Mar 09

Depeche Mode and Touring the Universe

By bruce talking about bands No Comments »

Some time ago I overheard someone complaining about Depeche Mode’s live performances, without actually attending one.  What can a 3 men in their late 40’s, be up to in a live performance?  Or better after the unfortunate event of David Gahan’s sickness, are they still good at it?  Do they still have what it takes to perform to some of the world’s poppiest tracks?

This was a good initiative for me, to book a flight ticket and a concert ticket, and go and check them out for myself.  So I’ve been to the concert, and can confidently say that it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to, the presentation, sound mixing and atmosphere of the concert were the best they could have ever been.  Both Martin Gore and David Gahan still have what it takes, much more than new and upcoming young artists have.  Most probably, David Gahan is one of the most energetic and charismatic performers of all time, on the same level of Queen’s front man, Freddie Mercury.

The concert, featured some of the best tracks from their latest album Sounds of the Universe, and also a number greatest hits from the past, such as Enjoy the Silence, Personal Jesus and Walking in my shoes.  Two hours felt like two minutes, or even less unfortunately.  The well mixed sound was accompanied by a huge big screen covering the whole back of the stage, projecting images and short clips of the band while performing, and other images and clips related to songs being played.  An unforgettable experience, and to conclude, Depeche Mode still got what it takes!

If you’ve been to one of Depeche Mode’s Touring the Universe concert, make sure you order the live CD of the concert you’ve been too.  This is surely the best memorabilia you can get of a concert you’ve been to.  Nice initiative from the band.

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Feb 26

Cover versions… and some do it really wrong!

By bruce talking about bands, talking about music No Comments »

So, after my last post Cover Versions… some do it right!, obviously I had to post the worst cover versions I’ve ever heard of. I’ve also received a number of emails from people giving me ideas, and I appreciate that. Thank you very much. Well, after studying a long long list, I managed to shorten it down to four songs, I couldn’t make it to three songs, sorry.  And here they are;

4th Place: Limp Bizkit – Behind Blue Eyes

Behind Blue Eyes was released by The Who, in their 1971 album ‘Who’s Next’. First of all, Fred Durst’s voice in this song is really out of place and blowed up. Secondly, Limp Bizkit removed the best part from the original song and replaced it with a stupid robotic sound and voice. Come on guys, screwing a 70’s song is already bad enough, removing the best parts from it is totally unacceptable!

3rd Place: Eminem – Sing for the Moment

Sing for the moment is a cover version of the song Dream On, which Aerosmith released in 1973, as a single and as a track in their first album ‘Aerosmith’. Apart from changing the musical style (a drastic switch to rap) and feel of this song, Eminem even changed the lyrics and used only the chorus. With all the respect towards rap and its followers, we’re fed up of listening to anger and society problems which gangs bring around. Please move on and grow up!

And the top 2…

I was very confused which should be the first placed song, i.e. worse cover version ever. I am sure there are many other out there, but these particular two, deserve both 1st place, therefore there is no second place!

1st Place: The Braids – Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody was released by Queen, in their 1975 album A Night at the Opera. It is considered to be one of the greatest songs ever, because of its unique and diverse style. I don’t want to comment much about the cover version, since there isn’t much to say. But how can you change a rock anthem, one of the greatest songs of the last decade into a hip-hop song? It’s unbelievable how the copyright owners even gave the go ahead for this massacre!

1st Place: Scissor Sisters – Comfortably Numb

Comfortably Numb was released by Pink Floyd, in their 1979 album The Wall. Like Bohemian Rhapsody, Comfortably Numb and the whole The Wall album, are considered master pieces, rock anthems and greatest songs of all times! One can never dream, or even try to imagine how such a song could have been better, since there is no place for improvement. But thanks to the Scissor Sisters, it seems that the world was longing for a electronic Bee Gees version of this song. What a shame!!!

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Feb 11

Niky Gravino and the Laughing Shadows, WOW!!

By bruce talking about bands, talking about music, talking about musicians No Comments »

While traveling around the world, I ended on a rock (as the locals call it) in the middle of the Mediterranean sea called Malta.  On a 24Km long and 14km wide island, you don’t expect much to happen.  What’s for sure is that in Malta there is a vibrant music scene.  Once there I attended a live gig of a band called ‘Niki Gravino and the Laughing Shadows’.  Cool name ay?

Some brief history about the band (from what I’ve learnt), the band was previously known as ‘Niky Gravino and The Vile Bodies’.  Niky Gravino (front man, vocalist, guitars and some keyboards) is the mastermind behind all the music composition, lyrics and even production.

They released their first album called “The Politics of Double Beds”.  The album is an impressive symphony of synths, electro beats, catchy guitar riffs accompanied by Gravino’s vocals.  The new band line-up also features a female vocalist, but unfortunately there is no recorded material yet.  Well, one might ask, so to whom can you compare Niky Gravino, or what style does he exactly play?  Hard to tell, as his album features electro music, slow music and also a hint of rock music.  Though there is a good mixture of Depeche Mode accompanied by sounds effects and sometimes even vocals a’ la Marilyn Manson style.  Still, it is difficult to describe this band unless you actually listen to them, which I strongly suggest.

Obviously music can’t be enough, since Gravino’s live shows have always been accompanied with fancy dress codes and make up.  From the band’s Facebook fan page you can listen to the whole album, but I suggest you should buy this album and support the band.  Unfortunately it seems that Maltese bands lack financial support.

DJ’s, make sure you play this album loud in clubs around the world!  This band deserves much better than what they already have achieved.

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Jan 21

X: THC presents… An Album and Film experience, WHAT?!?!

By bruce news, talking about bands No Comments »

While searching for something new and original, I’ve ended up chatting with Mark Schenkel, who pointed me to an innovative band called X:THC.  What is so special about this band, why are they innovative?  They are working on a new concept of music, an album and film experience at the same time.  Sounds weird, original or what?  But let’s just wait and see, I surely have high hopes for this project.  Since I’ve spoke to Mark, I’ve been checking my mailbox everyday, waiting for their new film / album to arrive, so I could check it out, listen to it.  What’s for sure is that they are also evolving and redefining their live shows within the model of the music industry, to create an unforgettable live experience for the fans to enjoy.

From the little glimpse I’ve had of this album, the band combines downtempo broken beats, soulful chill, and indie rock songwriting to create a lush, electronic soundscape.  The album X: The Human Condition, conjures also shades of post-punk and new wave, with a twisted and hypnotic sound.  Well let’s wait and see till we listen to the whole thing, but again, I’m confident in this project.  Well are you curious by now?  Wanna have a taste yourself?  Then sit down and relax, and enjoy the below video.  Stay tuned with this blog for a proper review of this great concept album, and interviews with members of this original band.

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Dec 07

This Empty Flow – Magenta Skycode

By bruce album review, talking about bands 1 Comment »

I think that This Empty Flow is one of the most under-rated band ever, unfortunately.  A couple of years ago a friend of mine lent me one of their records, Nowafter.  Listening to them is like listening to a mixture of The Cure and Pink Floyd, with a mixture of great beats and soul touching vocals.  They are sad, slow, melancholic, Wintery (I like the word), ideal for this time of the year when it is cold, rainy and dark outside.

After getting hooked with the band, I bought all of their albums, except their 1996 masterpiece, Magenta Skycode.  Cool title isn’t it?  Unfortunately it is a very rare album (in fact mine is second hand) and it doesn’t come cheap, like many other out of print records.

Unlike many other albums, where you specifically like 2 or 3 tracks while the other are still good, but not that good, all Magenta Skycode tracks are excellent, and I cannot imagine how they could have been done in another better way.  With the melancholy of Useless, incredible keyboard loops and space like sound effects on Towards Distant, fast, up beat and head banging Snow Blind  and the sad sad Sweet Bloom of the Night, make this album a must have.

Magenta Skycode was released in 1996 and like all other great music albums, it is an album that never grew old and will always sound good, even after 13 years.  If you are looking for a copy of Magenta Skycode, look no further since Eibon Records released a remastered version of this album.  Eibon’s release includes also an additional CD (2 cd pack) which includes some rare tracks, studio-outtakes and other goodies we fans love.  Click here to check it out.

This_Empty_Flow

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Nov 18

Who are The Who?

By bruce talking about bands, talking about music No Comments »

Lately I decided that I should start listening to 60’s – 70’s rock bands, real rock bands who back then made history by being adventurous in their musical style and who wrote Rock Anthems.  Yesterday I was seeing a documentary about an English rock band called The Who.

I’ve heard about them before, but never knew that in the rock scene, they were as big as Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan etc.  From my first search on YouTube, I automatically got to know who is the original author of the song Behind Blue Eyes, which a couple of years ago was covered by Limp Bizkit.  The Who had many other rock anthems, not just this one.  Their vast musical repertoire varies from psychedelic rock, heavy rock and also soft rock.

Back in the 60’s they lived the high live, and are the pioneers of spectacle of instrument destruction during their live and energetic live performance.  The first time Pete Townshend (The Who guitarist) smashed his guitar in a London pub, is one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “50 moments that changed the history of Rock’n'Roll”.  As a matter of fact, nowadays a number of rock bands try to follow the Who by destroying their instruments during live performances.

What is most notable as well in The Who’s first albums is Keith Moon’s aggressive drumming style, quite impressive I must say.  Although Moon was a hyperactive problematic person in the band, Daltrey (The Who vocalist) said that Moon’s drumming style held the band together; that Entwistle and Townshend “were like knitting needles… and Keith was the ball of wool.”  Keith Moon had also a huge appetite for destruction, which turned into an obsession to detonate toilets everywhere he went, in hotels, friends’ houses etc.  Unfortunately, on the 6th of September 1978, Moon was found dead from his girl friend.  The cause of his death was an overdose of clomethiazole pills.

Well, while writing the above I’ve managed to listen to a number of tracks from The Who on YouTube, and can confirm that they are one of those 60’s – 70’s bands that changed Rock’n'Roll.  Another band in my wish list.

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Sep 09

Last.fm exclusive Depeche Mode interview; new album, their career and more

By bruce talking about bands, talking about musicians No Comments »

Last.fm released an exclusive interview with Martin Gore and Andrew Fletcher, where they talk about their career, about the recording of their latest album, and how David Gahan writing his own music helped in the whole process, and they also talk a little bit about their career. Should we expect more good DM years to come?

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Aug 24

Pink Floyd – The making of The Dark Side of the Moon

By bruce talking about bands, talking about music No Comments »
If you are reading this post, surely you know about Pink Floyd’s 1973 concept album The Dark Side of the Moon.  The album’s lyrics talk about conflict, greed, aging, and mental illness, which is partly inspired by the unfortunate Syd Barrett’s deteriorating mental state.
Well, ever wondered from where Pink Floyd got inspirations for their music?  Or how the whole album was recorded?  Although I am an fan of Pink Floyd, I just got to know about ‘The Making of ‘The Dark Side of the Moon” DVD, which was released in 2003.  Just seen some short clips on YouTube, and it’s already part of my wish list.  For those who are into music and how it all works with these bands, behind the scenes and all, this is a must see DVD.  The clip below, which is taken from this DVD, Pink Floyd members discuss the recording of the song ‘Money’, from the same album.

If you are reading this post, surely you know about Pink Floyd’s 1973 concept album The Dark Side of the Moon.  The album’s lyrics talk about conflict, greed, aging, and mental illness, which is partly inspired by the unfortunate Syd Barrett’s deteriorating mental state.

The Dark Side of the Moon album cover

Well, ever wondered from where Pink Floyd got inspirations for their music?  Or how the whole album was recorded?  Although I am an fan of Pink Floyd, I just got to know about ‘The Making of ‘The Dark Side of the Moon” DVD, which was released in 2003.  Just seen some short clips on YouTube, and it’s already part of my wish list.  For those who are into music and how it all works with these bands, behind the scenes and all, this is a must see DVD.  The clip below, which is taken from this DVD, Pink Floyd members discuss the recording of the song ‘Money’, from the same album.

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Aug 05

Music and politics; Beds are Burning

By bruce talking about bands, talking about music No Comments »
Don’t people love it when music is also used as a political weapon?  After all, apart from entertaining people, most of the music is written to send a message.  And that is what Midnight Oil did with their 1987 hit single ‘Beds are Burning’
This political song is about giving native Australian lands back to an Australian Aboriginal group called Pintupi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pintupi).
In 1960, The Australian government, forced these tribes out of their lands, stating that they were not ready to live in modern society and needed to be re-educated.
In the below video, apart from giving a great performance, Midnight Oil grapped the occation to dress up in clothes with printed word ‘Sorry’.  This was a reference to John Howard’s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Howard)(back then Prime Minister of Australia) refusing to apologize on behalf of the Government of Australia, who was present for the occasion.
This performance was part of the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which for sure millions of people from all around the world were watching; ‘How can we sleep while are beds are burning?’

Don’t people love it when music is also used as a political weapon?  After all, apart from entertaining people, some of the songs do send a message.  And that is what Midnight Oil did with their 1987 hit single ‘Beds are Burning’.

This political song is about giving native Australian lands back to an Australian Aboriginal group called Pintupi.  In 1960, the Australian government, forced these tribes out of their lands, and also stated that they were not ready to live in modern society and needed to be re-educated.

In the below video, apart from giving an excellent performance, entertaining a massive crowd, Midnight Oil grapped the occation to dress up in clothes with the word ‘Sorry’ printed on them.  This was a reference to John Howard’s (back then Prime Minister of Australia) refusing to apologize on behalf of the Government of Australia, who was also present for the occasion.

This performance was part of the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which for sure millions of people from allover the world were watching; ‘How can we sleep while are beds are burning?’

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Jul 31

Queen; the debut

By bruce album review, talking about bands, talking about music No Comments »

Queen was a British rock band that gave us hits like Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, I want to Break Free, Show must go on, the two stadium anthems, We Will Rock You and We are the Champions and much more.

But what about their debut self titled Studio album back in 1973?  Was it an instant hit?  Unfortunately success is only measured by number of album copies sold, or by air time on radio stations. Therefore, technically speaking this album surely was not a commercial success. Though as many say today, this album was and is still underrated. Gordon Fletches of Rolling Stons said “their debut album is superb”, and Chicago’s Daily Herald called it “above average debut”. Allmusic’s Greg Prato, later said “one of the most underrated hard rock debuts of all time.”

Unfortunately, the generic public is not into good music. People like commercial music because radio stations and clubs play. If the DJ plays a track a 100 times, over and over again, then that is classified as a good song / album. Though from the non commercial point view, a good album is when it sounds original and different from the expected, and when it still sounds good after 10, 20 or more years. Technique and lyrics also play a vital role in good music.

Queens first album can almost be classified as hard rock, heavy metal of the day with lyrics about folklore and religion.

The first track, ‘Keep yourself alive’, is a positive song, with good rhytm and excellent bass riffs. Surely, the guitar solos can never be left out.

Another favourite is ‘Doing All Right’. This song changes many times, from light pop music to acoustic guitars, with some parts which can be classified as heavy metal.

There is also a lengthy heavy song, ‘Great King Rat’. It includes long guitar solos and sudden tempo changes.

Seven Seas of Rhye; a short song with catchy piano loop, is a half-written song. When the first album was recorded, this song was born but not completed, therefore Queen optet to add this part of the song to the first album, while the completed track was released in their second album.

Queen_Queen

Trivia: The band included a comment ‘No synthesizers’ on the album sleeve, as some listeners had mistaken their multi-tracking and effects processed by guitar and vocal sounds as synthesizers.

As a conclusion, although this album was not a commercial success, with its release Queen showed that they will be a band who will lead the pack. A must listen to!

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