I'm so sorry to bring this to you a little late, but life happens. Here are the albums I am listening to this week. Enjoy!
To really hear an artist's work, you must look past the hit singles. The
entire album is worth hearing to truly get a glimpse of it all in one
body of work. Here are some of the albums I am listening to this week.
New Model Army - Vengeance (1984)
The debut album from postpunk band New Model Army. A great combination of folk music and sneering punk rock. While many bands of their ilk did not talk about the world around them, New Model Army pulled no punches in talking about societies ills. From what I hear from many today, the lyrics of Smalltown England are just as relevant today as they were in 1984. The band later evolved into something different, yet they never gave up their ideals. This album is essential listening if you are a fan of bands like The Damned or Billy Bragg. Here are some of it's best tracks:
Vengeance:
Great Expectations:
Smalltown England:
Nirvana - In Utero (Albini mix)
In 1993, after the success of their multiplatinum selling album, Nevermind, Nirvana recorded their followup, In Utero. Instead of Butch Vig producing this album, they decided to work with Steve Albini. Steve Albini has had a reputation of being an innovative producer and famous for not liking overdubs and preferring for bands to record live, along with his famed stints with Chicago noise band Big Black. Kurt Cobain wanted to work with Steve Albini solely because Steve produced two of Kurt's favorite albums (The Pixies Surfer Rosa and Pod from the Breeders). The label wanted to polish up some of the production that Steve Albini did, which is most evident on the tracks Heart Shaped Box and All Apologies. Producer Scott Litt (R.E.M) was brought in to make a few changes. Still, In Utero stands as a seminal album for the band and the original mixes are much more raw than the finished product. Here are a few great songs from this album.
Heart Shaped Box:
All Apologies:
Very Ape:
Duran Duran - Duran Duran (Wedding album) (1993)
Duran Duran were on top of the world in the 1980s, by the time the 90s hit, they were seen as has-beens, they were perceived as old hat, this album proved all those critics wrong. They literally came out of nowhere with this album. No one thought it would sell. It would sell over a million albums and go platinum, sadly the last Duran Duran album to do so. Two of it's four singles would hit the top 5 in the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The songs were Come Undone and Ordinary World. These are two of their best known songs and true classics. Here are some great songs from this album.
Ordinary World
Come Undone:
Too Much Information:
Black Flag - My War (1984)
This is the official second full-length album from Black Flag. Greg Ginn played guitar and bass on here, and Henry Rollins returns on lead vocals. The first 6 songs are straightforward hardcore punk, including the great title track and song Beat My Head Against a Wall. The last 3 songs are a bit of a puzzle to everyone, they all clock in at more than 6 minutes each, which is unheard of in punk rock. It shows the band at their most experimental. They do owe a debt to Black Sabbath on these last tracks and it is seen as a precursor to grunge, which is amazing. It also shows how truly influential Black Flag were and continue to be. A great record and to me second only to Damaged. Here are some of the best songs here.
My War:
AFI is a band from Ukiah, California. They have been around since 1991, and have released 8 studio album and various EPs and singles. They started off first playing straightforward hardcore punk, then evolved into a sort of Misfits-like horror punk, then incorporated a darker edge and became more poetic and melodic into a sort of gothic punk band. The song ...but home is nowhere is the last track from their multiplatinum breakthrough album, Sing the Sorrow released in March 11, 2003. The lyrics are beyond incredible. I think they have to do with not belonging, feeling like an outcast and wanting to be understood. There is also this metaphor throughout the song about life being like a play. "When the director sold the show, who bought its last rites?
They cut the cast, the music, and the lights This is my line, this is eternal
How did I ever end up here?" There is a definite theme in this entire album referring to death and rebirth, a very zen theme. I love this song so much and it's a song I point to to show what a unique and poetic band AFI is. It is followed by the poem, This Time Inperfect about the different stages of a person's life. So touching and I remember it gave me goosebumps when I first heard it. Here is the song:
and lyrics:
Twenty-six years and seems like I've just begun
To understand my, my intimate is no one
When the director sold the show, who bought its last rites?
They cut the cast, the music, and the lights
This is my line, this is eternal
How did I ever end up here?
Discarnate, preternatural
My prayers to disappear
Absent of grace, marked as infernal
Ungranted in dead time left me disowned
To this nature, so unnatural
I remain alone
Twenty-six years end, still speaking in these tongues
Such revelations while understood by no one
When the new actor stole the show, who questioned his grace?
Please clear the house of ill-aquired taste
This is my line, this is eternal
How did I ever end up here?
Discarnate, preternatural
My prayers to disappear
Absent of grace, marked as infernal
Ungranted in dead time left me disowned
To this nature, so unnatural
I remain alone
Give me something, give me something
Give me something, give me something
Give me something, give me something real
I lay strewn across the floor, can't solve this puzzle
Everyday another small piece can't be found
I lay strewn across the floor, pieced up in sorrow
The pieces are lost, these pieces don't fit
Pieced together incomplete and empty
This is my line, this is eternal
How did I ever end up here?
Discarnate, preternatural
My prayers to disappear
Absent of grace, marked as infernal
Ungranted in dead time left me disowned
To this nature, so unnatural
I remain alone
This is my line, this is eternal
How did I end up here?
Discarnate, preternatural
My prayers to disappear
Absent of grace, marked as infernal
Ungranted in dead time left me disowned
To this nature, so unnatural
I remain alone
On May 22 it was Morrissey's 53rd birthday. He performed at San Diego and the amazing tribute band Sweet and Tender Hooligans performed in Los Angeles at the Mayan Theater in tribute. I attended the Sweet and Tender Hooligans concert. It was great to see them play not only Smiths songs but Morrissey songs which Morrissey himself hardly performs live. I was too young to see The Smiths but this makes up for it. Excellent crowd and a great setlist. In tribute, I will post about 12 full length concerts I found online for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
To really hear an artist's work, you must look past the hit singles. The
entire album is worth hearing to truly get a glimpse of it all in one
body of work. Here are some of the albums I am listening to this week.
This week's entries are a bit of a blast from the past. I've been revisiting some albums I haven't heard in a while, so we'll pay tribute to that. Enjoy
My Vitriol - Finelines (2000)
Ah yes, My Vitriol. A band which was destined for greatness. This album spawned 4 top 40 UK singles for this band. Sadly this remains their only full-length album to this day. They released an album of demos and bsides and an EP in 2007, but this is their only full length. Their sound harkens back to the work of bands like Smashing Pumpkins, The Catherine Wheel and My Bloody Valentine. Fuzzy guitars, unusual distortion and other shoegazer-like melodies. They pioneered the genre, "nu gaze" which includes bands such as Silversun Pickups, Beach House, M83, and Blonde Redhead. This first caught my eye when I used to read Kerrang! magazine. I loved their look and how their sound was described, I had to hear more! I loved what i heard and this remains one of the best albums of the 2000s. At times melodic, other times hard. This record is one to cherish. Here are some of my favorite tracks.
Always Your Way:
Grounded:
Ode to the Red Queen:
The Cure - Three Imaginary Boys (1979)
Released as Boys Don't Cry in the US, Three Imaginary Boys was the debut album of the Cure. Their sound here is different from what they are remembered by. They still have a punk-like sound and the songs are a lot more faster than their brooding dirges they would later be known for. Some classic songs are here such as Boys Don't Cry, Grinding Halt and their first single, Killing An Arab (found on Boys Dont Cry), which raised some controversy in the Arab community. The song was based off the book, The Stranger by existentialist author, Albert Camus and later on The Cure released a sticker on top of the album condemning any violence toward Arabs. This album was one of the best debuts to date and still sounds fresh today. Here are some of my favorites:
Boys Dont Cry:
Grinding Halt:
1015 Saturday Night:
The Smiths - Strangeways Here We Come (1987)
The best album from the Smiths and their last, sadly. The band broke up right before this album's release. This features some of the Smiths best songs, such as A Rush and A Push and the Land is Ours, Girlfriend in A Coma, and Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me. This album features some of Johnny Marr and Morrissey's best collaborations and a fitting end to this epic band. I am really sad they broke up, but they left us with lasting memories. Johnny Marr recently told NME magazine that this was his favorite Smiths album. I am inclined to agree with him. It's amazing how they left on top. They could have achieved so much more though. but at least they left us with some terrific music. Here are some of my personal favorites:
A Rush and A Push and the Land Is Ours:
Girlfriend in a Coma:
Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me:
Bauhaus - Burning From The Inside (1983)
Much like The Smiths album, Strangeways Here We Come, Bauhaus' Burning From The Inside was their last album but the main difference is that you can see the definite changes in this album. Peter Murphy is their main vocalist but on many songs (Slice of Life, Who Killed Mr. Moonlight), both Daniel Ash and David J are on lead vocals. Peter Murphy was gravely ill when this was recorded. This led to the breakup of the band, unfortunetly. This album does feature some of my favorite songs, as evidence by my recent top songs list. I love this album's sound and how disjointed it is in parts. She's in Parties remains one of their best songs and Hope ends the album on a real high note. This album was a very different one, but it led to Peter Murphy's solo career and the band Love and Rockets. A nice farewell to this band. Here are the best songs:
She's In Parties:
Bauhaus is an extremely influential postpunk band formed in 1978. The band was one of the first bands to be labeled "goth" by the press along with Joy Division. Bauhaus consisted of singer Peter Murphy (who has an extensive solo career), guitarist Daniel Ash, bassist David J, and drummer Kevin Haskins. Bauhaus lasted from 1978 until their first breakup in 1983.During this time they released 4 studio albums, In The Flat Field, Mask, The Sky's Gone Out and Burning From The Inside.Afterwards Peter Murphy started his solo career and the rest of the band continued on as Love and Rockets and later Tones on Tail. With many bands including Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and others, primarily in the gothic rock scene. Bauhaus was unique in the sense. Their musical style was not just confined to postpunk, or later goth rock, they also included elements of glam rock, punk, Krautrock, dub, even funk. Bauhaus reunited in 1998 on their Gotham tour and then later on in 2005 headlined that year's Coachella music festival and later on toured with Nine Inch Nails the following year. In 2008, Love and Rockets reunited to play at Coachella and Bauhaus released their last album, Go Away White. Bauhaus in on indefinite hiatus with no plans to reunite again, although Peter Murphy does continue to perform a few Bauhaus songs every time he tours so you never know. Here are 20 of Bauhaus' best songs as chosen by me. Let me start by saying Bela Lugosi's Dead is NOT on this list. I do appreciate the song and it's influence and all, especially the connection to the film The Hunger starring David Bowie, but I feel the song is a tad too meandering and long. Another thing that it's just way to cliche in my opinion. The whole vampire/Dracula goth thing. Anyways let's start!
#20 King Volcano from the album Burning From The Inside (1983)
I always thought this song was a reference to the David Bowie song Velvet Goldmine. In the song, Velvet Goldmine, Bowie says "I'll be your king volcano, rise for you again and again." I think this song is about lonely people overcoming that empty feeling and eventually burning like giant volcanos instead of just burning like candles. This also reminds me of Jack Kerouac's quote in all the road. "The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”
#19 St. Vitus Dance from the album In The Flat Field (1980)
Sydenham's chorea or chorea minor (historically referred to as Saint Vitus Dance) is a disease characterized by rapid, uncoordinated jerking movements affecting primarily the face, feet and hands. This song always reminded me of really uncontrolled dancing. Peter Murphy's vocals are really good in this song.
#18 Lagartija Nick from the album Burning From The Inside (1983)
About the infamous Marquis de Sade and BDSM. Bauhaus was a very sexy band! They performed this on Top of The Pops of all places!
#17 Dancing from the album Mask (1981)
Overcoming adversity, being on top. Great bass and a great message! This song is so inspiring!
#16 In The Night from the album The Sky's Gone Out (1982)
A person who feels lonely, depressed, empty. At the end of the song he offs himself. There are some really strange voices toward the end of the song. This song always leaves me feeling slightly haunted. #15 Too Much 21st Century from the album Go Away White (2008)
The first song off their last album, Go Away White. This song has a strong Bowie/T. Rex sound, which were very influential to Bauhaus. The song seems to be about rejecting modern technology. Bauhaus themselves recorded this album very lo-fi so it has a retro sound to it. Very cool.
#14 Stigmata Martyr from the album In The Flat Field (1980)
This song references the wounds Jesus had while being crucified. Peter Murphy had a Catholic upbringing so this inspired this song and I always felt it was about exorcising that Catholic guilt. Many think Peter is speaking in tongues toward the end but "In nomine patri et filli et spiriti sanctum" is Latin for "in the name of the father, son, and holy ghost, which is said by priests during baptism. Awesome song and Peter's vocals are insane here!
#13 Exquisite Corpse from the album The Sky's Gone Out (1982)
A very weird song. Exquisite corpse is a game involving three people. A paper is folded into thirds. The first person draws the head, the second draws the torso (without seeing the first part) and the third draws the legs. This song is divided into 3 parts, each sung by a different member of the band. The first part describes just going through the motions of life, then the second concerns aging or a broken heart and the third is about a soldier. Very surreal song.
#12 All We Ever Wanted Was Everything from the album Burning From The Inside (1983)
The drudgery of modern life. I love how Peter Murphy sounds when he sings the line "all to be the cream", just perfect. Another simple song with not many lyrics but it says so much.
#11 Double Dare from the album In The Flat Field (1980)
A very punkish song. It's about being yourself, standing up for yourself despite the odds. I DARE YOU! #10 Dark Entries from the album In The Flat Field (1980)
One of Bauhaus best songs. I love the live version especially. It seems to be a sexual song about prostitutes. The lyrics make it obvious. It could also be about BDSM, either way a song about carnal pleasures.
#09 Kick In The Eye from the album Mask (1981)
Satori means enlightenment. This song seems to be about searching for that. It could be about drugs. This song sounds most like 70s Bowie with its funk bassline. Love it.
#08 Crowds from the album In The Flat Field (1980)
I love this song because it is completely over the top and you could tell the band was having a blast recording it. Love the lyrics, the simple piano melody and just the anger running through this song.
#07 Slice of Life from the album Burning From The Inside (1983)
Daniel Ash sings this. An underrated song on the Burning From The Inside album. Slice of life is a phrase describing the use of mundane realism depicting everyday experiences in art and entertainment. Love the guitar here, very soothing.
#06 Silent Hedges from the album The Sky's Gone Out (1982)
A very atmospheric song. I love the guitar in this song, so simple. Seems to be about the downfall of success? I'm not really sure. Great song and one of the first songs I remember hearing from them.
#05 The Sanity Assassin from the album Burning From The Inside (1983)
A song about slowly going insane. A person or thing taking a hold on you. A person who confirms all your paranoid thoughts. This song still gets played at goth clubs today. One of their best.
#04 Who Killed Mr. Moonlight? from the album Burning From The Inside (1983)
Another simple song with David J on lead vocals this time. Basically about the death of innocence with some reference to Douglas Fairbanks. I really don't know what this is about but I think it has to do with the myth that the moon helps inspire creativity.
#03 She's In Parties from the album Burning From The Inside (1983)
The band has said in some interview that the song is inspired by Marilyn Monroe, or any other tragic actress. This makes sense, "in the can" means it is finished, it could be referring to a movie scene being done or someone's last scene, i.e. death.
#2 The Passion Of Lovers from the album Mask (1981)
The sixth single from the band. This has the most amazing drums. Intense song. This song is about how passion can lead to death. Obsessive love. This song is a great example of true goth rock from the early 80s. If someone wants to know what goth music is, play this song. Passion kills.
#1 In The Flat Field from the album In The Flat Field (1980)
looking for adventure, looking for life in a boring place. This song always reminds me of Miami and my old house, there was a flat field right by there and I just remember how painfully boring my neighborhood was. Several Bauhaus songs talk about how boring they were living in Northhampton, England. This is by far their best song and one I constantly go back to. I'm so in love with this song!
Added bonus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Youtube has the full live video Shadow of Life!!! You can watch it right here!
Smashing Pumpkins was always a band that never really fit in the definition of "alternative". Their first album, Gish was produced by Billy Corgan and Butch Vig and was a nice introduction to the band, albeit, an innocent one. They seemed to hold back. It was their debut after all and bands almost never found the same afterward. The album had a nice mixture of 70s rock and psychedelia, and it's an album I usually go back to. Billy Corgan described it as a "very spiritual album". Billy Corgan famously performed all the guitar and bass on this album. He has been known to be a perfectionist in that way. Billy Corgan had the following to say about the album.
"The album is about pain and spiritual ascension. People ask if it's a
political album. It's not a political album, it's a personal album. In a
weird kind of way, Gish is almost like an instrumental album -
it just happens to have singing on it, but the music overpowers the band
in a lot of places. I was trying to say a lot of things I couldn't
really say in kind of intangible, unspeakable ways, so I was capable of
doing that with the music, but I don't think I was capable of doing it
with words"
One of my favorite songs from this album is Siva. The song was originally entitled Shiva, named after the Tantric concept of opposing male and female forces, which is not really a concept explored in alternative music. Siva is the Hindu god of sex, death and rebirth, which is a common theme in Hinduism. The song itself seems to be about total chaos, hence the name of the song. It features the classic Smashing Pumpins melody of mellow-loud-mellow progression which was later featured in songs like Geek USA and XYU. The song seems to be about the stages of a relationship gone wrong, but there's a spiritual edge also. Nevertheless, an excellent song. Here it is:
lyrics:
I spin off and lose my head
Throwing stray a spark instead
Gather strenghth down in my heel
And dig it in the world I peel
Way down deep within my heart
Lies a soul that's torn apart
Tell me, tell me what your after
I just want to get there faster
I don't live - I inhale
I don't give - I unveil
Don't want to live in your misery
I don't live - I inhale
Sprinkle all my kisses on your head
Stars full of wishes fill our beds
She said, "I'm dead"
All this pain smothers me
Like a bomb that you can't see
Tell me, tell me what your after
I just want to get there faster
I don't live - I inhale
I don't give - I unveil
I don't live - I inhale
I don't live
This week's releases will feature some new ones from some veterans and some old ones from classic groups. Let's get to it!
To really hear an artist's work, you must look past the hit singles. The
entire album is worth hearing to truly get a glimpse of it all in one
body of work. Here are some of the albums I am listening to this week.
Garbage - Not Your Kind of People (2012)
Garbage is an rock band featuring Shirley Manson on vocals (formerly of the band Angelfish which was featured on a previous entry), drummer Butch Vig (one of my favorite producers), guitarist Duke Erickson, and bassist Steve Marker. This latest album was recorded right here in Atwater Village and Silverlake, and marks the return of Garbage, their first album is over 7 years! This album was recorded on Garbage's own label STUNVOLUME. What is great about this album is that it reminds me of their work around the Version 2.0 album, more rocking, less pop like Beautiful Garbage. They also had some recent shows right here in Los Angeles at the El Rey theatre and a KROQ show. A must hear! Here are some essential tracks.
I Hate Love:
Not Your Kind Of People:
Man On A Wire:
AFI - Decemberunderground (2006)
AFI have always been a band that has kept people guessing. They started out as a hardcore punk band with a dash of Misfits-style horror punk, then a more poetic band who occasionally covered bands like The Cure and Minor Threat, then when Butch Vig produced their album Sing The Sorrow, they started working with techno beats, strings, and brought in a new dimension into their music and a more gothic edge. Decemberunderground was their followup to that album. I especially love the newwavish song 37mm, which I believe was intended to be a Blakq Audio song (Davey Havok's and Jade's electronic sideproject) and the song The Missing Frame also brings back a bit of an 80s sound. There are hard songs on here, mellower songs, songs that feature electronic beats, but all songs have something to offer. Here are a few of my favorites.
37mm:
The Missing Frame:
Love Like Winter:
Bad Religion - Stranger Than Fiction (1994)
Bad Religion's major label debut. This was the last album to feature guitarist/founder/cosongwriter Brett Gurewitz (who would later return to the band when they came back to Epitaph) and it's one of their best records. Incomplete is still one of my favorite songs of all time and a great opener to the album. Horray for Me lyrically is just brilliant. The song Television also has an appearance by Tim Armstrong of the band Rancid. This is not just another punk record, this one is something else. Signing to a major label did not make them a sellout. They even got some MTV play for the songs Infected and 21st Century Digital Boy. An essential record for anyone.
Horray For Me:
Incomplete:
Infected:
Meat Puppets - Meat Puppets II (1984)
Many people know of the Meat Puppets and this album in particular, thanks to Nirvana. The Meat Puppets appeared on Nirvana's Unplugged album and Nirvana covered 3 songs from this album, Plateau, Oh Me, and Lake of Fire. I like Nirvana's versions but these are wayy more interesting, though Kurt does have a better voice. This album is a mixture of punk, country, rock and everything in between. The band themselves say they were intoxicated and high while recording this and honestly, it shows. Though they lack vocally, that is what makes this album so great. It's so out there, and lyrically brilliant. Here are some of my favorites:
Lost:
Here are some more video clips and full length concerts I found on youtube. Enjoy!
Here is a full length concert from Depeche Mode, live in Miami, Florida in 1993. This was on their Devotional tour in support of the album Songs of Faith and Devotion. Really cool to find this. I wish I could have been there but I was around 11 at the time!
Full length concert from the band Off! This was recorded at Berkeley, California in 2011 at the infamous Gilman where many Bay area bands got their start. It looks strange to see Keith Morris going bald but nevertheless, great show!
This clip is from the documentary Rage:20 Years of Punk Rock. It goes through the history of punk rock, it's meaning and it's influence. Really cool clips with Jello Biafra, Jack Grisham, Keith Morris and Gitane Demone. It even features bands like Christian Death and UK Bombs. A must see!
Another important documentary. This one features the band Fugazi. Born from the early DC hardcore band, Minor Threat, Fugazi really defined punk rock by always having cheap shows and sticking to their beliefs. This documentary is a testament to that. A must see!
Full length Siouxsie and the Banshees concert from 1983, featuring Robert Smith of the Cure on guitar. Great show and one of the best tours. I believe The Cure was also playing that same night. Check it out!
Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of the second Duran Duran album, Rio. It was and continues to be one of Duran Duran's best selling albums. Singles released from this album include the title track, Hungry Like The Wolf, Save A Prayer, and My Own Way. One of the best songs from this album is The Chauffeur. Although, there was no single released for this song, the video is one of their most famous. It was also released on the Rio single. It's a very sweet, almost seductive song about a chauffeur driving someone around. The person might be having feelings for the person they are driving around, the lyrics are very poetic. The video for the song itself is inspired by the 1974 film The Night Porter. The dance the blonde girl does at the end is clearly inspired by the Night of the Seven Veils dance in that movie. The song has a very dreamy feel. The Deftones have done a great cover of this song, as has Tre Lux, which features former Switchblade Symphony vocalist, Tina Root. Here is that legendary video and song, which to me stands as one of their best, or at least a top 5 song.
and the lyrics to that song:
Out on the tar plains, the glides are moving
All looking for a new place to drive
You sit beside me, so newly charming
Sweating dewdrops glisten freshing your side
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind
The front of your dress all shadowy lined
And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart
Way down the lane away, living for another day
The aphids swarm up in the drifting haze
Swim seagull in the sky towards some hollow western isle
My envied lady holds you fast in her gaze
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind
The front of your dress all shadowy lined
And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind
The front of your dress all shadowy lined
And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart
Sing blue silver
And watching lovers part I feel you smiling
What glass splinters lie so deep in your mind?
To tear out from your eyes with a word to stiffen brooding lies
And I'll only watch you leave me further behind
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind
The front of your dress all shadowy lined
And the droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart
And the sun drips down bedding heavy behind
The front of your dress all shadowy lined
The droning engine throbs in time with your beating heart
Sing blue silver
Sing, sing blue silver...
I am posting this entry a little later than usual on account of being sick. I have a sore throat, and bad allergies. I'm starting to feel better now. Onward with this week's albums!
To really hear an artist's work, you must look past the hit singles. The
entire album is worth hearing to truly get a glimpse of it all in one
body of work. Here are some of the albums I am listening to this week.
OFF! - OFF! (2012)
OFF! was formed by former Circle Jerks/Black Flag lead vocalist Keith Morris in Los Angeles. This is their official first album which was just released this week. This album has the same feel as early 80s hardcore albums. Fans of Circle Jerks will love it. Every song is explosive, my only gripe is how short the songs are. The entire 16 track album is 16 minutes long! As soon as you get into a song it is over. The lyrics are pretty juvenile though there are references to Happy Meals and Darby Crash which make it enjoyable. Great energy, and great musicianship all around. It is so surprising that this just came out when it sounds like it came out of the 80s. Also, Off! is doing a few tourdates with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Here are some of the best tracks on this album.
King Kong Brigade:
Wiped Out:
Burrow and Bomb:
Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You (2011)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are another great band from Los Angeles who have been doing music since the early 80s with lead vocalist Anthony Keidis and bassist Flea being the only original members. John Frusciante was their main guitarist throughout most of their recent albums but left the band prior to this album. He was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer on this album. This album has some really great songs including Monarchy of Roses, Rain Dance Maggie has a pretty funky beat and includes some cowbell for good measure. I especially like the song Look Around, very catchy and while this might not be their best album, it's consistent and gets better with every listen.Here are some of my favorite tracks:
Look Around:
Rain Dance Maggie:
Brendan's Death Song:
Black Flag - Everything Went Black (1982)
Early compilation album featuring all three former Black Flag vocalists (Keith Morris, Ron Reyes, Dez Cadena) who were in the band before Henry Rollins took over before their debut album, Damaged. Really cool to hear some early demos of Black Flag songs interpreted by different vocalists. I personally like Keith Morris' voice the most. He sounds like someone whos has probably been kicked into a locker at some point and there is nothing pop about it. The other vocalists are great too, especially Cadena. Ron Reyes was one I never truly got into. A nice added bonus was some commercials advertising Black Flag shows at the end of this album. A definite must have for any fan of the band, especially those unfamiliar with their pre-Rollins lineup. I happen to like it more than First Four Years which is another compilation. I love Keith Morris doing Depression and Gimme Gimme Gimme. It gives a whole new perspective on it. I got into Black Flag way later than most people, this was the first I heard of them. I purchased this from a tiny record store in Brooklyn and immediately took a liking,. An early hardcore classic.
Clocked In (w/Ron Reyes)
No Values (w/Keith Morris)
Louie Louie (w/Dez Cadena)
Silversun Pickups - Neck of The Woods (2012)
Rounding out our Los Angeles list is Silverlake's own Silversun Pickups. At first they were branded as Smashing Pumpkins ripoffs but they have achieved a sound all their own on their latest release. There's some SP influence on the vocals but the band has added extra layers like industrial beats and shoegazer like guitars. The addition of producer Jacknife Lee (who previously worked with greats such as R.E.M. and U2) add an added layer of shine on this, their latest release on Dangerbird Records. This might be the album of the year. Songs like The Pit are a nice surprise, and sees the band venturing in an almost New Order sound. Check out the new single, Bloody Mary especially along with the following tracks.
Bloody Mary:
