ROCK USA 2011 – It’s spectacular Rock ‘n’ Roll news! KISS, Journey and Daughtry will be headlining the Rock USA 2011 festival at Ford Festival Park in the great city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin! This extremely cool Rock USA 2011 will take place on July 14th, 15th and 16th. There is a “TBA” (to be announced) shown, so we will stay tuned as to what band is added! The three days of band lineups for Rock USA 2011 are listed below. These lineups are current with the Rock USA 2011 website as of March 29th, 2011:
JULY 14TH BAND LINEUPS:
DAUGHTRY
BUCKCHERRY
PUDDLE OF MUDD
CHEAP TRICK
BOXKAR
JULY 15TH BAND LINEUPS:
JOURNEY
LYNYRD SKYNYRD
TBA
CANDLEBOX
WARRANT
HYDE
JULY 16TH BAND LINEUPS:
KISS
KORN
HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD
DOKKEN
ROAD TRIP
KINDRED SOUL
You did read that right… CHEAP TRICK, BUCKCHERRY, LYNYRD SKYNYRD and KORN are on the bill too! Metal be thy name, this looks to be one incredibly potent lineup of bands!!
* My Metal research has found that Oshkosh, Wisconsin has a population of 64,592, with a metropolitan population of 160,000. These are 2007 statistics.
* For all info including ticket info just click on the links below:
ROCK JAMBERONI – Have you ever wished for that one day, when you were handed the golden keys to a record company by being named it’s Chief Executive Officer? With this newly bestowed title, you are now able to create that one Rock ‘n’ Roll album that forges your name alongside the legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll history? Well, yesterday I received word via email that my Rock ‘n’ Roll wish has been granted. For today only, I have been officially designated as the CEO and producer for Coverdale Records.
Given my new found Rock ‘n’ Roll power, I’ve decided to take up the fun task of compiling an album of legendary songs. These songs feature kick ass Classic Rock, Southern Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal jams! These jams aren’t just merely a guitar solo heard at the beginning or during the middle of a song, these are full-throttle instrumental jams that last more than a minute with total band participation. Below is the album track listing of such legendary jam songs… and I’m titling this revved-up album – Rock Jamberoni. The expected release date is March 24, 2011. Enjoy!
REV THEORY – For the week of March 5th, 2011, the third studio album, Justice, from the Hard Rockin’ Rev Theory debuted at #75 on the Billboard 200 Chart. This is refreshing news, especially when the Billboard 200 Chart is saturated with watered down, commercial, bubble gum and flavor-of-the-month (ahem) “music”. Now, it’s time for Rev Theory to serve up some “Justice” on the Billboard charts.
I will readily admit, Justice is one heavy hitter for my ears. This album is loaded with songs that are guitar driven and packed with melodic crunch. The first three songs alone are very memorable: Dead In A Grave, Justice and Hangman just lead right into a complete album of songs that prove Rev Theory weren’t aiming to play it safe.
Rich Luzzi sounds tough as ever on vocals, with not one note being over stretched. The guitar duo of Julien Jorgensen and Lixx are more potent than ever, with Dave Agoglia (drums) and Matty McCloskey (bass) laying down some of the smoothest and coolest beats I’ve heard in a very long time. If your shopping around for a newly released Hard Rock album that kicks some genuine ass, Rev Theory ‘s Justice is the answer.
* Justice was released on February 15, 2011, on Interscope Records/DGC Records and produced by Terry Date.
GO GET ‘EM REV THEORY!
REV THEORY – JUSTICE Billboard chart (debut) positions for the week of March 5th, 2011:
Billboard 200 – #75
Rock Albums – #20
Alternative Albums – #11
Hard Rock Albums – #5
REV THEORY:
Rich Luzzi – lead vocals
Julien Jorgensen – guitar
Rikki Lixx – guitar, backing vocals
Matty McCloskey – bass, backing vocals
Dave Agoglia – drums
Track Listing For Justice:
Dead In A Grave
Justice
Hangman
The Fire
Loaded Gun
Guilty By Design
Enemy Within
Wicked Wonderland
Say Goodbye
Never Again
Hollow Man
* For more info on REV THEORY, click the links below:
KOPEK – Ireland’s increasingly embraced, Hard Rock trio KOPEK will be seeing their debut album White Collar Lies releasing on March 1st, 2011… that’s tomorrow!! If you are a fan of Rock, Hard Rock or Modern Hard Rock that isn’t representative of the status quo club, then you will absolutely NEED to get your ears into this KOPEK album! Since January of this year, KOPEK have been touring the U.S.A. and are receiving rave reviews for their live shows!
Stone says this KOPEK album is a MUST buy! I very rarely state these words and I’m laying all the Hard Rockin’ cards out on the table, especially when I endorse a band’s album this highly. KOPEK is going to be HUGE.
* White Collar Lies is being released on Religion Music via SIN/Sony Independent Network.
KOPEK:
Daniel Jordan – lead vocals & guitar
Brad Kinsella – bass guitar
Shane Cooney – drums
Track Listing For White Collar Lies:
Cocaine Chest Pains
White Collar Lies
Fever
Love Is Dead
Floridian
Sub Human
The Easy Way (D.B. Cooper)
Bring It On Home
Love Sick Blues
Bigger Than Us All
Sin City
* To read my complete album review on White Collar Lies, just click on the large header link below:
(That’s Neal Schon, in the top left/back row. This Next album from 1977 was Journey’s third studio album and pre-Steve Perry)
NEAL SCHON – Metal Odyssey gives a loud and Rockin’ Happy Birthday to Neal Schon! A founding member and non-stop lead guitarist for the ultra-legendary Journey, Neal Schon was born on February 27th, 1954. How can anyone measure the Rock ‘N’ Roll career and achievements of Neal Schon? I couldn’t. This is as key a figure in the history of Rock as you can ask for. Neal Schon is an influential guitarist, songwriter and figure of the Rock Music world spanning five decades. Thank you for the music Neal Schon!
My personal favorite Journey song of all-time is Any Way You Want It from 1980’s Departure. My second favorite Journey song ever is: The Party’s Over (Hopelessly In Love) which is the lone studio song on the 1981 live double album – Captured. I always have a soft spot for that little guitar solo that Neal Schon created in Don’t StopBelievin’ from 1981’s Escape.
As for my all-time favorite Journey album? Man, it’s tough. I’m going with two here: Infinity from 1978 and Evolution from 1979. The entire Journey catalog is just too rich with enormously memorable songs for me.
* Here is a list of some notable bands that Neal Schon has been a key part of during his amazing career. By no means is this list complete and in no particular order, that is not my intent here.
JOURNEY – (of course and ’nuff said)
HSAS – (with Sammy Hagar, Kenny Aaronson and Michael Shrieve). HSAS released only one studio album: Through The Fire back in 1984. Yes, take my Metal word for it, it’s a very cool Hard Rock album to own.
BAD ENGLISH – (with John Waite, Ricky Phillips, Jonathan Cain and Deen Castronovo). Bad English released two studio albums: Bad English in 1989 and Backlash in 1991. An excellent Hard Rock group was Bad English, both albums are very worthy listens.
SANTANA – Neal Schon played guitar on Santana III, which was released back in 1971. Neal Schon was only 17 years old then! Neal also played guitar on Caravanserai (1972). Rock history, pure and simple.
HARDLINE – Neal Schon played lead guitar on Hardline’s debut 1992 studio album: Double Eclipse. This is one fabulous Hard Rock album to get ahold of… if you haven’t already.
CLASSIC ROCK – Yes, I will admit, the thought of a world without Classic Rock is a bit scary. Just in the last couple of days, I thought to myself, what would I do without Classic Rock? If it wasn’t for the bands, solo musicians and albums of Rock ‘N’ Roll’s yesteryears would Metal as we all know and love it in 2011 be the same? What would Rock and Hard Rock have sounded like the past 20 years without Classic Rock? The Classic Rock bands that I turn to on a consistent listening basis, are equivalent to comfort food. My mashed potatoes and chicken pot pies of Rock ‘N’ Roll.
Truthfully, bands like the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Pink Floyd, Styx, The Doors, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Cheap Trick, Foreigner, Heart, Bad Company, Grand Funk Railroad, Yes, Sweet, Asia and Boston give me an engulfing sense that everything is either alright or it’s gonna be alright. There are countless more Classic Rock bands that I can rattle off here, of course. These bands and their albums have forever been linked to moments I’ve experienced through life, good or bad, from a young lad to adulthood. Certainly, any fan of music knows what I’m getting at here… I hope.
I can’t leave out KISS… their 1970’s catalog of albums can realistically be tagged as Classic Rock, regardless of the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal that they are so famously known for. How about Motörhead? Can a case be made that this iconic Rock ‘N’ Roll band’s legacy is, after all, Classic Rock worthy? Am I just getting too damned sentimental in my thoughts? Am I becoming this big old softy after all? Classic Rock is synonymous with good times. That’s just the way I feel about this era of Rock ‘N’ Roll.
There will never be another 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s or 1980’s. Those are all decades that will continue to live on through their respective music, with no genre excluded. No decade can ever be duplicated for it’s pop-cultural or Rock ‘N’ Roll impact. Duplication of a Classic Rock sound and/or style is merely called influence. Classic Rock grows it’s roots deeper into the fabric of Rock ‘N’ Roll history with each passing day. There are young bands of today that will inevitably be looked upon as influential and classic as well… 25 or 30 years down the road by different generations of fans.
Who are these bands of today that will be the Classic Rock influences of tomorrow? Is it Kopek? Rooney? My Darkest Days? Pop Evil? Daughtry? Sons Of Sylvia? I never thought of this question when I was a young lad. I used to think that the bands I listened to back then would not be around once I turned, um, the age I am now. Man, was I ever wrong! I’m very glad that I was wrong too.
Right now, the best way I can speak about how I feel is through the music I love. Recently, my Dad has had his setbacks with his health. My cousin Mike has had a serious health setback as well in recent days. I love them both and dedicate Rainbow’s incredible song Power to both of them. Regardless of what faith you may hold in your heart, regardless if you believe or don’t believe in God, please cheer these two amazing dudes on for Stone. They can both use some Power right about now.
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN – Back in November of 1991, The Yngwie Malmsteen Collection was released on Polydor Records. This Yngwie Malmsteen compilation spans the first six albums of his career, from 1984 to 1990. These albums are: Rising Force (1984), Marching Out (1985), Trilogy (1986), Odyssey (1988), Trial By Fire:Live In Leningrad (1989) and Eclipse (1990).
Of these first six Yngwie Malmsteen albums, the only one I have on CD is Odyssey. Eclipse I have on cassette and the other four I have on vinyl. Sounds crazy, huh? The $ factor comes into play, whenever the desire to upgrade my entire collection of music to CD crosses my Metal mind. Regardless, I have these Yngwie albums on old school formats and I’m content. About seven years ago, on a lazy Saturday, I took a leisurely stroll into Strawberries Records & Tapes, back in my hometown up in very expensive Connecticut. That day I zeroed in on The Yngwie Malmsteen Collection… it was calling my name.
At this time of my life, seven years ago, my wife and I were really cutting corners and trying to make ends meet… and the ends were not interested in meeting either. Purchasing one CD would send me into guilt city. I took the Metal plunge, held my breath and Metal be thy name I purchased this Yngwie Malmsteen bonanza of songs. It has served me right ever since. Yes, by now you might have guessed I am giddy about listening to Yngwie Malmsteen over the years. I really enjoy listening to his guitar playing, his Neoclassical style is pioneering and legendary, in my Metal opinion.
I’ve always enjoyed listening to every vocalist that Yngwie Malmsteen has recruited for his albums as well. I’m not trying to sound like Mr. Sunshine wants everyone happy when I state this. No, I will readily admit that Mark Boals and Joe Lynn Turner are my favorite vocalists from the entire Yngwie Malmsteen catalog, which includes his most recent release of 2010’s Relentless, which boasts Tim “Ripper” Owens on vocals, (with Yngwie singing Look At You Now). If someone out there asks: hey Stone, c’mon, pick one or the other, Mark Boals or Joe Lynn Turner!? My Metal answer is easy: it’s a tie… Metal be thy name, a tie.
I recommend anyone who is just getting interested in Yngwie Malmsteen to get ahold of this CD. These fourteen songs are a magnificent representation of Yngwie’s first six albums. From the live cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic – Spanish Castle Magic, to Queen In Love, this compilation shows not a flaw, in my Metal opinion once again. Veteran fans of Yngwie who don’t own his first six albums on CD entirely, may want to grab this collection for the same reason I did.
Yngwie Malmsteen Facts To Know:
* Yngwie means: young Viking chief
* Born: In Sweden on June 30, 1963
* Yngwie Malmsteen taught himself how to play guitar.
* The late and legendary Jimi Hendrix inspired Yngwie to play guitar, only it was the image of Jimi Hendrix more so than his music that influenced Yngwie.
* At the age of 15, Yngwie quit school and landed a job at a music shop in Stockholm, Sweden, repairing guitars.
* The debut 1984 album Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force was nominated for a Grammy Award.
* (Source for these Yngwie facts found in the liner notes of this CD)
Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light 1, the latest organic opus from EARTH, is now streaming in its entirety as an NPR “Exclusive First Listen.” Click here to check out the whole album, where it will stream for free until February 7th.
Set for release on February 22nd, once again for Southern Lord Recordings, Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light 1 represents yet another new chapter in the EARTH lineage, as the band continues to expand their trademark slow-morphing drone a bit beyond the realms they’ve explored on their last handful of releases and recent years of touring, and continuing to reproduce continually inspiring music as they have with every recording to date.
EARTH have also announced an official hometown record release show for Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light 1, scheduled for March 3rd at The Tractor Tavern in Seattle.
EARTH Record Release Show:
3/3/2011 The Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA w/ Mount Eerie, Low Hums
ZZ TOP – It’s a humdinger of a thought, reflecting back to those blissful days of keg parties so long ago, in an open field, while Eliminator from ZZ TOP was blasting from someone’s boom box or car stereo. It was very common to hear Eliminator being cranked up along with Screaming For Vengeance from Judas Priest (released in 1982), Iron Maiden’s The Number Of The Beast and Piece Of Mind (released in 1982 and 1983 respectively) and Quiet Riot’s Metal Health. You have to remember, these were profoundly popular Metal albums of the day and ZZ TOP came knockin’ on the door to party… when all the world was abuzz about Heavy Metal. The really cool thing is, I and the majority of fellow Metalheads I knew then… let ZZ TOP in.
Metal Health was released on March 11, 1983 and Eliminator was released on March 23, 1983. Everyone knows the Metal historical importance of Metal Health being the first #1 Heavy Metal album on the Billboard Chart. (If you did not know, well, now you do. Plus QR rules too). Eliminator cracked that same Billboard Chart peaking at #9. As I reflect on it now, both the Metal Health and Eliminator albums should be hailed more frequently for their combinedpop culture impact, it was like a one-two punch to the Hard Rockin’ forehead that felt so damn good back then. It certainly was a great moment in Rock Music history, when MTVreally played music videos and while Heavy Metal along with Hard Rock was heard everywhere.
The coexistence of Eliminator alongside such Metal album classics back in 1983 proved that Heavy Metal, Hard Rock and Rock can and does have a common connection. A “weeding out” process was happening amongst us fans and bands back in those early 80’s… resulting in the eventual endless list of sub-genres that we all debate about in 2011. Eliminator seemed to break down any barriers of Rock ‘N’ Roll segregation back in 1983, the Country and Southern Rock fans just might like a band that a Metalhead digs!
I’ve never been one to embrace just Metal as my only music listening experience and ZZ TOP is one major reason why. (Metal is #1 in my Metal heart though). I remember my buddies and I rushing to Strawberries Records & Tapes to buy earlier albums from ZZ TOP after Eliminator was released. This album gave the ZZ TOP back catalog even more notoriety, (even though it was already revered) and helped spotlight the righteousness of Blues Rock and Southern Rock/Southern Hard Rock.
While I write about Eliminator, I’m tapping into my memories of yesteryear, regardless of how dazed they might be. I do remember vividly the social impact that Eliminator had on my group of buddies and the media impact goes without saying. The music videos that spawned from this album were beyond entertaining… they were Rock ‘N’ Roll coolness with an exclamation point. TVDinners is not just a (gasp) fun song, the music video for this song is flat-out hilarious. The slow driven, thump and stump of TV Dinners “really can’t be beat”, in my Metal opinion.
Not to disrespectfully push the “hits” of Eliminator aside, still, there are other songs on this album that cut loose with their dirt kickin’ and down home Rockin’ vibes. I Got The Six, Dirty Dog, If ICould Only Flag Her Down, I Need You Tonight, Thug and Bad Girl are just as potent as the world popular Legs, Sharp Dressed Man, Gimme All Your Lovin, Got Me Under Pressure and of course… TVDinners.
Was Eliminator commercial for it’s time? Of course it was and for grand reason. Eliminator will forever have a commercial appeal due to it’s memorable lyrics and good-times feel. It’s that big Texas boogie beat that will always make ZZ TOP and their catalog of albums timeless. Blues and grooves. Add into the sound and style of ZZ TOP these three words as well: Hard, Heavy, Classic. What other Rock power-trio, if you will, manifested more bluesy slick and muscular grooves into their songs such as ZZ TOP? Eliminator only magnified this.
There was no rushing to the “Prog-Rock” door to impress the fans when it came to the Rock ‘N’ Roll of Eliminator, that’s never been what ZZ TOP was/is known for. Straightforward with their brand of bluesy Southern Rock and Hard Rock is what made ZZ TOP famous for in the first place. As time has gone by, Eliminator just “eliminated” any doubts about this band and album having a huge impact among a cross section of Rock genres. It always feels dandy when I can reflect on an album that has made my Rock lovin’ life so enjoyable. My Eliminator vinyl and CD can never grow moss or collect dust mites… there’s just too many BIG beats and FUN moments that it bulges with, just like a Classic Rock album from ZZ TOP should do.
ZZ TOP:
BILLY GIBBONS – guitar & vocals
DUSTY HILL – bass & vocals
FRANK BEARD – drums
* Eliminator was released on March 23, 1983, on Warner Bros. Records.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ALBUM COVERS – I recently discovered and bought a book that is about one of my favorite Rock ‘N’ Roll topics, that being album covers. A Brief History Of Album Covers set me back just $5 (U.S. funds). The store where I bought this cool book sells nothing higher than $5, hence the store name: Five Below. Now, this is not a used book store, nor a thrift store, all the variety of merchandise is sold as “new” at Five Below. There are a few of these Five Below stores in my area of Eastern Pennsylvania. Finding a book that interests me seems to be the norm, each time I visit a Five Below.
A Brief History Of Album Covers is an entertaining and insightful book to read. Author Jason Draper covers nearly 200 classic album covers, all in chronological order. From the debut and self-titled Elvis Presley album from 1956, to the (best of) Oasis album from 2006 – Stop TheClocks. From the Fifties to the “Noughties” as Jason Draper refers to the Millennium decade, he chooses album covers that are “the most iconic, unusual or representative” of each respective decade. It’s interesting and simply fun to see the album covers which Jason Draper has chosen for this book.
Each album cover has a brief write-up, with an anecdotal approach that works just well with me. Every album that is revisited has it’s respective cover pictured, in full color, along with it’s record label, release dates and songwriters. I find this book to be extremely helpful with it’s details that it offers. A Brief History Of Album Covers could have easily been a mammoth sized coffee table book, however, in this instance, the “less is more” school of thought comes together very attractively. This book has a soft cover and is 384 pages long. The oddball measurements (approximately) for this book are: 6 and 5/8″ x 6 and 1/4″.
There are not an abundance of Heavy Metal album covers found in Jason Draper’s research here and I quite honestly can live with it. Not everyone will submit the same list or book of what they consider to be the standout album covers that span 60 years. Iron Maiden’s third studio album from 1982, The Number Of The Beast is included, along with Van Halen’s 1984 and Led Zeppelin’s ultra-legendary sixth studio album – Physical Graffiti.
(Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti)
The diversity is seen here in A Brief History Of Album Covers that lends itself as a tribute to many Rock Music genres, only not all of them. From Frank Sinatra to Lynyrd Skynyrd with Pink Floyd and the Sex Pistols in-between, Jason Draper has accomplished a tidy celebration of album cover art. Sure, if it were my book on a history of album covers I would include representations from Black, Death and Thrash Metal without blinking a Metal eye. As I mentioned earlier though, not everyone will share the same opinion on an absolute list of decade defining album covers.
Even with the lack of Extreme Metal being represented within A Brief History Of Album Covers, I still strongly endorse this book and applaud Jason Draper for revisiting such a tremendous catalog of album covers. His interpretations of the album cover art he compiled, has made me look at these covers with an “open mind” once again. I also commend Jason Draper for paying homage to what is now quickly becoming an obsolete experience for younger generations of music fans, of being able to view and enjoy the album cover art that so often represents the respective music of the album and it’s creators. The LP does live on though, thanks to Jason Draper’s brief journey with all of these cool covers.
There are many interesting facts found in A Brief History Of Album Covers, both historic and artistic. One fact that I was reminded of, (due to my blatantly forgetting about), is the design similarity between Elvis Presley’s 1956 debut album and London Calling by The Clash, which was released back in 1979. Jason Draper refers to The Clash cover as “parodying” the Elvis Presley debut, only I beg to differ. My interpretation is The Clash are paying tribute to a true pioneer of Rock ‘N’ Roll, regardless if the initial intent was to be that of parody or not. Both the Elvis Presley debut album and London Calling are serious representations of their respective Rock genres, therefore the tag of “parody” realistically does not apply. Take a look for yourself below:
Elvis Presley (debut/self titled) – RCA Victor – 1956
The Clash (London Calling) – CBS Records (UK), Epic Records (U.S.)
* Jason Draper is the Reviews Editor for Record Collector Magazine, the United Kingdom’s longest running monthly music magazine, with distribution in the UK and worldwide. Jason Draper is described as a “true collector” on the inside back cover panel of this book… I would tend to agree he surely is, without knowing him.
* The foreword for A Brief History Of Album Covers was written by Paul Du Noyer. As the founder of Mojo (music magazine based in the United Kingdom), Paul Du Noyer has also edited many Rock Music reference books and is an author himself.
* A Brief History Of Album Covers was first published in 2008, by Flame Tree Publishing, based in the United Kingdom.
CHEAP TRICK – Just like it was yesterday. That’s how it feels each time I listen to the 1979 DreamPolice album from Cheap Trick. Those days of just playing pick-up basketball games around the neighborhood, going to friends birthday parties on Saturdays, messing around at the roller rink, hanging out at my grandma’s, reading MAD Magazine and having a major crush on Loni Anderson. Back then, I even had a huge crush on Donna Pescow, (she played Angie, on her own sitcom Angie). Yup.
I don’t know exactly why I had Dream Police playing in my head today… maybe because this song reminds me of Winter more than any other season. Songs will do that though… they just “pop” into my head without warning. I’m sure you know what I mean. Wow, maybe “those” Dream Police really do “live inside of my head”. Hey, as long as they’re cool songs that “pop” into my head and not something from The Wiggles (from days when my girls were crawling and rolling on the floor). Whatever the reason why Dream Police caught me off guard today, this song ROCKS and so does Cheap Trick. Metal be thy name.
I hope you enjoy this song and dig Cheap Trick too. This video below is Classic Cheap Trick. ‘Nuff said. If you don’t dig Cheap Trick, well, then go take a laxative and stop watching C-SPAN for awhile.
Back on May 16, 2009, I posted about this Rocktastic Cheap Trick album – Dream Police. If you like to read about it, just click the giant header-link below:
DOOBIE BROTHERS – On September 28, 2010, the Doobie Brothers released their thirteenth studio album titled – World Gone Crazy, via HOR Records. Classic Rock is named such due to it’s ability to cross generations and make us revisit the songs and albums that became the building blocks of what Rock and Hard Rock is today… and Classic Rock continues to build that solid foundation in which Rock finds it’s stability to this very moment. World Gone Crazy is as fine an example of a Classic Rock foundation block as I could ever point out. The Doobie Brothers are Classic Rock warriors, returning with fire and melody in their sound that needs to not just be listened to, their new album needs to be celebrated.
For a new Doobie Brothers album to have what I consider to be my new “favorite all-time” song from them is quite a Rockin’ thrill to tell. You see, China Grove from their third album The Captain and Me, released back in 1973, has forever been my favorite Doobie Brothers song. No more. Now my favorite Doobie Brothers song is My Baby. The Rock infectious melody coupled with the trademark Doobie Brothers chorus is spellbinding to my ears. Listening to My Baby is like I’m taking a journey back to 1978, I’m a young lad once more and I’m listening to the radio… and being introduced to Rock ‘N’ Roll all over again.
I know I can’t just continue on about My Baby the whole time here, however, this song has brought back something to my senses that has been missing for quite some time… and this song just makes me feel so goooooooooood. This song is like the fountain of youth to my ears. Tom Johnston, you wrote one incredible song with My Baby… take a Rockin’ bow. Alright, onto the rest of World Gone Crazy. I’m crazy about this album. Get it? World Gone Crazy… I’m crazy about it? Whatever.
A Brighter Day opens up this Doobie Brothers gem, packed with enough Caribbean flavor oozing from it’s sound, to send my day dreams longing for that island in the sun. The musical flirtation with Funky grooves summons up this song’s positive theme to even greater heights. The title track, World GoneCrazy is a Doobie Brothers take on the state of our economy, (with the way things are going in 2011, you can take your pick on global or U.S. economy). This song, as with the entire album, glistens with every Classic Rock aspect and nuance that The Doobie Brothers are world famous for.
Far From Home is a mid-tempo ballad that beholds some very inspirational lyrics. Far From Home combines it’s soothing lyrics, cool melodies and harmonious vocals to make it a mellow winner among some hot Rockin’ Doobie Brothers numbers. Young Man’s Game is what Doobie Brothers Rock ‘N’ Roll is all about, with a Classic Rockin’ guitar solo and plenty of foot stompin’ piano, all mixed into a non-stop and up-tempo groovin’ listen on this album.
Don’t Say Goodbye features the legendary and former Doobie Brother, Michael McDonald. This song is a mid-paced and easy listening experience, which fits right into the musical scope of what The Doobie Brothers have ventured into in the past. The only drawback to this song is that Michael McDonald’s vocals are “featured” as background and chorus. Initially, I was expecting a Michael McDonald performance where he takes center stage on vocals, with both lead and background.
With the legendary Country Outlaw we all know as Willie Nelson, his “featured” vocals on I Know We Won are utilized for both lead and background. This song’s lead vocals are shared by both Pat Simmons and Willie Nelson, their duet, if you will, is as fabulous as I could have ever expected. Old Juarez embodies a latin Rock sound and vibe that has me seeking out my Santana albums. I’d swear Carlos Santana plays a lick or two on this song, only his name does not appear in the liner notes. The Doobie Brothers are not falling short on Rock diversity with World Gone Crazy, the shifting of Rock gears makes this album smoke.
Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons both sound excellent on vocals. This Doobie Brothers band has proved to me, they are still a major player in the world of Rock, a Classic Rock icon of a band they truly are. Yes… The Doobie Brothers can still play and jam the Rockin’ lights out. There is comfort food… then there is comfort Rock. The Doobie Brothers epitomize what feel-good Classic Rock sounds like to my ears. Metal be thy name.
In the event I have to recommend that “one” ClassicRock album from 2010 to purchase, (and I guess that this is the event), it is World Gone Crazy. The Doobie Brothers may have let nearly an entire decade pass without a new studio album, yet they have more than made up for the long recess between albums. If The Doobie Brothers are to substitute quality over quantity, then they have unquestionably succeeded, for World Gone Crazy is top tier, Classic Rock quality… magnified ten times.
Doobie Brothers:
Tom Johnston – acoustic & electric guitars, vocals, background vocals
Michael Hossack – drums & percussion
John McFee – acoustic guitars, banjo, mandolin, percussion, violin, electric guitars, resonator guitars & vocals
Pat Simmons – acoustic & electric guitars, vocals & background vocals
Other World Gone Crazy Info:
* Bob Glaub plays bass on all songs except I Know We Won. (There’s no bass on this song, that’s why)
* World Gone Crazy was produced by the legendary Ted Templeman and The Doobie Brothers.
* Ted Templeman plays tambourine on Chateau. (I Thought you’d want to know).
* Nobody is a remake from The Doobie Brothers single Nobody, taken from their debut/self-titled album released back in 1971 on Warner Bros. Records.
* For more info on the Doobie Brothers, click on the link below:
FUNNIEST HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVERS – It’s time to laugh out loud or at least crack a smile… or maybe two. I have always been a fan of memorable album covers. From Horror themes to dragons and every flaming Flying V guitar in-between, I find album artwork to be a representation of the respective musician or band’s music heard within. This may not always be the case, however, it is more often than not a pretty good gauge when caught up in a “blind purchase”. Funny album covers are out there as well and there are perhaps a countless variety of them.
I dug up five funny album covers recently, just to throw out to the world for some Metal lightheartedness. Drop a comment about any other funny album cover you want to laugh about. I hope you get a chuckle out of ’em like I have. If these funny album covers don’t have you cracking even the slightest smile, well, then, your most likely constipated and it is making you grouchy.
#5
PRIMUS – Frizzle Fry
No matter how you slice it, Les Claypool and his Funky band PRIMUS do belong in the Heavy Metal family. This “head thing” in the frying pan, on the 1990 album cover for Frizzle Fry, always has me laughing out loud. Plus, there have been times, where an omelette I’ve cooked slightly resembles this grotesquely funny atrocity. This is not the type of thing you want to find, staring up at you from a port-O-potty toilet at the country fair.
#4
Ugly Kid Joe – America’s Least Wanted
Another Funky Heavy Metal band, Ugly Kid Joe’s kid mascot always put’s a grin on my face. This time around, on America’s Least Wanted, (their 1992 debut full-length), that cartoon mascot kid can’t bug on any adult conversation.
#3
Scorpions – Lovedrive
Released back in 1979, on Mercury Records, this is a classic Scorpions album, even if it doesn’t boast a Top 40 ballad or an MTV smash hit video. Coast To Coast and Holiday are two songs worth the price of picking up this album alone. Now, can someone explain to me, how a dude can get caught in a pickle like this? What makes it so funny to me, is it’s visually bizarre… plus, seeing a huge sticky wad of bubble gum, being pulled from this ballroom babe’s breast is downright funny!
#2
NOISY MAMA – Everybody Has One
Released back in 1991, on ATCO/Atlantic Records, this NOISY MAMA album cover is simply a funny classic. The album cover illustration was created by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, who created the iconic hot-rod mascot of the 1960’s and ’70’s known as Rat Fink. “Big Daddy” opened the door to custom automotive cartoon art. As a custom car builder, he helped to create and innovate Kustom Kulture. Ed “Big Daddy” Roth passed away back in 2001, still, his legendary custom cars, album artwork and illustrations for the hot-rod community live on. It’s album artwork like you see here, that makes it so damn cool to buy the physical CD and have the liner notes to enjoy. Take that mp3’s.
For all Metal intents and purposes, this NOISY MAMA band knew how to play some good-times, Hard Rockin’ songs. Everybody Has One… ROCKS! You can hear for yourself, by clicking on the link below. This link will take you to a myspace music fan page for NOISY MAMA, where there are some of their songs streaming to ROCK OUT to!
From 1991, it’s DANGER DANGER with Screw It. This was their second studio album, released on Epic Records. A while back, best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale reminded me of this hilarious album cover, which in turn, prompted me to revisit it and take in these songs from Screw It! once again. I’m telling you, that gorilla is funny, while he is holding that jungle hottie while she is ready to devour that lucky banana! In my Metal opinion, this is an excellent Hair Metal album from Danger Danger. Screw It! is definitely worth owning. The only drawback, is Yeah, YouWant It! is a Rap/Metal song that stinks like skunk poop that’s roasting in the hot Summer sun.
KISS – Sometime back in 1982 or 1983, I bought the KISS KILLERS album. I can vividly recall when I first saw this album though, it was at a small pop culture store that sold plenty of cool Heavy Metal albums from the 1970’s right up to those early 80’s. My cousin Randy worked at this store, he was always astute at Rock ‘N’ Roll history and what the newest album releases of the day were.
I didn’t hesitate about buying this KISS album then, knowing at the time it was an import, KILLERS was not a mass release within the United States. It was quite an impressive find for any KISS fan back then, even more so today, (see used prices below). The asking price for KILLERS set me back around $7 (U.S.) all those years ago. $7 back in ’82/’83 for a teen Metalhead like me was still a chunk of cheese.
Still having this KISS album in my collection is quite a thrill. I am proud of myself for not selling or trading away this piece of KISStory after all these years. (There are some KISS albums and KISS Kollectibles that I have moronically let go during my lifetime). My copy of KILLERS is in as near perfect condition as you could ever ask for, with no wear to the album jacket or vinyl. I truly took great care of this album over the years.
KILLERS was released a year after The Elder and is the first album cover to have Eric Carr pictured as a member of KISS, being released months before the amazing CreaturesOf The Night album. This album is a greatest hits of the time, with four new studio tracks. Those tracks being: I’m A Legend Tonight, Down On Your Knees, NowhereTo Run and Partners In Crime.
KILLERS never came with any inside liner notes, nor are there any musician credits listed on the back cover. I’ve read throughout the years, from many sources, that Bob Kulick, (Bruce Kulick’s older brother), was the guitarist on the four new tracks. Obviously, Eric Carr was the drummer on the four new tracks.
Track Listing For KILLERS:
SIDE I:
I’m A Legend Tonight
Down On Your Knees
Cold Gin
Love Gun
Shout It Out Loud
Sure Know Something
SIDE II:
Nowhere To Run
Partners In Crime
Detroit Rock City
God Of Thunder
I Was Made For Loving You
Rock & Roll All Nite (live version)
* KILLERS was released on Casablanca Records, with their parent company phonogram having their logo at the bottom right corner on the back cover.
* As of January 8, 2011, there are 7 used KISS KILLERS albums (vinyl) for sale on Amazon.com. The prices range from $26.98 to $106.04 in U.S. funds.
* KILLERS was produced by Michael James Jackson, (no, not the Michael Jackson). The album cover design is by Howard Marks Advertising, Inc.
There’s definitely better images out there of this KISS KILLERS album cover. I just wanted to show the world the exact copy that I own. The colors on the album cover I own, are much more vibrant than shown. The back cover design is very simple and it never impressed me. You just can’t beat owning any KISS vinyl. Check it out below:
Californication Season 4 Music From The Showtime Series – Releasing on January 11, 2011, via Arrival Records/Scion Music Group is Californication Season 4 Music From The Showtime Series. Whenever a team of music supervisors and producers have to choose “those absolute songs” that most reflect the consistent themes and vibes of a television series, a delicate balancing act will be conducted based on both knowledge of that respective series and Rock Music. Nora Felder, Budd Carr and Jonathan Platt can enjoy a collective sigh of relief, that their 13 song selection for Californication Season 4 has flowed together seamlessly, like an assortment of Rock ‘N’ Roll clouds amidst a blue, cool, Summer sky.
The story lines surrounding main character Hank Moody (played by David Duchovny) to the Californication series is more complicated than just blue Summer skies, however. There is plenty of dark and taboo cool, mixed within the reality of this comedy/drama that fans can appreciate and this soundtrack capitalizes on all of it. Life isn’t something that can be followed by any guidelines from a handbook purchased at the corner book store, the songs on this soundtrack dictate exactly how dynamic life is, in all of it’s lovable and not so adored intricacies. Again, another nod to the themes one can find being absorbed into, while watching the Californication series. An overall competence in keeping the relevance between song and series, is accomplished extremely well on this soundtrack.
From MotleyCrüe’s Tommy Lee, to Indie Folk Rock artist Gregory Alan Isakov, this Californication Season 4 soundtrack is liberally represented by a cross-section of Rock genres. It makes me pleased, to see the late and legendary Warren Zevon make his appearance with WantedDead Or Alive, originally performed by Zevon on his 1970 debut album, famously known by the same title. It’s amazing to me, the strong relevance this Warren Zevon classic has in 2011. Tommy Lee takes a more sing-a-long approach, in covering his galaxy famous band’s hit ballad Home Sweet Home. The vibe I feel, while listening to this cover of Home Sweet Home, puts me in the neighborhood bar where everyone knows my name.
Queens of Dogtown are featured here with three cover songs: Would? (Alice In Chains), Last Caress (Misfits) and I Remember You (Skid Row). All three of these songs are monumental Heavy Music classics in their own right, with realistically no room for error when covering even just one of them. With that said, lead vocalist Zoe Kravitz puts her own emotional feel into each song, giving each their justifiable Rock historic respect. In turn, a whole new generation of fans shall hopefully be introduced to these bands, that made these songs timeless, thanks to Queens of Dogtown. I find myself nodding in approval, while Queens of Dogtown cover these three heavy classics with their hardened Semi-Pop Rock sound.
Experimental/Industrial Disco Rock gets coverage on this soundtrack courtesy of My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult or TKK as they are often times referred as. Their song Sex On Wheelz pulls me in with it’s Industrial edge and groove injected up-tempo. Having such a modern sounding invitee to join the party here, makes perfect sense to me. Alternative Rock is represented in excellent form with Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me from Cracker. This song has an uncanny way of making me drift off into cool thoughts… and that isn’t anything too lame to admit.
Eagles Of Death Metal are always a band that takes and makes their brand of Garage Rock serious, even if they did change the title of the Stealers Wheel classic from Stuck In The Middle to Stuck In The Metal. From the 1972 original, to the 2003 cover from Eagles Of Death Metal, it finds home again on Californication Season 4 and it never sounded more Rock righteous. Back in 1989, at the peak of MTV being a real music video network, Love And Rockets was at the top of the charts with their Alternative smash – So Alive. You’ll hear Better Than Ezra put their Alternative cover spin on So Alive, gelling into the mix of this soundtrack and it’s respective Californication theme almost too perfectly.
Soundtracks are either fun, boring or come highly recommended. I’ll omit the boring category here. I will put out to you, that this soundtrack for Californication Season 4 is both fun to listen to and Rocks with enough cool vibes to make me grin defiantly, at a very lousy day. Rock ‘N’ Roll was never supposed to be anti-fun nor anti-cool. Rock ‘N’ Roll was meant to be dangerous, like the series this soundtrack represents. Californication Season 4 has the Rock that sheds away the anti’s and I recommend your getting a copy… especially if you want to have fun and be cool.
* Californication Season 4 Music From the Showtime Series releases on January 11, 2011, on CD and download, on Arrival Records/Scion Music Group.
Take a cool time-out to check out the Californication Season 4 Trailer from SHOWTIME below!
GERRY RAFFERTY – On January 4, 2011, Rock Music Legend Gerry Rafferty passed away from liver disease. A mulit-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, Gerry Rafferty was only 63 years old. Metal Odyssey gives condolences to the family, friends and fans of Gerry Rafferty.
I honestly can say Gerry Rafferty was one of the reasons why AM Radio really did Rock for me, back in those late 70’s. The Rock I heard from Gerry Rafferty back in 1978, while going on so many long family day trips, were songs with soothing vocal harmony, a kick-it-up-a-notch sax and melodic guitar. Of course, the two “popular” songs that immediately play out in my mind, are: Baker Street and Right Down The Line from his 1978 studio album – City To City. I remember staring at the City To City album cover so long ago, staring at Gerry Rafferty holding the guitar neck with his left hand, wearing those shades… that was cool stuff for my eyes back then, it still is.
It’s not that difficult in mentioning Gerry Rafferty’s two biggest hits as being most memorable for me, especially when these are two songs that were imbedded in my mind and ears as a young lad. Of course there is much more to this legend’s music catalog. Gerry Rafferty had a soothing characteristic to his vocals, while still coming across as very cool. I never found it difficult either, in my adult life, to crank up to the maximum, Right Down The Line, each and every time it came on my car radio. That song just touches off something in me… and makes me feel extremely good. I would hopefully suppose that is exactly what Gerry Rafferty intended to do with his music, make people feel good… and he succeeded with me.
BRUCE LAMONT – Upon my very first listen to Feral Songs For The Epic Decline, I realized quickly that Bruce Lamont has created music that is a soundtrack to the inner Metal mind. What is the inner Metal mind you query? Why, it is all of the thoughts, sounds and sensory subtleties that just magically make their unexpected visit, (within my own inner Metal mind), during the course of a day… or two. You see, what Bruce Lamont has created here, is Experimental meets Industrial, coalescing with the progressive and tribal, while colliding with drifting atmospherics… the end result being Bruce’s honest and credible interpretation of what’s likely his real music ideal.
If there is a defining constant I hear throughout Feral Songs For The Epic Decline, it is Bruce’s interpretation of combining so many musical elements and styles together and making them come to a boil with an almost late 70’s progressive trip, while adhering to relevance. I do sense a keen sense of hard versus heavy balance, in regards to what Bruce Lamont has created here, due to my feeling and hearing some conscious restraint of venturing too far into the absolute heavy realm. Refraining from total heaviness comes across smoothly within his music, a more progressive approach provides the balance of musical sounds Bruce so convincingly conveys.
What Bruce Lamont seems to thrive on, is pulling music from across the spectrum, then he takes musical matters into his own imaginative hands and creates unique songs that tantalize with their modernistic genius. Throughout this eclectically put together album of avant-garde amassment, Bruce Lamont stays true to his varied style of putting a song together… the listener should expect the unexpected. Just when there are dreamy moments of Pink Floydian progressive space circulating in The Book Of The Law, don’t be surprised to hear next, a futuristic Wild West sound which connects to an extreme psychosis encounter on Deconstructing Self Destruction.
One Who Stands On The Earth is this album’s epic, at 11:44 long. Bruce’s baritone voice along with his acoustic guitar and background Industrial fuzz combines for a continuum of building this song from it’s foundation. Bruce lends some mysterious chanting, which lends way to his saxophone building a melancholic passage with the assistance of tribal background chants. These background tribal chants give way to and combine with rhythmic tribal drum beats, bringing One Who Stands On The Earth to it’s finish, with a synthetic whirling sound being the final exclamation point. The presence of these sounds, brings about an open atmosphere of near exhilaration.
It is the all encompassing manner of disorder by intention, that makes Bruce Lamont’s songs enthrall me to such a high level of admiration. Where else can one hear or who else can make a saxophone coexist so brilliantly, amidst a flurry of Industrial sounds and an extra-terrestrial musical climate as Bruce accomplishes on Disgruntled Employer? Extraordinary is this song with the inclusion of foggy tribal chants, generating a feeling of what an out of body experience might just feel like.
If you have an open-mindedness of listening to a broad based musical puzzle being put together, with a legion of nuances on steroids, then Feral Songs For The Epic Decline is unquestionably an album for you to absorb. Bruce Lamont created each song, sings and plays all the instruments heard on this album, being his first full length. What more could I appreciate from a solo artist, with such intense vision, than Bruce Lamont?
I’m heralding Bruce Lamont and his album Feral Songs For The Epic Decline, especially during an era when the Rock Music Industry is stagnating from complacency. Bruce Lamont’s musical style is inconsistent with the mainstream norm, obliterating a false mindset that artistic music ingenuity is no longer in vogue. This is my reasoning for admiring what Bruce Lamont has achieved here, which invigorates me to recommend Feral Songs For The Epic Decline to any and all open minded fans of Rock, Progressive and Ambient Music.
* Bruce Lamont’s associated bands are: Yakuza, Circle of Animals and Led Zeppelin 2.
* Feral Songs For The Epic Decline will be released on January 25, 2011, on At A Loss Recordings.
* For more info on Bruce Lamont, click on the link below:
METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP TEN SONGS OF 2010 – Every year, countless new Metal and Hard Rock albums are released. With an untold number of original songs, as well there being cover songs being released too, it is not humanly possible to hear them all. I have compiled a list of Top Ten Songs Of 2010, that represent THE songs that psyched-me-out of my Metal mind, throughout this past year and will continue to do so for many Metal moons to come. Quality musicianship, songwriting and vocals are all inclusive on these songs listed below, being heard by my attentive Metal ears. These art ten songs from 2010 that I will never forget for the rest of my Metal lovin’ life!
#10
MORPHINE KILLER – Throw It All Away
To listen to Throw It All Away, just click on that magnificent box above. Morphine Killer is Brandon Ortiz aka Eski and Belle Roka. Is it the music that Eski plays or the vocals of Belle that made this song an instantly memorable song for me? It’s BOTH. With a Modern Metal backbone meets Classic Rock accessibility, Throw It All Away is a song I want the world to hear. When a song can float above a variety of Rock genres like this one can and ROCK so damn steady as it does, it makes my Metal Odyssey Top Ten Songs Of 2010 list without a Metal hiccup. Metal Odyssey is handing out a #1 Female Heavy Rock vocal Performance for 2010… it’s Belle Roka with Throw It All Away. Morphine Killer has been my diamond in the rough for 2010.
#9
HIGH ON FIRE – Frost Hammer
On August 29, 2010, I blabbed away about how Metal terrific Frost Hammer is. You can read about it for yourself by clicking on the header below! Matt Pike and his band High On Fire are the epitome of what Metalshould sound like when you are flipping off the music charts. You’ll never find glitz or glam with these guys, just straight up Stoner Metal meets Rock ‘N’ Roll, with potent doses of landscape rippling sound, blasting from this now legendary three piece.
On August 29, 2010, I wrote about how much I really dig Frost Hammer. (I actually really dig the entire Snakes for the Divine album as well). Click the link below to read more about it!
The vocals of M. Shadows are laced with emotional realism that can’t be manufactured. While I listen to this song, the feeling of being overwhelmed by the relentlessly driving up-tempo and power of this A7X band occurs, from the opening note to the very last one. Every time I listen to thisNightmare song, the psyche-me-out meter explodes within my Metal soul. I swear I can hear and feel this band’s courage melting over this entire song and I’m not bashful to admit this. A7X made an incredible song (and album as well) under extreme conditions, after losing their brother and drummer, Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, to a tragically untimely passing on December 28, 2009.
What stands out to me, every time I listen to this song, is the transparent mood of victory amongst the overall musicianship, which seems to swirl itself around the more darker vibe of Nightmare’s overall theme. Each member of A7X plays with an inspired emotion on this song that carries on through the entire album. Nightmare is a word that can sum up what A7X has endured as a band of brothers, yet it’s also a magical song that has carried them to the top tier and front row of Modern Metal.
#7
ARMORED SAINT – Chilled
Armored Saint returned in a very fantastic way in 2010. Metal be thy name was I thrilled that Armored Saint did make a comeback… and they did so by making a kick ass album titled: La Raza. On April 19, 2010, I wrote exactly how this Armored Saint song makes me feel. Chilled will always be a lifetime favorite song of mine, it’s lyrical message of chilling out as you get older hits home. Take the Metal plunge and read all about it by clicking on the header below!
And on the eighth day, God created Jon Oliva. In all Metal seriousness, Jon Oliva is a man of music and his very own and real nightmare comes to life musically and lyrically, with Death Rides ABlack Horse. Jon Oliva writing about his nightmares makes for incredible songs and Death Rides A Black Horse is as nightmarish as they come, in an epic and sensory stirring way. The keyboards are haunting and the dark mood of this song gives way to my very own, made up scary imagery. I embrace any song that entertains me like a horror novel or gives me the jitters like a nightmare, Death Rides A Black Horse is just that.
#5
KROKUS – Too Hot
The “classic” Krokus lineup from the One Vice At A Time album from 1982, returned in 2010 with a Hard Rockin’ mission statement called Hoodoo. I knew after my very first listen to the Hoodoo album that there were a few potential “Top Ten” song candidates… I dug this album that much. TooHot became just that type of song for me all year, this song is hot from beginning to end. An infectious Hard Rock vibe I feel throughout Too Hot, without an ounce of letup. This Hard Rock vibe jumps straight out of Too Hot, reeling in all of the delectable Old School feelings of good times, partying till dawn and… just free spirited FUN.
#4
GAMMA RAY – To The Metal
HAIL HEAVY METAL! This is the Heavy Metal anthem that will forever remind me that this great genre is bigger than anything anyone could have ever imagined. Years may pass us by, economies shall fall, wars will be waged while we Metalhead’s age… only Metal always stands tall, has stood the test of time and never goes away. This song is about more than Heavy Metal, it’s about the cultural and social impact it has had upon us Metalheads through the decades, an F’n damn Metal phenomenon that can never be stopped, controlled or denied.
When I interviewed Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray’s lead vocalist & guitarist) earlier this year for HARD ROCK HIDEOUT, he likened Heavy Metal to that of a dragon… he explained once you cut the head off a dragon, it keeps on growing more heads. Well put, Kai… and well done with your legendary Power Metal band – Gamma Ray!
On July 19, 2010, I wrote about this powerful Heavy Metal anthem – To The Metal. Read about it if you like, by clicking the header below!
If there is that young band that is going to eventually take over the Rock and Hard Rock world, KOPEK is that band. Metal as my witness, it’s just a matter of time. Don’t say Stone never warned you either. When a three piece can Rock the daylights out of me, while delivering a Hard Rockin’ sound that is as refreshing as an iced pint of beer, that band deserves any and all the accolades I can Metal muster. KOPEK is that band. Take a look and listen to Love Is Dead by clicking that cool box below… you’ll likely understand what I mean.
Oh, while I’m at it, why beat around the Metal bush…
Love Is Dead is Metal Odyssey’s #1 Music Video Of 2010!
#2
SCORPIONS – Raised On Rock
2010 was the year when the unreal legendary Scorpions announced their embarking on a final, three year tour. The Scorpions are retiring. It can’t be! Alas, the Metal truth sometimes is hard to swallow. I, along with Scott Coverdale set forth on our Metal journey this past June, of 2010, to the M3 Rock Festival, (Columbia, Maryland), to see the Scorpions off. On June 27, 2010, I posted about the Scorpions headlining the 2010 M3 Rock Festival. You can read about how I felt, seeing and experiencing the Scorpions at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival by clicking the large header below!
Raised On Rock is not just a song that my 80’s generation can relate to, this is a song that any Rock generation can and should relate to. Admittedly, I am instantly psyched out of my Metal mind, while my face gets flushed and my arms become covered with ostrich bumps each time I listen to Raised On Rock. With these types of emotional and physical reactions I experience from Raised On Rock… there really is nuthin’ else left to say, except…
THANK YOU SCORPIONS!
#1
HALFORD – Thunder And Lightning
Thunder And Lightning from HALFORD is my #1 song of 2010! Music should speak to you and make you feel good… and sometimes invincible. HALFORD makes me feel invincible with Thunder And Lightning, I’m not going to deny it, I will just accept it with Metal glee. Everyone knows, when a song “hits” you that certain way, it just feels like it was written and recorded especially for you. This is exactly how Thunder And Lightning “hits me”.
Everything that I have ever loved about Heavy Metal, seems to be woven into Thunder And Lightning. From the strong vocals of Rob Halford, to the melodic and yet still heavy guitar leads of Roy Z., with Metal Mike Chlasciak unleashing the rhythmic balance from his axe, the tempo never subsides from it’s elevated high. Oh, there is a kick ass guitar solo too from Roy Z. and it gives me the Metal chills. Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums make the woofers on my home stereo speakers quake to the Metal limit. The chorus is mind blowing and Metal riveting. Even the fade out on this song is perfect. F’n Old School.
Being track #10 on the new HALFORD album, Made Of Metal is without question worth the wait as I listen to this fabulous album. Then again, I can’t count the number of times I select only this song to listen to, sometimes twenty times in a row! I’m not kidding. Rob Halford, otherwise known as The Metal God, is at his vintage best on vocals, with his band surrounding him with an awesome display of pure Metalpower. When a song puts me on an ultra-maximum Metal high, like Thunder And Lightning does, it gets picked as #1. Metal be thy name.
On October 6, 2010, I posted a complete album review on HALFORD IV Made Of Metal, you can check it out by clicking the header below!
* Below is a list of other great sites/bloggers that cover Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and will be sharing their “Best Of 2010” lists and thoughts as well. It is well worth the trip to any and/or all of them!
UNCOOL – Once again, I’m back at it again… for a third installment of “Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock And Heavy Metal Album Covers”. Why do I embark on such a Metal task you query? Due to the fact that I admire and uphold the album covers that have stood the test of time: AllIron Maiden album covers along with Molly Hatchet, Motorhead, Asia, Boston, Lääz Rockit, Overkill, Avenged Sevenfold, King Diamond and of course, DIO, have all had astounding artwork and graphics to represent their prodigious music over the decades.
Why can many bands and solo artists have their image and music dutifully represented by their album covers, while many others are packaged by their artwork and imagery like a stale can of inedible baked beans? We now live in the age of “the mp3”, where album cover artwork is for all intents and purposes, non-essential to the mp3 consumer. That is a Metal shame. All of us “Old Schoolers” know the importance of the beloved album cover and realize the album art more often than not parallels the songs heard within.
Try taking a walk through the CD aisles (or aisle) of Best Buy or browse around the internet music websites… you’ll find it is nearly 50/50 as to the cool/uncool ratio of album covers out there. This remarkable cool versus uncool album cover fiasco has been going on for decades, since the very beginning of Rock ‘N’ Roll itself! I don’t try to advertise myself on being “The Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Album Cover Authority”, still, I hopefully know how to decipher the uncool from cool after all my Metal lovin’ years.
Enjoy this list, become informed, gain knowledge and above all… if you happen to purchase one of these CD’s in the near future, just cover it over with “something” at the checkout, so other customers don’t witness your purchase. In the event you purchase one of these CD’s via mail, you are safe, no one will know you bought a CD with an uncool cover, just the dude who packaged it for shipping will know. If you become annoyed by this “Part III” list, well, you must like uncool Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album covers then.
* An uncool album cover does not necessarily mean that the respective band and the music heard on the album is uncool as well. If the album is a total stinker with it’s product of music, I would warn the world. Without further delay, here is the non-prestigious list of Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Album Covers Part III:
Foreigner – No End In Sight: The Very Best Of Foreigner (2008)
Bon Jovi and Nickelback have made prior uncool album cover lists here at Metal Odyssey for the same stale reason: a boring image of a… highway. What is it about highways and album covers? Why do these desolate paths of macadam/dirty asphalt keep popping up? I don’t care about the album title being “linked” with an image of this highway either. Highways are daunting, lonely and filled with road rage, therefore, highways are stressful. There really is “no end in sight” to the amount of times bands wind up with highways on their album covers. You’d think that after all these decades, Foreigner would want to have a cool album cover representing their legendary songs.
Nickelback – All The Right Reasons (2005)
Hey… look who’s back! It’s Nickelback! For a second time with another “uncool album cover induction” with All The Right Reasons. This marks the second album cover from Nickelback with a highway on it! I can think of a million reasons as to why this album cover is uncool and BORING, here is one: Regardless of the year and make of the automobile shown in the picture, this album cover is nothing more than an auto dealership brochure cover.
30 Seconds To Mars – Self Titled/Debut (2002)
? Doh!
Saving Abel – Self Titled/Debut (2008)
This day and age, I don’t know if I’m looking at a guy or a girl butt here. So, with all the confusion, this album cover is… uncool. For “me” it is anyways. Plus, how many more times do we need the “butt in tight jeans, staring at you in the face” album cover? An exceedingly overdone “theme”.
Bon Jovi – Cross Road (1994)
Just another Bon Jovi “Greatest Hits”. Wow, so compellingly Rockin’… Jon Bon Jovi and his band sitting around in a diner and doing nuthin’. OMG… that is so cool! Yeah, right. In reality, this band would never be caught in a blue collar diner… more like a 10 star, caviar serving, white linen restaurant on Rodeo Drive is more like it. Stone isn’t getting fooled. As an uncool bonus, this photo of the band is washed out and blurry. This photo would receive an “F” grade, back in my photography 101 class in college. This album cover makes Bon Jovi’s “second appearance” on a Metal Odyssey “uncool album cover” list. Congratulations Bon Jovi!
Collective Soul – Afterwords(2007)
Just embarrassing, really. Where is the slight or even remote imagery of “Rock” involved here within this album cover? This is more better suited as a Martha Stewart Living magazine cover. Metal be thy name.
Pearl Jam – Pearl Jam (2006)
I don’t care how many albums were sold of this Pearl Jam release… this is a perfect example of over thinking what your album cover should look like and convey. Trying to go for the “it’s over their heads” mentality doesn’t work for me either, with this album cover. It’s not over Stone’s head, this cover is just 100% uncool. This style of photography and art worked extremely well for Pink Floyd, a legendary band that knew what legendary album covers should look like. Most recently, Pearl Jam is into cartoons on their album cover with Backspacer… go figure.
Judas Priest – Point Of Entry (1981)
Since the day I first bought this Judas Priest album on vinyl, (probably around 1982/83), up until today, this cover just falls flat for me. I absolutely LOVE this album and Judas Priest is a core band for my Metal lovin’ soul. Do I feel guilty then, that I’m choosing a Judas Priest album cover for an “uncool list”? Nope. This “original” album cover for Point Of Entry is so super bland, that it will be forever filed under: What were they thinking? The super scary part about this album cover, is the blue printer paper that stretches on for miles, actually simulates a… highway!!! Even the ultra-legendary Judas Priest dabbled in the highway theme for an album cover! It probably cost $50 in U.S. funds to create this album cover too.
Dokken – Under Lock And Key (1985)
First, Under Lock And Key is a Dokken album that potently Rocks like there is no tomorrow. No, it’s not the hair or fashion that is uncool here. These styles are still utilized by many bands today. This image was an identity to a grand decade of 80’s Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Instead, what makes this Dokken album cover so uncool is that gigantic, cardboard key. That key ruined it. Minus that key, this album cover never comes up in an uncool album cover conversation. Who was behind this idea? That oversized, concocted, cardboard key would have served better inside a middle school lobby, with the words scrawled upon it: Unlock the key to your child’s education.
Christmas In Your Ear – (Release date unknown and who cares)
Gee Metal whiz, this compilation of Christmas songs, covered by some of the most popular names in Rock history, has not only an uncool album cover, it has an annoyingly uncool album title! Christmas In Your Ear. (!) Metal be thy name. The next uncool thing I’ll uncover will be a cookbook titled: Christmas In Your Stomach. What’s up with the raging serial killer’s face in the Christmas tree ornament? Talk about issues… that dude needs some anger management treatment fast. I could understand the album cover, only if it contained Death Metal bands covering Christmas songs. With the likes of Billy Squire, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smithereens and Pat Benatar, etc. on this CD, the cover does NOT fit the contents of what you’ll be listening to. Simply put, an embarrassing album cover and title. I think I’ll change the name of this blog now to: Metal Odyssey In Your Eyes.
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