Thursday 23 February 2012

It's been  while,but i'm back!
This post is about my top 6 bands. These bands comprise of mathematical geniuses,political activists everything! So here's the list of bands that influenced me,changed me and have become a part of me on my quest for musical enlightenment.

6.Tool - There is only one word to describe this extraordinary band - perfectionists. This band is one of a kind. Their drummer,Danny Carrey, is a mathematical genius,so much so that he incorporates the Fibonacchi sequence in their song Lateralus. He has even used time signatures so complicated that they he have to be in decimals! As a bassist, the ultimate challenge amongst us is to play the intro of The Pot,the first single of 2006's '10000 Days'. The bassline in Schism is my all-time favorite and is so complex that the time's change every bar and yet somehow,the band manages to top the Billiboard 200. The vocalist - What can I say?! James Keenan is the lead singer of a band who's track order involves The Golden Spiral and a side-project that features the drummer of Primus. This band never ceases to impress me and 'Lateralus' will be the first album I have ever heard fully in my life. 

5.Linkin Park - This band,pioneers of nu-metal, have composed a number of definitive modern rock hits that are so full of angst and misery that they make you happy. I will never forget the first time I heard 'Hands Held High'. That one line- "When the rich wage war its the poor who die" has changed me. Their earlier songs like One Step Closer and Papercut have elements of hip-hop,rock and metal mixed with the vocal powerhouses in Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda,have created musical ecstasy. The mosh-pits,their cover of Rolling In The Deep will be remembered by their fans forever. But my favorite part about this band is the fact that they have a DJ. I always found that very interesting as the DJ,Joe Hahn, has practically dictated the first two albums. Long live LP and -  
"Shut up when I'm talking to you!"
4.My Chemical Romance - Red hair,shades,brothers,comic book aliases. This genre defining band has shot to fame with their catchy emo-punk anthems. If you have heard Na Na Na you will know how pointlessley annoying yet insanely entertaining and screamable a song can be. Their vocalist,with his fiery red hair,is probably the most innovative singer I have ever seen. Their songs,especially of danger Days are full of venom and they spit out lyrics about politics. They are hard to describe,yet very easy to listen to with a variation of music,ranging from power ballads to pop punk anthems,from tracks that tell you to forgrt the world to a punk song that can make you dance. They have even toured with Linkin Park,Bon Jovi and Alkaline Trio. Killjoys for life!

3.30 Seconds To Mars - Compared to Pink Floyd and Tool because of their concept albums and philosophical lyrics,this band fronted by Jared Leto, has written the most influential and life changing songs I will ever hear. I will always remember almost breaking down into tears when I first saw the video of Kings and Queens. Their energy and commitment is mind boggling and the Leto brothers along with Miclevecic have won over fans with their flawless and flowing music. Their fans,called the Echelon, are the most committed, to a certain extent that Jared Leto recognizez them as a 'family'. Thei album - 'This Is War' is my all time favorite and my all time favorite quote is -
"Some people ask us if this is a cult; I say this:


 It's something special. It's not for everyone - it's only for 


those who understand."




                                                           
2.Red Hot Chili Peppers - These 50 something funk rockers have been rocking the music industry since the 1980s and are not likely to stop now. Ever since I heard By The Way,I have been inspired to learn the bass guitar and the Flea is definitely my longtime idol. He combines funk,blues,rock and jazz to create mix of well developed sounds that compliment the band very well. He uses different techniques,such as slap and pop which gives this band a unique sound. All this,plus the eccentric,energetic vocalist Anthnoy Klieds and Chickenfoot drummer Chad Smith combine with the Flea's bass and Klinghoffer's melodic and subtle guitar playing serves fans a treat which is unforgettable to anyone. Tracks like Under The Bridge,Californication and Snow(Hey Oh) have turned into anthems for the ages. An easy way to learn maths-

FLEA + KLIEDS + CHAD + JOSH = MUSICAL HEAVEN = PARADISE


1.Green Day - Ok,you'll probably think 'Oh Green Day,kiddish band,he'll grow out of it.' I thought that too,but then I heard all their music. Billie,Tre and Mike have redifined the word 'punk' and their longtime motto has been - "Punk Is Not Dead",cause it isn't! These 3 men,now accompnied with Jason Freeze have won  a massive 5 Grammys. They have epitomized the punk genre and in the process created some of the most successful singles of the modern era,such as Boulevard of Broken Dreams,Longview and When I Come Around. Their song Time of Your Life(Good Riddance) is probably the greatest song ever to play on an acoustic guitar and the lyrics are of a different caliber itself. This group has faced adversity in the form of coming back from a Grammy winning record and yet have come back with American Idiot,expressing the angst and frustration every working class American was going through when George W. Bush(aka American Idiot) was reigning. These are just some of the things my favorite band have accopmlished.

Saturday 10 December 2011

Concept Album?

A Thousand Suns
Although this is kinda late, Linkin Park's new album - A Thousand Suns - is probably the strangest album I've heard in quite some time. Although labelled as a 'concept' album,this record is very odd and does not sound like old Linkin Park or for tthat matter any band I've ever heard.

No more,heavy guitar riffs and angry lyrics, this album(compared to Hybrid Theory) is like comparing Justin Bieber to Marilyn Manson :P This album defies the nu-metal roots that made Linkin Park famous. There is still the use of turntables by DJ Joe Hahn, but it is now used for the synthesis of echoes and other sounds.

Lyrically this record is inspired by nuclear weaponary and warfare, especially by Robert Oppenheimer's speeches. One of the main themes, brought out from songs like The Catalyst, is oppression and breaking free. Many songs contain samples of famous speeches by Martin Luther and Robert Oppenheimer. Songs like Robot Boy and second single, Waiting For The End are very negative in their lyrics but all the same are probably the second and third best songs of this album.

Undoubtedly, the best song of this mysterious album that continued the trend of a Linkin Park song featuring in a Transformers movie, Iridescent, is lyrically and musically very inspiring. Its subtle yet effective piano opening adds a layer of creativity that is yet alive in this band.
                "Take all the sadness and frustration,
                 And let it go."
                                                           -Iridescent,fourth single from A Thousand Suns

Overall, this album disappointing me and was a let down to me. But maybe Linkin Park is evolving into a more electronic, Depeche Mode type band and away from their nu-metal roots,who they are pioneers of.

The new Chillis :D


As your probably know, the Chillis’ new album –“I’m With You” has released…….
I'm With You
And they are also being inducted into the Rock’n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2012….the 4-piece from California, consisting of Anthony Klieds, Chad Smith, The Flea and new guitarist – Josh Klinghoffer, have released two singles from their album –‘The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” and “Monarchy of Roses”, the opening number.


This is not a typical RHCP album……Klinghoffers style varies from Frusciante’s and in my opinion this  is for the better, but this is a long call from By The Way. Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ style is similar – punchy, heavy bass lines (which almost drive the song),melodic guitar riffs mixed with 
Anthony’s powerful vocals makes for a exotic album, which varies a lot.

Between 2006 and I’m With You a lot has changed –

Josh Klinghoffer
The Flea returned to music school, learned the trumpet, the band went to Ethiopia and Josh Klinghoffer joined, their trip to Ethiopia inspired them to right a song which is of the same name……it too starts off with a chunky bass line……but behind the mesmerizing vocals, is a complex time signature (the bass is played in 7/4), one of the only RHCP songs to have an off time signature. Then rain dance(as it is popularly called) is a great song. No complex time signatures, no nothing – just 4 almost 50 year olds jamming on top of a building in L.A. The song consists of a funky bass riff and the use of a cowbell by drummer Chad Smith makes a peculiar sound.

Factory of Faith is probably my second favorite track of this brilliant, diverse record, my being Did I let You Know. I feel it is a chill song, a song that you listen to on the beach, admiring the sunset. It is one of the songs in which the bass is slightly overshadowed by the lyrical masterpiece and dreamy lead guitar riffs. It also features the Flea playing the trumpet and has a catchy drum beat and guitar solo.

All in all….in my opinion this is a break away from the old Chilli’s and maybe the Red Hot Chilli peppers are now more technically intellectual…and definitely more diverse in their music……you’ll will think I’m probably sayin this cause I wasn’t born when Blood Sugar Sex Magik released ,and that I have no taste in R*H*C*P*,but trust me…this album is brilliant and offers a range of sounds.

Who am I?

Jared Leto

I ask myself: Why do I listen to rock music?
The only answer is that it makes you feel alive,like you're part of something much bigger.




In the words of Jared Leto,one of my idols -                    "This is cult."


How true that is.


In my school,most people listen to hip-hop artists like Pitbull and Lady Gaga.

No offense to them,but their music is fake......you cannot compare them to people in black shirts and mascara grinding riffs on a black guitar in front 200,000 odd screaming fans.


Hip-Hop is just a singer and someone working a computer.
Even a Pitbull can do that.(Get it?)


The sound of rock music - Face melting solo's,brilliant bass runs,drums being pounded on and a singer belting out verses and sounding quite like a wolf.


To me,thats why is listen to rock....the live shows that don't sound like nursery rhymes,the moshpits,headbanging and crowd waves.


You understand rock.


And it understands you.


There is a song for all your emotions,every moment of your rollercoaster like life.....you can even relate to the lyrics.


Just imagine yourself sitting on the floor,looking out the window with a slow,depressing,almost suicidal rock song playing.


Now imagine yourself listening to Ke$ha.


It just doesn't feel right.


My Chemical Romance's singer - Gerard Way once said -"This is the best time to listen to rock, because it isn't 'cool'."


How right can he be.


He has captured the views of a generation of musically developed people in a single quote..........most people don't even try...they just listen to 'popular' music,blinding themselves to the melodic guitar riffs,subtle technicalities and powerful lyrics of 'unpopular' music.


The songwriting skills of Rock artists often capture the views of generations,and also make WAY more sense than - "No he can't read my poker face."


Um....yeah...so this is my first blog as a 13 year old who has an impeccable taste in music.