Belle Histoire - Stay Awhile

Lovely indie, for a lovely, yet gloomy and overcast March day.  And perhaps it should be from a lovely indie band I recently discovered: Cincinnati's Bell Histoire.  They're the kind of band that you listen to and wonder, why aren't they known around the world yet?  I'm already looking forward to the day that Bell Histoire makes it big; they've got catchy-fun indie down pat and stand out in a sea of similarities.  What drew me in to such greatness?  "Stay Awhile."

Nice to meet you, I've waited for so long, to find someone I can count on 'til the end.

"Stay Awhile" is a love song, simply put, but doesn't pride itself on being one.  It's cool about it's subject matter, and lets the instrumental side of the track play a role as well.  Lead Jane Smith also has an impressive set of indie pipes.  She reminds me of Laura Stevenson, another indie darling, with just a hint of pop thrown in.  All of this makes "Stay Awhile" worth staying to listen to.  Don't worry, you'll love it as much as I do.

Terry Urban - Lucky Struggle

A few days ago I came across something great.  Really great.  We all remember way back in the day when Jay-Z and The Beatles were brought together in the remixed harmony of The Grey Album.  DJ Terry Urban does the same thing on the mixtape Born Ready To Die with Lana Del Rey and the Notorious B.I.G.  Now, this is golden.  This is what dreams are made of, Hillary Duff.  I've got a slew of favourites, such as "FTW", "Juicy Lolita" and "Notorious Origin," but I already have a special place in my heart and on my ipod for "Lucky Struggle."

"Lucky Struggle" is a cross between Biggie's "Everyday Struggle" on verse duty and Ms. Del Rey's "Lucky Ones" on the chorus and echoing in the background.  I'm drooling.  Biggie is the eternal greatest rapper of all time (the best music in the states comes out of New York, right?) on the track.  He will always be one of the best storytellers through rap, and is complimented by Lana's sped up and higher vocals.  The result is a danceable cross between two genres that Terry Urban should be commended for.  This is greatness in three and a half minutes.

System of a Down's Top 10

Top 10 Mondays are still around!  Oh yes.  This week's list of faves comes courtesy of my favourite Armenians (sorry, Kardashian sisters): System of a Down.  They're back together after a hiatus that was a little longer than I would have liked, and I have my fingers crossed that the announcement of a new album is around the corner.  I've always liked the quartet's style; unlike anything I've ever heard before.  And the politically-charged vocals.  I also used to have the biggest crush on Serj.  Whatever the future holds for SOAD, I'm content with their discography as of now.  There's no bad egg in there.  Everything is good, and narrowing this list down to ten song choices was a tough one.  But here they are:

Visions of Atlantis - Maria Magdalena

I realized recently that my love of metal has taken me in a direction that I never thought I'd take: the symphonic route.  Nightwish, obvs.  Then there's the rare goodies like Edenbridge, Katra, and today's featured group, Visions of Atlantis.  This collective is Austrian in origin and has gone through a large number of lineup changes over the years, but who cares about the drama behind the music?  We're here to skate to one song and one song only.  Couldn't resist that, I've been listening to a lot of Kanye again.  But today's song to skate to?  "Maria Magdalena."

Though Nicole Bogner may not be around anymore (rest in peace, girl), her powerhouse of a symphonic metal voice lives on in "Maria Magdalena."  This chorus.  Drooling.  Visions of Atlantis is a bit like Nightwish in the sense that they use complimenting male/female vocals, but it works for them, and they don't overuse it.  This song is all Nicole's.  I have to say the guitar work is just okay, but doesn't distract from the vocals.  "Maria Magdalena" is a little operatic, a little power metal, and really awesome.  'Nuff said.

Slipknot - Danger-Keep Away

Let's go back to the knot, shall we?  And how about we don't deviate from albums, and stay on the superb Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses?  And keep it slowed down and free of growling?  Yes, Slipknot was versatile in its heyday especially in the last two albums.  "Circle," as we all should know, was a brilliant acoustic number with an atmospheric, folky feel.  "Danger - Keep Away" is in the same fantastic vein, but more atmospheric than acoustic.  It's good.  Real good.  Now this is how you end an album.

This is another side of Corey Taylor's vocals.  It's impressive for an artist to be able to do two different things flawlessly.  Growling/screaming?  He's got that down.  Emotionally-charged clean vocals?  Just as good.  Now, with "Danger - Keep Away" we take out the guitar from "Circle" and throw in a delicate, haunting piano in which few notes are struck, but those few notes...  Drooling.  Now, I am a huge metal fan, but I like to sing along to the lyrics...and death growling makes it difficult.  This is exactly what I want.  And hopefully, it's exactly what you want as well.  And non-metal mongers, take a chance on this one.

I've been waiting for this to unfold
My pieces are only as good as the whole

Mr Fogg - Moving Parts

Mr Fogg is my kind of guy.  His moniker references a fictional character (from a book, even better) and he has this electro-indie thing down pat.  He's also British too!  I'm rather partial to a change from the usual (largely) American and (somewhat frequent) Canadian artists.  It's time to go elsewhere for my electro-indie!  And I found some good stuff.

"Moving Parts" is a delicate ditty with the chime of high notes and vocals filled with both sadness and hope.  It's a minimally electronic symphony here, and I am a big fan.  The chorus veins into a slightly more powerful while still morose: we seem to play small parts, but sometimes lines still cross, sometimes.  See what I mean?  Sad, but hopeful.  You get the idea that bad things have happened, but things can and will get better.  Huh.  It's profound, really.  Mr Fogg, you genius.  I also recommend the acoustic version of "Moving Parts" if you can find it; more of a lonely ditty without that electronic symphony feel, but it's what lead me to the original.

Skeletonwitch - Longing for Domination

Who knew good things could come out of Ohio?  I admit my sparse allegiance to the United States lies with the state of Michigan, but the Athens five-piece that is Skeletonwitch has me longing to visit the Buckeye state.  They did play in Kitchener sometime in late 2011...now I am regretful that I didn't go back to the metal club so I could see them.  Skeletonwitch is heavy metal, don't get me wrong, and doesn't fit into the core-prog-symphonic-folk bracket that I enjoy so much.  This is thrash...thrash that I like.  It can happen!

I got "Longing for Domination" from freegal, back when I still used the site to find new music (weren't those the days?).  It's a little less than three minutes of fine guitar work, growling vocals and a feel that isn't too black metal.  There is such a thing, believe me.  This song reminds me of the days when strictly-screaming was my kind of music and nothing else was.  Dear Skeletonwitch, come back to the KW area so I can see you in concert.  Sincerely, a new and devoted fan.

BBU feat. Mic Terror - Spaghetti

Raw.  Now that's how I like my rap.  And Chicago quartet BBU know a thing or two about keeping rap raw.  There's no need for fancy featured artists or anything along the lines of mainstream (but that's the hipster in me speaking).  This is all about the music, and from their wonderful mixtape Bell Hooks, "Spaghetti" is about as raw as it gets.

The vocals are so nice and primal, I don't mind how aggressive "Spaghetti" may come across as.  The chorus will get you, I promise: How you gonna rip it like this, son, that, son and I'm a black sheep, I'm the real black sheep.  This is the soundtrack to a dirty city I want to reside in.  This is good.  To those who are iffy about the rap genre, this may not be for you.  You've got to be diehard to get into "Spaghetti" and their twisted rhymes.  Trying to be a billionaire?  I'm trying to kill your billionaires.  Sorry, Bruno Mars.  BBU has you here.

LYRICS: Gotye feat. Dice Raw - Game of Thrones Freestyle

Much like with Whitehorse's "Emerald Isle," many people are coming to my blog looking for the lyrics to "Game Of Thrones Freestyle" by Gotye and Dice Raw (with Kimbra being her wonderful self).  So here they are.  All lyrics belong to Gotye and Dice Raw and I do not own them in any way.  I also don't know why the font turned out so weird...

There’s no I in team

But there’s one in king

The Isis on top of the pharaohs ring

Warming my lap with the pharaoh’s cat

The song I sing is the pharaoh’s theme

A herald full of woman denounce my religion

Announce my decision

A pharaoh’s theme

Call me Caesar, call me Hannibal

Genghis Kahn and Alexander mean

The merciless is staffed when you protest

I ask myself is it worth all this

I lost myself and I haven’t fell

Feet still planted on solid ground

Look in the mirror and you see the crown

Look further down and you’ll see a frown

Look from the balcony, I can see the town

Call the guards, and I’ll make my rounds

No one moves when I walk

No one speaks when I talk

No opinions ever offered

Disagree and I send the archers

Rose gardens, raspberry arches

Another lands, another shores

Send the soldiers to explore

They return with treasure, I request for more

A letter came and it requested war

A complex request, but still I can’t ignore

Request nonetheless, still I must oblige

Burn every house, blanket the skies

Every male child’ll die

I turn my back and then I close my eyes

To what you may consider a vow

No memories once considered a smile

No memory of the former child that I used to be

Joy and pain, love and anger

These emotions have eluded me

No fears, no peers

No wants, no needs

No reason to pretend we ain’t friends

No need

But you didn't have to cut me off

Make it like it never happened and that we were nothing

I don't even need your love

But you treat me like a stranger

And that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low

Have your friends collect your records and then change your number

Guess that I don't need that though

Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Joy and pain

Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Love and anger

Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Joy and pain, love and anger

These emotions have eluded me

Joy and pain, love and anger

These emotions have eluded me

No reason to pretend we ain’t friends

No need

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over

But had me believing it was always something that I'd done

But I don't wanna live that way

Reading into every word you say

You said that you could let it go

And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know

But you didn't have cut me off

Make it like it never happened and that we were nothing

I don't even need your love

But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low

Have your friends collect you records and then change your number

Guess that I don't need that though

Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody

Joy and pain

I used to know

Somebody

Now you’re just somebody

That I used to know

Somebody

Love and anger

I used to know

Somebody

Now you’re just somebody that I used to know

Joy and pain, love and anger

I used to know
These emotions have eludedme

That I used to know

Joy and pain, love and anger

I used to know

These emotions have eluded me

Somebody

No need to pretend we ain’t friends

No need

Bahamas - Lost In The Light

From the bedroom community of Barrie, Ontario comes Bahamas.  He's a singer-songwriter who knows a thing or two about the guitar, and is pretty awesome to boot.  I've been slightly aware of his efforts for some time now, but Bahamas officially came onto my radar with the free itunes single of the week "Lost In The Light."  It only reaffirmed his awesome-ness.

After so many words, still nothing's heard, don't know what we should do.  So someone could see me now, let them see you.

"Lost In The Light" is my favourite of types of indie: subdued.  Bahamas croons with the hum of a chorus in the background.  The instruments don't pride themselves in being too strong.  The piano, my favourite part, is delicate and wondrous.  The refrain does infuse some power into "Lost In The Light," when the vocals pipe up and emotions courses through every word.  I would allow "Lost In The Light" to be the soundtrack to my life.  Not only for its music, but for its atmosphere.  It's a little bit sadness, but a little more triumph.  I guess good things can come out of Barrie after all.

Disturbed's Top 10

After sporadic absences, I'm back for Top 10 Monday!  Yay!  Now that we can all take a sigh of relief and get back to the music (and that's why we're all here), today's top 10 comes courtesy of Disturbed.  While David Draiman has some announcements to make this week regarding the band, I can only hope it is about the band recording new material and a tour that will bring them close to me.  I've been in love since I first saw the "Land of Confusion" video on Much and wondered if the guy would come liberate my world from oppression.  Their best effort stands as the fourth Indestructible with Ten Thousand Fists close behind, though really, all of the band's efforts are noteworthy.  Picking ten songs was a difficult task, but I hope I did Disturbed justice.  Enjoy.

James Vincent McMorrow - We Don't Eat

The thing I like about James Vincent McMorrow (JVM?) is that he sounds like Bon Iver, but sounds better than Bon Iver.  Well, before you start screaming at me through your screen, Bon Iver is a good artist, but JVM is more of a fave to me.  You haven't heard anything until you've heard is cover of Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair."  But today we're here to look at "We Don't Eat,' a solemn piano-laden track from the Irish folkster that is much like his other work: brilliant.

"We Don't Eat" is a tad solemn, but has JVM's formula to success: thoughtful lyrics, vocals that haunt my dreams in a good way, and a delicate piano that also regularly worms its way into my subconscious.  With a wonderful chorus: we don't eat until your father's at the table, we don't drink the devil's turned to dust piano-folk becomes a genre that infuses two things: delicateness, and power.  "We Don't Eat" rises in the latter to a fantastic finish.  I kind of want to hear Bon Iver perform this, just to get a better comparison between he and James.  I can't help but wonder...

La Sera - Break My Heart

Katy Goodman's self-professed "morbid dream pop" is the bread and butter for her recordings as La Sera, though I'd probably call it "surfer pop" if I could.  The sunny guitars and upbeat tempos of her songs remind me of summer days filled with sunshine and waves crashing at the beach.  The Los Angeles-based songstress also has a fabulous voice that's at a happy medium between indie and pop vocals.  I recommend "Please Be My Third Eye," and today's selection: "Break My Heart."

Clocking in at two minutes and nine seconds, "Break My Heart" ends too soon, I think.  I wouldn't mind if this song lasted forever.  Ms. Goodman croons to catchy guitar riffs...that voice...  New girl crush material?  Possibly.  "Break My Heart" is classic, beautifully done, and evokes some movement to go through your body.  Morbid dream pop?  Okay, maybe.  But as the weather gets warmer and the days are longer, these kind of tunes usher in the spring and summer.  Bring it on.

Chevelle's Top 10

Here's a new thing I want to try to get going: Top 10 Mondays.  Or, Top 10 lists as often as I remember.  I give me a break from having to think on my least favourite day of the week.  So, following in the footsteps of Glee and Iron Maiden is Chevelle, a band you should know as one of my all-time favourites.  I think if I ever got the chance to meet Pete Loeffler, I would literally die.  The trio need to perform in Canada more often...specifically south of Toronto, but I'll find them eventually.  Here's the best of the best:

Deftones - Lotion + Dead and Divine - Lotion

When I missed seeing Dead and Divine in Kitchener last time they were in town (much to my dismay, believe me).  But the band made up for it by releasing a cover of the Deftones "Lotion," which immediately grew on me.  Obviously, I needed to hear the original as well, and was unsure of what I would hear.  But I was pleasantly surprised.  The Deftones' original was closer to D&D's version than I thought it would be, with its differences, of course.  It's a little more gritty, especially the vocals, and has a touch of thrash that I quite like.

Quite, indeed.

D&D's cover of "Lotion" is done their way, in their style, and I can't find a valid point to argue against anything they do.  It does echo the Deftones' version, but still has a touch of unique flair.  And they kept a tiny bit of that thrash, which doesn't hurt.  Mr. Tobin remains in his prime and up to par with Chino Moreno here.  Sure, bands have their own music to play, but why not borrow a page from another collective once in a while?  Variety is the spice of life, after all.

Amaranthe - Call Out My Name

They're back, and they've brought their Swedish "melodic death metal" with them!  Amaranthe conjures a few thoughts and ideas involving the subgenres of metal.  Is his really metal?  Is it too commercialized?  No, I don't think much of the latter question, but the band is truly metal.  Not saying they are would take Nightwish out of the genre too.  But that's enough of my little rant for now; needed to get that off of my chest.  Though I have several Amaranthe songs from when I first discovered them, I found a new one that re-sparked my interest in the band.  If only all metal could have the melodic hint to it that's found in "Call Out My Name."

Amaranthe takes advantage of their three vocalists again in "Call Out My Name," with growled verses, clean-male-vocal bridges and a wonderfully energetic female-vocal chorus.  This is another one of those catchy metal songs that I love so much.  I blame the fast tempo, guitar riffs and Elize Ryd's skills as an artist.  She's my Swedish girl crush now...though I still have Annette in Finland.  "Call Out My Name" is simply an entertaining song, an Amaranthe is simply a band that knows how to entertain.  They need to keep this up.

I See Stars - Filth Friends Unite

If you can rip yourself away from the Kony 2012 video for five minutes, I will share something a sixth of the length and one thousand times better.  I've mentioned my love of blending genres.  Electro-metal or electro-alternative come in second to electro-indie (why not electro everything?).  Haven't you heard Korn's "Get Up" with Skrillex.  That was more so-so than another new track from Michigan alternative outfit I See Stars, titled "Filth Friends Unite."

You know it's going to be electrified with the first beep.

I take back what I said before about "NZT48" being different from everything I've heard of I See stars before.  This is the new "different from everything and utterly amazing" track.  Don't think it's strictly electro though.  You still have your growling/clean vocal mix, as well as some lovely heavy guitar action.  But it's that electric element that sets "Filth Friends Unite" from what has come before.  Sorry, Korn and Skrillex, they've got you beat here.

FKi - Weed & Arizonas

I'm still loving every bit of what FKi has to offer, and that extends to their earlier effort, Zoolandish, that came before the always-wonderful-always-spectacular Transformers N The Hood.  It's a little less bass-heavy and a tad more subdued, but just as wondrous.  This duo can do no wrong.  A few of my favourites include "Red Cup," "Toxic," "X-Man" and today's feature..."Weed & Arizonas."

FKi we on it, on it, really doesn't matter who knows it, knows it.

With a background wind instrument (the best background instrument to include in your rap ditty), FKi weaves their rhymes into a subdued atmosphere, where you're high on life and everything's kosher.  It's not a heart-pounding dance number, no, but one of those good old slow-motion-rap songs that has you doing the sway.  No need to throw it all around the dancefloor.  This is more about the song than making you move.  It's about having a good time with the best people.  Story of my life.

Christian Mistress - Black To Gold

I wasn't aware that good metal came out of Washington State (read: metal. Anyone who calls Nirvana metal will get a swift kick to the ribs).  But as always, someone proves me wrong.  In this case, it's a quintet that has me bonking my forehead and restraining the need to say "should have had a v8."  It's Christian Mistress, fronted by the lovely Christine Davis.  This girl is why more girls should be in metal.  Come on, ladies.  The more of us there are, the less men there will be.  Anyways...I've been listening to "Black To Gold" for almost two weeks now, ever since I got it from rcrdlbl, and I can't see myself getting tired of it anytime soon.

Yes, this is metal, but it's not the thrashing-to-oblivion-wailing-screams-to-Lucifer metal that seems to have taken over the scene well into 2012.  This could be called...throwback metal?  The way it used to be done, and should still be done to some degree?  Yes.  The instrumental side of "Black To Gold" is intricate and comes off as ready-to-rock material, while Miss Davis' vocals are the icing on the cake.  Even though there is nowhere to go, oh black to gold, some seek, some dissolve, oh black to gold...

Nick Waterhouse - Some Place

Lyrics found here: SOME PLACE

I'm always one for jazzing things up. Forget indie with acoustic guitars and whiny vocals. How about we get more into throwback rock, and infuse some Tom Waits-inspired flair into the mix? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Nick Waterhouse and his latest "Some Place."

"Some Place" has soul to it. That's the something special that gives Mr. Waterhouse an edge. and I love anything that's a throwback to something else. Well, it's something, it's not quite clear, it's a place I can only say is not quite here. He spends the two and a half minutes pondering over this mysterious place, and by the end you are also anxious to get there, and come back again and again. If only other artists would approach music this way. The world would be a jazzier, more rocking place.

Iron Maiden's Top 10

I'm trying to convince my entire family to come with me to see Iron Maiden at the Sarnia Bayfest this summer for my birthday.  If I only see one concert for my entire life, it will be that.  Let's face it, the guys are getting a little old.  I'd like them to do what they're doing forever, but I'm realistic when it comes to the future.  So I HAVE TO GO.  HAVE TO.  My excitement over seeing them live has inspired me to go through my music library to find my 10 favourite Iron Maiden songs to share.  so here they are, and I hope to see you in Sarnia July 14.





















Now, back to writing about Lenin and the revolution!

Lloyd feat. Andre 3000 - Dedication To My Ex

I wish there were more artists like Atlanta's own Lloyd.  He puts some life into a genre struggling to find its place (that's what I think...how often do you hear an R&B song playing in a club?)  How does he do this?  With a touch of magic, or as we humans know it, jazzy, borderline theatrical elements that make his tracks danceable.  What's the best of the best?  "Dedication To My Ex," with Andre 3000 on guest rapper duties.

There are female artists who wish they could hit the notes Lloyd does, first of all.

This is a song about heartbreak (where has the loving gone?), but you wouldn't know it from the up-tempo beats.  Everything should have this kind of jazz to it.  Along with Mr. 3000 hanging around, Lloyd also has the help of a chorus who shine repeating I miss that loving, that loving and oh no near the refrain.  Don't worry, Lloyd.  You're better off without whoever broke your heart. 

Fall Out Boy - XO

The thing about Fall Out Boy is that they aren't very good anymore.  Sorry, it's true.  I was in the eighth grade when I bought From Under The Cork Tree, a mediocre album, really.  I think Infinity On High was their best effort, but their first entry into my CD collection has their best song, and I'll give them that.  The band still has potential if they get rid of Pete Wentz and let Patrick Stump shine a little brighter, but that's beside the point.  "XO" is something different from the band.  It's something...good.

"XO" is a fun, let subtly dark song.  The opening is an interesting mix on continual chords and monotonous vocals, though the first verse opens up the true pace of the song.  And the melodic chorus?  It's been nearly six years, but I still drool each time.  I'm a fan of most of the lyrics too, like: I hope you choked and crashed your car, hey tear catcher, that's all that you are, ever were, from the start, I swear I say...  "XO" is proof that even bands no longer musically important can still have a gem or two hidden within the bad stuff.  Everyone is good at something, right?

To the love, I left my conscience
Pressed between the pages
Of the bible in the drawer
What did it ever do for me, I say?