazing album. Meloy has always been a strong, creative writer, making his carefully weaved stories the backbone of the band. This is no less true with The Crane Wife. There are not many writers out there today who can craft a wonderful, picture filled tale about eclectic characters and yet, Meloy is able to do so with ease. The Crane Wife is filled with Meloy's imaginative characters ranging from criminals to soldiers, lovers to butchers. Yet, while the storytelling is strong and central to the album, the music accompanying the tales is not just hidden in the backdrop. It’s not just your run of the mill, folk rock. The band’s music entices and moves the stories. You're easily sucked into the story and moved along by the music.

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Time Out

Well, I will away from the computer for a few days, so I'll have to continue where I left off when I return. I thought I could get it done ahead of time, but alas! it did not happen. So when I return, I will share with you one of my favorite bands of the year, which isn't saying much they will probably be a big hit.

Frank Black and the Catholics - Show Me Your Tears

Just because the Pixies have returned to set music right again doesn't mean you should turn your back on Frank Black and the Catholics. While the Pixies were on a decade or so hiatus, Frank was still putting out great music. Show Me Your Tears is a great rock album that is heavily influenced with bluesy riffs, slides, and barroom piano. Yet, throughout he builds on his signature Pixie sound and at times surpasses his past. But, you have to invest yourself into this record, if you just give it a quick one over, you'll probably be disappointed. Listen a couple times and you'll find it hard to let go. 

Songs you should listen for:

Massif Centrale-  Simply the best song on the record. Great riffs layered with Black's Falsetto voice that briefly shocks the listener then leads into an entrancing chorus "That's the sign of your love behavior."

Everything is New

Coastline

Nadine

Kutless- To Know That You're Alive

Kutless is the embodiment of what passes for Contemporary Christian Music these days. If you want to get an idea of what is being played over the "positive alternative" stations then look no further than Kutless; every other band sounds like them, or  they sound like every other band. I haven't decided if this is a compliment or not. I suppose it depends on if mainstream christian music is your thing. I will be frank, and tell you that it's not mine (but I have a feeling you probably know that based on the other bands I've put on the blog). With each passing year I grow more and more despondent to the fads that rise up within the Christian culture. 

As far as what is being played on Christian radio (bands like Kutless), well I am probably too harsh of a critic and am all too aware that there is not much these bands can do that would please me. I complain because they are too "soft-rock" and when they play music that's a little heavier, I complain because they are trying too hard to be like everything else on all the alternative radio stations. It's a no win situation with me. 

This got me thinking though, is it only mainstream christian music or are there any other genres that I dismiss so easily? I would say, I carry the same attitude about most of what is being played on country music stations these days as well. My problem, I guess, is that within christian and country music, there is so much to offer and can bring such a richness to what is being said in the songs that I have a hard time listening to these crappy songs that are more interested in reaching masses than saying something insightful or really have any depth.

As far as  Kutless, let me say first and foremost, it is very apparent that these guys are good musicians. Their talent shines throughout the album. Secondly, it is a big album. You can hear it in the production that these guys have stadiums and mega-churches on their horizion. This is not simply playing for a youth group or coffee shop album, no Kutless is thinking and playing for the Crusades and radio stations. And in the words of Seinfeld, "Not that there is anything wrong with that."

The problem for me, besides the fact that I'm just not into their very well played music, is that their songs are really shallow. It seems at times that they're concerned more with rhyming than actually saying anything meaningful about theology or the Christian life. Consider this, a band that is in-your-face Christian, singing about theology and the spiritual life, and in many of their songs are talking about or to God, only mention Jesus in one stanza. I'm not saying there is some quota for how many times a band should say the name of Jesus in song, but it seems that in lieu of Jesus or the Holy Spirit they tended to use personal pronouns. Here are the Lyrics for the song The Rescue:

I don’t know what’s happening
Everything around me has come crashing to the ground
It’s here I see my need
In all the devastation
I’m praying for a miracle, help me to escape
Again

My life is a mass destruction
You’re pulling me from the mess I’m in
You take me away
There’s glass in the air I’m breathing
Somehow my heart keeps beating till
You take me away

Will you send an angel
A ray of sunlight shining through the darkness of my world
That's falling down on me
You are my salvation
The only one to rescue me from the torment that I’m in
Again

My life is a mass destruction
You’re pulling me from the mess I’m in
You take me away
There’s glass in the air I’m breathing
Somehow my heart keeps beating till
You take me away

Goodbye my hurting
Goodbye my needing
Goodbye my worries
Goodbye to all of my bleeding

My life is a mass destruction
You’re pulling me from the mess I’m in
You take me away
There’s glass in the air I’m breathing
Somehow my heart keeps beating till
You take me away

The song is about a person's life falling apart and they are crying out to God in their time of need, at least I think that is what it is. Is this a song about God and his creation or about any relationship?  Maybe the songwriter has a girl on his mind and how he really needs her in his life. Or maybe, this christian band is trying to be more marketable.

That's my rant. On the other hand, let me say again if this is your style of music, then I don't think you're going to go wrong by getting this album. In fact, I'll say it is a good record for what it was intended for and that's to get on positive alternative or maybe just alternative radio.

Viva Voce- Rose City

I really had high hopes for this band. I enjoy discovering new music (I mean to my ears, they've been around awhile) and I thought for sure this album would be a keeper. It had heard some good reviews and there on a cool label (Barsuk, the same label as David Bazan), so I thought for sure I was really going to dig this husband and wife team. Unfortunately, nothing on the album stood out. The songs seemed to blend into one another and just became sort of a monotonous blur. Honestly, it's hard to think of any songs on the album for me to suggest to you, but if I have to choose one I guess it would be Octavio, only because I actually looked down at my ipod to see the name of the song.

Hole- Pretty On the Inside

Well, Hole is probably more of an LA band, but since Courtney Love grew up in Portland, OR., I will include it here.

This maybe the most underrated and underappreciated grunge albums of the early 90s. This is pre-Cobain teaching Love how to play the guitar and long before the band started preforming pop radio hits like “Doll Parts” and “ Miss World”. In fact, you probably couldn’t tell Hole’s early work from what they morphed into once they had the taste for popularity.  

Pretty on the Inside is a wall of noise taken from Sonic Youth's playbook along with Eric’s Black Sabbath-esque guitar riffs. On top of that is Love furiously shouting, in a singing kind of way, about sex, rape, and drugs. Yet, she does so in such a way that doesn’t come off sounding like she’s trying to say the cool things, but rather is introspective of the pain in her life that has brought about such hatred and bitterness. It’s not sweet or sexy, more often than not it’s vulgar and brutal. While love and guitarist Eric see this album as something of an embarrassment this is probably Hole’s best work to date.  

Song you should listen For:

Garbadge Man

Mrs. Jones

Good Sister / Bad Sister

Loaded

Everclear- So Much For the Afterglow

I don't know what to say about this band, I want to hate them (though I'm not quite sure why), but I don't and in fact, I was really surprised at how much I actually liked this album. When so much for the afterglow hit the radio airwaves, I quickly dismissed this band as jumping on the Green Day / Pop-punk bandwagon and I probably would have never picked this album if they had not been from the Portland area (I like to connect with places by the music it puts out). Anyhow, I put the record on and found that I pretty much like almost everything on it. The music sounds pretty basic and simple with a lot of catchy hooks . The lyrics are sometimes whimsical, clever, and witty. Other times, more often than not cliche and stereotypical.  Yet, when put all together, it works... really well. The first song, the title song,  starts of with beach boy-esque  style that leads into a up tempo, pop-rock song.  Everything to Everyone has a driving bass line throughout the anthem directed towards annoying people. I Will Buy You A New Life, one of the radio hits is the bands love song about a down and out kind of guy trying to win his girl back. The song has a pretty clever line,  "I hate those people who love to tell you money is the root of all that kills, they have never been poor they have never had the joy of a welfare Christmas." Father of Mine, the other Radio hit, is a pop- angst rocker that tells the story of how the singers father abandon him and his family. Amphetamine is a faster paced punk style song. Overall, this album had me nodding my head and tapping my toes along with the music and really isn't that all you really want from a record. 


On a personal note, I vaguely recall seeing this band play once. I was in Fullerton at some club to see Jawbreaker play and a band opened playing a pop-punk style with a bleached blond guy singing. I asked  one of my friends who the band was (the same friend who landed on his face at the MTX show) and he replied, "There called Everclear, there going to get big very soon." This of course, was not a compliment from my punk rock friend, yet still very prophetic.

Elliot Smith- Elliot Smith

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say, like most people, the first time I was exposed to Elliot Smith’s work was during the very intense and dramatic scene in the Royal Tenebaums where Luke Wilson’s character is attempting to commit suicide. The music dramatically coincided with what was happening on the screen. It became a cult phenomenon and helped spur Smith’s into stardom.  

But, why was I hearing about Smith so late in the game? Well, I suppose it was due to the fact that in 1995, when his self-titled album was released. It was the pinnacle of Grunge. Distorted electric guitars with heavy riffs, scratchy guttural screams, and peddling teen angst were all the rage. But in 1995 I was already past my grunge need, maybe I was on a sabbatical at that point from secular music for higher and heavenlier callings. Nonetheless, Elliot Smith was not set up to compete with the Nirvanas, Mudhoneys, and Pearl Jams of the music world. His music was and is quiet the antithesis of the Grunge sound. He was often finger picking or strumming an acoustic guitar while sing dark melodies mostly in a soft monotone voice.  

Everything I’ve read seems to suggest that Elliot Smith was drinking heavily and abusing pain medication, leading the songwriter to delve into issues of drug abuse, death, and God.  Most of the songs on the dark, acoustic and Smith sings in his signature soft voice. It seems like even when he is screaming it's in a muted whisper. 

Songs to Listen For:

Needle in the Hay

Clementine

Southern Belle

Grateful Dead- American Beauty

American Beauty is an American Classic! I love listening to this album while driving, especially driving through San Francisco.  This is my favorite album, by the band, but telling you American Beauty is the Dead’s best work might bring about on onslaught of debate. Since I suppose asking a Deadhead to tell you what the band’s best album is, would be liking asking a Lakers Fan who the best Laker is of all-time. So, I’ll just say for my taste, it’s my favorite record by the Dead, though by all accounts I am not a Dead Head and have not listened to their entire collection. Box of Rain the first song is a subtle, simple song sang by Phil Lesh that lets you know you're in for a real treat. From there American Beauty, never lets up with great material. It's a musical experience throughout the entire CD. 


Songs to Listen For:


Box of Rain
Friend of the Devil
Truckin'
Sugar Magnolia
Ripple
Till the Morning Comes

Samiam- Astray

I have often wondered why Samiam only had nominal success in their career. I mean the band always put out good albums with catchy songs. Despite having cool music and a descent singer,  they never caught on like their bay area counter parts (Green Day, Rancid, Jawbreaker). True they did get some slight coverage on MTV and their website says they once played on the Jon Stewart show, but for as big of a sound as this band had, it leaves you to wonder why they couldn't hit the big time.

Samiam has a hard sound to define. When I first started listening to the band, I would have been quick to box them into the pop-punk genre, but as the years passed and the band developed so did their style. Sure, sometimes they do have the pop-punk influence, but they also embody everything from anthem rock to EMO (if that's still a legitimate term these days). For a short time the band quietly ceased to be after Astray. According to their updated website though, the band is in a musical limbo these days. 

The record itself  is filled with a number of great tracks that showcase the bands worth. The first song on the record, Sunshine, starts out with a soft guitar ditty that roars into a massive rock song encased by the throaty vocals of Jason Beebout. Mexico is another great song about a guy whose girlfriend is leaving for a girl roadtrip, but has a subtle feeling that she is in fact leaving him. My personal favorite is Dull, for the simple fact that it makes me painfully miss all the times I use to get together with close friends. the song is basically, about a guy who hasn't seen his friends since they all got together at a funeral of another friend. Here's a small portion of the lyrics:

I forgot how good it feels to be part of a spinning wheel supported and supported on and on forget the judgement and the games forget the shit talk and the shame you will only be young for so long I wish it could always be like this something I've been missing it's not too late to change what you've become the last time I saw everyone we buried our friend and his gun I think he'd be happy here right now.

don't be jaded I don't want to spend another long and lonely weekend by the phone without anyone to call I've had a lot of time to think and I'm so tired of thinking I know why he put that bullet in his skull because life can be so dull

Janis Joplin - Pearl

Well, if you followed this blog for the short time it was around last year, then you know I already posted this once before. Nevertheless, one should always put on a little Janis on the radio while going through San Francisco and since this is technically a new blog altogether, I will list it her as well.

I love Janis Joplin because my parents loved Janis Joplin; though, I suppose now that I'm older I have found my own reasons to enjoy her music. I remember with fondness my mom and sister turning up Summertime as we drove down the road, or my sister singing in her typical family out-of-tune style Mercedes Benz. With fondness, I recall my step-dad's garage band playing covers of Janis Joplin hits.

Pearl easily fits in with the great classic rock albums of all time. Joplin's sultry, yet raspy voice corresponds well with her backing band Full Tilt Boogie. Every song on the album is worth a listen. It's arguably the best record she put out. If you love good music... nay, if you love you're white girls saturated with the blues that burst forth through jarring wails and epic moans, Pearl is the album you need in your collection.

Rogue Wave- Descended Like Vultures

Zach Rogue first venture was essentially a solo album, but this time around he went into the studio with a band and a bigger production budget,  and the out come is some savory indie music. Zach mixes his high vocals with understatedly darker lyrics, while the band plays what one reviewer called "Delirious, dizzy alt- pop. The album is decidedly different than Out of the Shadow, gone is the nervous DIY effort of a talent musician, and in it's place the work of a proper band. If you enjoy bands like Death Cab For Cutie and Elliot Smith then Rogue Wave should be right up your alley.

Songs to Listen for:

Bird on a Wire- The first song on the album is by far my favorite.

Publish my love- multi-layered guitar track with polished production

California- a stripped down acoustic song 

 

Pinhead Gunpowder - Carry The Banner

What if Green Day would have remained just a local punk band in the Bay Area? What if they had  never opted for power ballads and rock operas, what kind of punk rock would they have been peddling? Well, that question is answered in Billy Joe’s side project Pinhead Gunpowder. This time around Billy Joe teamed up with other local legend, Drummer, Aaron Cometbus formerly of Crimpshrine, and recently the short lived Thorns of Life with ex-jawbreaker’s frontman Blake Schwarzenbach.

The music is fast paced punk rock the entire album clocks in at a hair over 15 minutes.  So quickly is the album over that some are calling it an EP. I don't know, back in my day an EP was a couple of songs, when you hit the Nine song mark you've put your self in stride for a full length recording, 15 minutes or not.  Alas! I am splitting hairs. The album is pretty straight forward; power chords, drums following along, and just about the time you're getting into the song...it's over. Honestly though not bad for a straight forward punk album. 

Green Day- Kerplunk

I have never been a big fan of Green Day, but I do remember back so very long ago, a friend of mine loaned me his cassette tape of Kerplunk and thinking it was pretty amazing. I’m pretty sure I bootlegged myself a copy which was probably eaten by my crappy stock tape player in my Honda Accord. But sometime shortly thereafter, Dookie came out and I had moved on in my life. Dookie may have been hailed as a monumental success, but none of their hit songs grabbed my soul. Green Day’s Dookie take it or leave it. Kerplunk on the other hand was and still  is a top notch album. 

 
Simply put,  there is just something to be said for this album. This was the record that stirred up the underground swell of excitement for the band. It was the record that grabbed the attention of the major labels and launched the bands career. So by all accounts it has to be a good record. What makes the record so good is that the band sounded great doing what is does best…pop-punk. This is prior to the days of them trying everything  from ska to power ballads to rock operas. At this point the band was still very young, but played like seasoned vets, though, they stumble to the finish line a couple of times with weaker songs in the middle, but over all great catchy pop-punk. listening to this album, it's easy to see why they were the kings of the genre.


Songs to Check Out:


2000 light years away
one For The Razorbacks
Welcome to Paradise
80
Android


Songs to Stay Away From:


Dominated Love Slave -Meant to be comical-filler, but is more annoying than anything else.

Counting Crows- August and Everything After

If American Idol started in the early 90's andl the show put a band together with the second place winner (I think second place the spot the rock vocalist places ) they would have been called Counting Crows. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad thing, it's just what I imagine when I listen to this album. August and Everything After is soft rock at it's finest. There's a reason T-Bone Burnett produced this album and a reason why it became the fast selling album since Nirvana's Nevermind. Adam Duritz has an incredible voice and the rest of the seven piece band put together some really creative music. Oh sure, you might pretend to be too indie for this band, but damn it! I know when you driving alone and Round Here comes on the radio you are singing it at the top of your lungs. They're  polished musicians, they're fun and creative. You'll love them, even if you don't tell anyone you do.

Songs you should give a listen 

Round Here

Omaha

Raining in Baltimore

Songs to stay away from

Time and Time Again- It could be a Disney Princess song.

Overall rating: