Saturday 20 October 2012

Blog 8: Possibly The Most Important Song Ever Written

Song I'm Listening To Now: Reinventing Axl Rose by Against Me!

Yesterday I reviewed the Against Me! album "Reinventing Axl Rose." On the album there is a song with the same title which in my opinion is one of the greatest and most important songs ever written. Near enough every line means something to me. Tonight I decided to post the lyrics and a video as I think everyone should hear it.


We want a band that plays loud and hard every night
That doesn't care how many people are counted at the door
That would travel one million miles and ask for nothing more than a plate of food and a place to rest
They'd strike chords that cut like a knife
It would mean so much more than t-shirts or a ticket stub
They'd stop at nothing short of a massacre
Everyone would leave with the memory that there was no place else in the world
And this was where they always belonged
We would dance like no one was watching
With one fist in the air
Our arena just basements and bookstores across an underground America
With this fire we could light
Just gimme a scene where the music is free
And the beer is not the life of the party
There's no need to shit talk or impress
'Cause honesty and emotion are not looked down upon
And every promise that's made and bragged
is meant if not kept
We'd do it all because we have to, not because we know why
Beyond a gender, race, and class, we could find what really holds us back
Let's make everybody sing
That they are the beginning and ending of everything
That we all are stronger than everything they taught us that we should fear 

BRAP!

Song I'm listening to now: Reinventing Axl Rose by Against Me! 

Friday 19 October 2012

CD Review: Reinventing Axl Rose

What I'm Listening To Now: Cassettes by Mixtapes

Today I'm finally finishing reviewing my top 5 albums ever. The past few weeks I have been very busy wasting my time with Skyrim and FIFA, my bad! My final choice is Reinventing Axl Rose by Against Me!



When I first heard Against Me! I wasn't really sure what all the fuss was about. I never disliked any songs but was completely flummoxed as to why they were adored so much by the punks. Then I saw this video.


 I instantly fell in love with them. I found the energy and passion of the fans mesmerizing. Straight away I went online and brought the album.

Reinventing Axl Rose starts of with Pints Of Guiness Make You Strong. This song is a very clear indication of the musical style you will find on this album. Fist in the air sing-a-longs, fast drumbeats and the raw intensity they are known for after years of performing live in basements and dirty bars. 

The next stand out track is We Laugh At Danger And Break All The Rules (The song from the video), is a song about growing up and struggling with who you are, feeling trapped and wanting to escape and do something great. My favourite part of the song is when the music drops out and you think the song is ending and then a huge sing-a-long. It gives a wonderful impression of a room full of kids clapping along to the beat with huge smiles on their faces.

The title track in my opinion is the greatest song ever written. It is an anthem not just for punk, metal or hardcore bands but for any band that has loaded up a van to travel the world to play their music. There are soooooo many great lyrics in this song I'm tempted to post them all. I won't, but you should definitely check them out here: http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/againstme/reinventingaxlrose.html

My personal favourite lyric is "Just gimme a scene where the music is free, And the beer is not the life of the party." This lyric is very dear to me due to my own views on drinking alcohol. Any scene where there isn't the social stigma that says you don't need to drink to have fun is definitely a scene for me.

Reinventing Axl Rose is an amazing piece of work by a band that are now one of the biggest punk bands on the planet. Every single new album is always greeted with great anticipation but for me this will always remain the best. Every time I listen I seem to find something else I love about it. Check it out!

Song I'm Listening To Now: Walking Is Still Honest by Against Me!  

 
 

Thursday 4 October 2012

Blog 7: Fudge X-Factor, listen to something new

Song I'm Listening To Now: It Coulda Been Me by Social Distortion

Sunday night I was finding myself getting incredibly irritated by constant posts on various social network websites about the x factor. I hate that TV "talent" show with a passion. The sole purpose of this show seems to be to give the "judges" some exposure while Simon Cowell lines his pockets with more millions. Very few contestants on the show seem to have prolonged careers in the music industry.

You might say "Colin, you incredibly handsome man, why do you watch it if you hate it so much?" I don't watch it but it seems every other person I seem to know does and feels the need to post there judgement on the Internet for my uninterested eyes to see. This is fine, the Internet is a great tool for people to put their own opinion across about anything and everything. I'm sure the majority of readers of this blog will have a different opinion on the points I've already put across.

I really wish people instead of listening to what Simon Cowell and Tulisa decide the public should listen to would go and give something different a chance. There are so many talented hardworking underground bands in the UK. Here are my top 5. Give them a chance, you might like them. If you do, go see them or BUY a CD. 

Apologies, I Have None
Hailing from London, Apologies, I Have None are an upbeat punk influenced four piece. Starting off as an acoustic duo they have since added a drummer and bass player to their ranks and have gone from strength to strength and have gained a very credible following. After releasing a string of EPs and Singles they released their debut album this year named London. The album has received extremely positive reviews and I personally haven't stopped listening to it. 

Songs to check out: Sat In Vicky Park, Clapton Pond, The 26


Crowns
Crowns are a folk punk band originating from Cornwall. Forming in 2010 they refer to their music as "fish punk" due to being partly inspired by traditional Cornish songs. After seeing them live twice I can tell you they are a great party band. Lots of energy and can really get a crowd moving.

Songs to check out: Full Swing, She Swears Like A Sailor, Kissing Gates


Faintest Idea
Formed in Kings Lynn in 2008 Faintest Idea describe there music as "rudeboy punk." They play a energetic brand of ska and street punk. Mike Davies of the Radio 1 Punk show called it dance punk during a recent interview. However you want to classify Faintest Idea one thing is for certain, they are cracking fun. First time I saw them live the horn players started the set at the back of the crowd and made there way towards the stage playing an intro. I thought this was absolute genius. Despite only being around for a short while and being on a small independent record label (TNS) they have already released 3 albums of fun and political anthems. 

Songs to check out: 2 Years Conscription, Bull In A China Shop, Stand Tall



Beans On Toast
Jay McAllister, better known as Beans On Toast is a folk singer from Essex. He mostly sings about love, drugs and politics. So far he has released four full length album. He has a reputation for being completely shambolic live. He is well known for completely messing up his songs by getting the chords wrong or forgetting the lyrics. Amazingly, due to an amazing amount of charm he manages to make the live show work despite those short comings. Check him out soon.

Songs to check out: M.D.M.Amazing, Peter Pans Playground, Can't Take Another Earthquake



Random Hand
Yorkshires Random Hand play a fusion of ska, reggae, punk and metal to create a huge sound. They have released three fantastic albums and played shows with some of the greats such as Reel Big Fish and Big D & the Kids table as well as performing at Reading and Leeds festival and being at the forefront of the current UK underground scene along with the likes of Sonic Boom Six and The Skints. These guys can only get bigger and bigger.

Songs to check out: Play Some Ska, Scum Triumphant, Anger Management



Those are just five are loads of underground bands that get little to no exposure due to shows like x factor. Honourable mentions also go to New Town Kings, Tyrannosaurus Alan, Anti Vigilante, Leagues Apart, Roughneck Riot, Dirty Revolution and The JB Conspiracy. Go check them all out!

BRAP

Song I'm Listening To Now: Answers by Random Hand

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Blog 6: A Happy List

Song I'm Listening To Now: Someday I Suppose by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

 Recently I've been feeling really really low so I've decided to list things that make me happiest to cheer myself up.

  • The Abu Club
  • My School Friends
  • My Work Friends
  • Jess
  • My Nephew Captain Chaz
  • Going To Gigs
  • Crystal Palace
  • Playing Football
  • Nutmegging People
  • Sitting In The Country Park Late At Night
  • Long Walks
  • Old Photos
  • Buying CDs
  • Alphabetising New CDs
  • Cock Bumping Brad
  • Cheers
  • The Rovers Tye
  • The Johnstones
  • Less Than Jake
  • Dropkick Murphys
  • Road Trips
  • Singing "Bohemian Rhapsody"
  • Train Journeys
  • Frinton Beach
  • Making My Friends Laugh
  • Playing "Lets Get Naked"
  • Boobies
  • Fajitas
  • Skanking
  • Chuck
  • Lord Of The Rings
  • Star Wars
  • Lego
  • Playing Cards
  • Good Conversation
  • Pointless Bickering 
  • Blogging
Thats what makes me happiest.

Brap!

Song I'm Listening To Now: The Corpes Of Our Motivations by The Lawrence Arms