60ft Dolls, the big 3

60ft Dolls, the big 3 (Indolent-1996)

I am glad I do not do a headline on my blog as this headline would just be calling the music buying public a load of swear words. 

Seriously I am shocked why they never made it, they had the chance and the right time was there. Kicking about from 92 and hitting the charts in the mid 90s they only had low end chart hits. But it was hits anyhow and for me that is all you need to be noticed back then.

Here we have a debut album that rocked better than most bands out at the time. It sounded great and had no filler tracks. Add in the band playing great live sets they were the whole package. I have always had a fondness or a better way is more respect to three piece bands but they did sound bigger. 

The album is a classic Brit rocker. All out guitar driver rock n roll but they had some really great slower songs and ones I still play. "New Loafers" kicks the album off on a great positive way. The guitar sounds great on this album and this first track sets this in stone. Great punky rhythms and a great tune. Single "Talk to Me" shows how sing along they can be and they can make a great pop song. "Stay" follows on the great melodic tunes and it is like a smart love song "you have to hear it". 

Now time for a slower song and on first listen "Hair" sound nothing special. But that is the key, simple and melodic. It is a song that any American rock band would have killed for. But it is still rock as the guitars are all there, never being hidden away at the back of the mix they sequel and crunch through the track. "Happy Shopper" gets back to business and at first the intro riff sounds familiar, yes. Last time was when you were having fun. Get ready to sing along and wonder why it only got to number 38. 

"The One" is another one. Another great song and a killer guitar work here as well. "Good Times" takes a step back to the punky feel and as ever great lyrics "let the good times roll" and why not? Some songs can be played to make you feel better so far I have counted seven. How about another one?

"No 1 Pure Alcohol" has a real indi rock feel to it. It was there first single and you can hear how they have progressed but again it is still a great song and one that shows the rest of the band can add something great here. Nice bass guitar here gets the shoes tapping at least. As the album comes to a close it has one song that I discovered the band with "Pig Valentine" all out indie rock at it's best. Not too fast or even too difficult to play but it has the sound of a bigger band in a bigger venue. All the guitar bands now would kill for this song alone never mind this album. 

Last two songs "Terminal Crash Fear" and "Buzz" keep the quality high with the latter a slight change in style ending on a slower song. This album seem to get great reviews in the day and if I remember it was well championed on Radio One. Looking at the rock bands who have made it today this act would slide right in and out do every one of them.

This band were asked to support Oasis as they were making it and you would think the Oasis fans would have seen this and loved it, but sadly no. Why? I have no idea as I have seen the band myself in 96 and I have to put there performance up there with one of the best. The guitar player made that much of an impact on Oasis he was asked to join. But with him favoring the Dolls and hoping they would make it he turned it down. Respect for that I say but what would Oasis be like with him in the band? Get a listen to this and just dream.

I also have to mention the drummer Carl Bevan continued in the music industry and produced Black Junk by Exit_International. Keep an eye on that band and get that album for more fantastic new noises. In Wales this band are regarded as heroes by many music fans and I can only agree. After making the second album they were to split not long after it's release. Too much touring and I think the sales were not high.

I enjoy doing this blog more for stopping boredom and I also find it fun but albums like this have to be heard. I have had the album playing for a week now and I really can't fault it. Great album and go get it now. If you do not like it I will give you the money back. 

Out of print but still on Amazon second hand for 1p (I did say I would give you the money back)

Twitter:  @29xthefun

X Factor, Iron Maiden

X Factor, Iron Maiden (EMI-1995)

So I have been doing this blog for a little under a year and have never had an Iron Maiden album in it. Well that shows you how unbiased I can be. Also the fact is they are one of the highest selling metal bands ever.
Every album up till this one had sold significant numbers and all got a reward in America and the UK. Be it platinum or gold it sold but in 1993 the lead singer choose to leave the band.

I will not go into the departure of Bruce Dickinson now as one of the reason he left is in the sound of this album. The bands sales had diminished a little over the years and in 1992s Fear of the Dark album was to be the last with the singer till 2000. The band had no obvious replacement so advertised for a singer and auditioned many. Enter Blaze Bayley singer of Wolfsbane he had supported the band and was a fan and his voice stood out amongst the other tapes received.

Iron Maiden do not mess about it was right into the studio, the band just wrote it all and got the job done. Bayley was used to demoing music but not for this band. I think a reason I like this album is how raw it is and how loud it is. Sometimes under producing an album can make it better. There is nothing big sounding on here and it does sound very different to all of there other albums. Described as being a darker album by the press, it did sound a little less positive but at the end of the day it is a rock album. If you take the content of the songs over the music the you will be shocked to understand what many other songs are about (for instance Tutti Frutti is about gay sex).

Starting off with "Sign Of The Cross" and over 11 minutes it is the hardest song to take here. But it feels like an intro track with the monks awwwing (real name is a Gregorian chant) and the atmosphere building. The song is about a murder mystery in a monastery based on the book "The Name of the Rose" it is a good start and has some nice riffs and really shows the band are together on this one. "Lord Of The Flies" is a classic all out rock song and a second single (Yes it is based on William Golding's novel) no real surprises and the first single "Man on the Edge" is the first you really hear Mr Bayley. It is the classic Iron Maiden single and a great song, the band really play loud here and I think it is to keep up with Blaze. All the classic stuff is here from solos big bass lines and a great air drum track.

"Fortunes Of War" is a classic tale of war and the loss. The guitar players get a chance to show there skills with some nice little acoustic intros and even keyboards to help it all flow nice and lite. Blaze shows his softer side. The song never builds into the classic Maiden wall of noise but a nice little melodic riff and simple drum sound. All very cozy and I love it. More so "Look For The Truth" keeps that idea going and a similar song, nice guitar arpeggio helped by the odd bass string to build to the band coming in but it is not that big and still very melodic more in a dance sort of way. Choppy riffs and trashy drumming. The band follow the singers melody here and it sound great, simple and fun.

"The Aftermath" feels bigger but it really continues the war theme with vocals concisely singing the words and lyrics like "should we be fighting at all?" make you think. "Judgment Of Heaven" is self explanatory in it's title. But it is a more upbeat sounding song, more like the sound you get on a funny story at the end of the news. Again a classic rock song and again some nice melodic vocals from the singer. My least favorite song "Blood On The World's Hands" is nothing bad but it does not sound quite right on the album. Next track "The Edge Of Darkness" was on the first single as taster to the album and I see where the opinion in the press of a darker album comes from. Based upon the film Apocalypse Now if you have ever seen the film it is real grim stuff but the band pull it off with some classic metal. And a tune that should have been out as a single. The guitars really get an exercise in riffing here. Again the vocals belt over the music and really make you look at the lyrics.

This album clocks in at 71 minutes and even the last two tracks still fit in some highlights "The Unbeliever" has some nice bass playing and the band let rip a few times. The writing for this album seem to go that well they even had some songs left over. The three leftovers were used on singles as b sides.

The album does sound a bit rough by todays standards and a reason that Bruce Dickinson left was the recording studio the band used. They were using Barnyard Studios, a studio owned and in the house of bass player Steve Harris. Bruce felt the quality was not up to the bands level. But listening to the last album done outside the studio 1988s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son I feel that album is way poorer than this. Yeah it has some classic songs like The Evil That Men Do and Can I Play with Madness but the rest are not that great.

At the time this came out the fans hated the album, they hated the new singer and so much so people would spit at Blaze at gigs. Sometimes a change can just throw people who are used to repetitive things. A new singer who at the time really helped keep the band going and so much he is credited on six songs. Ignore the press as they can get it wrong and if like me you like a change give it a go. In 1995 it was all pop punk and britpop. The band took the hard option they really could have called it a day or even just waited longer but not for these guys.

So much about this album is good I love the artwork, done by Hugh Syme it was a model that was photographed and at the time it was decided it was too graphic due to the lifelike Eddie having another lobotomy. It is my second favorite Maiden cover after the Thatcher killing of Killers.  Looking at the cover and listening to the music it does not look sound like 1995 and that is what I like about it.

Classic Album Review, Deckerd, Dreams Of Dynamite And Divinity

Deckerd, Dreams Of Dynamite And Divinity (Cadiz-2004)

I have done this blog for some time now and I am shocked I have not done this album till now. From Glasgow the band was made up from members of a band called Baby Chaos who I have got an album on here already check it out. Again information is low here but it seems to be the same band and from what I can see on there own label so here you have to me is another baby chaos album right?

For this album was there second with Stereo Dream Scene being out in 2000. That album was great but this album is essential. How often do you get a review that is 10/10? Very rare and If i did give marks that is the score I give this one.

First listen the album opens with "To Your Soul" and "We're Aching" to the listener there is nothing special about this. But a close listen you can really feel something happening. Gone are the big riffs and drum sound but a more all rounded pop sound. The vocals come over like they really care and all words are pronounced so well that it should sound like some sort of boy band chart crap but the style and words work so well.

"When Picking Fights" takes you back to the old days of the 90s brit rock sound. Well just for the start of the song, a nice riff and drum intro flow into melodic but spiky guitars and that voice. The album now really starts to get to you and in the best way "Be Nobody Else" has a nice guitar start that slowdowns and has nice almost whisper vocals. Building into that great well produced guitar sound that really makes all the big guitar bands sound tiny. There are no big producers and engineers on this album. All self recorded and produced by Chris Gordon he is also the singer and writer of all lyrics.

"Holy Rolling" was that good the band made a single for it but not just a two or three track cd but a seven track mini album (Check that out as it has more new stuff). Again flowing much like the album has done this song has hit single all over it. Bouncing about the stereo and equally making the listener want to do the same, nothing new but just catchy and one for the rockers and rollers.

"Say Something Stupid" sounds like a ballad but is it a love ballad. Not with that title, again with melodies that could be used as a tractor beam in Star Trek. Some nice little interludes and great drumming the time has been taken for the track to really come alive. I have seen this band live once and I feel this song is as close as you get to them.

Slowing done somewhat for "Fall Down At Their Feet" it is all too easy to use the acoustic guitar or have simple chords to show a change in style to the slower music. How about still using the electric and plucking of some nice melodic shapes instead. Minimal singing is needed but done well, building into a big ending that still sounds and feels the way it started. Great song!

Last few tracks contain a little change in direction "Grace's Estate" is a bit like a demo track from a compilation, more a mix of songs and a little confusing. But that is the effect they wanted I believe.  "I Dream Of Dynamite" ends the album well. More a band effort and a one last song for the fans. Sadly it is still the last song I have heard from the band. I think they still exist but as the music industry really does not pay bands who are good but more ones with a gimmick.

If they had put on masks and got dressed up for a support slot on a Muse tour they could have made it. Well not possible as to support a big tour costs money and there is none here. Seriously if you like Muse, Foo Fighters and QOTSA you will love this album. It is like the best of what those bands can do. But self made music rarely gets much of a break and unless you are "invited" onto a tour the mainstream fans will never see you.

But this album is more for the people who go out there way to get into music. Recommended by a mate who gets you a ticket, good review in Rock Sound and you decide to keep an eye open for it in HMV. That style of music buying has sadly all but left us. It is websites like this and the fans who still hold onto it that keep us all following.

Deckerd, Dreams Of Dynamite And Divinity  is easily still available on Amazon market 

Follow me on Twitter @29xthefun

Classic Album Review, Rancid, Life Wont Wait

Rancid, Life Won't Wait (Epitaph-1998)

How to follow up a million selling album and also better it? Here you go and guess what? It did not sell a million.
Well I think that was the idea as the band were linked to the pop punk movement and to be honest they never really were all bubblegum and guitars. It is hard at times to even notice this as punk as it has so many styles from rockabilly to hip hop. Dub and funk and well a real mix of music and all wrapped up in that classic punk guitar tone.

Kicking off with a track called "intro" ha ha yes an into on a punk album. It his you and takes you to what was the first single "Bloodclot" a classic all out punk rock song. Nothing fancy here just enjoy. Big guitars and tunes for any punk night club. With "gang vocals" guesting from Marky Ramone and Howie Pyro.

Track three could be on a different album "Hoover Street" slows down a bit and keeps the music guitar orientated and even a solo.

One thing I love about this album is the bass on it. Listen to "Black Lung" and the speed and skill of the played is immense. So good this album is used as my template to learn the bass and I still play like this much of the time. Clear concise bass playing is rare and in many rocks bands just gets ignored.

More skillful guitar work (in both four and six strings) with "Life Won't Wait" add in the Reggae sound and funnily enough this song was recorded in Jamaica. Buju Banton added fantastic additional vocals on this track.

The album was recorded in many cities and studios but still seem to maintain a similar sound. Production is clear and fresh and you can feel the sun and fun at times. Many fans who got the previous album just did not take to this album and I have no idea why as it really showcases the bands intentions of making some great all out punk rock. yeah the added influences may scare some but in the end it should gain more fans for it. It did with me.

"New Dress" is as catchy as you can get, try not to do air guitar to it. "Hooligans" adds in the classic ska style and more guests in Specials guitarists Lynval Golding and Roddy Byers. You really are getting your monies worth here.

From now on you have horns and time changes that would make any music teacher disbelieve they could really do this. "Leicester Square" makes you throw the metronome in the bin, great tunes and a mix of classic punk and a feel of ska, reggae and well everything.

"1998" adds in more classic punk rock and "Lady Liberty" makes you want a quiff haircut and pick a fight with the Fonz. This is one of they albums that really needs a listen and if you think you know punk or Rancid but have not heard this I think it is about time to have a listen.

And it is not over yet. last few song keep the punk and other influences but the last track even adds in the steel drums and all you need is a loud shirt and shades and it all makes sense.

The album is called Life Won't Wait. A strong message in the album title alone and for me my personal favorite Rancid album and one that undersold by way too much. This was the last Epitaph album as the band would go onto there own label.

Follow me on Twitter @29xthefun

Classic Album Review, Strapping Young Lad, City

Strapping Young Lad, City (Century Media-1997)

Now and then a metal album comes along and just makes you wonder why bother. I still remember my first listen of this amazing album. March 1997 just back from Music Mania (Old Glasgow shop) and the owner said to me good luck as I left the shop.

I see why for 1997 it is such a crazy album. For 2012 it is still a crazy album. In 2050 it WILL still be a crazy album. But it is a good thing. Devin Townsend hits such highs on this album that it will always be a benchmark for the nosier side of things. The band was started as more of a joke band. Much like Spinal Tap.  Devin was playing guitar with Stevie Vai for a while and was a well respected musician. But he had to break away from being in someone else's band and start his own. And well job done.

I say a joke album not so much as in ha ha look at the haircuts but the music is just so over the top. It was not trying to push boundaries but show how full of shit the boundaries are. We all have seen the Cannibal Corpse album covers and heard the guttural vocals of death metal. At times it is good but much of it is a load of crap. First song 'All Hail the New Flesh' follows on from an epic intro track to really take metal to you.

There is so much going on here on this album I really don't want to review this album with words like"heavy", "Loud" and "Skullcrushing". Saying this album is heavy over and over is again the joke. But Devin is so good at making music. Not just a great writer and guitar player he has crafted this album into more than a white noise album. You can feel some real music in this, it may be layered over and over in the tracking in the album. But you do get a real sense of another listen and each time it gets better.

Songs like 'Detox' that may have a meaning to us all are delivered with such attitude it feels as if it is perfectly normal to play like this. Big riffs and a great drum sound are all here each track builds nicely and shows the listener that at times heavy music can create just as much character as a comedy actor.

Devin deemed himself a musical whore due to being forced to play with other artists that I think this album was his therapy and also the reason to move on. 'Oh my Fucking God' is as it says on the tin. Again mocking the play faster to be fastest band attitude. During the song it slows down with the lyrics just repeating the song name. Point made and at times he is so right.

'AAA' is the song that changes style a little, slower and more industrial feeling. Cleaner guitars are here but still made to sound big by Devin. You could call this a slow song in a way but well the rule book has been binned for this album.

This album really got noticed in the press and only in the metal press. I think it does deserve to be listened by more people who may hate metal music. Remember metal is not just Metallica and Slayer, give this a try and if only to have an album to get one back on the noisy crap music that is played by the neighbors till 4am on a Sunday morning.

The album was on a metal label but that really should not have stopped it selling more. It was also Devin's first full on band album (His first SYL was more him and a drum machine). It really shows what he could do and his fantastic studio skills. This album set him up for all his solo work, a body of work that is more varied than most of the 70s put together. People who say they like classic rock music may mock this album but I say this is never going to sound classic. Now that is worth a listen.

Classic Album Review, Rollins Band, Get Some Go Again

Rollins Band, Get Some Go Again (2000-Dreamworks SKG)

Who does not like Rollins Band! Come on! *Shyly put up my hand*

Yes I was never a fan. Well I do like Henry Rollins and Black Flag but this being has band after Black Flag I struggled. I think it is more me as much of his releases were done when I was a fan of rock and not into punk as much (Mostly due to Offspring and Green Day blinding me).

Bu 2000 comes my tastes have some what changed. Sex Pistols reform and I finally get it, britopop dies and rock is back but the bands love punk and then so do I. Rollins Band pretty much broke up before this album with long standing members leaving the band. He had sung in this band for well over ten years and it must have hurt to start again.

Henry was looking for a change in direction in his music and also looking to make an album that rocked. He had produced the band Mother Superior just before looking to start his new project. Blown away by the bands sound and by how fast the get things recorded in the studio he asked if they would be his band. Some writing later and this album is recorded.

It could be unfair to still use the Rollins Band name as the past members were in it for so long but the band does has his name. Also as Henry says it actually is Rollins and a band so the name stayed. But the sound did swap from the post punk/hardcore/jazz to an all out rock n roll sound.

The band and Henry know each other so well the album just sounds so great, as if friends for years it plays so well.  First song feels a little different and helps ease you into the album 'Illumination' is a mix of old and new. Punk and hardcore with the great bluesy style riffs that are so loud you may have to turn it down a bit. Lead single and the album namesake 'Get Some Go Again' is a great start to the album nailing the rock n roll all out hit the dance floor song on the head. A song about how many bands at the time were not rocking and this song does prove him right. The whole album follows this song in style but add in some nice interludes and great rhythm section the album just kicks in the speakers.

'Monster' reminds me of Sabbaths 'Iron Man'. A big iron bloke is replaced with a monster. Chunky riffs that are all over this album. 'Love's so Heavy' is similar with nice solos and Henry's voice being more sincere.

'Thinking Cap' is one of my favorites with a song about the bullshit we all put up with in normal life. From the way you have to be better than everyone else from the bigger mortgage to the looks and a nice little narration on henry pulling some sort of glamor model apart.  'Are You Ready' is a fantastic cover of the Thin Lizzy classic. It is very much like the original but a little faster, more punky and all round a nice version. The co writer and Guitarist Scott Gorham plays guest on this as well.

The album ends with 'Illuminator' a remix of the first track it does sound good and adds in a small bonus to the albums price.

I say end, not yet the UK edition has a hidden track clocking in at 14 minutes. Simply a session of the band and Henry in the studio. Bass bends and riffs a plenty its a jam worth listening to. And here we come to why this album never made the band bigger or at least the same level. The record company just did not seem to know what to do with this album and so badly they even messed up the production of the album. Missing out Illumination and the Remix on the American album was just stupid. A very important song in building this album, who would by an album with music missing?

The record company should have pulled the albums and redone it but no. You had to write to the record company and ask for the tracks on another CD. Over in the UK the album was out in a 2CD with videos and many extras. I know the album was well received here and given great reviews. Also targeting the the rock market in a time nu metal was starting to really make it was hard.

Such a shame I love this album and I never hear any reference to it by rock or punk fans. I have been at Rollins Band gigs and talked to fans who don't have it. Well if you didn't know about it you do now.

Get Some Go Again is available but get the UK edition or the Re Release 2CD (Done by Rollins himself) so you get all the tracks.

Classic Album Review, Kicked in the Teeth, Zeke

Zeke, Kicked in the Teeth (Epitaph Records-1998)

This album is one of those great punk albums that you just don't get too often. Formed in 1993 they put out a couple of great albums before signing with Epitaph in 98. Great move by Epitaph as I think they were easily capable of gaining more sales and fans. There all out punk rock at the time could have easily taken fans of Green Day and the Offspring with them. They had paid there dues in touring and releasing on indi labels but for some reason the sales never happened. 

Album number three should be a walk in the park and it was for them this is fast as you can go. Mix Motorhead, Slayer and the Ramones and you have Zeke. First track sets it off and gets you going. Simple lines of lyrics bit like Discharge (same sentence over and over). Big rhythm guitar in this much like Johnny Ramones machine gun trashiness back in the 70s. Now this is fast and so far typing this one paragraph I am onto track four.

Ha ha yes that fast I really can't review the album in a song by song fashion as some tracks barley make it out of 60 seconds. track four is 'Twisted' much like the music but this one is one of the slower songs but vocals by Blind Marky Felchtone make sure it stays with you. 

With a decent size label and a pretty simple sound the album is easy to record, it sounds well produced but just enough looseness to satisfy hardened punk fans. Solos are very quick and more like a riff at times like in 'Dogfight' bending the strings at the right time repeated can make more of a rock and roll noise than the most flashy solo. If done right of course, and it is here. The drums are so repetitive the drummer must have RSI. Relentless is all I can say, no big drum fills or build ups for a song. Forget atmosphere and building up a feeling to the music. This will catch you and take you on a roller coaster ride to hell. 

Sometimes a trip in hell is needed and an album needs just to kick your arse and show you what it really is all about. Punk music has been so raped by the music industry I think kids really don't know how to rock at times. The one and only time I saw this band live was at the Arena in Glasgow (Fuck that shows my age). Third song in the singer is throwing himself about the stage and falls over and breaks his arm. Gig over! ha ha. 

There is a cover here and it is a Kiss cover. Thankfully it is one of the best songs they done in 'Shout it out Loud' respect paid and respect back as it is a great cover. This album still 14 years later gets a spin and every time I do play it I look at the cd player thinking I am on track two when it is really on track five. I love that in an album and the whole thing is over in 20 minutes. As Joe Strummer used to say "get it over and done as people are busy and have things to do" well said. This album is best for pre night out drinks and/or a 20 minute bus ride to work. But if playing it on the bus make sure everyone else can hear it so they know you are having a good time. It will piss them off.

I am not sure why the band didn't make it bigger as the punk bands were still selling well in 98. They did seem to be connected with the skater style bands and fans so they could have been pigeonholed into that area. I know they have had songs on the Tony Hawk games. But what a punk album to miss out on. Well not anymore eh?

If pissed off play it, if happy play it and if it is only 20 minutes long play it again.

Kicked in the Teeth is easily available to download but track for track it will cost ya ;-)