New Laptop!
I get to resume my blogging/listening year! Stoked.
Ghost - Opus Eponymous (2010)
Let’s just get this out of the way. This band’s name is freaking stupid.
If I’m to believe them on looks alone, then Ghost is made up of five “Nameless Ghouls” (as the musicians are credited) led by some satanic priest in a red Cardinal’s outfit (covered in inverted crosses … SPOOKY!) and skull makeup. His name is Papa Emeritus, and he sings his “litanies” to a melodic metal backdrop.
Naturally, they are European. Swedish to be exact. This could only come from Europe. And, much like many Euro Metal bands, they are way over-hyped to death.
If I were a teenager, I would be all over this: Over-the-top image, and melodic heavy metal. Ol’ Papa Emeritus (rumor has it that his parents know him as Tobias Forge, and he plays in some band called “Repugnant”. Seriously.) likes to throw his voice into “Satanic” lyrics that pepper the album’s nine tracks. ”Satan Prayer” is rather obviously titled, while “Stand By Him” proclaims in its opening lines that “The Devil’s Power is the Greatest One”.
The music is so inoffensive (very prominent keyboards), this could easily be on any rock radio station in America (or anywhere else). ”Ritual” practically begs to be all over the airwaves, as well as yet-another-Metal-song about Elizabeth Bathory titled simply, “Elizabeth”.
Think 70’s bands like Blue Oyster Cult. Or early 80’s pioneers Mercyful Fate (without King Diamond, there would be no “Papa Emeritus”, believe it). That’s what you’re getting with Ghost. Musically competent, visually stimulating, but ultimately safe and kind of boring. Without their visual gimmick, this band would fall flatter than, well, something flat.
Go ahead and buy into the Ghost hype. It’s a big world and you can listen to crappy music if you prefer.
Ghost - “Ritual” (Live at Hammer of Doom Festival) (via youtube)
Fucked Up - Dance of Death 7” (2004)
Good luck finding everything these guys (and girl) have put out. Because I doubt even they have.
I discovered Fucked Up a couple years ago after having ignored them solely based on the band’s name. Then one day I saw a video of singer Pink Eyes (“Damian Abraham” to his friends and family) being interviewed on Canada’s Q TV.
He was articulate. And funny. And it turns out Fucked Up is kind of a Big Deal, having won Canada’s Polaris Prize in 2009 for The Chemistry of Common Life. So I checked out that album using a subscription to a music service I no longer use and won’t name, and was completely blown away.
This is the band’s fourth recorded release. Much rawer than their most recent full-lengths (and sounding vastly different from 2011’s David Comes to Life which was also named “Album of the Year” by Spin.), it’s over and done with in just under six minutes.
Perfect for a romantic evening. With razors.
Fucked Up - “Dance of Death” (via youtube)
PS - I met Damian just over a year ago when Fucked Up played in Miami at Churchill’s Pub. He was as friendly as I had anticipated. And the show was Amazing.
Rockabye Baby! - Lullaby Renditions of Madonna (2011)
I swear this is the last time.
When you think about it, “Lucky Star” is the perfect introduction to this album, with it’s refrain of “Star Light/Star Bright”.
OK, it’s another instrumental album. But YOU know these songs. And you will hear the lyrics in your head the entire time. Perhaps that was the point in the first place, allow the parents to hear the songs the way they were meant to be heard in their heads, while Junior just hears the plucky notes to “Like a Virgin”, “Papa Don’t Preach”, “Express Yourself” and “Material Girl”. All the while getting the subliminal kiddie advice Madonna is known around the world for.
Sweet dreams, Material Baby.
Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Madonna - “Like a Virgin” (via spotify)
FYI
Tumblr (and real life) have not caught up with me. Tomorrow will make it clear and even.
Rockabye Baby! - Lullaby Renditions of Black Sabbath (2010)
Holy Crap. It’s a Series.
The news of the original members of Black Sabbath reuniting, and drummer Bill Ward’s recent announcement that he wouldn’t be joining the band (contract problems, as in he didn’t feel his was fair) have had me in a bit of a Sabbath mood.
I’ve never seen them life, and have been eagerly anticipating the upcoming reunion. But with the news of Tony Iommi’s recent lymphoma diagnosis (and now Ward’s departure), I’m having my doubts.
Perfect for Metalhead parents who want their fix, Lullaby Renditions of Black Sabbath is newborn-friendly versions of the Metal classics (all instrumental). All the kid-friendly classics are here: ”Iron Man”, “Children of the Grave”, “Fairies Wear Boots” and, of course, “War Pigs”.
Kids love Pigs! And Fairies! And um … Graves.
Rockabye Baby Lullaby Renditions of Black Sabbath - “Paranoid” (via youtube)
Rockabye Baby! - Lullaby Renditions of Tool (2006)
This seriously exists.
I’ve seen plenty of instrumental tributes to Tool in record stores in the past. I’ve never listened to them before, as I’ve always felt the original was Just Fine. But when I came across this on Spotify, I had to check it out.
It’s not quite music-box renditions of Tool’s music, but as close as it can probably come. Imagine keyboards and strings and xylophones playing “Sober” and “Opiate” and “Schism” and you’ll get the idea. It works surprisingly well at times, but let’s get real. This is a novelty at best.
Or perhaps a way for cool parents to sneak some Metal into their infant’s early musical vocabulary? Stealthy.
Rockabye Baby Lullaby Renditions of Tool - “Sober” (via youtube)
Atmosphere - Sad Clown Bad Fall 10 (2007)
Another day, another Atmosphere EP.
Sad Clown Bad Fall 10 is the second in the Sad Clown series. Meant to hold over fans until the next full-length, it’s 14 minutes of Slug talking about girls (“Peyote”), the anxiety of parties (“Party Over Here”), as well as the simple problems of his everyday life (“Makes The Sun Come Out”).
It’s the same Atmosphere formula, in a quick-hit dose. Like a hit of espresso.
Howard Zinn - Stories Hollywood Never Tells (2001)
If you don’t know Howard Zinn, look him up. And read his books. While I feel it’s important to give historical perspective (21st century values are not those of the 18th, whether modern views agree with them or not), Zinn’s work is Necessary. Find it. Period.
