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#9…Top 10 Albums of All Time…because 5 just wasn’t enough! August 3, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 12:47 PM
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TNT’s #9
9. Affirmation by Savage Garden – I’m not embarrassed to have this album on my list (although a certain twin sister of mine might disagree); can’t hide the truth.  Although this was their second (and last) album recorded as a duo, it was the first one that I fell in love with.  I had such a deep connection with the songs that I couldn’t help but to hit the repeat button after each song came to an end.  “Two Beds and a Coffee Machine” makes me cry every single time I hear it, regardless of where I am.  “Affirmation” was the song that inspired me to live by the way of Karma, or at least start learning about what it really is.  It felt like this track opened my eyes and opened my mind to how I wanted to live my life.

Mark’s #9
9. Community Music by Asian Dub Foundation – One of the most abrasive and unique albums that I have ever had the pleasure of discovering randomly.  Rock, punk, reggae, dub, begali beats, drum and bass and electro music get furiously mashed together under the politically charged lyrical explosion from then-current front man Deedar Zaman. Incredible, and catchy.

Angela’s #9
9. From Here to Infirmary by Alkaline Trio – Like so many of my fellow NVMP staff, this record from the trio holds significance and stands out as one of their definitive albums.  It’s a solid record.  What more can we say about it?  Go Alkaline Trio.

Stigz’s #9
9. The Sufferer and The Witness by Rise Against – Splendid lyrics and raw, gritty in your face power to each verse and chord.  The soundtrack to a revolution.

Klone’s #9

9. Core by Stone Temple Pilots (1992) – Another gem from the early 90s, the debut album that helped Stone Temple Pilots rise to fame, interestingly enough due to the common misconception that the band was an Eddie Vedder side-project – the music video for their first single “Plush” featured distorted video footage of front man Scott Weiland, coupled with the similarity between his voice and Vedder’s served to cause mass confusion.  The rest of the tracks on the album were a powerhouse of a new brand of rock dubbed “Alternative”, as it served to break the lingering hold of the 80s rock glam bands on the mainstream, while adopting some of the structure and grittiness of metal and grunge.  Almost 20 years later, STP is still on the scene, and albums like “Core” prove why.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_%28album%29

 

Pixies Fix August 2, 2010

Filed under: CD Reviews — NVMP @ 11:42 PM
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Review by Heather Bennett A.K.A. Hoverbee

Black Francis or Frank Black or whatever the man is choosing to call himself these days has unfortunately disappointed many a Pixies fan with some of his solo albums.  Not since his 1994 solo release Teenager of the Year have fans spoken positively of his post-Pixies performance.  To this, I say, “Okay Pixies fans, get ready to be satisfied.”  In 2007, Sir Francis released the amazingly overlooked album BlueFinger and our ears rejoiced;  “Threshold Apprehension”  kicks you in the face and has Herr Black’s screeching falsetto as well as the Pixies-esque back-up vocals we all know and love.  Other gems on this album worth checking out are “Tight Black Rubber” and “She Took All the Money.”   In 2008, Black Francis released the album Svn Fngrs.  Although shorter than BlueFinger, with just seven tracks (perhaps a reference to the title), Svn Fngrs has a few treasures of its own such as “Garbage Heap,” “The Seus,” and “Half Man.”
If this doesn’t quench your desire for a Pixies fix, you can always check out Non Stop Erotik, one of two albums he has released this year.  Notable tracks: “Wheels” (originally a Flying Burrito Brothers early country rock ditty that Black has taken and turned into a completely different animal), “Corrina,” and “Wild Son.”  If that doesn’t do the trick, you can always wait until this summer when he releases Abbabubba, a compilation of un-released B-sides and demos, to discover more tunes that may have that Pixies feel.  

 

#10…Top 10 Albums of All Time…because 5 just wasn’t enough!

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 12:21 PM
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By popular demand, NVMP stretches our Top 5 Albums of All Time to our very first Top 10.  To describe and define our musical selves, it was obvious that just 5 albums couldn’t cut it, thus presenting our continuation of the topic.  Enjoy!

TNT’s #10
10. Page Avenue by Story of the Year – I’ve always been a big fan of SOTY, but their debut album defined them as a group and has some of their greatest songs to date.  Aside from the hit singles “Anthem of Our Dying Day” and “Until the Day I Die”, I loved the songs “Swallow the Night” and “Sidewalks.”  I was lucky enough to experience these songs on stage with the band at Warped Tour in 2004 and 2008, nothing beats that feeling!

Mark’s #10
10. Exile by Gary Numan– After a lackluster decade of overspending, sub-par attempts at appealing to audience taste and eventual bankruptcy, this album represents Gary Numan’s first real step towards the renewal of his musical direction, and life.  Haunting synths and cold, robotic drum loops back a voice ringing with frustration, aggravation, and a renewed vigor.

Angela’s #10
10. Answer That and Stay Fashionable by AFI – I’m a huge AFI fan and I love all of their work.  I put their first album on my list because it just makes me smile to know that they started off with simple punk tracks about wanting a mohawk and eating cereal all day long.  It sort of encapsulates a moment in their early career when they were simpler, yet you can hear the potential they had for more.  The evolution of A Fire Inside is brilliant, but I like to throw this one on from time to time and rock out.

Stigz #10
10. The Battle of Los Angeles by Rage Against The Machine – Inspiring and equally unnerving lyrical content, with some grungey Morello magic.  All around a slamming album.

Klone’s #10
10. Ten by Pearl Jam (1991) – Their most successful album to date, Pearl Jam’s debut release was a bombshell of a collection of music history altering gold.  It took a year for the album to permeate across the musical mainstream, but by 1992, it was Billboard’s #2 album (back when Billboard was still a reliable source for determining what people are actually listening to).  I’ve always considered this to be one of the many offerings of the grunge movement, especially when considering that Pearl Jam (originally called Mookie Blaylock) rose from the ashes of Seattle heavy hitter Mother Love Bone, the band that originally featured guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament.  More often than not, when I feel the need for a Pearl Jam fix, the track will be off this disc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jam_Ten

 

Additional Information about Something For Everyone… August 1, 2010

Filed under: Corrections — NVMP @ 9:06 PM

There are three versions of this album: Standard edition (the songs that Devo selected,) Song Study Version (poll selections from the fans,) and Deluxe edition (both Standard and Song StudyVersion combined).  Hoverbee checked out all of them and wanted to remind our readers to do their homework before purchasing.  To see the track listings of all three versions, you can visit the Wikipedia page for Something For Everybody and skip down to Track Listing.

 

Something For Everybody by Devo July 29, 2010

Filed under: CD Reviews — NVMP @ 4:28 AM
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Review by: Heather Bennett A.K.A. Hoverbee

I totally admit that I’m the first to complain the 80’s are back.  Well, I may have to eat those words of annoyance due to the unexpected return of Devo.  Their new album, Something for Everybody, is just what I needed (80’s Cars reference, pun intended) to be okay with the return of the “Decade of Decadence.”  They are back with blue hats instead of red and pumping out tunes that make me feel just like the days of yore.  The thing that made and makes Devo so great is beat driven dance music with an important, often thoughtful, outlook on current events and the state of the world; “What We Do” is electronic joy in song form that gives one a case of the giggles with its pop culture/world references and happy feet with its driving beats.  “Knock Boots” is a whirlwind of electronic, psychedelic, awesomeness that speaks of the sex-obsessed escapism of our current culture.  “Watch Us Work It” is a clapping, shouting, cowbell anthem for those of us who identify with Devo and want to change the world around us.  In addition, as an artist, I must mention the cover art for this new album.  It depicts a classic example of the 80’s beauty (much like the cover of Duran Duran’s 1982 classic Rio) eating a tiny Devo blue hat.  Perhaps this speaks to the notion that if ever they released another album, they would eat their hats.  I, for one, am happy to eat said blue hat!

There are three versions of this album: Standard edition (the songs that Devo selected,) Song Study Version (poll selections from the fans,) and Deluxe edition (both Standard and Song Study Version combined).  Hoverbee checked out all of them and wanted to remind our readers to do their homework before purchasing.  To see the track listings of all three versions, you can visit the Wikipedia page for Something For Everybody and skip down to Track Listing.

 

Top 5 Songs or Albums That Never Leave Your Car July 26, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 9:08 PM

Greensboro 4/1/91, GnR Appetite for Destruction, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts I Love Rock 'n Roll, and Hole Celebrity Skin cassette tapes. That's how I roll. - TNT

TNT’s Top 5
5. Celebrity Skin by Hole – This is the only Hole album I can tolerate.  Believe it or not, I enjoy these tracks in traffic and there is no good explanation as of why.
4. A Live Grateful Dead tape from Greensboro 4/1/91 – Best cassette I ever purchased, feels like I’m at the concert every time I play it.  Featuring “Dark Star,” “Black Peter,” “Love Light,” and “Baby Blue”, I’m happy the guy I got this tape from was being forced to “make some space in the garage” by selling them.  One man’s space is another gal’s musical gold!
3. Appetite For Destruction by Guns N’ Roses – If I had a soundtrack to my childhood, it would probably be this album.  Musically speaking, not in the sense that I was dancing with Mr. Brownstone or loaded like a freight train/flyin’ like an aeroplane/speedin’ like a space brain…just that I was raised listening to a lot of Guns N’ Roses.
2. I Love Rock ‘n Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – Cassette tapes are awesome, especially in this case, because it’s my only musical outlet for some Joan Jett.  “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” “Crimson and Clover,” and “Bits and Pieces” are epic driving songs!
1. METALLICA! – Absolutely any song or album by Metallica = the greatest driving music of all time!  Be careful, you know you’re going to speed…it’s pretty much a given.

Angela’s Top 5
For me, this one is mostly about the songs I listen to in the car, because that’s where I listen to 95% of my music…because that is where I am 95% of my day.
5. A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out by Panic! at the Disco – I love keeping this one handy because it’s one of those albums where I can listen to every single song and not get sick of it.  Too bad they hit the sophomore slump with their follow-up album.  I really loved this one.
4. Infinity on High by Fall Out Boy – I used to despise Fall Out Boy until they made this record.  I have most of this album on the iPod and gravitate towards it pretty often.
3. Yes, Virginia by Dresden Dolls – Since I bought this album it’s been with me or at least in my car at all times, just in case I’m in serious need of good music when all else fails.  I also tend to listen to a lot of Amanda Palmer’s solo work off Who Killed Amanda Palmer.
2. Coral Fang by The Distillers – It’s a great album to rock out to while I drive, very much a summer soundtrack!
1. The Spill Canvas. . .assorted tracks –  Another band whose albums I don’t physically own, but have most of their complete albums on the iPod.  Certain songs of theirs like “Polygraph Right Now,” “Lullaby,” and “Not Over You” never get old for me.  Plus, I love singing them full throttle in the car.

Daniel Edward’s Top 5
5. By The Way/Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers – It’s a tie between these two because both are always in my car and both are great soundtracks to any driving adventure.
4. “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior – A fun song that everyone loves!
3. “Telephone” by Lady GaGa featuring Beyoncé
2. “The Church of Hot Addiction” by Cobra Starship
1. “Oh My God” by Ida Maria – My favorite song to listen to when I’m stuck in traffic!

Klone’s Top 5
5. Dumb and Dumber: Original Movie Soundtrack featuring Various Artists (1994) – One of the original road trip movies before there was a film just called “Road Trip”, “Dumb and Dumber” was a generational flick about a couple complete morons who have a wacky adventure from Rhode Island to Aspen.  It’s an eclectic selection of tracks from bands like Crash Test Dummies and Butthole Surfers.  I’d probably never buy an entire album from any of the artists on this disc, but the collection, and the association with the film, and the memories of many road trips to Pennsylvania where my Grandma used to live make this one of my always in the car CDs.
4. Fallen by Evanescence (2003) – One of the die-hard, awesome from beginning to end, can listen to the entire disc on repeat at least twice albums I’ve purchased in the new millennium.  The only day this disc was not in my car was the day I was importing it through iTunes so I could put it on my iPod.
3. October Rust by Type O Negative (1996) – My first Type O album was the instant classic Bloody Kisses (1993), and it completed my introduction to the band after my first exposure to tracks like “Black No. 1” and “Christian Woman”, which were popping up on the airwaves and putting the band on the rock world’s radar.  When I discovered a new album was being released, it was an instant pick-up for me, and I was not disappointed by a single track.  Their cover of Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl” is worth the price of the disc alone.  Another great disc for road trips.
2. Lost Highway (Soundtrack From The Motion Picture) featuring Various Artists (1997) – I’m a huge David Lynch fan, so when I heard he was doing a film called “Lost Highway”, I was intrigued to see what the master of the bizarre and macabre had in store for us.  Keeping in mind that this was a David Lynch piece, I knew the soundtrack would be more of a compendium album than a soundtrack, and could be played as a stand-alone collection of awesome tracks from a collection of amazing artists.  Everyone will recall the Nine Inch Nails track “Perfect Drug”, which set the stage for more darker tracks like Smashing Pumpkins’ “Eye” and Lou Reed’s cover of “This Magic Moment”.  This one definitely messed with my head on a dark drive home through the woods of the Pocono Mountains the weekend I bought the CD in 1997.
1. “<My Most Current Mix>” featuring Various Artists (2010) – This might be considered something of a cop-out for my #1 this week, but it’s as completely honest as can be.  Anyone who’s been in my car knows that I always have a mix CD in the car with whatever songs I’ve become most recently obsessed with.  Current mix (as of 7/23/2010) includes: The Cult – “Sweet Soul Sister”, Lady Gaga – “Alejandro”, Train  – “Hey Soul Sister”, Jack Johnson – “You and Your Heart”, Chevelle – “Letter From A Thief” & “Jars”, Breaking Benjamin – “I Will Not Bow” & “Follow Me” & “Give Me A Sign”, Chester Van Beethoven – “Pictures of Matchstick Men and You”, Dead Can Dance – “Carnival of Lights”.

Honorable Mentions: Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf (1977), Purple by Stone Temple Pilots (1994)

Mark’s Top 5
5. “The The Empty” by Le Tigre –  Although I haven’t listened to them in quite sometime, listening to this song recently reminded me of why I started listening to them in the first place.  Fantastic electro-rock/punk that adds two minutes of kick-assery to my morning commutes.
4. “In a Big Country” by Big Country – Such an incredibly written and fun rock song that makes your trip just that much more enjoyable, courtesy of rock guitars twisted to sound like bagpipes.  Needless to say it is in regular rotation on the ol’ iPod.
3. Shifting Skin by ON– I have mentioned this album/artist on many Top 5’s, and will continue to do so as long as this album kicks the ass of all music on terrestrial radio (As of today, it has spent the better part of 10 years in my car).  At this rate, the album will never leave my car.
2. Dead Can Dance/Spleen and Ideal by Dead Can Dance – The first and second releases, respectively, from DCD have recently found a home in the speaker system of my car, where they are cranked at full blast, drawing some of the strangest ‘What the fuck is that?’ looks at traffic lights.  If they only knew what they were missing.
1. “Utopia” by Brendan Perry – The first single/free download from Dead Can Dance’s Brendan Perry is a beautiful and haunting electronic ballad that delicately blends the world music overtones of DCD with swirling, synthetic orchestral arrangements and beautifully crafted song writing.  This music is perfect for soothing you during a car ride, regardless of its length, so it’s usually best to play twice.  🙂

 

Iron Maiden at Madison Square Garden 7/12/10 July 21, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews — NVMP @ 11:49 PM
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Review by Mama Dukes (Marianne Teresi)

First off, I’d like to say that they sounded GREAT!!!  Bruce Dickenson’s voice still sounds amazing, hitting every note while jumping and running all over the stage.  He looked a bit older wearing a knit cap and psych ward t-shirt but sounded as young as ever.  Opening with “Wicker Man”, the sold out Garden came to life.

Bruce D. dedicated “Blood Brothers” to the recently deceased Ronnie James Dio, asking everyone to raise their ‘devil horns’ to the sky for him up on a cloud of his own somewhere as he is the reason the hand symbol is so popular for metal music everywhere.  He went on to say that he doesn’t want to be one of those bands from the 70’s that just keeps playing their hits from way back when and they were mostly going to be playing songs from more recent albums.

Now, as much as I love some of their current stuff, I still want to hear the good classic songs like the “Trooper” or “Run to the Hills”.  Thankfully they played “Fear of the Dark” and “Number of the Beast” to my delight as well as most of the audiences.

I can understand them being sick of playing the same old stuff show after show, but that is what most fans want to hear.

The stage show left much to be desired.  Basically, someone just kept changing the curtain that was behind the drum set with some kind of towers on the side.  They did have “Eddie” come out in the middle of the song “Iron Maiden” which was highly anticipated by everyone, judging by the screaming crowd.

After the show, heading back to the car, two people stepped out of a bar and asked if we were at the show.  When we replied that we just left, they asked if they played “Trooper”.  Unfortunately, we had to respond, “no”.

Iron Maiden should really think of the fans and how much they really do enjoy the classics.  I’m glad that I was lucky enough to see them open for Judas Priest back in ’82 when they did play all the good old songs.

 

Top 5 Songs That Get You Out Of Your Seat! July 20, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 5:03 AM

TNT’s Top 5
5. “Clap For The Killers” by Street Sweeper Social – ‘Double up for them gangstas’.  Such a great song, if you’ve never heard it, listen up fool.
4. “Devil’s Dance Floor” by Flogging Molly – Doesn’t matter where I am, if this tune comes on I am most certainly out of my seat.
3. “The Way We Move” by Innerpartysystem – Da-da-da-dance with me.  A true definition of a hook- If I hear the first five seconds, I need to listen to the entire track.
2. “Punk Rawk Show” by MXPX – This song goes back to my mixed tape days…classic.  “We ain’t got no place to go, so let’s go to the punk rawk show.”
1. “Start Wearing Purple” by Gogol Bordello – This song has been and still is my favorite Gogol Bordello track.  But honestly, any track from this gypsy punk band will get you dancing.

Daniel Edward’s Top 5
5. “Take It Off” by The Donnas
4. “Danger! High Voltage” by Electric Six
3. “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior
 2. “Telephone” (featuring Beyonce) by Lady GaGa
1. “Dance In My Blood” by Men Women & Children

Mark’s Top 5
5. “Gay Bar” by Electric Six – A surprisingly catchy mix of surf guitar licks, punk, metal and some disco inflections.  Watch in amazement as the song visibly divides the room, as it instantly makes half of the room laugh, and the other half very uncomfortable, and even more so when you are prancing around and singing along, just to get the “point” across.
4. “Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora- It was used in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie way back in 1990…and still rules.  It always makes me want to jump up and throw kicks at random people.
3. “Shots Shots Shots” by LMFAO – It’s a truly dreadful song, but even I’ll admit that it makes you want to get crunk, and flail about while drinking way more than you should.
2. “Juke Box Hero” by Foreigner- Though a shitty bar band, there is something about that amazingly ranged scratchy rock voice that always gets me up and forces me to sing along, as if I’m possessed by some lame, over animated aging rocker.  But it’s still pretty awesome.
1. “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol – The ULTIMATE fist pumping song, loved by alcoholics, lushes, preppies and all walks of bar hopping folk. Just try to sit still during the chorus.

Klone’s Top 5
5. “Whiskey In The Jar” as performed by Metallica (cover) (1998) – Originally made popular in America by import band Thin Lizzy in 1973, this traditional Irish folk song was transformed into a serious hard rock number by American metal Gods Metallica on their cover compilation album Garage, Inc. (1998).  When this single exploded on the airwaves in the winter of ’98, I was working as an electrical contractor.  One day on a commercial job in Paramus, NJ, building out a floor in a commercial space, hearing this song blaring over one of the on-site boom-boxes (yeah, FLASHBACK) made me jump down off a ladder and run across the active construction site windmilling my strumming arm on an air guitar and screaming the lyrics.  Ironically enough, I was NOT fired for it.
4. “Dig” by Incubus (2006) – Literally revived me and brought me from my slumped, sleeping position to my feet when I saw these guys at PNC the following summer.  Was so disappointed in the set list (and rather drunk from tailgating), that I passed out after the 3rd song.  Had it not been for “Dig”, I would’ve missed the rest of the show.  The people in the seats behind mind gasped, as they thought I had passed out for sure.  LoL.
3. “Take Your Mama” by Scissor Sisters (2004) – Dancy and fun.  It’s a guilty pleasure to say the least.  Do it, take your mama out!
2. “Valerie” by Steve Winwood (1982) – I’m a child of the 80s (born at the tail end of ’79), and when you’re a child of the 80s, you grow up dancing to some crazy shit, although at the time, it wasn’t considered crazy.  Guess that’s what you get from the decade dedicated to blow.  Anyway, this song has never lost its effect on me, so when I hear it at weddings (if DJ-ed) or anywhere it would be appropriate, I tend to get my groove on.
1. “Magic Dance” by David Bowie (1986) – “I saw my baby…cryin hard as babe could cry.  What could I do?  My baby’s love had gone, and left my baby blue.  Nobody knew…what kind of magic spell to use.  Slime and snails or puppy dog tails?  Thunder or lightning?  And baby said…Dance, Magic Dance, Magic Dance.”  You all fucking know it, so shut up…and Dance, Magic Dance, Magic Dance!

Stigz’s Top 5
5. “Give It Away” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
4. “Tuck Me In” by Alkaline Trio
3. “Partyman” by Prince
2. “The Big Payback” by James Brown
1. “Dancin (I got the pills)” by Erick Morillo

 

#1…Top 5 Albums of All Time! July 16, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 4:44 PM
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TNT’s #1
1. Something to Write Home About by The Get Up Kids – Without a doubt, this is my favorite album of all time because of the way it makes me feel.  I remember I had such a strong connection with this album when I played it for the first time.  From the guitar slide in the first seconds of “Holiday” (track 1) to the ending chord in “I’ll Catch You” (track 12), I’m hooked.  I reference this album as true ’emo’ music.  They’re not whining (in my opinion) or crying or pissing everyone off, their lyrics are EMOtional.  Take the hint you poser bands hiding under the tag ’emo’.  People are usually shocked when they ask “What’s your favorite band or album?” and I can answer the question.  It’s not an easy task for such a tremendous music lover like myself.

Angela’s #1
1. Dookie by Green Day – I chose this as my number one for a few reasons.  I can listen to this album over and over and it never gets stale.  I was in 4th grade when Dookie came out; I studied this album.  I listened to it religiously, studying the lyric sheet and committing each song to memory.  It’s directly responsible for my love affair with the band as well as my first introduction to punk rock.   I know American Idiot was phenomenal, but this one is a bit more personal…and it can get me through anything.  To this day, people still cite it as one of the top albums of the 90’s.

Klone’s #1
1. Master of Puppets by Metallica (1986) – One could argue that if its historical significance, or impact on the music world at large, when it comes to Metallica it would be about either their debut album Kill ‘Em All (1983), their mainstream break-through album Metallica (The Black Album) (1991) or their controversial transitional album Load (1996).  When one is arguing with true, die-hard fans, who are about Metallica for the music, for the feeling they get from listening to the songs and identifying with the themes and emotions being expressed, one cannot expect that argument to end anywhere but Master of Puppets (1986).  The final album featuring bassist phenom Cliff Burton (1962 – 1986), the collection of tracks could be considered the group’s true masterpiece, as well as their first gold record, selling over 500,000 copies when released.  From the opening bars of “Battery” through the last notes of “Damage, Inc.” this anthem laden album is an explosive powerhouse of thrash metal combined with serious melodic structure, giving rise to some of the most epic songs in Metallica’s library, without a single one less than 5 minutes.  Tracks worthy of special mention, since none of the songs on this album were radio singles or music videos at the time of the album’s release (though some tracks eventually made their way to the airwaves in the following decade): Track 2 – “Master of Puppets”, Track 4 – “Sanitarium (Welcome Home)”, and my personal favorite Metallica song of all time Track 7 – “Orion” (Instrumental).

Mark’s #1
1. ESCM by BT– Easily one of the greatest dance albums in the past 20 years.  A truly diverse and ethereal album that appeals to the senses, in particularly mine.  It’s hard to believe that I ignored this album as ‘overlong nonsense’ when I first heard it.  But once I gave it a chance and experienced this masterpiece all the way through, I was
forever initiated into the sonic church that BT leads.  From the hip-hop/folk grooves of “Firewater”, to the piano led beauty of  “Flaming June” (my favorite tune), right through to the hidden symphonic segment of “Flaming June” at the end of the album.  I am forever hooked.

Dan’s #1
1. Return of Saturn by No Doubt – It didn’t have many radio hits, but No Doubt’s Return of Saturn is my favorite album of theirs.  Upbeat, downbeat, kooky, moody and whimsical, Return of Saturn bursts with personality and shows how the band grew from Tragic Kingdom.

Stigz’s #1
1. Dookie by Green Day – This album, a complete and utter classic, is responsible for my descent into the world of music.  I think the first time I heard this I was like 11 years old, and it’s been downhill from there.

 

Electric Six Starts New Tour Off With A Dance Epidemic

Filed under: Concert Reviews — NVMP @ 2:26 PM
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Review by: Daniel Edward

“It gets lonely on the road,” declared Dick Valentine, Electric Six’s lead vocalist, “and we’ve been on the road one day.”

Electric Six kicked off their latest headlining tour at Maxwell’s in Hoboken on July 14 – a venue they described as their “fertile crescent” – to promote their forthcoming album.

Township, a kick-ass rock n’ roll band from Boston, opened the show with an electrifying set of melodic rock that was so much more than a sum of its influences.  “Sinister Minister” is still stuck in my head.  If you like rock, definitely check them out, and if you have the chance to see them live, seize the opportunity.

As soon as Electric Six took the stage, people went wild.  They played a broad swathe of their repertoire – though their arguably biggest hit, ‘Danger! High Voltage,’ didn’t make the cut – that had everyone up and dancing.

“This is going to be a night of trilogies,” Valentine said, setting the stage for their themed, three song mini sets.  Trilogies of demons, gays and the future included songs like “Electric Demons in Love,” “Gay Bar,” and “Future Boys.”

I haven’t given Electric Six’s more recent albums the same attention I gave ‘Fire’ and ‘Senior Smoke’, but with a 20 song set, they played something for everyone, and the more hardcore E6 fans were going crazy all night long.

Through the wild and energetic set, Valentine put on a great show full of the tongue-in-cheek humor the band is famous for.  They ended the show with a dance trilogy followed by Valentine asking, “Does anyone have nine bucks so we can get through the Lincoln Tunnel?”