Throwback Thursday time again, and this time we're going back the better part of twenty years (sounds like a goddamn long time when I type it aloud like that) for a rocking good tune with a fun video from a series of fun videos. Why does nobody do fun videos like this anymore? And why won't kids today stay off my lawn?
Full disclosure: my favourite Foo Fighter album is, and likely always will be, 1997's The Colour and the Shape. But the Foos' follow-up, 1999's There is Nothing Left to Lose, had a bunch of good songs on it too -- the first of the record is pretty strong, really, assuming older Foo Fighters stuff is something you're into. I'm going to go ahead and make that assumption, since you're still reading at this point, so your Throwback Thursday for last week is the lead single and best video from There is Nothing Left to Lose, "Learn to Fly". The appearance of Tenacious D, and the fact that the majority of the characters in the video (the principal characters, at least) are played by Foos, combine to make this one of the most fun videos in the band's catalogue, and that's saying something. Peep this one and get nostalgic.
Friday, 5 February 2016
Thursday, 4 February 2016
Wednesday the 27th: Plini - Every Piece Matters
Need something a little laid back for your Thursday (or Wednesday, if you're with me in maintaining the fiction that this is a Wednesday post) morning? Australian guitar wizard and friend of the blog Plini has got you covered with a tasty new single. And the best part? You can help out a good cause while you acquire and enjoy some good jams. Win-win!
Plini has announced that all proceeds from the new single "Every Piece Matters" will go towards the Every Piece Matters initiative of charitable organization Raw Impact in support of families in Cambodia, continuing the work he started back in 2014/2015 with single "Ko Ki". So if you've got some dollars burning a hole in your Paypal account, why not send them Plini's way? And if you don't, why still spread the word and the tunes around, because the world could use more mellow and proggy jazz fusion that's doing some good on the side.
Plini has announced that all proceeds from the new single "Every Piece Matters" will go towards the Every Piece Matters initiative of charitable organization Raw Impact in support of families in Cambodia, continuing the work he started back in 2014/2015 with single "Ko Ki". So if you've got some dollars burning a hole in your Paypal account, why not send them Plini's way? And if you don't, why still spread the word and the tunes around, because the world could use more mellow and proggy jazz fusion that's doing some good on the side.
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Tuesday the 26th: Trivium - Torn Between Scylla and Charybdis
A while ago I asserted that 2008's Shogun might well be the best album from metalcore veterans Trivium. Today, in an approximation of an alliterative post (it not actually being Tuesday and all...), I give you exhibit B in my case for Shogun as the best Heafy and Company have crafted.
Last time out it was album opener and bad-assedly titled "Kirisute Gomen", and this time we're just going to proceed the way Trivium intended. "Torn Between Scylla and Charybdis" is another fine example of Trivium's capacity for fleet-fingered and fleet-wristed riffing that's still catchy and singable. That intro/outro combination alone, while being a little cheesy and over-the-top, is reason enough to give this song a chance -- assuming, of course, that you like fun. You do like fun, don't you?
Last time out it was album opener and bad-assedly titled "Kirisute Gomen", and this time we're just going to proceed the way Trivium intended. "Torn Between Scylla and Charybdis" is another fine example of Trivium's capacity for fleet-fingered and fleet-wristed riffing that's still catchy and singable. That intro/outro combination alone, while being a little cheesy and over-the-top, is reason enough to give this song a chance -- assuming, of course, that you like fun. You do like fun, don't you?
Monday the 25th: Marilyn Manson - Posthuman
It's not Thursday, either in reality or in messed up "Loud Noises time", but I'm still going to throw it back a bit for a Manson Monday post. Regular readers will know that I have a nostalgia-flavoured spot in my heart for the first few Marilyn Manson albums that I sometimes like to indulge, and bully for you, today is one of those times.
In particular, we're headed for what's probably my favourite Manson album, 1998's Mechanical Animals. This record was of course released at just the right time to hit an adolescent me, but it's also a solid record that I think holds up pretty well to this day, assuming you ever liked it to begin with. I actually jammed it again just the other day, giving me the inspiration to regale you with this rocking number. So please have a go at "Posthuman".
In particular, we're headed for what's probably my favourite Manson album, 1998's Mechanical Animals. This record was of course released at just the right time to hit an adolescent me, but it's also a solid record that I think holds up pretty well to this day, assuming you ever liked it to begin with. I actually jammed it again just the other day, giving me the inspiration to regale you with this rocking number. So please have a go at "Posthuman".
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Sunday the 24th: Glassjaw - New White Extremity
How in the fuck did I miss this one? We might not have any details about a new Glassjaw record yet, but apparently back at the start of December we got a rough cut of one of its new tracks. Squee!!
"New White Extremity" sounds like... well, it sounds like Glassjaw. Driving, abrasive, energetic, groovy -- a melding of an eclectic collection of influences and sounds that is at once reminiscent of the band's older work and a bit of something new. It's not Worship and Tribute 2.0, but then is that actually what anybody would have wanted? I'll reserve final judgment for when (or if...) I hear the rest of this record, but for the time being I'd say "New White Extremity" is a good start on ending the Glassjaw drought.
"New White Extremity" sounds like... well, it sounds like Glassjaw. Driving, abrasive, energetic, groovy -- a melding of an eclectic collection of influences and sounds that is at once reminiscent of the band's older work and a bit of something new. It's not Worship and Tribute 2.0, but then is that actually what anybody would have wanted? I'll reserve final judgment for when (or if...) I hear the rest of this record, but for the time being I'd say "New White Extremity" is a good start on ending the Glassjaw drought.
Monday, 1 February 2016
Saturday the 23rd: Glass Cloud - Falling in Style
Let's keep it relatively simple for this Saturday post (I promise, that particular bit of alliteration was completely unintentional) with some layered, atmospheric groove from the guys in Glass Cloud. Sure, the band might be down a couple of members right now, but Jerry and Josh can bounce back. After all, Glass Cloud isn't their first rodeo.
And besides, the guys can write tunes like the aforementioned slice of groove we're dealing with today. "Falling in Style" comes from Glass Cloud's 2012 debut LP The Royal Thousand, and its combination of chunky riffing and melanchoy melodic sensability makes it stand from some of its djenty peers. At a scant three minutes, and infinitely head-bangable, "Falling in Style" is like a little groovey metal pop song, if that makes any sense. Maybe it doesn't. Either way, give the song a spin and see what you think.
And besides, the guys can write tunes like the aforementioned slice of groove we're dealing with today. "Falling in Style" comes from Glass Cloud's 2012 debut LP The Royal Thousand, and its combination of chunky riffing and melanchoy melodic sensability makes it stand from some of its djenty peers. At a scant three minutes, and infinitely head-bangable, "Falling in Style" is like a little groovey metal pop song, if that makes any sense. Maybe it doesn't. Either way, give the song a spin and see what you think.
Friday the 22nd: Resurrecting Id - Renewal
There might currently be a wealth of djenty progressive instrumental bands with some jazzy flashes, but how many of them go full fusion with a lead saxophone? I can only think of one off the top of my head, and it's got enough saxy goodness to get Kenny G on board.
How familiar are you with fusion three-piece Trioscapes? Because if you can imagine their serpentine songwriting shifted in a djentier direction and you'd at least have an approximation of what to expect from Resurrecting Id, the self-proclaimed "groundbreaking experiment in saxophone-fronted progressive metal". Not everybody likes jazzy guitar noodling in their metal, but if you happen to, why not hear what it's like when that's translated into the sweet language of sax. The whole of last year's self-titled EP is worth a listen or two, but if you've only got the time or stomach for one saxual experience today, make it Resurrecting Id's second track "Renewal" for a nice blend of big djenty groove and furious sax attacks.
How familiar are you with fusion three-piece Trioscapes? Because if you can imagine their serpentine songwriting shifted in a djentier direction and you'd at least have an approximation of what to expect from Resurrecting Id, the self-proclaimed "groundbreaking experiment in saxophone-fronted progressive metal". Not everybody likes jazzy guitar noodling in their metal, but if you happen to, why not hear what it's like when that's translated into the sweet language of sax. The whole of last year's self-titled EP is worth a listen or two, but if you've only got the time or stomach for one saxual experience today, make it Resurrecting Id's second track "Renewal" for a nice blend of big djenty groove and furious sax attacks.
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