So every band eventually splits right, yesterday I talked about those who got back together, today I'd like to talk about the break-away star from bands that have broken up. Now sometimes very rarely all ex members of a band find their way a la The Beatles ; but most of the time only one or two members really "make it"
Ben Folds - After the Ben Folds Five split up in 2000 (ironically reuniting for a one off in 2008) Ben Folds began to pave the way for a solo carrier. A year later he put out what is arguably best solo record : "Rockin' The Suburbs". Considering Fold's is a pianist the focus of his songs have never really been on the guitar. This provides listeners with a break from the normal pop song however that being said his music is still filled with catchy (and sometimes menacing) lyrics and very good musicianship.
Brian Wilson - The Beach Boys are under appreciated (I feel ; in fact I'll blog about that sometime soon). This man was and continues to be a genius his writing is well above par ; and it's very unfortunate that he fell into the drug scene of the 1970's. That being said as of late the man is most certainly back. The Beach Boys had another run from the mid 80's to the mid 90's and after that he remade (or officially released) "SMiLE" the album that never was. The album of legend - and you know what. It kicked total ass, I believe that this hype monster definitely was more worthwhile then lets say "Chinese Democracy". His most recent triump "That Lucky Old Sun" is also worth noting as one of the finest concept albums ever. Finally free of the "SMiLE" Wilson is once free to persue other dreams.
Ray Davies - After The Kinks finally broke up in 1996 what was Ray Davies to do. He wasn't talking to his brother, he wasn't in his band of over thirty years, what was he to do. Well writing a solo album wasn't a bad idea. 1998's "The Storyteller" began a very strong writing carrier (He had released a solo album in 1985 entitled "Return to Waterloo" but I'm focusing more on the post-kinks era) 2006's "Other People Lives" was a fine peice of work coming after a stab wound that he had encured in New Orleans and it shows. Finally we come to his most recent work - 2008's "Working Man's Cafe" one of my favorite albums of last year he pours his thoughts out onto paper and with guitar and some malace he throws them straight at you. From world affairs, to fan warship, to how things have changed, it really is a fantastic album to just listen through.
- Peace and Love -
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
I'm Back [I'm really really back]
It's been a while, and I'd like to thank anyone reading this ; seriously all of you right on. I took a bit of a hiatus because I was feeling fairly devoid of all things creative. But I thought it was necessary (and poetic) to come back on this of all days. For all who don't know Blink-182 are back with a new album in the works and a new summer tour. So let's take a look at a couple of "Come-Back" bands because it seems to happen more and more these days.
The Police - After releasing Synchronicity in 1983 the band toured and broke up in 1984. This being said they came back after over 20 years to tour from 07-08. The band has no intention of getting back together ; but this tour proves they still got it.
The Police - After releasing Synchronicity in 1983 the band toured and broke up in 1984. This being said they came back after over 20 years to tour from 07-08. The band has no intention of getting back together ; but this tour proves they still got it.
Led Zeppelin - Well 1980 sucked. John Lennon, AND John Bonham were dead. Truly the musical landscape had to change. However after a couple of subpar renunions the band took to the stage in 2007 for a one off with the three remaining members of the band, and John Bonhams son Jason to comemorate the death of their manager Ahmet Ertegun. They proceeded to rock the house, and left everyone wondering when they'll actually release the preformence on Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, Laserdisc, Betamax, LP, CD, Cassette, MD, SACD (I think you get the point).
The Beatles - OK so they never really "reunited" but for the Beatles - Anthology project that took place in 1995/6 the renaming Beatles DID all return to talk about their experiences in the band and create two new tracks with old John Lennon backing tracks. It was the closest we ever got to a reunion anyway. And the Anthology in all it's forms is definitely worth looking into and buying if you haven't already.
Pink Floyd - Another one off in July of 2005 the complete Pink Floyd played together after over 25 years. The only problem is that they were only given a four song set. This is just a killer considering they have such an amazingly rich backlog to cull tracks from. 2.5 from Dark Side Of The Moon, 1 from Wish You Were Here, and 1 from The Wall. The band sounded in top form and rumors began to spread about a possible reunion. After ultimately denying it the chances were thoroughly crushed by the unfortunate death of keyboard player Richard Wright late last year. Now us Floyd fans can only put on records and think about what could have been.
- Peace and Love -
The Beatles - OK so they never really "reunited" but for the Beatles - Anthology project that took place in 1995/6 the renaming Beatles DID all return to talk about their experiences in the band and create two new tracks with old John Lennon backing tracks. It was the closest we ever got to a reunion anyway. And the Anthology in all it's forms is definitely worth looking into and buying if you haven't already.
Pink Floyd - Another one off in July of 2005 the complete Pink Floyd played together after over 25 years. The only problem is that they were only given a four song set. This is just a killer considering they have such an amazingly rich backlog to cull tracks from. 2.5 from Dark Side Of The Moon, 1 from Wish You Were Here, and 1 from The Wall. The band sounded in top form and rumors began to spread about a possible reunion. After ultimately denying it the chances were thoroughly crushed by the unfortunate death of keyboard player Richard Wright late last year. Now us Floyd fans can only put on records and think about what could have been.
- Peace and Love -
Monday, January 26, 2009
Technical Difficulties
Stupid computer problems are making maintanence difficult I will be back in full form tomorrow. Sorry for the inconvenience.
- Peace and Love -
- Peace and Love -
Friday, January 23, 2009
Why single's rocked
To begin ; I have quite a few records. I'm a collector, but not one that pines over original UK presses in mint condition. I do have the same record in mono and stereo if there's a notable difference, and I like my records in nice shape. Every once in a while I'll stumble upon a '45 [Single] that I like, and think about how contextually awesome these little discs are.
Singles came [or come they're still made] in two flavors ; album or non album singles. As their names suggest some songs are cuts from the album in order to give the listener a taste of their upcoming album. Non album singles are songs that stand on their own, they do not appear on any album. These usually turn up on the 25th-anniversary, or deluxe edition of albums. I think the thing I like about singles is that they really gave you a peek into what band's were doing in the studio between albums. Before the internet allowing rabid fans to use any means necessary to search what their favorite band is up to ; you had the single. The single didn't fare well in the transition to the digital era. It really has no place, CD's are capable of holding 74 minutes of music on them as opposed to the LP single which could only hold a few minutes on each side. Some bands chose to throw on a music video as a hook, but it really just isn't the same. And on iTunes single's really don't make a lot of sense, they can still serve the purpose they used to Oasis proved that by releaseing the singles "The Shock of the Lightening" and "Falling Down" before their new album "Dig Out Your Soul". I just don't think that singles will ever be as prevelant as they used to be, which in one sense is really a shame.
- Peace and Love -
Singles came [or come they're still made] in two flavors ; album or non album singles. As their names suggest some songs are cuts from the album in order to give the listener a taste of their upcoming album. Non album singles are songs that stand on their own, they do not appear on any album. These usually turn up on the 25th-anniversary, or deluxe edition of albums. I think the thing I like about singles is that they really gave you a peek into what band's were doing in the studio between albums. Before the internet allowing rabid fans to use any means necessary to search what their favorite band is up to ; you had the single. The single didn't fare well in the transition to the digital era. It really has no place, CD's are capable of holding 74 minutes of music on them as opposed to the LP single which could only hold a few minutes on each side. Some bands chose to throw on a music video as a hook, but it really just isn't the same. And on iTunes single's really don't make a lot of sense, they can still serve the purpose they used to Oasis proved that by releaseing the singles "The Shock of the Lightening" and "Falling Down" before their new album "Dig Out Your Soul". I just don't think that singles will ever be as prevelant as they used to be, which in one sense is really a shame.
- Peace and Love -
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I can't believe it's not real.. [Part 2]
Very few bands come close to putting on a live show to the caliber of Led Zepplin. 2007 proved this when Led Zeppelin played for the first time in decades and still sounded absolutely amazing. When this DVD dropped in 2003 it was like a bomb shell ; no live footage of the band had circulated since a much outdated "The Song Remains the Same" This DVD had a lot of expectations, and I think it's generally understood that it absolutely blew all of them out of the water. The video looks great ; the audio consists of a great 5.1 surround sound DTS mix and of course stereo. The band is in top from here and the DVD's video is chronologically arranged from varying points in the bands carrier from a 1970 gig at the Royal Albert Hall to one of their last shows with drummer John Bonham at Knebworth circa 1979. The extras included are interviews, tv spots, and some very early preformances some even in black and white. For $20.00 this is a steal ; a chance to get a close up view on one of rock's most admirable hard-rockers.
- Peace and Love -
- Peace and Love -
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I can't believe it's not real.. [Part 1]
The best way to get to see your band of choice is by attending a concert when they come near your town. However ticket prices can be very expensive, and if you don't book them fast then your chance of getting a good seat is almost zero. This reoccuring piece is to outline some of the better concert DVD's that I've seen as they're the next best thing.
The Eagles - Farewell Tour I
This show is great for a number of reasons ; one main one is it's duration. The Eagles have been around for quite some time, and have an impressive repertoire to draw from. This show is in and around three hours long, and offers a great sense of the bands history. This allows them to play "Hotel California" and other hits while still playing slightly more obscure songs. The second is that although it's a recent show the band is pitch perfect, they sound the same as they did on their studio albums, which is impressive given that they're over thirty years old. The third thing that's appealing is the price. For $20.00 you get The Eagles, right in your living room ; and with surround sound becoming more wide-spread the concert-dvd experience continues to grow more and more emersive.
- Peace and Love -
The Eagles - Farewell Tour I
This show is great for a number of reasons ; one main one is it's duration. The Eagles have been around for quite some time, and have an impressive repertoire to draw from. This show is in and around three hours long, and offers a great sense of the bands history. This allows them to play "Hotel California" and other hits while still playing slightly more obscure songs. The second is that although it's a recent show the band is pitch perfect, they sound the same as they did on their studio albums, which is impressive given that they're over thirty years old. The third thing that's appealing is the price. For $20.00 you get The Eagles, right in your living room ; and with surround sound becoming more wide-spread the concert-dvd experience continues to grow more and more emersive.
- Peace and Love -
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Whos who?! [Part 2]
I've decided to make this a three part blog post, I don't know if part three will directly follow part two, but I suppose you'll find that out tomorrow.
Today's band in question is the ever changing Pink Floyd, my favorite band ; I'll discuss three "fake characters" and their stories.
Arnold Layne - Pink Floyd's first single (1967)
A cross-dressing transvestites that steals young woman's underwear. What a way to land yourself in the charts. This character was actually based on a man observed by original front man Syd Barret, during his childhood years. A man would grab woman's underwear right from the clothesline (Barrett's house in relation to Cambridge University allowed his mother to rent a room to young college girls). This psychedelic first single landed in the top 20 chart-wise and also garnered them the name "Kinky Pinky"
Coperal Clegg - A track on A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)
This character is one of the first (if not the first) instance of Roger Waters [Bassist] writing about his father. The song loosely follows an old army officer who seems to have lost his mind. Waters's father had served and died in World War II. The lyrics I find most striking are
"Corporal Clegg umbrella in the rain
He's never been the same
No one is to blame"
I think that it's really a double entente showcasing his own hardships due to war with the then current situation of Vietnam. That however is only my opinion ; though it was around this time that other artists began getting political.
The Man Behind The Wall - The Wall - (1979) - The Whole Album.
This isn't a description of a song ; it's the description of an album. The whole album is dedicated to leading the listener through the life of a rock star gone insane. The story (both for the film and album), is pure Roger Waters. Syd Barrett who had long been out of the picture influenced the lyrics quite a lot. The reoccuring theme of war symbolism is once again a throwback to his childhood. It's easy to get sucked into this album ; to feel like you're the one trapped behind the wall. Maybe that's why this album is revered by numerious critics ; because it brings you into the experience. Particularly story-like tracks include "Hey You" and all three parts to "Another Brick in the Wall" although mostly parts one and two.
Thanks for reading
- Peace and Love -
Today's band in question is the ever changing Pink Floyd, my favorite band ; I'll discuss three "fake characters" and their stories.
Arnold Layne - Pink Floyd's first single (1967)
A cross-dressing transvestites that steals young woman's underwear. What a way to land yourself in the charts. This character was actually based on a man observed by original front man Syd Barret, during his childhood years. A man would grab woman's underwear right from the clothesline (Barrett's house in relation to Cambridge University allowed his mother to rent a room to young college girls). This psychedelic first single landed in the top 20 chart-wise and also garnered them the name "Kinky Pinky"
Coperal Clegg - A track on A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)
This character is one of the first (if not the first) instance of Roger Waters [Bassist] writing about his father. The song loosely follows an old army officer who seems to have lost his mind. Waters's father had served and died in World War II. The lyrics I find most striking are
"Corporal Clegg umbrella in the rain
He's never been the same
No one is to blame"
I think that it's really a double entente showcasing his own hardships due to war with the then current situation of Vietnam. That however is only my opinion ; though it was around this time that other artists began getting political.
The Man Behind The Wall - The Wall - (1979) - The Whole Album.
This isn't a description of a song ; it's the description of an album. The whole album is dedicated to leading the listener through the life of a rock star gone insane. The story (both for the film and album), is pure Roger Waters. Syd Barrett who had long been out of the picture influenced the lyrics quite a lot. The reoccuring theme of war symbolism is once again a throwback to his childhood. It's easy to get sucked into this album ; to feel like you're the one trapped behind the wall. Maybe that's why this album is revered by numerious critics ; because it brings you into the experience. Particularly story-like tracks include "Hey You" and all three parts to "Another Brick in the Wall" although mostly parts one and two.
Thanks for reading
- Peace and Love -
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)