Adia - Sarah McLachlan

I've been waiting to get some Sarah McLachlan into this blog, and now's the time!  It's the last day of the month, I'm about to pull another short hiatus, and everything is as right as reign.  I've pretty much got Ms. McLachlan's discography completed, save for her first two releases, thanks to picking up 1997's Surfacing a few weeks ago.  "Adia" is likely a track that you recognize from radio play or whatnot, but any song of Sarah's on the radio isn't any other pop song.  Once you hear we are born innocent you'll realize that this is an old favourite, but the thing about Sarah's music is that it lasts and lasts.  And lasts.

The Unthinking Majority - Serj Tankian

Next time I'm at the mall, I'm rushing to HMV to get my hands on Serj's latest Harakiri.  Taking a cue from Dolan, actually is excited for this.  Serj on his own, without the rest of SOAD, is still a very good progressive metal act.  His solo debut, Elect The Dead, is his best release by far (that I own) compared to the more recent Imperfect Harmonies, but everyone gets one album to experiment.  While I wait for my own copy of new Serj, I'm listening away to his later work.  One of my favourites from Elect The Dead has long been "The Unthinking Majority," a politically charged track that is surprisingly catchy.

"The Unthinking Majority" has a lot of what Mr. Tankian does best.  He's able to work his voice into a number of different vocal styles, from the quick shouts, the subdued verses and the powerful hooks (my favourite).  When he gets into post-industrial society, the unthinking majority, I'm swooning at the power he puts into those words.  As for the instrumental side, the guitars compliment the lyrical side, the drums are to die for and it becomes catchy metal.  It's possible, and if you're a regular reading, you know that.  And we can't forget Serj's penchant to flawlessly integrate politics into his music (I believe that you're wrong, insinuating they hold the bomb, clearing the way for the oil brigade). 

Flahhhh-less, dah-ling.

Puttin' On The Ritz - Fred Astaire

I'm in a rather good mood today.  One, illness has nearly lifted.  Two, got my first Daily Deviation over of Deviantart.  Not bad.  It's a day that calls for some celebration, and musically, it should be done a little old school.   Very old school.  It doesn't get much more classic than Mr. Fred Astaire and Irving Berlin's own "Puttin' On The Ritz."  This is the music that put some life into the 30's and, if anything, has stood the serious test of time.  Forget me saying that about any other song.  This is the ultimate winner.  Mr. Astaire gets you moving with dressed up like a million dollar trooper, trying hard to look like Gary Cooper, super duper.  Oh, if only he was still around to know that his music still is as well.  So do one thing this Friday, jazz it up.

Prelude 12/21 - AFI + LYRICS

Who knew that an intro from a band that's no longer musically relevant could be so...beautiful?  I got AFI's Decemberunderground the summer I turned fourteen, and back then I thought it was the best thing I've ever heard.  Now, don't get me wrong, it is a very good album, but I can say I've moved away from that genre of punk and alternative.  The highlight of that album is surprisingly the most unexpected track; "Prelude 12/21" is the minute-and-a-half opener that relies on the piano, rising power, and Davey Havok's swoon-worthy vocals.  This proves that sometimes, short and sweet can stand the test of time.

This is what I brought you, this you can keep.
This is what I brought, you may forget me.
I promise to depart, just promise one thing.
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep.

This is what I brought you, this you can keep.
This is what I brought, you may forget me.
I promise you my heart just promise to sing.
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep.

Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep.

This is what I thought, I thought you’d need me.
This is what I thought, so think me naive
I'd promised you a heart, you'd promise to keep.
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep.

Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep

Bebe Black - I'll Wait

Lyrics here to those looking for them.

Since I'm stuck in a chair with a debilitating migraine today, I considered if I should feature a song that related to my current situation, but instead decided to stick to the roster.  Today's selection is a quieter song, and anything quiet right now is good in my book.  The UK's Bebe Black came to my library via rcrdlbl a few weeks ago with her own brand of folky-piano pop music, and I've been hooked to "I'll Wait" ever since.

As quiet as I might think "I'll Wait" is, it's still packing some power.  Ms. Black has a nice voice...a very nice voice.  She's also an interesting musical artist, not like the pop stars circulating through the music scene these days.  "I'll Wait" is a unique song about waiting on someone to change, when it's likely to never happen.  It's sad, it's heartbreaking, and it's stunningly beautiful.  The second verse is a knockout, so watch out for that.  Why wait any longer?

Lady Gaga's Top 10

After a short hiatus, the Top 10 lists are back!  And what a day to be back!  It's as hot as hell outside, the humidity is rising every minute, and we're expecting severe weather later in the day!  At least I've got Mother Monster to get me through the rest of the summer.  With two full albums and one EP, Lady Gaga's repertoire might not be as substantial as some of the other artists I've gone through, but that's perfectly fine.  That only means that there's more to come, and as she's already shown us, her music can only get better.  Enjoy!

Blood - In This Moment

This weekend I've been dealing with a head-splitting migraine, and this morning it's coupled with a terrible wine-induced hangover.  It's going to be a fun day ahead.  Though I'm prone to shy away from metal when the headaches strike, there are a few cases in which it's worth it.  Case in point: In This Moment's latest single, "Blood."  Maria Brink, just keep doing things like this forever.

"Blood" is evidence that Maria Brink knows how to put every ounce of emotion into her words.  It's a harsher track, definitely not for the popheads or rap fanatics that read my blog, but fellow metalheads will be over the moon.  The guitars are strong, the lyrics are something else (I hate you for the way you smile when you look at me, I hate you for never taking control of me) and Maria's reinforced her position on my Top 10 women in metal list.  And hell, if metal's not your thing, why not still take a listen?  Branch out a bit, people.

White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes

The kings of folk are back on my blog, and dare I say it, even better than ever.  Well, today's selection actually comes from a release later than their last feature, so I guess that's a bit of a lie.  But here's the scoop.  "White Winter Hymnal" is off of the group's self titled effort from 2008, and is, at the very least, interesting.  It's rare for me to come across a relatively modern group that can folk it up like these lads.  "White Winter Hymnal" begins with some around-like singing as the instruments pick up, the emotion rises, and then we've got a song, people.  Is this better than "Helplessness Blues?"  No, that'll always be my favourite folk song of (probably) all time, but that's okay.  "White Winter Hymnal" proves that Fleet Foxes isn't a one-note band.  They've got good songs across the board, and across time.  And if you can withstand time, you're gonna go places.

Helmet - Rockwell Knuckles

It's my day off of work!  And you know what that means...two paragraphs on a rap song you've probably never heard before!  If you don't like that, then you may now exit in an orderly fashion to your right.  Today's artist?  The always-stellar Rockwell Knuckles.  Since last summer's You're Fucking In I'm Fucking Out I've been hooked like a fish.  Now this summer it's time for something new.  I came across "Helmet" sometime last week, and since then it's been a repeat of 2011.  Find Rocky Knuckles song.  Listen to ten thousand times.  Blog.

"Helmet" is driven by the looping electric guitar in the background, as well as Rocky's slick rhymes.  These are the rules of engagement, I follow them, problem is being mediocre doesn't bother them.  And is that a Fight Club reference in working like Tyler Durden, put 'em on a mission?  Oh, Rocky, where have you gone?  "Helmet" is simply proof that Rockwell Knuckles is no one-note rapper.  He's got a sleeve full of tricks and will hopefully be around for several more summers.

Coil - Opeth + LYRICS

There's something about Opeth's progressive death metal that I like.  A lot.  I've got Watershed on my laptop; a more recent release by the Swedish quintet, and it's a fairly decent album.  You've got the growling numbers, the subdued tracks, and just about everything in between.  The song that grew on me the most was "Coil," with guest vocals by the lovely Nathalie Lorichs.  There are no death growls, just the acoustic guitar and a male-female duet of the sorts that's strangely haunting.  The lyrics (included below) are just as chilling and deliciously melancholy.  "Coil" is for more of a base than the death metalheads.  I personally think it's one of their more accessible tracks, though there's nothing wrong with that.  All the more for you to enjoy.

She told me, why
She told me lies
Always take care of this
I told her how
I've always stayed
Always waiting for nothing

When I get out of here
When I leave you behind
I'll find that the years passed us by
When I get out of here
When I leave you behind
I'll find that the years passed us by

And I can see you
Running through the fields of sorrow
Yes, I can see you
Running through the fields of sorrow

When you get out of here
When you leave me behind
You'll find that the years passed us by
When you get out of here
When you leave me behind
You'll find that those years passed us by

And I can see you
Running through the fields of sorrow
Yes, I can see you
Running through the fields of sorrow

Total Recall - Flosstradamus

I know Monday's should be about my playlists and Top 10s, but I have the computer, so I make the rules.  Also, this song is worth throwing out routine.  Throw it right out the window today, people!  Flosstradamus (a.k.a DJs J2K and Autobot) are electronic gods as far as my standards go, joining the ranks of Diplo, Rusko and the like.  "Total Recall" comes from this year's EP of the same name, and is what you might call a sci-fi-electro-epic.  This isn't what dreams are made of, this is what dark matter is made of.

"Total Recall" could pass as a club number, especially with the right artist at the helm of the remix ship, but I prefer it in its original state.  It's a cross between 2001: A Space Odyssey and dance music.  It's the soundtrack to a modern, pure science fiction movie that I wouldn't mind writing.  It could be the beeps, the eerie computerized vocals or the sputtering snare sounds, but "Total Recall" is the music you'd float around in when in zero gravity.  What more can I say about something so brilliant?

Listen.

Iron Maiden & Alice Cooper @ Sarnia Bayfest - 7/14/12

Last night I attended the second night of the Sarnia Bayfest with my brother, to see Iron Maiden in concert with Alice Cooper as an opener.  First off: HOLY CRAP THAT WAS GOOD.  Now to get into a little more detail.

Alice Cooper came on close to 7, while all of us in the VIP section were trying to hide behind each other from the sun.  Yes, it was freaking hot there, but I made it clear to my brother that we weren't giving up our spot in the mosh pit.  I wanted to be close when Iron Maiden came on.  Now, I wasn't sure what to expect of Alice Cooper, but he wasn't half bad.  In fact, he was pretty amazing.  And his backing band had some mad skills; the guitarists blew my mind, and they were ready to put on a show.  And even in his older age, Mr. Cooper still has it.  Highlight of his set?  A few, really.  There was the guillotine skit, the Frankenstein wandering around stage, but of course, the finale of "School's Out For Summer" drove everyone wild.

And then there was Maiden.

I was worried at first, to be honest.  I didn't know if Iron Maiden would sound the same live as they do in the studio, but I was quickly proven wrong.  These guys are the real deal.  And Bruce...he's adorable!  If the crowd wasn't so tightly packed near the stage, I would have ran right up to him.  There was one woman crowd surfing, though her ass was probably grabbed more times than she would have liked.  Their setlist was impressive; mostly older songs, a few I didn't know, but I was hollering nearly the whole time.  The definite highlight was "Run To The Hills," a flawless performance from everyone in the band.  "Fear of the Dark" was the one I was most excited for, as well as "Number of The Beast" and of course, "The Trooper."  Something about Bruce in that red jacket...he's got me.  The one thing I wish they would have done differently is play more from Piece of Mind and at least one new song, but I can't really complain.  Iron Maiden blew me out of the water last night.

Aesop Rock - Zero Dark Thirty

Underground rap artist time!  Well, Aesop Rock is above ground now, and I have high hopes that everyone will know his name in no time, especially with the release of Skelethon this month.  In a nutshell, he's the best rapper you've never heard of, so what are you waiting for?  The album's first single, "Zero Dark Thirty" came my way in April via SoundCloud, and it's been simmering on the backburner ever since.  But now it's ready for you to enjoy.

"Zero Dark Thirty" is a little choppier; definitely indicative of the underground sound.  I'm not complaining here.  Aesop Rock has a way with his words too (beside tongue-tied enzymes, devolved into mothmen munching textiles).  Hey, if you can make a mothman reference in your work, you're golden in my book.  "Zero Dark Thirty" is deconstructed beauty, and unlike nothing you've heard before.  You're going to want to look up the lyrics too, I know it.



And for the underground rap enthusiasts:

Rocket Ship - Dragonette

I've known of Dragonette since they broke onto the music scene back in the mid-2000's, but they only began to crawl onto my radar with DJ collabs such as "Fire In Your New Shoes" and "Hello" (the latter...that's my jam).  Now I've fallen in love and developed a girl crush on lead singer Martina Sorbara, and am anxious to get my hands on their third album, Bodyparts when it comes out later this summer.  At least they're releasing singles now, and while "Let It Go" may be the obvious choice, "Rocket Ship" has quickly become the song that my brother groans not again! whenever it comes on the laptop.

"Rocket Ship" is pure electropop with rather subdued choruses and a powerhouse of a chorus.  Allow someone to remix this, and I guarantee a thumping club number.  But on its own, "Rocket Ship" becomes the everyday pop I crave.  Catchy?  Hell yes.  Infectious?  We have an epidemic on our hands, people.  Miss at your own risk.

Clones - Chevelle

Hats Off To The Bull continues to grow on me with each passing listen.  I can't help but keep finding a new favourite there.  The Loefflers know how to make a fantastic album, I suppose.  Early statements about it not being as good as others were premature.  Now, I mean everything I say.  The latest edition to the growing list of favourites is "Clones," a track that reminds me of a darker "Send the Pain Below."  The undertones of the song are what will get you.  Pete's voice has changed since Wonder What's Next, and it's evident in "Clones" that he's still harboring a lot of power.  The guitars are drool-worthy, the drums pound, and then there are the lyrics.  You're just a clone of them.  "Clones" is no carbon copy.  It's Chevelle's sound in a brand new way.  So what the fuck are you waiting for?

PS - Iron Maiden concert in two days!  I'm getting my hands on one of the Canadian tour shirts as soon as I get there.

The Creationist - Kerli

Kerli gets me.  Even though metal is my bread and butter, there's no mistaking that I need my pop music now and again.  And this Estonian bubble goth knows how I like my pop.  Sorry, Miss Spears.  "The Creationist" isn't another of Kerli's thumping club numbers, in the vein of "Zero Gravity" and "Army of Love."  This is one more side to this always-lovely lady.  The piano stays light and airy, and the lyrics come from the land of dreams and fantasy.  Kerli laments life is my creation, it's my best friend, imagination is my defense and my favourite whatever happens was meant that way.  Can I just have her follow me around and sing the soundtrack to my life?  Or maybe I'll just move to Estonia.  Whatever works.

Aquababe - Azealia Banks

This is something interesting.  Azealia Banks isn't another Nicki Minaj carbon copy.  She raps her own way, and its uniqueness is what makes it beautiful.  "Aquababe" is aggressive, but half of the appeal comes from those siren calls and whale noises echoing in the background.  Think of it as rap meets the deep of the oceans.  You've got the sounds of the underwater meeting the sounds of the streets.  And then Azealia comes in.  In "Aquababe" she reminds me of the old-school female rappers, not the new ones who snort theatrics like it's cocaine.  I guarantee she's like nothing you've heard before.  Too good for words, simply put.

Send His Love To Me - PJ Harvey

Some good fortune, being in the right place at the right time, led me to find PJ Harvey's definitive To Bring You My Love at Value Village last year.  Now that has to be one of my favourite $3 buys.  And to think I almost bought it off Amazon for $11?  Sometimes I surprise even myself.  And sometimes Lady PJ surprises me.  She's a queen on the acoustic guitar, simply put.  I could have gone with the obvious "Down By The Water," but there's something magical about "Send His Love To Me."

You've got a few things here.  Lady PJ's stunning vocals.  Lyrics you'll immediately want to look up and make a tweet or Facebook status.  An acoustic guitar you'd kill for.  "Send His Love To Me" is just the perfect song.  It sounds like the Wilson sisters' older sibling who knows a few more things about the acoustic route.  PJ, you've made To Bring You My Love the soundtrack to my whole life (I have a feeling I've said this before about another album, but screw that).

Noah's Ark - Cocorosie

I'll always have a special place in my musical heart for the Cassady sisters.  They know how to do the experimental thing, and more importantly, they know how to do it well.  Today's "Noah's Ark" is an oldie of theirs, from all the way back in 2005, but still packs the punch that Bianca and Sierra put into all of their music.  It's dreamy, it's ethereal, and the subtle beats might even get your shoulders popping.  Mine are right now.  And to keep it accessible, "Noah's Ark" is even a little poppy.  Where could you go wrong this beautiful Saturday morning?

Said The Spider To The Fly - The Paper Chase

I seem to find new music in every possibly way these days.  Over on Deviantart I'm adminning a musical-prompt-a-day group for the time being.  One day, a suggestion came my way from a band I've never heard of before.  The Paper Chase (sometimes the pAper chAse).  Wikipedia states that they haven't been a band since 2010, and it's always unfortunate to discover a band after they've broken up, but "Said The Spider To The Fly" is a good jumping-off point for a band that once was a little bit of everything.

"Said The Spider To The Fly" is a little avant-garde, a touch of punk and alternative, part jazz, and all good.  Lead singer John Congleton reminds me of a noisier Andrew Volpe who is bent on outshining the latter.  And hell, he does a good job of it.  Instrumentals?  One minute in and I'm already craving some thumping piano.  Lyrics?  I want your head, I want your wicked parts, I want to ring out your evil thoughts, I want to eat out your evil heart.  And it only gets better from there.  Just think of The Paper Chase as a noisy Ludo.  In layman's terms: this shit's good.

LYRICS: Whatever Never - Drug Cabin

I got a message from a new old friend
Said love will never end
It can only bend its way to Earth
Call
Drink from the water of a shallow stream
That's all you'll ever need
And though you'll never see
It's birth or death
You look into her eyes
You know that it's unwise

Swim swim swim swim swim
In the rivers running down your face
Can be a peaceful place
It's here I want to stay
Until the end

Look into her eyes
Know that it's unwise

Storm The Sorrow - Epica

Let's get back into the female-fronted-symphonic-metal swing of things again, shall we?  On the roster today is Epica, hailing from the Netherlands and have been on my radar on and off for the last little bit.  After all, there are a lot of symphonic bands out there.  It's hard to keep everyone in one place at once.  But their new "Storm The Sorrow" from March's Requiem for the Indifferent struck a chord (or cord, however the saying goes) with me.  It has that different sound that I like to find in symphonic metal.  Me likey.

Simone Simon's vocals are the focus of "Storm The Sorrow" and saying otherwise would just be a big fat lie on your part.  She's on my Top 10 Females in Metal list, you know.  Of course she has to have a good voice.  "Storm The Sorrow" has a catchy element to it, and it doesn't come off as too operatic for my liking.  It's that nice balance between the subgenre and the genre as a whole.  Symphonic metal, easy on the symphonic.  Once again, me likey.

Hot Knife - Fiona Apple

I got my hands on Fiona Apple's new The Idler Wheel...!  About time!  Thank goodness for Amazon's speedy delivery, I say.  I was pleasantly surprised by her latest effort, which sends her back to her roots and away from the piano-heavy Extraordinary Machine, but it still sounds new to me.  It might just be her best album yet, but you'll have to listen to it yourself to know.  Perhaps the most interesting of all of the tracks is "Hot Knife," which is nearly a capella and focuses on the lyrics if I'm butter, then he's a hot knife.  It's a love song like you've never heard.

Fiona's vocals here are a bit quieter than usual, but on their own except for a few excerpts of the piano, it's just as powerful on "Hot Knife."  Soon lyrics begin weaving together with I'm a hot knife, if he's a pad of butter, if I get a chance I'm gonna show him that he's never gonna need another, never need another.  It gets magical, and then Fiona interrupts with the stern he excites me, must be like the Genesis rhythm.  She's outdone herself here, simply put.  Listen and amaze yourself this afternoon.

The "Somebody That I Used To Know" Playlist

We've all been on one boat before: breakups.  Been there, done that.  Earlier this year, when I was going through one myself, my friends provided me with a few songs to help move the process along, and I can thankfully say that the process turned out successfully.  I remember reading Seventeen when I was younger and seeing the jokes they published called breakup playlists, but this one I'm publishing is the breakup playlist to end all breakup playlists.  If you aren't instantly feeling better after going through these ten songs, plug in some ABBA.  That'll help regardless.  And don't get me wrong, these songs aren't ones for wollowing.  These are songs that'll make you wonder who was I hung up on again?

Moneen - The East Has Stolen What The West May Want

It's Canada Day!  And you know what that means...the same thing as last year.  A featured song from one of my favourite Canadian post-hardcore bands.  Well, Moneen is a little more indie than last year's Alexisonfire, but that's okay.  I still love them, even if they haven't released any new material since 2009.  Come on, guys.  I'm the proud owner of The Red Tree, an album that I've been listening to ever since I got it, and there are no fillers there.  Every song, no matter how long the title, is fine in my books.  Though I was at first drawn to "The Song I Swore To Never Sing" and "Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do," my attention, and the writing of my WW3 novel, brought me to "The East Has Stolen What The West May Want."

Kenny Bridges begins with August 1961 stole the taste of freedom, the life I used to know.  This is indeed a song about the Berlin wall, and lover trapped on either side of the monstrous construction.  Sixteen long years to wait and wonder, did she make, safely make, is she still alive?  It's powerful stuff, I'll tell you that, and that's what makes it so good.  Songs with historical stories are always forever faves of mine, and that's why I like Eluveitie so much.  So take a trip back to 2006, plug in Moneen, and then bring yourself back to 1961.