Saturday, 21 January 2012
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Gravel and Wine takes the listener on a journey of sound and emotion that is always majestic even when Gin gets abrasive or loud. She has the ability to kick up some dust and rock but then you hear a song like "Saturday Smile" that is so stunningly beautiful in all aspects and you'd nearly think it was Adele. I have to say I'm glad I finally got a hold of this record because it's absolutely brilliant and gives me great enthusiasm for Gin Wigmore turning me into a huge fan. If this album does get a domestic release I will have not trouble spending the cash to support her talent. Duffy, Lilly Allen and Macy Gray better be on their game because they have some serious competition for their spots with the overtly talented Gin Wigmore ready to strike a huge blow and steal those artists lime lights.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
It's the first list of 2012 so here we go!
10. Born To Be Wild by Sean Kingston Feat. Nicki Minaj
09. Hate Train by Metallica
08. Don't Stop (Color On The Walls) by Foster The People
07. Drive By by Train
06. Strike by Primal Fear
05. Everybody Talks by Neon Trees
04. Go by Tones On Tail
03. Red Solo Cup by Toby Keith
02. Gold On The Ceiling by Black Keys
01. Bully by Shinedown
This album is a raucous rock n' roll ride from a band that I'm still discovering. I'm blown away by how cool and groovy they are and that each time I play this record it gets better. I mean I've been listening to "Gold On The Ceiling" for a month now almost daily and I have to crank the volume and rock out. This is one of the first songs I've been completely addicted to in a long time. I mean I've been liking some tunes but this song can be on repeat for an hour and I will enjoy it every time a little bit more. The thing about El Camino is that every song has its own individual personality all the while making for a cohesive album listening experience.There are some truly great records like Dark Side Of The Moon, ZoSo (Led Zeppelin IV), Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Exile On Mainstreet, Revolver and The Joshua Tree and now the Black Keys are in that company in my opinion. I wouldn't put it at the top of the list because you can't do anything better than Sgt. Pepper or Darkside Of The Moon but to me it deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as those slices of genius. When you take the disco influenced "Run Right Back" and then the Elvis Costello meets Roxy Music feeling of "Sister" this album inspires large goosebumps. They are so well crafted but organic at the same time creating such a beautiful soundscape that I gladly give up the minutes of my life to listening to them anytime, anywhere.
Five years ago I wouldn't have even known who this band was but they are on my radar now and they will never be out of it again. The bands big single "Lonely Boy" is instantly memorable that leaves you with nothing but a smile. I like to play this album on random with my I-Pod just so I don't know what tracks coming next. It makes the repeated listening even more enjoyable and adds some fun for me any how. Songs like "Nova Baby" are so good they sound like old favorites from the first listen and that's something special that is very hard to achieve. That song in particular reminds of my new wave days of Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello for some reason, I guess it has that spirit. This is a better album than I could have expected it to be and if I would have had it in my listening rotation earlier than December 2011 I would have had it sitting near the top of my best of top 100 list not at the still respectable #31 where it ended up just because of how late I was to the Keys party.
Let get this straight this album never comes close to a misfire and each song has enough going on that it is a winner. I would go on to compare it to the absolutely perfect Humanity: Hour One as it is as good albeit different but easily as solid as that album is and might even be a touch more fun considering all the glorious headbanging fun you will enjoy here. When "Unbreakable (Part 2)" gets to the 3:15 mark and the instrumental pounding begins I had to admit I was excited to hear the guitar solo that was coming, I loved it 'nuff said. Now with the excellent quality of the songs on Unbreakable it could have been a track or two shorter which would have driven the quality to an infinite level of success. Even though the length is a tad long this album is to be lauded as the bands greatest album. The surprising excellence of 16.6: (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead) was the beginning of this renaissance period which I'm sure we are just in the middle of and I hope that the band continue to grow and bring the thunder for years to come if this is the kind of metal we can expect from Primal Fear.
"Live 4 Today" apes the riff of "Stone In Love" by Journey but that's where the comparison ends for sure. Another weak ass under produced and unfinished song that sounds like a demo. Another shit cover this time of a Willie Nelson classic that has a completely stupid drum track. Even though this could have been decent with Steve Summers snarky tone blazing out the deep lyrics they again fall short, very short. Hey the next seems to have it all together sounds like a good tune ahead enter "Love The Way (You Make Me Sick)" and overall its the first good tune the album has provided. Suddenly I'm seeing the clouds part and the rain dry up but I know this album is more of a rainy with sunny periods kinda record. Sounds like a Pretty Boy Floyd song and that is a good thing if we are talking about the debut which I am.
So after a bunch of garbage the band finally have found a groove and dropped back to back fun glam rock songs. Steve Summers has a great voice and I wish only for a big budget well written batch of songs from him and Keri Kelly. After a completely dreadful slow intro "U&I" turns into another decent piece of music from the ex PBF boys. The album believe or not has improved enough for me to continue listening even with a waste of time power ballad. Rachelle is in the Religious Fix era voice for his lead vocal of "Toy Human" it's nothing to write home about but its listenable. There is a bunch of filler and cop of the Ramones "Happy Birthday" to end the album on a positive note. Overall save your dollars and put on the Pretty Boy Floyd debut followed by the Tuff debut What Comes Around Goes Around which will make you smile and feel good about saving the cash on this and getting to hear those two great glam metal records.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Friday, 6 January 2012
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