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.

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