Music: A to Z 07.17.09: C is For...
Posted by Chris Crowing on 07.17.2009
...Creed, the Chemical Brothers, 36 Crazyfists, some things to look forward to from Biffy Clyro, as well as thoughts on Machine Head acting like children, new track listings from Muse and Megadeth, and more!
Welcome back to the Music: A to Z, this week we have Big Beat dance legends the Chemical Brothers, metalcore upstarts 36 Crazyfists and lazarus-like post grunge megastars Creed. However, before we get to that, there is some current affairs which have me all excited...
Things to look forward to...
It seems there is a great deal still to look forward to this summer, as numerous bands I hold in great appreciation, and in some cases even affection have albums slated to come out and tours coursing through my current city of living.
Muse recently released the track listing for The Resistance and if the titles are anything to go by it seems they are in a very futuristic, progressive and almost Industrial frame of mind, which can only yield awesome results in the hands of such a band. I can't wait to hear it, and I can't wait to see them (remarkably for the first time) at the SECC in November.
Likewise, Megadeth have released the track listing for their upcoming record, and all reports indicate that Mustaine and company continue on their upward swing following the excellent United Abominations. They certainly rocked when supporting the legendary Judas Priest earlier in the year.
Ayrshire's Biffy Clyro are putting the finishing touches to their new album, which is apparently their heaviest yet. It seems they are not willing to let the grass grow under their feet, following the awesome success of Puzzle in 2007 and their tour, festival appearances and summer single "Mountains" last year. I really need to get a ticket for the Barrowlands show in December...
I was going to include a glimpse into the new Biffy, but it appears that their label is quashing all leaks on youtube. BOO! I was going to giver you free promotion, fucknuts!
Lastly, much beloved 90s alt rockers Skunk Anansie are reunited and will be hitting the concert trail at the end of the year, as well as getting together to record a whole new album. That's good news for any of us who remember their nineties output with affection. For those who missed out, this is my gift to you...
STOP PRESS: I just purchased tickets to see them live at the o2 Academy on 22nd November. That is my happy thought for the week...
Machine Head Cancel Sonisphere Appearance
Machine Head have pulled out of this summer's Sonisphere festival in England after the slot they had apparently been booked in (third from top) was handed to Limp Bizkit.
Machine Head seem unwilling to drop down the bill, and have rejected offers from the organizers to give them a higher billing on the second stage for more money, to accept the change.
My reaction is that this seems like them throwing the toys out of the pram because they don't think they should move aside for a band like Limp Bizkit, who are most famous for a semi-reviled genre of music and have been inactive for some time.
I can sympathize with that, but it's one thing to act huffy and call names (and wouldn't a Durst-Flynn dust up be a good sell on PPV) and completely another to take your ball and go home.
At the end of the day, it's not so long since Machine Head were a nu-metal act and Mr Flynn was attempting to rap like every other wannabe of the time (despite his unarguable thrash pedigree), so it's a bit pissy to argue credibility.
While I doubt many fans have bought tickets for Sonisphere just to see Machine F'N Head, their addition is always welcome to any metal-friendly bill, and doubtless lots of fans will be disappointed that they will not now be playing the festival.
The high road would certainly have been to take the change in stride, perhaps write a pissy note on their myspace or whatever, and then do their best to play a killer set and blow Durst & company off the stage. This petulant response is slightly worrying given Machine Head's less than stellar current form (which I'm attributing to tour ennui) and the much rumored split within the band...
However, if it pushes them back into the studio for the follow-up to the Blackening, then I'm all for that. At the end of the day, I've seen Machine Head four times since that record came out, and I really don't need to see them again until there is fresh material in the set.
So long as Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and Alice in Chains (not to mention Bullet for My Valentine, Lamb of God and a mountain of others) are playing Sonisphere, I'm still MIGHTY interested in tickets, and to be honest, I really wouldn't mind seeing Limp Bizkit for the first time in nine years...
* Please note, all 'Best...' designations are merely this writers opinion, and stand as a recommendation for new fans, rather than an attempt to make a definitive statement. I'll likely change my mind by next week anyway.
Chemical Brothers, the
What: Big Beat Pioneers From: London, England In the Beginning: First single "Song to the Siren" self released as the Dust Brothers but had to change the name in 1995 due to threatened legal action by the original Dust Brothers. Debut album Exit Planet Dust released in 1995, mainstream breakthrough comes with Dig Your Own Hole in 1997, which was preceded by hit singles "Setting Sun" and "Block Rockin' Beats." Best Album*:Dog Your Own Hole or Come With Us Best Song*: "Hey Boy, Hey Girl", "The Test", "Galvanise" or "Star Guitar" Recently...:We Are The Night released in July 2007, rumours abound that new material will appear in the near future.
Growing up as a kid in 90s Britain, there was a certain kind of mainstream-acceptable dance music that was acceptable to virtually everyone. Appealing equally to stoners, indie kids, pop tarts and the glowstick wielding dance fans, the Chemical Brothers were and remain one of the best examples of a dance act with genuine cross-over appeal.
While I'd been idly aware of them for a while, the first time they really mattered to me was when "Setting Sun" and "Block Rockin' Beats" became one of the biggest hits of one of those endless high school years. (It seems) soon after that (actually a few years), the far catchier, "Hey Boy, Hey Girl" came out and it's video set a standard for Chemicals releases...
The Noel Gallagher voiced "Let Forever Be" is probably the most famous of their celebrity sung tunes, but by far my favorite, both because of the song itself and the awesome video would be "The Test" featuring Richard Ashcroftof the Verve - more commonly known amongst my circles as "Acid Test" for obvious reasons...
However, the Chemical Brothers are not reliant on their guest vocalists and are perfectly capable of emotive, catchy music on their own right, as best personified by this next song. Again, the video is a personal favorite and the person who can tell me why I think it's so awesome will win a prize.
I'm not the biggest electronica or dance music aficionado, but I am certainly partial to a bit of both, partly because I come from a time and place where rave and it's associated genres was very much to the forefront, and partly because I'm a difficult sod who doesn't want to be typecast as a long haired, guitar-only kind of guy.
In any case, the Chemical Brothers are one of those dance/electronica acts who have managed to remain both easy on the ear, and technically laudable at the same time. Their tendency to flow between Big Beat, Balearic, House and DnB also makes them a more versatile act than many, someone one-tone dance acts.
While acts like Aphex Twin are perhaps more praise-worthy (and I do only say PERHAPS), my heart in this direction is very much given to the Chemical Brothers, and their contemporaries such as the Prodigy, Faithless, Daft Punk and Death in Vegas.
There is simply nothing better for a flat warming, or any social gathering where alcohol (or other substances...) may be consumed and bad dancing shall be attempted. You know you want to....
Crazyfists, 36
What: Alaskan Metalcore Troopers From: Anchorage, Alaska In the Beginning:Boss Buckle EP independently released in 1995, followed by another EP and a full album, before Bitterness the Star became their major debut (on Roadrunner) in 2002. Best Album*: "A Snow Capped Romance" or "Rest Inside The Flames" Best Song*: "Slit Wrist Theory", "I'll Go Until My Heart Stops" Recently...:The Tide and It's Takersreleased in May 2008, the band have been touring since and recorded their homecoming show in January 2009 for a DVD release, slated for late 2009.
When I first heard 36CF, I thought they were a nu-metal act - this is because a period of decided disconnection to the music press meant I had never heard the term metalcore. Then again, what can you ever truly judge from a genre label? The important thing is that I liked what I heard, and the song which converted me remains a dear personal favourite to this day.
The album which followed was the sublime, and far more polished A Snow Capped Romance complete with more accessible songs like "Destroy the Map" and "At The End of August" alongside some heavier tunes like "Kenai".
Their next effort is my favorite however, filled with all action efforts like lead single "I'll Go Until My Heart Stops" and "Felt Through a Telephone Line" as well as more restrained fare such as the haunting, "the City Ignites."
Their most recent record was a serious contender for my album of 2008 - until a certain San Francisco thrash band decided to release a magnum opus. In any case, The Tide and It's Takers was a stunning release, with songs which rival Lamb of God for weight, such as lead single "Absent are the Saints" as well as more mainstream friendly fare like "We Gave It Hell" or the slower "Waiting on a War." This album is chock full of quality tunes, and is definitely one of my top records of the past few years.
I've had the good fortune to catch 36CF live twice, firstly blowing Atreyu's overblown emo-core off the stage in the legendary Glasgow Barrowlands and more recently causing utter chaos in the more confined spaces of the Garage. They are a simply stunning live force - tight, emotional, precise and enthusiastic. They are one of those bands who look on their crowd with love and appreciation, and it seems real, rather than the forced 'y'know, we always love coming to -insert town here-, 'cause you guys are the best' lines that many bands will feed you.
36CF may well be my favourite band from that disparate clutch known as metalcore, or the New Wave of American Heavy Metal - more accessible than Lamb of God or Mastodon (in different ways), less polished and commercial than Killswitch Engage and less 'scene' than Trivium or Avenged Sevenfold, they have a song for every occasion, riffs the size of mountains and the heart to match. They remain one of those few bands for whom the term 'emotional' can never be used as a slight.
You really should check them out...
Creed
What: Erstwhile post-grunge uber-stars From: Florida, USA In the Beginning: Independently released debut My Own Prison is picked up by Wind Up records and sells zillions of copies... Best Album*:Human Clay or most definitely Weathered Best Song*: "My Sacrifice", Recently...:
Based on the opinions which prevailed in the British rock press around their greatest success, I grew up hating Creed. One particular episode of Celebrity Deathmatch, airing just after I had first fallen in love with Pearl Jam didn't help.
There are two things that eventually made me quite like Creed. Firstly, "My Sacrifice" was a killer song, and became part of the ubiquitous soundtrack one summer. Of course, that doesn't always mean it's a good song, but I ended up liking it more than a bit.
The second thing was when the rump of the band resurfaced as Alter Bridge and I realized that the band were actually quite good. In fact, Mark Tremonti is now probably one of my five favorite guitarists.
So I took a look back at Creed, willing to admit that perhaps I'd been given an unfair picture of the band and never given them a fair turn.
If you get past Scott Stapp's undeniably unlikeable personality, and tendency to bear down on his notes, there is a lot to like in Creed's back catalog, from the heart-warming (and knuckle twisting) charm of "One Last Breath" and mega-hit, "Higher" to more direct and metallic fare, like "Bullets."
You've gotta admit, that finger picked intro is a thing of beauty.
Following the demise of Creed, both Scott Stapp, and the rest of the band, led my Mark Tremonti and recruiting Myles Kennedy to become Alter Bridge have produced new material. I'll let you decide who did better...
...Scott Stapp...
...or the rest...
OK, so I like Alter Bridge better, and if I'm honest, I would have been more interested in Alter Bridge 3.o this summer, as opposed to Creed's Full Circle.
That said, if the Creed bandwagon roll through my town, I shall almost certainly go to see them, just 'cause I'm a sucker for some anthemic alt.rock, especially when the guitarist is such a legend.
Jcon said I'm here to whine... no Sabbath or Beastie Boys!
Black Sabbath didn't make it, as I've written about them a fair bit recently, when talking about progressive bands, extreme metal, and also arguing their case in the March Madness tournament and I don't like repeating myself over much. Be assured that they were very much in the running.
The Beastie Boys didn't make it because I didn't even consider them. That is not to disparage their undoubted place in musical history, but they've never touched me personally, and it's MY column, damnit!
Aside from the obvious mega-hits, the Beasties have never really been more than background noise to me. Perhaps that is a hole in my education or taste, by I won't apologize for not talking about a band I don't really have much of an opinion on - that way lies dull, wikipedia sourced copy-and-paste columns based on other people's opinions.
That is what you buy official industry press for, you come to the likes of me for possibly contentious, yet honest and forthright opinion, and if I can't provide that, I won't go there.
Kermitz said For your info, Alice is also currently on a world tour, scheduled to last well into December, and it's Furnier, not Fournier.
Oh, bitchy! Yes, Alice Cooper is on a world tour, but AC/DC are a far bigger concern, and played (and sold out) a 60'000 seat arena in my home town two days before I posted my column. Alice Cooper however plays a 3'000 capacity theater, (which it currently looks like he will NOT sell out) in my home venue complex at the end of November - which I also have tickets for. I think it's pretty understandable how AC/DC got the vote. If it's any consolation, I should be back round to A about that time, so Alice should get his props then.
As for getting his real name wrong, I'm sure I've seen it spelt Fournier and never as Furnier (apart from anything else, my way looks better!) but if that's wrong, I humbly apologize for not referencing Wikipedia to make sure my comment responses are 100% accurate. I'm sure picking me up on this really gave you a tremendous sense of well being...
Longtime commenter AndrewCrow said Re: Fear Factory
Considering Burton and Dino are the original members of the band, I'd say they have the rights to tour under the name. Herrera's drumming, albeit solid and fitting of the music, can easily be accomplished by any solid drummer with as many triggers as he has. Dino's guitar work is his own, although Christian can come close to his ability and style, and Burton's voice is unique both in terms of production and overall delivery.
What I'm saying is that you are correct that the proper thing to do would be to have all four just get together in the classic line-up (without Ross Robinson around to ruin it up like he did towards the end of their initial run), but if it's going to be split amongst the four? Dino and Burton have the right to take the moniker.
Ah, BFMV. No band exemplifies pop-core quite like they do. Decent on a musical level, but utter shite overall. They're the big reason I missed out on Iron Maiden last time: I didn't feel like sitting through their emo crap.
I'll agree with what you say re: Fear Factory - ideally I want Bell/Cazarees/Olde-Wolbers/Herrera, but if the name has to live, then it's Burton and Dino who are the main men. Even in that case, I'm sure Ray & Christian can come up with something worthy and interesting. Either way, get it sorted and get it SOON!
As for BFMV, I used to regard them as pop-core but as I said, they have been elevated to 'guilty pleasure' level. My main issue with going to see them live would be the burning desire to kill half of the crowd for their fake-ass posery. That said, on occasion I like a little self-conscious cheese with my riffs, and tunes like "Waking the Demon" light me up inside. Despite my metal leanings, I'm a sucker for a chorus at the end of the day.
As ever Mr Crow, you remain the metal conscience sitting on my shoulder and dragging me back towards the darkness - I thank you.
That's it, I'm done! Be sure to come back and see what D has to offer, and I'll leave you with this tender morality tale...
