Was "Paper Planes" an album track?
Maybe this is what I get for downloading albums, but it definitely isn't on the version of Kala that I picked up online a few months ago. I'm still not as into her as pretty much the rest of the internet, but this song is pretty damn killer. Floating along on a dreamy Clash sample, it's pretty damn peppy for a song about holding people up.
Here's the video - I'm not even going to bother talking about the MTV controversy as it's been done to death all over the internet already.
Not bad, though the Beastie Boys cameo is a little out of nowhere and not totally necessary. I will say this - as superficial as it is, she looks damn good in that Metallica tshirt.
As good as the track is - and it is good - Diplo did us all a favor by upping this remix, featuring Bun B and Rich Boy. B and Rich Boy absolutely kill it, riding that beat for all it's worth. The original almost sounds a little naked afterwards.
Get into it.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Chris Colohan Is A Fucking Genius
Chris Colohan is a fucking genius.
I don't really think there are many people who have been into hardcore in the last ten years or so who would dispute that statement, and there's good reason for it - everything the man touches is total gold. Looking Colohan's musical history is like looking at a list of some of the best bands of the last decade - The Swarm, Left for Dead, Ruination, Cursed, and Fucked Up just to name a few. I feel like Haymaker and Chokehold were also Colohan bands, but I could be wrong.
Left for Dead is absolutely one of my favorite bands ever - their Eat Shit LP is one of the most berserk live recordings I've ever heard. The very first song - "Who D'You Know?," is just a total encapsulation of everything that's great about hardcore - an insane, grinding buzzsaw guitar riff, with a breakdown that is absolutely perfect - heavy as hell, but not falling into the "meathead" category. And let's not forget the lyrics...
It sounds like this show was an insane experience - there are fireworks being set off during the opener, as well as a few other songs. One of my favorite moments on a live album ever also takes place during "Who D'You Know?," as well; during the repetition of the line "I don't care who you know," someone manages to get up to this mic. He is right up in the mix for the first half of the line, but as he hangs on to the "know" in the lyric, it literally sounds like he's falling into a pit. He fades away - I'm sure he just moved away from the microphone but is still getting picked up, but it seriously comes off sounding like "KNOWWWwwwwwwwwwwwww" like the the dude is falling into some chasm or something.
Basically, the record is punishing, heavy, and insane from start to finish.
Left for Dead's brother, sonically speaking, is definitely The Swarm. Parasitic Skies basically sounds like a Left for Dead record - punishingly fast, chaotic, but still retaining the heaviness that slower moments like "God's Little Acre" display. The album also has my favorite straightedge songs ever, "On Our Knees," which is twenty-five seconds of the words "I don't want it" and "I don't need it" being screamed at desperation volumes over a blistering riff. The album has some metal moments, too - "Upside Your Head" is reminiscent of bands such as Entombed. "Monopolized Reality For The Maintenance Of Order" is a genuinely disturbing spoken-word detail of a subway suicide.
Ruination finds Colohan in a slightly more punk-rock influenced mode; it's easy to see where the inspiration to join Fucked Up came in when you listen to this band. The songs are more rock-ish, and that might be why I've never been able to get into the band that much.
Cursed is the Chris Colohan vehicle with the most mileage attached to it, and with good reason. Dark, brooding, and raw, Cursed is definitely one of the best bands of the last few years. Metalcore without the makeup and "mosh parts," Cursed combines the best parts of the two genres to create something that is equal parts Black Flag and Entombed. Most purists would pick One as their favorite record, but when I was in England I absolutely fell in love with Two. For me, it's Colohan's masterpiece - the songwriting is most polished, and the mood is even darker, as if that were even possible. The production is also a little more fleshed out on Two, still dirty and stripped down, but a little more professional than on its predecessor. Lyrically, Two is possibly the darkest and most honestly disturbing hardcore record I've ever heard. Cursed is almost set to release their third LP, titled (ready for it?) Three, and there's a couple tracks up to check out on the Goodfellow Records myspace. That, along with Blacklisted's new full-length, are the two records that I'm most looking forward to in 2008.
Chris Colohan is a genius. A fucking genius.
I don't really think there are many people who have been into hardcore in the last ten years or so who would dispute that statement, and there's good reason for it - everything the man touches is total gold. Looking Colohan's musical history is like looking at a list of some of the best bands of the last decade - The Swarm, Left for Dead, Ruination, Cursed, and Fucked Up just to name a few. I feel like Haymaker and Chokehold were also Colohan bands, but I could be wrong.
Left for Dead is absolutely one of my favorite bands ever - their Eat Shit LP is one of the most berserk live recordings I've ever heard. The very first song - "Who D'You Know?," is just a total encapsulation of everything that's great about hardcore - an insane, grinding buzzsaw guitar riff, with a breakdown that is absolutely perfect - heavy as hell, but not falling into the "meathead" category. And let's not forget the lyrics...
"Sick of your attitude
Sick of you
Your social clubs
Your flavour of the month
I don't care you know
You don't know shit
Fuck your popularity contest
I wanna see a murder contest
Why are you even here?
Who do you know
And who fucking cares?"
Basically, the record is punishing, heavy, and insane from start to finish.
Left for Dead's brother, sonically speaking, is definitely The Swarm. Parasitic Skies basically sounds like a Left for Dead record - punishingly fast, chaotic, but still retaining the heaviness that slower moments like "God's Little Acre" display. The album also has my favorite straightedge songs ever, "On Our Knees," which is twenty-five seconds of the words "I don't want it" and "I don't need it" being screamed at desperation volumes over a blistering riff. The album has some metal moments, too - "Upside Your Head" is reminiscent of bands such as Entombed. "Monopolized Reality For The Maintenance Of Order" is a genuinely disturbing spoken-word detail of a subway suicide.
Ruination finds Colohan in a slightly more punk-rock influenced mode; it's easy to see where the inspiration to join Fucked Up came in when you listen to this band. The songs are more rock-ish, and that might be why I've never been able to get into the band that much.
Cursed is the Chris Colohan vehicle with the most mileage attached to it, and with good reason. Dark, brooding, and raw, Cursed is definitely one of the best bands of the last few years. Metalcore without the makeup and "mosh parts," Cursed combines the best parts of the two genres to create something that is equal parts Black Flag and Entombed. Most purists would pick One as their favorite record, but when I was in England I absolutely fell in love with Two. For me, it's Colohan's masterpiece - the songwriting is most polished, and the mood is even darker, as if that were even possible. The production is also a little more fleshed out on Two, still dirty and stripped down, but a little more professional than on its predecessor. Lyrically, Two is possibly the darkest and most honestly disturbing hardcore record I've ever heard. Cursed is almost set to release their third LP, titled (ready for it?) Three, and there's a couple tracks up to check out on the Goodfellow Records myspace. That, along with Blacklisted's new full-length, are the two records that I'm most looking forward to in 2008.
Chris Colohan is a genius. A fucking genius.
Monday, December 17, 2007
2007 Year In Review
I'm back. I know it's been a long time, but I'm back. I apologize to all six of my readers for the long break, but real life gets in the way sometimes. Between school and some other circumstances, writing just wasn't happening. I did do some work - and still am doing some work - for the Peoria Hardcore zine Failure To Communicate. You want one? Get at me. It's good stuff.
I'm gonna try to keep this blog almost exclusively hardcore and metal related from now on. Not totally exclusively, but mostly. It's easier for me to write about and at least sound like I know what I'm talking about.
My Top Ten list from 2007 turned into a Top 20...but that's just as fun.
My Top 20 Albums of 2007
20. The Horrors - Strange House
I saw this band on Subterranean on MTV2 looking like a bunch of tools who were trying way too hard to be brooding and dark. That may still be right, but this is still a pretty great rock record. The horror-film thing is something that's been done to death it seems, but this takes a slightly different way of going about it - campy instead of gore-obsessed. Pretty great Link Wray cover on there as well.
19. Maserati - Inventions For The New Season
It's pretty hard for me to give a fuck about "post rock" or whatever you want to call it anymore. On the whole, it's a genre that's pretty stagnant and repetitive for me (coming from a hardcore fan I know that loses some punch), and I'd say the scene is getting pretty damn saturated. This record was still able to blow me away, and that says a lot.
18. Obituary - Xecutioner's Return
Obituary...still fucking killer.
17. World Collapse - Deustchland, Deustchland! Into the Night
Can a six-song EP be on a "best of" list? Who cares. This record is awesome. Hardcore/Pop/Electro blend that is just gorgeous, and was basically the soundtrack to my entire summer. Check out this band.
16. Pulling Teeth - Martyr Immortal
"What are you so afraid of?" Brutal, heavy, blistering hardcore. I wasn't sure it'd be able to top last year's "Vicious Skin" but it did just fine. Hate-filled and hard as fuck, and this record also reminds everyone that solos still have a place in hardcore. One of the few bands who get hyped to death and totally deserve it.
15. Silversun Pickups
Though I'm starting to tire of them thanks to the excessive pimping being done by MTV (do I want to know if the dude in this band has been tested? Honestly?), I still love this record. Glistening pop magic that, as corny as it sounds, makes me want to lie on a beach or something. And I hate beaches. This band has always reminded me a bit of Portastatic, and that's a good thing. I'd say it's the vocals more than the instrumentation, but who cares?
14. Turbonegro - Retox
Turn up the glam. Front to back, this record rules.
13. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81
This one just came out so I haven't gotten a real good feel for it yet, but it's pretty goddamned good. This record really goes back to a more straight-up rock sound than "Howl," which is both just fine (the dudes are great at it), and a shame (I loved the country/gospel vibe that "Howl" had). I obviously like it already, and I'm sure I'll like it even more once I really sink my teeth into it.
12. Mayhem - Ordo ad Chao
Raw and dark as fuck. Hellhammer is still absolutely inhuman behind a drumset, and whoever produced this record really knew their shit - it maintains a traditional lo-fi black metal sound without sacrificing any sort of intensity or weight. More guttural growling than nasal screaming vocals-wise, which is also a change and a plus.
11. Every Time I Die - The Big Dirty
This band just keeps getting better and better, and is one of the more "commercial" hardcore (or hardcore-influenced, or whatever) acts that I can still get behind. I wasn't very happy with "Gutter Phenomenon" but this record just kicks its ass. Still vaguely hardcore-ish, but at the same time able to kick into almost Molly Hatchet-style grooves. Keith Buckley is still the perfect lyricist for this band, as well - I've never heard anyone make absolutely no sense so poignantly.
10. The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
I'm convinced that it is impossible for this band to make a bad record.
9. Kanye West - Graduation
Was it awesome? Yes. Was it as good as many people claim? Maybe not. Every time I listen to it, though, I notice new details that I'd missed the previous time. Fact is, I can't think of a truly "bad" song on this record, which is a total rarity in hip-hop today. I'm not sure I'll ever forgive the Chris Matin-ization of "Homecoming," though.
8. Lil Wayne - Da Drought 3
It frightens me sometimes the vast capability for creative output that Lil Wayne has. How is it possible to put up so many guest spots, so many mixtapes, and STILL put out a double (double!) tape that is so fucking good? The dude has his haters, and I am absolutely not one of them. The second disc might taper off, but this is still exceptional.
7. Modern Life Is War - Midnight In America
Just see my older post. Gets better every time I listen to it, and I'm interested to experience this band live again.
6. Interpol - Our Love To Admire
It's interesting that this band has basically put out the same record three times, and I could not possibly care less. "Our Love..." is a little bit slower and darker than their previous releases, with a more brooding atmosphere. Basically, this was the record I listened to when I wanted to be bummed out at work. Good stuff.
5. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
I'm not sure what to say about this one specifically, other than the fact that it's the White Stripes "returning to their roots," which is great despite the fact that I fucking love "Get Behind Me Satan."
4. Alcest - Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde
See my older post. Exactly what "post rock" needs...someone to inject something new and shake things up a bit. Gorgeous.
3. Ghostface Killa - Big Doe Rehab
The antithesis of "8 Diagrams," but just as crazy. Ghost is intense as fuck the entire record, rapping in that screaming, almost out of breath style, and the beats are of the stark screaming-soul-sample variety. There are a couple misses, but the hits make up for it, big time.
2. Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
Good God. Two Wu-Affiliated albums in the top three, and I didn't even do that on purpose. For me, this record has confirmed the fact that RZA has gone totally batshit insane, and it makes for one hell of a record. Production-wise, this is easily one of the darkest and most atmospheric hip hop albums I've ever heard, and it's Wu so even the weak verses are pretty good by most standards.
1. Weekend Nachos - Punish and Destroy
That's right. Weekend (fucking) Nachos, "Punish and Destroy" is the greatest record of the year. Am I just sticking up for a local band, for my friends? Absolutely not. I have never in my life seen a record with a more appropriate title. Every track (all clocking in at under 1:30) is absolute punishment, lyrically and musically abrasive. Powerviolence seems to be the "hot" thing in hardcore this year, and this is the only record that really deserves the label - or hype - in my opinion. The production is flawless, the lyrics cutting, and come fucking on, even the 8-minute outro is awesome.
Disappointments of 07 In a Sentence or Less
1. Type O Negative - Dead Again
Just not very good.
2. Ministry - The Last Sucker
I think I'm the only person alive who hated this record
3. Marilyn Manson - Eat Me, Drink Me
You fucking pussy.
4. A Life Once Lost - Iron Gag
"Hey guys, remember those good songs we put out? Let's not do that this time."
5. Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works
Who am I kidding? I knew this would suck.
6. Blacklisted - Peace On Earth, War On Stage
People suck these dudes dicks so hard, I love them, but this just wasn't up to their standard.
7. Klashnekoff - Lionheart - Tussle With the Beast
I'm just gonna keep listening to "Focus Mode" and pretend this never happened.
Surprises of 2007 In a Sentence or Less
1. 108 - A New Beat From A Dead Heart
Though it would suck...it rips.
2. Gallows - Orchestra of Wolves
Where the hell did this band come from?
3. Anaal Nathrakh - Hell Is Empty, And All The Devils Are Here
Crushing death metal with some great melodic elements.
4. Swizz Beats - It's Me, Bitches
Yeah, just one song...but it's a total mindfuck of a song.
5. Smoking Popes - The Party's Over
Maybe I was hasty in assuming it would be hard to write another "Destination Failure."
6. Throwdown - Venom and Tears
Pantera > Straightedge
Things I Ignored in 2007
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Because I don't like Radiohead, go figure.
2. M.I.A. -Kala
So...it's a hot Sri Lankan girl who plays dance music? So?
3. Justice/Daft Punk/etc
When I DJed as a hobby in high school I played French House. Antoine Clamaran, all that shit. That was five goddamned years ago. This is not a "new hip thing." Fucking hipsters ruin everything.
I'm gonna try to keep this blog almost exclusively hardcore and metal related from now on. Not totally exclusively, but mostly. It's easier for me to write about and at least sound like I know what I'm talking about.
My Top Ten list from 2007 turned into a Top 20...but that's just as fun.
My Top 20 Albums of 2007
20. The Horrors - Strange House
I saw this band on Subterranean on MTV2 looking like a bunch of tools who were trying way too hard to be brooding and dark. That may still be right, but this is still a pretty great rock record. The horror-film thing is something that's been done to death it seems, but this takes a slightly different way of going about it - campy instead of gore-obsessed. Pretty great Link Wray cover on there as well.
19. Maserati - Inventions For The New Season
It's pretty hard for me to give a fuck about "post rock" or whatever you want to call it anymore. On the whole, it's a genre that's pretty stagnant and repetitive for me (coming from a hardcore fan I know that loses some punch), and I'd say the scene is getting pretty damn saturated. This record was still able to blow me away, and that says a lot.
18. Obituary - Xecutioner's Return
Obituary...still fucking killer.
17. World Collapse - Deustchland, Deustchland! Into the Night
Can a six-song EP be on a "best of" list? Who cares. This record is awesome. Hardcore/Pop/Electro blend that is just gorgeous, and was basically the soundtrack to my entire summer. Check out this band.
16. Pulling Teeth - Martyr Immortal
"What are you so afraid of?" Brutal, heavy, blistering hardcore. I wasn't sure it'd be able to top last year's "Vicious Skin" but it did just fine. Hate-filled and hard as fuck, and this record also reminds everyone that solos still have a place in hardcore. One of the few bands who get hyped to death and totally deserve it.
15. Silversun Pickups
Though I'm starting to tire of them thanks to the excessive pimping being done by MTV (do I want to know if the dude in this band has been tested? Honestly?), I still love this record. Glistening pop magic that, as corny as it sounds, makes me want to lie on a beach or something. And I hate beaches. This band has always reminded me a bit of Portastatic, and that's a good thing. I'd say it's the vocals more than the instrumentation, but who cares?
14. Turbonegro - Retox
Turn up the glam. Front to back, this record rules.
13. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81
This one just came out so I haven't gotten a real good feel for it yet, but it's pretty goddamned good. This record really goes back to a more straight-up rock sound than "Howl," which is both just fine (the dudes are great at it), and a shame (I loved the country/gospel vibe that "Howl" had). I obviously like it already, and I'm sure I'll like it even more once I really sink my teeth into it.
12. Mayhem - Ordo ad Chao
Raw and dark as fuck. Hellhammer is still absolutely inhuman behind a drumset, and whoever produced this record really knew their shit - it maintains a traditional lo-fi black metal sound without sacrificing any sort of intensity or weight. More guttural growling than nasal screaming vocals-wise, which is also a change and a plus.
11. Every Time I Die - The Big Dirty
This band just keeps getting better and better, and is one of the more "commercial" hardcore (or hardcore-influenced, or whatever) acts that I can still get behind. I wasn't very happy with "Gutter Phenomenon" but this record just kicks its ass. Still vaguely hardcore-ish, but at the same time able to kick into almost Molly Hatchet-style grooves. Keith Buckley is still the perfect lyricist for this band, as well - I've never heard anyone make absolutely no sense so poignantly.
10. The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
I'm convinced that it is impossible for this band to make a bad record.
9. Kanye West - Graduation
Was it awesome? Yes. Was it as good as many people claim? Maybe not. Every time I listen to it, though, I notice new details that I'd missed the previous time. Fact is, I can't think of a truly "bad" song on this record, which is a total rarity in hip-hop today. I'm not sure I'll ever forgive the Chris Matin-ization of "Homecoming," though.
8. Lil Wayne - Da Drought 3
It frightens me sometimes the vast capability for creative output that Lil Wayne has. How is it possible to put up so many guest spots, so many mixtapes, and STILL put out a double (double!) tape that is so fucking good? The dude has his haters, and I am absolutely not one of them. The second disc might taper off, but this is still exceptional.
7. Modern Life Is War - Midnight In America
Just see my older post. Gets better every time I listen to it, and I'm interested to experience this band live again.
6. Interpol - Our Love To Admire
It's interesting that this band has basically put out the same record three times, and I could not possibly care less. "Our Love..." is a little bit slower and darker than their previous releases, with a more brooding atmosphere. Basically, this was the record I listened to when I wanted to be bummed out at work. Good stuff.
5. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
I'm not sure what to say about this one specifically, other than the fact that it's the White Stripes "returning to their roots," which is great despite the fact that I fucking love "Get Behind Me Satan."
4. Alcest - Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde
See my older post. Exactly what "post rock" needs...someone to inject something new and shake things up a bit. Gorgeous.
3. Ghostface Killa - Big Doe Rehab
The antithesis of "8 Diagrams," but just as crazy. Ghost is intense as fuck the entire record, rapping in that screaming, almost out of breath style, and the beats are of the stark screaming-soul-sample variety. There are a couple misses, but the hits make up for it, big time.
2. Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
Good God. Two Wu-Affiliated albums in the top three, and I didn't even do that on purpose. For me, this record has confirmed the fact that RZA has gone totally batshit insane, and it makes for one hell of a record. Production-wise, this is easily one of the darkest and most atmospheric hip hop albums I've ever heard, and it's Wu so even the weak verses are pretty good by most standards.
1. Weekend Nachos - Punish and Destroy
That's right. Weekend (fucking) Nachos, "Punish and Destroy" is the greatest record of the year. Am I just sticking up for a local band, for my friends? Absolutely not. I have never in my life seen a record with a more appropriate title. Every track (all clocking in at under 1:30) is absolute punishment, lyrically and musically abrasive. Powerviolence seems to be the "hot" thing in hardcore this year, and this is the only record that really deserves the label - or hype - in my opinion. The production is flawless, the lyrics cutting, and come fucking on, even the 8-minute outro is awesome.
Disappointments of 07 In a Sentence or Less
1. Type O Negative - Dead Again
Just not very good.
2. Ministry - The Last Sucker
I think I'm the only person alive who hated this record
3. Marilyn Manson - Eat Me, Drink Me
You fucking pussy.
4. A Life Once Lost - Iron Gag
"Hey guys, remember those good songs we put out? Let's not do that this time."
5. Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works
Who am I kidding? I knew this would suck.
6. Blacklisted - Peace On Earth, War On Stage
People suck these dudes dicks so hard, I love them, but this just wasn't up to their standard.
7. Klashnekoff - Lionheart - Tussle With the Beast
I'm just gonna keep listening to "Focus Mode" and pretend this never happened.
Surprises of 2007 In a Sentence or Less
1. 108 - A New Beat From A Dead Heart
Though it would suck...it rips.
2. Gallows - Orchestra of Wolves
Where the hell did this band come from?
3. Anaal Nathrakh - Hell Is Empty, And All The Devils Are Here
Crushing death metal with some great melodic elements.
4. Swizz Beats - It's Me, Bitches
Yeah, just one song...but it's a total mindfuck of a song.
5. Smoking Popes - The Party's Over
Maybe I was hasty in assuming it would be hard to write another "Destination Failure."
6. Throwdown - Venom and Tears
Pantera > Straightedge
Things I Ignored in 2007
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
Because I don't like Radiohead, go figure.
2. M.I.A. -Kala
So...it's a hot Sri Lankan girl who plays dance music? So?
3. Justice/Daft Punk/etc
When I DJed as a hobby in high school I played French House. Antoine Clamaran, all that shit. That was five goddamned years ago. This is not a "new hip thing." Fucking hipsters ruin everything.
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