Forgotten Songs of the ‘90s: GWAR
Everyone looks at GWAR as just a goof with no real discernible talent behind them but if one looks behind the makeup and prosthetics, one will find one of the heaviest and loudest metal bands of the last twenty years. What better place to look than 1992’s “The Road Behind.”
Starting off like an eighties power ballad, with acoustic guitar and whistling, Odorous Ungerus blasts in with only a voice a singer like him can possess, talking about life on the road and the rest of the band comes in behind, slowly but effectively. After thrashing around for a while, the chorus comes in with bassist Beefcake the Mighty taking the lead and doing it so well, it sounds like the band were actually trying to score on the radio. But alas, it was all for nothing and they’ve never been able to break into the mainstream. This song just proves that they still are one of the best no-nonsense metal bands around.
Twenty five years down the line and they’re still going strong and they’re now more popular than they’ve been since 1992. It’s a testament to how they’ve stuck to their principles and never changed a damn thing about anything they’ve ever done. Even though he wouldn't join the band for another ten years, R.I.P. Cory Smoot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP25RwvEGjs
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Forgotten Songs of the ‘80s: Kix
Kix are one of the most forgotten ‘hair metal’ bands of all time, but to call them ‘hair metal’ is a huge misnomer; they’re more like blues metal with a bit of sleaze. But that’s the best way to describe them, particularly on one of their best songs, the title track to 1985’s Midnight Dynamite.
Building on a slow groove guided by Steve Whiteman’s dynamic vocals, the band explode into the instantly sing-along chorus. Hearing this song and all the double entendres, you can’t help but pump your fist in the air and scream along. The song is just so amazingly catchy, it should almost be a crime not to like it. But since Kix are only remembered for one song, 1988’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” a power ballad, it’s almost understandable why.
But in the twenty-five(!) years since, time has been much nicer to Kix and has allowed their fanbase to expand and grow but that still doesn’t explain the lack of love given to “Midnite Dynamite” and it’s about damn time that that changes . So listen to the song and, in the words of Alice Cooper, raise your fist and yell!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc9KgBH675c
Kix are one of the most forgotten ‘hair metal’ bands of all time, but to call them ‘hair metal’ is a huge misnomer; they’re more like blues metal with a bit of sleaze. But that’s the best way to describe them, particularly on one of their best songs, the title track to 1985’s Midnight Dynamite.
Building on a slow groove guided by Steve Whiteman’s dynamic vocals, the band explode into the instantly sing-along chorus. Hearing this song and all the double entendres, you can’t help but pump your fist in the air and scream along. The song is just so amazingly catchy, it should almost be a crime not to like it. But since Kix are only remembered for one song, 1988’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” a power ballad, it’s almost understandable why.
But in the twenty-five(!) years since, time has been much nicer to Kix and has allowed their fanbase to expand and grow but that still doesn’t explain the lack of love given to “Midnite Dynamite” and it’s about damn time that that changes . So listen to the song and, in the words of Alice Cooper, raise your fist and yell!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc9KgBH675c
Forgotten Songs of the '60s: Badfinger
Forgotten Songs of the ‘60s: Badfinger
Many of articles and books have been written about Badfinger and their unbelievable streak of bad luck: bad business deals, suicides, backstabbing and everything else one could think of. But going through their catalogue certain songs demand reevaluation because they’re absolutely amazing. One of those songs is “Carry On ‘Til Tomorrow,” off their first record, Magic Christian Music.
The song begins like a lot of early Badfinger, with some light guitar chords and some beautiful harmonies courtesy of the entire band. Mining some lyrical territory that they would then strike gold with in the future, leaders Pete Ham and Tom Evans sing about coping with lost love and the necessary power to move forward. Ironically enough, both singer/songwriters ended up committing suicide bringing the band to a tragic and really unnecessary premature end.
Despite all that, the songs and the musical legacy of Badfinger have only improved over the years, which is the best thing that could have possibly happened to this band. But if you only like “Without You” or “Come and Get It,” then there is a lot more out there to discover and what better place to start than here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC24GI9V_Cs
Many of articles and books have been written about Badfinger and their unbelievable streak of bad luck: bad business deals, suicides, backstabbing and everything else one could think of. But going through their catalogue certain songs demand reevaluation because they’re absolutely amazing. One of those songs is “Carry On ‘Til Tomorrow,” off their first record, Magic Christian Music.
The song begins like a lot of early Badfinger, with some light guitar chords and some beautiful harmonies courtesy of the entire band. Mining some lyrical territory that they would then strike gold with in the future, leaders Pete Ham and Tom Evans sing about coping with lost love and the necessary power to move forward. Ironically enough, both singer/songwriters ended up committing suicide bringing the band to a tragic and really unnecessary premature end.
Despite all that, the songs and the musical legacy of Badfinger have only improved over the years, which is the best thing that could have possibly happened to this band. But if you only like “Without You” or “Come and Get It,” then there is a lot more out there to discover and what better place to start than here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC24GI9V_Cs
Forgotten Songs of the '90s: Fastball
Forgotten Songs of the ‘90s: Fastball
When Fastball broke out from the Texas underground in 1998, most people assumed they’d just be another one hit wonder when “The Way” became one of the biggest hits of the year. By the end of the year, when they released the second single from their sophomore album, All the Pain Money Can Buy, they were almost correct. But “Fire Escape” is a song that deserves to be remembered for what it really is: a fantastic pop song.
Right off the bat, the odds were against the song becoming a hit, because for one thing, guitarist Miles Zuniga wrote and sang the song as opposed to bassist Tony Scalzo who’d sang “The Way.” Zuniga’s voice has a little more gruff to it and doesn’t really sound as radio friendly as Scalzo’s but that’s one of the song’s biggest charms. By the fall of 1998, you wanted to hear a song that was a little darker than everything else because it all sounded so dandy and sweet.
As a result of the song being about wanting to hang around your ex even though you’re done is a bit creepy and the song’s video did not help matters at all. The video depicted the band’s number one fan who ended up kidnapping the band and slowly killing them including drowning Scalzo in a bathtub. Consequently, the song flopped and the record looked like it was done until they released a third single in the spring of 1999; “Out of My Mind” became a top twenty hit and helped push the album past platinum. But “Fire Escape” was lost in the shuffle and even though it was later used in “The Prince & Me,” it still seems like it’s the least remembered Fastball song and that is a damn shame that needs to change.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jMyjjeSWak
When Fastball broke out from the Texas underground in 1998, most people assumed they’d just be another one hit wonder when “The Way” became one of the biggest hits of the year. By the end of the year, when they released the second single from their sophomore album, All the Pain Money Can Buy, they were almost correct. But “Fire Escape” is a song that deserves to be remembered for what it really is: a fantastic pop song.
Right off the bat, the odds were against the song becoming a hit, because for one thing, guitarist Miles Zuniga wrote and sang the song as opposed to bassist Tony Scalzo who’d sang “The Way.” Zuniga’s voice has a little more gruff to it and doesn’t really sound as radio friendly as Scalzo’s but that’s one of the song’s biggest charms. By the fall of 1998, you wanted to hear a song that was a little darker than everything else because it all sounded so dandy and sweet.
As a result of the song being about wanting to hang around your ex even though you’re done is a bit creepy and the song’s video did not help matters at all. The video depicted the band’s number one fan who ended up kidnapping the band and slowly killing them including drowning Scalzo in a bathtub. Consequently, the song flopped and the record looked like it was done until they released a third single in the spring of 1999; “Out of My Mind” became a top twenty hit and helped push the album past platinum. But “Fire Escape” was lost in the shuffle and even though it was later used in “The Prince & Me,” it still seems like it’s the least remembered Fastball song and that is a damn shame that needs to change.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jMyjjeSWak
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Top 100 Songs of the 2000's
The 100 Best Songs of the 2000’s
ATTN: This list is in response to VH1’s shitty list of the ‘greatest songs of the 2000’s’ which included songs by Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Britney Spears. Where were all the good rock songs, one might ask? Well, they were missing because VH1 is trying to appease all their viewers. This list is not out to appease anyone. If there is a song that you think is missing, well, tough luck. I and all the other voters carefully went over this list and made sure that all the songs met the criteria that we set. So, enough with the bullshit, let’s get on with the list.
100. Weird Al Yankovic-“White & Nerdy” (2006)
99. John Mayer-“No Such Thing” (2001) (Suggested by Aaron Enright)
98. Dave Matthews Band-Where are You Going? (2002) (Suggested by Aaron Enright)
97. Fountains of Wayne-“Mexican Wine” (2003)
96. Cake-“Short Skirt/Long Jacket” (2001)
95. Coldplay-“Viva La Vida” (2008)
94. Drowning Pool-“Bodies” (2001)
93. Uncle Kracker-“Follow Me” (2000) (Suggested by Brandon Powers)
92. 311-“Amber” (2001)
91. Gorillaz-“Clint Eastwood” (2001)
90. Fugazi-“Epic Problem” (2001) (Suggested by Darrel Herbert, formerly of the Toadies)
89. Eminem-“Stan” (2000)
88. Lifehouse-“Hanging by A Moment” (2000)87. Yellowcard-“Ocean Avenue” (2003)
86. Toadies-“Hell Below/Stars Above” (2001)
85. Unwritten Law-“Seein’ Red” (2002)
84. AFI-“The Leaving Song, Pt. 2” (2003)
83. Weezer-“Pork & Beans” (2008)
82. Death Cab for Cutie-“The New Year” (2003)
81. Every Time I Die-“We’reWolf” (2007)
80. Incubus-“Oil and Water” (2006)
79. Eddie Vedder-“Hard Sun” (2007)
78. Audioslave-“Like a Stone” (2002)
77. Middle Class Rut-“New Low” (2010)
76. Andrew W.K.-“Party Hard” (2002)
75. Ben Folds-“Gone” (2001)
74. blink-182-“I Miss You” (2003)
73. The White Stripes-“Seven Nation Army” (2003)
72. The Dillinger Escape Plan-“Setting Fire to Sleeping Giants” (2004)
71. Deftones-“Change (In the House of Flies) (2000)
70. John Legend ft. Andre 3000-“Green Light” (2008)
69. Glassjaw-“Ape Dos Mil” (2002)
68. The Arcade Fire-“Rebellion (Lies)” (2004)
67. Velvet Revolver-“Fall to Pieces” (2004)
66. Thursday-“Understanding in a Car Crash” (2001)
65. Metallica-“My Apocalypse” (2008)
64. The Roots ft. Musiq Soulchild-“Break You Off” (2002)
63. at-the-drive-in-“One Armed Scissor” (2000)
62. Chevelle-“The Fad” (2007)
61. TV on the Radio-“Wolf Like Me” (2006)
60. Wilco-“I am Trying to Break Your Heart” (2002)
59. N.E.R.D.-“Lapdance” (2002)
58. The Postal Service-“Such Great Heights” (2003)
57. Franz Ferdinand-“Take Me Out” (2004)
56. Peter, Bjorn & John-“Young Folks” (2007)
55. Nine Days-“Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” (2000)
54. Jack Johnson-“Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” (2005)
53. Rush-“Far Cry” (2007)
52. System of a Down-“Question!” (2005)
51. Linkin Park-“Somewhere I Belong” (2003)
50. 10 Years-“Shoot It Out” (2010)
49. The Flaming Lips-“Do You Realize??” (2002)
48. My Morning Jacket-“One Big Holiday” (2003)
47. Modest Mouse-“Ocean Breathes Salty” (2004)
46. Queens of the Stone Age-“Go with the Flow” (2002)
45. TV on the Radio-“Dancing Choose” (2008)
44. Killing Joke-“Absolute Dissent” (2010)
43. Finger Eleven-“Paralyzer” (2007)
42. Maxwell-“Bad Habits” (2009)
41. Jimmy Eat World-“The Middle” (2001)
40. Outkast-“Hey Ya!” (2003)
39. Weezer-“Island in the Sun” (2001)
38. Switchfoot-“Meant to Live” (2003)
37. blink-182-“First Date” (2001)
36. The Cribs-“Men’s Needs” (2007)
35. Modest Mouse-“Float On” (2004)
34. Radiohead-“The National Anthem” (2000)
33. Foo Fighters-“Times Like These” (2002)
32. Pearl Jam-“Just Breathe” (2009)
31. Them Crooked Vultures-“New Fang” (2009)
30. Brand New-“The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows” (2003)
29. The Killers-“Somebody Told Me” (2004)
28. Foo Fighters-“The Pretender” (2007)
27. Tool-“Schism” (2001)
26. Coheed & Cambria-“Welcome Home” (2005)
25. The Shins-“New Slang” (2001)
24. Maroon 5-“This Love” (2002)
23. Cee-Lo Green-“What Part of Forever” (2010)
22. Green Day-“Warning” (2000)
21. Killswitch Engage-“My Curse” (2006)
20. Linkin Park-“In the End” (2000)
19. Death Cab for Cutie-“Marching Bands of Manhattan” (2005)
18. Yeah Yeah Yeahs-“Maps” (2003)
17. Green Day-“Jesus of Suburbia” (2004)
16. Johnny Cash-“Hurt” (2002)
15. Tool-“Vicarious” (2006)
14. Queens of the Stone Age-“No One Knows” (2002)
13. Lamb of God-“Set to Fail” (2009)
12. Killswitch Engage-“Temple from the Within” (2002)
11. Red Hot Chili Peppers-“Can’t Stop” (2002)
10. Green Day-“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (2004)
09. Snow Patrol-“Run” (2003)
08. Gnarls Barkley-“Crazy” (2006)
07. System of a Down-“Chop Suey” (2001)
06. The Strokes-Last Nite” (2001)
05. Coldplay-“Clocks” (2002)
04. Lamb of God-“Laid to Rest” (2004) (Suggested by Aaron Enright)
03. Foo Fighters-“All My Life” (2002)
02. Therapy?-“If It Kills Me” (2003)
01. Red Hot Chili Peppers-“Dani California” (2006)
ATTN: This list is in response to VH1’s shitty list of the ‘greatest songs of the 2000’s’ which included songs by Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Britney Spears. Where were all the good rock songs, one might ask? Well, they were missing because VH1 is trying to appease all their viewers. This list is not out to appease anyone. If there is a song that you think is missing, well, tough luck. I and all the other voters carefully went over this list and made sure that all the songs met the criteria that we set. So, enough with the bullshit, let’s get on with the list.
100. Weird Al Yankovic-“White & Nerdy” (2006)
99. John Mayer-“No Such Thing” (2001) (Suggested by Aaron Enright)
98. Dave Matthews Band-Where are You Going? (2002) (Suggested by Aaron Enright)
97. Fountains of Wayne-“Mexican Wine” (2003)
96. Cake-“Short Skirt/Long Jacket” (2001)
95. Coldplay-“Viva La Vida” (2008)
94. Drowning Pool-“Bodies” (2001)
93. Uncle Kracker-“Follow Me” (2000) (Suggested by Brandon Powers)
92. 311-“Amber” (2001)
91. Gorillaz-“Clint Eastwood” (2001)
90. Fugazi-“Epic Problem” (2001) (Suggested by Darrel Herbert, formerly of the Toadies)
89. Eminem-“Stan” (2000)
88. Lifehouse-“Hanging by A Moment” (2000)87. Yellowcard-“Ocean Avenue” (2003)
86. Toadies-“Hell Below/Stars Above” (2001)
85. Unwritten Law-“Seein’ Red” (2002)
84. AFI-“The Leaving Song, Pt. 2” (2003)
83. Weezer-“Pork & Beans” (2008)
82. Death Cab for Cutie-“The New Year” (2003)
81. Every Time I Die-“We’reWolf” (2007)
80. Incubus-“Oil and Water” (2006)
79. Eddie Vedder-“Hard Sun” (2007)
78. Audioslave-“Like a Stone” (2002)
77. Middle Class Rut-“New Low” (2010)
76. Andrew W.K.-“Party Hard” (2002)
75. Ben Folds-“Gone” (2001)
74. blink-182-“I Miss You” (2003)
73. The White Stripes-“Seven Nation Army” (2003)
72. The Dillinger Escape Plan-“Setting Fire to Sleeping Giants” (2004)
71. Deftones-“Change (In the House of Flies) (2000)
70. John Legend ft. Andre 3000-“Green Light” (2008)
69. Glassjaw-“Ape Dos Mil” (2002)
68. The Arcade Fire-“Rebellion (Lies)” (2004)
67. Velvet Revolver-“Fall to Pieces” (2004)
66. Thursday-“Understanding in a Car Crash” (2001)
65. Metallica-“My Apocalypse” (2008)
64. The Roots ft. Musiq Soulchild-“Break You Off” (2002)
63. at-the-drive-in-“One Armed Scissor” (2000)
62. Chevelle-“The Fad” (2007)
61. TV on the Radio-“Wolf Like Me” (2006)
60. Wilco-“I am Trying to Break Your Heart” (2002)
59. N.E.R.D.-“Lapdance” (2002)
58. The Postal Service-“Such Great Heights” (2003)
57. Franz Ferdinand-“Take Me Out” (2004)
56. Peter, Bjorn & John-“Young Folks” (2007)
55. Nine Days-“Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” (2000)
54. Jack Johnson-“Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” (2005)
53. Rush-“Far Cry” (2007)
52. System of a Down-“Question!” (2005)
51. Linkin Park-“Somewhere I Belong” (2003)
50. 10 Years-“Shoot It Out” (2010)
49. The Flaming Lips-“Do You Realize??” (2002)
48. My Morning Jacket-“One Big Holiday” (2003)
47. Modest Mouse-“Ocean Breathes Salty” (2004)
46. Queens of the Stone Age-“Go with the Flow” (2002)
45. TV on the Radio-“Dancing Choose” (2008)
44. Killing Joke-“Absolute Dissent” (2010)
43. Finger Eleven-“Paralyzer” (2007)
42. Maxwell-“Bad Habits” (2009)
41. Jimmy Eat World-“The Middle” (2001)
40. Outkast-“Hey Ya!” (2003)
39. Weezer-“Island in the Sun” (2001)
38. Switchfoot-“Meant to Live” (2003)
37. blink-182-“First Date” (2001)
36. The Cribs-“Men’s Needs” (2007)
35. Modest Mouse-“Float On” (2004)
34. Radiohead-“The National Anthem” (2000)
33. Foo Fighters-“Times Like These” (2002)
32. Pearl Jam-“Just Breathe” (2009)
31. Them Crooked Vultures-“New Fang” (2009)
30. Brand New-“The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows” (2003)
29. The Killers-“Somebody Told Me” (2004)
28. Foo Fighters-“The Pretender” (2007)
27. Tool-“Schism” (2001)
26. Coheed & Cambria-“Welcome Home” (2005)
25. The Shins-“New Slang” (2001)
24. Maroon 5-“This Love” (2002)
23. Cee-Lo Green-“What Part of Forever” (2010)
22. Green Day-“Warning” (2000)
21. Killswitch Engage-“My Curse” (2006)
20. Linkin Park-“In the End” (2000)
19. Death Cab for Cutie-“Marching Bands of Manhattan” (2005)
18. Yeah Yeah Yeahs-“Maps” (2003)
17. Green Day-“Jesus of Suburbia” (2004)
16. Johnny Cash-“Hurt” (2002)
15. Tool-“Vicarious” (2006)
14. Queens of the Stone Age-“No One Knows” (2002)
13. Lamb of God-“Set to Fail” (2009)
12. Killswitch Engage-“Temple from the Within” (2002)
11. Red Hot Chili Peppers-“Can’t Stop” (2002)
10. Green Day-“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (2004)
09. Snow Patrol-“Run” (2003)
08. Gnarls Barkley-“Crazy” (2006)
07. System of a Down-“Chop Suey” (2001)
06. The Strokes-Last Nite” (2001)
05. Coldplay-“Clocks” (2002)
04. Lamb of God-“Laid to Rest” (2004) (Suggested by Aaron Enright)
03. Foo Fighters-“All My Life” (2002)
02. Therapy?-“If It Kills Me” (2003)
01. Red Hot Chili Peppers-“Dani California” (2006)
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