A Few Songs I Really Dig Right Now...August / September Edition

Here are some awesome things I have been listening to for the last few Months...

Frank Turner - Sons of Liberty

from 2009's Poetry of the Deed

Look for this record to make our "best of" at the end of the year. My goodness, did this album catch me by surprise. I'd seen the record on the interpunk.com home page, but I hadn't gotten around to investigating. I had come into some gift certificates and bumped into this CD at Best Buy. Being as it was a rather independent release at a large retail location I felt the need to support this gentlemen and purchase this record.

Needless to say, this an excellent release. One of the highlights is "Sons of Liberty", track 7. It takes the Irish folksy approach and nearly perfects it. Its a really cool tale of basically fucking the system and taking your life into your own hands. You know, I think that these days, if the singer of a punk band does not turn into Cat Stevens and release a folk record it is a complete surprise. I think what I like about the newest craze is that these "punk/folk" guys are basically starting with punk songs and then unplugging. For me this means that their lyrics take the same route as any given punk band. This song in particular, could basically be any political punk band, just with less distortion, but just as much aggression. Some fiery lyrics bring us to a bad ass break down complete with fiddles... only to lead us into a rousing chorus of "Stand Up Sons of Liberty and fight for what you own" and a closing 2 lines that may be some of the coolest I've heard. Check this out as soon as possible...there will be more on this record at the end of the year, but it is approaching brilliance and is definitely worth an immediate listen.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - More News From Nowhere

from 2008's "Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!"

Nick Cave is one of those legendary singer / songwriters that always seems to be looked over because he has never really had a huge radio hit or met with any gigantic commercial success. However, he is an extremely influential figure in "alternative" rock and as he shows in his 2008 release, he is just as ready to rock as he was in 1984.

This is the closing track on a pretty bad ass musical journey. This particular song paints the image of Mr. Cave walking into a bar and describes every wacky character he comes across and what crazy conversation he manages to spit out with them. All in an extremely laid back, just plain old cool manner. IN the background, repeating the chorus over and over is a quiet chorus of onlookers...seemingly watching the action as it unfolds. The music is exactly how it should be, in the background for such a tale. The guitar methodically strolls along with Nick as he bumps into a ridiculous cast of characters. The chorus "More News From Nowhere" is a great representation of his songwriting style. Just a cool dude filling us in on all of the cool things he does. Check out this album.

Neverender by Coheed and Cambria

Ok, so I realize this is a 4+ hour live dvd and doesn't really fit into the theme of my recent posts. But, this is freakin awesome. A truly epic achievement...4 nights, 4 albums, all of them rocking. Watching these DVDs even made me appreciate their newest record. Watching these concerts makes you understand why this band does what it does. They are excellent musicians and despite a few minor mistakes throughout, (forgotten lyrics, flubbed guitar solos, etc...) it really highlights the effect that this music has on the fans and the band. The whole crowd overpowers singer Claudio at several of the trademark sing along portions. Even on the few occasions that he forgets the lyrics, it is not important because the crowd has his back. The solos are soaring, the drums are thundering and Claudio's voice is as high and piercing as ever. Seeing them perform these songs all back to back, and so up close and personal will give you a new found respect and if you weren't a fan before...you'll be one.

Pretty Good Year by Chuck Ragan

from his 2009 split 7" w/ The Loved Ones

Let's see.. one of my favorite singers of all time covers one of my favorite songs of all time off of one of my favorite albums of all time. I think we have a winner. This song is originally written and recorded by The Loved Ones from their 2008 release "Build and Burn" and remains one of the coolest opening tracks ever. Mr. Ragan has come in and put his own spin on this classic track and not so much altered the meaning but elaborated on it. Where The Loved One's singer, Dave Hause, has a high pitched howl; Mr. Ragan grumbles his way through this entire song, and makes us believe these damn lyrics. Aside from changing the tempo and a bit of the chorus, most remains the same. Yet, somehow Chuck Ragan works his magic and this becomes an even more introspective song than it previously was. Rumor has it, if you listen to both versions at the same time, on a full moon, the world will implode on itself because we were not meant to experience such a high level of awesomeness. Or maybe I'm just getting carried away. As far as I know this is only available on vinyl, but might be available on Itunes or something. You need to find a way to at least hear this version because as soon as you hear it you may be compelled to purchase at least 50 versions. Again...carried away.

Only a few gems this go-around...not much time these days.

Keep Readin'...

A Few Songs I Really Dig Right Now *July Edition*

I kind of liked doing this last month, so I figure I'd do it again. Here are the songs I've had on repeat for the last 6 weeks.

Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Bhindi Bhagee

From 2001's Global a Go-Go

Joe Strummer's solo stuff really amazes me. It's as if he took every style of music he ever enjoyed, put it in a blender and then shared the results with us lucky mortals. "Global A Go-Go" is a considerably more muted release than his 2003 swan song "Streetcore" but it is still a very entertaining record. A very smooth and relaxed feeling pours out of this record. There is a line towards the middle of the song where a man walking asks Joe "what's your music like?" It strikes me that Mr. Strummer may have written this song simply for this line, where he lists just about every genre of music ever recorded and describes himself as that. That's true punk rock man, just taking chances and if he wanted to release a slightly dancy reggae song then god damnitt he is Joe freakin Strummer, he'll do what he wants. If you are not familiar with the Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros records I recommend you start with Streetcore, but then I demand that you listen to them all. It almost makes you feel like you are part of an important part of musical history...where an aging rocker was finding his niche. Long Live Strummer.

The Tossers - A Fine Lass You Are

from 2008's A Fine Spring Evening

What begins as a rather sweet love song sung by a wine sodden lead singer very quickly turns into one of the more unique love songs I've ever heard. As early as the 1st verse Mr. T. Duggins is inviting his girl to his Uncle's Wake?! This tune has a great swinging beat and Duggins' rambles on and eventually comes to the point of the song "I will break anyone's goddamn neck, If I hear that they cross you or broke your respect" Now that's love. Right? Anyway, this song is a true Tossers classic, complete with a crazy tempo change/breakdown which is preceded by either a Gaelic verse...or a drunken verse. Difficult to say. But the Tossers will forever keep cranking out great tracks like this, and be happy doing it. I reviewed this record in full earlier, but it deserves another listen. Who else ends a song just bellowing "Chicago!...."

Elvis Costello - Sulphur to Sugarcane

from 2009's Secret, Profane and Sugarcane

Elvis Costello has to be the most productive musician ever. He just keeps cranking out the records. His 2009 release is a pretty cool one. This record is a sort of folksy / bluegrass / Costelloish sound. He has been flirting with the more twangy sound as of late, most notably on 2004's The Delivery Man. He seems to have embraced the stringed instruments here and put together an impressive band to lay down these 13 tracks. The pseudo title track "Sulphur to Sugarcane" could be an Elvis Costello song from 1977...just without any drums and the addition of slide guitar and banjos. What I'm getting at is that Elvis has made his own country record here and this song is the perfect example of him doing it his way. It tells a humorous story with a word count and rhyme scheme that sort of get lost for a minute, but still is a really great song.

Big D and the Kid's Table - Not Fuckin' Around

From 2009's Fluent in Stroll

This is a song that could easily receive tons of radio airplay and actually be a chartworthy single for this hard working band. There's only one problem, the title has the word "fuck" in it. And so does the chorus...and most of the song. Unlike rap music's "radio edits" I don't think "I'm not messing around" would make for a song as entertaining. Anyway, this song is awesome. Basically this guy's girlfriend accuses him of cheating and he goes above and beyond (in song form) to prove he is faithful. Including the awesome opening line where he is stranded on an island with 6 million girls, but instead of any infidelity, he resorts to carpentry and has the girls build a "kick ass sailboat" to get back to his woman. This is a song with a great sense of humor and a heartwarming bottom line. He really digs his chick, and I'm glad that there are still bands around with the balls to write a cute love song and insert nearly 20 "F-Words" into it. Well Done Boys...

Chuck Ragan & Austin Lucas - The Light

from 2008's Bristle Ridge

Ok, so anyone who has read this blog before knows I have a little Man Crush on Chuck Ragan. He is just a cool dude, who is playing exactly the music he wants to play. I love his solo stuff, and would venture to say his post-Hot Water Music period is probably more enjoyable for me. This particular release...a joint venture with Austin Lucas is rather interesting with both artists sharing the writing and performing spotlight. This song starts with a harmonica and the boys proceed to take turns swapping verses with Lucas' high and wavering twang of a voice perfectly melting into Ragan's gravel filled roar. (that is a hell of a sentence I just wrote) The song tells a tale of what appears to be a man convincing his girl that they can make it through these tough times. The highlight of the song for me is the last time the chorus comes through and Ragan and Lucas have been sort of harmonizing and the higher pitched Austin Lucas lets loose for a brief period and allows his voice to push above Ragan's with the line "Seen times that are rough and we shined, like a lantern in the darkest coal mine." Odds are very high that neither of these gentlemen have ever worked in a coal mine, but with a line like that sung with the conviction the two artists have, you can picture it. Get this album now, whether you like punk rock, country, alt-country...whatever the hell you want to call it. Music is Music, and this is some of the best your likely to hear.

NOFX - Eddie, Bruce and Paul

from 2009's Coaster / Frisbee

Leave it to NOFX to have the best guitar work they have ever recorded on a joke song about the break up of Iron Maiden. This is a hell of a ridiculous concept for a song, but it sure is fun to listen to. It's like Fat Mike's mini rock opera about a band breaking up due to substance abuse. "Kudos to Paul - Fuck You Bruce. How you spossda Rock and Roll without substance

abuse" I think that maybe a bit of the epic tale of Iron Maiden hit home with the members of NOFX. As anyone who has seen their Backstage tour show when it was on TV can tell you, (or anyone who has seen them live, or even just listened to their lyrics...) these guys are a hard living bunch. Regardless, this is a cool tune, and I'm not exaggerating about it probably being the best guitar work they ever recorded. I own every NOFX album and I have not recently given every single track a good listen, but I think this could be El Hefe and Eric Melvin's crowning achievement.

There you have it. Not a Bad list...if I do say so myself.

A Few Songs That I Really Dig Right Now...

So, I have failed at my promise to do one review a month. But, that does not mean that I haven't been rocking out to some new (and old) music. I will eventually find the time to review every record I want, but for now here are a few of the songs I have had on repeat for the last few months...

Westbound Train - "So Many Things A Man Can Say"

from 2009's "Come and Get It"
You could tell a non-Westbound Train familiar that this song was recorded in 1960 and they would not second guess you. To quote Steve Harvey "this mother fucker is singing this song." A beautiful tribute to a love that may be getting away. The choruses soar, and the guitar solos float. Singer Obi Fernandez has a pleading wail to his girl that she is all he needs. After a really nice guitar solo Fernandez breaks it down for us "See every night, I've been trying, trying to let you in girl. Its so hard, hey yay, and I just want to reach out baby... reach out, grab your hand...take the world by storm" this line is followed by some of the greatest "non lyrics" to every be recorded. You have to hear this song to believe it. A magical tune from a killer ska band, this is music people.


The Pogues - "Fairytale of New York"
from 1988's "If I Should Fall From Grace With God"
Somehow, I had never heard this song until a few months ago when I watched the documentary on singer Shane MacGowan. I don't know how the hell I missed this one. A truly wonderful song, in true Pogues style. Some of Shane's vocals are barely comprehensive, but the raw emotion doesn't make understanding every word necessary. During its haunting and depressing beginning, Shane practically weeps into the microphone telling a tale of how he ended in a drunk tank after a fight with his wife. About a minute in, the wife, in the form of Kristy MacNichol, begins the tale of two starry eyed youngsters coming to New York. Only to find that a big city might not be all its cracked up to be. The couple ages and begin to fight, swapping insults. Suddenly in what seems to be a moment of clarity, Shane pleads " I could have been someone" to which Ms. MacNichol retorts "Well, so could anyone, you took my dreams from me. When I first found you" Shane closes the argument with a true loving statement to put the cap on the fact that they may hate each other now, but hey, look what we've been through . Mr. MacGowan responding to taking her dreams: "I kept them with me babe. I put them with my own. Can't make it all alone. I built my dreams around you." And the chorus rises one final time, and the band takes it home. God Damn. Maybe it is the polar opposite voices performing in this song, but something gets me every time I listen to this song. The only love song by The Pogues that could trump this would be "A Rainy Night in Soho" but this one just runs the whole gammut of emotions. Listen to it and try to disagree.


Lucero - "What Else Would You Have Me Be"
from 2006's "Rebels, Rogues and Sworn Brothers"

If memory serves me correctly, which it seldom does, I first heard of Lucero at a tattoo shop, whilst getting tattoed. The artist I frequent (ed) and I share similar tastes in music and (would) often converse on the topic. Me usually through grit teeth and shallow breaths. But I recall a few years ago Lucero coming around on his shuffle and not quite being impressed. The dude's voice was cool, and they had a pretty bad ass southern feel to them, but it didn't quite grab me. For some reason early this year I felt the need to look them up, only to find that they have a newer record that I had not heard. I gave it a shot and from the first chord of this song I was kicking myself for having missed out on this until now. I have since gone back and revisited some of their older material and while it is very good, this 2006 release stands alone. A fuller, more energetic sound really pushes these guys into a great direction.
Maybe Im swayed, being a sucker for an awesome opening track, but this is a really solid opener "What Else Would You Have Me Be" There is a quiet guitar and a piano creeps in, and all of the sudden Mr. Ben Nichols growls his way into the record. We are 16 seconds into this album and Nichol's voice tells you that we are in for a treat. He has the perfect rock and roll voice...rough but so heartfelt that you can't help but pay attention. On the last verse the tempo picks up and Nichol's pleads "Come on baby won't you dance? Make Good use out of these drunken feet." If there was ever a line that conjours up an image that would be it. He is frustrated with his girl, she may have had some other dudes, he may have had some other chicks. But for now; for tonight they are putting that aside and just enjoying what they have.

LaGracia - "My Lightnings"

from 2008's "On Parallels"

Jason Shevchuk is the singer of None More Black, Kid Dynamite, and LaGracia. He may be the weirdest, and yet most effective lyricist around. This was LaGracia's first and only release. The record itself is awesome, not quite None More Black status, but really really good. Late in this record comes "My Lightnings" with a fast cymbal count off and Shevchuk bellowing about something until the chorus, when he states "No, I'm not giving up on the anthem. I'm just dancing to the beat of a different drum." Is he talking about his other bands? His stagnant career as a film editor? Who the hell knows. What we do know is that this man can write a damn song. About 75% through the song everything drops out but the drums and he repeats the initial chorus, and it really closes things out nicely. In a record (and career) full of metaphors, you almost think you can get this one 100%, and maybe I'm just stupid but I think he maybe doesn't want people to completely understand everything he writes. Either way this song freaking rocks, and you don't have to over analyze it to tell that. (even though I just attempted to)


Tiger Army - "Where The Moss Slowly Grows"
from 2007's "Music From Regions Beyond"
This track pretty much stands alone on Tiger Army's most recent release. A complete departure from their normal routine, this is almost a country song, but a little light distortion behind the slide guitar sets us straight. Singer Nick13 is pouring his damn heart out. The subject of the song is on the surface a story of two people stuck in a rut of a relationship and the breakup consequenses. However, digging a little deeper, I think now at the heart of things this may be about taking a chance with your life and in particular - your craft. He begs for another chance to explain himself, and to have the opportunity to express himself the way he wants. The song is a beautiful, tear jerking success. Very muted and understated, the emotions hit you like a ton of bricks. This is one of those songs that cold be applied to nearly any situation you face in your life. Come on - the first line is "And so another journey has come to an end..." and the last line is "you mean more than you may every know...don't linger, where the moss slowly grows." Ain't no comparrison to lyrics like that.


Alkaline Trio - "Blue in the Face"
from 2003's "Good Mourning"

Ok, Im not going to Bullshit anyone. I just really like the way his voice sounds in this song. It is not really the actual song, but the vocals that first stuck with me. This track actually got me to listen to the rest of Alkaline Trio's work. I hear this song and I picture any one of my more musically inclined friends. Late at night, smoked too many cigarettes that day, maybe had one too many cocktails, just picking up their guitar and singing about what they have been through that day. This song may be the definition of pouring out your heart. He's hurting, he's pissed...but maybe some of it is his fault too. Maybe he is part of the problem. An awesome song. "I thought that I, found me a cure for feeling old. Just one more line, to keep me sleeping loudly and cold."..."Can't say I blame you one bit when you kept it all inside, when you left that night." and the chilling confession: "I don't dream, since I quit sleeping. I haven't slept, since I met you." The images conjoured by this song are indeed vivid. A great track.





Tom Gabel - "Harsh Realm"
from 2008's "Heart Burns"



Tom Gabel, singer of Against Me, basically released an Against Me record...with a little less drum rocking. This song is an example of why a solo record is important for a man like Gabel. He might have some personal stuff to say that wouldn't fit in his crazy anarchy lyrics of his full time gig. This man has an extremely powerful voice, that somehow has gotten better with age. He has abandoned some of the growling for actual singing. "Harsh Realm" is a tale of getting through the day. Shit piles up, people are going to disagree with you, and you have to push on through. I thing in Mr. Gable's case there might be some larger issues at hand. Like maybe how he has made a living singing songs about fuckin the system and then he releases a video on MTV... "Theres a million things to get done today, I can't calm down, I can't think straight. You give a little bit of time to everyone you meet, and what do you save for yourself? How much money do you need, to give yourself a sense of security?" I don't think Tom or Against Me will ever abandon their roots, but you can't record the same album every time... and they realize that. This solo album probably is the bridge between Gable recording "New Wave" and coming to terms with the success it brought him and the band. Or maybe I'm way off... either way a really cool tune.





So there are a few songs I have really been enjoying in the last few months. I know what you are saying:
"Why are the majority of them slow songs?"
To that I say - leave me alone...maybe I'm getting old, I don't know. This is what I have been jamming to lately.