I realize this page doesn't look like much right now, but I have plans for it.
Now, far be it from me to tell you what you should and shouldn't do, but it also be far from me to not impart a little suggestivity when it comes to excellence. Especially in music. So whether you end up agreeing with me or not, no big deal. I'm just trying to point you in some new directions towards some music that definately deserves your attention, if not your well-earned cash. In other words, find some way to give this stuff a listen. You won't be disappointed.
Lateralus is by far the greatest (current) accomplishment of Tool's already amazing career. It's representative in ever way of their gradual shift in content and musical style from the aggressive, pounding music of their first two albums. There're less "creepy for creepy's sake" tracks on this album (like "Mantra"), so if you're into that side of Tool, you're probably gonna be disappointed. Lateralus exhibits a whole new musical dynamic for the band, sending them further into the realm of trippy, almost cosmic sound (just listen to the title track, "Lateralus", or "The Patient") while at the same time allowing them to retain their distintively explosive edge ("The Grudge", "Schism", "Parabola", "Ticks & Leeches", and the amazing instrumental track, "Triad"). Add to that a few increidible melodic pieces ("Parabol", "Disposition") and a dub of an actual report of a UFO sighting ("Faaip De Oiad") and you've got something very, very special. And before you go worrying about lyrical content, rest assured that every song is full of charateristic innuendo/occult/religion-laced ranting from Maynard James Keenan.
Simply put, Tool are the masters of a form of music they birthed and nutured practically on their own; and although I'd be hard-pressed to say they could ever top their 1996 release, aenima, I can't refute the overwhelming evidence. To ignore this album, and, more specifically, this band, is to ignore artistic excellence and simply amazing musical ability. I can't stress this enough: GET THIS ALBUM.
www.toolband.com
2. Eon Blue Apocalypse
3. The Patient
4. Mantra
5. Schism
6. Parabol
7. Parabola
8. Ticks & Leeches
9. Lateralus
10. Disposition
11. Reflection
12. Triad
13. Faaip De Oiad
AFI has always been an incredibly talented group, and easily one of the greatest punk bands of all time. Their work has always been incredibly intuitive and impressivley musical, while retaining the speed and perverbial "edge" that defines punk rock. Admittedly, a lot of their music before Sing the Sorrow is much more punk-oriented, but what can you expect from a band inspired by The Misfits? Well, they definately don't sound like them...
Sing the Sorrow has been successful in part because it's AFI's first major label album. Prior to 2003 they were signed with Dexter Holland's (Offspring) label, NITRO, which didn't grant them the kind of mainstream attention they deserve, but the fact that it kept them somewhat unknown adds more to their image, really. Sing the Sorrow can best be described as eclectic, at least as far as punk music goes. There's such a mix of styles present, that besically any mainstream punk fan can find something likeable, as can most mainstream rock fans. First, you have your pop-punk/anthem ("Bleed Black", "Girl's Not Grey", "The Celluloid Dream"), your thrash/skater punk ("Dancing Through Sunday", "Paper Airplanes"), your emo-esque ("The Leaving Song", "Silver and Cold", "This Time Imperfect")
then your hard rock ("The Leaving Song Pt. II", "...And Home Is Nowhere"), slow-but-powerful ("The Great Dissapoinment") and a little extra ("Miseria Cantare", "Death of Seasons"). But don't let the categorizing fool you; this is an excellent album full of amazing music, from an amazing band. Not to mention, Davey Havoc has some of the most inspired and skillful writing you'll ever find. Give it a listen.
www.afireinside.net
2. The Leaving Song Pt. II
3. Bleed Black
4. Silver and Cold
5. Dancing Through Sunday
6. Girl's Not Grey
7. Death of Seasons
8. The Great Disappoinment
9. Paper Airplanes
(Makeshift Wings)
10. This Celluloid Dream
11. The Leaving Song
12. ...But Home Is Nowhere
/This Time Imperfect
When a couple members of APC split from the band a year or so ago to work on other projects, no one could have guessed that Circle would take on two amazing talents and become a true superband. The side project of Maynard James Keenan (of Tool), APC also features the talents of Jeordie White (formerly Twiggy Ramirez of Marilyn Manson), James Iha (ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist), Josh Freese (The Vandals, studio drummer god), and co-founder Billy Howerdel (former guitar tech for Tool's Adam Jones). I've always described APC as "Tool doing a love song", but it's really so much more than that. APC practically defines "mood music"; it's very dark and very fluid, but also very romantic; and their heavier stuff is excellent, too.
Most of Thirteenth Step is slow, methodical, and melodic. "The Noose", "Blue", and "A Stranger" all fall into the light, cosmic, romantic spectrum, while tracks like "Weak and Powerless" (the album's first single) and "Gravity" (an awesome track written by the band's original line-up) add something a little heavier to the mix. "The Package" is pretty slow, and has its music ups and downs, but is still pretty heavy. But it doesn't really compare to the greatness of "The Outsider" or "Pet" (an amzing song with cool anti-war sentiment). Then there are the typical MJK filler tracks ("Crimes" and "Lullaby"), follwed by "The Nurse Who Loved Me" (a funny, cool song written by the singer from Year of the Rabbit) and "Vanishing" which really doesn't fit in anywhere else but is very very cool. Like always, give it a listen. It's perfect for lying around and thinking. Plus, if you get the chance to see APC in concert, take it. It's quite an experience.
www.aperfectcircle.com
2. Weak and Powerless
3. The Noose
4. Blue
5. Vanishing
6. A Stranger
7. The Outsider
8. Crimes
9. The Nurse Who Loved Me
10. Pet
11. Lullaby
12. Gravity