My iPod #57: System of a Down - B.Y.O.B.

Nannaannananannnananananananaannanaanannnanananna YOU!

That was meant to be the introduction to the song, by the way.

Hi everyone! I'm in a good mood. I am now a free man, exams are finished, nothing's gonna change my clothes until results day. Until then, I should probably get started with this again. It is time... for the B SERIES. YES! YES! COME ON!

So System of a Down.... what can I say?

In 2005 it had been three years since the band released their third album. I didn't follow the band so much, so I had no idea that this album was even out. However, "Chop Suey!" and "Toxicity" were two songs of the band that I saw on MTV2 and, although the former's video was quite weird and I was quite confused by the actual song, the band really rocked and I guess I wanted to hear more from them.

"B.Y.O.B.", acronym for 'Bring Your Own Bombs', was released as the first single from Mezmerize, the first half of a double album that would be out by the end of the year. It is considered to be yet another of System of a Down's trademark songs due its fast pace, contrasts between quiet and loud in the verses and chorus, and lines that you are able to shout out at the top of your lungs.

This was also their first single where Daron Malakian had lead vocals in the part of the song. I remember seeing the video when it first came out, and again I was confused at how the song randomly changed in the middle. They were singing about "having a real good time" and "going to the party" and then it was "BLAST OFF IT'S PARTY TIME, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!!!!!!". It was crazy. But it makes it that much awesome.

This is another song out of the hundreds in the world that are anti-war. I think this song depicts the message quite clearly. It is about how the government chat shite most the time and how much they suck. George Bush had been re-elected as president the year before, which I guess no one understood back then. So people were pissed. I'm thinking Serj and Daron pretty much felt the same way.

Why do they always send the poor? Why? WHY.

That was alright. It's good to be back.

Until next time.

Jamie.

P.S. I WAS LOOKING THROUGH MY POSTS YESTERDAY AND I REALISED I MISSED TWO BLOODY SONGS IN MY 'A' SERIES.

How did I do that? Yeezus. I might as well do them pretty quickly, and without focus.

George Harrison - Apple Scruffs

That is not the album version, but it's pretty close.

Another song from 'All Things Must Pass'. Not much to say about the song. I listened to the album back in 2011, and this song was one that caught my ear. Great harmonies in the chorus by Harrison, and a delightful tribute to the 'Scruffs' who would hang outside Abbey Road when The Beatles were there.

Very nice.

Nine Black Alps - Along for the Ride

OK, Nine Black Alps are one of my favourite bands ever.

They released their newest album "Sirens" last October, which you can listen to here.

"Locked Out from the Inside", the album this song is on, was released in 2009 after the second album "Love/Hate". I was dissappointed by the second album, because their first album was so good. So good. It's one of my favourites. "Love/Hate" was just so mellow, and indie and using acoustic guitars. It was such a bore compared to "Everything Is".

"Locked Out from the Inside" for me was a return to form. Their crunchy, rough Nirvana-esque sound was back, no acoustic guitars in sight. It just felt like everything was back to normal.

"Along for the Ride" is the penultimate song from the album. I think it's about wanting a relationship, or being interested in someone. I don't know, I don't really look deep into lyrics. Even though I typed the lyrics up for every song and got them up on the Internet.

If you don't know Nine Black Alps, listen to their stuff. Please.

Jamie, again.

My iPod #47: Big Boi - Apple of My Eye

Yeeeah. Antwan André Patton (The Only One) aka Daddy Fat Sax aka Sir Lucious Left Foot aka Big Boi in the hizz-ouse.

I'm only joking.

You all know him as one half of the influential hip-hop group, OutKast, along with André 3000.

OutKast released their most recent album, 'Idlewild', in 2006 which received positive reviews. The film it was released alongside, however, did not fare so well. After enjoyable single releases such as 'Morris Brown' and 'Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me)', OutKast faded away but it was okay, because they only faded away to record their next album, right?

WRONG. Since 2006, no new material has been released under the OutKast name. André has featured on various songs here and there but hasn't released any solo albums. We still love him though. He's so classy. Have you seen that Gillette advert? Mmm-mmm-mmm.

Big Boi stepped up to the plate and unveiled his debut 'Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty' to the world in 2010, which got everybody worried because they were still waiting for the new OutKast album, but was eventually recognised to be one of the best hip hop albums of that year. Then My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy came out, and everyone was less hyped about Lucious.

I downloaded 'Left Foot' in summer last year, and I found it rather enjoyable. The beats were huge, Big Boi's lyrics and flow were on par, full to the brim with hubris. Big Boi was at the top of his game, and if he wasn't getting enough respect already I would assume that he only received more after such a confident debut.

The album became one of my favourites, hip-hop wise, and it got me wondering when he would release his sophomore. As I said, I listened to the full album two years after it was released so something would have been coming soon.

It came as a surprise to me. In December 2012, I go onto Spotify to listen to an album and there under 'WHAT'S NEW', I see it:

BIG BOI - VICIOUS LIES AND DANGEROUS RUMORS

I am British, so 'rumours' without the 'o' looks quite weird but it's fine.

"Ooh! Let's listen."

So I did. Annnnnd it was good. 'Apple of My Eye' was the song that really caught my attention. Booming bass, the lyrical delivery, the chorus is an ear worm if there ever was one. I know he released 'Mama Told Me' as the first official single, maybe just because of Kelly Rowland's appearance and because it is probably the song most suited for radio play from the album. Despite this, 'Apple of My Eye' could have been that first single. It's got everything you want, a great song with only Big Boi at the reins and the soulful chorus. I would have chosen it as my first single, I'm just saying.

Overall, 'Vicious Lies' wasn't as positively greeted as 'Left Foot' was upon its release. I feel the same way too. I don't know what it is. It's hard to explain. Maybe you can have a listen to both albums, and comment on how you feel about them.

Until next time.

Jamie.