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Album of the Week: Blues Pills
Blues Pills – Blues Pills (2014)
I happened to come across this band when I saw they were supporting another favorite band of mine, Orchid (a band I highly recommend with obvious influences from Black Sabbath). I saw a picture of the band and was immediately interested.
Their appearance alone has a very late 60’s/early 70’s vibe. As everyone knows that style is definitely my jam, so I was very interested to hear what they sounded like.
Their debut album Blues Pills was released July 2013. It has been fairly successful and well received. It’s a combination of blues and rock. It totally has a late 60’s vibe, so if you are into that sort of thing this is for you.
Lead singer Elin Larsson has a beautiful voice that will remind you a bit of Janis Joplin. Not only that, but I have taken to following her on Instagram and I most definitely envy her look. I adore her style. I seen several interviews with her and she seems to be a great positive influence for other females who pursue rock music as their passion.
Please check this album out. It has great music, great vibe and pretty sweet album art!
Favorite Songs: High Class Woman, Ain’t No Change, No Hope Left For Me
Album of the Week: Great Western Valkyrie
Great Western Valkyrie – Rival Sons (2014)
Day 1 of 2015. I decided to start off this year in style. Everyone else is out trying to make good on their New Year’s resolutions and I’ve been just sitting in bed. All day. Seriously, it’s 4pm right now. I have accomplished nothing. A day off work, and nothing to show for it. On the other hand I have been listening to the newest (released in June 2014) Rival Sons album for about 5 hours now. This was easily one of my top 10 favorite albums of 2014.
It’s just gives off such chill vibes. I blame it for my lack of productivity.
Rival Sons are the kind of band I would recommend to anyone because their sound is just so universally pleasing. I think its something that any fans of rock could get into because it harkens back to the classics. It’s reminiscent of the bands that lay at the foundation of our love for the genre. It has all the riffs and the flow of all those bands we heard when we were first getting into music. You heard your dad playing The Who and The Doors and you knew you were going to be in love with this stuff for the rest of your life. It takes you back to those days, but it doesn’t copy it. Their sound is a bit of a throwback to the 1970’s, but it still sounds very modern.
These guys are originally from Long Beach, California (represent!). They formed in 2009. Hopefully they get a bit more popular within the next few years, but I think this album has launched them exponentially forward. It has some massive tunes on it.
There are great riffs and fantastic vocals. The lead singer Jay Buchanan has a great voice. Very soulful. I get lost in it. (Hence why I have barely left my room in the last 10 hours).
So if you’re one of those people who like old stuff and have a hard time getting into the new (you know who you are!) them maybe Rival Sons is for you. If “Open My Eyes” doesn’t sound like the intro to a Led Zeppelin song, then I don’t know what does.
Favorite Songs: “Electric Man,” “Good Things,” “Open My Eyes”
Throwback Thursday: Blue Oyster Cult
Throwback Thursday: Blue Oyster Cult – Blue Oyster Cult (1972)
Yes, let us go back in time to the self titled, first Blue Oyster Cult album. I know this may be surprising to some (sarcasm), but Blue Oyster Cult actually does have other songs. It has always irked me that people just dismiss them as “that cowbell song band.” As much as I may enjoy that sketch, I am quite sick of any cowbell related jokes in regards to BOC. They are so much more than that.
I never really listened to BOC much in the past. I had heard “the song that shall
not be named” and “Burnin’ for You” 5 million times on the radio, but I had never bothered to see what BOC was really about.
On a side tangent BOC is a good example of how classic rock radio is doing a major disservice to amazing classic bands. You would be doing an injustice to yourself if you believed that Black Sabbath was only “Iron Man”, “Paranoid” and “War Pigs”. Is there no more to Metallica than “Enter Sandman”? You wouldn’t say AC/DC had 16 albums (14 international and 2 in Australia) by the 5 songs the radio continuously plays over and over again. Apparently Deep Purple has no more to offer than “Smoke on Water” and do we really need to hear “Don’t Stop Believin” again? These bands have so many other songs that are just as good, if not miles better than the few songs the radio keeps senselessly beating into our heads, and yet they don’t play them.
There was once a radio station in Southern California called 105.5 KNAC. KNAC was a hard rock/metal station that went off the air in 1995. I was not old enough at the time for this sort of thing to be in my sphere of thought, so I obviously never listened to the station when it was on the air. I did however find old recordings of the final few on air hours of KNAC online (now available on YouTube).
On that final day James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica were in the studio chatting about old times and choosing songs. Lars said something that really struck me and I have still remembered it years later. He chose to play a BOC song and commented, “I guarantee this is the last time a Blue Oyster Cult song that’s not Don’t Fear the Reaper” will ever be played in Southern California.” That comment really stuck with me, because he was right. Ok, you could also throw in “Burnin’ for You” and “Godzilla” onto that list, but besides those three songs, that’s it.
I feel that I have given classic rock radio its fair chance. I grew up on it for goodness sake. My early years as a music fan were formed on the tunes they played, but at some point it becomes tiresome. Why does classic rock radio insist on playing the same songs year after year. How will the public be exposed to the gems of the past if they don’t receive any exposure?
So we throw this one back to you Blue Oyster Cult, because you are so much more than just one song.
Album of the Week: New Religion
New Religion – Crazy Lixx (2010)
The truth of the matter is, I’m a very lazy person. I am far too lazy to take albums that I own on CD and put them onto my iPod. This is a real life struggle for me. You have to like, put the CD in the computer man, and then like wait for it to download, and then dude, the worst part, you have to upload it onto your iPod. Way to much work for me. And don’t even get me started on vinyl man! (I don’t know why that explanation took a weird
California surfer stereotype turn. I’m sorry. It just felt right.)
Due to my lack of ambition, if it’s not on Spotify, it’s not on my iPod. I don’t know if other people have noticed this, (or possibly you have and just don’t care nearly as much as I do) but there is no Def Leppard on Spotify. Everybody knows that Def Leppard is my jam. So how the hell am I supposed to listen to Def Leppard when I can’t make a playlist of their music on Spotify? What is my life without High ‘n’ Dry!?!?!
This fact saddens my inner 80‘s party. So being the evidently logical person that I am, I knew I had to turn to something different. I knew there had to be someone I could turn to, to quench my glamish (not a word) sleazy hard rock/metal thirst. Then I thought, well, if we are talking dirty LA Sunset Strip style metal, I should turn no further than Sweden right?
Sweden. Makes total sense right?
Yeah, I didn’t think so at first either.
For those who aren’t aware, there is an amazing group of sleaze metal bands that have come out of Sweden is the past decade. Crashdiet, Hardcore Superstar and Vains of Jenna, just to name a few, but today we are talking purely about Crazy Lixx. They have released three albums since 2007 (all very solid), but New Religion is my favorite.
It’s just straight forward melodic hard rock, that is insanely catchy. I remember the first time I heard these songs, I was singing along with them as if I had heard them a million times. The choruses are huge. Seriously. Vocally the arrangements scream Def Leppard. It brings a tear of joy to my eyes. Everything from the lyrics down to the riffs is just music you know you will be singing to at the top of your lungs in your car. You will. Don’t deny it.
For those people who haven’t left the 20th century that think, “they just don’t make good music anymore,” you have been proven wrong once again. If it is the classic sound of 1980’s sleazy LA metal that you want, it is what you get with Crazy Lixx.
Favorite Songs: “Blame it On Love”, “My Medicine (R.O.C.K)”, “21 ‘Till I Die”
Album of the Week: Scorpion Child
Scorpion Child – Scorpion Child (2013)
I was really excited when I heard this debut album by the Texas band Scorpion Child. I always get excited when I hear something that is a total blast from the past. At first listen I instantly thought to myself, “this is so Led Zeppelin it’s insane.” I knew I was right, so I played the song “Polygon Eyes” for my friends. I hyped the song up a lot. I told them I would play the song for them and then they had to guess what band they sounded like because it was totally obvious. They listened to it and had confused looks on their faces, followed with, “ummmm I don’t know, maybe Ozzy Osbourne.” I then gave
them my “what the hell” face and said, “No, it sounds like Led Zeppelin!” To which they responded, “ummm I guess a little bit.”
Whatever. I know I’m right. I’m right, right?
This album totally rocks from beginning to end. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel like you’re on an open road (I’m going with Route 66). Now, just picture it, you’re out there driving to no place in particular with the windows down, your hair is blowing in the wind and you don’t have a care in the world. Just listen, you’ll feel it.
I would say this album is very 70’s bluesy rock sounding, but a bit heavier. They are a serious throwback to the 70’s and if you dig that era of rock I think you can enjoy the fresh take that Scorpion Child has on it.
This is the kind of thing I wish rock radio would play. Rock radio, at least in Southern California, is bent on just playing the same 3 songs from the same group of artists, from about 1960-1990, over and over again. It’s like the don’t realize that there are new bands out there, like Scorpion Child, that have that old sound the radio loves, but takes it in a new direction and raises the flag for the new millennium of rock music. Don’t get me wrong, I love the past, but we also have to look to the future.
Favorite Songs: “Polygon Eyes”, “Liquor”, “The Secret Spot”
Album of the Week: Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand (2004)
I have a lot of hipster friends on Facebook. (I’m sorry it’s not my fault!) They always like to post music clips in the Facebook statuses. Sometimes I listen to it just to give it a chance but it’s difficult to make it past a few minuets. It’s just not my cup of tea. You know what I’m talking about. The kinda mellow yet depressive music that pretends to be really intelligent and innovative. (Ok I’m stereotyping and judging now. I said I would never do that so let us move on).
One day a few years back someone posted a Franz Ferdinand
song. I had heard of them before. I actually even owned one of their albums but had never listened to it. I had just assumed they were one of those bands my hipster school mates listen to so I had no interest (Lesson of the day: judging is bad). The song was “The Dark of the Matinee.” I gave it a listen and didn’t really like it that much at first but I was intrigued. I rummaged through my drawer and found the self titled first album and gave it a listen in my car. I listened to it several times over the course of the week and my mind was changed. At this point I’ve listened to it dozens of times and I would consider it to be a member of my imaginary Favorite 100 Albums of All Time List.
This one album has a lot of different twists and turns. They make it rock a little while still keeping it very mellow. Majority of the songs have a fast upbeat tempo but yet they still remain very mellow. It really is Indie Garage Rock at it’s finest.
Alex Kapranos has an interesting voice. It’s not the most beautiful or the most versatile, but it is unique. The guitars, bass and drums blend well together. It all stands together well to create one really strong song.
I saw them live at a festival about a year ago and they were fantastic. They had an insane amount of energy and they kept the crowd going the entire time. If you ever get a chance to see them I would highly recommend it. I was there with people who didn’t even know any of their songs (Besides their most famous song “Take Me Out” of course, which is on this album) and they still thought it was one of the best bands of the weekend. That says something.
Favorite Songs: “Jacqueline”, “The Dark Of The Matinee”, “This Fire,”
Album of the Week: Runnin’ Wild
Runnin’ Wild – Airbourne (2007) (2008 USA)
I don’t think this one post could adequately describe to you how much I LOVE this band. I don’t think a week goes by where I don’t listen to at least one song off of Airbourne’s debut
album Runnin’ Wild. Hell, my ringtone for the past year is the intro to the 9th track, Cheap Wine and Cheaper Women (it’s bad ass).
If you just like to rock out and have a good time you will like this. These Aussie boys deliver good old fashion rock. I hate to mention it because I feel like this is so overstated (seriously go check out YouTube every second comment on their songs says it), but these guys are very much like a modern day AC/DC (there I said it!). When I listen to this album I just want to run around in circles, throw my fist up in the air and sing along to the huge choruses.
The first time I listened to this album within the first 10 seconds of the first track I knew I would love it. The riffs are amazing. The energy is off the walls. I can’t get enough of it. I believe this is the most played album on my iPod (obsession much). I love to blast this in my car when I’m driving down the freeway. There is never not (yeah, I used a double negative, get over it) a good time to listen to Airbourne. Maybe a funeral (debatable).
Favorite Songs: Diamond in the Rough, Girls in Black, Running Wild, Heartbreaker, Stand Up for Rock and Roll, Cheap Wine and Cheaper Women……….(ok seriously just listen to the whole thing)
Album of the Week: Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell – Black Sabbath (1980)
Heaven and Hell is of my favorite Black Sabbath albums (I sense a future list coming on!). I wasn’t alive in 1980 when this was released, but I bet people were blown away when they heard it. This was the first Sabbath album without Ozzy so I can image many fans may have been skeptical, but I’m sure all doubt was erased once they heard Ronnie James Dio sing one note.
His voice is so stunning and amazingly powerful. It’s deep and full of emotion. My particular
favorite vocal piece is “Children of the Sea”. His voice is so perfect in that song I’m blown away every time I hear it. Dio sings deep down from within his soul, pulling every bit of emotion out that he possibly can and you can feel it in every word. I sometimes think to myself “maybe I overrate it. Maybe it’s not as good as I remember it being.” Then I listen to the album and it really is THAT good.
My second favorite part of this album (first obviously being Dio’s voice) is actually the bass. It’s so heavy! It makes its presence known and it provides such a solid ground for the song and intertwines with the guitar to create the mystically heavy sound that is Black Sabbath (mystically heavy? Yes I made that up).
The music that Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler create with that guitar sound and that bass sound melting together is, in my mind, the definition of heavy. The kind of heavy that drags you down and feels like someone just dropped a ton of bricks on you. It’s powerful and you feel it deep down in your soul. It’s magic.
So if you have never listened to any non Ozzy Black Sabbath (Master of Reality is my favorite Ozzy Sabbath album. Just throwing that out there) or maybe you haven’t heard any Black Sabbath at all (besides the three songs they play on the radio over and over and over again) then this is a perfect album to pick up.
Favorite Songs: Children of the Sea, Heaven and Hell, Wishing Well (that rhymes!)
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