Victor Wooten - Classical Thump

Ok, sorry for the delay, just had some difficulty finding/downloading one of the songs. I finally got this one even though it wasn't my top pick, but here we go. I pretty much know before listening that I'm not going to like it enough to download anything else, because I'm not into this kind of music, and I don't really appreciate good bass/guitar/drumming or what have you, as long as something sounds good with other instruments, I like it.

So the song begins with bass, obviously, and it sounds "electronic" and echoey. This man plays the bass pretty fast, and I admire his quickness. This song is actually more of a collection of different songs, probably "classic" songs, because he stops playing for a couple seconds and goes into something different. However, they do sound similar, so I don't know. At one point in the song he is playing it VERY fast, and it sounds like a mix between a bass and a harp. The music is pretty soothing, and kind of sounds like Christmas music or music from Fantasia. If you love the bass, and appreciate good bass musicians, this is for you. Haha, it sounds like he ****ed up at 4:27, but that's most likely not it.

As I said before, I wouldn't download any more of this, but it is enjoyable. 8/10

My Recommendations:
Deltron 3030 - Positive Contact (Hip hop)
Regatta 69 - Killer Cabbie (Ska)
Amadan - Cadence to a Drunken Arms Deal/Morrison's Jig (Irish Folk)

[center][b][i]Deltron 3030 - Positive Contact[/b][/i][/center]

This song has a classic big hip-hop beat that really gets your head nodding but also with some weirder futuristic sound effects. I'm pretty sure the rapper is Del tha Funkee Homosapien who's one of my favourite rappers so the rhymes and flow are good. The chorus has a few scratchy samples that work really well together to make it really catchy. In keeping with the futuristic tone most of the lyrics seem to be concerned with science-fiction themes which makes a nice change from the stereotypical topics of most of mainstream rap. This is a great rap song from a really good rapper. I enjoyed it. 8.5/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Bluegrass/Folk)
Gordon Lightfoot - Canadian Railroad Trilogy (Folk)
Phil Ochs - Draft Dodger Rag (Folk)
Captain Chaos - I've Figured Out How I Feel About You (Folk-punk)
Erik Petersen - Farewell Good Fellows (Folk-punk)
The Violent Femmes - I Held Her in My Arms (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - Ain't It The Life? (Folk-punk)
The Dead Pets - Plodding Along (Ska-Punk)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe

Violent Femmes - I Held Her In My Arms

I love the Violent Femmes, and I'm a big big fan of their earlier stuff. This doesn't resemble much their earliest albums, but it's good in a completely different way. The song opens up with full instruments and a trumpet(or maybe a saxophone) in the 'foreground'. The singing starts quickly, after maybe ten seconds in, and is very typical of the vocalist's usual colourful delivery, that manages to stay clear even in the faster parts. The first lyrics that struck me as unique and deep were "I'm learning things I should've already learnt" and "I was with a girl but it felt like I was with a boy." The latter has two meanings, as far as I can see. Either he is so in love with this girl that he thinks of her as a friend first and a lover second, or that he is imagining he could be this intimate comfortably with a guy. Both of these are nice and, for me, give the song the feeling of friendly intimacy with the singer, sharing his feelings with the listener. I'm loving the bass in this, it is funky. 9/10

Stiff Little Fingers - Harp (English folk-punk)
Bob Dylan - Story Of The Hurricane (Singer/Songwrite, light rock)
Deep Purple - Sweet Child In Time (Rock)
L7 - Tank Girl (Punkrock)
Janis Joplin - The Rose (Blues)

Enjoy, that was fun.

Gmail: nothingmoreto.tell

Bob Dylan - Hurricane

Holy COW this is a long song. Coheneran you cunt. The song begins with soft acoustic guitar followed by a soothing violin. "Pistols shots ring out in a barroom night..." are the first words sung by Robert, corresponding with the album cover of I GUESS Bob dressed up as a Mexican bandito. The song quickly goes in to what appears to be the chorus "...here comes the story of the hurricane." The story continues, and is briefly interrupted by a mini violin solo almost at one minute. The song continues to do this for awhile, with short bursts of violin solos, more of the song being sung and a story being told. The chorus' lyrics are changed though, while the music stays the same.

I don't know if I'd download more of Bob Dylan, I like this song but I'm not sure I like the rest of his stuff.. but I'll definitely be checking out more sometime. I'd follow the lyrics if I wasn't writing this as I listen, but oh well, I'm hardly half way through this EIGHT MINUTE AND THIRTY TWO SECOND SONG! Even though the song doesn't really change that much aside from lyrics, since it is a story, and I don't think anything has been repeated yet, it does not get boring or repetitive. The violin bursts are different every time I think. Oh, now there's a trial going on. Oh **** Bob just said "crazy ******". Alright I'm gonna stop reviewing this until the end because Bob's telling the story, not me.

Ahh sweet some harmonica!! This is a nice way to end the song. No words have been spoken for about a minute, just harmonica and continual background instruments. Good song, 9.5/10

My Recommendations:
Satori - Celebration (Reggae/Ska)
King Prawn - People Taking Over (Ska-punk)
AntiManiax - Don't Steal Because the Government Hates Competition (SkaCORE BITCHES)

[center][b][i]Antimaniax - Don't Steal Because the Government Hates Competition[/i][/b][/center]

The song begins with a pretty good Simpsons quote before some spooky music kicks in shortly followed by a big heavy riff that fades out into a really sweet bassline which signals some great jumping ska and the vocals. The ska is very well done particularly the bass. The vocals are frenetic and match the music with lots of background vocals shouting "WHOA!" or echoing the lead vocals between lines. Without warning it slows and speeds up the song quickly with a big blast of hardcore that jumps back into another ska section before the song ends with another hardcore section. This was a well done song with the genre transitions being handled well although I much preferred the ska parts of the song but that's probably just my taste. 7.5/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Bluegrass/Folk)
Gordon Lightfoot - Canadian Railroad Trilogy (Folk)
Phil Ochs - Draft Dodger Rag (Folk)
Captain Chaos - I've Figured Out How I Feel About You (Folk-punk)
Erik Petersen - Farewell Good Fellows (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - Ain't It The Life? (Folk-punk)
The Dead Pets - Plodding Along (Ska-Punk)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe

Erik Petersen - Farewell Good Fellows

I've never heard of him before, but I'm definitley getting more of him. The song starts off with him plucking the guitar, and then it goes into proper playing. He starts off "Farewell good fellows, your ways are not for me..." in a voice that stresses certain parts of sentences and words in a way reminiscent of Dylan, but his lyrics are very unique, and the sound of his voice reminds me of the SLF singer's. "Rest upon your laurels, glad you've found your peace, but farewell good fellows, your ways are not for me." This really speaks to me. This song is all about the meaning of the lyrics, and when you've found them is when you really come to appreciate this guy's skill in songwriting. "Your armour will not fit me although fine it's suiting you." Is another example. The lyrics aren't varied, and they have an extremely precise meaning. His passion when singing, the emotion he puts into his lyrics is beautiful and the more I hear this song (it's on repeat) the more vivid I find the meaning and the more I like it. This song really needs nothing. I strongly reccomend it.
10/10

Eric Clapton - Layla (Rock)
Flipsyde - Trumpets (Hip-Hop Fusion)
Stiff Little Fingers - Harp (Folk Punk)
Levellers - Julie (Folk Punk)
Animals - House Of The Rising Sun (Country Rock)

Gmail: nothingmoreto.tell

Stiff Little Fingers - Harp

Another soft and easy acoustic song, but this acoustic guitar sounds different! What's wrong with it?? Just sounds kinda weird. Ok, sounds like a more recent SLF song, something that could be from [I]Guitar and Drum[/I] (but it isn't). Very similar to a Billy Bragg song, because so far, there aren't any other instruments aside from the guitar. Ah, but we got some drums kickin' in around a minute, and some faint bass. Some dude starts playing the harmonica as well, but it sounds like a robot is playing it because they're only playing one note. I'm trying to figure out if this song is happy or sad. I think it's one of those hope songs. Trying to be uplifting. Jakey says "don't call me harp" several times, and I am sitting here wondering what the hell that means. There's an electric guitar that strums an occasional power chord or two, and then out of nowhere busts a solo at 2:20!!
Not really a long solo, actually more like a long lick, because the guitarist plays it several more times. Not much left in the song, except more of "don't call me harp" and that guitar lick. Good song, although not up to par with anything on [I]Inflammable Material[/I], 8.5/10

My Recommendations:
King Prawn - People Taking Over (Ska-punk)
Satori - Celebration (Ska/Reggae)
999 - Emergency (Punk)

[center][b][i]999 - Emergency[/i][/b][/center]

The song starts with a mid-tempo very repetitive droning riff and a simple drumbeat which sounds pretty cool. The vocals come in soon after. I really like the vocalist. He's got a really cool typical snarling voice that alternates between a whisper and a squeal but it always retains its menace. The music changes for the chorus but remains mid-tempo which means the song does drag on slightly but it's still enjoyable though it could do with some more variation. 6.5/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Bluegrass/Folk)
Gordon Lightfoot - Canadian Railroad Trilogy (Folk)
Phil Ochs - Draft Dodger Rag (Folk)
Captain Chaos - I've Figured Out How I Feel About You (Folk-punk)
Sage Francis - Jah Didn't Kill Johnny (Hip-hop)
Mischief Brew - Ain't It The Life? (Folk-punk)
The Dead Pets - Plodding Along (Ska-Punk)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe

[U]Mischief Brew - Ain't It The Life[/U]

First of all, before I start off, I have to say that I've just discovered a new-found affection for weed, and in this song he was singing about "getting stoned and watching the main street parade" which reminds me of the Nottinghill Carnival and smoking pot and eating hash brownies and dancing with the jamaican parade dancers in a lewd manner. So this gives the song a 5/10 minimum. Onto the song. It starts off with a plucking guitar, then he starts singing "Never sing no surrender when you've just learned to crawl\It's all bravery knowing when to fly and fall, but down here by the ocean things just don't seem so bad on our backs, (and now his voice gets determined and raspy) AND WE'VE ALL FORGOTTEN WHAT MADE US SO MAD!". This just completely got me off. I was like "AWESOME!!!" in my head. Now a xylophone's started playing as well as the drums, which I forgot to mention started earlier. Now, after another verse, near the end he shouts "MAY ALL WE DO BE FOR OUT DELIGHT!" a few times, like one does to get the point of the song across at the end, and it goes into an accordion playing on it's own, and it ends.
All in all, a fun song, and one you would put on a summer chill-out stoner compilation, but it won't be near the best songs on the disc, if you get me.
7.5/10

Levellers - English Civil War (English Folk-Punk)
Stevie Nicks - Edge Of Seventeen (Rock, Country-Rock)
Eels - Altar Boy (I'm not sure, umm, highly chilled out rock)
Oi Polloi - Boot Down The Door (Thrash-Punk)
NWA - Bridget (Rap/Hip-Hop)

Gmail: Nothingmoreto.tell

[center][b][i]The Levellers - English Civil War[/i][/b][/center]

The song starts with some nice gentle strings that really set the tone nicely and the vocals come in after awhile and the music speeds up but remains quite gentle. The vocals are okay and the lyrics are good. At about 50 seconds the punk music kicks in which is really catchy with some nice instrumental breaks including a pretty cool solo. There's a mellower section with just the bass and drums that provides a nice change of pace. There's another solo before the song fades out. This song is very anthemic, and well-executed. 8.5/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Bluegrass/Folk)
Gordon Lightfoot - Canadian Railroad Trilogy (Folk)
Phil Ochs - Draft Dodger Rag (Folk)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Captain Chaos - I've Figured Out How I Feel About You (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
The Dead Pets - Plodding Along (Ska-Punk)
Sage Francis - Jah Didn't Kill Johnny (Hip-hop)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe

Sage Francis - Jah Didn't Kill Johnny

This song is a tribute to Johnny Cash, may he rock in peace. It's not like most other songs in that it seems that the artist(s) wrote it only for themselves, as a little token of appreciation, like writing a poem about someone you love, as opposed to artists who try to write their songs with a message to the listeners, or get their ideas out there. This makes the song very personal and gives an insight into the artist(s). The song starts with an acoustic guitar and then the main singer goes "Holler at ya boy" and the background vocals "Holler at ya boy" in a mellow beaty way, much like the background vocals on Big Bad John. Then their's someone speaking in the background "This song's going out to a childhood mentor of mine, Father John, I want you to know I still care about you" and at the same time a harmonica starts up along with the guitar, playing the same 3 notes over and over again. Then the chorus starts with the singer putting on the typical rapper's menacing voice, "The smoke didn't kill Johnny(kill Johnny), the drink didn't kill Johnny(kill Johnny), the junk didn't kill Johnny(kill Johnny) and the women didn't kill Johnny(kill Johnny)". Near the end the background vocals start again with "Holler at ya boy" and the main singer singing "Life is easy" until fadeout.
Kind of a cute song, nice and easy, but more something to listen to if you're a big Cash fan, because of all the little references and tributes to typical Johnny Cash techniques and style, which I'm sure I'd missed at least 4/5 of.
6.5/10

Rage Against The Machine - Renegades (Rap/Hip-Hop)
Johnny Cash - Big Bad John (Country)
Eek-A-Mouse - Rude Boy Jamaican (Reggae)
Nightwish - 10th Man Down (Goth Metal)
John Cooper Clarke - Innocents (Punk Poetry)

There, good simple tasteful music.

Gmail: nothingmoreto.tell

Eek-A-Mouse - Rude boy jamacian
It sounds like he says bacon alot. hehe. Lets remember im bad at this game.
Butt Herrree comes the rude boy jamacian!! Its a simple song, Repitive Reggae. Honestly, most reggae sounds the same to me. As does this. I like the beat to it. Upbeat and chill. not much too it. Chill biggest word that comes to mind. the whole song sounds the same so im gonna stop listening to it. 6.5/10


Skull skank [url]http://www.myspace.com/phatbastard[/url] ( skunkrawk? hehe) nvm.
Payne To The rescue [url]http://www.myspace.com/bakedfreshdaily[/url] (ska punk)
Ska in my pocket [url]http://www.myspace.com/biggerthomas[/url]
Stuck on you [url]http://www.myspace.com/the3tards[/url] ( punk) - pick this one ;)

FINE Massive Attack - Karma Coma

[B]Massive Attack - Karma Coma[/B] (5:40)

The song commences with tribal-esque drumming. Then, the singer, starts rapping slowly. He begins very slow, but the tempo increases. And as it increases he starts to rap faster. I like this, it is very soothing and relaxing, yet very plain. The song lacks diversity, and to me, catharsis. Then there is a higher pitched sound that comes into the background but quickly fades. The singer becomes much more difficult to understand as the song proceeds. His lyrics are not very impressive, when you can hear them. It ends in the same manner as it begun. The song failed to progress and that was it's downfall.
[B]
5/10.[/B]
[B]
Recommendations:[/B]
The Anniversary - Shu Shubat [Indie]
Owen - Nobody's Nothing [Indie]
Modern Life Is War - John And Jimmy [Hardcore]
Envy - Color of Fetters [Emo-core]

Envy - Color Of Fetters

The song starts off with two chords "Plinnk, plinnnnk" and then the horrible horrible singing starts. You can't make it out, and even if I spoke Japanese (They are Jap), I wouldn't understand what he is singing. He is screaming into the microphone for about two minutes, and then the whispering starts. The music is pretty boring as well. It's the same thing over and over again, until the whispering starts AGAIN and it's the same chord strummed over and over again, with a little of the cymbal, which doesn't improve matters. Oh, three minutes in, the music stopped, and we have an opportunity to hurl. Not it starts again, slow and rhythmic, kinda nice. He is singing softly, probably about a girl, I am dreading the screaming to come. Music stopped again. Faint guitar noises in the background, nothing else. ARGH! It screams! IT's terrible, truely terrible. This song is seven minutes long, and a wasted seven minutes of my life. It really is intolerable screaming, I am turning it off.
2/10

NWA - Boyz In Tha 'Hood (Rap)
George Clinton And P-Funk - Brain Maggot (Funk) <<<Best track of all these.
Flipsyde - Revolutionary Beat (Hip-Hop/Rap)
Otis Redding - Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay (Blues)
Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind (Blues/Soul)

Distinctly black theme today.

dibs

[SIZE="5"]NWA - Boyz in da Hood[/SIZE]

I like a little old school rap, so I figured I would pick this song. The whole song is rapped by Eazy E, who is one of my favorite rap artists. The verse beat is nice and slow, and the rapping is average, freestyle[I]esque[/I] speed. Then after every verse is the chorus which is probably my favorite rap chorus I have ever heard. Its just clapping and a bell sound and then it kicks in, then later w/ a thumping sound. It is really creative. Inbetween every verse/chorus is a dj scratching. I really enjoyed listening to this song and I recomend it for any old school rap fans, but i am asuming they have alerady heard it since it was such a big song. I never heard it before this before... wierd.

[SIZE="5"]8.5/10[/SIZE]

[SIZE="4"]Rec:[/SIZE]

Eazy E - 2 Hard Mutha****as (Rap)
The Boils - Blood on the Fields (Street/Punk)
Western Addiction - It's Funny, I Don't Feel Like a Winner (Punk/Hardcore)
Strike Anywhere - Denonation (Hardcore/Punk)
Coexist - Go! (Punk)

[B]STRIKE ANYWHERE - DETONATION[/B]

I've listened to Strike Anywhere several times before and also I saw them live but I couldn't find any other of the songs. Good thing is I don't remember most of their songs and I didn't remember this one in particular so it'll be like reviewing a new song.

What can I say about this guys, they are one of the best melodic hardcore bands around lately (with permission of AWS) and they have a style I absolutely enjoy. I didn't remember this song but I can say I loved it, as far as I know, these guys have never written a bad song. The song starts with the singer shouting "we are not the images we see!" and straight to all the instruments, then back-up guitar and then again he shouting "I refuse to follow the fashion to its end!", so great intro to start with. Straight comes the verse which is purely Strike Anywhere with some cool guitar octave and that vocal style which makes me love this band. The chorus is quite catchy and with cool instrumental below it. Then comes a different verse a little less "rough" with palm-muting guitars and then an octave guitar bridge, cool as well. The song has yet another different part similar to the less rough verse and then another rough verse like the first one. Just after this it comes a whoaaaaahh part that's what I like most about the song, and now the outro with a powerful drum beat and lot of instrumental back-up from the lead guitar to which he yells "we are not the images we see!" to end the song.

The lyrics talk about the consumism which we live our lives and the power of consumism in this world, which we all born with and should learn to fight it and not let it overwhelm us. I like this subject and the lyrics are well written so this adds points. I think this review helped me getting a better point of view of this song and I'm sure I'll enjoyed more from now on. I give it a 9/10 because it has many parts and they're all great but it quite overuses octaves.

I'll give you some songs to follow the FL trend:

Ska-P - Villancico (spanish Ska/Punk)
The Pogues - The Irish Rover (Irish Rock)
Bigwig - Falling Down (Punk, how would it be my FL if it didn't have Bigwig on it?)
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mellowship Slinky In B Major (Funk-Rock)
Ignite - Hands On Stance (Melodic Hardcore)
Real McKenzies - Farewell To Nova Scotia (Scottish-Punk, this one is a cover but awesome one)

Add me on soulsex (albert bass)
or MSN (albert_bass86@hotmail.com)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mellowship Slinky in B Major

My all-time favourite band, EVER. Song starts off with a rhytmic guitar and drums, and then goes into a funky bass and the guitar changes to compliment Flea. Anthony comes in with his high, raspy kind of voice, and it just makes you move. His rap-like delivery, emphasising the rhyming syllables, fit in particularly well with the funky music. When the backing vocals come in, he starts singing softly, like he does nowadays (this song is old folks, early 80's methinks), and the guitar comes in with another beaty rhythm. As the song goes off, the music changes a tiny bit for every chorus or verse that go by, but always sticks to the original style from the beginning of the song. As it goes into the instrumental break, Flea does his thing (bass solo), and it's so unbelievable funksome and groovy, that I had to get up and dance. Then Anthony sings another chorus and the instrumentals come into it until it fades out.
I notice this was a **** review, but it's the best I can do right now, what with the funk and weed and everything. 10/10

Velvet Underground - Stephanie Says (Pop-Punk)
Rancid - Red Hot Moon (Punk)
NoFX - It's My Job To Keep Punk-Rock Elite (Punk)
Culture - Jah I See Dem A-Come (Reggae)
Manfred Mann - Davy's On The Road Again (Pop-Rock)
Beastie Boys - The New Style (Rap)
Beatles - Instant Karma (Pop)

Gmail: nothingmoreto.tell

[center][b][i]The Beastie Boys - The New Style[/i][/b][/center]

This song is very typical Beastie Boys. Cool beats and abrasive rapping. The rapping is loud and typically obnoxious, perhaps too much so, but complaining that a Beastie Boys songs is obnoxious is like complaining that a Jimi Hendrix song has too many guitar solos, or that a Dead Kennedys song is too political, or that an Pennywise song is boring and repetitive, it's what makes them them and they're not going to change it. If you don't get it then you won't like this song. It won't matter that the lyrics are funny or that the beats are cool throughout and perfectly compliment the rapping and its delivery and that there's a entertaining faux-crowd section towards the end, if you don't like the Beastie Boys you won't like this song. If you're into subtle then this song is not for you, it's about as gentle as a sledgehammer to the groin, and the voices can start to grate (in the same way that a rectal barbed-wire wrapped stick insertion can) but if you like beer, rapping, rocking out, having fun and really pissing people off then this is what you've been looking for. In short, if you're cool, this should be right up your street. 8/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Bluegrass/Folk)
Gordon Lightfoot - Canadian Railroad Trilogy (Folk)
Phil Ochs - Draft Dodger Rag (Folk)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Captain Chaos - I've Figured Out How I Feel About You (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
The Dead Pets - Plodding Along (Ska-Punk)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe

[CENTER]The Dead Pets-Plodding Along[/CENTER]

0:00-0:10: a nice little riff drums and bass.. sounds bouncy
0:11-0:19: plods plods plods plods
0:20: vocals kick in do say im rather fond of his voice
0:37:corous time!
1:04:second verse, no clue what hes saying (but im dancin in my seat haha)
1:22:corous again..
1:47-2:20: and again... and again

i had never heard the dead pets before, and i do think ill have to checkout more. it was an overall good song, something that its possible to dance in the living room to. but thats just my opinion


7.5/10



you must choose from:

Choking Victim-Born To Die
Keeping Distance- Dead Girls(breezies) Dont Lie
([url]http://www.myspace.com/keepingdistance[/url])
HeavyHeavyLowLow- Tell Shannon Her Crafts Are Ready
([url]http://www.myspace.com/heavyheavylowlow[/url])
The Dead Milkmen- Two Feet Off The Ground
Johnny Cash- Get Rythem

Chokign Victim/Leftover Crack - Born to Die

I only have the LOC version of this song, so ima use that.
The song starts off with 3 soft chords, a piano and a choir. Than the vocals come in with "Born to die, and you get to sit and watch your TV set believe the lies before your eyes." Than repeats the same chords as well as intro verse. And gets into the song using the same 3 chords and finishing off the first stanza. It does a little interlude and goes to the thrashy-ska part for the verse. Goes into a faster distored 3 chords and goes back to the thrashy-ska part for another verse. It follows the verse with another fast, distored 3 chords, and goes to a vslw break down. Than either stza or ezra go "Cha" and the kick ***, yet easy solo kicks in being followd by another fast 3 chords. Another slow break down comes with the lyrics "gone to bed
God is dead lies and truth are in my head your history, society, economy it isnt me" And in comes another fast distorted guitar riff and pretty much ends the song on "we are born to die" and a long climatic ending. The lyrics are out standing, like all of LOC/Choking V's lyrics are. As well as the music. The mix of crust, ska, metal, punk, dub, and possibly hip hop makes the crack rock steady sound a genra in its self. I give this song 10/10.

Recomendations:
Makind? - Its not tv, Its Reality(Anarcho Punk/Crust)
Cage - Agent Orange (Hip Hop)
4-skins - I dont Wanna Die (punk)
Rudimentary Peni - Sacrafice (Anarcho Punk)
Erik Peterson - Boycot Me (folk/punk)
Scorpians - Rock You like A Hurricane(Classic rock/heavy metal)

[center][b][i]Erik Petersen - Boycott Me![/i][/b][/center]

So Forced Listening means that you're supposed to review something you've never listened to before and for the last couple of weeks I've listened to little else than Erik Petersen but I'm still going to review this song. I sometimes wonder even if I'm listening am I actually hearing? Erik Petersen is someone you can have on in the background as his music is incredibly catchy and easy to listen to but at the same time there can be a deeper meaning.

The rallying cry of Boycott Me, the phrase around which the song revolves, is "I'd rather taste a rebel's glory than drink blood from your cup" which may be dismissed as simple rebel posturing but whatever you think of it, it is undeniably a powerful image, one which invites the listener to put themselves in that situation. Everyone likes to think they'd opt for the romanticism and bravery of "a rebel's glory" but in reality the choice is harder however, this is still an epic proclamation, a powerful slogan equal with Petersen's best such as "Roll Me Through the Gates of Hell" in its defiant stance and ability to inspire.

Petersen can do more than simply issue a call to arms, his imagery is also fantastic. He opens the song with the image of a parade with "fife and snare marching through the square" and "stencilled flags of insurrection dancing through the air" personifying these crudely made symbols of defiance while he makes no mention of the marchers themselves. Here he's making the point that it's people actions that define them, that all you need to know is that people are defying authority, not who they are. This is another powerful image that illustrates Petersen lyrical talent.

With the image of the parade, Petersen is far from a lone rebel in this song. Through use of reference he establishes himself as a rebel in context talking of "a Thomas Paine of modern day" absorbing and conveying the 18th century pamphleteer's most famous beliefs (that all men are essentially equal) in just one line. He also speaks of "those who rode the rails" and "those in jail". The romantic image of riding the rails is one entrenched in American culture and conjurs up figures such as Woody Guthrie, someone else who stood up for what he believed in. The talk of "those in jail" is perhaps more important bringing to mind people such as Nelson Mandela and Mumia Abu-Jamal who on closer inspection appears to be the subject of this song, the modern day Thomas Paine.

Abu-Jamal was convicted of killing a policeman and has been on death row ever since despite repeated calls for his release and mounting evidence of his innocence. In jail he has become a celebrated radical writer coining such phrases as "Today's Empires, Tommorrow's Ashes." Petersen talks of "liberty being cracked within its bells" referencing the famous Liberty Bell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the state where Abu-Jamal was convicted of the crime drawing parallels between the American ideal of freedom (as espoused by Paine) and how it contrasts with the reality. He also uses the line "demons in your heavens and angels in your hell" to highlight the fact that those who are supposed to uphold justice, the police and courts, are in fact not as high and mighty as they seem and those languishing in prison are not always the demons though they are the demonised. He also allies himself with Abu-Jamal with the line "F.O.P. boycott me" instructing the Fraternal Order of Police to add him to the list of businesses and people they boycott due to their support of Abu-Jamal and contributions to his defence fund.

Towards the end of the song Petersen looks to the future stating "The scorned few of today are the heroes of tommorrow" and predicting a time when people such as Abu-Jamal and their beliefs are co-opted by a government seeking to establish itself as supporting liberty by putting these once reviled figures on stamps. Petersen decries this, drawing contrast with the first verse of the song, by saying "we'll hope they're not forgotten" implying that whilst for a group of people such as those in the parade at the start it is their collective actions and symbolic nature that counts, someone like Abu-Jamal should be remembered as an individual for their words and beliefs rather than simply a face on a stamp.

While I have concentrated on the lyrics musically it is brilliant too starting with an almost fiddle-like tune perfectly segueing into a brilliant rolling rhythm that perfectly complements the lyrics. Petersen's voice is perfect for the song too, exactly the right mixture of harsh and tuneful.

This is a brilliant song. Before I started this review I completely missed the references to Abu-Jamal, I hadn't properly thought about what Petersen was saying, but that doesn't mean my previous interpretation was wrong. Petersen is talented enough to provide a song at once highlighting a particular case of injustice but at the same time proving a rallying call for those who wish to defy a corrupt authority of "demons in their heavens" and lambasting parents who curb their children's natural (as Thomas Paine would see it) instincts for freedom and questioning things. This ability is summed up in one line when he says "Spread word all around" which can be seen as both satirically telling all the parents to spread word about the wrongness of Abu-Jamal and Petersen and a rallying call for people who believe in either (or both) freedom and Abu-Jamal to draw attention to these issues. The songs two messages are perfectly articulated by Petersen's insistent voice that never leaves you in doubt of his sincerity and backed up by the simple guitar which echoes the attitude of the lyrics.

You need to listen to this song and you need to listen to Erik Petersen. This is just my interpretation, listen to the song and maybe you'll find your own meanings. For those mourning the fate of Against Me! he is a light in the darkness, someone to believe in and singalong with.

He. F[u]u[/u]cking. Rocks.

10/10 Did you ever think it would get another rating?

[b]Choose from:[/b]
Phil Ochs - Draft Dodger Rag (Folk)
Gordon Lightfoot - Canadian Railroad Trilogy (Folk)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Folk/Bluegrass)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
Captain Chaos - I've Figured Out How I Feel About You (Folk-punk)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe

[B]Captain Chaos - I've Figured Out How I Feel About You[/B] (3:05)

The singer and music begins at the same time. The singer sounds like Chris from Ghost Mice. The lyrics are of him robbing a store, or something. I like it because it's telling a story and that's more catchy, lyric wise. "I wouldn't worry about being free, just want people to listen to me sing." His lyrics are great and they perfectly show his desire in this world, and what his inspirations mean to him, even through plight. The music remains the same throughout the entire song and it ends with the resolution of the story. Very good song.

[B]9/10.[/B]

Recommendations:
The Afghan Whigs - Crazy [Alt./Rock]
Owen - Accidently [Indie]
Propagandhi - March Of The Crabs [Prog-Thrash]

Afghan Whigs- Crazy

Okay Ive read good things about these guys, som its about time to try them on for size. My first impression of this song is that its something I can hear if I just flip on the radio. The singers voice is kinda boring nothing original about it. The same two chords repeat over and over. It sseems like this is meant to be an uplifting song, sorta is to an extent. I do like the guitar solo, the rest is kinda meh.

Reccos

The Fall- How I Wrote the Elastic Man ( Post-Punk/Rockabily)
Swell Maps- Read About Seymour ( Post-Punk/ Pop Punk)
Neil Young- Out on a Weekend (Folk/Rock)
Xiu Xiu- Muppet Face (Indie)
Tom Waits- Shake It (Blues/Avant Garde)

Neil Young-Out on The weekend

Starts with a simple slow drum beat and some harmonica. then his vocals come in, theyre not great but good. the guitar has a countryish twang at some parts. the chorus is good, but i think it could be a bit more powerful. then the harmonica comes back in, thats really cool. the songwriting is really good. his singing gets kind of annoying after a while though. cool song, but its a bit too repetitive.

7.5/10

Recommendations:
Happy time-Tim Buckley
Don't Mess around with Jim-Jim croce
soul sammich-pietasters
i used to be a king-graham nash
now i wanna sniff some glue-ramones
superficial love-TSOL
we laugh at danger and break all the rules-against me!

[center][b][i]The Ramones - Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue[/i][/b][/center]

It's The Ramones. It's a catchy 90 second poppy punk tune about the desire to inhale sniff solvents comprising of 4 lines which tell you that. The singer wants to sniff some glue, the singer wants something to do and these wished are also shared by 'the kids'. If you don't like THe Ramones, this won't convert you. It's a lot more stop-start than their typical stuff but it's still unmistakably The Ramones. What were you expecting? Sartre set to music?

7/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
[url=http://delerone.net/riot-folk/Evan%20Greer%20-%20Ballad%20of%20the%20Last.mp3]Evan Greer - The Ballad of the Last Six Months of my Life[/url] (Folk)
Good Clean Fun - A Little Bit Emo, A Little Bit Hardcore (Hardcore-punk)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Folk/Bluegrass)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
Butthole Surfers - Lord is a Monkey (Rock)
Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me (Hardcore-punk)

[b]Gmail:[/b] sketchyjoe

Good Clean Fun - A Little Bit Emo, A Little Bit Hardcore

I have recently download (half) this album, but have yet to listen to any of the songs. The guitar fades in to open the song, as if it was being connected from a previous track, but alas, it is the first track of the album. Soon enough a powerful drumline kicks in, powerful, because it is loud, the skill of the drummer or the actual line does not have much importance. When the lyrics begin, you can tell it's going to be somewhat of a story. The lyrics consist of the singer descrbing two individuals, an emo boy, and a hardcore girl, both quite stereotypical. Lots of singing along, so I might as well and try to learn this song, if I want to have a good time when I see them in February.

There's one thing I don't like about GCF (aside from the crappy, yet joking lyrics), the choruses. The singer's voice, in my opinion, is too.. positive. "She showed him Times Gone By, he showed her how to cry..." The jist of the chorus is that the two are blending their scenes together, sharing their bands and whatnot. I really like the part after the third verse, and also the ending of the song, when the singer sings by himself one line, and every other line the rest of the band sings along. The song ends on a good note, with "let's start-to-day!"

The end of the actual song is really lame, with a stupid which I am sure they are aware of. "Meanwhile, back at Posi HQ..."

Overall good song, 8/10, and I apologize for the lack of descriptions on the actual music, but I think this will suffice.

My Recommendations:
Born/Dead - Indigent (Hardcore punk)
Suicide Bid - Turning the Blind Eye (Dub)
Satori - Celebration (Ska/Reggae)

[QUOTE=]Suicide Bid - Turning The Blind Eye (3:35)[/QUOTE]

The song begins with a drum roll, speeds up, then slows down to the mundane dub/reggae beat. I like the music, and I like dub, so the song should be enjoyable. The singer isn't very linguistic. He has an accent, but it's hard to tell what he's saying... the lyrics sound cool though. The trumpet roars in the background, with the excellent bass and guitar up front. I really like this song so far. He then begins to rant like he was before, and the lyrics are excellent. Especially now that I can understand them better. The trumpet roars in the background, this time with a bit of chanting type singing. It goes back into the ranting about child labor. I agree with his stances, I only buy clothes from the USA. People that run those business are inhumane, definitely. Anyway, this song was excellent, if there other stuff is as political/social and similar to this one; I will definitely pick up their CD. Very, very well done.

[B]8.7/10.[/B]

Recommendations:
Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy, Jr. [Indie]
Third Eye Blind - Blinded [Alt./Rock]
Propagandhi - Life At Disconnect [Prog-Thrash]

Being that i used to listen to Third Eye Blind way back in their "Jumper" days, and that i dont really listen to em anymore. I thought itd be good to refresh my ole noggin. Blinded starts off with a quick drum beat, which lead me to believe it was going to be a fast song, than it broke down to a single chord being played on a guitar. The chord goes for awhile than the lyrics come in. The music is a little bland, and doesnt have much change in it till the chours, which is also bland. Hes singing about a girl he once loved. And hes saying that when he sees this woman(or man) it stops him in his place with his/her beauty. The song is mid tempo, not too fast not too slow. It also gets some what repetitive after a while. It seems the singer wants to be back with his ex, which he still dearly cares for, kinda boring and generic, but its cool, ima listen to the rest of the album now. I give it a 2.786/5

Recomendations:
Dystopia- Igorance of Pride(grind/crust)
Eyedea and Abilities - Now(hip-hop)
OneWordSolution - Walls with out Windows(punk)
Boy Sets Fire - Release the Dogs(hardcore/melodic)
OPM - Heaven Is a Halfpipe (alternative/hip-hop)
the cure - Just Like Heaven (new wave)
Lynched - Round and Round (cello/irish)
Wake up on Fire - Dust (Grind)

[B]Eyedea and Abilities - Now[/B]

starts out with a drum roll and repeating some lyric over a few times (its actually 2 seperate ones but whatever).then its somewhat slow rapping(raping?), then its so fast that i have no clue whats being said, until he hits 'the worlsd is all asleep and i have no apploigies". and some more fast things that i can only pick apart a bit. then some repeating. and some slower words. and uh some music for about a min. then some more repeating then end.

its a bad review, but an okay song mabe 6/10, mabe



plea from a cat named virtue- the weakerthans
burn in hell- [error]
love rhymes with hideous car wreck- the blood brothers
two feet off the ground - the dead milkmen

[QUOTE=]The Blood Brothers - Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck.[/QUOTE]

The song begins quite nicely, I suppose. I mean, at first it's very easy to listen to. It goes along and then whoever the hell is singing starts to scream. It's the most polished, homogenized, ineffably BAD scream that I have ever heard. In fact, I have to finish writing a speech, so I'm going to do that rather than sit here and waste my time on this horrible song. God, they must draw the line between pretentiousness and just plain being imbeciles.

[B]1.3/10.[/B]

[B]My recommendations:[/B]
Brand Nubian - All For One [Rap/Hip-Hop]
The Pharcyde - Runnin' [Hip-Hop]

There you go Eran.

[U]Brand Nubian - All For One[/U]

It starts off with a steady solid beat, and then the vocals come in. He's got a high voice, and he rhymes fast and neat. He carries on rapping for nearly two more minutes. It's pleasant to listen to, but it's hard to follow. The chorus comes in, three or four people singing it. Then it ends abruptly and the second rapper comes in. He has a high voice as well, but slightly more nasal than the previous. He doesn't rhyme the same. His rapping is more about the beat than the way the words fit. He almost creates a second beat with his voice. Then the chorus, and the third rapper. This rapper has an even more nasal voice, but slightly lower than the second rapper. He raps slower than the other two, but emphasises certain syllables that speed up the sentence. He doesn't carry on long, and it sounds more like a summation of the song than anything else.
They're no Public Enemy, but they're enjoyable. 7/10

The Skanksters - Duckie (Ska)
Alice In Chains - Rooster (Grunge/Metal)
The Byrds - Hang On Sloopy (Rock/Pop)
Dwarves - There Better Be Women (Hardcore/Punk)
Woodie Guthrie - Pretty Boy Floyd (Folk/Country)

The Skanksters - Duckie

Begins with clearly identifiable ska chords, and perhaps a bit generic, but you can tell it will be a fun song. I really like the horn line and the sound of the horns, they sound of poorer quality than the rest of the instruments, but are nice and gentle on the ears, and very catchy. "This is a story about a rude named Duckie..." Yeah, one of those story songs. I'm pretty sure Duckie is called a rude, even though rudie makes more sense lyrically and rhyme-wise. Oh well, Canadians are weird, and they're probably French, so they must have gotten lost in translation. It appears Duckie goes to a party and gets into some trouble. The vocals are female, and go along nicely with the fast-paced music, giving a hint of punk, due to the speed. The main difference from the chorus to the rest of the song are the horns, and the vocals become less distinguishable.

After another verse and chorus, there's a nice little break, where the song reverts back to the intro with the catchy horn line. Another verse, explaining Duckie's predicaments. Typical rude boy song describing a rudie getting in trouble. The song ends on a good note, continuing the horn line and adding a bit more. 8/10

Take that Joe (your two hours were up)

My Recommendations:
The Slackers - Old Dog (Ska)
Fearless Iranians From Hell - Land of the Free (Punk)
Binary Star - Conquistadors (Hip hop)

[center][i][b]Fearless Iranians From Hell - Land of the Free[/b][/i][/center]

This song is quite a typical mid-tempo 80s hardcore song along the lines of JFA's Beach Blanket Bongout. It starts of with a little guitar intro before a big DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN leads into vocals. The vocals are standard 80s hardcore, snotty and abrasive with simple anti-authority lyrics. The music is cool with a lot more going on than you might suspect. The guitar work especially is really cool sounding with lots of scratchy fills and a nice little solo towards the end of the song. During the chorus there's a fantastic addition of dimly audible angelic choruses in the background. This isn't a fantastic song but I definitely enjoyed it. 7.5/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
[url=http://delerone.net/riot-folk/Evan%20Greer%20-%20Ballad%20of%20the%20Last.mp3]Evan Greer - The Ballad of the Last Six Months of my Life[/url] (Folk)
[url=http://www.archive.org/download/jhatft2005-03-03.flac16/jhatft2005-03-03t05_vbr.mp3]Johnny Hobo & The Freight-Trains[/url] (Folk-punk)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Folk/Bluegrass)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
Butthole Surfers - Lord is a Monkey (Rock)
Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me (Hardcore-punk)

[B]Evan Greer - The Ballad of the Last Six Months of my Life [/B]

I'm not going to go into detail to hear this song because it is really long.

This song has a lot of the same beat, but it is really amazing. The lyrics are great, and a lot of the talk about punk shows is relevant. This is really folky. It's also fast and upbeat. I like it a whole lot. It held my attention, and I am checking out more of this guy for sure. I'm sorry that was so brief, but yeah, I suggest it.

9/10

Reccomnedations:

Leftover Crack - Burn them Prisons

Toy Dolls - If You're In A Pop Group You'll End Up Paying A Fortune Practicing at Peter Practice's Practice Place

New York Dolls - Trash

Chaos UK - What About a Future

New York Dolls - Trash

I only just heard this off a New York Punk sampler CD that came with a magazine I bought. Been a NY Dolls fan for ages, but haven't actually heard "Trash" before. Definatly starts with a bang, hits straight away "Trash...", cool drum beat to it, nice changes in pace and style. I like it alot, not as much as say "Pills", or "Personality Crisis", but still pwns everything recorded in the last 10 years.

8/10.

The Dead Boys - All This And More (Punk)
Blondie - X Offender (New Wave)
John Cooper Clarke - I Fell In Love With An Alien Being (Spoken Word)
The Damned - Love Song (Punk)
Iron Maiden - Run To The Hills (Metal)
3 Inches Of Blood - Deadly Sinners (Power Metal)

[U]John Cooper Clarke - I Married A Monster From Outer Space[/U]

John Cooper Clarke was a punk poet from Liverpool in the 70's (I think). This is one of his most famous songs, though one of the worst, in my opinion. I'm a big fan, but this is crap compared to most of his other stuff.

This song has futuristic sounds all through, mostly computer noises. When his voice comes in, it has that robotic drone to it, like when you speak into a fan, which adds even more of a sci-fi feel to the song. It has a steady bass rhythm through-out. "I fell in love with an alien being/Who's skin was jelly who's teeth were green/She had the big bug eyes and the death ray Glare/feet like water wings, purple hair". This song at first seems like a joke song, though he slips in a line or two that may or may not have been a comment on racism to immigrants; "We walked out tentacle in hand/You could sense that the earthlings wouldn't understand/They'd go 'nudge nudge' when we got off the bus/Said 'It's extraterrestrial, not like us/It's bad enough with another race/But fu'ck me a monster from outer space.'" I like this little piece of commentary, and if it was during the 70's, I imagine it coincides with the influx of Pakistani immigrants. As the lyrics end, a weird electronic solo begins of various bleeps and random sounds. It ends with someone ringing a bike bell over and over, and what I think is a bass drum being kicked softly.
I like this song, it's cute, but I would reccommend other stuff by him.
6/10

John Cooper Clarke - Evidently Chicken Town (Punk/Poetry)
Sage Francis - The Time Of My Life (Hip-Hop/Rap)
Culture - Legalization (Reggae)
Eric Clapton - I Feel Free (Rock)
Nightwish - Bless The Child (Goth)

Fairly basic choice today, enjoy.

[b][i][center]Nightwish - Bless the Child[/b][/i][/center]
I can't help but like this song. It's absolutely ridiculous, but it's got the quality that Meatloaf shares of being so utterly preposterous that it somehow makes sense. There's lots of female-vocal choirs doing background vocals, a large dose of big heavy distorted guitar riffs, liberally garnished head-nodding beats, a nice helping of synthy keyboard lines, the occasional string section, cheesy spoken intros and outros and all topped off with some wailing vocals. Delicious. You can't help but head nod. This lyrics would be vomit-inducing in any other setting bu this is the sort of song that raises pretentiousness to an artform. It's very big, very silly, and very enjoyable. 8/10

[b]Choose from:[/b]
[url=http://www.archive.org/download/jhatft2005-03-03.flac16/jhatft2005-03-03t05_vbr.mp3]Johnny Hobo & The Freight-Trains - Acid Song[/url] (Folk-punk)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (Folk/Bluegrass)
Erik Petersen - Olde Tyme Mem'ry (Folk-punk)
Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (Folk-rock)
Mischief Brew - The Lowly Carpenter (Folk-punk)
Butthole Surfers - Lord is a Monkey (Rock)
Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me (Hardcore-punk)

[B]The Butthole Surfers - The Lord is a Monkey[/B]
I've honestly never heard the Butthole Surfers before, so this should be interesting. This song starts funky with a cool rock sound to it. So far so good. Then the lyrics come in. I like how they sound. It's kind of creepy and evil sounding. It fits the instruments pretty well.

The style of music isn't like anything I really listen to a lot, but I still like it. The guitar and stuff is pretty catchy and gets your foot tapping. The vocals fit the song nicely.

All in all, well done. I'm going to download more of the Butthole Surfers, fo' sho'.

8/10

[B][U]Choose from:[/U][/B]
[URL="http://www.archive.org/download/jhatft2005-03-03.flac16/jhatft2005-03-03t05_vbr.mp3"]Johnny Hobo - The Acid Song[/URL](folk-punk)
Erik Petersen - A Liquor Never Brewed (folk-punk)
Gogol Bordello - When the Trickster Starts a Pokin' (Bordello Kind of Guy) (gypsy-punk)
Toxic Narcotic - Whatever it Takes (grind)
Bomb the Music Industry - Big Plans of Sleeping In (ska/punk)
Ghost Mice - Cancer or Carwreck (folk-punk)
Kings of Nuthin' - Nailhead (punkish skaish folkish?)

Kings of Nuthin' - Nailhead

I have all of those songs except for Whatever it Takes and this one, and I chose this one because I've never heard Kings of Nuthin' before. Wow, like three seconds into the song I already like it quite a bit. I always knew Kings of Nuthin' were different from other punk bands from what others have said, in a creative sense, but I didn't expect this. The song begins with rough-sounding vocals and goes immediately into the chorus. This song sounds like a mix of punk vocals with a bunch of musicians you'd expect in a Mark Twain book. The song is very upbeat and fast, and makes you want to dance, but you probably wouldn't know how to dance to this crazy music because all we know how to do is skank like idiots.

The chorus comes up very quickly (within 15 seconds) and I believe they are yelling "she don't say", and some other mumbo jumbo. I really don't know what the hell this song is about, but it's good. The second verse is about the same length as the previous one, but that doesn't matter, because it's fifteen seconds of awesomeness followed by an awesome chorus. Following the chorus is a guitar solo, with a new, mini horn line. This part makes me think of a bunch of people drinking and dancing and having a good time, but like I said, in a Mark Twain book. The first part of the solo is really good, but then the middle of it doesn't seem to fit in quite as well. Another verse and another chorus, this one different from the other because it's the ending. Great song, 9/10, I'll definitely be downloading the rest of this album.

My Recommendations:
The Briggs - 13197 (Punk)
The Slackers - Old Dog (Ska)
The Sideburns - 4-4-1 (Ska)