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 23

Cover Versions… some do it right!

By bruce talking about music 3 Comments »

Although I do not understand the scope behind remixing songs, I do understand and appreciate cover versions.  In layman terms, remixing a song boils down to adding a house or techno or even R & B beat to a song, and instead of using the same lyrics or try to adopt them, you mostly use the chorus.  With cover versions things are different.  A cover version can give a new image and feel to a song.  There are bands who are capable of doing it, while unfortunately others don’t, and they totally destroy a song.  In this blog I’m posting the top three cover versions, who actually transformed an original song into a better one, by giving them an appropriate face lift.  It is not that the original song needed it, as when the original song was released they couldn’t have been written in a different way.

The Gathering – In power we entrust the love advocate

This song was originally released from Dead can Dance in their 1984 EP called Garden of the Arcane Delights.  When compared to the original version, thanks to Anneke’s haunting vocals, more robust drums recording and the introduction of keyboards make this song sounds more complete and is able to deliver more feel.  The original version is quite silent and unpolished  compared to The Gatherings cover.

Lacuna Coil – Enjoy the Silence

This song was originally released from Depeche Mode in their 1990 album Violator.  Although I really love Depeche Mode,their music style and almost all 80’s music, Lacuna Coil managed to transform this song into a stadium rock anthem.  Depeche Mode are still able to transform this song into a stadium anthem, electronically, but only in live performances since the original version is much less hyper.  Again, thanks to female vocals, the introduction of guitars and heavier drum rolls instead of drum machines, make this song more catchy and needs to be played real loud!

Marilyn Manson – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

This song was originally released from Eurythmics in their 1983 album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).  With all his weird ways of doing it, Marilyn Manson managed to transform this song into a dark, gloomy and angry song, which obviously makes it more catchy.  With a catchy guitar solo, angry / screaming voice and industrial like sound effects, make this song a ‘dream’ song.  Well done Marilyn!

Stay tuned as in the next blog post we will post the worst three cover versions ever, in other words, how to screw up and destroy a song!

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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 30

In the Woods… first release; HEart of Ages

By bruce album review, talking about music No Comments »

In my teens I used to own a number of black metal albums from Cradle of Filth and some other black metal bands.  Although I do appreciate the talent needed to play such genre of music, I never managed to stick to such fast and noisy music while not understanding a word from the lyrics.

But I just listened to Heart of Ages, an album from the Norwegian band In the Woods… This was their first official album, released back in 1995.  Surely they left a good impression and this was their stepping stone to attract a huge number of worldwide fans.  Unlike today’s releases, Heart of Ages has that “not so perfect and polished” sound, which makes it sound more realistic.  Also, this album cannot be classified as black metal.  It’s an interesting and experimental blend of progressive Heathen metal, black metal and a hint of doom metal, and an influence of classical music as well.  The slow and athmospheric parts contain clean guitars, dark atmospheric keyboards, clean male and female vocals, which blends really well with the fast and high pitched guitar riffs and grunts.  Therefore this makes it impossible to label these seven symphonies as one genre type.

Good combination indeed!

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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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Oct 30

Leona Lewis vs Snow Patrol – it’s a matter of luck

By bruce news, talking about music No Comments »

If you’re like me, always switching from one radio station to the other longing to hear some good music, I’m sure you’ve heard Leona’s latest single, Run. This single stormed straight to the top of the Official Singles Chart, like other singles she released previously. This single became available as a download only, from midnight on November 30, and in its first two days it sold 69,244 units (record). Leona stormed to success in just 2 years thanks to X-Factor and Simon Cowell (Mr DreamMaker).

Now don’t get me wrong, Leona got the right ingredients to be a great artist, impeccable voice, feel for music and a down to earth personality.  Even Simon Cowell, he is doing a good thing for music, trying to help people exploit their talents, most of which are not aware of.  But “Run” was originally written, composed and released by Snow Patrol, back in 2004. Isn’t it funny and a shame that Snow Patrol didn’t make such a success with the same song, which they wrote themselves? When Snow Patrol released it, they only made it up to number 5 in the UK charts.  Again, Leona’s voice is great, but it’s not just the voice that matters, there’s much more chemicals in a song’s formula to function!  Though marketing and money seem to be the right chemicals.

Well, unfortunately in today’s music industry, luck, marketing and financial power got more power to launch an artist than the actual music itself! If you form part of a band which has good music but can’t strike the right deal to take you off the ground, give Simon Cowell a call!

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Aug 27

The Cure; Bloodflowers for Valentine’s Day?

By bruce album review, talking about music No Comments »

Bloodflowers is one of the saddest, love-sick albums The Cure ever wrote. Well, that’s what The Cure are known for, no? If your love life is not successful, or you have love related issues, why don’t you give this album a shot? The album title and the release date (Valentine’s Day) say it all.

This album is the final part of Robert Smith’s personal ‘Trilogy’. Robert Smith expressed several times, that the 1982 album Pornography, the 1989 album Disintegration, and Bloodflowers (2000) are the 3 albums that best define The Cure.

This album also marks the band’s return to their original roots, after their drastic change in style in the 1996 album, Wild Mood Swings. Unfortunately, the band does not play songs from Bloodflowers live, only in very rare occasion, which is a pity! Though in 2002, The Cure performed Robert’s Trilogy (Pornography, Disintegration, Bloodflowers) in a single concert in Berlin. Below is a clip from the 2002 Berlin concert, when they perform Bloodflower’s title track. What a song!

The concert was released on a DVD in 2003, and is also available in Blu-ray, which are both available from The Cure’s site.

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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 17

The Young Ones, Cliff Richard and living doll

By bruce music videos, talking about music No Comments »
The Young Ones is a British TV series which started in 1982 features a hippie (Neil), a violent punk metal (Vyvyan), a cool person (Mike) and a would be anarchist (Rick).  It is a very unique series about four under graduate student sharing a house together, a must see.
Though what do these guys have to do with music?  In almost each of their episode, like MTV’s Beavis and Butt-head, there is always some featured music or band.  Though Rick the Anarchist, was clearly a fan of Cliff Richards.  Funny though how such a ‘wild’ anarchist has a soft spot for such a ’soft’ singer, a polite gentleman.
In 1986, after the four seasons of The Young Ones finished, as part of the British charity television appeal, all 4 guys were featured in a music video with Cliff Richard for the song Living Doll.  Back then Living Doll reached again the top of the UK charts.
I personally find this video hilarious, especially when compared to today’s commercial music videos.  While today music artists try hard to look really good and have a better music video than their song, The Young Ones in this Living Doll video do everything to look rediculous, yet as great as ever.  Check it out.

The Young Ones is a British TV series which started in 1982 features a hippie (Neil), a violent punk metal (Vyvyan), a cool person (Mike) and a would be anarchist (Rick).  It is a very unique series about four under graduate student sharing a house together, a must see.

Though what do these guys have to do with music?  In almost each of their episode, like MTV’s Beavis and Butt-head, there is always some featured music or band.  Though Rick the Anarchist, was clearly a fan of Cliff Richard.  Funny though how such a ‘wild’ anarchist has a soft spot for such a ’soft’ singer, a polite gentleman.

In 1986, after the four seasons of The Young Ones finished, as part of the British charity television appeal, all 4 guys were featured in a music video with Cliff Richard for the song Living Doll.  Back then Living Doll reached again the top of the UK charts.

I personally find this video hilarious, especially when compared to today’s commercial music videos.  While today music artists try hard to look really good and have a better music video than their song, The Young Ones in this Living Doll video do everything to look rediculous, yet as great as ever.  Check it out.

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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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