Album of the Week- AOTW

Friday, 14 August 2015

Marilyn Manson- Pale Emperor

I can’t stop. It has been many years since something Marilyn Manson released has made me feel the way this album does. It is safe to say that Manson is stuck in my brain and I am totally ok with that.

Straight off the bat the funky and thick base lines kicks off and Killing Strangers. I love the disconnected sounds in this track and Manson’s vocals just top it off. It also helps that this song features in the movie John Wick with Keanu Reeves over and over again.

In his typical style Deep Six begins with some strange vocal sounds before picking up the pace with a wonderful guitar riff. I really love this track. With two really great songs at the beginning you know that Manson is back to his old self, he has really got his shit back together and not a moment too soon because his last album flopped pretty hard.

I don’t know what it is anymore about Third Day of a Seven Day Binge, but man do I love this song. More thick baselines covered with Manson’s gravelly voice, it makes my skin prickle. Pale Emperor really is a strong album.

It might be slightly difficult to say but Mephistopheles of Los Angeles is another track of note, again picking up the pace on the previous song, the line “Fated, faithful, fatal” will get stuck in your head.

The rest of the album for me, while still good, isn’t quite at the level of the first four songs. That’s just me though. Have a listen and find out for yourself if you agree.

Mephistopheles of Los Angeles

Deep Six

Third Day of a Seven Day Binge

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Like a Version Special

I thought I would do something a little different this week. I quite often listen to Triple J of a mornings on the way to work and I really love Friday Morning's with Matt and Alex when they do Like a Version. Like a Version for those of you who don't know is where guest acts come in and cover a song, any song, live in the studio. It has been running for over 10 years now. Guests also do an acoustic version of one of their own songs. This has been one of my favourite segments of any radio show ever for years.

In the past the segment has featured musicians such as: Tim Minchin, Angus & Julia Stone, Chance Waters, Sticky Fingers, Hermitude, Missy Higgins, Hilltop Hoods, John Butler, The Living End, You Am I and many more.

Covering bands like: Weezer, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Peter Gabriel, Dr Dre, Blink 182, Kylie Minogue, Frank Ocean, Pharrell, Tina Turner, Gotye, Kanye West, Beastie Boys, Talking Heads, Willie Nelso and many more.

This year the Like a Version catalogue has consisted of:

Tomorrow their guests will be Melbourne band Clowns.

I have picked a few fantastic Like A Version's from the last few years to have a listen to.

Illy covers Silverchair, Hilltop Hoods, Paul Kelly & Flume

This would have to be my most favourite Like A Version of all time. Illy does the most amazing job of mashing up so many artists in this tribute to Australian Music. Tell me, can you pick out other artists or songs he throws in here? There are quite a few more.

Glass Animals covers Kanye West 'Love Lockdown'

I am fairly certain I have not actually heard the original song but I am blown away by this cover. Not being a big fan of Kanye I am really impressed by the lyrics of this song.

Kasabian covers Sesame Street/Beach Boys 'Good Vibrations'

Something a little different. This song is so seamlessly melded together you would almost think it was the way it always should have been.

Chet Faker covers Sonia Dada 'Lover'

There is nothing particularly unique about this cover, but it really is so very beautiful. The back up vocals really help Chet carry this to a higher level.

Artic Monkeys cover Tame Impala 'Feels Like We're Only Going Backwards'

So again Alex and the boys haven't done anything particularly outstanding in this version other than break it down a little but I love it. Alex's vocals really seem to be the perfect contrast to the original track.

Do you have any Like A Version's that stand out for you?

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Seth Sentry- Strange New Past 2015

I am not a huge fan of Hip Hop, I am more at the Heavy Metal smash things end in the spectrum of music, but there is something about Aussie Hip Hop that I just can’t get enough of. Seth Sentry is no exception. I first heard his quick witted, fast paced and cheeky rhymes listening to Triple J. It was Hilltop Hoods and Bliss n’ Esso that really paved the way for Aussie Hip Hop into our everyday music culture. Seth Sentry has quickly risen to the level of these popular groups and rightly so, he is really talented, which he proves by posting videos of his freestyle raps online for fans based off Tweets they sent him or even just what he has done in that day. I caught him the other day on the tail end of Spicks and Specks (Australia’s answer to Never Mind the Buzzcocks) as I was channel surfing and I was impressed.

There is also this Like a Version cover of Frenzal Rhomb’s Punch in my Face, I love it when artist’s come onto this segment and really change up the original track. Seth does an amazing job with this one.

But we are here to talk about his latest album Strange New Past and if you are familiar with Seth then you may realise that there is a big difference with this album and that is he has lost a bit of his cheeky lyrics and replaced them with a more self reflective and nostalgic flavour.

The first track he released was Hell Boy and it is ridiculously catchy. I have only listened to three tracks off the album and it has given me high hopes for the rest, in fact I think I am going to go down town this afternoon and purchase a copy for myself. Let me know if you would like a listen.

What do you think of Aussie Hip Hop? D o you think Seth Sentry deserves to be up there with the likes of Hilltop Hoods and Bliss n’ Esso?

Muse- Drones 2015

Spotify: Muse- Drones

Website: Muse

Muse have just released their latest album Drones and I love it.

Right off the bat with the first song Dead Inside I knew that I was going to be very happy with the whole album. It has the older Muse vibe, back with loud, hypnotic riffs from Matthew Bellamy’s Kaoss Pad and fantastically harmonic vocals. It reminds me of my favourite Muse album ever, Black Holes and Revelations.

I missed out on Muse last time they were in Australia because I was pregnant and unable to travel to Sydney. I have seen them live three times now and this album has just cemented me in for attending when they inevitably tour this album around the globe. They are without a doubt one of the greatest stage acts out there, they most definitely know how to put on a show. With this album they seemed to have captured some of the energy they emit on stage.

Muse’s lyrics are generally filled with political statements and commentary relative to our world today. They want their audience to be aware of what is going on and they aren’t afraid to use their heavy music and strong vocals to make their point. I have never been big on the lyrics of Muse, their message at times seem to be forcing it just a bit too much for my liking and I think this is the reason I really didn’t enjoy Revolution or HAARP (I mean come on they named their album after one of the worlds biggest conspiracy theory driving government programs).

But that aside I am here for the music, the guitar riffs blasted from the kaoss pad, the build up of the drums and other instruments they throw in. The fast paced song to the slow ones there is no doubt that I love the music that Muse creates and I will until the day I leave this earthly plane.

Are you a fan of Muse? What do you think of this latest addition to their ever growing discography?

Monday, 18 May 2015

AOTW in the past- Women of Rock

Back in 2011 we had a look at Women of Rock and these were the bands Bron and Toz came up with.

Warlock

"Warlock were a German heavy metal band, assembled in 1982 with members of the underground bands Snakebite and Beast. The band gained popularity and some commercial success in Europe in the mid-1980s, due also to the personality and stage presence of lead vocalist Doro Pesch. Warlock supported on tour successful metal bands, such as W.A.S.P., Judas Priest, Dio and Megadeth." -Wikipedia

Rolo Tomassi

"Rolo Tomassi are a British mathcore band from Sheffield, England. Their name is taken from dialogue in the film L.A. Confidential. The band is known for their strong DIY ethic, and chaotic style and performances." -Wikipedia

Jack Off Jill

"Jack Off Jill are an American rock band from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, founded in 1992 by singerJessicka, Tenni Arslanyan, Robin Moulder, and Michelle Oliver (Inhell). Though these four young women were the initial founders, twelve members rotated through the group in its lifespan, includingScott Putesky, guitarist and co-founder of Marilyn Manson. The band lasted eight years, with only Moulder and Jessicka remaining through all its lineups. In April 2015, they announced that they will be reuniting for one show. In an April 2015 interview with LadyGunn Magazine Jessicka stated a new album is "not something that we have decided on either way"." -Wikipedia

My Ruin

"My Ruin is an American Los Angeles-based alternative metal band, composed of the husband and wife duo Tairrie B and Mick Murphy. The band been through various line-up changes since its formation in 1999. Its fanbase is mostly in the UK. Its sound consists of passionate vocals set against heavy rock beats." -Wikipedia

Evanescence

"Evanescence is an American rock/metal band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody.^[1]^[4] After recording independent albums, the band released their first full-length album, Fallen, on Wind-up Records in 2003. Fallen sold more than 17 million copies worldwide^[5] and helped the band win two Grammy Awards and seven nominations, as well as scoring No. 6 in CBS's "Top Bestselling Albums of the Last 10 Years" (2008).^[6] A year later, Evanescence released their first live album, Anywhere but Home, which sold more than one million copies worldwide. In 2006, the band released their second studio album, The Open Door, which sold more than five million copies." -Wikipedia

Porcelain Black

"Alaina Marie Beaton (born October 1, 1985), better known by her stage name Porcelain Black, is an American industrial pop singer-songwriter, rapper, and model. At age eighteen, she embarked on her music career as a solo act under the name Porcelain and the Tramps with Virgin Records. However, Black and Virgin could not agree on the music she would record. The music she recorded was posted to her Myspace account, "rockcitynosebleed", where she gained millions of hits. After three years of trying to get out of the contract, she signed with RedOne's Universal Republic imprint, 2101 Records, late in 2009 and began working on her debut album. After many internal problems between the artist and record producer, RedOne, Porcelain Black announced the partnership had come to an end, with anticipation of releasing her debut album in the vein of her Porcelain and the Tramps project in 2015." -Wikipedia

The Pretty Reckless

"The Pretty Reckless is an American rock band from New York City. The current members are Taylor Momsen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Ben Phillips (lead guitar, backing vocals), Mark Damon (bass) and Jamie Perkins (drums). Their debut album, Light Me Up, was released on August 27, 2010. They released their first single on May 13, 2010. The album spawned three moderately successful singles, most notably, "Make Me Wanna Die". The band released their second extended play entitled Hit Me Like a Man EP in early 2012, along with two new music videos of songs from their debut album. These releases coincided with their second tour. In 2014, the band released their second studio album, Going to Hell, which featured the singles "Going To Hell" and "Heaven Knows", and "Messed Up World." "Heaven Knows" and "Messed Up World" topped the US and UK rock charts, making the band the only female-fronted to hit No.1 on the rock chart with two singles." -Wikipedia

AOTW in the Past

I thought for our first post we would look back at the bands we have visited in the past. There are quite a few of these that I had not heard of before and are now a part of my every day playlist, some of them are from bands who are very well known, others are a touch more obscure. There is no one genre of music we listen to at AOTW. So take a look at the list of music below and let us know which of the following bands you remember listening to and if you have not heard of them before, what do you think of them? -Em

The Jezabels- Dark Storm 2010

"The Jezabels are an Australian indie rock band formed in Sydney in 2007. They consist of Nik Kaloper on drums, Samuel Lockwood on lead guitar, Hayley Mary (also known as Hayley Frances McGlone) onlead vocals, and Heather Shannon on piano and keyboard. They have described their genre as "intensindie" though later said that this was just a joke that they put up on a social networking site though people took them seriously." -Wikipedia

The Jezabels are one of the bands I mentioned above that I have put into my every day listening. Hayley Mary's vocals are unique and are instantly recognisable. The Jezabels lyrical content tackles more serious societal issues over their smooth and beautiful tracks. The Dark Storm EP only has 5 songs on it and I cannot pick one over any of the others. Have a listen for yourself.

Bad Meets Evil- Hell: The Sequal 2011

"Bad Meets Evil is an American hip hop duo consisting of rappers Royce da 5'9" (Bad) and Eminem(Evil). Bad Meets Evil was formed in 1997 thanks to the duo's mutual friend, Proof. It was formed after Royce featured on the song "Bad Meets Evil" for Eminem's major label debut The Slim Shady LP(1999)." -Wikipedia

Not everyone's cup of tea Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" team up for some out there, explicit heavy rap. I have been a fan of Eminem and the other groups he has been a part of since I first heard him back in my early teens when he was standing up with all the other Real Slim Shady's. One of the most popular tracks on the EP is one of the songs I absolutely hate- Lighters. One of my favourite tracks is Fast Lane, it's gritty and has that tone to it that instantly makes me think of Eminem's earlier work, in fact I think that's why I love this album so much. If the sticker on the album picture wasn't enough for you, this album has explicit content and themes so you have been warned.

Scarling- So Long, Scarecrow 2005

"Scarling. is an American noise pop band from Los Angeles, whose core members are Jessicka andChristian Hejnal-Addams. The band formed in 2002. They have released two albums, Sweet Heart Dealer and So Long, Scarecrow." - Wikipedia

Stevie Nicks- In Your Dreams 2011

"Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks (born May 26, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums. She was deemed "The Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll" and one of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" by Rolling Stone,^[1]^[2] and, as a member of Fleetwood Mac, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. As a solo artist, she has garnered eight Grammy Award nominations^[3] and, with Fleetwood Mac, a further five." - Wikipedia

Stevie Nicks is a voice I will never stop listening to. I am a huge Fleetwood Mac fan and when I found out she had released a solo album I just had to have it. The music from In Your Dreams is not going to break too much new ground in terms of her style, it is very Fleetwood Mac-ish and I have no problems with that.

Danzig- Self Titled 1988

"Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band is the musical outlet for singer and songwriter Glenn Danzig, preceded by the horror punk bands the Misfits andSamhain. They play in a bluesy doom-driven heavy metal style influenced by the early sound of Black Sabbath.^[1]"-Wikipedia

Hellsongs- Hymns in the Key of 666 2008

"Hellsongs are a three piece acoustic band from Sweden who produce covers of famous rock and metal songs in a very different style that they call 'lounge metal'.^[1] That means old metal classics performed with clear female vocals, soft guitars and organ." -Wikipedia

I must admit I had no idea what to expect when Toz first put up Hellsongs. What I got was a pleasant twist on some of my favourite songs. Hellsongs have done an amazing job of breaking down and wiping out the 'heavy' in these songs and literally turning them into soft hymns.

Apocolyptica- Inquisition Symphony 1998

"Apocalyptica is a Finnish metal band from Helsinki, Finland formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso (all three of whom are graduates of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki)^[1] and drummer Mikko Sirén. Originally a Metallicatribute band, their music borrows elements from a wide variety of genres including classical music,neoclassical metal,^{[citation needed]} speed metal, alternative metal,^[2] post-grunge, hard rock, progressive metal,^{[citation needed]} thrash metal and symphonic metal.^[2] They also incorporate some influences from Middle Eastern music, world music and folk music. They have sold over four million albums to date." -Wikipedia

Apocalyptica has become high up on my music priority list. I love how they have incorporated their traditionally classical instruments and made them into haunting metal makers. They have guest artists from a range of bands including Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour fame.

Imperial Leisure- The Art of Saying Nothing 2008

"From their humble beginnings as a college party band born out of school friendships, Alt-Ska band Imperial Leisure go from strength to strength, forever evolving their style but sticking true to their reputation for delivering fun and high energy live performances. It's just a whisker under 10 years since their first tour supporting hiphop all-stars Ugly Duckling: they rocked it then and they've kept on rocking it all the while since, supporting many bigger bands such as Roots Manuva, Less Than Jake and Young Blood Brass Band. With numerous festival appearances under their belt, the band have been wowing crowds all over the UK from the super-sized Glastonbury and Bestival to the more modest scaled affairs such as the family friendly Blissfields and the jewel of alternativeness that is 2000 Trees Festival." -From the Imperial Leisure Facebook Page

Another surprise for me, I didn't know anything about Imperial Leisure but I was instantly happy when their Ska beats hit my eardrums.

Slash- R&FnR 2010

"Saul Hudson (born July 23, 1965), better known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter.^[1] He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N' Roses, Slash formed the side project Slash's Snakepit. He then co-founded the supergroup Velvet Revolver, which re-established him as a mainstream performer in the mid to late 2000s. Slash has since released three solo albums, Slash (2010), featuring an all-star roster of guest musicians, Apocalyptic Love (2012) and World on Fire (2014) recorded with singer/guitaristMyles Kennedy of Alter Bridge, along with rhythm section Brent Fitz and Todd Kerns, known on the album as The Conspirators." -Wikipedia