Wednesday, October 30, 2013

The Sweller is what they will soon be calling my liver - The Swellers - The Light Under Closed Doors

When it comes to dangerous liquors that I love to drink, tequila tops that list.

When it comes to bands I'm not familiar with but am going to review, The Swellers don't necessarily come to mind, but they fit the bill. All I know about The Swellers is they are a punk-ish band who has a new CD, and I suppose that's all I need to know to do a review.

The album cover appropriately featuring neither a door nor light under it.

I'm already two margaritas down, so if I am to maintain any coherency, we should begin. On to the review!

Album:

Alcohol:
Margaritas featuring 1800 Silver Tequila

Opening the disc is "Should" with guitar and vocals. The track settles into a pretty standard pop punk feel. Somewhat generic, but the little pre-chorus bit is kind of cool. Octave chord solo. This does kind of feel like a cookie-cutter pop-punk song, and I should know, I was in a cookie-cutter pop-punk band!

"Big Hearts" carrys on the feel in the intro, but the verse drop out is kind of cool, and I dig that it adds on as it oves a long. Fun and bouncy but still VERY generic. I like it, but not enough to praise it. That little slow down/fallaprat thing was cool. Feeling drunk already... This could be bad. The symbol swelling part into the last chorus was pretty cool. Neat ending, I guess.

"Got Social"opens again with voice and vocals. Cigarette reference. Must smoke. Yeah, I'm an addict. As for the song, meh. Pop punk again. Think of any heartfelt but up beat pop punk tune, and you are probably hearing this one. And on that note, let'smake a sloppy blog worse with a TEQUILA shot! =) Ouch. Drop out before the final chorus. Still not wowed. 

Slow heavy opening to "High/Low" cool progression in the drudging verse. Into a slightly less drudging chorus. The harmonies in the lead during the post chorus interlude is the coolest thing I've heard thus far on this disc. Neat ending.

Ooo... Getting me more into it with the fast paced "Great Lakes State". NOthing special, but considerable more fun coming out of that last tune. But meh, the energy drops going into the pre-chorus, but it picks back up for the chorus, and this is probably my high point on the album thus far. And that's not saying a lot when I'm pretty sure I've heard all of these songs before from better bands. Cool-ish ending.

Into the fake out slow sstart of "Becoming Self-Aware_. Cool tune, but still waiting for something to et this disc apart from, well, anything. This song is reminicent of a less good Rise Against. And I think it's the cooll use of that awesome punk beat. Props to their drummer for trying his damnedest to make up for the over-the-top generic guitars. This, like many of the track preceding has a lot going for it, but nothing significant.

"Friends Again (We Can't Be)" is another track that falls in line with the idea that this is a good track, but not stellar. Ugh. That drop out with the vocal distortion is far too over done. Guitarist stretching his fingers. Not bad. Another cool symbol swell part again. To be honest, I can't like this album (Sung in parody).

Heavier tune in "Designated Driver". Aw... A spmg about waking up alone. How... Done before. Better. Seriously, you know how some songs will haunt you when you hear them because you feel like you know them, but can't be sure and can't place them? Yeah, listen to a string of 10 of those songs instead of this album. Time for another shot because excitment stimulus is needed.

"Favorite Tune" is a poor nme for this track. And Ill bee onedst missed half of the song trying to take that shot. And yeah. I think I've stopped caring. I like the tone of the guitar in that solo, but meh to the solo. 

Okay. Last track. Wow me? Nope. Settling into anohter haeart felt pop-punk track. It's like they wer trying to make an album of radio hits for the early 2000s but forgot to put in significant hooks. Seriously as a fan of pop-punk when you release an album like this and manage to miss the mark on almost the entirety of it, you need to do something else. For instance, I sucked at writing music, so I found work in a factory, and now, write reviews like I have a significant voice on music (the alcohol works to convice me, but probably not you). The album ends. And I'm okay with that.

Final Thoughts:
The tequila may have made me bitter about my own short comings in the pop-punk scene, but I really think this album is boring and generic, but everything I said preceding this probably already told you that. However, if generic pop-punk is your thing, and you don't mind rehashings of everything you've heard before, go ahead and get this one. It's not that it's bad. It just... Isn't good.

Tell me why I''m wrong in the comments, or foloow because I'm not. Or do both to be really cool.

-Badhorse



Thursday, October 24, 2013

RBR: Never Mind the sobriety, here's too much caffeine: Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols

A great Venusian ambassador once told me, I had to hear this album as it was "the only album the Sex Pistols ever did." This piqued my interest as I haven't really ever given the Sex Pistols a good listen. I have adored Johnny Rotten's etiquette (Or lack there of) with the press, and know the standards: God Save The Queen and Anarchy In The U.K., but alas, never took the time to listen to them at in depth. Now, thanks to my Venusian friend, Mr. Kirk, I will dive head first into their iconic album from '77.

Mr. Kirk pictured here in casual Venusian garb.

Also, per the request of Mr. Kirk, this blog will be fueled not by alcohol, but by caffeine. I started my night with soda and will be moving on to coffee for the rest of this endeavor. We will see how my mind fares with jitters rather than haze.

The "bollocks" here meaning my blog.

Get ready for the most coherent-yet-scattered blog yet. On to the review!

Album:

Caffeine:

"Holidays In The Sun" comes in with a clap/stomp beat and builds with guitar before ripping in with a nice little riff. Then settles into a driving punk feel. Bouncy and actually better production than I was expecting. I like the added guitar licks the before the bridge part. Johnny Rotten's voice is wonderful. The mess that is the instrumental break is phenomenal. Beautiful end.

Into the building "Bodies". Drop out into a break-neck punk feel. It's definitely easy to hear how Rotten's voice has influenced current punk voices. The writing in this is nice as well. And the abortion reference makes for an interesting statement for the time. Definitely a cool tune.

Keeping up the pace is "No Feelings". A straightforward punk track about narcissism. And they make it sound so appealing. The song as well as the act of. I love how they can stretch three chords to a full song without feeling like there is anything lacking.

"Liar" comes in with what may be considered almost new wave by today's standards, but definitely has a harsher edge. Out of the second chorus comes an abrasive guitar solo that makes me smile. I'm starting to here general messiness that the Pistols are known for, and I'm liking it.

"Problems" is another driving tune, and I'm really loving Rotten's vocal stylings here. The building chorus is cool and the soloing on this album so far is cool as hell albeit rather simple. Everything comes out as a wall of aggression but yet has a surprising amount of depth, and the bits of lyrics I've been able to catch-Haha! The "Problem" refrain at the end is wonderfully awesome.

As the familiar "God Save The Queen" comes in, I'm discovering that coffee makes me fiendy for cigarettes SO much more than booze. I love this song for so many reasons. The first being the complete disregard for holding rhyme schemes. Not too mention the social context of when it was released. So abrasive yet it remains catchy. Great tune.

"Seventeen" comes in with a cool little guitar intro. Lyrically, I'm loving this one. "I'm a lazy sod!" Beautiful. The best messy drum fills I've ever heard. Feedback ending.

And the pinnacle "Anarchy In The U.K." Interesting that the songs that would live on from this album find them selves right in the meat of the album right where things start to settle. In a manner of speaking. The songs still stay driving, but feel more subtle or at least accessible. That makes sense, I suppose. Good tune still. 

"Sub-Mission" opens with some held out chords and reveals itself to be the slowest moving song on the album thus far. This speaks volumes as the song is still upbeat and driving. Rotten's lackadaisical vocals are great here. And the chirps? I don't know why they're there, but I like them. It's hard to approach this after hearing years of music that this album help to inspire. You can definitely draw lines back to many of the songs on this album from current punk music.

"Pretty Vacant" may have the most "poppy" sound on this album. Definitely the most catchy track thus far. Good tune, but rather static. I do like that chorus though. Sooo many cigarettes thus far.

"New York" comes in a little heavier with a nice build intro. I really love the use of guitar fills all over, but over the course of a full album, the lack of instrument knowledge is really starting to show. Not that I mind a whole lot, that's part of the Sex Pistols' charm. I dig this tune. Guitar fills into the end.

Closing us out is "EMI". If I'm not mistaken, this song is a shot at the label who almost signed the Sex Pistols before doing everything they could to distance themselves from the band. As it goes on, I really enjoy it as a closer. It's hard to put a finale on an album that has so much energy throughout, but I feel like a good ol' fuck the music industry song is perfect. As was the end to this song and the album.

Final Thoughts:
I have discovered coffee doesn't get my fingers flowing as freely as alcohol, but I will take jitters (I've got 'em bad) over the in ability to walk straight at the end of a blog. That being said, there is a reason this is Albums and Alcohol. As for the album, thoroughly enjoyable, and although it featured little variance, it managed to not once loose my interest. Perhaps it was my sobriety or maybe the face that I have enough focus from coffee to hold my interest on a metronome for hours right now, but I'm gonna go with the fact that this is a solid punk album, and I'm glad to have not gone longer in my life without hearing it in its entirety. 

So, until next time, fuck the man, or if you aren't so rebellious, fuck your lover.

-Badhorse

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Buried at Sea with the Admiral - AFI - Burials

It is time, my friends, to find out if drinking and smoking while reviewing a band known to be sober will earn me a spot in Hell. I'm guessing not as the truck driver I gave directions to on my bike ride home told me, "Come Judgement Day, you will have made God proud," after I helped him (Also, there is no such place as Hell).

Tonight, I will be reviewing AFI's latest effort, Burials. I am excited about this one as I've had friends gushing about this album since it leaked a week or two ago; however, I have refrained from chasing down this leak in favor of going purist and listening to it on it's release night (another sure-fire blueprint to get you to heaven).

Apparently, AFI is burying the sun.

To match this brisk, autumn night, I will be drinking a spiced apple rum cider. It is delicious and already getting to work, so I suppose I should as well. On to the review!

Album:

Alcohol:
Spiced Apple Cider and Admiral Nelson's Spiced Rum

"The Sinking Night" opens the album subtly with an almost Pink Floyd-esque feel. Davey comes in soft and pretty. Strong Floyd similarities, but then... Drop out... Nope, comes back in still feeling like Pink Floyd. I dig it a lot. This sets up the album as dark as the cover would suggest. Meh to the fade out nding.

Electronics flow into "I Hope You Suffer". The epic sound continues, and thishas touches of later NIN. It's cool. And that kick in! Chorus tore my balls off. Dropping back into the verse. This song is the most urgent slow jam I've heard in a long time. It's cool. Drop. Back into that pants-shittingly awesome chorus. Drop into "ahhs" shouting vocals, and kicks back into a driving bridge. Cool drop off. Great song writing and structuring here. Badass tune. Lets hear the end... Drop to piano into pretty and subtle ending. Sexy.

Toms bring in the fast paced and lowkey "A Deep Slow Panic" Pretty guitar work accompanies Davey's equally pretty vocal work in the verse. Build into a light punk feeling chorus. Goo tune, but nothing spectacular. Nice to see they aren't killing the epicness of the first two tracks by following suit with every other song on the album. I can dig this tune, but definitely not the high point. Punk Ballad best describes this tune. It's a cool thing that AFI has done before, and they do it well.

"No Resurrection" opens with drums. And brown out--nosaved it! Pretty feel. Epicness comes back in a smaller dose. Perfect song choice coming out of the previous track. Lowkey verse is really cool. Driving, and feels like it's moving. Drop out is cool as hell, and the kick in? SHit. That was nice. Drop out to electronics. Vocal build with bass. Drums. Guitars. Oh, Jade. You sexy man, you. That little guitar line with the harmonics was nice. The drops and kick ins are being a bit overused, but done nicely everytime. I suppose I'll for give it. Cool brakdown. Guitars take us out. Fade out, but not as bad as the first fade out. I'll accept this ending.

"17 Crimes" comes in strong. Not heavy, but definitely sets up as a more punk tune. It feels again like punk ballad, but more umph. This definitely has a Sing The Sorrow  vibe to it. Echo in the vocals was a bit cheesy, but I like the tune.

Into the slowly building "THe Conductor. Ahh... Smoke in my eye. Cool intro though. The verses have a realy cool feel. And the guitar work in this is just badass. Like shit. Drop out into the chorus. Again. However, as before, beautifully executed. All of their more epicy feeling songs have this cool almost linear song writing style that is awesome. The songs that channel typical AFI sounds are actuallythe low points thus far which I take as a great sign for where thay are headed as a band. Cool. Ass. Ending.

Into slow and subtle "Heart Stops". This has an almost indy rock sound, and I think this is the lowest I've heard Davey sing. This is like pop AFI. It's alright. Cool. Not the best song on the album, but I can dig it. I'm left with the thought: this is a cool song, but feels a lot like AFI was trying pop and made a rock tune.

BUT HOLY SHIT THAT TRANSITION TO THIS SONG! "Rewind" comes in out the previous trak, and you are like. Shit, that was cool. And it settles. the verse is nice, but then AFI starts kicking your ass from here to next Saturday before letting you rest again. But the pushing feel leaves you looking over your shoulder. Their attempts to quell you with beautiful guitar work are in vain as they use the familiar tactic of near drop out before shifting into ass kick mode again for the second chorus. I will take this point to say that, while the music take the pole position for me thus far. Davey may be at his best here. Like, this is really cool vocal work. Ending moves into a subtle piano after a drop out.

"The Embrace" comes in with a slow guitar and then a building delay line and FUZZ BASS! into electronic beat. Is this Vaudeville?  (That's a joke for some friends =P) The kick in is nice. This reads as a pop rock tune, but again. With the AFI twist it maintains a fresh feel. Ofcourse, the second verse does nothing to distance this pop rock feel. Honestly, this reads like a radio crossover hit. A song that would score well with the general public, and it is well written, but it exploits so much of what is generally popular in rock music right now. Not really a fan of this one.

Into the punky feeling "Wild". That synth is cool with the punk tone of the song. And like that. AFI is back where they belong. it's like they knew we needed a reminder of what we were listening to after that last track. And that damn synth! So cool! Maybe the most upbeat song thus far, a nd I dig it.Whoa! Beakdown = awesome. Second break sown = AWESOMER! I may be drunk at this point, but that--ending is cool as HELL!

Into the driving and pretty "Greater Than 84". Settling back into the Sing The Sorrow vibe with a bit more edge, and the chorus feels a bit poppy, but still pretty cool. Whoa. Harsh transition. But cool. THis is like three songs collided, but done well. Kudos here. Not the best on the album, but a good tune nonetheless. Eww... Vocal echo again. Still igging the tune. Final chorus. The lyrics along witht he song title feel a little corny, but lets see the end... Meh... Okay...

"Anxious" comes out with drums, and gives way to a cool feel. Reminicent of Decemberunderground. Nothing too exciting thus far. Cool song, but rather meh compared to the previous. Gonna be honest at this point. The musi is cool, but I'm a bit scattered drunk, but this is--oh that was a cool break down. I like this tune, but I'm hoping for a stronger finisher. Like, actually, this tune is really cool. I'm just to out of focus to put my thoughts into typing. Time forre a cig. Cool end.

"The Face Beneath The Waves" opens all epicy again. But not Pink Floyd epic. More, like Tool epic? into a haunting chorus. The whole feel of this song is haunting in a really cool way.Oush! Did I skip tracks? That kick in was harsh, and I don't know that it help the song. Okay. settling bak into the cool scary feel. The second time that kick in happened I felt better about it. Maybe I am that drunk, but it's still abrupt.Cool break down. This almost as a more badass Tears For Fears feel. They dropped out before the final chorus because ofcourse they did. Still a cool song, but maybe too abrupt in their transisitons.  Ending is a drop into some bass farts.

Final Thoughts:
While I can't say this album is solid front to back, I can say that it's an album worth owning. The front half alone is baass as hell, and although there are some low points, the good out weighs the bad. If you listened to the leak(shame on you) this is already know, but if you are on the fence and like anyhing AFI has put out in the last 10 years, this album is for you. Sorry AFI, but your album got me drunk.

Comment, share and follow! Or don't (but it's cooler if you do).

-Badhorse

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

NoBunny will remember this blog! NoBunny - Secret Song: Reflections From The Ear Mirror

Oh, dear... Here I am. Blog night, and oh, the choices! I actually made budget space for booze this week, and now, I have options for drinks (and am one step closer to alcoholism).

Tonight, I will be reviewing the latest from NoBunny, a rabbit mask wearing rocker with a slight glam punk feel. I've only recently become aware of him, but I do dig his style.

Both the music and the attire.

I will be struggling to stay coherent through this review as, along with a nice SoCo drink, I will be doing shots of Jameson. Get ready for the shit show, my friends. *Shot*

Oh, boy... On to the review...

Album:

Alcohol:

*Shot*
"Bye Bye Roxie" opens with a cool little guitar lick and drives the album into the very old school rock vibe NoBunny is known for. Fun song, nothing blowing my mind thus far, but fun opener. I like the consistant "Taco taco taco" beat through this whole song. And it's a fun song lyrically. Simple, but nice. Very abrupt ending.

Coming out with a sputtering start is "True Vulture". This song has a little more musical depth than the former, but continues with the same rock feel. *Shot* Really cool interlude part. Lots of cool rhythmatic parts happening. Another abrupt ending.

Musical depth continues with "Pretty Girls". Cool like... Synth? Line. Sounds almost like a recorder, but I like it. And I like the feel. Lyrics are silly and fun. Ooo... Slowdown. Building... Into chorus again. I'd hope for a bigger pay off, but fun song nontheless.

"Trouble In My Mind" opens as an almost funk rock sound. Subtle vocals, and I like the little interlude licks. So far, Not increible, but incredibly fun. Good tune.

And the first real punch in the face rock tune comes in the form of "It's Pathetic". A wonderfully aggressive punk song that lasted long enought for me to type this which is the perfect punk song length.

Continueing the fast paced feel with "Lizard Liars". Fun, and great punchy guitars. I like it and time fore... *Shot* Oh dear. This may be my favorite moment on the album thus far. The breakdown-ish part is cool. With this ringing sound, that I like a lot. Driving second breadown uild into chorus again. Cool tune here. fall apart ending. Yay.

Driving rock intro to "Rotten Sweet Tooth". It may be the drunk, but I'm digging what I hear. This song has a cool some era of rock feel. Like... A badass Van Morrison? I don't know. All I know is the weird whistle refrain makes me smile. Time for... *Shot* Good tune... I'm drunk.

Guitar and awesome laugh brings us into the rockabilly "Do the Stooge". I like it. Not the best showing on the albu, but it makes me giggle. Which is a luxury of a man wearing a bunny mask. If you make me laugh, I will forgive a sub par tune. Particularly when booze is involved. The lip harp sounding vocals are awesome. Andthe almost country western style melody complementing is nice. I can dig it. beautiful ending. Listen to this one!

"My Blank Space" Comes in driving. Almost a pop punk feel, and is that a synth? It's like he's usng a $30 casio, but is writing the coolest lines with it. This is a beautiful punk tune. Have I meantioned that I LOVE his voice. Not beautiful, but beautiful, you know?

"Little Bo Bitch" opens as a straight up rock tune, and I'm diggint it. The "Litt'e Bo Bitch" refrian with the guitar is very amusing. Typing is hard. Another must hear here. Here here! *Shot* This album is not for the over the top snooty music fan, but if you like to have fun and appreciate old school rock, this is for you!

"Red Light Love" comes is lowkey ut driving with th first real bild of the ablum Settling into a reaknck pace that is nice, but not as fun as the songs preceding. I can dig it, but this is definitly a low point thus far. Ooo. Change up in the bridge is nice. Abrupt ending again, but nice.

"The birthday Girl" comes in subtle before opening into another honkey tonk rock tune. Fun, and I like the reappearance of that cheap casio here. Punk elements are also present. I can dig this tune. Gang vocals. This song is cute. I think that's the perfect description: Cute. Awesome ending drive. Slowdown thing.. Cooll. Fall apart ending.

And reawakened by "Burid in a bong". Short. Good.

Closing the album is "Lovin Lovin You". A very bouncy poppy tune. *Shot* typing is too hard. My assessment: Too low key for  a closer, but I can dig the bouncy fun of this tune. I'd have closed on Buried in A Bong. Key change! Had to note that. 

Fianl Thoughts:
Jameson fucked me up. Good disc. If you don't like fun, don't read my blog and down't get this album. IF you like fun old school punk and rock. You NEED this disc. *Shot*. I'm sorry, Liver (deal with it).

-Badhorse

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Cage The (Furious) Elephant - Cage The Elephant - Melophobia

Melophobia - The fear of music

This is a condition I am not familiar with but nevertheless, will dive into tonight.

There is an appropriate amount of terrifying in this for an album with "-phobia" in the title.

Alcoholism - An addiction to the consumption of alcoholic beverages


There is simply too much terrifying in this for anything... Ever.

This is a condition I get closer to every goddamn Tuesday, and I will continue this trend tonight.

Yes, kids, it's time again for that ever lovable mash-up of new tunes, beer, and flawless music tastes: Albums & Alcohol!

Tonight, one of my FAVORITE (caps necessary) act's has a shiny new album just for me. Cage The Elephant's third studio effort, Melophobia, is a disc I have been anticipating since starting this blog, and now, I must put it under my ever blurring, hazy and drunken eye of scrutiny. And so, with GREAT excitement, ON WITH THE REVIEW!

Album:
Cage The Elephant - Melophobia

Alcohol:
Surly Furious

"Spiderhead" opens the disc with some droning chords before settling into a lowkey driving feel. This is a mellow opener but is very CtE. I like the vocal performance in the chorus, and the change up into the second chorus and through the second chorus is cool. A wonderful almost dance grunge feel, and those dirty guitar tones are incredible. Skipping part into a really cool outro. Not a big punch for the open, but a good song. Off to a good start!

Carrying on the lowkey driving feel into "Come a Little Closer". The distorted-ish vocal affect is cool, and the chorus comes out sounding so much bigger than it actually is. It's a really cool dynamic effect. The second chorus feels bigger, but I'm not sure if it is actually different. The little guitar ditty is actually really cool as well. Drivving bass into a very low key bridge. Growning with a sexy guitar drone feedback thing... Drumms... Vocals swelling... Back into the chorus. Mostly the same, but more driving, and some nice drum fill action.

Key open up "Telescope". A very pretty feeling to this song. Loving the vocals. Drums settle into a pop-ballad feel giving a nice groove as well. Dropping out after the first chorus. The melodies here are reminicent of the Beatles, and I'm digging it hard. The song is solid. Not great, but oh opening up the guitars, and a really cool solo part. Builds into an almost shouting verse over the mellow music. Sweet CtE style ballad, and I like it. The last minute took this from mediocre to cool.

And driving out of "Telescope" comes "It's Just Forever". Groovy driving bass leads the attack on this almost creepy song featuring Alison Mosshart. So much sexy. Tempo change, and the timing is all over the place, but god, this song is cool. The guitar work adding accents add--OHMYGOD. Allison! Belt that shit! It's the prefect blending of Mosshart's weird awesomeness, and CtE's grunge coolness. Keys! Oh shit! The keys! To end it. Killer tune. Favorite so far.

Keeping that groove-grunge feel going with "Take It or Leave It". This song itself feels like a beautiful blend of the 60s and 90s, and the marriage is beautiful. Just the dynamics in and out of the choruses are making me smile, but this song takes each part and gives it its own punch. Excellent interlude. That guitar! So amazing! Good song.

"Halo" opens with a cool guitar lick, and goes into this driving guitarline that keeps the grunge feel going. Switching from drive to groove and back all while building to the chorus. Beautiful. There is a bit of an over all static feel to the album thus far, but the individual songs have great things going for them. This song's chorus though, is finally seeing CtE opening up, and really getting out there in terms of bigger sound.

AWESOME! Intro to "Black Widow" features some horns, and it's a strange feel song, but its really showing what makes me LOVE them. Perfectly taking grunge, dance, 60s new wave and punk elemnts and fusing them into pure sex for my ear holes. I'm loving this tune. That chorus alone is SO MUCH GODDAMN FUN!

Subtle chords bring us into "Hypocrite". This song is super mellow, but really cool in the approach. Hard to describe as it kicks in there is a distict drive that is felt even with out a driving beat, but it's so bouncy as well. Think if they didn't make "Shake Me Down" such a single feeling song. I dig this. Also, more horns, and who doesn't love horns (For those of you who don't, you're wrong!)?  "Ah-OOOOOOOooooo!" Awesome fall apart ending.

And putting is back together with the first clear punch to the face with "Teeth". Such a cool aggressive sound. Angrysong, and god, the guitars are fighting between coherent and fuck you Im blaring in you face. And the vocals walk the line between them. "Aw, shut up and dance". The lyric before going into an awkward rhythm bridge. And MORE HORNS@! God, yes! I can feel my teath as well. Abrasive end--no brakdown. Groovy horns. Spokenword. Word. =P The last album I reviewd that did this was a shitty out come(Looking at you,  THE used!). This is sexy though. And somewhat coherant. Ending out the song...

And into soft guitar chorus and piano to open "Cigarette Daydreams". pretty. Beers getting to me... Screen is hard to see, but song is pretty.I really like the piano line in and out of the verses. Ballad feel, but pushing out of the second chorus. Into some slide guitar. Then drop out. acoustic guitar and voice. kicks back into chorus and excelent abrupt ending.

Final Thoughts:
When I first heard Thank you, Happy Birthday, I thought, WHOA, This is a change up from their first effort. Melophobia manages to take the first towo albums and blend the sounds with much success. While this album may not be the revelation I felt with either of the first two, it stands as a killer disc that anyone who enjoys CtE will be sure to love. And if you aren't familiar, this disc is a nice starting place as if you even enjoy one song off of this album, one of their previous efferts (I tried three times and still misspelled that word) will be right up your alley. In eessence. Good disc.

Comment, follow, and the like(Because I'm desparate for proof somebody actually reads this).

-Badhorse

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Keeping It In Cougar-Town! Joan Jett - Unvarnished

Last week, I covered one of my everlasting crushes on female artists who refuse to let age make them stop being sexy. This week, we are staying in Cougar-Town (One in my fantasies, not the shitty TV show or some settlement of large cats).

 Pictured: A settlement of large cats

I love Joan Jett. Though, admittedly, this is about 40% due to her sexiness, 50% due to her singles, and 10% due to her sexuality. Album-wise, I haven't really listened to her (This is becoming a startling trend, I know, and the reason for this blog). Thus, today, I will be reviewing her latest album, Unvarnished.

Hot.

I'm doing so with my leftover Ancient Age and lemonade because I didn't have time to make it to the liquor store, and contrary to what this blog may have you believe, I'm not an alcoholic and leave left over alcohol. And with my Tuesday night drink in hand, on to the review!

Album:

Alcohol:

Guitars kick in hard on "Any Weather", and settle into a punky feel. Joan Jett sets out with her simple rhyme schemes, and very 80s punk voicing. I dig the pushing punk power and "hey's". The keys add a nice depth. Catchy albeit simple opening track, and some nice Whoah-Oh-Oh's in the bridge. Drop out chorus into final refrain. Cookie cutter punk song, but I can dig it.

"TMI" comes in with a bouncy guitar line and a clap beat. And has some badass attitude (badittude if you will?). The chorus and premise is kind of corny, but it's making me smile. It's nice because--oh I like the background guitar solo-y thing. Simple, but just... Badass. Breakdown chorus into final refrain... Again, but it's early, let's see in this badittude continues. I like the ending.

Keeping an up beat punk sound going is "Soulmates to Strangers". Again, corny vocally, but if you are looking to Joan Jett for extreme depth and poetry, you are looking in the wrong places. Still like the feel, but this song is more dragging than the first two, but I like the bridge part. A little breakdown, and guitar lick, brings us into the last verse. And into the last chorus. Low point thus far. End good though? Slow down ending. Decent.

"Make It Back" opens with another punk riff, and I'm having fun with this progression. This song is considerably more fun than the former. And there are some keys accompanying the guitar that I am enjoying. This album has some punk gold on it. I'm just hoping it--Oo, I like the harmonies in the bridge and the solo is TOTALLY Joan Jett! Nice ending.

And into a nice opening on "Hard To Grow Up". This has a sort of upbeat ballad feel. Vocals are really coming through as good, yet underproduced, and I love it. The chorus is a little grating, but I like the song over all. The stops that bring us into the verses are a nice touch as well. I love Joan's voice. The chorus is more palattabe the second time around, and some cool guitar work going into the bridge. I love the layers being distinct on the guitar production. Such a call back to her older stuff. Breakdown. Pause. Into... Drum fill! And into final chorus! Ish fall apart ending. Love it!

"Fragile" burst out of that ending with a drum fill into another punk rock riff that drives nicely, and God, if there ever was a female voice made for punk, Joan's is it. Breakdown chorus is a cool touch. I'm digging this song, and most of it has to do with that opening/verse riff. Must learn it. The chorus is still so--Love the bridge, although, spelling out fragile? Wait. Strings? Sweet. This interlude is AWESOME! And solo? Sweet. Into chorus with strings? I love you, Joan. So much. Vocal swells. Killer.

Pacing stays high with the opening of"Reality Mentality" That has an awesome punk feel, and while this album has been almost all punk, I the energy is so high, I can't even argue. The stops are killer, and the chorus, while corny again, is excellent. Wah solo! Wha-whawha-WHAAA! Breakdown verse.... Finals chorus. Fake out ending into refrain thing. Just wonderful.

And keeping fast paced, "Bad As We Can Be" kicks in nicely. Driving song, and I like the little guitar licks. Ahhh, such a cool throwback feel to this song. And there is a subtle layered guitar holding chords in the verses that has such a cool tone. The bridge... So... Messy. But, like, messy AWESOME! Solo. Fun solo. Simple, but fun. This reminds me of my first entry on Prima Donna, but this is someone who lived her prime around the time the music they are honing came out.

Cowbell beat opens "Different". This is showing a slow aggression that I can dig. Oh, the dirty guitar. Joan, do it! Campy chorus again, but oh, such a wet guitar solo into a key change. And rhythm gets more driving before dropping out to a sexy final verse. Builds into the last chorus. Key changing solo again. I LOVE that tone! Ending on a heartbeat bass drum.

Into a ballad opening to "Everybody Needs A Hero". Vocal showing by Joan shaky, but real. Love the guitar progression in this. Building. Strings. So nice. Joan, this is not what you're cut out for, but I can dig it. Nice ending... Pause.. Strings floursih in, and dend.

Final Thoughts:
Welp. I did the standard version of this album because the deluxe versiuon had different versions of the same song, but I think it ended just as the booze took hold. This leads me to believe that you should buy the deluxe verions. because this albums is good, but short. This should be expected from what is essentially a killer punk disc, but still. I want more Joan! In all seriousness, if you are a fan of Joan or old punk/glam punk, get this record, it may feel a tad one dimensional otherwise. I dig it, but my tastese are what they are ( Flawless( 

Drunk now. =)

-Badhorse