Pirate Ship

 

Song: “Pirate Ship”

Artist: The Pirate Ship Quintet

Album: The Pirate Ship Quintet [EP] (2007)

… Bristol, United Kingdom …

Most bands these days labelled with the post-rock tag seem to meander along in the same old stale territory. They seem to mass produce the music instead of create it. The Pirate Ship Quintet (TPSQ) seem to do the latter. With a darker sound than most, they rely on tension and ambiance to create a lavish instrumental sound-scape.

“Pirate Ship”starts with a delicate, repetitive beginning. The layers of instruments, which are given there own space to roam slowly add in number as the track gain momentum.  It finally builds into a mighty composition that summons the spirit and tames the wild beast.

TPSQ are not ground-breaking in the music that they create, but what they create they do so well. I cant help to feel that there is something new to their sound which separates them from the post-rock herd.

By Winter You Run With The Nights, Never Came Home.

Song: “Just As The Day Was Dawning”

Artist: Big Business

Album: Here Come The Waterworks (2007)

… Seattle, United States …

With there Melvins-esque sound Big Business are just two guys grinding out their own style of hard’n'heavy grooves.

Dominated by ambidextrous, ingenuous baselines and anarchy filled drumming, this track is surprisingly catchy and I know after every listen it will be with me for days.

A Snail Along A Straight Razor – Dividing Itself Through Motion

Song: ” I “

Artist: Meshuggah

Album: I [EP] (2004)

… Umeå, Sweden …

This is probably my favourite EP at the moment, its like mechanical sledgehammer lobotomizing you. From the very start of the track you get those blast beats and that one cord repeated over and over again until it all stops for a second then explodes in one long, agonizing scream.

” I “ is composed of one, 21 minute long track. Once again Meshuggah’smathematical precision is astounding and they manage to create a track that is not only colossal in structure but also in sound. From the oddly timed progression to their amazing drumming and rapid fire guitar work, I just cant get enough at the moment.

The track itself was described by Meshuggah “about a self…a psyche trying to decide if he is put on this earth to be a human or the nemesis of mankind.” To me it outlines the fact that we all have the ability to create but more often its our ability to destroy that comes to the forefront.

The Bishop

Song: “The Bishop”

Artist: Battle Of Mice

Album: Jesu/Battle Of Mice Split EP ( 2008 )

…Knife, Fork, Bottle and a Cork; that’s the way you spell New York…

I would of thought the dark, heavy, agonizing sound from Battle Of Mice would of contrasted well against the electronic, post rock pieces put together by Jesu.  But in reality the two tracks submitted by BOM seem out of place when placed next to the material from Jesu.

“The Bishop”is probably not the heaviest song from BOM’s catalogue but it would have to be one of the most impressive. There are many layers to the track vocally and musically, with dynamic changes progressing from soft to loud and loud to soft.

Julie Christmas vocals are something that has grown on me over time. At times they can be almost soft spoken and are very similar to Bjork but unlike Bjork they can quickly move to an intense scream that literally bleeds emotion and rawness.

A great album to check out simply because of the two Battle Of Mice tracks.

Let Me Come Into the Storm

Song: ” One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong”

Artist: Harvey Milk

Album: Courtesy And Good Will Toward Men (1997)

…Athens, United States…

This album is heavy, down tuned drone/sludge metal. With epic riffs throughout it comes together sounding sad and pain full but stand back and look at it from afar and you will see all those raw emotions combine and make a beautiful and poignant album.

“One Of Us Cannot be Wrong” is a Leonard Cohen cover, and how well this song fits into the overall structure of the album. Anger, jealousy and frustration this song is raw emotions at its best. The lyrics describe how this women makes a complete mess of a doctor, destroys a holy man’s spirit and freezes an Eskimo, yet Cohen still wanted to “come into the storm”….Wow.

 

Southern Trees Bear Strange Fruit

Song: “Strange Fruit”

Artist: Billie Holiday (1939)

Southern trees bear strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant south,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh,
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop

This is one of the most remarkable song you may ever hear. Written as a poem by a school teacher and given to Billie, “Strange Fruit” was inspired by the photograph of the lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abraham Smith.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abram_Smith

It is filled with dark, powerful imagery and the YouTube clip is such a powerful performance by the end you can see it takes a lot out of her. I cant imagine the courage it must of taken for a black women in America in the late 30’s and 40’s to stand up and sing this song. It is a song that will definitely have a different meaning/feeling to everyone depending on your background, experiences etc…

We Are The Dollars and Cents, The Pounds and Pence

Song: “Dollars and Cents”

Artist: Radiohead

Album: Amnesiac (2001)

… Oxford, United Kingdom …

Aaahhhh Amnesiac… Kid A’s younger sibling who lurks in the shadows. Peculiar, mystifying and at times perplexing; in the end Amnesiac has been nothing but another remarkable album from Radiohead.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em I personally think Radiohead should always be admired for their constant innovation, something which too many bands these days fail to find.

A track that gets into the issues of materialism, the soulless nature of capitalism and the swines that run it all.

I Know It’s Called The Street Of Dreams

Song: “Street Of Dreams (a.k.a. The Blues)”

Artist: Guns N’ Roses

Album: Chinese Democracy (2008)

… Los Angeles, United States …

Well Chinese Democracy has finally been released and it’s nothing special (but who actually thought it would be).

“Street Of Dreams” has been nagging me for weeks now, it reminded me of another song and for the life of me I couldn’t think what that song was. That’s until this morning when it all came flooding into the forefront of my cranium.

Its Peter’s Dracula song from the movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”.

Where Do Bad Folks Go When They Die?

Song: “Lake Of Fire”

Artist: Meat Puppets

Album Meat Puppets II (1984)

…Phoenix, United States…

COWPUNK…

Most people recognise this track from the cover version that Nirvana made many moons ago on the MTV Unplugged in New York album. But the original will always hold a special place in my cavernous heart.

Fyri Framman

Song: Fyri Framman

Artist: Lis Er Stille

Album: Apathobvious (2007)

...Danish Post Rock…

A concept band that attempted to transforms the artist Vindril’s surreal painting into music. This is an amazing album, warm and inviting, it wrapped me up after the 1st listen and has never really let me go.

This individual song came on random as i was in the gym earlier and I think it is a  stunning example of what Lis er Stille can accomplish. It starts of so slow with the piano and some wonderful undertones of strings, guitars, bass and drums. Martain Byrialsens vocals are haunting and interlock in perfectly with the music they are sung over. As the track progresses the lyrics dont seem to matter as much as the feelings that are inspired into the listener. The last 3 minutes are amazing as the everything quietens down and then the drums start, building up in momentum and as they reach their peak all the sound come surging back in a passionate torrent.

A very innovative and original track much like the entire album I recommend to anyone to have a listen. Its just a shame that this album will just slide past many ears unnoticed and largly unappreciated.

Lastfm – www.last.fm/music/Lis+Er+Stille

14 Spaceships Out In The Desert

Song: “Spaceships”

Artist: Tweak Bird

Album: Reservations (2008)

…Psychedelic Rock from the good ol’ US of A…

Today, finally after many weeks I have been able to give this album the listen it deserves and I have to say striaght away I was immediatly entranced with the simple but catchy riffs and subtle psychedelic influence. All the songs are short, with the album coming in at 17min, but what they lack in stature they sure make up in grooves.

This track is nice and thick, just the way I like it….

Lastfm – www.last.fm/music/Tweak+Bird

I’ll Walk Alone To Find The Way Home

Song: “We Only Come Out At Night”

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins

Album: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness – Disc Two (1995)

…straight from 1995…

Last night was bored with the dribble that was presented to me on the television, i turned to my headphones, a good book, beer and itunes on shuffle.

This track was the first off the list and straight away I started reminising back to 1995, when ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’ was ruling the airwaves, I was naive to the ways of the world and spent much of my time thinking that I was bulletproof.

I realised last night that this is such a sweet, moving song and as I sat there and listened to the lyrics I came to the conclusion that its about people just wanting to feel comfortable to be themselves, under the cover of darkness. To explore, as Billy puts it “the secret places of the heart” and just finding you own way through life.

Lastfm – www.last.fm/music/The+Smashing+Pumpkins

You’re Just Here For Me To Use…

Song: “Part Of Me”

Artist: Tool

Album: Opiate [EP] (1992)

…Alternative/Progressive Metal…

I just love the rawness of this early Tool release.

Maynard has said many times that this song is about masturbation, but knowing Maynard and how he likes to fuck with his flock I suspect that there is a deeper meaning.

To me the track is more about our attachment to beliefs and our conscience.

But hey thats just me…I still love the idea that this is Maynard’s love song, his ode to his cock.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Tool

Youtube –

Maybe Me And The Queen Can Give Another Side Order

Song: “Queen”

Artist: Melvins

Album: Stoner Witch (1994)

…Sludge, Stoner Rock, Metal, Grunge, Psychedelic…the list goes on…

My first Melvins post and as you will soon find out it wont be the last. The self proclaimed “Greatest band in the History of Music” and one of my favorite bands. I currently have 20 or so of there albums/compilations and still looking for more.

Queen is a great, catchy, rock out with your cock out/jam out with your clam out track on this absolutly brillant album. Fat and fleshy it oozes all that viscous elements that makes it a standout.

…All Hail The Great King Buzzo…

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Melvins

              

This Is Forever

Song: Napoleon Solo

Artist: At The Drive In

Album – In/Casino/Out (1998)

…Post Hardcore…

Just one of those days where the only thing I have managed to do well is procrastinate, oh and listen to music.

The song is just about two females friends of the band who passed away in a car crash. Watch the Youtube clip, its such a beautiful performance.

Lastfm – www.last.fm/music/At+the+Drive-In

Hologram Buffalo

Song: “Hologram Buffalo”

Artist: Brightblack Morning Light

Album: Motion To Rejoin (2008)

…Psychedelic, Folk originating from Alabama, USA…

This is my Sunday morning slow burn jam session and pretty much describes the pace that today is running too. Looks like its going to be another long trip, procrastinating, pushing foreign objects up my nose….and this album/song I have dedicated to be the soundtrack of my day.

It’s 70’s meets 2008, the taking of psychedelic, folk and atmospheric sounds into one big ol’ cooking pot. The melting and merging of past and present influences and finally when the brew is just right casting them into something new, fresh and innovative.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Brightblack+Morning+Light

If The Sun Refused To Shine

Song: “Thank You”

Artist: Led Zeppelin

Album: Led Zeppelin II (1969)

…The blues rock masters…

Simple and beautiful I never get tired of this one. The lyrics really dont need any interpretation, is a basic love knows no boundaries song.

You never really appreciate what you have until its gone.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Led+Zeppelin

Something In The Way She Moves

Song: “Something”

Artist: The Beatles

Album: Abbey Road (1969)

…The Grandmasters of British Pop/Rock…

Written by George harrison and one of his best songs.

Its is a great track both musically and lyrically. Its so simple and so true, I can definetly relate when the line “There’s something in the way she moves” is sung

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/The+Beatles

I Got This Soul, It’s All Fired Up

Song: “All Fired Up”

Artist: Interpol

Album: Our Love To Admire

…The third studio album from these post-punk/indie New Yorkers…

Personally I’m not the biggest fan of Interpol, I think there are definetly better bands out there. For example ’The National’, to me they have a richer sound which I like. But to say that, this album is slowly growing on me over time and I kept singing this song in my head all yesterday afternoon.

To me this song just bleed’s festering, sexual frustration. To me its the control that immorality, wickedness, lust has over us all in some little way or big ways.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Interpol

Do What It Takes To Step Through

Song: “Forty Six & 2″

Artist: Tool

Album: Ænima

…Alternative, Progressive Rock/Metal from Californ-i-a…

This album is the one that probably changed the whole way that I listened to music. Blew me away from the first listen and it still holds up well today.

There are many arguments out there about what the lyrics of this track fully mean. One theory is that its about the evolution of the human species, that we will develop two extra chromosomes for a total of forty six and two (the two being the sex chromosomes). Throw a little Jungian and Melchizedek theory into the mix as well and the song is supposedly self explanatory.

Personally I dont think its that simple. I agree its about evolution, but more the evolution of thought and eventually society. Ther moving of one conciousness to another, higher consciousness. The evolution of chromosomes from 46 to 48 I believe is to be taken not literally but metaphorically. 

In the song Maynard sings about looking into the shadows and discovering who he really is. Also he sings the line “listen to my muscle memories” referring to the fact that the cells hold the memory for life to construct itself again and again in an orderly and efficient manner. Learning from the past and moving up into the higher level of consciousness.

But in the end an astounding song that really gets you thinking, which I beleieve is what Tool has intended all along. Remember believe in nothing, beliefs are crippling to the mind. Explore anything and everything.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Tool

Can’t You Feel The Knife?

Song: “Knife”

Artist: Grizzly Bear

Album: Yellow House (2006)

…Hailing from Brooklyn, New York…

Waking this morning with a slightly shriveled, dehydrated brain rattling around in my vast expanse of a skull, I decided I needed a little melody, a little ambiance, a little atmospheric conditioning before I actually got going. So while I showered and tried to wash away last nights beers from my behind my eyes I was embraced with the seductive melodies from this little known band.

Poetic, expansive, opaque sounds filled my bathroom combined with some absolutely mesmerizing vocals. “Knife” is one of my favorite tracks off the album, it deals with backstabbing, cheating and pretty much stringing somebody along.

Check out the youtube clip….its bizarre.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Grizzly+Bear

Cursing Me With Every Glance

Song: “Nectar”

Artist:Opeth

Album: Morningrise (1996)

…Stockholm, Sweden…

This is an absolutely massive album. Epic and sprawling it is composed of just five, ten minute plus tracks. The songs themselves flow smoothly from melodic, acoustic, almost medieval renaissance elements into the brutal, progressive death metal style.

Simplified, Nectar is about not being able to let lost love go. Unable to forget his/her dead lover the song describes the main character seeing their lost love in their dreams and at the very end of the song even indicates that the dead lover is seen while awake.

Plain and Simple its a reflection on what it is like to lose love.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Opeth

Lionize

Song: “Lionize”

Artist: Benea Reach

Album: Alleviat (2008)

…Oslo, Norway…

Heavy and tight, Benea Reach have created an album full of thick, impenetrable sounds. Like a huge wave of metal that looms over you, casting your entire body and mind in shadow and threatening to crush your entire being into a thousand pieces.

With there Mushuggah trademark tempo’s and rythmic playing, Benea Reach construct the programmed sound of a mechanized hammer’s pounding away at the fabric of conventional thought.

Lionize was the first track that stood out for me, so if you want some fibre in your diet I recommend it.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Benea+Reach

Kveldssanger

Artist: Ulver

Album: Kveldssanger (1995)

…Oslo, Norway…

I’m not going to list a single track on this post because my opinion is that this album should be listened to in its entirety. It’s only 35min long and wont take much out of your day but will give so much back in return.

This is the second album from Ulver, the masters of change and evolution. Over there sprawling career they have strove to reinvent themselves with every album. From Black Metal they have ventured into electronic, experimental, folk, atmospheric, ambient, and jazz.

Kveldssanger is a folk album but in essence it still retains some of the black metal atmosphere from their previous album Bergtatt. It is a beautiful, uplifting, peaceful piece of work. Taking the roots of Norwegian Folk to another level with flowing streams of acoustic melodies and guitars laid bare. Coming together with some wonderful vocal harmonies and moments of flutes and wind, all these elements amble together to form a magnificent river of harmony.

Tranquil in its beginnings, Kveldssanger is an album that will make you want to get away from it all, to absorb your surroundings and reflect and at the very least it will make you smile.

Predestination Blues

Song: “Predestination Blues”

Artist: Grails

Album: Doomsdayer’s Holiday (2008)

…Portland, United States…

Many have touted this latest offering from Grails as their darkest and heaviest album to date. Stretching out with smokey psychedelic rock, smoldering middle eastern melodies and experimenting with some lounge-bound cosmic jazz, it is definitely their most diverse and edgy album.

While I dont feel like this their best work to date and it is probably their least consistent album there still are a lot of great moments to be had for the listener.

Predestination Blues is just the first track off the album that appealed to me.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Grails

Sleep On…Fly On

Song: “Ants Of The Sky”

Artist: Between The Buried And Me

Album: Colors (2007)

…North Carolina, United States…

An absolutely exceptional album, diverse, extremely technical and complex with each song having a myriad of influence that bubble to the surface. It is a monster of an album with a ravenous appetite to match.

Ants of the sky is the centre piece of the album, and illustrates perfectly the diversity that this album has created. Whether it be middle eastern or jazz influences or in the case of this song, towards the end, country music (a hoedown, complete with clinking bottles and a good ‘ol time in the background) you find no matter how far they divert, in the end they always return to the central metal sound of the track.

“I wrote this song in an airport. When I listen to music on my headphones, I like to watch the world work and think about what every single person is doing that day. This song is about each one of us creating our own itinerary and flying through our life on one big vacation. Trying to find happiness, perfection, and love.

It’s a “bloody, bumpy” road for most, and others it’s a wonderful journey. We fly away from our problems and towards our solutions (at least what we think are our solutions). We are the ants of the sky…aka the walking dead.”
-Tommy

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Between+the+Buried+and+Me

Prehistoric Dog

Song: “Prehistoric Dog”

Artist: Red Fang

Album: Tour EP (2007)

…Stoner Rock Baby…

Just cant get enough of this band and just discovered the video.

Fucking love it so wrap your ears around it as well…

http://pitchfork.tv/videos/red-fang-prehistoric-dog

I’ll Dream About A Cloudy Sky

Song: “Just A Man”

Artist: Faith No More

Album: King For A Day, Fool For A Lifetime (1995)

…San Francisco, United States…

A absolutle killer of a closing track. Personally I think you would be straining to find a better closing track to any album.

To me a song about being afraid to aspire to your greatest potential. The higher you aim the greater the risk of failure, understanding that consequence (s)he restricts themselves to the point of being unaware, shallow and ignorent.

Lastfm – http://www.last.fm/music/Faith+No+More

Its A Big Dark World Now, Its A Big Dark Hell.

Song: Nightgoat

Artist: Fantomas Melvins Big Band

Album: Live from London 2006 (2008)

…Hollywood, United States…

The Fantomas Melvins Big Band – Live in London 2006 DVD flew into my hot little hands yesterday after many painstaking weeks of waiting. So after the days dust had settled and a cold beer was wedged firmly in my hands I sat down to watch this monster growl.

With Buzz Osborne, Dave Lombardo, Trevor Dunn, Dale Crover, David Scott Stone and Mike Patton at the helm you can imagine the beast that unleashed. I mange to catch Fantomas, Fantomas Melvins, Melvins and Tomahawk a few years back and still to this day it is one of the best shows I have ever witnessed.

Cause We Find Ourselves In The Same Old Mess…

Song: “Drunken Lullabies”

Artist: Flogging Molly

Album: Drunken Lullabies (2002)

…Los Angeles, United States…

Fire up your day with this little Irish tune, your belly with a little Irish whiskey and before you know it your foot will be tapping out a jig and you will be looking under stones for leprechaun’s.

A song about finally making peace with your enemies.

Guinness soaked fun.

We’ll Burn In The Sun And We’ll Fall To The Moon

Song: “Water Is Not Enough”

Artist: Neurosis

Album: Given To The Rising

…Oakland, United States…

A return to heaviness but still incorporating the atmospheric elements from the last 2 previous releases. ‘Given To The Rising’ batters the listener one minute with tuned down guitars and guttural vocals, slowly grinding down your inner ear bones to nubs until they open up into a landscape of lush, atmospheric sounds.

“Water Is Not Enough” is just one of my personal favorites.

God Hates A Coward

Song: “God Hate A Coward”

Album: Tomahawk

Artist: Tomahawk (2001)

…California, United States…

Tomahawk was the band that Mike Patton said would carry on the legacy of where Faith No More left off. It’s beautifully dark, melodic but my only complaint is that it isn’t entirely fresh sounding. 

What this album did manage to do was cement the genius that is not only Patton but every artist that he chooses to associate himself with. 

I have a number of favorite songs on this album, “God Hates A Coward” is just one of them plus the clip is fantastic.

The Unmagnificent Lives Of Adults

Song: “Mistaken For Strangers”

Artist: The National

Album: Boxer (2007)

…New York, United States…

Its a record of dark beauty, that on a knife edge manages to mix the right amount of tension and elegance. Its an impressive record that deals with observations of a city, friends, lovers and strangers.

To me “Mistaken By Strangers” is about growing into adulthood and starting to move in different circles than current friends who are quite happy not to embrace change. Experiencing the world/city through your own eyes, and developing into someone new to the point that you become anonymous to these old friends.

I Am Just A Worthless Liar

Song: “Sober”

Artist: Tool

Album: Undertow (1993)

…L.A. United States…

Tool’s first full length monster that they unleashed and let scamper out of the hole in which they kept all their secrets in. Dark and menacing the music, even early on has been able to create a landscape which is both forbidding and seductive. But still manages to capture one of tools more powerful messages. That through introspection, in everything that you do, who you are and what you are becoming you can realise your true potential.

To me this track is about an artist who’s true creativity comes through their addiction (alcoholism). The works of art are incouraged by society, wanting more hense fueling the addiction. In the end the artist feels worthless, manipulated and is trapped in a downward spiral.

Your Roofs Blow Out Into The Stormy Seas

Song: “Gobbledigook”

Artist: Sigur Ros

Album: Með Suð I Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust (2008)

…Reykjavik, Iceland…

Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust – translation “With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly”

I always find this such an amazingly, uplifting track to start an album, shut your eyes and you can even feel the sun come out. As always Sigur Ros’s albums are magnificently crafted and this album has plenty of beautiful moments to make me stop whatever I’m doing at the time, sit back, listen and just try to absorb it all in.  

I Don’t Know How We Were Created

Song: “Created”

Artist: Portugal. The Man

Album: Censored Colors (2008)

…Alaska, United States…

After spending the morning listening to the new Guns’n'Roses album I needed something decent and melodic to flush out my ears and in steps Portugal. The Man’s “Created”.

A simple, uplifting song in its entirety. I just think it gets around to say that we all are eventually going to die. Possessions and money are useless to us then so maybe all that really matters in life is how we treat others.

This Station Is Non-Operational

Song: “One Armed Scissor”

Artist: At The Drive-In

Album: Relationship Of Command (2000)

…El Paso, Texas…

I remember the first time I listened to this album, it was like napalm being dropped on oxygen tanks.

“One Armed Scissor” is probably not the finest song on the album but it does have a reputation for being a classic.

For me this track always creates feelings of disillusionment, that the narrator has become detached from the rest of the world. Read somewhere that the song is partly about the heavy tour schedule that At The Drive-In underwent.

Either way this track (and album) is absolutly brilliant.