Here are my picks for the best long players this year. I 'm not doing the best songs of the year as they will appear in the Listomania series later on. All in all, it was a very good year for music, maybe not outstanding, but there were several superb records made in 2010. Here they are from 20-1:
20. The Sea - Corinne Bailey Rae
This is a pretty low-key record by the Leeds native. She was away for awhile coping with the overdose death of her husband last year and these songs reflect that tragedy. She has the voice of an angel though, so nuanced and soulful and full of feeling. This is what the Rihannas and Ke$has of the world couldn't achieve in their wildest dreams because this girl has that huge ingredient that they sorely lack: pure talent.
Best Songs: Are You Here, The Blackest Lily
19. The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night - The Besnard Lakes
Imagine the Cocteau Twins had a baby with the Jesus And Mary Chain and mix in some Led Zeppelin and ELO for good measure. That is about as close as I can get to describing this Montreal band. They are fronted by singer/guitarist Jace Lasek and his wife, bassist/vocalist Olga Goreas and their sound and vision are quite unique. They take dynamics to a whole new level, at times quietly ethereal and then as bombastic and heavy as it gets.
Best Songs: Like The Ocean Like The Innocent Pt. 1: The Innocent, And This Is What We Call Progress
18. Northern Aggression - Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3
Steve Wynn was a big deal in the Paisley Underground scene in California in the early '80s. His band The Dream Syndicate had a huge cult following and he was seen as one of the cool guys of the time. Well, he is now 50 and this album proves that even us old farts can still pack a punch. This album is straight-up rock played by the classic 2 guitars, bass and drums foursome, but it sounds so good. His voice is a cross between the snarl, half-talk of Lou Reed and the twang of Tom Petty. The riffs are great and the attitude is alive and well.
Best Songs: Resolution, On The Mend
17. School Of Seven Bells - Disconnect From Desire
I suppose these New Yorkers sound a lot like one of my fave '90s bands, Curve, but the vocals are clearer and the melodies are catchier. This band was created by Benjamin Curtis, formerly of Secret Machines, and twin sisters/ vocalists Alejandra and Claudia DeHeza. The music is very synth-driven and beat heavy, with the Dehezas' vocals pulling the listener into their Dream-Pop world. The album is full of glorious soundscapes and this record is a treat to listen to, for these worn ears at least.
Best Songs: Windstorm, Heart Is Strange, Babelonia
16. Mini Mansions - Mini Mansions
This band is essentially a side project for Queens Of The Stone Age bassist Michael Shuman. It always gets me when artists do a solo album or a side project to "get more creative" or whatever and it sounds exactly like the band that they are "getting away" from. Well, this sounds absolutely nothing like QOTSA, not even a bit. This is Beatlesque Chamber-Pop, full of harmony vocals and keyboards and dreamy melodies. A very interesting listen, and quite an unexpected pleasant surprise.
Best Songs: Crime Of The Season, Seven Sons, Kiddie Hypnogogia
15. High Violet - The National
Who would have expected such a collection of uptempo, happy songs? Oh wait, this is The National right? No happy, for sure, and little to no uptempo. These Brooklynites-by-way-of-Cincinnati continue with their bleak vision on this record, with much critical acclaim. While it is mostly worthy praise, I would argue that listening to them too much makes one dour and miserable, perhaps even depressed. It is great music to play when life is getting you down, or when one is feeling contemplative, but I advise against putting it on at your next holiday family get-together. It is indeed a great record though, but put away the sleeping pills and rope and razors before you put it on the Ipod.
Best Songs: Anyone's Ghost, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Conversation 16
14. Expo 86 - Wolf Parade
This Montreal band always puts out quality records, and this 3rd album is no exception. The herky-jerky rhythms and analog synth lines are their signature and they always write a mean melody as well. 2008's At Mount Zoomer was one of that year's best and a big fave of mine. This record is just a notch below that one, but it is still a brilliant piece of work.
Best Songs: Palm Road, Little Golden Age, Ghost Pressure
13. Total Life Forever - Foals
New Order meets Talking Heads on this 2nd album from these guys who hail from Oxford, England. This is a collection of songs that one can dance to, but they have a strong vein of indie-cred running through them. The rhythms and jittery guitars really do remind me of Talking Heads circa 1979, while the polyrhythms and African influences tip the cap to latter day Heads. The choruses are chant-like singalongs like the best of New Order, really bringing home the '80s influences that abound here.
Best Songs: Miami, Total Life Forever, This Orient
12. Strange Change Machine - The Grip Weeds
These Power-Pop veterans hail from New Jersey and reached a new level of acclaim with the release this year of this great double album. They wear their influences proudly on their sleeves and one can hear echoes of The Beatles, The Who, and even fellow Jersey natives The Smithereens in their music. This is music to be played in the sunshine, sitting out on the deck with a cold one, groovin' with the feeling. Little Steven of E-Street Band fame is a big champion of this band and often plays them on his Underground Garage radio show. They even do a very admirable cover of Todd Rundgren's seminal Hello It's Me on disc 2.
Best Songs: Speed Of Life, Close To The Sun, You're Not Walking Away
11. Field Music (Measure) - Field Music
This is a great record. It is 20 songs in total and I would struggle to find a dud amongst them. This is the 3rd album by this Sunderland, England four-piece and, in my opinion, their best ever. Their sound is hard to pigeonhole, but I would say a definite XTC influence is present in the way they create such intelligent Pop. They write angular melodies and at times they sound almost like Progressive Rock in the Yes or Emerson Lake & Palmer school. This is a grower of a record and I highly recommend it.
Best Songs: Effortlessly, Let's Write A Book, Curves Of The Needle
10. Halcyon Digest - Deerhunter
This band led by singer/guitarist Bradford Cox hails from Atlanta, but they sound nothing like a Southern rock group. Their milieu is not the kind of music that one finds instantly catchy, but requires a deeper investment from the listener. Once one spends some time with this beauty of a record, it becomes an inseparable part of your daily life. I quite love their sound, especially the way that no 2 songs sound even remotely alike. They are one of Indie rock's treasures and I advise you to give this record a long listen over several days and see if you can resist its charms.
Best Songs: Don't Cry, Desire Lines, Memory Boy, Helicopter
9. Teen Dream - Beach House
Music critics call this sound Dream-Pop and after listening to this beautiful record, it seems like an apt moniker. Singer/keyboardist Victoria Legrand's phrasing can be quite unusual, but these songs float along on her and guitarist Alex Scally's lovely clouds of sound. This record is chock full o' melodies which are sometimes obscured by the fog of the production, but they are indeed there and worm their way into the listener's consciousness after only a couple of hearings.
Best Songs: Zebra, Silver Soul, Norway, Walk In The Park
8. Wake Up The Nation - Paul Weller
This album is one of Weller's best solo records, which is saying a lot because of his longevity and prodigious output. This is an exercise in psychedelia and the sound is a bit strange on first listen. The emphasis is often placed on parts of the instrumentation not normally brought out front, such as a whirring farfisa organ or a cowbell. He has really stretched out with this record and gone for something different and knocked it right out of the park. The songs are all quite short, some only 1 minute and change, but it is very effective. I may even be so bold as to call this his Sgt. Pepper.
Best Songs: No Tears To Cry, Find The Torch/Burn The Plans, Aim High, Trees
7. Home Acres - Aloha
I have previously expressed my admiration for this album in this blog, so I will keep this short. Get this record. You won't be sorry. It is very good.
Best Songs: Moonless March, Microviolence, Cold Storage, Blackout
6. Wilderness Heart - Black Mountain
Give this a spin and prepare to be transported back to about 1975. Punk has yet to happen. dinosaurs roam the earth. and there, alongside Zep and Sabbath and their ilk, resides Black Mountain. Guitarist/vocalist Stephen McBean loves the '70s and makes no bones about it. This record is bludgeon riffola at its best, with an air of mysticism hanging around like Ozzy's ghost. There are great melodies here though, and co-vocalist Amber Webber adds a touch of Exene Cervenka (from '70s L.A. punks X) to the proceedings. This is the best rock record of the year folks. Grow your hair and put on the tie-dye!
Best Songs: The Hair Song, Old Fangs, Rollercoaster, The Way To Gone
5. The Suburbs - The Arcade Fire
There's not much that can be said about Canada's finest band at the moment. There must be something in the water in Montreal though, as it seems all the best Canadian bands are from there. The playing is amazing here, as is the singing, the feel, the sound, the lyrics...well, it is just another brilliant record. But, by now, what did you expect? These guys are 3 for 3 and if you didn't see their showstopping performance on Saturday Night Live earlier this fall, I beseech you to look it up on Youtube.
Best Songs: The Suburbs, Ready To Start, We Used To Wait, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
4. Together - The New Pornographers
Lots Of Can-Con on this year's list, n'est-ce pas? These folks are one of my fave bands, so no surprise that they are high on this list, right? This record is such a grower! It is not as immediate as most of their stuff, but the Pop hooks are still there in droves. There are few writers around that make me as happy as Carl Newman does. His knack for melody and his ear for detail are unrivalled in my books. Normally, I don't much care for the songs penned by Dan Bejar, but even they are great this time. Neko Case is more understated here, but that is a good thing as she sounds less forced and more natural. Kathryn Calder is now an essential member and her contributions on piano and vocals are fantastic. Just another great record to add to the rest of their catalogue.
Best Songs: Crash Years, Sweet Talk Sweet Talk, My Shepherd, We End Up Together
3. Congratulations - MGMT
Well, I have written on this album extensively earlier this year. The critics are way wrong and so are all the bandwagon-jumping hipsters, who will listen to any drivel that Sufjan Stevens puts out and call it genius, or praise no-talent, high school assembly-worthy pretention like Joanna Newsom and call it high art whilst slagging off one of the bravest and most creative records of the year. To those poseurs, I say "Go and bugger thyselves."
Best Songs: It's Working, Flash Delerium, I Found A Whistle, Siberian Breaks
2. Maintenant - Gigi
This is my little slice of nostalgia this year. Old-style music recorded on old-style equipment by people who share my love of the sound of the Brill building in New York City in the early 1960s, Phil Spector and the wall of sound, beehive hairdos and skinny ties. Just bloody brilliant and if you don't like this, then you aren't a romantic at heart....or an old fart like me.
Best Songs: Play the whole damn thing! But, if I had to choose: The Hundredth Time, I'm Not Coming Out Tonight, Everyone Can Tell, The Marquee
1. InnerSpeaker - Tame Impala
Yes, for me, this is the album of the year. Read my earlier post about it to find out more, but this blast of stoner psychedelia just turns my crank.
Best Songs: Really, every song on the album. If you don't believe me, go play it and you'll see.
So, there it is gang. If you would like to submit a list, put it in the comments section. Oh, and Happy New Year to all 5 of you!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Listomania! - 1996
1996 turned out to be a very busy year. Martina was accepted into the Master's Journalism program at UWO, so she had to turn most of her attention to that endeavour. She was tired of working in menial jobs and wanted to pursue a career that she would find more fulfilling and interesting. Being an English major, she decided that studying to be a journalist would be a great way to put her many talents to the best use. She excelled, of course, and we all had fun listening to her do the sports on the university radio station. As for me, I became shop steward on the night shift at Loeb. We were Teamsters, famously once led by Jimmy Hoffa, who, according to legend, now rests in the end zone at the old Meadowlands stadium in New Jersey. I took on this position because I was tired of the same people running the union. There was a terrible, antagonistic relationship betwween the union and management, and I stupidly thought I could help rectify that situation. I was good friends with a couple of people in management and, while I had their ear and their respect, the bad blood was so entrenched that I don't believe anyone could have made it better. It was a stressful and interesting time, for sure. I remember that there was to be a city-wide protest of the then Mike Harris provincial government and their anti-worker policies. I passed out flyers and did my best to rally the troops to take the day off and march in the protest. It was about -20 that day, so I donned my snowsuit and set out for the fairgrounds to meet up with all the protesters. I expected only about 10 of our guys to show up, but the apathy of my fellow members was rampant, so I would be happy with only 10 out of about 200 workers. Now, this was a huge deal, backed by all of organized labour and all the big unions like the CAW. So, I got there and looked around...and not 1 single soul from my workplace showed up. I was quite disappointed, but I marched in the bone-chilling cold anyway. Some would say that I was foolish to try and do this job, but I really needed to see from the inside just how things were done and how decisions were made. I left less than impressed with the Canadian branch of the Teamsters, but it was a great learning experience overall. Here are some of the tunes that I was listening to that year:
10. In A Room - Dodgy
This power trio was considered a part of the Brit Pop movement, but their sound really owed much to classic Who. The thumping drums are very Keith Moon-like and the guitars are played with a Townshendian vigour and feel. This song comes from their 3rd and best album Free Peace Sweet. The melody is quite memorable and it is a great tune to groove along with. The vocals are very British Invasion with the 3 part harmonies and "ooohs" as well and I enjoy bands that wear their influences proudly and well. "She lies sleeping in a half- filled bed, her eyes no longer study her emptiness." Her eyes are studying the back of her eyelids methinks......
9. Burden In My Hand - Soundgarden
Taken from their 5th and final album, Down On The Upside, this tune is one of their best in my eyes. It very melodic for them, without losing their hard edge. Frontman Chris Cornell is still a powerhouse with his sandpaper vocals. But, it is the instruments that are king here. Kim Thayll still plays a mean lead guitar, not really soloing out, but hitting all the right marks. Ben Shepherd is still one of my fave bass players and on this song, his playing is so bouncy and acts almost like a lead instrument. Drummer Matt Cameron can lay down a timely beat, but it his floor tom work that makes him great. Also, check out the drumroll at about 4:25 - Holy! Just wicked! Apparently, the subject is drug addiction and it always felt to me like an update of Hey Joe. "Cause fear is strong and love's for everyone who isn't me." Fear is a man's best friend......
8. If I Could Talk I'd Tell You - The Lemonheads
This is such a simple little, 3-chord singalong, one could almost overlook it, if not for the fact that the melody will follow you around forever after hearing it. It's poppy, goofy and oh-so-happy, but infectious as all get-out. Singer Evan Dando was deep into a drug problem then, but it was obviously the happy pills that he ingested that day. This is from the Car Button Cloth album, which would be their last for 8 years. I do so love that jangly guitar sound and when he breaks into a whistle, I can't help but smile. "If I could talk I'd tell you, if I could smile I'd let you know." Now that is wasted maaann!
7. Trash - Suede
Suede were another act that had massive popularity in their native U.K., but were merely a cult band over here. Led by the charismatic singer Brett Anderson, they had several chart hits in England and Europe, with this being one. Anderson channels a young Bowie here and his band comes off quite a bit like the Spiders too. They certainly sound all Glam-rock and must have listened to a T Rex record or 2 as well. The melody is gorgeous, especially the chorus, and the guitar twists its way all through the tune, carrying it along. This song is from their 3rd album, Coming Up, and their first without guitarist Bernard Butler. Critics thought they were finished when he left, but the 17 year-old Richard Oakes fills his shoes admirably. "But we're trash, you and me, we're the litter on the breeze, we're the lovers on the streets." Trash, go pick it up.....
6. One More Astronaut - I Mother Earth
Time for some Can-Con. This album, Scenery And Fish, was a big favourite of that year. Four of us, Cope, Flip, Niall and myself, would sit in my car at lunch at work and this record was blasted at top volume many times. This song has a great sound with a big, bold production. The band featured the Tanna brothers, Jag on guitar and Christian on drums, along with a singer, Edwin, who seemed to have no last name. This song is so powerful, with a crunching rhythm and roaring psychedelic guitars. Edwin was never my fave singer, but he gets the mood right here. I also love the nice Deep Purple organ break and then the little bass solo, that then leads to the guitar crashing back in. "Headspace, alive and painless, weightless and almost sane I close my eyes, I become the sky." 'Scuse me while I become the sky? No, that's not it.....
5. What I Got (Reprise) - Sublime
Gord was pointing out that these lists contain many songs by artists that I'm not a huge fan of. This is true and here is another one. I only like 2 songs by these guys, but they are 2 great songs. (The other would be Santeria if anyone was wondering.) I like the reprise version better too because I think the guitar is better than the regular version. This is from their self-titled 3rd album, which was released 3 months after the death of singer Brad Nowell from a heroin overdose. Critics and fans went crazy for them as they usually do when someone meets an untimely death, but this tune deserves any praise it ever gets. It is a funny hybrid of Rap, Ska and Folk, all wrapped in a melodic chorus that sticks in the head. Critics have said it brings to mind Lady Madonna, but I don't hear that really. "I don't cry when my dog runs away, I don't get angry at the bills I have to pay." I used to sing that to Arden when she would annoy me.....
4. Electrolite - R.E.M.
It would be very hard to pick 1 favourite album from these guys. I mean, they are near the top of my list as far as bands go and I love so many of their records. But, if pressed, I may just pick this album, their 10th, called New Adventures In Hi-Fi. It is the last record they did with drummer Bill Berry, who retired to sit home and count his money. Michael Stipe wrote it about the view of L.A. at night from Mullholland Drive, which is apparently quite spectacular. His delivery is soft and reverential, aided by the beautiful piano of bassist Mike Mills and the violin played by Andy Carlson. I remember Taylor loving this song and making me play it over and over again. "You are the star tonight, your sun electric, outta sight. Your light eclipsed the moon tonight." Beautiful.....
3. Stinkfist - Tool
How do I follow up a gorgeous song like Electrolite? How else but with a song whose title conjures up a very unflattering image? This song was accompanied by one of the most disturbing videos ever made. Remember, it was done in stop-motion animation with those gross sand people? Anyway, this band is again not usually on my radar, but this song is so undeniably powerful and I just freakin' love it. The feeling of paranoia is so palpable here, driven home by the disjointed beats and crunching guitars. Vocalist Maynard James Keenan sound alternately like a deranged madman and a scared little boy and this is also truly effective. Justin Chancellor riffs out maniacally on his bass and drummer Danny Carey pounds away with ear-splitting force. The damn song just gives me goosebumps, what else can I say? Check out the 3:50 mark - that's when I usually start bashing around the room like a lunatic. "Something kinda sad about the way that things have come to be. Desensitized to everything, what became of subtlety?" Good question...I do know that this is probably the first song ever to use a fisting metaphor.....
2. Outtasite (Outta Mind) - Wilco
This baby comes roaring out of the blocks with some chunky power chords. When listening on headphones, I have jumped out of my skin more than once with shocked surprise. This is the first song I ever heard by Wilco and they have gone on to become one of my fave bands since then. Taken from their sophomore record, Being There, this song has proven singalong integrity. I used to play it for Reed and Laura, Steve's kids, when I babysat them back in 2002. They would sing it at the top of their little lungs and we would dance around like Pigpen in the Charlie Brown cartoons, our heads flopping from side to side. This album was 2 discs, 1 electric and 1 acoustic and this is the only song that was on both discs in 2 versions. The reverb-drenched guitars are awesome and drummer Ken Coomer really pounds out a worthy backbeat. Jeff Tweedy has written his usual self-deprecating, clever lyrics and he sings them with unusual gusto. "I know we don't talk much but you're but you're such a good talker." Jane's theme song? Hee hee.
1. The Chad Who Loved Me - Mansun
These Brits weren't around long, but this song left such a lasting impression on me. It opens with gorgeous cinematic strings, like something out of a Bond film. Suddenly, the guitars come in, soaked in psychedelia, taking the Shoegaze genre to unheard of places. The guitarists name is Dominic Chad, hence the title I suppose. The vocals and guitars are all fed through phasers, giving the song a dream-like quality that just adds to its ethereal beauty. I cannot emphasize enough just how special the guitars are to this tune. This is, indeed, one of my favourite songs of all - just absolutely leaves me speechless and I could play it 100 times in a row and not get sick of it. This is from their debut album, Attack Of The Grey Lantern, and they never came close to these heights again. "Do I feel love or just possession? Do I feel holy or nothing at all?" Holy I'd say.....
10. In A Room - Dodgy
This power trio was considered a part of the Brit Pop movement, but their sound really owed much to classic Who. The thumping drums are very Keith Moon-like and the guitars are played with a Townshendian vigour and feel. This song comes from their 3rd and best album Free Peace Sweet. The melody is quite memorable and it is a great tune to groove along with. The vocals are very British Invasion with the 3 part harmonies and "ooohs" as well and I enjoy bands that wear their influences proudly and well. "She lies sleeping in a half- filled bed, her eyes no longer study her emptiness." Her eyes are studying the back of her eyelids methinks......
9. Burden In My Hand - Soundgarden
Taken from their 5th and final album, Down On The Upside, this tune is one of their best in my eyes. It very melodic for them, without losing their hard edge. Frontman Chris Cornell is still a powerhouse with his sandpaper vocals. But, it is the instruments that are king here. Kim Thayll still plays a mean lead guitar, not really soloing out, but hitting all the right marks. Ben Shepherd is still one of my fave bass players and on this song, his playing is so bouncy and acts almost like a lead instrument. Drummer Matt Cameron can lay down a timely beat, but it his floor tom work that makes him great. Also, check out the drumroll at about 4:25 - Holy! Just wicked! Apparently, the subject is drug addiction and it always felt to me like an update of Hey Joe. "Cause fear is strong and love's for everyone who isn't me." Fear is a man's best friend......
8. If I Could Talk I'd Tell You - The Lemonheads
This is such a simple little, 3-chord singalong, one could almost overlook it, if not for the fact that the melody will follow you around forever after hearing it. It's poppy, goofy and oh-so-happy, but infectious as all get-out. Singer Evan Dando was deep into a drug problem then, but it was obviously the happy pills that he ingested that day. This is from the Car Button Cloth album, which would be their last for 8 years. I do so love that jangly guitar sound and when he breaks into a whistle, I can't help but smile. "If I could talk I'd tell you, if I could smile I'd let you know." Now that is wasted maaann!
7. Trash - Suede
Suede were another act that had massive popularity in their native U.K., but were merely a cult band over here. Led by the charismatic singer Brett Anderson, they had several chart hits in England and Europe, with this being one. Anderson channels a young Bowie here and his band comes off quite a bit like the Spiders too. They certainly sound all Glam-rock and must have listened to a T Rex record or 2 as well. The melody is gorgeous, especially the chorus, and the guitar twists its way all through the tune, carrying it along. This song is from their 3rd album, Coming Up, and their first without guitarist Bernard Butler. Critics thought they were finished when he left, but the 17 year-old Richard Oakes fills his shoes admirably. "But we're trash, you and me, we're the litter on the breeze, we're the lovers on the streets." Trash, go pick it up.....
6. One More Astronaut - I Mother Earth
Time for some Can-Con. This album, Scenery And Fish, was a big favourite of that year. Four of us, Cope, Flip, Niall and myself, would sit in my car at lunch at work and this record was blasted at top volume many times. This song has a great sound with a big, bold production. The band featured the Tanna brothers, Jag on guitar and Christian on drums, along with a singer, Edwin, who seemed to have no last name. This song is so powerful, with a crunching rhythm and roaring psychedelic guitars. Edwin was never my fave singer, but he gets the mood right here. I also love the nice Deep Purple organ break and then the little bass solo, that then leads to the guitar crashing back in. "Headspace, alive and painless, weightless and almost sane I close my eyes, I become the sky." 'Scuse me while I become the sky? No, that's not it.....
5. What I Got (Reprise) - Sublime
Gord was pointing out that these lists contain many songs by artists that I'm not a huge fan of. This is true and here is another one. I only like 2 songs by these guys, but they are 2 great songs. (The other would be Santeria if anyone was wondering.) I like the reprise version better too because I think the guitar is better than the regular version. This is from their self-titled 3rd album, which was released 3 months after the death of singer Brad Nowell from a heroin overdose. Critics and fans went crazy for them as they usually do when someone meets an untimely death, but this tune deserves any praise it ever gets. It is a funny hybrid of Rap, Ska and Folk, all wrapped in a melodic chorus that sticks in the head. Critics have said it brings to mind Lady Madonna, but I don't hear that really. "I don't cry when my dog runs away, I don't get angry at the bills I have to pay." I used to sing that to Arden when she would annoy me.....
4. Electrolite - R.E.M.
It would be very hard to pick 1 favourite album from these guys. I mean, they are near the top of my list as far as bands go and I love so many of their records. But, if pressed, I may just pick this album, their 10th, called New Adventures In Hi-Fi. It is the last record they did with drummer Bill Berry, who retired to sit home and count his money. Michael Stipe wrote it about the view of L.A. at night from Mullholland Drive, which is apparently quite spectacular. His delivery is soft and reverential, aided by the beautiful piano of bassist Mike Mills and the violin played by Andy Carlson. I remember Taylor loving this song and making me play it over and over again. "You are the star tonight, your sun electric, outta sight. Your light eclipsed the moon tonight." Beautiful.....
3. Stinkfist - Tool
How do I follow up a gorgeous song like Electrolite? How else but with a song whose title conjures up a very unflattering image? This song was accompanied by one of the most disturbing videos ever made. Remember, it was done in stop-motion animation with those gross sand people? Anyway, this band is again not usually on my radar, but this song is so undeniably powerful and I just freakin' love it. The feeling of paranoia is so palpable here, driven home by the disjointed beats and crunching guitars. Vocalist Maynard James Keenan sound alternately like a deranged madman and a scared little boy and this is also truly effective. Justin Chancellor riffs out maniacally on his bass and drummer Danny Carey pounds away with ear-splitting force. The damn song just gives me goosebumps, what else can I say? Check out the 3:50 mark - that's when I usually start bashing around the room like a lunatic. "Something kinda sad about the way that things have come to be. Desensitized to everything, what became of subtlety?" Good question...I do know that this is probably the first song ever to use a fisting metaphor.....
2. Outtasite (Outta Mind) - Wilco
This baby comes roaring out of the blocks with some chunky power chords. When listening on headphones, I have jumped out of my skin more than once with shocked surprise. This is the first song I ever heard by Wilco and they have gone on to become one of my fave bands since then. Taken from their sophomore record, Being There, this song has proven singalong integrity. I used to play it for Reed and Laura, Steve's kids, when I babysat them back in 2002. They would sing it at the top of their little lungs and we would dance around like Pigpen in the Charlie Brown cartoons, our heads flopping from side to side. This album was 2 discs, 1 electric and 1 acoustic and this is the only song that was on both discs in 2 versions. The reverb-drenched guitars are awesome and drummer Ken Coomer really pounds out a worthy backbeat. Jeff Tweedy has written his usual self-deprecating, clever lyrics and he sings them with unusual gusto. "I know we don't talk much but you're but you're such a good talker." Jane's theme song? Hee hee.
1. The Chad Who Loved Me - Mansun
These Brits weren't around long, but this song left such a lasting impression on me. It opens with gorgeous cinematic strings, like something out of a Bond film. Suddenly, the guitars come in, soaked in psychedelia, taking the Shoegaze genre to unheard of places. The guitarists name is Dominic Chad, hence the title I suppose. The vocals and guitars are all fed through phasers, giving the song a dream-like quality that just adds to its ethereal beauty. I cannot emphasize enough just how special the guitars are to this tune. This is, indeed, one of my favourite songs of all - just absolutely leaves me speechless and I could play it 100 times in a row and not get sick of it. This is from their debut album, Attack Of The Grey Lantern, and they never came close to these heights again. "Do I feel love or just possession? Do I feel holy or nothing at all?" Holy I'd say.....
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Listomania! - 1995
1995 was a pretty important year for me. Debbie had to move to Toronto for work, so Martina and I became full-time parents. We moved in with the kids and had a blast seeing them every day rather than 3 days a week. I loved making lunches for everyone and getting to sink my teeth into being a regular Dad again. Also, I was finally hired full-time at Loeb. I had already been working 40 hours a week for a few years, but now we got benefits and I knew which days I'd be working ahead of time and not have to be on call anymore. So, we all settled in to a nice, comfortable routine, and I do like routines. I know, that makes me boring as hell, but I'm not one for living by the seat of my pants, even though it has been that way most of my life. We also bought our first brand new car, a Geo Metro, which, despite its lack of prestige, was a great little car for us. Up until then, we had driven family hand-me-downs or old used clunkers that we would pray to daily to get us from A to B without breaking down. We sure had some adventures with our vehicles over the years! Probably the one that sticks out most occurred that spring. I was driving down King St. in Pop's 15 year-old Impala with Martina's brother Karel. The car was not starting properly, so Karel brought a plastic bottle of gasoline with him. You see, it was his theory that there was something wrong with the way the carburetor was working, and since I was (and still am) a complete dolt when it comes to mechanics, I let him take the lead. The car conked out on King St. near the YMCA, so I pulled it over to the side of the road. We popped the hood and Karel got out with his trusty bottle of gas. He poured some into the engine or carburetor or wherever and then got in and fired the ignition, with the hood still in an upright position. As soon as he turned the key, flames shot about 10 feet in the air and also straight out the bottom of the car. A huge plume of black smoke rose into the air, noticeable for miles around. I was standing beside the car, yelling to Karel about the flames. He proceeded to jump out of the car and start walking away, up the street. As he had left me standing there wondering what the hell he was doing, a city bus pulled up alongside and the driver came racing out with a fire extinguisher. Karel kept walking. Then, the fire truck showed up. I tried to explain what happened to the bemused fireman, who probably thought I was a brainless idiot (no argument here!) and who made sure the fire was out. When everyone had left, I saw Karel sheepishly ambling back toward the scene. He was laughing his ass off while I fumed. Now, if you know Karel, he has a real shit-eating grin on his face when he thinks something is funny. It was because of this shit-eating grin that I decided not to kill him and joined with him in cracking up about what had just transpired. I went into the YMCA to call a tow truck and everyone in there had seen the incident and were laughing quite hard when I went up to the desk to use the phone. I called a tow truck and had the car towed home. Soon after, we went and bought the Geo. Some of the tunes that I listened to in our new car were:
10. Alright - Supergrass
This sunny, teenage paean to being cool is taken from these Brit's debut album, I Should Coco. It received almost no airplay on this side of the Atlantic, but through my reading of the NME, I had the 12" single. Most people in North America would know this from an Intel TV commercial from a few years ago. It is instantly memorable, full of the catchiest hooks and Gaz Coombes' youthful vocals. The piano riff which drives the tune is a direct tip of the cap to one of their biggest influences, Madness. I always felt this song would have fit right in on an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus. This is a song that will stick in the old craw for hours after just one listen, so go put it on! "We are young, we run free, keep our teeth, nice and clean, see our friends, see the sights, feel alright." He iiiisss an halibut!
9. King - Belly
This is the title cut from this Boston-based band's 2nd and last album. Leader Tanya Donelly was a former member of the seminal '80s band Throwing Muses with her sister, Kristen Hersh. She left in 1992 to form Belly and their 1st album Star from 1993 was a great record. But, I like this record even better, despite the fact that it was a commercial failure, due to the Grunge scene and its hold on popular music at the time. The guitars are driving and urgent, but more jangly than loud and they didn't fit in with the times. This is Power-Pop though, and the melody is catchy enough to stick in your head, sort of like one has heard it before. I love the tempo changes, not so much quiet-loud, but just a subtle shift in the rhythm. "You light the ocean from behind, I'll show you mine, I'll show you." Mmmmm.....Tanya Donelly.....
8. Catching On - Son Volt
I always find it amusing when critics go on about so called "supergroups." Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy were in a band called Uncle Tupelo in the early '90s that is now considered one of these "supergroups." Now, if any of my loyal readers can name even 1 song by them, I will be surprised. They were no "supergroup" folks - in retrospect maybe, but their records were heard by very few and sold to even fewer. Tweedy went on to form Wilco, who have become critical darlings and achieved Indie superstar status. Farrar formed Son Volt, who critics like fairly well, but their on again-off again existence has left them far behind the much more efficient Wilco in terms of star-power. I adore both bands, pretty much equally, but my sister Shannon has become one of the biggest Son Volt fans around. This is my favourite cut from their debut album, Trace. I love the melancholy everyman in Farrar's voice, very country-tinged to be sure, but this song rocks pretty hard as well. The guitar sound on this song, especially the string-bending lead, is brilliant and he can write a melody with the best of them. "As the pieces fall like candy when you're young, medicine when you're old." I'm getting to the medicine stage.....
7. Just - Radiohead
This song had perhaps the most haunting video ever - remember the one where the guy is laying on the street and people keep coming up and getting angry at him and asking why he is lying there? Then the end, where he says something that isn't subtitled, and to this day, nobody can say for sure what he says? Then, the really disturbing part at the end where all of those who had been questioning him end up lying down beside him in the street? Oh yeah, that video! Well, I love the song on its own merits too. There is the brilliant, breakneck guitar playing by Jonny Greenwood for starters, sounding so menacing and paranoid. Drummer Phil Selway crunches the skins so hard, I'll bet he had to change the heads after recording this tune. Thom Yorke uses his gorgeous voice to full effect too, singing about a friend who sounds rather annoying, and I can forgive him for spawning almost as many copycats as Eddie Vedder. "Can't get the stink off, he's been hanging round for days." You know what they say about guests and fish.....
6. Box Full Of Letters - Wilco
Here is the other guy from Uncle Tupelo with his band and their debut effort, AM. It is essentially Uncle Tupelo without Jay Farrar. They tread the same alt-country ground as well, but it is a great little tune. It showcases Jeff Tweedy's self-deprecating sense of humour, which is one of his enduring strengths. His singing sounds like that of a slacker-dude, but I like this as well. The lead guitar is played by Brian Henneman from the Bottle Rockets, who was hired specifically for this one album. Multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett would join the band for the tour to support this record and stay until after Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. "I just can't find the time to write my mind the way I want it to read." A mind is a terrible thing to taste.....
5. Floaty - Foo Fighters
This record would be among the biggest musical surprises I've ever encountered. I mean, Dave Grohl was buried behind all those drums and all that hair in Nirvana- a great drummer, but that he was a guy who was able to write, record, produce and play all the instruments on his own record? - no way! But, on this self-titled debut album, he did indeed do all of the above. I still love this album, probably my fave of 1995. On this song, there are roaring power chords, machine-gun precise drumming, and, another surprise, a huge melody that outdoes, for me anyway, anything Cobain ever did. He eventually hired a band and continues to make good solid records to this day. "He floats, floats away, on the ground, he comes back down." Todd Rundgren, eat your heart out!
4. Out Of The Sinking - Paul Weller
This song is taken from his 3rd solo record, considered by many to be his best, Stanley Road. Critics always comment on this album as being the one he returned to his roots on, but his roots were not bands like Traffic really. It sounds nothing like his true roots, The Kinks or The Who. The Traffic-vibe is further authenticated by the presence of Stevie Winwood playing organ on this album. This is a very rocking tune, with more guitar-jamming going on than any of his previous music. Once again, drummer Steve White gives me goosebumps, especially on the lead-in to the chorus, with his brilliant, jazzy rolls and fills. This is one of my top 10 Weller tracks ever for sure. "It is shining for me, all I need to be, but I can't find the key, the one to make me believe." Shine on you crazy diamond.....
3. Sick Of Myself - Matthew Sweet
I had liked his song Girlfriend back in '91 or '92, but I didn't know much about Matthew Sweet really. I loved this song right from my first listen. It is right in my wheelhouse though, a real true Power-Pop classic. From his 5th album, 100% Fun, this is all vintage tube amps and analog sound at its best. The melody is amazing, the lyrics too, and it is virtually impossible not to sing along to it. The sound of the guitars is outstanding, all garage-fuzz and distortion and the lead is played brilliantly by punk legend Richard Lloyd, late of the groundbreaking NYC band, Television. This is another record where the instruments are almost all played by 1 guy, and Sweet does a yeoman's job for sure. This was a big number on jam nights with my buddies Cope and Peesker back in those days. "I'm sick of myself when I look at you, something is beautiful and true. In a world that's ugly and a lie, it's hard to even want to try and I'm beginning to think, baby you don't know." Once again, I wish I'd written that.....
2. Nautical Disaster - The Tragically Hip
This track is on my fave album by these guys, Day For Night. There is a much darker feel to Gord Downie's lyrics on this record, and they aimed for a more adventurous musical side as well. This song is pretty much Hip-by-numbers though, but what numbers they are! It is written from the point of view of a guy having a nightmare and then waking up to find out it is all too real, that his life is the nautical disaster of his nightmare. The urgency and paranoia of the lyrics, delivered in his own singular way by Downie, paint a vivid portrait for the listener. The band does their usual workmanlike job here, but bassist Gord Sinclair stands out with his high-neck playing, especially near the end as the songs plays out with a long jam session. "The selection was quick, the crew was picked in order and those left in the water got kicked off our pantleg and we headed for home." Shudder to think...
1. Morning Glory - Oasis
This is the Gallagher brothers finest hour, or 5:03, as it were. The way it starts, with the screeching guitars, whirring helicopters, and pounding drums, then just kicks in with those roaring guitars - whew! Liam doesn't sound snotty on this song. His voice is almost melodic and carries with it an almost palpable hint of regret or remorse. The brothers were hyped daily in the media, certainly in the U.K., where they were the biggest band in the land. The melody is, as usual, very catchy and simple, which is Noel's main strength as a songwriter. He gleefully plagiarizes from all his heroes, but it is OK because he is so reverential, even throwing in the title of his fave Beatles tune, Tomorrow Never Knows. This was the end of Oasis for me as I feel they never came near this kind of fantastic song again. So, I made it #1 on my list for '95 because it is just a great song, no argument. "Another sunny afternoon, walking to the sound of my favourite tune, tomorrow never knows what it doesn't know too soon." Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream.....
10. Alright - Supergrass
This sunny, teenage paean to being cool is taken from these Brit's debut album, I Should Coco. It received almost no airplay on this side of the Atlantic, but through my reading of the NME, I had the 12" single. Most people in North America would know this from an Intel TV commercial from a few years ago. It is instantly memorable, full of the catchiest hooks and Gaz Coombes' youthful vocals. The piano riff which drives the tune is a direct tip of the cap to one of their biggest influences, Madness. I always felt this song would have fit right in on an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus. This is a song that will stick in the old craw for hours after just one listen, so go put it on! "We are young, we run free, keep our teeth, nice and clean, see our friends, see the sights, feel alright." He iiiisss an halibut!
9. King - Belly
This is the title cut from this Boston-based band's 2nd and last album. Leader Tanya Donelly was a former member of the seminal '80s band Throwing Muses with her sister, Kristen Hersh. She left in 1992 to form Belly and their 1st album Star from 1993 was a great record. But, I like this record even better, despite the fact that it was a commercial failure, due to the Grunge scene and its hold on popular music at the time. The guitars are driving and urgent, but more jangly than loud and they didn't fit in with the times. This is Power-Pop though, and the melody is catchy enough to stick in your head, sort of like one has heard it before. I love the tempo changes, not so much quiet-loud, but just a subtle shift in the rhythm. "You light the ocean from behind, I'll show you mine, I'll show you." Mmmmm.....Tanya Donelly.....
8. Catching On - Son Volt
I always find it amusing when critics go on about so called "supergroups." Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy were in a band called Uncle Tupelo in the early '90s that is now considered one of these "supergroups." Now, if any of my loyal readers can name even 1 song by them, I will be surprised. They were no "supergroup" folks - in retrospect maybe, but their records were heard by very few and sold to even fewer. Tweedy went on to form Wilco, who have become critical darlings and achieved Indie superstar status. Farrar formed Son Volt, who critics like fairly well, but their on again-off again existence has left them far behind the much more efficient Wilco in terms of star-power. I adore both bands, pretty much equally, but my sister Shannon has become one of the biggest Son Volt fans around. This is my favourite cut from their debut album, Trace. I love the melancholy everyman in Farrar's voice, very country-tinged to be sure, but this song rocks pretty hard as well. The guitar sound on this song, especially the string-bending lead, is brilliant and he can write a melody with the best of them. "As the pieces fall like candy when you're young, medicine when you're old." I'm getting to the medicine stage.....
7. Just - Radiohead
This song had perhaps the most haunting video ever - remember the one where the guy is laying on the street and people keep coming up and getting angry at him and asking why he is lying there? Then the end, where he says something that isn't subtitled, and to this day, nobody can say for sure what he says? Then, the really disturbing part at the end where all of those who had been questioning him end up lying down beside him in the street? Oh yeah, that video! Well, I love the song on its own merits too. There is the brilliant, breakneck guitar playing by Jonny Greenwood for starters, sounding so menacing and paranoid. Drummer Phil Selway crunches the skins so hard, I'll bet he had to change the heads after recording this tune. Thom Yorke uses his gorgeous voice to full effect too, singing about a friend who sounds rather annoying, and I can forgive him for spawning almost as many copycats as Eddie Vedder. "Can't get the stink off, he's been hanging round for days." You know what they say about guests and fish.....
6. Box Full Of Letters - Wilco
Here is the other guy from Uncle Tupelo with his band and their debut effort, AM. It is essentially Uncle Tupelo without Jay Farrar. They tread the same alt-country ground as well, but it is a great little tune. It showcases Jeff Tweedy's self-deprecating sense of humour, which is one of his enduring strengths. His singing sounds like that of a slacker-dude, but I like this as well. The lead guitar is played by Brian Henneman from the Bottle Rockets, who was hired specifically for this one album. Multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett would join the band for the tour to support this record and stay until after Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. "I just can't find the time to write my mind the way I want it to read." A mind is a terrible thing to taste.....
5. Floaty - Foo Fighters
This record would be among the biggest musical surprises I've ever encountered. I mean, Dave Grohl was buried behind all those drums and all that hair in Nirvana- a great drummer, but that he was a guy who was able to write, record, produce and play all the instruments on his own record? - no way! But, on this self-titled debut album, he did indeed do all of the above. I still love this album, probably my fave of 1995. On this song, there are roaring power chords, machine-gun precise drumming, and, another surprise, a huge melody that outdoes, for me anyway, anything Cobain ever did. He eventually hired a band and continues to make good solid records to this day. "He floats, floats away, on the ground, he comes back down." Todd Rundgren, eat your heart out!
4. Out Of The Sinking - Paul Weller
This song is taken from his 3rd solo record, considered by many to be his best, Stanley Road. Critics always comment on this album as being the one he returned to his roots on, but his roots were not bands like Traffic really. It sounds nothing like his true roots, The Kinks or The Who. The Traffic-vibe is further authenticated by the presence of Stevie Winwood playing organ on this album. This is a very rocking tune, with more guitar-jamming going on than any of his previous music. Once again, drummer Steve White gives me goosebumps, especially on the lead-in to the chorus, with his brilliant, jazzy rolls and fills. This is one of my top 10 Weller tracks ever for sure. "It is shining for me, all I need to be, but I can't find the key, the one to make me believe." Shine on you crazy diamond.....
3. Sick Of Myself - Matthew Sweet
I had liked his song Girlfriend back in '91 or '92, but I didn't know much about Matthew Sweet really. I loved this song right from my first listen. It is right in my wheelhouse though, a real true Power-Pop classic. From his 5th album, 100% Fun, this is all vintage tube amps and analog sound at its best. The melody is amazing, the lyrics too, and it is virtually impossible not to sing along to it. The sound of the guitars is outstanding, all garage-fuzz and distortion and the lead is played brilliantly by punk legend Richard Lloyd, late of the groundbreaking NYC band, Television. This is another record where the instruments are almost all played by 1 guy, and Sweet does a yeoman's job for sure. This was a big number on jam nights with my buddies Cope and Peesker back in those days. "I'm sick of myself when I look at you, something is beautiful and true. In a world that's ugly and a lie, it's hard to even want to try and I'm beginning to think, baby you don't know." Once again, I wish I'd written that.....
2. Nautical Disaster - The Tragically Hip
This track is on my fave album by these guys, Day For Night. There is a much darker feel to Gord Downie's lyrics on this record, and they aimed for a more adventurous musical side as well. This song is pretty much Hip-by-numbers though, but what numbers they are! It is written from the point of view of a guy having a nightmare and then waking up to find out it is all too real, that his life is the nautical disaster of his nightmare. The urgency and paranoia of the lyrics, delivered in his own singular way by Downie, paint a vivid portrait for the listener. The band does their usual workmanlike job here, but bassist Gord Sinclair stands out with his high-neck playing, especially near the end as the songs plays out with a long jam session. "The selection was quick, the crew was picked in order and those left in the water got kicked off our pantleg and we headed for home." Shudder to think...
1. Morning Glory - Oasis
This is the Gallagher brothers finest hour, or 5:03, as it were. The way it starts, with the screeching guitars, whirring helicopters, and pounding drums, then just kicks in with those roaring guitars - whew! Liam doesn't sound snotty on this song. His voice is almost melodic and carries with it an almost palpable hint of regret or remorse. The brothers were hyped daily in the media, certainly in the U.K., where they were the biggest band in the land. The melody is, as usual, very catchy and simple, which is Noel's main strength as a songwriter. He gleefully plagiarizes from all his heroes, but it is OK because he is so reverential, even throwing in the title of his fave Beatles tune, Tomorrow Never Knows. This was the end of Oasis for me as I feel they never came near this kind of fantastic song again. So, I made it #1 on my list for '95 because it is just a great song, no argument. "Another sunny afternoon, walking to the sound of my favourite tune, tomorrow never knows what it doesn't know too soon." Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream.....
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