Public Image LTD, First Issue

Public Image LTD, First Issue (Virgin-1978)

Many people including myself love the Sex Pistols. I even have them in this blog as I think they should have sold way more albums. History seemed to repeat itself here as the Pistols split up in America while on tour and this album was never released in America till last year. So if you are an American who has had this album on import then well done you.

As Lydon was on tour he would always write new material and some of it he simply could never take to the rest of the band. Listen to this album to find out why. One of my highlights is "Religion I" and "Religion II". The first is simply Mr Lydon reading out loud the lyrics to what is a full song with backing band on the second. His lyrics were taken to the band and instantly dismissed. The song was deemed to extreme for the Sex Pistols. I love the track and it makes me ask questions on many things, not just religion. The whole sound for the album is one that is pretty much as far away from the charts as you can get. For us now getting into the music from that era it is called Post Punk but I feel it is just rock n roll with more spite.

What I love about PIL and also this album is how slow the music is, many people take music that has some big statement or when it contains anything aggressive to be fast and loud and there for unalienable. Not here, nice slow thought out passages of music. "Theme" shows this with the very much simple but fun bass lines. Keith Levene's guitar work sounds complex but it is simply notes with some distortion and FX. As John Lydon comes in on vocals you know this will not be on BBC2.

The whole punk movement was built on showing that anyone can take to a stage and this album keeps it going. So what you can't sing like ABBA or play keyboards like Rick Wakeman. None of that matters and single "Public Image" shows this. It was quite catchy and the only real radio song here. The bass is simply an open E string on the intro and a few chords. Later Lydon explained the song is about how he was viewed in his past band.

"Low Life" has been talked about in being about the ex manager of the Pistols, Malcolm McLaren. The lyrics and the title track show you his thoughts. The song does have some nice melodic feel to it and can even be danced to with the nice bass lines and drumming.

Low Life

Low Life

Ego-maniac traitor

You never did understand

You fell in love with your ego

It did not fit into plan

The last track is one that stands out for me "Fodderstompf" seems like a piss take to me. The band were running out of time in the studio and had to get it done. I also think this song is what prompted the American label to want the album to be re recorded. As I said the album was never released in the US due to the label there saying the album was too uncommercial to go out. That was the point no? They missed it big time. Never less some re recording was done and still a strict no from the label. It is as if "Fodderstompf" was a song to see into the future. They were right.

Still the album sold well in the UK gaining Silver (60,000) award and a top 10 single in "Public Image". I wonder if America got this album what would have happened, imagine a promo of Religion going to stations? Fuck me! It would have made what the Pistols done look like an episode of Sesame Street.

Now available in the US via Light in the Attic Records and all over the world.

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F-Minus, F Minus

F-Minus, F-Minus (Hellcat, 1999)

I really do not know much on this band at all, coming from California and this being there debut album. At the time punk was sort of coming back in a real way. Green Day and other pop/punk bands kind of re ignited many younger people into the style. But this is for many fans of that music a little bit of a progression. Out with the pop part and well simply a real punk band.

Well it is more of a crossover in a way, I am happy to add them to the hardcore  bands from the time and I think live they could be as solid as many who were about in the late 90s. But anyhow I am not debating what/why they are but why you should get this album.

Again it is not all sing along but it is shout along stuff. The first track is a whopping 35 seconds long. This gives you an idea of what is on offer. But it is done very thoughtfully as many of the tracks really do gel into each other very well. "Slave Labor" is a title that may not get it listed on radio one but for me it gets my ears interested. The 90s were all about pop punk and then into skate punk. I really didn't give two fucks about those bands. Where I grew up if you went about dressed like that you were looked on as a rich kid. And most likely would get mugged.

Tim Armstrong (Rancid) produces this album and I think he done a great job, simply play. The drums at times sound bad and very much un professional but that gives this album its real spite. The constant kick on the bass drum that sounds like it is 25 years old and so far out off tune it would make the big name producers cry. By the way this band were later produced my Steve Albini so there sound really was catching peoples attention.

The songs do have at times some nice melodic parts, mostly in the vocals. Feel free to raise a fist and shout along as that is what it is all about. Many bands were making it and I think F-Minus were given much respect but the sales were not there. Later moving to Epitaph who have many times sold a shed load for punk bands. I have no idea why this band didn't make it as many hardcore band don't entice the punks to listen and this band did easily cross the border of the two styles. I had friends into punk liking them as much as UKHC (UK hardcore) fans.

If you like early Black Flag and much of the music on the Dischord label early days this album will slot right in and make that hellish bus ride to work on a Monday just a little bit easier. I makes me want to accidentally whack my guitar out of tune and make a hell of a racket. Job done!

Very easy to get this via Amazon indi sellers here

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Ulver, Bergtatt

Ulver, Bergtatt - Et Eeventyr i 5 Capitler (Head Not Found-1995)

This is an odd one for this blog, as the cover shows that it is black metal in it's content so commercial success really was never going to happen. But as many bands from that genre have now went on to headline big festivals and even start to sell very well I feel this can now be placed here. Many kids now seem to be right into the sound that was black metal from back in the 90s. But it really was back then underground. No radio station would play it and with all the stupid church burnings and silly corps paint the mainstream ran a mile.

Some of the music from many of the bands was pretty crap. But a few bands really did make it all work and with each album move on the style. This band moved it on with the very first album. Forget all the harsh vocals and screaming lyrics about religion here was a well made album that really has you enjoying it's content.

The album has the classic guitar, drum and bass content but the whole construction is quite different as it adds a lot of Norwegian Folk music to the mix. So much so the genre could be easily mistaken. But the elements of black metal are still there but used in more of an atmospheric way, helping to enlighten you to some sort of story. The title in English is "Taken into the Mountain - A fairy tale in 5 Chapters".

Back then you could not get this album very easily and I had to get it mail order. Not only that there was no internet shops so I had to phone a shop in Germany and ask how to get this. Then I had to get German Deutsch marks and send it in an envelope. People now would never ever bother with all the trouble but is how we did it back then kids. Two weeks later I got this (and others). The CD copy I have is all in Norwigen and has no English at all so it was all a nice mystery to me.

First listen is a real eye opener, the album it starts with some fast drums and guitar but nothing faster than a normal rock album. The first vocals are more of a chanting, and the music is quite confusing. You really do not expect any harmonies and melodic music in this album. It is different but it is there. At the time I had never heard such repetitive music not so much the same note but the same melodic tone repeated. A great little guitar solo played in a riff style accompanies the music. At the time I am sure I looked at the CD to make sure it is the right one.

The whole album has the Folk style there and is mixed with the classic down tuned black metal style but it is done in a way it feels right. The drums can be played very franticly and this is evident on track two where even that starts with a passage of acoustic picking style much like the folk music mentioned. Flute and piano are also welcomed into the music and again all mixed up in that metal style so many feel is to heavy. But this album is so refreshing and my best comparison is to opera. Not so much in musical content but in performance.

The album really was big news back then as it shocked so many hardened fans. Some disliked it most took it as a new start and from now on the style changed every year. This band did not tour live or even have photos or interviews helping to keep some sort of mystery about the band and the album. Who were there inspirations? what's the album based on? what is next? do you burn churches? all questions never asked as there were no one to answer them.

The repetitiveness of the music really trained my ears and got me into some other bands including many other styles of metal music that pushed the boundaries. Ulver to this day are still one of my favorite bands/artists and even now the music they make is for me utterly compelling. Later albums like "Shadows Of The Sun" again got me into even more bands and artists. Bands like Merzbow, Nurse with Wound and Thorr's Hammer were welcomed to my ears now.

The production is spot on here, not too polished but enough engineering so it can all be recorded right as the performances by the artists are simply stunning. The band went on to record more music under the black metal style but by album four they switched to a more Avant-garde metal style. And later ambient/electronic styles were explored, but the link to BM is always there and this album is one of the best even to this day 19 years later so many have tried to copy it and failed badly.

If you only hear one black metal album ever make it this one. And to the kids into Watain and Nachtmystium this is why they exist.

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Ricky Warwick, Belfast Confetti

Ricky Warwick, Belfast Confetti (Dr2-2009)

Here you have the Almighty singer/songwriter moving away from his old rock n roll past and into a classic Celtic/folk style of music. Ok the tunes are still here and it isn't all tin whistles and hand clapping. It does still pull a punch with the classic feel of rock. Rickey's voice sounds amazing on this album as if we have missed something all this time. 

He was asked by a friend when in New York to write a song about Belfast. The title song is a great single and if I had my way would be a huge hit. Not just that but the whole album has classic song after classic covering all feelings that you can in one album. Northern Ireland has its troubles and that has been used to write the album, Ricky says when I saw him live that while in New York he was drinking with a Belfast friend that pointed out that they couldn't stand in the same pub in Belfast and have a pint together. 

The album kicks of with a nice punchy fun track in "Can't Wait For Tomorrow" an acoustic night hit that can be played in any pub and have the punters sing along. The title track really is a local boy paying respect to his home town.

As the albums goes into track three you really get that hair standing on the neck feeling, this is a classic. "Throwin' Dirt" really is just a stunning track, simply written on the acoustic and few melodies to help fill the track but amazing lyrics. I even sit and play this on my guitar (badly).

Ricky's voice helps drive "Thousands are Leaving" a track that could be used in so many news reports forever. It is passionate and makes you think, the sign of a good song. "Hank's Blues" pulls it all back and rock n rolls out with that fantastic mix of folk and rock music. It really works so well on this track I start reaching for the washboard. Failing that hand claps require no skill.

One of my favorite tracks in "Punchin' Thunder" a song Ricky explains is about a mate who he went to gigs with at the Barras (Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow) and he would say "we will be punching thunder the night big man" meaning punching the air as the music is playing. A nice simple acoustic guitar riff starts the track and into a nice sing along melodic tune that thankfully Ricky has not needed to add in any extra harmonies. "Angel of Guile" gets the heart strings and brain functioning as does the ears. Again he sounds amazing as his voice makes the ground rumble when I have the amp pushing this on a Friday night in. Great tune that again just hits so many buttons, the album flows so well that you are three quarters in and EVERY track stands out as a classic. 

Some nice finger style picking in "Born Fightin'" helps bring the album to an end with "Can't Hurt a Fool" encompassing that great folk/celtic style so well. "If You're Gonna Bleed (Wear Black)" feels more of a country track (and I fucking love country) his voice again sounds so well in this style and the track clocks in near seven minutes and does not let you wander at all. Great ending to an album that I feel Sony and Phillips should use as evidence as to why the repeat button was put onto the first CD players. 

I mean in, this album is amazing. All eleven tracks are utter stunner's, not a bad riff, drum hit or lyric in sight. An album written with no eye on the charts it easily hits my chart. One of my albums of the year in 2009 and I have talked to fans of the Almighty who have never heard it. Each time I nearly have to get them in a headlock till they promise to buy it.  

I see why some people may well be put off as the Almighty was not a band they like or bother with but this is different, I have so far got this album as a present for a 67 year old and a 10 year old and both love it to bits. Timeless and a classic and sadly missed by so many, but not now eh? 

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Easily available online via these retailers.  

Classic Album Review Cryptopsy, Whisper Supremacy

Cryptopsy, Whisper Supremacy (Century Media-1998)

I was watching a tv show here in the UK called Room 101. The show is like a panel show where three guests choose things they want to put into Room 101 a fictional place where once it is in it never comes out.
One of the shows guests Sara Cox (A UK pop radio station presenter) choose to put in death metal as she simply can't get it. Now as far as I was concerned till this album I never got it. Or at least wanted to really get it but this one is the one that got me into that whole style of music in a big way. Saying that I would never have vanished it like shy may have tried to do simply due to not understanding it.

So if you fancy giving this a go this is a great place to start. This album was under a sub genre called technical death metal one I really still don't think exists even now as it is unfair to call any music technical but it is a way of helping to describe the music as well as the change in direction.

This music really was invented much like metal music in Birmingham, UK. If you have never been I can tell you the music fits so well. The city was a big part of the industrial revolution and many think it may never have happened on such a large scale if it was not for the size of the output in Birmingham. So this music really does accompany the cities historical past well.

A wall of noise is an easy description but track one "Emaciate" feels like that a barrage of drums and guitars greet you a few seconds in. But it does all fall down to a sort of technical conclusion and starts off in a direction I would describe as not wanting to stay static. Unlike many other bands of this style I can see how you can move to it as it is non stop energy. Bit like hardcore made fast and with added volume.

Many people hear a band like Slipknot and seem to wrongly at times call it death metal but if you hear that and then give this a listen it is a whole planet of difference. Most death metal bands have no gimmicks at all. Not that dressing up is a bad thing they just do not need it. The music is all it is about and one of the few styles of music the fans really do only care about what the next albums drum sound is like.

Talking of drums it again was a shock to hear such good playing, well recorded too. The music was as clear as a bell and each and every drum fill makes the room shake. It is that fast I really do not know how someone can play like that live, but I have seen them and yest it is like that. "Cold Hate, Warm Blood" was a popular song in the few pubs I visited that played this music. I think some of the reason I like this album so much is that the vocals really are not always there and the bad can be heard. The vocals on this track show that with a very quick verse and what sounds like a chorus only once.

All the music here is very deceiving as it does sound so easy and for many not hard to play at all. But listen closely the band is really working so hard. In between all the noise there are little passages of music not so much of a tune but like those zig zags you get outside schools. Such jagged and fearsome looking you would never ever park there.

Clocking in at 30 minutes it is that length it can be heard in total and for me enjoyed easily and it never feels to last too long. The sort of album to listen to when pissed off and I really do mean it when I say it helps. Many other bands at the time seemed to be obsessed with gore and gruesome covers on the album. Nothing wrong with that but when the music is crap I always stayed away. Till this album really blew the doors open.

Thankfully the style was not placed into room 101 and was saved by the presenter who thinks the fans deserve respect for what they support so passionately. In a time where music to many is nothing but background noise that can be streamed for free and never discussed. Try ignore this and try playing it in work the next time. See the reactions from people?! that is what music can do. Hey if you still don't get it you get my respect as you gave it a go. But one day when you miss the train and its an hour till the next one and it makes you very late. That anger does not need to be bottled up... and you can play this twice ha ha.

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Album review Street Dogs, Fading American Dream

Street Dogs, Fading American Dream (Brass Tacks Records-2006)

The Dropkick Murphys released a cracking debut in Do or Die. Lead singer  Mike McColgan left as he wanted to undertake a career elsewhere. He may have not understood the impact that first album had as the band went on to become one of the best American punk bands in a long time. Even the second album was fantastic helping to launch the band into a world audience.

A few years later Mike McColgan decided he wanted back in music and again a punk band was his goal. With many fans of the Dropkick Murphy knowing of him there was an reason for making album so this one is album number three. And what an album.

There is no messing about here you know what you are getting. Not much unlike the Dropkicks the music is fast and intense punk rock. Take out the obvious Irish influences and add in more loud guitars it was all done at 100mph. Jut the way I like it!

Songs have some really strange inspirations like "Fatty" about a fat kid being bullied. But the lyrics make you think. "Do you remember back in high school, that kid we all picked on, know one backed him, ever liked him, he takes carries that with him today". The song goes on to show the strength of that kid and not giving up. A song that could be used for so many other things.

The recording quality is very professional, and it should be. The whole band sounds great here and above all sound punk. Mike McColgan has to be one of the best vocalists ever in punk music. As I say the first Dropkick Murphys album is still a real important album, his voice helped to make that so.

"There Is Power in a Union" Is another highlight a Billy Bragg cover and for me way better than his version. The power and intensity in this could bring down companies alone. I had my own troubles with my work over the years and I fought them the whole way even to the point of seeing a lawyer just to know where I stand. This song is why I done it , Again Mike singing "let's Fight" is the difference from Bragg and him. Listen to this on the walk to work to pick up a redundancy letter and I will dare you not to fight back.

Some songs have even crossed that line of comedy while still being serious. "Tobe's Got a Drinking Problem" is about a band member who has that little bit more than he should. The song is delivered in a comedy way as I think he has managed to control his drinking. "I swear on almighty God that I am never drinking again" is a key lyric.

There are many Irish influences on here but a little less than the Dropkick Murphy went on to include on later albums. "Shards of Life" shows a full on folk sound with a nice mix of rock music. It is a welcome lighter structure and just as catchy tune with dobro, pump organ and acoustic guitar giving that classic Irish feel.

A fantastic all round punk album that fits so well in 2006 and even now it means just as much. There are some amazing lyrics on this album and that is something that punk music really can miss at times. Politically aligned to one side and for many people they may not like what they have to say. But they have to, the skill here is in the music and how good it is. Many Boston bands have a history of being great fun good time bands and this is right up there. Adults like me will feel the lyrics, the kids will love the music and for us all an album that uses the punk rock name properly. A rare album indeed.

This album is out of print but copies are about check sellers on Amazon

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Celtic Frost, Monotheist

Celtic Frost, Monotheist (Century Media-2006)

Come back albums can be at times pretty horrible. Sometimes a band you love coming back is not really what you may want as the chance is the album may well be crap. Or even worse ok!

But this band really can't be pigeonholed so the album was really an open door. What you do not expect is one of the best albums of 2000s. This band is a first for this blog as it is the second for an artist (previous here). I did try not to do this but the band have moved through so many styles they really can not be pinned down. This album is a real mix of doom metal and Gothic styles. The album has nothing new but it is all done so well. With a big production and all out band sound it really gets you by the throat.

But it is not all just noise the music is so well composed. Track four "Drown in Ashes" has more of an operatic feel to the start of the track, female operatic vocals accompany what is a speech style vocal track. All the time the band playing in the background. It really makes you wonder what is going on.

First track "Progeny" is the classic start to a metal album, really not giving much thought to the listeners possible mistake in having the Hi Fi too loud you may well need to turn it down. As I say there is more to the album so do not be fooled, this is not a run of the mill metal album.

Much of the bands previous output really did change minds and turn heads as they were labeled metal by the people who looked on without listening. Now the band have taken on a sound that can really attract more music fans as the whole alt metal and rock market is now so big. Noise and sludge are all here to a point but done in a way you can never rip off.

"Ground" has the riffs and it is all done very slow, those riffs that you feel moving the fillings. Music that you can feel when it is loud enough. The sound is so hard to describe as you really can't fix a band to it but as I say noise and metal are of very few words we can use. Almost feels like it is a lesson in how to be a sound as the vocals are so strong you wonder if someone is in the room with you live. Bass lines are simple and sound kind of detuned, chugging along, what a great album.

Back in 1999/2000 nu metal was the big thing, baggy trousers and baseball caps and all the kids had a new sound and look. But listening to this I have no idea what to wear! I do not think you can wear anything to this, a Slayer T Shirt would be over dressed.

No fucking about with song titles "A Dying God Coming into Human Flesh" as a title and repeats it in the song over and over. When it is done you feel it was cut short at 5:39.

Talking of track lengths "Synagoga Satanae" comes in at over 14 minutes and again you feel you want it to last a whole cd, how about a triple album. I could bang on about each and every track for pages but this blog is more to get you to listen and enjoy an album you may have missed. In 2006 you may have dismissed this instantly now it is 2014 you need to hear this. If you like heavy music listen to it and if you do not I really mean give it a go. The underground metal press went bonkers for this album but that is as far as it went.

A great new sound and great production mixed with immense song writing makes this one of the best albums in the 2000's for me. The album took four years to make and you can really feel it.

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