What is it about classic rock songs that seems to put them on an altogether different level than modern music? Sure, there's no shortage of great music from the last decade if you know where to look (i.e. this blog), but it doesn't seem to grip you like "Born to Run", "Come Sail Away", or "Who Are You." (For more examples, see my previous post on how to win at Pandora) Is it just because we've had more time to process classic rock and separate the gems from the forgettable? Because their increased dynamic range makes them more gripping and enjoyable to listen to? In the case of those who were actually old enough to enjoy them when they were new, is it because we tend to grow attached to music of our childhood? Or because the recognized "classic" artists were genre trailblazers who started trends rather than following them?
I don't really have an answer. Or I think it's a combinations of all of the above (except the third reason for me). Please comment and discuss your views on what makes "classic" music (not necessarily rock, that's just my favorite kind) so. I should probably repost this on Facebook so people read it.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Random Album #2
Well, it was good to rediscover Anarchy Club yesterday and write about them. So good, in fact, that it's time for another random album review! So, I'll hit play and get...
...Somewhere Out In Space, by Gamma Ray. Power metal time!
The album starts off with a triple-bass (bass guitar and double bass pedal) intro on "Beyond the Black Hole" This is my favorite song from the album with its fast pace, high, energy, and hilariously absurd lyrics about a wanderer of the stars who has nothing to live for in this galaxy and decides to seek another through the eponymous black hole. Only a power metal band could make such a lighthearted, heroic song about suicide. Fantastic, energetic solo and an extremely catchy chorus make this song a power metal classic.
"Men, Martians, and Machines" starts with a tune that will be instantly familiar for anyone who has seen a certain alien film classic...hey, wait a minute, it has the same riff as Electric Eye! What the heck!? My opinion of Gamma Ray just dropped slightly. Oh well, the album is still young. "No Stranger (Another Day In Life)" doesn't seem to remarkable at first, but it has a pretty intense solo. With my new headphones (which I didn't have the first time), the 'muddy'-sounding mixing of Gamma Ray's songs is more clear, but the it does complement the reverb of their guitars nicely.
The title track is definitely more thrashy and gets right to business with the double guitars and double-bass drumming. Excellent, significantly more varied vocals make this a surprise hit, almost as good as "Beyond the Black Hole". It also displays excellent songwriting, with more sections than many a prog metal song. Epic. "Pray" is the obligatory slower-paced ballad, nothing spectacular. "The Winged Horse" is progressive in length, but less so in structure than "Somewhere Out in Space", and is more like an extended version of their other songs with a lengthy instrumental section.
"Lost in the Future" blends heavy, pounding guitars with an "Oh! Susanna" solo (believe it). That was awesome. "Shine on" blends the length of "Winged Horse" with the progginess of the title track, and the result is fairly majestic. It seems a more appropriate album send-off than the final track, "Return to Fantasy." Overall, Somewhere Out In Space is a great listen, but Gamma Ray isn't exactly my favorite power metal band, and I'd more highly recommend their next album Power Plant, their 2005 release Majestic, or Land of the Free II.
...Somewhere Out In Space, by Gamma Ray. Power metal time!
The album starts off with a triple-bass (bass guitar and double bass pedal) intro on "Beyond the Black Hole" This is my favorite song from the album with its fast pace, high, energy, and hilariously absurd lyrics about a wanderer of the stars who has nothing to live for in this galaxy and decides to seek another through the eponymous black hole. Only a power metal band could make such a lighthearted, heroic song about suicide. Fantastic, energetic solo and an extremely catchy chorus make this song a power metal classic.
"Men, Martians, and Machines" starts with a tune that will be instantly familiar for anyone who has seen a certain alien film classic...hey, wait a minute, it has the same riff as Electric Eye! What the heck!? My opinion of Gamma Ray just dropped slightly. Oh well, the album is still young. "No Stranger (Another Day In Life)" doesn't seem to remarkable at first, but it has a pretty intense solo. With my new headphones (which I didn't have the first time), the 'muddy'-sounding mixing of Gamma Ray's songs is more clear, but the it does complement the reverb of their guitars nicely.
The title track is definitely more thrashy and gets right to business with the double guitars and double-bass drumming. Excellent, significantly more varied vocals make this a surprise hit, almost as good as "Beyond the Black Hole". It also displays excellent songwriting, with more sections than many a prog metal song. Epic. "Pray" is the obligatory slower-paced ballad, nothing spectacular. "The Winged Horse" is progressive in length, but less so in structure than "Somewhere Out in Space", and is more like an extended version of their other songs with a lengthy instrumental section.
"Lost in the Future" blends heavy, pounding guitars with an "Oh! Susanna" solo (believe it). That was awesome. "Shine on" blends the length of "Winged Horse" with the progginess of the title track, and the result is fairly majestic. It seems a more appropriate album send-off than the final track, "Return to Fantasy." Overall, Somewhere Out In Space is a great listen, but Gamma Ray isn't exactly my favorite power metal band, and I'd more highly recommend their next album Power Plant, their 2005 release Majestic, or Land of the Free II.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Random Album #1
Well, I haven't been listening to much music lately between all my other responsibilities--research, leadership positions, classes, applying for internships, etc. There is so much good music in my library, but how do I pick something to talk about? Answer: I won't. iTunes will. I'll just go to my "Full Albums" playlist and engage the shuffle to get (I haven't cheated; I have no idea!)...
...A Single Drop of Red, by Anarchy Club. Excellent, I was worried I'd get my ABBA compilation or something. (Don't ask)
I learned of Anarchy Club, like so many other bands, from Guitar Hero; they had songs featured on the first two games. They play a peculiar, modern blend of hard rock and electronic music. Sort of an industrial feel with plodding, electronic beats mixed with heavy guitars and some interesting sounds. I haven't listened to this album in a while. Let's go!
The first track, "Graveyard Stickshift", is a pretty fantastic driving song. And considering its electronic influences, it's even better for car-bound dance parties! "Collide" is the band's contribution to Guitar Hero II and is more straight-up metal. Excellent riffing, which I remember being fun to play on plastic guitar. Pretty laid-back vocals and they don't do anything terribly interesting with the rhythm, but an enjoyable listen. Pretty cool bridge section/solo too.
And "Blood Doll" is their Rock Band song. These guys are like the darlings of the rhythm game genre! (No, actually, Foo Fighters are, but unlike them Anarchy Club has probably gotten most of their exposure from music games) Anyway, it's pretty short and sweet. Deep, chugging guitars that you can headbang to, as usual.
And the electronic influences come roaring (or humming/clicking) back for the title track. It has surprisingly sparse instrumentation, but all the instruments (synth, guitar, drums, bass) come together for a song that practically massages your ears on the verses and is excellent, juicy rock in the choruses. Cool instrumental bridge in lieu of a solo. (Anarchy Club is so laid-back that a solo would almost seem out of place, though they can certainly do them well)
After, of all things, a Sweet cover in "No You Don't" (which I consider an improvement), the rest of the album is remixes of songs from their first album. "Shaolin (Wudang Style)" mixes heavy guitars with delicate Chinese strings and turns into an anthem you might expect to hear at a football game and/or karate tournament. "Behind the Mask (Qigong Mix)" is a remix of the band's Guitar Hero I song, but it goes a bit far with the electronic weirdness and I much prefer the original. The second remix is much closer to the original, but with a more electronic beat and some sweeping synths laid over the top. The ending is actually quite beautiful.
On the metal-electronic spectrum, Anarchy Club falls more on the metal side. Highly recommend for lovers of metal or modern/alt rock, or electronica. I only have this album from them, so I don't know if their first or third is even better, though.
...A Single Drop of Red, by Anarchy Club. Excellent, I was worried I'd get my ABBA compilation or something. (Don't ask)
The first track, "Graveyard Stickshift", is a pretty fantastic driving song. And considering its electronic influences, it's even better for car-bound dance parties! "Collide" is the band's contribution to Guitar Hero II and is more straight-up metal. Excellent riffing, which I remember being fun to play on plastic guitar. Pretty laid-back vocals and they don't do anything terribly interesting with the rhythm, but an enjoyable listen. Pretty cool bridge section/solo too.
And "Blood Doll" is their Rock Band song. These guys are like the darlings of the rhythm game genre! (No, actually, Foo Fighters are, but unlike them Anarchy Club has probably gotten most of their exposure from music games) Anyway, it's pretty short and sweet. Deep, chugging guitars that you can headbang to, as usual.
And the electronic influences come roaring (or humming/clicking) back for the title track. It has surprisingly sparse instrumentation, but all the instruments (synth, guitar, drums, bass) come together for a song that practically massages your ears on the verses and is excellent, juicy rock in the choruses. Cool instrumental bridge in lieu of a solo. (Anarchy Club is so laid-back that a solo would almost seem out of place, though they can certainly do them well)
After, of all things, a Sweet cover in "No You Don't" (which I consider an improvement), the rest of the album is remixes of songs from their first album. "Shaolin (Wudang Style)" mixes heavy guitars with delicate Chinese strings and turns into an anthem you might expect to hear at a football game and/or karate tournament. "Behind the Mask (Qigong Mix)" is a remix of the band's Guitar Hero I song, but it goes a bit far with the electronic weirdness and I much prefer the original. The second remix is much closer to the original, but with a more electronic beat and some sweeping synths laid over the top. The ending is actually quite beautiful.
On the metal-electronic spectrum, Anarchy Club falls more on the metal side. Highly recommend for lovers of metal or modern/alt rock, or electronica. I only have this album from them, so I don't know if their first or third is even better, though.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Do This
I'm sure you all know of pandora.com, the internet radio site that lets you create playlists of music similar to your favorite songs or artists. But what you don't know (until a few seconds from now) is how to win at Pandora. Go to Pandora and make a station based on Queen (just the artist). Then sit back and listen to classic rock hits until your head explodes for sheer joy. I'm pretty sure that the insane awesomeness of Queen Radio is an easter egg or something. Evidently I should look into Queen...
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Moar Video Game Metal
I know I've referred to DragonForce and The Black Mages as "video game metal". Well, they aren't anymore, because I've found a band that takes the video game cake: Powerglove! (Possibly named after an obscure and failed NES accessory) They do ridiculous, extreme power metal covers of video game hits like the Super Mario Bros. Theme, Zelda soundtracks, Final Fantasy (I'm not sure if I like this or the Black Mages' cover more), and even Duck Hunt (which apparently has no soundtrack). Their latest album explores the TV shows and movies of the band's youth, including The Simpsons, The Flintstones, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Winnie the Pooh, and best of all, the Pokemon theme song featuring Tony Kakko. Simply glorious. It's a blast to listen to covers of songs I'm familiar with, and even the ones I'm not are still great. These guys can play!
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