Mate."Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" is one of the best punk albums of all time.
Made up of Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock (who then left and was replaced by Sid Vicious) were the voice of a generation who didn't give a shit. About anything. They only released one official album of original material, but the legacy they left on the punk genre and Britain overall still goes on to this day.
The first time I heard the song was around 9 or 8 years ago. I was watching this football show, something along the lines of the top ten controversial moments in the Premier League, and the incident where Eric Cantona kung-fu kicked a fan in the stands was shown. Of course it was one of those countdown things where the producers recruited these random celebrities to talk about these 'controversial moments' even if they didn't give a shit about football.
Cantona got in a lot of trouble for that in '95. The whole 'I AM AN ANTICHRIST, I AM AN ANARCHIST' seemed to fit the clip exactly, and seeing Cantona go crazy and hearing the song for the first time freaked me out a bit. I was eight years old at that time so... you know. It was scary.
Again, I would thank Yahoo's Launch for helping me find the song. I was listening to my specific radio station when 'L'Anarchie Pour Le UK' from 'The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle' played. I thought that the song sounded familiar, even if it was sung in French, and one thing led to another and I found 'Anarchy in the UK.'
I thought it was the best song I'd ever heard. It was just so punchy and raw, that trademark whiney vocal by Rotten and just the whole 'don't give a fuck' attitude that the song gave off.
One of the best They Might Be Giants songs ever. It's got everything you want. A great chorus, an edgy guitar riff in the verses, and their typical trait of being able to write a melody that gets stuck in your head and never leaves.
The video of this song was one of the first of theirs I saw. I've told you guys about the Launchcast site Yahoo had, and how it basically introduced to what is my favourite band. When I saw it, I didn't know who was singing. Neither John was lip-syncing to the song. The video just gave me everything I needed to know about them. They were synchronising in everything, their pounding on the table, their 'dancing', their general (I don't want to say it) quirkiness just attracted me to them.
I had a good friend in primary school, and I was ten when I watched the video. So seeing that just made me want to force him to watch it so we could mimic the things they did during lunchtime or whatever. Everything is fun when you're in year five.
Then primary school finished, and it was the summer holidays before I would start year seven. From being the oldest in the school, back to the youngest. I couldn't handle it. I went out with my sister to Woolworths to buy stationery (pens, pencils, all the stuff) to prepare, and I saw one of my good friends from primary school there. I saw her, but I don't think she saw me. I realised that's how it would be from then on. I would never have the same relationship I had with my friends once I moved to my new school. The fact that I was the only person from my school to get into the one I did only emphasised that. I barely saw any of them, when I did it was a small exchange of:
"Hi! How are you?"
"I'm good."
"Haven't seen you for aaaaaaages!"
"Yeah, I know."
"Well, see ya then! :)"
"See ya. :)"
:( It was never the same.
I remember getting on the bus with my sister after finishing at the shop, 'Ana Ng' came into my head and I just kept on humming it and singing it quietly to myself whilst looking out the window feeling the time go by.
'Ana Ng' is a really important song for me. It reminds of me of the good times.
'Americana' is a good place to start if you're just getting into The Offspring. A few of their most popular songs are on it, and the hard punk rock sound that they had had for many years was still present but it was also with this album that they started to explore punk with a bit of pop on the side.
The song is sandwiched in between the light, hey-hey-hey, na-na-na-nanah, upbeat song of 'Why Don't You Get a Job?' and the trippy and eventually epic climax 'Pay the Man', and is the real last short and sharp burst of music that you hear by the band before the final song starts. The introduction takes up one minute of the song. Little by little, the instruments build up. First you hear a simple 4/4 bass kick, then some toms, a killer riff is then overdubbed, the rhythm section joins in with the background vocals, (Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.), on and on it continues like a tribal chant. Until Dexter barges in with the first line, 'NOW I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU ALL ABOUT MY DREAM, IT'S A PLACE.'
Then the song really kicks in. It's energetic, it's strong, the word 'fuck' is mentioned about five times on here. I have no idea what the song is about but seeing as it is the one the album is named after I would say that it is probably the centerpiece of the running theme of American society that is common throughout. I think the narrator is frustrated by what he lives in, what he is surrounded by and how he is defined.
'My future's determined by thieves, thugs, and vermin It's quite an excursion but it's okay
Everything's backwards in Americana my way'
How the narrator is brought up is only because 'Americana' made him that way, and this is the straw that breaks the camel's back. HE HAS BECOME ONE OF THEM. 'Woh oh oh, woh oh oh, woh oh oh
My nightmare has come true.' That's just my interpretation anyway.
Then there's a key change which would not be expected, but it's pretty cool to hear. It adds a bit of something extra to the song. Otherwise it could have been a bit to repetitive.
This song's a really good one. It's one of my favourites of the album. It hits you hard after listening to the previous song.
Ah Paul Simon and Arthur 'Art' Garfunkel. What can I say about them?
Not much really. I'm not a massive fan.
It was in late 2011, that I listened to a full song by them. I knew 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', but I had always thought that was a hymn or something. I never knew it was an actual song.
A documentary on the BBC was shown once in October, a brief snippet of it is can be viewed here. This song played on it when the duo started talking about the conception of their 'Songs of America' documentary and the controversy that surrounded it and everything.
Hearing it then, I thought I had heard that song somewhere else before. In an advert, or a film, or another various medium.
It doesn't matter though. I listened to the song, liked it and put it on my iPod.
'Bookends' is the album that the song is on. 'Save the Life of My Child' is my favourite song on it, but you could say that 'America' is the centerpiece of the first 'side' of the album.
Of course there are no sides on a CD but the first half of the album has a concept of life starting from birth to death which is pretty cool. It's always nice to have a concept album once in a while. Even though it's only the first six songs.
Like I said, Simon & Garfunkel isn't really my kind of thing. 'Bookends' and 'Bridge over Troubled Water' are both great albums though.
In the late spring of 2006, I was eleven years old and in the final weeks of my last year at primary school.
A highlight of that period of time was the trip to the Isle of Wight where I, most of my 'bestest' friends (and a few kids from year 5) stayed for a week in 'Friends' Hotel and basically spent the last trip I would have in primary school not giving a shit about anything. It was all about having good times with my friends, and making the most of the time we had left.
However, a week away from the house meant a week away from the Internet or MTV2. The World Cup was being held at the same time, and we watched England vs Trinidad and Tobago on ITV, that was pretty cool. But that did not get rid of the fact that I was missing out on my music.
Friday 16th June - I come back home, switch the TV to my favourite music channel, and see Razorlight's new video for their 'new single' In the Morning. That got repeated almost every day during that time. It's not a bad song though, so I never got annoyed. I liked Razorlight anyway - Up All Night is good stuff.
'In the Morning' was their second highest charting single in the UK, getting to #3. 'Somewhere Else' had peaked higher at #2 a year before. And then they released this song.
'America' got straight to number one - in it's first week of release too! I didn't think it was that captivating of a song that it could ever get to that position. It was there for only one week though, then The Black Parade marched into town.
The funny thing is that the song was actually written by the band's drummer Andy Burrows. Johnny Borrell still got recognition in the song's credits though, you've gotta keep stacking up those pound sterlings.
I like America. The song isn't too bad either.
Seriously though some fans don't like Razorlight's self-titled album, they found that the band were raising their butts towards the radio and waiting for a pounding. (Sorry for the imagery.)
For me, this is Razorlight's last album where they actually made good songs. Those that I could listen to. 'Razorlight' and 'Up All Night' are the ones you want to listen to.
Ahh... the first video by Blink-182 that I can actually remember watching on the TV.
I must have been about nine or something. You know when you're a child you have the tendency to wake up at times of the day which would seem ridiculous to any adolescent. Getting out of bed and watching music TV at six in the morning to watch TV were some of the best times I had before my mum and my sister woke up and didn't let me watch anything.
I don't know how I started watching MTV2 and being interested in music, but it's a good thing I did. It was both that and football that made up my childhood.
I'm sure that I've made clear how I came across Blink-182 in previous posts. So I don't really know what else to say to you.
One thing that may be interesting is that I recently listened to the band's self-titled album. I had read many times from various reviews that it was a change from their 'toilet-humour stuff' to a more personal and darker approach to their music. That is something I can definitely agree with.
Another thing that I noticed was how Tom seemed to dominate the album. Most songs are solely sung by Tom; Mark comes in with a few backing vocals here and there, and has a few songs which only have him at the lead. However from listening to their past material, you can tell that it was pretty much a tag-team thing and the albums had a much more equal contribution by the two.
It was the last single from that album, and then the band broke up a few months later in 2005.
'I've been here before a few times, and I'm quite aware we're dying.'
Supergrass was a band that was at its most prominent during the Britpop era. Although that scene quickly died out around 1997, the band still managed to stay pretty relevant and their last album 'Diamond Hoo Ha', released in 2008, entered at 19 in the album chart.
I miss Supergrass. :( They are one of my favourite bands too.
Britpop was a fine time for British music. New bands were thrust upon the scene; Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Suede and various others dominated the charts. Who could forget 'The Battle of the Bands', which saw Blur and Oasis go head to head for the number one spot, which Blur eventually won?
I talk as if I was 20 years old around this time, although really I had only just been born.
Supergrass were relatively new at the time. 'Alright' was released as the last single from their debut 'I Should Coco' in 1995, and became somewhat of a youth anthem here and in America too after being featured in the film 'Clueless'.
You can't be sad to this song. The intro is unforgettable, as soon as you hear that piano tune you know that you won't be disappointed. The band was young at the time of writing the song and so the youth of the time were able to empathise with what the band was feeling. I guess it wouldn't have been so popular if it was some old man singing about being young when he clearly wasn't.
And watch that video too! It's all so happy. Oh man. Why do you need a video with a concept when you could just be messing around on a beach, or fooling about with bicycles? Steven Spielberg even wanted to do some sort of 'Monkees' documentary based on them, but they declined in order to start work on their second album. That's dedication.
This is considered to be Supergrass' signature song. It's not my favourite, probably because it's the one that will always be played on a holiday advert, or the one Supergrass video that will always be played on a music channel. Supergrass have many other great songs. Not just this one. Find them.
Yeah. Said it's all right. I won't forget. All the times I've waited patiently for you. And you'll do, just what, you choose to do. And I will be alone again tonight my dear.
Those are the first words of album 'Forever Changes' by Love.
I'm a great fan of music. Any type. You may have guessed that already. I got to a point last year, when I really couldn't think of any albums to download. I had a large amount stuffed into my iTunes library, but still I couldn't think of anymore.
That was until I took the initiative to search 'best albums ever' into Google, and surprise surprise there's a site which had all I could hope for.
besteveralbums.com compiles the albums by the amount of times they've been placed in a 'best of' chart in magazines as well as allow users to rate their favourite albums. I would have no idea who 'Love' is if it wasn't for the site, I probably wouldn't have listened to any of the albums that are shown on there too.
I listened to 'Forever Changes', for the first time last year on Spotify. 'Alone Again Or' was the one that got my attention straight away. Yes, it is the first track of the album so that's obviously going to happen. It's quite a simple song, it has two verses with one of them repeated as the final verse, but it is backed up with lush orchestration. Violins, various strings, the trumpets in the middle which reminds me of the stereotypical background music that's played in a cartoon when a character goes to Mexico, or some other South American country. To put it frank, it sets the mood for the whole album.
And yet still, 'Forever Changes' isn't one of my favourite albums. I don't know what it is, I don't really know how to say why it isn't. I think it's just that it's sounds very different to what I normally listen to. There's something very sophisticated about it that just puts me off it. I'd probably have to listen to it again and see if I change my mind.
You don't have to take my bullshit though, listen to it and make up your own decision.
All You Need Is Blood! Get it? It's almost like that Beatles song.
Test Icicles certainly weren't the band who sounded like they were influenced by The Beatles. Again, they were a band, but unfortunately the music that made was not the music that they were particularly interested in. They formed in 2004, and later split two years later in 2006.
The album this track was released on 'For Screening Purposes Only', was released to positive praise on Halloween 2005. Test Icicles were the next biggest thing in dance-punk indie rock terms. Considered to be 'bigger than The Beatles' by NME and 'all cobra' by Pitchfork Media, the album indeed is very eccentric and filled to the brim with bursting energy, backed up with crazy guitars and a booming, yet pre-recorded, rhythm section.
My sister went through a period around 2005/06 when she started borrowing various albums from her friends. She borrowed this one.
Test Icicles had three main vocalists who all brought their own sound to the table. The main vocalist on this song is Devonte Hynes, though you may know him better as Lightspeed Champion. In fact, Hynes only sings this song and the mindfuck that is 'Catch It!' Sam Mehran sings part of the chorus and pre-chorus too.
I don't know what this song is about to be honest. You would have to listen to it for yourself to try and get something, but you don't have to understand a song to enjoy it.
Look out for the backwards rap at the end of the song, also done by Sam Mehran.
If you want to know how the rap sounds like forwards, click here. That's my video :D
The song ends. Then, out of nowhere, a bass riff starts. Reminds you of Jaws doesn't it? It hypnotises you, sets you in a real mysterious, foreboding mood. It leads right into the next song. That's for another post.
So I've spent almost a month bleeding my heart out into these blogs, hoping that you like them and share them and whatever. It's been quite fun.
If you are regularly viewing these posts and taking an interest in what I say, then I thank you very much. It would be silly to say that I expected more than 100 views a day. But that is what I thought I would be getting. The blog with the highest views is my third one, and that only has about 30.
I should probably understand that it takes a slow process to become popular. This isn't like YouTube where you can just upload one thing and then suddenly get millions of views. I believe that blog sites are much more respectable, and certainly more peaceful. I would be happy with one sensible comment than with a tirade of those which don't make any sense or annoy me to no end.
So, about the song. 'All Us Authors' is the second track of the band Danananananaykroyd's second album, 'There Is a Way'. That album was their last. Released in June 2011, they split up a few months after in November.
I was like a deer caught in headlights when it came to 'There Is a Way'. I think it was the day after I had finished my last exam for my GCSEs. A year of highs and hard work, I could forget everything that I had revised. I could stay in bed for ages, and not worry about anything until August. It was a good time to be alive.
I woke up about seven in the morning to tune into Channel 4 and watch the daily music programme 'Freshly Squeezed'. That show's not on anymore and understandably so, it got incredibly dull and I doubt that anyone really watched it at that time of day after The Hoobs had just finished.
Anyway, it was then that the show played the band's new single, 'Muscle Memory', which led me to think "Shit! They have a new album, no way. Huh! I have to download it."
I was already a fan of the band after listening to their debut "Hey Everyone!". I'll probably go into more depth on that in another post.
So, I downloaded it and listened to it the whole way through. Initially, this song was one that stuck in my mind. Maybe it was because of the unorthodox time signature in the verses, (10/4 I think), and the chorus, "Just when you got comfy", which is firstly sung in the song, and then repeatedly yelled at the ending. It's the second shortest song on the album, and for me was the first that sounded like a song that could have been released on their first album.
I can remember listening to the album and thinking that the band sounded much more fuller. Originally, the band made use of two drumkits in the songs on their first album, but the co-lead singer (who played one of those drums) broke his arm in two places during a gig and had to retire from that post. Also, they had a female bassist who left during the years between the two releases and was eventually replaced. The 'fuller sound' might have also been a result of their use of producer Ross Robinson, who has worked with bands ranging from The Cure to Korn.
'There Is a Way' is one of my favourite albums, and it's a shame that the band split when they did. I feel that they could have achieved so much more, with just one more release! Ohhhhhh. People say the third album's always the best right? Or third time's a charm? Whatever. It's just so energetic, the only time that there is time for a rest is in a minute long recording of a street after the song 'Time Capsule'. That will also come in another blog. That's won't be on here anytime soon.
The Rakes were an indie band that broke up in 2009 after the release of their album 'Klang'.
Again I was introduced to them by MTV2. I've said many a time that MTV2 was a great channel to watch back in 2005-2006. Without it I definitely wouldn't be as ecelectic as I am in my musical tastes, if I do say so myself.
The Rakes released their debut album 'Capture/Release' in August 2005, and originally this song wasn't on it. It was only when they released it as a standalone single the following year, that the band decided to re-release the album with 'All Too Human' listed as the final track.
The video premiered on MTV2 as part of its 'New Releases'. I haven't actually watched it in a long time, so I can't really remember what's happens. From its thumbnail, I can see that it's black and white.
The song itself is very good in my own bias opinion. The narrator has been in a relationship that is failing in front of his eyes, and he's now pining with self-pity. He knows that she would be fine without him, but knowing this makes him feel even worse.
However morose and depressing that sounds, the key and the melody has a very light tone. The ending of the song uses vocals from all members of the band chanting 'Human, All Too Human', providing a satisfying conclusion to the song and the album.
'Capture/Release' received quite a bit of praise on its release, so if you're into Arctic Monkeys, The Futureheads, Bloc Party - bands like that, you might like the album.
Starr couldn't reach the high notes of the song. Apparently, he didn't like the lyrics either. Then, on a cold winter night in December 1980, John Lennon died.
Therefore, Harrison made it into a tribute - dedicated to his friend and colleague. It's a beautiful song, with lyrics depicting a brother in awe of his elder. Subtle references to Lennon's life and music can be found in them too, and to top it off you only have Paul McCartney playing the bass, Ringo on the drums, Linda McCartney and Denny Laine on backing vocals and George Martin as the producer. Although, that last one is argued to just be added for effect.
All in all, it's pretty sad. The song was written after a devastating and painful time, but it's played in a way that makes you want to remember the good times in the past.
The songs I've put up on here have been quite depressing lately. Let's hope for a bright one tomorrow.
So... the year is 2010. The Beatles: Rock Band had been released on the 9th September 2009, and I was already Beatles crazy, if you want more information see Across the Universe.
By the year 2010 started, I had downloaded Sgt. Pepper, Revolver, Abbey Road and Let It Be. I then went on to download more of their albums as the year progressed.
I received The Beatles: Rock Band as a present for Christmas 2009. I originally wanted my cousin to get it for me, so when my mum, sister and I went to her house, I would know what what be in that huge box covered in wrapping paper. It turned out she wasn't able to get it. She did, however, get me a Sgt. Pepper mug. I didn't want a mug. I wanted The Beatles Rock Baaaaaaaand :( Of course I couldn't complain to her. I was still quite depressed though.
My mum got it for me instead. It was the limited edition, with the postcards, the drums with the Beatles skin, and the Hofner controller. It was happy times, I played almost every day the first week I got it.
I had no friends to play with though. Not a lot of people in my school had a Wii..... or cared about The Beatles. Yes, I did get the Wii version. But only because I didn't have a PS3 or XBox at the time.
I have a PS3 now. If anyone wants to add me, my PSN is 'Kyei-ManJamie' :D
I've been going on for quite a while now. I am going to tell you why the song is on my iPod. All in due time.
I probably searched for 'The Beatles: Rock Band' in Google one day, because I found the Rock Band Forums which had its own TBRB sub-forum. I joined that shit, and spoke with everyone about how much I loved the game.
One particular thread that caught my eye was the Community Mash-up album thread, I am the member 'jamzftw' by the way, and basically it was just an fan album influenced by 'LOVE', the soundtrack album released in 2006.
This will probably be my longest blog.
So, to put things short, that album was completed and I practically went on a one man mission to complete the second.
At that point I was into The Beatles music, and their solo efforts too.
Before I knew Spotify existed, I used we7.com to stream my music for free. I had 'Imagine' and 'John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band' already on the computer, and I found out that 'All Things Must Pass', George Harrison's cathartic debut release, was the highest-selling out of all the ex-Beatles members.
What an album it is. It has so many great songs, ranging from large-'stadium' rockers e.g. Wah-Wah to gospel-churchy efforts e.g. Awaiting on You All. It must have been a relief for Harrison to get all his material out after years of being overshadowed by Lennon/McCartney. It absolutely deserves the five star, 10/10 reviews that it got in 1970 and the continued praise it receives today.
'All Things Must Pass' is a very hopeful song about death. Don't look at death with a sense of foreboding, when it's time to go.... it's time to go. Don't be scared. Sunrise doesn't last all morning. A cloud burst doesn;t last all day. It's not always going to be this grey. All Things Must Pass away.
R.I.P. George Harrison
Until next time.
Jamie.
NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!
The Strokes new album 'Comedown Machine' is released next week.
I also have to say, if you aren't a fan of 'Angles' then you probably won't be much a fan of this new album. You could probably label it as 'Angles Part II'.
When 'One Way Trigger' first came out earlier this year, I wasn't really into it. Listening to it again today, I still couldn't bear to hear Julian Casablancas' falsetto vocals. It's just not something that suits him.
Then 'All the Time' was released around Valentine's Day, and that was the one where I thought, 'Yeah! This is good! It's like old Strokes blah blah blah.' It was like how 'Under Cover of Darkness' went down with almost everyone. 'All the Time' just sounds more Strokes-y to me.
However, people who want that old Strokes sound back will probably be waiting for an eternity. Yes 'Is This It' and 'Room on Fire' are albums that can't be beat. But that was ten-twelve years ago, dudes.
The Strokes have changed their sound and will probably continue to carry on changing it for years to come. We will all have to face this fact. Besides, we should take this album into open arms, cradle it, share it with friends. Strokes fan should appreciate it. I am a Strokes fan, I've only listened to it once. Who knows? It may just be my new favourite after another listen. Maybe.
I bet their next album will be released early days of 2016.
Again, 'All the Time' isn't probably the most memorable song that people will remember from Nimrod. There's probably one good reason for that. The album itself was the one that began their movement from three-chord punk rock songs to songs which, I guess, carried a deeper meaning to them. They were becoming mature. Eww.
Although the song wouldn't have found itself on Dookie, nor definitely Insomniac, 'All the Time' seems the closest on the album that could have been written in those recording sessions. If 'Haushinka' was considered for Dookie, 'All the Time' certainly could have been.
The song's overall message? Time goes fast.
That's the song for the day. Hope you enjoyed it :)
Well... shit. Late for two days in a row? I'm sorry. Almost half past nine GMT too? Oh damn.
I apologise. I went out with my friends to Leicester Square today. One of them turned 18 on Wednesday, so we celebrated by going to the cinema, watching 'Side Effects' starring Jude Law and Rooney Mara, stuffing our faces at 'Planet Hollywood' and finally watching a dance act outside Picadilly Circus Station whilst making fun out of them.
'Side Effects' was good. It kinda dragged on for a bit, but I do recommend it for fans of Jude Law and those into psychiatric stuff.
'All the Small Theeengs', as sung by Tom DeLonge, was released as the second single from their 'breakthrough' album 'Enema of the State'.
I can't really say much, I've heard it for years and years, you've probably all heard it for years and years. Jedward then butchered it a few years ago, but no one cares about them anymore so don't even try and look for that cover.
It's just a love song really, it was made to be a song for the radio, and for good reason. Who can't resist singing to the 'Na-na, na-na, na-na, na-nanana' chorus, or just generally making out during the song. You can't stop that. It's just instinct. It's a very nice song, you can't be angry whilst listening it.
If you want a girlfriend you could probably just play this song for her, then she's allllll yours. Guaranteed. Coming from someone who doesn't have one right here.
Mark Hoppus met his wife during the making of the video for the song, so that's saying something right?
Hi everybody. I'm a bit late, I'm sorry. I'm on my iPod right now, my mum wouldn't get off the computer, but it's fine. I may have to make this quick, the battery's running out.
'In Love and Death' is some album. It's not regularly considered to be something of a concept album, but it could easily, seeing as it is about those two themes. Written during a particularly miserable period for Bert McCracken, it can sound really happy in some parts and downright pissed off and depressing in others.
'All That I've Got' first came into my life through a friend of my sister. Her friends must have sent her the song through MSN or something, but I can't remember if sis liked it or not. I used to watch Kerrang! too, and it showed ten seconds of their new single at the time 'I Caught Fire' when it advertised the new videos that were the 'ones to watch'. However, I wasn't really interested, I don't think I liked the look of make up on lead singers so I didn't really bother listening to the song.
Coming after 'Let It Bleed' on the album, 'All That I've Got' is quite a sad song :( You wouldn't think it listening to the lyrics or the actual music. According to Wikipedia, it was written after the lead singer's pet died, and it's never great when that happens.
I think the song describes any person in a situation when a loved one has died. It's shown on soap operas all the time. There's a character whose dad or brother has passed away. A friend asks "Are you ok?", and the person answers, "Yeah, sure, why wouldn't I be? Haha." Then you see them crying in their pillow when they go to bed.
The narrator of the song does the same thing, and putting on the strong, 'I don't give a shit' facade is the only thing he has from making himself look like a pussy in front of other people.
To anyone who has had that experience, it's alright to feel sad. It's never happened to me before so I don't want to sound patronising. Whoever has left will always be with you, in your head and in your heart.
No single this time. Just a standard album track on the album 'All Killer No Filler', the debut album by Sum 41, released in 2001.
I may have only been six when the album came around, and pop punk was still big around then. Blink-182 were still riding on their success with their then new album 'Take Off Your Pants and Jacket", Green Day were still pretty relevant with "Warning" being released the year before.
I may have been young yes, but 'Fat Lip' and 'In Too Deep' were pretty popular in the UK, so I heard those two many a time.
I downloaded 'All Killer' back in 2009. I don't really know why though, I just started to download albums around that time, and I guess I wanted some songs on my old iPod Nano.
'All She's Got' is the third last song on the album, but it segues into the next song 'Heart Attack' which also fades into the final song 'Pain for Pleasure.' I like when songs fade into one another, I think it's cool.
It's hard to describe Sum 41's music. Music isn't something to be described, but to be listened and admired. It's punky, but it's not angry punk. It's more of a rebellious, youth, stick a finger in the air at the authorities kind of punk. You couldn't really imagine any other band singing it except for Sum 41. There's something about Deryck Whibley's voice that just can't be matched by anyone. It's not that he's an amazing singer or anything, but he captures the 'emotion', if that's the correct word, in each song.
It's not the best song, but it's one that does sound like it should be placed near the end of an album. Like the sun setting down, on a beach, in California or something.
WARNING: This video has been identified by Epilepsy Action to
potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy.
Viewer discretion is advised.
Please take heed of that warning, seriously.
'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', the fifth album by Kanye West. The one which received positive reviews from every music magazine and website you could imagine. The one with the controversial artwork. The one which had a film released along with it. The one that gave rise to memes such as 'Yeezy taught me', 'No one man should have all that flour' and 'Let's have a toast to the douchebags'. What made it so good?
Well, it was his first album after 808s & Heartbreak, for a start.
So what did Kanye do? He only went into some sort of exile to Hawaii and recorded his, arguably, best work of ALL TIME. ALL TIME.
'All of the Lights' is preceded by its short interlude, a cello/violin and a piano play the melody of the intro. Then the main song starts, "ALL OF THE LIGHTS", triumphant horns set up the scene, a crescendo of strings build up the mood, Rihanna sings the post-chorus, "Turn up the lights in here baby etc etc." Then the beat kicks in, and it's just awesome from then on.
The song kicks arse. It's a highlight for me from the album. It's just the rapid drums and bass, the horns, Kanye's rhymes and delivery. It's such an adrenaline rush, I don't think anyone could sit calmly in a chair and bob their heads. No! You're headbanging, you do a forward roll and you flail about when there's no one else in the room with the lights flickering on and off. That's what you do!
Another thing that's great about the song is also the number of guests he gets on it. No, this song doesn't just feature Rihanna. You've got Kid Cudi in the first bridge, "Getting myyyyyyyyyyyyy eh, you should go and get your oowwwwwwwwwwwwn," Fergie-Ferg from the Black Eyed Peas in the second bridge, Alicia Keys AND Elton John at the end, and even La Roux. La Roux! How? Why? When?
The song just gives off a sense of glory. "Lights, Cop lights, flash lights, spot lights, strobe lights, street lights, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ALL OF THE LIGHTS, fast life, drug life, thug life, Roc life, every night, ALL OF THE LIGHTS." If you don't have 'MBDTF', I suggest you get it. It is probably one of the best hip hop albums released in the last five years. Who even likes Taylor Swift now anyway? Until next time. Jamie.
This one's for all the Catholics out there. Pope Francis all the way.
Got MTV2 to thank for this song again. You guys might not know a lot about Brakes. So I'll probably just give you the gist.
Brakes are another British band, from Brighton this time, who formed in 2003. They released their first single, 'Pick Up the Phone' (song starts at 0:21), and followed that up with the song above. Those two singles can be found on their first album 'Give Blood' which got quite good reviews, even from Robert Christgau and Pitchfork. They also go by the name BrakesBrakesBrakes in the US.
This song is so hypnotic. The bass groove, the descending guitar riff in the verses.... The repetition of the song title just sets a tone of anticipation, you're walking with your mates down the street to the biggest party that has been hyped for months. You find the door, you hear the thumping music, and then you walk inside. That's when the chorus comes in.
EAST WEST. NORTH SOUTH. LEFT RIGHT. CROQUE-MONSIEUR, CROQUE MADAME.
Yes, the chorus doesn't make any sense at all. When I first heard the song, I thought that the lead singer was speaking in a different language/from a different country altogether. I think Brakes are known for their nonsensical lyrics, I mean listen to 'Porcupine or Pineapple', or 'Hey Hey' for example. Don't let that take away from the song's message though, who cares about anything when you're at an awesome party? You don't listen to the lyrics in the music, you just dance around and hopefully get some.
This song would be suitable to play at any party. At least an indie disco party anyway.
Also, for more information on a croque-monsieur and croque-madame, click here.
So I'm watching standard TV one day, I change it to MTV2 and then suddenly "ALL I WAAAAAAAAAAAANT YAH YAH YAH YAH YAH" and a guy falls into a pit of mud and the video ends.
Wh-what.
I should probably start from the very beginning. Everyone knows 'Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)' right? If you have heard this song, even a clip of it in the shop or an advert or what not, this is the band who made that song.
I probably knew that song when I was, like 4. It got to number one in the UK for about a week, and I think I liked it and I remember my sister singing it too. Of course then I didn't know who it was by, but the counting in Spanish and 'Give it to me baby, UH-HUH UH-HUHs' were too catchy. I barely like it anymore, it's really cheesy for me anyway. I haven't got it on my iPod.
My cousin bought me The Offspring's Greatest Hits compilation for Christmas 2005, but that was because I knew that songs like 'Hit That', 'Original Prankster' and 'Can't Repeat' were on there, so I didn't pay as much attention to 'All I Want'.
I would probably talk more about how I got to like The Offspring. But that will probably in the blog for 'Hit That' when I come to it. Maybe next year. Or 2015.
In regards to 'All I Want', that split second of the ending of the video left me really puzzled. I never listened to 'All I Want' before so I went onto YouTube. The comments below were mostly along the lines of 'Yeah, this song rocks' to 'Yeah, Crazy Taxi' to which I thought, 'OK... back to the video.'
The song is very quick. It's on their album 'Ixnay on the Hombre' released in 1997 and was released as the first single from it. It's a fast, punchy, all-up-in-your-face punk song about breaking free, fuck the system, 'I DON'T WANNA BE CONTROLLED, 'SALL I WAAAAAAAANNT.'
Dexter Holland singing 'Want' in the chorus probably takes up half the song, but it's a hell of a chorus. You just feel like running down a corridor screaming that shit.
The video is something else too. It's pretty funny, you get the band performing the song in a house with different colour effects, a guy pushing women over, stepping in some weird shit on the ground, running past policemen on pogo sticks and random clips of a guy with sunglasses and a mask over his face whilst playing the piano. It's crazy. It's cool. IT'S ALLLLL I WAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNT. YAH YAH YAH YAH YAH.
'In Rainbows' was the long awaited Radiohead album that was released as a download, pay-as-much-as-you-want in 2007.
I'm not a great fan of the band, in comparison to other crazy Radiohead fans, I am nothing - I might have already said this in my 'Airbag' blog.
So when 'In Rainbows' way back when, I didn't really see the fuss about it. I thought it was cool that people could pay whatever they wanted like 1p or £100, most fans paid nothing anyway, which resulted in many complaints about how companies don't get enough money for their stuff being released or whatever. Apparently, pre-release sales were more profitable than the total money from sales of 'Hail to the Thief.' So they must have done something right from changing their selling tactics.
I have to admit too that as an album, I still haven't given 'In Rainbows' a chance. I've never sat down and fully listened to the whole package. I should do. I really should. Most fans like it more than 'Hail to the Thief' and I think that 'HTTT' is a very good album, so what could go wrong?
The songs on my iPod from this album are not those I liked upon listening to the album once I received it for Christmas 2007. 'Jigsaw Falling into Place' played repeatedly on MTV2 and I liked that song and the video too, no matter how weird the cameras were. The song would be the first I would hear from 'In Rainbows'.
I first properly paid attention to 'All I Need' when MTV2, again, dedicated five minutes of its schedule to advertise its EXIT campaign. The 'advert' was basically a music video for 'All I Need', which you can watch by clicking these two words.
Still, I didn't think much of it.
Listening to it many times after though, I realised that the song is great. Quite calming actually. You're provided with a smooth, soothing vocal by Thom Yorke with a steady backbeat by Phil Selway and a strong bassline by Colin Greenwood. The lyrics come off kinda stalkerish, 'I am all the days, that you choose to ignore', 'You are all I need. You're alll I neeeeeeeed.' You probably wouldn't recognise this, because the instrumentation is very calming. It's like slowly sinking into a beanbag when you begin to sleep in it. But then, the song picks up and there are thrashing cymbal crashes, a chorus of piano and, overall, a real build in tension of atmosphere with Thom singing 'It's all right, it's allll riiiiiiiight!' And just when you think the song is going to climax, it ends.
It's a magical song. I really need to listen to 'In Rainbows'. Fully though, not just the singles.
Oh my god, I'm so late. Sorry guys. I've been revising, so... yeah.
"They Might Be Giants again?" Yes. Deal with it.
It is another song from their debut entitled 'Alienation's for the Rich', one of those songs with a title which would make you immediately think, 'Oh hohoho. Those Giants and their weird, quirky titles derp derp derp.'
No.
I have to say, it did take me quite some time to actually get into this song. I would listen to the album, and it was so quick. You would be listening to songs with great melodies and eclectic instrumentation but they would be over so quickly before you realised.
Then 'Alienation' would start, and it just sounded so slow compared to the others. I was even like 'Alienation's for the Rich, like wh... what does that mean?' It was a song on the album that I would skip over quite a bit.
After listening to it a few more times, I have realised that it is probably one of the best songs out of the last five of the album, Rhythm Section Want Ad takes first place. Do you want to know why I changed my mind?
I will tell you anyway.
Yes, the first section of the song is pretty much samey samey, but it definitely captures the 'couch-potato, lazy sod' emotion and attitude that the 'narrator' is in. To me, just from the lyrics, it's about someone who 'needs a job' and needs to 'get some pay', but he doesn't give a shit and he feels fine.
John Flansburgh is a very underrated vocalist. I think that needs to be said. Both Johns are. They are very good singers. In this case, Flansburgh has a very wide range of vocal ability, ranging from girly-sounded whispers to a giant yelling his triumphs high from the hills. And he is able to use it well in any kind of song.
That is when the song completely changes. With a sudden key change after the instrumental bridge, Flansburgh starts belting out the second verse at the top of his lungs! I don't really know how to say it to you, I'm listening to the song in my head and trying to write how it sounds.
It's just brings a real elation to the track. You realise that the narrator is not miserable in the state he is in, but is damn proud of it. He really doesn't care. I mean, listen to the maniacal laughter at the end. LISTEN TO IT.
I went to Coventry today, not for a fun day out or anything, but for an open day at its university. This time of year is very busy for me. I've got my A-Levels in the summer, two months and a bit to be more precise, and those exams basically decide whether my life is over or if it has only just begun. Coventry was alright. The weather was a bit shitty, but the place was nice and nothing was extremely bad about it.
Coventry is in England, which is also where London is. South West of London is the 'large suburban town' of Twickenham, where Mystery Jets come from.
Mystery Jets were much more popular during the mid-noughties. They've faded out quite a bit in the past few years, but it was in 2006 (2006 again... see?) when they burst onto the scene.
'Alas Agnes' is the penultimate track from their album 'Making Dens'. It's got a very pantomimey, showtime kind of vibe to it, like the last number in a musical; that was probably due to its music video and the subject matter.
The narrator thought he fell in love with a girl, but he can't tell whether it is a girl or actually a boy. His mind was in such a swirl, his mother shivered with fright.
The narrator eventually got dumped. He harms himself with cigarette burns. Although, he still can't help but reminisce about that sweet transvestite butt.
Oh, Mystery Jets. Surely there must be a musical about that. I would see it.
If you are American and like British music or are British and don't know Mystery Jets, Trytheseoutforsize.
It seems I only have American and British viewers on this blog, and some from Germany too.
I mentioned this already in a previous post, but I'll just remind you again.
Years ago, Yahoo! owned this website/company called LAUNCHcast which was a radio/video music site where you could mark your favourite bands and listen to radio stations based on your preferences.
If it wasn't for that site, I don't think I would have any interest in They Might Be Giants as I do now. It doesn't exist anymore, but I shall thank it for eternity. This is what it looked like for anyone who cares.
AKA Driver was one of the three songs from 'John Henry' that I remember playing on a radio station that I would listen to, with the others being 'Destination Moon' and 'The End of the Tour'.
Does anyone remember MSN Spaces? For anyone who doesn't Windows Live Messenger, formerly MSN, had this blogging network too, similar to this, where you could post anything you wanted and type in the music you liked in these huge lists that you could give names to. I remember putting 'AKA Driver' into a list, bearing in mind that I had only listened to it once and never listened to it again until 2010.
MSN Spaces died too. Just like LAUNCHcast. Why does every cool internet thing I encounter die :(
I digress.
Autumn 2010 was They Might Be Giants season for me. I downloaded almost every album by them during that time. Apparently 'John Henry' isn't a favourite for some TMBG fans because that is when they were considered to have sold out, because before then the band had only performed as a duo comprising of the two Johns.
But I don't understand that. Yes they did incorporate a full band, but that only added to their sound. The two main guys were still there, but the (then new) real rhythm section just added an extra depth and a fuller sound.
I remember listening to 'AKA Driver' in 2010, five years after first finding it, thinking, 'So this is what it sounded like!' John Flansburgh sings this one, don't worry I do like Linnell's songs too, and it comes right after the song 'Unrelated Thing', a much slower song on the album.
'Driver' is quite fast paced. It's got a driving, no pun intended, beat which gets your head bobbing.
And it's only a song about driving whilst on drugs/intoxicated. I mean, how cool is that!
It is not. I will say that. Don't do it. Don't drink and drive. Don't do drugs either.
It's only got two verses, a bitchin' solo and a lot of repeated choruses and motifs: "It's just a full day's drive away", "Heeeeeeeey Nyquil Driver'. But it is still a highlight from the album. Look out for the change in mood of the song near the end, where the electric guitars are replaced by acoustic guitars and a theremin-type instrument whilst still keeping the momentum that the song has already set.
John Henry is a great album. Give it a chance guys.
The opening track to, according to besteveralbums.com, the best ever album... ever.
I got OK Computer as a present for my fifteenth birthday, along with Hail to the Thief, and I think The Bends too.
OK Computer is an excellent album, I can say that. When I generally listen to any album for the first time, I never think anything special of it. Especially if it's one that is always talked about, like this, or 'The Dark Side of the Moon', 'Sgt. Pepper' or whatever. But after a few listens, I always get why people talk. 'Paranoid Android', 'Karma Police' and 'No Surprises' were those that I'd seen and listened to and liked - the videos for those singles are something else too. But they only made the songs better for me.
'Airbag' isn't my favourite song from the album. However it's a great way to start things off, look at the opening lyrics:
'In the next world war
In a jack knifed juggernaut,
I am born again.'
That's pretty awesome considering how before 1997, when the album was released, 'The Bends' was their last album. Putting in 'OK', hearing the first notes of 'Airbag'... I could only imagine that it would have been a slap in the face for many a Radiohead fan. Radiohead certainly had been born again. I was only two, so I can't really speak for anyone.
The chopped up drums, the semi-complete bassline, the spaced out guitar sounds by Jonny Greenwood and Ed O'Brien, Thom Yorke's vocals. Yeah. It can't get much better.
"In an interstellar buuuuuuuuurrrrrst. I'm back to save the uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuniveeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrse."
Until next time.
Jamie.
P.S. This may have seemed like a really lazy blog. I apologise if it did. Many Radiohead fans may be disappointed. But there are many more Radiohead songs to come.
Hi everybody, I just finished listening to 'The Battle of Los Angeles' and I completely forgot that it was blogging time.
So, Daft Punk...... where can I begin?
I haven't really come to this blog with any ideas. I'm not an avid follower of their music but from what I sense from reviewers their albums 'Homework' and 'Discovery' are their best ones, and 'Human After All'... not so much.
For me, Discovery is the absolute shit. Somehow it just brings out a huge gigantic hand, grabs you by the balls and squeezes until you just can't take it no more. I only really listened to it in 2010. That was nine years too late.
'Aerodynamic' is the second song on the album, between album opener 'One More Time' and 'Digital Love' and it all segues together seamlessly. After the epic party starter of 'OMT', a huge bell brings everything to a stand still, a sense of doom and foreboding. All of a sudden the beat starts like a punch in the face, and you find yourself Spongebobbing and pop-lock 'n' droppin' all over.
That part lasts for 30 seconds or so.
And then....... the solo. THE SOLO. The most unexpected bloody awesome guitar solo that you could come across in a 'house, techno' whatever the hell album. If you listen to the song for the first time, it's just a total surprise. Where the fuck does it come from?
I thought it was a copy of some classical music composer's work, but Daft Punk don't acknowledge them. So I can only assume they made it up. Which is even more crazy.
I'm not a very good music analyser or anything. I'm not a music reviewer guy at all. I'm just giving my opinions on the songs I have on my iPod. But that is just one of many highlights on the album.
The aforementioned bell brings an end to the middle section. Then everything cools down, synthesisers start playing the melody of the solo and it's very relaxing. It's a major comedown after the solo, and the doom bell rings again and 'Digital Love' begins. But you will all have to experience it for yourselves.
Now... when I was younger I saw the video for 'One More Time', it didn't make very much sense to me. Why were there cartoon people playing the songs? Why were they blue? Why was everyone blue?
I then found out that it was all part of a movie. 'Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem' is its name. For those who don't know, the movie has no dialogue, only 'Discovery' playing over it. I'll tell you.... it gave me a totally different understanding of the album. It is actually great.
The first song I heard by be your own PET was 'Damn Damn Leash', but that's for a blog much later in time. But it was 'Adventure' that actually managed to get into the UK charts at a place of #36. That's pretty sick. Barely anything credible would be able to get a spot like that nowadays.
be your own PET was the newest band around. Yeah Yeah Yeahs comparisons were slippin' n' slidin' all over the media. And why not? They both have female lead singers, and they make rockin' music.
'Adventure' was the first single of the band's debut album, which was very well received by critics. The album itself is not one filled with solos, or intricate guitar playing, (you wouldn't really expect that from a punk/indie band), but it is definitely one that should be blasted at full volume out of your speakers. Or at least into your ears. All of the songs are able to fit into that category. Screw your neighbours. Just do it.
The video for Adventure is quite weird. That's what I thought of it when I saw it for the first time. But that is when I decided that Jemina Pearl was fit. So all in all it was fine.
be your own PET split up in 2008 after two albums :(
But I will remember the band for the good songs that those albums provided, especially in 2006.
You may not have thought that this would happen due to the types of songs that I have blogged about already.... and because of the fact that he can be quite the douchebag.
But you have to admit, that douchebag can make some good hits. Mhm mhm.
'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' may be the people's favourite of his work; for me 'Late Registration' and 'The College Dropout' remind me of those good times when he wasn't that egotistical, and when I liked music that played on the radio and Top of the Pops.
That was only 5 or 6 years ago, so what the fuck happened?! I barely like anything that's in the charts now.
My sister got Late Registration around the time that it had been recently released. She really liked 'Gold Digger', so she went to Woolworths and got it one day.
I didn't like hip hop so much when I was ten. All of my albums that I actually owned were mostly indie stuff, and Green Day was the band that I was really into then. American Idiot was the shit, man. Especially when I was ten.
'We Major' and 'Drive Slow' aren't on my iPod, but my sister would blast those songs out of the computer speakers endlessly. The singles, 'Diamonds from Sierra Leone', 'Gold Digger', 'Touch the Sky' and 'Heard 'em Say', I had obviouslyalready seen or heard.
It was when I started my YouTube channelthat I reallypaid to all of the songs on Late Registration. Hardly any of the songs by Kanye West were on the site, (this was back in 2008), so I took it upon myself to upload the album onto the site.
'Addiction' is about well........ what do you think?
"Why everything that's s'pose to be bad, make me feel so gooood? Everything they told me not to is exactly what I woooould. I tried to stop, man, I tried the best I could but yoooooou (make me smiiiiiiiiiiile)"
That's another thing too. It's got a great sample. Kanye is known for a lot of sampling. A lot.And this is one out of a million that works really well. And sampling can go baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.
Until next time.
Jamie.
P.S. Don't be afraid to share with friends on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social network. I will love you if you do. Need more recognition for no money whatsoever.
The year was 2005. My mum was driving me to my 11+ tutors house. And the news came up on the radio..... that Blink-182 had just split up.
How did I feel? I don't think I cared, I was only ten at the time. In fact, I wasn't even listening at the time. I only heard something about Blink-182, and then 'I Miss You' started to play. It was only later that I realised, when the video for 'Not Now' started showing on MTV.
I had probably first heard Blink-182 when I was about four due to 'All the Small Things', but at the time I would have had no idea who it was by. And I think I liked 'The Rock Show' too.... but really I can't remember. Let's just say I had a vague idea of who they were.
I think the first video I ever sat down and watched on the TV was the one for 'Always'. I liked that song, and the girl in it was hot too, so it was a win-win situation. I was probably nine.
But anyway, back to 'Adam's Song'.
The video for 'Not Now', as you may or may not know, is basically clips of all of their past music videos from 'Dammit' to 'Always' and miscellaneous footage of antics on tour.
Clips from the video for 'Adam's Song' appear in the video, and I had never really watched Blink videos before. I knew they had a thing for being naked, but I wondered what else they had.
Back then, YouTube didn't exist. I watched videos on this site Yahoo owned called 'Launchcast' or 'UK Launch' where you could customise your own radio based on your favourite bands and watch music videos for free. It was good shit. It's gone now, but at the time I had never been on any other site like it.
'Adam's Song' gives you a strong dose of mood whiplash if you're listening to 'Enema of the State', the album the song is on.
Blink are known for really fast, and poppy punk rock songs with bass chords, brilliant drumming, and tag-team vocals between Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus. Especially by Tom DeLonge.
But here..... you basically have a song about suicide. Which isn't cool. The song is cool. But suicide is not.
The video is pretty tame compared to other Blink videos too. There are no midgets playing instruments and there's not an arse in sight. It's a performance video with a few still-photo flashbacks, but it is a much more serious video.
Maybe that's what made me like it. It's not my favourite song of theirs, but it was quite different to anything that I had heard from them.
It's all fine though, on the album it's followed by 'All the Small Things', and in video chronology terms the video for 'Man Overboard' was released after this one. And that video is funny as shit!
