RAMBLING ON MUSIC

ALICE IN CHAINS BENEFIT CONCERT

2005-02-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

(pictures courtesy of Seattle P-I)

Alice in Chains owns stage in tsunami-relief show full of surprises

---Maynard James Keenan singing "Man In The Box" and "Them Bones"

---Ann Wilson singing "Brother"

Those were just two of the highlights that took place during the benefit concert for the victims of the Southeast Asia tsunami tragedy at the Premier in Seattle on Feb. 18. The benefit concert, which raised over $100,000 for the relief efforts in Southeast Asia, featured the remaining members of Alice In Chains, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Sir Mix-A-Lot, the Supersuckers, and Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic.

I would have loved to have seen Maynard singing AIC tunes. Certainly nobody can replace the late great Layne Staley, but Maynard definitely has the vocal range to sing any rock song, especially those from Alice In Chains' catalog.

Damageplan's Pat Lachman and Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin were also at the concert this past Friday. I commented a few weeks back that Lachman would be a good fit in Jerry Cantrell's solo band. Lachman more than held his own with Damageplan.

Hopefully this show was recorded for future use on CD and/or DVD. I guarantee that if this show was released on CD and/or DVD, there would definitely be more money raised for the tsunami relief efforts. In the meantime, I hope to post more material here in the coming weeks. We'll see what happens, though.

CRAPSHOOT

2005-02-05T01:45:00.000-08:00

From Black Label Society's official site:

ZAKK WYLDE IN TV PILOT WITH JIM BREUER:
Zakk is in a TV pilot with Jim Breuer called Crapshoot. Details are sparse, but it is a rock and roll comedy show. Check out the website for Quicktime movie downloads. This is one of the funniest things you will ever see, I HIGHLY suggest that you check it out!

Crapshoot

I'm not going to spoil a thing for y'all. Trust me, the clips are well worth your time.

And in BLS news, "Mafia" will be in stores March 5.

LACHMAN IN THE BOX?

2005-02-03T22:30:00.000-08:00

For one night only, Damageplan frontman Patrick Lachman will be performing with the remaining members of Alice In Chains on February 18 in Seattle.

Alice In Chains and Lachman are part of a tribute concert to benefit the tsunami relief effort in Southeast Asia. Also performing at the Premier on February 18 will be Queensryche guitarist Chris DeGarmo, Heart lead singer Ann Wilson, Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, and rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot.

Lachman performing with Alice In Chains raises an interesting question: Could this grow into something more? You may remember Jerry Cantrell collaborating with Damageplan on "Ashes To Ashes", from "The Punisher" soundtrack. While Dropbox lead singer John Kosco has been in the studio with Cantrell in recent months recording the follow-up to 2002's "Degradation Trip", I would have no problem with Lachman working with Cantrell on his upcoming solo album. Lachman held his own with the late great Dimebag Darrell and I for one would love to see him work with another guitar great in Cantrell.

Stay tuned...

MUSIC IN THE CLASSROOM

2005-01-30T01:25:00.000-08:00

Students at a North Carolina liberal arts college took a four-week course based on the music of country music star Martina McBride. The female-only Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC studied the lyrics of McBride's music for core values and themes that are often seen in life.

While I'm not a huge country music fan, this is one class I would consider taking, if they had offered this at a co-ed school. I'd definitely take a class on the history of metal. I could only imagine taking one of those scantron tests and having to answer a question such as "Who was the lead singer of Led Zeppelin?" A) Ronnie James Dio, B) Paul Rodgers, C) Robert Plant, or D) Brad Delp.

If you don't know the answer to the question I just brought up, please use this following link. You're welcome, by the way.

NEW ALBUM RELEASES

2005-01-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

The real reason for this post is so our readers don't have to look at Steve Agueri's face when they first reach Rambling On Music.

There's a few good albums that will be coming out in the coming weeks. Here they are...

FEBRUARY 8
3 Doors Down "Seventeen Days"
Ozzy Osbourne "Bible of Ozz" (box set)

MARCH 1
Judas Priest "Angel Of Retribution"

MARCH 5
Black Label Society "Mafia"

MARCH 22
Queens Of The Stone Age "Lullabies To Paralyze"

JOURNEY HAS BEEN WALKED

2005-01-23T01:45:00.000-08:00

(more on the pic later)

Journey received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Present at the sidewalk ceremony were guitarist Neal Schon and bassist Ross Valory, who were in the group's original 1973 lineup, as well as keyboardist Jonathan Cain, drummer Deen Castronovo and lead singer Steve Augeri (news), who replaced Steve Perry (news) in the mid-1990s.

[...]

Perry, who was not scheduled to appear, showed up on his own, organizers said.

"No one ever mentions the unsung heroes, the road crew who ... made us look good," he said.

I love the fact that Steve Perry showed up unannounced. It's also sad at the same time, however. Let's face it, whether you are young or old and have listened to at least one Journey song, Steve Perry WAS Journey. There aren't many singers out there who could sing like Perry. Nope, not even Steve Augeri, Perry's replacement.

Speaking of Augeri, how in the hell can he pose for the cameras like he had something to do with the success of Journey? There's just something wrong with that picture and I don't quite have the words to describe it.

Well, don't stop believing, I guess.

THE NEW AND IMPROVED RAMBLING ON MUSIC

2005-01-22T14:10:00.000-08:00

This is the new and improved Rambling On Music.

We launched the site in October 2004, just a mere 3 months ago. But we felt that we needed to change some things up. Mainly, the site design. Instead of a white background with black text, we're taking a page from our sports site, Sports and Bremertonians.

All of the links from the original version of Rambling On Music are still at your disposal, although this time around, the links are on the left side of the page, not the right side. If you have any music-related links you want us to put on the sidebar, leave them in the comments box and we'll see what we can do.

If you want to check out our earlier posts (October-December 2004), click on the archives on the sidebar. Or just scroll down after this post and there will be a few posts from the past month or so.

Enough about the redesign for a moment...

Rambling On Music. What does it mean?

The title explains itself. David and I love to ramble about music (or anything that interests us). But here, we'll ramble about music.

What do you guys listen to?

We'll listen to anything that's good. But for the most part, we listen to a ton of hard rock. It's soothing, you know.

Bremerton and Pine Bluff? What the hell?

David's in Bremerton, WA for the time being. I'm in Pine Bluff, AR for the time being. Translation: Six months from now, we plan on being in different locales.

You two strangers who are 2300 miles away from each other?

No, we've been friends since high school. Neil Peart kicked our asses with his drum solo at the Gorge. We're still trying to recover.

Will you hate me if I like Maroon 5?

No. But why would you listen to Maroon 5? Tell me you aren't whipped like Doug Christie.

(I'm kidding. Listen to whatever you want. Just don't crank up Maroon 5 in my headspace, OK? Good deal.)

Brain Stew or Jaded?

BOTH!

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

So there you go.

If you've been to Rambling On Music before (the 12 of you), welcome back.

If this is your first time here, welcome.

Crank it up. Because some music just wasn't meant to be muted.

DAVID POSTS?!?!

2004-12-21T17:59:00.000-08:00

This is totally just filling in the blanks on one of Jeremy's posts, but maybe it'll get me started on some more posting here.

Favorite Bands (Top 5): Cult, Queensryche, Megadeth, Van Halen, Sevendust

Favorite Albums (Top 5): Queensryche "Operation:Mindcrime," Foo Fighters "There Is Nothing Left to Lose," Megadeth "Rust In Peace," Van Halen "Fair Warning," Sevendust "Seasons"

Favorite Songs (Top 5): Queensryche "The Killing Words," Van Halen "Sinner's Swing," U2 "Like a Song...", Soundgarden "Superunknown," Stone Temple Pilots "Lounge Fly"

First Concert: I think it was Paul Revere and the Raiders

First Concert that I went to on my terms: Offspring (Ixnay tour)

Concert that I wish I had seen: any Stone Temple Pilots gig where they were the only headliner

First Record I listened to: Green Day "Dookie"

First Record I bought: Weezer (blue)

Favorite Music Movie: "This is Spinal Tap"

Favorite Music Book: "Hammer of the Gods -- The Led Zeppelin story" Of course, it's sort of the only music book I'd read with any motive to finish the whole thing.

Favorite Music Television Show: "Behind the Music," "Headbangers Ball"

Favorite "Behind The Music" Episode: Def Leppard. It sparked a made-for-TV movie, for goodness' sake.

Favorite "guilty pleasure" song: Queensryche "Hand on Heart." So cheesy, but oh so great.

Favorite Music Writer: Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

The one band that I will always defend: Queensryche

Great Road Trip Albums: Pearl Jam "Ten," Tom Petty "Anthology: Through the Years" (both work great after concerts)

The Album You Should Listen To While Driving On The Coast: Mother Love Bone

The one band I should like, but don't: Dream Theater. It's kind of the whole timeless Queensryche vs. Dream Theater debate, but I have the feeling they just concentrate more on technicality to the fault of the songs themselves. Of course, I do need to listen to them more.

Best Song By An Actor: probably something Jamie Foxx did in the Ray movie

Most Overrated Band: Dave Matthews Band. They're great, don't get me wrong. However, I was on a college campus for the last four years. After about two weeks I got enough exposure to Bob Marley and Dave Matthews Band to the point where I could go eight years without hearing their material and it wouldn't faze me. Dave Matthews Band is great. But they're not as great as some would have you believe.
===

Holy crap, I've contributed to this place! Here's to hoping music can coexist better with my sports intake than it has been lately. Or at least hopefully I can conjure up some post material more often.

THE BEST OF TIMES

2004-12-21T13:15:00.000-08:00

I found this topic on a random message board and thought that it would be an interesting topic for me to take on here at Rambling On Music.

The topic? List my favorite songs from a various list of bands. Trust me, I have good taste in music.

Led Zeppelin - "Immigrant Song"
U2 - "Two Hearts Beat As One"
Rolling Stones - "Gimme Shelter"
Pearl Jam - "Tremor Christ"
Dave Matthews Band - "Ants Marching"
The Beatles - "Get Back"
Guns N Roses - "Paradise City"
R.E.M. - "Finest Worksong"
The Pixies - "Here Comes Your Man"
Nirvana - "Come As You Are"
Soundgarden - "The Day I Tried To Live"
Rage Against the Machine - "Down Rodeo"
Alice In Chains - "We Die Young"
Stone Temple Pilots - "Interstate Love Song"
AC/DC - "Shoot To Thrill"
Ozzy Osbourne - "No More Tears"
The Who - "Behind Blue Eyes"
Queen - "Fat Bottomed Girls"
Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"
Rush - "Vital Signs"
Boston - "I Think I Like It"
Duran Duran - "A View To A Kill"
Pink Floyd - "Run Like Hell"
The Kinks - "You Really Got Me"
Eminem - "Guilty Conscience"
NWA - "F**k Tha Police"
Snoop Dogg - "Gin and Juice"
Dr. Dre - "Still D.R.E."
DMX - "What's My Name?"
Coldplay - "Clocks"
The Cult - "Fire Woman"
Def Leppard - "Bringin' On The Heartbreak"
Aerosmith - "Angel"
Styx - "Renegade"
Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Breaking The Girl"
The Eagles - "The Long Run"
Foo Fighters - "Stacked Actors"
Live - "Lightning Crashes"
Metallica - "Creeping Death"
Pantera - "5 Minutes Alone"
Megadeth - "Symphony of Destruction"
Anthrax - "Madhouse"
Iron Maiden - "Aces High"
Judas Priest - "Heading Out To The Highway"
House of Pain - "Jump Around"
Radiohead - "High and Dry"
Van Halen - "Unchained"
Bruce Springsteen - "Glory Days"
Weezer - "Say It Ain't So"
Nine Inch Nails - "Hurt"
Tom Petty - "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around"
Cheap Trick - "Surrender"
Madonna - "Into The Groove"
Smashing Pumpkins - "Rocket"
Bon Jovi - "You Give Love A Bad Name"
Cypress Hill - "Insane In The Brain"

Fill up the comments box with your favorites...

CLINT LOWERY LEAVES SEVENDUST

2004-12-17T11:45:00.000-08:00

Blabbermouth.net

Earlier in the week, we were led to believe that Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery had just left the tour due to personal issues. But in fact, he has quit Sevendust. Lowery plans on pursuing other projects.

These have been rough times for the music industry. The shooting of Dimebag Darrell has affected the music industry tremendously. If you've followed Sevendust, you know that these guys have toured their asses off over the years. As a big Sevendust fan, I can only hope that Lowery is just tired from being out on the road and just needs a break. I just want this news of him quitting to be a temporary move, because I feel that Lowery is a crucial part of this band.

So go crank up the Sevendust, will ya?

WAL-MART AND MUSIC

2004-12-10T19:00:00.000-08:00

A Maryland family has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart, accusing the company of "deceiving its customers" by stocking copies of Evanescence's recent concert CD/DVD "Anywhere But Home".

The issue here is the lyrics of "Thoughtless", one of the tracks on "Anywhere But Home". "Thoughtless" is not an original Evanescence song. It was originally performed by Korn on their "Untouchables" album. For the record, I have Evanescence's "Fallen" and there is not a single profane word on that album.

A portion of "Thoughtless":

Why are you trying to make fun of me?
You think it's funny
What the f*ck you think it's doing to me?
You take your turn lashing out at me
I want you crying, when you're dirty in the front of me

"I don't want any other families to get this, expecting it to be clean. It needs to be removed from the shelves to prevent other children from hearing it," said plaintiff Trevin Skeens of Brownsville.

Skeens said he and his wife, Melanie, let their daughter buy the music for her 13th birthday and were shocked when they played it in their car while driving home.

I've never gotten the whole "my kid is going to be scarred by hearing the f-word" theory. Please. I would venture to guess that this girl had heard the f-word way before she listened to the Evanescence CD. But I digress.

Oh, and when I was 13, I was listening to Offspring "Smash". There was a certain song called "Bad Habit". Great song, and the following lyrics sure as hell didn't scar me for life. At least my parents didn't look at music that way.

Drivers are rude
Such attitudes
But when I show my peace
Complaints cease
Something's odd
I feel like I'm god
You stupid dumbsh*t goddamn motherf**ker

Lesson in life, folks: Don't buy your music at Wal-Mart, unless you absolutely know that the CD you're going to buy has no objectionable material at all.

DIMEBAG

2004-12-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

Pantera/Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell, dead at 38

Needless to say, I'm floored.

Dimebag Darrell was one of the best guitarists in all of rock music. He was the main reason why I listened to Pantera. More recently, I've started to really take a liking to Damageplan, Darrell's new band. What really shocks me about this whole deal is that Phil Anselmo is still alive. Who knew?

Pantera Listening Area (unofficial site; full-length audio links of Pantera songs)

Pantera at All Music Guide

Damageplan at All Music Guide

RIP, Darrell.

JEREMY PREDICTS THE GRAMMYS...

2004-12-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

So you don't have to.

Of course, the Grammy Awards are not that legitimate.

Two words: Jethro Tull.

However, I'm going to predict the Grammy Awards, 3 months in advance. Yup, I'm bored as hell right now.

Album of the Year
Ray Charles & Various Artists - Genius Loves Company
Green Day - American Idiot
Alicia Keys - The Diary Of Alicia Keys
Usher - Confessions
Kanye West - The College Dropout

---Green Day "American Idiot" was the best album of 2004. But since this is the Grammys, I expect Usher "Confessions" to win. After all, it was the biggest album in pop music of the year. And that's what matters to the Grammy folks.

Record of the Year
The Black Eyed Peas - "Let's Get It Started"
Ray Charles & Norah Jones - "Here We Go Again"
Green Day - "American Idiot"
Los Lonely Boys - "Heaven"
Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris - "Yeah!"

---"Yeah!", the most overplayed song of the year. Again, I'm predicting Usher here.

Song of the Year
John Mayer - "Daughters" (John Mayer, songwriter)
Alicia Keys - "If I Ain't Got You" (Alicia Keys - songwriter)
Kanye West - "Jesus Walks" (C. Smith & Kanye West, songwriters)
Tim McGraw - "Live Like You Were Dying" (Tim Nichols & Craig Wiseman, songwriters)
Hoobastank - "The Reason" (Daniel Estrin & Douglas Robb, songwriters)

---Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" is a damn good song. I don't listen to a lot of country music, but I know good music when I hear it. And "Live Like You Were Dying" is a damn good song. I hope the Oscar committee gives McGraw a Supporting Actor nod for his portryal as Charlie Billingsley in "Friday Night Lights".

Best New Artist
Los Lonely Boys
Maroon 5
Joss Stone
Kanye West
Gretchen Wilson

---They say that the Best New Artist award is the kiss of death. Well, here's hoping that Maroon 5 wins it, because I absolutely hate them. Next?

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Björk - "Oceania"
Sheryl Crow - "The First Cut Is The Deepest"
Norah Jones - "Sunrise"
Gwen Stefani - "What You Waiting For?"
Joss Stone - "You Had Me"

---There's always an upset or two every year when it comes to the Grammy Awards. So I'm predicting that 17-year old Joss Stone will take the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance award. No reason other than the fact that there is an upset or two every year.

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
Elvis Costello - "Let's Misbehave"
Josh Groban - "You Raise Me Up"
John Mayer - "Daughters"
Prince - "Cinnamon Girl"
Seal - "Love's Divine"

---Josh Groban wins this award even though he's going up against Elvis Costello and Prince? Well, I think he will. Keep in mind that my picks aren't about which song and/or band/singer that I like, but they're about who I think will win. In other words, I'm a realist.

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal
Evanescence - "My Immortal"
Hoobastank - "The Reason"
Los Lonely Boys - "Heaven"
Maroon 5 - "She Will Be Loved"
No Doubt - "It's My Life"

---I still think that Hoobastank's "Daredevil" soundtrack effort "Right Before Your Eyes" could have been bigger than "The Reason". But that being said, I think Hoobastank takes home the Grammy for the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or a Group. Who knew?

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal
Elvis Costello & The Imposters - "Monkey To Man"
Franz Ferdinand - "Take Me Out"
Green Day - "American Idiot"
The Killers - "Somebody Told Me"
U2 - "Vertigo"

---You can't go wrong with any of the selections here. But I hope Green Day gets to take home at least one Grammy for their outstanding album, "American Idiot". Don't worry, U2 will get a ton of Grammy nominations next year.

Best Hard Rock Performance
Incubus - "Megalomaniac"
Metallica - "Some Kind Of Monster"
Nickelback - "Feelin' Way Too Damn Good"
Slipknot - "Duality"
Velvet Revolver - "Slither"

---In my opinion, Velvet Revolver's "Slither" is one of the worst tracks on "Contraband". I love Metallica, but come on, "Some Kind of Monster" has no business winning a Grammy. Nickelback? No. Slipknot? They are the new millenium version of KISS (see Stone Sour). And let's be honest here, Incubus "Megalomaniac" was the hardest rock track of the group here. What an excellent way to open up "A Crow Left of the Murder". Which reminds me, why hasn't that album been promoted more? I thought it was a damn good album.

Best Metal Performance
Cradle Of Filth - "Nymphetamine"
Hatebreed - "Live For This"
Killswitch Engage - "The End Of Heartache"
Motörhead - "Whiplash"
Slipknot - "Vermilion"

---In terms of who is the best metal band of these 5 bands, it's no contest. It's Motorhead. But since this is about who had the best metal song of the year, I think it's Killswitch Engage's "The End of Heartache".

Best Rock Song
Green Day - "American Idiot"
Velvet Revolver - "Fall To Pieces"
Modest Mouse - "Float On"
The Killers - "Somebody Told Me"
Vertigo - "U2"

---"Fall To Pieces" is a great song. I've loved it since the first time I played it on my stereo, which was a good 6 months ago. Sure, it can be classified as "overplayed". But at least it's a damn good song. Again, U2 will get a ton of nominations next year.

Best Rock Album
Elvis Costello & The Imposters - The Delivery Man
Green Day - American Idiot
Hoobastank - The Reason
The Killers - Hot Fuss
Velvet Revolver - Contraband

---I'm still floored that Green Day was able to make an album like "American Idiot".

Best Alternative Music Album
Björk - Medulla
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her
Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News
Wilco - A Ghost Is Born

---PJ Harvey, critics darling.

Best Rap Solo Performance
Lloyd Banks - "On Fire"
Eminem - "Just Lose It"
Jay-Z - "99 Problems"
Twista - "Overnight Celebrity"
Kanye West - "Through The Wire"

---Eminem is the prince of rap music right now. I can't see him losing in this category.

Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
Beastie Boys - "Ch-Check It Out"
The Black Eyed Peas - "Let's Get It Started"
The Roots - "Don't Say Nuthin'"
Snoop Dogg & Pharrell - "Drop It Like It's Hot"
Terror Squad - "Lean Back"

---Only because the Beastie Boys have been dead to me since 1995.

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Jadakiss Featuring Anthony Hamilton - "Why"
Christina Milian Featuring Fabolous - "Dip It Low"
Twista Featuring Kanye West & Jamie Foxx - "Slow Jamz"
Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris - "Yeah!"
Kanye West & Syleena Johnson - "All Falls Down"

---Score another one for Usher.

Best Rap Song
Snoop Dogg & Pharrell - "Drop It Like It's Hot"
The Black Eyed Peas - "Hey Mama"
Kanye West - "Jesus Walks"
The Black Eyed Peas - "Let's Get It Started"
Jay-Z - "99 Problems"

---Will Jay-Z actually stay retired?

Best Rap Album
Beastie Boys - To The 5 Boroughs
Jay-Z - The Black Album
LL Cool J - The Definition
Nelly- Suit
Kanye West - The College Dropout

---Hopefully Jay-Z's collaboration with Linkin Park won't show up on any Grammy lists next year.

Best Short Form Music Video
Franz Ferdinand - "Take Me Out"
Green Day - "American Idiot"
George Michael - "Flawless"
Steriogram - "Walkie Talkie Man"
U2 - "Vertigo"

---Yeah, I've seen Franz Ferdinand's current video for "This Fire" before...

When it was called "Take Me Out".

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

I didn't go through all of the categories, because I don't give a damn about every single category on the list.

You can refer back to this post sometime in mid-February when the Grammys take place. Until then...

3 DOORS DOWN "LET ME GO"

2004-12-02T18:55:00.000-08:00

I've been a fan of the Mississippi-based band 3 Doors Down since I saw them at Endfest in Bremerton 4 years ago. So far in their young career, they've released two very solid albums, "The Better Life" and "Away From The Sun".

On February 8, 3 Doors Down will release their third album, titled "Seventeen Days", featuring the new single "Let Me Go". "Seventeen Days" is currently being recorded in Nashville with producer Johnny K, who is best known for working with Disturbed. After listening to "Let Me Go", I'm going to call it right now: 3 Doors Down "Seventeen Days" will be one of the most successful rock albums in 2005.

Here's a full-length audio link to "Let Me Go" (Windows Media)

And in addition, The Tennessean interviewed guitarist Chris Henderson a couple of weeks ago. Henderson was asked why the band wanted to record their new album in Nashville, a few hours way from their Mississippi home.

"We figure we're a Southern band, and Nashville's a Southern city, sort of. It's a Southern city with a lot of un-Southern flavor — kinda like L.A. and New York all mixed in with Mobile, Ala. It felt right in our guts. And here we can fly under the radar a little bit — people know we're here, but they don't really give a crap, because there just went Loretta Lynn."

Whatever you do, don't stereotype Nashville as just a country music town. It's a great music town in general.

I can't wait til February 8.

FREE RAMBLE, PRE-THANKSGIVING EDITION

2004-11-23T23:35:00.000-08:00

Be thankful for music.

---With No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani releasing her new album, "Love, Angel, Music, Baby", it brings up the question: What will happen to No Doubt? Personally, I've felt since 1996 that Stefani would ditch No Doubt and start her solo career. I'm shocked that it took her this long to release a solo album.

I think No Doubt is finished. The signs of a band breaking up? There's two signs. One, the band releases a greatest hits album. No Doubt did this in 2003. Two, the lead singer releases a solo album. Well, that came to fruition today.

I'm not a No Doubt fan. I crank up "Sunday Morning" and "Happy Now?" whenever I get the chance though. But for the most part, I think their work is hella crap, pardon the fake pun.

---U2 went around New York yesterday filming their video for "All Because Of You" on a flatbed truck. They then played a 30-minute show near the Brooklyn Bridge. Come to Arkansas, U2. This needs to happen.

---So Motley Crue is going to reunite, again. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Crue's work. But I don't care for these reunion tours. Enough is enough.

---I'm a Lenny Kravitz fan. But dammit, he should have quit while he was ahead. I can't begin to explain how awful his current album, "Baptism" is. It's a shame.

---Alien Ant Farm's "These Days" video is the most underrated video of the past 5 years, bar none. You can't lose with a band who plays on top of a rooftop across the street from the BET Awards. This is another band that I wish would get more recognition. However, I think they will always be pigeonholed because of their "Smooth Criminal" cover. Too bad.

---Can I buy stock in "Velvet Revolver To Break Up" within the next 10-12 months? I want this band to stay together. But for some reason, I won't be shocked to see this happen.

---This thought popped up in my mind earlier today. With George W. Bush winning the election and therefore staying in Washington for the next 4 years, the anti-Bush songs are pretty much rendered meaningless. Let's be honest, Eminem's "Mosh" simply doesn't have the same feeling that it did, say, 3 weeks ago. The same can be said for Green Day's "American Idiot". The "redneck agenda" will be in effect for the next 4 years. No, I won't express my political views here, because quite simply, nobody cares. I wish somebody would tell these entertainers that same thing.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

If I don't post again before Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving.

If you're traveling this weekend, be safe.

Later, everybody.

MUSIC SHELLOUT

2004-11-23T20:07:00.000-08:00

My music buys for today, aided very much by Circuit City's 15% off 3+ CDs coupon that was mailed out in their catalog circulars from a couple weeks ago (those coupons expire tomorrow)...

From Circuit City
Iced Earth The Glorious Burden
Pantera Far Beyond Driven
Iron Maiden Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

From Best Buy
U2 How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

I was fully anticipating Circuit City having the CD+DVD version of the U2 album at their Silverdale store but alas, they did not. They only had the CD alone selling for $8.99 each, which really isn't bad. Of course, when I did see the CD+DVD version at Best Buy, I saw that the DVD is 43 minutes long. Sue me, I thought it might be a little longer. Circuit City would have had the CD+DVD version on sale for $15.99, whereas Best Buy is selling it for $16.99. I got that version from Best Buy anyway. There aren't many bands I'd do that for, but U2's one of them.

As for Iced Earth, I just looked through some of the liner notes, and listened to a couple of songs...it's a very courageous/ballsy/brave/ambitious effort by Jon Schaffer. And Tim Owens has got some pipes, but you may know him as "Ripper." Sort of had a movie based on him and stuff, you know...

THANKSGIVING NFL MUSIC

2004-11-22T10:30:00.000-08:00

As first reported here at Rambling On Music Nov. 4, John Mellencamp will perform at halftime of the Indianapolis Colts-Detroit Lions game at Ford Field on Thanksgiving.

So who will perform at halftime of the Chicago Bears-Dallas Cowboys game?

Destiny's Child

The most overplayed song in the world right now, "Lose My Breath", will definitely be part of the show.

As for Paul McCartney performing at the Super Bowl halftime show Feb. 6, I don't want any Wings material to be played either. But since we all know that he will play a Wings song, expect "Live And Let Die" to be part of the halftime set.

For all your sports blogging needs, check out Sports and Bremertonians. Yes, David and I break the silence with our sports ramblings as well. It just makes real good sense, yes it does.

CLIP THE WINGS

2004-11-22T09:18:00.000-08:00

Yes, I've finally woken up from my music post hibernation to bring you this...

Paul McCartney is slated for the Super Bowl halftime show.

All together now,

NO WINGS MATERIAL.

Thank you.

BONO AND THE EDGE IN LITTLE ROCK

2004-11-18T14:30:00.000-08:00

Earlier today, the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library opened up in Little Rock.

Since this is Rambling On Music, I'm not going to get politcal here. However, I can talk about the performance from U2's Bono and The Edge.

I watched it live on local television and once again, I'm in awe of Bono and The Edge. They performed John Lennon's "Rain", "Sunday Bloody Sunday", and "The Hands That Built America" from "Gangs of New York".

This was U2's first appearance in the state of Arkansas. Well, half of U2, but you get the point. I can only hope that U2 makes a stop in Arkansas on their upcoming tour. Hopefully the Clinton Library impresses them enough where they want to come to Arkansas to play for the starving music fans like myself.

And if you haven't already, take the opportunity to listen to U2's new album "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". You won't regret it.

PLAY THAT BACK

2004-11-17T13:15:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 Current Songs That I'm Listening To Right Now

U2 "City of Blinding Lights"
---From their new album "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". It has a "Clocks"/"Two Hearts Beat As One" type of vibe to it. As I said yesterday, "City of Blinding Lights" may be the best song I've heard in a few years. I'm not kidding.

Collective Soul "Better Now"---From their new album "Youth". It's nice to know that Collective Soul is still alive and kicking. While "Counting The Days" is getting more attention right now, I feel that "Better Now" will be a big hit for these guys in a few months.

Alter Bridge "Find The Real"
---Alter Bridge is basically Creed, without that no-talent assclown Scott Stapp. Their first single "Open Your Eyes" was good, but "Find The Real" is more heavier. It has more of an edge to it.

Silvertide "Ain't Coming Home"
---These guys will be big very soon. Count on it.

Gavin DeGraw "I Don't Want To Be"---Chalk this up in the "I should hate this song, but dammit, I like it" category. Dammit, I just do. I won't apologize for this.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Music, it just makes real good sense.

NEW U2 ALBUM AT MTV.COM

2004-11-16T16:15:00.000-08:00

From now until next Tuesday, U2's new album "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" will be featured on MTV.com's "The Leak". The album will be released worldwide next Monday (Nov. 22) and in the U.S. next Tuesday (Nov. 23).

I'll do a full review on "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" later this week. But if there's one song on this album that I love already, it's "City of Blinding Lights". I won't get too carried away here, but it's the best song I've heard in a few years. It's that good.

In other U2 news, I watched their epic performance of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" from the Live Aid show in 1985 on Launch last night. I was hypnotized and mesmerized (to borrow from System Of A Down's new album titles). I take back what I said a while back. I said that Tool was the one band I need to see live. While I still need to see Tool, U2 is the one band that I need to see live. But for the time being, I'll have to "settle" for watching "Rattle & Hum" and listening to their Red Rocks live album.

U2 is the best music act in the world right now. No question.

COLLECTIVE SOUL IS BACK

2004-11-13T21:55:00.000-08:00

The Georgia rock band Collective Soul is back with a new album, "Youth", to be released on Tuesday (Nov. 16).

Collective Soul left Atlantic Records to form their own record label, El Music Group. So in essence, they're "starting over". But judging from the 4 tracks I've heard from their official website, they still rock the house. (Click on the media/audio player and you'll get a player that not only plays their new tracks, but their past tracks as well)

The 4 new tracks that I've heard off of "Youth" are "How Do You Love", "Under Heaven's Skies", "Counting The Days", and "Better Now". "Counting The Days" is the first single off of the new album, but I'm loving "Better Now". The one thing I've always appreciated about Collective Soul is the vocals of Ed Roland. The man can sing. And if there's one thing that I always appreciate out of bands, it's the melody. I'm not a huge fan of bands that just scream. It's OK to sing a little bit, folks.

Whenever I get around to getting "Youth", I'll review it here. But in the meantime, I'll just listen to the media/audio player from Collective Soul's website.

BTW, the "Youth" album cover is right up there in "Lemonade and Brownies" territory.

THE DEFINITION OF SACRILEGE

2004-11-11T23:45:00.000-08:00

Remember Jill Sobule, the woman who sang that god-awful song "I Kissed A Girl" in the mid-1990s?

Well, she's back.

And she's even worse now.

Oh, I can't even begin to explain this. But I'll try.

She has a new song out called "Cinnamon Park". Fine. But she basically rips off Chicago's classic "Saturday In The Park" in the process. As a diehard music fan, this pisses me off to no end.

You think Terry Kath thought over 30 years ago that some no-talent hack like Jill Sobule was going to rip off his work like this? I don't think he did. But here we are in 2004, and it has happened. I'm vexed.

I first heard "Cinnamon Park" the other night on Music Choice (check your local listings). I was on the verge of throwing something, it was that bad. I don't get too emotional when it comes to music, but if I don't like it, I'm going to say something about it.

Jill Sobule not only kissed a girl, she also butchered a great song in "Saturday In The Park". What a damn shame.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME...

2004-11-11T05:35:00.000-08:00

Here at Rambling On Music, David and I strive to entertain our readers on a daily basis with our musical views. So, I think it's important for me to disclose my musical background.

Well, the only instrument that I've played with any legitimacy whatsoever in public is the recorder. I think I played it during the 4th grade. Good times. I think I learned the "Married...With Children" theme in no time with the recorder.

Oh, and I'm a decent air drummer as well. Even better times.

So, I'm going to do this in the style of the All Music Guide's Writer Bloc section. Enjoy:

Favorite Bands (Top 5): Alice In Chains, Rush, U2, Metallica, Sevendust

Favorite Albums (Top 5): Alice In Chains "Dirt", AC/DC "Back In Black", Van Halen "Van Halen", Green Day "Dookie", U2 "War"

Favorite Songs (Top 5): Rush "Vital Signs", U2 "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", Alice In Chains "We Die Young", Deftones "Elite", Iron Maiden "Aces High"

First Concert: Oak Ridge Boys with Williams & Ree

First Concert that I went to on my terms: EMP Grand Opening featuring Metallica, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kid Rock, and Filter

Concert that I wish I had seen: Alice In Chains (I did see Jerry Cantrell at Bumbershoot in 2002, though)

First Record I listened to: Guns N' Roses "Appetite For Destruction" (at the ripe ol' age of 6)

First Record I bought: Stone Temple Pilots "Purple"

Favorite Music Movie: "Wayne's World"

Favorite Music Book: Motley Crue "The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band"

Favorite Music Television Show: tie "Behind The Music" and "120 Minutes"

Favorite "Behind The Music" Episode: Styx (paraphrasing the band's manager: "The worst show was in Dallas, no, wait. It was the next night in Houston!")

Favorite "guilty pleasure" song: Johnny Hates Jazz "Shattered Dreams" (AND NOW YOU'VE GIVEN ME, GIVEN ME! NOTHING BUT SHATTERED DREAMS, SHATTERED DREAMS! FEEL LIKE I COULD RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY, FROM THIS EMPTY HEART. YOU SAY YOU'D DIE FOR ME!)

Favorite Music Writer: All Music Guide's Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The one band that I will always defend: U2

Great Road Trip Albums: Jerry Cantrell "Boggy Depot", Rush "Different Stages", Deftones "Around The Fur"

The Album You Should Listen To While Driving On The Coast: Incubus "Morning View"

The one band I should like, but don't: Papa Roach (I saw them at Endfest in Bremerton in August 2000, and simply wasn't impressed. Oh well.)

Best Song By An Actor: Eddie Murphy "Party All The Time"

Most Overrated Band: The Strokes

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

I may update this list later, who knows.

But for the time being, I'll leave it like this.

For those about to rock, we salute you. Especially our veterans, past and present. Thank you.

HYPNOTIZE AND MESMERIZE

2004-11-10T14:05:00.000-08:00

According to MTV News, System Of A Down will release not one, but two studio albums in 2005, "Hypnotize" and "Mesmerize".

"Hypnotize" is scheduled to be released in March 2005 and "Mesmerize" will be released in late summer-early fall 2005.

This isn't unprecedented by any means. Everclear did this in 2000 with "Songs From An American Movie", when they released "Learning How To Smile" and "Good Time For A Bad Attitude" months apart.

Two new System Of A Down albums in 2005? Sounds like great news to me.

FREE RAMBLE, TUESDAY 2 PLAY

2004-11-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

VH1 Classic is an awesome channel.

Where else are you going to find back-to-back videos featuring Survivor's "Caught In The Game" and Iron Maiden's "Two Minutes to Midnight"? This situation actually happened one time. But as I said, VH1 Classic is an awesome channel.

Moving on...

---I'm a big fan of Velvet Revolver's debut album "Contraband". I got in June when it came out. It's in my stereo as we speak. But I don't plan on buying the re-issue of "Contraband". The re-issue will feature B-Sides from Velvet Revolver, including covers of Cheap Trick's "Surrender" and Nirvana's "Negative Creep".

I don't appreciate the record labels pulling this crap on the consumers. I already have the damn "Contraband" album. Why should I have to go out and pay another 14 bucks for this album, just so I can get extra songs? Here's an idea, sell the damn B-Sides on a separate CD and charge $5.99. You know, like the old days (more like a decade ago, but whatever). It just makes too much sense, however.

I still like Velvet Revolver though. They're good. Damn good. Please stay healthy, Scott.

---AHHHHH I'M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION!!! Yeah, that's how I'm feeling right now when I read the news about System Of A Down delaying their new album until March 2005. Dammit. My "Toxicity" CD is wearing out. I need a new SOAD album soon. I mean, very soon. As some of the folks down here like to say, get-r-done, fellas.

---Three Days Grace "Home" is a damn good song. More "Home", less "Just Like You". Appreciate it.

---Kenny Wayne Shepherd is now singing. As ESPN's Brian Kenny says, "who knew?" But it's true. I'm not sure how much they're playing his new song "Alive" up in Seattle (David can answer this much better than I can, since I'm in Arkansas), but they're playing it down here a lot. With good reason. It's a damn good song. Welcome back, Kenny.

---Add "Dig!" to the list of great music movies. "Dig!" is a documentary that features the friendship/rivalry between the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. The documentary chronicled a 7-year period between 1996 and 2003. While the Dandy Warhols received the praise and attention, the Brian Jonestown Massacre were undone by their lead singer, Anton Newcombe.

I saw this movie this past Saturday on the Sundance Channel. And it's on again tonight (check your local listings). It's a damn good movie.

---Did you know that the American Music Awards are on ABC this Sunday? Yeah, I didn't either. Award shows are meaningless. They don't determine what bands I listen to. The same goes for the Grammys.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Good Tuesday, everyone.

Ramble on.

SONGS THAT YOU JUST DREAD

2004-11-05T22:05:00.000-08:00

These are the songs that you would listen to while you're at the dentist's office. Or at the local supermarket shopping for spices. Or better yet, while you're shopping at Burlington Coat Factory.

Anyways, I bring to you the songs that you just dread. Well, songs that I dread. But you may dread them as well. Enough babbling, more rambling.

Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On"
---You want to know the whole story about "Titanic"? Well, there's this boat. It sinks. A lot of people died. The end.

(Kate Winslet is great, however. She was the only reason why I didn't die while watching that movie. Yes, I watched it. Once. Not willingly.)

Bow Wow Wow "I Want Candy"
---Yes, I want candy. But there was something creepy about a band that featured a girl no older than 14 wearing next-to-nothing. Let's move on, please.

Cameo "Word Up"
---The epitome of crappy 1980s' soul music. But Korn's cover of "Word Up" rules.

Atlantic Starr "Always"
---Chances are, 80 percent of weddings from 1988 to 1992 featured this song. Let's just hope that when I get married (which won't be anytime soon), I won't have this song played at my wedding.

Shinedown "Simple Man"
---I posted a week or so ago that while Shinedown is a good band, they botched Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man". It's a shame, it really is.

No Doubt "Hella Good"
--David and I like to refer to this song as "Hella Crap". The Safeco Field DJ played this song non-stop for Mariners second baseman Bret Boone whenever he came up to bat. Brutal.

MxPx "Move To Bremerton"
---I'm a former resident of Bremerton. Whatever you do, don't move to Bremerton. At the same time, don't move to Arkansas either. (My friends down here will echo my sentiments)

Rupert Holmes "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)"
---I want to escape whenever I hear this song. I hate pina coladas as well.

The Knack "My Sharona"
---My my my my my my my my ears.

Good Charlotte "Girls and Boys"
---There's nothing good here. Nothing.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

This list is much longer, but there's 10 songs there that I just absolutely dread. I would have put Baha Men's "Who Let The Dogs Out?" in that list, but that would have been too easy.

Got any songs that you dread? Post them in the comments box or e-mail us at the addresses located on the sidebar.

SONGS THAT MUST BE CRANKED UP

2004-11-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

Regardless of the time or place (in no particular order)

Faith No More "Falling To Pieces"
Incubus "Privilege"
Pantera "Walk"
Godsmack "I Stand Alone"
Ozzy Osbourne "Over The Mountain"
Sevendust "Black"
Boston "Don't Look Back"
Tool "Stinkfist"
System of a Down "Prison Song"
Van Halen "You Really Got Me"

There's many more songs, but in the interest of time, I'll stop there.

In the meantime, I'll probably have a few more posts in me tonight. I'm bored as hell and when I'm bored as hell, well, I post. Yup.

FREE RAMBLE, APPROVE THIS!

2004-11-04T22:05:00.000-08:00

I speak for the majority of America when I say "I approve of the fact that this damn election is over with."

Before I go too far here, I'll stop the political talk. After all, we're all about rambling on music.

---On Thanksgiving Day in Detroit, John Mellencamp will perform at halftime of the Indianapolis Colts-Detroit Lions game. Mellencamp is from Indiana, so I have a feeling he will root for the Colts, even though his well-known hits such as "Jack and Diane" and "Hurts So Good" were popular before the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984.

He will sing "R.O.C.K. in the USA" and a new song "Walk Tall" from his new greatest hits album, "Words and Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits". I'm a Mellencamp fan, so I'm going to get this album soon enough.

My favorite Mellencamp tracks, you're wondering?

Well, everybody and their mother loves "Pink Houses". So do I. But I'm a "Scarecrow"-"The Lonesome Jubilee" guy. My favorite Mellencamp track has to be "Lonely Ol' Night" from the 1985 "Scarecrow" album. However, 1987's "The Lonesome Jubilee" was pretty damn good in its own right. Tracks from "The Lonesome Jubilee" featured "Paper In Fire", "Cherry Bomb", and my second favorite Mellencamp track, "Check It Out".

To paraphrase Bob Slydell, "I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a John Mellencamp fan. For my money, it doesn't get any better than when he sings "Lonely Ol' Night."

It's a lonely ol' night
Can I put my arms around you?
It's a lonely ol' night
Custom made for two lonely people like me and you

---Yes folks, it is perfectly fine to listen to both John Mellencamp and Metallica. As I've said before, I'm not a music snob.

---I posted a link to LAUNCH last night (over in the sidebar). You want proof as to why LAUNCH is a great site? You can customize your own radio station. For instance, check out the last 5 songs that have played on my radio station:

White Stripes "The Hardest Button To Button"
Van Halen "Poundcake"
Rush "Mr. Soul"
U2 "Bad"
The Smithereens "A Girl Like You"

All you need is a Yahoo account. Check it out, if you haven't already.

---Ain't that America, for you and me? Ain't that America, something to see, baby? Ain't that America, home of the free, yeah. Little pink houses, for you and me.

---Yoko Ono has the #1 dance song in America right now. I have nothing left to say about this. Moving on...

---Is it me, or does it seem like that most 80s stations have just played the living hell out of Roxette's "It Must Have Been Love"? I mean, it never fails for me to listen to some portion of that damn song at least once a day. It's vexing.

---You know, Usher and Alicia Keys have this song out called "My Boo". You've probably heard it once or twice. You can't get away from it. I know I can't. But I only have one question about this damn song.

Does Alicia Keys really know how to rock?

---So Sammy Hagar says that he "never said he was leaving Van Halen". Love him or hate him, you have to respect the fact that Hagar is living the life. He's playing rock and roll for a living and he has his own tequilla. ONE SHOT, HEY! MAS TEQUILLA!

---Sevendust is going out on tour in December. No Arkansas dates mentioned, which is not a big surprise to me. I stated that Tool is on the top of my list of bands that I want to see live, but haven't seen yet. Well, Sevendust is the 2nd band on the list of bands that I want to see live that I haven't seen yet. For now though, I'll have to settle for their acoustic CD/DVD "Southside Double-Wide Acoustic Live".

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

I'll end this with a little bit of "Jack and Diane". You know it.

GONNA LET IT ROCK, LET IT ROLL
LET THE BIBLE BELT, COME AND SAVE MY SOUL
HOLD ON TO 16 AS LONG AS YOU CAN
CHANGES COME AROUND REAL SOON, MAKE US WOMEN AND MEN

LINKS

2004-11-03T22:15:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody...

I've added some links to the sidebar.

A brief rundown of the links that have been marked so far:

Sports and Bremertonians---That is our sports weblog. David and I talk Seattle sports as well as national sports at Sports and B's. We get hundreds of hits every day, usually from Mariners and Seahawks fans. We'll also get the usual "Paige Davis tall" and "Pedro Martinez' little friend" searches as well.

MTV News---MTV.com's news page. Cue Megadeth's "Peace Sells".

Blabbermouth.net---Roadrunner Records news page.

Launch---The music page at Yahoo. Videos, radio stations, etc. It's one of my Top 5 favorite sites on the net.

All Music Guide---Music reviews galore. Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a great writer.

KDJE 100.3 The Edge---Rock station in Little Rock, Arkansas. This is the one rock station that has a decent signal in Pine Bluff, where I'm currently living. They've improved their playlist tremendously over the past few months. At least I've noticed that anyway.

KISW 99.9 FM---Rock station in Seattle. I always listened to this station when I lived in Washington. Cathy Faulkner, Scott Vanderpool, Damon Stewart...wow. Those were the days...

Amazon.com---It's the holiday season. You might as well start your shopping now. And if you spend more than $25, you get free shipping. Good deal.

The Onion---Hysterical.

A Large Regular---Chris Lynch's sports and misc. ramblings. He and I were colleagues on the Sportspages.com weblogs section. I haven't done a Sportspages.com column in over a year. He's still doing them as far as I know. But Chris is a good writer. And he's from the Boston area. Wicked.

Silent Kaos---Just check it out for yourself.

I will update the links sidebar as time goes on.

If y'all have any links you want us to post on the sidebar, leave them in the comments box. We appreciate it.

A PERFECT CIRCLE "EMOTIVE"

2004-11-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

It's Election Day and it's my duty to ramble on about music.

Today I'll go ahead and give the 13 of you that are reading this a little treat. A Perfect Circle released "Emotive" today and if you want to listen to it before you buy it, here's the full-length audio stream of the album at Windows Media.

Tracklisting for "Emotive" (time and * = covers)

1 Annihilation 2:13
2 Imagine 4:48*
3 Peace Love and Understanding 5:03*
4 What's Going On 4:53*
5 Passive 4:10
6 Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie 2:18*
7 People Are People 3:43*
8 Freedom of Choice 2:59*
9 Let's Have a War 3:28*
10 Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums 5:36
11 When the Levee Breaks 5:55*
12 Fiddle and the Drum 3:06*

Enjoy...

NIRVANA BOX SET OUT NOV. 23

2004-11-01T16:40:00.000-08:00

MTV.com

Nirvana will finally release their long-awaited box set, "With The Lights Out", on November 23. The box set was delayed because of legal issues between the surviving members of Nirvana (bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl) and Courtney Love, Kurt Cobain's widow.

"With The Lights Out" features 81 tracks, 68 of those tracks never before released to the public. The box set consists of 3 audio CD's and 1 DVD, which includes live and rehearsal footage as well as 20 full-length videos.

What do I think about Nirvana? I liked Nirvana. But they weren't the best band out of the early 1990s' Seattle scene, although some people tend to think they were. My favorite Nirvana songs included "Come As You Are", "Territorial Pissings", "Rape Me", and their David Bowie cover "The Man Who Sold The World".

Cobain died in April 1994, way before his time. He still had a lot to bring to the table musically. But he decided that he didn't want to go on anymore. That was his problem and it's our loss as music fans.

Grohl has gone on to front the Foo Fighters, one of the most successful rock bands of the past 10 years. Novoselic has been involved in various political activities. He worked with JAMPAC and attempted to run for lieutenant governor of Washington in 2003, but dropped his bid.

Here's the track listing for "With The Lights Out", according to Geffen Records:

Disc One:
"Heartbreaker" (live, 1987)
"Anorexorcist" (radio performance, 1987)
"White Lace and Strange" (radio performance, 1987)
"Help Me I'm Hungry" (radio performance, 1987)
"Mrs. Butterworth" (rehearsal, 1988)
"If You Must" (demo, 1988)
"Pen Cap Chew" (demo, 1988)
"Downer" (live, 1988)
"Floyd the Barber" (live, 1988)
"Raunchola/ Moby Dick" (live, 1988)
"Beans" (home demo)
"Don't Want It All" (home demo)
"Clean Up Before She Comes" (home demo)
"Polly" (home demo)
"About a Girl" (home demo)
"Blandest" (demo, 1988)
"Dive" (demo, 1988)
"They Hung Him on a Cross" (demo, 1989)
"Grey Goose" (demo, 1989)
"Ain't It a Shame" (demo, 1989)
"Token Eastern Song" (demo, 1989)
"Even in His Youth" (demo, 1989)
"Polly" (demo, 1989)

Disc Two:
"Opinion" (solo acoustic, 1990)
"Lithium" (solo acoustic, 1990)
"Been a Son" (solo acoustic, 1990)
"Sliver" (home demo, 1989)
"Where Did You Sleep Last Night" (home demo, 1989)
"Pay to Play" (demo, 1990)
"Here She Comes Now" (demo, 1990)
"Drain You" (demo, 1990)
"Aneurysm" (demo, 1990)
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" (demo, 1991)
"Breed" (rough mix, 1991)
"Verse Chorus Verse" (outtake, 1991)
"Old Age" (outtake, 1991)
"Endless, Nameless" (radio session, 1991)
"Dumb" (radio session, 1991)
"D-7" (radio session, 1990)
"Oh, the Guilt" (B-Side, 1992
"Curmudgeon" (B-Side, 1992
"Return of the Rat" (B-Side, 1992
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Butch Vig mix, 1991)

Disc 3:
"Rape Me" (solo acoustic, 1992)
"Rape Me" (demo, 1992)
"Scentless Apprentice" (demo, 1992)
"Heart Shaped Box" (demo, 1993)
"I Hate Myself and Want to Die" (compilation track, 1993)
"Milk It" (demo, 1993)
"Moist Vagina" (demo, 1993)
"Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" (B-Side, 1993)
"The Other Improv" (demo, 1993)
"Serve the Servants" (solo acoustic, 1993)
"Very Ape" (solo acoustic, 1993)
"Pennyroyal Tea" (solo acoustic, 1993)
"Marigold" (B-Side, 1993)
"Sappy (a.k.a. Verse Chorus Verse)" (previously unreleased, 1993)
"Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" (demo, 1994)
"Do Re Mi" (solo acoustic, 1994)
"You Know You're Right" (solo acoustic, 1994)
"All Apologies" (solo acoustic)

Disc 4 (DVD)
"Love Buzz"
"Scoff"
"About a Girl"
"Big Long Now"
"Immigrant Song"
"Spank Thru"
"Hairspray Queen"
"School"
"Mr. Moustache"
"Big Cheese"
"In Bloom"
"Sappy"
"School"
"Love Buzz"
"Pennyroyal Tea"
"Smells Like Teen Spirit"
"Territorial Pissings"
"Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam"
"Talk to Me"
"Seasons in the Sun"

COMMENTS

2004-10-31T19:55:00.000-08:00

I've added Haloscan commenting to Rambling On Music. I should have done this when I first launched this site, but I didn't. Haloscan is much better than Blogger's commenting system, that's for sure.

Anyways, a few guidelines for comments here:

---No racial or sexist comments will be appreciated.

---Don't post as "Anonymous". Make up some fake name like "Patches Dickinson". Something. "Anonymous" just doesn't work here.

---Bring something to the table. I know I'm always bringing something here. You can too.

We do appreciate comments here. Don't be shy, if you have any questions or comments, just post them in the comments boxes. Or e-mail us (our e-mail addresses are at the top of the page).

One more thing. We're not Blabbermouth.net. If you think that Lars Ulrich sucks, explain why. It could be because his drums on "St. Anger" sound like crap. That's fine.

That's it, that's the list.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch the Ashlee Simpson SNL clip.

LET'S GO!

2004-10-31T14:30:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not talking about The Cars "Let's Go", although that was a good song.

I'm talking about Trick Daddy and Lil' Jon's track "Let's Go", which samples Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train". I really want to hate this song, I really do. But for some reason, I just can't hate this song.

I blame Dave Chappelle for this. He's the man who introduced people like myself to Lil' Jon. I can't get enough of Lil' Jon. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! OKKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!

I can't say I'm a master of the crunk. But I will say that I can appreciate most forms of music. I've never been a music snob and I'm not going to start being one now.

Audio links to "Let's Go" (Windows Media and Real Media)

SILVERTIDE

2004-10-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia is known for cheesesteaks, Will Smith, and insane sports fans.

But in a matter of months, Philadelphia will also be known for the up-and-coming band Silvertide.

I first heard of these guys on Music Choice (check your local cable listings) and they remind me of the Black Crowes. When I get the chance, I'm picking up their debut album, "Show and Tell".

But until then, I'll just have to live with their e-card. The e-card features 4 tracks, "Ain't Coming Home", "California Rain", "Mary Jane", and "Devil's Daughter". "Ain't Coming Home" is Silvertide's first single and I'm just blown away by this track.

Not only does the e-card feature those 4 tracks, the e-card also features a live video of "Ain't Coming Home" and a 10-minute interview with Silvertide.

I'm going to go ahead and call it right now, Silvertide is going to be very successful in the coming months. Silvertide doesn't seem to care about their image, they just want to rock. I can always respect bands like that.

Once I get "Show And Tell", I'll have a review up in no time. Until then, I'll just settle for the e-card.

FREE RAMBLE, FRIDAY "I'M BORED AS HELL" EDITION

2004-10-30T00:25:00.000-07:00

Halloween weekend is here.

My costume? Poor college student.

Thank you and good night.

No, I have some free rambling to do. Enjoy.

---I like A Perfect Circle. They've released two solid albums, "Mer De Noms" and "Thirteenth Step". But I'm so ready for a new Tool album. Do any of you realize that it's been almost 3 and a half years since there's been a new Tool album on the shelf? Then again, it took 5 years to release "Lateralus" after 1996's asskicking "Aenima", so maybe I shouldn't complain too much.

---If there's one band that I need to see live, it's Tool. I've already seen great bands live such as Metallica, Rush, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, and Godsmack. But when Tool ever gets around to releasing a new album, I'm definitely going to see them live. I'll probably have to make a trip to Memphis to do that, but it will be worth it. Besides, Memphis is much better than Little Rock. Not that I've ever been to Memphis.

---While I hate the living hell out of their cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man", Shinedown has earned my respect because of their outstanding track "Fly From The Inside". I had no clue that it was Shinedown who did this track until today. They're in Little Rock this weekend with Velvet Revolver, Chevelle and Earshot. Tickets are still available. No, I won't be going, unless in the next 36 hours or so somebody hooks me up with a ticket. (Shinedown official site audio link here)

---I was flipping through the channels on my TV earlier tonight and all of a sudden, I find Metallica's James Hetfield on CMT "Outlaws". Hetfield being on CMT doesn't really surprise me. But what gets me is how country acts Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson are allowed to be on the same damn stage as Hetfield and Hank Williams, Jr. Same goes for Kid Rock, who for some reason is dabbling in country. What's next, polka, Bob Ritchie?

---What's in my head right now? Frankie Valli's "Grease", that's what. Grease is the word, is the word that you heard, it's got a groove, it's got a meaning. Grease is the time, is the place, is the motion. Grease is the way we are feeling. (If you hum "Grease" from here on out, go ahead and blame me. Like I care.)

---For the record, I love "Grease". But I hate "Grease 2".

---So Lindsay Lohan is launching a music career. That's just great, isn't it? It's not like anybody is going to focus on her, uh, vocals. Hey, I'm just being honest. Personally, the whole Lohan hypemachine ended for me when I found out that she was dating Fez.

Fez.

---You don't have to like Eminem, but you sure as hell better respect him for the fact that he has balls. Just check out his scathing video "Mosh", mocking our current President. Well, President for the next few days, hopefully.

---NO, WE ARE NOT A POLITICAL BLOG. THAT IS THE ONLY POLITICAL STATEMENT I WILL EVER MAKE HERE. TRUST ME. PLEASE, NO POLITICAL COMMENTS IN THE COMMENTS THREAD. THANKS IN ADVANCE. (caps off)

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

On that note, I'll end this post.

Have a good Halloween weekend. Eat all the candy you can stomach. And well, ramble on and listen to some music.

STAIND NO MORE?

2004-10-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

From Blabbermouth.net via MTV News:

MTV.com reports: An Ohio musician has filed a petition in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office against STAIND, claiming that the band obtained legal use of the name STAIND through fraudulent practices. If Jon Stainbrook, who fronted a band called the STAIN, wins, Aaron Lewis' band could be forced to change its name. Stainbrook had prevailed previously in a similar dispute, resulting in the Los Angeles band LIT having to change their name from STAIN.

Whether they will remain known as "Staind" is besides the point.

I just don't want to have to put with another album from this band that features crap like "So Far Away". Man, I can't begin to explain how disappointed I was about their last album "14 Shades of Grey". I loved the first single, "Price To Play". But then Staind decides to release "So Far Away" as a single. It doesn't help that the small-market radio stations decided to play that song over and over again.

Basically, Staind's next album has to have more songs like "Price To Play".

Got it? More songs like "Price To Play". Less songs like "So Far Away". I hope I'm being clear on this.

JERRY! JERRY! JERRY!

2004-10-26T23:40:00.000-07:00

No, not Springer.

Jerry Cantrell is scheduled to release his forthcoming album in 2005, the follow-up to 2002's "Degradation Trip". On Blabbermouth.net (a hysterical site full of Lars Ulrich and Tommy Lee bashers), there's rumors that Cantrell has talked to Dropbox's John Kosco about possibly appearing on his new album.

It's a little funny if you think about it.

---Godsmack has been compared to Alice In Chains
---Godsmack's Sully Erna discovered Dropbox
---And now Cantrell has asked Dropbox's lead singer to appear on his new album

First of all, the Godsmack comparisons to Alice In Chains are lazy at best. I've seen Godsmack live (this past spring in Little Rock) and they kicked major ass. They've always produced solid material and will continue to do so for many years to come hopefully.

Dropbox is solid as well. If you haven't already, go pick up their self-titled album, "Dropbox", ASAP. It's still pretty cheap as far as I know. Believe me, the album is more than "Wishbone".

Point being, I can't wait for a new Cantrell solo album.

GENERATION TURNED A CHEMICAL TRIBE
DON'T REALLY CARE IF WE LIVE OR DIE
GENERATION TURNED A CHEMICAL TRIBE
BEEN SOLD OUT AND IT'S NO SURPRISE

THE ONLY GOOD SUGAR RAY ALBUM

2004-10-26T23:20:00.000-07:00

On the cover of "Lemonade and Brownies", Nicole Eggert.

She's a winner.

SO DON'T YOU DARE MESS WITH MY MEAN MACHINE

DON'T F**K WITH IT!

TOP 5 SONGS THAT MAKE ME FEEL GLORIOUS

2004-10-26T23:15:00.000-07:00

Because "happy" is just overused and tired.

Extreme "Hole Hearted"
Incubus "Wish You Were Here"
U2 "Two Hearts Beat As One"
Red Hot Chili Peppers "My Friends"
Phil Collins "Two Hearts"

To explain why I like the term glorious better than happy, it just sounds better to me. If I were "happy", I'd be lying. Glorious to me means that I'm feeling good, although at the same time, things can be better. But for the time being, things are glorious.

Yes, glorious.

THERE'S A HOLE IN MY HEART AND IT CAN ONLY BE FILLED BY YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!

(Extreme, underrated. And they were based in Boston.)

ASHLEE SIMPSON = OWNED

2004-10-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

I'm sick and f**king tired of these pre-packaged, pop tart, media hyped, overrated, record industry darlings taking up all of the damn airtime on radio and music television.

So when Ashlee Simpson's performance on "Saturday Night Live" went bad, I was laughing my ass off. I didn't see it live, but I have seen this video link many, many times over the past couple of days.

I could care less if she wasn't feeling well. This is just too damn funny and she will never be able to have a legitimate career in the music industry again. Girl you know it's true, ooh ooh ooh, you got owned!

Yep, it's Tuesday evening on the West Coast, Wednesday morning here in Arkansas. I'm bored as hell. I think I'll have to watch this clip a few more times...

FREE RAMBLE

2004-10-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

Some musical thoughts while watching Game 1 of the World Series.

(For our sporting views, check out Sports and Bremertonians)

---Here's the official soundtrack listing for "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas".

A few of the tracks that will be featured in the "San Andreas" soundtrack box set:

Alice In Chains "Them Bones"
Soundgarden "Rusty Cage"
Toto "Hold The Line"
Heart "Barracuda"
Lynyrd Skynyrd "Freebird"
Helmet "Unsung"
Living Colour "Cult of Personality"
Guns N' Roses "Welcome To The Jungle"
Rage Against The Machine "Killing In The Name"
Cypress Hill "How I Could Just Kill A Man"

The game comes out this Tuesday, the 26th, but the soundtrack won't be released until November 23.

---"Uno, dos, tres, catorce!". You've probably heard the intro of U2's "Vertigo" more than a few times over the past few weeks. Yes, "catorce" is 14 in Spanish. 4 is "cuatro". But the fact is, Bono can do whatever the hell he wants. So he didn't say "cuatro" after "tres". Big deal. Oh, and U2's new album "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" is out November 23.

---It seems like everybody is releasing something on November 23. Incubus will release "Alive at Red Rocks", a CD/DVD package on November 23. Incubus performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre this past July. Here's the tracklisting for "Alive at Red Rocks:

Megalomaniac
Nice To Know You
Idiot Box
Just A Phase
Priceless
Beware! Criminal
Wish You Were Here
Here In My Room
Drive
Vitamin
Pistola
Stellar
Made For TV Movie
Talk Shows On Mute
Sick Sad Little World
A Certain Shade Of Green
Pantomime
The Warmth
Pardon Me
Pantomime
Follow
Monuments and Melodies
Are You In?
Circles

Good stuff indeed.

---In another Incubus-related note, "Here In My Room" gets me every single time.

---FOX just played Stevie Nicks "Stand Back". Personally, the only Stevie Nicks solo tracks I give a damn about are "Edge of Seventeen" and her duet with Tom Petty "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around".

---And yes, Destiny's Child pissed on "Edge of Seventeen" when they came out with "Bootylicious".

---The Clinton Presidential Library will open up in Little Rock on November 18, but the night before, there will be a free concert in downtown Little Rock with Better Than Ezra and the North Mississippi All-Stars. Better Than Ezra are solid. I don't know a lot about the North Mississippi All-Stars though. It should be a fun show. Hopefully it doesn't get cancelled (rimshot).

---Oh dear god, there will be a 4th season of "American Idol". The show is good for the first month when they show the horrific auditions. Who can forget Keith from Atlanta destroying Madonna's "Like A Virgin"? I know I can't. After they get the bad singers out of the way, the show is not watchable anymore. At least for me it isn't.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

That about does it here.

I have nothing left.

Later.

TOP 5 UNDERRATED BANDS

2004-10-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

The first of many lists here at Rambling On Music.

1. Alice In Chains
2. Sevendust
3. Faith No More
4. The Cult
5. Toad The Wet Sprocket

SUM 41 -- CHUCK

2004-10-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

This is the fourth full-length album from this fun group of Canadians. The album is named UN volunteer Chuck Pelletier of Victoria, BC, who helped "save [their] asses" from an eruption of gunfire in the Congo (they were filming a documentary there), as quoted in the liner notes. The experience that the band had in Africa has no doubt manifested itself in this album. It's fairly dark, and there's nothing as bouncy and happy sounding as a "Fat Lip" (though those lyrics were probably more mean than happy) on this album. As a result of what they'd been through between albums, the lyrics on this record seem to have more of a point (sans "Hell Song" and "Still Waiting" off of Does This Look Infected?). Now they aren't angry just for the sake of being angry. There's nothing here as juvenile as "You look like ass/You smell like sh**/So why are you such a d*ck?!" as there was on the last album. Also, it seems this album more broadly covers the emotional spectrum. There's probably no unequivocally happy songs, as I've said, but there are a couple of slower poppish tracks on the album. As an added bonus, the boys toss me a nugget in the form of their metal roots busting out on a couple occasions, to the tune of straight-up near-shred guitar solos by Dave Baksh, most notably on "The Bitter End" and "88."

About the album and the band members (no creative nicknames like Stevo 32 or Dave Brownsound this time; no names at all are given in the liner notes)
Running time -- just over 37 minutes

Deryck Whibley -- guitar, lead vocals
Dave Baksh -- (lead) guitar
Cone McCaslin (usu. known as simply "Cone") -- bass guitar
Steve Jocz -- drums

I've added this line here after writing the rest of the review. It occurs to me that it might be completely unfair. Why? I heard what I was hearing in the songs and took down the other songs and bands that came to mind as a result. So this review may come off as saying it's a complete ripoff of all the other songs I've listed, which is more than likely unfair. To say that they may have been influenced by the other bands I've listed, however, is probably not. That said, some say the Cult (a band whose every album I have) made a career out of ripping off other bands (i.e., the "Love Removal Machine" riff compared to the world-famous "Start Me Up" riff, and that "Take the Power" solo that you could swear Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots was playing). In defense, picking up a guitar and trying to write a song that sounds like it's ripping off someone (at least vaguely) is a lot harder than it sounds, and I know this from personal experience. It's hard, and the ability to do it consistently is a gift.

Now I'll try to go track by track...

1) Intro (0:46) -- This album doesn't kick off with the bulldozer that was "Hell Song." This intro is a few strummed chords which are somewhat melancholy in tone. Keep in mind what I said about the music being more broad in terms of emotion, or maybe I should have said it's more dynamic. Anyway, the intro gets the listener ready for...

2) No Reason (3:04) -- ...this one's the "Hell Song" of this album. The catchy chorus, the catchy riff, the ability to make the listener feel like they've been through something afterward. It's faster than "Hell Song," though, and all the repeating of "hey" has got to make it a live favorite when they tour with the incorrigible Good Charlotte. "Hell Song" had a point to it (and a very personal point to the band members themselves), and this one's got a point as well.

3) We're All to Blame (3:38) -- The first single. You may have seen the video on MTV(2) with all the Solid Gold dancers, and the '70s-style filter on the camera (or maybe they just used old cameras). By this point, people will probably realize that Sum 41 isn't just writing songs about "that guy sucks," "authority sucks," or anything that they've been stereotyped with. This song sure as hell isn't about breaking up with a girlfriend.

4) Angels with Dirty Faces (2:23) -- A slow, dark starter. There's something Linkin Park-y about the chorus (remember that whole secondary yelling thing in the chorus of "One Step Closer"), which I'm not suggesting is a bad thing. There's a number of moments on this album that sound like other bands.

5) Some Say (3:26) -- I can imagine Liam Gallagher singing the verses in this song. There's something quite Oasis-like about the beginning of the song, and Deryck's vocal delivery seems like it may be taking a page out of Liam's book. There's a nice melodic lead for the bridge of the song as well, and some nice lead fills during the final verse. Okay, this song might be about breaking up with a girlfriend, but you could also say it's about taking responsibility too, so it's not blatant.

6) The Bitter End (2:51) -- This is the song that grabbed me the most on the first listen because I'm hoping Sum 41 matures into an all-out metal band. There's some definitely Metallica-sounding moments. The first riff sounds like a variation of the opening of "Through the Never." The first solo is reminiscent of the first solo from "Battery." The second (extended) solo has somewhat of an identical framework to another later solo in "Battery." Then the "Through the Never"-like riff is played again toward the end, and the end movement is a lot like the end movement of "Battery." Some might call it somehwat of a rip-off, but from these guys I call it pure fun.

7) Open Your Eyes (2:44) -- I know System of a Down didn't invent hyper hi-hats during the verses, but it's nicely used here. Man, this one's got a catchy sing-along chorus too. I have to note that I thought the chorus was going to go half-time on me when I was just listening to it, but it stayed at full speed. Nice bridge is here, along with a neat melodic solo, evoking a memory of the end of Tom Morello's solo on "Like a Stone."

8) Slipping Away (2:29) -- This one starts with acoustic guitar, and an effect on the vocal (think start of Foo Fighters' "Doll"), which is a departure. Definitely conveys a feeling of helplessness, as indicated by the title. The strings section adds to this, and the notes are ominous when they're brought forward in the mix. The song seems to end a bit prematurely, but to expect longer songs from a band whose songs never crack 3:30 is a stretch.

9) I'm Not the One (3:34) -- This one might be as memorable as "Hell Song" or "No Reason." Again, I'm getting this feeling of Linkin Park ("Faint" this time, maybe) in there. Ah yes, metal-style palm-muting in the bridge. Good stuff. I'm racking my brain trying to figure out what other song ends with those three notes, and I'll probably edit this post when I finally remember it.

10) Welcome to Hell (1:56) -- As you can tell by the time, it's a shorty. Cone has a spotlight moment here with a little fill over just the drums. Nice buildup for the bridge of the song with the space-outty guitar. Also, I'm pretty sure I heard double-bass drums in the song (yeah!!).

11) Pieces (3:01) -- The beginning of this one reminds me of the beginning of the closing track off the last album. Deryck's softer, more tame voice is maturing quite nicely. This may be the most poppy song on the album. This is also the second song that's on the sticker on the front of the album. I hope they don't get pigeonholed by this song. We saw what happened to Staind -- "It's Been Awhile" took off, and now the public en masse (though definitely not the best connoisseurs of music) won't deal with anything other than a slow ballad from them ("So Far Away"). And that's a shame because Staind did rock at one time.

12) There's No Solution (3:18) -- There's something a lot like Linkin Park "Crawling" during the verse in this song: the vocal delivery, the drum beat, the high instrumental notes (trade in sampler for guitar). Definitely no lung-shredding chorus in this song, however.

13) 88 (4:40) -- There's a really nice chord change in the first part of the first verse (during which there is piano). The first solo has an effect on it that reminds me of the first solo of "Go With the Flow" by Queens of the Stone Age. And then they end the album on a crushing note. I think the first solo after the 2-minute mark reminds me of a lead on "The Four Horsemen" by Metallica. And the final solo is very Hammett-esque, with wah-wah pedal and everything. After the solo ends, the song slows to a feedback spaceout, much like the end of the album version of Weezer's "Undone - the Sweater Song." Creepy use of strings is once again incorporated.

I think album as a whole is better than its predecessor, the solid Does This Feel Infected?. As I've said, the lyrics seem more thoughtful and inspired. There's stuff in it to satisfy the core fans, there's stuff to satisfy the people who hope they're on their way to going metal (hand raised), and there's stuff suggesting that they're maturing (in songwriting AND lyrically) musically. I like to judge the consistency of albums, and I'd have to listen to this one a few more times through to get a hold of it. After about a handful of listens, though, it seems to be average to above average in terms of consistency. In terms of stretching themselves out musically, though, I think Sum 41 did a pretty good job, showing that they can slow it down a notch and still be themselves.

[Edit 17 Oct -- I thought wrong. An article in Guitar World reveals that the album was done before Sum 41 left for the Congo, but Deryck penned "We're All to Blame" after the band got back from Africa. Though that song is the only one that directly reflects their feeling after the journey to Africa, it has been hailed as the one song that is the essence, or the album as a whole.]

"DAREDEVIL" SOUNDTRACK

2004-10-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

When the "Daredevil" soundtrack came out in March 2003, I stuck my nose up at it. I didn't think the soundtrack was going to be good at all. I didn't give the movie "Daredevil" a chance either.

But I'm here to tell you, I'm an idiot.

Sometimes, it is OK to be wrong. And boy, was I wrong here.

I picked up the "Daredevil" soundtrack earlier this week at my college bookstore. It was on sale, as the bookstore is trying to get rid of all of their CDs. I do feel sort of guilty for getting it on sale instead of paying full price for it, considering how much I like this album.

The "Daredevil" soundtrack features 20 tracks, clocking in at just over 74 minutes.

My favorite tracks off of the "Daredevil" soundtrack:
(track number, band name, song, review)

1) Fuel "Won't Back Down" --- A great opening track. "Won't Back Down" reminds me why I like Fuel. Easily their best song since 1998's "Bittersweet". If I were a stadium or arena DJ, "Won't Back Down" would definitely be played. I'm shocked that this song hasn't been used more in stadiums and arenas.

6) Drowning Pool with Rob Zombie "The Man Without Fear" --- This was Drowning Pool's first single since the death of their former lead singer Dave Williams. Rob Zombie did the vocals on "The Man Without Fear" and just proves once again that he indeed rocks. Listening to "The Man Without Fear", I couldn't help but think about whether Zombie should have joined Drowning Pool on a permanent basis. I digress.

7) Nappy Roots with former P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Curiel "Right Now" --- Nappy Roots and Marcos work very well together. Marcos was featured on Nappy Roots' rock remix of "Awnaw", from the "Watermelon, Chicken, and Gritz" album. Nappy Roots called on Marcos one more time, this time for the "Daredevil" soundtrack. "Right Now" is my favorite track off of the soundtrack. I've told anybody that would listen that P.O.D. minus Marcos equals sh*t. I will not debate this, because I know I am right on this issue.

9) Evanescence "Bring Me To Life" --- Let's just say that the "Daredevil" soundtrack helped this Arkansas band. Well, it certainly helped Amy Lee.

11) Hoobastank "Right Before Your Eyes" --- Somebody check my head, because I love this song. "Right Before Your Eyes" fits perfectly on this soundtrack. I don't think Hoobastank could have released this on any of their albums. It's almost a shame that "Right Before Your Eyes" wasn't a huge single, yet "The Reason" was.

18) Finger Eleven "Sad Exchange" --- The 2nd most underrated band in rock music today. The first one is Sevendust. But as far as these Canadians go, they are good. Damn good.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

I have not seen "Daredevil" yet. But I know that I'll give it more of a chance now that I've listened to the soundtrack. I'm interested to see how the music works in the movie.

Rating for the "Daredevil" soundtrack? I'll give it 4 out of 5 stars. As with every movie soundtrack, there is useless filler (Moby hello!). But in addition, most movie soundtracks have some gems. The "Daredevil" soundtrack is no different.

We appreciate all comments. Leave your comments in the comments box below. Appropriate comments only. No spam of any kind will be appreciated.

MY MIX CD

2004-10-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

And you can't call it "now that's what I call crap".

People like to make mix CDs for their certain someone or a friend. Me? Since I'm single, I don't have a certain someone to make a mix CD for. But I made myself a mix CD earlier tonight. Again, this falls into the "I'm not doing jackcrap" file.

I hope you enjoy my list of songs so much that you'll want to listen to them yourself after you're done reading this post. Granted, there's probably 8 of you total that are reading this. But whatever.

Jeremy's mix CD, Fall style:

Loudmouth "Fly"
Coheed and Cambria "A Favor House Atlantic"
Sevendust "Separate"
Queens of the Stone Age "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret"
Offspring "Nitro (Youth Energy)"
Radiohead "High and Dry"
Everclear "Heartspark Dollarsign"
Green Day "She"
Queens of the Stone Age "Feel Good Hit of the Summer"
The Cult "Fire Woman"
Michael Penn "No Myth"
Godsmack "Vampires"
Pearl Jam "Red Mosquito"
Sponge "Plowed"
Queens of the Stone Age "In The Fade"

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

3 out of 15 songs on my mix CD are from Queen of the Stone Age's "R" album. Sue me. I've been playing the hell out of QOTSA lately.

I wanted to hate Coheed and Cambria, but I just can't. I'm going to get "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3" soon enough. "A Favor House Atlantic" is brilliant. You can't lose with lyrics like "good eye, sniper. I shoot, you run".

Michael Penn's "No Myth" is a great song. I listen to a ton of hard rock, but I do branch out into other styles of music. It keeps me sane.

Have a good weekend. Go Seahawks.

"Nicotine, valium, vicadin, marijuana, ecstasy, and alcohol"

OZOMATLI -- STREET SIGNS

2004-10-08T22:34:00.000-07:00

First off, I'd like to say hi and thanks for visiting Rambling on Music. As Jeremy has said, we've ranted and raved at Sports for over a year at Sports and Bremertonians, but we've got a lot of thoughts about music swimming around in our heads as well. Tonight, I unveil to you my first contribution.

Ozomatli is a multiethnic band whose music is a gleeful mishmash of many many genres across the musical spectrum. To give you an idea of what goes into the music, here's the lineup of the band, as given in the foldout --

Wil-Dog Abers: bass, background vocals
Raul Pacheco: guitar, tres, jarana, lead vocals
Justin "El Nino" Poree: percussion, rap vocals
Asdru Sierra: trumpet, lead vocals, piano, acoustic guitar
Ulises Bella: saxophone, background vocals, requinto jarocho, keyboard, melodica
Jiro Yamaguchi: tabla, percussion, and background vocals
Mario Calire: drums
Sheffer Burton: trombone
DJ Spinobi: turntables
Jabu: rap vocals

Songs listed as "written and published by Ozomatli" have the names of Abers, Bella, Poree, Sierra, Pacheco, and Yamaguchi on them, indicating along with the back cover photo that they are the core members of the group.

Ozomatli is from Los Angeles, and are a decidedly left-leaning band on the political spectrum, much like Rage Against the Machine was. However, along with Rage, they also played in the impromptu concert outside the Democratic National Convention in 2000 at the Staples Center. But no matter what anyone's political beliefs may be, Ozomatli deserves your attention. Why? They're a feel-good band with purpose and a love of music, and dammit, that goes a long way.

So now, I'll try to hack up a track-by-track review of Ozomatli's latest album, Street Signs, which I found at my local Circuit City for $9.99. I own both of Ozomatli's two previous full-lengths, so I come into this Ozomatli album with a little familiarity as to how they work.

1) Believe (5:02) -- An interesting thing that comes to me as I listen to this song is the strings section, which adds another facet to the music. A catchy chorus is also involved. The Allmusic.com review suggests this should be a huge radio single, but radio these days just sucks. What I also couldn't put into words was expressed by their review also...Ozomatli is highly danceable.

2) Love and Hope (4:24) -- The string section is apparent in the beginning once again. Some beautiful harmonies in the pre-chorus, and another catchy chorus. Nice touch with the kids singing along with the chorus during the outro.

3) Street Signs (3:44) -- Piano, drums, and hand claps in the intro. A very catchy chorus once again, and the verses are rapped.

4) (Who Discovered) America? (4:35) -- A lyrically smart song. America is referred to as a beautiful and amazing woman, and the obvious double meaning is America as a nation itself. A lyrical triumph.

5) Who's to Blame (3:13) -- Chali 2na is no stranger to Ozomatli, and he appears on this track. This song has almost a middle-eastern feel to it. I've looked in the foldout, and "Egyptian Rhythms" is the "original track."

6) Te Estoy Buscando (3:50) -- A slow little ballad here, again with strings. It's a nice change of pace, which corresponds nicely with the next two songs.

7) Saturday Night (3:59) -- Here's a head-bobber. Rapped hook. Horns mixed with electric guitar in a nice combination.

8) Dejame en Paz (3:28) -- My favorite off the album. For me, this one's exactly what I listen to Ozomatli for. It's fast, it's catchy, it's playful. Most of all, it's impressive. I'm drained after every time I hear this song.

9) Santiago (5:09) -- Some beautiful flamenco guitar starts this one out, and the playing continues throughout the song. There's some nice piano fills in there, too.

10) Ya Viene Del Sol - The Beatle Bob Remix (3:38) -- Clever sample of a pre-concert introduction thrown into the mix. Another head-bobber, of which there are many with this band. Then there's the sitar (or whatever instrument it is) that throws another flavor into the mix.

11) Dona Isabelle (1:04) -- It's merely a little piano instrumental that segues into the next track, But it's a nice one by Eddie Palmieri, a jazz pianist who also appears on the next track.

12) Nadie Te Tira (4:47) -- Again, it's fun like most of the other songs on the album, except with skilled and inventive piano additions by Palmieri.

13) Cuando Canto (4:40) -- You know this one works because it feels like a closing track. In all my years of listening to music, I haven't been able to figure out the mechanics behind closing songs, but this one's got it. It's a little slower, and ends with strings.

Okay, it's my first review in a while, so it probably sucks. This album, however, does not. Most of the stuff I listen to has hard guitars involved, but when I got my first Ozomatli album a few years ago (my prior experience with them was doing security at their Bumbershoot gig), I was hooked. I branched out musically, and these guys didn't disappoint. If you feel the need to branch out musically, give these guys a chance. At least pull up some of their clips on Amazon or something beforehand. They're deserving of your time.

GREEN DAY "AMERICAN IDIOT"

2004-10-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

Here's the first album review at Rambling On Music.

It's Green Day's "American Idiot". Released last Tuesday (Sept. 21), "American Idiot" is Green Day's first studio album since 2000's "Warning".

The word on "American Idiot" was that it is a "rock opera", similar to The Who's "Tommy". Well, "Tommy" is on another level. But as far as this era goes, "American Idiot" is this generation's "Tommy".

The album is based on a character called "Jesus of Suburbia". There's many references to the J.O.S. throughout the album. The second track of "American Idiot" is called "Jesus of Suburbia", which clocks in at 9:08. Who knew that Green Day would ever do a song that is over 9 minutes?

"American Idiot" can also be considered a political album, if you want to go that route. If you're paying attention, it's a given that the title track and first single "American Idiot" is about George W. Bush. However, I won't get into any political issues here, simply because I prefer not to talk politics.

I've listened to "American Idiot" too many times to count over the past week and a half. Quite simply, it's the best album that has been released so far in 2004. It's a very creative album, something you don't see these days in the music industry.

Highlights of "American Idiot":

"Holiday" --- The first thought i had when I first heard "Holiday"? This is going to be a huge single. It just has the makings of a huge single. Expect "Holiday" to hit radio stations, MTV, and Fuse in the coming weeks.

"Are We The Waiting"/"St. Jimmy" --- I combined these two songs for a reason. "Brain Stew" and "Jaded" were back-to-back on 1995's "Insomniac" and were released as a single. "Are We The Waiting" is brilliant on many levels. It's a perfect buildup for the very fast "St. Jimmy". I refuse to play one song without the other. It's "Are We The Waiting" then "St. Jimmy". I will not debate this.

(Unrelated yet related note...Other great buildup songs? Van Halen's "1984" which leads into "Jump". Queen's "We Will Rock You", then "We Are The Champions".)

"Give Me Novacaine" --- I was expecting Billy Joe to just blurt out "...in the howling wind, comes a stinging rain!" in the beginning. The intro reminds me of U2's "Bullet The Blue Sky". SKY!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO! BULLET THE BLUE SKYYYYYY!!!

"Extraordinary Girl" --- I love the guitar work on this track, just love it.

"Wake Me Up When September Ends" --- This has "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)" potential. It's almost a shame that they couldn't have released this as a single right now. After all, September is now over.

--- --- --- --- --- --- ---

"American Idiot" is Green Day's best album since "Dookie". That's saying a lot, considering how good their post-"Dookie" efforts are. This band has grown up big time in the past 10 years. The maturity with Green Day started with 1997's "Nimrod". It certainly hasn't stopped.

There have been a few good rock albums that have been released in 2004. But "American Idiot" is the best album I've heard so far this year. From start to finish, it's a winner. I'll definitely play the hell out of it for the coming weeks and months.

Welcome back, Green Day. Although they never really left us.

RAMBLE ON!!!

2004-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Rambling On Music, a blog that features the ramblings of two friends who like to ramble on about music.

We also ramble on about sports at Sports and Bremertonians, where we hit on the Seattle sports scene. But if you want our musical takes, reviews, news, etc., come here to Rambling On Music. Call it ROM if you want to, it doesn't matter to me.

Anyways, there will definitely be some rambling on music here. We welcome all music fans. It simply doesn't matter. Music is a very beautiful thing. I love listening to it as well as talking about it. This is going to be interesting to say the least.

Ramble on.