EventsThe Indian Tower | Pearls and Brass
Nirav’s last post got me thinking about old rock, and not this 80’s/90’s hard rock metal stuff. More like the metal from 70’s. Metal seems to have taken almost a 180 over the past few decades, but there are still bands out there trying to keep the sound alive. There’s a trio local to the Philly area (Nazareth, PA to be exact) doing just that.
Alternative 4 | Anathema
This is an album I’ve had for a week now. I had listened to it several times in the background while working, cooking dinner, or being preoccupied in some other way and I could tell it had potential. This weekend I finally gave it a dedicated listen with a respectable volume and 100% of my attention and I was really blown away.
Picture of a Thousand Faces | Eric Gales Band
I feel the need to pull out a little bit of childhood nostalgia. There’s quite a few bands from the early ’90’s I’ve been meaning to post about. I’ve also been doing a poor job of representing my interest in blues artists. Eric Gales strikes both of those strings… although he’s not exactly blues, just heavily blues influenced rock. To my surprise, he’s actually still cranking out albums (I have a bad habit of writing about bands that have parted ways).
MotherJane
The last time we wrote about a band from the sub-continent of India, I told you I couldn’t understand a word they were saying lyrically, but I loved their music. That was Avial. This time I write about another band from India in which I can understand everything they are saying, and I love their music!
Mos Def President
If Mos Def Were President
The Way I See It | Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq gets absolutely creative on his latest album. Though his previous albums have been soulful and a great listening pleasure, none of them have made me feel like I literally jumped eras in history.
Building an Empire | Demians
“One of the most assured and accomplished debut albums I’ve ever heard, the textures and dynamics within the music are breathtaking. A must for everyone that appreciates the art of epic and ambitious 21st century rock music.” - Steven Wilson referring to Building an Empire (2008)
Beethoven
What? Did he say Beethoven? …is he serious? Yes; yes I did, and yes I am. There’s a reason why we’ve all heard his name and excerpts of his work – it’s because he freakin’ rocks. But I bet most of the people reading this have never actually listened to one of his symphonies from start to end. In fairness, neither had I until this past summer.
City and Colour
And now for something completely different. If this doesn’t support the notion that I have an eclectic taste in music, I don’t know what will. I hope it’s no secret that Alexisonfire is one of my favorite bands, and I’ve always felt their strongest attribute was their singer. So really, it was a no brainer to make the purchase when I found out Dallas had a side project. There really are very few singer/songwriter type albums that I own, but these two were well worth the purchase
Pelican
I honestly have no clue how I found Pelican. I’m assuming I found them through suggestions related to Isis, but it’s hard to keep track anymore. I do, however, remember cranking them in my living room after purchasing The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw and getting a positive reaction from my roommate who is notoriously over-critical of just about any music. Then again he’s grown to detest everything except Vivaldi and Bon Jovi for some reason… so the joke’s on him.
