Classic Rock – 10 Essential 00s Prog Albums

I have been flicking through the February issue (141) of Classic Rock magazine which I picked up on import. This issue has a section which looks back at the 00s and part of this ‘review’ includes a number of ‘essential albums’ lists. Here’s the one for Prog:

• Radiohead – Kid A (2000)
• Porcupine Tree – Deadwing (2005)
• Opeth – Ghost Reveries (2005)
• The Mars Volta – Frances The Mute (2005)
• Van der Graaf Generator – Present (2005)
• Muse – Black Holes And Revelations (2006)
• Rush - Snakes And Arrows (2007)
• Oceansize – Frames (2007)
• Riverside – Rapid Eye Movement (2007)
• Dream Theater – Black Clouds And Silver Linings (2009)

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Top Ten Songs About Cars

I’ve just been sorting out a new car today, and looking forward to picking it up Wednesday. So in honour of the big event, and in no particular order, here are my top ten favourite songs about cars/driving:

• Queen – I’m In Love With My Car
• UK Subs – I Live In A Car
• Saxon - Wheels Of Steel
• Adam And The Ants – Car Trouble
• Madness – Driving In My Car
• Elastica – Car Song
• Pulp – Joyriders
• The Cars – Drive
• Gary Numan – Cars
• Buzzcocks – Fast Cars

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Finntroll - Nifelvind

Track listing:

1. Blodmarsch
2. Solsagan
3. Den frusna munnen
4. Ett norrskensdåd
5. I trädens sång
6. Tiden utan tid
7. Galgasång
8. Mot skuggornas värld
9. Under bergets rot
10. Fornfamnad
11. Dråp
12. Under Dvärgens Fot" (Boxset-version bonus track)

Finntroll on Amazon

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkVwA__Fk9g]

 

Reviewed at:

Blistering - http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/link/1/templateid/18591/tempidx/4/menuid/2

Angry Metal Guy - http://www.angrymetalguy.com/finntroll-nifelvind-review/

Metal Temple - http://www.metal-temple.com/review.asp?id=4266

Sputnik Music - http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review_35079

 

Genre(s)

• Folk Metal

 

Similar artists:

• Korpiklaani
• Ensiferum
• Moonsorrow
• Turisas
• TrollfesT
• Equilibrium
• Eluveitie
• Månegarm

 

Band information:

@Official website - http://www.finntroll.net/

@Twitter - http://twitter.com/finntrollmusic

@MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/officialfinntroll

@Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Finntroll/393930475141

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finntroll

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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The Tangent - Down and Out in PARIS and LONDON

Track listing:

1. Where Are They Now?
2. Paroxetine – 20mg
3. Perdu Dans Paris
4. The Company Car
5. Ethanol Hat Nail (Canterbury Sequence Vol. 2)
6. Everyman's Forgotten Monday (special edition bonus track)

Similar Artists:

• The Flower Kings
• Kaipa
• Roine Stolt
• Karmakanic
• Beardfish

Album reviewed at:

• Prognaut - http://www.prognaut.com/reviews/the-tangent4.html
• Sea Of Tranquility - http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=8433
• Disagreement - http://www.disagreement.net/reviews/tangent_downandoutinparisandlondon.html
• Progmeister - http://www.progmeister.com/reviews.php?post=14

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibLk-BaapmA]

 

Band Information:

@Official Website - http://www.thetangent.org/

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tangent

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Off Blog: Fantasy Masterworks

As I continue to rediscover my book collection, after unpacking all of my stuff that arrived from the UK, I pulled out a book from my Fantasy ‘collection’, Time and the Gods by Lord Dunsany. It’s one of a series of ‘Fantasy Masterworks’ published by Millennium (an imprint of Victor Gollancz). The series was intended to create, as the information on the back cover states, ‘a library of some of the greatest, most original, and most influential fantasy ever written’. So, I look forward to finally being able to work my way through through the ones that I brought. I have up to #15 in the series. Here is a list of what has been published so far:

1. Gene Wolfe - The Book of the New Sun: Volume 1 Shadow and Claw
2. Lord Dunsany - Time and the Gods
3. E. R. Eddison - The Worm Ouroboros
4. Jack Vance - Tales of the Dying Earth
5. John Crowley - Little, Big
6. Roger Zelazny - Chronicles of Amber
7. M. John Harrison - Viriconium
8. Robert E. Howard - The Conan Chronicles: Volume 1 The People of the Black Circle
9. Jonathan Carroll - The Land of Laughs
10. L Sprague De Camp and Fletcher Pratt - The Compleat Enchanter
11. Hope Mirless - Lud-In-The-Mist
12. Gene Wolfe - The Book of the New Sun: Volume 2 Sword and Citadel
13. George R.R. Martin - Fevre Dream
14. Sheri S. Tepper - Beauty
15. Lord Dunsany - The King of Elfland's Daughter
16. Robert E. Howard - The Conan Chronicles: Volume 2 Hour of the Dragon
17. Michael Moorcock - Elric
18. Fritz Leiber - The First Book of Lankhmar
19. Patricia A. Mckillip - The Riddle-Master's Game
20. Jack Finney - Time and Again
21. E. R. Eddison - Mistress of Mistresses
22. Michael Moorcock - Gloriana
23. Fletcher Pratt - The Well of the Unicorn (out of print)
24. Fritz Leiber - The Second Book of Lankhmar
25. Jonathan Carroll - Voice of Our Shadow
26. Clark Ashton Smith - The Emperor of Dreams Best Fantasy Tales
27. Jack Vance - Lyonesse Suldrun's Garden
28. Gene Wolfe - Peace (out of print)
29. John M. Ford - The Dragon Waiting a Mague of History
30. Michael Moorcock - Corum the Prince in the Scarlet Robe
31. C. L. Moore - Black Gods and Scarlet Dreams
32. Poul Anderson - The Broken Sword
33. William Hope Hodgson - The House on the Borderland and Other Novels
34. Tim Powers - The Drawing of the Dark
35. Jack Vance - Lyonesse II The Green Pearl and Madouc
36. Michael Moorcock - The History of the Runestaff
37. David Lindsay - A Voyage to Arcturus
38. Jack Williamson - Darker Than You Think
39. Evangeline Walton - The Mabinogion
40. Poul Anderson - Three Hearts & Three Lions
41. John Gardner - Grendel
42. Michael Swanwick - The Iron Dragon's Daughter
43. Geoff Ryman - Was
44. Dan Simmons - Song of Kali
45. Ken Grimwood - Replay
46. Leigh Brackett - Sea-Kings of Mars and Other Worldly Stories
47. Tim Powers - The Anubis Gates
48. Patricia A. Mckillip - The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
49. Ray Bradbury - Something Wicked this Way Comes
50. Rudyard Kipling - The Mark of the Beast and Other Fantastical Tales

'Fantasy Masterworks' on Amazon

http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/Masterworks-Fiction-list.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy_Masterworks

Of course, one must have the correct reading music for such an epic task. So, I found in my little black book of music lists, Terrorizer’s True Cult Underground Epic Metal 1980’s list. Here’s the list:

• Manilla Road – Crystal Logic
• Cirith Ungol – King Of The Dead
• Elixir – Son Of Odin
• Medieval Steel – Medieval Steel
• Heavy Load – Death Or Glory
• Mercy – Witchburner
• Omen – Battle Cry
• Exxplorer – Symphonies Of Steel
• Desolation Angels – Desolation Angels
• Grim Reaper – See You In Hell

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LYipKH_oOs&hl=en_GB&fs=1&]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Sunday Jazz – Nice!

This is my first post since Thursday as my belongings finally arrived at my address in Canada after being shipped from the UK. So I have spent the last 3 days unpacking and setting up the office/studio with all my equipment and books. It is all pretty much done now, just have to sort out some cables and power supplies for my electrical equipment and I will be fully up and running.

I’ve just been chilling out to some Jazz. Here is what I’ve been listening to on Spotify:

• Jon Hassell – Earthquake Island
• Erik Truffazz – Out Of A Dream
• Dave Douglas – Charms Of The Night
• Tomasz Stanko Quartet – Matka Joanna

See you at the Jazz Club.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TebUMhJAKSM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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If you like this, you might like this: Fantome

This is the first of several posts where I will be suggesting 5 to 10 albums that are closely related in some way, either through the sound or generally, due to genre. So, this time around the starting point is the gloom pop/shoegaze band Fantome. Enjoy!

Fantome – Velvet On The Air

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ0eeRt4Fgo]

Mira – Mira

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoIRW5NN18M]

Tearwave – Tearwave

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNtuCEJLbcM]

Ports Of Call – Like Thieves

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXJ-oH33yTw]

Con Dolore – Sailor’s Warning
Unfortunately I could not find a video/track on YouTube for this one.

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Brit Awards 2010: The Winners Are….

Here are the results for the 2010 Brits:

• BRITISH MALE SOLO ARTIST - Dizzee Rascal
• BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST - Lily Allen
• BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT - JLS
• BRITISH GROUP - Kasabian
• BRITISH ALBUM - Florence And The Machine, Lungs
• BRITISH SINGLE - Beat Again - JLS
• INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST - Jay-Z
• INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST - Lady Gaga
• INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH ACT - Lady Gaga
• INTERNATIONAL ALBUM - The Fame, Lady Gaga
• CRITICS CHOICE - Ellie Goulding
• OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC - Robbie Williams
• BRITS HITS 30 (best performance at the Brits) - Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are, Spice Girls
• BRITS ALBUM OF 30 YEARS - (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, Oasis

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/17/brits-2010-who-won-what

http://www.brits.co.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brit_Awards

However, do you remember the Brits in 1992 when the KLF collaborated with grindcore band Extreme Noise Terror to perform a death metal version of the dance song "3 a.m. Eternal"?

The performance ended with Bill Drummond firing blanks from a machine gun over the heads of the audience and KLF publicist Scott Piering stating, "Ladies and gentlemen, The KLF have now left the music business." The band later dumped a dead sheep outside the venue with the message, "I died for ewe — bon appetit", tied around its waist. Now that’s Rock and Roll!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CDButf0go8]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Music Lists: Progressive Rock Albums

I was looking through my little black book of lists and found an interesting Prog Rock list that I wrote down several years ago. I am not to sure where the list came from, but, I think it was from a UK extreme music magazine. I think it works quite well as a broad introduction as there are a wide range of styles included in the list. Although, it is definitely focused on 70’s albums. Here is the list:

• King Crimson – Red (1974)
• Yes – Close To The Edge (1972)
• Rush – A Farewell To Kings (1977)
• Jethro Tull – Thick As A Brick (1972)
• Van Der Graaf Generator – Pawn Hearts (1971)
• Soft Machine – Third (1970)
• Genesis – Foxtrot (1972)
• Atomic Rooster – Death Walks Behind You (1970)
• Pink Floyd – Meddle (1971)
• Hawkwind – Space Ritual (1973)

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Metal Hammer – Albums Of The Decade

The March 2010 issue of Metal Hammer has the results of their poll based, Albums Of The Decade. Here are their Top 50 Albums of the Decade.

1. Machine Head - The Blackening
   
2. System of a Down - Toxicity
3. Slipknot - Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses
4. Lamb of God - New American Gospel
5. Megadeth - Endgame
6. Metallica - Death Magnetic
7. Rammstein - Mutter
8. Avenged Sevenfold - City of Evil
9. HIM - Dark Light
10. Tool - Lateralus
11. Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death
12. Motorhead - Motorizer
13. Trivium - Ascendancy
14. Nightwish - Once
15. Opeth - Blackwater Park
16. Korn - Untouchables
17. Mastodon - Crack the Skye
18. Pantera - Reinventing the Steel
19. Bullet For My Valentine - The Poison
20. Marilyn Manson - Holy wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)
21. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine
22. Lacuna Coil - Comalies
23. Heaven & Hell - The Devil You Know
24. Mayhem - Ordo Ad Chao
25. Killswitch Engage - The End of Heartache
26. Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution
27. AC/DC - Black Ice
28. Deftones - White Pony
29. Velvet Revolver - Contraband
30. Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue
31. Mastodon - Leviathan
32. Opeth - Watershed
33. Testament - The Formation of Damnation
34. Slayer - Christ Illusion
35. In Flames - Come Clarity
36. Children of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet?
37. Disturbed - Down With the Sickness
38. Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos
39. Down - II: A Bustle in your Hedgerow
40. A Perfect Circle - Mer De Noms
41. Gojira - From Mars to Sirius
42. Megadeth - United Abominations
43. Devildriver - The Last Kind Words
44. Dimmu Borgir - Death Cult Armageddon
45. Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
46. Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth
47. Converge - Jane Doe
48. Anthrax - We've Come For You All
49. Cavalera Conspiracy - Inflikted
50. Arch Enemy - Anthems of Rebellion

So, in honour of the #1 spot, here is a bit of Machine Head with Halo live at Rock Am Ring in 2007.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0ECl8_XL2c]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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RetroBlog: Heavy Metal Britannia

The BBC are set to screen a documentary, on Friday 5th March 2010, about the emergence of the Heavy Metal genre in Britain. Here is some information from the BBC website.

Heavy Metal Britannia
Friday 5 March
9.00-10.30pm BBC FOUR

Voiced by Nigel Planer, Heavy Metal Britannia traces the emergence of the genre in Britain in the late Sixties and Seventies. Metal began life in the mid-Sixties underground rock scene – a fledging style spearheaded by the likes of Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin.

This early metal was dominated by paranoia and darkness, albeit often tongue-in-cheek. The players were male, mostly working-class – a uniquely Seventies British style – spawning their own long-haired, head-banging audience with their own dress codes and world view.

While this generation still defines classic British metal, it was nearly overtaken by British punk in the late Seventies. Then back came a new generation such as Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and Saxon, dubbed "The New Wave of British Metal" by the press.

As the Eighties dawned, the best of these two metal generations were ready for the long haul – to make their genre the key force in music it remains today.

Tonight's documentary features contributions from Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi, Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Jon Lord, Bruce Dickinson, Edgar Broughton and Lemmy, among others.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/2010/wk9/fri.shtml

For those of you who are not familiar with the Narrator of the above documentary,  Nigel Planer, he initially rose to fame in the UK as part of the ‘alternative’ comedy / Comic Strip scene in the early 80’s. Most people in the UK, over 40, are probably most familiar with his character Neil (‘the Hippy’) from the anarchic comedy sitcom ‘The Young Ones’ on the BBC and also the brilliant ‘Bad News Tour’ episode which was part of the Comic Strip Presents series on Channel 4. Although his talents spread into the other areas of acting as well as writing novels and plays. Here is a clip of him in Bad News, where he plays guitarist, Den Dennis, who here issues the oft quoted line “two quid for one bloody sausage!”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zNg0os5jbk&hl=en_GB&fs=1&]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_News

Bad News on Amazon

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Brighton Rocks! Telegraphs, Architects, The Ghost Of A Thousand

Yesterday afternoon I was getting all nostalgic catching up on some stuff by a few Brighton based bands, checking them out on Wikipedia, MySpace and YouTube. Basically seeing what they were up to.

When I was in the UK I used to spend a lot of time in Brighton as it’s a great place to catch both new and old bands at intimate venues like the Concorde 2 and The Engine Room, amongst others, plus it has some cool shops to check out at the weekends. Three of the ‘harder’ Brighton bands that seem to have attracted attention over the past few years are: Telegraphs, Architects and The Ghost Of A Thousand. Here’s a bit of information about them from Wikipedia:

Telegraphs

Formed in 2006, Telegraphs is made up of members Darcy Harrison (vocals), Hattie Williams (bass/vocals), Sam Bacon (drums), Darren LeWarne (guitar) and Aung Yay (also known as Gary Yay) (guitar/backing vocals). They play alternative rock, emotionally-charged lyrically and accompanied by cutting angular guitars, riff based melodies and pounding, driven drum-rhythms, influenced by such bands as Biffy Clyro, Reuben, Oceansize and Idlewild.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telegraphs

Recommended listening - We Were Ghosts

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kMBJ6mq3Cs]

 

Architects

Architects are an English metalcore band from Brighton, England, formed in 2004. The band went through several name changes before they decided upon Architects. Their first name was Inharmonic, which was swiftly changed to Counting the Days. After a couple of years this was in turn changed to Architects.

They are currently signed to Century Media Records worldwide and Distort Entertainment in Canada. The band have toured the UK and Europe with the likes of Bring Me the Horizon, SikTh and The Chariot. They have played at a number of independent UK festivals, as well as the Download Festival 2007 and 2009, and Sonisphere 2009. The band have completed a European tour and a Canadian tour, receiving great receptions from crowds in different countries and gradually spreading their fan base. They released their second album Ruin on June 26, 2007, and released a split EP with UK band Dead Swans in early 2008, following the release with a double headed tour of the UK.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architects_(British_band)

Recommended listening - Hollow Crown

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgZWEAhj3Uo]

 

The Ghost Of A Thousand

The Ghost Of A Thousand is an English five-piece punk rock band from Brighton, UK.

After signing with Undergroove Records in 2007 the band toured extensively, playing alongside Zico Chain, Gallows, Alexisonfire, Saosin, Poison the Well, and Reuben. They have also had a presence on the festival circuit: playing the Lock Up Stage at the 2007 Reading and Leeds Festivals. In October 2008 bassist Gez Walton left the band, citing musical differences. The band's previous bassist Gaz Spencer returned in his place.

In February 2009, it was announced that the band had signed with Epitaph Records to release their second album New Hopes, New Demonstrations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ghost_Of_A_Thousand

Recommended listening - New Hopes, New Demonstrations

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0TrjFrIYlc]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Live - Owen Pallett / Final Fantasy

 

Owen Pallett, aka Final Fantasy, played last night at St. Matthew’s Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia. I was there with my family and was also able to record some clips of the performance using my recently purchased Flip UltraHD. Here is one of the clips that I’ve so far uploaded to YouTube.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXEX1ZmSpZU]

Owen Pallett entry @Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Pallett

Owen Pallett stuff on Amazon

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Lemmy: The Movie

Lemmy: The Movie is due to premiere at the 2010 South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin next month. Motörhead will also perform at Stubb's in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, March 16 to celebrate the world premiere.

The documentary follows Motörhead's frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister both on the road and at his home.  Also playing at Stubb's on March 16 will be The Sword and Year Long Disaster.

http://www.lemmymovie.com/

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTKw2ssDr7w]

Gimmie Some Motörhead

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Post Black Metal / Shoegaze

I was doing a bit of a trawl around Wikipedia the other day and noticed that there are several, of the more progressive, Black Metal bands that have been incorporating elements of Shoegaze into their sound with, what I think are, very good results. Three bands who I picked up on are: Alcest, Amesoeurs and Agalloch. Each of these bands has a very different approach and sound. Here, care of Wikipedia and YouTube, is a quick overview.

 

Alcest

Alcest is a musical project born in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France (now relocated in Paris where Neige lives). Beginning as a raw black metal act in 1999, Alcest later became a vessel for Neige's "memories of another world" as the band evolved into his solo-project. While Alcest still retains some black metal roots, the music now draws more comparison to other genres such as shoegaze and post-rock. Neige has stated in interviews that he had not listened to these types of music prior to the recording of Souvenirs d'un autre monde. Alcest is currently under contract with Prophecy Productions for five albums. Though this does not necessarily mean that Neige is required to record these albums, should he decide to do so, they will be released via Prophecy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcest

Recommended listening - Souvenirs d'Un Autre Monde (2007)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78y6lTnTn_E]

Amesoeurs

Amesoeurs was a French shoegaze/post-punk/black metal band formed in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France in Summer 2004 by guitarist/vocalist Neige of Alcest fame, and by bassist/singer Audrey Sylvain and guitarist Fursy Teyssier (Phest, Les Discrets) with the purpose of creating a music that reflects the dark side of the industrial era and modern civilization. Neige and Audrey Sylvain are also known for their input as session/live musicians in La sale Famine de Valfunde's band Peste Noire.

Shortly after Amesoeurs's formation a few songs were written and the band performed a gig. Soon after, Fursy Teyssier decided to leave the band to go back to his studies. In April 2005, a first 3 track-MCD entitled "Ruines Humaines" was self-recorded. Neige was leaving the depressive Black Metal band Mortifera at the time and he used two tracks (“Bonheur Amputé” and “Ruines Humaines”) he had originally composed for Mortifera for Amesoeurs's MCD. The MCD was finally released through Northern Silence Productions from Germany in 2006.

In 2007 Fursy joined the band again and drummer Winterhalter (drummer in Peste Noire between 2006 and 2008) was added to the mix for the full-length album "Amesoeurs" released in March 2009 through the Italian label Code 666 records. The first album was recorded during winter 2008-2009 in the Klangschmiede Studio E with Markus Stock from Empyrium fame and it is described by the band as "a kaleidoscopic soundtrack for the modern era". After the release of the full-length, Amesoeurs split up due to personal tensions and conflicting ideas regarding the band's future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amesoeurs

Recommended listening – Amesoeurs (2009)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sru69Xp4Fgs]

Agalloch

Agalloch is an American metal band formed in 1995 in Portland, Oregon. The band is led by vocalist and guitarist John Haughm and so far have released four limited EPs, three full-length albums, two demos, one split album, one compilation album and one live DVD. A fourth full-length album is planned for future release.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agalloch

Recommended listening - Ashes Against the Grain (2006)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCAsN09ZAzE]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Harrys Gym – Harrys Gym

Track Listing:

1. Top Of The Hill
2. Brother
3. Attic
4. Whisper
5. The Dharma Bums
6. Turn Away
7. The Escape
8. Someone New
9. Feathers
10. Sarah83

Harrys Gym’s debut album presents a progressive pop which is both mournful and dreamy. The album is melancholic and sad sounding without being bleak and dreary.  Musically, the light electronics fit well alongside nu-gaze guitar, bass, and drums. If you are already a fan of bands like Mew or Mansun then give this a listen, actually, I’d give it a listen anyway. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Harrys Gym on Amazon

 

Reviewed at:

MTV - http://blog.mtviggy.com/2009/11/18/bands-we-like-norways-harrys-gym/

The Guardian - http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/10/new-band-harrys-gym

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIwIwk3j-jw]

Band Information:

@Official Website - http://www.harrys-gym.com/

@Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/harrysgym

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrys_Gym

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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Mainstream Metalcore

In issue 193, February 2010 of Terrorizer they have a feature on metalcore. As part of the feature they include an “Anthems For Insubordinates” in the “Mainstream Metalcore” section, a list which they describe as “ten records that, for good or ill, put metalcore on  the mainstream metal map”.

I have just started working my way through the list as most of the albums, except for one, are available to listen to on Spotify (I’ve not checked Grooveshark yet). If you fancy doing the same by whatever means available to you, or just want to see what’s on the list as a discussion starter with your buddies, here is the list in date order, as it appears on page 57 of the magazine.

• Poison The Well – The Opposite Of December (Trustkill 1999)
  
• Unearth – The Strings Of Conscious (Eulogy 2001)
  
• Killswitch Engage – Alive Or Just Breathing (Roadrunner 2002)
  
• Shadows Fall – The Art Of Balance (Century Media 2002)
  
• Hatebreed – Perseverance (Universal 2002)
  
• Atreyu – Suicide Notes And Butterfly Kisses (Victory 2002)
  
• Bleeding Through – This Is Love, This Is Murderous (Trustkill 2003)
  
• Eighteen Visions – Obsessions (Trustkill 2004)
  
• Underoath – They’re Only Chasing Safety (Solid State 2004)
  

http://www.terrorizer.com/issue/193

Go Metalcore with the help of Amazon

 

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

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