Priory-S/T

Since becoming a part of the Ripple Clan I have been given twenty six (give or take one or two) artists to listen to and I have only reviewed eight (this is the ninth). No, it isn't slack of me, the others just didn't click. Priory didn't click with me either. It snapped. So loudly my hermit crab hid in its shell. So loudly that there was a noise complaint put in by the neighbours. So loudly the stray cat that insists on sleeping on my car and getting it's foot prints everywhere didn't show up for a week. So loudly... Well, you get the picture.

This is Priory's debut full length release and it is self titled earlier they released an EP titled Cold Hands. They describe themselves as indie-pop/electronic-folk and are based in Oregon. They consist of four members- Brandon Johnson (vocals, bass) Kyle Deiker (acoustic guitar, keys, bells, falsetto), Rich Preinesberger (drums) and Greg Harpel (lead guitae, bells, keys) Priory is released in June this year.

The songs on the album are catchy, electronic, acoustic, brilliantly written and sung perfectly. It is important to note that despite their catchy, pop appearance some of the songs tackle some quite dark subjects.

“Worthy Dreams” is the first song on the album and it is mirrored with the last song. “smearD yhtroW” is the reverse of the first and it is an interesting way to tie things off. It sounds quite electric and is a happy, cheery way to start us off.

It is then followed with the clean, acoustic “Kings of Troy” being about a man who's girlfriend is constantly sought after by other men.

“Lady of Late” goes back into the more electronic sounds. It has catchy lyrics that are quite heavy.
“I was born, with a heart of stone
Till you came along, and you broke my throne
Now, Here I stand with your hand in mine
Still a humble man till the end of time”


“Alone”
“Don't look in my face, said the girl with a scar”
However, it is paired with really, really good music.


Following the electronic “Coal Mine”, “Red Sun” and the acoustic “Searching” and “Devil vs Heater” is “Cold Hands.” A song about two lovers dying in a car accident together.
“I was by your side when your hands went cold
When your hands went cold
You were by my side when my eyes went closed”


“Wait” has lighter content compared to the other songs on the album and it is accompanied by a mixture of acoustic and electronic sounds.
“I think I'm falling in love again,
Wait.
I think I'm falling out of love again”


“White Coats” a predominately acoustic song follows, then the reverse song, “smaerD yhtroW”.

Priory is a pretty fun album music wise as it is varied, interesting and well composed. The lyrics add a darker meaning that you sometimes have to listen a few times to really get. Over all, very good.


-Koala

WHY...

...haven't I got one of these?



;)

SO WHERE WAS I?

Ah yes, as a consultant I managed to get plenty of time to blog but I have now gone back into journalism as an editor.

I wil try and post a bit more frequently here but if you are interested in finance in general and the issue of risk in particular, pop over here for my mag's blog!

USX - The Valley Path

 

The Valley Path is your local bar's alt-country band, in the aftermath of some tragedy, jamming,  having just discovered both pot and Black Sabbath.

US Christmas (USX) are Allison Krause gone stoner/dark psychedelic rock. Discerning minds might have already postulated this, seeing their logo, aka the "deer ouroboros."

It's one song, 39 minutes long. Like Sleep's Dopesmoker. Or Roareth's Acts I-VI.

Not a true 39-minute epic, like Roareth, not a great 5-minute song the band was too stoned to stop playing, like Dopesmoker--  it's more of a 39-minute remix of a single.

There's surprisingly little hyperbole, though, to the above metaphors-- there's all sorts of "non-metal" instruments, which totally work, there's a violin/fiddle in there, a female singer who tends to just double/harmonize with lead singer/guitarist Nate's vocals... listening to it late at night in the dark is intensely soothing, as different instruments come and go, and it remains nearly silent for stretches of a minute or so at a time....

Sounds like it could've been improvised...? Are USX the laziest jam band in the world? I dig it.

The Valley Path transmits a feeling of isolation, of a dimly-hopeful solitude, like nothing's around you now but something good might be coming-- like looking out to see at night, with a CB radio you hope with come back with someone's voice on it....

Great? Definitely not. But definitely very good.

USX Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/USX.APPALACHIA

A Cool Look: PIPPA MIDDLETON Dressed Down... She's One Hott White Girl *LoL*

Check out Pippa Middleton, sister of Duchess Kate Middleton looking curvy and well-coordinated for a dressed-down look, while walking in London. This is a nice, safe look for women who may not coordinate a dressed-down look well.

You just can't go wrong with a fitted or oversized blazer and jeans...

Pic: Just Jared

OMG... *Sigh* Halle Berry's HOTT Dress As She Won FiFi Award For Perfume

Check out Halle Berry's stunning dress and physique as she stepped out in front of cameras. She won the FiFi award for her new perfume 'Reveal.' She looked awesome, she looked like she smelled awesome, JUST AWESOME!!

More pics.... LAWD, there's something about that 44-YEAR-OLD woman.... *fans myself*

Pic: Just Jared

Ghost - Opus Eponymous

These days you gotta have a gimmick. And Ghost, a new band from Sweden, has a lot of them. They wear robes, pope hats and face paint (even the drummer when they play live). Their lyrics are Satanic but sound like they picked up most of their occult knowledge from King Diamond interviews. There are rumors that under the costumes there are well known musicians from other metal bands. They’ve also received negative attention because there’s already a long-running Japanese band with the same band name. All of this has resulted in strong opinions in the metal world about this band. Some say it’s all hype, others say Ghost are the best new band in years. Like most cases where opinions are so polarized there’s a bit of truth on both sides.

Whoever is in the band or not, Ghost’s debut album Opus Eponymous is a nice change of pace in the heavy music world. Most underground bands are either working the doom Black Sabbath angle or are part of the speed/thrash/grind brigade. Ghost’s sound is about 60% Blue Oyster Cult (especially Agents Of Fortune), 20% Mercyful Fate and 20% other ingredients (mainly 70’s Priest/Scorps/UFO and Angelwitch).

The funeral organ instrumental “Deus Culpa” starts the album off on a somber tone before being taken over by the fast “Con Clavi Con Dio.” The verses are fast and sinister but the chorus is very melodic and would probably get some commercial radio play if it wasn’t praising Lucifer. The single “Ritual” really sounds like if BOC time traveled from 1976 to 1984 to steal some riffs from Mercyful Fate’s “A Dangerous Meeting” to use in “Don’t Fear The Reaper.”

“Elizabeth” is full on Mercyful Fate “Melissa” worship, down to the Herman Rarebell/Les Binks metal oompah beat. The vocalist (no names credited in the liner notes) bears a resemblance to Buck Dharma and occasionally drifts into Queen Rhinestone territory but doesn’t resort to screeching for vengeance. The presence of keyboards add some nice texture and are rarely overbearing. The guitars sound like they might even be in standard tuning and have crunch but not full on metal distortion. “Stand By Him” is another strongly BOC influenced moody song with a Thin Lizzy-ish guitar solo (“Thunder and Lighning?”) in the middle.

“Prime Mover” has some nice bass fills and good Stained Class style chugga-chugga riffs. Album closing “Genesis” brings the keyboards to the front and sounds more like The Alan Parsons Project than Genesis and has an acoustic guitar interlude. Back in the 70’s rock radio stations used to love songs like these as background music while reading the local concert calendar. Get your local paper and try it out yourself.

Despite the hype I really like this album. The Satanic lyrics and costumes are a little corny but the music is solid.


--Woody


Buy here: Opus Eponymous



www.myspace.com/thebandghost

 

KERI HILSON Channels Some Beyonce At Billboard Awards...

Keri almost confused me and a lot of other people by channeling Beyonce at the 2011 Billboard Awards.

The dress and Keri Baby still looked hott, though...

She (Bey) still in a class by herself though... Love the ladies and their fashion sense...

Grammy Winner ESPERANZA SPALDING Looks Great As A Model In Magazine

Remember that big upset when ESPERANZA SPALDING won that coveted Grammy award?!

Well, there's nothing really upsetting here seeing Esperanza lookin' beautiful in her natural hair and colorful clothes by Moschino, Michael Kors, and Prada.

It's seriously a nice and playful look for this summer...

ROCK IT OUT, MA!

Pic: MediaTakeout

LADY GAGA On Cover of Rolling Stone Magazine

LADY GAGA nabbed the cover of 'Rolling Stone' Magazine in her usual craziness get-up....

...in this case, it's a black bra and a 'bowtie of HAIR' on her head, and MORGUE MAKE-UP.

Hmm... that's just LADY GAGA. See an excerpt from the magazine below...

On her message to critics who say her main goal is to attract attention: “Is it that you believe that I am attention-seeking or shock for shock’s sake, or is it just that it’s been a long time since someone has embraced the art form the way that I have? Perhaps it’s been a couple of decades since there’s been an artist that’s been as vocal about culture, religion, human rights, politics. I’m so passionate about what I do, every bass line, every EQ. Why is it that you don’t want more from the artist, why is it that you expect so little, so when I give and give, you assume it’s narcissistic?”

Pic: Just Jared

Fash, Crash, and Burn: Solange, Cassie, and Selita Ebanks HAIR FAIL!!

Ya know, it's cool to change up the hairstyle every once in a while, but there are extremes to which one shouldn't cross.

Just look at the photo above of Solange Knowles, Cassie, and Selita Ebanks. NOW.... I really hope that this HAIR was just for a party. Actually, it was for a Carol's Daughter launch and I don't know if that was supposed to be the look for the event. I do hope they did something 'bout that hair after the event, especially Solange.

All I can say that's nice is... PRETTY COOL OUTFITS, LADIES!

Pic: NecoleB***hie

Pigeon John - Dragon Slayer

Another heavy gust of wind viciously tore at my clothing, and there was a strong possibility that the ominous darkness on the horizon was a suffocating sandstorm that would shortly overtake my position.  Indecision, the arch nemesis of all brave adventurers, had suddenly fallen on me like a ton of bricks.  I was standing a few steps away from my vehicle staring at a massive door which had been built directly into the side of a mountain.  I knew that what I sought would be behind the door.  All I had to do now was muster up the courage to enter the dwelling and complete my quest.

I took a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other…but on second thought, I could just come back some other time.  Yeah, that’s the ticket!  I could come back when it was more convenient.  Now that I thought about it, I did have to run some important errands back in town today.  Those movies needed to be returned by this evening, and I think I forgot to pick up my mail.  It’s not like this mountain was going anywhere.  Mountains don’t move for crying out loud!  They’re stationary.  That’s why they’re called mountains!

Unfortunately my inner dialogue/deliberation must have taken considerably more time to conclude than I imagined, because the sandstorm was right on top of me when I came to my senses.  Now I was left with no choice.  I could not drive anywhere in the sandstorm, so I had to seek shelter behind the door in the mountain.  Curses!  It took a determined effort to pull the massive door open to the point where I could slip inside.  The howling of the storm was truly demonic.  Pulling the door shut completely muffled the noise and left an eerie silence in its place.

“Oh hello there sir.  I say, it sounds like quite the storm outside doesn’t it?”

Terrified, I whipped around to face the mysterious, heavily accented voice and came face to face with an imposing dragon.  I say face to face, but actually, the dragon was about ten meters away reclining on an extremely large couch in a vertical humanoid manner, wearing a red smoking jacket, and sipping from what appeared to be a porcelain tea cup.  It was reading from a large book that was lying open in its lap.

“Oh my…I can’t…You’re…!!”
“Yes, yes, yes.  Let’s just skip the formalities shall we.  I’m the dragon that you didn’t actually believe existed.  You must be that Penfold fellow I heard about on the radio come to slay me, hmmm?  Don’t bother responding to that.  The truth is written all over your face.  And close your mouth.  That awestruck look you humans have is quite unbecoming.”
“Look Mr. Dragon…or sir…or whatever it is you wish to be called.  Please don’t kill me.   I’m rather fond of life at the moment.”
“Well now.  The way I see it, your continued existence depends entirely on you.”
“Huh?”
“Look Penfold; you don’t mind if I call you Penfold do you?  I feel like I’ve known you for eons.  You are just the latest in a long, long…long line of humans who have come to shuffle me from this mortal coil.”
“What happened to the others?”
The dragon raised his tea cup and pointed its pinkie claw at a rather large pile of bones off in the corner of the room.
“Oh.  I see.  I take it you’re drinking their blood from that cup?”
“Good heavens no!  This is my daily cup of Earl Grey.  I always take it when I sit down to read.  But back to my point.  I’m rather tired of you adventurers.  So here is what I propose.  I’ll let you live if you go back from whence you came and tell everyone that you slew me, the dragon.”
“You’re kidding?  No one will believe me!”
“Oh yes they will.  I’ll give you one of my scales along with some of my collected artifacts as evidence.  You’ll be a hero!  And I’ll finally be left in peace.  What do you say?”
“Can I have a minute to think it over?”
“No.”
“Okay then.  I’ll do it!”

Waveriders.  Allow me to introduce you to Pigeon John.  He is an utterly charming individual who will greet you like an old friend upon your first introduction.  You may not know him now, but trust me.  After you listen to some of his music he’ll become that long lost relative whom you’ll never lose track of again.  Sure, there might be times when you don’t pay close attention to his goings on, but sooner or later a voice in the back of your head will cry out, demanding to reestablish contact.  With that in mind it’s a very good thing that Pigeon John’s latest album, Dragon Slayer, has hit the market.

Quite a few years back, I was properly introduced to Pigeon John when he opened for one of my favorite hip hop groups, Blackalicious.  His performance was stupendously entertaining!  At the end of the show I approached his merch table where he was peddling his wares.  I shook his hand, exclaimed how awesome his show had been, and asked if I could buy a copy of four of the five CDs that he was selling.  Essentially, I wanted to buy everything he had ever done in one fell swoop (only lack of funds stopped me)!  The years have since come and gone waveriders, but my appreciation for PJ’s music has never wavered.

Taking that into account, it is with great remorse that I must relate I was not initially blown away by Dragon Slayer.  It had been four years since PJ’s last album, Pigeon John and the Summertime Pool Party.  During the lead up to the release of Dragon Slayer, I built up significant expectations as to what this new album would sound like.  Those expectations were shattered upon my very first listen.  PJ, like a lot of great artists, decided to take his music in an exciting new direction (much more singing, less rapping).  Unfortunately for me, it took about two weeks for my stubborn nature to accept this fact.  Once I let go of my expectations however, Dragon Slayer quickly became essential daily listening.  In fact, this may be my overall favorite PJ album ever!

So what makes this album so likable?  Dragon Slayer is a feel good, wonderful ride from beginning to end.  Unlike some other hip hop albums that come to mind, it is chock full of material perfectly relatable to the everyman.  As a matter of fact, that is a strong part of the appeal of Pigeon John’s music.  He is himself an everyman, just like you and me.  His concerns often match up very closely with our own.  A perfect example is the song “Buttersoft Seats” in which he worries about making enough money to adequately support his family.  Tell me.  Has your significant other/domestic partner ever left you a list of things to accomplish while they were away from home?  Take a listen to “To Do List” and have a laugh at PJ’s expense.

One of the other aspects I hang my hat on when recommending PJ is how soberingly honest his songs can get.  The tale spun in “Davey Rockit” of a boy stubbornly pursuing his dreams in the face of great personal adversity is beautiful, touching, and bittersweet.  “Rock Bottom Again” recounts the artist’s battle with substance abuse.  But hold on a second.  It’s not all doom and gloom here.  Dragon Slayer has plenty of happiness and cheer to spread far and wide.  The album opens with the electro-thump rave up “The Bomb”.  Later on one finds the highly energized “Hey You” (reminds me of early Arctic Monkeys musically), and the swaggerific “So Gangster”.  And the last track, “Ben Vereen”?  Ridiculous!

The bottom line is this.  Pigeon John has created an album that will appeal to anyone with open ears and a keen mind.  Get this album now.  You’ll love it!

--Penfold

Buy here:  Dragon Slayer
Buy here mp3: Dragon Slayer

CIARA In Her White-Hott Couture Dress for Hangover 2 Premiere

Check out CIARA lookin' right in her white-hott dress by Cushnie Et Ochs, paired with nude Christian Louboutin Daffodil pumps for $995. The dress looks cool, could look even better without that long attachment on the back.

Ladies, this is a great summer look, and while some of you may not be able to afford Ciara's look, you can still look just as good or better, depending on if you know how to ROCK IT OUT!!

Check out stores like BEBE, H&M, Steve Madden, and Forever 21 for similar looks.

Pic: UpscaleHype

Chicago Blues A Living History - The (R)evolution Continues

 

Robert Johnson tapped out a Delta blues sound on harmonica and acoustic parlour guitar.  The sound caught on and made its way north up the Mississippi until it reached urban Chicago.  There, musicians were plugging in and turning on.  Rural electrification in the South was not yet complete but, in urban Chicago, the city was alive with light day and night.  With electricity came microphones for harmonicas and vocals and electric guitars, bass, pianos and organs. Thus, when the Delta Blues met electricity in Chicago a sub-genre of blues was created - Chicago Electric Blues.  This synergistic sound was, and is, full of power and emotion  It is the mother of all rock ‘n roll that came about thereafter.  The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton worshipped it.  Led Zeppelin stole it.  Jimi Hendrix was inspired by it and the Grateful Dead tried to recreate it.

Back in 2009 Raisin’ Music released  a Grammy-nominated twenty-two track compendium of early Chicago Blues interpreted by Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell and Carlos Johnson. The album traced the history of the early Chicago blues.

These guys are the real thing. 

Arnold learned to play the blues harp from John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, started making blues records in 1952, and played with a young Bo Diddley,  He was all but forgotten by the mid-1960’s although he continued to play. 

Primer learned to play slide guitar from Sammy Lawhorn, a Muddy Waters’ sideman.  He played with Willie Dixon’s Chicago Blues All-Stars and then with the Muddy Waters Band until Muddy Waters’ death. Thereafter, he joined Magic Slim and embarked on a solo career.

Branch was the blues harp player for the Chicago Blues All-Stars and played with guitarist Lurrie Bell in his band, The Sons of the Blues.  Later he formed a band with Carlos Johnson on guitar  Branch is well-known for creating the "Blues in Schools" program that has been endorsed by the Blues Foundation.

Bell is the father of blues harpist Carey Bell.  His guitar chops are direct from his time playing with legends Eddy Clearwater, Big Walter Horton and Eddie Taylor In the 1970’s he was with  Koko Taylor's Blues Machine before joining The Sons of the Blues.

Johnson is a left-handed guitarist who plays the instrument upside down..He is known for his aggressive blues sound which is probably why Billy Branch added him to The Sons of the Blues.

This 2009 Raisin’ Music release only told part of the story of the Chicago blues.  A second installment has been created,   Chicago Blues: A Living History - “The (R)evolution Continues.” The two CD set is to be released on June 7, 2011.  This one is a must have for any student of Chicago Blues roots music. The packaging is glorious.  It includes a wonderful explanatory pamphlet that contains a meticulous history of the music.  In addition, the disks are full of amazing surprise performances. 

Buddy Guy appears on “First Time I Met The Blues.”  Guy is a pioneer of the Chicago Blues sound, was named by Rolling Stone as one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and is considered the bridge between the blues and rock and roll. Hendrix said that “Heaven is lying at Buddy Guy’s feet while listening to him play guitar.” Clapton said "Buddy Guy was to me what Elvis was for others."

James Cotton shows up trading blues harp riffs with Branch on “Rocket 88” a song that gave Ike Turner his start in rock ‘n roll.  Cotton was taught to play harp by “Sonny Boy” Williamson and is probably best known for his work with the James Cotton Blues Band.

Blues guitarist and vocalist Magic Slim appears on “Keep a Drivin’.” with John Primer.  This is the first time the two have played together since the demise of Slim’s band “Magic Slim and the Teardrops,” 13 years ago after winning the W.C. Handy Award as “Blues Band Of The Year.”

Hot electric blues axist Ronnie Baker Brooks, the son of Chicago blues legend Lonnie Brooks, guest on his father’s song “Don’t  Take Advantage Of Me” and plays his own tune “Make These Blues Survive.”

Powerhouse blues vocalist Zora Young, a relative of Muddy Waters knowm as “The Princess Of The Blues,” belts out Sunnyland Slim’s classic “Be Careful How You Vote.” Young was one of Sunnyland Slim’s students and she can be heard singing on numerous recordings with him, Junior Wells, Bobby Rush, Buddy Guy, Albert King, B.B. King, Willie Dixon and Hubert Sumlin.

This compilation is not just stellar performances; it is a history lesson. The tracks and the album packaging tell the story of the beginning of rock ‘n roll.  You can hear exactly what inspired, and continues to inspire, rock musicians. While you listen you can follow the Chicago Blues timeline in the cover notes.

It is fitting that the set ends with a bonus track, Muddy Waters’ “The Blues Had A Baby (and the Named It Rock and Roll).”  That seems to be the entire point of this sequel - Chicago Blues A Living History - “The (R)evolution Continues.” . 

- Old School

Buy here: Chicago Blues: A Living History 

Buy here mp3: Chicago Blues: A Living History

'Beautiful People' of Billboard Awards 2011 - Taboo from Blackeyed Peas

The Blackeyed Peas are always the group to watch, especially for their individual fashion senses, but I'm eager today to see what Taboo is wearing. He had his own kind of swag at the 2011 Billboard Awards that a lot of street guys can follow. I liked this look very much...

Check out his sneakers. They're Christian Louboutin Pik Pik sneakers for $1,195.

I LIKE IT-LIKE IT.

Also, check out Taboo's Louis Vuitton Evidence Sunglasses for $675.

Pic: UpscaleHype

'Beautiful People' of Billboard Awards 2011 - The Original 'Destiny's Child'

Simply beautiful is the fitting term.

Check out the 3 of the 5 original 'Destiny's Child' members: Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. All three looked absolutely hot in their own way at the 2011 Billboard Awards.

BEYONCE's performance of 'Who Run The World (Girls)' was electrifying, as was her outfit (check pic below).

Kelly Rowland was flying high on 'Motivation' wearing what I believe was a fuchsia Herve Leger dress.

Michelle Williams looked sensual and somewhat mysterious (her serene, beautiful facial structure with her sequined and playful dress), but still HOTT nevertheless.

I see you Bey... I wonder how she got that outfit on in the first place...

Pic: Google

Neil Diamond – The Bang Years 1966-1968

Deep Purple knew.  Quentin Tarantino and Urge Overkill knew.   UB40 knew.  Even Killdozer and H.I.M. knew.  Neil Diamond was one helluva songwriter.

With Neil’s recent introduction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’d heard lots of people talking smack about whether or not Neil deserved to be in the same class as Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochrane.  They'd rail on about Neil's schmaltzy later years and Barbara Streisand duets.  "That ain't rock!" they'd say.

Let’s set the record straight, shall we?

First, I gotta reveal my bias here.  I grew up listening to Neil Diamond.  Along with Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot, and the Hair Soundtrack, Neil Diamond’s Hot August Night was one of the essential albums in my parents’ record collection.  I remember night after night, television off, my parents and I sitting in the den, just spinning albums.  Losing ourselves in the music.  Probably, my happiest memories of childhood.  And it was on Hot August Night, during “Holly Holy” that I heard my mother say, amazement in her eyes, “just listen to his voice here.  Amazing.”  And it was.  At that moment, Neil reached down into the most guttural reaches of his vocal chords and pulled out notes as if his life depended on it.   That moment taught me to listen to music in an entirely new way and eventually led to the Ripple existing today.  I’ll argue with anyone, till the next rapture comes, that Hot August Night remains one of the great live albums of all time, capturing an artist at the peak of his powers.

Sure, I haven’t listened to anything he’s done since the late 70’s, but none of that should diminish the value of his early work.  And for anybody who wants to discover it, this compilation of the Bang Years is the place to start. 

Starting off as a young and starving songwriter, Neil Diamond parlayed a string of gut-wrenching failures into a contract with Bang Records where he proceeded to release one classic song after another.  And not just pop songs, but rockabilly rockers with enough adrenaline to make even the most diehard rock fan proud.   It’s easy to talk about the hits.  “Kentucky Woman,” rocks with a leisurely swagger, Neil’s acoustic setting the pace.  It’s easy to see what Deep Purple found here.  The verses are perfect, the inherent riff was just begging to be made thicker and harder.  “I’m a Believer” remains one of the catchiest pop songs of the sixties, whether it’s Neil’s version or The Monkees.  Both have their strengths, with Neil’s being so pure swingin’ sixties lounge it’s simply classic.  With it’s big organ sond, Neil’s version definitely set the template for the Smashmouth remake, but I’ll take Neil’s anyday.

“Solitary Man,” may be a bit unknown to those who aren’t Diamond fans, but it’s always been one of my favorites of his.  His first hit, Neil explores roads of melancholy amongst his strumming guitar.  Horn blasts hide in the chorus without ever becoming obtrusive or taking away the pain in Neil’s words.  “Cherry, Cherry” is a rocking, hand-clapping, knee-slapping classic that Rolling Stone has hailed as one of the “greatest 3-chord songs of all time.”  I ain’t gonna argue it.  With its “She got the way to move me” backing vocals, unrelenting guitar beat, and Neil’s fine vocals it perfectly encapsulates the swingin’ sixties.  “Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon,” is infinitely better here than the Pulp Fiction version, with it’s flamenco styled guitar and impassioned plea for love.

There’s other hits here you know, like “Red Red Wine” (which actually doesn’t hold up that well for me) but the biggest revelation are the Diamond rockers I hadn’t heard before.  Best of these is “Thank the Lord for the Night Time.”  Anybody who thinks Neil didn’t know how to rock needs to hear this rockabilly pulsating classic.  Big guitar twang, Neil’s strumming fiercely, pulsing bass, and a faint gospel feeling to partying like hell at night.  Put this up there with Eddie Cochrane.  It fits.

“You Got Me,” rides a simply wailing harmonica, massively bottom-ended piano sound, and unrelenting beat to pop/gospel/rockabilly heaven.  I dare you to listen to this baby and not snap your fingers in time.

At 23 songs, the collection is a bit dense, but it’s certainly complete.  As expected, some songs don’t work as well as you’d like.  Neil’s version of “La Bamba” probably shouldn't have been recorded.  Just didn’t need a Jewish kid from Brooklyn singing a Spanish rocker.  Not a big fan of his cover of Paul Simon’s “Red Rubber Ball” either.  But other covers like “Monday Monday” work beautifully and anybody who thinks that Neil doesn’t have any soul really needs to hear his tear-the-roof-off-the-sucka version of “New Orleans.”

And then it’s fitting that this collection ends with “Shilo” a song that may not be familiar to anyone but Diamond fans.  Somewhere lost in that incredible melody and Neil’s best vocal performance are the words about a young child lost in the loneliness of a painful childhood, (“dreaming each dream on your own)” seeking solace from the pain with his imaginary friend.  It’s a song of remarkable emptiness and desolation.  A song that spoke volumes to me, lost in my room, alone, hiding from the demons outside.  I’d play “Shilo” over and over from the Hot August Night album, wishing that I had an imaginary friend like Shilo who could understand me and what I was going through.   I can’t explain how much that song spoke to that frightened, lonely little boy.

And it still does.

--Racer


Buy here: NEIL DIAMOND: THE BANG YEARS
Buy here mp3: The Bang Years

'Beautiful People' of Billboard Awards 2011 - RIHANNA

Rihanna is absolutely graceful on one end with all white and nude Louboutins, while her flaming red hair says otherwise. So nice to see the contrast. Although the white outfit may be a little washed out against the Billboard background, but she's still hott. Way hott.

More updates on the way...

Pic: Google

Fantastic Fen Inteview from This is Rock Magazine

Hi Doug, this is Francisco from This Is Rock Magazine Spain. First of all, I must congratulate you for Trails Out Of Gloom. Given that the album was released some months ago, do you already have a perspective of what has it meant to your career?

Thanks, Francisco. Trails Out Of Gloom is Fen's fourth album, but it's our first to get much critical attention. For many listeners it's the first they've heard of us, and they think we must be a new band, when actually we've been around for well over a decade. In that way, Trails Out Of Gloom is a new beginning for us. The album title could be significant in the sense that we have spent many years milling about in dark obscurity, and now we have finally come into the light of the media's narrow gaze. Ah, the wonder of marketing!

- Given that this is your first interview to our magazine, it would be great if you could tell us about Fen's origins. How did you and Sam Levin meet, and what did you want to achieve?

Sam and I met back in 1998, in a little pot-smoking mountain town called Nelson. We were teenagers at the time, and we started Fen after a single jam, where we droned a riff in 5/4 for about 45 minutes. We both played guitar, we both worshiped Tool and GnR, and we were driven to create our own dark and complex sound. The union came without hesitation.

- How would you describe Fen's sound?

The current sound is plaintive and brooding. Heavy and light. Subject to change.

- 'Trails Out Of Gloom'... the thing is that, although definitively dark sounding, the new album has many acoustic passages that, somehow, enlightens the compositions, taking them out of the gloom that surrounds your previous works... Has this acoustic side of the album been in the composition from the beginning of the writing sessions?

Most of the songs on Trails Out Of Gloom began on classical guitar, and the original plan was to make an acoustic album. During moments of weakness though, I strayed from that initial plan and experimented with bits of distortion here and there, and once I'd heard those distorted layers, I couldn't do without them. My roots are in heavy music, and that primal pull was too strong to resist. The final recording ended up being an amalgamation of the two textures, heavy and light. I always loved those classical-sounding Metallica intro's, but I wanted them to carry on for longer, and I wanted them to develop more slowly, rather than cutting straight to the thrashing. In a way, Trails Out Of Gloom helps bridge that transition for me.
 
- Fen's lineup has gone through several changes throughout these years, though yourself and Sam have always been the band's core...Do you think that these changes brought new elements into the band's sound?

Everyone we've played with have been exceptional musicians who can't help but bring something new to the sound. At the same time, our approach to songwriting has changed with each recording. This combination of variables has resulted in a big gap between the chaos of our first album, Surgical Transfusion of Molting Sensory Reflections, and the measured progressions of Trails.


- Given the band's sound evolution... Have you got an idea of how will Fen sound in a couple of albums time?

We've been working on new material, and from a guitar perspective, it's heavier and proggier than Trails. Sam's been writing high energy rock/metal-type riffage. Also, for the first time since our 2003 album, Heron Leg, we're bringing bass and drums into the writing process much earlier. For anyone who's only heard Trails, the next album may be a shock.

- 'Trails Out Of Gloom' is an album that requires several listenings to be fully appreciated, and is a perfect example of what a "grower" is.  Does the good music always need an extra effort in order to get into it?

It's a fine balance in songwriting, offering enough yum-yums in the first few listens to keep people coming back, but reserving the more exquisite treats for subsequent listens. I can't say that I know how it's done. The music for Trails took a long time to write - about three years. Perhaps that slow evolution into being can account for its "grower" status.

- For 'Trails Out Of Gloom' you have signed with Ripple Music. How was this contract forged? Do you plan to re-release your former albums with Ripple, so they could reach a wider audience?

I had contacted The Ripple Effect Blog a couple years ago, asking them to review our latest album at the time, Congenital Fixation. They came back with a killer review, then they requested an interview, and eventually they told us they were starting a label and wanted us to sign on. Their hard work and enthusiasm has helped us reach a lot of new listeners. And yes, we'll be re-releasing Congenital Fixation under the Ripple flag later this year.

- Remembering the fast and energetic entrance of 'Cockroach Eyelids' from the previous 'Congenital Fixation', I can do nothing else but wonder how you have taken that energy and embellished it with layers of emotional playing. Even the guitar parts seems to be more melodic. Is 'Trails Out Of Gloom' Fen's more intimate work?

With Congenital Fixation, Sam wrote the guitar parts and I wrote the vocals and the songs came together collaboratively. But with Trails, Sam was occupied with school and health issues, so I took up the guitar end as well. There's no doubt that he's a superior  player, and I did everything I could to keep the standard high with my more limited skills, which included layering and different textures and a lot of attention to arrangement. As you've mentioned, the result was pretty different. I guess the intimacy of Trails can be attributed in part to the acoustic root of the songs, but also to the fact that I was working on it alone.


- Your voice has been truly improved all along these years, and it feels like you feel much more confident with your singing style... Do you agree with that?

Thanks for your kind words, Francisco. I'm always trying to improve my skills as a vocalist. That's what keeps me going - the thought that the best is yet to come. But as much as my skills might have improved, I think it might be that I've come closer to finding a musical landscape that allows my voice to explore its full range. If I was suddenly thrown into any number of bands that go strictly with power chords and driving beats, half my lines would disappear. I'd be a vocal cripple.


- It has been recorded a video for 'Miracle'... Why did you choose that song? What can you tell us about this video?
 
The guys at our label thought 'Miracle' was the strongest tune on the album, and when making a video on a tight budget, shorter is better, so it was an easy choice. The video features two marionettes in a miniature landscape constructed of rocks and sticks and brambles and whatever else we could grab from nearby parks and beaches. In this set, arranged on a 4ft by 6ft plywood board, the two puppets play out a story of decayed love. We made the video with the help of Mind of a Snail Puppet Co and a handful of friends. You can watch it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP4zO07MF3I

- Given the fact that 'Trails Out Of Gloom' was published more than half a year ago... Do you think that this is time to think about Fen's future plans?

Our biggest goal right now is getting our live sound up to snuff. To do that, we plan on making some short tours through western Canada over the next year, and expanding the periphery of our local shows. That, plus writing and recording a new album should keep us busy.

- Can you tell us something about the gigs that you played for 'Trails Out Of Gloom'? How would you describe a Fen gig?

We're still getting comfortable in the live setting. I don't think we've found what we are yet, live. Right now we're slowly adding new elements to the show to see how we can create a more Fen environment while we're up there. We've got a show tonight and we're going to try out some sound effects between songs. We've been wanting to incorporate some kind of visuals as well, but haven't found a way to begin yet. For us, the music comes first, and the entertainment aspect is a faraway second, so it will develop more slowly.


- Well, I Think it's all by now, Doug. Thanks a lot for your time, and wish you all the best. Have you got anything to say to your Spanish fans?

Gracias! We're honoured to have you as listeners. To stay in touch with Fen, join our email list at www.fenmusic.ca or "like" us at www.facebook.com/fenmusic. We have many more albums ahead of us.