Just wanted to give my goodbye to Johnny Carson. At 29 years, I am old enough to remember watching him, but young enough to remember what a treat it was being able to stay up late enough to watch him. The funny moments were even funnier to a kid staying up way past his bedtime!
1.24.2005
What Was In My Car....
MASTODON- LEVIATHAN (2004)
Very, very few metal albums are true "winners" for me on the first listen. Usually it takes a few times through to remember the catches, anticipate the changes, and to find the grooves. I had Mastodon in the car for the first time on the way to work this morning and I can't wait for the ride home's second listen. It is really... REALLY good.
First of all, check out the album cover. Nuthin' cooler than a big Moby Dick smashing a big ol' boat. Yeah!
More importantly, the music is aggressive, tight, and wonderfully interesting. I thought of it as Hemispheres/Farewell to Kings-era Rush done in a modern metal-style. Like Rush, Mastodon features a thematic album with epic songs that weave melody, pounding rhythms with changing tempos and time signatures (only Mastodon does it with an extreme-metal edge). Each song features insanely complex drumming, guitars that switch from textural runs to percussive chords, and solid bass. The singing is the genre's typical growling, but a couple songs feature a lighter, more melodic attack.
Moments are harsh or brutal--others catch a fantastic groove. Mastodon takes the listener through extreme changes in tone, mood, and tempo without warning--but not without meaning or structure. Unlike genre-sharers The Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastadon's quirkiness never seems random.
If Rush were the prog-rock kings of the 70's, Mastodon may be crowned prog-metal kings of today if subsequent releases live up to the potential set by Leviathan.
(early) Rating: ******* outta 8.
ALSO IN MY CAR THIS WEEKEND:
Church of Misery-- Master of Brutality (2001)
Church of Misery can be labeled as Doom Metal or Stoner Metal, but I prefer to label them as Groove Metal (mostly because I don't want to be associated with Stoners or the Doomed). Yeah, the pace is very slow and the low-toned, fuzzed guitar and bass slog about like the typical Doomed/Stoned Metalers--BUT these guys seem to have a genuine enthusiasm hidden behind their murky music. I would describe Church of Misery as Black Sabbath tuned down, turned up, overdriven, and crossed with the grooviest Skynyrd riffs that you could emulate. It's low, loud, and it rawks. It could also be said that Church of Misery is the best Doom Metal band to ever come out of Japan (although, I dare you to name any outta Japan!).
Master of Brutality, unfortunately, has a different serial killer as the theme of each song (except for the cover of Blue Oyster Cult's Cities on Flame With Rock 'N' Roll). Thankfully (this can serve as my sweeping statement about all metal) the screaming vocals hide the lyrics. I never noticed the subject until I saw the song titles.
Overall, the musicianship is solid, yet unpolished (to be too polished would ruin the mood!) The guitars are soooo raw, fuzzy, and overdriven--it's just a blast to hear every riff crush and crunch against the cymbal-happy, solid drumming. Also, let me say that a bass through a fuzzed amp and a wah-pedal gives one of the best sounds heard on Earth.
With only 6 songs, Master of Brutality could be an EP, but the songs range from 4 to 11 minutes in length--so it's not short at all. It should also be said that after 6 songs, I was ready for it to be over. Too much of the same thing--no matter how awesome--gets old. These guys are slow, loud, and groovy--and so proud of this that they don't change from song to song (not that they should). I did find myself wandering in and out of interest during the slower songs, but my ADD only lasted a few minutes as a new groove here or there sparked new interest.
Church of Misery is an excellent addition to any car trip soundtrack as it welcomes many steering-wheel drum fills and stick-shift guitar picking.
Rating: ****** outta 8.
1.21.2005
Sorry, folks.../ Quote of the year so far...
Yeah, it's been forEVER since I posted... and I know my "public" needs me! Ha!
Anyway, I am doing my best Rodney Dangerfield impression as I am Back to School after a nice 6-year hiatus. More on that later, though. While I won't do a Triple-Lindy, I do hope to grab a diploma in a year or two. So, instead of throwing my thoughts up here, I have been reading The Republic and a handful of essays on ethics.
More to come. Soon.
I'll leave you with this quote from NBA Guru Bill Walton. It's hard to take a Dead-Head seriously, but the man speaks the truth. (quote is from Walton's 1-21-05 chatroom appearance on ESPN.COM)
"[The Minnesota Timberwolves are] the biggest disappointment in the league. They've lost 11 of 15 and are proving once again that character does matter. Have you noticed Sprewell seems to wear out his welcome WHEREVER he goes?!! They always tell us that the enthusiasm and infectious ethic of the lead player is so important. KG is so positive ... why hasn't that been contageous throughout the rest of the team? In the end, the bad guys always getcha!"
Nice.
Anyway, I am doing my best Rodney Dangerfield impression as I am Back to School after a nice 6-year hiatus. More on that later, though. While I won't do a Triple-Lindy, I do hope to grab a diploma in a year or two. So, instead of throwing my thoughts up here, I have been reading The Republic and a handful of essays on ethics.
More to come. Soon.
I'll leave you with this quote from NBA Guru Bill Walton. It's hard to take a Dead-Head seriously, but the man speaks the truth. (quote is from Walton's 1-21-05 chatroom appearance on ESPN.COM)
"[The Minnesota Timberwolves are] the biggest disappointment in the league. They've lost 11 of 15 and are proving once again that character does matter. Have you noticed Sprewell seems to wear out his welcome WHEREVER he goes?!! They always tell us that the enthusiasm and infectious ethic of the lead player is so important. KG is so positive ... why hasn't that been contageous throughout the rest of the team? In the end, the bad guys always getcha!"
Nice.
1.08.2005
What Was In My Car
Kaada/Patton--Romances (2004)
I hated Romances the second I heard it--but I liked it after a half-hour, and I loved it after listening to it the third time. It's a thick, experimental album that demands patience and a second (or third, or fourth) chance to truly enjoy the listening experience.
Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, Lovage, Peeping Tom, etc...) either has the world's largest creative drive--or the worst case of A.D.D. Patton seems to always be involved with least three recording projects at a time--always with completely different bands, genres, and overall themes. This particular project teams Patton with John Erik Kaada--an experimental jazz/trance/techno musician-soundtrack composer (?... you try to put a label to it!) from Norway. The results are... interesting and addictive.
Mike Patton continues his recent "cinematic" music phase (as heard on Director's Cut and Delirium Cordia by Fantomas) where the CD seems to be more of a motion picture soundtrack than an actual album. Thankfully, Kaada's influence makes the listen a more soothing experience (although it still is a bit haunting) rather than the absolute horror that Delirium Cordia offered. So it could be said that if Delirium Cordia were a slasher film, Romances would be a psychological thriller.
Where Romances really shines is in its exploitation of tension and release. Right when you start to ask, "Where the hell is this song going?" after a long period of droning, pulsating, atmospheric music, the song suddenly turns into a wonderful hook that demands your full attention. The instant you become comfortable with the hook, Patton and Kaada strip it from you and return to background. It's an exercise of risk and reward... patience and payoff. The more you give, the more you get.
It should be said, though, that this is not a noise album. While it is experimental, it isn't so far gone that the songs lack structure, theme, or music. All the essential musical elements are there--just not at the pace we are used to. Where most bands may pause a few beats between song elements, Kaada and Patton pause a few minutes (but the pause actually adds to the song). When you have to wait longer for the payoff, the payoff is more appreciated (again, due to their brilliant exhibit of tension and release).
Musically, Kaada's jack-of-all-trades expertise is felt on the many, MANY instruments heard on this album, but it is the instrument of Patton's voice that keeps the ear attentive. Where Kaada can play anything, Patton can sing anything (or grunt, gurgle, croon, or whatever). It's a real treat to hear the two play off each other. Even during the "pauses" between ideas/moods, the instrumentation and voices are interesting enough to keep you from hitting "skip" on your CD player.
Song-wise, Kaada and Patton switch it up a bit from Vegas-crooning to a western-movie score to simple "la la la's"--all the while keeping it all wrapped up in a tight "spooky-romantic" theme. There are a few stand out songs (Pitie Pour Mes Larmes is my fave)... but you'll remember the album as a whole over the individual parts.
Should you run out and buy it? I dunno... depends on your patience and what kind of mood you're in.
Will I listen to it often? No, but when I am in the mood to listen to it, I will love it.
Rating: ****** outta 8
To listen to samples from their website: http://www.kaada.no/romances/
To view other Ipecac recordings (Patton's label): http://www.ipecac.com
I hated Romances the second I heard it--but I liked it after a half-hour, and I loved it after listening to it the third time. It's a thick, experimental album that demands patience and a second (or third, or fourth) chance to truly enjoy the listening experience.
Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, Lovage, Peeping Tom, etc...) either has the world's largest creative drive--or the worst case of A.D.D. Patton seems to always be involved with least three recording projects at a time--always with completely different bands, genres, and overall themes. This particular project teams Patton with John Erik Kaada--an experimental jazz/trance/techno musician-soundtrack composer (?... you try to put a label to it!) from Norway. The results are... interesting and addictive.
Mike Patton continues his recent "cinematic" music phase (as heard on Director's Cut and Delirium Cordia by Fantomas) where the CD seems to be more of a motion picture soundtrack than an actual album. Thankfully, Kaada's influence makes the listen a more soothing experience (although it still is a bit haunting) rather than the absolute horror that Delirium Cordia offered. So it could be said that if Delirium Cordia were a slasher film, Romances would be a psychological thriller.
Where Romances really shines is in its exploitation of tension and release. Right when you start to ask, "Where the hell is this song going?" after a long period of droning, pulsating, atmospheric music, the song suddenly turns into a wonderful hook that demands your full attention. The instant you become comfortable with the hook, Patton and Kaada strip it from you and return to background. It's an exercise of risk and reward... patience and payoff. The more you give, the more you get.
It should be said, though, that this is not a noise album. While it is experimental, it isn't so far gone that the songs lack structure, theme, or music. All the essential musical elements are there--just not at the pace we are used to. Where most bands may pause a few beats between song elements, Kaada and Patton pause a few minutes (but the pause actually adds to the song). When you have to wait longer for the payoff, the payoff is more appreciated (again, due to their brilliant exhibit of tension and release).
Musically, Kaada's jack-of-all-trades expertise is felt on the many, MANY instruments heard on this album, but it is the instrument of Patton's voice that keeps the ear attentive. Where Kaada can play anything, Patton can sing anything (or grunt, gurgle, croon, or whatever). It's a real treat to hear the two play off each other. Even during the "pauses" between ideas/moods, the instrumentation and voices are interesting enough to keep you from hitting "skip" on your CD player.
Song-wise, Kaada and Patton switch it up a bit from Vegas-crooning to a western-movie score to simple "la la la's"--all the while keeping it all wrapped up in a tight "spooky-romantic" theme. There are a few stand out songs (Pitie Pour Mes Larmes is my fave)... but you'll remember the album as a whole over the individual parts.
Should you run out and buy it? I dunno... depends on your patience and what kind of mood you're in.
Will I listen to it often? No, but when I am in the mood to listen to it, I will love it.
Rating: ****** outta 8
To listen to samples from their website: http://www.kaada.no/romances/
To view other Ipecac recordings (Patton's label): http://www.ipecac.com
1.06.2005
More of the worst...
I saw this quote quoted on http://www.coxandforkum.com and I couldn't help pasting it here to show a few more people. It really shows the true nature of the so-called nature-loving environmentalists. They claim to be pro-environment, but I have always seen them more as anti-man (the species, not the sex). Anyway, this quote from James Wilcot (a contributor to Vanity Fair) epitomizes this theory:
I root for hurricanes. When, courtesy of the Weather Channel, I see one forming in the ocean off the coast of Africa, I find myself longing for it to become big and strong -- Mother Nature's fist of fury, Gaia's stern rebuke. Considering the havoc mankind has wreaked upon nature with deforesting, stripmining, and the destruction of animal habitat, it only seems fair that nature get some of its own back and teach us that there are forces greater than our own.
Nice. Be careful what you wish for.
Also, beware of the Greenpeacers today as they are screaming "Global Warming" as the cause of the Tsunami. Last time I checked, earthquakes aren't caused by man. Environmentalists have always walked hand and hand with the Junk Scientists... but this--in the wake of one of history's worst disasters--is disgusting.
Venting over. Positivity to follow... I promise.
I root for hurricanes. When, courtesy of the Weather Channel, I see one forming in the ocean off the coast of Africa, I find myself longing for it to become big and strong -- Mother Nature's fist of fury, Gaia's stern rebuke. Considering the havoc mankind has wreaked upon nature with deforesting, stripmining, and the destruction of animal habitat, it only seems fair that nature get some of its own back and teach us that there are forces greater than our own.
Nice. Be careful what you wish for.
Also, beware of the Greenpeacers today as they are screaming "Global Warming" as the cause of the Tsunami. Last time I checked, earthquakes aren't caused by man. Environmentalists have always walked hand and hand with the Junk Scientists... but this--in the wake of one of history's worst disasters--is disgusting.
Venting over. Positivity to follow... I promise.
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