This is so worth the very long wait. It's already in my recent favourite albums playlist and could well make the best half-dozen of the year.
Mike Patton's voice is deeper and darker and all the better for that. As usual, rich lyrics unfold from amusing titles. There's a real blend of influences that's unmistakably Faith No More and that's just the way it should be. They weren't done, not by a long way.
The songwriting is as good as ever. It took a few listens for some of the tracks to begin their work and that's the sign of lasting appeal. No surprise that the first songs to be released (ahead of the album) are the ones that grab you instantly. Is there a new Epic or From out of Nowhere here? Only time will tell but it could be Motherfucker or Superhero.
** Faith No More are on tour.
Friday, 12 June 2015
Thursday, 11 June 2015
Scorpions - Tokyo Tapes
I've come to this album in my project to rip some of my old vinyl*. It's bringing me so much joy all over again and so I have to write a few words about why it's such a special record.
It marks a milestone in Scorpions' extremely long (and continuing) career. (This is why I'm trying to avoid 'The') At the point that these concerts were recorded, Uli Roth had officially left the band but agreed to play this tour. His replacement as lead guitarist was the more metallic Matthias Jabs who brought a new sound and new style to the band.
They continued to develop their style and popularity, the high point of their powers for me being a few albums later; Blackout and Love at First Sting.
But here we have a collection of the best 'Roth period' Scorpions songs played for the last time by that line-up.
I'm not a huge fan of live albums. Metal in particular doesn't lend itself well to being performed live. Don't get me wrong, seeing a band perform can be awesome but there's a difference between the experience of a live concert and listening at home to a live recording. It's magical to watch people you admire on a stage in front of you performing songs that you know and love. But take everything away from that except the recorded sound and what's left usually sucks compared to the studio recordings of the songs.
I'm sure some people are thinking 'what about xxx, it's a classic album'. It's true that sometimes the magic just happens and you end up with a performance that's really special. (Bear in mind also that a live album may have been overdubbed in the studio later.) But that's the exception rather than the rule. Otherwise we'd all be listening to live albums all the time and bands would only occasionally put out a studio album.
This is one of the exceptions. There are songs here that I'll play in preference to the studio counterpart.
The fact that it's a huge 12" square item makes it all the more special. The front cover is a great shot that really sums up the contents. The big piece of artwork that comes with each album is something I really miss. In this case it doesn't stop there, the gatefold sleeve contains more images from the tour, including this one that I love. Notice the boots (which I'm sure looked really trendy in 1978) - Klaus is wearing monstrous platforms but is still only shoulder-high to the others. (No disrespect Klaus, I'm in awe of every note you've sung.)
** Scorpions are on tour right now
* Who'd have thought that I'd be able to buy a stylus for my 30-year-old Pioneer turntable, and through the Cambridge Audio amp I have now, these records have never sounded so good to me. If it wasn't for the very annoying pops and crackles and the fact that they inevitably degrade slightly every time they're played I'd choose to play the vinyl rather than the digital version.
It marks a milestone in Scorpions' extremely long (and continuing) career. (This is why I'm trying to avoid 'The') At the point that these concerts were recorded, Uli Roth had officially left the band but agreed to play this tour. His replacement as lead guitarist was the more metallic Matthias Jabs who brought a new sound and new style to the band.
They continued to develop their style and popularity, the high point of their powers for me being a few albums later; Blackout and Love at First Sting.
But here we have a collection of the best 'Roth period' Scorpions songs played for the last time by that line-up.
I'm not a huge fan of live albums. Metal in particular doesn't lend itself well to being performed live. Don't get me wrong, seeing a band perform can be awesome but there's a difference between the experience of a live concert and listening at home to a live recording. It's magical to watch people you admire on a stage in front of you performing songs that you know and love. But take everything away from that except the recorded sound and what's left usually sucks compared to the studio recordings of the songs.
I'm sure some people are thinking 'what about xxx, it's a classic album'. It's true that sometimes the magic just happens and you end up with a performance that's really special. (Bear in mind also that a live album may have been overdubbed in the studio later.) But that's the exception rather than the rule. Otherwise we'd all be listening to live albums all the time and bands would only occasionally put out a studio album.
This is one of the exceptions. There are songs here that I'll play in preference to the studio counterpart.
The fact that it's a huge 12" square item makes it all the more special. The front cover is a great shot that really sums up the contents. The big piece of artwork that comes with each album is something I really miss. In this case it doesn't stop there, the gatefold sleeve contains more images from the tour, including this one that I love. Notice the boots (which I'm sure looked really trendy in 1978) - Klaus is wearing monstrous platforms but is still only shoulder-high to the others. (No disrespect Klaus, I'm in awe of every note you've sung.)
** Scorpions are on tour right now
* Who'd have thought that I'd be able to buy a stylus for my 30-year-old Pioneer turntable, and through the Cambridge Audio amp I have now, these records have never sounded so good to me. If it wasn't for the very annoying pops and crackles and the fact that they inevitably degrade slightly every time they're played I'd choose to play the vinyl rather than the digital version.
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
The Tombfiller, from Graveyard by Sigh
I must give a special mention to this specific track. The album, Graveyard by Sigh, is in my favourite albums of the year collection but this track in particular brings me joy.
It's a real symphonic epic and much has gone into the orchestration. I'm not the biggest fan of death growl vocals but the total sound in the chorus conjures up some kind of danse macabre beautifully. Superb guitar solo near the end, something that's sadly gone out of fashion in recent years, I hope it's making a comeback, so many guitarists (such as You Oshima here) have so much to contribute.
Is that 'Rhythm of Life' (the Broadway song) I can hear going on in the music? (I thought I caught that title in the lyrics somewhere but I'm probably mistaken). A very funny and ironic reference if it is deliberate.
It's a real symphonic epic and much has gone into the orchestration. I'm not the biggest fan of death growl vocals but the total sound in the chorus conjures up some kind of danse macabre beautifully. Superb guitar solo near the end, something that's sadly gone out of fashion in recent years, I hope it's making a comeback, so many guitarists (such as You Oshima here) have so much to contribute.
Is that 'Rhythm of Life' (the Broadway song) I can hear going on in the music? (I thought I caught that title in the lyrics somewhere but I'm probably mistaken). A very funny and ironic reference if it is deliberate.
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
.. and then two come along at once
I was really enjoying the down & dirty rock n roll here. A little bit of a change of style maybe? Lzzy's big vocals had already grabbed my attention but the almost-acappella bonus at the end of I Like it Heavy really made me sit up and listen. Very special.
And next a true discovery. I'm not sure how I've missed Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal's work before. This is possibly the sound you'd get if you put Green Day and Muse in a blender. There are some quirky moments and some brilliantly weird ones - I really love it.
And next a true discovery. I'm not sure how I've missed Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal's work before. This is possibly the sound you'd get if you put Green Day and Muse in a blender. There are some quirky moments and some brilliantly weird ones - I really love it.
We Are Harlot (self-titled)
Another one in the Recent Favourite Albums playlist. A bit commercial at times but plenty of upbeat rock n roll, and the quality you get from a supergroup.
Monday, 30 March 2015
Alive and kicking
Back in the 70s and 80s I'd have never predicted that in 2015 many of the bands I was listening to would still be putting out new albums.
So far this year we've had new albums by:
AC/DC (Might have been the end of last year but I didn't buy it till January) Sad news about Malcolm but the music's still top-quality
Michael Schenker - really good stuff
Mötley Crüe - just a single, and supposed to be the last, but unmistakeable
Quireboys
Scorpions - my favourite band for many years as a teenager. And yes that was before the 'Wind of Change' sadness)
Thin Lizzy OK, not actually Thin Lizzy for obvious reasons but near enough
Thunder
Uli Jon Roth of the Scorps with some freshly-recorded classic Scorpions songs
UFO
Venom - growling before it was popular and doing it better than ever
And probably others as well. Any I've missed? Tell me in the comments.
So far this year we've had new albums by:
AC/DC (Might have been the end of last year but I didn't buy it till January) Sad news about Malcolm but the music's still top-quality
Michael Schenker - really good stuff
Mötley Crüe - just a single, and supposed to be the last, but unmistakeable
Quireboys
Scorpions - my favourite band for many years as a teenager. And yes that was before the 'Wind of Change' sadness)
Thin Lizzy OK, not actually Thin Lizzy for obvious reasons but near enough
Thunder
Uli Jon Roth of the Scorps with some freshly-recorded classic Scorpions songs
UFO
Venom - growling before it was popular and doing it better than ever
And probably others as well. Any I've missed? Tell me in the comments.
Airstream - Kingdom of Isolation
What is it about these Scandinavian singers? Staffan ‘Stiff’ Karlsson really belts it out with the best of them over some powerful music.
Guests and band members have played in Europe, Thunder, Glenn Hughes Band so there are some clues as to the style. Melodic metal, AOR, whatever you want to call it. The songwriting's great; tuneful and full-on, a bit proggy and even a little quirky at times. Excellent stuff.
Guests and band members have played in Europe, Thunder, Glenn Hughes Band so there are some clues as to the style. Melodic metal, AOR, whatever you want to call it. The songwriting's great; tuneful and full-on, a bit proggy and even a little quirky at times. Excellent stuff.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)