Ive been waiting over a decade for ska's long awaited return. The genre was just so fun, carefree, and flashy. While ska bands are still doing their thing, the music isn't as in your face as it was in the 80s and 90s. Seems that Reel Big Fish and the Aquabats are the only mainstream ska bands keeping the genre alive.
And that horrid alternative rock in the 00s was known as Nu Metal. After the wave of alternative rock fizzled out in the late 90s, bands like Limp Bizkit, Staind, Linkin Park, Papa Roach and Disturb started to dominate radio. The only reason alternative rock got edgier was to compete with the boybands and teeniebopper artists of the time. In hindsight, there wasnt much to choose from since mainstream music really tanked in that era. Think about it. It was either cookie-cutter pop acts or generic sounding rock bands so you had 2 types of poisons to pick. Speaking of Linkin Park, Its strangely coincidental that they initially toured with STP in early 00s and now STP is using the lead douche from that band.
Music today is strange and bewildering. Theres some good acts out there, but yet the heavy hitters of the 90s such as Beck, Damon Albarn, Presidents of the USA, Eels, Pixies, and 311 have released some solid albums this year. Just a shame the NEW STP is utter shit. Either change the name of the band, boot Chester or break up.
Guy's style pinpoints 1997. The style matches the mood and the type of music that was popular at that year. Ska, surf rock revival, neo-swing. It was a carefree time. Im sure Guy listens to a lot of 311, Lit, Smash Mouth, and Reel Big Fish.
I remember catching the premiere of Undone on MTVs 120 Minutes. What really stuck out to me about this band is how it was cool to be nerdy. Considering that I was 12 and socially awkward, their songs and all along attitude resonated with me. Back then I classified their style as The Beach Boys with crunchy guitars and I still stand by that assessment. Blue is a timeless album and the reason I started to embrace my eccentric persona that thrives today.
It was "Sister Savior" that got me into this band. It was unlike anything I heard since the early 00s was about 60s garage rock revival acts. What made them stand out was how catchy, bouncy and dancy their sound was. In fact, I wouldn't surprise me if they inspired bands like The Bravery, Rock Kills Kid, and Stellastar. If this news is accurate, they will be missed and Im glad I saw them 2 years ago.
This was one of the many CDs I brought to jr high. Looking all cool listening to it on my cumbersome $300 discman. As a kid, I would always read the lyrics booklet as each song played. Probably cause the artwork complimented the mood and theme of each track which further immersed me into the music. I remember my favorite was the title song. It was full energy and fun to sing to. The there was the bewildering yet comical "Half." Cant really place it, but the high pitch vocals stuck out more than the other songs. As for the runtime, it was definitely an excursion but such an enjoyable one. The dark atmosphere that it projects is what makes it staple of the era. That cresting period of when grunge was on its way out. Superunknown was like its epic send off cause really, theres was nothing like it afterwards. Still, Black Hole Sun will always have its place. The song and the video.
So...whats next on the queue? The 20th anniversary of Live - Throwing Copper? Stone Temple Pilots - Purple? Alice in Chains - Jar of Flies?
I was 13 when I bought this album, and I based my purchase on "Loser." The video of course is what sold the song though. Bold decision, but totally worth it. As a kid, Beck was was this hilarious musician that would eclectic a chuckle. I remember laughing at all the songs as they played. Songs like "Pay No Mind" "Beercan" "Soul Sucking Jerk" "Nightmare Hippy GIrl." and the intro to "Truckdrivin' Neighbors Downstairs (Yellow Sweat)." I didn't know WTF I was listening to, but I enjoyed every aspect of this album for comical purposes. Listening to it now, I still smirk at the "giant dildo" part or the complete randomness of "Soul Sucking Jerk." Its no masterpiece, but its fun to listen to.
Remember when everyone thought Make Believe was the last album? It really should've been cause that album and everything after is embarrassing to listen to.
Beck to me is a musical halloween. Constantly surprisingly us with goodies that differ from previous treats. They taste just as sweet, but with a welcoming new flavor. While there are similarities to Sea Change on this new one, its not as melancholy or sardonic. Most of these songs are mellow Americana folk tunes with a hauntingly composed instrumentation. Its just as mesmerizing to listen to as Sea Change but with a more optimistic view on life. The way I see it, Sea Change is the hangover, Morning Phase is the recovery. As I grew older, I learned to appreciate Beck's slower and more introspective albums which leads me to believe this is the real Beck while his fast tempo funk material stems from his alter ego. Whatever side you lean on, you cant deny that the man is a musical genius.
Imagine Dragons is like the Coldplay of this decade. I don't know which genre of rock they'd fit under cause some of their songs of this faux celtic vibe.
Ah yes, 2004. The year when indie went mainstream (if that makes sense). Bands like Interpol, Modest Mouse, The Shins, The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, Arcade Fire, Keane would dominate radio and MTV. There was so much diversity in the rock genre then and it helped broaden my musical taste in the process.
As for Franz Ferdinand, it seems they cant reach an audience aside from radio singles and its a shame since their other material is just as catchy. Its annoying how radio stations will constantly play Take Me Out and ignore the other songs. I thought the new album was decent, just not as good as their first or Tonight.
The album is "out" and after listening to it 3 times today, its defiantly a Sea Change clone. Even the first song Morning sounds like Golden Age. While it does create that lo-tempo, psychedelic atmosphere as Sea Change did, it lacks those tracks with the swelling symphonic build up and piercing emotion. Paper Tiger was the first song I heard when Sea Change was released and that song alone solidified my purchase of the album. At the time, the album perfectly conveyed my mood of the time. Morning Phase is good, not great, but its missing those extra layers that would make it more engaging. In terms of mellow Beck albums my top 3 ranking would go:
3. Mutations
2. Morning Phase
1. Sea Change
Green Day was the first band that I obsessed over and Dookie was the album that started it all. Plus it was the staple of turning 13. I remember watching Alternative Nation and 120 Minutes in hope that I can record their performances and music video premieres. I remember being sick and staying home from school. I flipped to MTV in the mid afternoon and caught the premiere of Basket Case. I don't know why, but I felt special that I was one of the first people to experience such a rare moment. Whenever I hear their signature songs on the radio, it takes me back to those endearing years of childhood and how I was considered one of the cool kids for listening to such a band even though my appearance at the time would suggest otherwise. Now we need a 20th anniversary reissue with unreleased material.
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