Miércoles 2 Ene 2008, 7:16
What is your song of the week? I will try and keep this up to date with mine…
Monday 7th - Sunday 13th May
The Ark - Absolutely No Decorum
Just a fantastic glam rock song. Epic chorus melodies, awesome choir, well produced. Just a really, really catchy song that you will be humming for the next week!
http://www.yle.fi/eurovision/ci/uutiset/the_ark_240x179.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SnXZjD5wlo4
Monday 14th - Sunday 20th May
Porcupine Tree - Sound Of Muzak
Wonderful vocal melodies and harmonies, and an awesome, complex prog groove. This is pop songwriting and intelligent musicianship mixed together. Insightful lyrics on the pathetic state of the music industry, which though it may be a cliched topic, is dealt with, with all the intelligence and insight one would expect from a progressive band.
http://designermagazine.tripod.com/PorcupineTreePIC20052.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bdZNpLMer0E
Monday 21st - Sunday 27th May
The Mars Volta - Take The Veil Cerpin Taxt
Wow. The new Led Zeppelin. These guys are absolutely wild. They are held together by the tightest rhythm section I have heard in a long while. Then onto this solid rhythm track spews everything; from discordant guitars to divine synths and Robert Plant-esque wailing. This track takes you on a journey you are unlikely to forget. Stunning.
http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/6/5/9/1/11111956-11111959-slarge.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=X6hz_k4xua0
Monday 28th - Sunday 3rd May
A really powerful and moving song I think. The lyrics are a suicide note (a clear reference to Mustaine's attempted suicide of the 'Symphony Of Destruction' tour). I haven't heard the version with Christina Scabbia, but I doubt it is better than this. Intense, moving and thought provoking - a well earned song of the week.
http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~pachu/images/megadeth.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=65JpQRUf8XE
Monday 4th - Sunday 10th June
A new wave/punk/rock classic. Great fucking melodies. Great singer, and one of the best solo's of the 80's thanks to the masterful Steve Stevens. The ray gun effect at the end of the solo was done by actually firing a toy ray gun with the sound being picked up by his pickups…innovation ;-). An 80's classic.
http://www.michaelromanos.com/pictures/stock_photos/billy_idol.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ToeY7MkCm0c
Monday 11th - Sunday 17th June
OMG, werent they fantastic yesterday at Wembley (Saturday)?!?! That has to go down in History. Musestock - One of the most important bands of our generation playing the greatest gig. Un-fucking-beleivable. This was one of the highlights for me, because of Matt's haunting vocals and the timeless piano melody that is so uplifting; A fantastic contrast to the darkness of the vocals. Matt Bellamy - You are too talented. The same goes for you, Messrs Wolstenholme and Howard. Having said this was a highlight, I must say that the absolute highlight for me was Blackout; not only is it a beautiful and moving track by itself, but words cannot describe the sound of 75,000 fans singing it, and two acrobats on hot air balloons performing wonderfully above the utterly mesmerised and amazed audience.
http://www.microcuts.net/uk/content/muse.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zYL_XWDu2cg
Thus, this weeks 'Song' of the week, is not one but 2 songs. wow. ;-)
Monday 18th - Sunday 24th June
Considering I have been listening, playing and singing this stunning classic incessantly for the last couple of weeks I think it deserves this weeks spot. Fantastic acoustic fingerpicking, brilliant vocals, and thought provoking lyrics…what more can you want? Fantastic and underrated group. A song that no one can dislike…SURELY!!
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articlePics/article1937.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hkbdP7sq0w8
Monday 25th June - Sunday 1st July
Crowded House -Dont Dream Its Over
I absolutely love this song. It is basically a pop song but it has the best fucking melodies and wonderful production… I think it is one of the best tracks of the last 20 years.
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/04/03/hester2_wideweb__430x308.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dZZfuCJ970w
Monday 2nd July - Sunday 8th July
Awesome track off the new VR album Libertad, and this song contains one of Slash's best solos since GnR. The rest of the band are incredible too.
http://www.satelitemusical.net/velvet_revolver.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ieeofmSA2xI
Monday 9th July - Sunday 15th July
Van Halen -Push Comes To Shove
A really tough one this week. There were a few good contenders - Bright Eyes with Four Winds, Velvet Revolver's Gravedancer, The Ark's Calleth You, Cometh I, and 30 Seconds To Mars' The Kill, and of course the song that was ultimately chosen. Each of these deserve song of the week equally but for various reasons I chose this song. This slow, groovy song is not your average Van Halen song, but EVH's guitar work in this song is inspiring as ever and that is what make Push Comes To Shove this weeks song of the week.
http://rocknheavy.free.fr/vh/band.jpg
Monday 16th July - Sunday 22nd July
Canada -
Sitting in the back of a white van on the way to a hike though deserted mountains, I looked out the window, the Rockies cut a jagged line through the blue of the skyline and the green valley below wallowed in the sunshine. Those kind of moments are priceless, you can really admire the world we live in when you see sights as majestic. There was one song that truly suited the moment, Estranged. Yes, it may be sad, it may be about pain, but its beauty combined with its power and grit perfectly matched the panorama in front of me. Thanks for "the killer guitar melodies" was the liner note by Axl. Those melodies are indeed killer. They are the rays of sunshine encapsulated in music. Fuck this, this song is the greatest.
http://www.celebritypicturesarchive.com/pictures/g/guns-n-roses/guns-n-roses-002.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4YmwJpnor6o
Monday 23rd July - Sunday 29th July
The kick ass opener to one of the best albums of the 90's alternative scene, Ten. Eddie Vedder has the most passionate voice I have ever heard. I defy anyone to find a singer whose words and delivery can move you the way his does. His vocals are simple, there are no pretensions, just passion.
I admit it…what's to say…yeah…- I cant think of a better opening lyric than that. He immedietely opens himself up to his audience. That is why I love this track.
I'll relive it…without pain…mmm…
http://home.att.net/~grungehistory/pj.jpg
They really had shit fashion sense tho…
http://youtube.com/watch?v=U5tXCm2lNno
Monday 30th July - Sunday 5th July
God this is good. I was humming Slash's melody up and down the mountains. The melodies are awesome and it just adds up to an awesome track!
http://www.frontrowking.com/concerts/velvet%20revolver/velvet_revolver_2-727144.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bAX7DRGZASg
Monday 6th August - 12th August
This is easily the best track of Black Holes & Revelations. It is very eastern inspired and stupidly huge. This song simmers, explodes and leaves you sitting amazed at how a band with so many great songs already, got to write another. UNFAIR!
http://www.100xr.com/100_XR/Artists/M/Muse/Muse.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yaOx4kzxNQI
Monday 13th August - 19th August
A classic from the British Invasion band that never quite invaded. This song sounds like the Stones rocking out with the best white soul singer this country has produced. Steve Marriot was a god and this song proves it. He was a candidate for Led Zeppelin, and that is the greatest compliment anyone could have. A true lost classic.
http://www.freewebs.com/smallfaces/home.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wcKZoFRpZCI
It pains me to look at bands like this and say I like them btw…how was that look EVER cool?! Having said that they were high enough to call an album 'Ogdens Nut Gone Flake'so I think we can understand to an extent.
Monday 20th August - 26th August
This band a pretty cool…well this song is. The singer/songwriter Finn Andrews' voice is reminicent of Jeff Buckley (but much harsher). This is just a good song.
http://myspace-618.vo.llnwd.net/00989/81/61/989851618_l.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1MBph5A2jkU
Monday 27th August - 2nd September
Nick Drake was brilliant. Everyone should check him out. This song showcases his brilliant guitar playing, breathy voice and aptitude for writing a haunting melody.
http://www.nndb.com/people/172/000049025/nickdrake-cropped.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pY0SPkwRHGA
Monday 4th September - 9th September
Rilo Kiley - Portions For Foxes
This week was really hard. Joanna Newsom's beautiful 'This Side Of The Blue' and T Rex classic 'Children Of The Revolution' were both strong contenders but I just found myself listening and singing this track more than those two. An excellent rock song.
http://www.timmcmahan.com/images/rilo1.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=70oeD9_R6OU
Monday 10th September - 16th September
Devendra Banhart-Seahorse
Absolutely awesome - The King of Freak Folk - Awesome track. Goes from a jazzy feel to pure Led Zep at the end with a great solo. Cool track.
http://wendylynchphotography.com/DevendraBanhart2.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sFMIYz0TZ-U
Monday 17th September - 23rd September
Mother Love Bone- This Is Shangrila
&
The Veils- The Leavers Dance
I usually try two things with this journal - firstly, stick to the title and only have one song per week, but I also try to have as many different artists as possible. However this week it was simply not possible as both of theses tracks have been played so many times that I felt it would be unfair to give it to one over the other.
This Is Shangrila
This band, and this song were hard to define; they trod the line between the 80's stadium rock sound and the 90's grunge/alternative sound. This track has the pomp and sound of stadium rock but also maintains that level of passion and authenticity that grunge wore so proudly. This is a damn catchy and well worth having song from their first and last album, Apple
http://www.altrock.ru/mlb/group30.jpg
The Leavers Dance
This track is also hard to define; it has the epic soundscapes reminiscent of U2 and many hardcore and emo bands that love that sound, but really it sounds like a collaboration between U2, Jeff Buckley (with a sore throat) and Editors. Awesome.
http://www.minivegas.co.uk/albums/userpics/10001/thumb_The_Veils(02550).jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1_4xjlP_Is8
Sorry for the shit video - this was the only one on YouTube with this song!
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Monday 24th - Sunday 30th September
Juliette & The Licks- Death Of A Whore
Last night (September 30th) at the Indigo2, Juliette & The Licks played an absolute ‘Killer’ of a show. They played old tracks, including my favourite ‘Purgatory Blues’ as well as what sounded like a few new ones. However, one of the highlights of the show for me was as Juliette puts it herself ‘our very dramatic song’ which is of course ‘Death Of A Whore’. Even though I love the album version, nothing could have prepared me for the spellbinding performance last night. After the extended expletive section, the last part, that Juliette sang whilst on her knees, emotion pouring out of her along with the sweat, was beautiful. You could sense that everyone there was visibly moved by it. The support bands, visible at the side of the stage were noticeably impressed by this master class in live performance.
Both of those bands should get a shout to, as I thoroughly enjoyed them both - check out The Checks and Mr Derry if you are into your garagy bluesy rock kinda stuff.
http://a793.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/69/l_cb776e4868778d32f9745745b0ae7740.gif
Monday 1st October - Sunday 7th October
As I mentioned in last weeks song of the week entry, this band supported Juliette & The Licks @ Indigo2 and they were excellent. This is the only song I have of them and it is too catchy! It is absolutely mental; full of energy, passion and excitement, and at less than 3 minutes long it leaves you wanting more but makes sure it finishes on a high.
http://www.music-mann.co.uk/_images/gallery/mrderry/mrderry-montage.jpg
Monday 8th October - Sunday 14th October
Awesome 11 min finale to Scenes From A Memory, my favourite DT album. Epic melodies, and I love how this song continues the musical motifs of earlier songs which really helps when you are listening to a concept album. A lot of melody and virtuosity which makes for a fantastic DT song. This was one of my favourite bits of their Wembley Arena show on Saturday.
http://www.consorziosbcr.net/vivavocescuola/imgarticoli%5CMercurio%5C2005-06-n3--Dreamtheater.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GZAerNMyhsI
This is the only version on youtube - Labrie has a slightly annoying voice normally, but here it is terrible at many points when he adopts a far too ambitious vocal melody.
Monday 15th October - Sunday 21st October
This 8 minute tribute to a friend of Myles Kennedy (singer/guitarist) is one of the highlights of the incredible new album from Alter Bridge. The song is one of the best I have heard in many years, and it combines Myles’ outrageously good vocals with epic melodies, an awesome solo and plenty of passion. It all blends into one track that despite its length just doesn’t feel long enough, and it leaves you really wanting more.
The album, also going by the name ‘Blackbird’ has had fantastic reviews in the rock and metal circuits and rightly so (http://www.tunelabmusic.com/reviews/reviewid147.php?subaction=showcomments&id=1191723207&archive=&start_from=&ucat=5& - one of the best)
This band no longer sound like Creed 2, and this is undoubtedly thanks to Myles becoming an official songwriter and this gives the band a sound that is their own. Polished, but never over produced, complex but gritty, and intelligent but never pretentious, this album is a must for rock and metal fans, and anyone who appreciates fantastic musicianship and ridiculously catchy songs.
This band are well known in the US, with the album debuting at no.13, and this album will surely propel them to the upper echelons of popularity in the UK and with a major record deal and more promotion, I can see this happening in the near future.
http://www.bmi.com/images/musicworld/a/alterbridge_1_500.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yz_j7nVCJJ0
Monday 27th October - Sunday 4th November
Hunger Strike - Temple Of The Dog
It was a difficult decision this week, with a number of possible contenders. Initially, A Little Piece Of Heaven by Avenged Sevenfold was the only possibility. Its quirky horror musical sound was really fun and refreshing. It sounded like Danny Elfman with Alice Cooper as lyricist…i.e. a horror kinda song with accordion and a bouncy rhythm and lyrics on the exciting topic of necrophilia.
Then I got Temple Of The Dog, and all that changed. Say Hello To Heaven, the first track, and tribute to the great Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone, to whom the band was ‘dedicated’ was the first choice after a listen through the album. A slow 6/8 beat gave it a sombre feel and Chris Cornell’s vocals really shine in these surroundings. Another listen to the album, and my favourite song was ‘Call Me A Dog’, a song in which Chris sounds uncannily like Paul Rogers (Free, Bad Company, recent Queen tour).
Only after a couple of listens did the genius of Hunger Strike hit me; the most popular track from this band is not the most obviously catchy song on the album, but there is such power in the lyrics and passion in the overall delivery. It repeats and repeats, and I kept repeating the song. I finally concluded that my theory on grunge bands was true; it doesn’t matter so much that there is an instant hook, but what matters is cohesion between each member of the band, and a tremendous amount of passion. Fortunately the great bands had the hooks too!
This song has been hailed as many as the anthem of the grunge era…fuck Smells Like Teen Spirit, this song has the passion, coherent lyrics, and the capable members to write a far superior song. After all a song that has both Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell is going to be amazing. Of course a back line including Matt Cameron, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and Mike McCready helps immensely. Each of these members is highly regarded in their own right as well as members of Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.
So this weeks song is a song that is unconventionally repetitive, yet moving, passionate…and so damn good.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/28/Temple_of_the_Dog_Band_Shot.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=53FYP4aKSlo
Monday 5th November - Sunday 11th November
To be honest, no track really stood out this week, however Regina Spektor’s song Samson seemed to be the one I played most. It is a simple but beautiful ballad, which shows of Spektor’s fantastic vocal abilities. Ultimately it strikes me as a sad song, yet those are often the prettiest.
http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/spektor_regina/flipbook_07_05/DSC_0005.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p62rfWxs6a8
Monday 12th November - Sunday 18th November
Two words. PINK. FLOYD. Yes, this sounds like Pink Floyd, uncannily like Pink Floyd, except better. “Blasphemy!” scream millions of classic rock fans. Well Fuck You. Dave Gilmour would wish he wrote this song. Don’t get me wrong, Pink Floyd are great; you can’t fault Comfortably Numb for example, yet this song just appeals to me like most of Pink Floyds work doesn’t. This feels more heartfelt, and for all its musical pretensions, it feels, well, less pretentious.
Anyway. Awesome song.
http://www.ernieball.com/newscontent/Porcupine-Tree-photo-credit.porcupinetree.jpg
Monday 19th November - Sunday 25th November
“Joe Bonamassa is the new SRV”
“Joe Bonamassa is God”
But two views of Joe Bonamassa (courtesy of uoootoob of course). No, he is not SRV, nor God (since they are one), but he is a damn good guitar player. Think the aggression of Gary Moore, the ideas of SRV, and the voice of Paul Rogers mixed with the bassist guy who sang for Robin Trower. From those descriptions it may seem slightly less surprising that Joe supported the legend BB King. Aged 12. The bastard is good.
Ironically, what disappoints me most about this song is its guitar solos. They are too long. I heard this song on Planet Rock and thought it was killer, but I feel the solos are perhaps a touch egotistical, and considering the track is over 8 minutes long, perhaps a drag on the pleasing melodic progression of the song. However it is worthy of its place here as it really is an enjoyable listen, and if you were worried, this gives you a sense that guitar music is still around and rocking.
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/graphics/articles/spotlight/joe_2.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iNGfD6i7ckQ
Monday 26th November - Sunday 2nd December
Firstly, I am not ashamed to think the film Elizabethtown is awesome (where I heard this song first). Cos it is. I am also not ashamed that I think Elton John was fantastic (note past tense). Why this song isn’t held in the same light as Candle In The Wind (ah shit, that was a bad pun), I don’t know. Okay I do; Candle In The Wind was a soppy ballad, re-invented as a catharsis for the millions still sobbing over Diana. My Father’s Gun is different; It is a ballad in tone, yet the lyrics are based around the American civil war (Bernie Taupin wrote them, whilst on something probably) and the passing on of civil duties from father to son. The gun, of course, represents a rite of passage for the son, who after digging his fathers ‘shallow grave beneath the sun’ leaves to continue the fight. He takes his fathers responsibility with the gun and fights so his people can hear the ‘bells of freedom ring.’ “Cheese” I hear you say. It seems that way, but listen to the song. It is emotion filled and beautiful.
http://www.stereogum.com/img/elton_john_70s.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_9DVPiHMuDY
Monday 3rd December - Sunday 9th December
Sawdust & Diamonds - Joanna Newsom
Ys, Joanna Newsom’s sophomore album is brilliant. It is the best album I have heard this year, and without a doubt the most original album I have ever heard.
Sawdust & Diamonds is simply astounding. Not one for repeating herself, this 10 minute epic’s lyrics go on and on and I am not complaining. She truly is a poet; her love for language is evident, as is her knowledge of it. Her rhyming is truly stunning, her imagination truly astonishing, and her performance is peerless.
And the moment I slept
I was swept up in a terrible tremor.
Though no longer bereft, how I shook
And I couldn't remember.
And then the furthermost shake
Drove a murdering stake in
And cleft me right down through my centre.
And I shouldn't say so,
But I know that it was then or never.
Of course her harp playing - for once unaccompanied on this album - is brilliant. As is her voice, as weird as ever, but with a greater element of control to it.
This is undeniably a ‘marmite’ artist, and I expect more people will hate her than love her. But once it clicks, once you understand, you realise you are in on something to be treasured.
http://savetherobot.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/21275x-news-newsomepressphoto.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PdN1kYWoaTM
Monday 10th December - Sunday 16th December
Jesus Was A Crossmaker - The Hollies
The Hollies were often thought of as the 'other band' after The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but this song shows them to be just as good on occasion.This is the other great song on the Elizabethtown soundtrack. A combination of classic 60’s vocal harmonies, and the 70’s grandiosity, this track is brilliant. The melody builds and builds and then reaches its pinnacle where it starts again with a slightly different sound. Can’t be fucked to write much; just a great song.
http://www.marmalade-skies.co.uk/Hollies1.jpg
Monday 17th December - Sunday 23rd December
From Temple Of The Dog to his solo stuff, everything (bar Audioslave) that Chris Cornell touches seems to turn to gold. This track is an example of this. This song is a truly inspired melody and showcases his ballsy vocals with all the skill and power of any other great singer. That is what he is, a GREAT singer, and judging by this, a great songwriter too.
http://www.rockstar.it/img/Chris_Cornell.jpg
Monday 23rd December - Sunday 30th December
Temple Of The Dog - Times Of Trouble
I think Chris Cornell is now perhaps the most featured singer on this blog despite not one of the songs from his two most famous bands (Soundgarden and Audioslave) being on here. He has been one of the best discoveries for me this year. Of course I had heard him before, but never sounding as good as he does on this song, and in this band. Times Of Trouble is a song about drugs; it is a message, it seems, to all those with drug problems, and it is an ode to Andrew Wood. However what makes this song so brilliant is the vocals of Chris Cornell. They ooze quality and soul. Every note is their for a reason and despite some incredible moments, he never oversings (the first ‘Yeah’ after the harmonica solo is astounding). This is one of the songs of the year for sure.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/28/Temple_of_the_Dog_Band_Shot.jpg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6TlShoR5nto
Now we have reached the end of 2007, I think I should pick my top five songs from this list, which doesn’t quite stretch over the whole year.
1)Sawdust & Diamonds - Joanna Newsom
2)Estranged - Guns N’ Roses
3)Hunger Strike - Temple Of The Dog
4)My Father’s Gun - Elton John
5)Times Of Trouble - Temple Of The Dog
A victory for the Dog then!