Posts
#15 - The Cure: Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987)
Jill says: "Quite simply, the lyrics of track 16, "A Thousand Hours": 'A thousand wasted hours a day/Just to feel my heart for a second/A thousand hours just thrown away/Just to feel my heart for a second...'"
#14 - New Order: Substance (1987)
Jill says: "I could write volumes about New Order. I could write a novel about this album. I have every single New Order and Joy Division album there is to have. I have it on cd, I have it on vinyl, I have it on rare, very expensive bootleg vinyle. I paid an exorbiant amount to see them live. It's dark, it's deep, it's dirty, it's clever in it's hidden messages. I am not a "Blue Monday" and "Bizarre Love Triangle" kind of girl. To find me on that album, you have to look elsewhere: "Everything's Gone Green", "Thieves Like Us", "Procession", "1963", and the song that ranks 2nd on my list of all time favorite songs, "Perfect Kiss"."
#13 - The Flaming Lips: At War With the Mystics (2006)
Cale says: "The Flaming Lips have a career that spans the life and death of several genres. 80s metal, hair bands, new wave, grunge rock; the list goes on and on. Through it all, the band has remained true to their psychedelic rock roots while remaining as innovative and entertaining as ever. They experienced sort of a rebirth in the late 1990s and since then have created some of their strongest albums ever. In my opinion, it is their most recent album, At War With the Mystics, that tops them all! Every second of this album is breathtaking, filled with such dense compositions that you're bound to catch new things you've never heard before with almost every listen! It is an amazing achievement for any band, much less a band that's been around for over two decades.
#12 - Tears for Fears: Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
Jill says: "Honestly, don't dismiss Tears for Fears the way I did for so long. "Shout" is the most recognizable but not the best track. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is fantastic but it's "Head Over Heels/Broken" that is the true gem. It's a live track but that doesn't take away from the simple genius of it. I used to not like Tears for Fears, but the older I get, the more I realize they are truly quiet a talented pair."
Cale says: "I don't think there has ever been an album cover that screams "Alternative Rock!" more than this one. And who could argue with the fact that "Shout" is the most rockin' song this side of Metallica? Only a fool, friends. Only a fool."
#11 - Depeche Mode: Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993)
Jill says: "It is one of the few albums I will listen to from beginning to end without skipping over anything. "Walking In My Shoes" is by far my favorite, "In Your Room" is so sexy it makes me blush, and "Higher Love" just makes me want to start the entire thing over again."
Erin says: "Depeche Mode never gets old and neither does Songs of Faith. I'm pretty sure that I'll be singing these songs when I'm well into my twilight years, but hey, they're that good."
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The Top 25 Alternative Rock Albums (Albums 15-11)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Top 5 Alternative Hits by One Hit Wonders
So, in lieu of the missed Retro Review last week, Cale and I agreed that I would take charge of Top 5 Friday so that I could get over an illness and grace you with my opinions, yet again. Therefore, this week, as the headline states, it's my favorite alternative hits by one hit wonders. While I'm a huge fan of successful artists who produce multitudes of life altering albums , I must also pay homage to those who have fallen. Thus I present you with the magic...please behold.
5. Nine Days - "Absolutely (The Story of a Girl)"
I know what you're thinking...and you're right. It is a bit of the lighter side of alternative rock. A little more pop and a little less, "with the lights out it's less dangerous". I get that. However, the lighter side is exactly why I love this song. I can't tell you the number of times it has popped into my head and stayed there for days...ironic, huh? It's a great piece that tells about the solemness of this girl that lead singer, John Hampson, is truly fond of, and even as he lays out all her "imperfections", he claims to "absolutely love her when she smiles". "Absolutely (The Story of a Girl)" is a happy song that takes me back to fond memories of listening to and singing this song in my first car. It's cheesy, I know, but memories often play a huge part in musical selections and is the reason for this song being brought to the forefront of my mind. BTW, in case you're planning on checking, Wikipedia will list them as having 2 hits. "Absolutely (The Story of a Girl)" and some track called "If I Am"... Let's be honest, has anyone ever really heard it, and more importantly, would you remember it?
4. Spacehog - "In the Meantime"
I gotta be frank with you all... I know nothing of this band. Nada. What I do know is that "In the Meantime" is one of my absolute favorite songs ever. It's one where you may understand the lyrics as being one thing, while I'm hearing words that are completely different. It's a song where I've probably given it entirely new lyrics. However, lyrics aside, it's a great song for several reasons. The vocals are so unique that I feel if we'd ever heard more from Spacehog, it would've been easily identifiable. The song has great hooks, verses, chorus, bridge, ending...I mean, it has unbelievable structure. The ending is totally separate from this vocal/guitar driven song in that it scrapes away all other musical factors, save the piano, and plays what could almost sound like an adult lullaby. It's a beautiful melody that will always stand out in my mind as being a perfect ending to an amazing song. Seriously, if I could give "In the Meantime" a true rating, it would be an easy 10.
3. The Proclaimers - "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"
I assume that when one thinks of Alternative Rock, the bands Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc. come to mind, but what about it's predecessors. Sure The Proclaimers (please don't confuse with The Pretenders) don't pop out as significant, or maybe even alternative rock, but you can't deny that "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)" didn't break the mold from other bands that were around in 1988. This song was so different from anything out there at that time and was so original, that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to honor the Scots. "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)" is a brilliantly talented, goofy song that was featured in the film Benny & Joon (why does that feel like it was 10,000 years ago?). The song is an upbeat and lighthearted display of complete devotion. The patterns of "when you do this, I'm gonna do this" make up the spirited song and make it easy to sing along with and easy to fall in love with. And let's face it...you'll never forget the lines "and I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more" and the composed chorus of "duh duh duh duhs" that make this song worth remembering and/or hard to forget.
2. The Verve - "Bitter Sweet Symphony"
I do feel slightly guilty for listing The Verve in this category, because to be fair, I believe they've had several hits in the UK. However, if you glance up to the address bar on your screen, you'll notice we're not in Kansas anymore and being an American based musical opinions blog, I'm exercising my right to add them. I'll say this..."Bitter Sweet Symphony" is not only an awesome song, but the video is great too. I love to watch him plow through literally every person he passes down the street like they're not even there. Being that this is about the song, not the video, I'll move on. "Bitter Sweet Symphony" was not even close to being an instant favorite of mine. In fact, it wasn't even until I heard Lucas Rossi perform it on "Rockstar Supernova" that I even appreciated it as a good song, much less a favorite of mine. However, when I heard it under a different voice, I realized what an intricate composition it is, both vocally and instrumentally. It has the ability to be vocally ornamented, which is exactly what Rossi did with it. Once I heard his version, I went back and reexamined my feelings for the original...I loved it. I listened with a fresh set of ears and it was as if I'd heard it for the first time. It's a beautifully written alternative rock song that makes you feel melancholy and malicious at the same time. If you're having doubts about appreciating "Bitter Sweet Symphony", I would encourage you to find a version of Rossi's and then reevaluate The Verve's masterpiece.
1. Tracy Bonham - "Mother Mother"
So while this is my fav, it's hard for me to lump Tracy into this category because I love more of her music than just this one song. A few of them even got air play, but it's "Mother Mother" that brings home the bacon. "Mother Mother" is a sarcastic tale of a girl and her phone conversation with her mother in which she makes small talk, asks some questions, and recalls some unexpected details. In the chorus, she sings/screams "I'm hungry, I'm dirty, I'm losing my mind, everything's fine". The song's use of guitars and strings, which come prior to the chorus, don't even set you up for when she goes berserk during the chorus. It's a great surprise! Bonham is a phenomenal vocalist and with a hit like this and a voice like hers, it's a travesty that she's being classified as a one hit wonder. She's truly masterful and "Mother Mother" proves it. This song is also one of the first tracks where I had ever heard a female vocalist scream, as it was very uncommon for women during that period in music. I remember loving how pissed off Bonham seemed, especially since I felt I could relate in all my teen angst. I always swore up and down that if I was in a band, I would cover this song, as have The Veronicas. "Rockstar Supernova" alum, Dilana even performed it on the show (though not by choice) and killed it (in a good way). It's a fabulous song that deserves every bit of recognition it gets and more. It is my hope that you will enjoy it along with me.
3/12/2008: Sia - Houston, TX
The picture above is how Sia and her band entered the stage. She's the one with the blue hands. They kept it up for the length of the first song, "Buttons." I really had no idea what I was getting into last night. While I had a suspicion that Sia was going to be great live, I had no idea how great she was going to be...or entertaining.
But the evening didn't start with Sia. It started with Har Mar Superstar. The first time I saw this guy perform was over 6 years ago. It was him, a drum machine, and a really hilarious act that involved him repeatedly stating how "f***ing awesome" he was, and gradually stripping down to nothing but his underwear. Sound sexy? Ha! You have no idea!
Yeah, that's what this guy looks like. But believe it or not, he's actually a very talented musician. His vocals are right up there with the likes of Justin Timberlake, and his music are straight up funk disco jams that have a lot more in common with The Jackson 5 than with any modern act. He's added a bassist and a drummer over the course of the last six years, and I have to say that the change was for the better. The guy's an absolute blast to watch, and a consummate performer. At one point, he hopped off the stage, walked through the crowd, and made his way to the bar on the opposite side of the room to order some drinks for he and his band mates. Oh yeah...and he did this all during a song, still singing. It was really a great performance, even if I didn't hop into his proposed line of people who wanted to "suck his ****."
After a 30 minute break, Sia and her bandmates (which included a guitarist, bassist, drummer, keyboardist, and a "real"string bassist) hit the stage in the above noted getup. Sia has this habit of talking a lot in between songs which is kind of cool, but also sort of unnecessary. It gives you an opportunity to get to know her, but then again, that's not really why you came.
Sia spent most of the evening playing songs from her most recent album, Some People Have Real Problems, but did manage to squeeze in a few from Color the Small One, one from an upcoming album, and even a Zero 7 song. Highlights included "Lentil," which is actually about a dog, "Academia," "Breathe Me," "Soon We'll Be Found," and "Death By Chocolate." When she first started "Death By Chocolate" she flubbed the lines a bit and had to restart, noting that "I do actually write these songs, I just always forget them." By the end, though, when she's singing "It's but a falling leaf..." at the top of her lungs, I got goosebumps. For realsies.
Overall, it was a really great show and a wonderful evening. Though there were a few distractions, like a group of 60-year-olds who were waaaaaaaay too into it directly in front of me, I really enjoyed myself and will definitely consider seeing either of these artists the next time they stroll through town. That is all.
Moods - Dark
I used to have a friend in high school who was the antithesis to everything popular: she wore all black, she kept mostly to herself, she favored dark black eyeshadow and red lipstick, and her hair color changed from one week to the next. She smoked cigarettes, quoted Edgar Allen Poe, and liked to watch things die and/or decompose. Her name was Tiphareth meaning "Spear of the Sun"; when I found out what her name meant I thought it amusing that she was given such a bright name when there was nothing bright about her. Her family was normal, lived in the suburbs, didn't practice Witchcraft, so I never understood where her personality came from.
Tip, as we called her, is fondly remembered because of the music she listened to and subsequently introduced some of it to me. She was known for creating these mixed tapes and handing them out to random people. They always hand written track lists and always had some sort of dead, dried rose attached to them. They were never peppy and they were never anything that even came close to cheering a person up, but they were thoughtful and well put together. They were classic Alternative mixes and they were all titled, in numbered order: Dark Sounds 1 - whatever number it was she got to when she finally finished her project. If she ever did. I'd like to think that Tip is still out there somewhere making mixed cd's and giving them to random people.
I lost track of Tip my senior year, when she went have to a little Alternative baby and came back before graduation. There was an entire school year of our friendship she missed and as life does when you are that age, things changed. We still talked but she kept her distance and when graduation rolled around and I was preparing to give my Valedictorian speech, Tip jumped up on stage and handed me Dark Sounds #56.
While my mood isn't necessarily dark on this chilly and overcast day and the music isn't the classic definition of dark, I am often reminded of Tiphareth and her Dark Sounds mixes when thinking about our little salute to Alternative here at Audio Overflow.
So this is for Tip, wherever she may be...
Dark, as defined by Websters:
1. having very little or no light
2. radiating, admitting, or reflecting little light
3. gloomy; cheerless; dismal
4. sullen; frowning
5. evil; iniquitous; wicked
6. hard to understand; obscure
7. hidden; secret
8. silent; reticent
9. a dark place
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Video of the Week - Week 62
So there was this whole thing...I didn't realize that the video of the week I'd chosen in honor of our salute to Alternative Rock had already been used this past January...and I'm now replacing it...
So what do you do when you make an error like that? You skip over all the other obvious choices and go right for the Alternative Rock icon you should have gone with right from the start: Jane's Addiction.
As music lovers, we have a lot to thank Perry Ferrell for. He taught us that it's okay to be wicked weird. He was long ahead of his time when it comes to cosmetics and showed us that even men can wear black nail polish with dignity. He brought us Jane's Addiction, Psi-Com, and Satellite Party. He brought us our first taste of the carnival like aspect that is a multi-act touring show...that's right...the man gave us the Lollapalooza.
It was a genius idea, really, putting together this festival line up of acts ranging from Ice T and Body Count to Sonic Youth to The Roots to Metallica to The Ramones to Orbital to Incubus and I could go on and on for hours recounting every act that ever graced a Lallalooza lineup. It was cancelled, it was brought back, it went from a touring show to a one time thing in Chicago, but none of that matters. What matters is Perry Ferrell brought us to a new way to see live music.
While there's all that, the nail polish, the weirdness, the rock icon status, there's still a bit of mediocrity about Jane's Addiction. They aren't the best band ever and they aren't the worst band ever. I'm actually hard pressed to find another song they had. If it weren't for Lollapalooza they'd be just another Alternative band...
One that gave us the genius ode to shoplifting. Dogs barking, the girlfriend with the bad eye shadow, the security camera views, using a common produce aisle pillar as a stripper pole...they're all here (and more) in a simple, catchy tune with a great guitar rift about how great it is to just take what you want when you want it.
Even shoplifters need an anthem.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Jaymay: "Autumn Fallin'"
Inevitably, the first time I ever hear an artist's music, I'm waiting for a moment; a single moment that will make me fall in love with them. If that moment never comes, it's rare that the artist will stay in my memory for long. For Jamie Seerman, here known as Jaymay, that moment came at about 1:40 into the opening track on her debut album, Autumn Fallin'. She sings of waiting on a man to "make the first move" so to speak, saying, "I'm giving you the lead, so go on. Go on and take it. Don't fake it," before delicately whispering, "shake it." A shaker soon adds to the instrumentation and wide smile shoots clear across my face. I love it!
Jamie is a rarity in music these days. She manages to write intricate lyrics of specific moments in her life, utilizing every last detail to paint a clear picture of what she's trying to convey with her music. Such a task would do a lot of musicians in, so it's incredible to me that her songs are not only lyrically impressive but musically impressive as well (not to mention catchy as hell). On album opener, "Gray or Blue," for example, she sings of a "boy" that she's interested in but doesn't have the courage to approach. She notes the color of his eyes, his mouth, the shape of his hands and body, and in doing so is able to convey the depths of her attraction without relying on cheap descriptors.
She's oddly specific with her lyrics as well, and they read like diary entries or poetry that you write and stash away in a drawer, never showing a soul. So while a line about a conversation in Grand Central Station or "Super Keith" emblazoned on a cup may be completely meaningless to the lister, the mere fact that she brings such things up proves her words as honest recollections rather than empty words. In fact, the true relatability of Jaymay's songs have nothing to do with the lyrics but the emotion and feelings that go behind them, that she brings out with her voice.
But enough about lyrics. Lyrics can only take an artist so far. Thankfully, Jaymay rarely disappoints on Autumn Fallin'. Her voice is lovely, and I can't help but compare her to Fiona Apple in that department. It's not near as deep or powerful, but it is jazzy and smooth. It fits the quaint nature of her songs perfectly. The albums first single, "Blue Skies," sounds like a first single; complete with increased production and a loud, energetic refrain. It is a great song, and definitely one of the album's better tracks, but it's not necessarily indicative of the remainder of Autumn Fallin'. More often than not, Jamie's voice is only complemented by an acoustic guitar and some light drumming. "Sea Green, See Blue" is a gorgeous song that doesn't need a catchy chorus to delight (Jamie simply hums a melody where the chorus should be, to great effect). At over 6 minutes in length, it's far more ambitious than other pop songs out there, and with a delicately played saxophone, rhodes organ, and strings, it's a lot better as well.
Title track, "Autumn Fallin'," tells of a lost friendship. She sings, "I believe it was you who I wanted to be walking next to. And I believe we were friends, and I believe we will be again." It's a short, but effective song that sidesteps the boy-girl relationship theme that is touched upon quite often on the album. "Ill Willed Person" is one of my favorites, with a passionate performance from Jamie and a sing-along quality melody. In the chorus she cries, "Love everything you've always loved," repeatedly in a voice that seems more raw and real than what we've been presented to up to this point. It's so refreshing and beautiful that repeat listens are inevitable.
But Autumn Fallin' has it's share of missteps as well. "You'd Rather Run" is almost 10 minutes long, but by 5 I found myself wanting her to wrap things up. The melody never really changes, nor does the organ-driven instrumentation that surrounds it, and as a result it gets tiring fast. The lyrics, however, are among the album's best. She sings of what seems to be an ex-lover with whom she's not on good terms, noting, "Was there ever a moment, one small slice in history, when I took you seriously? When your belt and your shoes did not announce your poor taste so fearlessly? Cause that's news to me!" Ha! On "Hard to Say" she actually scats, which actually fits her voice, but not the rest of the album. It's worth listening to, but come on...it's scatting!
Overall, however, Autumn Fallin' is a surprisingly impressive debut. Jaymay is one of the most talented songwriters I've ever had the pleasure of hearing, and for that, her few missteps are easily overlooked. The songs on this album are soaked in earnestness, and over the course of the past month I've found myself singing along and loving nearly every second of this fantastic debut! Jamie Seerman is an early candidate for Female Artist of the Year, and judging from her competition, she may just wind up with that (completely meaningless) title. Listen to a few samples and decide for yourself, but in my book, Autumn Fallin' is a must-buy!
Key Tracks:
1. "Gray or Blue"
2. "Blue Skies"
3. "Sea Green, See Blue"
4. "Autumn Fallin'"
5. "Ill Willed Person"
Monday, March 10, 2008
myspace music monday: SumKid
"Pretty Girls With Flyers" is much cooler, with a cool, hip groove accompanying Sum's deep seductive vocals. His rapping sounds a lot more like talking, sort of in an "A Witch's Invitation" kind of way (very few people will get that reference). It's a short song, but very effective. The refrain of "Pretty girls with flyers, man they get away with murder" is really driven home, and - well - I agree. "King Kong In A Suit" has a really cool beat and features some of Sum's more explicit vocals. I definitely like the line, "What Kanye's doing, I did in '03," and the whole feel of the song. It definitely reminds me of some older Outkast tunes, which is a huge complement in my book. It's also the first lyrically impressive song that I've yet to hear, which is also nice.
"Paranoid" is easily the best, most "real" track on the page. Sum goes over a bunch of subjects here: his upbringing, people he doesn't trust, his inner turmoil ("When will I find my peace?"), and it all works. It never feels like he's trying to do too much, which is really surprising. "Devil Shoes" has an unbearably hip beat, complete with organs and jazz flutes. At this point I'm highly impressed with the amount of pop culture references that Sum is able to cram into every song. From Chuck Norris to Theo Huxtable, Marlon Brando or the Ninja Turtles, everything is fair game and makes for a very entertaining and interesting listen. This is a pretty catchy track ("Boom Boom. Click Clack. Least he coulda done is wipe his shoes on the mat."). "September" is Sum's most mainstream-sounding song. The easy-going beat gets mixed up a bit in the chorus, and I found it to be pretty effective. Again, really cool lyrics.
ConclusionLinks