Music

This week I finished Replay, a three DVD set of Rush concert films: Exit... Stage Left, Grace Under Pressure, and A Show of Hands. I saw them live about 12 years ago; they just wrapped up another tour.

Of the three discs, Exit... is by far superior. The remastered sound quality is great. The highlight has to be Xanadu where Geddy and Alex both break out double neck guitars. The clip is available on YouTube, of course the quality is atrocious there, but you can get a feel for the real thing. A comment on YouTube says "these guys put more work into this one song than some bands do in their entire careers!" Probably true....

With the second and third discs (from the 80's) the sound is more homogenized, more filtered, less raw. Grace is notable for Alex's fashion victim pants and white blazer, frequently blowing out the camera. There are less shots of Neil on drums also. Overall, it was a bit disappointing. Show suffers from rapid-fire editing, especially (again) of Neil, who never appears for more than a split-second with the exception of his solo. Their slower, softer side of Rush during this period (Power Windows and Hold Your Fire) makes for a less energetic show (though I personally like many of the songs).

Rush in Rio is another recent DVD of theirs; it captures a really amazing show from a few years back. But once again, the sound quality is less than terrific... I'm looking forward to seeing R30 next!

This is the second in a series of posts about my favorite albums over the years: the first (in no particular order) I wrote about was Robert Plant's Now and Zen.

This time it's Porcupine Tree's Stupid Dream, released in 1999. I wasn't even aware of Porcupine Tree until a few years later when I heard them on Radio Paradise (which in turn, I only happened to discover by picking up an issue of Linux Journal, which highlighted the netradio station's use of free & open source software). I bought a bunch of their albums and searched the file-sharing networks for the rest. What first captivated me was the science-fiction themes in a few songs. Later, getting into their early work, it was the lysergic lyrics that borrowed from and extended upon 60's classics like Sgt. Pepper's. Later still, it was the harder rock sound of albums like 2004's In Absentia. With many long songs and unconstrained musical changes, Porcupine Tree hearkens back to progressive rock bands like Pink Floyd or Yes without sounding dated.

Stupid Dream puts it all together beautifully. Mature lyrics that go far deeper than their early Alice-In-Wonderland psychedelic stuff. Songs that shift tempo from low-key ambiance to great power chord jams. A consistent quality throughout that keeps you hooked in.

Even Less

With this topic, songwriter Steven Wilson certainly doesn't seem to show sadness, remorse, or guilt, but instead perhaps a dull acceptance that life goes on, why some people choose to leave it may always be a mystery, and maybe there's a kind of pride buried in that acknowledgement. I just realized upon hearing an NPR story the other day that the song concludes with part of a real "numbers station", a global phenomena of cryptic shortwave broadcasts, known in at least some cases to be encrypted broadcasts to spies abroad. Nice touch!

Piano Lessons

Like Another Brick in the Wall, this song lambastes authority figures who work to destroy creativity in their pupils and instill conformity by driving out originality. But he never gave up on his "stupid dream" to become somebody, even if (he now realizes) it is something of a commodity ("I come in values packs of ten, with five varieties!"). Welcome to the machine indeed. Sardonically humorous and thoroughly British.

Pure Narcotic

"You keep me listening to the Bends..." I think some of the lyrics on this album may have been inspired by Thom Yorke's oblique style of writing for Radiohead. A lot of the lyrics in the songs that follow haven't crystallized for me... but they're musically delicious.

A Smart Kid

Returns to a science-fiction theme visited in some of their earlier songs, particularly Radioactive Toy, the sole survivor on a post-apocalyptic Earth. But his song-writing shows vast improvement here, painting the picture of an epic narrative with very few words.

Stop Swimming

Wikipedia suggests that this "was heavily inspired by one of Steve Wilson's favourite bands, Talk Talk." Cool, they are one of my favorites too, for what [little] that is worth. Talk Talk evolved from an Eighties sound, lumped with Duran Duran, into avante garde "post-rock" soundscapes, and ultimately gave up making music due to the ice-cold reception of their fans, label, and critics. Thankfully Porcupine Tree did not take that route.

I'm going to write a series of posts about my favorite albums, in no particular order, just a randomized assortment of those albums that, for whatever reason, stuck with me over the years. They may not be the best by any more objective measure, or even the best by the particular artist, but they're ones that I never grow tired of hearing.

First up is Now and Zen by Robert Plant, released in 1988. I got it on tape in 1989... eventually I wore out the cassette from repeated listening. Plant's solo work has always been overshadowed by his popularity in some 70's band whose name I forget. (That's a joke, folks). But it deserves an unbiased listen, particularly this album, perhaps his strongest (admittedly, I have not listened to the last few). Even now, twenty years later, it still sounds pretty crisp (of course, rock music hasn't evolved much in that time). It coupled a modern rock sound with smart use of synth/keyboards without sounding "Eighties" (not that it would be a bad thing). And the lyrics are masterful. Every track is great.

Heaven Knows

The use of keyboards and an angelic choir give this a modern sound, like the rest of the album. The lyrics abound with clever twists. Plant often writes lyrics that are sexual in a smart way. And who else name drops the Ton-Ton Macoute? "What kind of fool am I?" ... something I have often asked and never answered!

Dance on My Own

A buzz-bombing synth bass swoops down and the backing vocals kick in. Nice, short guitar solo. I could definitely relate to the persona in this song, a teen so crazed with desire he doesn't know what to do. The solution? "Dance until I drop... move until I stop." Good advice from the elder statesman/Rock God.

Tall Cool One

This was a big hit back then, primarily because it sampled a bunch of classic Zep riffs, it becomes increasingly Zepp-ified leading to a final riff explosion. But apparently it was meant to send a not-too-subtle message to Jimmy Page... hammered in with the "Lighten up!" refrain. Back then it was my least favorite song on the album, but it has grown on me since then.

Ship of Fools

This got some airplay back in the day on rock radio but wasn't a huge hit. It's a beautiful song, composed as a lullaby, filled with dreamlike, timeless, mind-expanding lyrics like "at my feet eternity draws ever sweeter plans for me." I've always meant to find out if it borrows anything from the novel of the same name.

Why

"She wants it bad..." but we don't know why. I ain't complaining!

Helen of Troy

Asking why again... don't question it, Bob! I especially like the "the world is waiting here for you" chorus.

The Way I Feel

I'm not quite sure what emotion he's going after here, perhaps the edge of melancholy or regret, but it's a nice song nonetheless.

White, Clean and Neat

Cool use of samples from what sounds like documentaries of 50's suburban life. It captures the disparity between America's clean-cut image at the time and the impulses propelling rock-n-roll to the forefront of popular culture... "Beneath her skirts, between the clean, white sheets, it's such a long way from the streets."

Walking Towards Paradise

This track didn't appear on the tape version of Now and Zen, so it is totally new to me; I don't feel like I missed much.

Psycho by Puddle of Mudd is a fun, catchy, great, crunchy song that sounds a lot like Nirvana. Give it a listen... the louder the better. Unfortunately I couldn't say the same for the rest of the album (Famous, 2007); the other songs are mediocre at best.

Nostradamus is the new album from hard rock pioneers Judas Priest. Leave it to JP to try something that has been anathema in popular music for a few decades: the double-length concept album!

Thankfully, it's all straight-up rock without the baroque excesses that could doom such a project to ridiculousness. Taking a medieval theme in keeping with many of their songs from the 70's, it presents a first-person narrative of the eponymous mythical seer. Needless to say, it's not trying to be historically accurate in the least bit, confabulating Nostradamus to be a heretic, misunderstood genius, and anti-hero.

As a skeptic, I would have been a little annoyed if they had tried to present the story as anything other than a work of fiction. Even in our own time the myth-making continues: new versions of his work have been published, with bits altered to make unmistakable references to 9/11!

Halford's singing is quite a bit more subdued than usual, but it fits. It's great to hear the Priest rocking once again!

Here are the real standout tracks for me for 2007!

#7. Armin van Buuren - The Sound Of Goodbye

#6. The Doppler Effect - Beauty Hides In The Deep (John O'Callaghan Remix)

#5. Snow Patrol - Shut Your Eyes (First State Bootleg Remix)

Generally, electronic remixes of rock songs don't seem to improve upon the original, but this one is a definite exception to the rule.

#4. John O'Callaghan featuring Audrey Gallagher - Big Sky (Agnelli + Nelson Remix)

I know the lyrics are of a more conventional, down-to-earth variety, but the chorus at least seems like a spaceward anthem ('open your eyes... it's a big sky...') and are complemented extremely well with the music.

#3. Martin Roth & Alex Bartlett - Off The World

"I'm sliding off the world...." Hold on and trip out! An unforgettable track.

#2. Dash Berlin - Till The Sky Falls Down (Dub Mix)

 & Dash Berlin - Till The Sky Falls Down (Vocal Mix)

The elements of this song are simple, yet come together and a beautiful and powerful way.

#1. Mike Wind AKA Staircase - Oxygen Essential (Osip Back To 90's Mix)

They say there are three types of artists: innovators who come up with entirely novel concepts, masters who perfect pre-existing forms, and imitators who have few original ideas. This track is really a master work IMHO. What I like most is it sounds so much like classic trance of six or seven years ago, but improves upon it... it's the apotheosis of the style.

I didn't listen to a whole lot of new alt/rock music in 2007. (Reminder to self: check out My Morning Jacket and "loquat" and get the new Radiohead). But here are the two that made it to my playlist again and again.

#1. The Shins, Wincing the Night Away

Sublime is the most apt word for this album. These guys take oblique lyrics to the extreme, so I'm never quite sure if a song has a definite meaning, is shear dadaist word poetry or (more likely) exactly in the middle. The sound is wonderful, fresh, and timeless.

#2. The Bravery, The Sun and The Moon

It's rare these days to find an album where every single track is equally great. The Sun and The Moon is such an album. I don't personally subscribe to some of the ideas espoused ('Give me something to believe', 'Death is not the end') but with such good music, it's very easy to hear past that.

Ten years on, the Trance genre of electronic music shows no signs of burning out. I'm listening to the top 20 tracks from 2007 from the radio show A State of Trance. I've been faithfully listening to every episode this year. It was around 1997 or 98 that I first heard a mix, by Paul Oakenfold, and immediately went out to get a CD of his, namely Tranceport, which is still one of my favorites.

What I like about trance is how it creates a hybrid of electronic with melodic. Many parts of a typical track are typical of electronica, with repetitive synth layers and drum machines laying down a dead simple beat that humans would be bored to tears trying to play. But the human aspect is that the songs are so melodic, rising and falling, sometimes slowing sometimes speeding, in grand anthemic sweeps. A great track will do both of these simultaneously. It is the first truly cybernetic musical form.

What's more is the continuing variety of the art form. The simplicity of the genre (4/4 beat, a few synths, sometimes vocals or other samples) means that superficially, any trance track sounds like any other. But if you listen just a little closer, you discover the endless variety that it has to offer, that DJ's and other master mixers continue to explore.

While browsing through the extensive list of net radio stations on our SqueezeBox, I discovered Flashback Alternatives... which has quickly become my favorite station. They play 80's and some 90's alternative music, mostly obscure (to me) songs by great groups like The Mission UK, Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, The Flamin' Groovies, The Lemonheads, etc, etc. The playlist is amazing.

My great friend Craig, a musician, poet and inveterate punster has a new project called Quip Hop.

Anybody who counts Shel Silverstein AND Spearhead as influences is worth a listen. Check it out! Very creative, entertaining stuff.

Update: More demo songs are available here.

Music is life... what are you listening to? Here's what I've been tuned into lately.

HBR1

HRB1 is a netradio stream, found under Ambient in iTunes (or links on their site) described as "The Alien's Choice -- Psychadelic Dreams". This is awesome background music for work or whatever, no commercials, just a station id twice an hour or so.

Radio Nigel

Another station, under 70s/80s Pop in iTunes... Mary turned me on to this one... exclusively 80's classics and ones you haven't heard in 20 years... the New Waver nostalgia trip.

Porcupine Tree

I blogged about these guys when I discovered them about a year and a half ago... just incredible stuff that sometimes sounds like a modern version of Ummagumma era Floyd, sometimes has a more progressive (like Dream Theater) bent, but mostly is its own uniquely cool thing. Their lyrics are astounding.

A lot of their early songs were written by a lyricist (Alan Duffy) who seems to have started where "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" left off. Almost trying too hard to be lysergic and trippy. But in subsequent albums they get much better, more selective, and start writing their own material. The album "Stupid Dream" or the collection "Stars Die" are excellent starting points. I love the moment in the song "Stars Die" where they work in the phone call from Nixon to Tranquility Base.

In fact, many of their songs touch on themes of science fiction, or space travel, but more particularly, alienation... as in the post-apocolyptic "A Smart Kid", or the darkly ironic sense of disconnection in "Every Home Is Wired".

Bloc Party, Interpol, The Killers

Part of a group of new bands whose sound is cleary 80's inspired... good tunes, though I haven't listened in depth.

Manic Street Preachers

I guess they've been around for a while, but they're new to me, having heard "To Repel Ghosts" on Radio Paradise, I bought the album. Reminds me of U2, or other rock bands of my youth (The Alarm, Level 42, etc).

Michael Franti

Finally, for a few good freely downloadable tracks, visit the Spearhead page, especially "We Don't Stop", a not-so-subtle anti-war track that should have been on the radio.

I just got the new Depeche Mode album... and I like it so far. It's more like their '93 album Songs of Faith & Devotion, fortunately, than their last one, Exciter. Mary and I saw these blokes live a few years back; it was, without a doubt, the best concert experience I've attended... you gotta be a fan of course.... In the mid-80's I became a fan listening to my brother's Construction Time Again cassette over and over again: slightly subversive and entirely electronic, it really hooked me. Later, Music for the Masses spoke to more personal subject matters with an upgraded sound; a lyrical depth combined with richly crafted music and club-inspired beats; it is still their landmark album. 1990's Violator focused the theme, not quite as dark, it spawned their most popular and memorable songs and started their journey into combining "real' instruments with synthesized ones, a mix they perfect in subsequent albums and in concert. A number of years ago VH1 did a "Behind the Music" on their career, so far as I know it has only aired in Europe.

Nirvana will be featured on the 11/18 episode of VH1's Driven.

The media machine cranks: New Nirvana book, album, video, and Newsweek cover story.

Gotta spam mail today with this positive news: a new Nirvana video is now playing on VH1. Have you seen it and, if so, what do you think?