The Year in Rock... (10 Best)

Here's my list for best music recordings in 2008.  All of these releases gave us much pleasure, be it in the car cruising down the road, in the kitchen making eats or just lounging on the patio.  I recommend all of this music for your personal collection, as it brought me much solace in the turmoil of the months.

10. R.T.X. JJ Got Live RaTX

I just discovered this band through their recent Volcom Records 7 inch release (a super cool series from Volcom by the way) and through Jennifer Herrema's involvement in the last Bad Wizard album Sky High, which I loved.  Although I was aware of Herrema's previous band Royal Trux, I have yet to hear a single album from them.  Well, if R.T.X. is any indication of their sound, I definitely have some searching to do.  This band sounds like 80s Sunset strip-era glam metal on really bad drugs.  As a vocalist, Herrema sounds just like Rocks-era Steven Tyler and her band's sound is super rad.  "Cheap Wine Time" is a tripped-out ballad from beyond.  This group's sound and image is out there and undeniably cool. 

9. Merciless Death  Realm of Terror 

Along with Toxic Holocaust and Early Man, these guys are at the front of the thrash revival pack.  More accomplished than their shredder debut Evil in the Night, this thing is over before you even know what hit you.  Better vocals, catchier riffs and an all around improvement to a band that was already cool in it's original conception. 

8. Nebula Heavy Psych

A Nebula release is like cheeseburger from In-n-Out; you already know what you're gonna get and it always delivers the tasty goods.  I was relieved that Nebula kept their core sound after losing longtime drummer Ruben Romano.  This release is, by turns, mellow and heavy all at once.  One of my favorite bands ever.

7. Toxic Holocaust An Overdose of Death...

This band is one guy (Joel Grind) doing everything by himself and sounding like a four piece thrash unit from 1985.  Impressive.  There are so many awesome riffs on this thing, I couldn't even count them all.  The vocals are more death than thrash, but don't let that scare you away.  This record pummels from start to end and with plenty of groove to keep you entertained.  Not a dull moment on this.  

6. Airbourne Runnin' Wild

Yes, this band is a lot like AC/DC.  They're from Australia.  There is a pair of brothers in the band (Joel and Ryan O'Keeffe).  They play seriously kick-ass rock 'n roll, the likes of which we haven't heard since... well, AC/DC's own The Razor's Edge.  Not an original bone in their make-up, Airbourne still takes the cake for writing a top-drawer, radio-ready hard rock album with no stinkers.  Good for patio parties, speeding down the freeway or general debauchery.

5. Brant Bjork Punk Rock Guilt

It's no secret that I am a huge Brant Bjork fan.  I have always admired his total desert vision, which spawned a great band called Kyuss.  Then he played drums in one of my favorite bands of all time, Fu Manchu.  His solo stuff is the best from both, mixing trippy Palm Desert psychedelia with sun-baked good time rock 'n roll.  This release has a thick, groovy sound and cool lyrics.  Makes me wish it was summer time again.

4. Birds of Avalon  Outer Upper Inner

This awesome band plays psychedelic pop like no other band I have heard before.  Their sound is at once familiar and original at once.  I enjoyed their debut album Bazaar Bazaar immensely and to say that this is a progression from that is something else.  Six tracks, all beautiful rock music to be blissfully experienced.  

3. Early Man  Beware the Circling Fin

 Although their early signing to indie label Matador may have initially confounded metal fans, this band is back with a vengeance via The End Records.  Rest assured metal heads, for the new Early Man EP packs a thrash-infused wallop and songcraft formidable enough to echo early NWOBHM greats such as Angel Witch and Diamond Head.   The power of the riff compels this band, and you too will soon be drawn into their hypnotic spell.  Produced by the distinguished Jack Endino, EP opener “Sinking the Blade” rocks at an accelerated speed from 2005’s excellent full length Closing In.  Singer-guitar player- bassist Mike Conte gives these songs epic metal arrangements that remind one of the classic song structures of both Master of Puppets and South of Heaven.  High Praise, yes, but this band is the real deal.  The highlight of course is the colossal title track, a tour de force of steaming riffs and sharp bridges leading up to a chorus that fills out spectacularly.  It’s enough to send chills down your spine. EP closer “Suck Me Dry” is a short blast of punk, with lyrics venomous lyrics and, again, ultra-catchy riffs. I haven't loved a band this much since I first heard Fu Manchu.

2.Howlin' Rain Magnificent Fiend

I discovered these guys through Eli Eckert's involvement, as I am a huge fan of Oakland's Drunk Horse.  When I realized that this was actually Ethan "Comets on Fire" Miller's new project, I was pumped to hear it.  The listening party didn't let me down.  In fact, this surpassed all expectations and flat out blew me away.  Although critics are mentioning bands like the Grateful Dead when reviewing this, I found the record to be very fresh sounding.  Howlin' Rain have elements of classic rock in their sound, but their presentation of ideas is blissfully organic and satisfying.  All of the tracks stand on their own, but I implore you to listen to this start to finish in one sitting, for the cumulative effect of this record can be exhilarating.  Early Man still gets "best new band" plaque, but Howlin' Rain deserve major kudos for this knockout work of art.

1. Danava Unonou

This one really side-swiped me.  I really liked Danava's debut album.  It was heavy psych-prog and it sounded like it was recorded in 1974.  I love that this band seems as inspired by Italian horror soundtrackers Goblin as much as they are early metal like Budgie.  Conceptually, the band is awesome.  Musically, they blew my mind with their second full-length follow up Unonou.  Hearing this for the first time is like discovering some long-lost prog masterpeice that you picked up for 99 cents and just took a chance on based on the radical cover art.  And by the way, the Syd Mead artwork on display here is breathtaking.  But let's talk the stunning music behind it.  The words "instant classic" spring to mind.  A science fiction masterpiece.  It's rare that a heavy rock group comes around with this much atmosphere and songwriting chops, and I'm talking all decades.  Unonou takes you into the dark, into the light, into space and then into the dark again, only to deposit you back on planet earth dazed, confused and loving every minute of this rock 'n rollercoaster.  When I get my hands on the vinyl version, it's taking it's place on the shelf next to all the dusty classics, fitting in effortlessly, and even surpassing some them artistically.  This album is going to be difficult to equal, let alone top.

Honorable Mentions: 

Saviours Into Abaddon

Violator Chemical Assault

Graveyard Graveyard

Earthless Live at Roadburn

Danger Avenue Danger Avenue

Black Mountain In The Future

TK Webb and the Visions Ancestor

The Freeks The Freeks

Enforcer Into the Night

Spine of God

Just got back from lunch and listened to Monster Magnet's 1992 magnum opus Spine of God in the car on the way.  This is the era when John McBain was still in the band, and I have to say that his departure seems to have affected the band's original sound.  This is one of my favorite recordings from the 1990s, an identity crisis of a decade ruled by rap, grunge imitators and third-rate pop.  Back in '92, this band was still playing the kind of trippy metal that was en vogue in the glorious rock decade of the 1970s.  I've followed McBain's work since and it's all excellent, something that unfortunately can't quite be said about the subsequent Monster Magnet albums.  Check out Hater, Wellwater Conspiracy and his solo LP The In-Flight Feature, released a few years back via Kyuss drummer Brant Bjork's Duna Records.  McBain knows his psychedelia and also has a knack for melodies.   Proof of this is definitely heard in SOG, which has influenced tons of retro-metal bands around the world.   I'll have a top ten rock albums of the 1990s post up soon.  Stay cool and keep the flow flowin'.

More music...

Had lunch with an old chum and picked up some used CDs yesterday in Costa Mesa.  I got the new High on Fire live album Live from the Relapse Contamination Festival, Saxon Wheels of Steel, Bad Brains Quickness, Comets on Fire Field Recordings from the Sun and Armored Saint Saints Will Conquer (also a live recording).  Only heard the first few tracks of the HOF one and it's heavy as hell.  Guitarist-singer Matt Pike always seems to find a guitar tone that sounds delivered straight from below.  High on Fire is not as brilliant as his first band Sleep, but there is no denying their pure heavy power.  If Sleep was Pike's Sabbath, then High on Fire is definitely this man's Motorhead, for the growling vocals and blinding energy punish me every time. From what I have heard so far,I cant imagine any metal or rock fan being dissapointed by this.  Also listened to Comets on Fire and Armored Saint last night and they were both good experiences.  First up was Armored Saint, a well-regarded metal band that I had heard of but never actually heard.  The cover art alone sold me (see image above).  It's a live album and it delivers.  The band has chops and never lets up.  They remind me of a speedier version of Diamond Head.  No slow songs on this one.  I'll be seeking out more Armored Saint.  Comets on Fire are a band that I got into retro-actively from Ethan Miller's current project Howlin' Rain.  The two bands are very different.  Howlin' Rain is an excellent '70s style jam band.  Comets on fire still jam, but be prepared to have your face melted off, for this group is Blue Cheer on bad acid.  Difficult listening but worth the trip, Miller always letting his true songwriting gifts peak through the heavy psychedelica.  That's all for now, I have more listening to do and lots of tasks to accomplish.  Peace. 

Old Man Buddha Boxes....

So after long deliberation on Tuesday night, we settled on Friday the 13th part 4: The Final Chapter because it is the most cherished installment next to the first one.  It also features a very young Corey Feldmen, awesome Tom Savini gore FX and a teen Crispen Glover doing one of the coolest boogies in cinema history.  Oh, and the kid from "The Last American Virgin" plays a seemingly cool ladykiller who ends up, yet again, without a sex partner by the end of the party.  Anyways, on to my positive review for this film.

Directed by Joesph "Invasion U.S.A." Zito, The Final Chapter is of course not the last episode of the Jason Voorhees saga by a longshot.  It comes off the tails of Friday the 13th part 3-D which had the novelty of neato pop-out 3-D effects and the first appearance of the notorious hockey mask in the series.  Having said all that, Part 4 does really deliver the goods in many departments.  It's easy to see why this sequel is still a fan favorite after all these years.  The Good: the script, while not Shakesperean, has more developed characterizations than any of the other films.  The Feldmen character, with his horror-show obsessions and sexual curiosity, actually has a fully formed dramatic catharsis by the movie's end.  This scene has become legend among horror fans ("Die Jason!  Die!) and is the most psychologically disturbing of any Friday the 13th ending.   Ok, on to the fun stuff.  The body count is high in this one and Zito doesn't shy away from killer gore and shameless nudity.  The double murder in the hospital is stolen from Halloween II but Savini's effects are so ingeniously designed that you won't notice.  The scares are pretty spot-on in this film as well, getting me and my better half more than once during the 91 minute run time.  All of these factors contribute my high rating and to it's immense popularity among fans.  This movie has scares, laughs, gore, skin and psychological depth scarcely seen in slasher flicks.  Although I would rate installments 1-9 all pretty high for their immense entertainment value, this one does indeed have the dramatic flair to inch it out above the competition for best Jason sequel.  I mean, who can ever forget a pubescent Corey Feldmen, head shaved and in a Le Tigre shirt weilding a machete?  Good work Zito and Co.  I'm off to the store to pick up "Invasion U.S.A". 

8.5/10 

  

Let the Gore Times Roll...

First up is my review for the soundtrack to the 1981 R-rated animated classic Heavy Metal.  Watch for my enthusiastic of the review of the film itself coming soon....

Ok, on to the soundtrack.  For a soundtrack released in 1981, this one is unique in it's diversity shoving artists like Stevie Nicks and Journey right up against heavy-hitters like Dio-fronted Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult.  Metallers in '81 must have been irked by the inclusion of "Open Arms" but every song on here is still well-crafted rock 'n roll by 2008 standards.  Let's do a track-by-track breakdown!

1. SAMMY HAGAR "Heavy Metal"- This song actually lives up to it's title, providing us a dynamic riff-driven rock'n roller that gets the soundtrack off to a groovy start.

2.RIGGS "Heartbeat"- Solid commercial rock from a band that never really went anywhere but based the cool licks and infectuous chorus on display here, it was not from lack of talent.

3. DEVO "Working in a The Coal Mine"- Ok, I love this band, so this review might be biased.  Not as druggy or hypnotic as their stunning cover version of "Satisfaction", Devo nonetheless gives a completely original, robotic re-interpretation of a song we've heard a hundred times. 

4.BLUE OYSTER CULT- "Veteran of The Psychic Wards"-  I already knew and loved this positively spine-tingling BOC track from the tremendous Fire of Unknown Origin album, but it was cool to see it's inclusion here.  Perfect moodiness for the film's soundtrack.  This tremendous band was originally tapped to do the entire HM soundtrack. Now that would have been cool.

5.  CHEAP TRICK "Reach Out"- Not available anywhere else, and if you are a Cheap Trick fan, this and "I Must Be Dreamin" are reason alone to buy this.  Quality pop crunch from the Tricksters with lots of scintillating synth work for you new wave fans.

6. DON FELDER "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)"- More atmospheric than the Haggar track and with some cool BOC-ish harmonies in the chorus.  I like this song; it makes me want to cruise down the coast with the sunroof open in my car.

7. DONALD FAGEN "True Companion"- About as far from metal as you can get, but I still really dig this.  Not on par with Steely Dan's best work, but Fagen delivers a fusion-y cocktail lounge trip that gave me visions of city lights and lonely bars.  

8.NAZARETH "Crazy (A Suitable Case for Treatment)"- Nice mid-tempo groover from Nazareth.  This reminds of their slick "Expect No Mercy"- era stuff.  Again, one of my fave bands from the 70s.

9.RIGGS "Radar Rider"- More cool-guy rock from Riggs.  Trippy vocals. I need to get this band's full-length debut... does anyone have a review for it?

10. JOURNEY "Open Arms"- Alright, here's the insurance policy track for the soundtrack's chart status.  I think Journey is good, but this song is them at their overblown worst.  Give me Journey ballad "Lights" any day over this piffle.

11. GRAND FUNK RAILROAD "Queen Bee"- The 1980s were not kind to GFR but this song is fun.  This doesn't have the groovy heaviness of their 70s work, but it's still straightforward rock with cool vocal harmonies and energetic playing.  Throw this on to a party mixed tape, and no one in the room will bat an eye.

12. CHEAP TRICK "I Must Be Dreamin"- More cool and trippy sci-fi rock from Cheap Trick, the band definitely experimenting with their sound a bit here. The space-tech intro reminding me of Wang Chung's soundtrack for "To Live and Die in L.A."  

13. BLACK SABBATH "The Mob Rules"- This is just a heavy classic in every sense of the phrase.  Prime Dio-era Sabbath title track from one of the coolest albums of all time (with cover art by Greg Hildebrandt).  Great use of this galloping track in the film too, during a bloody battle sequence.  Perfect.

14. DON FELDER "All of You" -This guy and Joe Walsh have to be the coolest musicians to ever be in the Eagles.  Felder makes excellent rock drenched in atmosphere.  I think I need to seek out some of his solo stuff...

15. TRUST "Prefabricated"- Who is Trust?  From the sounds of "Prefabricated", it's radcial NWOBHM-style rock with almost punk vocals.  Reminds me of Paul Di'Anno fronted Iron Maiden, but not as heavy.

16. STEVIE NICKS "Blue Lamp"- Something about Stevie Nicks turns me on.  This is more pop than "Sleeping Angel", which to my knowledge is also soundtrack-only to "Fast Times at Ridegmont High".  This is a slick, upbeat way to end a metal soundtrack, but the music is so well-performed that I don't find fault with it.  Fun.

I'm giving this album a 9/10.  One point shaved off for the shameless inclusion of overplayed pretentious weepie "Open Arms".  Other than that, put this on at a party or in your tape deck for those long road trips and you're all set.  You'll only have to skip one track.