Showing posts with label Rating: 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rating: 10. Show all posts

Friday, July 15, 2016

Low - David Bowie

Yes, the time has come for me to review his "master work". The album considered by many as one of the best albums ever. Now when I say this, I'm referring to the 11th studio album by David Bowie. Now I personally love the hell out of this album, cover :D. This is supposed to be based off a promo poster for the movie he was in "The Man Who Fell To Earth". There's pretty much where The Thin White Duke is from (the film). This album is the first in the Berlin Trilogy, all of which were made with Brian Eno. I've actually enjoyed this thing from the first time I listened to it, but it wasn't until he passed that I really could say there was a connection with me and that record. Maybe I know what it was like to be at a low, there was other stuff besides just his passing going on. I mean life gets you there from time to time, but you learn and grow. One thing for sure I can disclose right now is, I can't say how many times I listened to the first half (or the entire thing as a whole) in the car while I drove to and from school. It's like a lot. So without further a due, does this live up to the hype? Is it a bunch of hipster bullshit that is buying in to a subpar record? Is Eno responsible for its level of brilliance? Am I qualified to review albums? This and many more will all be revealed to you below. So please feel free to say I'm full of shit, as I delve into this master piece of ambient/avant-pop/.
  1. Speed of Life: This opens the album and sort of takes you to another place entirely. Like really, even though Bowie has since said (paraphrased) "Station to Station is just a rock version of what we were trying to do on Low", it still sounds pretty different. I guess I can see that comparison, but this is so different at the same time. The textures here are gorgeous, so are on the others, but this really just makes me want to dance. There are rarely instrumental intros that get me pumped and basically an immediate feel to sit through it, once it clicks. It just works so well as this albums opener I don't really know what to say. I love the dance feeling to the track and I love those icy synths that send shivers down my spine. The player are really doing something here that and I really just wanna re-listen to it once it's over. It also have a feeling of driving, like a broken up car is speeding down a highway or something. At least in my mind.
  2. Breaking Glass: Where the last track was sort of bittersweet, there was a joy but it was mind of damaged, this is more of the damaged man trying to find joy. But he is sort of disillusioned by his fears and anxiety. Now I'm not saying that what it's about, that's what I'm saying it sounds like. This is also more "jagged" and abrupt and loud. I mean this isn't Merzbow territory or Boredoms but this definitely is less poppy than say some of his other stuff. Though I still love it.
  3. What In The World: What do you expect when you get Iggy to contribute harmonies on this. I've heard this song at least 20 times and I still can't figure out that like Mario sound in the beginning. This track is another fast track, but I really like Pop's echoed backing vocals. I also really like the harpsichord sounding synth on the track. The textures on this thing, and whole album are great but still. I also really like the chaotic feeling and almost disoriented feeling you get towards the ending of the track. I think it's pretty damn good.
  4. Sound And Vision: This is my favorite track off this album. This is also the track that I think is key to understanding this album as a whole. It's quite literal, it's not cryptic, it's like about as straight forward as you could possibly lyrically without taking the time to explain it in the song. This is both upbeat, but the way it's sung makes it haunting. It's happy, but it's also kind of down. It also has some great synths, very poppy feeling and that sigh in the beginning is so fucking great. Also I couldn't not mention that lead guitar playing the melody, fucking great shit. Mary Visconti, or Hopkins, comes in and is the female backing vocalist on this track. I really like her little thing she does and then Bowie comes and there's this vocal, then distorted vocal, I don't know if that's just on the CD or if it's also on the vinyl. Fucking phenomenal. Plus that saxophone, damn.
  5. Always Crashing in the Same Car: A favorite of mine, its so smooth and chill. Very laid back and fun. The more I listen the more I love this thing. There is the obvious literal interpretation of him  crashing the same car continuously. This song also has meaning to me, because while it's about literally crashing a car over and over, I still cry when I go.... wow I'm doing the same shit over and over again. There is also a mellow feeling to the track that is almost deceiving. Well not almost, it is deceiving. There is also a top notch solo on this track that thank God for Carlos.
  6. Be My Wife: This was to Angela, his wife, the two of which were going through problems. I guess he left America then went to France, or Switzerland, and one live in one place and the other... I don't exactly remember but there was just shit going down I guess. This song was looked at as his final plea to keep his marriage alive. Sadly they were divorced by 1980. But as for the song it's much more of a rock song and is pretty straight forward, hahah. No it's not to crazy or complex, though I do loves me some four on the floor. There is great playing from everyone once again and it's a great tune.
  7. A New Career In A New Town: This is a great tune to close side 1 and is just fun. There really is a feeling that its like going through somewhere for the first time and feeling that feeling of a new beginning. I love the distant synth and that drum beat keeping time. It's so fucking good, and it's just like once it starts and that harmonica comes in.... I can imagine exactly what the title suggests. A hopeful song, but also shy and unsure of itself. The playing here again, thought much better than the last track, is still amazing.
  8. Warszawa: Opening side two we get something entirely new for him. Nothing on any of his prior albums remotely resembled this. Eno is supposedly responsible for the chords to the track, but damn if this isn't barren. I mean I could see if Chernobyl happened in the 70's this song being written about and for that. Don't get me wrong this is amazing and can send chills down your spine, but its also gorgeous at the same time. There is a haunting beauty to the chord progression, the sounds, the textures and the everything basically. This could be the most realized song of the style on this album. Like the albums masterpiece, which isn't something new. It's crazy to think the only things used were a minimoog, piano and Chamberlain played by Eno, and of course David's vocals. I guess the lyrics were based on the recording of Helokanie by "Polish folk choir" Śląsk. I still love the fuck out of this and also this kick the shit out of anything John Carpenter could even try to do. That being said, this was written by Eno with the vocal stuff from Bowie. Also the 8 minutes don't drag on at all, honestly, they are well earned.
  9. Art Decade: I like the little electronic flares that pop up in the beginning. This feels almost like its underwater and really has some amazing textures. There are these like sleigh bell things and then these little flashes that sounds like something darting by. The title is a play on the words "Art Decayed" and I assume "Art Deco". I could be wrong, but I doubt its "Decade" as in 10 years. I don't have a ton to say about this track but I really is hypnotic and relaxing. Not as much on edge as the last.
  10. Weeping Wall: This is basically a variation on the song Scarborough Fair, which that kind of does bother me a bit but I guess it makes sense. I mean I love this instrumental none the less, but that does deduct some points there. I personally love percussion, especially pitched percussion. I wonder if Reich inspired this track, if not for the lead synth I'd say this is very minimalist. It is very repetitious, but I still love it. I also love what I'm assuming is treated guitars. This is also very hypnotic, and I'm kinda waiting to ear the song progressively disintegrate as Come Up to Show Them Does.
  11. Subterraneans: Closing we get the whole band back together. I really like the bass in the beginning and this very much feels like a Residents track. This is very quiet and I almost feel like was supposed to have strings. There is a ending feeling of this and that saxophone kinda of reminds me of 80's music, but not like in a bad way. It feels very sad and this feels just distant. I would like to see the track get nice and confident and grow, but this is more realistic. You don't just get out of it right away, even once you've accepted it. It takes time to heal and this is the ending. I also smile when I hear echoes of futures songs and ideas on later records by him in this.
Overall I have to give this album a 10/10. Okay, do I think this is the masterpiece everyone else seems to claim it is.... I mean if you mean in terms of nothing wrong, then yes. I mean the more I listen to this the less I find error. I have to actively seek out negative aspects in the songs. There really is nothing wrong with this album. Sadly I have to say I agree with this being one of the best albums ever. I think part of what the appeal of the record lives in the fact he was at the lowest point in his life. While that might be lower than I'll ever sink, everything is relative, you can probably relate using your lowest point. A drug addiction for someone may be rock bottom, where as depression may be for another or divorce even cheating. All those and many more it just varies from person to person. The fragmented and broken lyrics and music on side A are very transparently relate-able. A broken man trying to write and basically get his life together. There is a comfort knowing that you yourself, regardless of the dilemma, are not alone. When I listened to this record I sort of got a sense of comradely (hopefully that's spelled right) in Bowie. As much as the world sucks and is really pointless (outside of music) there is a sense of peace that once it clicks you feel. I can kind of understand why people hold this in such high regard. I don't think it's the best record ever, as with his other material during his prime it is amazing none the less, but it's not far from it. I also want to say, along with that comfort, there is a sense of hope in these songs. This really is great. 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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. 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

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.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Apostrophe (') - Frank Zappa

This is one of the first Frank Zappa albums I ever heard. At first I thought it was OK  but it grew on me. The thing about it is that I wasn't huge on it at first. It was kind of like, my now favorite album I've ever heard, Abbey Road. At first I didn't like all the songs on that album at first. But when I actually listened to it I liked it more. That's how a lot of albums are, and songs. I remember watching the Classic Albums movie about Over-Nite Sensation/Apostrophe (') one. I thought that it was one of the coolest documentary I'd ever seen. My friend Jason was sleeping over and I was watching that while he was busy doing something in the basement at my house. I couldn't not watch it, and be impressed. To this day, he still blows my mind with his compositions and skill. I pushed this back a while because I wanted to get a lot of info to make this accurate  I'm doing the review of the 2012 UMe Remaster.
  1. Don't Eat The Yellow Snow: I love the beginning of this song. With the wind sounds and the guitar. I love the guitar's tone throughout this entire album. I love the drums and the song is catchy. This song is very bass driven. The "Watch Out Where The Huskies Go" can't not get stuck in your head.
  2. Nanook Rubs It: This is where the Fur Trapper who is "Strictly Commercial" comes and steps on his favorite baby seal. With a "Lead filled Snowshoe". There is some parts where the vocals go back and forth in the speakers. This song is more "funky"? than the last one. This is an awesome example of Frank's story telling. I love how he does this for some of his songs. There is a part where, if you listen, you can hear him say "here fido" which is a reference to Dirty Love.
  3. St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast: I was in awe of the percussion parts. I love how this songs intro is a sick percussion riff. This is the part right before my favorite part of the suite. the Rollo Interior is also awesome. "Hurt Me, hurt me" is something I reference a lot. Usually making fun of some of my friends. The drums in this song as so sick and I love the lead into the next track. 
  4. Father O'Blivion: This is such a funky song. I love the way the guitar sounds and the "wah". You probably could do the "Funky Alphonzo" to this song. I couldn't get this song out of my head for the longest time. It's also a pretty fast track. The bass in here and the synthesizers. UGH!. And the Spanish march part or "Domonuss Vum Bizcum" (I know it's spelled wrong. But I tried phonetically) is fucking sick.
  5. Cosmik Debris: For the longest time this, and Stink-Foot I didn't care for. I don't know why, but Stink-Foot grew on me. I was almost obsessed with this song. I love the violin in this song. Its sick. And I like the little motifs for the different parts. I think that's the right word. And I love this entire story. I would constantly reference this song, just about every chance I could. I would suggest listening to this song, and listening to this lyrics too. It's kind of a funny story about a drug dealer trying to sell Frank drugs and he says no and then pretty much outsmarts and tricks the drug dealer. "I had the sucker hypnotized".
  6. Excentrifugal Forz: I didn't know what to think about this song. That was until I dissected it, so to say. Or maybe I should say I better listened to it. I also think this is a good way to start off side two. And it's kind of the prelude to Apostrophe. I like the part where it says "Pup Tentacle  and him re-reference in Cheepnis in the follow up Roxy & Elsewhere. This song kind of has a futuristic feeling to it. I don't know, maybe I'm just crazy, but that's how I feel.
  7. Apostrophe ('): I could probably say that this is my least favorite track. I don't know why, but it's my least favorite. This is a jam between Frank, Jack Bruce and Jim Gordon. And I also guess Tony Duran does rhythm guitar on this song. This song is kind of cool, but It's probably my least favorite on the album. It is a pretty cool song though.
  8. Uncle Remus: This was probably my first favorite song by Zappa. I love the piano in the song and I didn't even realize what it was about until I looked at the lyrics. It was written by Frank and George Duke. This song is actually pretty epic. This is probably the only real serious song on this album. Most of the songs on this are pretty humours and silly, but this song is kind of meaning ful. It brings up some of the topics that were brought up in Trouble Every Day off his June 1966 Freak Out! debut
  9. Stink-Foot: I wasn't very huge on this song, until the 2012 UMe Remaster. I feel like I'm jumping on the band wagon, but this is a really cool song. This song was written after seeing a a foot deodorant commercial where the dog passes out from the guys feet. I don't really know if that would make you like this song or not. This song is super catchy though. The instruments only make it that much more catchy. I FUCKING love this! This is the songs where the term Conceptual Continuity is from. There are also other references in this song "Here Fido", "Imaginary Diseases", "Poodle Bites, Poodle Chews It". It's just a "sick" ending for an awesome album. Not to mention the solo in the song is also pretty sick too.
Overall I have no choice but to give this album a 10/10. This is one of the first albums that got me into Frank. If I'd have never heard this album then I'd be so fucked. This album has played such a part in everything. The 2012 UMe Remaster is how the Vinyl sounds, minus the ''Farts'' in the songs as mentioned above. Another thing is that this album isn't really one to get boring. Some albums have "drags" this one doesn't really have any. And I obviously can't do this album any justice, so just listen to it, the Vinyl or 2012 UMe Remaster version (that's the one that's on iTunes & Spotify).

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Mondo Cane - Mike Patton

This is the fifth solo album credited to Californian Singer Mike Patton. I love this guy, he is actually one of my musical heroes. This guys voice is crazy, and he also uses tricks and other stuff that I haven't seen anyone even attempt to try. Now I have heard this album about a dozen times and I love it, but as you know nothings that simple with me. Especially if I love this thing as much as I say I do. Well some quick background info about this. This was recorded with Mike and a backing orchestra of about 65 people. This album is cover versions of 50's and 60's Italian pop songs. This was released May 4th, 2010. I'm pissed that I didn't upload this earlier, I was out of town
  1. Il Cielo In Una Stanza: This song starts out with what sounds like a storm. It's actually really cool to hear with headphones on. There is so much more going on, and you heard the instrumentation so much clearer when you have headphones on. This song is more stings and drums. The strings on this song make it seem like this would be a song that would be played at someones wedding. This song is very clear and easy to listen to. This is a very pretty song that I have teared up before because of.
  2. Che Notte!: This is a faster song. There is more more brass on this song than the last. This is a more quick song, and I could never see at someones wedding. There is a trumpet solo in the middle of the songs and it is very cool sounding. Then after that solo comes a screach by Mikie and the song sounds like it falls apart. After it falls apart there is a like horn and then the song starts up again. The ending of the song has this feel of like a '50s jazz song.
  3. Ore D'Amore: This song was partially written by Bert Kaempfert. That is a German orchestral leader and songwriter. He composed a song called Moon Over Naples, which Faith No More covered the song in 1995, but the version with lyrics. The lyrics were added in 1966 and the songs was retitled Spanish Eyes. This song is ok but I'm not huge on it.
  4. Deep Down: This song was written by Ennio Morricone. Ennio was a Italian composer who wrote soundtracks for movies. Some of his best word was for The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly soundtrack. This song is ok in the beginning. I am not huge on this song, but the best part is where it's like in the breakdown where it changes up a little. I think that sounds really cool. Guitar comes in and it is the only part that is, for the most part, different from the rest of the song. The ending is also pretty cool where it's him whispering the last part into the mic without any other music behind him.
  5. Quello Che Conta: The beginning of this song sounds like it would be in a soundtrack to a classic Spaghetti Western. After the intro there is a fingerpicked guitar accompanied by strings and bass. Then after that comes in, what I am pretty sure is, a harpsichord and Mike's vocals. This song is beautiful and can bring a tear to your eye. This entire song is very sweat and not hard to digest. This song is one of my favorites on this thing. {9/10}
  6. Urlo Negro: This is the heaviest song on this album. And it is by a landslide. The feedback in the beginning of the song is in the crossfades with the last track. Then there is a drum roll and Mike screams. "AH!!". He sounds like he is angry on this song. Like he has almost blood curtling screams on the versus on this song. But the thing is for the chorus he sings like it is a very catchy song. This is easily the catchiest song on here, because of the chorus. This song is a masterpiece and I tip my hats off to The Blackmen. That's who the song is credited to. Watch the video for this song, its actually kind of cool to see them do this. It looks like they are all having fun.
  7. Scalinatella: This is another song that I could see being in a soundtrack to a movie. I could also see this being a song you can dance to. It is, for the most part, just Mike and an acoustic guitar. Strings do come in a little later. This song is also a beautiful song. This is a very, very chill song.
  8. L'Uomo Che Non Sapeva Amare: This is a return to the feeling that I get from  Il Cielo In Una Stanza. I love this song because the backing vocals are awesome and this song has, what I think is, a harpsichord in it. There is also a part where there is this video games sounding thing. It kind of reminded me of The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny demo that Mr. Bungle made back in '86.
  9. 20 KM Al Giorno: This is a jazzy feeling to it. It kind of reminds me of Minnie the Moocher. This song has a very slick feeling to it. The solo in this song is a keyboard solo that sounds kind of like something that Ray Manzarek would have played on a Doors' song. This song is very cool, and I mean that literally. 
  10. Ti Offro Da Bere: This song has a like "piano riff". This song is another pretty song, but there is a guitar in there and it kind of sounds like a surf rock guitar. And it comes in after almost every verse on the song. It reminded me of something like the little guitar riff in The Air-Conditioned Nightmare off Mr. Bungle's 1999 album California. Not the main one, just... listen to the songs and you'll know what I mean.
  11. Senza Fine: This is a very good way to finish this album. This song has this vibe that brings the song Good Night, which is the last song on side 4 of the 1968 self titled double album by The Beatles. It doesn't really sound that similar, it's just that I get that vibe from it. It's the last song, so lets say goodnight or good show, and maybe you'll comeback, but for now your tired and you want to end your "trip" fun. Lets say goodnight and goodbye. The horns and everything about this song work. The only thing that hurts the whole entire goodnight vibe is that towards the middle of the song it gets louder. But then towards the end it gets quiterer than it was before and it kind of just... ends. Well that is after the screams and noises are done, and the song goes back to the original loud feel. Then after than it is the end. And to say that's all there is a hit of a triangle and that ends the song and also the album
Overall this album gets a 10/10. This is a masterpiece and it's beautiful. This is the perfect album for just about any occasion. This can relax you, it can make you tear up, it can be something you listen to at a family party, you can even show your grandfather who likes this type of music. Patton's vocals throughout this album, for the most part, have this echo feel to it. I feel like this was recorded in a room with concrete walls when it comes to some of the quieter songs. It is best though with headphones on, but for the most part, what isn't. This was my fourth or fifth time listening to it, and I can honestly say that it has gotten boring.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

We're Only In It For The Money - The Mothers Of Invention

This album is SUPER important and I'm honored that this is my first Zappa album review. This is the 44th anniversary of this huge album. This is even more important musically to me than Dark Side Of The Moon and The Valley combine. This was the first Zappa album I heard in it's entirety, along with Sheik Yerbouti and Freak Out! Those are three of my favorite albums but three of the most important musically to me. Now I can go on forever about how this is an amazing album but, well I'm gonna break it down track by track. The original intended album cover for this was a parody of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I don't really like that album cover much, but because of legal stuff that was on the inside instead of the outside.
  1. Are You Hung Up?: This is a sound there is is a person talking and whispering. It is kind of eerie. And there is a little guitar riff in there and it is cut off by a someone making a horse sound. If I am not mistake, Eric Clapton's voice is on this song. It's either that track or Telephone Conversation.
  2. Who Needs the Peace Corps?: This song is funny. I like how he brought up the problems and the foolishness of the whole hippie movement in something a hippie would probably listen to. That is the thing about Frank, he had this thing where he could make appealing songs that make fun of the people who it appeals to. Another example is Dancing Fool. I also like how the instrumentation is in the background to him talking about instructions of what he will do as a hippie. There is just something about the way they do that part of the song that is so neat. I really think it is cool that they not only do that, they also make it work. The part in the song where it says "I love the police as they beat the shit out of me" well, that is something I included in a sophomore year speech  I did on censorship. Which I bombed, why well I did pretty much everything they said no to. So I went down like a man.
  3. Concentration Moon: This song is "cute". I don't know what people could have a problem with this. This is one of my first favorite songs by Zappa. I really like how the song ended and it has a couple seconds in between of sound collages, then starts over. The line where it say "American way, how did it start" is one of the coolest sounding things I've heard. The part just hits me like a rock. If you make music or even enjoy music there has to be some types of music that hit you like that. Well this is one of the many that hit me. Hard!
  4. Mom & Dad: This song is so pretty. The lyrics are also very touching, if you listen to then and think about them. The lyrics talk about someone telling their parents people are getting shot by the cops. and ultimately he was shot. This song has a build at "Ever take a minute to show a real emotion" which leads into just this perfectly built up part and the song just. This song hits hardest of all the songs. This is a song that I could cry to. It is just so pretty and touching. This shows that he is himself. I don't see any other way to say that. This song makes me tear up, maybe it will make you to.
  5. Telephone Conversation: I like how this flows in the album in between tracks. This is just how this album is. I kind of think of it in a way as a big commercial.
  6. Bow Tie Daddy: This was also another instant classic for me. I really like this one because it is different. And this is also a cute song but if you listen to it. It will catch your attention because of its cartoon sounding to it. But it is making fun of the parents of the hippies. This is defiantly a song I could see on the radio.
  7. Harry, You're a Beast: This flow to this song is great. The vocals on this track are really good. I like the instrumentation on this to. Then there is Dick Barber doing that signature growl on this track. Then it goes back to the normal part. The track gets played backwards. This mentions someone saying "Don't come inside me", but is is all sped weird so it would be censored. This song appears to be about a guy who is a beast, sexually. This song is just so great. It grabs your attention and it is super catchy. I love this, and it is one of my favorite 
  8. What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?: This song is very funny. I think this applies to everyone, the way this song is you think it's about a penis or a vagina but it states that :"Its your mind". I love at about 30 seconds it picks up and sounds pretty cool. I think that this also hit me like a rock. The way his vocals are and the drums and guitar. Perfect
  9. Absolutely Free: The piano intro to this song is just cool. I also like how he took a shot at. I also think that it's funny how they had to censor the line "Flower Power Sucks!". This album in general is a masterpiece. There is are parts in this song where it remind me of a odd type of waltz. The drum roll on the chorus is how my favorite type of sounding drums are. I like the compression on them.
  10. Flower Punk: There is a cut where it sounds like they are changing the channel. Then this song starts immediately after. This has a very distorted wah-wah guitar sound to it. The vocals are sped up, a technique Frank often did on songs, especially on stuff with The Mothers of Invention. The song kind of ends the starts up and has static noises and people running around in the background and in one speaker there is one person talking to you and the other speaker has someone else talking to you at the same time.
  11. Hot Poop: This is another sound collage song that has a funny title. It is only 26 seconds but it has part of the song Mother People which is on this album, played backwards.
  12. Nasal Retentive Calliope Music: This is a classic sounding sound collage. It sounds like someone was recording stuff and sped it up extremely fast. At the last 20 seconds of the song there is a surf rock sounding song that plays with waves in the background. That whole surf rock part is awesome. It reminded me of a more surf rock version of Lumpy Gravy the theme song. This track is cut off by other sound collage stuff and ends with a fart sound. 
  13. Let's Make The Water Turn Black: This song is on of the instants. The fart sound from the track before is hilarious, especially since this track is about someone trying to start a fire with a lighter and their farts. Supposedly this was based of a real event in Frank's life. I'm not positive but I think I read somewhere that that is the inspiration. There is just something about the way this song is performed that is so embedded in my head forever, that I don't exactly know for sure.
  14. The Idiot Bastard Son: This song is a song that is only like 45 seconds. After the 45 second mark it has people talking about a bunch of different stuff. At about 1:21 the song starts up again. This song is a little different and there are different lyrics and guitar parts. The drums and bass are the same. Then there is a type of part where it has a piano part with vocals and guitar. After that they have the whispering spoken words again until it leads up into the next track.
  15. Lonely Little Girl: This is my least favorite song on the album. I'm not saying it is bad, I just don't LOVE it. There is parts in this song where it sounds like there is a sitar in it, which is at the end of the song. This has part of How Could I Be Such A Fool? and What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body in it. I just never really got into this track that much.
  16. Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance: This song is also pretty. The thing about this is that it is just funny. With the instrumentation on it sounding cartoonish and cartoonish vocals on the track singing about lonely people gathering together and peace. Along with that peace you can take your clothes off when you dance. That is the last line of the song so you get the impression of them talking about "All the evils know to man, will be an evil we can rise above" is not as important as being able to run around naked.
  17. What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (Reprise): This is just a shorter version of the track of the same name. It isn't all that different from the other version. The only major difference is it appears to fall apart towards the end. And after the music is done there is voices that talk and just say random stuff.
  18. Mother People: This song is also very important to my Zappa music appreciation. This is part of my favorite songs by him. This song is funny and it is very catchy. It gets stuck in your head, very easily.  It starts out with an orchestral feeling to it. This reminds me of Lumpy Gravy. But then after that part it goes back to the normal song and ends. This song is a good song to start off listening to The Mothers with.
  19. The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny: If not for Revolution 9 then it would of been harder to fall for this album. This song is and avantgarde, noise collage, tape loop track. The first ever tape loop song I liked was Revolution 9 by The Beatles off their 1968 self titled album. The beginning of this has some type of motor sounding thing to it. Then this evolves into piano, which evolves into a bunch of random instruments together. This sounds like Frank's take on his type of Edgar Varese composition. This also somewhat reminds me of a not so distant cousin of the second half of The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet which is off 1966's Freak Out! album. There are also cartoonish vocals laughing like they are evil or they are high. This track is 6:25 and by far the longest track on the album. The second longest track on this album is 3:24. That over 3 minutes longer that any the second longest track. There is a part where it sounds like they were just running around hitting stuff in this big empty room.
Over all this is a 10/10. I love this album. Its just so perfect and just works. I literally could of reviewed this album with out even re-listening to all but 3 songs. The rest are permanently engraved in my skull musically. I think that this should be on a list of top 50 albums ever. This is just such a perfect piece of musical history for me and it is also touching to me and has meaning. If not for this I probably wouldn't like Frank. The way this album was mixed and edited is perfection. This isn't amazing quality but it gets the job done. I think that the quality works and is perfect for what it needed on this album. Some albums need to be low quality to sound good and then the same is true of the opposite. Long story short I love this album and can't wait till March 22nd cuz then I'd doing Apostrophe and March 26th Just Another Band From L.A. check out my page at the top where it says release dates.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Valley - Eisley

Alright You guys I flippin' pushed The Dark Side Of The Moon's upload date in order to make space for this amazing super meaning full album to me up. This is Eisley's third studio album. This is also their first full lenght after leaving that, well I don't know how to put this any nicer, HELL of a record label Warner Bros. Those guys are crooks. Well anyway, I fell in love with Eisley after I saw them live at Lincoln Hall, Chicago on either 2/11/11 or 2/14/11. I don't remember the exact date. I do no that I was super excited to see these guys. My cousin Stevie and Mike told me they were going to see some band called Eisley in like October or November of 2010. Then Stevie kept talking about them, so I eventually started listening to them. The first songs I heard were I Wasn't Prepared and also Plenty of Paper off their full length album from 2005 Room Noises. I didn't really like it. It took me a couple listens to like it, this was in January of 2011. Then I heard Combinations which made me excited for seeing them live. I eventually became in love with Combinations and then I heard the song Ambulance. That quickly became my favorite song by them. For some reason it had some type of emotional effect on me. There is a certain thing about that song that just hit me. So that song made me even more pumped to see them. After the show we met them. It was really never racking, especially saying "hi" to the sisters. They are pretty and they are well.... Eisley. After that concert ask anyone at school who remembers when I saw them. I was a die hard fan and couldn't wait for this album to come. Well the day of I asked my mom to pick up the album before I get home and asap. Well I went to school, and I had one of those craps where it hurts you scrotum. Well I lasted until 4th hour, where I went home. My uncle picked me up and I asked him if he heard it. He said it was really good and told me all about it. When I got home my mom didn't have bought the Cd so I sat on the shittier with nothing alone and in pain. I called her and she told me she didn't get it yet. So when I was done I waited another 3 hours watching Conan reruns and when she got home she gave me the CD. I ran in the basement and listened to it. There was a girl I had a crush on when I got this, and It reminds me of here, in a way. There were certain songs that remind me of her still. And I see her around school, but what ever. This album also still has an emotional feel to it through all the songs on it and the feeling is just. It is very important to me. Oh one last note, these guys did production for the album Gary Leach, Austin Deptula.
  1. The Valley: This was a song that wasn't my favorite at first. Then this eventually became an important song to me. I picked this song as a song for the main track to the Othello soundtrack that we had to make for sophomore year English. This has an awesome beginning string section with her vocals sound like the best way to start an album. This song is just so pretty and upbeat. This song has such strange lyrics and metaphors in it. It is very figurative in what it is supposed to be meaning and showing. The verses and pretty but then the kick comes in, after a slight instrumental break (just enough to say three words), with the guitar riff with the chorus. The harmony vocals throughout is pretty and there isn't really anything that I can say is wrong with this song.
  2. Smarter: This is one of the angry songs by Eisley. I remeber seeing them play this song live. I didn't think much of it until I heard the actual album. The guitar has a riff and this music video is pretty cool. Now this isn't my favorite song but I do like it and will listen to it on the album. I don't really listen to this outside or alone but I do listen to this with the album and it adds to the mix of angry and sad. Which is a certain feel I have gotten from this.
  3. Watch It Die: The first time I heard this song it sounded like they were saying "Fucking In the morning". I found that very odd. I kept hearing that until I actually read the lyrics in the booklet that came with the CD. And the song seems to start suddenly. I don't really think that it is timed right. It is all correct but i feel like it is off beat? Even though it all works and is on the same beat of the song. Whatever that's just one of my weird ideas. But the verses in this song are cool. During the chorus there is song type of banjo sounding thing in the background. I think that that's the electric guitar because after all there are two guitar players. And also it's always nice to hear Chauntelle sing.
  4. Sad: Stacy plays like a G. Sherri is singing this one and it feels aggressive. For some reason or other I think this fits perfect on track 4. There is a cool riff to get people who like heavier music a glimpse of a heavier Eisley. The whole overall album is somewhat angry and you can tell. And this is a perfect example. Now the pre-solo is a perfect example of one of my favorite parts of Eisley songs. And the solo none the less is just right on. I feel what they do. This also has some figurative language in it's lyrics.
  5. Oxygen Mask: This is another favorite by Eisley of mine. I just love this song. The piano is awesome and Stacy is nailing it with her vocals. The strings make me want to cry along with them. Sherri and Stacy's double harmony at the second verse remind me of something MGMT would do vocally and that is aided with the bass in the back. I love the strings and the other instrumentation over this whole thing. The ''pre-solo'' to this song is an sick sounding piano fill. And the solo is right on to. There is something about this song to where when I think about it and listen to it at the same time it makes me cry. It is an emotional song for me. I'm not quite sure of how this is remains relevant to me but this feelings still are. This song is just one big way to lighten up the tension, so to say
  6. Better Love: Better Love is where the tension starts up again. With its aggressive drums, bass and guitar riffs. There is something about the guitar distortion and the bass that just work with me. The piano also in the chorus is pretty cool and works even better and isn't just there to be there.This is defiantly of of Eisley's more BA songs. This shows you that well... ''DuPree Family Ain't Nuthin' Ta Fuck Wit''. I love this solo and how the drums end the track and that same beat goes into the next refrain. That's part is my favorite part of the song and I love it just so much.
  7. I Wish: This is probably my least favorite song on the album. I still like it but it is my least favorite. Well The song has progressively grown on me in a very good way. The live versions of this song, the ones they do live, is much better. I don't like the way it's just set up. The chorus isn't that mind blowing, for me. The best part of Eisley songs, for me, is like the bridge or refrain of whatever you way to call it. Well that refrain in this song isn't even that mind blowing for me.
  8. Kind: This song can make me cry. There is some type of feel that I get from this song that makes me sad, in a good way. This song is one that reminds me of emotions and love and that whole entire thing that I love this reason because it reminds me so much of. The fact of the matter is that the most emotional tracks for me are Mr. Moon, Ambulance, Kind, and Oxygen Mask. There is something about the DuPree family that makes songs that can make me cry. I know that the emotions that I feel through the songs are there. The piano in the beginning and the chorus adds guitar in the mix along with the post chorus strings. And all this stays together and gets more grand as the song progresses. Then comes the refrain... #the tear jerker. And then the part with the two singing harmony and sole acoustic guitar. This is my friend what you call perfect
  9. Mr. Moon: No tears are saved for this track either. This is one of the biggest most important songs I've ever heard by any band. I still remember when we saw Eisley live, Stevie told me that this next song sick. And Mike told me to listen to the drums. So when it started it was ok. Then the drums kicked in. I was obsessed with how Weston pulled that off for a good 2 months and used guitar hero drums to try to play along. The intro keys are just like a build up and the more and more you get into it you can see and feel the rush. The vocals on this track are beautiful and the instrumentation on this track is beautiful. I think the part where the harmony vocals kinda sound like they are being talked over the phone is funny and, for lack of better word, cute. This song's chorus just hits.... Like a rock. Then with the piano solo and the "uhhhh, uhhhh" harmony part,  just goes into the part where it is the 1st verse again into the best part of the song. The like extended version of the chorus during the "Bridge" I guess. This song is just so amazing I really don't have much I can't say about it but I need to move on to other tracks
  10. Please: This is an mixed. I wouldn't probably listen to this on its own. But with the whole album it's perfect. This song also can make me cry. Though I don't think it is a Mr. Moon I don't think it's not a Kind. This song is very good, no exaggeration, but it is no amazing ground breaker/emotional breaker for me. That me personally. But when ever I hear this this gives me the feeling of a final word before the ending Ambulance which is the eplouge.
  11. Ambulance: This song is super meaningful to me. This reminded me of someone that I held dear to myself. There is very much emotion that I've had over this and yeah. I am over her now and glad. When I listen to this it brings me back to winter going into spring and all the best feelings of the spring of Sophmore year of High School. You know the feeling of being in love, it being spring. I was just talking to my mom and I realized that this album is like an over all story about low points in their love lives, which I've known, but also that this is where it ends up. They need someone to take and care for them. This song starts out sad. Then it comes in with so much momentum and ends with the same power it started with. This song is prof that you can keep the same power through an entire song. There aren't very many songs that I know that do that for me. This song just has so much power and feeling to it. The strings come in in the beginning and keep adding up to the top and it with 3 high hat taps and the song comes in. The acoustic guitar adds as much power to the song as the electric and all the other instruments in this song. I cry at this song because of the emotional to it takes on me. But at the end it makes me stronger and better and more confident and 
Overall I give this album a 100/10. This album is so important to me. It has held an important part of my life and soul. I don't exactly know how to explain it. This album I know is heavier and darker for Eisley. Now they are no Burzum or Eminem but this lyrically and melodically is more mature than their other stuff up to this point. I like it and respect that they have grown over the past 12 years as a band, now 13 years. I just hope that they make another album that will mean this much to me x amount of years later. And I hope this one does to.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Rubber Soul - The Beatles


This album is very meaning full to me. I originally bought it just to have it. It was the fourth Beatles CD I bought. I still wasn't a huge fan. This album eventually grew on me and is now one of my favorite albums. The feel that I get from this album is one of warm, loving, comfortable winter. The kind that is what makes you feel like what it is like inside and bundled up and warm. There are many, I mean many, factors that led to this being one of my favorite albums. One being that, it reminds me of 9th grade when I bought this. During winter and listened to it like crazy. I was in love with this along with all the other Beatles albums. This album has some of my favorite songs and memories built on to this so... here we go
  1. Drive My Car: The introduction riff to this song grabs my attention. The use of the piano in the chorus and the use of cowbell is perfect. The dual vocal harmony is tight, and the solo. The sound they guitar makes during the solo is one of my favorite distortions to a guitar. The feel I get from this is... yeah
  2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown): This song is completely different. This is, from my understanding, the first commercial pop song to feature a sitar. The Acoustic Guitar/Sitar playing at the same time makes this perfectly emotional, and makes it seem more impact. John's vocals are good, but when he sings the chorus with Paul it fills that little gap in the vocals and makes it whole.
  3. You Won't See Me: This is an 'iffie. I like this song, but it depends on what mood I'm in. This song is a very pretty song, which as I understand again, Jane (Paul's then girlfriend) and their ''Failing?" relationship. The backing vocals give it a doo-wop feel to it.
  4. Nowhere Man: This song makes me cry. I found more respect for it after seeing the Yellow Submarine movie. The part with Jeremy, the nowhere man, realizing that he has lived a life of nothingness makes you contemplate. Though this song was about John's. And the solo what can I say beside beautiful. The Guitar distortion in the song fits perfect, and the bass adds an backup to the acoustic guitar and drums. This song helps me sometimes think about the decisions I've made and the choices I should make and if there is really a point to wasting time.
  5. Think for Yourself: George needs as much props for this song as he can get. This song is vocal harmony wise tighter than Drive My Car and also the guitar is even cooler on this than that one too. The whole atmosphere of this song, the bass, drums, guitar, tambourine, maracas. I really think that it should be on a Beatles greatest hits album. This deserves to be on my list of favorite songs
  6. The Word: The song lyrically is ok. But the instrumentation is great if you take the time to listen to it. The chorus in the song feature one of the coolest sounding guitar riffs on the album. And in the verses the little screech is awesome. The vocals on this song are another tight vocally.
  7. Michelle: This song is EXTREMELY important to me. Not because of the memories that it brings back, but the fact that this was one of the most important all around songs that helped me change my view on music as a whole. Before this I only like Metallica and other old metal. Now since this album it changed my views on that and this song helped make my favorite band The Beatles. I spent so much time trying to learn the french in the song perfect. I also tried to learn this to impress my first person I'd ever been in love with. Obviously nothing was really there, it was just my emotions running off. The vocals/lyrics make me cry. The acoustic guitar makes me cry. The very prevalent bass guitar helps the beauty of it all. Now the distortion on the guitar in this song is my favorite on the whole album as a whole.
  8. What Goes On: A ''cute'' Ringo song. It fits and sound like a fun up beat song. A perfect ''filler'' in between two of the most beautiful songs on the album, Michelle, and the most depression Girl
  9. Girl: I remember sitting in my kitchen alone in the middle of the night, during finals week freshman year, probably at like 2 or 3 am. I was listening to this song and trying to write songs based off this one. This song is an awesome Lennon ballad. Johnny's vocals and lyrics fit perfect, a word I use alot (but it works and fits, with my opinion). This song literally makes me cry when I listen to it. The chorus is, if anything, makes it harder to not let it hit. The inhales he takes it seem like he is well, he's a bum and this girl he's singing about ruined his life and his everything.
  10. I'm Looking Through You: Another cute song. Upbeat, like What Goes On. Now the added affect of its fun is added by its claps in the song. This is a fun song to listen to just for funzies, a
  11. In My Life: This song hits, not like girl, but still hits. I remember being a freshman and thinking about everyone that I'd ever met and everything that I'd ever done and if I'd ever get married, have a family, have a job. What you should be concerned about growing up. I wrote a song, which is just more like a poem. I remember calling talking to my friend Annette on the phone and asking her what rhymes with some words. And I also think of my cousin Stevie who read the lyrics to the song for a speech. So it is completely full of memories for me. This could be the same way for you to. This is another good contemplating song
  12. Wait: Fun, upbeatishly down? I like this one a lot. The vocals sound like one person. The songwriting on this song defiantly deserve a shit load of praise. The effects and overall atmosphere of this song is one of raw but not. It feels rough, but at the same time it feels clean cut and mastered and that it's shit is together.
  13. If I Needed Someone: This song is good. The chorus is very pretty. The verses are also pretty. This is an overall pretty song.
  14. Run For Your Life: This song is ok. This is probably my least favorite song on the album. I used to like it more, but there is just no real reason I don't. It's just that I lost interest in the song? What ever, it's still good, just not as good as the others. But it is a perfect closing song to this album.
Over all Rubber Soul deserves an 100/10. I love this album, it's the shit and it deserves it spot on Rolling Stones 500 greatest albums of all time - NOTE I'm gonna add stuff and fix this review. So it won't be a 10 forever, also I don't really regard most of the reviews from 2012 or possibly 2013 as really accurate anymore. Very far and few in between still work.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Nightmare - Avenged Sevenfold


There is a reason that I can honestly say that Avenged Sevenfold's fifth album Nightmare, is in my top 5 all time favorite albums of all time. Part of the reason is because of all the stuff that they went through with the passing of The Rev, who was their drummer, who died right before they were going to start recording the final cuts. This album has lots of memories for me. I remember the day the single Nightmare came out. I saw a ad on Facebook and then, I was a bad ass because I bought the song without even asking my parents. When I first heard the beginning of the song I was hooked on it, then I remember listening to it 3 or 4 times in the day. I left home and in the car, while my dad was picking something up, I turned on the radio and all I missed was the beginning, Now I'm no amazing album reviewer but I think it's worth a shot to voice my opinions. I saw the track listing I think the day they released it and I thought it was the most bad ass thing that they had a 11 minute song, which I know off the top of my head it's actually 10:56. I listened it the day before I left for camp on like July 23rd, but i didn't really remember anything, because I was too busy to actually pay attention, about it except some song's drums sounded like Almost Easy and some of the songs sounded cool. While I was going up to camp I watched the Welcome to the Family YouTube black ops video at least, I am defiantly not over exaggerating, 15 times. I was also bad ass for listening to God Hates Us on YouTube to. The day it came out I drove my mom, who wasn't camping, nuts and said that she had to get the Cd the day it came out. I was so in need of that Cd I almost had someone pick it up at camp for me. well after "hell" was over I got home and burned it on my iTunes. It felt so surreal touching it. I listened to it on the way to my cousins college graduation party and I was psyched when my other cousin, Stevie, was waiting to talk to me about the album.
  1. Nightmare: The intro of the song is amazing. I don't care what anyone else thinks This song still feels the same way it did the first time I heard it. I remember just being in awe at this song. I still am to this day. That all i can really say about this song.
  2. Welcome to the Family: This song is worthy of Metal royalty. The sick intro and the... I don't know exactly how to explain it. My favorite part is bridge, Avenged make a lot of amazing bridges, and the bridge makes me tear up a little. There is little at what i can say about this song to. With out over thinking the 3 minutes of the song. Save Me is nice all you have to do is listen to it two or three times to get your ideas, this not so much.
  3. Danger Line: This is the song that made me want to learn piano, fo realz. It's such a beautiful song and the way they pulled this off it, makes me tear up. yes I begin to cry at its beauty. And I get this chill that makes me cry when I listen to it. I'm crying while I'm typing this up right now. The guitar solo makes, for me a little breather from crying after hearing his vocals that are extremely touching. But that ends when I hear "the whistler", as credited in the album, whistles and the drums/piano fadeout.
  4. Buried Alive: The first time I heard this I didn't think much of it but after hearing it, and actually listening to it I love it. This songs intro gives me a chill, almost like the one from Danger Line. And the chorus makes it blood pumping. The first and second verses just "rip me apart". The violins make it all that much better and more emotional. After the second chorus at about 3:51 it holy shit. That's all I can say. at 4:14 the harmony part makes up one of  my FAVORITE guitar solos. The post solo at like 4:58 is awesome, especially live, but the rest of the song is blood pumping and aggressive. I love the way this ends on a fast beat and then stops, and the faster beat is picked up on Natural Born Killer, and the opposite for Danger Line into Buried Alive, one starts softer and the other begins softer
  5. Natural Born Killer: This song is an 'iffie. There are days I like it more than others. The drums sound too much like Almost Easy, so I really only get the whole thing out of the song when I listen to the album front to back. The 1st solo is also pretty cool
  6. So Far Away: This song is good. I feel like an asshole because this is every one's favorite song because it's about The Rev. Well FYI I remember listening to Avenged and liking them, not enough to say i was a fan, when I was in 7th grade. 2 years before he died. Now so many people love him and didn't know about the band till after he died. I honestly love this song. It makes me cry, not as much as Gunslinger, but it is still touching. The best part I think, that makes me begin to tear, is  the second acoustic solo at 3:28. That, along with the video, and also the drums make me begin to tear. I hate myself for not being a big enough fan to be affected by The Rev and I will always feel that way.
  7. God Hates Us: If you look at this album as one big picture it could be looked at as a nightmare. The beginning of title track is soft, like falling into your sleep, then it picks up, your in your nightmare, then the bad dream begins to faze as you hit Danger Line and you are at peace when Buried Alive comes along. But the nightmare picks up at the end of Buried Alive and into Natural Born Killer. This fazes off and for all of So Far Away the nightmare becomes a beautiful dream. So sound asleep right? wrong. This song has its eerie intro and is the 1st climax of your night mare. The solo the vocals the everything is terrific. Then it just cuts to the same eerie intro as the outro.
  8. Victim: This is picking up as the peaceful part of your big dream and stays this way until the end. This was a different song where I didn't appreciate it till I actually listened to the album in its whole. Which quick fact, I have played this album, looking at my iTunes play, at least 20 times. The solo is sick, one of my all time favorites EVER, and the vocals are cool. This is just a awesome song. I think the best part is after the solo from 3:54-4:54. That is my favorite minute and then goes into another awesome solo. I also love the bongos and I think the ending is better with that part, but i think it's perfect that way because it is just how it began
  9. Tonight the World Dies: This is arguably one of the most eerie songs Avenged has ever done. This song took more than one listen to appreciate it. but it is great. The solo good blues and twang. The beginning and end work perfect and it's great and the acoustic guitar makes the song all that much creepier.
  10. Fiction: This song is to king of i didn't think i would like it because of piano. That changed after I heard Danger Line finding a new love for piano. And after listening to it's beautifulness for real. It is, to me, like they are singing to each other and trying to grab out to each other but can't reach. I guess you could look at it, if you run about 100 miles with it, according to my way of the way it sounds like they are reaching out to each other. It could be like Dear God, roughly like god watch out for my girl and take care of her while I'm away and not around, combine with Afterlife, The guy dies and doesn't want to be dead and wants to return to his life back on earth and escape, concept wise if you use my take on, not fiction's story but the way the lyrics and the atmosphere from voices, strings, piano, bass and drums it's like they are singing to each other because they are brothers. but at 3:33 comes one of the most touching parts of any song, EVER, with the organ breakdown and them singing. Looking at my take on how it sounds, the are coming to grips that they won't see each other.... yet 
  11. Save Me: This song is orgasm worthy. I remember seeing this as the either worst song or the most mother fucker song I've seen by Avenged. This was before hearing it. When i listened to the album, in pieces on Soundcloud, as i said earlier. But I talked to Stevie about it and after that I tryed, this fall, to beat Save Me to school. If I moved my but it'd be a 15 minute walk but i tried to get home in under 11 minutes. Never did but that makes this song that much more meaningful to me. Ok so here is the part about the music. The intro guitar takes off, your dream is over this is a bitter sweet wrap up. So sit down bitch and take it. At 1:23 how the lead guitar picks up, that my friend is jizz your pants worthy. The great intro/build up to any song. He doesn't even start singing until 2:02. And the chorus is touching the vocals take over but if you actually listen to the instrumentation through out the album its sick. I love that they use the whisper type thing, much like Critical Acclaim and Welcome to the Family. Ok 4:49 another amazing build up to a well... amazing solo. This song gets better every time I listen to it. I seriously am having trouble sitting down and not attempting to jam along. The ''breakdown'' at 5:48 is another thing that helps this get into the next part of the song. The cowboy-ish arpeggios Syn plays at 6:08 are, I feel the best way ever to slow down and build up for another solo. At 7:35 is where it gets into full swing and back to the original verse type just wanting to get fucked in the asshole. This part makes it seem like there is going to be a big solo, the intro guitar riff even comes in but It is just as good if not better that it's the way that it is and slows down into part of what helps prove this beautiful song. Now the tearjerker in this song starts at around 9:29 where it is the GREATEST way to end a 10+ minute song.
Overall Nightmare deserves a 100/10. These guys deserve more success for their skills. Everyone thinks their cool or they are good because of 1 or 2 songs. Well they can get raped by Save Me and see if they actually only like 1 or 2 songs anymore. This album has so much more that I can offer but this is the best I ca do for now.