The Story of Light - Steve Vai

This is the 9th studio album by guitar virtuoso Steve Vai. I remember when I heard about this album, I was anticipating it's release. I was really into what it might sound like.... then I saw the cover. Now I appreciate it a lot more and thing it's kinda cool and fits the album, but back then I was an ignorant asshole sod I decided not to check it out. Now about 6 months short of 3 years later, I finally give it a spin. Well I did an informal review first time through and realized how good it was, then decided to give it multiple listens.

1. The Story of Light: This song starts out the album and it has this foreign language voice that reminds me a ton of Scary Monsters' opener. You know what this track really reminds me of, oddly enough, Trance-Fusion. That's the 1988 tour solos album released 2006 by Zappa. Now Vai played with Frank back in the early 80's. Like I think from 1980-1981, no later than 82.
2. Velorum: So far this album sounds very reminiscent of the 80's for me. Now this isn't a bad thing, this is a very triumphant album thus far. After the intro starts I hear beautiful strings that are just gorgeous. If the album keeps this up it's bound to at least get an 8. I casually listen to Buckethead's 2010 series The Pike where now he's one like 110. This track sounds like it could fit, following the strings, on one of those albums very easily, or at least one of the ones I've heard. Also I really dig that like double solo towards the ending, reminds me a bit of Inca's Road.
3. John The Revelator: This song title sounds like a Priest or Yngwie song. This is also one of two tracks that features Beverly McClellan who I think was, according to her discography, on The Voice. This song opens with a sample, or what sounds like one. I assume it's Steve singing, but it reminds me of Axel's when he does that deep vocal harmony thing on tracks like Pretty Tied Up or Colma. You know, this is just an ok track, it's not as good as one of the other two before it. This not as cool 
4. Book of the Seven Seals: This track segues from the last track and this is actually more engaging then the prior, and actually it's more gospel. I had my guitar and played a solo along and got so into that track, I can't really remember what happened.
5. Creamsicle Sunset: A very approprate title for a track that sounds like it was recorded with a possible Hawaiian flavor to it. This also sounds a lot like, to me, Zoot Allures' title track. This is a great choice to follow that intense soulful track. This is a very mellow track that I just wanna fall asleep to, I really do feel like I'm st
6. Gravity Storm: This sounds like that classic Vai that I know. I can't quite put my finger on what the riff reminds me of, but when I do, I will say what it is. I like that the soloing isn't the sole focus on this track. The elecytronics here are nice, and this just is a pretty solid track over all. I mean 
7. Mullach a'tSi: This is a traditional Irish lullaby. I don't really like Irish things, but thats a little beside the point. This sounds very oriental in the intro to me. This title is very odd, but what ever. I really like this it's very relaxing. I also love that I picked up on the harp in the track. I love harp :)
8. The Moon and I: I guess this was originally released in 2010 but was remixed for this album. This reminds me of another type of mellow song in the realm of ZA. This also sounds very 80's esque. This is a nice relaxing track and feels like a pleasant little instrument (with vocals). I wish there weren't vocals but I think it might run a little long.
9. Weeping China Doll: This track really reminds me a ton, I mean a ton, of For The Love Of God. I really like the acoustic guitar sounding steel things right before the 2nd solo starts up. I really don't know what to say about this track. It's nice, but nothing new or special to add to this album.
10. Racing the World: This has a nice change of pace, kind of, feeling to it. I wish the last trackwas cut and replaced with this instead, but you know it's all good. There is a bit of a Madden sound track feeling to this song. But you know.
11. No More Amsterdam: Steve sings on this track. It's okay, I mean I really don't have much to say.
12. Sunshine Electric Raindrops: Closing the album is a tune that's okay, I mean at this point it isn't special. It's just kind of a tune. Nice solo thought

Overall I have to give this album a 7/10. I need this album, and would go back in time and kick my ass to get it. I mean upon second time through it isn't a mind blowing, but you know it's okay. I still tink it's better than I expected, but yeah. Check it out if your so inclined.

Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf

A review that's pretty much been done since November, I finally decided to finish this for the new year (12/28/15). This is the first solo album by famous American showman Meat Loaf. Though this is his first solo record, it isn't his first appearance on record. He first appeared as half of a duo, with Cheryl "Stoney" Murphy, in 1971 under the name Stoney & Meat Loaf. After that, in 1974, he was in the LA production of Rocky Horror Show and that Cast produced my favorite version of the show (which I reviewed here). Then in 1975 he was the only one from the 1974 cast to be in the movie, or Picture Show rather. Well Curry was in the original cast, so I didn't include him. Now I do know more information about Meat, and some history about the songs, but that's not the focus now. The focus is, as always, on the music. So.... lets talk that instead. This 1977 classic rock classic features songs, all of them, written by Steinman and produced by Mr. Rundgren. On top of that, this album also happens to have some great musical talent playing here. The list of players including Todd Rundgren, Roy Bittan, Max Weinberg and Edgar Winter. I want to say something fast before starting the review. Jim Steinman wrote these songs. Every song on the album was written by him, and Meat Loaf doesn't have any writing credits. Just remember that. Okay cool

1. Bat Out of Hell: This opens the album, and its pretty solid. I have listened to this half a dozen or so times. I've concluded it is, in simplest terms, 9 minutes other peoples music hodgepodged into one "epic". This mixing and matching can work but when you get to the down and dirty the mixing and matching is of popular 70's sounds. The intro starts with piano arpeggios. Which, being played by Roy, reminds me of Bruce. Then the song goes into a progressive rock feeling before reminding me of a mix of You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet, Jimi Hendrix's guitar playing or an arena rock guitarists and yeah. The the song goes into a little piece that I can sing another song over, I can't recall that though off the top of my head. Followed by a very Bruce part reminiscent of Thunder Road, it could almost be a variation. I'm serious, sing the words to the rhythm, it works. This then goes to the chorus which is not the epic chorus I wanted. Look at that damn cover, you need to feel the rush, you need to be able to play this while you drive off a cliff at 150 mph to your impending death and feel no regrets other than I feel the music. With the build up, the pay off for the whole "I couldn't take it any longer" part of Paradise is the level of epic this song needs, but it doesn't reach. Then it further drains its epic-ocity by using Brian May-esque guitar fills. I mean even towards the end it reminds me of the style parody, or homage, that the Flight of the Conchords did with Love is Your Weapon of choice. While I enjoy the song, enough to have it on my iPod, I think there are far better songs that contain just about every part of what makes up this song. Also the vocals sound like they were stole from In The Jungle at the fade. Like the ending of the song (the harmonies). Also i checked and that sings old as shit. I mean yes, I do enjoy the track and I think it's a great opener to drive or speed too. But without the thrill of the speed and the rush of doing something wrong, it looses some of it's magic. But most of the album is like that, you need that danger to add too it. I feel like that was intentional though. And yes, those moments it's great, it's fucking great.
2. You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (One Hot Summer Night): This is another epic sort of title, I can imagine a story, hell a movie based off the title. The track starts off with talking back and forth. Now it may seem a bit drawn out and boring in the intro, but trust me. It isn't as indulgent, though if this were an art movie that'd totally be the opening credits over a black screen, as Steinman's 1981 follow up Bad For Good track Love and Death and an American Guitar. That's the little intro but the for the length of an entire track, which clocks in at 2:38. This track, were presented with here, only lasts 45 seconds and features Steinman and a woman named Marica McClain. It's kinda dumb, but the guy wanted I guess. I jusr feel its so out of place on this record. Its almost as if they threw in some artsy bull crap to make it more sophisticated. I mean, if what they were saying made some damn sense I might be mode compassionate. This song reminds me, in the beginning of maybe The River-era Bruce and the verses remind me of Christmas, and maybe Born in the U.S.A. a bit. Like maybe if it is an outtake from that period that was scrapped. Either that or Darkness-era. But then again this has too much instrumentation going on... Well maybe not. I don't know.... I have to think about it, but I do know it's on one of the lesser albums. This song screams Christmas though. I'm completely serious, it even has a sleigh-bell played very prominently though the song. There is also, with the backing vocals, a very clear Ronettes/Wall of Sound inspiration. I mean, this isn't bad, it's just not that great. I don't think I'd care if that title wasn't so memorable. 
3. Heaven Can Wait: This would be cool, but I don't really agree. Also I've seen tons of titles or things saying "Heaven Can wait" and that usually mean "its my cop out to commit this sin". That has nothing to do with my enjoyment of the song, its just a pet peeve of mine. I do enjoy the parts where you can tell Roy is playing. While this isn't overtly Christmas, the feeling I get is a very "standard" type song. Like this song has a feeling that if it was written 50 years earlier or 40 years it'd be a vocal jazz standard. I feel like if I dug into the notes of this song, it's be pretty interesting, but I don't do that because I'm not a fucking theory genius and don't claim to be. Maybe one day I'll revisit this and add more, but this song is a nice song to follow the last song.
4. All Revved Up With No Where to Go: This is a pretty sick title, if your into bikers and biking and all that jazz. I'm not in any way a Harley Rider, though Ghost Rider is pretty bad ass (comic book/movie/song). There is really something holding this back from me really being able to even focus on this song. The fact being, it screams Bruce Springsteen. I could almost swear Clarence is playing that saxophone. I mean seriously this could be a cover of Badlands. After all, this song is pretty similar to it. There is only one section of the pre-chorus where I could maybe say Bruce wouldn't do that there, but this track is very indebted to Darkness On the Edge of Town/The River era Bruce. Then there is a middle section, I wanna call the middle eight, where it sounds like a Rocky Horror track. That Rocky Horror section is easily the better part. This goes back to the main part before closing in a similar to the way Rose Tint My World ends.
5. Two Out of Three Ain't Bad: This track escaped me for the longest time. I eventually looked it up, read it, and well it still didn't click. It wasn't until I came back right be for the review and just listened for the hell of it that it clicked. This is a sad song, the woman is the one rejecting him. In Paradise he kinda lies, I am figuring he just isn't sure and might think he's in love but isn't really, but he's kinda the bad guy in that situation. I think this is the only track where he's the victim, now I could be wrong.... But I'd like to this this is the only one like that. But this song is more of a Heaven Can Wait instead of a Bat Out of Hell. Actually the best comparsion might be either All Revved Up or You Took the Words Right Out. A decent track.
6. Paradise By The Dashboard Lights: One of the best songs ever, and one of the funniest. Not funny in the way Weird Al is, funny in the way that God Only Knows is. That's not a funny song, but it's funny that it is a perfect encapsulation (?) of young people (or a young person rather) in love, and how it's kind of unsure and foolish (so to say). I look at this song as when the dreamer turns into a horny college kid (they're 17 in the song but still, maybe late high school). This song is about two people about to have sex, and the lead up to it. The girl doesn't want to until she knows he loves her, and that he will love her "forever". If he believes that he does okay, but I'd say he probably is more on the horny side considering he said, instead of an answer ("Let me sleep on it" and he'll "tell her in the morning"). But regardless he eventually say he does, but after the sex he "prays" for the "end of time". The best part is he wants the end of time so he can "end his time with you". Then there is other stuff that kind of adds to it, and there's more stuff to pick a part at the end of the song, but that's not what I want to focus on in that paragraph. Now the music just gives this little story an amazing epicness that makes it even better. Rosalita is funny in that it has to be true, I can't imagine that Bruce wrote that out of the blue and wasn't inspired by any real life events. This song is a very real life event, loosing your virginity.... kinda, most have lost it young in High School or can somewhat relate to that love vs lust of teenage years. Rosalita also plays like an epic play in it's own right, because of the changes, thought this changes more. This musical mini opera is on par, probably better, than A Quick One's title track. And the thing is it's changes styles from the straight forward piano heavy rock & roll that with different production wouldn't sound out of place in the 50's, to the soulful breaks in the songs beginning. Hell it even gets more 50's sounding after that, even adding doo-wop inspired vox. This is followed by a quick little interlude that has some funk guitar, before going into a baseball narration (done by Phil Rizzuto), over a straight up funk rhythm section, telling us just how far he's getting. Before being stopped by something that reminds me of Rocky Horror, where the girl (sung by Ellen Folley) needs reassurance, as mentioned earlier. Meat Loaf's reply, "Let me Sleep On it", has a more doo-wop (sorta). If it was at a slower pace i could see it being a bluesy or doo-wopy section. The ending goes back to that rock and roll style. But to be completely honest I love this track. One last thing, this is one of those rare tracks my parents used to listen to when I was younger, and usually those have somewhat nostalgic liking for me, this track transcends that and I like it on its own merits. And I still haven't gotten sick of it after 15 or so years of listening to it, another is Just Like Heaven. Also listen to this driving and feel the rush of that build up, and its pay off, before " I couldn't take it any long" damn is that powerful. It makes me want to get a Hog to ride just do that part. I looked at this before I posted it and was like, damn. The reason is because the lenght of this review (everything) could at least be doubled if I kept adding to this to get it perfect. And then I  could add even more to it. This song is just so damn good, please please please please listen to it with open mind. Please! {11/10}.
7. For Crying Out Loud: Closing the album is this and its title is rather humors. But that isn't really a huge part of this, or play are part in what I have to say. I think this is a solid track, the introduction has this very pretty melodic vocal, piano part that really is just heavenly (not heavenly but like Ear Candy to me). That whole entire first section is pretty solid. Then the song ends and strings come in and it becomes a bit of a Don't Cry For Me Argentina. But other instruments coming in take me out of that frame of mind a bit. This is a very epic guns blazing, hell raising ending. If this album opens with a motorcylce ride, then the album ends with an epic Thelma and Louise "cliff jump". This song just feels like the ending. After that string section that later adds in rock instruments it goes back to a more soft ending that would totally be the Don't Cry For Me section. Alone the arrangement here is pretty gorgeous. I mean if you get the right singer to sing this it'd bring anyone to tears. While I don't think Loaf is the singer to bring me to tears, I think you'd need someone with a personality to sing it that way. I'd love to hear an orchestral cover of this track. Like if the London Symphony Orchestra or one of those did this, that'd be awesome.

Overall I have to give this album a 7/10. No song do I think Loaf does a bad job, its more what he's given to work with. The biggest flaw is how epic this is supposed to be, yet how not epic I feel listening to it. The songs borrow from other songs so heavily its crazy how people now haven't nit picked it to death. Serioulsy, my biggest problem, and really only problem, is the songwriting. Now positive talk about the album. Paradise is the definitive, in my mind, rock opera. I love Tommy, and Quadrophenia, but that one song is more epic than anything Pete has ever done. Even though there is only one song here I can say is cherished and well never go anywhere, its already proven that to me. I'd give this a listen, and if you like it, look at why rather then just blindly listening. I kinda wanna review Rocky Horror, but if I did I'd review my favorite version (PS not the film soundtrack). It's between the original London Cast and the Roxy Cast. The film version is the worst in my opinion, in part because of one of the "loves of my life".... Damnit Janet!

Never Turn Your Back On A Friend - Budgie

This is my first review of 2015. Now I didn't know what to do with this month. To finish almost complete reviews from last year, to just do them as I listen, or wait. Well.... This third album by the UK's hard rock group Budgie. This was released in June 1973 on MCA Records and was produced by the group themselves. Immediately when I see the cover I know Roger Dean did it. Another thing I know right off that bat is I'm diggin' these song titles. Whenever I hear that name I think of the line, in the Flight of the Conchord's song Leggy Blonde "I had a budgie, but it died. I like pie". I was asked to review this by a friend, who's blogger is here, back last year. Actually it's been at least a year. I think it was in February he asked me. Regardless, after finally getting a copy to listen to, I bring to you, Never Turn Your Back On A Friend (how fitting a title) by Budgie. 

1. Breadfan: This is a track that is probably most famous for being on Garage, Inc., a compilation which was basically a covers double album. It contains B-Sides and newly recorded tracks from '84-'98. That aside let's get to this song. This has the classic, thought not as powerful as on the later higher clearer Metallica cover. The singer actually sounds like a woman singing. It sounds like Janis Joplin singing this. The drum beat in the version I'm listening to is the clearest thing. But it's one solid thing. I'm diggin' the solo and love how it turns into a completely different song with the pretty acoustics. I love the whole entire acoustic section and love the way it sounds with this production. Then it goes back to the head. At over 6 minutes this is a promising opens {7/10}
2. Baby Please Don't Go: I don't think there is a blues based group that hasn't covered this song. From AC/DC in the 70's to Aerosmith in '04 I could go on and on, and that's off the top of my head. Digging this bass tone, and also the cries in the intro. I also like the gutiar's crunch which would probably be beautiful on vinyl. My only real complaint is it's 5:30 minutes long. If it was 3 it'd be a lot better.
3. You Know I'll Always Love You: I like the acoustic opening to this album, and it's a very pretty song. It's kinda mesmerizing. This is a great song, but I feel like this could be a better example of a fresh breath of air if the first track didn't  have that acoustic middle section.
4. You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk: Killer drum fill opening. This is a pretty rocking track. I do enjoy this, and the other songs, it's just there is music that I've heard like this so many times before this isn't as enjoyable as it could have been. Thought I do really like that change in tempo with the bass "riff" and the part where it sounds like Uriah Heep. Actually I could have just done with that later half of the song.
5. In the Grip of a Tyrefitter's Hand: Honestly I don't have anything else to say here, solid song, solid playing... it just. It reminds me a little too much of Judas Priest's early stuff to get excited by it. It'd rather listen to a fuller more developed sound vs a trio. Also I think it's kinda long, thought the ending is pretty solid. I really like the drums at that part.
6. Riding My Nightmare: This song is very very pretty. It almost doesn't fit what was just happening. But again, I feel like they did a "hard rocker, ballad, hard rocker, hard rocker, ballad, hard rocker" and so on. It's very predictable and I've never listened to this before in my life. To be honest, if this is the same singer as the rest of the album, this is what his vocals are fit for most. I'd love this song, it's just I predicted it.
7. Parents: I'm guessing this to be a hard rocker. But it's 10 minutes long, so don't forget to add in an acoustic or softer part. It starts out rockin', not quite hard rockin', but rockin'. Then goes into a softer more acoustic oriented part for the first verse. It picks up for what appears to be the chorus, but still. To be completely honest, I feel like if Priest were handed this song Rob would sing this thing until it became his submissive. I am digging the squeals in the solo though. This is kind of too long for how mellow it is. I mean the solo doesn't take it out of this mellow ness. Mabye my copy is bad, but if it isn't then ....... Listen to the song The Messiah Will Come Again by Roy Buchanan for a better version of what they were going for in this track, a far better. The 1972 version is probabyl closer in production, but it doesn't really matter.

Overall I have to give this a 7/10. To be honest, beside the hard rocking parts and the acoustic variation parts, there wasn't much else here for me. This wasn't that adventurous of an album for me. It could have been an album that influenced bands like Metallica and possibly to a lesser extent maybe Megadeth but outside of the inner circle, there isn't anything that I would really return to here. To be honest, there was lots of things here I've heard before by Priest, or at least remind me of them. I'd rather listen to their original albums than this.

Station to Station - David Bowie

FINALLY, HERES A NEW REVIEW. This is the 10th studio album by one of my favorites, David Bowie. This is the album where he was at the height of his cocaine addiction. This is the album before the legendary Bowie/Eno Berlin Trilogy. This album was produced by Bowie and Harry Maslin. I have noticed an almost universal love for this album I like the album too, but not as much as everyone else does. It has grown on me 

1. Station to Station: This song is one of my favorite Bowie songs and one of, in my opinion, the best songs ever made. This is, in theory, kind of like Bowie's own Stairway. But this song kicks the crap out of Stairway in everything, except a complex guitar solo. At the end of the day though, you don't need to have a Jimmy Page solo to be a good solo. Look at Coffee & TV by blur. That solo fits the song, and this solo fits this song. This song is kind of a build up. It starts with a 1 or 2 minute intro of what sounds like trains chugging. I love the way the piano sounds when it kind of breaks the train off. Then after that it goes into a guitar riff that replicates, more or less, the rhythm of the train in the beginning. Then when the vocals come in this guitar arpeggios? is playing "The return of the Thin White Duke, Throwing darts in lovers eyes". I love that line of the song. The lyrics of this song are just so sick. This is one of the fastest 10 minutes of my life. The cream of the crop comes thought at about 5:15ish when there is a drum interlude for about a second or so and then "Once there were mountains". I love that part. I can't tell you how much I love it. It's a completely different song after that point. It's almost like they were written as two different songs squashed together, but it worked perfect. Kind of like Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. The former ended in the same key as the latter started in, so he put them together. "The European Cannon is here". Damn, this is an amazing song! I just love the lyrics; but one of my favorites, and stand out for me, is "Have you sought fortune evasive and shy". I could take that more than one way. But my way of interpreting that specific line is, have you gone after fame evasive and trying to hide and sneak around people. This is nothing short of epic. I think they double tracked his vocals, but one is higher pitched. So rather than reverb it's like two different people singing. I love they way that people do this trick. And David was able to sing different enough to make it sound right. The guitar riff is kind if like a horse Gallup, at the "Have you sought fortune and fame". The bass is pretty sick to play too. I can play this song, I love jamming and playing along with it. I could go on forever about this song, but I should probably stop. {100/10}
2. Golden Years: This is a good song. Not great, but it's a quality song. This is just an odd song. It has a weird feeling to it. I know it's kind of like a song that is like a ballad, but it's just somewhat weird. Maybe it's weird chords, but I love the idea of this song. Like, a ballad with "indian chords". I know they didn't use "indian chords", but the idea of making a pretty song with odd sounds. I looked it up, it's F# to E. that's awesome. {8.1/10}
3. Word On A Wing: This is a pretty romantic song. Kind of like some of the romantic songs on Young Americans. I actually could almost see this song being on that album. According to he VH1 Storytellers he said this was written as kind of a way to cope with the darkest time of his life. There is also a theme of religion in this song he touches upon. This is a pretty touching song. You can kind of tell there is some emotions that go into this song. I didn't like it much at first, but with more listens its become a song I love to hear. This is a song I would check out if you haven't heard it before. I also like the choir thing at the ending. {9.2/10}
4. TVC 15: This is supposedly inspired when David Bowie saw Iggy Pop's wife get eaten by a TV. I don't know what that is supposed to mean, but this song is a decent song. I don't really know much about what to say. I could see, in an odd way, this being a song you can dance too. I like the "dance hall?" flavor in the beginning. I think that's the right word. The chorus part I'd just sick. It feels pretty epic and big. I also like the sax there. It's harder to hear, but if you listen you can hear it. 
5. Stay: This is another song that is a little different. Not what I expected. I do like the chorus. This is a song that reminds me of Young Americans. This is a pretty damn good song. I like the way he sings in the chorus. I also like the solo. It's more of like a guitar fill. It's not overly complex. It somewhat reminds me of, at parts, of Georgie's playing. That's probably my favorite part. 
6. Wild Is The Wind: Though I love the dozen or so Nina Simone songs I've heard, especially Save Me, I think David does it better. This is a pretty romantic song. I like that this is the ending. It fits the album perfect. It's like the book closer. This feels like a song where you'd take the woman under your sheets and just make sweet love to her. I like the acoustic guitar a lot also. Excluding YA album this is probably the most romantic he gets. I also kind of laugh at the way some of the words sound funny. Then I remember Nina's songs. I love where it starts to pick up. The sound of acoustic guitar on this song is my favorite sound. Like the "distortion?". That's not the right word, but I hope you get the point ;)

Overall I have  to give this album a 8.5/10. All the songs on this album are quality songs. No single song on this album isn't good, but they aren't like the songs on Ziggy or Space Oddity or even Diamond Dogs. The album though, I think, isn't mind blowing. As time has gone on, and this album has sat with me, I like it more and more. But you know, I know this is an important period in his career, but that doesn't make a good album. Also, I'ven't heard all of Low or Lodger yet, so I can't judge them yet. All these songs are fun to sing alone with, and the lyrics aren't that hard to remember. If you think about it Space Oddity had its parts where it was psychedelic and it's parts where it would fit on a glam album. This album is kind of like that. 

Addition 7/28/13: This album, with more listens is a damn great album. That's why I'll award it a 9/10. And it is one of my favorite Bowie albums, and is definatly the slickest album I've ever heard. I wouldn't be surprised if that 9 turns to a 10 by the end of the year. Damn! David also said something, which I could never really think of how to say it or what it was, but said this is a "dark album". Look at this Richard Corey was everyone's idol and they loved him. But he obviously was troubled and had some darkness there. Lots of times everyone's heroes have more troubles than we think. Comedians usually have some type of problem, not all, but lots historically have. 

Congratulations - MGMT

#5. This is the second studio album released by one of my favorite bands MGMT. These guys are from Connecticut, forming at Wesleyan University. They came out with their first release in 2004. At that time they were known as The Management, but when they found out someone was using that name they changed it to MGMT. They released their first studio album Oracular Spectacular in October of 2007 digitally. Then in January they released the CD and LP versions. In my opinion, they haven't released anything yet that I don't like. I first got into theses guys with Oracular Spectacular in fall of 10th grade. That was the year that I really began experimenting with different types of music. The first time I heard any song on this I liked it, but it has only grown on me. Here is the review. This was supposed to go up the 13th, but I wanted to do a fucking amazing job on this review. So instead what I did was I waited until the last week of the month and uploaded the reviews that were going up. Well that was 13 months ago, but you definitely won't be disappointed, hopefully. I know I won't. I bought the CD and picked up stuff I never did before.

1. It's Working: This is an amazing opener to this album. It is a very fun feeling song and it is upbeat and cool. It also has a fun music video. This is already much different for their last album. This is a fun song. Like I said earlier, it's kind of cartoony. You can really get into this song, and it sets up the rest of the album so well. The harmony vocals are dreamy and it's just so like great.
2. Song For Dan Tracey: This is a song that was one of my favorites the first time I heard it. It was a really cool song to listen to and it is fun. It is upbeat and exciting to listen to. This song also has a cartoony feeling to it. But after the verse it goes into a nightmarish cartoon. This song has a jungle vibe.  Part due to the instrumentation, but also the mentioning of the jungle in the song. This song is another song that could get you set up for the rest of the album. The ending is a buildup and it only gets more exciting.
3. Someone's Missing: This is one of my favorite song of all time. I love the way this song builds. This is the most tame song in the beginning, thus far on the album. Because of that fact, it's one of my favorite tracks on the album. This song is too short to be a single, but I wouldn't want it any other way. The whole. I love the way, though it's "hidden", you can hear the bass. If you listen, and the psychedelic sounds there. I love the guitars distortion on this track and it makes me get pumped for what to come next. I've heard this song about a million times and I still get pumped each time I hear it. The outro to the song almost comes in beautifully. ORGASM!!!
4. Flash Delirium: I love the bass on this track. This is a single, but its such a weird song. I don't really see how a normal person, unless you're high, or you're me, would understand this song. Now I'm not going "You just don't get art". No, I'm going, "You don't appreciate it". There's a difference. The lyrics to this song are somewhat sadistic. I'm not 100% sure if this is about the same thing, for the most part, as the line "stab you're FaceBook", and "vanity", like Andrew said how he felt about. This song has a nervous breakdown at the ending of it. This song is kind of like a painting. The same way Life On Mars? is by David Bowie. This song is overwhelming at the ending. And it progressively gets more overwhelming. More and more and more and more and more and more gets built on to it. Then it has little bits where it cools down, but not very much. The music also paints a picture too. It's just so magical. It's almost "the prefect song". The music video is something else too. Check it out, and tell me if you get it.... I did. {10/10}
5. I Found A Whistle: This song reminds me of Christmas. The synthesizers give me that same feeling, not sound but feeling, that I get from Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney & Wings. But you know, it's kind of a twisted one, with a noose. I love the white noise sounds in there. It kind of sounds like snow in the wind. This is a very sweet song to continue after the last "meltdown". 
6. Siberian Breaks: This is the longest song on the album, and it is also the best. It isn't my favorite, because I don't have a one certain favorite on this album, but it is the most well composed and put together song on the album. Ok, it may be my favorite. I'm not sure, but this song is like Flash Delirium but if that song was older and "better", and a more mature version of Metanoia (though it's shorter by around 1:30). It's hard to imagine, especially since I praised that song too. This song is just a trip from the beginning. I love the jazz chords and the whole psychedelic vibe to the acoustic part. It reminds me a little of Jugband Blues. Because it could still be psychedelic and there be an acoustic guitar. And his Rickenbacker... DAMN! The melody of this song and the "second part" where they start singing with the echo. I know it's about surfing in the arctic, and it's a great song. It song is more of a painting than Flash. The part where it sounds like a jumpy part or a skip, reminds me of Syd's Floyd. And the "Old Mary Ann" line, I believe that's an Alice in Wonderland reference to the rabbit. I might be wrong, but I think that's what it is. The next part with the echos and the "flares".... YES! Then there is the part where it kind of goes into a normal song, before going into the acoustic melody of the beginning, and then outro flares of electronic sound, it's beautiful. {12/10}
7. Brian Eno: This song is named after the producer of the same name. This song returns to the fun that was on the songs like Dan Tracey and It's Working. After buying the CD I was able to pick up on the different layers on this song. The little tiny things. Which is something he'd do. Listen to the little details on The Warm Jets and you'll understand. An example in this song is right before the last chorus the "what does he know" that's hard to understand. There is also little Enoesque layers throughout. I love how this song pretty much falls apart. With the sirens in the background. The very ending literally falls apart, kind of like And All Things Will End by A7X. There are things that I probably won't pick up on yet, since I'm getting into Eno now, but in the future it might be fun to see if there's any references that I'ven't picked up. Like how they say his whole name, that he chose Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno.
8. Lady Dada's Nightmare: This is a avant-garde song that could be fit under dada. Hence "Lady Dada's Nightmare". It is also a point to Gaga because I guess Andrew, the singer, likes her music and had a new found appreciation for it. Whatever, I still don't care for Gaga, but this song. This is a great track to go before the ending. Craziness right before a beautiful ending. ITs actually pretty beautiful. Its kind of like the ending of Siberian Breaks. This sounds like it was composed. Then screams in the background make it awesome. My cousin said that when he saw them live this year they cameout to this song playing. And it was extremely loud.
9. Congratulations: This is the best ending for the album. It is such a pretty song. It gives this album a Congrats, you guys did it, you made an amazing album and did it how you wanted to. The applause at the end of the song is so fitting because this album does deserve a round of applause. The keyboards solo brings a tear to my eye. The video is also pretty beautiful. The acoustic guitar in this song is sick, and when I learned it I was so proud. This song is a true gem,

Overall I give this a 10/10. You have to give these guys props. They made it big using commercial electronic sounds and could of continued doing that and making tons of more money, but they didn't want to make that music anymore. To think that they killed it, in a good way, doing the electronic pop stuff, and then killing it doing the neo-psychedelic/prog style. You could trip on this at the same time as this being the soundtrack for a cartoon. The album cover helps set the tone. These guys are very good at song writing. And if you like it or not there is no denying it. There are so many moments on that I still get into with each listen. When I listen to an album and there is songs that progressively grow on me. Oh, real fast, this is better than the Laming Fips. Like say Brian Eno is the only song you like, well once you have established that as a sick song, not to the point of you being bored of the song, but you want to search more. Then your new favorite songs is Song For Dan Tracey then this happens until you like every song. I call this, at least for myself, a standard. I doubt that's the right term, but that's what I refer to stuff like that. Example Nightmare or House of Balloons or Mr. Bungle self titled album or even You Are What You Is. How about Joe's Garage Vol. I or Joe's Garage Vol. II & III. These are examples of albums for me where I progressively fall for another song each listen or so. One last thing, if you want you could play this for kids and they'll probably love it, and people who love psychedelic music too. Most of the lyrics on this album paint a picture too. Hell, this album  is a great big picture. Can't wait to hear MGMT since hearing Alien Days.

The Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd

This is one year shy of 40 years old. This is one of my favorite albums and one of the most important albums I've ever heard in my life. I love this album because of how it has "progressively" helped, after listening to it and putting it away for a while and now coming back to it, realize how amazing it still is. This concept of this album or the overall theme has so heavily influenced my desire to make concept albums (along with some examples which include Tommy, The Wall, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and even as current as Lou Reed & Metallica album titled Lulu). Now I can go on forever on how this is a an awesome album, but I need to review this be-och before I ruin my schedule of an album a day for March, and maybe April.

1. Speak To Me: I love that this songs starts to continuity of the heartbeat that is pretty much heard through out the whole entire album. And how can you not agree that the ending is pretty funny. Ah ah ah ah. This song and Breathe In The Air are completed with you listen to them together as ''one song''.
2. Breathe In The Air: The flow of Speak To Me/Breathe In The Air is awesome. This song is very mellow and is a good example of a classic. The way this song is reminds me of taking deep breaths. I could imagine hearing the sound of someone talking deep breaths. 
3. On The Run: This song is a good example of how the album drives and flows. The first time I heard this it was out of order. After hearing it in context it was so much better. With the intercom sounding voice and the guy running and the atmosphere, you feel like your running. The drum beat and the constant synthesizers make it sound sick. It also gives it this star wars outer space sci-fi feeling to the guy running.
4. Time: I love the fact that they got all those clocks to sound in the beginning of the track. This song almost has an African feel to it with the bongos but also a kind of James Bond thing with the bass, until the vocals come in. The vocals take this song to a new level with the accompaniment of the guitar, bass, drums, and keys. The solo is so cool sounding, it sounds like it was double tracked but very closely, or they used reverb or something. This song wouldn't be as great as it is if it weren't for the keys in the song. That is the driving force of the song, along with the drums. The keys add the sound of funky reggae feel to the song. The song slows down, which I don't really like that part, but the best part is the driven energy from the drums and keys. The more I listen to the album, the better each song gets. I love the entire thing. And God Damn David's voice.
5. Great Gig In The Sky: The woman who does vocals on this track kills it. I love doing a really bad falsetto, cuz I can't sing, along with her. I love this track so much. The music and the feelings that you get from this are amazing. I can't explain how fun of a song this is to listen to unless you've already watched it. The piano in the beginning makes my ears perk up to know that it is this song. The piano in this song is beautiful. When the girl comes in with her screams, right after the instrumentation for most of the song come in. Amazing. This song slows down and goes back to the beginning  but with her gospel vocals singing over it. 
6. Money: Supposedly the money track in the beginning of the song was the same "sample" used in The Beatles legendary Yellow Submarine. I'm not sure if that is true, but if so that's awesome. Now to the song. I love the bass riff in this song. The bass is what grabs your attention, and Roger's vocals on this are also great. The saxophone solo on this song is complemented with all the other instruments in the song. I think the sax solo is a good build up or prep for the guitar solo. The guitar solo sounds like it was double tracked. This song is just so great there is little I can say. And you can probably review this song yourself. Your Know? Oh one last things, I think that the voices at the fade are pretty funny if you actually listen to them. This song, I love how the tempo changed and it just UGH! An amazing song that was a hit. I can't say that all hits are amazing, but this song is.
7. Us And Them: This song picks up right after Money. This songs synths in the beginning are something that I was reminded of when I was listening to 7 Skies H3 by The Flaming Lips. You know, the 24 hour song, well I only made it through 12... but I am determined to finish the songs from 0:00:00-23:56:53. I think that is is a pretty chill track. It has a very laid back feel to it. The background instruments can almost be looped. Now when the choir sounding chorus comes in... it can almost make you cry. It is very pretty sounding and they did a good job at making it emotional. The guitar and the instrumentation in this sound like I could listen to this looped for a good long while. The piano solo in the song adds to this chill/lounge/gospel/jazz sounding vibe I get from the song. I don't LOVE it but I think its defiantly a {9/10)
8. Any Colour You Like: The synths in the beginning of the are cool. The thing is that I really can't say much of this except that it's a filler? I think that it is just there as a kind of filler or a solo to the last song to lead up to Brain Damage. The flow at the end who the song picks up perfectly is just great. 
9. Brain Damage: Even though I've heard this song 1 million times on the radio there is some reason I still like it. Whether it be because of how weird the lyrics are, or the music, it drags me in. The flow from this song to Eclipse and having these two tracks as the last two is nothing short of genius. The vibe that I get from this song is just one that is completed when you hear Eclipse. The lyrics to this give it this eerie feel to it, add the little guitar in the background, and you have a scary song. I don't think it's scary but I think is good. The chorus is kind of a preview to what is to come in Eclipse. Speak To Me/Breathe In The Air and Brain Damage/Eclipse are pretty much two different song and makes this song. Like the whole perfect feel to the song is there when you hear Brain Damage/Eclipse together. The same is true of Speak To Me/Breathe In The Air
10. Eclipse: This song is probably part of the reason that this is one of my favorite albums ever. I love how this album just ends on the highest note and the most powerful track on the album. This song proves that the album just continually builds progressively gets more power until now. This is my favorite Pink Floyd song just because of the energy you get from this. I mean the flow of the keys and the instruments. And the vocals are so simple and yet they are delivered into making them very strong and emotionally appealing. And to wrap up the album we heard that heartbeat one last time. Just the production on this song pumps me up. It probably does that to anyone. The way this album ends makes you want to buy the next album by Pink Floyd. {11/10)

Over all I give this album a 10/10. I don't think that any album could ever be like this one, or even come close to sounding like this one. Pink Floyd did have a certain style but certain  sounds were preserved on this album. This was also one of the greatest albums of all time, and I agree with Rolling Stone Magazine... for once. This album is awesome, if you haven't heard it go and listen to it on YouTube, I don't really care how you do just find someway to listen to the album. This is defiantly on albums to hear before you die. This bitch's reverb helps give it that outer space vibe. This is truly a masterpiece.

Brain Salad Surgery - Emerson, Lake & Palmer

This is a little out of the blue for me. I just really felt like bringing the record player down to the basement and listening to this album. I've wanted to and why not now, especially since I have time to. The album cover is sick. And this is a classic Prog Rock band. I also know that Greg Lake was in the band King Crimson who made on of my favorite albums of all time, which he performed on, In The Court of The Crimson King. So as you can see I have some pretty good standards set for it, so to say.

1. Jerusalem: This sounds like it would be the beginning to a prog rock album. There are biblical themes in this song. In this record version I'm hearing there is a bad quality to it
2. TOCCATA: This has a type of sound that reminds me of Frank Zappa's song Purple Lagoon off Zappa in New York. The parts where the synth are the most prominent instrument. This song seems like something that would be in a 70's version of the Wizard of Oz. That song by Zappa kind of reminded me of The Mario Song. This song reminds me of The Purple Lagoon like crazy. So far on my first listen This is my favorite song and will be hard to top. The synth has a feeling of a siren while the drums add to this feel of like a 70's car chase. This song could be in a soundtrack to an classic movie. I think the part where the synth goes into a like climax and the drums get louder
3. Still... You Turn Me On: This reminds me of a more band oriented version of Skyline Pigeon by Elton John but with and awesome sounding distortion to the guitar fills. It has a very baroque feel to it. This song makes me want to almost cry to it. It is very pretty with a very distorted wah-wah effect to the guitar fills.
4. Benny The Bouncer: This song feels like its a fun song. It seems like its just a fun song. The vocals are sung in a humorous way with a western feel to it. The piano solo sounds like it would be in the western cowboy feel to it. The rag time feel to it makes it very hard to not find it catchy. Also the drum beat adds to it also. When the song is over there is an extra piano bit added.
5. Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Pt. 1: This song seems like it would be in the beginning of a big whole suite in the album. I looked ahead and this is part 1 of Karn Evil 9. I like how they did it on the side one ends with the beginning and side two starts with the continuation to the song. This is a very prog type song with heavy synth to it. This song reminds me of something Genesis would of made off the master piece, in my opinion, Selling England By The Pound. I love the drums on this album. The way Carl plays is awesome. I think that the stat of the album, if you took away all the synths and keys, it would be the drums. Everything adds together for this song to make it work. This song is very much like an extended version of a Genesis solo.
6. Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression, Pt. 2: The beginning part of this song is an opening friendly vocals. Inviting you to see the show. This is a very promising feel to it. I think this is a great continuation of the last song on side 1. I do like this but my one down side is I kind of want this album to be done. It gets boring. When he starts singing again there is a brief drum fill before that, which I wish it was longer. I like this I just think that the keys take the show. I would ideally like to hear some more guitar and bass and vocals vs. some keyboard driven song
7. Karn Evil 9. 2nd Impression: This has a lot more jazz feel to it. The beginning of this one seems like more of one that might be infesting as an instrumental. I like the feel of the piano and drums. The feeling does get a little old though after about.... 2 minutes into it. The sole piano part at 3:15 ish is awesome and the now noticeable bass that comes in with sounds of wind and dust at 3:20. This part seems like it would be in a scary movie. It is very mood setting to it. That is what I think is a good song. It feels that it begins to slowly build up and when it takes off it is something good. It is a pretty fast cool jazz type solo instrumental improve sounding. I think it's crazy the piano playing on this. My favorite instrument is piano and in this song it is awesome at this part.
8. Karn Evil 9: 3rd Impression: This is the beginning of the next part. This is a very cool way to start off the continuation of the song and the melody. This makes me feel like ''Congratulations, You completed this album. You earn the respect of your peers.''' That would probably been cooler back then in the 1970's but not as much today. I also like the robotic feel that they try to have the vocals do at about 2:40. I very much feel that this song is dragged out. Not to say that the sounds aren't cool. I just feel like I've heard this before and it's nothing new to me.

Over all I'll be happy to give this a 4/10. I would re listen to it but I just have no real interest in doing so. I love the idea behind the set up of Karn Evil 9 but not enough to say that I love this album. As I said earlier my favorite part is Carl Palmer's drumming. This is nothing that is really that shocking to me. I some what at parts reminds me of Zappa's '78 band with Terry Ted Bozzio "That cute little drummer". Who just so happens to be my favorite drummer of all time. The quality of the vocals suck and I want to give this album another listen but I feel like it would be a waste of my time.