Hello and welcome to the 29th mix/blog whatnot! After the King's X special last week, it's back to business as usual with just a selection of songs that I've liked and wanted to include. There's a mix of new and old, in the case of CJ Wildheart album, very new as it's not officially released until the end of September. There's a fair bit of 90's stuff too, inlcuding a couple more from the bundle I dragged down from my attic a while back.
The cover art is a photo that was taken in 1948 of a young Polish girl called Tereska. She was rescued from a Nazi concentration camp and taken to a hospital for the 'emotionally disturbed'. In the photo above she was asked to draw a picture of home.
As always, you can read a little ramble about each song below and download the mix if you like, there's a link after the tracklisting.
Cheers,
Luke
x
Tracklisting
El-Creepo! - When The Devil Creeps In
The Generators - My Days Are Numbered
The Four Horsemen - Drunk Again
Spoonful Of Vicodin - My Idea Of Anarchy Is Taking A Dump On Company Time
Earthtone9 - 3rd Ripple In (Wove)
CJ Wildheart - Beak
Djelmash - Crossroads
Hello Casanova - I Don't Want To Talk
Sonic Boom Six - Learn To Live With It
Piss Viper - Tell It To The Swamp
Savages - Fuckers (Live)
A - Bad Idea
Handsome - Going To Panic
SuperCharger - Undone
Lyriel - White Lily
Paul Miro - A Pocket Full Of Foreign Change (Acoustic)
Hagfish - Bop
The Deadlights - Pox Eclipse
Shihad - The Reason Why
Me And That Man - Get Outta This Place
You can download the mix HERE if you like.
El-Creepo! - When The Devil Creeps In
Taken from the 2016 album Bellissimo!
The Generators - My Days Are Numbered
Taken from the 2014 album Life Gives, Life Takes
This band are a relatively recent discovery for me even though they've been about since the late 90's. I've got a couple of CDs by the Punk band Schleprock that I like a lot (America's Dirty Little Secret and Propellor) and last year I discovered that vocalist Doug Dagger had gone on to form The Generators. They're of a similar sound to Schleprock but, as you can probably tell by the above photo, they're a bit more Streetpunk and the rootsy working classness of bands like Dropkick Murphy's, Rancid etc. Quite often Doug Dagger's voice reminds me of Greg Graffin from Bad Religion, which is no bad thing. This song is about getting old and not letting it get you down too much. I can in no way relate to that...
The Four Horsemen - Drunk AgainTaken from the 1996 album Gettin' Pretty Good At Barely Gettin' By
This Californian-based Hard Rock band were at their prominence around 1990 or so, with their debut album, the excellent, Nobody Said It Was Easy. Unfortunately, several line-up changes hampered their success, as did vocalist Frank C. Starr's stint in jail. They were also beset with tragedy. By the time this, their second album, was released Dimwit, the drummer, had died of a drug overdose and Frank was in a coma following a hit and run. He never recovered and passed in 1999. As good as their debut was I think Gettin' Pretty Good... was even better. It's eclectic but flows well and is packed with great songs. I always liked this particular tale of lost love and drunken misery both for it's massive chorus, great backing vocals and not forgetting Dave Lizmi's blistering guitar solos.
Spoonful Of Vicodin - My Idea Of Anarchy Is Taking A Dump On Company TimeTaken from the 2008 album Bursts Of Rage At The Speed Of Hate
Spoonful Of Vicodin were a Grindcore/Powerviolence duo consisting of, the most fiendishly named, Sarah and Tim. As far as I'm aware, this was their only album, it's got 27 tracks, is less than 14 minutes long and sounds pretty much you'd expect. It's great!
Earthtone9 - 3rd Ripple In (Wove)Taken from the 1996 album Low Def(Inition) Discord
I've been listening to this British Prog Metal group again quite a bit of late. They originally released 3 albums in the 90's but reformed a few years ago and released their fourth album (IV) in 2013. Their debut album, from which this track is taken, was a little raw in places and the band were still finding their feet but it's still a brilliantly abrasive release. 3rd Ripple In (Wove) shows their mastery of light and shade and you hear elements of both Tool And Neurosis in places. I particularly love the building up of the drums just before the heavy parts kick in, the dufferdufferdufferdufferduffer bit.
CJ Wildheart - BeakTaken from the 2017 album Blood
Blood is the third solo album (fourth if you include the CJ & The Satellites one) from CJ, who, it might surprise you to learn, is also a member of The Wildhearts. It sees a further shift away from the breezy, lightweight Pop Rock that he first began with The Jellys back in the 90's and towards the angrier, heavier sound of The Wildhearts. Beak is a fast paced toetapper and one of the highlights of an album that's likely to place pretty high up in my albums of the year
Djelmash - CrossroadsTaken from the 2016 EP Crossroads
Yet another solo project, this time it's from Aleksandra Djelmash, the vocalist of the Prog Metal band Destiny Potato from Serbia. Ignore the ludicrous name, they're pretty good! This EP is a lot more ballady than Destiny Potato, the guitars are subtle but effective and keyboards are to the forefront. It still has the same pristine, almost clinical, production that I'm not sure I'm a fan of. The songs are good though and Aleksandra's voice is top notch, just listen to her closing wail in this song!
Hello Casanova - I Don't Want To TalkTaken from the 2017 Single I Am A Machine
I first heard this young Irish band on my mate Eddie's radio show, Attention Please. They only seem to have a couple of songs around at the moment but I assume a full release is on the way at some point. They peddle a sprightly mix of Pop Punk and Indie Rock, Matt Irwin's accent shines through in his vocals and adds a nice bit of character. I really like this song and hopefully the album, when it surfaces, will keep up the standard.
Sonic Boom Six - Learn To Live With ItTaken from the 2017 mini-album Cardiac Address
This genre-mashing Mancunian band have been around for a while now and released several worthy albums. Their latest release, Cardiac Address, was recently released through PledgeMusic and strips back their sound to pure Punk Rock. This was the preview track issued before released and it's as pacy and catchy as you'd expect. Great little song.
Piss Viper - Tell It To The SwampTaken from the 2014 mini-album Horned Hands And Hardened Necks
Piss Viper are a hefty Groove Metal band from Wales. There's a touch of Metalcore and also Stoner Metal to their sludgy riffs. They've currently only released two mini albums but both are a) promising and b) free Name Your Price on BandCamp. I like vocalist Dave Malpass' relentless, staccato delivery on this track. Whilst I was Googling the band for info, I discovered that he used to be the vocalist in Onedice who were once rising stars of metal over 15 years ago. I think I've got a single of theirs knocking about somewhere. Anyway, this is good, give it a listen
Savages - Fuckers (Live)Taken from the 2016 single Fuckers
Given the name of the band and the title of the track you might be forgiven for thinking they sound a bit like the previous band, Piss Viper, but far from it. They're an Art Rock/Post Punk band based in London, though vocalist Jehnny Beth is French. Both of their albums have been nominated for Mercury Music Award but have lost out to inferior artists both times. This song is a sprawling, atmospheric piece based around the mantra of "Don't let the fuckers get you down" which is decent enough advice.
A - Bad IdeaTaken from the 1997 album How Ace Are Buildings
You can tell this British band were around before the internet really took off, they're nigh on impossible to google! They hit their commercial peak with their second album Monkey Kong, around the turn of the Century. They released four albums, with each being more mature and serious than the one before. Personally though, this album, their first, is my favourite and I've always loved this track. It's an upbeat, Punky track that's essentially a list of things Jason thinks are bad. It might be 20 years old now but the majority of things are still jolly bad ideas such as: smack and that, Indie shite and pay per view. I don't think GMTV is on telly anymore though, it's that thing with Piers Morgan on it now isn't it? He'd be on the list these days.
Handsome - Going To PanicTaken from the 1997 album Handsome
It's strange, Handsome released just the one album in the mid 90's but I still see them pop up in people's recommendations all the time so it certainly has a lot of lasting power. The band were a supergroup with an impressive pedigree, featuring members of Helmet, Cro-Mags, Jets To Brazil, Electric Love Hogs, Quicksand and Murphy's Law. This was the first song I ever heard by them (on a free Kerrang! CD), I bought the album on the strength of it. While the whole thing is quality, this track remains my favourite; the chorus is immense and I love that riff. You'll know which one I mean when you hear it.
SuperCharger - UndoneTaken from the 2009 EP Smashing Up The Future
One of my favourite (9th favourite if you want to be precise) albums of last year was the debut by the Geordie Punk Metallers, Drama Club Rejects (I reviewed that album at the time, HERE's the link - Excuse the typos) Prior to that band, Nick and Nash also played in SuperCharger. SuperCharger don't sound a whole lot different to DCR, though they're perhaps a little more aggressive and riff heavy; this song is a good example of that. It barrels along with exuberance and pep. Pep. It's got a lot of pep.
I don't know why the band split but there seems to be a dozen bands all called some variation of Supercharger so I wouldn't be surprised if that didn't at least contribute in some way.
Lyriel - White LilyI don't know why the band split but there seems to be a dozen bands all called some variation of Supercharger so I wouldn't be surprised if that didn't at least contribute in some way.
Taken from the 2012 album Leverage
Lyriel are a Folk/Gothic Metal band from Germany, their earlier albums were more Folk than Metal, though they've gradually toughened and streamlined their sound and their last couple of albums are all the better for it. They still have a cellist and violinist though so the Folk influence is still present but no longer overpowers everything. Jessica Theirjung has a pleasant voice that's powerful without being too....waily. It suits their music well.
White Lily starts like one of their typical ballads but the song proper soon kicks in. There's a nice vocal melody in the chorus and also nice is the use of the word enmity. It doesn't feature in enough songs in my opinion, it's a good word.
Their last album was in 2014 so we're surely due another soon, I'm looking forward to it.
Paul Miro - A Pocket Full Of Foreign Change (Acoustic)White Lily starts like one of their typical ballads but the song proper soon kicks in. There's a nice vocal melody in the chorus and also nice is the use of the word enmity. It doesn't feature in enough songs in my opinion, it's a good word.
Their last album was in 2014 so we're surely due another soon, I'm looking forward to it.
Taken from the 2010 album All Stripped Down Vol. V: UNDER
If you bother with this blog much then you may remember one of the previous mixes being entitled Do I Need This? The title coming from a song by the band, Apes, Pigs & Spacemen. I mention this because, as you've probably guessed, Paul Miro was the former vocalist of said band.
Since their demise in the mid-2000's, he's released a plethora of solo albums that are as eclectic as AP&S were but less Rock/Metal and more Indie/Folk. His voice suits both genres equally well though and he's an able songwriter so the transition is a smooth one.
As good as his official albums are, he also released six albums under a variation of the title All Stripped Down. they feature simple acoustic versions of his own songs, covers and AP&S tracks and, more often than not, they work better that way! The original version of this song was on his 2005 album Earthly Powers, it's a pleasant, if inoffensive, little Indiepop song but this acoustic version is far superior in my opinion.
-Special thanks to Stephen Willoughby on helping me out with this
Hagfish - BopSince their demise in the mid-2000's, he's released a plethora of solo albums that are as eclectic as AP&S were but less Rock/Metal and more Indie/Folk. His voice suits both genres equally well though and he's an able songwriter so the transition is a smooth one.
As good as his official albums are, he also released six albums under a variation of the title All Stripped Down. they feature simple acoustic versions of his own songs, covers and AP&S tracks and, more often than not, they work better that way! The original version of this song was on his 2005 album Earthly Powers, it's a pleasant, if inoffensive, little Indiepop song but this acoustic version is far superior in my opinion.
-Special thanks to Stephen Willoughby on helping me out with this
Taken from the 1997 album Hagfish
This Texan Punk band released a couple of really good albums throughout the 90's with this being their final album (not including a B-sides and Rarities compilation). For those familiar with the UK band Eureka Machines, Hagfish remind me of them quite a bit, both in Zach's chunky riffs and George's slightly whiny vocal style. The band split in 2001 with all members working with several other bands, most notably, Zach Blair is now the guitarist in Rise Against and Doni Blair plays bass in Toadies.
This catchy, short little song is about the tribulations of being a Punk with a girlfriend into Hair Metal. Pfft, try being married to a Take That fan!
The Deadlights - Pox EclipseThis catchy, short little song is about the tribulations of being a Punk with a girlfriend into Hair Metal. Pfft, try being married to a Take That fan!
Taken from the 2000 album The Deadlights
I've not heard this album for years, probably a decade or more but it a fresh listen on a whim a month or so ago and I've been enjoying it, more than I did when I first bought it actually.
The Deadlights were a Californian band who were only together for a couple of years and released this one album. They came to prominence towards the tail end of Nu-Metal but, unlike quite a few of the similar bands at that time, they were actually pretty good. They had the typically bleak Industrial influences but mixed it up with an almost Smashing Pumpkins-esque Grunginess, particularly in Duke's nasal vocals.
This song is a post-apocalyptical one and leans toward their heavier end despite having only clean vocals and none of the roaring bark he employed on similar tracks. When I first listened to the album 17 years ago I only really bothered with the first few tracks and lost interest with the rest. My older ears appreciate it a lot more than I did then and I think this track, buried in the second half of the album, is actually one of their stronger songs.
Shihad - The Reason WhyThe Deadlights were a Californian band who were only together for a couple of years and released this one album. They came to prominence towards the tail end of Nu-Metal but, unlike quite a few of the similar bands at that time, they were actually pretty good. They had the typically bleak Industrial influences but mixed it up with an almost Smashing Pumpkins-esque Grunginess, particularly in Duke's nasal vocals.
This song is a post-apocalyptical one and leans toward their heavier end despite having only clean vocals and none of the roaring bark he employed on similar tracks. When I first listened to the album 17 years ago I only really bothered with the first few tracks and lost interest with the rest. My older ears appreciate it a lot more than I did then and I think this track, buried in the second half of the album, is actually one of their stronger songs.
Taken from the 2014 album FVEY
FVEY (pronounced Five Eyes), the last album by these New Zealand Rockers saw a return to an older sound, eschewing the melodic Rock of their last couple of albums for the incessant, pounding riffs of their debut , Churn, and it's follow-up Killjoy. I wouldn't say it's a return to form as such because they've never released a bad album but I'd definitely say it was up there with the best, if not THE best album they've done. It's bleak, nihilistic but also a lot of fun, if you can imagine such a thing. The Reason Why isn't actually an official track but one of the bonus tracks on the deluxe version, they're as good as any of the others in my opinion. This has a relentless, driving riff and a great chorus, it'll burrow its way into your head if you let it.
Me And That Man - Get Outta This PlaceTaken from the 2017 album Songs Of Love And Death
You may or may not remember me featuring a track by the Blackened Death Metal band, Behemoth a couple of blogs ago. Me and That Man is the side project of Behemoth main man, Nergal and couldn't sound more different to his day job. It's a collaboration with an English chap called John Porter and is a Folk/Country thing that quite often reminds me of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Songs Of Love And Death is a dark, gothic album as you might expect but it's quite eclectic too, this track is a stomping Blues that seems to be a love song between two Bonnie and Clyde types, on the run. I think it works well after Shihad and makes a great closing track
No comments:
Post a Comment